East County Observer 09.29.11

bserver O Happy Rosh Hashana!

EAST COUNTY

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

SPORTS

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

HEALTH MATTERS

inside

Softball teams See inside for the East flock to Ranch County Observer’s for Storm tourney. health magazine.

PAGE 16.

OUR TOWN + Temples prep for High Holy Days Jewish congregations will celebrate the High Holy Days beginning this week.

Chabad of Bradenton, 11509 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch, will hold Rosh Hashana services at 9:30 a.m. (morning service) and 7 p.m. (evening service) Sept. 29; and 9:30 a.m. (morning service) Sept. 30.

Yom Kippur services will be at 7 p.m. (Kol Nidrei services), Oct. 7; and 9:30 a.m. (morning service), 11 a.m.

(Yizkor memorial service), 6 p.m. (afternoon service), 6:45 p.m. (Neila closing service); and 7:45 p.m. (Break the Fast Buffet).

For more, call 752-3030.

Ohr Yeshua Messianic Synagogue, 1505 Morgan Johnson Road, will offer Rosh Hashana services at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 29 and 30; and Erev Yom Kippur services at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

For more, call 755-0001.

Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, will hold Erev Rosh Hashana services at 10 a.m. Sept. 29; and 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30. Yom Kippur services will be at 7 p.m., Oct. 7; and 10:30 a.m. (morning service), 12:15 p.m. (discussion), 1:30 p.m. (family service), 3:15 p.m. (afternoon service), 4:30 p.m. (memorial service), 5:30 p.m. (Ne’ilah service) and 6:30 p.m. (Break the Fast), Oct. 8.

For more, call 371-2788.

+ MLB legend to visit East County Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry and his wife, Tracy, will share their stories in the East County next month.

The Source Church will host “Youth Night with Darryl Strawberry” at 7 p.m. Oct. 15, at the church, 5412 S.R. 64 E. Then, the church will host “True Purpose with Darryl and Tracy” at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Oct. 16. Both events are free.

For more, call 592-4700.

Viking school heats up for Payton dinner.

PAGE 8A.

in this issue

economics By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Ranch DEAL stalls beauty and the feet

State College of Florida Officials are not actively working on the Design & Economic Acceleration Lab the college announced, with partners, in January.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Less than nine months after officials from State College of Florida, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice announced plans to build a 72,000-squarefoot economic development hub

IT’S ELECTRIC!

in Lakewood Ranch, all movement on the project has stalled.

“There is no activity on this project,” said Kathy Walker, SCF director of public affairs and marketing for State College of Florida.

Officials announced the proj-

THE

Lakewood Ranch installs charging stations for hybrid and electric vehicles. to accommodate all-electric cars ,such as the new Ford Focus Electric, Tesla and the Nissan Leaf, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt and the Fisker Karma. The stations also can charge electric golf carts, scooters, motorcycles and other electric vehicles.

“Since we began this community, we made a commitment to green building practices, with our commitment to steward-

building, which would be part of SCF, were estimated at $14.4 million. Funding already was in place and officials expected to complete the project within 18 months.

SEE DEAL / PAGE 2A

INFRASTRUCTURE

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

LEADING CHARGE LAKEWOOD RANCH — It’s part of Brian Jones’ business to stay abreast on the latest in energy-related technologies.

But the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club resident does it for fun, as well. In fact, Jones managed to reserve his new Nissan Leaf, the first completely electric, mass-produced vehicle on the market, hours before it officially became available in Florida in August.

And while Jones is leading the way in a consumer trend for greener, more efficient vehicles, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch also is leading the trend for businesses in the area.

The company is in the process of installing two electric car charging stations on its property and expects to have the stations ready for use within two weeks.

“We have designated the parking spots (for them), and all the parts have been ordered (for installation),” SMR Marketing and Public Relations Director Candice McElyea said.

The new charging stations will be located at the University Parkway Information Center and on Lakewood Ranch Main Street and are designed

ect, which featured a Design & Economic Acceleration Lab, or DEAL, in January. DEAL was planned for a 150-acre site, originally slated as the home for Springbok Sports Club and Academy near The Lake Club.

Construction costs for the

POWER CONSUMPTION

One of the primary concerns individuals have with using electric vehicles is that they will run out of power while traveling.

SMR Director of Marketing and Public Relations Candice McElyea said the company hopes the installation of charging stations in the community will alleviate some of those concerns and help bring the concept of electric vehicles to the region.

Future electric-car owner Brian Jones said most individuals drive about 60 miles per day, well within the Nissan Leaf’s 100-mile ability. The fear of running out of battery life, he said, is unwarranted.

“I’ve been driving (about) 30 years, and I’ve run out of gas once in my life,” he said. “(Drivers) are going to be just as smart with an electric vehicle.”

PAGE 2A

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

MPO panel recommits to bridge The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization voted to put the two-lane Tara Boulevard extension back on its 25-year transportation plan.

TARA — Members of a regional planning board have placed a two-lane extension of Tara Boulevard south to Honore Avenue back into the group’s long-range transportation plan, reversing a decision made less than one year ago.

Members of the Sarasota/ Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization voted 12-3 Sept. 26 to place the Tara Bridge project back on its 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan list of unfunded needs at the request of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. The vote comes after Manatee commissioners voted Sept. 20 in favor of an eminent domain mediated settlement agreement with developer Pat Neal for the purchase of 3.6 acres needed for the bridge, as well as for the 22.5 acres surrounding it.

Under the settlement, the county is paying about $1.7

SEE MPO / PAGE 2A

INDEX Briefs....................4A Classifieds ........ 21A

Cops Corner..........7A Crossword.......... 20A

Opinion.................6A Real Estate........ 14A

Sports................ 15A Weather............. 20A

Vol. 12, No. 39 | Two sections YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

DEAL/PAGE 1A However, Walker said in the months following the announcement, organizations key to the project’s success saw significant changes in leadership. Both the Manatee and Sarasota county economic development groups experienced changes between May and August, and Sarasota County’s administrator, Jim Ley, also resigned in late May. SCF has had six of nine board members replaced by Gov. Rick Scott as of the end of August.

“With all these changes that have taken place, the new people in (leadership) will be required to make it move forward,” Walker said, noting board members still are working under a “learning curve” and must decide how to proceed with the project. “We were hoping that all the pieces would fall into place. Almost right after that (announcement), there were some pretty significant changes in leadership.”

Although DEAL has stalled, Walker said an initiative still is in SCF’s plans. However, it may not materialize in the same way leaders envisioned in January.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

“I do know the college will continue working on regional collaboration,” Walker said.

“While the concept, as it was announced in January, may not play out that way, the vision and the cooperative attitude behind it will continue.”

Walker said SCF is continuing to work with its partner agencies and the local economic development and commerce groups to provide needed training for employees.

SMR Director of Marketing and Public Relations Candice McElyea said SMR is holding the 150-acre site open for DEAL. “We’re completely on board with it, and the land is still there for its use,” McElyea said. “We’re hoping it still moves forward. We still think it would be great for the area. “(CEO) Rex (Jensen) and the whole SMR philosophy is to be visionary and to do things with this land that are going to bring life and light to the area,” she said. “We are always open to ideas that are going to move the region forward.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

The deal on DEAL As originally envisioned, DEAL would have offered a variety of resources to the business community, including meeting space and guidance to conduct strategic planning sessions, as well as a GIS database of all land for rent or lease in the area.

Plans also included a University Partnership Center modeled after the center at St. Petersburg College, which

provides partnerships with colleges and universities through educational programs and an interactive “hub” for delivering instruction, among other tools.

Building features included space for economic development offices for the two-county area, CareerEdge, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, University Partnership Center and SCF administrative staff, including DEAL facilitators.

CAR/PAGE 1A ship of the land and our wise use of resources and care for our natural surroundings,” SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen said.

“We, as a company, are committed to creating a safe, clean environment for our residents and our employees, and it is evident in everything that we do.”

Jones, chairman of the Electric Vehicle Innovation Council, praised SMR’s commitment to green practices.

“It’s phenomenal; if you look at the progressive communities throughout the country (they are doing this),” he said. “I think it’s great Lakewood Ranch is leading the way in our area and getting this out. This (technology)

MPO/PAGE 1A million for the land, attorneys’ fees and other expenses.

County commissioners are slated to hold a workshop on the Tara Bridge and other items on Nov. 15, County Administrator Ed Hunzeker said.

“The board will have a wideranging discussion about the Tara Bridge,” Hunzeker said.

Hunzeker said Manatee County owns all of the right of way necessary to construct the bridge and already has designs for the project completed.

The bridge, however, is not funded in the county’s fiveyear Capital Improvement Plan.

Manatee County estimates bridge construction costs at about $14 million, while the MPO estimates costs at closer to $50 million.

MPO board members questioned the discrepancy between the county’s and MPO’s estimat-

is something that’s going to happen. “(Electric is) good for the economy and it’s good for the environment,” he said. “Plus, it’s a fun vehicle to drive.”

Once Jones gets his Leaf in November or December, he’ll be able to drive up to 100 miles without recharging its batteries, he said.

Charge Point America, a public/private partnership program sponsored by Coulomb Technologies and the Department of Energy, is funding $16,000 for equipment for the project. The program is helping to install 4,600 charging stations nationwide by Oct. 31.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

Brian Jones will receive his Nissan Leaf later this year.

ed costs for the bridge. MPO officials noted the county’s figure is a staff-generated estimate, while the MPO’s figure is one developed utilizing a formula provided by the Florida Department of Transportation. The $50 million figure, they said, likely incorporates a contingency fund and other factors the county estimate may not include.

The MPO voted to remove the bridge from its long-range plan in December 2010, also at the request of a Manatee County commissioner.

At Monday’s meeting, two residents spoke against putting the bridge back on the MPO’s plan, saying neighboring communities oppose the project, the bridge is not needed and the project is not a good use of taxpayer dollars.

“We feel this should not be part of the long-range plan,” University Park resident Linda Jones said.

Manatee commissioners have shown varied support for the bridge project, which has been in the county’s Comprehensive Plan since 1989.

Although Commissioner Joe McClash voted in favor of the move at the MPO meeting, at the direction of his board, he said he does not personally support moving forward with the project.

Fellow MPO member Commissioner Donna Hayes, however, said she continues to support the project because of its public safety and other impacts.

“All the studies have come forth and shown there’s a real need for that bridge,” Hayes said. “Staff has continued to support this (over the years). I’m not going to vote against recommendations from the staff when it’s such a serious nature.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

Pam Eubanks

64994

2A

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

BACK TO THE (RE)DRAWING BOARD redistricting

3A

GROWING roots

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Manatee County officials are seeking public input as they reconfigure district lines to accommodate changes in Manatee County’s population.

Courtesy photo

Dep. County Administrator Karen Windon said Plan B has gotten the least warm reception of any of them. “It was felt that plan has more meandering appearing boundaries, although there are reasons for them,” she said. “The boundaries are not as clear cut.”

Steve and Kristin Coad held their first service as Oasis last weekend.

AN

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Couple opens Oasis Church in East County

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Voting Precincts District 5 Proposed Additions Proposed District 5

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SR 64 E

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48,158 1,220 4,200 1,438 761

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S

W CTR PK

86.34 2.19 7.53 2.58 1.36 %

White Black Hispanic Asian Other

54,964 2,022 5,086 1,717 970

84.87 SR 7 0E 3.12 7.85 2.65 1.50

Total

64,759

%

L E GA CY B

LVD

July 08, 2011

Y

WHITFIELD AVE

70

District 5 - Donna Hayes Plan A

White Black Hispanic Asian Other MA

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LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD

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Led by Steve Coad and his wife, Kristin, Oasis Church launched Sept.

25. The church meets Sundays at Braden River Elementary School.

RD

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75

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Plan A

Under Plan A, District 5’s boundaries would remain much the same but would expand farther west, particularly in areas north of Saunders Road. The district would go west to U.S. 301 between State Road 70 and 38th Avenue East and also would include properties west of Interstate 75 and south of State Road 64 with the Braden River as a western boundary. Properties near Bashaw Elementary School and along or to the east of Morgan Johnson Road would shift from District 2 to District 5.

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SALT BRID MAR GE SH

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SR 7 Proposed Population 0E White 54,113 82.75 Black 3,010 4.60 Hispanic 5,661 8.66 Asian 1,651 2.52 Other 962 1.47

E R S AVE

55,777

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Current Population White 48,158 86.34 Black 1,220 2.19 Hispanic 4,200 7.53 Asian 1,438 2.58 Other 761 1.36

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37 ST E

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38 AVE E

51 ST E

39 ST E

30 AVE E

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Voting Precincts District 5 Proposed Additions Proposed District 5 E RY

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9 ST E

SR

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Current District Boundary

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M L KING AVE

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July 07, 2011

UNIVERSITY PKY

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May 31, 2011

UPPER MANATEE RI V

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15 ST E

US 41 14 ST W

34 ST W

26 ST W BLVD

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63 AVE E

W EE K

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PE PO

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41

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£ ¤

£ ¤ 57 AVE W

51 ST E 44 AVE E

9 ST E

5 ST W

30 ST W

34 ST W

38 AVE E

Voting Precincts Current District Boundary 53 AVE E Proposed District 5

60 AVE W

39 ST E

BL VD

BUS 41

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64 E

26 AVE E

%

30 ST E

1

¤ Q R CORTEZ RD W£ 684

59,946

37 ST E

Total

30

15 ST E

September 16, 2011

%

14 ST W

26 ST W

55,777

SR

37 ST E

9 ST E

85.55 3.00 7.55 2.48 1.42 27 ST E

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9 ST W

51,282 1,801 4,524 1,487 852

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White Black Hispanic US Asian 30 1 Other

D B LV

86.34 2.19 7.53 2.58 26 AVE W 1.36

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64

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48,158 1,220 4,200 1,438 761

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IT A

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Q R

30 AVE E

Total

64

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White 17 AVE W Black Hispanic Asian Y Other KW

37 ST W

SR

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P O R T H AR B

Y PKW

GE

District 5MANMATE E

9 AVE W

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RIVERVIEW BLVD

SALT BRID MAR G E SH

DESOTO BRIDGE

GREEN BRIDGE

Plan B Under Plan B, District 5’s boundaries would again spread west, this time including properties on both sides of the Braden River as it makes its way south from S.R. 64. The district roughly would follow Lockwood Ridge north from University Parkway and span farther west to U.S. 301 between 38th Avenue East and S.R. 70. The district would include a block of voters west of the river, but south of State Road 64, as well. Communities such as the Inlets and others immediately along S.R. 64 would remain in District 2 under the proposal.

AM NT

MANATEE COUNTY — With results of the 2011 census in, Manatee County officials are well on their way to setting new district boundaries for the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners.

District 5, which includes the majority of the East County, actually will be expanding slightly westward and increasing in population under all three proposed scenarios.

Deputy County Administrator Karen Windon said the change, comes in part, because redistricting maps finalized in 2005 were designed to accommodate significant growth in the East County — much of which was not realized once the housing market started to collapse.

The district, represented by Commissioner Donna Hayes, currently includes about 13,000 people less than Manatee’s other districts.

Its boundaries run to the county’s eastern border from Interstate 75 and include the entire area between State Road 64 and State Road 70. Heading west of the interstate, the district spans west roughly to Lockwood Ridge Road and north to 44th Avenue. Several communities west of Lockwood Ridge fall within the district’s boundaries, as well.

“Most of Lockwood Ridge, we’ve tried to square off as much as possible,” Windon said of the new boundary configurations.

Because Manatee County is seeing an increase in building permits for the District 5 area, one proposal — Plan C — has been created to accommodate future growth in the district, while evening out existing numbers, Windon said.

“With Plan C, you get a little more difference in the population,” Windon said, noting the county is trying to keep all districts within a population block of 2,000 people.

The county began reviewing U.S. census data in May, at which time Manatee County Geographic Information Systems staff used the census data to produce a first draft of maps. County staff then worked to balance populations while maintaining the existing geographic balance in each district. Boundaries drawn were based on existing districts and changed based on geographic lines.

Manatee County commissioners also added input as part of the process.

“They know their districts and they know their neighborhoods that are being cut in half by those lines,” Windon said.

The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections has reviewed the proposed districts, as well, to ensure precinct boundaries were protected from change.

County officials hosted a public meeting Sept. 27 to solicit input on the proposed boundaries.

By law, Manatee County must finalize its new district boundaries by the end of December, but county officials hope to complete the task in October or early November, Windon said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

AT A GLANCE

UNIVERSITY PKY

April 11, 2011

Plan C Only Plan C anticipates future growth in District 5. Under the proposal, all communities east of Lockwood Ridge Road and south of S.R. 70 would be represented by District 4. The district’s boundaries south of S.R. 70 and west of I-75 would remain largely the same. The district, however, would expand northwest from 44th Avenue East and I-75 to include most properties east of the Braden River and south of S.R. 64.

E

TERS AVE M AS

PALM-AIRE — For many years, Palm-Aire resident Steve Coad wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted for his life — let alone what God wanted for it.

He did know he was strong in his Christian faith. Finally, he found his calling as a pastor. And last weekend, he and his wife, Kristin, held their first service as Oasis Church at Braden River Elementary School.

“It’s like having a baby,” Kristin Coad said of the upstart. “You don’t know what it’s going to be like, but you love it already.”

The Coads spent five years working with youth at Suncoast Cathedral in St. Petersburg as associate pastors, before accepting an invitation from Evangel Temple of Jacksonville in 2006 to become lead pastors of a new satellite campus in Middleburg.

Because Steve Coad grew up as the child of missionaries, primarily in the Dominican Republic, he and Kristin always assumed they would go into the mission field. But their experience in Middleburg gave new direction to their lives.

“I had never thought about doing anything like that,” Steve Coad said of being a lead pastor. “When I went up there, I realized how much I enjoyed pastoring.”

And after five years at Evangel Temple, the Coads realized a need in the East County and moved to the area to open Oasis.

“We had anything you could ever want,” Steve Coad said, listing off a steady income, a house and friends as reasons to stay in Middleburg.

“To walk away from that to plant a church was very scary.”

The couple moved to Palm-Aire in January and since then has been working to develop a leadership team, build relationships and lay groundwork for the ministries.

“We have a big heart for the unchurched and the uncommitted,” Steve Coad said, noting only 12% of the area’s population has a church home. “Whenever I had an issue with Christianity, it was always about the church and Christians, not Jesus. “(But I realized) people are people,” he said. “Christians are simply just people who have been forgiven.

They don’t have their act together, but they’re trying to follow Jesus.

We’re all going to make mistakes, and that’s why we need Jesus.”

Services are held at 10:30 a.m. Sundays, at Braden River Elementary School, 6125 River Club Blvd. Dress is casual, and childcare is available.

For more information on Oasis Church, visit www.oasischurch.ag.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

NEWSBRIEFS

4A

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

+ Teachers, students awarded for excellence Outstanding teachers and students in the areas of mathematics and science earned special recognition during the Manatee County School Board meeting Sept. 26.

From the East County, the following teachers were recognized: Denise Touchberry (McNeal Elementary), Carrie Rainwater (Nolan Middle School) and Tracie Harwood (Braden River High School). Student Domenic Aluise, of Haile Middle School, also was recognized as Most Outstanding Mathematics Representative.

Winners were selected through The PRISM Project, a program devoted to setting and achieving a global standard of excellence in math and science throughout central Florida. PRISM stands for Promoting Regional Interest in Science and Mathematics.

cleanup groups to work on their adopted sites Oct. 1.

The cleanups will begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 1. Cleanups in the East County include the State Road 64 East Boat Ramp on the Braden River at S.R. 64’s intersection with 29th Street East and at Rays Canoe Hideaway, 1289 Hagle Park Road.

Contact 795-8272.

+ Ranch Medical Center to host open house Lakewood Ranch Medical Center will host a free open house from 4-7 p.m.

Sept. 29, in the main lobby of the hospital, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

The event will include a tour of its Breast Health Center and demonstrations of how the new 3D mammograms are read and interpreted.

The medical center also will host a health and wellness expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 1.

+ Keep Manatee Beautiful organizes site cleanups

+ FEMA recognition aids Manatee County residents

Keep Manatee Beautiful is asking its Adopt-A-Highway and other volunteer

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sept. 20 presented Manatee

County with its official Class 5 Community Rating, a designation that will save Manatee County flood insurance policy holders a total of $2.6 million on their annual premiums.

The new rating results in savings for the nearly 12,000 flood insurance policy holders who are inside the high-risk 100year floodplain.

“Your community has undertaken a series of meaningful activities to protect its citizens from losses caused by flooding and has significantly exceeded the requirements for the National Flood Insurance Program participation and effective floodplain management,” Brad Loar, FEMA’s District IV mitigation division manager, told Manatee commissioners.

+ Rescue hosts adoption event Underdog Rescue hopes East County residents will come out to meet their new pets during the organization’s Meet Your Best Friend adoption event Oct. 1.

The event will be from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 1, at 7630 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.

For more, visit www.underdogadopt. com.

+ Bank merger deal called off A proposed merger between Community Bank & Co. and Old Harbor Bank has been canceled.

In July, shareholders at Lakewood Ranch-based Community Bank said they were prepared to invest $25 million in new capital into Clearwater-based Old Harbor, but later called off the deal.

Officials estimated the new bank would manage more than $1 billion in assets through a network of 24 branch locations had a deal been completed.

Community Bank Chairman and CEO Bill Sedgeman did not return a call by deadline.

In May, Community acquired Pinellas Park-based First Community Bank of America, investing $30 million of fresh capital after the merger was completed.

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

REAL ESTATE

5A

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Realtor group selling Lakewood headquarters The Manatee Association of REALTORS is selling its two-building campus in Lakewood Ranch for $2.5 million.

Officials say the organization is not in financial distress. the buildings and may consider leasing a portion of the space back, if the buyer is so inclined, Cegnar said.

Listing agent Cyndi Myers, of Wagner Realty, said the property is a great location, with easy access to the interstate and businesses such as the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, United Way and the Lakewood Ranch YMCA, and would be ideal for an expanding business.

“Because it’s a signature building, we feel some of the local businesses may consider this for a corporate headquarters,” she said.

Myers said other potential uses include medical offices or education. While degree-centered educational programming would require zoning changes, in-house training for businesses or similar opportunities would not.

Cegnar said the decision to sell the properties is not one prompted by financial distress. The association is current on all bills and does not need to sell the property. Cegnar said if the properties sell, the organization would survey its members to determine their needs and desires for a future building. The location, she said, may or may not be in Lakewood Ranch.

Peace Presbyterian Church currently leases office space in the Conference and Event Center building and has about two years remaining on its lease. The church will be allowed to remain on site at least until a sale is made, Cegnar said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@ yourobserver.com.

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LAKEWOOD RANCH — When the Manatee Association of REALTORS opened its new offices and conference center in Lakewood Ranch in 2008, the organization had purposefully created space for expansion.

Now, following a downturn in the economy, the organization is putting its two buildings up for sale. The association is asking $2.5 million for the properties — a figure slightly under the facility’s appraised value of $2.6 million.

“Although we have a beautiful building, we don’t utilize all our space,” Association President Angie Cegar said, noting the buildings have never fully been utilized. “We did Cegnar our due diligence, and we researched our opportunities available to us. We decided (because) we were not utilizing the entire building, it was a smart thing to do. It made good business sense.”

Cegnar said the group began considering selling the property about one year ago.

The property, at 10920 and 10910 Technology Terrace, consists of two buildings totaling about 16,500 square feet. One building houses the association’s administrative offices, a board room and Realtor store. The second building, dubbed the Conference and Event Center, includes office space and an open meeting area that LBK 2010 - J can accommodate up to 300 people for banquets, seminars or other events.

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

Observer opinion | our view EAST COUNTY

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Editor & CEO / Matt Walsh, mwalsh@ yourobserver.com Executive Editor / Lisa Walsh, lwalsh@ yourobserver.com Associate Publisher-Multimedia / Emily Walsh Parry, ewalsh@yourobserver.com Managing Editor / Michael Eng, meng@ yourobserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jessica Eng, jeng@yourobserver.com News Editor / Pam Eubanks, peubanks@ yourobserver.com Associate Editor / Jen Blanco, jblanco@yourobserver.com Black Tie Editor / Molly Schechter, mschechter@yourobserver.com Arts & Entertainment Editor / Heidi Kurpiela, hkurpiela@yourobserver.com

44th Avenue handled well In the end, Manatee County commissioners made the right compromise for traffic and for neighbors.

The county needs to extend 44th Avenue to Interstate 75 for traffic-flow reasons, and the engineers said future travel requirements show the road needs to be four lanes.

Residents whose property backs up to the road right of way understandably objected.

They did not want any road ideally, but barring that, they wanted it narrowed from four lanes to two lanes and the speed limit reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph.

Commissioners voted last week to build the road with all four lanes, but narrow the lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet and put the speed limit at 35 mph. Plus, a hedge will be planted for privacy by the county, and once established after 90 days, the homeowners will be responsible for maintaining it.

The result is a sensible compromise, and the fact only two people were at the public

hearing to speak before the vote showed that the county’s efforts to work with the neighbors’ worries were largely successful.

The four-lane road has been in the county’s long-range Comprehensive Plan for 20 years. Eventually, it will go over I-75 and connect with Lakewood Ranch. Yet the County Commission approved two developments in the path of the road in 2002, leaving a confined right of way. Nonetheless, the road is needed, and the county has spent $8.2 million on the $50 million east-west road extension so far.

But residents from nearby developments — Highland Ridge and Oak Trace — opposed it. And standing in their backyards, one can see why. They have an open green space right now. Who would want a road through there? But the road was planned long before the developments and in the county’s plan when people bought their homes. There is some responsibility on the

part of homebuyers to know what they are getting into.

Commissioners originally asked staff to see if the road could be narrowed to two lanes and the speed limit slowed. Two lanes was probably a bad compromise, because the obvious result of a road that is two lanes and slow compared to four lanes and faster is that traffic will become clogged.

Eliminating the road was not an option.

Narrowing it would have been an unwise, short-term compromise that future commissions would have had to deal with.

So commissioners compromised and did the right thing approving the fourlane road. But they were also right to take neighborhood worries into account with the narrower lanes, slower speeds and vegetative buffer. Those changes will make the extended 44th Avenue safer for drivers and pedestrians and more acceptable for neighbors.

Web Editor / Eddie Kirsch, ekirsch@ yourobserver.com Editor-Editorial Pages / Rod Thomson, rthomson@yourobserver.com

my VIEW

Multimedia Production Manager / Caleb Stanton, cstanton@yourobserver.com

Teachers unions sue for status quo

Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, jraleigh@yourobserver.com Advertising Executives / Victoria Baga, vbaga@yourobserver.com; Penny DiGregorio, pdigregorio@yourobserver.com; Robert Lewis, blewis@yourobserver.com; Suzanne Munroe, smunroe@yourobserver.com; Kathleen O’Hara, kohara@yourobserver. com; Laura Ritter, lritter@yourobserver.com; Lori Ruth, lruth@yourobserver.com; Julia Schroeder, jschroeder@yourobserver.com; Kenji Trujillo, ktrujillo@yourobserver.com Sales & Marketing Coordinator/Account Managers / Stephanie Hannum, shannum@ yourobserver.com; Susan Leedom, sleedom@ yourobserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executives / Maureen Hird, mhird@yourobserver.com; Courtney Callahan, ccallahan@yourobserver.com Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, kpayne@ yourobserver.com Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@ yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@yourobserver.com; Shawna Polana, spolana@yourobserver.com; Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver. com; Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@yourobserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker, lkeisacker@yourobserver.com Accounting Manager / Lori Downey, ldowney@yourobserver.com Accounting Assistant / Kathy Klein, kklein@ yourobserver.com Administrative-Circulation Assistant / Donna Condon, dcondon@yourobserver. com

The Observer Group Inc.

The new merit-pay law is obviously good for students and provides accountability. Sadly, and predictably, teachers unions feel threatened.

It should not surprise anyone that Florida teachers are suing to block the new state law attempting to de-link teacher pay from years worked and instead link pay to performance.

We have long pointed out the intransigence of government unions toward needed fiscal restraint by governments on behalf of taxpayers and the larger economy, and specific intransigence by teachers unions regarding their members being paid according to how good they are — like most people in the private sector.

The concept of merit pay, such an obviously ROD good idea for student THOMSON outcomes, is antithetical to the largest government unions in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the state of Florida and the nation.

Patricia Levesque, executive director of Foundation for Florida’s Future — former Gov. Jeb Bush’s education think tank — issued a statement in response to the lawsuit, saying that Florida “teachers deserve to be recognized for their effectiveness and dedication with professional-level compensation … Today’s action by the teachers’ union, once again proves they care more about protecting political power than promoting a dynamic, highly skilled workforce of educators.”

As if on cue to prove Levesque’s point, Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said, “The Legislature would love to get rid of the Florida Education Association because we are the only ones [who] seem to stand up to them on a regular basis.” The teacher’s union leader sees this as about power, and apparently his power.

Then he added this jewel: “If they can get rid of us, they can have a free reign over government, which is a scary concept.”

Only to a union leader is the idea of a duly elected Legislature having control of government a scary concept. It’s something the Founders liked to call representative democracy.

The new law eliminates the long-term contracts for teachers, placing newly hired teachers on one-year contracts. Most private-sector workers have no contract. So going from long-term to a one-year contract is hardly a terrible deprivation.

The law also creates a system for evaluating teacher performance. The evaluation system mixes objective with subjective.

Half of a teacher’s performance will be based on student test scores and half will be on a performance-rating level through personal evaluations.

Florida is among many states across the nation trying to balance budgets and realizing the need to rein in the government unions. Wisconsin was the epicenter, and both the courts and the people of Wisconsin backed measures to get control of unaffordable spending on government employees. And new teacher evaluation

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THE CASTAWAY by Jorge Blanco

laws already have been enacted in Indiana, Oklahoma, and New York, with teachers unions fighting them there as well.

At least some individual teachers, accustomed to virtual job guarantees, are not happy with the new law.

Christine Mayer, a 33-year teaching veteran at Ashton Elementary in Sarasota, traveled to Tallahassee when the suit was filed so she could speak against the law.

“I’m there to teach the child,” she said.

“They’re there to learn. Now I have yet more hoops to jump through that violate my constitutional rights.”

Well yes, government paperwork is a drag. But it is part of being a government employee. It is doubtful there are constitutional violations. If there are any, then the constitution would need to be changed.

Merit pay is long past due — because school districts must change.

Holding schools accountable, as is done now in the state through funding, is one step. Holding teachers accountable through pay is another step. Far more reform in funding and parental options is needed.

School officials will retort that it is unfair to teachers in failing schools, typically inner-city schools with crummy demographics for student achievement. Perhaps. But it is more unfair for the students trapped in those schools.

More money obviously has not improved student achievement. If school reform does not work, then perhaps school demolition is the answer.

The status quo for too many children in public schools — for their future and the future of our state and country — simply is not acceptable.

Rod Thomson can be reached at rthomson@yourobserver.com.

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

LETTERS

not understand that he does not create jobs. Small business has always taken care of that and will continue to do so. His jobs bill is a ruse!

All the Republicans want to do is balance the budget, spend what we take in and no more, and reduce the deficit we now have. Is that not the way we try to run our budgets at home? Republicans did not cause this problem. Raising taxes will not solve this situation, and Republicans are certainly not going to ask our citizens to give up Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid.

They are trying to save these programs and not create the problem of having our children and grandchildren pay for them.

The rich also are mentioned as being part of this problem. I can’t agree more. Warren Buffet owes more than $1 million in back taxes, and now, George Soros is being investigated. Both are avid supporters and contributors to President Barack Obama and his administration.

The writer of one of these letters talks about “We American workers.” I don’t think this person is employed at this time — except maybe by the DNC as a superb letter-writer. I suggest these folks stop reading the New York Times and the blog writers such as Paul Krugman and pay more attention to what Congress and the president are doing to solve this situation.

Joan Shirey East Manatee County

TO THE EDITOR

+ 9/11 cover in bad taste

Dear Editor: The front cover of the Sept.

8 edition depicting the World Trade Center towers was done in bad taste.

I am a former New Yorker and moved here years ago, and the picture you have on the cover is very undignified of those who passed away from the tragedy.

The front cover of your paper should have similar photos like the paper companies up north, where they view the Manhattan skyline with a distant background drop image of the World Trade Center before the tragedy.

Why would you display murder on the front cover of the paper and make us remember that? We know what happened, but 9/11 should be in loving memory of those who died and have a more “peaceful” photo of the city to properly memorialize the people and the events. You should photograph the new downtown Manhattan to properly dedicate the day to the people and families who lost loved ones.

Furthermore, 9/11 was not just about the WTC; it was also the

pentagon and Shanksville, Pa. I feel your front cover is insensitive to the event, and you obviously are not from the Northeast or you would have never placed that picture on the front. That picture is just as bad as if you have placed photos of those who jumped from the buildings — you are displaying murder, and that is terrible you did that.

I hope next year, you have a more dignified way of remembering 9/11 and have more compassion for those who experienced it.

Nicole Hall Lakewood Ranch

+ Blame game not working anymore Dear Editor: The Democrats are really upset, I see.

Get off the blame game, folks — it’s getting very old. Democrats have been in charge since 2005 in our Congress — yes, we had a Republican President, but as we can see today with it reversed, the president can only do so much. And this one is too busy campaigning for re-election to care. He still does

Cops

MANATEE

The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Manatee County Sheriff ’s Office.

MYAKKA CITY Sept. 22

10:05 a.m. — 10400 block of Myakka Boulevard. Information. Since March 2011, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Ofice has responded to the residence 37 times in reference to 911 calls. A married couple lives at the residence along with another male, who makes sure the couple gets meals. The male is a heavy drinker and is not at the residence during the day. A female complainant also was helping prepare meals for the couple. Both the husband and his wife have numerous health problems. They both stated they wanted family services to respond to assist them. The responding deputy advised he would contact them. He also advised the husband he doesn’t need to call 911 unless it is an emergency and wrote down the number for information on a phone list that was on the wall in the living room.

REGAL OAKS Sept. 21

2:19 p.m. — 6200 block of 38th Street E. Information.

The complainant accidentally

7A

Corner locked her grandson in her vehicle while it was parked inside her garage. The garage door was open, and the vehicle was running with the air conditioning on. She called 911 immediately.

The child was unharmed.

SARASOTA Sept. 22

7:27 p.m. — 2875 University Parkway (Publix). Information.

The complainant was in an altercation with his fiancee in Sarasota County on an earlier date. He stated since the altercation, his fiancee’s father has been calling, texting and following him. The complainant was driving and ended up behind Publix. The suspect pulled up close to the complainant and made the same statements he makes in the phone calls and texts: “You’re a lucky boy,” and “I’m not done with you yet.”

The complainant drove off and pulled into the Walmart parking lot and called 911. The suspect continued to follow the complainant until he parked at Walmart. While conducting the interview, the suspect called the complainant again, and the responding deputy answered.

See more Cops Corner reports online. www.YourObserver.com

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

bon appetit!

By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Viking hosts dinner for Payton Twenty friends and supporters of Patrick and Holly Wright and the Payton Wright Foundation gathered for the organization’s Intimate Dinner Sept.

24, at the Viking Culinary Center

in Lakewood Ranch.

Guests enjoyed watching the chefs display their culinary skills during a live interactive cooking demonstration while helping raise money for the Payton Wright Foundation.

Payton Wright’s aunt, Kym Porter, met up with Lakewood Ranch resident Lisa Shepard.

Executive chef and senior instructor Mario Martinez demonstrated how to make shrimp, artichoke and feta cavatappi pasta.

Lakewood Ranch residents Lisa and Chris Hill brought their children, Drew, 6, and Sydney, 10, to the event.

Right: Greenbrook residents Steve and Lori Bollinger were looking forward to an evening of good food and laughter with good friends.

Jamie and Elsbeth Kane enjoyed meeting new friends.

Mary and Tom Howard continually support the Payton Wright Foundation through their company, Cornerstone Title.

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Patrick and Holly Wright and Viking Culinary Center Private Events Coordinator Ashley Gruters worked together to plan the event.

Lakewood Ranch residents Jim and Margaret Eschmann were hoping to learn some culinary techniques.

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

9A

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1900 Gulf N Dr # 7 Holmes Beach/Bradenton Beach $999,000 #M5812546 941-748-6300 Peggy Horlander 941-932-7199

2520 E 57Th St $849,000 Debra Pitell

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Bradenton 941-951-6660 941-356-0437

6706 197Th E St $719,000 #A3932332 Howie Drourr

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925 Casey Cove Dr $695,000 #A3947899 Deke Brinkman

Casey Key 941-907-9595 941-350-9395

1311 Riverview Cir $649,000 #M5821470 Dana Preston

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-705-5510

5508 Summit Pointe Cir # 103 $500,000 #M5820186 Kym Paxton

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5318 Napa Dr $485,000 Antaeus Balevre

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3640 Longmeadow $475,000 #M5820627 Bill Weed, PA

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12645 Daisy Pl $474,900 Jan Timney

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7000 Gulf Dr # 206 $440,000 #M5822757 Ann Debellevue

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1375 Beach Rd # 211 $395,000 #M5823131 Nell Leffel

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4819 61St Avenue W Dr # 10A $269,000 #A3944777 Adam Cuffaro

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4921 26Th W Ave $259,000 #M5823999 Jo Anne Lanza

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6731 Washington Pl $199,900 #A3931688 Michael Bruno

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5834 Cottonwood St $179,900 #A3938545 Tammy Mast

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3514 57Th Avenue W Cir $138,500 #M5823897 Leah Secondo

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-545-4430

11106 3Rd E Ave $125,000 #M5815815 Joe Foster

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1400 1St W Ave # 206 $99,900 #M5824115 Kathy Valente

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-685-6767

6302 Rosefinch Ct # 201 Lakewood Ranch $82,000 #A3936931 941-907-9595 Sabrina Fusco-Sullivan 941-302-0337

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Bradenton 941.748.6300 • IMG Academies 752.2683 • Lakewood Ranch 907.9595 • Main Street Sarasota 951.6660 • St. Armands 388.4447 • South Longboat 383.7591 • Siesta Key 349.3444

10A

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EAST COUNTY Observer

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Office: (941) 907-0320 Cell: (941) 773-9854 DrShaw@homevetsarasota.com

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Wendy Circone and Marjorie Stonecypher displayed jewelry from Wendy’s Accessories and Design.

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More than 300 business professionals and their guests enjoyed the glitz and glamour of the runway during the Women’s Council of Realtors — Sarasota Chapter’s annual fashion show and luncheon Sept. 21, at The Polo Grill and Bar. Guests enjoyed

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Annual Ringling College Faculty Exhibitions Selby Galleries I & II and Basch Gallery: Presenting work by faculty in the departments of Advertising Design, Computer Animation, Digital Film, Fine Arts, Game Art and Design, Graphic and Interactive Communication, Interior Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Photography & Digital Imaging, and the Liberal Arts Program.

Annual Ringling College Staff, Continuing Studies & Special Programs, Longboat Key Center for the Arts and Englewood Art Center Instructors Exhibition Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. Galleries: Features paintings, drawings and sculpture from the Ringling College staff and instructors from each of its divisions.

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Creating Your Winning

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

11A

fore! By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Golfers tee off for Gullett PTO at annual tournament Golf enthusiasts hit the links for the third annual Gullett Golf Challenge benefiting Gullett

Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization Sept. 24, at University Park Country Club.

Jay Smith and Hugo Perez played on the same foursome.

Last year’s event raised more than $34,000 for computers and other equipment for the school.

Elaine Lucadano and Roy Whiting enjoy playing together in charity tournaments.

Christian O’Ryan, Mike Moser, Matt Geiger, Scott Watkins and Dan Harrison

Abby Bannar

Vito Bavro, Ted Abrams, Mike Mullen and Kip Radigan won the tournament.

Quality care, conveniently close Sarasota Memorial’s state-of-the-art Health Care Center at Heritage Harbour brings our first-class urgent medical care and comprehensive outpatient services to East County. Here, you’ll find many services doctors prescribe for you and your family – in one location, conveniently close to where you are.

Outpatient Services Gullett teacher Denise Touchberry, parent Julie Marra, teacher Barbara Pfeiffer and Principal Kathy Hayes played together.

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

dance party

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Andy and Jen Clark enjoyed the night with their son, Aaron, center.

Stephen Romano, Ethan Graves, Logan Grace, Cody Schellinger and Joshua Klein are all in fourth grade.

Witt students boogie at Sock Hop

Demi Sherry, 6, enjoyed dinner with her sister, Lonna, and parents, Amanda and Rich, not pictured.

Gene Witt Elementary School families donned their ‘50s best Sept. 23 for the school’s annual Sock Hop. Attendees enjoyed pizza, dancing, a hula hoop contest, a silly sock contest and more as part of the festivities.

Rachel Weronik and Hayden Gregan collected tickets as guests arrived.

Emily Chance, Kylee Prince and Vivian Kuang enjoyed time together.

Issy Monroe won the silly sock contest for kindergartners.

She and her mother glued feathers on her socks to make them extra special.

Drew Clark, 7, couldn’t wait for the hula-hoop contest to begin.

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Honoring: Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Corporate Philanthropy Award Lakewood Ranch Citizen of the Year Business of the Year

RECOGNIZING an awards banquet at Fête Ballroom on Wednesday,

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

8/23/11

9:59:16 AM

13A

63840

home run By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Mote Ranch residents Nick and Samantha Dzembo launched Wobbly Feet Foundation after their son, Connor, was diagnosed with Ataxia-Telangiectasia in December 2009.

Wifflemania raises $5,000 for research The sound of plastic balls whizzing by filled the air as the Wobbly Feet Foundation hosted its Wifflemania for the Cure tournament Sept. 24, at Longwood Park.

Fourteen teams participated in the inaugural

event, which raised more than $5,000 that will be used to research A-T. The “A-Team” from the Pittsburgh Pirates emerged as the winning team, followed by runner-up the Sarasota Landsharks.

TM

Marly Nguyen swung as hard as she could.

Gina Fielding, Amanda Becker and Karla Hoppe loved watching all the action.

Right: Clockwise from bottom left: A.J. Grant, Ray Pinpallage, Antonio Mata and BJ Potter, all of Team Pitt 1.

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14A

FREE SEMINAR by The Perception of Beauty

The following residential real estate transactions took place between Sept. 12 and 16.

A home in Sloane Gardens tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Robert and Paulette Bourgeois, trustees, of Gilford, N.H., sold their home at 7906 Sloane Gardens Court to James Moran, University Park, for $1.28 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,530 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $1.62 million in 2004.

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real estate | transactions

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

Jerzy and Anita Czupryna sold their home at 7215 Pasadena Glen to Bryon and Mira Milburn, of Ontario, Canada, for $1,175,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, a pool and 4,423 square feet of living area.

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David and Joy DuPree, Bradenton, sold their home at 4608 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Craig and Tonya May, Bradenton, for $525,000.

Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,211 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $300,000 in 1999.

Robert DiBona, of Bay Shore, N.Y., sold his home at 4623 Fourth Ave. E. to Peter and Janet Crichton, of Hertfordshire, U.K., for $459,000. Built in 1995, it has five bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, a pool and 3,410 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $950,000 in 2006.

Val and Susan Vasilieff, Bradenton, sold their home at 4604 Barracuda Drive to Gerald and Lynda Dowden, of Newfoundland, Canada, for $375,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two-and-one-half baths, a pool and 2,185 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $362,500 in 2009.

Randy Santos and Karen Santos, Bradenton, sold their home at 4509 Third Ave. E. to Harold Gussman Jr., Bradenton, for $239,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,810 square

feet of living area. It previously sold for $197,000 in 1998.

Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour

John and Lynn Dapello, Sarasota, sold their home at 7707 Camden Harbour Drive to Azim and Parveen Lalani for $395,000.

Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,438 square feet of living area. It sold for $472,800 in 2004.

Mote Ranch

Thomas and Nancy Campbell sold their home at 6422 Grand Point Ave. to Jay and Louise Morgan, University Park, for $390,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,381 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $321,200 in 2002.

Greenbrook Village

Michael Shackelford II, of Newburg, Ind., sold his home at 6711 Ladyfish Trail to John and Cassandra Steffen, Bradenton, for $385,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,207 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $767,000 in 2006.

Jodi Betts, Apollo Beach, sold her home at 6443 Royal Tern Circle to Craig and Tatiana Stastny, of Lenexa, Kan., for $246,000.

Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, twoand-one-half baths, a pool and 1,979 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $352,500 in 2007.

Waterlefe Golf and River Club

Dorcus Cowing, of Severna Park, Md., sold her home at 723 Foggy Morn Lane to Terry and Cindy Holinsky, Bradenton, for $300,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,159 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $340,000 in 2001.

Visit our website to read more real estate transactions. www.YourObserver.com

Local Firearms Training Center to Host NRA Certified Courses Sarasota, FL- Aegis Tactical LLC. is hosting Weekly NRA certified pistol courses 3 times a week commencing September 19, 2011. The course is taught by local NRA Certified Instructors and covers the basics of safe gun handling and shooting.

The course emphasizes the safe and proper handling and use of pistols.

Participants will learn about firearm safety, parts and operation, shooting fundamentals, care and cleaning, storage options, selections, and more.

For more details on the course, contact

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“With the passage of the right-to-carry legislation, residents throughout the area are seeking proper training,” said Joe Krawtschenko, Lead Instructor. This course meets and/or exceeds Florida’s training requirements for concealed carry permit applications.”

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

football

15A

By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor way was named the Mustangs’ starter in the backfield.

“I was kind of expecting it because one of our running backs got injured, and I filled in at Appalachian State,” he said. “Word spread that I was going to start.

I left it up to the coaches. I went to practice as a linebacker. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team.”

“Hathaway’s a tough kid,” Lakewood coach Shawn Trent said.

“That’s why we moved him there.

He started at outside linebacker all last year, and we knew we needed more than one running back. Andre (Christiano) did a fantastic job when he was in there, too, but McKenzie just has a little bit more weight to him, so he brings a little bit more with him, and behind those (strong) guys we’ve got up front, it’s hard to stop him for four quarters.”

Hathaway saw his first glimpse at running back for the first time in two years during the Mustangs Kickoff Classic versus North Port Aug. 26, but it wasn’t until Lakewood’s season opener against Braden River that Hathaway felt the pressure to do well.

“It was really nerve-racking,” Hathaway said. “If I don’t do well, then it puts a hard hit on the team.”

Hathaway pushed his nerves aside, rushing for 133 yards on 25 carries and scoring two touchdowns while helping lead Lakewood to a 28-18 victory over the Pirates.

Hathaway continued to be productive Sept. 23 during the Mustangs’ Class 6A-District 7 opener at Boca Ciega. His 22-yard touchdown run was a big part of Lakewood’s impressive 19-0 victory.

“I still question myself about

Jen Blanco

Running back McKenzie Hathaway rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns against rival Braden River Sept. 2. On Sept. 23, Hathaway scored a 22-yard touchdown to lead Lakewood Ranch past Boca Ciega.

Ranch’s Hathaway runs wild The Mustang running back has rushed for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns through four games this season and is well on his way to reaching his goal of 1,000 yards rushing for the season.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As a linebacker, Lakewood Ranch’s McKenize Hathaway spent most of his high school football career running at — and into — his opponents.

But now, with the senior at the running back position, he’s charged with the opposite task.

“I’m working on running away from people instead of at them,” Hathaway said. “I still tend to do that more than I should.”

Perhaps, but Hathaway’s stats beg to differ. Since the start of the season, Hathaway has piled up nearly 400 yard and four touchdowns — admirable numbers for

any tailback, much less one who just took the position only three months ago.

In June, Hathaway traveled to Appalachian State University with his teammates for a summer camp. He went up as a linebacker; but after filling in at running back for an injured teammate, Hatha-

For photos from Lakewood’s game at Boca Ciega, see 18.

what I can do to make myself better, but for the most part, the butterflies have fluttered away,” Hathaway said. “I just need to start avoiding people instead of running at them. I play physical.

That’s my forte.”

Hathaway began playing football when he was 11 years old.

One of Hathaway’s best friends, Lakewood quarterback Jeren Kowalewski, was playing Pop Warner for the East Manatee Bulldogs, so Hathaway decided to join.

Hathaway played linebacker for the Bulldogs before moving to California the summer before eighth grade. He then played JV football, spending half of his sophomore season at tailback.

“I had no running back experience,” Hathaway said. “They just said, ‘Here’s the ball.’”

Hathaway returned to Lakewood last season and spent time playing linebacker before switching to his new position this year.

“At running back, you have more glory and touchdowns, but I love the fact that you can demolish someone as a linebacker,” Hathaway said.

Now, Hathaway has his sights set on rushing for 1,000 yards and hurdling a defender “I want to play football in college,” Hathaway said. “I’ll play linebacker or running back — whichever one they accept me as. I just have to show my athleticism and keep doing what I’m doing.”

Contact Jen Blanco at jblanco@ yourobserver.com.

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EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

softball

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

HOME TURF Photos by Jen Blanco

Denali Schappacher, 12, enjoys hosting tournaments.

Jordyn Petty looks to make contact against the Sarasota Heat.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Every time 12-year-old Denali Schappacher steps out onto the field, she has her heart set on winning.

But it’s the times when the Suncoast Storm 98 center fielder and her teammates try to defend their home field that Schappacher enjoys the most.

Such was the case this past weekend, when the Suncoast Storm travel softball league hosted the USSSA I Heart Softball Fall Kickoff Sept. 24-25, at its home ballpark in Lakewood Ranch.

“It’s really cool because it’s your own home, and it’s especially cool when you win it,” Schappacher said. “It’s your home and you invite people in and try and beat them. I like having everyone here.

“This is our second tournament since we got some new players, so hopefully, we can remember all of our plays, hit well and have fun, of course,” Schappacher said.

Last weekend’s tournament was the Suncoast Storm’s ninth tournament of the past year. The league went nearly seven years before deciding to host its own tournament, and since then, eight of the nine Suncoast Storm tournaments have been either sold out or at capacity.

“It’s a lot of work, but we feel like we have nice facilities and are (active) in the community,” Storm 98 coach T.J. Goelz said. “We want to bring other teams that we’ve played back to where we play. It’s nice not to always have to travel, even though the kids probably like it more.

Twenty-six teams from throughout the region flocked to Lakewood Ranch for the Suncoast Storm’s USSSA I Heart Softball Fall Kickoff Sept. 24-25.

Jamie Loring started on the mound for the Storm 01 team in its first single-elimination game Sept. 25.

“The girls on our team kind of get it,” Goelz said. “They’ve experienced the involvement that goes into hosting a tournament at our place. They see their moms and dads out here volunteering, so they can get uniforms and new equipment and are able to play in tournaments, so they can try and go to nationals.”

Twenty-six teams, including the Suncoast Storm 98 and 01 teams across three divisions, participated in the two-day tournament.

The Storm 01 team opened the tournament with a 13-11 victory over the Sarasota Heat, before falling to the Clearwater Lady

Bombers 9-5 in the second game of the tournament. The Storm went on to beat the Sarasota Heat 9-1 in a single-elimination playoff before falling to the Christina Flames 4-2.

The Storm 98 team didn’t fair as well as they had hoped. The team, which entered the tournament after winning the Fall Festival Tournament Sept. 17-18 in Sebring with a 5-0 record in the 14-and-under division, lost all of its games, including a 3-0 loss to Tropic Wave 14 and a 6-5 loss to Dover Bullets 98 in pool play Sept.

24 and a 2-1 loss to Florida Gold 97, the eventual champion, in a

single-elimination playoff game Sept. 25.

Myah Moy and Crystal Brown led the way offensively for the Storm, and pitcher Logan Newton allowed one earned run in the loss.

The tournament didn’t go as planned, but Schappacher knows know matter what happens on the field, she and her teammates always will be friends first.

“I enjoy that I can play softball with my friends,” Schappacher said. “If it was just a self game, I probably wouldn’t play it.”

Contact Jen Blanco at jblanco@ yourobserver.com.

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16A

EAST COUNTY Observer

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

YourObserver.com

17A

TAILGATE PARTY MARIAH ROBERTSON at BOGEY’S!! athlete of the week

By Jen Blanco | Associate Editor

Lakewood Ranch junior outside hitter Mariah Robertson recorded 20 kills and a block to lead the host Lady Mustangs past Palmetto Sept. 20, 25-17, 25-18, 25-23 in district action. The 16-year-old followed up her performance with 16 kills, four blocks and two digs in Lakewood’s 3-2 loss to Port Charlotte Sept. 22.

How did you get into volleyball?

I started playing 8 years ago. My dad used to play, and my older sisters played. It was like family thing, I guess.

What do you enjoy the most about volleyball?

Volleyball has been my life since I was 8 years old. I just love the game itself. I love everything about it.

Do you have any goals for this season?

It’s my junior year, so obviously my goal is to get looked at by colleges. I want to make a name for myself. My goal is to play Division I, so that’s what I’m working (toward).

College Game Days Enjoy:

If you could play another sport for a day, what would it be?

I’d probably run track again, because that’s what I did before.

All NFL Games Enjoy:

Who is your biggest role model?

My dad. He plays volleyball, and he’s

Who was your favorite Disney princess?

Ariel, because of the ocean. I grew up out on a boat doing something. It’s always been a part of my life. My first word was “turtle.”

eA er

ll G

ood Sports Co

me t

o

y

Do you have a signature dish?

Pulled pork. It’s my recipe. I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember.

always been there cheering me on. He’s the ideal image I have of a father. For as long as I can remember, he’s (encouraged) me to be the best I can and taught me how to live my life and be successful.

Bogey’s Coaches Corner

Congratulations CoRd SandBeRg for M.H.S. Football!!

Bogey’s recognizes you as a

Pla

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Italy. I’ve always wanted to go because the food is amazing, and I love to cook.

• Crown Royal $4.50 • Crown Royal Black $5 • Plus the Best Wings, Pizza, Subs, Burgers and More!!

W h

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?

An orthopedic surgeon. It goes along with sports medicine and helping athletes get back to where they used to be.

• Captain and Coke Pitchers $12 • Captain and Coke $4

CUT aBoVe THe ReST!!!

Coaches: Think you have an athlete that’s a Cut above the Rest?

Send reasons why to smyara@tampabay.rr.com

SR 70-Just 1/4 mile west of I-75 • 7230 52nd Place East 941-799-3000 • www.bogeyssports.com

60311

The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.

Get Relief from Foot, Leg & Back Pain …Even Plantar Fasciitis!

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941.487.7974

GoodFeetTampaBay.com

65156

THE GOOD FEET STORE – SARASOTA

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

SPORTSBRIEFS

18A

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

+ Mustangs golf team remains undefeated The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team improved its record to 29-0 with victories over Venice, Riverview and Seminole Sept. 21.

The Mustangs shot 139 followed

by Venice (145), Riverview (148) and Seminole (161). Lakewood’s 5-under par 139 tied a school record set in 2004.

Ramsey Touchberry earned medalist honors for Lakewood, finishing with a 4-under par 32. Hunter Sagar and Danny Walker both shot 35, and Dylan Hogan shot 37.

The Mustangs returned to action Sept. 23-24, at the Honda Classic High School Invitational at the PGA National Championship Course in West Palm Beach, where they improved their record to 40-0.

+ Braden River High falls to 0-4 The Braden River football team saw its lead slip away as Riverview scored 34 unanswered points on its way to a 36-7 victory Sept. 23.

The Rams took an early 2-0 lead on a botched snap by kicker Michael Unzicher.

Braden River responded in the second quarter when quarterback Eric Schappacher connected with Justin Ross, giving the Pirates a 7-2 advantage.

Although the lead proved to be short-lived as Braden River was held scoreless in the second half.

The Pirates return to action at 7 p.m. Sept. 30, at Port Charlotte.

+ Lady Mustangs finish second in Gainesville The Lakewood Ranch High girls cross country team finished second

ground game

to Estero in the 58-team field at the University of Florida Mountain Dew Invitational Sept. 24, in Gainesville.

Olivia Ortiz finished second in 18 minutes, 28 seconds, and Devin McDermott finished 12th in 19:31 to earn medals for the Lady Mustangs. Kristin Zarrella finished in 19:57, followed by Natalie Novak (20:58), Ashley Platt (21:08), Katie Wray (21:08) and Michelle Last (22:19).

+ Thunder’s rally comes up short After remaining scoreless for three quarters, The Out-of-Door Academy rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns but fell short to St. John Neaumann 19-14 Sept. 23.

Trailing 19-0, Thunder quarterback Evan Wilson connected with Jimmy Donnellan for a 31-yard touchdown to put ODA on the board.

ODA (3-1) blocked a punt later in the quarter, and the Thunder capitalized when Wilson connected with Fred Porter for a 15-yard touchdown.

ODA returns to action at 7 p.m.

Sept. 30, versus district rival Evangelical Christian.

Andre Christiano provided a powerful rushing attack.

Ranch steamrolls Boca Ciega in district action The Lakewood Ranch High football team opened its district campaign with a 19-0 victory over Boca Ciega in Class 6A-District 7 action Sept. 23.

The visiting Mustangs took a 7-0 lead on a 22-yard touchdown run by McKenzie Hathaway with 7:14 left in the first quarter.

Lakewood then re-

+ Mustangs finish fourth at Tarpon Invitational The Lakewood Ranch girls and boys swim teams both finished fourth in team scoring at the Tarpon Invitational Sept. 24.

Danielle Valley finished first in the 500-meter freestyle and second in the 200 freestyle. Will Kazokas won the 100 butterfly and finished second in the 100 backstroke. The girls 200 medley and 200 freestyle took third place, and the 400 freestyle relays finished second. The boys 400 freestyle relay finished third.

corded a safety with 3:50 remaining in the first quarter when the Pirates hiked the ball into the back of their own end zone to give the Mustangs a 9-0 lead.

The Mustangs added 10 more points in the second half to secure the shutout victory.

The Mustangs return to action at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30, at Palmetto.

Right: Linebacker Lou Barreda was part of a stiff Mustang defense.

Love Dogs?

Do you have a sandy, gritty feeling in your eyes?

Does your vision fluctuate during the day? Do your eyes tear excessively?

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63461

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& Garden Gift Shoppe

Thursday 4-7pm

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w/drink purchase

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50¢ Hotdogs

We recommend Fertrell Organics for all your shrubs, trees, flowers and lawn

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FULL BAR • NFL TICKET • $1 LAGERS Friday 9pm, Live Band - Southern Breed

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16” Cheese Pizza & 8 Wings

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Open 7 Days a week 11:00 am. - miDnight

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OPEN: Monday–Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 8am–4pm

3 Smirnoff Cocktails

$

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

19A

JUST THE STATS 40

The number of matches the Lakewood Ranch boys golf team has won so far this season.

440 16

The number of swimmers who participated in the Tarpon Invitational Sept. 24, when the Lakewood Ranch High boys and girls swim teams both finished fourth.

Spend a fun family weekend with us!

2

The number of touchdowns The Out-of-Door Academy football team scored in the fourth quarter of its 19-14 district loss to St. John Neaumann Sept. 23.

The number of kills Lakewood Ranch volleyball player Mariah Robertson recorded in the Lady Mustangs 3-2 loss to Port Charlotte Sept. 24.

The combined number of wins the Braden River High and Port Charlotte football teams have heading into their non-district game Sept. 30.

Funt berFest October 14-16, 2011

Trick or treating and hayrides Carnival themed games Haunted House Graveyard Dance Prize for best-decorated site Plus all the other fun Resort amenities

941-371-2505 or 800-843-2421

3 “First Responders” The number of years the Lakewood Ranch High girls cross country team has competed in the University of Florida Mountain Dew Invitational. The team finished second Sept. 24.

Reservations and information

7125 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34240 www.sunnfunfl.com Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sunnfunfl

65027

0

Inaugural Golf Tournament Saturday, October 1, 2011

Honoring the 10th Anniversary of September 11th and benefiting the Emergency Response Teams of Longboat Key, Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

8 am • Shotgun Start

at Longboat Key Club & Resort’s Harbourside Golf Course

$100 per player (Limited to first 120 players)

includes greens fee, cart, practice balls, coffee station, post tournament luncheon and prizes. sponsored by

®

64548

®

Register your foursome today by calling Terry O’Hara, Director of Golf, at 941.387.1631 or terry.ohara@longboatkeyclub.com

20A

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

TemperatureS

Temps.

High Sun., Sept. 18 92 Mon., Sept. 19 89 Tues., Sept. 20 91 Wed., Sept. 21 90 Thurs., Sept. 22 91 Fri., Sept. 23 90 Sat., Sept. 24 89 Average Gulf water temperature: 83.6

Sunrise/sunset

MOON PHASES

Sunrise Sunset Thurs., Sept. 29 7:18 7:27 Fri., Sept. 30 7:19 7:26 Sat., Oct. 1 7:19 7:25 Sun., Oct. 2 7:20 7:23 7:20 7:22 Mon., Oct. 3 Tues., Oct. 4 7:21 7:21 Wed., Oct. 5 7:21 7:20

RAINFALL

Oct. 12 Full

Oct.. 20 Last

Oct. 26 New

Lakewood Ranch 7.3 Sun., Sept. 18 8.0 Mon., Sept. 19 6.1 Tues., Sept. 20 6.7 Wed., Sept. 21 7.2 Thurs., Sept. 22 4.1 Fri., Sept. 23 3.8 Sat., Sept. 24

Ranch 0.29 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.29 Trace 0.15

Visit YourObserver.com to click on our interactive weather button, which features current weather conditions, weather radar and a five-day forecast.

2011 38.00 in

Month to date: 2011

4.67 in

Lakewood Ranch resident Jon Flenniken took this sunset photo Sept. 19, on Holmes Beach.

PHOTO CONTEST: Enter your sunset, sunrise or weather-related photos for The Observer’s weather photo contest, sponsored by Cool Today. Each week’s winner will receive a $50 restaurant gift card. Send your photos to the East County Observer, 1970 Main St., Fourth Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236, or email them to jeng@yourobserver.com. Please include the name and contact information of the photographer and when and where the photo was taken. Also, please include “photo contest” in the subject line.

65050

Oct. 4 First

WIND SPEED

Lakewood Sun., Sept. 18 Mon., Sept. 19 Tues., Sept. 20 Wed., Sept. 21 Thurs., Sept. 22 Fri., Sept. 23 Sat., Sept. 24

Year-to-date:

WEEKLY WINNEr: goodness gracious …

Low 75 75 75 76 76 75 76

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

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TREE HOUSING by Allen Loggia ACROSS

1 1,500-mile Russian chain 5 Silver salmon 10 Avian baby 15 Abnormal body sac 19 Gilbert of “Roseanne” 20 “... sailed the ___ blue” 21 Cause for complaint 22 Angel topper 23 Automatic alternative 25 Covers with asphalt 26 Discharge, as radiation 27 Title for Jesus Christ (with “the”) 28 “Step on it!”

30 “Bottoms up!” and others 32 Cone-bearing evergreen 33 After-school lineup 34 “... and make it fast!”

35 Containing iron 39 Latin singer Mercedes and slugger Sammy 40 Kenya’s capital 43 “My Cherie ___” (Stevie Wonder hit) 44 “Night” novelist Wiesel 45 Activates 47 Reverent astonishment 49 My Computer, e.g.

50 Ladies of Spain, for short 51 Impulsive feeling 52 Resistance to motion 53 Volleyball equipment 54 Peace symbol 58 1987 Oscar role for Michael Douglas 59 “Pyro” attachment 61 Bartenders’ fruit 62 Adversaries in Risk 63 Abates 64 “Nicely done!”

65 “Tax” attachment 66 Creditor 68 Richard’s partner in

The Carpenters 69 Brawn 72 Bay or cove 73 Wrap for some appetizers 75 A deer, a female deer 76 Sixth month of the Jewish calendar 77 “Look ___ hands!”

78 “... so shall ye ___” 79 L-___ (Parkinson’s treatment) 80 Title for Isaac Newton 81 Through this means 83 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich 84 Energy 85 States with authority 87 Campaign poster word 89 Acapulco party 90 Bird worshipped in ancient Egypt 91 “A ___ the Races” 92 Follow persistently 93 Aspiring doc’s course 96 Artist’s cap, stereotypically 97 Career choice for many (with “the”) 102 Physical injury 103 “See what ___, jelly bean?”

105 Direct telephone connections 107 Measure of force 108 “Giant” of pro wrestling 109 “I” and “i” in Ithaca 110 Best hand in baccarat 111 Fortune teller 112 “Rudolph the Red___ Reindeer” 113 Abrasive material used for nail files 114 “Me too” sort

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1 “Back in the ___” (Beatles tune) 2 $25 per hour, e.g.

3 Very dry, as a desert 4 Spike, as punch 5 ___ dust (fine particles in space) 6 An earth tone 7 Will beneficiary 8 Big dumb dolt 9 Make someone bubble over 10 Be tyrannical 11 Deteriorates by use 12 Assess, as a tax 13 Second of all?

14 Bikini atoll, in 1946 15 Low-quality, in slang 16 Candied tubers 17 What an X-Acto knife might make 18 Nursery population 24 Drink made from fermented milk 29 Anytown, ___ 31 Two in a row?

33 Spud State capital 34 “Garfield” exclamation 35 Barely perceptible 36 Awards show host 37 Places to store turnips and radishes 38 Baseball score 39 Czechs and Ukrainians 40 Agents making busts 41 Certain sleep interrupters 42 “... should die before ___” (part of a prayer) 44 Actors Idle and Stoltz 46 Adjusts a piano 48 Divas often have big ones 50 More guileful 52 Evil spirit 54 Beginning 55 Book jacket write-up 56 “___ Wild Pony” (Disney film of 1975) 57 In the company of 58 “Good ___!” (Charlie Brown phrase) 60 More robust

62 Set ___ for (try to snare) 64 “Shish” dish 65 With “The,” Mr. T series 66 One-sidedness 67 Home of the Taj Mahal 68 Charles Foster and Carol 69 Chilly precipitation 70 Go ___ (fall apart) 71 Supremes hit “I ___ Symphony” 73 Golf course equipment 74 Build, as a monument 77 Line passing through both the earth’s poles 79 Tool and ___ set 81 Daughter of Hera and Zeus 82 Ached 83 “Falling in Place” novelist Ann 84 Candlelight ceremony of a sort 86 Cook just below the boiling point 88 Drain-cleaning chemical 89 Quaint, in a rural kind of way 91 “The Wreck of the Mary ___” 92 A dollar in Kuwait 93 Coveted degrees 94 Toothy comedian Martha 95 Fish-eating eagle 96 Bunk and fourposter 97 “Turn off the sound” button 98 “30 Rock” star Fey 99 Just ___ (small amount to drink) 100 “Outbreak” actress Russo 101 Belgian border river 104 6 on a phone dial 106 “CD” follower

Last weeks Cryptograms 1. When Southwest announced it was kicking up its number of hubs and flights, all the peanut suppliers’ stocks climbed!

2. Ugly airline math law: when there is an empty seat in between you and another passenger, that seat will be occupied by someone who could use two seats.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Items Under $200 For Sale

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales

Schools/Instruction

Help Wanted

3 LEATHER Vests size L $20/each. Gear for Sports Leather Jacket size L $25. 941-323-5047.

RIVER’S EDGE: Community Garage Sale.

Saturday October 1st, 8am-2pm. Located at Linger Lodge Rd. & 66 Ave. East.

BEGINNER BRIDGE: Advance your play to join a club. Basic new rules. Call 941-228-1348.

MARKETING MANAGER-MBA Req’d Sd res: L. Devine, Airport Automotive Service & Repair, 2308 Industrial Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34234. Job Duties include: Gather information on competitors prices, services, and their methods of marketing; providing the company with information needed to make better decisions on the promotion and pricing of products and services.

ADVERTISE YOUR merchandise with the total value of $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, 15 words or less. Price must be included. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks. Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com or online at: www.yourobserver.com/classifieds

Merchandise Wanted SENIOR LOOKING to buy precious metals, time pieces, coins, jewelry and antiques. Please call Marc, 941-321-0707.

AVS SPEAKERS (2): B&W Indoor/Outdoor.

Model LM-1B, original condition, $150 for pair.

941/373-6774, clarencelr@verizon.net BIG BOOKS! Essential for elementary teachers, preschools, daycares. Popular authors/themes. 19 books, $9 each. 941-758-2233.

BLOOD PRESSURE Monitor: Omron Cuff, Digital display, $20.00. 941-756-8929.

Motor Homes/RVs TRAVEL TRAILER RENTALS & CAMPER RENTALS AFFORDABLE - DELIVERY AVAILABLE 941-224 -4939 SITE:www.TravelTrailerRent.com

DRYER GE: Profile gas dryer, large capacity.

Excellent working condition $90.00 o/b/o.

941-744-1557.

ITALIAN PURSE/BACKPAK: Cavalier. Quality leather, beautiful, bought in Italy, $33.

941-753-2449.

SOFA: SANDY color fabric. 38”H x 90”L Excellent condition. $100. (941) 758-1188.

TIFFANY STYLE Hanging Lamp: Gold colored glass. $75 or best offer. 941-726-3144.

WICKER LOVESEAT and lounge chair set.

Beautiful wood wicker set with cushions. $185.

(941)907-3234

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales RIVER CLUB Community Garage Sale, October, 1st., 8a.m. - 2p.m. Located next to Lakewood Ranch, between SR 70 & University Parkway. Rain date October 2nd.

Announcements BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS on Saturday October 1st, 10 AM to NOON, will be at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch FL (941-753-9365). Everyone is invited to bring their pets, large or small. The Blessing by Pastor Jeff Gross will be at 11 AM. The Humane Society of Manatee will be there talking about their animal adoption and spay/neuter programs. There will also be snacks for pets, owners and friends. For more info call Ursula Williams 941-201-4467.

NOW OPEN IN SARASOTA: All Gadgets & Electronics Repair, Cell phones, Computers, Laptops, TV, GPS, Wii, PS3. If it has a power supply, we will fix it. Call 941-922-2580, www.leveluprepair.com

Get all 3 Observers for only $99 Stand out from the crowd and get widespread exposure with The Observer ‘Make Your Move’ real estate ad. Your ad will appear in all 3 Observers – reaching prime prospects in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

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e l P M SA abs o Mod lutely el pe eleg rf ers.

One ect Bisca ant ho yne of be me 3400 flo in s s kitch q. ft. und t lots w/l or plan b silver en w a y Ba er air /woo mbo oak. . 4 B ke & Pri appl. o d va D 3 en. B car gar. cabinets + den, 3 te Views Build, gra , larg 1/2 B uilt in . Ov n eh er ite A 2001 ! $89 td pool & counters . Gourme 9,90 0. Jo spa w/o , stainle t s utdo hn D John or kit s o chDoe e Real Esta 941 te.

-555

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5

To advertise your listing call (941) 955-4888 or email classified@yourobserver.com

PRIVATE PIANO INSTRUCTION in your home. All ages. 20 years experience. Bachelor Music Piano. 1st Lesson Discount. 941-776-7381.

Storage OUTSIDE STORAGE: Vans, Trailers, Boats, No RV’s. Reasonable. Off Lockwood Ridge, just West of Lakewood Ranch. 941-321-0107.

STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area.

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Things To Do

OFFICE ASSISTANT for in-homecare agency.

Office administration support. Multi-tasking from receptionist to data entry, typing and QuickBooks entries. Organizational skills necessary. Must have good people skills and clear headed under pressure. Experience with MS Word, Excel and QuickBooks essential. Medical background a plus. Part time to possible full time. Salary open.

Call 377-4465.

Positions Wanted

Parlez-vous franÇais?

SALES POSITION WANTED. Sales lady has over 20 years experience in retail sales, lady’s fashions, home accessories, gifts and toys. Strong customer relations experience. Reliable, hours flexible. 941-650-5719.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN FRENCH?

Homes For Rent ANNUAL RENTAL: Longboat Key, Twin Shores Mobile Home, 55+, private beach, 2BR/1BA. Call Karen (813)377-6864.

HERITAGE HARBOUR: 3BR/2.5BA, 1226 sq.ft., freshly painted, new tile in LR & DR, new W/D, community pool. $1100/mo. unfurnished. Call Brian Murphy, Realtor, 941-400-8068.

FRENCH CLASSES at the

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE SARASOTA

LUXOR MHP

$425mo-1 bed/bath mobile homes.

55+ community. No Pets.

5811 14th St. W. Bradenton.

Sarasota Real Estate Assoc, Inc. Greg Nowak 941-809-6034

Sarasota's premiere organization for teaching French language and culture Classes at all levels, beginner to advanced, with native teachers.

Weekdays, evenings, Saturdays.

Call us at 941-955-0700 or www.afsarasota.org

OSPREY: BAYACRES 2BR/2BA/2CG, Great neighborhood, close to Beaches & Shopping.

Fenced back yard. Lawn cutting included.

Non-smoking. $1200/mo 941-586-5834.

Real Estate Wanted MAKING PAYMENTS on a house you can’t sell?

If your house is in good condition I have solutions.

I can make your payments. Be responsible for all repairs, and maintenance. Handle all the paperwork at no expense to you. www.brucebuyshousescash.com or call 941893-4305.

Classes start October 10 Open House: Saturday, October 1, 10a.m.-Noon 200 S. Washington Blvd.

Towles Court Pavilion corner of Adams Lane & Washinton Blvd.

WANTED

Business Opportunities

LUXURY ANNUAL RENTALS

HIRING FASHION Directors. Looking for people who want a career that is fun, flexible and fashionable. PT or FT; earning potential is limitless. If you love fashion and enjoy people, this is the job for you. Call 941-713-4770 or E-mail: dhfashionjewelry@gmail.com

For Qualified Waiting Clients

O

Wholesale Retail 2 locations Nets 240,000 Price 450,000 + inventory Franchise to net 110,000 price 85,000 Commercial lawn co. nets 140,000 price 200,000

WWW.ABBEXINC.COM 941-365-3833

Help Wanted

Sarasota Luxury Rentals Phone/Vicki: 941-356-5610

DRIVERS - TEAMS: $6,000 Team Sign-On Bonus when you team drive for Werner Enterprises!

Call Now for details! 1-888-567-4856.

The

BIG TYPE. EASY READ. FAST RESULTS.

Observer Classifieds 955-4888 This week’s crossword answers

Homemakers/ Companions CNA’S/ HHA’S

You Can Make a Difference. Help seniors stay independent. We provide: non medical care, personal care, meals, light housekeeping, transportation & companionship. Flexible hours available- F/T, P/T, Overnight, Weekends and Live-In. Positions available in Sarasota/ Bradenton/ Venice. To work now fax resume to 941-929-7438 or email: joanieck@comcast.net FL Reg #HCS227965, #HHA299992670

HCS228619,

HCS228620

FL

THE OBSERVER GROUP LP # 56733

Lic

HORSE/BARN HELP: EXPERIENCED, RESPONSIBLE, DEPENDABLE, P/T, 6 DAY WEEK REF/BONDABLE EAST BRADENTON. 941-322-0992.

Observe

what you areReserved missing...

Space

Local News that’s LOCAL NEWS! LP Reserved Space

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY Observer

22A Classifieds YourObserver.com

www.yourobserver.com

RENTALS 4 NIGHT MIN. GULF FRONT/ GULF VIEW

Cleaning

Landscaping & Lawn Service

Tile

EDLA’S CLEANING SERVICES: Residential Commercial, New Construction. Meticulous, deep cleaning top to bottom. We Guarantee. Affordable & Reliable. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

Licensed & Insured. 30% off first cleaning.

371-9869.

BERRYS LAWN & LANDSCAPING. Over 25 years of experience . Best prices in Manatee. Please call 941-713-1742 for a free and fast estimate.

STEVE ALLEN FLOOR COVERINGS

ELER CLEANING SERVICE. Residential cleaning, 10 years experience. Affordable and reliable.

Call for free estimates and references. Alessandra, 941-301-6493.

Reservations: 941-383-5549 Visa/ MC Fax: 941-383-7925

FREE ESTIMATES! Call Dottie, detailed cleaning.

24 Years Exp. Lic./ Ins. Residential/ Commercial.

Dottie, 941-321-6645.

“Take our video tour at� www.casadelmar.net

O

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates.

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

Say You Saw it in

GREENMAGIC CLEANING. Residential & Commercial. Great work. Excellent references.

Affordable Rates. Come home happy. Lic./Ins. 941-780-4248.

Office Open 7 Days, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key 34228

HOUSEKEEPING: HONEST, dependable, detail oriented. Clean-outs, organizations. Large or small jobs. Great rates and flexible schedules. 25+ years experience. Excellent references. 941-650-5198.

WASHER/ DRYER IN EVERY UNIT BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS LARGE HEATED POOL GULFSIDE

Computer Services

FREE Wireless High Speed Internet

OWN A MAC/IPHONE/IPAD? MacTutor offers 21 years experience. Unlimited free telephone follow up. (941)812-3887 www.FLMacTutor.com

“Where People Return Year After Year� “INTENTIONALLY BETTER�

A LENDING HAND HOURLY OR 24/7 CARE Assistance with Personal Care/ Shopping/ Transportation/ etc. Excellent references, Insured and Bonded. Call 941-809-3725.

CARING COMPANION. Mature, responsible lady, seeking position as a companion. Will prepare light meals, doctor visits, run errands. Hours are flexible. Florida resident over 25 years.

Florida driver’s license. References available.

941-650-5719.

YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC Gail Sunray, Owner

CAREGIVER/COMPANION: 20 years nursing experience. Will care for you in your home. With excellent references upon request. 941-773-7836.

IN-HOME CARE/ COMPANIONSHIP/ HOMEMAKING available all hours; days, nights, weekends.

Call 377-4465 for more information or visit our website @ www.eldercaresarasota.com Lic. #30211372 Bonded & Insured.

Auto Transport RETIRED LONGBOAT KEY police officer & associate. Drive your car to the North and back.

941-713-1596, 941-720-0426.

Cleaning A CLEANING EVEN YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW WILL APPROVE! Every time, guaranteed! Lic./Ins. Bonded. Pamela, 941-320-0023. www.CleanTimeServices.com BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential/ Commercial. Meticulous Cleaning.

Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable.

Lic./ Ins. 941-400-3342

IKEA KITCHEN Certified Installer Design, assembly and install expert. ikcllc.com 941.726.2662 Sergio.

MOBILE HOME REPAIRS AND RESTORATIONS. Licensed. Insured. Absolutely excellent references. Everything you need and more!

Call and ask for R.J., 941-586-8996.

R.J. DAVIS WHOLESALE FLOORING, LLC. Tile Setter, Wood Floor Installer. Lic./Ins. 10 Years working in Lakewood Ranch custom homes.

You buy the material, we install. 941-586-8996.

WATER HEATERS, faucets and small plumbing repairs. Reasonable rates. License #CFC1426756.

941-737-0349.

ACCOUNTING

4 EAsy WAys To Place your Classified Ad Call 941-955-4888

Fax 941-362-4808 Email classified@yourobserver.com

   

Bill Paying & Account Reconciliation Organizing Personal and Business Files Budgets & Financial Reports Federal and State Tax Returns

Online at

www.yourobserver.com/classifieds All major credit/debit cards accepted.

BONDED & INSURED Over 25 yrs. experience

We make it easy for you to place your classified ad

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FIND

DID WE get your attention? You bet we did!

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Observer Classifieds

IT!

Pools WEEKLY POOL SERVICE FROM $59 - FREE ESTIMATES. Licensed, uniformed, qualified technicians. Guaranteed same day weekly service. Call Blissful Pools, 941-705-0400.

Online 24/7

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Pressure Cleaning PRESSURE AND WINDOW CLEANING. ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY. AFFORDABLE. FREE ESTIMATES. 941-879-3683.

Your source for local Classifieds

CLOCK REPAIR

ELECTRIC

Christo’s Clock Repair

6HUYLQJ 6DUDVRWD DQG 0DQDWHH %XVLQHVVHV

Bryan’s Electrical Services Inc. We install and repair anything electrical

Serving Bradenton/Sarasota areas Over 30 years experience

Gas Post Lite Conversion Kit

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, LP Missing: # 64520 TOC TO ME.�

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Install & Repair

Satisfaction Guaranteed Never an overtime charge

(941) 752-4741 Don Christo, Sr.

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Horologist

All Makes & Models House Calls by apt.

$ ' 9 , 6 2 5 < ) , 1 $ 1 & , $ / 7$ ; 6 ( 5 9 , & ( 6 63817

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24 hour emergency service

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I come to your home or office.

Home Improvement/ Remodeling HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE Reliable & Prompt. 25 Years Experience 5 Years in Bradenton Area. Flooring, Masonry, Doors, Carpentry and Water Damage ... etc. Call Scott at 941-536-1770. scottmwoolf1@gmail.com

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS

Personal & Business Bookkeeping Accounting/ Taxes

Hauling GOODBYE JUNK - HELLO RELIEF! 1-800-GOTJUNK? is the World's Largest (and Florida's largest) Junk Removal Service. Homeowners, Property Managers, Realtors, Contractors, and business owners get rid of unwanted items effortlessly. Book an appointment today. Save $10 at 1800gotjunk.com.

20 YRS. EXPERIENCE

MATH TUTORING. Grades 5-12+, experienced.

Manatee County teacher. References. Reasonable rates. 941-739-5829.

Personal Services

PC TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Repair hardware/ software/ Internet problems, remove viruses/ spyware. Networks/ Upgrades. Navy veteran electronics. 941-225-0046.

Adult Care Services

PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION

Painting/Wallpapering

LV1256

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals CASA DEL MAR BEACH RESORT

THE EAST COUNTY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBEROBSERV 29, 2011 Thursday, September 29, 2011

8011 34th Ave East OfďŹ ce: 941-708-6900 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34221 Fax: 941-708-6910 www.Bryanselectric.com

Licensed & Insured

64246

22A

ECA002495

COMPUTER

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in the Service LP Reserved Directory

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AUTO SERVICE

64917

Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;- Locally Locally Owned Owned & 3132Years &Operated Operated 64275

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DOORS

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5

SLIDING GLASS DOORS

$

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FURNITURE REPAIR

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PEST CONTROL Carpenter Ants Bugging You?

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COUNTRY CANINE MAKEOVERS DOG GROOMING

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Licensed & Insured s ,IC 2# s Free Estimates s ./ ()$$%. #/343 OWNER SUPERVISES EVERY JOB START TO FINISH.

Swimming Pool

SCREENING

*Service *Repair *Equipment Upgrades *Remodel

www.dripsnpuddles.com

BETH BARNETT â&#x20AC;&#x153;East Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s #1 Agent!â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Will move anything from a couch to a householdâ&#x20AC;?

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Lic./Ins. se Window Washin i r n Su d Pressure Cleanin g

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h,EAVE 9OUR $IRTY 7INDOWS 4O 5Sv

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WINDOWS

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Quality You Can Depend On

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PAINTING

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Call 924-9000 *A/H 730-0130

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Phone (941) 704-4278 Fax (941) 538-3781 dmccarthy114@hotmail.com

For listing your house, call BETH for proven results!! www.realtor.com/sarasota/bethbarnett

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REALTORS

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2ESIDENTIAL #OMMERCIAL 2OOlNG s 3PECIALIZING IN 2OOF 2EPAIRS Shingle/Metal/Tile/ModiďŹ ed 941-748-7400

91 Month 41-FREE -7Service 517 776Pool

MOVERS

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1 FREE MONTH OF POOL SERVICE! Pool. $899 Installed Turn Your Pool into(With a Agreement) Salt

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s 3INKS s #OUNTER 4OPS s #ABINETS

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Call for appointment Cindy Wells 941-322-6381 941-928-2168

Residential

South Florida Tub & Tile ReďŹ nishing

64875

Located off of SR 70 E. 1 mile North on Verna Bethany Rd. 7804 Barr Road Myakka City, FL 34251

s ,ANDSCAPE DESIGN RENOVATION INSTALLATION s .ATIVE PLANTS 8ERISCAPE %XPERTS s &REEZE 0ROOF 0LANTS s 3OD 2EPAIR s $RAINAGE 2EPAIRS s 3EASONAL #LEAN 5P 2EMULCH s .EW 0AVERS 0AVER 2EPAIR s /RGANIC 'ARDENING &ERTILIZING

MO V I N G

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PET SERVICES

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off your electric bill with CVC56744

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BUG BUSTERS Save up to 80% over pest companies!

There could be a nest of thousands - Inside or even outside your home!

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Free rt Expetation ul Cons

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Summer Sale Discount FPL Solar Rebate Federal & Local Rebates

10%

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For Senior Citizens Prices Include:

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REMODELING/HOME IMPROVEMENT

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s

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RedeďŹ ning Interior Design

in Lakewood Ranch*

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service and quality workmanship

INTERIOR DESIGN

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$

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Call Anytime

Classifieds 23A 23A

www.yourobserver.com

64142

THE EAST COUNTY OBSERVER Thursday, September29, 29,2011 2011 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER

EAST COUNTY Observer

24A

EAST COUNTY Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

You may not know what you’re looking for, it. but now you know where to

find

To be notified of special events and open houses, we invite you to join our private registry at SignatureSIR.com

464 Golden Gate Point, 902 This sumptuous condominium overlooks the city skyline and marina with sunset views extending to the Gulf of Mexico. The ultimate in entertaining, this unit features three grand salons with adjacent terraces, opulent dining room, home theatre, game lounge & over sized gourmet kitchen. $6,495,000

Peg Davant 941.356.4552

548 Fore Drive Devon Davis & Bridget Smith

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186 Portofino Drive $1,095,000 Terry Herschberger & Melissa Caldwell 941.468.8439

1240 Northport Drive Judie Berger

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A RT S | E N T E RTA I N M E N T | S O C I E T Y | F O O D | FA S H I O N | D é C O R

Diversions YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

SIGHT-GEIST by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Heidi Kurpiela

Janet Mishner, Gail Rubinfeld, Bettina Sego and Susan von Gries meet in Mishner’s Lakewood Ranch studio. “We respect each other’s opinions,” Rubinfeld says.

“There aren’t many people I’d say that about.”

Painted ladies

The members of artinsight-sarasota discuss their diverse work, inspiring friendships and fifth show, ‘Y Not Women,’ which opens next month on Anna Maria Island.

T

here’s a lot going on in Janet Mishner’s Lakewood Ranch home.

There are women mingling, a little white dog yipping, a plate of raisin cookies circulating and an assortment of painted canvases accumulating.

It’s the kind of friendly commotion

and camaraderie you don’t get often when you step into an artist’s world.

The vibe is neither solitary nor tortured. There’s coffee brewing, and photos of Mishner’s new grandson line the kitchen counter.

It’s exactly what Mishner, Bettina Sego, Gail Rubinfeld and Susan von

Gries had in mind when they formed their contemporary artist group, artinsight-sarasota, one year ago.

“In all my years of painting, I never had girlfriends who were artists,” von Gries says. “I can’t tell you how nice it is to be surrounded by women who share my passion.”

‘Y NOT WOMEN’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

INSIDE

BACKSTAGE PASS:

FST gives Sarasota its ‘Just Desserts’ / 4

Black Tie THE SOCIAL OBSERVER

Make-A-Wish’s Handbags and Happy Hour PAGE 5

CAMERA READY Center for Great Apes / 7

2 ■ Diversions

■

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

COVER STORY

‘Y NOT WOMEN’ from 1 The other women nod their heads in unison.

“Creating art can be a very lonely experience,” Rubinfeld says. “When you get together as a group, it becomes more — ” “Of an exchange,” Sego interrupts.

“Because when you’re alone, you’re alone,” Rubinfeld says, finishing the sentiment.

The artists met several years ago in artist Joseph Melancon’s class at Art Center Sarasota. Established painters, each with a rich resumé and decades of experience behind the easel, they were an obvious foursome.

“We came together out of common ground,” Mishner says.

Soon the women were meeting for lunch, meeting to paint and then meeting to discuss the obvious: forming a group.

“As an individual, when you approach a gallery and ask, ‘May I have a show here?’ 2,000 other artists have as well,” Sego says.

“From a marketing perspective, you’re in a better position if you’re in a group.”

They founded artinsight last fall to coincide with Festival sARTée, the two-week arts event that runs concurrently with the Ringling International Arts Festival.

In just one year they’ve

IF YOU GO

“Y Not Women” runs Oct. 7 through Oct. 26, at the Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria Island. artinsightsarasota will host an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 during the Ringling International Arts Festival’s Festival sARTée. For more information, visit artinsightsarasota.com.

held four exhibitions, proving that in a struggling economy there’s strength in numbers.

“So many galleries have closed in the last couple of years,” Rubinfeld says.

“I think art groups are the wave of the future.”

The group’s fifth show, “Y Not Women?” which will run Oct. 7 through Oct. 26, at The Studio at Gulf and Pine on Anna Maria Island, is its biggest exhibition.

An homage to American female artists, the show will include a lecture by Ringling College of Art and Design instructor Kevin Costello and music by an Irish harpist.

To prepare for the event, the women brushed up on the biographies of dozens of 20th-century female artists, including Lee Krasner, an abstract expressionist whose marriage to Jackson

“Contemplation,” by Gail Rubinfeld Pollock often overshadowed her career.

“Women have been painting all along,” Sego says. “But they don’t have their place in history as they should. Ask people to name a female artist, and you’ll get ‘Georgia O’Keeffe’ and that’s about it.”

Despite the focus of this upcoming exhibition and the obvious fact that the group lacks a male pres-

ence, the women of artinsight do not consider themselves feminists.

Rather than labeling the group as “women artists,” Rubinfeld says she’d rather artinsight be referred to as “artists who happen to be women.”

“In the New York art world, if you’re a woman artist over the age of 50, forget it,” Rubinfeld says.

“It’s the kiss of death.”

But this is the Sarasota

art world, and middleaged female artists are in good company, which is why “Y Not Women?” poses much more than a rhetorical question.

Given the area’s demographics, artinsight is almost a better fit for Sarasota than the other (younger) contemporary arts groups making headlines — for instance, s/ART/q, which was founded in late 2008 by a cast of 30- and 40-something artists.

This is not to say that artinsight lacks edge. The women’s paintings, as well as their bios, are colorful and diverse.

Rubinfeld, a Connecticut native who owns the Turtle Beach Resort and Inn on Siesta Key, didn’t start painting until the late 1990s, when she was bequeathed a box of art supplies from her twin sister, an artist who died of cancer 13 years ago.

The German-born Sego worked in marketing for luxury fragrance lines before moving in 2000 to Florida, where she carved out a reputation for painting abstract landscapes using textured acrylics, mixed media and collage.

Mishner, a former elementary school art teacher from Baltimore, was so drawn to abstract figures inspired by psychological metaphors and storytelling that she began bringing her work to psychoanalysis

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sessions.

And, then, there’s von Gries, who spent 20 years living as an expatriate in El Salvador, Brazil, Venezuela, Belgium, and the Netherlands, where she worked in sculpture before settling down seven years ago in Sarasota.

All of the women have studied art, held solo exhibitions and sold work to private collectors and businesses.

“We each make our own marks,” von Gries says of their four distinct styles.

Von Gries’ marks are bold and spontaneous, the product of whatever music she happens to be listening to at the time.

Mishner’s marks are more purposeful, although lately she says she’s begun to embrace an impulsive style.

Rubinfeld loves to render figures and faces, often in multiples, a touching nod to her twin sister. And Sego’s canvases are heavy with metallic layers, semiabstract icons and symbols that conjure up nature in an elemental and prehistoric way.

“What we all had in common was that external observation was a moot point,” Mishner says. “Our work is the product of interpretation.”

She looks to the other women for approval. They concur.

“And, of course,” she adds, “almost everything we do is personal.”

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

Diversions

YourObserver.com

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3

COLUMN

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

+ Sarasota’s bourgeois beckoned for J. Lo film The Internet has been a-Twitter with news that Jennifer Lopez is shooting a movie this week at the Ringling Museum.

And, yes, it’s true — hundreds of Sarasotans will be in it.

The movie, “Parker,” is a thriller based on a series of crime novels by writer Donald Westlake. Directed by Oscar winner Taylor Hackford (“Ray”), it stars Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte and Michael Chiklis.

Last week, R.J.’s Casting and Unique Casting Partners issued a call for 200 extras available for filming Sept. 28 to Sept. 30 at the Ringling Museum’s Cà d’Zan mansion.

Sloppy 20-somethings, however, need not apply.

According to the missive, the movie wants only “high-end, wealthy, Palm Beach-types, ages 30 to 70” for a swanky fundraiser scene.

And, if that’s not specific enough, it goes on to suggest that extras show up in “fulllength ball gowns with coordinating fancy jackets. Shawls, purses that are clutches or small shiny handbags are great. Any undergarments — Spanx, strapless bras — nude and black —

When singer/songwriter Matt Facciolla gets on a writing streak, watch out.

The musician penned 47 songs for his latest album, “Second Chances,” which is slated for release in January. No wonder it took him a year-and-ahalf to finish the project.

Facciolla, the former lead singer of the Electric Bushman, a Buffalo, N.Y.,-based band that in the 1990s opened for the Gin Blossoms and Jewel, is going the extra mile to make sure this album, his second as a solo artist, gains serious traction.

Earlier this year he flew home

to Buffalo to mix his tracks at the Goo Goo Dolls’ studio. This month, he went to Atlanta to master the album at Rodney Mills Masterhouse, a mastering engineer who has worked with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, to name a few.

You can catch Facciolla at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at The Loft Ristobar. When he played the venue in February (with Dan Toler, former guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, and Mike Logan, former harp player for Queenie and the King Bees) it was to a packed house.

+ Puppets open the Van Wezel season

Photo by Pacific Coast News

Jennifer Lopez on the Miami set of “Parker” should be brought.”

Got that?

Don’t show up thinking there will be Spanx to spare. Even big-budget action flicks have to tighten the belt somewhere.

Bad news: The New York Pops has canceled its December show at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall due to “unforeseen economic and logistical challenges.”

Good news: “Stuffed and Unstrung,” the salty adult-only puppet show by the Henson Alternative is still scheduled to open the fall season Wednesday.

Even better news: The hall has replaced its wornout, 40-year-old seats with contour-padded, steel-supported seats from the same company that furnished the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C. Using a grant from the Selby Foundation, the Van Wezel selected a five-person committee to test the quality and

suitability of several seat companies before settling on Seating Concepts, which has also cushioned the rears of patrons at Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

According to a press release issued last week by the Van Wezel, the new seats are 20 to 22 inches wide and have serpentine springs, recessed cup holders, mahogany armrests and aubergine fabric.

(Aubergine, by the way, is a fancy way of saying purple.)

So, get your tickets now. Who needs the New York Pops when you’ve got mouthy Muppets and a soft purple place to land?

Photo by Heidi Kurpiela

Matt Facciolla

HOT TICKETS ‘Jack and the Enchanted Beanstalk’: This popular

children’s yarn, adapted by FST’s favorite kids-at-heart, Beth Duda and Adam Ratner, is up now through November in the Gompertz Theatre. “Jack” kicks off the 20th season of FST’s annual Write-APlay program. For tickets, call 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org.

Ballet luncheon with Matthew Hart:

British ballet choreographer Matthew Hart chats with former prima ballerina Margaret Barbieri at the Friends of the Sarasota Ballet’s monthly luncheon. Join Hart and Barbieri from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3, at Michael’s On East, as they discuss the American premiere of Hart’s “Tchaikovsky’s Ballet Fantasy,” which opens Sarasota Ballet’s 21st season Oct. 28, at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets to the luncheon are $35. Reservations are required. Call 758-3911.

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BACKSTAGE PASS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Off the cuff

JEREMY LAMB’S COMEDY ICONS George Carlin

“He’s my first comedic love. What he was saying to me — an all-black-wearing suburban white kid — seemed more like the truth than what I was hearing from my parents and teachers.”

Florida Studio Theatre’s newest long-form improviser likens performing on stage for hours to a unique form of storytelling.

Jeremy Lamb wasn’t always a happy-go-lucky improv comedian with an arsenal of hammy jokes at his disposal.

As a teenager growing up in Austin, Texas, Lamb was withdrawn, surly and serious, a misunderstood youth with an eyebrow piercing and wardrobe of black clothes.

At one point, even his beard was dyed black.

“Improv opened me up and changed my personality,” Lamb says. “It made my relationships with people better. It made me a more positive person.”

It also turned him into somewhat of an improv addict.

After getting a degree in film from the University of Texas, Lamb, 31, studied at Second City in Chicago and at Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Both theaters have become breeding grounds for some of the entertainment industry’s most famous sketch comedians, including a slew of “Saturday Night Live” cast members.

In 2002, he founded Austin’s “Out of Bounds” comedy festival.

Three years later, he formed the touring improv troupe, Available Cupholders, which has become a fan favorite at the Sarasota Improv Festival.

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He’s recorded comedy albums, directed and starred in a sketch comedy film and an online comedy series in addition to touring as a solo act under the name Bearded Lamb.

Hired as a guest-teaching artist at Florida Studio Theatre, Lamb, whose first session of comedy classes started this week, has already created a comedy show with Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins.

“Just Desserts,” which opens next week in the Gompertz Theatre, is a hybrid of short-form and long-form improv with a dose of audience participation.

Directed by Lamb, the show is a compilation of short scenes, sketch comedy and games. It stars a cast of four improvisers (Christine Alexander, Adam Ratner, Samantha Stern and Steve Turrisi) who take turns directing one another in different scenes.

At the end of each scene, the audience will get to choose which director did the best job. Those who don’t succeed will be asked to perform an embarrassing task in front of the audience, or as Lamb describes it, “a quick penance to cleanse the palate.”

The show will serve as an introduction to long-form improv, something FST audiences have

Ryan Stiles

“He’s just super fun and super positive. He’s always taking care of everyone and willing to go anywhere.”

Tom Hanks

“He plays an incredible schlub. He’s so good at being downtrodden. I love that.”

IF YOU GO Heidi Kurpiela

“There’s a huge stigma against improv,” Jeremy Lamb says. “Like it’s disposable, like it’s some dumb gimmick you’d see in a bar, which couldn’t be further from the truth.” seldom seen since Hopkins created the company’s beloved improv program 10 years ago.

Long-form improv is Lamb’s specialty.

The actor is such a fan of the format that he once attempted to break the Guinness World Records for the longest play by improvising with his troupe for 27 hours straight.

Although his efforts proved futile (Guinness wouldn’t recognize the show because it was unscripted), it did cement Lamb’s status as an up-and-coming improviser.

“Long-form is more rewarding,” he says. “There are greater opportunities for character development. There’s more room to move people.”

As intimidating as it might seem to perform a two-hour unscripted show, Lamb says almost anyone can do it.

“It taps into something that’s innate in all of us,” he says. “It’s storytelling. Anyone can tell a story.”

Is that what he tells the shy students who take his class?

“Actually, I tell the shy students

“Just Desserts” runs Oct. 1 through Oct. 29, in the Goldstein Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre. For more information, call 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org. that the most important thing is to be OK at failing,” Lamb says. “If you’re not failing, you’re not being a good improviser. We want people to be comfortable with failure so they take risks.”

And what if they’re not comfortable with stinking?

“Then we ask them to take a giant overblown circus bow,” Lamb says. “We say, ‘That’s fine.

You failed. Now bow like a ringmaster.’”

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THE SOCIAL OBSERVER

Black Tie YourObserver.com

Height of happiness

CAMERA READY Reception for Center for Great Apes / Page 7 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

By MOLLY SCHECHTER

Black Tie Editor

Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida hit new heights with its third season-anticipating Handbags and Happy Hour event Sept. 22, at Michael’s On East. Executive Director Michelle Butler announced that the local chapter granted a record 17 wishes in the year that just ended and that supporters donated a record 107 purses for the evening’s silent auction.

Also hitting new highs were the guests’ shoes (Beth Ferguson’s pumps! Susan Jones’ wedges!) and hemlines that were straight out of 1970s miniskirt days. Monica Barth and Kyla Weiner co-chaired.

Wish recipient Hannah Swain, who answers the inevitable age question with “close to being 9,” was there to thank the organization for granting her wish, which was to meet iCarly.

Photos by Molly Schechter

Co-Chairwomen Monica Barth and Kyla Weiner

Event sponsor Susan Jones, of JCI Jones Chemicals Inc.

Rochelle Nigri and Miqui Lora, top, were taken with the vintage Ferragamo bag donated by Beth Knopik, bottom.

Judith Yaeger, mother of event co-Chairwoman Kyla Weiner, and her sister, Deb Knowles

Make-A-Wish child Hannah Swain

Candace Brewer and Erica Questionati

Rachel Williams

Diana Kelly

6 ■ Diversions >>

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

COLUMN

black tie tales

+ A summer’s worth of tidbits

by Molly Schechter | Social Editor

+ A new page turns for Stephanie Hannum Stephanie Finnan was barely out of college when she came to work as a reporter at the Longboat Observer in 2006 and was quickly promoted into the role she really wanted — Black Tie assistant to Emily Walsh Parry. Only two years later Courtesy photos and married to Max Hannum, she became Advertising Black Tie editor and now she is onward coordinator and upward to the publishing side as Stephanie advertising coordinator, liaising between advertising sales, production and advertis- Hannum ers.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to learn more about the business and the ins and outs of The Observer Group,” Stephanie says. “I love having my personal life back and my new schedule, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but I will miss working with the non-profits.”

Well, maybe not; she is staying involved on the advisory board for Make-A-Wish Black Tie Foundation, committee for Key to the photographer Cure and is co-chairwoman of SPARCC’s Peter Acker Pirate & Princess Ball. The Black Tie section, however, will miss her a lot.

BT is taking over as Black Tie editor, effective with this issue. Joining the team as Black Tie photographer is Peter Acker, widely recognized as one of Sarasota’s premier event shooters, an associate since 1996 and a dear friend who has pitched in on uncountable projects.

Going forward, please send your calendar listings and other news to mschechter@YourObserver.com. And, please, keep smiling for our cameras!

Newlyweds … Richard Hopkins and Rebecca Langford married in May. There were two weddings July 3: Melissa Jekonski and Dr. Brad Lerner and Shelley Binion and Ed Sarbey, both couples at their respective homes. BJ Creighton’s daughter, Gennifer Robbins, wed Eric Kissinger at the Vinoklet Winery July 30, in Cincinnati.

They have known each other since seventh grade, and BJ reports that when Gennifer’s sons, Brendon, Zach and Sam Robbins, walked her down the aisle and his son, Connor Kissinger, stood up for Eric … there was not a dry eye anywhere.

Next to go down the aisle …

Jean Weidner and Al Goldstein will wed at an unspecified future date. C’mon, guys. Don’t keep your cheering sections waiting! More happiness: Yara Michaels and Dr. David Shoemaker will marry Thanksgiving Day on St. Lucia and celebrate their nuptials locally next spring at the Ringling Museum.

Sunglasses are recommended for viewing her engagement rock, er, ring. Yara popped over to Vera Wang in Miami to select her wedding dress. Ivana Lucic and Renzo Rivolta have set their nuptials for Dec. 23 at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Their original plan was Dec. 7, the day of St. Ambrosio the guardian of Milan, in honor of Piero and Rachele Rivolta, who are Milanese. But some family couldn’t make that date.

Speaking of dates … Montana Ross has set her wedding to Irwin Taplinger for May 19, 2012. The couple is opting for a sunset ceremony at Selby Gardens and a party afterward at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Eve, Pam and John Day

Roslyn Orlin and Michael Klauber

Photos by Molly Schechter

Dr. David Shoemaker and his fiancée, Yara Michaels

Buffalo, N.Y.’s well-known Berger clan — as in the department store. The 30-plus guests gathered at one long table in Michael’s Wine Cellar; Kaya Orlin sang her grandma’s favorite song, “Sunrise, Sunset,” with lyrics created especially for the occasion. All present hoped to be as sharp at 90 as Roz is.

New nonagenarians … Jack Curran, the World War II veteran who donated the “Unconditional Surrender” monument to the city of Sarasota, turned 90 June 13 and celebrated with friends a few days later at Michael’s On East.

And long-time local Roslyn Orlin hit that major milestone Sept.

17. Pretty much her entire family gathered from North Carolina, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and California. Roz is from

Child labor laws? ... When Designing Women Boutique reopened following an expansion and remodeling in August, Eve and John Day, the children of shop Executive Director Pamela Day, were visibly relieved. Both had been part of the hard-working team that pulled off the one-week miracle. They deserve at least to have their picture in the paper as compensation …

Maybe you can still get a ticket … The party that kicks off the season is Black Tie Bash featuring the presentation of the “Standing O” awards. It happens Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort. Though it will likely be sold out when you read this, you can still try signing up at www.YourObserver.com/blacktiebash.

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YourObserver.com

CAMERA READY

1

IN

Diversions

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September 30 – October 26, 2011

Annual Ringling College Faculty Exhibitions Selby Galleries I & II and Basch Gallery: Presenting work by faculty in the departments of Advertising Design, Computer Animation, Digital Film, Fine Arts, Game Art and Design, Graphic and Interactive Communication, Interior Design, Illustration, Motion Design, Photography & Digital Imaging, and the Liberal Arts Program.

Annual Ringling College Staff, Continuing Studies & Special Programs, Longboat Key Center for the Arts and Englewood Art Center Instructors Exhibition Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. Galleries: Features paintings, drawings and sculpture from the Ringling College staff and instructors from each of its divisions.

Opening Reception: Fri., Sept. 30, 5 - 7 p.m.

Location

Selby Gallery Hours

Selby Gallery is located on the Ringling College of Art and Design campus, one-half block east of 2700 N. Tamiami Trail on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in Sarasota.

Mon.-Sat., 10:00 am-4:00 pm & Tues., 10:00 am-7:00 pm.

Contact Us

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Dr. Stephanie Lantry and Julie Wyman

Reception for Center for Great Apes

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Thursday, Sept. 22 | Polo Grill and Bar

Photos by Molly Schechter

Event Co-Chairs Joan and Joe Z. Lovingood

Janet Hunter plants one on a photo of Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s chimp, who now resides at the center.

See the story.

Hear the music.

Petra Gurin and Ildiko Lates

A multimedia concert experience that unravels the mystery behind Sir Edward Elgar’s masterpiece: the Enigma Variations.

Best known for composing Pomp and Circumstance, Elgar spun a puzzle-filled work of genius. Discover why audiences Event Co-Chairwoman Gloria Moss and Patti Ragan, founder and president of the Center for Great Apes

love the fast-paced Journeys to Genius concert format of video, actors and narration.

Saturday, Oct 8, 8:00 pm Sunday, Oct 9, 2:30 pm Sarasota Opera House Tickets from $24

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Come as you are. Leave different. www.SarasotaOrchestra.org | 941-953-3434 Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues and by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture

8 ■ Diversions

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

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