Sarasota Observer 01.19.12

bserver O SARASOTA

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DIVERSIONS

Selby Library’s Crystal Ball shows bright future.

PAGE 19

OUR TOWN

Thursday, JANUARY 19, 2012

NEIGHBORHOOD

Sarasota singer Joseph Ryan hits all the right notes.

INSIDE

management change

Ballroom dancers strut their stuff at Sarasota Challenge.

PAGE 15

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Resignation aftermath The Sarasota City Commission will meet Friday to discuss the possibility of hiring Terry Lewis as interim city manager.

+ Watch our daily video online Only have a few minutes to catch up on the news?

Visit YourObserver.com each afternoon to watch our Daily Headlines video. We compile all the news each day from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key and bring it to you in our daily broadcast. Become a registered user on YourObserver. com to receive the broadcast via email.

The morning after Mayor Suzanne Atwell successfully called for the resignation of former City Manager Bob Bartolotta, the mayor said she was “focusing on the larger picture.”

Atwell and Commissioners Paul Caragiulo, Willie Shaw and Shannon Snyder voted during Tuesday’s regular commission

meeting to accept Bartolotta’s resignation, with conditions.

(See www.yourobserver.com for more details.)

Vice Mayor Terry Turner voted against the motion, saying the decision “convicts Bartolotta without a shred of evidence he has done anything wrong.”

Turner called the decision “a

stain on the city.”

The 4-1 vote sent Bartolotta back to his office to type up a resignation letter before walking out of City Hall. He had been on the job four-and-a-half years.

Just a week ago, Atwell told

Rachel S. O’Hara

City Manager Bob Bartolotta agreed to SEE BARTOLOTTA / 2 resign Tuesday.

JEBCO VENTURES INC.

FLORIDAYS DEVELOPMENT CO.

Rachel S. O’Hara

+ Ray Peper poses as ‘Pollock Bride’ Ray Peper, owner of the John Carl Spa and Salon and Sarasota’s own fashion diva, modeled his “Jackson Pollock Bride” outfit Friday, Jan. 13, at the Friends of the Selby Public Library’s Looking Into the Crystal Ball at the Selby Library.

Peper had a bridal party made up of Carol Hartly and Carolyn Thomas, who escorted him down the stairs and to the middle of the library.

The bridesmaids wore outfits, also made by Peper, with fascinators made to look like those of Princess Beatrice.

+ CYD launches new campaign Community Youth Development recently launched recently its Community Without Leaders awareness campaign.

The campaign, designed

by CYD, emphasizes the importance of developing young leaders.

CYD is a non-profit organization formed in Sarasota in 1996 that aims to empower youth as leaders in service to their community.

Images courtesy of Floridays and Jebco

Floridays Development Co. is proposing a 200-room hotel similar to the architectural style of the building above, left, while Jebco Ventures Inc. is proposing a 175-room Embassy Suites hotel on the Palm Avenue hotel site, right. Images from both companies are not depictions of how the final hotel would look on the site.

HOTEL HAPPENINGS

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Downtown hotel proposals revealed City staff is wrestling with finance options for two hotel proposals submitted for the Palm Avenue site.

Two companies are proposing contrasting hotel concepts and financing options to the city for the Palm Avenue hotel site.

The property sits directly behind the Palm Avenue parking garage, on North Palm Avenue at Cocoanut Avenue.

Sarasota-based Floridays Development Co., which has the exclusive rights to purchase a 5,418-square-foot Cocoanut Av-

enue parcel, currently home to an antiques store, is proposing a four-star, 200-room hotel the company plans to operate independently. Floridays President Angus Rogers, who has partnered with Sarasota-based Jonathan Parks Architect, promises the hotel would be among the top-10 tourist draws in Florida, ranking just below the Ritz-Carlton in class, while offering a $200 room

rate that Rogers says “can’t and won’t be beat.”

The proposal includes 12,000 square feet of meeting space, a spa, a restaurant, display space for local artwork and up to 40,000 square feet of owner-occupied or rental residential units on the top two floors of the 10-story building.

Atlanta-based Jebco Ventures Inc., which also has a Sarasota

office, is proposing a 175-room Embassy Suites chain hotel for the 40,000-acre site. It would work in partnership with the Gainesville, Ga.-based McKibbon Hotel Group. McKibbon has built hundreds of chain hotels around the country.

Both Floridays and Jebco Ventures have extensive experience in the luxury-hotel and residentialbuilding industry. City staff will review their proposals and make a recommendation first to the

SEE HOTEL / PAGE 7

INDEX Briefs......................4 Calendar...............13

Classifieds............26 Cops Corner..........12

Crossword.............25 Real Estate...........24

Opinion...................8 Weather................25

Vol. 8, No. 11 | Two sections YourObserver.com

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

BARTOLOTTA / FROM PAGE 1 the Sarasota Observer she would not support a motion to suspend or fire Bartolotta, adding that the city “needed to stay the course,” with Bartolotta at the helm, until an Information Technology forensics computer investigation determined whether Bartolotta and Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown had been deleting emails, spying on employees through email searches and looking at confidential emails that were part of a federal investigation.

The commission Tuesday also approved an expansion of the three-tiered computer investigation by Sarasotabased The Sylint Group, at a cost of as much as $113,000.

Speaking from her home Wednesday, Atwell said that over the past week, she began considering other scenarios regarding Bartolotta.

Reflecting on a failed vote to fire him Jan. 6, Atwell said the motion took her by surprise.

“I wasn’t prepared then and needed more time,” Atwell said. “And, even though I am still steadfast, the process (of the investigation) must be carried out, I knew, for the greater good of this city, we couldn’t continue on this way.”

Atwell said the situation with Bartolotta and Brown had created an atmosphere at City Hall of “confusion, fear and mistrust.”

Bartolotta said he met with Atwell Jan. 13, at City Hall, to discuss the situation and gauge where things stood.

Bartolotta said he and Atwell discussed many things, including a Sarasota Observer editorial titled, “Time for leadership,” which was published Jan. 12. The editorial urged both Atwell and Bartolotta to do what was right for the city, to think long and hard about whether Bartolotta was still the right man for the job during such a difficult time.

Bartolotta said he was confident during that Jan. 13 meeting with Atwell that he still had what it took to remain city manager. He told the Sarasota Observer

Rachel S. O’Hara

Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown has received support to stay on, in part, because of his extensive knowledge of the day-to-day operation of City Hall and its ongoing projects.

he was surprised, therefore, when Atwell invited him to her house Monday afternoon, to break the news that he had lost her support and that she planned to call for his resignation during the City Commission’s Jan. 17 meeting.

“The mayor had concerns about the big picture, and I respect that,” Bartolotta said. “I knew, then, the majority of the commission did not want to continue with me.”

Bartolotta also was surprised by the decision, because he had talked with many people in the community who had voiced their support of him.

“I thought (the controversy) would die down until the investigation was complete, but others didn’t think it would,” Bartolotta said. “I was hoping to get the facts and evidence on the table, but it was not meant to be.”

Atwell said part of her decision was based on the need to start the healing process, because the computer investigation could drag on until the end of the year.

“We need to look beyond,” Atwell said.

“It’s way beyond the innocent and guilt part, and I had to look at it that way. It’s the toughest decision I have ever had to make as a commissioner.”

In the meantime, Commissioner Willie Shaw, who also initially had opposed

firing Bartolotta, decided Tuesday to join the majority in voting for Bartolotta’s termination. He told the Sarasota Observer he “went the other way” only because “the decision had already been made.”

“I still supported the city manager during this process,” Shaw said. “But it was evident, with the mayor’s decision, the majority had been tilted, and there wasn’t any sense in not supporting what was already a done deal.”

Bartolotta, meanwhile, said he’s “slowly decompressing” and will stay in his Bird Key home for the time being. He added that he is contemplating a future that doesn’t include municipal government service.

“I don’t want to jump into another city manager position tomorrow, that’s for sure,” says Bartolotta with a wry laugh.

“The whole county is 0 for 5 right now, as far as that goes.”

Bartolotta was referring to the fact that the cities of North Port and Venice, the town of Longboat Key and Sarasota County also have gone through manager changes over the past months.

Ironically, Bartolotta submitted a progress report on his goals and objectives to the commissioners the day he resigned. It was his last report.

The document focused on 64 goals and objectives pursued over the past two years. The commission had directed him and city staff to complete the document before it considered new goals for the next two years, during a discussion set for the end of this month.

Asked about the report, Bartolotta pointed to what he and his staff were able to accomplish.

“We built (the Palm Avenue) garage; did $20 million in infrastructure improvements; made big pension savings; started community policing efforts; and made the Van Wezel (Performing Arts Hall) profitable again,” Bartolotta said. “You look at what my staff and I accomplished in the last four years and it’s amazing … To have people base decisions on a bunch of things that haven’t even been laid out on the table yet is just a shame.”

Commission contemplates next steps The focus now shifts to a special commission meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at City Hall.

During that session, the commission will discuss hiring former Interim Sarasota County Administrator Terry Lewis to be the city’s interim city manager.

Lewis, who has been invited to attend the meeting, has agreed to take the position if he has the commission’s full support.

Although City Commissioner Willie Shaw wanted the commission to take more time to make a decision, he told the Sarasota Observer he would support Lewis’ appointment Friday.

“Things were moving too quickly (Tuesday), and I thought we needed to take a deep breath and make the decision in a different atmosphere,” Shaw said.

The majority of the commissioners did not find it appropriate Tuesday to appoint Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown to the interim position, because he is still under investigation, Atwell and Shaw said Brown’s continued presence at City Hall is crucial.

“I trust (Brown) completely, and I think he will remain deputy city manager and help us moving forward,” Atwell said. “He knows this city inside and out, and any interim manager would need his input.”

Brown said that every commissioner but Shannon Snyder privately Tuesday had voiced support for him to stay at City Hall for the long term.

“If they have confidence in me, they can still count on me to do this job,” Brown said.

Bartolotta was glad to hear about the majority support for Brown.

“Marlon is a sharp chief-operating officer with great community relationships and a fantastic career ahead of him,” Bartolotta said. “I’m just sad to see him caught up in this.”

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SARASOTA Observer

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

POOL PRIORITY

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Lido Pool supporters reveal goals Five-year plan recommended for the Lido Pool 2012 — Restroom renovation, tiki bar construction 2013 — Meeting room and catering kitchen upgrades

Norm Schimmel

The City Commission heard a report Tuesday on the future of the Lido Pool as envisioned by residents and other users.

The Lido Key Residents Association and a Lido Pool Committee have offered short- and long-term goals for keeping the pool open.

Agreeing last year that the Lido Pool was an under-utilized city asset, the Sarasota city commissioners said they anticipated bigger and better things for the beachfront facility in the future.

During their regular meeting Tuesday, the commissioners listened to a report from Lido Pool Committee Chairman Carl Shoffstall on a year-long process to determine what residents and users want.

“The mission was to review, evaluate and recommend viable options for keeping the pool open to the public,” Shoffstall said. “We came up with a vision to renovate, construct and maintain the Lido Pool as a public facility with a variety of engaging uses.”

He added, “Our main objective is to find ways to try and keep this pool open,” noting, “It’s one of the few amenities we have on the island and we

need to start using it correctly.”

Last summer, city staff presented a budget for the pool that showed it cost $180,000 a year to operate the facility, but it brought in only $78,000 in revenue.

The following are the recommendations presented to the commission to consider when it discusses upgrades for the facility: • The long-term goal is to create a site master plan that provides opportunities for increased revenue.

• The objective for the pool is to increase efficiency of upkeep by upgrading equipment and to improve the revenue stream by providing enhanced amenities.

• The pavilion objective includes the possibility of future retail shops, a tiki bar, enhanced food service, an event room with a catering kitchen for private parties and wed-

dings, a playground, a future splash pad and performance art space in the park.

• The marketing objective seeks additional, potential uses, including training by swim teams; the offer of private lessons for vendors, realestate-agents and clients who rent residences on Lido Key; and use of the facility by neighborhood groups and tourists, as well as other island visitors.

The commissioners voiced approval of the report. Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown told them city staff can start looking for funds to upgrade the pool. Such money, however, might not become available for at least a few years, he said.

“You all did a tremendous amount of work with this and we thank you,” Commissioner Paul Caragiulo told the groups presenting the report.

Mayor Suzanne Atwell agreed.

2014 — Addition of rental pavilion, construction of small stage, removal and redesign of roof at the outdoor plaza, pool area improvements and construction of a splash pad area 2015 — Construction of meeting room garden plazas and roundabout, plus parking lot reconfiguration 2016 — Roof enhancement, exterior building enhancements, signage and planting/irrigation upgrades “We’re on our way with this and it’s a great start,” Atwell said.

In August, Commissioner Shannon Snyder called the pool an “underperforming asset.” He and other commissioners said they thought it could be marketed as a destination point.

The city inherited the operation of the Lido Pool from the county, following months-long discussions over a parks interlocal agreement. The County Commission had made it known it no longer was willing to pay as much for maintenance and operations of cityowned parks, because of the economic downturn.

judgment By Rachel Hackney and Kurt Schultheis

Citizens group says it can’t pay settlement A Sarasota County judge ordered a citizens group to pay the county more than $19,000 in legal fees after the county won a 2010 Sunshine Laws case, but the fees remain unpaid.

In December 2010, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sarasota County in a Sunshine in Government lawsuit filed by Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government and Citizens for Sunshine. The two citizens groups had filed the suit, saying county officials had circumvented Florida’s public meeting laws in pursuing an agreement to bring the Baltimore Orioles to town for spring training.

After that high court ruling, 12th Circuit Court Judge Robert B. Bennett, who had heard the case in Venice, awarded the county $19,611.74 in litigation costs incurred in defending itself in the lawsuit.

The citizens groups never have paid the money.

In response to a query several weeks ago from Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta about what had transpired with the settlement, County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh reported last week to the full board that Deputy County Attorney Rick Elbrecht had made discovery requests and submitted interrogatories to the citizens groups, “and today we have not found that there

3

Norman Schimmel

Contention continues between the County Commission and two citizens groups that sued the county last year over the Baltimore Orioles spring training agreement. are any assets that can be levied.”

DeMarsh told the County Commission during its regular meeting Jan. 10 in Venice that he and Elbrecht “can continue to determine whether there are assets of these two corporations.”

Cathy Antunes, president of SCRG, said during an interview last week that DeMarsh’s report was correct: The two citizens groups do not have sufficient

assets to pay the settlement.

Antunes provided a copy to The Observer of the 990 form SCRG had filed in April 2011 with the Internal Revenue Service. That form says the organization had net assets of $140.06.

All nonprofit organizations are required by law to file a 990 form each year.

When Barbetta had asked DeMarsh Jan. 10, whether he and Elbrecht had been able

to obtain a copy of the group’s most recent 990, DeMarsh said he was awaiting the document.

Antunes told The Observer she had forwarded a copy of the 990 form to county officials.

“I don’t know of any other government in Florida that has ever asked for costs after a Sunshine Law violation case,” Antunes said in an email.

“Typically, you don’t punish the public for wanting to know what’s going on.”

She added, “In the motion for costs, the judge has stated it was a legitimate case and not a frivolous one. It certainly wasn’t frivolous. What’s troubling is, if we speak out, it’s a response to criticism … It’s unfortunate one commissioner (Barbetta) is going after us for these costs, which we will never be able to pay for, any time we ask questions.”

Antunes said she had discussed with other community leaders the county’s motion seeking costs in the 2010 lawsuit; they had agreed with her that it was unusual.

After DeMarsh offered his Jan. 10 report, Barbetta said, “I have no problem with the freedom of speech.” However, he said he objected to the group’s continuing to send out critical emails, with misinformation, while it still owed the county money.

by Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Commission approves P.F. Chang’s proposals Thanks to a City Commission vote Jan. 17, a P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is coming to downtown Sarasota.

A P.F. Chang’s China Bistro officially is coming to downtown Sarasota.

The Sarasota City Commission Tuesday unanimously approved two applications that had been submitted by the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based P.F. Chang’s company and developer Dr. Mark Kauffman.

Construction of the new restaurant could start as early as February, with doors opening to customers by December.

Kauffman worked with restaurant chain officials to submit a three-tiered application, so the eatery can be built as a stand-alone structure at 766 S. Osprey Ave., near Mound Street.

In November 2010, Kauffman’s land-use consultant, Joel Freedman, submitted a proposal to the city to develop the restaurant in place of an office building at the northwest corner of Osprey Avenue and U.S. 41.

The 4,164-square-foot structure on the site is used for executive suites. Kauffman bought a nearby parcel to accommodate more parking spaces for the restaurant.

“This is just fabulous for downtown,” said Mayor Suzanne Atwell Tuesday after the commission vote.

Freedman told the Planning Board last month that P.F. Chang’s had been looking for an appropriate stand-alone site in downtown Sarasota for the last 10 years.

“This is it for them and where they wanted to be,” Freedman said during the December Planning Board meeting.

“They don’t just build their restaurants in malls.”

The restaurant won approval in spite of some qualms voiced by Planning Board Chairwoman Susan Chapman and residents who live near the site.

Residents said P.F. Chang’s might not fit with the character of the community.

The application took longer than expected for city staff to process, in part, because of the company’s delays in resubmitting requested materials and also because of its discussions with nearby residents and business owners.

P.F. Chang’s representatives reportedly wanted to make sure the restaurant would meet the approval of the majority of the neighbors.

The company’s in-house architectural team will design the dining establishment.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. operates two restaurant chains: the full-service P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and the quickcasual Pei Wei Asian Diner.

The company already operates a Pei Wei on University Parkway just west of Interstate 75. The closest full-service P.F. Chang’s China Bistro restaurants are located in Fort Myers and Tampa.

SARASOTA Observer

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

+ Republican candidates to stump in Sarasota Republican presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum both will make campaign stops in Sarasota next week.

Gingrich’s visit will begin with a V.I.P. Roundtable at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 24, at Michael’s Wine Cellar, 1283 S. Tamiami Trail. A lunch will follow at noon at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave. S. Santorum will visit during a grassroots rally event at 2 p.m. Jan. 29, at Dolphin Aviation, 8191 N. Tamiami Trail.

The Republican Club of Sarasota County is organizing both events. For more, visit www.sarasotagop.com.

+ DSA expands First Friday to every Friday The Downtown Sarasota Alliance has expanded its popular First Friday series to 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday. The event will now feature a different downtown Sarasota neighborhood each week.

Every month, a new theme to showcase and celebrate Sarasota’s unique

month for DSA Friday events: First Friday: Palm Avenue, Main Street and Lemon Avenue Second Friday: Burns Square (South Pineapple Avenue) Third Friday: Towles Court Fourth Friday: Rosemary District

Meetings agendas

&

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Meeting — 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.  Community Rezoning Workshop — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, City Hall, Room 112, 1565 First St., Sarasota.  Convocation of Governments School Facility Planning Meeting —9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, Sarasota County Operations Center, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota.  Lido Key Residents Neighborhood Association Meeting — 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Lido Key Beach Resort, 700 Ben Franklin Drive, Lido Key.  Towles Court Artist Association Meeting — 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 238 S. Links Ave., Sarasota. 

YourObserver.com

TOP FIVE

The most read stories online last week were: 1.“Psychologist arrested for illegally providing pills to inmate” (Jan. 9) 2.“Sheriff cites 17 stores for minor alcohol sales” (Jan. 12) 3.“Deputies make arrest in bizarre arson case” (Jan. 9) 4. “PHOTO GALLERY: Thunder by the bay” (Jan. 8) 5. “Benderson Development planning unique, international rowing facility” (Jan. 12)

+ Local food bank event planned this weekend The Furniture Warehouse is promoting an event from Friday, Jan. 20, through Monday, Jan. 23, to promote All Faiths Food Bank of Sarasota and DeSoto counties, the Manatee Food Bank and the Harry Chapin Food Bank, which serves Charlotte County.

With a donation of four cans of food (nutritional products such as peanut butter, beans, beef stew, vegetable and fruit are the best), customers will receive a discount voucher.

Anyone with questions about the event should call The Furniture Warehouse at 359-2255.

+ Clarification

seasons and holidays will now occur.

The changes begin in February.

The new schedule is as follows each

A “Public Records Request Confusion” sidebar in the Jan. 12

Sarasota Observer stated all public records requests must come through City Attorney Bob Fournier’s office. All media inquiries and public records requests regarding the Information Technology investigation are to be referred directly to the City Auditor and Clerk’s Office or the city attorney’s office. Media inquiries that don’t involve the investigation can be referred directly to Public Information Officer Jan Thornburg.

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Hegedüs has been a feature performer on television and radio in the U.S. and abroad and has made numerous internationally distributed CD recordings.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

stifled plans

5

by Rachel Brown Hackney | Managing Editor

Culverhouse sues county over thwarted development The owner of Palmer Ranch claims in a lawsuit that county development guidelines have prevented him from developing about 2,300 acres east of Interstate 75.

In February, Hugh Culverhouse Jr., the Miami-based developer and owner of Palmer Ranch, celebrated with county officials and residents after he donated land to the county for a park whose principal feature would be a community garden.

Eleven months later, Culverhouse, acting as McCann East LP, filed suit against the county, alleging it has violated his U.S. and Florida constitutional rights by thwarting his development of about 2,300 acres of land east of I-75.

Filed Jan. 17 in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida, the lawsuit lists six counts, including the alleged taking of private property without adequate compensation. It demands a jury trial and seeks unspecified damages as well as court costs and fees.

According to the lawsuit, prior to 2002, almost all property east of I-75 — including the McCann tract — was designated “rural” in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. That designation limited future development to one residence per 5 acres; therefore, McCann would be limited to constructing 462 homes on the site.

That designation, the lawsuit alleges, has been one factor preventing McCann from developing any of the property, because it would have to construct utilities, roads and infrastructure costing several million dollars to serve the community.

Such development, the suit says, “would be economically impossible, because a mere 462 residential units could not support construction of millions of dollars worth of infrastructure.”

LBK J The 2010 lawsuit-further states that, to encourage “smart growth east of I-75,” the

County Commission in 2002 enacted acting those provisions, the suit says the zoning regulations called the Sarasota county “took” McCann’s property and 2050 Plan, as a companion to the Com- violated its constitutional rights. prehensive Plan. That 2050 Plan “supposThe lawsuit points out that the 2050 edly makes development more feasible by Plan requires a “developed area” in a vilincreasing the number of units that can lage to be at least 1,000 contiguous acres, be developed per acre, while preserving if those acres are not adjacent to the open and ‘green’ spaces,” the lawsuit says. county’s Urban Service Area Boundary.

To achieve that goal, Areas separated from the suit says, the 2050 that USB by I-75, the ".. Development of the Plan required future lawsuit says, are not development of almost considered adjacent to (McCann property) all sites east of I-75 to the USB. under the 'rural' land be in the form of “vilThe county has conlages” or “hamlets.” strued the USB to be use designation would Those designations, on the west side of be economically imposthe lawsuit says, would I-75, next to the Mcpermit more density Cann property, but on sible, because a mere 462 than the one unit per east side of the inresidential units could not the 5 acres allowed by the terstate “for all other “rural” designation. properties covered support construction of The permitted denby the Sarasota 2050 millions of dollars worth sity for village land use Plan,” the lawsuit alwould be a minimum leges. “In other words,” of infrastructure.” of three dwellings and the suit adds, “McCann McCann East LP a maximum of six per is the only landowner v. Sarasota County developable acre, the adjacent to I-75” relawsuit says. quired to have a miniTherefore, the lawmum developed area suit says, a maximum of 3,468 homes of 1,000 contiguous acres. could be developed on the McCann propThe lawsuit also says the 2050 Plan reerty. “Thus, in theory,” the suit adds, “the quires the minimum open space outside Sarasota 2050 Plan should promote de- the developed area to be equal to or greatvelopment east of I-75 at a density that is er in size than the developed area. Moreable to support construction of millions over, a “greenbelt” at least 500 feet wide of dollars in infrastructure.” must be included outside the developed However, the lawsuit alleges, although area. that might be the case for other landownThe Fox Creek Greenway, which encomers, it is not true for McCann, because of passes 1,064 acres, bifurcates the McCann other provisions of the 2050 Plan. By en- property in such a manner that the parcel

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Hugh Culverhouse Jr. • Culverhouse, 62, is the owner and developer of Palmer Ranch.

• An attorney in Miami, he is also a CPA who earned an MBA from New York University.

• His father paid $16 million for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1974. does not have 1,000 contiguous acres, the lawsuit says. However, the county prohibits that greenway from being considered part of the open space required for development of a village on the site.

Additionally, the lawsuit points out that the McCann parcel has been designated part of the “South Village Area,” with further development restrictions.

Among those, an interchange must be fully funded and ready for construction at I-75 and Central Sarasota Parkway if the landowner is to be allowed to exceed the density level of one dwelling per 5 acres.

The lawsuit says that, at one time, the county and the Florida Department of Transportation had a contract to construct a partial interchange at I-75 and Sarasota Central Parkway, at a cost of $91 million. However, the county voided the contract in 2010, after almost $2 million was spent on design and planning, according to the lawsuit.

Furthermore, the lawsuit says, “The FDOT has removed Central Sarasota Parkway from its Long Range Transportation Plan. In short, no interchange will ever be built (there).”

The Sarasota County Attorney’s Office did not respond to a request for a comment on the lawsuit before The Observer’s deadline Wednesday.

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SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

NEWTOWN CRIME

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

By Kurt Schultheis | City Editor

Shaw urges residents to fight back District 1 City Commissioner Willie Shaw held a public forum last week to tell residents it’s time for them to take their community back from felons.

Sarasota City Commissioner Willie Shaw told about 100 District 1 constituents during a Jan. 12 community forum that it’s time for them to step up and fight back against crime in Newtown neighborhoods.

During the forum, Shaw introduced a new program called “Operation Ceasefire.” The program, Shaw said, brings gang members into meetings with community members they respect, along with social-services representatives who can help them, and police officers, who are dedicated to helping gang members change their lives.

The long-term goal of making Newtown safer, Shaw said, requires efforts by all community residents, including local ministers and the use of community outreach programs.

The program will involve the assistance of its creator, criminologist David Kennedy, who has devoted his career to reducing

Boston Miracle,” the program has been implemented in more than 70 cities nationwide.

The Sarasota City Commission has said it will approve a future budget expenditure to send police officers and city leaders to High Point, N.C., to see how the concept worked in that community.

The strategy incorporates a thorough examination of the public’s perception of the police force; at the same time it promotes community involvement to help reduce crime. Part of the program, Shaw said, involves offering repeat drug offenders second chances, with help from community leaders and their families.

“You can’t put everyone in jail and think you’ve solved all the problems,” Shaw said during the forum. “We can’t wave a magic wand that will make our problems go away.”

He added that the concept also

Sarasota Homicides 2008-11 Year 2008 2009 2010 2011

City 8 7 6 8

County 7 8 3 6

Tampa versus Sarasota

Data from 2007 to 2009 show that Sarasota had more violent crimes, murders, forcible rapes and robberies per 1,000 residents than the much larger city of Tampa.

Category Violent crime Murder Rape Robbery

Sarasota 32.65 0.40 1.47 10.60

Tampa 26.92 0.22 0.71 9.33 Source: fbi.gov

gang- and drug-related inner-city violence.

Shaw said he hopes the new program will help Sarasota better address the problem, which has been underscored by statistics.

Out with the old and in with the new...

Seven of the city’s eight murders in 2011 were recorded in Newtown.

Kennedy’s program has reduced the homicide rate in Boston by 66%. Now dubbed “The

involves educational strategies.

During the forum, Sarasota Police Chief Mikel Holloway reiterated Shaw’s point by revealing that 50 suspected drug dealers arrested in Newtown had been placed in custody a total of 274 times.

“We need you help more than ever,” said Holloway, pointing out the arrests have not curtailed the problems.

The City Commission unanimously agreed during an informal workshop in December that if local officials are unable to halt the increase in homicides in North Sarasota, crime is going to inch closer to downtown Sarasota.

Former City Manager Bob Bartolotta promised the commission last month the city is addressing the situation, but he said increasing the police presence in Newtown can’t solve the problem.

“This is not just a police issue, it’s a community issue that everyone needs to buy into,” Bartolotta said.

Shaw is hopeful the new program will succeed.

“The dynamics of violence we have here are broader than just putting people in jail,” Shaw said.

“There is a change coming, and you are a part of it.”

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SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

HOTEL / FROM PAGE 1 Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board, then to the City Commission.

The site is permitted for a 10-story hotel.

Founded in Sarasota in 1990, Floridays has a portfolio of resorts and hotels that includes the Grande Riviera and Sarasota Bay Club communities in Sarasota and the Floridays Orlando Resort in Orlando. It also has built a variety of residential and assisted-living communities in Naples, Viera, Coral Springs and Tamarac.

Jebco is a 30-year-old company that has constructed a wide range of projects, including high-rise residential structures, mixed-use development, freestanding retail development, neighborhood retail centers and luxury residences and apartment buildings. Jebco also has developed properties for national retailers such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart.

Jebco’s portfolio includes downtown Sarasota’s Vista Bay Point two-building, luxury condominium towers. The company bought the land on which Vista Bay Point sits and coordinated the development and sales of the 16 luxury residences, which were completed in 2005.

Proposal differences

Two major differences exist between the Palm Avenue hotel proposals.

Floridays revealed in a Jan. 12 meeting with city staff that it has the exclusive option to buy a neighboring parcel where an antique store sits. It produced a letter from Coco Palm Gallery Art & Antiques owner Paul Passerat, which confirms the option agreement with Jonathan Parks.

Parks, who told city staff he once was interested in relocating his company’s office there, said he would move ahead with such plans if Jebco is selected to build an Embassy Suites hotel.

While Floridays may have the upper hand with its option on the other parcel, on the corner of Cocoanut Avenue and Palm Avenue, city staff seems a bit hesitant about its financing plan. Floridays has said it would need to make use of the city’s credit rating.

If chosen to construct the hotel, Floridays would partner with Cleveland-based Western Reserve to formulate a credit tenant lease (CTL).

The CTL would work like this: Floridays would agree to pay the city $3.8 million for the hotel site, construct the hotel, then lease the building to the city for 20 years.

The city, in turn, would agree to a sublease with a Floridays-created entity that would operate the hotel.

The hotel operator would use its income to pay off its 20-year lease.

Senior Planner Steve Stancel and Finance Director Chris Lyons asked the Floridays team several questions about the financial risk the CTL would pose to the city.

“What percentage of hotel project costs would the city be on the hook for if anything happens?” Stancel asked.

Western Reserve Managing Director Vic Ferris explained that in the event of a default by the hotel operator, the city could replace the operator. The city also could negotiate a lump sum of lease payments, which could be put into a reserve account, acting as an insurance buffer in the event of a default.

After the debt was paid off, Floridays would own the hotel.

Ferris explained that a CTL is a bondable lease for public or private tenants that is sold exclusively to insurance companies

Tale of Two Proposals Floridays Hotel Proposal Independently operated 200 rooms $40 million project Financed through a credit tenant lease agreement

Jebco Hotel Proposal

7

NOW OPEN

Embassy Suites 175 rooms $17.25 million project Bank-financed

offering lower interest rates than mortgage companies can provide.

The option would allow Floridays to build a better hotel, Ferris said, though he conceded the CTL would present both a development risk and an operating risk.

“The city, as the tenant, will make lease payments when the hotel opens, but must figure out what to do if the hotel can’t finish construction for whatever reason,” Ferris said. “And the city must make lease payments for 20 years whether the hotel operator has the money to give the city or not.”

Ferris said those worries can be alleviated by negotiating a sizable equity fund with Floridays; the city could use that fund to make payments if the hotel operator did not have sufficient income.

“Believe it or not, it’s not a complicated transaction,” Ferris said.

Ferris pointed out the CTL gives the city more control of the site, whereas a regular, bank-financed deal that failed would leave a half-built structure on the site, with no option for the city to remove the building, because the city no longer would own the land.

Rogers, a Sarasota resident, said his team has the necessary project financing in place. The CTL, he said, would allow him to build a hotel at a cost of approximately $200,000 per room (or a total of $40 million).

“What we want to deliver is a destination where you want to bring your friends,” Rogers said.

Floridays also plans to gain beach access for the hotel, through an agreement with the city to use the Lido Pool.

Meanwhile, Jim Bridges, Jebco’s CEO, was more reserved with the details of the Embassy Suites facility his company would like to build on the site, but noted he and his partners have more than 100 years of combined experience in the hotel industry.

The Embassy Suites hotel is expected to cost $17.25 million to construct.

If Jebco’s proposal is selected, Bridges said he is hopeful his company can acquire the antique store parcel.

However, he said, if Jebco could not acquire the site, his company “can work around it.”

Bridges, who declined to disclose a purchase offer for the hotel site, said he believes his proposal is more appealing for several reasons.

“We plan to finance this project through bank financing and equity and don’t intend to burden the city with a lease agreement,” Bridges said. “We are ready to move as fast as the city will allow us and could start construction as early as this year if we get the green light.”

General negotiation parameters, Stancel said, include a willingness to put a hotel on the site, the mandatory use of the adjacent parking garage and the purchase of the land from the city.

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YourObserver.com

Observer SARASOTA

“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 Deputy Executive Editor / Jessica Luck, jluck@yourobserver.com Assistant Managing Editor/Design / Nancy Schwartz, nschwartz@yourobserver.com City Editor / Kurt Schultheis, kschultheis@ yourobserver.com Arts & Entertainment Editor / Heidi Kurpiela, hkurpiela@yourobserver.com Black Tie Editor / Loren Mayo, lmayo@ yourobserver.com Community Editor / Nick Friedman, nfriedman@yourobserver.com Web Editor / Edwin Kirsch, ekirsch@ yourobserver.com Staff Photographer / Rachel O’Hara, rohara@ yourobserver.com Editor-at-Large / Rod Thomson, rthomson@ yourobserver.com Multimedia Production Manager / Caleb Stanton, cstanton@yourobserver.com 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 Executive / 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; Chris Stolz, cstolz@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.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

our view

Atwell’s next job: evaluate At times like this, you want to reach out to Mayor Suzanne Atwell and now former City Manager Bob Bartolotta. To console and encourage them.

The past week, to be sure, was full of a lot of emotion and painful decision making.

You can imagine their knotted stomachs, the weight, the heartaches and restless nights.

Mayor Atwell showed courage and leadership. She made the difficult decision, concluding that it would be best for everyone that Bartolotta resign. Best for the city, the commission, taxpayers, for Bartolotta himself.

If you see Atwell, tell her she did the right thing, to stay strong. If you see Bartolotta, tell him: “Sorry, it didn’t work out. Remember your successes. You’ll bounce back.”

Atwell Bartolotta had successes.

He did what he was known for doing. He made tough decisions, popularity be damned. Give him credit for that. He wasn’t an empty-suit manager hoping to be liked by everyone.

He confronted some tough challenges with choices that hurt some and irritated others but that helped balance the city’s budget. He cut expenses and city jobs in the face of a severe recession; imposed higher parking fees to cut the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center’s annual subsidy; charged park users and event organizers for the use of city police and resources.

And he faced some sticky issues — the controversy that led to the replacement of former Police Chief Peter Abbott; downtown parking meters; and the police union’s pensions.

To an extent, you could say Bartolotta was akin to the proverbial corporate “hatchet man” who is brought in to turn around a struggling, bloated company.

It’s always a short-term tenure, with the hatchet man eventually walking out, blood on his axe, no friends but the job done.

Much of what led to Bartolotta’s resignation can be attributed to choices and actions of his own making, as well as his general disposition. City Hall, in general, seemed insular and inner-focused under Bartolotta. He and the city’s business interests never clicked, an essential ingredient for any city manager to succeed.

There wasn’t a fit. Sometimes people and personalities just don’t mesh. It’s called life.

Question the structure

Now what?

This is an opportune time to assess the entire picture. Mayor Atwell and her fellow commissioners should not rush to fill the slot. Don’t do what commissions always do — hire a consultant to conduct a search.

The results are too often disappointing.

They’re like presidential elections. You end up hiring a candidate who is the least worst, because you feel you have to fill the position. You settle.

Don’t rush. Don’t settle. Instead, answer important questions: Does the city have the right governmental and organizational structures to foster success and greatness?

Is the manager-commission, weak-mayor form of government the best governmental and organizational structures to take Sarasota to new heights over the next 80 years?

Sarasota’s history is a good place to start to answer those questions.

It’s worth noting that five of the city’s seven managers (and four of the past five) were forced to resign, ultimately because the weight of their miscues and missteps led to a loss of confidence among city commissioners.

What’s more, over the past quartercentury we’ve seen the rise of the professional technocrat-bureacrat manager who is good at the governmental protocols of budgeting; implementing state and federal mandates; executing the day-today activities of a city; and implementing commission policy.

But when it comes to the other qualifications of being a dynamic, visionary leader able to motivate people to climb to the mountaintop, often times those qualities are in shorter supply, sometimes missing altogether. And if truth be told, elected politicians often don’t want that type of city manager; they don’t want him stealing and hogging the limelight. And likewise, the smart city manager who wants to keep his job knows he shouldn’t upstage his bosses. Lie low.

Thus, this structure — the managercommission, weak-mayor form of government — breeds leaderless bureaucracy and mediocrity. The city of Sarasota is Illustration No. 1.

Structure breeds distrust

Another part of the city’s governmental and organizational structures makes things worse. It acts as a cancer cell that constantly grows. That is the appointed city auditor-clerk, who is on the same level as the manager with the commission.

This structure breeds inevitable and unavoidable conflict.

The argument in favor of a clerk-auditor who reports to the commission and not to the manager is a good one: checks and balances, to limit the manager’s control.

An independent auditor also keeps the manager from becoming corrupt, or eventually catches him when he is.

But at the same time, this structure breeds distrust and destruction. Look at the ugly conflict between Bartolotta and City Auditor Pamela Nadalini. It created a Kremlin-like environment at City Hall, with everyone suspicious of the other and, apparently, surreptitiously combing through emails. Forward progress stops.

Even former Mayor Kerry Kirschner recently recalled for us the conflict more than a decade ago that existed between former City Manager David Sollenberger and City Auditor Bob McClellan.

Sollenberger nixed from the budget McClellan’s request for a new desk chair.

One day when Kirschner walked through the lobby of City Hall, McClellan opened his office door and kicked his desk chair into the lobby, followed by some choice words about Sollenberger.

Is this structure worth the consequences?

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THE CASTAWAY by Jorge Blanco

As we all know, for any enterprise or organization to succeed, you must have at least these two ingredients: • A dynamic leader who wins the respect of his co-workers and those around him. A dynamic leader who has vision and can get things done.

• Teamwork. There must be a culture where everyone knows the mission, the vision, the values and the expectations.

And if you elect to be a member of this enterprise or organization, either you buy in to this culture, or you go.

Another part of that culture of teamwork is trust. Without it, there is disruption and destruction, i.e., Sarasota City Hall.

Consider alternative models

We have often said the city of Sarasota has succeeded in spite of its political leadership. This lack of leadership — which is a direct result of the form of government — explains why there have been two efforts in the past decade to consider switching to an elected-mayor form of government.

If today’s commissioners step back from the immediate urge to search to replace Bartolotta and look at the bigger picture, surely they will see the history of the city’s governmental and organizational structures raises questions about their effectiveness. There is ample reason for them to consider alternatives. Look around.

What makes the best cities the best cities?

Fortunately, there is not an overwhelming crisis to rush to fill Bartolotta’s slot. Terry Lewis, the region’s highly respected, interim emergency manager-administrator, is willing to steer the city temporarily. Sign him up.

Meantime, if the city of Sarasota is to become what it could become — a great(er) city, an economically vibrant and even more attractive place to live — it should seem obvious to Mayor Atwell and her colleagues that a new model is needed.

A model that brings definitive, strong leadership to a place that deserves it.

+ Culverhouse’s last laugh

It’s a wonder it took 12 years for Palmer Ranch owner Hugh Culverhouse Jr. to sue Sarasota County over its 2050 anti-growth plan. But when it comes to litigation, Culverhouse has a reputation for making sure his legal petitions are airtight.

He learned that as a former federal prosecutor in Miami.

When you read his federal complaint — alleging the county violated his Fifth and 14th Amendment rights (just compensation for a taking and equal protection) — the facts appear in his favor.

As we frequently wrote in 2000, when the County Commission constructed this convoluted monstrosity, it was quite evident the commissioners inserted so many stipulations that the plan would do what they wanted — stop suburban residential development.

Our bet: Culverhouse will have the last laugh — at Sarasota County taxpayers’ expense. He’ll win millions from the county and a federal court will do what should have been done a decade ago: Throw 2050 where it belongs — in the junk yard.

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BP oil spill, the construction of the Main Street roundabout and the Palm Avenue garage, among other things. With the help of my wonderful family, good friends, a dedicated staff and loyal patrons, we have managed to keep the wolf away from the door while providing the quality entertainment the public has come to expect from us. The Sarasota Observer’s many articles have furthered our cause, and to that we say thank you.

Robert Ennis Turoff Golden Apple Dinner Theatre

+ Current administration should not be labeled ‘anti-American’ Dear Editor: I take issue with the part of your “Wish List” which states " ... the destructive, anti-American agenda of the present administration.”

This may have been a “one-liner” designed to appeal to those who support the radical agenda of the Tea Party and sundry Libertarians.

It may well provide grist for the mill for assorted “birthers” and “Obama is a secret Muslim” conspiracy theorists. But it flies in the face of the facts.

The administration has continued the Bushera policies of supporting American banks and other financial bodies — thus helping to avert what could have been a total melt-down of our capitalist system. The administration enabled timely financial resources to “all-American” companies such as General Motors — thus helping to prevent what would have otherwise been disastrous bankruptcies.

The administration has announced a new defense policy, which as one conservative commentator described as “right out of the Donald Rumsfeld playbook.”

The administration is enabling, albeit slow, growth in the American economy and, to be sure an all-too-slow growth in jobs. This in itself is remarkable in the face of what is an international recession and a nay-saying House of Representatives.

Only the most convoluted and obscurantist logic could describe any of this as anti-American.

We are fortunate to live in this beloved coun-

+ Letter writers made good and bad points Dear Editor: Both of the letters to the editor in the Jan. 12 Sarasota Observer had many good and bad points about the wars, economy and diplomacy.

Let’s not forget the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and children of the 3,000-plus military personnel who lost their lives in a war that was not necessary.

There also have been more than 30,000 soldiers who have been wounded, who have come back with no arms, legs or eyes. They can’t walk, hold their children or read a book. Those men and women will suffer, along with their families, for the rest of their lives. Why? I hope next time we think twice about going to war!

Stanley Demos World War II veteran Sarasota

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+ Reader appreciates Observer’s ‘wish list’ Dear Editor: The Wish List 2012 was so well done.

The letter and response is such a great approach, because too many letters and opinions go without criticism.

It becomes frustrating when a letter that is written by a person is without facts or good sense.

I am not saying that you can avoid this happening because it is fair to listen to as many who have opinions, good and bad.

We are forced to read too many “well-known opinion writers from top newspapers” with quarter-page, one-sided opinions, and we never get a chance to respond because of their prestigious status and, of course would, be against their policies.

I use the phrase “opinion writer” because these so-called reporters, from most of today’s top media sources are giving only their one-sided opinion.

This is fine as long as it becomes a “debate” and the other side has a chance to give their side of the story and possibly have a chance to respond and try to correct some of the issues that have been incorrectly stated.

Anyway, congratulations for a solid, well planned section.

It's unfortunate that The Observer is not a daily newspaper. If it were, there would be many happy subscribers in this town.

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try where differences of opinion are to be valued inasmuch as they often shed light on complicated or difficult matters. But to slate this administration as anti-American sheds no light. In fact, it creates heat. It is worthy of the "school of Joseph McCarthy type innuendo," but it is hard for me to recognize it as responsible journalism.

That leads me to wonder if The Observer is irresponsible in its editorial policy, can it be trusted to be responsible in its news-gathering?

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Dear Editor: I wanted to address an article that appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Dec. 28, 2011, entitled “Golden Apple Grapples with Bills,” which was incorrect in its main theme — that the Golden Apple was behind in its rent payments. The rent issue was resolved in early December, and at the moment we are current and we hope to stay that way. The language in our lease made us delinquent after being only three days late. Fortunately we have negotiated a longer grace period, which is more in tune with normal long-term leases.

The fact that we are struggling to pay bills is no different than many other small businesses that depend on income, which comes through the front door rather than grants and tax-free donations from outside sources. Since 2007 we have been playing catchup while dealing with the effects of hurricanes, the recession, the

Dear Editor: I enjoyed your wish list. I would like to add one more, that our airport gets a cheaper airline, like St. Pete has USA 3000 or Punta Gorda. Why can’t we get Southwest? Are our landing fees to high?

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+ Sarasota airport needs cheaper airline

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SAN FRANCISCO. Jim and Ann Toale pose with their Sarasota Observer in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on a recent trip to the West coast. The Sarasota residents attended a conference of the United States Court of Federal Claims in Berkeley, Calif. They also visited Napa, Calif., and Sonoma, Calif., on their trip.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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8:50 a.m. — 3500 block of Clark Drive. Family Dispute. A man told police that while he was feeding his birds, he saw his neighbor throw beer bottles on his lawn and on his roof. When police officers confronted the neighbor, he told them he couldn’t take the non-stop squawking of the birds and that although he had been involved in an argument with his neighbor, he had not thrown any beer bottles.

Police officers, nonetheless, reported seeing a beer bottle on the man’s roof.

Jan. 7 A likely story 9:32 p.m. — 1200 block of South Tamiami Trail. Suspicious Circumstance. A man reportedly put his arm into an ATM machine for several minutes. When police approached the man, he explained he was an ATM repairman.

Too much energy 9:01 p.m. — 1900 block of Main Street. Suspicious Circumstance. Juveniles were reported running around on the balcony of a second-floor business and damaging the rear door.

Jan. 8 What a cliché 9:20 a.m. — 2100 block of Eighth Street. Family Dispute. A woman told police her neighbors were parking on her lawn and driving all over it. The officers told the neighbors to keep off her lawn.

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Not a scratch on them 1:15 p.m. — 1700 block of South Tamiami Trail. Suspicious Circumstance. Police issued a case number to a vehicle crash because one of the parties requested it, even though police couldn’t find any damage.

6:47 p.m. — 1400 block of Cocoanut Avenue. Suspicious Circumstance. A man told police someone had banged on his window and asked him if he wanted to buy pills. The man said he had replied he wasn’t interested and asked the seller to get off his property.

Why is my boat sinking?

2:40 p.m. — 2500 block of Cocoanut Avenue. Burglary. A man told police that when he dropped off some scrap metal at a recycling center, he saw aluminum boat-part pieces that he knew had been stolen a few days earlier. Police planned to investigate and discover who sold the aluminum to the recycling business.

Jan. 9 Needle in a haystack 7:13 a.m. — 1900 block of Ringling Boulevard. Suspicious Circumstance.

Police located a hypodermic needle in the grass near Ringling Boulevard.

Missing on Main

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8:34 a.m. — 1500 block of Main Street. Lost Property. A man visiting

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11:53 a.m. — 10 block of Marina Plaza. Civil Dispute. A woman told police she had hired a man two weeks ago to do tile work on her boat while she was out of town. When she returned, she found dirty carpets, items broken on the boat and no new tile. The man refused to return calls, and she suspected he was living on the boat while she was gone.

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11 a.m. — 500 block of North Shore Drive. Ordinance Violation. Two men were told they couldn’t sell magazine subscriptions door-to-door without obtaining a permit from the city.

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1:28 p.m. — 3500 block of Central Avenue. Suspicious Circumstance. A woman called police because her dog kept returning to her home with suspicious–looking bones. Police observed that each of the bones had a straight cut; they suspected a local butcher was giving the dog some scraps.

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YourObserver.com

Booker High Magnet Night — takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Booker High School VPA Theater, 3201 N. Orange Ave. This annual event serves as a showcase for Booker’s Visual and Performing Arts program. The event will highlight student art and performance and offer students and parents opportunities to meet with faculty and students from each department. Event is free. Call 355-2967.

University of South Florida SarasotaManatee Financial Aid Information Session — takes place at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 19, at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, 4650 Beneva Road. The workshops will discuss topics such as federal and state financial aid programs and available scholarship opportunities. Event is free. Call 359-4701.

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 Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School ‘Coffee and Conversations’ — takes place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Jan. 19, at on Thursday, January 19 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Sam Snead’s Tavern, 1860 S. Osprey Ave., Suite 100. No RSVP required.

Sarasota Republican Club Monthly Dinner — takes place at 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd. This month’s speaker will be Martin J. Kossoff, president of Kerkering Barberio Financial Services. Cost is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Call 924-401.

• Deli Salads & Sandwiches • Quality Meats • Gourmet Foods • Ready-to-Go Meals • Party Trays & Platters

• Gift Baskets • Premium Cigars • Full Service Grocery • Florida Lottery

1211 Old Stickney Pt. Rd., Siesta Key, FL • 312-0472 www.crescentbeachgrocery.com

LV2376

‘Medical Update on Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivities’ — takes place from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 19, at Unity Church of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Road.

Dr. Peter Green, director of The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in New York, and professor of clinical medicine at Columbia’s

College of Physicians and Surgeons, will speak. Call 342-3413 or 3093375.

13

73542

International Coin Collectors Association — takes place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, and Friday, Jan. 20, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, and Sunday, Jan. 22, at Homewood Suites, 3470 Fruitville Road. Bring your coins, paper currency, gold and silver to be evaluated and purchased by the International Coin Collectors Association. Cost is free. Call (217) 241-3170.

LV2272

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

You’re invited to our place Siesta Key Chapel Presbyterian 4615 Gleason Ave.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

NEIGHBORS

DEIRDRE BRADSHAW Sunday Schedule Early Worship Service 8:45 Worship Service 11:00 Sunday School 11:00

1 mile north of Siesta Key Village off Ocean Blvd.

349-1166

Coffee fellowship on deck.

Adult Bible Study 10:00 Nursery open for service 73350

The Rev. Kathleen Wiggins

www.pineshorespres.org

6135 Beechwood Ave. (North of Stickney Point and West of US 41)

922-1597

(USA)

Sunday Morning Worship Services 9:45 am Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary with Choir & Children’s Church 10:15 am Informal Worship Gathering in the Community Center Sanctus Pax A Wednesday Evening Prayer Service From 6:15 to 6:45 pm

72547

Child care available

FREE CONCERT Ring Sarasota

Open to the Public

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church

73565

Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 5:00 p.m.

6116 Crestwood Ave.,Sarasota 941-922-1597 www.pineshorespres.org

Four years and more than 100 pounds ago, Deirdre Bradshaw read an article about a woman’s drastic weight loss and decided it was time to make a change in her life.

After going through a divorce, the stress of raising her two children on her own while wrapping up her career as a New York police officer left Bradshaw more physically out of shape than she’d ever been.

“Growing up, I always considered myself a big girl, but I’d never had a problem with my weight until then,” she said. “I’ve always really enjoyed food, and the combination of everything that was going on just caused me to put on weight.”

Bradshaw always knew she wanted to live in Florida, and after retiring from the police force, the timing just seemed right, so she made the move to Sarasota in 2008. Shortly after she arrived, she found the Healthplex Fitness Center and enrolled in an eightweek weight-management program.

“The timing was just right for me,” Bradshaw said. “I was ready to lose weight, and I wanted to lose a lot. Healthplex helped me do it the right way.”

With the help of a nutritionist and her trainers, Shane Fairchild and Phillip Jones, Bradshaw learned how to create a healthy diet and the proper way to exercise. She changed her lifestyle and mindset completely, and in 18 months, she lost more than 100 pounds.

Bradshaw is quick to give credit to the gym and especially her trainer.

“Shane never let me think about the big goal or all the weight I had to lose,” she said.

“We set daily goals, weekly goals — I was never thinking more than a week ahead at a time. I would’ve been overwhelmed if I

Needing Assistance at Home?

W E N

Nick Friedman

Deirdre Bradshaw has lost 109 pounds, and her dress size dropped from 24 to 14, since she changed her lifestyle 18 months ago.

Inset: Bradshaw started losing weight after moving to Sarasota in 2008. thought, ‘Alright, I have to lose 100 pounds.’”

Like most people struggling to lose weight, Bradshaw tried countless fad diets and programs that yielded only shortterm results.

“They say maintaining your weight loss is the hardest part,” she said. “If you don’t learn something, you’re never going to keep the weight off.”

In February, she will have maintained her new weight for two years, a feat she said was only possible because she learned the fundamentals of nutrition and exercise.

Bradshaw’s transformation is nothing less than remarkable.

To date, she’s lost 109 pounds, and her dress size has dropped from a size 24 to a 14. With her new athletic physique and confidence, she could easily pass for

a personal trainer, but she insists she’s too willing to give her advice away for free.

In the same way she was inspired by the article she read, Bradshaw hopes her story can help transform someone else’s life with her own success story.

It seems like she’s the right person for the job — she’s become somewhat of a celebrity at the gym, stopping almost constantly to greet people, and just talking to her instills a sort of urge to hop on a treadmill. A banner displaying her accomplishment hangs in the weight room as a constant reminder of the progress she’s made, not only physically but also mentally.

“I used to be the girl who knew where all the bakeries were,” she jokes. “Now I know where all the gyms are.”

— Nick Friedman

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

REAL ESTATE

inside

weather See this week’s Cool Today contest winner.

PAGE 24A

Donuts delight dads at Imagine School at Palmer Ranch.

SEE PAGE 20A

See inside for top residential transactions.

Above: Gilbert Osorio leads Ashley Jones around the ballroom dance floor.

PAGE 25A

Doris Lepoma and Robert Wiegman get in some practice time prior to the beginning of the competition.

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Heather Kornick and Richard Woods

By Rachel S. O’Hara Staff Photographer

Ballroom dancers fox-trotted, waltzed and tangoed the day away Jan. 15, during the Sarasota Challenge at the Hyatt Regency.

More than 20 studios attended the event, and both professionals and amateurs competed for top honors.

The event also included a variety of seminars with professional dancers and Pro-Am Solos and Showcases.

The Challenge culminated with a dance battle between Nikolai Pilipenchuk and Natalia Skorikova vs Thomas and Izabella LewanMargy dowski, followed by perforSivertsen and mances by current U.S. Kiril Arsov, National Champions Peof Sara ter and Alexandra PerDance zhu.

Mary Roberts’ dress twirls as she and Robert Wiegman perform the Viennese waltz.

G. Sapp and Andrea Bearcroft, of Empire Ballroom, performed a waltz.

Eva Laukhuff and Bogdon Wienc had some fun on the dance floor.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

by Nick Friedman | Community Editor

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Temple Emanu-El’s Men’s Club and Sisterhood on Jan. 14 hosted a casino night.

Attendees were invited to test their luck at various casino games, including poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and slot machines.

Card sharks and newcomers alike also were encouraged to go all-in on a buffetstyle meal.

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Enjoy gourmet coffee and pastries in the morning—and appetizers and wine in the afternoon! We’re excited to show you our new home!

We’re just three blocks from our former location, convenient to many physicians and Sarasota Memorial. There’s plenty of parking right outside our door.

Louise and Norty Bick

SARASOTA Observer

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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SARASOTA Observer

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art attack

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

by Nick Friedman | Community Editor

Foundation showcases local student artwork The Education Foundation of Sarasota County hosted a juried art show at Ringling College Jan. 14 and 15, to show off some of the best artwork from local highschool students.

The 25 highest-rated works were awarded a ribbon and presented at a

reception ceremony Jan. 18.

Local galleries and framers volunteered their services, and the winning pieces will be put up for auction in February.

A portion of the money is returned to the artist, and the rest is donated to the Education Foundation.

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The show features many different styles.

Jim Long was impressed the students’ creativity.

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Chris and Kathy Elliott enjoyed the show.

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SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

SPOTLIGHT

19

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Crystal Ball fundraiser shows bright future The Friends of the Selby Public Library held its annual Looking Into the Crystal Ball fundraiser, Friday, Jan. 13, inside the Selby Library.

The evening included stage performances by the Sarasota Opera, Florida Studio Theatre’s improv troupe, flautist Evelyn Miller, Broadway cabaret by Linda Ballou and St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Hellenic Folk Dancers.

Food was available throughout the library from a variety of different restaurants including the Broken Egg, Libby’s Bar + Café, Popi’s Place and Square 1 Burgers & Bar. Kaye Taylor and Ed Winddancer

Natalie Kaufman, Shelia Weiser, Joyce Rubin and Rita Wolson wear scarves they made as members of Professionals Assisting Military Friends and Families.

Right: Sandy “Alessandra” Opsomer

Simplify Your Life!

Frank Colson and Peggy Dalbert

Brand new maintenance-free townhomes in Lakewood Ranch with golf course views

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Incredible pricing from the mid $200s!

Meg Glidewell performed a juggling act and even gave lessons.

(includes home and homesite)

Linda Ballou

Just an Old-Fashioned Used Book Store!

Lanai

Master Suite 12’4” x 15’ 9’4” Ceiling

Master Suite 13’10” x 17’ 9’ Ceiling

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12’4” x 15’ 9’4” Ceiling

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GREAT

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REF Opt

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10'-0" X 14'-6"

Entry

REF Opt

14'-2" 9'-4"

Bedroom 2 11’10” x 12’6” 9’ Ceiling

DINING ROOM 11'-6" X 13'-3" 9'-4" CLG

GREAT ROOM 14'-2" X 17'-4" 9'-4" CLG

DINING RO

11'-6" X 13'9'-4" CLG

FOYER

KITCHEN

9'-4" CLG

9'-4" CLG

KITC

9'-4

9'-4" CLG

Entry

UTILITY ENTRY

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9'-4" CLG

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SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

round for a reason

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Donuts delight Imagine School dads

BRIDGE IS HERE!!

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way in just a.m. a few weeks!

Sept. 23 • 9:00-11:30 Bridge Club - Town & Country Plaza

The Imagine School at Palmer Ranch held its annual Donuts with Dad breakfast, Friday, Jan. 13, inside its cafeteria.

The annual breakfast included donuts from

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Dunkin’ Donuts, orange juice and coffee.

Dozens of dads came out to enjoy a sugary treat with their children prior to the school and work day.

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The Millers loved having breakast together. From left: Jaron, 12, Royce, Marissa, 6, Carson, 8, and Brandon, 14.

Will, Luke and Kate Larkin

I’ve lived here my whole life. Of course I care.

The fact is, people have less than they did just a few years ago.

And, sadly, the need continues to grow more profound every day.

Our community is struggling.

With your help, the Season of Sharing provides funds to help families and individuals avoid homelessness as the next solution to the financial crises they face.

Even if you give a little, it means a lot.

Everyone can be a philanthropist and, because of support from Season of Sharing partners, all of your donation – 100% – goes directly to the cause.

Together, we can make a difference.

Serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties

www.CFSarasota.org Make donations online or mail to: P.O. Box 49587, Sarasota, FL 34230-6587

Affect. Change. Today.

69414

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Lessons

20

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

21

seeds sewn

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Bruce Holst, Toscano De Brito, Daniel and Jeannie Perales

Creativity blossoms at Avant Garden s/ART/q and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens held the opening reception for S/ART/Q's Avant Garden Exhibition Friday, Jan. 13, inside the Christy Payne Mansion at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

The 13 s/ART/q artists created work inspired by the gardens and the behind-the-scenes of the gardens.

The exhibition will be on exhibit through Feb. 20.

Joseph Arnegger and Tom Stephens in front of Arnegger’s piece.

I make sure the water is clean, for all of us.

I am Mosaic.

As we mine the phosphate needed to help grow the world’s food, it’s no coincidence that we preserve the water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. As an environmental specialist, I’m part of a team that monitors Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Gil Turner and Diane Schanako-Turner

these bodies of water to ensure that the water quality is sustained or even enhanced. Mosaic takes great care to meet Florida’s clean water standards. Because

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22

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

athlete of the week

By Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Cherlinda Polynice Although athletes may dabble in a few different sports, most seem to gravitate toward one. But Cherlinda Polynice isn’t your typical athlete.

The Booker senior currently participates in four sports at the school

— track and field in the spring, volleyball in the fall, and basketball and weightlifting in the winter.

In addition to her busy sports schedule, Polynice has a 3.7 grade-point average and is in dual-

enrollment courses to prepare for college. Polynice hopes to attend Louisiana State University next fall and compete on the track and field team. She plans to major in either business or psychology.

Why did you decide to get into weightlifting?

It actually just kind of happened one day over the summer of 2010.

(My friend and I) were talking and realized we didn’t have a sport between volleyball and track and we thought, “Let’s try it!” because we already like to lift weights.

Do you have a favorite event in weightlifting?

I prefer to do bench, because I feel like bench is easier than the clean-and-jerk. But at the same time, you have to really, really focus.

I like the challenge clean-and-jerk brings me, though.

What is the most difficult part about weightlifting?

The clean-and-jerk. Oh, and practice every single day is probably the hardest, especially playing basketball and getting home late from games.

How much can you actually lift?

JUSTTHESTATS 2 The number of goals scored by ODA junior Tom Young during the Jan. 13 boys soccer game against Admiral Farragut. ODA won the game 4-0.

32

The number of points scored by freshman Camille Giardina during Cardinal Mooney’s home basketball game against Saint Stephen’s. The Cougars won 61-17.

16 Rachel S. O’Hara

I bench 145, and on record, I can clean-and-jerk 170.

and people tell me they look up to me, so I have to do my best.

What have you gained from weightlifting?

I’ve gained a lot of perseverance, determination. It is so discouraging when you miss a weight, and it makes you want to go back more and more and more and more. I’ve become more of a better leader,

What is the biggest challenge of playing two sports in one season?

The biggest challenge is juggling school between them.

When you head off to college, do you still want to do weightlifting?

I want to weightlift in general, because I love it no matter what.

Do you know someone who would make a great Athlete of the Week? Email: rohara@yourobserver.com.

The point differential in the Riverview’s 81-65 boys basketball win over Booker High Jan. 16, at Booker.

7

The number of points ODA’s girls soccer team scored Jan. 10 against Bradenton Christian. Carly Hunter, Melanie Mason, Emily Camire, Catherine Williams, Ally Gentle and Alyssa Mason all found the net for the Lady Thunder.

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Fresh Seafood

First United Methodist Church on Jan. 15 celebrated the reconstruction of its main sanctuary and prayer garden.

The church’s entryway, lighting, sound, pews and organ have also seen improvements.

The Rev. Art McClellan led the reopening ceremony.

+ Grapevine earns top agency recognition + Sarasota attorney earns recognition Scott Westheimer, a managing partner with Syprett Meshad, was recognized as an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated attorney from MartindaleHubbell.

The rating is based on peer reviews of a lawyer’s legal ability and ethical standards and is the highest rating available.

Westheimer was previously president of Sarasota County Bar Association and has been managing partner as Syprett Meshad since 2002.

+ Manatee Tiger Bay adds Misty Servia Misty Servia, planning department manager for Sarasota’s King Engineering office, has been appointed

Seasonal Specials

+ Band Weintraub welcomes Chapman The law office of Band Weintraub P.L. recently added former Assistant State Attorney C. Todd Chapman to its civil litigation department.

A former assistant state attorney in Sarasota, the Bradenton native has more than 14 years of civil litigation experience.

“The addition of Mr. Chapman to our litigation department expands Band Weintraub’s litigation services to allow the firm to provide full service to our clients,” said Garrett Pendleton, head of the litigation department. “Given his extensive courtroom experience, he will be a valuable team member at trial.”

Chapman will handle all types of civil litigation cases, including probate litigation, commercial and business litigation, foreclosure defense and real-estate litigation.

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Venice City Council voted unanimously to name Edward Lavalee the new city manager for the municipality.

Lavalee previously served six years as city manager in Newport, R.I., and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Haven.

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Wealth management adviser Rick Helbing was mentioned in Medical Economics’ list of the top 150 financial advisers for doctors in the country.

Helbing is the owner of Sarasota financial services firm, Suncoast Advisory Group, and was chosen for his expertise in planning for physicians.

Helbing specializes in medical and dental practices and family-owned businesses.

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Manatee Tiger Bay in a nonpartisan organization that aims to present programs that cover political, social, local, state and national issues.

62103

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

72548

SARASOTA Observer

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

By Adam Hughes | Research Editor

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Oyster Bay Estates home sells for $2.7 million

These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued

by Sarasota County and city of Sarasota for the week of January 2 through January 6, in order of dollar amounts.

CITY OF SARASOTA

Kenneth and Mitzie Henson sold their home at 1204 N. Lake Shore Drive to Ferdinand and Jamie Becker, Sarasota, for $2.7 million. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,449 square feet of living area. Of this week’s 13 residential real-estate transactions, which were recorded Jan. 2 to Jan. 6, two were for more than $2 million.

Permit

Applicant

Amount

1370 Harbor Drive 2170 McClellan Parkway 1201 Hillview Drive 1359 Harbor Drive 1925 Magnolia St. 775 Ringling Blvd.

994 Pattison Ave.

Pool/Spa Remodel Seawall Re-roof Remodel Windows Re-roof

Joel Schleicher Steven Katzman Michael Lieberbaum Sherry Ellis Linda Milbredt Walter Stark Jr., trustee Morgan Hancock

$52,500 $18,018 $14,824 $13,000 $12,500 $8,900 $3,600

Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

3244 Pine Valley Drive 4227 Augustine Ave. 3404 Bimini St. 4016 Jardin Lane 3701 Boca Pointe Drive 2320 Goya Drive 5708 Britannia Drive 5733 Britannia Drive 2934 Ashton Road 3259 Pinecrest St.

Re-roof Windows Garage Doors Garage Doors Enclosure Windows Re-roof Re-roof Mechanical

Edwin Repulski, trustee Carol McKeough Viola Knepp Solange Humphreys Deborah May Raymond Santerre Jeri-Ann Smally Willian Lent John Ryan David Griggs

$21,860 $17,430 $15,000 $12,926 $11,530 $11,353 $10,938 $9,700 $9,095 $8,989

SARASOTA COUNTY

CASEY KEY

SARASOTA

The Residences

Realnor Properties Inc. sold the Unit 1404 condominium at 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive to Richard and Melinda Bezozo, of Warren, N.J., for $925,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,754 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,178,900 in 2011.

Old Oaks

John and Barbara Mengelberg sold their home at 928 Indian Beach Drive to Larry Wickless and Carole Crosby, Sarasota, for $899,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,241 square feet of living area.

Paul and Doris Wolfe sold their home at 335 S. Shore Drive to Fred Gerigery, Sarasota, for $550,000. Built in 1954, it has

Nick Friedman

Unit 1404 condominium at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive has two bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and 2,754 square feet of living area. It sold for $925,000.

three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,791 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $33,000 in 1968.

Source: Sarasota County; city of Sarasota

Renaissance

Valerie Sutter, Sarasota, sold her Unit 1609 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to Mohit and Nisha Sabharwal, New York, for $425,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,360 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $530,000 in 2003.

Condominium on the Bay Tower II

Virginia Corcoran, Englewood, sold her Unit 211 condominium at 988 Blvd. of the Arts to Alexander Meyer, Sarasota, for $300,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $125,900 in 1988.

Central Park

Louis Williams, of Oakland, Tenn., sold the Unit 201 condominium at 825 S. Osprey Ave. to Edward Bush Jr., Sarasota, for $220,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,260 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $162,500 in 2009.

PALMER RANCH Deer Creek

William Thoms, trustee, and Nancy Mabile and Steven MacDonald, of Douglas, Neb., sold the home at 4544 Longspur Lane to Diane Winegar, Sarasota, for

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Visit us January 20 th - 22 nd at the Bay Front Boat Show

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Visit our website to read more transactions and to see a map.

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$335,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,457 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $80,000 in 1991.

Kenneth Inch Jr., Carolyn Inch Marriott and William Inch, of Huntersville, N.C., sold their home at 8212 Shadow Pine Way to Blake Roberts, Sarasota, for $255,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,224 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,000 in 1994.

72308

Caroline and Dennis Clark, of Birmingham, Ala., sold their home at 3256 Casey Key Road to John and Joy Miller, of Peoria, Ill., for $2.2 million. Built in 1955, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,077 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $2,150,000 in 2004.

Sapphire Shores

Address

73480

real estate | transactions

CLaSSeS BegIN: SaTurday, JaN. 21 • 9-11:30 AM michelle golden 941-365-7875

70997

24

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

RAINFALL

Sarasota

Wed., Jan. 11 Thurs., Jan. 12 Fri., Jan. 13 Sat., Jan. 14 Sun., Jan. 15 Mon., Jan. 16 Tues., Jan. 17

MOON PHASES

0.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00

Jan. 23 New

Jan. 30 First

Feb. 7 Full

Feb. 14 Last

25

Weather Photo Contest Winner

Month to date: 2012 2011

0.31 in. 0.56 in.

Year-to-date:

2012 2011 0.31 in. 0.56 in.

TemperatureS

Temps.

High Low 74 57 75 57 68 53 61 44 70 35 76 45 75 49

Wed., Jan. 11 Thurs., Jan. 12 Fri., Jan. 13 Sat., Jan. 14 Sun., Jan. 15 Mon., Jan. 16 Tues., Jan. 17

Record Temps.

High Low 84 (1991) 28 (2010) 86 (1993) 24 (1927) 85 (1974) 23 (1981) 84 (1937) 25 (1981) 83 (1947) 27 (1964) 82 (1947) 26 (1927) 84 (1999) 30 (1992)

Average Gulf water temperature: 61.9

Chuck Comstock submitted this sunset photo, taken at Nokomis Beach.

RED TIDE

Sunrise/sunset

Thurs., Jan. 19 Fri., Jan. 20 Sat., Jan. 21 Sun., Jan. 22 Mon., Jan. 23 Tues., Jan. 24 Wed., Jan. 25

Sunrise 7:21 7:21 7:21 7:20 7:20 7:20 7:20

Sunset 6:00 6:01 6:02 6:03 6:03 6:04 6:05

Karenia brevis, the red tide organism, was not detected onshore or offshore Sarasota County, Friday, Jan. 13, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

PHOTO CONTEST: Enter your local sunset, sunrise or weather-related photos for The Observer’s weather photo contest, sponsored by . Please include where you took the photo when submitting photos, as well as your mailing address. Each week’s winner will receive a $50 restaurant gift card. Please send your photos to the Sarasota Observer, 1970 Main St., fourth floor, Sarasota, Fla., 34236, or email them to nschwartz@yourobserver.com.

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

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D Edited by Timothy E. Parker

2

C R Y P T O G R A M S ( J O b S e A R C h ) by Myles Mellor 1. D Z K Q Y R R A W S Q U H B M Y Q Y J J B N Q I S Q U R B F I , Z K V Y L K IZK JMSISJYA PANQLKM BH FY WSQU ZK DYF Y RKBRAK RKMFBQ YQL QBI Y QNVPKM JMNQJZKM. 2. Y M R O J Z Q C V N C A C W R J C V G Y H Y H D C N X U E C D S C G Y H J Y S N M J W Z H , F R Q E A X Q Y W U R V Q E C B R F. E X H BYZSQK VCJWK? GYH QEYQ RS OK VCHZOC?

71745

Duct Cleaning 24 Hour Emergency Service FREE estimates and 2nd Opinions Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Indoor Air Quality Specialists

SUndAY dInneR by Aaron Zarrie

ACROSS

1 “My Name Is ___” (Saroyan book) 5 A freelancer may work on it 9 “The Mouse That ___” 15 Alliance agreement 19 Eric of “Munich” and “Troy” 20 New Haven school 21 Register message 22 “___ Breaky Heart” (Billy Ray Cyrus tune) 23 God who rides an eight-legged horse 24 “Boston Public” actress Sharon 25 Broth “for the soul,” in motivational books 27 A neighbor of Niger 28 Multi-___ highway 30 Legendary Canadian hockey star Phil 31 Primary source of income 36 Fork points 37 Corn core 38 2009 horror sequel 39 Chinese restaurant general 40 Launching platform 43 Area and scatter 46 Capital and largest city of Togo 47 Laundry job 51 Granada landmark 53 Window or middle seat alternative 55 “La ___” (Debussy opus) 56 Wife of Jacob 57 Immigrants’ island 61 Makeup item 64 “Total” astronomical event 67 Captivate 70 Chorus members 71 Basic dinner combo 74 Carbon microphone inventor Thomas

77 78 82 84 86 87 88 91 94 97 100 101 102 103 105 107 110 116 119 120 121 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Beyond the pale Starts a revolution Drawer deodorizer Add more lubricant “The lady ___ protest too much” (“Hamlet”) Investment option, for short Soulful Isaac Like some summer dining Insect-repelling compound “The X-Files” agent Scully Wolfe of crime fiction “Mystery solved!”

Fix, as an election Contort into a knot More than intuition Be a part of, as a film Healthy dish Chinese metropolis On-ramp sign Actor’s aspiration No-sweat job Chowder morsel Arable soil Hamburg’s river Addressed a crowd ___ mater “Now, ___ business ...”

Some vintage motorcars Pass up Low in fat Alternatives to pumpernickels

10 11 12 13

dOwn

58

Enola Gay’s payload Palindromic detector Crone-like “Flashdance” hit Spiced hot milk with rum Hymn of praise Large antelope Fanzine subjects GOP fundraising org.

14 15 16 17 18 26 29 32 33 34 35 39 40 41 42 44 45 47 48 49 50 52 54

59 60 62 63 65 66 68 69

“___ la la!” “___ was saying ...”

Brickyard 400 entrant Deer-family members Like the diver’s end of the pool Strong feeling or emotion Decide at the flip of ___ Water slide Clerical errors “___ fast, buster!”

Type of personality or citizenship College student’s home A quarter of eight Rating for many HBO shows ___-O (“Old MacDonald” refrain) “Rock-a-Bye Baby” setting Color deficient “30 Rock” co-star Baldwin Indian dish made with stewed legumes Do a host’s job “Rebel Without a Cause” actor Mineo Finish for “might” Mae West’s “___ Angel” ___-do-well Shepherd’s warnings Buddhist doctrine urging non-violence Word in a Doris Day title “Stormy Weather” singer Horne “500” event It’s a matter of taste Look that may offend Not outdoors Unskilled laborer Subway excavator Displeased expression “Beetle Bailey”

canine 72 Off the beaten track 73 Ball-gown fabric 74 Film with a cast of thousands 75 “Cannery Row” character 76 Islamic religious leader 79 Like average grades 80 Make an impression in glass 81 “Go away!”

83 Hearing organ 85 007 creator Fleming 89 Defeat narrowly 90 Emulated Taylor Swift 92 Male no longer in slavery 93 “Friends” friend 95 Charming and Charles 96 Door hardware 98 Scot’s “not” 99 A bit pretentious 104 Not of the clergy (var.)

106 Beauty spot?

107 “___ your instructions ...”

108 Andean country 109 Billy Blanks workout system 110 Church of England parish priest 111 “Beauty and the Beast” beauty 112 Andean pack animal 113 Certifiable, so to speak 114 Get ___ start (run behind) 115 Audition CDs 117 Equine foot 118 Woodstock hairstyle 122 Put on the feedbag 123 Beer blast centerpiece 124 Former name of Tokyo

Last weeks Cryptograms 1. The magic formula for honest dieting: if you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories.

2. Now here’s a familiar and basic diet law: food that tastes the best has the most calories.

Thursday, January 19, 2012 Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Sarasota Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in The Sarasota Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

INFO & RATES: (941) 955-4888 • Fax: (941) 362-4808 • Email: classified@yourobserver.com HOuRS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds: Tuesday at Noon • Service Directory: Friday at 3 pm

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 (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com/classifieds (No phone calls please.)

CAR COVER for SLK 230 Mercedes Benz. Like new. $75 cash. 941-383-1353.

CHRISTMAS TREE: 10 ft. Blu-Spruce, Pre-lit, Retail $500. 2 Years old, $75. Leave message, 941-379-3085.

DISHWASHER AND Dryer. Working perfect. $50 each. 941-227-0102.

DISHWASHER: BISQUE GE Eterna Series, Excellent condition $175. Call after 10AM, 941-966-5439.

GAS FIREPLACE Set: Complete with Logs. Good Condition, $25. 941-346-7037.

GOLF CLUBS: Left hand. (Haig Ultra persimmon woods 1.3.4.5. Good condition. $100.00.

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LACE CURTAINS: 9 panels, 58”wx78”l, $100 o/b/o. Lighthouse china: 26 pieces, $35 o/b/o.

941-953-5222.

LOUNGE CHAIR: over-sized, all leather, puttycolored in good condition. $75.00. 941-377-5687.

MAN'S SUIT: Italian Designer black, size 42R. Paid $1200. Sell $200. In Palmer Ranch.

941-312-5430.

MAYTAG 2005 21' Frig/Ice maker, white, pristine cond. $195. 941-921-8168.

MIKASA CHINA: Continental 3000 White. Service for 6. $350 value for $50. 941-924-8199.

PREMIUM FUTON: Steel frame, Rosewood arms, 4 throw pillows, 52x72x7, extremely comfortable. $180. 941-349-9639.

ROYAL DOULTON Retired Large Character Jugs, Yachtman, Robinhood #1, Gardener #2, $65/ea.

941-349-6274.

SLEEPER SOFA and loveseat: floral pattern, $75.

Buffet: solid wood maple, $125. 941-922-6859.

SPEAKERS: ONE pair Atrium 4 Polkaudio, All-Weather Indoor/Outdoor, New, Paid $199.

Sell for $125. 941-966-0618 TIRE AND Rim: Chevy Bridgestone, heavy duty, radial size, LT245/75R16. Brand new. $90/obo.

941-726-3144, 941-600-4177.

TREES: WHITE Bird of Paradise - 2 healthy 3/ft. plants, $25 each. 941-924-9501.

TV CABINET: solid oak, room for storage and for VHS or DVD player. $200. 941-341-9718.

TWIN BED set, brown wicker. Complete with spreads and night stand, $180. 941-377-5872.

TWIN BED: Inflatable. Never used. Pump inflates 2 min. Washable mattress cover, ruffle. $50.

941-312-6136.

WARDROBE BONANZA for 8 petite. Never and gently worn. $200 cash only. 941-379-0442.

WHITE CRIB, mattress, $100. Port-a-crib, $30.

Traverse rods, bike, $50. All excellent shape.

941-918-0737.

Antiques/Collectibles RUSSIAN BLACK Lacquer boxes, including Famous “Firebird”. Beautiful signed 1980s artwork. 4 total, all 4, $400. 941-320-7775.

Appliances WASHER, DRY and top freezer refrigerator: Frigidaire. Used 6 months. Excellent condition. $175 each o/b/o. 941-544-3311.

Autos For Sale LEXUS 1991: LS400. All power. Excellent condition, original owner, 88,000 miles, $5500.

941-223-2999 or leave message.

Autos Wanted AUTOS WANTED! Let me take the hassle out of selling your car. Cash offered today! Call Mike, 941-713-2277.

Boat Slips For Rent/Sale LBK MOORINGS: 45' boat slip for rent 45 foot O-03 for rent; $450/mth plus electric. Call 603-475-2986 or E-mail: aweeks@ehr.org

Business Opportunities

Homes For Rent

JAN PRO CLEANING FRANCHISE: $950 Down Required, Financing Available for growth, Includes customers. Earn up to $10,000 Month+ Call 941-907-8141

PRESTANCIA. Executive 5BR, 4BA, 4,600-sq.-ft. pool home in a gated community. Gourmet kitchen, French doors, vaulted ceilings & upstairs loft. Pets welcome. $3,900/month. Contact Kelly McKay - 941.966.8000.

SPACIOUS 2000 sq.ft., 3BR/2BA with den, enclosed porch, on partially fenced treed private yard. West of trail. Prestigious Field Rd. neighborhood. Pets okay. Lease, references and deposit required. $1850/mo. 941-400-0950.

NEED RESIDENTIAL SALES PEOPLE NOW to sell Internet, phone and TV D2D in the Sarasota/Bradenton Market. High Commissions plus Bonuses. Prior exp. not needed, training provided. Email careers@ustci.com to apply.

HIRING NOW!

Help Wanted ENTERTAINMENT WALL Unit: beautiful, cream, contemporary, 4 pieces, lit display shelf, $600 o/b/o. 941-387-8820, 502-767-4082.

OFFICE CHAIRS (5): Leather, swivel, highback, nearly brand new. Must see. Make an offer. Call today for appt., 724-747-7986.

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales ************2 ESTATE SALES THIS WEEK************

BY NANCY DUNN LLC 941-925-1993 THURSDAY 9AM-2PM 7254 Golf Pointe Way - Palm Aire 2 Queen BR Sets, Wicker, 3 Asian Tables, 2 Swivel Rockers, Recliner, Table/4 Castor Chairs, Lingerie Chest, Misc. Furn. - Tables, Chairs, Pictures & Lamps, Lots of Holiday Items, Kit. & Garage, Refrigerator, Like New EL. Bike. All Priced to Sell!!!!!

FRIDAY 9AM-2PM 7331 Fountain Palm Circle, Off RT. 70 (Tara Bl.) 2 King BR Sets, Leather Sofa - Loveseat & Chair, 3 Coral & Glass Tables, Media Center, Server, Sew. Mach, Computer, Wiker, China, Crystal, German Books & Music, Refrigerator & Misc.

For Pictures: www.estatesalesbynancydunn.com FABULOUS BIRD KEY ESTATE SALE (Decorator and Designer) 204 Bird Key Dr., Sarasota, Fl 34236 Friday, January 20th & Saturday, January 21st Numbers out of 8a.m. Doors open at 10a.m.

Silk window treatments by Christopher Edward, crystal chandelier, Persian area rugs including Gabba rug, leather wingback gentleman chairs, Baker sofa, Chinese bronzes, large French carved wood mirror, fabulous Brunswick pool table with matching parlor chairs, huge European hand-carved bookcase, 8 outstanding double matted monkey engravings, outstanding hand-forged wrought iron bed, theater system, many Maitland Smith lighting fixtures, patio furniture, outstanding wine collection, sub-zero wine cooler and an outstanding collection of estate jewelry including pearls, diamond & emeralds (over 33 pieces), lots of bric-a-brac.

Listed artist oil paintings.

Estate Sale conducted by Antiques & Chatchkes for more info: 941-356-3318

OUR BOOKS 1/2 Price BEE RIDGE BOOKS 4104 Bee Ridge Road Bee Ridge Plaza Trade-In your Paperbacks 941-377-8998

DRIVERS-EXP. OTR: $1500 Sign-On. 7-10 days out. Apply: www.heyl.net. Heyl Truck Lines: 800-973-9161.

HAIRSTYLIST WANTED: Salon Capelli, Siesta Key Village. Rental, Must have some clientele.

941-349-5257 or 941-320-2356 leave message.

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

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

Announcements SYMC IN Sarasota is located at Rosemary Court, 810 Central Avenue, Sarasota FL.

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

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

Business Opportunities ABBEX, INC 941-365-3833 Invisible Fence Distributor Nets: 120,000 Price: 250,000 24 Hr. Laundromat Wash & Fold Price: 150,000 Service Co. nets 12,000 per month Price 150,000 Distribution Nets 210,000 Price: 795,000

WWW.ABBEXINC.COM Steve Alexander

Lic

Positions Wanted CAM WITH CMCA, AMS, PCAM designations seeking Condominium Association to manage.

Excellent references.

Please contact 941-685-0500.

HIRING EMPLOYEES ASAP Local automotive startup hiring call center employees to work in downtown Sarasota office. Position starts immediately. 40hrs per week, Hourly Pay: $12 to $15. If interested, send resume to: Jobs@DealersUnited.com

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Happy with the Management of Your RENTAL

The most trusted name in real estate is your trusted name in rental property management.

Q Experienced leasing professionals Q Tenant screening, placement and renewal Q Comprehensive, world-class services Q Professional marketing support

Commercial Property For Rent EXECUTIVE SUITES: South Tamiami Trail, Gulf Gate area. Full service conference room. 3 Room Suite available. One month free rent. Wireless internet and utilities included. From $250/mo. Call 941-923-6050.

Condos/Apts. For Rent LOS LAGOS; Unfurnished. Annual. 2bR/2ba, first floor, garage, Clarke Rd., 2 miles to Siesta Key. $1190/mo. Ashton Realty, Joe Bonsell.

941-923-1945, 941-356-6356.

MERIDIAN AT THE OAKS. Stunning, spacious & well-appointed 3/3 condominium rental in the Meridian at the Oaks Preserve. Enjoy top-notch amenities. $2,600/month. Contact Kelly McKay 941.966.8000.

Affordable Senior Housing

JEFFERSON CENTER 930 N. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota, FL 34236

941-953-9585 800-955-8771 TDD/TTY Rentals from $427-$588

Utilities & Cable Included

Merchandise Wanted

FL

WEST OF TRAIL. Grove St. - 2479 sq.ft., bright, open, newer upscale home, 3BR/2BA. Many builtins, walk to Southside Elementary, shops & restaurants, 5 min. to Siesta Key. $2900/mo. Call 941-926-2915.

michaelsaunders.com/rentals

941.966.8000

Condos For Sale GREAT BAY VIEW - LBK!!

2/2 in Fairway Bay. 1,192 sq/ft. living area, 220 sq/ft. oversized patio w/1st floor walkdown to jogging path. Just steps from tennis, fitness center, heated pool, hot tub & clubhouse.

TURNKEY FURNISHED! Bring toothbrush & small pet. $343,000 Call Owner 941-228-8040

Homes For Sale INFO 24/7 Call: 941-747-9000 Then enter the house code Luxury Bayfront Contemporary with pool, dock and boat lift - code 33031 Laurel Oak Country Club - Home with Lake and Preserve views - code 32931 View These Homes at www.LarrySellsSarasota.com LARRY BRZOSTEK RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-993-3125

SIESTA KEY, WOODSIDE ROAD: Refurbished 3BR Split plan. Minutes from Intercostal & Gulf, Boat Lift & Extra Dock, Large Screened Lanai & Pool, Close to School. $748,000. 941-349-0686.

This week’s crossword answers

WHISPERING SANDS: 2BR/2BA Gulfside 1,575 sq/ft., Siesta Key. 55+, Lanai 36’x8’, 2nd flr. Steps to Elevator & Laundry, Pool, Clubhouse & Gym. Covered Parking, Security, & Lots more! $320,000 firm. 941-346-0514.

Homes For Rent ANNUAL RENTAL - Longboat Key Twin Shores, 55+, Newly decorated, Private Beach, 2BR/1BA, W/D, Call Karen (813)377-6864.

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

71611

Furnishings

71257

Items Under $200 For Sale 2 LARGE Comfortable Chairs & Glass top table, Ideal for Florida Room, $75. 941-377-2255.

THE OBSERVER GROUP LP # 56733

SARASOTA ObserverOBSERVER/PE THE SARASOTA THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

www.yourobserver.com

Thursday, January 19, 2012 Vacation/Seasonal Rentals CASA DEL MAR BEACH RESORT

Property Search Homes - Condos - Golf Communities Foreclosures - Short Sales

BETTY’S HOUSECLEANING Service. High quality cleaning. Reasonable rates. Licensed.

References. Call 941-650-6180.

Thinking of Selling?

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

Every property I Market includes a Virtual Tour and more

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

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential/ Commercial. Meticulous Cleaning.

Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable.

Lic./ Ins. 941-400-3342

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

4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key 34228

EUROMAID Residential Cleaning, 6 years experience, Reasonable & Reliable, Free Estimates! Call Nataliya at 864-415-7711.

Call Me for an aggressive Internet plan to market your home.

LARRY BRZOSTEK RE/MAX Alliance Group 941-993-3125

FREE ESTIMATES! Call Dotty, detailed cleaning.

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

Dottie, 941-321-6645.

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

Real Estate Wanted SELLERS WANTED INVENTORY LOW! Currently working with buyers, if your home is not yet listed, please call today! Dawn Cohen, Lic. RE Broker/Owner, Dawn Cohen & Associates, 941-228-0077.

FRESH BREEZE HOME CLEANING SERVICE: Husband & Wife team, Residential & Commercial.

Excellent references, Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates, 941-404-0104.

FREE Wireless High Speed Internet

“Where People Return Year After Year�

HOUSECLEANING. I have lots of experience, attention to detail. Reliable. Call me, I can help!

Carol, 941-536-3705.

“INTENTIONALLY BETTER�

WANTED LUXURY ANNUAL RENTALS

LIDIA’S PROFESSIONAL CLEANING. Licensed and insured. 20 years experience with excellent references. Res. or Com. 941-376-0920.

Waterfront Property

For Qualified Waiting Clients Contact - Sarasota Luxury Rentals 941-356-5610

PALMA SOLA BAY LAND: 3.9 acres of waterfront approved for 7 homes and 5 docks or use as a single estate. $1,499,000. Will consider exchange for income property or Sarasota waterfront home.

Marcia Wood, Broker, 941-350-2285.

QUALITY CLEANING Service. 10 years experience. Residential & Commercial. Call Anghelika, 941-204-3589.

Adult Care Services

email: info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com

A BRIDGE FOR INDEPENDENCE LLC assists the elderly, post surgical, dementia and mental health clients. Our bonded & insured caregivers provide light housekeeping, shopping/errands, transportation, meals, laundry & more. Owned and operated by a Registered Nurse. 941-925-2433

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals 112/2/

ASHTON LAKES CONDO: Units available March 2012 and now booking for renter 2013. 2BR/2BA, 2 Pools, 2 miles to Siesta Key Beaches. Booking for 2013 also. Call Ashton Realty. 941-923-1945, 941-356-6356.

LOCAL Reserved Space LP Reserved Space

Classifieds You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

SENIOR IN HOME CARE: Compassionate care for you or your loved one. Delicious healthy meal preparations, laundry, shopping, transportation, and companionship. Affordable and dependable.

References. Call Louise 941-416-3014.

Auto Service WE WANT TO BUY YOUR VEHICLE!!!

Any Make, Any Model, Any Condition.

No Title - No Problem! Bank Lien - No Problem!

Paying up to $30,000 for Vehicles. Call AJ now at 813-335-3794 for a Free Quote or 813-531-4298.

ACCOUNTING

71826

s -ONTHLY !CCOUNTING "OOKKEEPING s "USINESS )NDIVIDUAL 4AX 0REPARATION

!LL 3TATES &AST 2EFUNDS % lLE 0ROVIDER s .EW "USINESS #ONSULTING 3ET 5P

3947 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL

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

941-737-0349.

Home Services 120 CHANNELS + Locals, $29.99/mo. Rocky Satellite Sales & Service Authorized Dish Network Retailer, 941-554-8078.

HOUSESITTER OR Live-In Companion: Caring Senior Woman w/car, Personal References available. Contact: smaurer3@juno.com

Painting/Wallpapering 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.

Professional Services BANKERS LIFE AND CASUALTY COMPANY We specialize in Seniors Contact me, Today! About your Medicare and Long Term Care insurance needs.

GLENN QUINN Florida Licensed Insurance Agent Call 941-953-6150 Email: glenn.quinn@bankers.com 04-B024FL Certain exclusions and limitations may apply.

Tile A&P MARBLE / TILE INSTALLER “Quality Work, Experienced Craftsman�

Detail Work & Design Floors, Wall & Bathroom Remodels.

Lowest Price Guarantee!

Tile installation $2.50 sq/ft. (labor and material inc) Call Angelo 941-232-8908 SPECIALIZING IN bathroom renovations.

Excellent tile work. Very reasonable. Senior discount. Call Danny, 941-549-9715, 941-650-5719.

STEVE ALLEN FLOOR COVERINGS PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION 20 YRS. EXPERIENCE CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS TILE WORKS for Bathroom, Kitchen & Floor.

Licensed and Insured, accurate and detailed jobs by an italian. Call Maurizio at 941-586-8641.

SOLD in The

Observer Classifieds

DOCKSIDE BOAT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

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CERTIFIED & INSURED

Marie Cleaning Services

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Residential and Commercial Cleaning

552-5766

Pressure Washing and Window Cleaning

OfďŹ ce in Palmer Ranch 8586 Potter Park Drive, Sarasota, FL 34238

941-623-2834

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Sharon M. Guy, P.A.

(25% OFF Last Year’s Competitors Prep. Fee)

SMS Mobile Marine Service *36 )LVKILQGHU ,QVWDOODWLRQ ‡ 2XWERDUGV , 2ªV ‡ ,QERDUGV Call for appointment ‡ 941-232-3523

CLEANING

WILLS, TRUSTS, PROBATE, ELDER LAW

6150 State Road 70 E., Bradenton, FL

Classified Ads Bring Results • 941-955-4888

Pet Services DOGGY HOTEL. 24 Hour Daycare. Brown Avenue near Bee Ridge and 41 behind Sleep King (new owner). First day FREE. Grooming by Mark.

Meet and greet and get a treat. 941-554-4620.

APPLIANCE SERVICE

ATTORNEY ,OU +AKOURIS % !

20 years experience

YOUR VERY OWN ADMIN ASSISTANT Judith Merkt, Owner Bonded & Insured Providing personal and administrative assistance to individuals and small businesses ‌ a reliable and skilled resource ready and able to attack your To-Do List. Let me help you get your projects and tasks done - make the call or send the email.

Office: 941.379.6302 Cell: 941.928.4325 Email: jamerkt@comcast.net Website: www.yourveryownassistant.com

BOAT SERVICES

TAX RETURNS (941) 556-9090 72768

JW DIVERSIFIED 1 Call Does It All, Job Big or Small!

Local Business 30 years, jwdiversified@hotmail.com, 941-780-3927.

Personal Services

APPLIANCE REPAIR

VAL’ S

L.K. ACCOUNTING & TAXES, INC. Call 941-752-1040

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

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.

Child Care Services

Computer Services

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

ADULT CARE. Let us take care of your elderly loved one in our family care home. Licensed by the Sate of Florida. Nice clean family home.

Reasonable price. 941-922-8340.

BABYSITTING: RESPONSIBLE lady will babysit in your home. Hours flexible. Florida driver’s lic.

References available. 941-650-5719.

WILL CLEAN homes, windows, offices. Also, can transport people to appointments. Holiday Discount. 941-993-4375.

70687

Your Source for

WE WILL clean your home or business. We are honest, reliable and efficient. Very meticulous with 20 yrs. experience. References available. Call Lisa, 412-915-9077.

TRAINING - Get going fast with e-mail, Internet, Digital Photos, Word, Skype, Craig's, Online Banking, Facebook, Smart Cell Phone.

781-789-7847.

A LENDING HAND, INC. Caregivers/Companions, Hourly 24/7 Care, Transportation, Social Outings, Dr. Appts., Housekeeping, Meal preparation, Respite Care.

Phone: 941-809-3725

RESERVE YOUR VACATION NOW!!

LUXURY BEACH RENTALS‌COTTAGES TO CONDOS‌ONE TO FOUR BEDROOM‌LOOK NO FURTHER THAN FLORIDARENT.COM DISCOUNTED RATES 20-40%...CALL TODAY!!

PLEASE MENTION CODE OBS2011 941 383 3117 800 331 7293

Painting/Wallpapering NULOOK PAINTING AND DECORATING From regular painting to color washes, wood graining and textures. 15 Years experience with references.

Design and color consultation. Call 941-445-4218 or visit our website: www.nulookpaintinganddecorating.com

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

RENTALS 4 NIGHT MIN. GULF FRONT/ GULF VIEW

www.LarrySellsSarasota.com

Cleaning 50% OFF FIRST CLEANING!! Call Housemaids today for a Free estimate! 941-953-4300, www.gohousemaids.com

70315

One Site for All Your Needs!

YourObserver.com

mariecc1@yahoo.com

Ask about our in-home Dining Server Service

73268

Homes For Sale

27 Classifieds 27A

THE SARASOTA OBSERVER/ SARASOTA Observer THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 Thursday, January 19, 2012

www.yourobserver.com

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www.chiconthecheap.net chiconthecheap@gmail.com

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

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Grab Bar Installations & Handyman Services GLENN KROECKER

,ICENSED )NSURED s &REE %STIMATES

Licensed & Insured

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3690387-01

73265

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FURNITURE REPAIR

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Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance

STEVE PANEBIANCO HOME REPAIR SERVICE

966-5094

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Cell #809-7311

24/7 SERVICE

ESTIMATES!

SCOTT WOOLF HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE

Peg’s Peg’ EZ Computer Computer Instruction Peg s EZ Instruction 72944

359-1904

31 Years Experience, Prompt, Reliable Service, I Call Back My Customers, Keep My Appointments, AND Your Satisfaction is My Goal.

We sell boxes!

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U.S. DOT No. 1915800

scottmwoolf1@gmail.com

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69889

Work at Your Own Speed Affordably Priced New Computer Setups Software & Printer Install New Purchase Consults Working with Photos

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PATIO REPAIRS Furniture Repairs FurnitureSales Sales &&Repairs

941-921-7552

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Native Son Landscape Services, Inc. GO GREEN!

LIGHTHOUSE ELECTRIC Lic. #ER0013984

954-1878

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3204 Gulf Gate Dr., Sarasota (Across from the Library)

100

In-Home Consultation & Do-It-Yourself Plan

DRYWALL

PC & LAPTOP REPAIR

VIRUS & SPYWARE EXPERTS! LAPTOP REPAIR SPECIALISTS

Quality Furniture Made With Fine Wood #VJMU *OT t &OUFSUBJONFOU $FOUFST t "SNPJSFT $PNQVUFS %FTLT %JOJOH 3PPN 5BCMFT t )VUDIFT 'VSOJUVSF 3FQBJS 3FmOJTIJOH t $BCJOFU 3FGBDJOH

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YOUR DESIGN - YOUR CHOICE OF WOOD

COMPUTER

On Site or In Shop

Mottern :2 20 2':2 5.,1* &

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We Use Organic Products

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Beautiful Interior Design on a Budget

71829

s -OVE )NS -OVE /UTS (OUSE #ONDO /FlCE #LEANING #ARPET &LOOR #ARE

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Call Liz for the Best Price

INTERIOR DESIGN

72681

Unique Cleaning Service NEW TV - CALL ME

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72654

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)NS

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or PaintJobBoys@AOL.com

SANDPIPER PAINTING, INC

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73292

72704

Satisfying Customers for 21 years in Sarasota County 3674387-01

WE ONLY CLEAN DRYER VENTS WE USE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT Are You Having Dryer DifďŹ culties?

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UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x17E;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;LĂ&#x2022;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;VÂ?Â&#x153;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â?Â?Ă&#x160;Ă&#x153;iĂ&#x152;Ă&#x160;>vĂ&#x152;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;­£ŽĂ&#x160;`Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x17E;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;VĂ&#x17E;VÂ?iÂś UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x17E;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;}iĂ&#x152;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;VÂ&#x2026;Ă&#x160;Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;`Â&#x153;iĂ&#x192;Â&#x2DC;½Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;Â&#x2026;i>Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x2022;ÂŤĂ&#x160;>Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;>Â?Â?Âś

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Commercial

73294

FREE

ESTIMATES

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72589

Quality Work with a Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Touch

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s $RIVEWAYS s 3IDEWALKS s 0ATIOS

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72590

DECORATIVE SURFACES FOR: PATIOS, POOL DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, ENTRYWAYS

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PROMPT

than Dewey RESPONSE NaPainting COMPANY

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) # # s $/4 &, -/6%23 )-

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THE SARASOTA OBSERVER/PE Thursday, January 19, 2012 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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s 2EPAIRS s 2EMODELS s )NSTALLS s s $RAINS 3EWERS s #LEANING s 2EPIPING s Disposal Special $139 Installed Reg. Price $179 Installed

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Fully Licensed - Insured - CertiďŹ ed

an

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

h50 4/ 34!.$!2$ 7).$/73 s v (/,)$!9 30%#)!,3

Vinyl Liner Replacements & Repair on All Vinyl Inground & Above Ground Pools

WE HAVE THE BEST WEEKLY POOLCARE RATES ON SIESTA KEY!

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

s

753-8714

Vinyl Specialist Since 1970

WorkS for you!

Res./Com.

Servicing All Your Fencing Needs www.arrowfencesystems.com FREE ESTIMATES 73081

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Licensed & Insured

WINDOWS

ARROW FENCE

All Vinyl Liner Pools

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The Service DirecTory

Residential

South Florida Tub & Tile ReďŹ nishing

s 2ElNISH s 2EPAIR s #OLOR #HANGES s "ATHTUBS s 4ILE

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Call 955-4888 to reserve your space.

FREE ENERGY ANALYSIS AND ESTIMATE

Commercial

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with mention of this ad

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3PECIALIZING IN 0ALM 4REES s 4REE 4RIMMING 2EMOVAL s 9ARD #LEAN 5P

ANY SERVICE W/THIS COUPON 24 HR. EMERGENCY SERVICE

A Limb OnService Out Tree Serving Sarasota for 27 Years

$20.00 OFF

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s &ULL PLUMBING SERVICES s &2%% PLUMBING CHECK s .O TRIP CHARGES

/, Ă&#x160;, "6 Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;/, Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;*,1 Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;-*, Ă&#x160; Â&#x2021;1* >Ă&#x2022;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;-Â&#x2026;iÂ?Â?Ă&#x160;7Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Â&#x153;LV>Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;7Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;9>Ă&#x20AC;`Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;EĂ&#x160; Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x203A;iĂ&#x153;>Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x192; UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x160; ", t

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Insured and Licensed Professional Service Since 2005

Sell your service with success.

Advertise in the Service Directory Call 955-4888 for more information... www.yourobserver.com

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Family Owned & Operated s Third Generation Master Plumber

s $RAIN 3EWER #LEANING s "ACKmOWS )NSTALLATION s 2E PIPING (OUSES 3LAB ,EAKS s .ATURAL 'AS )NSTALLATIONS !PPLIANCE (OOK UPS s 0OWER &LUSH #OMFORT (EIGHT 4OILETS s !LL 7ATER (EATERS 4ANKLESS 'AS 3OLAR s !LL -AJOR 0LUMBING &IXTURES 2EPAIRED OR 2EPLACED s 'ARBAGE $ISPOSALS s .EW 7ATER 3EWER 3ERVICES s $ISHWASHERS )NSTALLED s 7ELLS 0UMP 2EPAIRS

Insured

LV1408

Complete Plumbing Services & Repairs Residential, New Construction and Commercial No Overtime, No Trip Charge No Job Too BIG or Too SMALL. We DO IT ALL!

Licensed

REMODELING/HOME IMPROVEMENT

CVC56744

General Plumbing Services Inc.

70962

400-4864

DRAIN CLEANING

71830

THE

DRAIN

925-8448

71118

FREE Appraisals Throughout Sarasota Until April 30, 2012 Will travel Florida to Maine and all points in between phone 941.554.4657 email LFrankRonald@aol.com

ELECTRIC WTR HTRS $499!!

Licensed & Insured

10 Years Experience

72593

American Philatelic Society Dealer Since 1969

PLUMBING

TREES

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BUYER OF ALL STAMP COLLECTIONS

72706

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941-928-4845

RONALD FRANK

s %XCELLENT REFERENCES

(941) 545-6816

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Call Sam 600-4169

Bella J Events

s /VER YEARS EXPERIENCE

941-755-6300

CRACKED TILE?

Party and Event Assistants Bartenders, Private wait staff, etc ..

s $OG 7ALKING

Sarasota.MrRooter.com

TILE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Melanie

s 0ET 3ITTING

Fast Quality Service at Reasonable Rates Ins./Lic. #RF0048866

Call Now for a Free Estimate (941) 962-0395

POWER WASHING

Licensed & Insured

Ask us about Superscreen Rescreening pool cages, lanais, etc.

73303

(Weekly)

SCREENING

40-year resident of Sarasota

PET SERVICES

All Major Credit Cards Accepted

$39 mo $63 mo

69892

7 D A Y S I N & O U T

Save Money $ $ $ Save Money $ $ $ Save Money

ALL PLUMBING REPAIR

Chemical Only Full Service

Aveda-Hair Salon

3673529-01

/HVV 0HVV Â&#x2021; /HVV 7LPH Â&#x2021; /HVV 0RQH\ 6HH :HE 6LWH 6KRZURRP 3LFWXUHV 6DPSOHV ZZZ ]HSSDUWLQF FRP -HII =HSS 'HFRUDWLYH )DX[ $UWLVW

by

$39 mo

Salon Capelli

5057 Ocean Blvd.

Siesta Key Village 941-349-5257

72594

No Demolition

Hand Painted Cabinets, Furniture, Walls, Countertops & More

Pet Care

Twice A Month (Full Service)

71226

7 D A Y S I N & O U T

No Demolition

STARTING FROM

70321

No Demolition

SERVICES

72596

(941) 388-3580

Š _Â&#x201E;Â&#x160;{Â&#x2C6; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2C6; fw Â&#x201E;Â&#x160; Â&#x201E;} Š fÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2020;yÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201E; Y{ Â&#x201A; Â&#x201E;} h{Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x152;wÂ&#x201A; Š mwÂ&#x201A;Â&#x201A;Â&#x2020;wÂ&#x2020;{Â&#x2C6; h{Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x152;wÂ&#x201A; Š j{Â&#x17D;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2C6;{z \ Â&#x201E; Â&#x2030;~{Â&#x2030; Š ZÂ&#x2C6;Â?Â?wÂ&#x201A;Â&#x201A; h{Â&#x2020;w Â&#x2C6;C h{Â&#x2020;Â&#x201A;wy{Â&#x192;{Â&#x201E;Â&#x160;

SALONS

72655

73267

Fully Insured

POOLS

71644

Specializing in Residential Painting

YourObserver.com

72595

PAINTING

Corby J. deKozlowski

Classifieds 29A 29

www.yourobserver.com

30

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

Ogilvie

+IM -ICHAEL +IM -ICHAEL

1UIET RESOLVE 2EMARKABLE RESULTS 1UIET RESOLVE 2EMARKABLE RESULTS

Voted Sarasota Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best in Client Satisfactionâ&#x20AC;?

SEVEN Consecutive Years

Zen-Like Idyllic Residence on Siesta Key LEGENDS BAY

THE SAVOY

Like-new turnkey furnished executive home Ultra sophistication downtown. SW corner 941.376.1717 MICHAELSAUNDERS COM 941.376.1717 s WWW 3ARASOTA&INE(OMES COM s +IM/GILVIE s WWW 3ARASOTA&INE(OMES COM s +IM/GILVIE MICHAELSAUNDERS COM

on lake in gated community adjacent to the -AIN 3TREET s 3ARASOTA &LORIDA -AIN 3TREET s 3ARASOTA &LORIDA 941.376.1717 exceptional IMG Academies. 4 bedroom

www.SarasotaFineHomes.com

KimOgilvie@michaelsaunders.com 1.2 acres of lush tropical landscaping surrounds this striking home. 5 bedrooms, 4½ baths, large studio/ bonus room above garage, heated pool, stunning interior decorated in a cool coastal scheme. Relax and enjoy this unique, tranquil and sensual property listed for $1,785,000 A3954290

1801 Main Street Sarasota, Florida 34236

Penthouse has magazine quality interiors.

Masterfully designed floor plan for the ultimate in entertaining. Open bay and harbor views with terraces that afford incredible sunset view. Executive office, formal dining room and enclosed, air conditioned 3 car garage.

Amenities galore. $2,345,000

suites plus office, two-story living room, large eat-in kitchen with 2-sided fireplace, family room, game/media room, outdoor entertainment area, 2 wet bars, top of the line appliances, wine room, heated pool and spa, 3 car garage and much more. $1,750,000

The Dipinto Collection

Betsy de Manio, RealtorÂŽ Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate 5145 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota, FL

office: 941-349-2922 cell: 941-914-5540

Longboat Key â&#x20AC;˘ Lido Key â&#x20AC;˘ St. Armands Key â&#x20AC;˘ Bird Key â&#x20AC;˘ Siesta Key â&#x20AC;˘ West of Trail Market Your Property to the World

betsy@betsydemanio.com

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Owned and Operated by NRT,LLC

Longboat Key $8,450,000 Gorgeous Open Bay Front. 11,000 Total SF. The Epitome of Luxury awaits you. This newer built masterpiece sits on one full acre of pristine land.

Call Stephen P. Stevens at 941.349.6636 Stevens & Salt, Inc. Realtor

Dan Miller

941-376-7442

www.DanDMiller.com Selby on Siesta!

A private estate-size tropical paradise of nearly an acre on the Grand Canal! Covered boat dock, 12K lift.

3BR/2BA airy home overlooks pool and cabana. Private street at end of cul-de-sac and can be gated.

4 buildable lots.$1,765,000 MLS#A3931414 100+â&#x20AC;&#x2122; OF SAILBOAT WATER PARADISE ON SIESTA KEY! Extensively renovated 3BR/2BA canal front home offers Bay Views. Impact windows, custom cabinets, porcelain flooring and marble counter-tops.

New metal roof in 2010. Home is 3rd from the bay. 2-Car Garage $950,000 MLS#A3945126 INVESTOR ALERT! 4 INCOME PRODUCING RENTALS Directly across from Siesta Beach!

Build a 2-Story Duplex on Beach Road Property with unobstructed full Southwestern Gulf View!

Earn up to $72,000 in Seasonal Rent, or $55,000 minimum annual rent. $949,000 MLS#A3950158 Full Gulf View- Crescent Royale!

Completely remodeled and being sold Turnkey Furnished - high-end tile floors - custom cabinets - granite counters - SS appliances - Flat Screen TVs - This condo has it all! + Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Great Rental! Seller Finance.

Price Reduced $389,000 MLS#A3909275 Best Value Bay Oaks Townhouse!

2BR/2.5B, TKF, beautifully remodeled, SS appliances, granite countertops. Large rooms w eat-in kitchen, Professionally decorated. $339,000 MLS#A3928919

To View these or other area properties, Call Dan Miller at 941-376-7442

Lido Beach

$

2,395,000

Bay Front with incredibly rare 240â&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Deep Waterfront. 5BR/5BA & 3-car garage. Walk to St. Armandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or to the Beach. Built 2001.

Gulf Front. New custom crafted 9,000 SF residence. Architecturally designed show home. Constructed to your exact specifications.

1,799,000

$

Siesta Key

95â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Direct Gulf Front home site with County and State Dep permit in hand. Peaceful and quiet, South Siesta location with gated access.

3,499,000

$

Siesta Key

Magnificent 7,214 SF Masterpiece on Siesta Key. Impressive 2-story great room and kitchen situated on 3 Bay front lots totaling 151 ft. of waterfront.

Longboat Key

$

354,900

Big Bay Views! 2BR/2BA condo with covered parking. Deep water boat slips for $12 per foot per year.

Convenient to St. Armandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Beach.

Patrick DiPinto & Coldwell Banker Previews International â&#x20AC;˘ 20 years of sales experience â&#x20AC;˘ Top 1% of all Sarasota Realtors â&#x20AC;˘ Luxury property specialist

â&#x20AC;˘ Aggressive home marketing plan â&#x20AC;˘ Superb negotiating skills â&#x20AC;˘ Active member in the community

Coldwell Banker offers our sellers the power of more than 3,300 PHYSICAL Coldwell Banker offices worldwide. Our dominant market presence consists of 90,000 sales professionals globally, including nearly 5,000 sales agents and 90 PHYSICAL Coldwell Banker offices in Florida alone. ** Coldwell Banker Previews handles on average $68.9 million in luxury home sales per day.**

Use these pages to promote your: Call Bob Lewis 941-366-3468, ext 357 or e-mail: blewis@yourobserver.com Ads start as low as $62.50

OWNED AND OPERATED By NRT, LLC

Dedicated to Luxury Real Estate

Top 1% of All Sarasota Realtors

Direct: (941) 323-0033 Office: (941) 387-1866 | Patrick@DiPintoCollection.com

BROKERS & REALTORS

Residential Real estate

â&#x17E;§

â&#x153;&#x201D; New Brokerage AfďŹ liation â&#x153;&#x201D; New Listings â&#x153;&#x201D; Move-In-Ready Listings â&#x153;&#x201D; Water Views â&#x153;&#x201D; Open Houses â&#x153;&#x201D; Price Reductions â&#x153;&#x201D; Sold Properties â&#x153;&#x201D; Seasonal Rentals 73518

Easy bike or walk just 3 blocks to worldfamous Siesta beaches, restaurants and galleries. Move in ready 2BR/2B turnkey furnished unit in bayfront community with tennis, fishing pier, two pools & more. $249,000

Longboat Key $7,950,000

LV2382

Walk to Siesta Key Beaches...

Mortgage Amortization Table (Monthly Payments per $1,000) %RATE

5-YEARS

10-YEARS

15-YEARS

20-YEARS

25-YEARS

30-YEARS

4.0

18.42

10.12

7.40

6.06

5.28

4.77

4.5

18.64

10.36

7.65

6.33

5.56

5.07

5.0

18.87

10.61

7.91

6.60

5.85

5.37

5.5

19.10

10.85

8.17

6.88

6.14

5.68

6.0

19.33

11.10

8.44

7.16

6.44

6.00

6.5

19.57

11.35

8.71

7.46

6.75

6.32

7.0

19.80

11.61

8.99

7.75

7.07

6.65

7.5

20.04

11.87

9.27

8.06

7.39

6.99

8.0

20.28

12.13

9.56

8.36

7.72

7.34

SARASOTA Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

Judie Berger

Trust

31

THE REALTOR WITH PROVEN RESULTS y voted SARASOTA MAGAZINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIVE STAR â&#x20AC;&#x153;BEST IN CLIENT SATISFACTIONâ&#x20AC;? 7 YEARS IN A ROW

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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Diversions YourObserver.com

voice recoGnition

THURSDAY, january 19, 2012

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Heidi Kurpiela

“Opera, to me, is the study of singing correctly,” Joseph Ryan says. “I don’t mean to negate the value of pop music or blues or jazz, (but) I’m an opera guy. It’s the main thing I aspire to do every day.”

A Life out Loud It’s hard to believe Joseph Ryan used to be shy. The booming baritone cantors at three churches, sings with the Artist Series, Gloria Musicae and Key Chorale. He often sheds his good guy rep to play the villain in an opera.

When Joseph Ryan opens his mouth — watch out. His voice is as deep as it thunderous, and if you’re not careful, it could blow you over in a confined space — i.e., his apartment.

Listening to a male opera singer belt out “O du mein holder Abendstern” from Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” is impressive enough when it happens on stage.

In a one-bedroom apartment, it

can make you feel claustrophobic, or what it might have felt like to be married to Pavarotti.

“I don’t sing before 10 (a.m.) or after 9 (p.m.),” Ryan says nonchalantly. “I know I can be loud.”

COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

INSIDE

BACKSTAGE PASS: Whitlock navigates the art world by using fishing background / 5

Black Tie THE SOCIAL OBSERVER

Sunshine From Darkness Gala PAGES 9-10

KITCHEN CLASSICS A chef comes home: Darwin’s on Fourth / 8

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COVER STORY

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

(continued from page 1)

Heidi Kurpiela

“You’ve got to know when to dial it back,” Joseph Ryan says of his penchant for playing villains. “It doesn’t mean you get to be angry and evil all the time. You have to have composure.”

HOW RYAN KEEPS FROM GETTING HOARSE • He drinks water all day.

• He gets a good night’s sleep.

• He sings warm-up exercises in the car on the way to a performance, even if passing motorists give him funny looks.

• If he’s over-sung the night before, he doesn’t rest his voice completely. He simply hums lightly throughout the day.

• He follows the sage advice of Pavarotti, who once said, “If I don’t sing for a day, I know it. If I don’t sing for two days, everybody else knows it.”

The last time the 30-yearold baritone rehearsed in his apartment, a neighbor mocked him by chanting “Figaro, Figaro” from a nearby balcony.

The response didn’t ruffle Ryan. At least the heckler knew Figaro was a baritone role.

“To tell you the truth,” Ryan says, “music in general helped me come out of my shell. Singing in front of a sea of people can be extremely empowering or extremely intimidating. I’ve had to learn how to open up and put myself out there.”

It’s safe to say he feels more empowered these days.

Since arriving five years ago in Sarasota to study with the Sarasota Opera’s Apprentice Artist Program, Ryan, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, has padded his resumé with a dizzying number of local gigs.

He’s a cantor at three churches: First United Methodist Church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key. He regularly sings with Gloria Musicae, the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra and the Brandon Choral Society.

In addition to these performances, he gives private lessons and works as a voice teacher at Best Buy. (That’s right. The big-box retailer now offers in-store music lessons. According to Ryan, it’s a “Geek Squad for music” and it’s more sophisti-

The bibles of an opera buff: music by Mozart, Verdi and Samuel Barber. cated than you’d think.)

“I don’t know if it’s a character flaw, but I like to be validated in what I do,” Ryan says. “It’s really rewarding to see students get it.”

Last fall he replaced Key Chorale’s longtime bass section leader Dan Cartlidge, a role that has brought him even more validation in what is predicted to be a high-profile season for the 100-voice chorus.

In addition to last weekend’s spine-tingling Cirque des Voix collaboration, Key Chorale’s 2012 season includes original Radiohead covers with Sybarite5 and a summer tour of Ireland and Scotland.

“Joe was my first phone call when the position opened up,” says Joseph Caulkins, artistic director of Key Chorale. “He has a really wonderful voice and a great sense of technique.

When you bring someone like that into your organization, everyone else gets a little better.”

As passionate as he is about his choral and cantor engagements, he’s a bona fide zealot

when it comes to opera, especially when it comes to playing villains.

“When you’ve got a lower voice, you’re usually stuck playing the old guy, the sidekick or the villain,” Ryan says. “I don’t mind playing the villain.

They’re larger-than-life characters.”

They’re also drastically different than the singer’s real-life persona.

Tall with clean-cut, strawberry-blond hair, the Ohio native is even-tempered and polite; a nice guy who reads science fiction when he has the time and whose DVD collection includes a box set of “Columbo.”

As a child he sang as a boy soprano in children’s choirs and, at the urging of his parents, studied the violin, which he credits with giving his voice a natural musicality.

He gave up playing the instrument in ninth grade.

“It was dangerously difficult,” he says. “I was not able to devote the time it takes to perfect it.”

Instead, he devoted every ounce of his energy to singing, which, in hindsight, was probably no less “dangerously difficult” or time-consuming.

How else do you explain the fact that Ryan, who admittedly enjoys indie rock music, hasn’t been to a non-classical music concert in nearly a decade?

“I got free tickets to see Chicago when I was still in college,” he says. “I remember thinking, ‘These old guys still got it in them,’ and then I thought: ‘Why is everyone around me talking?’”

Lucky for Ryan, the people who turn out for his concerts usually don’t talk through a performance. Even more promising: A male opera singer doesn’t peak before he’s 30.

The singer’s vocal chords are starting to calcify, meaning the voice he has now will likely be the voice he has for the rest of his career.

“You stop changing,” Ryan says. “Your voice is not going to go up and it’s not going to go down, so you better use it to the best of your ability.”

He hums a few bars under his breath, the sound of which is so low and warm it almost vibrates the walls.

“I have a level of control to my singing now that I didn’t have when I first started,” Ryan says. “I feel like things are only going to get better from here.”

See a video of Joseph Ryan performing.

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3

COLUMN

art scene HEARD

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

+ Woods works the crowd at RCAD There’s always something (or someone) putting a spell over the staff and students at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Last week it was James Woods, who worked the crowd with the gracious charm of a veteran movie star, belying any resemblance to the seedy characters he’s famous for playing.

On Jan. 10, the 64-year-old actor hosted a Q&A session at the college following a screening of his 1986 film, “Salvador,” for which he was nominated for best actor.

Prior to being engulfed by photographers and fans, Woods took a few minutes to chat with me about his time in Sarasota.

It turns out this wasn’t his first trip to the area. The actor has cousins in Bradenton (don’t we all?) and has been shooting an A&E miniseries in Orlando.

Woods, a char-

+ José Carreño pulls double duty as tour guide

HOT TICKETS

acter actor who has lent his distinctive voice to animated features such as “Hercules,” “Stuart Little 2” and “Surf’s Up,” was blown away by the college’s animation department and the talent of the student body.

“I was surprised by how sophisticated their work is,” Woods says. “These guys will be able to step right into the professional world without a problem, which isn’t always the case when you go to college. It can be a shock. It’s like playing college football and then going to play for Green Bay. Good luck with that.”

The actor is the first of several Hollywood hitters scheduled to participate in this year’s Digital Filmmaking Studio Lab at Ringling College.

Look for Elijah Wood next week.

He’s scheduled to pay a visit Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 to the campus, where he’s sure to be bombarded by Middle Earth groupies.

‘Celebrate Circus’: Grab your kids and your camera for a colorful afternoon of circus-themed obstacle courses, crafts, music and games at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. “Celebrate Circus” runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, and includes the grand opening of the expanded Tibbals Learning Center. Admission is free for children 17 and under with paid adult admission. For more information, call 359-5700 or visit ringling.org.

‘Yentl’: This isn’t Barbra Streisand’s “Yentl.” With music by quirky singer/songwriter Jill Sobule and direction by Gordon Greenberg (“Working” and Barnum”), this version of “Yentl” at the Asolo Repertory Theatre has all the familiar women’s lib themes plus a fresh sound courtesy of a klezmer/folk rock band.

The show runs Jan. 20 through April 26. For more information, call 351-8000 or visit asolorep. org.

Scott Braun

Hillary Clemens and Andrew Carter in “Yentl.”

James Woods Photo by Heidi Kurpiela

José Manuel Carreño

Heidi Kurpiela

Throw me my fanny pack and passport. This is a sightseeing tour I can get behind!

In April, José Manuel Carreño (together with Carreño Dance Festival president and CEO Robert de Warren) will lead a tour of Cuba that includes five nights in Old Havana, landmark-hopping, rehearsals, classes and performances at the National Ballet of Cuba, a performance by the Conjunto Folklorico de Regla and what is sure to be the trip highlight — Carreño dancing with the Ballet Español de Cuba.

Registration is open now through Jan. 31, so book your spot now.

The trip runs April 14 to April 21.

For prices and more information, visit carrenodancefestival.com.

+ Sarasota Film Fest flashes new logo Lucky for digital illustrator Vince Fraser, the Sarasota Film Festival loves otherworldly digital babes.

The Londonbased artist has landed the SFF logo contract for the third year in a The new face of SFF row.

This year he created a side view of a female face rendered in aqua and purple — a nod, says Fraser, to Sarasota’s sunsets and Gulf waters and this year’s “See Things Differently” campaign.

In addition to unveiling the event’s signature graphic, festival

Illustration by Vince Fraser

organizers announced plans to host a free Town Hall-style meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 8 to discuss SFF’s 2012 programming.

The festival runs April 13 to April 22. The movie lineup will be available March 19 at sarasotafilmfestival.com.

Longboat Key Center for the arts 2012 Feature Artist!

Florida Hall of Fame Artist: Clyde ButCher

January 19 – February 24 Durante Gallery Opens to the Public: thursday, January 19

5 – 7 pm

RSVP Required: 941.383.2345 or lbkca@ringling.edu Artist Lecture: thursday, February 9 7:30 pm Tickets: $15

aLso on DIsPLay

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Ny artists and hermitage retreat Fellow rebecca Allan and Ken Cro-Ken

6860 Longboat Drive South, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Hours: M - F 9 am - 4 pm • RSVP to 941.383.2345 or lbkca@ringling.edu

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For more information go to www.clydebutcher.com

“Like the work of Ansel Adams, Clyde Butcher’s remarkable photographs gives us an access to nature we rarely see or experience. They not only reveal the intimate and majestic beauty of the Everglades - and the need to save the fragile environment - they also remind us of the abiding kinship we mortals share when we work together to preserve these magnificent places. Butcher’s art is a national treasure.”

- Ken Burns, Emmy-winning filmmaker

4 ■ Diversions >>

YourObserver.com

HIGHLIGHTS

■

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

by Rachel S. O’Hara | Staff Photographer

Artists gather in plein sight Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Jane Boyd mixes paint together on her palette.

The members of Plein Air Sun Coast met Thursday, Jan. 12, to enjoy the beautiful weather and paint plants, buildings and scenes in Towles Court. The group mem-

bers gather every Thursday at a different venue in the area. There were 15 artists last week who gathered to paint and be inspired by the area’s natural beauty.

Carol Baker sketches a drawing of her painting in a notebook before transferring the sketch to the canvas.

Terry Mason works on her painting.

Carmen Letelier works on a painting of a tree.

Paul Boivin, from Ottawa, Canada, works on his painting.

Left: Carol Baker adds blue paint to her palette.

Mary Ann Ellicott, of Venice, paints a yellow building, Right: Jane Boyd looks through a value filter composition guide before continuing with her painting.

Joan Peters and Heidi Gaudry are members of the Plein Air Sun Coast group.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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BACKSTAGE PASS

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5

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

An underwater treasure

Move over Guy Harvey — Steve Whitlock wants your job. The game-fish artist has files of navigational charts in his studio, an alligator hidden in his stockroom and skeletons in his closet.

Heidi Kurpiela

“The guys who buy my work know if it’s not authentic,” Steve Whitlock says. “You’ve got to talk fish and tackle. You’ve got to know the language, otherwise you’re not going to get respect.”

In high school he was always doodling in his notebooks, but art classes weren’t mandatory, so he never developed the skill. He was more of a shop guy.

That is, until he made a big mistake and went to jail.

“My wife would take the prints home and frame them,” Whitlock says of the watercolor landscapes he painted from prison. “She was working at a roofing company at the time, and one of her clients –– an artist by the name of Dick Kramer — took an interest in my work.”

Whitlock caught this tarpon in the Everglades five years ago. It’s painted in acrylic on canvas.

IF YOU GO The ninth annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jan. 28 and Jan. 29. Rated one of the top fine-art shows in the country, the festival will feature work by 250 artists. It’s free and open to the public. For more information, visit artfestival.com.

From 2004 to 2008, he licensed a line of T-shirts to Bealls. And he’s currently negotiating a T-shirt deal with Bass Pro Shops, where he already has a distribution deal for some of his art.

Whitlock spends his summers painting and fishing for more material. In the winter and the spring he exhibits at dozens of art festivals in coastal towns across Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, and Florida.

It’s a pretty cushy lifestyle, and no one seems more dumbfounded by it than Whitlock.

“It’s pretty unbelievable,” he says. “I figured I’d be a charter boat captain for the rest of my life.

I’m just a common working guy who stumbled upon this path. A lot of it was hard work, but a lot of it was dumb luck. I’m convinced the fish gods love me.”

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na, the 52-year-old fishing guide was taken to a minimum-security federal prison, where he met a watercolor artist who was serving time for money laundering.

Armed with plenty of time and a cheap set of watercolor paints, Whitlock started taking lessons from the inmate. After a few classes, it became obvious that the fisherman with the drug-smuggling charge was a lousy criminal, but a natural artist.

A self-described “Florida redneck,” Whitlock never knew he had artistic talent.

70036

Steve Whitlock is a former Navy man and a die-hard sportsman from South Florida who grew up fishing and hunting in the Everglades.

He’s got a true Florida accent, construction worker’s hands, a boat under his carport and a few deer heads mounted in his living room.

A successful game-fish artist, whose work is sold at Bass Pro Shops, Whitlock also has a degree from Ringling College of Art and Design. His darkest claimto-fame, a presidential pardon, is framed in his foyer.

“I’m the only kid in the art fair with a president’s pardon,” quips Whitlock, who will be among 250 artists exhibiting work at next weekend’s St. Armands Circle Art Festival.

Issued in 2007, the pardon granted Whitlock clemency for a crime he committed 23 years ago.

While working as a fishing guide in Naples, Whitlock, a newly married father, was arrested for smuggling marijuana across the Everglades.

It’s a part of his past he can’t ignore. Without it, his successful life as an artist doesn’t exist.

It’s a sort of Cinderella story, the kind of thing that lends itself to a Hollywood film or a memoir.

Served with a five-year sentence for conspiracy to import marijua-

Two years into his sentence, Whitlock was released from prison.

At the urging of Kramer, a wellknown tactical and military artist, Whitlock moved his family to Sarasota so he could study illustration at Ringling.

At 38, he graduated with a finearts degree. His senior thesis project was a saltwater, wildlife illustration, a theme that would set the tone for the rest of his career.

Business savvy and ambitious, Whitlock started peddling his work door-to-door. His most popular pieces were what he calls “chart art” — game fish and marine scenes painted on navigational charts.

Within days of graduating from Ringling, he drove from Sarasota to Naples, selling his work at frame and tackle shops along the coast.

In two days he made $7,000.

“I went as far as Boca Grande and ran out,” Whitlock says.

“That’s when I knew I had hit a homerun.”

Since then, the North Sarasota resident has become a household name among local collectors of marine and wildlife art.

Working out of a studio in his house, Whitlock produces an ongoing stock of inventory that he sells at art festivals in coastal towns from North Carolina, to Texas.

His collection has grown to include note cards, tournament art, custom commissions, book illustrations, cutting boards and apparel.

6 ■ Diversions

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

EVENTS 19 thursday

Bradenton Tickets $50. Call 365-3913, Ext. 1105.

Venice Musicale presents ‘M, M and More’

The Diamonds

11 a.m. at Venice Public Library Free. Call 497-2733.

3 and 8 p.m. at Venice Theatre Tickets $37. Call 488-1115.

Art After 5

Monday Night Movies at the Ringling ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’

5 to 8 p.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Tickets $5 to $10. Call 359-5700.

7 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater Tickets $7. Call 360-7399.

Night Music: Chamber Soirees Series

Marionettes and More: Erik Sanko and Jessica Grindstaff

Hermitage Artist Retreat 7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater Tickets $5. Call 360-7399.

Richard Nader’s Doo Wop Rock and Roll

8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $10 to $60. Call 953-3368.

‘Art of Murder’

8 p.m. at Island Players of Anna Maria Runs through Feb. 5.

Tickets $15. Call 778-5755.

20 friday New Music New College: Artist Conversation with Pianist Kathleen Supové and Randall Woolf

3:30 p.m. at Mildred Sainer Pavilion Free. Call 487-4888.

Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza: The Show 6:30 p.m. at Golden Apple Dinner Theatre Tickets $5. Call 366-5454.

Violinist Aaron Weinstein

Jazz Club of Sarasota 8 p.m. at Holley Hall Tickets $25 to $35. Call 366-1552.

‘Yentl’

Asolo Repertory Theatre 8 p.m. at Mertz Theatre Runs through April 26.

Tickets $28 to $74. Call 351-8000.

21 saturday Celebrate Circus! A Day for Family Fun

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Free admission for children 17 and under

The Cleveland Orchestra

8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $30 to $100. Call 953-3368.

Courtesy photo

The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast Performance Series with the Ariel String Quartet is Jan. 24, at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. with paid adult admission. Call 3595700.

Riverview High School Chorus and

Orchestra

7 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church Tickets $10 to $20. Call 923-1691.

Dick Hyman Concert

7:30 p.m. at Roser Community Church Tickets $5. Call 778-0414.

Endre Hegedüs Concert

7:30 p.m. at Bay Village of Sarasota auditorium Tickets $25. Call 966-5611.

Endre Hegedüs Concert

The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast’s Performance Series with the Ariel String Quartet

2:30 p.m. at Bay Village of Sarasota auditorium Tickets $25. Call 966-5611.

7 p.m. at Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee Free. Call 955-4942.

‘From England to Broadway’

‘Hemingway at the Crosley’

Suncoast Concert Band 3 p.m. at Church of the Palms Tickets $5. Call 907-0935.

The Powel Crosley Theater 7:30 p.m. at Crosley Estate Runs through Feb. 3.

Tickets $20. Call 722-3244, Ext. 0.

Great Romantic Piano Impressions: From Classics to Gershwin

Pops Concert Series ‘Legendary Broadway’

4 to 6 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota Call 358-0235.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota 7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater Tickets $35 to $40. Call 360-7399.

Ring Sarasota

ABBA The Concert

5 p.m. at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church Free. Call 922-1597.

GuitarSarasota International Concert Series: Kithara Duo

7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall Tickets $20 to $25. Call 362-2991.

Tim Conway & Friends

New Music New College: Pianist Kathleen Supové ‘Digital Diva’

7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $30 to $68. Call 953-3368.

The Diamonds

8 p.m. at Mildred Sainer Pavilion Tickets $15. Call 487-4888.

8 p.m. at Venice Theatre Tickets $37. Call 488-1115.

Pops: Wicked Divas

23 monday

Sarasota Orchestra 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $31 to $65. Call 953-3434.

22 sunday Pops Concert Series ‘Legendary Broadway’

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater Tickets $35 to $40. Call 360-7399.

24 tuesday

Maincourse Lecture and Lunch Series: ‘Contemporary Photography, What Lies Ahead’ by Tom Carabasi

11 a.m. at Longboat Key Center for the Arts Tickets $35. Call 383-2345.

Manatee Choice Affair Luncheon

Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida 11:30 a.m. at Renaissance on 9th,

8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $10 to $50. Call 953-3368.

25 wednesday Soiree Music and More

Sarasota Opera Guild 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Jewish Center of Venice Tickets $35. Call 966-6351.

‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe 8 p.m. at WBTT Theatre Runs through Feb. 19.

Tickets $28. Call 366-1505.

‘Next Fall’

8 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre Runs through March 25.

Tickets $19 to $40. Call 366-9000.

Damn Yankees

8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $30 to $60. Call 953-3368.

Opening Jan. 22 Jan. 22 - Feb. 19 Mon.- Sat. 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. Sunday 12 Noon - 4 P.M.

Two Period Homes

TICKETS $20 Showhouse Locations: 1524 Bay Point Drive & 1525 Gulfview Drive Sarasota 34236 Updating Your Home seminars every Monday at 10:45 with Ticket Purchase.

Tours begin at 1524 Bay Point Drive.

For tickets or group rates, call 941.780.1790

To Benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee and Sarasota Counties

www.DesignerShowhouseSarasota.com

72090

Sarasota Orchestra 5:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $25 to $35. Call 953-3434.

72179

ARTSCALENDAR

>>

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

>>

■

Diversions

YourObserver.com

■

7

REVIEWS

MUSIC >> Sarasota

Orchestra — Masterworks Concert: Llewellyn and Levin

Courtesy photos

Meryl Streep embodies Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”

FILM >> ‘The

Iron Lady’

Meryl Streep always takes acting to a higher plateau. In her new film, “The Iron Lady,” Streep gives a career crowning performance as the United Kingdom’s first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Director Phyllida Lloyd employs a flashback format to paint an intimate portrait of the formidable woman whom the Soviets dubbed “The Iron Lady.” From humble beginnings working in her father’s grocery store, Thatcher went on to attend Oxford and, eventually, became a member of Parliament.

The rest is history.

But history is where the film falls short. Aside from a segment devoted to the Falklands War, we glean little about her role in

the world. The movie does touch upon the U.K.’s huge economic crisis, IRA terrorism and union busting, but not in depth. For the most part, we’re watching an aging Thatcher becoming increasingly senile, as her deceased husband (the wonderful Jim Broadbent) follows her around the flat.

There’s a “The King’s Speech” moment in the film when PR pros are giving Thatcher a makeover.

She sheds her shrill trill, trading it for the breathy speaking style that becomes trademark. As Thatcher transforms, we become transfixed with Streep’s deadon physical resemblance to the prime minister.

Her performance as “The Iron Lady” is a total triumph and, frankly, the only reason to see the film. The walk, the talk and the intricate idiosyncrasies are amazing to behold. It’s reminiscent of watching Streep portraying Julia

Child in “Julie & Julia.” Her talent for becoming her character is unmatched. She is Thatcher.

But who was Thatcher? I have to question the decision of choosing the woman who directed “Mamma Mia!” to be in charge of such lofty subject matter. Lloyd makes grave historical mistakes in the film. We’re led to believe that Thatcher was the only female member of Parliament when the camera pans the House of Commons. In fact, there were 19 women MPs when she became Prime Minister in 1979. And one of the most exciting scenes, in which Airey Neave is assassinated, is inaccurate.

Given all of its shortcomings, “The Iron Lady” will most certainly garner a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Streep. It’s a pity that such a brilliant performance didn’t have better inspiration from which to shine.

— Pam Nadon

WE’RE BACK ON THE COURT AND BACK ON THE COURSE!

Robert Levin, a musician wellknown to local audiences through his work with the Sarasota Music Festival and to worldwide listeners because of his pianism, personality and scholarship, appeared last week with the Sarasota Orchestra and guest conductor, Grant Llewellyn.

The program showcased the skills of the pianist, orchestra and leader.

Like Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, now known as the “M*A*S*H” Quintet because it was played throughout the final segment of that television series, Mozart’s Piano Concert No. 21 has been dubbed the “Elvira Madigan” because parts of it were used in that film in 1967.

But, in the hands of Levin, it might well be named after him because the pianist has made it his own.

It was the custom during Mozart’s time for soloists to embellish, ornament and improvise not only cadenzas but also repeats of themes and even segments that are printed only for the orchestra. Levin, a Mozart scholar who could probably teach Wolfgang a thing or two about his works, knows how to weave his improvisations into a concerto without distortion and, at this performance, sans schmaltz or any other hint of a wink or a nod; we were hearing creativity and erudition at their best.

Although Levin’s musical joy is infectious, it’s his seamless melding of virtuosity and scholarship that makes his performance singular. Whether his planned

Grant Llewellyn spontaneity was instantaneous or previously shared with the conductor, Llewellyn seemed to breathe with every Mozart-Levin phrase, bringing the orchestra along as if its musicians were one organism. The tempos were graceful and proper, making this one of the most absorbing and fascinating renditions of this familiar work I’ve ever heard — live or on recording.

The same thing happened, without the soloist, of course, in Rachmaninov’s “Symphonic Dances.” The Russian-American composer was much influenced by other music of the time so, although the sound is pure Rachmaninov— filled with thick, juicy, organ-like chords and harmonies — colors of Copland, Ravel and Debussy seep into the mix. Solos by Concertmaster Daniel Jordan and first chair wind and brass players were beautifully articulated, lush and stylish.

Llewellyn, although masterful in the Mozart piano concerto and the opening overture and ballet music from “Idomeneo,” was at his best in the Rachmaninov, letting the orchestra shine with an economy of gestures reminiscent of Pierre Boulez with warmth.

— June LeBell

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8 ■ Diversions >>

YourObserver.com

KITCHEN CLASSICS

■

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

by June LeBell | Contributing Columnist

A chef comes home:

Darwin’s on Fourth One of our favorite restaurants in Sarasota has been Selva Grill.

It’s on Main Street now, but, when we first went there, it was in a little (but charming) holein-the-wall in a strip mall near Swift Road in south Sarasota.

The original chef was Darwin Santa Maria, but he and his family have been on the move for a while, far, far away from Sarasota.

“I’ve been traveling to Colombia, Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, and France, but, most of the time, we were in the mountains, jungle and on the coast of Peru,” Santa Maria tells us, filling in some of the blanks. Now, this peripatetic chef has returned to Sarasota with a spacious, fun restaurant that brings us Peruvian food with a twist.

“Watching the influx of people from around the world moving to Sarasota,” he said, “we decided to open a place where locals and people from different nationalities can eat something familiar or try something they’d

never had before.”

What are some of those different things? “Urban street food.”

“This is a new type of dining, designed for me. We match tasting and plate-sharing,” Santa Maria explained as we strolled through the new restaurant on Fourth between Orange and Lemon.

And the atmosphere reflects the address (what other city has a restaurant between two fruit streets?) with exotic drinks “that start conversation.”

Not only are there exotic drinks, its also houses its own brewery.

“I got the idea of a brewery as a sort of dream a while ago,” Santa Maria says. “I saw this place in Lima, but I didn’t know enough about it or how it actually worked. But it seemed like such a great idea, having your own brewery with different kinds of beer to match the food.”

So, the dream was put on a back burner until “a buddy called and said this space was

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DIRECTIONS

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Place lime juice, three cloves garlic, red onion, cilantro and celery in the blender and blend until smooth. Toss with mussels and mahi-mahi and marinate in refrigerate for at least one hour.

Sauté shrimp in tomato juice and garlic until cooked, then strain and place in refrigerator. When ready to serve, combine shrimp with the marinated seafood and divide onto individual serving plates.

available in Sarasota. You have to remember, my heart is in Sarasota. I love its culture. It’s a mini-Manhattan with a cultured atmosphere. I love the beaches, and the people here are very cosmopolitan. This is a great food city, and it’s starting to become more comfortable with itself.

The restaurants are less trendy and more about quality and ingredients.”

But beer brewed on the premises and urban street foods aren’t the only things that set Darwin’s on Fourth apart. It’s the food.

“Peruvian food owes much to the combination of its rich natural resources with traditions of immigrant ethnic groups,” Santa Maria says. “Peru enjoys the bounty of three, clearly different regions: the coast, the Andean Mountains and the Amazon jungle; the indigenous foods of the Incas — potatoes, corn, fish and quinoa — have been influenced by the Chinese immigrants, leaving their mark by introducing stir-fry, soy sauce and ginger.”

The Italians also made their mark with Mediterranean flavors, along with Japanese and African influences, as well.

This all adds up to a culinary melting pot that’s irresistible to a lot of people whose diversities dissolve as they share their love of great food, flavors and tastes.

“Our casual fine-dining atmosphere and bar-lounge make us well suited for romancing, meeting up with friends or holding a special celebration,” Santa Maria says. “Urban street food naturally lends itself to a fresh, affordable menu. The Peruvian influences give healthy (and delicious) options. And Darwin’s bar offers a culinary-inspired approach to beer, wine and cocktails.”

And, there’s music and enter-

Rachel S. O’Hara

Darwin Santa Maria tainment, too, which provide the backdrop for a lively, spirited evening. Santa Maria’s musical tastes run from AC/DC, “to keep myself pumped” while he’s in the busy kitchen, to “Latin rock like Maná, or even top 40s,” for slower times.

Darwin’s will most likely not have too many slower moments.

Location, food, spirits and spirit will make this one of Sarasota’s most glamorous and quality nightspots, perfect for whatever you want that evening.

When we go, we’ll head for the quieter areas of the restaurant,

looking for the romance and the urban, upscale elements, perhaps leaving the late-night DJ in the lounge for other celebrations.

When we think of setting this grand new space to music, three pieces come to mind: Villa Lobos’ colorful “The Little Train of the Caipira,” which takes us on a musical joyride through the Brazilian interior); “The Geographical Fugue,” that wild and wooly spoken chorus by Ernst Toch; and, well, Jimmy Durante’s look at the culture of Peru: “Inca Dinka Doo.”

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Black Tie

INSIDE: Guest Fashion Editor: Lauren McComb / PAGE 15

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, january 19, 2012 Jane Thompson

Sunny outlook Mike and Jewel Ash, Irv Naiditch, Co-Chairwoman Lee Peterson and Marilyn Naiditch

Left: Patrick Kennedy’s stepdaughter, Harper Petitgout, was the first one out on the dancefloor.

By Loren Mayo | Black Tie Editor

Just call her “Little Miss Sunshine.”

Harper Petitgout was the first one out on dance floor at the Sunshine From Darkness Gala Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Her skipping and jumping begged the attention of her stepfather, 2012 Luminary Award honoree and former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, who sprang from his chair to twirl Harper around for an adorable father-daughter dance.

Emily Walsh Parry and Lee Peterson cochaired the affair, a lighthearted evening of cocktails, dinner, music and dancing to Scott Blum and Friends.

See more photos on page 10

Bob Peterson, Janice Radder, Brian Lipton and Flori Roberts

Bob Coppenrath and Joan Mendell

Co-Chairwoman Emily Walsh Parry and Patrick Kennedy

Joyce and Bob Tate

Photos by Loren Mayo

10 ■ Diversions

COVER

■

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

(Continued from page 9)

Charlotte Vaughn, Alisa Phillips, Melody Nelson, Jamie Smith and Ginger Moritz

Joan and Bob Biller

The Sarasota Military Academy cadets drumline participated in the presentation of dessert — chocolate pot de crème drums.

Jerry and Donna Beck Smith

Bunny Skirboll

Margaret Tryburski

Art and Fran Timmins with Carly and Edward Morris

68962

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

Diversions

YourObserver.com

■

11

COLUMN

black tie tales

Black Tie Affair

Starry Night Dinner, highlighting ‘Yentl’ 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the home of Chris and Aimee Cogan; Ticket $250; Call 351-9010, Ext. 4712 This weekend marks dinner No. 2 of the Starry Night Dinner Series, four exclusive dinners themed to one of Asolo Repertory Theatre’s productions. Each evening features fine wines, exquisite foods from gourmet chefs and entertainment

by Asolo Rep performers. Katherine Harris, Lee Peterson and Margaret Wise will co-chair the Jan. 21 dinner, which benefits the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

by Loren Mayo | Black Tie Editor

+ Like mother, like daughter You’ve heard of the little girls who raid their mother’s closet, trying on her too-big heels and blouses that fit like a dress instead of around the waist and prancing out the door in red lipstick?

What happens when the daughter is all grown up? Well, in this case, they share clothes!

Elle McComb and her daughter, Lauren, just so happen to wear the same size clothing and shoes and have the same taste in fashion. They love the same vintage tops, the same sequined dresses and the same jackets.

The other day, Elle McComb did her daughter a favor and picked up her dry cleaning, but she couldn’t help herself — she had to take a peek and see what was hiding inside the bags.

“She loved one of the dresses so much she immediately went home and ordered it online,” Lauren McComb said.

Lauren McComb is still playing dress up with her mother’s wardrobe, only now she gets to keep what she finds. Once a year, during Christmas, she’s allowed to choose one item from her mom’s closet. Whether it’s a Chanel corset top or a Chanel vintage bow purse, it’s an item to treasure forever because it belonged to her mother.

See more from Lauren McComb’s closest on page 15.

+ Tidbits

+ A new way to bedazzle

Photos by Loren Mayo

Jean Anne Frazier and Marsha Crawford

Ladies, pin one on … Carolyn Keystone and her décor chairwoman, Susan Scholz, are inviting their committee members and other Asolo Rep supporters to donate brooches they no longer wear to the Ragtime Revival gala set for March 17, in the Ringling Museum Courtyard. The plan is to incorporate the pins into the centerpieces and offer them for sale. Costume and fine jewelry pieces, contemporary, vintage or in between, all donations are welcome, the blingier the better. Contact Laura Wood at 351-9010, Ext. 4712 or Laura_Wood@Asolo.org ...

Something for everybody … “What a great invitation from SMH — I think it’s the best I’ve seen.” This high praise for the invitation to Sarasota Memorial Hospital

What does a woman do when she’s tired of wearing her necklace the traditional way? She loops it at the nape of her neck and lets it dangle down her back, of course!

Penny Hill was spotted donning her stunning new fashion trend out and about last weekend, and the result was so pretty, we had to take a picture.

+ Mirror image It all started when one woman said to the other, “I like your dress.”

We’re not going to play the “Who wore it better?” game, but Jean Anne Frazier and Marsha Crawford did show up to the Sunshine From Darkness Gala in the same black Caché dress.

Although the two women had never been introduced before the event, they were seen standing side-by-side several times throughout the evening.

Foundation’s Corinthian Supper Club and Speakeasy came from the former board president of a major Sarasota non-profit who has seen more than her share of its ilk.

The darkly dramatic triptych represents the three pieces of the party set for Feb. 25, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota: cocktails in the style of a 1920s piano bar at Cocktails & Cole at 6 p.m.; dinner, music and entertainment from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s at the Peacock Room at 7:30 p.m.; and dancing the night away to songs from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and beyond at the Corinthian Club at 9:30 p.m. Co-Chairwomen Kim Githler and Susan Jones developed the century-spanning concept; Paula Murray, of Artefact Design, created the impressive invite. For more information, contact Lisa Intagliata, 917-1286.

+ New feature: ‘Occasions’ Black Tie is starting a new feature called “Occasions” in which we bring you details of some of the most fabulous local weddings and share engagement announcements. Whether you attended the most-talked about event of the year or want to announce your own nuptials (or send an invitation to cover the wedding our way!), send your engagement and wedding announcements to Black Tie Editor Loren Mayo at lmayo@yourobserver.com.

Penny Hill

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St Clair & Hanslip Lose yourself in the irresistible pull of the opening to Mahler’s First Symphony. A “Titan” work, this epic symphony smashed expectations and is a giant in the symphonic repertoire. Also on the program is Mendelssohn’s popular violin concerto. This

You Helped us Raise $7 Million Dollars for Phase I

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exciting masterpiece is guaranteed to blow you away, especially in the hands of 24-year-old, British violinist Chloë Hanslip.

Road, completed inlocated 2001, consisting consisting of four fourat dome shaped and great hall 45,000Road, sq. ft. campusin on 17 Acres the shaped cornerbuildings of Fruitville Road and completed 2001, of dome buildings and one one great hallMcIntosh Dome 1 houses the Offices, Chapel and Middle School Classrooms for St. Martha Dome 1 houses the Offices, Chapel and Middle School Classrooms for St. and Martha Road, completed in 2001, consisting of four dome shaped buildings one great hall Dome 22 contains contains the the St. St. Martha Martha classrooms classrooms of of Jr. Jr. Kindergarten Kindergarten through 3rd grade Dome through 3rd grade Dome 1 houses the Offices, Chapel and Middle School Classrooms for St. Martha Dome 33 isisYou utilized

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multi-purpose room for for all all Art, school Masses, Physical Education Education Dome 4 holds the Cafeteria, Music, Spanish, Science, and Social Studies classrooms multi-purpose room school Masses, Physical Dome 1 houses the Offices, Chapel and Middle School Classrooms for St. Martha classes, After School Activities, Book and Science Fairs, classes, After School Activities, Book and Science Fairs, St. Anne Hall connects the four domes and currently servesthrough as the3rd main throughway and Dome 2 contains the St. Martha classrooms of Jr. Kindergarten grade Assemblies, Ceremonies, Ceremonies, and and Special Special Events Events Assemblies, Dome room 3 is utilized Free School for children with special learning needs multi-purpose for by allDreams schoolAre Masses, Physical Education St. Martha Martha School School has has 450 450 students students and and 50+ 50+ faculty/staff faculty/staff St. Dome 4 holds the Cafeteria, Art, Music, Spanish, Science, and Social Studies classrooms classes,with After Activities, twoSchool homerooms at each eachBook gradeand level Science from JK JK to toFairs, 8th withSt.two homerooms at grade level from 8th Anne Hall connects the four domes and currently serves as the main throughway and Dreams Are Free School hasSpecial 50 students and 10+ staff Assemblies, Ceremonies, and Events Dreams Are Freeroom School 50 students 10+ Education staff multi-purpose for has all school Masses,and Physical St. Marthaclasses, School 450 students Afterhas School Activities, Bookand and 50+ Sciencefaculty/staff Fairs, Assemblies, Ceremonies, Special Events with two homerooms at each and grade level from JK to 8th St. Martha School has 450 students and 50+ faculty/staff Dreams Are Free School has 50 students and 10+ staff

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Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues

43804380 Fruitville Sarasota, 34232 FruitvilleRoad, Road, Sarasota, FL FL 34232 www.stmarthaschool.net www.stmarthaschool.net 941.953.4181 941.953.4181

o a p c o Ne vins A a p

Carl St. Clair, conductor

Come as you are. Leave different. www.SarasotaOrchestra.org | 941-953-3434

d d em em yy

941.953.4181 St. Martha CatholiC SChool 941.953.4181 St. Martha CatholiC SChool

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12 ■ Diversions >>

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

CAMERA READY American Friends of Magen David Adom featuring Frida Ghitis Tuesday, Jan. 10 | Michael’s On East

Martin and Shelley Waldman and Vivien Kalbaria with Lana and Ronni Tudin

Photos by Loren Mayo

Chairwoman Gila Meriweather and event honoree Frida Ghitis

Lenny Landau, cantor Cliff Abramson and Jamie Avery

Joy Server and Lillian Richman

Rose and Jim Robertson

Bart Levenson, Meyer Bushman and Jerry Levinson

These shows reasonably priced from $12.00 to $22.50.

(These prices are per person and include tax- each show priced differently)

C i rCus sarasota p r e s e n t s

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! This January at the GPAC:

A LL Open WeeK InG tICKeenD ts

Music, Magic and Pizazz

$10 & $20!

with William Garron and JD Stanton Wednesday January 18 8pm

Michael Lasser & Friends Celebrate Jerry Herman Saturday January 28 8pm

Sarasota Concert Band Latin Rhythms

Fri, Feb 10th - sun, Feb 26th 2012 www.Circussarasota.org (941) 355-9805 under the Big top

Sunday January 29 2pm

Hello, Dolly!

Mame!

71799

(tuttle Ave & 12th st)

Order Tickets Now!

GPACTIX.com or 552-5325 72280

supporting non-profit Circus sarasota’s Year-round Community Outreach programs

Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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13

CAMERA READY

Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall Lecture Series Wednesday, Jan. 11 | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Newlyweds Dawn and Mike Bear

On Pointe Luncheon

Darranda Heggs and Bernice Heggs

Sarasota Ballet Association | Tuesday, Jan. 10 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Photos by Loren Mayo

Above: Former first lady Laura Bush and Town Hall Lecture Series Chairwoman Kristine Nickel Right: Pat Redmond and Margaret Ferguson

Retta Wagner and Peggy Abt

Christine Meistrich

Dick and Avone Thielen

Marlene Helfrich, Helen Burrill, Ringling College of Art and Design President Larry Thompson and Annie Kellis

Photos by Loren Mayo

Allison Forsyth and Yamil Maldonado

Kathy and Michael Bush

S A R A S OTA

POLO

CLUB

2012 SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE GATE Public Always Welcome Every Sunday at 1:00 pm Now through April 8th Gates Open at 10:00 am Admission: $10 each Under 12 Free

941.907.0000

sarasotapolo.com Take University Parkway 3.5 miles east of I-75 and turn right on Lorraine Road.

No riding experience needed to play. To learn more please call Juan Martinez-Baez at 314.496.5481.

71751

2 0 1 2 S A R A S O TA P O L O S P O N S O R S

Do you want a new and exciting experience?

14 ■ Diversions

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

CAMERA READY

OF SARASOTA SARASOTA

In the Historic Asolo Theater at the Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road – Sarasota

Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.

“Legendary Broadway” LEE ROY REAMS, song & dance man ALEX RYBECK, piano The New York Times hails him as “Broadways songand-dance man nonpareil” for his leading roles in 42nd Street, Hello Dolly! The Producers, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast...just to name a few.

Photos by Jen Blanco

John and Angela Campanella, with their English cocker spaniel, George, and Lauren Redington spent the afternoon tailgating with George and friends.

band weintraub cup

Sunday, February 12, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 14, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 15 | Sarasota Polo Club

“Once in a Generation” 17-year old prodigy...

CHAD HOOPES , violin DINA VAINSHTEIN , piano

Sarasota resident Nikki Taylor enjoyed spending time with her 3-year-old daughter, Madison.

73564

BRAHMS Violin Sonata No. 2 BACH Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor PROKOFIEV Five Melodies TCHAIKOVSKY “Souvenir d’un liu cher” Op. 42 RAVEL Tzigane

TICKETS BY PHONE HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER BOX OFFICE – DAILY 10A-4P

941-360-7399 T i c k e t s / d e t a i l s 2 4 / 7 a t w w w . a r t i s t s e r i e s c o n c e r t s . o r g

Ed and Wanda Martinetto, along with their dog, Gianni, and Gail Boyer and Dave Lacy enjoyed tailgating with the Lakewood Ranch Housewives.

Right: Randy and Nadia Watts came out with their boys, Sam, 7, and Ben, 4.

THE AWARD-WINNING SARASOTA

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ChoruS KeyS

Keri Baker & Patti Jones

oF

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UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHRIS OWENS, PRESENTS:

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A MUS

O T E G A Y I CA L VO

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and

D E N L I A IX FEATURING aS MARK TWAIN Rod Rawlings

7 pm , S aturday , F ebruary 25

RIVERVIEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

1 RAM WAY, SARASOTA — OFF PROCTOR BETWEEN SWIFT & HWY 41

www.chorusofthekeys.org or call 941-484-7589

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at

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PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

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Diversions

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15

FASHION

guestfashioneditor

Stella & Dot Pegasus Necklace

“It was featured on ‘Good Morning America’ and worn

by Lara Spencer.

The feather-like look makes it a statement piece.”

LaureN mccomb

Laundry by Shelli Segal

Phillip Lim top Black Halo Jackie O. dress

“This ruffle ribbon dress is my favorite girly-girl princess dress.”

Between whipping Sarasota into shape with Pure Barre classes, creating financial plans for clients as a financial consultant with Charles Schwab & Co. and outfitting the ladies with the latest Stella & Dot jewelry, Lauren McComb has developed quite the wardrobe.

Her style is sophisticated and classic and she loves dressing her look up with fun accessories.

Henri Bendel clutch

“This is a python clutch from Henri Bendel in New York City. It’s a great going-out bag and matches my Jimmy Choo stilettos.”

“This top, paired with black or blue skinny jeans, is perfect for a girls’ night out.”

“Although fashion is important to me, style is key. I like to be sophisticated and modern while keeping things fun with great accessories.

I like to have quality versus quantity and am always on the lookout for a fabulous deal.”

Jimmy Choo stilettos

“This is a staple dress that can go from a day at the office to a charity function. It’s a favorite among celebrities.”

“I like the built-in platform. It makes the shoes comfortable even though there’s a five-inch heel. They’re fun to wear at night and complete your look.”

Christian Louboutin Clic Clac Lace Bootie

“I thought they were stunning with the lace-and-button detail and the signature Louboutin bottom.”

Chanel Handbag

“You can dress up or down with this bag, and it goes with everything.”

Herve Leger dress

“This dress fits like a glove, and you look timeless in it!”

Louis Vuitton Scarf

Chanel Vintage Corset Top

“I wear this top with a pair of skinny jeans or to a black tie event.”

Chanel Vintage Purse “Every Christmas, my mother, Elle McComb, lets me pick out something from her closet.

This gorgeous bag is perfect with an evening gown.”

Diana E. Kelly pumps “I bought these gorgeous pumps at our Designing Daughters trunk show in December. They are beyond comfortable and great for work.”

“This is a classic piece to throw around your neck. It looks great with a cashmere sweater or coat — it’s very versatile.”

Tory Burch dress

“I saw it at the International Mall in Tampa, tried it on, and it fit so great that my mom bought the same one.”

By LOREN MAYO Black Tie Editor

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16 ■ Diversions

YourObserver.com

■

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

This Week Only INTERNATIONAL COIN COLLECTORS are in Bradenton & Sarasota!

Paying Cash for all Coins and anything Gold or Silver!

So whether you have one coin you think might be valuable or a large collection you recently inherited, you can talk to these collectors for free. If your’re lucky you may have a rarity worth thousands. Either way there is nothing to lose and it sounds like fun!

For more information on this event visit www.internationalcoincollectors.com

Here’s How It Works: • Gather items of interest from your attic, safe deposit box, garage, basement, etc. There is no limit to the amount of items you can bring • No appointment necessary • You get 100% of the offer with no hidden fees

What We Buy:

FREE ADMISSION

COINS

IN

Any and all coins made before 1970, rare coins, entire collections, Silver Dollars, Half Dollars, Quarters, Dimes, Half Dimes, Nickels, Three Cent Pieces, Two Cent Pieces, Cents, Large Cents, Half Cents and all others.

BRADENTON JANUARY 17TH - 22ND TUES-FRI 9AM - 6PM SATURDAY 9AM - 4PM

PAPER MONEY All denominations made before 1934.

GOLD COINS

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BRADENTON WEST

Including $20, $10, $5, $4, $3, $2.5, $1, Private Gold, Gold Bars, etc.

(OFF OF CORTEZ ROAD)

INVESTMENT GOLD

4450 47TH ST. WEST DIRECTIONS: (941)795-4633

Kruggerands, Canadian Maple Leafs, Pandas, Gold Bars, U.S. Eagles and Buffalos, etc.

AND

SCRAP GOLD Broken and unused jewelry, dental gold.

SARASOTA

JEWELRY

Diamond rings, bracelets, earrings, loose diamonds, all gem stones, etc.

JANUARY 17TH - 22ND MON & SAT 9AM-6PM, SUN 9AM-4PM

PLATINUM Anything made of platinum.

HOMEWOOD SUITES

SILVER

3470 FRUITVILLE ROAD DIRECTIONS: (941)365-7300

Flatware, tea sets, goblets, jewelry, etc. and anything marked sterling.

MORE INFO: (217) 787-7767

WE BUY ALL GOLD & SILVER JEWELRY

PAYING FOR COINS PRE-1970 & CURRENCY

INDIAN CENT UP TO $500*

WHEAT BACK CENT UP TO $1,500*

BRAIDED HAIR LARGE CENT UP TO $3,800*

2 CENT PIECE UP TO $2,000*

3 CENT PIECE UP TO $2,500*

BUFFALO NICKEL UP TO $1,800*

JEFFERSON “WAR” NICKEL UP TO $2,000*

LIBERTY “V” NICKEL UP TO $2,800*

SHIELD NICKEL UP TO $4,000*

CAPPED BUST HALF DIME UP TO $10,000*

BARBER DIME UP TO $2,800*

MERCURY DIME UP TO $3,600*

SEATED LIBERTY DIME UP TO $6,500*

STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER UP TO $4,400*

BARBER QUARTER UP TO $3,200*

WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR UP TO $4,700*

BARBER HALF DOLLAR UP TO $6,750*

KENNEDY HALF DOLLAR UP TO 8X FACE VALUE*

PEACE DOLLAR UP TO $3,000*

MORGAN DOLLAR UP TO $100,000*

1797 $1 UP TO $200,000*

1798 $5 UP TO $125,000*

DRAPED BUST HALF CENT UP TO $5,000*

1832 CLASSIC HALF CENT UP TO $80,000*

$2.5 LIBERTY HEAD GOLD COIN UP TO $3,800*

$5 LIBERTY HEAD GOLD COIN UP TO $4,500*

$10 INDIAN GOLD COIN UP TO $5,500*

$20 ST. GAUDENS GOLD COIN UP TO $6,800*

CALIFORNIA ARMS GOLD HALF DOLLAR UP TO $8,500*

GOLD DOLLAR TYPE II UP TO $14,000*

$5 DRAPED BUST RIGHT LE UP TO $40,000*

FLOWING HAIR STELLA GOLD COIN UP TO $125,000*

*This amount depends upon rarity, condition and what collectors are willing to pay

73413

ICCA will be placing ads in newspapers, radio and running television spots this week asking people to bring in any old silver and gold coins made before 1970. Those that bring in their coins will be able to speak with collectors one on one and have their coins looked at by a specialist. With the help of these ICCA members, offers will be made to those that have coins made before 1970. Offers will be made based on silver or gold content and the rarity of the coins. All coins made before 1970 will be examined and purchased including gold coins, silver coins, silver dollars, all types of nickels and pennies. Those that decide to sell their coins will be paid on the spot.

If you are like a lot of people you might have a few old coins or even a coffee can full lying around. If you have ever wondered what they are worth now might be your chance to find out and even sell them if you choose. They could be worth a lot according to the International Coin Collectors Association also known as ICCA. Collectors will pay a fortune for some coins and currency for their collections. If it is rare enough, one coin could be worth over $100,000 according to Eric Helms, coin collector and ICCA member. One ultra rare dime, an 1894S Barber, sold for a record $1.9 million to a collector in July of 2007. While that is an extreme example, many rare and valuable coins are stashed away in dresser drawers or lock boxes around the country. The ICCA and its collector members have organized a traveling event in search of all types of coins and currency. Even common coins can be worth a significant amount due to the high price of silver and gold, says Helms. Washington quarters and Roosevelt dimes can be worth many times their face value. Recent silver markets have driven the price up on common coins made of silver. Helms explains that all half dollars, quarters and dimes made before 1965 contain 90% silver and are sought after any time silver prices rise. Right now it’s a sellers market he said.

The rarest coins these collectors are looking for include $20, $10, $5 and $2 1/2 gold coins and any coin made before 1850. These coins always bring big premiums according to the ICCA. Silver dollars are also very sought after nowadays.

Other types of items the ICCA will be purchasing during this event include U.S. currency, gold bullion, investment gold, silver bars, silver rounds, proof sets, etc. Even foreign coins are sought after and will be purchased.

Also at this event anyone can sell their gold jewelry, dental gold or anything made of gold on the spot. Gold is currently trading at Record Highs.

Bring anything you think might be gold and the collectors will examine, test and price it for free. If you decide to sell, you will be paid on the spot – it has been an unknown fact that coin dealers have always paid more for jewelry and scrap gold than other jewelers and pawn brokers.