Longboat Observer 03.01.12 by The Observer Group Inc.

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LONGBOAT

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

SEASON SPECIAL

The Observer’s Guide TO The ArTs And sOcieTy | sPrinG 2012

INSIDE

DIVERSIONS

A comprehensive guide Peter Amster lifts to the Longboat Key Noël Coward’s Home & Garden Tour. ‘Fallen Angels’ out of obscurity. INSIDE

Look inside for your spring guide to the arts and society.

OUR TOWN

Thursday, MARCH 1, 2012

election Q&A

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

2012 DISTRICT 3 COMMISSION

Mallory Gnaegy

+ Jessica Korda featured in magazine Teenager Jessica Korda just won the 2012 Women’s Australian Open — her first LPGA Tour title. Golf Digest Woman magazine will be featuring the young athlete in an upcoming edition and did a photo shoot last week with her and photographer Walter Iooss at the Longboat Key Club and Resort. Korda comes from an athletic family — her father, Petr, won the 1998 Australian Open tennis title. She and her parents practice at Longboat Key Club and Resort — when Korda isn’t traveling the world winning golf tournaments, that is.

Photo courtesy of Christina Filkins

John and Mary Bock

+ Longboat Harbour goes West The residents at Longboat Harbour don’t usually wear spurs and leather chaps, but when they got together for a Western-themed party Thursday, Feb. 23, that’s exactly what they did! Fake mustaches and sparkly cowgirl hats were just two Westerninspired accessories.

+ All Angels to host creative afternoon All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road, is hosting a Flower Arranging 101 demonstration from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 8. The demo will highlight techniques for creating arrangements for the home and gifts. Cost is $15, with proceeds going to the food pantry at St. George’s Episcopal Church. Call 3838161 to RSVP; seating is limited.

SEE OUR TOWN / 16A

DAVID BRENNER

RAY RAJEWSKI

Vice Mayor David Brenner believes Longboat Key is a residential community that needs a mix of tourism.

Ray Rajewski is seeking the District 3 Commission seat because he believes residents need an alternative.

Vice Mayor David Brenner has been at the dais as Longboat Key history has unfolded over the past two years: There was the 2010 approval of the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s $400 million renovation-and-expansion plan, the hiring of Town Manager David Bullock in 2011 and, just last month, the approval of plans for a new Publix. But Brenner’s proudest moments on the commission haven’t generated as much public attention. He considers some of his most noteworthy accomplishments to be obtaining funding for the trolley; making inroads with Sarasota and Manatee counties through his seats on both county Economic Development Corporations and the Sarasota Tourist Development Council, along with his attendance at Manatee County Tourist Development Council meetings; and the adoption of the Vision Plan last year. And, if re-elected, one of his top priorities will be to implement the document, which outlines goals “to improve a resident’s quality of life” such as

Ray Rajewski calls himself “the residents’ representative.” He doesn’t mean he’s antibusiness. He points to Harry’s Continental Kitchens and Lazy Lobster Longboat Key as examples of businesses that have managed to be successful by providing value. He doesn’t mean he’s antiredevelopment. He thinks the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort should have redeveloped years ago. He points to the Longboat Key Club and Resort as an example of a property that has redeveloped to the point that it’s a Four Diamond resort. Rajewski, 68, thinks he’s typical of many residents who want the island to retain the character it had when they bought their properties. “I think we all moved to Longboat Key because we could,” he said. “I’ve lived all over the country, in places where I’ve had to live because of a job … People moved here for what it could be. They want it to stay that way.” For two decades, Longboat Key was Rajewski’s favorite es-

Bio

David Brenner Age: 75 Hometown: Philadelphia Residence: Islander Club Education: Degree in economics from the Wharton School; CPA license from the state of Pennsylvania. Career: Retired certified public accountant and managing partner of Arthur Young; former commerce-andfinance director for the city of Philadelphia Interesting fact: Brenner is acquainted with another David Brenner — i.e. the Philadelphia comedian of the same name. The Longboat Observer published a picture of both Brenners together in February 2007. encouraging redevelopment of tourism facilities and strategies that would enhance retail ameni-

SEE BRENNER / 6A

Bio

Ray Rajewski Age: 68 Hometown: Boston Residence: The Bayou Education: Degree in business from Burdett College in Boston Career: Former executive vice president and chief operating officer of Paramount and CBS television stations based in Los Angeles Interesting fact: Rajewski’s first visit to Longboat Key was on a guys’ long weekend in 1983. Since then they’ve made it an annual tradition and recently held their 28th long weekend. cape from his hectic career as a TV executive. A U.S. Army veteran, he earned a business degree from Burdett College, in Boston, where he got his start at a local

SEE RAJEWSKI / 7A

INDEX Bridge Bites....... 10B Briefs....................4A

Calendar............ 12A Classifieds ........ 12B

Cops Corner....... 10A Crossword.......... 11B

Opinion.................8A Weather............. 11B

Vol. 34, No. 31 | Five sections YourObserver.com

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

following the money

neighborhood watch

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Firefighter alleges collusion Island home burglaries fall, in handling of pension plan vehicle larcenies rise in ’11 Statistics released by the Longboat Key Police Department showed that total crime fell slightly in 2011.

Board members agreed that problems exist with the pension plan, but they weren’t convinced that a crime occurred. Firefighter/paramedic Matt Taylor believes he has evidence of collusion in the handling of the town’s three pension plans and presented his evidence to fellow firefighter-pension board members at a Wednesday, Feb. 22 meeting. Other board members weren’t convinced that a crime occurred, but they voted 4-0 to put out a request for proposals for the board’s actuary and attorney firms. Taylor outlined his allegations in a letter to the board’s attorney, Pedro Herrera. He wrote: “I think that there is enough evidence to support Foster & Foster, the former town manager and past commissioners colluded to underfund the towns three pension plans with the intent of closing them out by floating a pension bond. The commission was well aware of pension-funding requirements and intentionally lowered millage rates to create budget shortfalls with the intent to harm the plans … ” Taylor told pension board members Wednesday that they had been lied to by their actuary, Foster & Foster, which he said gave different information to the Longboat Key Town Commission about the investment-return assumption that allowed the commission to reduce the town’s contribution to the plans, thus, increasing the unfunded liability. Taylor’s presentation included more than 75 pages of supporting documentation, along with audio from commission meetings that dated back to March 2008.. Shannon Gault, who holds one of two resident seats on the board, argued that

Crime statistics released by the Longboat Key Police Department show that home burglaries on Longboat Key fell 45.8% in 2011 from the previous year, while auto burglaries rose by 32.1%. Overall crime dropped for the second consecutive year, with 110 non-violent crimes reported in 2011, compared to 119 in 2010. Violent crime numbers were low, as usual, with just two violent crimes recorded last year. Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle said that he believes the Longboat Key Town Commission’s decision to allow the department to return to full patrol levels of four squads of three officers and one supervisor has helped to control crime by increasing visibility. The department is currently one officer below full patrol due to the recent retirement of an officer, Hogle said, however, the department will soon hire another officer. Hogle pointed out the difficulty of drawing any larger conclusions about crime on Longboat Key because of the low numbers

the math used by the actuary yielded assumptions in line with historic rates aside from the past 10 years. “If we go after Foster & Foster, you would have an entire profession against you,” Gault said. Board Chairman Keith Tanner, who is also a firefighter, expressed skepticism of Foster & Foster and the advice the board has received. But he said that the major cause of the pensions’ problem was underfunding. “The town has not put in proper money,” Tanner said. “That’s just the facts.” Herrera said that the board would need to “connect a lot of dots” before it could think about a possible lawsuit. But he said that there was another issue. “If you don’t trust your professionals, then you should get rid of them,” he said, referring to both actuaries and attorneys. The board then voted to put out an RFP for both actuarial and attorney firms. The board also accepted an offer from Finance Director Tom Kelley to use the town’s resources for help in drafting the RFPs. The board will meet again in late March or early April to evaluate the RFPs. Kelley said that he hadn’t seen what would amount to discrepancies but said that the town was trying to take a “big picture” approach to Taylor’s allegations. “The basis for his concerns is fairly valid,” Kelley said. “We know we’ve got pension issues to deal with. We’re not so focused on the past as we are working with the commission to solve pension problems moving forward.”

in any given year. “Just a couple of numbers in one direction or another can skew the entire year,” Hogle said. In fact, Longboat Key’s crime numbers are so low that after the department releases the town’s crime statistics, Hogle typically gets a call from a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) official who needs to verify that the numbers are accurate. Many of Longboat Key’s crimes occur in strings that can drive up numbers for the entire year. For example, police investigated nine vehicle break-ins and two home burglaries on Sept. 29, 2011, after which three Bradenton men were arrested. Police frequently remind residents to stay safe by locking home and vehicle doors. Hogle is also continuing to work to bring a license-plate recognition camera system to both ends of the island that would snap photographs of license plates of vehicles entering and exiting the island and send the data immediately to the Florida Crime Information Center.

CRIME BREAKDOWN Offense Aggravated assault Residential burglary Total larceny Vehicle larceny

2008 1 8 66 18

2009 2 13 149 79

2010 0 24 94 28

2011 1 13 97 37

Total Non-violent Violent Domestic violence

2008 83 1 6

2009 170 2 10

2010 119 1 13

2011 110 2 9

The North End Revitalization Project

A Longboat Public Interest Committee (PIC) Forum

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Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

road map

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Colony Association drafts site plan The Colony Beach & Tennis Association outlined a draft site plan in a letter to unit owners. The Colony Beach & Tennis Association Board released a draft conceptual site plan to unit owners that includes 13 more units than the property’s current 237 units. The proposed conceptual site plan was included in an eight-page outline sent Tuesday to unit owners and the town, along with a four-page letter to unit owners and a letter sent to Town Manager David Bullock in preparation of the status update the Colony parties will give to the Longboat Key Town Commission March 5. The status update was a condition given by the commission in May when it voted to extend a continuance of the town’s tourism abandonment requirement for the Colony to Dec. 31. Without the extension, the property could have lost 85 of the resort’s units by Aug. 15, 2011 — exactly one year

after the resort closed — because they were built on the property before town code limited tourism units to six per acre. The draft site plan includes the entire 18-acre property, although both the board and its development partner, Club Holdings LLC, have repeatedly stated that they are willing to move forward by building around three acres controlled by longtime Colony owner Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber and other entities. The eight page letter states: “The plan includes a multimillion-dollar restoration and rebuild of the residential units, amenities and resort. Our improvements and operating standards will be at four-star quality and offer a choice between whole ownership, fractional ownership and traditional hotel use.”

Highlights of the plan include “promptly” embarking on the restoration of 12 existing beachfront units, which “will allow The Colony to begin accommodating owners and attracting guests and will serve as a valuable marketing tool for future owners and guests.” The plan includes 174 tower residences, located toward the back of the property near Gulf of Mexico Drive, along with 64 bungalow-style villas. The draft also includes a welcome center with meeting, banquet and conference space located directly above; full-service spa; expansion of the former Monkey Bar, restaurant and beach pool and construction of a second adult pool; private beach cabanas; and a tennis and fitness club that would include nine courts, a stadium court, tennis retail shop and celebrity tennis plan; and the possibility of a second signature restaurant and additional units. The proposed plan suggests limiting vehicular traffic to the perimeter of the prop-

erty with pedestrian walkways and gardens within the resort, with parking directly beneath units. The separate, four-page letter outlines three options for unit owners: whole ownership, one-eighth fractional ownership or sale — either to a private party or Club Holdings Ventures. The letter states that Club Holdings isn’t interested in owning the new units at the Colony, but rather would transfer those units to other individuals. The company would run the Colony through a management agreement. The letter outlines a two-tier pricing system of “founder pricing” for existing owners of a unit for the purchase of a new unit at the actual cost of construction and “retail pricing,” meaning the price of units after construction. Board Association President Jay Yablon said that the pricing structure provides an incentive for interested parties to buy out owners in the early stages of the project.

The conceptual master plan diagram shows the entire 18-acre property, although the board and Club Holdings Ventures have said they will proceed with 15 acres if necessary. Courtesy rendering

Gulf of Mexico

BALANCED BOOKS

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

County agrees to one-time Longboat library grant The Sarasota County Commission agreed to give the Longboat Library a one-time grant of $20,000 for capital improvements. The latest chapter for the Longboat Library is a happy one. The Sarasota County Commission approved a one-time grant of $20,000 for the independent, not-for-profit library for capital improvements. The board agreed on the grant at a Thursday, Feb. 23 meeting, during which library representatives presented details about its history and operations. The board had discussed the funding request last month but directed staff to bring back the item for discussion with details about its budget. Commissioner Joe Barbetta, who met with library representatives in January, told fellow board members that the request would be a onetime capital expense added in hopes that the Longboat

Key Town Commission would add the library as a line item. Commissioner Nora Patterson made a motion for a one-time transfer for the library. “For me, there’s reluctance to support an additional library when we are shortening libraries for the rest of the county,” she said before making the motion. “I also have sympathy because it’s hard to get to the nearest public library. I can support $20,000 in capital needs as a one-time deal, because it’s coming from you guys working hard for the benefit of the community, and Longboat, frankly, asks for very little.” Library board member Hazel Steskal was pleased with the grant. She said that the top priorities for the funds will be to make the

On the books

FY 2009

FY 2010

FY 2011

FY 2012*

Revenue

$37,481

$29,752

$25,314

$25,821

Expenditures

$50,809

$28,795

$27,649

$25,855

$957

($2,335)

($34)

Over/(Under variance) ($13,329)

UPCOMING PROJECTS

* Estimate through March 31

The Longboat Library will use its one-time, $20,000 grant from the Sarasota County Commission for the following projects: Replacement of air-conditioner................................................................ $7,000 Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms................................. $6,000 Replacement of roof facia....................................................................... $4,000 Updates to computers............................................................................. $1,200 Replacement of fence............................................................................. $1,000

restrooms more handicap-friendly and to replace a rotting fence and roof facia. The library will also replace its air-conditioner, which is at least 10 years old, and update its seven- to eight-year-old computers. “These are things that we’ve put off because we don’t have the funds to do them,” said Steskal, who has said that the library is currently dipping into its reserves at a rate

of approximately $7,000 a year and has no options to cut costs other than to stop buying books. Steskal said that most of the updates will likely be completed by December. But, before that, the library will start on its next chapter: approaching the Town Commission for funding when budget hearings begin later this spring.

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

+ Wireless survey now available

YourObserver.com

A 14-question telecommunications survey is now available on the town’s website, longboatkey.org. The survey seeks information about which cellservice providers survey takers use and what their experience has been with coverage and service on the island. The survey is part of TE Connectivity’s wireless-communications study of the island. The survey must be taken by April 4. TE Connectivity will gather additional public feedback at two public meetings scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 16, at Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, and 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

TOP FIVE

The most read stories online last week were: 1. “Residents seek voice in Art Center future” (Feb. 22) 2. “In the Kitchen with: Ron Pantello” (Feb. 20) 3. “Brenner lays cards on the table at forum” (Feb. 22) 4. “Candidate forum to take place tonight” (Feb. 20) 5. “Buchanan to host Longboat Key town hall meeting” (Feb. 23)

to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bring a picture ID with a signature. For information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 316-1999.

that focus on bay education and restoration and bay-friendly landscaping. Past Key recipients include the Windward Bay Condominium Association, which expanded its saltwater bioswale and added more native plants, and the Beachplace Association Inc., which expanded and upgraded its storm-water detention pond. For applications, visit sarasotabay.org.

+ IPOC, associations file their responses The Islandside Property Owners Coalition and L’Ambiance and Sanctuary condominium association filed a response to the joint petition filed by the town and Longboat Key Club and Resort’s appeal of the writ of certiorari granted in the approval of the Key Club’s Islandside project. The response, filed Wednesday, Feb. 22, argues that the petitioners overstated the weight the court was required to give a local government’s interpretation of an ordinance and that the Circuit Court did not reweigh evidence when it did not accept the legal interpretation of the zoning code offered by the planning director and others.

Meetings agendas

 Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, March 5  Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 8  Code Enforcement Board Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, March 12  Town Commission Regular Workshop — 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

+ Longboat Key building inspector to retire

+ Early voting begins March 10

Early voting for the town’s General Municipal Election will take place from March 10 through March 16, at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. Early-voting hours will be 9 a.m.

+ Bay Partner grant applications due March 1

Bay Partner Grant Projects applications are due by 4 p.m. Thursday, March 1. The grants are awarded to projects

Longboat Key Building Inspector John Fernandez will retire in April. Fernandez has worked for the Planning Zoning & Building Department for 16 years. He will be recognized for his service at a future Longboat Key Town Commission meeting.

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5 Things you didn’t know Weekend “Best Bets” Who, What, Wear? Weekly eye-catching fashion statements

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

shared experience

BORROWED TIME

by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Congressman Buchanan warns against rising debt U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan kicked off a Longboat Key Town Hall meeting by warning against the ‘Tidal Wave of Debt.’ Marty Samowitz is presented with a certificate from Matt Walsh.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, began a Town Hall meeting Saturday with a warning about rising U.S. debt. He began the meeting by unveiling two posters. One, titled “Tidal Wave of Debt” projected that if current policy continues, debt could skyrocket to nearly 800% of the total U.S. economy by 2081. The second poster depicted the $3.5 trillion 2010 federal budget in a pie chart — and showed that only $666 billion of that pie consisted of discretionary non-defense spending. “The reality is, if this country doesn’t deal with debt and the deficit, this country is going to end up like Greece,” Buchanan said. Approximately 20 people attended Saturday’s meeting at Longboat Key Town Hall to discuss current issues with Buchanan, who was elected to Congress in 2006. One audience member expressed concerns about health-care reform. “You haven’t put out a real program to take care of the health-care problem in our country,” he said. “If we’re going to compete in a fair economy, we’ve got to have a fit population.” Buchanan said that recent proposed legislation hasn’t addressed the issue of making health care affordable for small businesses. Key resident Dr. James Whitman suggestLBK Buchanan - 2010 - propose I ed that legislation to make Federal Insurance Contributions Act LBKtaxes - 2010 - I from income tax. (FICA) deductible Buchanan said that Congress needs to look at all aspects of the tax code, which he said hadn’t been substantially modified

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Jim Burmeister, Reg Ware and Joe Walsh

WWII veteran recounts the battle of Iwo Jima

On Feb. 23, 1945, after four days of brutal warfare, six U.S. Marines raised the first American flag on Mount Suribachi. The month-long battle was crucial in the victory over Japan for the Allied Forces in World War II. During the battle, more than 6,800 Americans were killed, and 20,000 were injured. Longboat Key resident Marty Samow-

itz, 97, is the oldest-living Marine survivor of Iwo Jima. On Feb 23, he spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key at the Tavern at the Longboat Key Club about his experience. He also discussed what it was like to run Marty’s Shoes, a retail shoe chain. The club presented him with a certificate for his service.

Robin Hartill

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan showed the audience two charts depicting federal debt and the budget.

since 1986. Another attendee asked Buchanan about illegal immigration, which Buchanan described as a priority with which he said the current administration hasn’t dealt. “We need to clearly secure the border,” he said. “I’m against amnesty, and I’m for making English the official language.” Buchanan distributed copies of his 10-point jobs plan, which includes reform of taxes and regulations, elimination of legislation that requires all businesses to buy health insurance for workers and a balanced-budget amendment. Buchanan will face re-election in November against challenger Keith Fitzgerald, a New College professor and former Democratic state representative.

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BRENNER / FROM PAGE 1A ties for residents. Brenner believes that Longboat Key is a residential community that needs a healthy dose of tourism to maintain on the island amenities. “There are lots of things that time has eroded over the years,” Brenner said. “But I think one of the greatest things about Longboat Key was always that you didn’t have to go off it to do almost anything.” That characteristic — along with the beach and the tennis — were one of the things that first drew Brenner to Longboat Key. He and his family first visited the Colony in 1967 and purchased a unit at the newly developed resort in 1974. Brenner and his wife, Maggie, bought their unit at the Islander Club in 1999 and became fulltime residents in 2001. Brenner, a certified public accountant, retired in 1983 at age 47 but left retirement behind three years later, when the mayor of Philadelphia asked him to become his director of commerce. Brenner served on the staff for three years but later returned in 1991 when he was asked to return as the city’s finance director. But even on Longboat Key, retirement wasn’t totally in the cards for Brenner: He first got involved with town politics when he and other Islander Club residents began showing up at Town Commission meetings, asking the town to install two groins to control severe erosion at the property. Brenner served a three-year term on the Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board beginning in 2006 before winning the District 3 seat in a race against incumbent Commissioner Peter O’Connor in 2010. After two years, Brenner is eager to continue his work on the commission if reelected. “I think I’ve got the qualifications and I enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. If elected, what would be your top three priorities? Implement the Vision Plan, some of

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

which is ongoing now. The management of the town; I think we can do better on efficiency in certain areas. And to put to bed the pension issue. What role should the Town Commission play in cellular service on Longboat Key? The first step is to set the game plan as to what makes the most sense in a fastmoving, technical area. My preference would be to smooth away the edges and then let the private sector run the system. What’s your position on placing a 150foot cell tower on the Longboat Island Chapel property? If the town consultants recommend it, would you vote for it? If they say to us that that’s the only way to go, there would have to be some serious consideration. But there would have to be an unambiguous provision that says that as soon as technology allows it to come down, it does. Would you vote for or against extending a continuance of the town’s tourism abandonment requirement at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort if you don’t see progress by the Dec. 31 deadline? If these guys haven’t figured out the answer by the end of the year, I think we need to take it away from them. What should the town do to fix erosion at the north end? My view is, I’d put the groin in on the south side, but I’m not so sure I’d rush to put in the other two. If you look at the pictures from over they years, Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind about where the sand goes. Why make an investment that doesn’t seem to be necessary? What is your view of the town’s historical practices of conducting major beach renourishment projects every seven to eight years and its current practice of addressing hot spots? The past practice of doing the whole beach, as we have learned, is not the most efficient or effective way to go. Deal with

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the hot spots and maybe every 15 to 20 years redo the whole beach, it seems, is the right way to go. What is your position on mixed-use development for the Whitney Beach area? If I could give you a nice, definitive answer, I would develop it myself. What doesn’t work is this retail strip. I think what we’ve got to do is make sure this strip supports a creative solution. What steps should the town take to address its $26 million to $27 million unfunded pension liability? What would you recommend to eliminate that? We’re still kicking this around in executive session and aren’t permitted to discuss what goes on in there. That having been said, the solution is going to cost the taxpayers of Longboat Key some money. There’s interest on the part of some in the idea of issuing the debt, then paying off the debt because interest rates are so low. When you get into collective bargaining, there are trade-offs. The town will soon begin a review of its zoning code and Comprehensive Plan. Do you support this? If so, what are some specific changes that need to be made? Yes. The judge in the Longboat Key Club appeals process highlighted something that we all thought made sense but he didn’t. He had some real problems with the definition of a PUD and what is nonresidential. What is your position on a new community center? I would like to know more about this proposed center. I think the way we’re going to get an answer is, if we could get a collaboration between the Arts Center and Education Center, what would go in the community center? My instincts say, if it’s sold as purely to entice visitors, it’s not going to fly. If the citizens want it, I think most of it should come from the private sector, and the town’s contribution would be through land.

What letter grade would you give to the new town manager based on his first three-and-a-half months in the position? It’s tough because it’s such a short period, but I don’t have any problem giving him a B-plus. Where do you stand on whether to continue searching for a permanent town manager or offering the position to the interim town manager? If you give him a couple more months, he will have been on board for almost a year, and I think it will be clear whether to take the current arrangement and make it more permanent or take on a search. Property values will likely drop one more time, requiring more permanent budget cuts. How, specifically, would you expect the town manager to address the situation? Start with the point that the millage isn’t going to change. Just observing, I think there’s enough efficiency he’s creating that we can accomplish that goal. Given the likelihood of budget cuts, where do you stand on pay raises for town employees? Barring a miracle, I think their compensation is going to stay where it is. Would you sign a pledge to oppose and vote against any tax increases? No. We’re living in the real world, so if that is the only answer, I don’t think you can take that off the table. Why do you want to be a commissioner, and why are you better for the Town Commission than your opponent? I’m enjoying what I’m doing, and I think that’s critical. I think I’ve got the qualifications to do what I’m doing. I don’t know what my opponent stands for other than the Key Club, which he was dead-set against. The difference is vision. His vision is: “Leave everything alone and it will take care of itself,” or that’s my perception of it.

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RAJEWSKI / FROM PAGE 1A TV station. He worked in executive positions in San Francisco, Buffalo, N.Y., and Cincinnati, before taking a job with Paramount as chief operating officer of its TV stations. The company later merged with CBS, and he became executive vice president and chief operating officer of CBS and Paramount TV stations based in Los Angeles. But in the midst of his career, in 1983, his friend bought a Harbourside condominium sight unseen. Rajewski visited for a guys’ week and loved it so much that he returned year after year. Finally in 2004, after he took early retirement, he found himself wondering what he was still doing in Los Angeles when he wanted to be on Longboat Key. So, he packed up his dog, Birdie, bought his home in the Bayou, and moved there full time. Rajewski has been critical of what he sees as changes to the town code to accommodate the Key Club’s proposed Islandside redevelopment. His platform also includes fiscal responsibility, including control of pension-plan and beach-management costs through considering alternatives and preserving Longboat Key as an “upscale second-home, vacation and residential community.” Rajewski has served as president of the Bayou Association and is a member of the Citizens’ Oversight Tax Committee. But the commission race is his first real foray into politics. He waited until the last week to turn in his candidate papers to the Supervisor of Elections Office because he wanted to see if anyone else would step up — and when no one did, his choice was made. “I wouldn’t be running if everything was going the way I thought it should be,” he said. If elected, what will be your top three priorities? Beach renourishment and how we finance that. Pension plans. The third thing would be Whitney Beach Plaza and what we do about that.

What role should the Town Commission play in cellular service on Longboat Key? Cell service has become a necessity to a lot of people. I think the town has done something correct by having its communications engineer in place. If you put a tower there … when new technologies come forward, that tower is going to stay there. There’s got to be technology coming forward, either with Verizon’s fiber-optic cables or receptor antennae placed on phones. What’s your position on placing a 150foot cell tower on the Longboat Island Chapel property? If the town consultants recommended it, would you vote for it? I don’t think so. You’ve seen towers around town and they’re ugly. I think it would negatively affect property values of the people who live around there, and that’s wrong. Would you vote for or against extending a continuance of the town’s tourism abandonment requirement at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort if you don’t see progress by the Dec. 31 deadline? I would (vote for a continuance), but I would put a deadline on it. What should the town do to fix erosion at the north end? The groins that they’ve put in at the Islander Club seem to work just fine, although to the south of the Islander, there is more erosion on the beach than is normal. What is your view of the town’s historical practices of conducting major beach renourishment projects every seven to eight years and its current practice of addressing hot spots? I think you have to do it, although I’d like to hear more of what people have to say about it, especially people who live on the Gulf side. What is your position on mixed-use development for the Whitney Beach area?

I think mixed-use would be fine. You could have something like the Rosemary District with restaurants on the first floor as long as it wouldn’t go very high. I wouldn’t have a problem if it’s something that could be done tastefully for the people of the Village. What steps should the town take to address its $26 million to $27 million unfunded pension liability? What would you recommend to eliminate that? It’s only an unfunded liability when you have to start paying it out. But, before you handle that, you have to handle it going forward by preserving the obligations you made to people and with new hires and new contracts, going forward with defined contributory plans, like 401ks. The town will soon begin a review of its zoning code and Comprehensive Plan. Do you support this? If so, what are some specific changes that need to be made? No. In 2007, the Town Commission and town attorney made revisions to the Comp Plan. It seems to me that we can’t keep revising the Comp Plan every three, five, six years. It’s served us well for the past 20 years or so, so why are we addressing it now? What is your position on a new community center? We’ve got pension liabilities, beach renourishment and property values that aren’t going anywhere. Most condominiums have community centers. We would be spending $7 million and we don’t know what the costs of maintenance would be. What letter grade would you give to the new town manager based on his first three-and-a-half months in the position? For me to give someone like that a grade isn’t fair. There really haven’t been any results. There have been a lot of ideas. I’m not crazy about him coming in and telling us to do the Comp Plan, but I like what he’s doing with cell service. Certainly not a C and certainly not an A.

Where do you stand on whether to continue searching for a permanent town manager or offering the position to the interim town manager? I thought the idea was that we would do a search. We may have the best person there is, but we should be hiring a search firm. Property values will likely drop one more time, requiring more permanent budget cuts. How, specifically, would you expect the town manager to address the situation? Longboat Key people can afford more than in many areas and expect a certain level of service. We need to come to an agreement of how much money is needed. The millage rate is the only flexible part of the equation. If property values go down and the millage rate goes up proportionally, the amount of taxes stays the same. But (Longboat Key) is only 12% of the equation. We should be in their banging on the supervisor’s door in Sarasota County about that other 88%. Given the likelihood of budget cuts, where do you stand on pay raises for town employees? I find it hard not to give the employees the COLA. Money’s not always the greatest motivator but it’s the greatest de-motivator. Would you sign a pledge to oppose and vote against any tax increases? I would sign it. Absolutely. Why do you want to be a commissioner, and why are you better for the Town Commission than your opponent? If I thought everything was hunky-dory, I wouldn’t be running. I think Mr. Brenner is more inclined to the more commercial, tourist development than I am. I think I put more emphasis on the residents. Commercial enterprises on Longboat Key are there to support the residents. If everything were going the way I thought it should, I wouldn’t be running.

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Observer opinion | our view LONGBOAT

“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

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Immoral corporate welfare Maybe a good roundhouse to their proboscises might knock some sense into them. We’re speaking of the Sarasota

Now let’s say you own a medical-billing company in Sarasota REMEMBERING IWO JIMA County; you’ve been operating here for more than a decade; you’ve paid property, tangible and County Commission members. intangible and corporate income Over the past two years, they taxes all that time; and you have confiscated $10 million of haven’t taken one dime of subsiSarasota County taxpayers’ money, dies from the government. and, in exchange for promises by How can Robinson, Barbetta business owners to create new and Huey possibly justify a handjobs, the commissioners have out to the out-of-state company? passed taxpayers’ money into the There’s more: hands of those business owners. With the typical arrogance of With that pig pot about dry, government do-gooders, Robinthey voted last week to replenson, Barbetta & Co. are presumish it with another $6 million of ing they are smarter than all of us Sarasota County residents’ money. on how best to spend or invest the The vote was 4-1, with Commis$16 million they are confiscating sioner Nora Patterson dissenting. from taxpayers. Instead of allocating $6 million, In effect, they are saying: “If we Patterson only wanted to take $3 Mallory Gnaegy let you control your own money, million. Longboat Key resident Martin Samowitz, 97, is thanked you are not as smart as we are With this action, once again, the and congratulated by Matt Walsh Feb. 23, at the Kiwanis creating new business ventures commissioners, along with their Club of Longboat Key breakfast at the Tavern at the that will generate as many jobs “economic development” experts Longboat Key Club. as we will or the kind of jobs we — none of whom, by the way, has want when we take your money achieved any venture capitalist Shame on us. Shame on all of the news media. and invest in, say, Sanborn Stuor business status of remarkable Feb. 19, 1945, was “D-Day” for the Battle of Iwo Jima dios.” merit — have decided which comagainst the Japanese in World War II, and Feb. 23, 1945, The commissioners can see the panies among many have the best was the day U.S. Marines raised the American flag on companies that come to them for ideas, plans, products and services Iwo’s Mount Suribachi — commemorated in that iconic a welfare check. But they cannot to be worthy of taxpayers’ money. photograph by photographer Joe Rosenthal. see the unknown entrepreneur, In the free market, they call Apparently, none of the news media commemorated either maybe even the next Steve Jobs, this process “government picking day (we plead guilty), and Longboat Key resident Martin who is denied capital because of winners and losers.” And always Samowitz was disappointed. the taxation that occurs. (i.e. Solyndra), the taxpayers are Samowitz, 97, is the oldest surviving U.S. Marine from That may sound far-fetched. the losers. the Battle of Iwo Jima. A corporal then, he was among the But it reminds us of the often There is no moral or economic second wave of Marines who stormed Iwo Jima’s beaches on told story by the late, great justification whatsoever for govthe second day, “D-Day Plus One,” as he put it. economist Milton Friedman. ernment to take your wealth (by Samowitz recounted his days on Iwo Jima last Thursday, After Mercedes-Benz won a $350 force of a gun, mind you, aka taxathe 67th anniversary of the raising of the flag on Mount million subsidy to build an auto tion) and transfer it to a privately Suribachi, for the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club. He also plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala., from the owned enterprise that competes talked about his subsequent years as the founder and owner Alabama Legislature, Friedman in the free marketplace. of the famous Northeast retail chain, Marty’s Shoes. was asked whether this was a wise People such as Commissioners Asked what it was like to “walk” to the top of Mount investment. Think of all the new Joe Barbetta and Christine RobSuribachi, Samowitz snapped: “Walk!? He made it as most jobs being created now and in the inson and Mark Huey, president Marines did — on his knees, elbows and belly. — MW future, he was told. of the Economic Development Responded Friedman: “Think Corp. of Sarasota County, see this of all of the jobs not being created as “economic development” — becoming the next MGM. When it applied by the Alabama people who had providing corporate welfare under for another $500,000 in taxpayer money, to give Mercedes that $350 million. Ask the the guise of “public policy” to improve the widow on the fixed income in little Chicasaw, local economy. The idea, of course, is to hand the county’s economic development officials had enough sense to turn it down. Ala., on the Gulf Coast if she cares about the out capital to companies so the businesses There were other losers — Sunovia Energy Mercedes jobs in Tuscaloosa.” can expand and hire more people — obtainTechnologies, for one ($50,000). And the One more time: Stop the corporate weling an (alleged) advantage over their comjobs created from 28 “grants” to various fare. It’s wrong. It’s immoral. Focus instead petitors. This in turn is expected to create a on reducing the burdens of taxation and spillover effect that will result in the creation companies have totaled 1,039 compared to 2,323 promised (44%). It’s still early in some regulation. Create a climate where it’s a joy of more new local jobs. cases. Companies received their money in and easy for all to do business. The economic development experts say just the past few months. this process is executed under rigorous + Try using Longboat talent But even if the jobs materialize — highly examinations and follow-up to make sure Here’s one for the Town Hall suggestion taxpayers are receiving the proper “return on unlikely — there still is no justification for box: Before the town of Longboat Key issues taxpayer money financing the expansions of investment.” businesses favored by commissioners and so- a request for bids from consultants to help But as we have seen in Sarasota County, the Town Commission decide whether and called “economic development” experts. it’s a “learning” process. The expected ROI is Taxpayers should be outraged by this stuff. how to change the town’s comprehensive often mythical. Our version of Solyndra was plan and zoning codes, how about looking Consider this one: Sanborn Studios, one of the county’s more for that guidance from among the smart Commissioner Robinson is all excited notorious economic development flubs. The residents who live on the Key? about the $400,000 the county promised county gave Sanborn $650,000 with the Citizen committees are often disasters, recently to an out-of-state medicall billing expectation that Sanborn would create 117 but we would bet there are many individuals company that employs 148 people and “is movie-production jobs in three years. on the Key (i.e. Lenny Landau, chief among expected” to hire another 215 more over the Sanborn outfitted a 20,000-square-foot them) who would do a better job for a lot less next two years, according to the Sarasota studio in Lakewood Ranch, but has since money dissecting what needs to be revised Herald-Tribune. The company was deciding abandoned it, laid off several employees and than would so-called expert consultants. between Sarasota and Hillsborough County. doesn’t exactly appear to be on its way to

THE CASTAWAY by Jorge Blanco

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

by Walter Frank

Best future for Israel is a strong America led us into the Iraq War. The Iraq War may be characterized by history as the worst blunder by the United States in the 20th century. We leave Iraq after a cost of billions of dollars a virtual failed state. Iraq prior to our invasion was the greatest counterbalance to Iran. Only by destroying Iraq has Iran been able to gain its current balance of power. The failure in Iraq resulted in a major drop of prestige and respect in the region. The billions of dollars wasted is in part the cause of the economic problems we now face. By moving the focus from Afghanistan to Iraq, we lost a winnable war, which is another source of the view that U.S. is a waning power. Mr. Stephens is correct in saying that Iran is the current major threat to Israel. It is a major stretch to say, as he implies, that Iran could ultimately be a military threat to the United States. This is the kind of reasoning the NeoCons have traditionally used. It is questionable to believe that it would be in Iran’s interest to attack Israel. In fact, it would be suicidal for the current regime. It is true that Israel today is in the most hostile environment in its recent history with virtually no alliances left in the region. The likelihood is that the region will be

dominated by the Islamists, who will be hostile to Israel. Mr. Stephens, in pointing this out, also does not acknowledge the deep division in Islam by the intense hostility between the Sunnis and Shiites. The fact that Iran is the lone Sunni state in the region puts it in an isolated position. Mr. Stephens is correct the United States must maintain itself as the strong leader of the world. The United States has become, since World War II, the equivalent of a modern empire. This position was not as much a matter of choice but one imposed on us by the accidents of history. As with all empires, the risk is of over-reaching. There are limits to our power. We will need a strong military, but more power will need to come from approaching the world as a chess master rather than the Dr. Strangelove approach of the NeoCons. We will need to build alliances, exploit rivalries and recognize our limitations. Realistically, I do not think that if President Obama or Gov. Romney become are elected there will be much change in foreign policy. I believe Jews should vote for the man who they believe be the best leader for the United States not for who will do the most for Israel. The best future for Israel is a strong America.

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+ Quit the war drums Dear Editor: The title of your Feb. 23 opinion piece — “Who will bomb Iran?” — could be rephrased as: “Who will start the next war in the Middle East?” The answer should be “nobody.” Not Israel and not the United States. The last war in Iraq has been an unmitigated disaster for the United States. Meanwhile, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has warned Congress that Iran has the power to initiate terrorist attacks against the United States if we bomb Iran. And David Stockman, a former director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Reagan, said on the Fox business news channel on Feb. 23 that the current spike in oil prices could be eliminated overnight if President Obama would tell the world that we will not bomb Iran and we will not allow Israel to bomb Iran. Given the fact that the price of oil affects everything from

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We’re not beating war drums; we just reported what a Middle East expert said. Better to be forewarned. — Ed.

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the price of gas at the pump to manufacturing unemployment and every other aspect of our economy, it would surely be in this country’s best interests to stop beating war drums in the Longboat Observer. And as for your comment about President Obama, he does not lack the will to bomb Iran; he is just too smart to do so. Allan Gehring Plant City

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On July 15, Bret Stephens, foreign affairs columnist of the Wall Street Journal, gave a persuasive presentation to American Jewish Committee Chapter of the Sarasota area, arguing that the United States is wrong in not backing the Netanyahu government in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. In fact, he feels the United States should be the attacker. It is not important to argue the chances of success or failure of such a mission but to recognize what are the possible consequences. The probability is that any military action against Iran at this point will, in all likelihood, drive the price of oil to $300 a barrel or higher. Without any military action, there is already a $20 to $40 risk premium in the price of oil. The world today is in the most fragile economic condition since the 1930s, a price spike of any magnitude would plunge the world into the worst depression in modern times. This would unleash the greatest anti-Semitic surge in history. The depression would be blamed on Israel which would be seen as the instigator. It is interesting to listen to the well-crafted arguments of Mr. Stephens, who is obviously a bright and well-educated individual. The arguments are strongly reminiscent of NeoCon points, which

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BRADENTON SARASOTA 1100 West Cortez Rd. Corner of 41 and Cortez Next to Office Depot

4027 N. Washington 1 Mile South of University on 301

550 S. Seaboard Ave. Just North Of Venice Nissan on U.S. 41 Bypass

Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Sun. 11-6

749-6069

www.furnwarehouse.com

VENICE

351-8600

485-3211

PORT CHARLOTTE

ELLENTON

1241 El Jobean Rd. (776 across from Sam’s)

5814 18th St East Across from the Ellenton Outlet Mall

Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

764-8700

479-7900

76931

opinion | my view

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

Feb. 16 Search effort 10:41 p.m. — 3300 block of Bayou Sound. Suspicious Person. A man called police after his teenage son called him to report that a man who used to do landscaping work for them had come by their house and tried to get someone to come to the door before leaving the property on his bicycle. The man said that he did not want the landscaper coming near his home because of his history of drug use. Police checked to make sure the teen and his sister were OK and searched the area for the man but were unable to find him.

Corner

employee turned in an Amazon Kindle she found in the store.

2:40 p.m. — 5900 block of Emerald Harbor Drive. Soliciting. Police received a report of a full-sized truck throwing fliers into driveways but were unable to locate the solicitors. Police picked up a flier and called the number listed to inform the company that soliciting is illegal on Longboat Key.

Source of the sound

11:15 p.m. — 400 block of GMD. Security Check. Dispatch located a business’ key holder after police found its door unlocked.

Feb. 17

Feb. 18

Property found 12:58 p.m. — 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway. Property Found. A grocery-store

Time to call it a night

2:08 p.m. — 400 block of Firehouse Court. Dog Found. A man found a dog wandering through his neighborhood and put the animal in his backyard. The man told police he would keep the dog for a while before contacting an animal shelter.

Car break-in 3:47 p.m. — 3400 block of GMD. Larceny From Vehicle. A woman said that she returned to her vehicle from the beach and found that her side window had been broken and her purse was taken. Police found that the window appeared to be punched or pried open with a small tool and dusted the vehicle for fingerprints.

12:05 a.m. — 600 block of Cedar St. Noise Disturbance. Police received two separate complaints of loud people in a swimming pool. A woman who said she was renting a vacation unit apologized for the noise and said that she and her guest would go inside.

Feb. 19 Hose down 11:30 a.m. — 200 block of N. Shore Road. Suspicious Circumstance. An anonymous caller reported that three youths were using his hose to cleanup after going to the beach. The group apologized and agreed to stay off of private property.

Abandoned bicycle 5:05 p.m. — 3300 block of Harbourside Drive. Property Found. Police took a bicycle reported as abandoned into evidence but were unable to find any record of it being stolen.

Longboat Key DentaL boat Ke

Please visit our website at

www.LongboatKeyDental.com

Den

to learn more about Dr. Kassouf, his practice, services and office hours.

tal Attit

941.383.6400

ence The L er i o

9:36 a.m. — 1100 block of GMD. Suspicious Person. Police were unable to locate a suspicious person, described as a man on a bicycle checking out houses.

2:39 p.m. — 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway. Larceny. A manager reported that a man entered a store and took a Foster’s beer without paying. The man left the store before police arrived. Police reviewed camera evidence, realized they had encountered the man earlier that morning and issued a capias request.

Feb. 20

House hunting?

Familiar face

Dog discovered

Dr. Larry Kassouf DDs

595 Bay Isles Road • Suite 110 • Longboat Key, Fl 34228

THE LONGBOAT KEY DEMOCRATIC CLUB Tuesday, March 13, 2012

at the Harborside Dining Room of the Longboat Key Club. 11:30 Social - 12:00 Lunch

Guest Speaker: Ayse Somersan, Ph.D

RETIRED PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF ECONOMICS & DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON & EXTENSION

“Is the United States Going Bankrupt?”

Dr. Somersan will review the federal budget, look at the causes of the deficit and offer a list of changes to bring the deficit under control. She will also look at the total debt of the U.S. and identify components that should be of concern to policy makers and the public alike. Dr. Somersan came to the University of Wisconsin - Madison from Istanbul, Turkey on a Fulbright Scholarship, in 1965. She earned her PhD in International Economics in 1969. Dr. Somersan served as the Dean and Director of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, the University’s outreach to communities, farms, businesses, families and youth. In her administrative capacity she directed the work of 600 faculty members from across the disciplines and managed an annual budget of $60 million dollars. Dr. Somersan has spoken to thousands of people across the country on the American and world economy. Her stock rises as economic conditions worsen. Her claim to fame is making economics understandable and enjoyable. Dr. Somersan lives in Sarasota with her husband Ergun. She has three grown children and two grandchildren.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: Jane Albaum 362-0520 Luncheon reservations must be prepaid by Thursday, March 8th Please mail this form with check for $23 per person to: Longboat Key Democratic Club P.O. Box 8025, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Important Notice: Lunch site is Harborside Dining Room at Longboat Key Club

74438

1:21 a.m. — Off the Key. Unsecured Boat. A Bradenton Beach patrol unit contacted police about an adrift sailboat that had become lodged against the Longboat Pass Bridge. Police contacted a Coast Guard officer, who advised that a marine unit would investigate further.

2 p.m. — 6900 block of GMD. Suspicious Circumstance. A man reported that two males were taking pictures of a possibly underage female wearing “provocative” clothing at an abandoned gas station. The female told police that she had asked her friends to take pictures of her for personal use. Police found that all subjects were of age and properly clothed.

9:20 a.m. — 500 block of Halyard Lane. Code Enforcement. A man wanted to be sure that the owner of a motor home parked in a driveway near his property was aware of a town ordinance limiting parking for motor homes. The man wanted police to note that it was day one of the vehicle’s parking time. The motor home owner’s wife told police she knew about the ordinance and said that arrangements had already been made for the vehicle’s storage.

Catch our drift?

Feb. 18 Moving day

Fliers don’t fly here

10:04 p.m. — 4300 block of Falmouth Drive. Noise Disturbance. Police responded to a report of loud noise and found that the sound was coming from a company that was cleaning up a large water leak that damaged several condominium units.

Open-door policy

‘Candid Camera’: abandoned gas station edition

65008

LONGBOAT

Names of attendees ______________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________________________________ Check in the amount included: ______________________________________

73799

Cops

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

10A

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

o Mo re homes

are sold in 2012 Hannerle's Longboat Key sales S ay D 1

LOCaL LUXUry. inTErnaTiOnaL CLOUT.

11A

Spectacular, private, beachfront, European villa

You can't see another neighbor from this 3 bedroom + den, Positano residence... just the white sand beach and the turquoise Gulf waters. The stunning, 3343 sq. ft. villa has an enormous wrap terrace, private stairs to the beach and an additional private 1900 sq. ft. paver garden area. Only the finest materials have been used throughout.

Longboat Key Beach Front

$2,675,000

MLS A3950796

$3,950,000 Emerald Pointe North

Unbelievable buy! Best priced property on the Bay front

Consisting of almost an acre with 131' on the Bay, this charming Spanish style home w/ brick paver courtyard entry and fountain is set within a secluded "Old Florida" tropical garden paradise with gorgeous views of the Bay, Sister and Jewfish Keys. Only 3 minutes by boat from your 100' dock to the Gulf and just a short walk to the beach. MLS A3949268

Marina Bay

$912,000

$925,000

$1,499,000 Beautiful water front villa in Winding Oaks

Pierre

Located with a sunny southern exposure behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club Harbourside, this 2,732 sq. ft residence features a wonderful pavered courtyard entry full of colorful flowers and shrubs. The interior features 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths with vaulted ceilings, interior atrium space, open living and dining room floor plan and gas burning fireplace... this villa lives like a single family home. MLS A3954880

$699,000*

$1,950,000*

Villa di Lancia

$625,000 This is a Boater’s paradise

with 196’ of deep-water seawall within one of the most prestigious communities on Longboat Key. MLS A3897813

$1,195,000

Wonderful Conrad Beach site

for your dream seaside home. An easy walk to the beach, fishing pier or the Art Center. Seller financing available. MLS A3951332

Harbour Circle

$579,900*

* Sale Pending

$219,900

Hannerle Moore 2009 & 2010 Top Individual Producer for Michael Saunders & Company’s Longboat Key Offices

M AY F A I R

International Realty

Specializing in Longboat Key properties, Hannerle has been on the Key since 1957. Go to www.Hannerle.com to see a video tour on every property. 76780

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 PH 941.387.7300 FX 941.296.7722 HannerleMoore@michaelsaunders.com www.Hannerle.com

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

Thursday, March 1

Saturday, March 3

Wednesday, March 7

‘Lonely Man of Faith’ Viewing — starts at 2 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. This documentary highlights the life and thoughts of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, a legendary figure of modern Judaism who transformed modern orthodoxy. Free. Call 3833428.

Tingley Memorial Library Annual Book Sale — takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach. Call 779-1208.

Lenten Series: Ximena Granada — takes place at 2 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. Ximena Granada will speak about Tidewell Hospice. Free. Call 3835259.

Sunset Soiree and Silent Auction — takes place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Save Our Seabirds, 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway. This event will feature wine, beer and food stations and a silent auction. The guest of honor is Kevin Carroll, who developed Winter the dolphin’s prosthetic tail and also prosthetic legs for rescued birds at Save Our Seabirds. Cost is $35. Call 388-3010.

Monday, March 5 Mote Lecture Series: Charles ‘Flip’ Nicklin— starts at 7:30 p.m. at Immersion Cinema at Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. Nicklin is an award-winning contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine and founder of Whale Trust. He wrote “Among Giants: a Life with Whales,” which features his history and experience studying whales. Cost is $15 for members; $12 for non-members. Call 388-4441or register online at www.mote.org/lecture.

Thursday, March 8 LBKCA Annual Juried Exhibition Opening Reception — takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S. “Illuminated Nature” is the theme of this juried exhibit. Featured artists’ work and photographs incorporate water, light or nature. The exhibit runs through March 29. Free. RSVP required; call 383-2345.

Friday, March 16 Republican Club of Longboat Key Monthly Meeting — takes place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd. This will be Attorney General Pam Bondi’s first speech in Sarasota since taking office in 2011. Breakfast will be served, and Bondi will speak from 9 to 10 a.m. Cost is $20. Call Ruth Strauss at 383-5349.

Don’t Miss

Longboat Key Garden Club’s 36th annual Home and Garden Tour When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3 Where: Longboat Key and Lido Shores; the Condrick home, the Trine home, the Bearden home, the Levine home, the Kepecz-Hays home and the Garvin home Cost: $20 donation Info: Call Jackie Salvino 383-1406 or Madelyn Spoll 3834818 Where to buy tickets: • Circle Books, St. Armands Circle, 478 John Ringling Blvd. • Davidson Drugs, 5124 Ocean Glvd. And 6595 Midnight Pass Road, on Siesta Key; 1281 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota • Design 2000, 6840 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Irene’s, 5308 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach • LLSA Chamber of Commerce, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive. • Nosh-a-Rye, 23 Ave. of the Flowers • SunTrust Bank, 510 Bay Isles Road • The UPS Store, 5380 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 150

Royal Rummage Sale

When: Early bird sale, 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 2; regular sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3 Where: St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, Stella Maris Activity Hall, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Cost: Preview sale, $5; regular sale, free.

ServiceS to Benefit

America’s Finest Veterans Benefits Seminar

2012 Benefits For 2012, the maximum monthly pension amounts are... • Veteran.........................................$1,704 • Surviving Spouse .........................$1,094 • Veteran and Spouse ...................$2,020* * Actual benefit amount is determined by the VA based on eligibility.

Join us on March 14 as Horizon Bay Sarasota presents a Veterans Benefits and Elderlife Financial Seminar to address special benefits exclusively for veterans and their spouses. Mark Larsen from the American Association for Wartime Veterans and Staci Wickson from Elderlife Financial Services will be on hand with all the details. Don’t miss this important event!

Wednesday, March 14 • 11:00 a.m. Complimentary admission & lunch.

For reservations or more information, call (888) 691-7694. Independent Living Personalized Assisted Living Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care 730 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 www.horizonbay.com 72226

Business After Hours — takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Broadway Promenade (in the Community Room) 1064 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours allows friends and business associates to network over hors d’oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine. Cost is $5 for members, $10 for guests. Reserve online at longboatkeychamber.com or by calling 383-2466.

FST Improv at the Education Center — takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Longboat Key Education Center, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Interact with the actors of Florida Studio Theatre and learn the craft of improv. Cost is $15 for members; $20 for non-members. Call 3838811 or email info@lbkeducationcenter.org.

76845

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

12A

Your story continues here…

Assisted Living Facility #AL 8261 ® Reg. U.S. Patent and TM Office 20449-FLY09-0312-HBB SW

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

2185 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 244 #A3919623 $2,475,000 Anne Mitchell

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-725-0227

2333 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 1B4 #A3941721 $2,250,000 Sylvia Zimmerman

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-350-5022

741 Binnacle Point Dr #A3948387 Deborah Beacham

1641 Harbor Cay Ln #A3897813 Hannerle Moore

$1,195,000

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-387-7300

260 North Shore Rd # 2 #A3956001 Michael Moulton

$995,000

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-928-3559

210 Sands Point Rd # 2803 #A364192 $849,000 Gail Wittig

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-228-1985

392 Firehouse Ln #A3933524 Mary Defrank

$849,000

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-544-0214

340 S Palm Ave # 54 #A3935110 Audrey Singer

$839,000

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-350-2588

540 Golf Links Ln #A3956045 Janis Collier

Longboat Key 941-951-6660 941-313-1212

$1,629,000

$819,000

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-376-2688

13A

3544 San Remo Ter Sarasota Karen Greco 941-504-6927

#A3954162

$4,375,000 941-966-8000

5341 Gulf Of Mexico Dr Longboat Key Maureen Horn 941-539-3384

#A3956322

$3,200,000 941-383-7591

OUR GLOBAL AFFILIATIONS showcase your property to over 6,500 affiliate branches in 52 countries

375 N Washington Dr #A3945287 Terri Derr

510 Harbor Point Rd Longboat Key Jenifer Schwell 941-780-0968

#A3950979

$2,495,000 941-388-4447

$740,000

Lido Key 941-383-7591 941-356-6694

2425 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 13B #A3946380 $739,000 Mel & Jan Goldsmith

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-6673

1701 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 5-E #A3947083 $499,000 Susan Mondello

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-544-3387

711 Benjamin Franklin Dr # 1 #A3955649 $450,000 Marcia Salkin & Paulene Soublis

Lido 941-383-7591 941-376-6121

5393 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 214C #A3951459 $417,500 Sandi Layfield

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-914-2807

752 Saint Judes N Dr #A3952176 Bruce & Jenine Meyer

$395,000

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-266-8152

VACATION RENTALS Veranda Beach Club verandabeachclub.com 800.411.5511 White Sands of Longboat whitesandsoflongboat.com 800.230.2428

731 Fox St #A3921603 Cathy Meldahl

$334,900

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-724-7228

4621 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 21F #A3893469 $375,000 - $589,000 Richard Perlman

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-228-8580

450 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 302B #A3953056 $295,000 Diana Kryszak

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-993-4078

4810 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # V9 #A3949703 $250,000 Sergei Sokolov

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-323-2585

4500 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 2 #A3952147 $239,000 Bobbi Banan

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-2659

3804 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 307 #A3954180 $199,990 J Jack Otto

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-894-2258

RENTALS

#A3949498

ON THE GO?

$1,995,000 941-388-4447

1001 Benjamin Franklin Dr # 605 #A3956037 $6,000 Gail Kayajian

Sarasota 941-383-5502 941-961-8562

3630 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 205 #A3952460 $5,100 Gail Kayajian

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-961-8562

Search for properties from your smartphone at

Mid Longboat 383.5502 • South Longboat 383.7591 • St. Armands 388.4447 • Main Street 951.6660 • Palmer Ranch 966.8000 • Siesta Key 349.3444

75164

455 Longboat Club Rd # 504 Longboat Key Diana Michel 941-266-2677

14A

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

NEIGHBORS

GEORGE HEITLER “I sang in (so many) plays and musicals for all the years,” he says. “I used to try to imitate Ezio Pinza in ‘Some Enchanted Evening.’” Heitler abruptly halts the conversation and breaks out into a passionate rendition of “Lovely to Look at” by Jerome Kern in the Broadway musical, “Roberta.” He uses his right hand to emphasize the flowing notes and slightly lifts his brow as if he’s performing on stage. “Is quite my most impossible scheme come true/Imagine finding a dream like you/ You’re lovely to look at/It’s thrilling to hold you terribly tight/For we’re together, the moon is new/ And, oh, it’s lovely to look at you tonight.” As quickly as he jumps into song, he stops and says, “Oh, I know what else I should tell you,” as if the display of talent never happened. He has been leading a “birthday bash” in the retirement community for 11 years. Once a month, he celebrates the Plymouth Harbor residents’ birthdays with song. He also leads weekly singalongs at area retirement homes, assisted-living facilities and Alzheimer’s units with help from friends Don and Peggy Wallace. “I’m a ham!” he says with a big grin. But for anyone who meets

Mallory Gnaegy

George Heitler performed in Don Wallace’s “The Scam on the 17th Floor” Tuesday, Feb. 28 and Wednesday, Feb. 29, at Plymouth Harbor. him, that’s common knowledge. Don Wallace, a playwright, also lives at Plymouth Harbor and has created a series of original plays in which the residents take part. So far, Heitler has been in “Dog on the 17th Floor,” “The Ghost on the 17th Floor” and, now, “The Scam on the 17th Floor.”

Café Don Giovanni

However, it’s apparent, even in a small role as the announcer in ‘The Scam on the 17th Floor” — Heitler was made for the stage. — Mallory Gnaegy

ONLINE: See a video of Heitler singing. www.YourObserver.com

ReMINKIE creates keepsake memories!

Casual Italian Restaurant Delicious Dinners Nightly 4:30-Close

Osso Buco • Veal Chop • Chicken • Lamb • Fresh Seafood Sea Bass • Dover Sole • Pasta • Pizza 76662

Call for reservations 383-0013 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

“I’ve made a lot of very difficult decisions in my long career, but one of the best I’ve ever made was moving into Plymouth Harbor 11 years ago,” Heitler says. He has enjoyed acting with the other residents. He used to take on major roles when he was younger, but now he doesn’t think he’d be able to learn all of the lines.

From Treasured FUR into Teddy Bears or Pillows. From His Special NECKTIES into Teddy Bears, Pillows or Scarves. From Memorable ClOTHINg—Jackets, Dresses, & Shirts into Teddy Bears.

www.REMINKIEBEARS.COM (941) 383-9711 or 1-800-373-6465

75721

Retired lawyer George Heitler had a hand in drafting the Blue Cross plans. But the 96-and-a-half-yearold Plymouth Harbor resident doesn’t want to talk about business — he brushes it aside. He wants to talk about the “fun” stuff. “I’ve been singing all my life,” the basso profundo says with a tinge of a New York accent. His mother, Celia, was a talented pianist and singer and tried out for the Metropolitan Opera Company when she was 16, but instead of pursuing it professionally, she eloped with Heitler’s dad, Jacob. Heitler grew up singing Broadway duets with his mother. He started at age 7 when he sang in the temple choir, and by age 12, he was starring in “The Student Prince.” He was also in the glee club throughout his schooling. In Chicago, he secured the leading roles in two readingplay groups. After moving to Connecticut, he was the president of the Summer Songsters, and he sang with the Heritage Singers and also Morning Musicale. He used to give several performances at Whitney Beach after moving there in ’82 and used to lead a sing-along at Bayfront Park Recreation Center once a month.

This ‘ham’ knows how to charm any audience.

Enter today for a chance to WIN an iPad2 or a Canon EOS T3 camera!

State Certified General Contractor

Each weekly winner of the Photo Contest will be entered into a drawing for that month.The monthly winner pulled will choose from the iPad2 or CannonEOX T3 camera. For complete contest rules or to submit your photos visit the “Contests” page at:

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Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

TOP SALES ASSOCIATE – Ranked in the Top .5% of Coldwell Banker Associates Worldwide

Ritz Tower Residences – Incredible Opportunity One of a kind 4th floor walk-down to amenity level with four bedrooms, 4 baths and 3,659 square feet of easy living space. Sought-after floor plan, marble floors, wood cabinetry and stainless appliances throughout. 2 valuable parking spaces incl. $1,595,000

Coral Cove - Bay Front Beauty Mainland Mediterranean Perfection with 130’ of waterfront, 5BR, theater, library, family room, infinity edge pool/spa, dock, jet-ski lift and 4-car garage. $3,195,000

Sanctuary II – One of a Kind! Direct Gulf front walk down with private plaza deck. View gives the feel of living on a Caribbean island. Largest 3BR with 3,115 sq. ft. Gulf/beach views. Unique opportunity. $1,985,000

La Firenza - Direct Beach Front Stunning sunsets over the Gulf and partial Bay views from this SW corner 3,521 SF apartment with varying 11 & 12 ft. ceilings. Built in 2007 with 3BR+ family room and den/3.5 BA, full bar and summer kitchen. Oversized private 2-car garage. $2,998,000

Grand Bay III - Beautiful Water Views Light and bright 3BR/3.5BA residence in Building 3 with nine foot ceilings, spacious floor plan and wrap around terraces for enjoying views of Sarasota Bay. $829,000

Ritz Tower – Bay & City Views PENTHOUSE residence with 4,704 Sq. Ft., 4 BR plus family room and 4.5 bathrooms offers incredible views, wood & marble floors, granite & stainless gourmet kitchen, 10’ ceilings. $3,595,000

Water Club I - Gulf & Bay Views 6th floor 3BR/3BA newly designed & furnished apartment with beautiful water views, private elevator, and two terraces for viewing sunsets. Gated community with excellent amenities. Furnished. $1,475,000

Water Club II - Gorgeous Views Gulf, Bay & City lights views from this premier 9th floor Dover model. 3 full BR+den/4.5BA, 10’ ceilings, Saturnia marble floors, private elevator foyer. 2 parking spaces. $2,395,000 G NEW LISTIN

Ritz Tower – Downtown Sarasota Sophisticated Simplicity with Style! 8th floor 2,799 SF residence with 3BR/3BA in wood, granite & stainless offers a neutral color pallet & gorgeous Bay, Marina, & City views from every room. 2 prkng spaces. $1,448,000

Sorrento Shores - Rancho del Sol Sprawling waterfront estate fully furnished on 1.24 acres and 224 feet of Sarasota Bay front! 5 BR/4.2 BA with separate 2 BR renovated historic guest house. Includes 350 foot deep water dock w/18,000 lb. lift. $2,495,000

Water Club I – Direct Gulf Front Gorgeous 7th floor apartment with 3BR/5BA and 3,400 sq. ft. Amazing water & sunset views! Oak wood floors, unique interior finishes, 2 parking spaces & excellent amenities. $2,700,000

Grand Bay-Bay, City, & Golf Course Views Sought-after south facing corner residence with 3BR/3 Full Baths, private elevator foyer, wraparound terrace, wood floors, stainless appliances, granite wet bar. $1,289,000

Longboat Key – Direct Beach Front “The Johnson Estate” Gated privacy on 2+ acres w/150 ft. of Gulf front. 10,000 SF. 7BR/6.5BA with attached guest wing. New in ‘07. www. Johnsonestatelongboatkey.com $11,500,000

San Remo Shores - Deep Yacht Basin On 160’ of waterfront has 5BR/5.3BA & 7,582 SF of luxury. Home theater, office, media room and rooftop widow’s walk. Private dock & 4-car garage. $4,150,000

Sanctuary III - Beautiful Views South facing 4th floor apartment with 3BR plus den /2.5BA & wraparound terrace w/ views of Gulf and Golf Course. Incredible opportunity! $899,000

Longboat Key – Boater’s Fantasy 3,435 SF home with 114 feet of DEEP water frontage! Extra large rooms, with living area on one level and tons of ground floor play space. Covered 45x20 slip and Jet Ski dock included. $869,000

Ritz Hotel Residences - 12th Floor Water views from all rooms! 2,011 SF w/ wood floors, custom-fitted closets, & unique Venetian plaster walls. Large master suite with sitting area & marble bath. $1,098,500

SIESTAS BAYSIDE - Deep Water Canal Updated waterfront 3BR/2BA 2,641 Sq. Ft. OYSTER BAY - Vacant Lot West of the Trail" Red Rock Park 80' x 197' BEACHPLACE - Direct Gulf Front #304 2BR/2BA, 1,502 Sq. Ft. PROMENADE - Penthouse 3BR/3.5BA 2,612 Sq. Ft. UNIVERSITY PARK - Custom Lakefront 3BR + Den with 12 Ft. Ceilings

$849,900 $299,000 $695,000 $849,000 $469,000

MARINA BAY - Gorgeous Bay Views 3BR/3.5BA 3,382 Sq. Ft. Building 1 LA BELLASARA - Bay, Marina & City Views

6th floor new in '06 3/BR + study 4.5BA RITZ TOWER - Downtown Sarasota #806 3BR/3BA 2,799 Sq. Ft. LA BELLASARA - Golden Gate Point PENTHOUSE 4BR/5BA 5,585 Sq Ft LONGBOAT KEY - Gulf Front Lot 293 x 114 Directly on the Gulf!

$1,085,000 $2,150,000 $1,448,000

Bird key - Outstanding Waterfront Opportunity Built in 2007 on a wide protected boat basin. Home has 8,071 square feet, 5BR/5.5BA, theater room, guest wing with separate entrance and more! Infinity edge pool, boat dock, and 4-car garage. $3,850,000

The Bougainvillea House - Tudor Revival Renovated in 2006 on 3 lots with 4BR/3.5BA + separate guest house totaling 4,857 square feet. Home exudes old world charm while offering today's modern conveniences. Wood floors, marble, pool, & 2-car garage. $1,290,000

Lido Shores - Direct Gulf Front Palazzo 200 ft. of sea-walled Gulf front with private Dock and Beach access. This 7,415 SF residence has 5BR/8BA, his and her bath & studies, 50 ft. pool/spa & 5-car garage. $7,900,000

Hot

pROpERTiEs

Catch my Real Estate segment every Wednesday on Sarasota's

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Ackerman

BARBARA

REALTOR®

www.barbaraackerman.com I barbara@barbaraackerman.com

941-387-1820 Direct I 800-910-8728 Toll-Free

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, LLC 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite #1, Longboat Key n

Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

All Barbara’s listings are linked Internationally in 13 languages.

73718

The name to know in real estate

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

athlete of the week

JUST THE STATS

By Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

MEL TAUB

150

Mel Taub plays golf three times a week and tennis about four times a week, and he tries to exercise every day. He has been playing tennis for about 30 years and favors it to golf. He plays 18-hole golf at the ongboat Key Club and Resort (where he has been a member since ’87), but plays 9-hole golf with his wife, Cheryl, almost every week.

The number of matches to be played in the 2012 Sarasota Open.

Place Ron and Helen Rayevich took in the Sarasota Yacht Club couples bridge game Feb. 21.

What got you started playing tennis? Well, I used to play basketball, but the group I was playing with was getting younger I wanted to find another physical activity, so I decided to try tennis with some friends and really liked it. What got you started playing golf? Living on Longboat, a lot of my friends play golf — a lot of them played golf instead of tennis because of injuries. I like the game a lot. It’s a wonderful game, but the only downside is it’s not physical enough.

3,200

The number of tennis balls used in the 2011 Sarasota Open.

201

Score of Mary Agen, who got the woman’s high-scratch game for Sarasota Yacht Club Bowling League Wednesday, Feb. 22.

What’s your favorite aspect of tennis? The competition and the guys. I’ve met some wonderful people on Longboat, from all over the place, and they’ve become good friends. And, of course, the exercise.

you’ve played tennis? It’s here, on Longboat Key. I’ve played tennis a lot of places, even Hawaii. But tennis is beautiful here.

What’s the most difficult part of tennis? That would be losing. And over the years, I’ve had my fair share of physical issues: a knee replacement in ’05, and four months ago I had a hip replacement. (Three or four weeks ago) I was back in my regular games. And nobody pities me! I still have people drop-shotting, lobbing and making me run!

What’s the breakfast of champions? Coffee and juice. I like to come back from playing to go to the brunch with Cheryl. Who is your favorite person to play golf with? Cheryl. I’d like to get my wife to play 18 holes.

Where is the most beautiful place

Number of turkeys made at the Sarasota Yacht Club bowling league game Feb. 22. Dee Devlin made two, Doug Mampe made one, and Debbie Duncan made one.

Boats entered in the 2012 Windjammer Regatta at Sarasota Sailing Squadron that took place Feb. 25 and Feb. ExpertMarketing Marketing Expert Expert Expert Expert Marketing Marketing Marketing Expert Marketing 26. International PropertyPromotion Promotion International Property

International International InternationalProperty Property PropertyPromotion Promotion Promotion International Property Promotion SuccessfulSales Sales Successful Successful Successful Successful Sales Sales Sales Successful Sales Trusted ProfessionalGuidance. Guidance. Trusted Professional Trusted Trusted TrustedProfessional Professional Professional Guidance. Guidance. Trusted Professional Guidance. ExpertGuidance. Marketing® Expert Marketing

Number of holes-in-one Sandy Finnegan has made this season. She recently made her second one.

Sheldon Paley, Realtor Expert Expert Expert Marketing Marketing Marketing Expert Marketing

Certified International Property SpecialistPromotion International Property Promotion International Property International International International Property Property Property Promotion Promotion Promotion International Property Promotion SuccessfulSales Sales Successful Successful Successful Successful Sales Sales Sales Successful Sales 941.356.1857 Trusted ProfessionalGuidance. Guidance. Trusted Professional Trusted Trusted Trusted Professional Professional Professional Guidance. Guidance. Guidance. Trusted Professional Guidance. Jspaley@comcast.net Sheldon Paley, Realtor® Sheldon Paley, Realtor® Certified International Property Sheldon Sheldon Sheldon Paley, Paley, Paley, Realtor® Realtor® Realtor® Sheldon Paley, Realtor® www.SheldonPaley.com Signature Sotheby’sInternational International Realty Signature Sotheby’s Realty

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New ListiNg

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

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www.SheldonPaley.com • www.whyfloridanow.com Sheldon Paley, Realtor® Sheldon Paley, Realtor® Sheldon Sheldon Sheldon Paley, Paley, Paley, Realtor® Realtor® Realtor® Sheldon Paley, Realtor®

realtors - Licensed real

views. Largest 2 bd/2ba in Longboat Key Towers. $

5050 50 Central Central Central Avenue, Avenue, Avenue, Suite Suite Suite 110, 110, 110, Sarasota, Sarasota, Sarasota, FLFL FL 34236 34236 34236 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Sarasota, FL 34236 Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com Estate brokerwww.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com 941.356.1857 941.364.4000 941.356.1857 941.364.4000 941.356.1857 941.356.1857 941.356.1857 941.364.4000 941.364.4000 941.364.4000 941.356.1857 941.364.4000

925,000

546 bay Isles road Longboat Key, Florida 34228 NEW LISTING: Extraordinary Bayfront home 941 - 383 - 2500 (M-F) PENDING PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING SOLD SOLD SOLD PENDING PENDING SOLD on Longboat Key. Private Listing. Call for details. Bayou Sound Grand Bay Islander Bayou Sound Grand Bay Harbourside Islander 2016 $749,000 www.signature.com 7323 Kensington Court, University Park $359,000 Bayou Bayou Bayou Sound Sound Sound Grand Grand Grand Bay Bay Bay Islander Islander Islander Bayou Sound Grand Bay Islander

Fer! an OF MaKe

$1,250,000 $999,000 $500,000 $1,250,000 $999,000 $500,000 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and$500,000 2462 SF with 2 bedrooms plus den, 2 baths 1802 $999,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $999,000 $999,000 $500,000 $500,000 $1,250,000 $999,000 $500,000 Spectacular Bay views SF with Lakefront views

3.2 Million

76812

MIChaeL

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 ThePlaza Plaza FivePoints Points The atatFive The The The Plaza Plaza Plaza atatat Five atFive Five Points Points Points The Plaza Five Points 50 Avenue, Suite 110,Sarasota, Sarasota, 34236 50 Central Central Avenue, Suite 110, FLFL 34236 5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction JuSt SoLd: 6980 74th St. Circle 5050 50 Central Central Central Avenue, Avenue, Avenue, Suite Suite Suite 110, 110, 110, Sarasota, Sarasota, Sarasota, FL FL FL 34236 34236 34236 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Sarasota, FL 34236 Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com EastSheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com in River Club $350,000 Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com Sheldon.Paley@sothebysrealty.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com PEndinG: 7608 Camden Harbor in www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com 941.356.1857 941.364.4000 941.356.1857 941.364.4000 Heritage Harbour $400,000 Signature Sotheby’s International Realty Signature Sotheby’s International Realty 941.356.1857 941.356.1857 941.356.1857 941.364.4000 941.364.4000 941.364.4000 941.356.1857 941.364.4000

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Reduced $30,000

PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING Bayou Sound Bayou Sound Bayou Bayou Bayou Sound Sound Sound Bayou Sound $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000

PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING Grand Grand Bay Bay Grand Grand Grand Bay Bay Bay Grand Bay $999,000 $999,000 $999,000 $999,000 $999,000 $999,000

PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING Sabal SabalCove Cove Sabal Sabal Sabal Cove Cove Cove Sabal Cove $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000

1211 Gulf of Mexico

$769,000

2 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1827 SF with full Gulf views

G LISTIn neW

en PrOVenCe - Spacious 3BR gulf front condo that feels like a private home on the beach in a small elegant complex. A3929322 $2,199,000 76690

The GranDe - Exquisitely appointed gulf front Penthouse residence, 3260sf 3BR, 1450sf terrace w/ a two car garage. A3955033 $1,950,000

ICe eD Pr reDUC

PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING Sabal SabalCove Cove Sabal Sabal Sabal Cove Cove Cove Sabal Cove $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000 $1,194,000

Tina Rudek -

SOLD WATERFRONT RESIDENCE SOLD GORGEOUS SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD Islander Islander

Islander Islander Islander Islander $500,000 furnished 4BR/3.5BA with private rock $500,000 Exquisitely oasis, 4 car garage and over 3000 sq.ft. of custom designs, treatments, fittings and finishes Staghorn in Deer Creek $469,000 in a premier boating community on a protected fresh water canal. Offered at $699,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD swimming

QueensHarbor Harbor Queens Queens Queens Queens Harbor Harbor Harbor Queens Harbor $975,000 $975,000 $975,000 $975,000 $975,000 $975,000

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

QueensHarbor Harbor Queens Queens Queens Queens Harbor Harbor Harbor Queens Harbor $975,000 $975,000 Longboat $975,000 $975,000 $975,000 $975,000

Key Realty

595 Bay Isles Road, Suite 120 E, Longboat Key GRI, TRC, CPC • 941-920-0303 • Tina@LBKRealEstate.com 36250

Bellagio at Osprey Harbor $799,000 Alinari atwww.LBKRealEstate.com Rosemary Place $304,000

360 nOrTh - North end of LBK 3BR townhome overlooking the beach and gulf. A3956001 $995,000

BeaChPLaCe - Prime gulf front location corner 3BR condo within gate community. A3952088 $1,150,000

eL COnQUISTaDOr - Water view Spanish style 5BR hacienda estate on 1 acre w/ 2 level pool area. A3946054 $995,000

PE PE P P

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Office 941.383.7591 | Mobile 941.928.3559 | SarasotasFinestProperties.com

76793

WaTer CLUB - Coveted southern exposure on the 7th floor w/beautiful city, gulf and bay views elegantly furnished. A3919693 $2,495,000 76625

ST. arManDS TOWerS PenThOUSe Experience the view from this sophisticated furnished 2550sf 3 BR Penthouse overlooking the Gulf. A3953612 $1,750,000

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

Linda Weber

Originally from Pittsburgh & a graduate from The University of Miami, Linda spent 20 years with USAirways in customer service management; weekends were spent racing sail boats in the summer out of Erie, Pa & skiing all over the country during the winter months. In 1980 she & her husband Emmett moved back to Florida & found their way to Longboat Key in 1985. She hung her skis up for golf clubs where you can now find her in her spare time at The Longboat Key Club, or cruising the warm waters of Florida on their boat.

Call:(941) 504-2000 | Email: LLWeber@aol.com

Owned and Operated by NRT, LLC

FloridaMoves.com Featuring 160,700 properties for sale in Florida 3

3610 Fair Oaks Place - 4BR/3+BA, pool, private dock & Bay views in this Queens Harbour home. $2,150,000

1050 lONgbOaT club rOad #1002N - FANTASTICALLY priced and furnished 2BD/2BA remodeled Gulf front Penthouse. $569,000

520 gOlF liNks laNe - Minutes from the Gulf of Mexico, 3BD 3BA canal home in Country Club Shores. $799,000

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1064 N Tamiami Trail #1519 - Luxury never looked so good with full, sweeping views of Sarasota Bay. $420,000

1064 N Tamiami Trail #1223 - Tasteful & elegant this spacious 2BR+den has a wonderfully revised floor plan. $294,900

3550 Fair Oaks laNe Must see work of art w/attention to detail throughout every room. 4BR/5+BA $1,999,000

Call:(941) 724-3339 | Email: Martina@MartinaSellsSarasota.com

1211 gulF OF mexicO drive #906 Gorgeous SW Gulf views. 2BR/2BA, 2135 sqft with wood burning fireplace. $749,000

4525 gulF OF mexicO drive #206 - Beautifully Renovated 3B/2B! Gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, beach & sunset views! $749,000

668 TreNTON Way - 3BR/2+BA residence in a gated community on an extra large lot. $379,000

Call:(941) 809-5954 | Email: Monica@MonicaRoche.com

1241 gulF OF mexicO drive #208 - 3/3.5 over 3,000 ft. Steps from beach & clubhouse. Sunset side of building. $899,000

1975 gulF OF mexicO drive #204 - This 2BR/2BA is just steps from the beach. Amenity rich, secure community. $299,000

Martina Coppenrath

2023 harbOur liNks drive - Views abound in this 3BR+den/3BA villa in secluded & secure community. $699,000

Call:(941) 587-5060 | Email: Audrey@AudreyMarten.com

Monica Roche

Audrey Marten

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2089 gulF OF mexicO drive #107 Enjoy tranquil views & tropical setting w/this updated 2B/2B seaside condo! $447,000

4241 gulF OF mexicO drive #302 - Direct FULL Gulf & Bay views; 2BR/2.5BA w/recent complete remodel. Pets OK. $1,059,000

4861 sWeeTshade drive - 4/3 almost 200k under purchase price. Pool, lake view and a great location. $409,900

601 lONgbOaT club rd #303s - Updated 2BR/2BA condo w/direct Gulf views & 2 covered parking spaces! $795,000

Call:(941) 780-0597 | Email: LeahRGeorge@gmail.com

1926 harbOurside drive #1301 - Light & bright. 2100sqft, 3B/3B, 2car garage & fireplace; corner townhouse. $439,900

3405 54Th drive WesT #101 - IMG Academies / Bollettieri Resort Villas. 4+BR/3BA, 2 story villa w/over 3500sqft. $965,000

Call:(941) 518-7694 | (941) 376-4894 | Email: www.TheLeventhalTeam.com ed

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3601 bayOu circle - Boaters dream - custom 3800sf deep waterfront home 4B/5B w/100â&#x20AC;&#x2122; dock. $2,099,000

David & Wendy Leventhal

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3314 bayOu rOad - Water & golf course views that rival the best. 5200sf, A/C w/4B/5B/8car gar. $1,949,000

Leah George

3343 sabal cOve Place - 3B/3B+den estate home w/private setting. Great pool/lanai for entertaining. $999,000

Call:(941) 504-2000 | Email: LLWeber@aol.com

Linda Weber

76895

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Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

games | bridge bites By Brian Gunnell | American Contract Bridge League

Finesses are easy Of course finesses are easy! You just lead toward the AQ or KJ or some such holding, and, when fate is kind, an extra trick materializes. But, if they can, experienced players will avoid the whims of fate, as in this deal. West leads the Q ♥, and Declarer can see a certain loser in Hearts and another in Diamonds. So, if 4 ♠ is to make, then Declarer must

avoid losing two Clubs. Any ideas? One way to play Clubs (after drawing trumps) is to finesse the 10, hoping that West has the King and the Queen. That’s somewhat unlikely (about 25%). Another possibility is to finesse the 8 and later finesse the 10, hoping that West has K9 or Q9. That’s a 37% chance. Or, Declarer might run the Jack, giv-

ing himself the extra chance that West might neglect to cover with his honor. Which finesse will you choose? The correct answer is that you don’t care for any of these finesses — you much prefer the 100% method! Draw trumps, cash the red suit winners and exit with a Heart (or a Diamond). The defenders can take their Heart and Diamond tricks, but now their goose is cooked. If they lead another red card, then Declarer pitches a Club loser from one

hand and ruffs in the other hand (the so-called “ruff and sluff”). And if they break open Clubs, then Declarer will lose only one trick in the suit. Yes, finesses are easy, especially when you can avoid taking them!

BRIDGE HAND Vulnerable: Both

North

West

♠ 98 ♥ Q J 10 7 ♦ KJ6 ♣Q652

Visit www.acbl.org for more about the game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org. Contact Brian Howard, owner/director of the Bridge Center of Bradenton, at 7958981.

♠ J 10 7 6 5 ♥652 ♦ A7 East ♣ A 10 8 ♠4 ♥ 983 ♦ Q 10 9 8 5 2 ♣K97 South

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE TRINIDAD. No, it’s not Halloween. It’s Carnival in Trinidad, which is celebrated the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Elle and Richard Crooks got into the spirit with traditional costumes and headpieces — and they brought copies of their Longboat Observer as accessories!

AKQ32 AK4 43 J43

Bidding: South West 1 ♠ Pass 4 ♠ All Pass

North 3 ♠

East Pass

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS: Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Send your entries to nschwartz@yourobserver.com.

LONGBOAT

Observer

#1 on Longboat Key, #1 in Florida The Longboat Observer and YourObserver.com earned the top honors last June as Florida’s best weekly newspaper and weekly newspaper website.*

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Pick up your FREE copy today in your condo or on newsstands.

For FREE home delivery call (941) 383-5509 or scan this code on your smartphone. * 2011 Florida Press Association Better Newspaper Contest

75463

10B

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

TIDE CHART

11B

Weather Photo Contest Winner

Thurs., March 1

Highs — 5:24p

1:45a

Lows —

Fri., March 2

—

6:46p

3:00a

—

Sat., March 3

11:15a

8:07p

4:00a

2:25p

Sun., March 4

11:22a

9:15p

4:47a

3:47p

Mon., March 5

11:34a 10:12p

5:26a

4:45p

Tues., March 6

11:47a 11:03p

6:01a

5:34p

Wed., March 7

12:02p 11:53p

6:32a

6:21p

TemperatureS

Temps.

Record Temps.

High

Low

Tues., Feb. 21 Wed., Feb. 22

76 76

53 60

87 (1989) 33 (1977) 87 (1990) 30 (1977)

Thurs., Feb. 23

85 (1990)

33 (1978)

Fri., Feb. 24

85 (1979)

36 (1989)

Sat., Feb. 25

86 (2001)

28 (1989)

Sun., Feb. 26

86 (1971)

27 (1967)

Mon., Feb. 27

85 (1971)

31 (1974)

High

Low

Average Gulf water temperature: 65.2

MOON PHASES

Sunrise/sunset Thurs., March 1 Fri., March 2 Sat., March 3 Sun., March 4 Mon., March 5 Tues., March 6 Wed., March 7

Sunrise 6:54 6:53 6:52 6:51 6:50 6:49 6:48

Sunset 6:31 6:31 6:32 6:32 6:33 6:34 6:35

March 8 Full

March 14 Last

March 22 New

March 30 First

Joanne Sheehan submitted this sunset photo, taken at Beach Harbor Club.

PHOTO CONTEST: Win an iPad 2 or Canon EOS T3 camera. Enter your sunset, sunrise or weather-related photos for The Observer’s weather photo contest, sponsored by . To enter your photos, visit YourObserver.com, and click on the “Contests” tab in the upper-right corner. Weekly winners will have their photo printed in the paper and will be entered into a drawing for that month. The monthly winner will choose between an iPad 2 or Canon EOS T3 camera.

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

MeASuRe uP by Gary Cooper

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

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ACROSS

1 Participate in a kids’ game 5 Cabbage units 10 Staple of Italian cuisine 15 Female whales 19 Shooting star, to some 20 “The Threepenny ___” 21 Manicurist’s board 22 Turkish general 23 Email inbox filler 24 Great Barrier Reef material 25 Casting agents? 27 ___ Island National Monument 29 Hardly a guzzle 30 Second word in many a limerick 31 “Pushing Tin” director Mike 32 Word with “metric” or “honor” 34 Bioelectric creatures 36 Scepter partner 38 Hoarse-sounding 39 About 225 Earth days, on Venus 41 Fashion line? 43 Affirmative votes 45 Rocky peak 48 Have down cold 50 Enjoy the slopes 51 Growing canines 55 Greek war god 57 Dynamic ___ (Batman and Robin) 58 Result of sun exposure 59 Alphabet opening sequence 60 Politician Paul 61 ___ no good (scheming) 62 Smasher particle 64 For men ___ (stag) 66 Horn-shaped object 68 ___ store (discount shop) 70 A politician may resign in it 73 Fixes a manuscript

74 More ethereal 76 Do a double-take, e.g. 77 Kind of hammer 79 Curl the lip 80 Lacking teeth 83 Tibetans, e.g. 85 A-frame overhangs 86 City near Phoenix 87 What knitting needles need 89 Strike dumb 90 The time of one’s life? 91 Wheeler-dealer in D.C. 92 Former Delta rival 95 “Crying” singer Orbison 96 White-hat wearer, stereotypically 97 Sleep inducer 100 Understanding cries 101 Round bread of India 103 Embroider 104 ___ fide (authentic) 105 Color in a stable 107 Took a card 109 Trunk without a lock 112 Was ahead in points 115 Fall gemstone 117 Intrepid 121 Delphi prophet 123 Sudden transition 125 A mouse may move across one 127 Splendid 128 Pioneer of cool jazz 130 Scarcer 132 ___ mater 133 Optometrist’s concerns 134 Worthless stuff 135 Marine organisms 136 Foot’s five 137 Impudence 138 Affirmatives 139 Make corrections to, as text 140 ___ d’oeuvre

dOwn

1 Extinguisher attachments 2 Express indirectly

3 Gives someone a hand? 4 Antipathy 5 Ad ___ committee 6 Poetry on an epic theme 7 Eagle’s nest 8 Some window treatments 9 Mineo of the screen 10 Capital city on the Aare River 11 Former Shell rival 12 Meal at Passover 13 Nest egg letters 14 Spacek Oscar role 15 Vehicle cleaning station 16 Double-curve arches 17 Impudent youngster 18 Actress Field 26 Do an exterminator’s job 28 Participate in a kids’ game 30 Honshu city 33 Order from the people 35 “___ we forget” (Kipling) 37 Toddlers’ parting words 40 Disorderly defeat 42 Island off the coast of Spain 44 Common Market initials 45 Lacking slack 46 “Annie” setting 47 Emulated a welltrained dog 49 You saw it 51 Pool player’s powder 52 Brings water to 53 Like some professorial tracks 54 Bearded animals 56 Evening event 63 Bogs down 65 Dressed to kill 66 Grades in the 70s 67 Sort of strange 69 Some Christmas trees 71 Type of 91-Across 72 Hood’s heater

75 78 79 81 82 84 88 91 93 94 98 99 102 106 108 109 110 111 113 114 116 118 119 120 122 124 126 129 130 131

Displacement Sailor’s cord A proverbial seven Editor’s removal mark Deserve Material for a cold missile Frequent fork location One not standing after a strike Cry from a lottery winner Fast, on a memo Dental affliction Workshop array Within striking distance Flamethrower material Christmas buy Big bites for bookworms It may be spoken in India Abnormal breath sounds Diminutive beings of folklore Clear, as a frosted windshield Movie snack bar word, perhaps Inuit domicile Finger-pointer What’s raised by a toaster Water in a whirl Seeks an answer from University VIP “You ___ what you eat” “Diff’rent Strokes” actress Spectrum segment

Thursday, March 1, 2012

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.) BIKE STORAGE Rack: Aluminum Tension pole holds 2 bikes, use indoors or garage, $60.00. 941-587-5060. BRICKMAN 2 Burner Propane Grill $25. Call (941)918-9043 between 9AM & 7PM. ETHAN ALLEN Old Tavern Muffin Stand. Made in Vermont, $85. 941-924-5093.

Antiques/Collectibles ALWAYS BUYING: Fine antique 18th & 19th Century Furniture, Art and Collectibles. Call Ren Selby, 941-822-9092. WANTED MILITARY ITEMS I collect bayonets, swords, medals, old guns, helmets, military items. CASH, 941-685-3003

Autos For Sale 2002 LINCOLN Continental. Cabriolet top, mint condition, low mileage. Call Frank. 863-899-2523.

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales ALWAYS LBK’S BIGGEST & BEST! ROYAL RUMMAGE SALE V ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA 4280 Gulf of Mexico Dr. SAVE THE DATES Friday, March 2, 1p.m.-5p.m. $5 Admission Saturday, March 3, - 9a.m.-3p.m. Free Admission ANNUAL FLEA MARKET, Saturday, March 3, 9a.m.-3p.m. Mt. Vernon Clubhouse, 4701 Independence Dr. South off Cortez Rd. Baked Goods, Clothing, Jewelry, Linens, Books, White Elephants, Furniture. HUGE SALE! Christ Church of Longboat Key. 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Saturday, March 10, 8:30 - 2:30. Clothing, jewelry, housewares, electronics, books & more.

General Merchandise THRIFT SHOP: LORD’S WAREHOUSE. Hours: Mon., Weds., & Sat., 9a.m. to 1p.m. Non-profit. Clothes, jewelry, furniture, other items. 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. 941-383-4738.

Health/Fitness/Beauty BEACH FITNESS 24/7. Senior personal training in facility and in home. Next to the Lazy Lobster! 941-778-0120.

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

Sporting Goods

2004 VOLVO S60 Perfect Condo Car. Champaign/Tan Leather. Only 53000 miles. Excellent Condition. Sunroof. Non smoker. Dealer maintained. 941.809.3260. 2009 PORSCHE Boxster, 15,000 miles, Midnight Blue/Tan Interior, Loaded. Navigation, SportCrono, Bose System. $40,500. Original price, $64,000. 941-387-1323.

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 BOATHOUSE ON Longboat unit for sale on east end, second level. $35,000, reasonable offers welcomed. Call Mike, 941-952-0308. FOR SALE OR RENT, fantastic high and dry boat slip, superb S. Longboat location. Call 941-371-1866.

Boats Boat Washing and Maintenance Detail. Great clean up + interior wax and stainless. Excellent work. $100-$200 Special 20'-28' ** 941-932-0828. Boats are selling very well. Over 18 boats sold this year, many in less than 2 weeks. 16 Year Island resident, many references. Boats to Yachts, “Big or Small, I sell them all.” Business on a Handshake. Let’s talk about selling your boat. 941-228-3489. Dave.

Consignments ALWAYS BUYING: Fine antique 18th & 19th Century Furniture, Art and Collectibles. Call Ren Selby, 941-822-9092.

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales ALWAYS BUYING: Fine antique 18th & 19th Century Furniture, Art and Collectibles. Call Ren Selby, 941-822-9092.

This week’s Sudoku answers

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 56736

Condos For Sale

Out-of-State Property

BUTTONWOOD COVE. Lovely water views from beach to bay complex on LBK. 3BR end unit, 2 enclosed lanais, under building parking, deeded boat slip, pool and tennis. Just steps to Gulf and private beach park. Just listed. Priced to sell, $365,000. Michael Saunders & Co., Craig Abbott, 941-383-1990 or Sharon Freeman, 941-545-0899.

ENERGY EFFICIENT, unique 2BR/1.5BA home on 7 well managed woodland acres, 1300 feet of road frontage and brook, in VERMONT. $450,000’s. See at: berrie@sucab.net or call (802)348-6613.

DISCOVER THE OTHER ISLAND, Tidy Island in Sarasota Bay. Great Bay front townhouse, 2/2/2 plus loft. Pet friendly. $390,000. Katharine Pepper, Rosebay Real Estate. 802-363-9973. NEW ON MARKET Beachplace - Large 2BR/2BA + Unique Home Office - Nice Views Under Building Parking. Offered at $499,500. Grand Bay Penthouse - Panoramic Water Views of Sarasota's Skyline and Gulf of Mexico Sunsets. Over 9,700 sq. ft. of interior/exterior space. Offered at $2,999,999. Barbara Shapiro, Lic. RE Broker/Owner-Sarasota Style Realty, Inc. Call for Photos/Details 941-388-2135. SEAPLACE: 3BR/2BA, RARE first floor corner unit. Beautiful Gulf and Garden views from every room, furnished, turn-key unit, new paint, new carpet, updated kitchen. Covered parking and another uncovered parking, 10/ft. ceiling in master BR. Lots of new furniture. $419,000. Mark, 941-383-4381, bradtma@yahoo.com SUNNY SOUTHERN exposure, water views, boating and beach access. 2BR/2BA, new a/c & more in amenities-rich Longboat Key complex. $274,900. Sharon Freeman, 941-545-0899 Michael Saunders & Company.

GUN & KNIFE SHOW: Bradenton Auditorium, March 10th & 11th. 941-746-7937.

Homes For Rent

RARE QUEST Elevation (Sport Bikes) His & Hers. Ebay $160/ea. Sold as pair, $225 Firm. 941-383-1302.

LARGE HOME FOR RENT: EXCEPTIONAL LOCATION Across street from the Gulf of Mexico On Longboat Club Road inside LBK Club (Island Side) 4700 sq/ft., 5 bdr, 4½ bath, pool, 3-car garage. Interior completely renovated in 2011. Available January-March 2013 $10,000/month. Mature non-smoking, pet-free couple only: Call 203-500-5666.

Storage STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area. 941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Help Wanted DRIVERS-EXPERIENCED OTR: $1500 Sign-On. 7-10 days out. Apply Online: www.heyl.net 800-973-9161. Heyl Truck Lines, Inc.

Real Estate Wanted

DIRECT GULFFRONT: Longboat Key, 2BR/2BA, tastefully decorated beach condo. Updated with many fine features. Call for details and view photos on seaplace.net, M2-Unit 111. $499,900. A MUST SEE! 941-383-9578 or 248-640-5230.

SEEKING BEDROOM with private bath in house, condo or estate. Experience gated estates and private homes. Driver duties, computer guy, home repairs, landscape design, butterfly gardens and stone work, outdoor lighting, irrigation systems, prepare homes and condos for real estate market. Full time or part time. Personal Assistant, Cooking, Housekeeping. Married Couple No Kids. 941.330.5882.

WANTED LUXURY ANNUAL RENTALS For Qualified Waiting Clients Contact - Sarasota Luxury Rentals 941-356-5610 email: info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com

WANTED SEASONAL Rental: 3 1/2 months December 15th, 2012 through March 31, 2013. 2BR/2BA, Internet, land phone. Non-smoking. 317-341-0404, mbfleming1996@sbcglobal.net

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals 112/2/

SARASOTA RANCH CLUB: 3BR/4BA, Brand New! Turnkey Furnished, 5,000 sq/ft., 4/5CG, Theater Room, 10 Acres, Call for more details! $2,950/mo. Call 941-928-1542.

Positions Wanted CAM WITH CMCA, AMS, PCAM designations seeking Condominium Association to manage. Excellent references. Please contact: resumepnb@yahoo.com or 941.685.0500

Condos/Apts. For Rent BEACH-TO-BAY CONDO at Bayport BTC Newly decorated 2bed/2bath. First floor, end unit. Free local phone, cable, Wi-Fi. Monthly rentals beginning May 2012. Contact owner at 615-376-9448. EFFICIENCY. Year lease $700/mo. Water and gas paid. Walk to beach. Small pet allowed. 941-792-0411, 941-565-1401. GOOD NEWS! LBK still available - 2BR/2BA, totally updated, first floor corner unit, granite counter tops, flatscreen TV, internet. Looks like a million dollar house inside. $3495/mo. March & April. For pictures: http://www.pfretour.com/archive/3492 Call 941-321-8848. LONGBOAT KEY - ON THE BEACH AT THE PIERRE: Fabulous views. 2,410 sq/ft. 2 bedroom plus den/convertible 3rd bedroom. 3 baths. Available 8/16/12. 3 month min. Looking for Fall Rental. Annual available. Photos: 248-310-8308 or ebstulberg@gmail.com LONGBOAT KEY CONDO FOR RENT. Penthouse 1,482 sq/ft. 2BR/2BA, Bay and Gulf views, Boat Access, Pool, Tennis Courts and Fitness. On the water, across from beach. Call Jon at 908-727-4275. SPELL-BOUNDING FULL BAY VIEWS. Location is everything. Direct on the bay overlooking Ringling bridge and downtown Sarasota. Walking distance to downtown, St. Armands Circle and the Gulf beaches. Boating and fishing are only steps away. 2 bedroom condo, ground floor, covered parking, some furniture is available/unfurnished, boat dock included. Newly renovated pool. 55 and older community. No pets. $1200/mo. annual. Tenant pays electric. Karin Stephan at 941-504-4435.

Annual, Seasonal & Vacation Rentals Available Dependable rental & property management services. Longboat/St. MICHAEL SAUNDERSArmands & COMPANY LP # 76785 941.383.5502 Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch 941.907.9595 Sarasota/Siesta Key 941.966.8000 IMG Academies 941.752.2682 Heritage Oaks 941.926.8844

RESERVE YOUR VACATION NOW!! LUXURY BEACH RENTALS…COTTAGES TO CONDOS…ONE TO FOUR BEDROOM…LOOK NO FURTHER THAN FLORIDARENT.COM DISCOUNTED RATES 20-40%...CALL TODAY!! PLEASE MENTION CODE OBS2011 941 383 3117 800 331 7293 392 FIREHOUSE Lane, LBK - Newer upscale Island home. Steps to beach & pool. Furn. 2BR + Loft. Annual or short term. No pets. No smoking. Owner Agent. 941-544-0214. www.LuxuryHomes-Condos.com

This week’s Crossword answers

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 56733

76785

Items Under $200 For Sale

michaelsaunders.com/rentals Homes For Sale CORTEZ CANAL front home with covered boat lift, room for 2 boats, 2/2/2, private quiet lots, open plan. $259,900. Katharine Pepper, RoseBay International, 802-9363-99773.

Condos For Sale

Lots/Acreage For Sale

BEACHPLACE: 2BR/2BA walkdown. Partial Gulf view, exquistiley furnished by a designer decorator. Coldwell Banker Residential R.E., LLC. Call Taube Levitt, 941-356-0743.

WATERFRONT BUILDING SITE South facing canal lot five lots from bay on Jungle Queen Way. Plans for 2600 ft. custom home included. For sale by owner $299,000. Call 612-723-6437

2012

This week’s Cryptogram answers 1. We used sine language to answer the trigonometry problem. It was a test that was timed by the teacher and there wasn’t a precious secant to lose. 2. A proton was dating an electron: a good pairing. It was a classic case showing that opposites attract.

13B Classifieds 13B

Longboat Observer

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012 Thursday, March 1, 2012 Vacation/Seasonal Rentals BAYFRONT CONDO, Longboat Arms, Mid-key, 2BR/2BA, newly remodeled, very clean and beautifully furnished, heated pool, tennis, fishing, boat ramp, private beach access just steps away, fantastic views from 30ft wide screened lanai. Available May to Dec. 2012 one month min. Available 2013 winter season, 3 month min. Rates from $2500 to $3850/month. For pictures and details, E-mail: saf3009@gmail.com or call 603-692-6445. BAYFRONT CONDO- PANORAMIC VIEWS: LBK 2BR/2BA + Den, Pelican Harbour & Beach Club Available Seasonal or Yearly. Private Beach, Pool, Tennis, Dock. Call: 513-608-4320. richwoodkids@hotmail.com BEACHFRONT LONGBOAT KEY CONDO Rare 3BR/2.5BA with beautiful views of Gulf of Mexico. Remodeled kitchen and baths, W/D, pool, tennis, spa, photos available. lburton177@aol.com or 941-953-3438 BEACHPLACE 3BR, UPDATED, TASTEFULLY DECORATED. GULF & BAY VIEWS. CALL CYNTHIA 407-492-5749

CASA DEL MAR BEACH RESORT RENTALS 4 NIGHT MIN. GULF FRONT/ GULF VIEW

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Exceptional Vacation Rentals Since 1994 Homes & Condominiums Studios to Six Bedrooms Beachfront, Intercoastal or Garden Excellent Service & Staff

LIDO BEACH CONDOMINIUMS Weekly - Monthly - Seasonal

FLORIDA VACATION CONNECTION

Resort Properties, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker Full Service Condominium Management

www.FLvacationconnection.com 941-387-9709 877-705-2460

941-388-3921 - 888-388-3921 941-650-1857 Visit us at: resortproperties.pro

LBK SEAPLACE - Available January-April. Lovely 2BR, fully equipped, W/D in unit, lanai, garden view, steps to beach, pool, tennis, full clubhouse amenities. Great! Non-smoking/pets. 770-314-6321. LBK, C.C. SHORES. Lovely remodeled home, 3/2/2, lanai, dock, heated pool, W/D, high speed internet, cable, phone, electric. Walk to beach. No pets/ smoking. Sleeps 5. Owner, 941-504-1492. LBK/SEAGATE Fabulous Gulf views; 2bd, 2 ba, 2 balconies, steps from beach, pool, tennis courts, other amen; avail May-Oct., 3 mo. minimum, $3500-$4500 + tax/mo; 941/383-5469 or email rcharnes@ix.netcom.com LBK: BAYFRONT, 2BR/2BA, clean turnkey furnished condo, recent upgrades. Spectacular water views from every room, ground floor, end unit. Covered parking, 5 pools, tennis, fitness center. Gulf/ private beach house access. No trucks/ pets/ smoking. LB Harbour, 4440 Exeter. Mid April through November: 8 months $800/mo. +utilities. Also, 1BR unit, $700/mo. or $12,000 year round. 734-216-6622.

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

LBK: BOOK NOW for your next season rental. 1BR & 3BR condos. Starting at $1000. The Outrigger Resort, 941-383-3844.

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

LBK: SEAPLACE, 2BR/2.5BA Town House. Partial Gulf views, nicely furnished, lanai+ terraces, full kitchen, living, ding area, beach club access (sauna, gym, tennis, w/pool), walk out to the beach, breathtaking sunsets. Rental: Jan.-May $3900. June-Dec. $1500. 2 mo. min. Full year $2350/mo. mandalka@gmx.de

Office Open 7 Days, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key 34228

WASHER/ DRYER IN EVERY UNIT BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS LARGE HEATED POOL GULFSIDE FREE Wireless High Speed Internet

“Where People Return Year After Year” “INTENTIONALLY BETTER” LBK BEACHPLACE Condo. Beachfront, 2BR/2BA. Elegantly furnished, heated pool, tennis court, covered parking, exercise room. Available May-Dec., 2012 & Jan., Feb., March 2013. Non-smoking/ pets. By owner. 941-383-1884.

YourObserver.com

www.yourobserver.com

LIDO BEACH Vacation paradise. 1 & 2 bedroom condos overlooking beautiful Lido Beach. Weekly rates. Lido Dorset. Rental condo. 1-800-734-3370. LONGBOAT KEY. Gulf front, heated pool on beach, 1BR/1BA condo, full kitchen, dining, sleeps/4, king pillowtop. 617-328-7145, 857-939-1049. ON THE Gulf w/pool. 1BR condo, sleeps 4. Nicely furnished, cable, phone, full kitchen, living, dining area, W/D in building. Weekly or Monthly. May through January. $1600/mo. 351-5101. RARELY AVAILABLE RESORT STYLE LIVING Private beach, tennis, heated pools, 2BR/2BA, Whitney Beach, Longboat Key, downstairs, Bayou/ dock frontage. 941-724-3519

THE WESTCHESTER GULF FRONT 2BR/2BA, open, direct views, tennis court, 2 heated pools, steps away from the sand, breathtaking sunsets. 941-228-5671.

LBK: SEASONALLY OR ANNUALLY: DROP DEAD GORGEOUS GULF VIEWS from every window of large, updated, handsomely decorated, 2BR/2BA condo right on beach. Plasma TV. No Brokerage Fee. Available starting 2013 Season. Call 941-349-0432 or 941-284-2002.

WEEKLY RENTALS. Luxurious, fully furnished 1 - 4 bedrooms. Condominiums and Cottages. Beach to Bay. On-site management. Pools, tennis, boat slips. Visit: www.FloridaRent.com for information and virtual tours. 800-333-7335, 941-383-3117.

DID WE get your attention? You bet we did! Make your ad stand out with COLOR. Only in The Observer Classifieds. Call 941-955-4888 to advertise.

Say Make You SawYour it in Phone Ring

Team Up With Classifieds • 941-955-4888

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Weekly/ Monthly/ Seasonal Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-6127 Visa/ MC 800-352-0367 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m. M-F Ask about our special rates! Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.wagnerrentals.com

WINDWARD BAY AVAILABLE MARCH 2013 SPECTACULAR Bay Views Throughout! 2BR/2BA remodeled condo. W/D in unit. Steps to pool/beach access, tennis, WiFi. 941-228-5671.

Waterfront Property 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. SINGLE FAMILY VILLA BOATERS DREAM! Deep Water, Extra Wide Canal w/Dock. 1,516 SF 2/2 in Active 55+ Community on LBK. $469,000 OBO. 941-383-9236.

Adult Care Services A LENDING HAND, INC. Caregivers/Companions, Hourly 24/7 Care, Transportation, Social Outings, Dr. Appts., Housekeeping, Meal preparation, Respite Care. Phone: 941-809-3725 CAREGIVER: I have a 100% unique gift to share with you. I was a 24/7 caregiver for my mother through all stages of Alzheimer's until her recent death. I have a gift to give. Do you need me? Call Mark 941-524-7712.

Observe

what you are missing... Reserved Space LP Reserved Space

Local News that’s

LOCAL NEWS! YourObserver.com

Longboat Observer THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012 Thursday, March 1, 2012

www.yourobserver.com

Adult Care Services

Cleaning

COMPANION CARE. General companionship. Meal planning, shopping, transportation to doctor appointments/ social events, light housekeeping. Experienced. References. 941-462-9306, 941400-3940.

CLEANING CHANGES LIVES. Local charity, Light Under The Bridge, raises funds by offering cleaning services to you. Get your home cleaned and help women in crisis get their lives back on track from Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, Homelessness, Addictions, and more. Call for more info 941-567-4007.

Floors, bathrooms, showers, backsplashes, patio and pool decks.

CLEANING SERVICE Residential, Commercial, Vacation Rentals, Move-in/Move-outs. We do it all. Inside and out. Pressure washing on request. www.cleanfreakes.com, 941-587-1258 Cash/Check/Visa/MC

20 years design background. Licensed - Insured - LBK Resident References upon request. 941-383-2659

Auto Service AUTO STORAGE New facility in Sarasota storing classic and exotic cars, motorcycles, boats and more. Over 11,000 sq. ft. Climate Controlled. 24 Hour Surveillance. Call (941)404-9676. 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.

Auto Transport RETIRED LONGBOAT KEY police officer. Drive your car to the North and back. 941-713-1596.

Catering ď &#x2C6;ď &#x2C6;ď &#x2C6;ď &#x2C6;ď &#x2C6; BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE BACK AT OUR LONGBOAT KEY CENTRE SHOPS LOCATION!! FRIDAY **MARCH 2**

ď&#x20AC;´ LIVE MAINE LOBSTER ď&#x20AC;´ BLUE FIN CRAB CAKES ď&#x20AC;´ PRIME RIB ď&#x20AC;´ GROUPER OSCAR ALL ENTREES SERVED WITH CHEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHOICE STARCH & VEGETABLE HOMEMADE PIES! AND MUCH MORE... JUST ASK... FRIDAYS NOW OPEN 8A.M.-8P.M. FULL MENU AVAILABLE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER 383-3787 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS BEER & WINE AVAILABLE

Cleaning BEST CLEANING Best Price. Do Not Miss This! Call Joan Today, 941-445-5844. CLEANING BY Pauline. Housesitting, etc. Great references. Longboat Key. 941-358-0563.

EDLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CLEANING SERVICES: Residential Commercial, New Construction. Meticulous, deep cleaning top to bottom. We Guarantee. Affordable & Reliable. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured. 30% off first cleaning. 371-9869.

Computer Services

Personal Services

ISLE TILE

YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC Gail Sunray, Owner

FOR â&#x20AC;&#x153;QUALITY AND EXPERIENCEâ&#x20AC;?

OWN A MAC/IPHONE/IPAD? MacTutor offers 21 years experience. Unlimited free telephone follow up. (941)812-3887 www.FLMacTutor.com QUICK, EASY, Affordable Training. Microsoft Certified Trainer. QuickBooks advisor. LBK Resident. Call 941-383-9458. RON@THECOMPUTERPERSON.COM * Your handyman for all things computer related * 30+ years professional computer experience * Tutorials - computers and software * Wireless/wired networking * Transfer of information * Setup new computers and software * In-home and office repair for most issues including "cleanup" * Reasonable hourly rates Email or call Ron 941.545.3466

Financial Services GOOD CREDIT? Bad credit? No credit? No problem! Are you currently employed? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Do you need cash? We can help! Apply for a loan today! Call 1-888-823-8766.

I come to your home or office.

ď&#x20AC;´ ď&#x20AC;´ ď&#x20AC;´ ď&#x20AC;´

JOHN GUBERNAT SERVICES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HOME MAINTENANCE AND ALL REPAIRS Painting/ Power Washing, Roof Leaks/ Coatings, Cleaning Services

Telephone: 941-749-5646 yourbookkeeper@tampabay.rr.com

941-962-4867 Cell 941-383-5765 Home LBK Resident

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.

Licensed/Insured

TILE TILE TILE All Variations of Ceramic Tile Supplied & Installed. Free Estimates & Custom Designs.

Professional Services

Expert Marble & Travertine Installation Floor & Walls

WINDOW CLEANING 10% off Residential Window Cleaning with this ad. 25 years experience, license and insured. Call: 321-576-2476.

Grout Cleaning & Sealing Service Available

Tile

Call Ashdown Flooring, Inc. LICENSED (941) 726-3077 INSURED

STEVE ALLEN FLOOR COVERINGS PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION

Home Services HOME SITTING - Secure your Estate while your away for the Summer Experienced Estate Watcher, Bonded, Honest, with daily or monthly reports and will forward your mail while your gone! Seeking a Mother-in-Law apt. at your Estate while it remains secure. Background check completed already by the FBI, Sheriff and Court office. I also have a small dog - Cocker Spaniel 20 lbs. Please see full details on Craigslist. Will do all normal House-Man Butler duties included, $1500/month. Bobby 941-350-7487.

20 YRS. EXPERIENCE CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS

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

Painting/Wallpapering

Home Improvement/ Remodeling

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. STEAKLEY PAINTING. Interior/ Exterior. Pressure Washing. Wallpaper Removal. Drywall Repairs. Reasonable. Reliable. Professional. 30+ years experience. References available. Free Estimates. Lic./Ins. 941-228-7605, rlsteakley@comcast.net

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

NEED HELP?? Shop, Errands, Drive, House-sit, Computer aid. Mature, Multi-tasker. Call Peter 941-330-9120.

Health Services PAIN RELIEF! Quality of life improves when pain is diminished. Patricia Emslie, DOM, AP, LMT, utilizes modalities of Chinese Medicine and Massage Therapy to treat chronic or acute pain. Please call 941-504-2030. In home appointments for Massage available. AP2787, MA23639

CAREGIVER/COMPANION

Metz Auto Delivery LLC

CNA/Home Health Aid 1st Class Caregiver

Parrish, Fla. 34219

(941) 713-4542

75497

GPMETZ2@AOL.COM

Bill Spence 941-993-7994

,ICENSED s )NSURED s "ONDED

BillMyCaregiver.com

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DOCKSIDE BOAT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

COMPUTER

SMS Mobile Marine Service *36 )LVKILQGHU ,QVWDOODWLRQ Â&#x2021; 2XWERDUGV , 2ÂŞV Â&#x2021; ,QERDUGV Call for appointment Â&#x2021; 941-232-3523 CERTIFIED & INSURED

PATIO REPAIRS Furniture Repairs FurnitureSales Sales &&Repairs HANDYMAN SCOTT WOOLF HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE 31 Years Experience, Prompt, Reliable Service, I Call Back My Customers, Keep My Appointments, AND Your Satisfaction is My Goal. UĂ&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;ÂŤiÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;EĂ&#x160; >LÂ&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x152;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;>}iĂ&#x160; Â?Â&#x153;Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x20AC;v>ViĂ&#x192;Ă&#x160; UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Ă?ÂŤiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;/Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x153;Ă&#x2022;LÂ?iĂ&#x160;-Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;Â&#x153;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x20AC; Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;,Â&#x153;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x152;i`Ă&#x160;7Â&#x153;Â&#x153;`Ă&#x160;,iÂŤÂ?>Vi`Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;>Â?Â?Ă&#x160;,iÂŤ>Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x20AC; UĂ&#x160;*>Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;/Â&#x2C6;Â?iĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160; Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x20AC;i`Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;-Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x160;7Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x17D;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;-Â&#x2026;iÂ?Ă&#x203A;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}

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HOME SERVICES Peace of Mind While Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Away

STERLING HOME CHECKING Absentee Owner Services

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Advertising in the Service Directory makes you

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Caring, Compassionate, Gentle and Kind Caregiver Provides activities of daily living, errands, shopping, transportation & light meal prep.

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Fax 941-362-4808

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Personal & Business Bookkeeping Accounting/ Taxes

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PRIVATE CAREGIVER with references from Longboat Key. Flexible hours. Call Lucy at 941-539-0421.

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www.SterlingHomeChecking.vpweb.com

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THE LONGBOAT Longboat ObserverOBSERVER THURSDAY, MARCH Thursday, March1,1,2012 2012REMODELING KITCHEN/BATH THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER General Contractor Specializing Thursday, December 22, 2011

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dIRECTOR’S CUT

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Heidi Kurpiela

“He’s a joy to be around,” says Asolo Rep Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards of director Peter Amster, above. “He’s fun and bright and inspires confidence in the actors.”

Prim and improper Peter Amster might be a Yankee in Noël Coward’s court, but his attention to nuance and spontaneity has made him the go-to director of high British comedies. His silly streak continues with this month’s ‘Fallen Angels’ at the Asolo Rep. Peter Amster has a big black binder filled with everything he needs to know about “Fallen Angels,” the three-act comedy by Noël Coward that outraged critics when it opened on Broadway 87 years ago.

In the binder is a list of words that were used to describe the show, all of them different ways to express discontent. Amster decided to include the list in his production notes. It reminds

him that he’s handling racy material, even if it’s tame by today’s standards. Opening his binder, he rattles off the insults with the kind of pride and irony that only a seasoned director of high British satire can display.

COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

INSIDE

BACKSTAGE PASS Phyllis Silverman fills many supporting roles at FST / 4

Black Tie THE SOCIAL OBSERVER

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s The Corinthian Gala 9-10

KITCHEN CLASSICS Maria Wirries / 5

2 ■ Diversions >>

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COVER STORY

“Vicious, vile, disgusting, degenerate, shocking, nauseating, obscene … ” Amster closes the binder and grins. Chances are when the show opens next week at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, few people will leave muttering “degenerate” under their breath. “From a socially conservative point of view, it was probably shocking for 1925,” Amster says. “It deals with sexuality with a certain penetrating understanding.” Before you wonder if Amster’s use of the word “penetrating” is a Freudian slip, you should know that the director is a master of nuance and innuendo, having already directed many of Coward’s plays, including “Hay Fever,” “Private Lives” and “Present Laughter.” If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was British. “Noël Coward is Peter Amster’s sweet spot,” says Asolo Rep Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “He’s an incredibly stylish and humane director. He’s got a tremendous sense of language, and he’s brilliant with comedy.” It’s no surprise, then, that when the rights to “Fallen Angels” were finally released after sitting for decades in relative obscurity, Amster’s name was at the top of many artistic directors’ lists. Amster received three offers to direct the play from companies in Indiana, Ohio and California. He chose to direct it at the Asolo Rep, where he’s now in his fourth season and where his commute to work is less than 10 minutes. (He and longtime partner, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati, sold their place in Miami

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

(continued from page 1)

Annamae Bafia

Hillary Clemens and Kate Hampton in “Fallen Angels.” last year and moved into a condo in downtown Sarasota.) “The living is easy here,” Amster says. “Miami was fine, but I had to leave town in order to work. It’s exciting here. Michael (Edwards) says there are more people per capita working in the arts in Sarasota than in any other city in the country, except for New York. The synergy of that is wonderful. It’s gratifying to know what we do matters to so many people.” Given its timeless subject matter, “Fallen Angels,” though it may be a lesser-known Coward play, should matter to Sarasota audiences. According to Edwards, the Asolo Rep is one of only a handful of theaters to perform the play since its 1956 Broadway revival. Regarded as the 1920s version of “Sex and the City,” “Fallen Angels” revolves around two married women, best friends who

IF YOU GO “Fallen Angels” runs March 9 to May 13, at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. For tickets, call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org. in one drunken night relive the affairs they had with the same Frenchman before they got married. “They each get a postcard from a man named Maurice,” Amster says. “And all these feelings emerge; things you’d imagine you’d feel if someone you had a fling with years ago suddenly reappeared in your life.” He says the subject matter is something everyone can relate to, “whether they’re willing to admit it or not.” Even Amster, who has been in a committed relationship with Galati for 41 years, isn’t exempt

from dredging up emotional baggage. “I had a past,” he says mischievously. “Of course, with Facebook it makes it easier to see what happened to your past. Most of the time I’m like, ‘Why do they look so old?’ ‘What happened to their hair?’” A 62-year-old New York native, Amster got his start performing in musicals in Chicago, where he got his Ph.D. in performance studies at Northwestern University. A dancer, he was athletic, built for lifting and jumping in all the usual big musical productions — “1776,” “Damn Yankees,” “Show Boat” and “Oklahoma,” to name a few — until a poorly landed grand jeté sidelined his career as a performer. It proved a fortuitous accident. Amster was a natural at directing. Many of his productions in Chicago were nominated for theater awards, including “Once on this Island,” “The World Goes Round, “The Rothschilds” and “Pride and Prejudice.” He even worked as a choreographer on Galati’s Broadwaybound “Grapes of Wrath.” An intuitive director, he often uses feedback from the actors to drive a scene, an approach that makes his characters pop rather than blend into the milieu, which is especially important when audiences are familiar with the material. “I like to find these little crannies in polished characters,” Amster says of direction. “Sometimes it means finding things that aren’t in the script, exposing the innermost recesses of these characters until you find the beating heart

PLAYING FOR KEEPS Peter Amster weighs in on his three favorite playwrights.

Jane Austen

“Using the smallest gestures of everyday life, she manages to create a whole world of feeling. Her (stories) sometimes sound hopelessly domestic, but within that domestic setting there are such riches.”

Oscar Wilde

“‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ was a silly, topsyturvy play. (Wilde) talked about important things, but he did it with a gloss of silliness. His main comic weapon was inversion. Just when you thought you knew where an idea was going, he would reverse it.”

Tom Stoppard

“One needs to be a mental acrobat to follow his work. ‘Arcadia’ is absolutely brilliant and dazzling in terms of intellectual language.”

under the gleaming surface.” In other words, the director isn’t afraid to put his mark on a play, even though he stepped out of the spotlight years ago. “People say I’m a tasteful director,” he says, “which raises my hackles a little bit. I don’t think my shows are successful because I’m tasteful. They’re successful because they’re true.”

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

MASTERWORKS

ENCORE OUT EAST A TOUR OF LUXURY HOMES

DESIGN: TOBY THOMPSON

SHOWCASE

Friday, March 2, 2012 and Saturday, March 3, 2012 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Lake Club, The Concession, University Park Tour 5 magnificent homes in the area’s most prestigious neighborhoods and support our Sarasota Orchestra and its Youth Orchestra Program. Tickets $30 pre-event at www.SarasotaOrchestra.org, 941.953.3434, the Sarasota Orchestra Box Office and other outlets. Tickets $40 at the event. For information and a list of ticket outlets, go to www.SOAssociation.org. All proceeds benefit the Sarasota Orchestra and its Youth Orchestra Program. TM

75870

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

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Diversions

YourObserver.com

■

COLUMN

art scene HEARD

+ Wallenda’s waterfall wish is coming true

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

+ Playwright program swimming in scripts If you think you’ve got too much work on your plate, try sitting at Adam Ratner’s desk at Florida Studio Theatre. The FST teaching artist and improv comedian is up to his waist in new submissions for the “Under Six” competition in this year’s WRITE A PLAY program. Written by children in kindergarten through sixth grade, the plays are cleverly titled (“How the Evil Alien Became Nice,” “Oreo, the Lifeguard Dog,” “Bob the Donkey’s Job Search Adventure,” “Clean

Your Dirty Desk” and “The Puppy Who Stole the Police Car”) and have come from all corners of the world. The theater even received one from a blind child that was written in Braille. At last count, more than 3,000 playwrights submitted scripts, 10 of which will be performed this spring by professional actors in FST’s Keating Theatre. (I’m crossing my fingers for the donkey on a job search.) In May, the winning playwrights and their families will be honored at the Young Playwrights Festival. May the best scribe win!

museum’s largest luncheon + SMOA nets sculptor the crowd yet: 117 people. at ARTmuse luncheon Echelman, a Harvard grad, is the museum’s third guest artist Wondering what’s shaking this season. Her unique publicwith the Sarasota Museum of art sculptures, created using Art since it unrolled its bannets, are an example of the ners on Sarasota High kind of contemporary work School? that will one day grace the Well, the museum conSMOA campus. tinues to host dynamic According to President new artists at its regular Wendy Surkis, the ARTmuse programs. museum, which will Last Thursday, sculptor operate as a division Janet Echelman paid a Echelman of Ringling College of visit to the future site Art and Design, has now raised of the museum — i.e., the former Sarasota High School build- more than $14 million toward its $22 million fundraising goal. ing — where she spoke before

As a native of Buffalo, N.Y., I can’t let Nik Wallenda’s impending wire walk over Niagara Falls slip by without at least one mention in this column. Last fall, the Sarasota daredevil submitted a proposal to walk 1,800 feet between the American and Canadian sides of the Falls; a spectacle he assured officials would draw more than 120,000 spectators and at least one major television special on the Discovery Channel. Hip to the merits of a good publicity stunt, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo immediately approved legislation Wallenda File photo authorizing Niagara Falls parks officials to approve the walk. The Canadian side, however, was slow to warm to the idea. In December, the Niagara Parks Commission in Ontario turned down Wallenda’s proposal, prompting Wallenda to embark on a relentless lobbying mission that finally paid off two weeks ago. On Feb. 15, Canadian commissioners approved the act on the basis that “stunting” has always been a part of the “history and promotion of Niagara Falls.” Wallenda is scheduled to cross 60 to 70 feet above the Niagara River Gorge sometime this summer. The date of the walk will be finalized by the end of this month. According to a recent story in The Buffalo News, Wallenda says his dream is to parlay the stunt into a permanent summer attraction, which would mean making Niagara Falls “his second home,” marking the first time anyone from Sarasota has relocated to (and not from) Western New York.

HOT TICKETS

‘Disenchanted: Bitches of the Kingdom’: Sarasota’s favorite scorned princesses are back. After a successful (and raucous) run in October, the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre has decided to bring back its ‘Bitches’ for a second round of royal

fury. The show returns Feb. 28 and runs through March 25. If you’ve ever scoffed at “happily ever after,” this is the musical for you. Snow White has never looked so angry … or empowered. For tickets, call 366-5454 or visit thegoldenapple.com.

Photo courtesy of Molly Schechter

Joan Armour Mendell, Ted and Jean Weiller, Warren and Margot Coville, Beverly Koski, Victor Meyrich and Sharon and Herman Frankel

+ Asolo Rep cuts ribbon on production It’s about time the Asolo Rep cut the ribbon on the Robert and Beverly Koski Production Center. The building, which houses the theater’s scene shop and vast costume and prop collection, has been open for two years and already has 22 shows under its tool belt. On February 21, the 36,000-square-foot facility on Tallevast Road was officially dedicated to its benefactors — the late Robert Koski and wife, Beverly, who several years ago

initiated the project together with a group of ambitious arts patrons. (We’re talking about you: Ted and Jean Weiller, Joan Armour Mendell, Warren Coville, Herman Frankel, David Bavar and Jim Chandler.) Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards praised the group for its persistence at last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “(This) team of movers and shakers scouted this foreclosed warehouse, researched the market assiduously, assembled the funding and struck while the iron was hot,” he said.

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BACKSTAGE PASS

2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Supporting Role When Florida Studio Theatre’s Artistic Director Richard Hopkins hired Phyllis Silverman in 1994, the Pennsylvania native had no previous theatrical experience, except for a love of tap dancing. It didn’t matter. Silverman had something better: a warm personality and outstanding customer-service skills, traits carried over from her previous job as the owner of a Hallmark card store in Pittsburgh, Pa. “I told (Hopkins) during the interview that when I ran my store, my goal was to make every customer smile before they left,” Silverman says. “Anyone can ring up a card, right? To have good conversation and make someone feel good, it sets you apart from the rest. I think that’s what got me the job.” And it’s likely that’s what’s kept her on the theater’s payroll for 18 years. When Silverman, 71, came on board, the FST campus and its staff was half the size it is now. There was no Goldstein Cabaret or Gompertz Theatre. Everyone worked out of the Bea Friedman Room. “We were on top of each other,” Silverman recalls. “It made for wonderful cooperation.” It’s hard to tell if she’s being sarcastic. For a woman who claims to have no acting chops, she’s quite the entertainer. A North Sarasota resident, she spent her first five years tending to box office and bookkeeping

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Phyllis Silverman may be Rebecca Hopkins’ right-hand gal, but she’s everyone else’s favorite fill-in. The longtime Florida Studio Theatre staffer explains why she loves being at everyone’s disposal.

Photos by Heidi Kurpiela

“I enjoy working with young people,” says Phyllis Silverman. “It keeps me busy and it keeps me young.” duties, until Rebecca Hopkins (she and Richard Hopkins got married last year) was promoted in 1998 to managing director and Silverman was promoted to her assistant. The two women are close, even if Hopkins is always juggling 100 things at once. “We go out to lunch a lot,” Silverman says. “It seems like the only time I can get her undivided attention.” Hopkins oversees FST’s administrative, business, marketing and development departments, in addition to serving as a liaison to other arts organiza-

Silverman has already begun sorting through subscription renewals for next season. tions. A co-creator on many of the company’s cabaret revues, she also works as a head writer for FST’s “Laughing Matters” series. As a result, her job is demand-

ing, so Silverman, like any personal assistant, is tasked with everything from feeding her boss’ cats to picking up new scripts. Last year, when Hopkins was planning her wedding, it was Silverman who helped get the invitations in the mail on time. As the mother of three grown sons she never had the opportunity to participate in the frou-frou side of wedding planning. “I think of her as my second mother — my Jewish mother,” Hopkins says. “She kind of watches out for me here. When I’m sick, she brings me soup. She thinks part of her job is telling me I work too hard.” An expert multitasker, Silverman is constantly helping out other departments when they’re short-staffed, which means it’s not uncommon to find her manning her old post in the box office or hand-sewing fringe on clothing in the costume shop. “I always fill in the cracks if any department is in crisis,” Silverman says. “There are certain skills that come after 18 years. I might not always be able to solve the problem, but I’ll know who to ask.” She’s become FST’s resident den mother. When the company’s 83-yearold bookkeeper retired recently after 25 years of service, Silverman, who has 10 grandchildren, became the oldest full-time employee. At 4-foot-8, she’s diminutive,

NOW PLAYING The popular rock-androll musical revue, “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” has been extended another two weeks. Now playing through March 25 in the Goldstein Cabaret, the show will run March 27 through April 7 in the Gompertz Theatre. For tickets, call 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org.

but that doesn’t stop her from treating the theater’s red staircases like her personal treadmill now that she’s had a knee replacement. “I’m afraid to retire,” she says. “I don’t play bridge or golf well enough to retire.” In 13 years, she says she and Hopkins have only butted heads once: When Hopkins insisted Silverman participate in her senior improv program. Despite her inherent sense of humor, Silverman balked for days leading up to the first class. Although she participated begrudgingly and eventually grew to enjoy the experience, she failed to overcome her stage fright and to this day refuses to perform on stage in front of a crowd. “It was one of those things where she griped and complained the whole time,” Hopkins says. “But I know she had a blast.”

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These concerts will be at 4:00 pm and are free of charge.

WINTER CONCERT SERIES

MARCH 11, 2012, 4:00PM Lorraine Monaco Wallace, renowned Cellist, accompanied by pianist William Cerny will be performing works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Saint-Saens, Stephen Foster, Granados, and a tango by Piazzolla. Lorraine has been performing in the Chicago area for over 20 years. Formerly principal cellist of the Westminister Chamber Orchestra, she now performs as co-principal cellist of Northbrook Symphony, Kenosha Symphony, as well as playing for the Lake Forest and Highland Park Strings.

TickeTs: $7 each FesTival Pass: $36 (includes 6 films) PaTron Pass: $50 (includes 6 films & ReseRved seating)

Visit www.jfedsrq.org or call 941.371.4546 ext. 119 a discussion will Take Place aFTer each screening. Federation is seeking Film Festival sponsors! Contact geneve kallins at 941.371.4546 ext. 105 or gkallins@jfedsrq.org.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

Diversions

YourObserver.com

KITCHEN CLASSICS

Maria Wirries

Loren Mayo

that’s around. I’m not too picky. “After a show, my top pick would be to go to Crab & Fin. They have the best seafood ever! My favorites on the menu would have to be the chilled king crab and the lobster. Both are extremely delicious! But my meal wouldn’t be complete without raw oysters and a Caesar salad to start with.” Maria not only speaks in exclamations points — she lives them!! A ball of energy, she eats everything from Caesar salads and lobsters to chocolate and pizza without a thought about calories or carbs. Like a playful puppy, she appears to be on springs with the kind of energy that burns fuel like a torch. Whether it’s ice-skating or singing, she’s ravenous. “It’s close,” she admits, “but ice

Sarasota singing and skating sensation

skating always makes me hungrier. It takes so much concentration, and you use your entire body all the time so you get pretty hungry after a long session!” There are, however, a couple of caveats. “Lucky for me, dairy doesn’t really affect my voice the way it does other singers, so I don’t really have to stay away from that. But when it comes to skating and, even in some degree with singing, eating too much can be bad. As long as I don’t eat to the point my stomach hurts, or drink soda — which could cause an embarrassing moment on stage — I’m pretty much fine with anything!” Teenagers, even the ones with talent and happy homes, need comfort food. “A good slice of pepperoni pizza and something chocolaty makes everything better!” Maria says. “I love chocolate and my voice teacher, Alan Corey, makes the best chocolate cookies, ever!” Although Jeaneen Wirries does almost all the cooking at home, Maria manages to make her presence known around the stove and fridge, too. “When I’m cooking or in the kitchen making a mess, I love listening to the ‘Mama Mia’ soundtrack,” Maria says. “Maybe it’s because Meryl Streep played the incredible chef, Julia Child. All I know is that groovy ABBA music just makes everything more fun!” With all the energy and exuberance Maria has, she also has a thoughtful side, and that comes

RECIPE

Jeaneen’s Sauteed Tilapia Serves: 5

INGREDIENTS: 5 7-ounce tilapia filets (one per person) 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic power 1/4 cup dry vermouth Fresh rosemary (chopped)

PREPARATION: Place butter and oil in cold pan. Heat over medium-high heat until mixture sizzles but doesn’t burn. Add filets and sautée until golden. Sprinkle with some of the garlic power and turn. Sprinkle the rest of the garlic power on turned side and allow the second side to sautée until golden. Add vermouth to pan, taking care not to pour over filets. Sprinkle chopped fresh rosemary over filets and cook until done (about two to three more minutes). Remove to warmed plates and delicately decorate edges of plates with balsamic vinegar glaze. (Not too much; just enough for flavor and design …) Serve with steamed asparagus Go to YOUROBSERVER.COM for June LeBell’s recipe for Perfectly Steamed Asparagus. through her music. From Broadway belting to Baroque art songs, Maria has an uncanny ability to communicate without artifice or tricks. She may put her soul and heart into her studies, but, without her innate talent, it wouldn’t mean much. For example, when we asked her what music reminds her of her favorite foods, this is what she said: “Well, after pacing around in my house and thinking about all of the songs I love, the one … (I came up with was) ‘Meadow Lark,’ from ‘The Baker’s Wife.’” Her explanation says it all. “This song really means a lot to me, and I love singing it, because it has many meanings and the meaning changes for me daily,” she says. “It tells a story about

growing up and making choices and not being sure if they are right or wrong. And, in the end, breaking free and discovering what the world has to offer. Even though it may be scary, just knowing that you have one life means you should live it and not hide in a cage.” Certainly not one to hide in a cage, Maria — on stage or off — has a wonderful depth that’s rooted in simplicity. And, like the girl, herself, her favorite recipe is simple. “I love my mother’s sautéed tilapia,” she tells us. “She really doesn’t cook with recipes. Really, it’s just tilapia filets sautéed in butter with some herbs served on top. We eat it frequently, and it’s really good after a long day at school!”

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Maria Wirries is only a couple of years into her teens, but she has definite ideas about everything from singing to skating to eating and, without being obnoxious about it, she makes her feelings known. “My favorite restaurants in Sarasota? I have so many,” she says. “Crab & Fin, Millie’s, Michael’s On East, Olive Garden and Steak ’n’ Shake.” If you think her taste in restaurants is eclectic, take a look at what she does. Maria is a superstar in these parts, but she doesn’t do it in just one area. She’s smart, eloquent, beautiful and graceful. And she puts all that to good use on the ice and on the stage. But let’s go back a bit in Maria’s comparatively short life. Born in Haiti, her father, a white American missionary worker, died when Maria was just 4 months old. Her aunt, Jeaneen, flew to the island and brought the infant back to live with her, first in Myakka City and, more recently, in Bradenton. Jeaneen, who is in her 70s, may, technically, be Maria’s aunt, but in every other way she’s her mother. “My mom definitely does the cooking in my family,” Maria insists. “She is very good and can cook pretty much anything.” Good thing, too, because beneath her svelte figure, Maria loves to eat, and between the skating, singing, dancing and acting, she works up quite an appetite. “Before a show, I eat a lot!” she says. “Doing shows takes a lot out of you so, generally, I eat anything

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By June LeBell | Contributing columnist

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6 ■ Diversions

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You’re invited…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

REVIEW

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ly characterization, an often funny, heartfelt exploration of contemporary society’s newly expanded definition of family that celebrates the complete range of human emotion and frailty. >> ‘Next Fall’ Perfectly paced, Kate Alexander’s direcFlorida Studio Theatre’s Mainstage production wrests a maximum of emotion out of a minimum of New York apartment-cumtion of “Next Fall” is an ambitious assemhospital-waiting-room set design by Michael blage of highly flammable elements. The Schweikardt. Tony Award-nominated play by actor-turned Jason O’Connell is especially gratifying in playwright Geoffrey Nauffs is a timely take on religious and social issues that are in the his portrayal of the main character, Adam, an insecure, hypochondriac, Woody Allenforefront of current political debate. type, which could easily go off the rails He employs the cinematic style of cutting between past and present to depict the without O’Connell’s astonishingly naturalistic approach. complicated relationship between two gay Luke, his partner of four years, is symmen. The technique effectively reveals a central conflict in their past and a dramatic pathetically played by Kevin Cristaldi. Luke has compartmentalized his religion from the crisis in their present, which illustrates, respectively, broader “us versus them” divi- love he bears for Adam. He failed to tell his father of their relationship, which ultimately sions in religious and cultural norms. The dominant theme is basically that of science leads to a dramatic confrontation. Katherine Michelle Tanner is also notable versus religion. in her role as the supportive best friend and Do we, as a society, accept and grant employer, Holly. Kenajuan Bentley does equality under the law and in our minds to what he can with the rather thankless part homosexuals as a natural phenomenon of of closet homosexual who fails to accept his DNA, equivalent to differences in gender own reality. or race, or do we condemn them and deny Judith Hawking plays Arlene, an eccentric them equal rights and treatment, as do many Southern woman, who’s been divorced from religions, as a deliberate individual choice Luke’s father for more than 20 years. The that flies in the face of nature? father, aptly named Butch, is played with Nauffs depicts this conflict by creating effective machismo by Philip Clark. a homosexual couple, one who is a Bible— Paula Atwell oriented Christian whose faith tells him that homosexual lovers are condemned to hell, but those who accept Jesus Christ as their savior are saved from this punishment. When one of the pair lies helpless in the hospital, “Next Fall” at Florida Studio Theatre cultural norms deny his spouse equality with runs through March 25 in the Keating regard to participating in his care. Theatre. Tickets are $29 to $32. Call This play, however, is not simply an intel366-9000. lectual polemic. It’s full of witticism and live-

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

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Diversions

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REVIEW

MUSIC

orchestra to play with an elegant transparency that made the old Grieg new again. The individual solos in the first movement by bassoon, flute, horn and clarinet were stunningly played with lovely rounding of phrases that echoed what Weiss was sculpting at the piano. The horn solos, performed by coprincipal Joe Assi, demonstrated world-class playing. This is a work that could be hackneyed, but this performance was anything but. The third movement had a wonderfully driven, propulsive quality, without being rushed, and the well-deserved ovation at the end led to an encore by Weiss of a well-known Grieg “Nocturne” that was equally exquisite. Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 was a fitting finale for Bjaland. The first movement was played with optimism and nostalgia, but his reading of the Scherzo was absolutely riveting. Many conductors stretch out of proportion the “poco ritard” that’s written in the score, turning this light, airy, dance-of-amovement into a ponderous musical statement. Bjaland did just the opposite, staying with what Schumann wanted, slowing down just enough to breathe and making this normally difficult transition sound like a breeze. Even the coda that followed was as light as a froth of Mozart. This was a ravishing, eloquent performance, and the finale, with its grand “Amen” written into the final chords, sang a most appropriate farewell to Bjaland. — June LeBell

>> Sarasota Orchestra — Masterworks with Bjaland and Weiss The Sarasota Orchestra’s recent Masterworks Concert marked the grand finale of Leif Bjaland’s 15-year tenure, and he couldn’t have gone out with a finer, more fitting program. His conducting of Wagner’s prelude to “Die Meistersinger” was majestic and lush in a tempo, so slow and measured, it seemed he didn’t want to finish it. That didn’t mean it was sluggish. In fact, this deliberate pace became taut in its control and vibrant in a stately, regal reading. What followed was just as impressive but for different reasons. The Grieg A Minor Piano Concerto is a warhorse-of-a-work that has been put on a back burner in recent years because, I suppose, it became too popular for its own good. It was wonderful to hear it again, like welcoming back an old, dear friend. In the hands of Orion Weiss, who was recently named the Classical Recording Foundation’s Young Artist of the Year, we heard a fine technique combined with an exquisite sensitivity and a beautiful touch. Together, Weiss and Bjaland inspired the

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