Longboat Observer 03.08.12 by The Observer Group Inc.

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LONGBOAT

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NEWS

DIVERSIONS

INSIDE

Kay Siebold and Barbara Bostic refuse to act their age. INSIDE

RVA buys Cedars and Barrier Island Realty. PAGE 3A

OUR TOWN

Thursday, MARCH 8, 2012

parties of progress?

The pink ladies raise record funds for Susan G. Komen. PAGE 1B.

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Commission warns Colony parties Commissioners warned the interests of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort that they could lose grandfathered units if they don’t reach a resolution.

Dora Walters

Andy Youngs, Esther Cook, Jane Vorel and Jane Johnston

+ Group celebrates Royal birthday

Mayor Jim Brown asked the long-feuding parties at the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort to picture something: Imagine it with only six units per acre, Brown said of the 18-acre, 237-unit shuttered resort.

If the parties don’t work something out by December, a six-unitper-acre Colony could be a reality. Commissioners heard from the interests in the Colony dispute at their March 5 regular meeting. The status update was a requirement

of the extension the commission approved last May that extended a continuance of the town’s tourism abandonment requirement for the Colony to Dec. 31, 2012. 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. Commissioners heard from all parties about why they wanted a redeveloped Colony, the complexities of the

SEE COLONY / PAGE 2A

Esther Cook’s birthday coincided with the date of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Royal Rummage sale preview Friday, March 2. But that didn’t deter volunteer Jane Vorel from celebrating. Before the doors opened for the sale, Cook shared her birthday cake with her fellow volunteers.

Lubin

OFFICIAL UNVEILING

Courtesy photo

+ Casa del Mar treated to concert On Feb. 23, Amanda Lubin performed a piano program at the association apartment at Casa del Mar. The first concert she ever performed was when she was 8 years old — seven years ago — in the very same place. She is now 15. Lubin has been coming to Casa del Mar yearly since she was born because her grandparents have been vacationing on Longboat Key for more than 30 years. Every year she performs a concert, and this year the attendance was upward of 75 people.

+ Don’t forget to spring forward



Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 11. Though we lose an hour of sleep, don’t forget to change your clocks!

SEE OUR TOWN / 16A

Dora Walters

St. Armands Business Improvement District Chairman Marty Rappaport and Sarasota Vice Mayor Terry Turner unveiled a plaque Friday, March 2, recognizing the completion of a 10-year improvement project on St. Armands Circle. The project was a joint venture between the BID and the city of Sarasota. Part of the project was the renovation of all four medians into landscaped, park-like settings with benches, sidewalks, curbs and lighted pathways. Brick-paver crosswalks were also installed. Rappaport said new goals are adding public bathrooms, more parking spaces, additional landscaping from the bridge to the Circle, burying power lines and installing new signs at entrances to the Circle from Longboat Key and Sarasota. “The goal,” Rappaport said, “is to make St. Armands the No. 1 tourist spot.”

follow the money

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Campaign contributions show sources of support Vice Mayor David Brenner has inched ahead of challenger Ray Rajewski in fundraising. But the differences between the candidates clearly go beyond the numbers. Money talks, and if it could comment on the race for the District 3 Longboat Key Town Commission seat, it might say: This race is a close one. The latest campaign treasurer’s reports released by the

Town Clerk’s office showed that Vice Mayor David Brenner has pulled ahead of challenger Ray Rajewski slightly in terms of fundraising, bringing in a total of $11,665 in campaign contributions through

Feb. 24, compared to the $11,151 Rajewski brought in during the same period. So, where is all that money coming from? Brenner’s donors include former

mayors George Spoll and Jeremy Whatmough, current Commissioner Pat Zunz, Key Club attorney

SEE CONTRIBUTIONS / 6A

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

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

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

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

Vol. 34, No. 32 | Three sections YourObserver.com

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

COLONY / FROM PAGE 1A legal cases and the unsuccessful attempts at mediation. What they didn’t hear, they said, was evidence of progress. “I think we called this meeting to hear what has been resolved,” Commissioner Hal Lenobel said. “So far, nothing. It’s still up for grabs. We’re sitting here and we’ve heard nothing substantial.”

Perceptions of progress

Typically presentations at Town Commission meetings are limited to 20 minutes. Colony Beach & Tennis Association Board President Jay Yablon asked for 30 minutes in a letter to Town Manager David Bullock because of the case’s “great importance of The Colony redevelopment to the town and the complexity of those involved.” Commissioners knew about the case’s complexity. In August 2010, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May had given owners control of their units after a longstanding dispute with longtime Colony owner Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber, but, last July, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday overturned the rulings and later recommended damages for Klauber and other parties. Brown didn’t think they’d need the extra 10 minutes. “We’re not here to talk about the history of the Colony or how much we enjoyed raising our families there,” Brown said. “We’re here to find out what progress has been made between the parties to move forward with the redevelopment of the Colony.” Yablon told the commission of plans to create a “new, modern Colonyinspired resort” on the property and praised the commission’s avoidance of taking sides in ongoing disputes. Next up was developer Glenn Miller, of Miller Group Development, who was followed by Scott Anderson, who, if the Association’s plans are successful, would lead the Colony’s marketing, sales and operations efforts. Anderson

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

outlined the progress that had been made. “We have not waited to begin in terms of creating the vision and the strategy and the marketing plans and the pricing for the new Colony,” Anderson said. “We have made significant progress in the direction we want to go.” Then Stacy Miller, who would serve as project executive, told the commission that a unit owners’ meeting was scheduled for April 2 and April 3 to present the proposal and prepared to show the commission a site plan. She invited architect Tim Baker up to the podium to assist in the presentation. Then Brown cut in. “This evening has been reserved to see what progress has been made toward resolving the issues at the Colony and not toward making an architectural presentation,” he said. “I don’t want to cut you short, but we really have to stay on that issue.” Stacy Miller told the commission that owner approval was needed for the project to move forward. Commissioner Lynn Larson jumped in and recalled meeting with the Association and its partners in December. She said that she had the impression that the Association would talk with owners shortly. Brown expressed frustration and referred to the presenters’ estimate that a redeveloped Colony could generate $10 million in revenue. “The way I see it, the year we granted you has already cost us $2 million,” he said. He asked if any commissioners disagreed with him. “No,” Larson said. “It seems like we asked for an update and we’re getting excuses.” Glenn Miller stepped back to the podium. “Do you want to look at the site plan?” he asked. “No,” Larson said. “I don’t know what we would look at it for,” Brown said.

Heat is on

Commissioners heard from others involved with or representing those involved with the dispute, including longtime Colony owner Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber’s attorney, Charles Bartlett, Association attorney Jeffrey Warren and Colony Lender LLC partner David Siegal. Bartlett said that the deal was “doable” and said that the most viable scenario would be for the Association to buy out the assets of the other interests. By the end of the meeting, commissioners weren’t optimistic. Vice Mayor David Brenner told the parties to get their acts together, saying what’s happening “now turns my stomach.” “By God, if you don’t do it between now and the end of December, I for one, will not vote on an extension,” he said. Commissioner Jack Duncan said he wouldn’t either. “I, for one, don’t see a resolution in the off hang between now and December,” he said. Larson wondered if they could determine an abandonment of the use right then and there. They couldn’t. But she went on to say that the issue wasn’t just about the parties, saying that she has neighbors who can’t sell their home because of the blighted property down the road. “You’re not only hurting yourselves but everybody’s property values,” she said. Town Attorney David Persson told commissioners that when and if it came time for the commissioners to vote in a quasi-judicial hearing, they would have to base their decisions on the evidence presented during the hearing rather than what they had just heard during Monday’s meeting. “We don’t know where any of this is going,” he said. “I don’t think anyone in this room knows where this is going.” But he described the mounting pressure on the parties: “They’re all in the same bath tub, and the water is getting hotter and hotter,” he said.

Colony dispute sent back to Tampa The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out an appeal filed by the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association Friday, sending the legal dispute back to Tampa-based U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May for further hearings. The decision further delays a resolution to the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort development unless an agreement can be reached among all parties involved. In the ruling, the Court of Appeals granted Colony Beach & Tennis Club Inc.’s motion to dismiss the association’s appeal of the bankruptcy judge’s rulings “for lack of jurisdiction.” In essence, the Court of Appeals said it’s premature for such an appeal and sent the matter back to May for further review and more hearings. Colony Beach & Tennis Resort attorney Charles Bartlett said the decision means “the 11th Circuit agreed with us that the matter is not right for appeal because the judgment Judge (Steven D.) Merryday entered requires us to go back to bankruptcy court for a final determination.” Colony Beach and Tennis Resort Association President Jay Yablon said the decision only means a final resolution in the court system will take longer. “We had hoped that everybody could avoid the expense and the delay of everything going back to Judge May,” Yablon said. “More than anything, this ruling means that if anybody is looking to the courts to provide a final resolution at the Colony, they are going to have to wait an awfully long time and spend quite a bit of money.” Colony Lender LLC partner David Siegal told the Longboat Observer the Court of Appeals decision means that now more than ever all parties involved need to make a deal. Bartlett and Yablon also believe that’s the most ideal outcome for the Colony to be rebuilt any time soon. — Kurt Schultheis

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

expansion mode by Robin Hartill | City Editor

RVA purchase nets Cedars and Barrier Island Realty The Longboat-based RVA, Resort Vacation Accommodations, purchased the resort and real-estate firm from Randy Langley for an undisclosed amount. A new owner has checked into the Cedars Tennis Resort facilities. The Longboat Key-based RVA, Resort Vacation Accommodations, announced in a prepared statement that it has purchased Cedars Tennis Resort, along with Barrier Island Realty Group Inc., which owned and managed the resort. The purchase includes the resort’s rental management, real-estate sales, tennis and health club facilities and the Cedars Bar and Grill operations, according to the statement. Tony Veldkamp, broker and managing director of Sperry Van Ness Commercial Advisory Group, will oversee Barrier Island Realty operations. The purchase price was not immediately available through Manatee County court records. Larry Starr, CEO and owner of RVA, said that the parties are contractually prohibited from discussing the price. Starr said that former Cedars and Barrier Island Realty owner Randy Langley approached him about the possibility of the purchase months ago. Starr got his start in Longboat Key vacation rentals when he bought a company in 1988 called Longboat Acquisitions. Starr was familiar with Cedars: In the early 1990s, he bought four units and lived in one during the construction of his home. “When the opportunity came up, we thought it would be the perfect acquisition for us,” Starr said. “I think it’s one of the finest developments on Longboat Key. “It has a health club and the tennis facility, the pro shop, and Randy has built it up to include kayak rentals and free bicycles for guests. It’s one of the few resorts on Longboat that can rent on a short-term basis and offer so many amenities in the process.” Langley, who purchased the resort for $1.05 million in May 2008, said that his time at Cedars was his first foray into the resort industry and that his time there has been “a great learning experience.” “I think I was a mediocre resort man-

UNDER REVIEW

File photo

Cedars Tennis Resort currently has 93 units, approximately 60 of which are rented.

Langley

Starr

ager,” Langley said. “I think I brought it to a ‘C’ level, but I have no doubt (RVA) will bring it to an ‘A’ level.” Cedars Tennis Resort, formerly known as Cedars East, was constructed between 1988 and 1991 by The Hunt Group, which owned the resort until Langley’s purchase. Starr said Monday that some changes have been discussed that would “elevate the resort to the next level,” although he said nothing is concrete at the moment and that any major alterations would

have to wait until after season. Starr, whose company manages approximately 600 vacation rental units, about 500 of which are on the Key, said that the acquisition of Barrier Island Realty allows RVA to enhance its operations. The real-estate company will continue to sell and rent units within Cedars, along with properties throughout the Key and Anna Maria Island. Of Cedars’ 93 units, which are individually owned, approximately 60 are currently part of the resort’s rental program, a number that Starr hopes to grow. Langley said that he will continue to work in real-estate development, both locally and in Orlando, where most of his business is based. He remains one of two partners of Colony Lender LLC, which purchased a $10 million bank note owned by longtime Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber and the Colony, along with a 15% interest in the Colony’s recreational/resort property.

sand source by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Port Dolphin asks for one-year extension Port Dolphin Energy LLC has again extended its proposed pipeline project by a year, bringing its anticipated commencement date to July 1, 2014, according to a Feb. 28 letter to the Florida Department of Environment and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from Port Dolphin Vice President German Castro. Last year, the Oslobased company also requested a one-year extension. The extension also pushes back the town’s deadline for sand removal to June 2014. The town agreed in September 2009 that it would not object to the pipeline placement if Port Dolphin would help remove sand for the island’s next beach renourishment project and help pay for its removal and permitting costs. Initially, the town opposed the placement of the proposed 42-mile pipeline, which will run to the north of Anna Maria Island, because it would run through the same white sand that Longboat Key has used as a high-quality white sand source. “In a way, it helps us because it gives us the flexibility of not having to rush to get the sand,” Longboat Key Public Works Director Juan Florensa said. The town has received state permits for excavation but is still waiting on federal permits, which are needed because the sand site is in federal waters, according to Florensa. Port Dolphin is also waiting on permits before it can pursue the project. Castro’s letter lists seven authorizations the company has received for sand removal but states that permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection, along with a federal submerged lands lease. “Despite the fact that Port Dolphin is diligently pursuing these permits and authorizations, we cannot at this time accurately predict when the final permits and authorizations may be issued,” the letter states. “Due to this uncertainty related to the outstanding permits and authorizations, we are forced to postpone the schedule for construction for another year.” The town received $500,000 from Port Dolphin last December as reimbursement for its costs associated with developing and permitting sandborrow areas in the Gulf of Mexico in advance of the placement of the $1 billion liquid natural-gas pipeline. If Port Dolphin moves forward with the pipeline, the town will be eligible for up to an additional $5 million pending FDEP approval of the project.

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Commissioners question long-term contracts Three commissioners who are part of the Audit Committee paid close attention to a recent recommendation of the town’s auditing firm. The town’s contract with Coastal Planning & Engineering Inc. continued for 14 years before the Longboat Key Town Commission reached consensus to put its beach-engineering work out to bid in November. The town also used the same auditing firm, Shinn & Co., for 14 years before selecting the firm of Carr Riggs & Ingram as its new auditing firm. Carr Riggs & Ingram will most likely finish its audit of the town in March, but one of the firm’s findings, thus far, caught the attention of the three commissioners who sit on the Audit Committee and met with CPA Charles Whetstone Thursday, March 1: The town has had many long-term contracts that haven’t gone out to bid in years. Vice Mayor David Brenner said at the March 5 commission meeting that the town needs to look at many of its long-term contracts. Brenner told the Longboat Observer that the town should probably review its contracts every three to five years, citing the example of the beach-engineering firm. Brenner also said that he would like the commission to look at its town attorney agreement. (The commission hires the town attorney, but the parties don’t have a

TOWN CONTRACTS Total FY ’11 Length of time vendor Last competitive bid Vendor disbursement Contract for ’11 has provided service for contractor Jay Cashman Inc. $3,888,880 Yes 90 days 2010 Coastal Planning & Engineering Inc. $1,024,120.27 Yes 15 years Bid in process Persson & Cohen, P.A. $471,210.15 No 15 years Hired by Town Commission RTD Construction $410,451.26 Yes One year 2009 Piggyback with Manatee County contract SAK Construction LLC $112,105.23 Yes 2008-9 and two emergency repairs Kassboher All-Terrain Vehicles $60,000 No One time Return of cash bond for beach rake-BP oil spill Benchmark Financial Services $50,000 Yes 2010-11 Pension investigation 2010-11 Foster & Foster Inc. $44,421 No Two years Pension Actuary-Town OPEB agreement Alan Jay Ford Piggyback contract with Florida Lincoln Mercury Inc. $43,385 Yes One time Sheriff’s Association bid Bay Area Environmental Services $40,824.25 No One month Emergency purchase for Emerald Harbor cleanup

contract.) “I think most us are pretty pleased with the services, but I think we can both do him (town attorney David Persson) and us a favor to make sure that we’re both comfortable with the agreement,” Brenner said. Commissioner Jack Duncan said he believes most contracts should go out to bid every three years ago, although he stressed

the difference between putting projects out to bid and changing vendors. For example, he said that changing auditors every three years or so is good practice and generally the norm in business; the town may want to review its town attorney agreement periodically, however, without changing attorneys. “You don’t want to change town attorneys every three years because the town attor-

ney brings with him or her a tremendous amount of knowledge,” Duncan said. Commissioner Lynn Larson said that she would like to see contracts reviewed every three years. She told the Longboat Observer that she would like to see contracts with vendors “that have been there the longest and the ones that are being paid the most” go out to bid first.

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NEWSBRIEFS

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

+ Commissioner Younger recovering at home Longboat Key Commissioner Phillip Younger was discharged from Sarasota Memorial Hospital two weekends ago and is now resting and recovering from an illness at home. Although he did not attend the Monday, March 5, commission meeting, Younger Younger will return to the commission “in due time,” according to his wife, Fanny. Younger was appointed to the commission in 2010 and holds one of two at-large seats.

+ Cellular tower materials submitted to PZ&B

YourObserver.com

TOP FIVE

+ Town’s early voting begins Saturday Early voting for the town’s General Municipal Election begins Saturday and will continue for one week, through Friday, March 16. Voting hours will be 9 a.m. 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.

The most read stories online last week were: 1. “Colony Association drafts site plan” (Feb. 29) 2. “Colony dispute sent back to Tampa” (March 2) 3. “PIC to hold north-end revitalization forum” (March 1) 4. “Longboat Key couple to set sail around eastern United States” (Feb. 22) 5. “Election Q&A: David Brenner” (Feb. 29)

+ Anonymous donor helps a good claws

Zoning & Building Department. Town staff is currently reviewing the materials to determine if the application is complete. Eatrides and Barile agreed to submit additional materials at a November Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting in response to an administrative appeal that challenged town staff’s previous determination that the application was complete.

An anonymous donor has provided funding for Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program to pay for sea-turtle patrol materials such as T-shirts, training materials and other supplies. Previously, because of budget cuts, volunteers had been asked to pay a small fee to offset the costs. Mote President and CEO Dr. Kumar Mahadevan wrote in a letter to volunteers that because of the donation, turtle-patrol volunteers will not be charged for participation and that Mote hopes to publicly thank the donor at the

Meetings agendas

Town Commission Regular Workshop — 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15  Town Commission Statutory Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, March 26  Planning & Zoning Board Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 27  Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, April 2 

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

April 7 Sea Turtle Run on Siesta Beach.

+ Code Enforcement meeting canceled

Jim Eatrides, of the Longboat Keybased Alpha Omega Communications LLC, and Kevin Barile, of Ridan Industries II in Tampa, have submitted revisions to their application for a 150-foot cellular tower to the Planning

The Code Enforcement Board meeting scheduled for Monday, March 12, has been canceled because no cases were scheduled to be heard. The next meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, April 9, at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

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VIDEO In the Kitchen Sarasota residents prepare chicken piccata

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

planning effort

NUISANCE CONTROL

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Emerald Harbour residents Community meetings to lend northern exposure talk on the wild side It isn’t quite lions and tigers and bears. But Emerald Harbor has raccoons and poison ivy and Brazilian peppers (oh my). Three Emerald Harbor residents spoke at the Monday, March 5, Longboat Key Town Commission meeting to ask the town to address issues in the neighborhood. Emerald Harbor Association Vice President Bob Craft appeared before the commission primarily because he wanted to clarify the zoning of a 3.9-acre piece of town-owned land just south of the neighborhood (see sidebar). But Craft also had a related request: “Please cut back your Brazilian peppers,” he said, addressing the town. “They’re choking out our palm trees and cedar trees.” Emerald Harbor resident Pat Mankes was also fed up with the plot’s upkeep. “There’s all kinds of dead trees in there,” she said. “There’s poison ivy. I’ve taken care of it, and I’ve gotten so much poison ivy, and I’m not doing it anymore.” Mayor Jim Brown assured her that something would be done about the problem and that the town manager would look into it. Mankes’ husband, Ed, called attention to a critter that has left major paw prints on the neighborhood: raccoons. Mankes said that approximately two years ago, his neighbor was bitten by a raccoon while he was walking his dog. Frequently, he said that neighbors are frightened to walk their dogs in the neighborhood, which often draws more raccoons than the rest of the island LBK because - 2010of-itsKproximity to three resLBK - that 2010 - outdoor K taurants have dumpsters. Emerald Harbor resident Weldon Frost, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, brought the raccoon issue before the com-

Three meetings have been scheduled to discuss the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force-facilitated community-planning effort for the north end of the Key. Three meetings scheduled for the month of March will have the same starting point: the north end of Longboat Key. But the road map from there will depend largely on the ideas of those who join in on the discussions. The meetings will focus on a northend community-planning effort facilitated by the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force. The effort began in January, when New College freshmen, under the direction of sociology professor Dr. David Brain, conducted interviews about the north end with approximately 40 stakeholders. The stakeholders then attended a planning charrette in which they were divided into four groups and asked to envision what they would like to see at the north end in 10 years. “What was neat about the exercise was that with four groups not knowing what the others were talking about, you still had a lot of agreement,” said Michael Drake, acting president of the Village Association. Three teams of three architects each then held a sketching session in February to visually represent the ideas. The March community meetings are the next step of the process. “These are not recommendations, they are not conclusions, they are simply ideas being presented,” Task Force Chairman George Spoll said. The first meeting is for members of

Public meeting North-End Revitalization Public Interest Committee Forum When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 Where: Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive the Longbeach Village Association and will take place Wednesday, March 7. Gary Hoyt, architect for the Longboat Key Publix project, will speak at the event, along with landscape architect Phil Smith, Key architect Robert Rokop and retired architect Richard Levin, a Village resident. The second meeting will be hosted by the Longboat Key Public Interest Committee (PIC) and is open to the public. The meeting will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The third discussion will be the program at the annual meeting of the Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Longboat Harbour condominium, 4454 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Although the meeting is typically limited to delegates of condominium members, the meeting is open to residents of condominiums whose associations are Condo Fed members.

ZONING QUESTION At Monday’s meeting, Emerald Harbor Association Vice President Bob Craft wanted the town to address the zoning of a 3.9-acre parcel of town-owned land that he confirmed was designated as open space before he bought his property. However, a town master plan classifies the space as residential. “What you basically did is give me a 30-page written proof at taxpayer expense that basically proves I am right,” Craft said. Town Attorney David Persson agreed to look into the issue. mission in November 2010. The commission’s reaction frustrated him at the time; commissioners’ joking suggestions included distribution of raccoon condoms, reading town ordinances to animals or bringing in bald eagles to “take care of the problem.” According to an October 2010 email written by former Town Manager Bruce St. Denis in response to Frost’s concerns, animal control is the county’s role, rather than the town’s. St. Denis wrote that Manatee County doesn’t trap and/or relocate raccoons and that such animal complaint calls are referred to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, which usually doesn’t get involved unless an animal is injured. Brown told Mankes that there wasn’t much the town could do about raccoons. But Mankes disagreed. “If there were alligators walking around Longboat Key, I think the town would do something about it,” he said.

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CONTRIBUTIONS / FROM PAGE 1A Brenda Patten and Cannons Marina owner David Miller, who is currently board chairman of the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce. Rajewski has received contributions from former commissioners Gene Jaleski and Peter O’Connor, along with many supporters of the Islandside Property Owners Coalition, including its president, Bob White. Of the 83 contributors listed on Rajewski’s latest report, just more than half — 43 — listed addresses located behind the Islandside gates of the Longboat Key Club and Resort. Rajewski said that he frequently hears concerns while campaigning that the town’s codes will be changed to accommodate developers. (The other things he said he hears most on the campaign trail? Residents do not want dogs on the beach or cell towers.) “These are the people that are most affected by changing the town’s code,” said Rajewski, referring to his Islandside support and concerns about a potential review of the town’s zoning code and Comprehensive Plan related to the Key Club’s proposed $400 million Islandside redevelopment-andexpansion project. “My supporters are the residents. My opponent’s support seems to be coming from the commercial interests. The lines have been drawn.” But Brenner denied that the bulk of his support comes from commercial interests. “I know that my support comes from a wide range of residents,” he said. Brenner’s supporters cite his experience on the commission in their decision to contribute. Whatmough said that he has been impressed by Brenner as a commissioner. “I think he has evolved into being one of the very best commissioners,” he said. “He looks to do what is right in the long-term.” “I think he’s done a great job,” said Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles. “I think he’s brought that new focus on implementing the Vision Plan (which) is the most thorough survey ever conducted of Longboat Key.” But Rajewski’s supporters cite his vision for the Key.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

“I believe it’s very important how we go about rejuvenation,” Jaleski said. “I believe that Mr. Rajewski wants to go about it without turning it into a tourist community. I think that the market has told us that we don’t want any more retail than we have. Ray is simply saying, ‘Let’s be smart about what we’re doing.’” L’Ambiance resident Larry Merriman, who contributed to Rajewski’s campaign, said that he sees the Key the same way that Rajewski does. “I think Longboat Key is a jewel,” Merriman said. “I feel strongly that it’s exactly what I want. I don’t think it needs to be modernized.” The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee (PIC) voted to endorse Brenner over the weekend at a meeting. That choice didn’t surprise Rajewski, who declined an invitation to appear at a candidate forum co-sponsored by PIC and the Longboat Observer and who declined to answer six questions that PIC sent in writing to both candidates. Rajewski wrote in an email to PIC representatives that he declined to participate in the forum “due to PIC’s involvement and commercial bias.” However, he wrote that he had met with the Longboat Observer and “responded to many of the issues you raised” and that the responses would soon be published. (Profiles of both candidates were published in the March 1 issue of the Longboat Observer.) PIC Co-President Gaele Barthold said that the board was able to see both candidate profiles before voting. Voting board members unanimously chose Brenner. “We were very disappointed that (Rajewski) declined to participate,” Barthold said. “Those who voted felt that Mr. Brenner had done a good job and deserved a second term.” Rajewski, who describes himself as the “residents’ representative” wasn’t worried by PIC’s endorsement. If anything, he believes not appearing at the forum helped, rather than hurt, his campaign. “I think PIC has become a commercial interest group, not a public interest group,” Rajewski said. “They should change their name to the Commercial Interest Group —

Campaign Treasurer’s Report Summary The following individuals contributed to District 3 candidate campaigns between Feb. 11 and Feb. 24, according to campaign reports:

David Brenner

Robert Dods............$500 Larry Greenspon......$500 John Leffler.............$500 Leslie Leffler...........$500 Myrna Whatmough ............................$316.77 David Miller.............$300 Diane Gans..............$250 Nancy FoggJohnson..................$250 Richard LaRoche Jr..$250 Angelo Furgiuele......$200 Brenda Patten.........$200 Richard Pelton.........$200 Patricia and Edward Zunz...........$200 Bryan Crino.............$150 George Spoll............$148 Lawrence Coleman...$100 Antonia Gilberti.......$100 Leonard Landau.......$100 William Levine.........$100 Frederick Obear.......$100 Judith O’Neill..........$100 Ron Platt.................$100 Hein Rusen.............$100 George Symanski.....$100 Michael Trahan........$100 Robert Coyne.............$50 Charles Diecidue........$50 Jim Greer..................$50 Marlene Horwitz........$50 Daniel Idzik...............$50 Richard Kaleida.........$50 Seymour Klionsky......$50 Kathleen Osborne......$50 David Rothgaber........$50 David Sanders...........$50 Christa Fineshriber.....$35

Ray Rajewski

A. & L. Carroll.........$200 Robert Clark............$200 Arthur Cohen...........$200 Herman Frankel.......$200 J. and A. Higgins.....$200 Arnuto Hoffman.......$200 Leonard Munowitz...$200 Martin Rich.............$200 Burton Sack............$200 Richard Seidel.........$200 Ron Smythe............$200 Ronald Yonoven.......$200 Dimitar Georgiev......$150 James Andorneito....$100 Don Bernstein.........$100 Marvin Black...........$100 W. Carter.................$100 William Centers.......$100 Joel Chase...............$100 Frank Child.............$100 Tony Ciliberti...........$100 David Decken..........$100 Michael Esposito.....$100 Frank Fleister..........$100 Mike Franklin..........$100 Steven Frumkes.......$100 Paul Glosser............$100 Julian Hansen.........$100 Gene Jaleski............$100 Michael Klein..........$100 Lois Lesser..............$100 Claire Mazen...........$100 Rita Norrett.............$100 Robert Plunkett.......$100 Ben Price................$100 Don Semisch...........$100 Ronald Smythe........$100

CIG.” Both Brenner and Rajewski have the same plans for the two weeks leading up to the election: getting out and talking to voters. But, although they’re speaking to voters, Brenner and Rajewski have barely spoken

David Stowe............$100 Bern Susman..........$100 James Thomas.........$100 Douglas West...........$100 1220, Carmel............$50 Malcolm Barry...........$50 Rochelle Bernard.......$50 Steve Cohen..............$50 Bill Flinter.................$50 Don Goldsmith..........$50 Joel Hamouit.............$50 Ellen Jacob...............$50 Charles Jennings........$50 C. Kiamos.................$50 Suzanne Lutkoff........$50 Joseph Mendels.........$50 Tom Myers.................$50 Pat O’Connor.............$50 J.B. Pinski.................$50 Harold Ronson...........$50 Marsha Roth..............$50 Paul Rudder..............$50 Sam Shapiro.............$50 Karam Skaff..............$50 Alan Stone................$50 Halan Timm..............$50 Fred Wohlfahrt...........$50 Martin Rich..........$42.25 Paul Rudder.........$42.25 Robert White........$42.25 Wilbur Bauman..........$25 Mary Ann Fair............$25 Hope Meiselman........$25 Samuel Seager..........$25 Stanley Shapiro.........$25 Mary Ellen Totten.......$25 Leonard Weiner.........$25

to each other. They haven’t debated, and at press time, no debates had been scheduled. Brenner said that he and Rajewski were introduced briefly at a Sarasota Tiger Bay Club meeting in January. They said hello to one another — but not much more.

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Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

public interest

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

Town issues occupy retired planner’s time Larry Grossman’s T-shirt reads “Occupy Longboat Key,” but he’s not talking about being a 99-percenter. The T-shirt’s words are a play on words — not a protest. He had it made by a company in McLain, Va., as a joke. The T-shirt features a boat, sun and palm tree. It promotes occupying Longboat Key because it’s a nice place to occupy — as residents and visitors. But Grossman has plenty of ideas for making it nicer and frequently steps to the podium during the public to-be-heard segment of town meetings. Ask “Are there any questions?” during a community forum and you can count on his hand shooting up. Lately, he’s often been seen wearing his “Occupy Longboat Key” shirt. He retired in the early 2000s after 30 years in the planning department of Alexandria, Va., where he frequently saw plans submitted by Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown, an architect. He worked in commercial real estate until 2008. He retired that year, and moved with his wife, Patricia Curran, who worked as a planner in the private sector, to Longboat Key. But he said he has too much experience to just sit back and watch things happen in town. “A scout comes back and has to report on what he’s seen,” he says. “In this case, I’m saying I see a lot, because that’s what I do.” Grossman began reporting on what he saw in the proposed Longboat Key Club and Resort plan, testifying as a planner at some of the 2010 public hearings. He saw it as a massive project that had no rules or consensus.

But Grossman was just getting started. He spoke out in favor of removing 57 bicycle signs along Gulf of Mexico Drive that he saw as distracting, but he worries that Gulf of Mexico Drive isn’t pedestrian-friendly and has pushed for pedestrian improvements from Sarasota to Anna Maria. He was involved in the Vision Plan process and has ideas for a proposed community center and beaches. In October, when the Town Commission discussed the idea of allowing dogs on the beach, he stepped to the podium and demanded equal access for his two cats. (He was kidding. But, jokes aside, he opposes the idea of dogs — and cats — on the beach because of the potential impacts on nesting sea turtles, shorebirds and other wildlife.) He visited at least 20 Publix stores leading up to the commission’s approval in February of a new Avenue of the Flowers store and brought back ideas and concerns to the commission. It disappoints him sometimes that he’s part of the less than 1% — one of the few residents who shows up at Town Hall and makes himself heard. He was the only resident who spoke during the final Publix hearing who wasn’t a resident of Bay Isles, the neighborhood closest to the shopping center. So, does the man so frequently heard from the podium want to be heard from a different platform — say, the commission dias? He laughs when asked if he wants to someday run for Town Commission. He doesn’t answer yes or no but, instead, points out that a seat on the commission would make him just one of seven voices. But, regardless of whether he’ll someday seek a seat, he’ll continue to take a stand because he can’t imagine staying quiet on town issues. “It’s too much fun,” he says.

Robin Hartill

Larry Grossman spent 30 years as a planner in Alexandria, Va., and now frequently gives input at town meetings.

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Larry Grossman enjoys occupying Longboat Key — as a resident, not a protestor.

LONGBOAT Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

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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Profile in leadership: Brenner This week marks one of our annual rites of spring (or almost spring): assessing the candidates running for Longboat Key Town Commission. Part of this annual rite is the pleasant acknowledgement that Longboat Key voters are lucky. Lucky, almost always, to have good, intelligent candidates — in this year’s race it’s incumbent Vice Mayor David Brenner and challenger Ray Rajewski. We know already that Brenner serves the voters well and represents Longboat Key’s interests well in the greater community. And judging from conversations and interviews with Rajewski, he likely would do the same if elected. He is yet another Longboater who had a distinguished business career. But as it always is with David Brenner this annual rite, there are differences that provide a contrast for voters. This year’s contrast appears pretty clear. Perhaps a succinct way to put it is this: Brenner wants to continue moving the Key forward, on several fronts; Rajewski is more reticent about moving forward. Brenner believes Longboat Key’s continued prosperity hinges to a large extent on revitalizing the deteriorating visitor traffic and the Key’s deteriorating commercial properties. Rajewski, in contrast, told us most people chose to buy and live on Longboat because of what they saw and liked … “They want it to stay that way.” Or, as he told us this week: “I’m not against redevelopment; I’m against development.” Perhaps the contrast is as succinct as this: Rajewski does not support the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s redevelopment and expansion; Brenner does. That one issue clearly frames the contrast. Certainly there is more to consider. Start with history and tradition. From Longboat Key’s incorporation in 1955, town voters pretty much have accepted an expectation that commission candidates must pay dues. They must come up through the ranks, the farm system, if you will, having served a few stints with such groups as the code enforcement board, a town-wide citizens’ committee, the planning and zoning board or some organization that raises their public persona to the point they are a familiar name. This is how the candidate establishes trust and a track record. Rare is the candidate who wins by jumping into a commission race as his first exposure to town politics and government. Another tradition is Longboaters will reelect commissioners so long as they don’t do anything irksome. We can think of a handful of incumbents over nearly 20 years who lost their seats because of arrogance toward voters; becoming advocates of the town over citizens; or voting to hike taxes. On these traditions, Brenner is solid. Rajewski, as history goes, hasn’t played long enough in the farm system. In truth, Brenner’s record of service, accomplishment and leadership in the town before being elected to the commission and during his first term as commissioner

THE COLONY UPDATE

As it was coined months ago: What a spaghetti ball. Bottom line: The two sides — Colony owner Murf Klauber and the unit owners’ board — are still deadlocked over price — the price it would take to buy out Klauber’s three of the 15 acres of Colony property. Attorneys Charles Bartlett and Jeffrey Warren — Barlett representing Klauber and the Colony and Warren representing the Colony Association board — agreed the dispute can be settled, but only until the association or its developers, Club Holdings, pays Klauber and his lenders a lot of money. Warren says they have to give some and not expect to receive what they want. Meantime, the dispute is heading back to bankruptcy court, where, according to Bartlett Monday night, the bankruptcy judge has two choices: either reinstate the partnership between Klauber and the association, with the association paying Klauber about $10 million in damages, or pay Klauber about $25 million in damages and then attempt to redevelop. Bartlett and Warren say that likely wouldn’t end the litigation. It likely would go on three to five more years. “Get your act together,” admonished Vice Mayor David Brenner. Commissioner Lynn Larson scolded the parties for the condition of the Colony damaging Longboaters’ property values. Next week: What’s next.

easily merits his re-election. For nearly a decade here, he has been a force for good — for the residents, taxpayers, visitors and businesses. His track record is long and deserves some recounting. Brenner’s involvement started in earnest when he was president of the Islander Club’s homeowners association. That highrise might be on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico were it not for Brenner’s persistence in engaging the town and state ultimately to install permeable groins there. When Brenner served on the town’s planning and zoning board in 2007 and 2008, he spearheaded two efforts that began a long process, which continues today, of convincing Longboat residents they better begin thinking about steps to ensure Longboat’s long-term prosperity — or there would be no prosperity or no long term. One of those efforts led to Longboat Key voters overwhelmingly approving charter amendments that would bring back up 250 tourism units that were previously lost and would allow residents to rebuild their existing structures at existing densities and size in the event of natural destruction. The latter was huge. So many of Longboat’s structures are non-conforming, meaning that without this charter amendment, many of today’s condominiums no longer would be rebuilt at present size and density. These two charter amendments marked

THE CASTAWAY by Jorge Blanco

a 180-degree turning of the attitudinal tide on Longboat Key. Brenner, along with George Spoll, triggered and led that change. Then there was the vision plan. Brenner was instrumental with that, too — particularly in persuading the Town Commission to follow through with it and not let it sit on a shelf. This, too, has become one of the impeti shaping Longboat Key’s future. Read it. It’s what Longboaters heartily embrace for the future — what Longboat Key was in the heydays of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort and before, only better. As a town commissioner, Brenner also distinguished himself by pushing former Town Manager Bruce St. Denis to make the town bureaucracy less bureaucratic and more efficient. When St. Denis neglected to show the commission how he could tighten town operations in the face of the recession, Brenner led the effort to create teams of citizens who examined how every department operated and how they could save money and become more efficient. This led to cost savings and less budget cutting — and also to the conclusion that the town had reached the point of needing new leadership. Brenner: the catalyst again. Throughout his term, Brenner has been an unabashed supporter and facilitator doing whatever he could to help Publix Super Markets redevelop Avenue of the Flowers. Many Longboaters don’t know it, but Brenner has been involved in that project for years, having numerous conversations with Publix and the town staff to make that process as smooth and as unconfrontational as is possible on Longboat Key. Likewise with the owner of Whitney Beach Plaza. Rajewski has interpreted these efforts and Brenner’s support of the Key Club’s plans as being an aggressive proponent of increased commercialism on Longboat Key. But Brenner has been explicit in public and any time you ask him that “I live on Longboat Key. I don’t want that anymore than anyone else.” What Brenner wants is what Longboaters have embraced: A balance. They know their property values and quality of life are absolutely tied to Longboat Key’s ability to attract a steady flow of affluent visitors. And this cannot happen unless the Key has the level of facilities to accommodate them. So there it is — the unequivocal case for why David Brenner deserves a second term as the District 3 town commissioner. This is not to say Ray Rajewski is a strident dissident to Brenner’s vision for the future of Longboat Key. They really are not that far apart. What’s more, Rajewski has a lot to offer. He is of the caliber that makes Longboat Key a great place to live. He should stay engaged. Brenner, however, clearly has demonstrated a level of proactive leadership — on all fronts — that has been in the minority among town commissioners over the past two decades. Through his actions, Vice Mayor Brenner has demonstrated what Longboat Key needs at this crucial time: If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward. Longboat Key, especially now, needs to keep moving forward. We recommend: David Brenner for District 3 Town Commission.

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

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The latest mullet season was the best in memory for many fishermen, but for local residents, the season came with a catch: Fish houses didn’t have the capacity to process the number of fish caught by commercial fishermen, and, as a result, fishermen left dead fish behind in the water, many of which washed up on Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island beaches. Male mullet are often discarded in strong seasons because they are less valuable than roe-containing females. A “mullet run” like the latest one is a naturally occurring event that occurs every 10 to 15 years, Holmes Beach Commission Chairman David Zaccagnino said at the Feb. 15 Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting. But local officials have developed a plan that could be a net benefit to the community: The next time a mullet run occurs, local food banks will coordinate an effort to encourage fishermen to bring extra fish to the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage in Cortez. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office could also assist with storage efforts. Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown said at the meeting that he supports the efforts proposed but questioned if there were also enforcement options for fishermen who discard fish in the water. But Zaccagnino said that law-enforcement agencies would have difficulty enforcing regulations in a mullet run like the most recent one, which attracted many non-local fishermen. But at least one local restaurateur isn’t waiting for a mullet run to net the benefits of the fish. Ed Chiles, who owns Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub on Longboat Key, BeachHouse Restaurant on Bradenton Beach and Sandbar Restaurant on Anna Maria, enhanced mullet selections on his menus last season and plans to do so again later this year. Although mullet season typically runs between October and January, Chiles will add the fish back to menus as soon as the fish get fat enough. In fact, he said that mullet often taste best earlier on, before they produce roe. Chiles believes that there could be other uses for mullet, such as extracting oils for fish-oil supplements. “There is a lot more value to be derived from mullet than has been derived in the past,” he said.

Dear Editor: The best thing about Longboat Key is the beach. When I first moved to Florida, I lived near the airport. One day I was teaching a class and a student, a woman from Boston who had known me for a long time, said, “Anne, I’ve found your beach.” Together we went to Whitney Beach, which I fell in love with — with its wide expanse of white sand and many birds and sand dollars. The other reason I love this beach is that there is no one on it most of the year. It is a truly quiet and remote beach. Siesta Key may have the best beach according to the experts, but there are too many people towelto-towel on the sand for my taste. My friend knew the kind of beach I liked. Unfortunately, the last renewal of sand was terrible. The sand is dark and it is eroding too quickly. The water is now taking down the bushes trying to hold back the erosion, and a cliff is forming, which makes it difficult for me to get down to the beach. Because beautiful sand is being put on the beach just north of Whitney Beach, I am hoping that soon that sand will come to us. But the only way I can keep some sanity in this strange world is to look at the beach from my condo and know that the real world is still there, the ocean, sand and sky. I can’t imagine what else people would move here for. Anne G. Arsenault Longboat Key

eering begins. Elected delegates do not want to lose their (expensively) won seats by upsetting voters with anything decisive. No president has any opportunity to push forward his policies for which he had an electoral mandate. Short-termism is the order of the day in finance, economics and foreign policy. This basically un-democratic system needs to be reformed. Why not let the representatives and senators of any party choose their leader? They should be able to judge the candidates better than the public. Then limit the pre-election campaigning periods to six weeks. And cap the expenditure allowed on electioneering so that the biggest purse does not buy the victor, with all the implications of corruption that goes with that. Think what could be done in the economy with those funds which are now going into the coffers of the media industry. I’m not saying the rest of the world knows better, but perhaps a different “spin “is worthwhile. Ian Spofforth is a part-time resident of Longboat Key and England.

LONGBOAT KEY HOME SERVICES

Mullet solution could be catch for food banks

+ Longboat Key’s beach is its best attribute

Americans should consider the European model of letting legislators select their leader.

by Robin Hartill | City Editor

2020

U.S. elections guarantee short-sightedness As a seasonal visitor to Longboat Key from Europe, I naturally take an interest in the politics and economy of the United States. One of the surprising aspects of American politics is that the elected president with powers to initiate reforms by a popular mandate can have these powers negated by the lack of a majority in the Congress and/or Senate. I can think of no other democratic country where this happens. In most instances, a party is elected to power and that party leader takes over the reins of power with the support of an elected majority in the legislature. That leader can fall and be replaced by his party if he loses their support but otherwise holds office for a maximum fixed term. Here it seems the leader of the free world can be elected on a popular platform but have no powers to carry his policies through. Even if he did, nothing radical can be achieved because the love of constant elections over his fixed term deters any decisive action. No sooner has the new incumbent got his feet under the desk than mid-term election-

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Longboat Observer

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

Longboat Observer

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Cops

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Corner

LONGBOAT

Feb. 18 Reckless driver 9:51 p.m. — 5600 block of GMD. Reckless Driving. Police were dispatched to a reported reckless driver in a gray truck heading southbound, but were unable to locate the truck.

Feb. 21 Blame game 8:01 p.m. — 200 block of Sands Point Road. Property Damage. A resort guest drove a golf cart into a pond and yelled at a manager, saying it was the resort’s fault for not showing him how to operate the cart. Police were unable to reach the guest but left him a message.

Feb. 22 Under pressure 12:33 a.m. — 5600 block of GMD. Noise Disturbance. Police received a complaint about loud pressure washing being done at a restaurant and told three employees who were washing equipment in the parking lot to stop washing for the night.

Exit strategy 3:53 a.m. — 4700 block of GMD. Welfare Check. A security guard called police after a possibly intoxicated guest arrived at a hotel by taxi. The guard said that the guest had a wake-up call scheduled for 6:30 a.m. and a scheduled flight and was worried that the man would try to drive himself to the airport. Police told the guard to call them if the man attempted to leave and/or appeared too intoxicated to drive.

Missing wallet 10:15 a.m. — 4600 block of GMD. Lost/

Missing Property. A man reported missing his black wallet, which contained his driver’s license, medical card, AAA card, Medicare card and $66 cash.

Check, please 11:51 a.m. — 6800 block of GMD. Civil Disturbance. A shopping-center owner said that a new restaurant tenant, whom he allowed to access a unit so that she could make alterations, opened for business without his knowledge. He said that after he confronted her, she wrote him a check and then canceled it. The tenant told police that she traded out repairs for free rent and that she canceled the check after the agreement was made. The woman had agreed to move out and signed a document giving up tenant rights to the unit but didn’t want to give it to the landlord until she had removed her property.

to bring back a camera that belonged to the complex. The man didn’t want to return the camera without a written receipt, but the manager wanted the man trespassed. Police got the receipt written and issued the man a trespass warning.

Feb. 23 Unlocked door 12:37 p.m. — 5300 block of GMD. Security Check. Police contacted a restaurant owner after they found the business unlocked.

No soliciting allowed

Feb. 24

12:29 p.m. — 5700 block of GMD. Soliciting. Police stopped two men in a grocery vehicle who were selling food items door-todoor and warned them about the town’s soliciting ordinance. The men agreed to leave the island.

Security check 12:34 a.m. — 5300 block of GMD. Security Check. A restaurant owner responded to secure his door after police found it unlocked.

Let’s call it a night 11:06 p.m. — 700 block of St. Judes Drive N. Noise Disturbance. A man reported that he could hear a group of people talking loudly outside. The resident of the home where the group was gathered agreed that she and her friends would go inside for the night.

Electric loss

Sounding off

6:42 p.m. — 2000 block of GMD. Fire. Police investigated a smell of smoke and learned from firefighters that the smell was caused by a diesel generator, which was activated due to a loss of electricity.

3:20 a.m. — 700 block of St. Judes Drive N. Noise Disturbance. A woman called to report loud music coming from a home on her street. The home’s occupants said they didn’t know that their music could be heard with the windows and doors closed.

picious Vehicle. Police located a pickup truck that a restaurant owner reported had driven in and out of the parking lot several times in a suspicious manner. The man and woman in the truck said that they had eaten at the restaurant earlier, and the woman believed she left her cell-phone charger in the bar area but wasn’t sure, which was why they drove back to the restaurant. The man said that he used to live above the restaurant next door and wanted to show the woman the location, which was why they were driving around the area. Police decided their explanations were not suspicious and had no further cause for concern.

Short circuit

Water-gun control

Feb. 27

9:31 a.m. — 1000 block of Bogey Lane. Fire. Police arrived at a home in reference to a burning smell and were told by firefighters that an electrical short circuit occurred in the home’s fluorescent lights.

7:26 p.m. — Intersection of GMD and North Shore Road. Suspicious Circumstance. A man told police that an object that looked like a handgun fell out when his daughter grabbed a beach towel from a chair. The object turned out to be a purple-and-orange toy water gun. Police gave the water gun to the man’s children.

Sleeping it off

Feb. 24

Issue comes into focus 9:42 a.m. — 4700 block of GMD. Disturbance. A man who had been fired the day before from a condominium got into an argument with the manager when he returned

Feb. 26

The customer is always right 9:55 p.m. — 800 block of Broadway. Sus-

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4:53 a.m. — 500 block of GMD. Bicycle. A bicyclist riding southbound with no headlight told police that he went to a restaurant, had a few too many drinks and decided it wasn’t safe for him to head back to Sarasota. The man said that he lay down near the restaurant until he sobered up. The man, who is homeless, received a warning about the lack of headlight and a tip that no camping or loitering is permitted on Key beaches.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

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Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Thursday, March 8 Networking at Noon — takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Lido Beach, 233 Ben Franklin Drive. Choose either a chicken Caesar salad, a mahi sandwich or a pulled pork sandwich at this business networking event hosted by the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce. Cost is $20 members; $25 non-members. Call 383-2466. Introduction to Digital Photography — takes place at 1 p.m. at Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. This is the first program of three from Friends of the Island Branch Library offered by photographer James Corwin Johnson. “Introduction to Lighting” will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 22, and “Introduction to Portraiture” will be presented at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 12. Free. Call 778-6341. 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, which runs through March 29. Featured artists’ work and photographs incorporate water, light or nature. Free. RSVP required. Call 383-2345. Kayaking with Mote — full moon paddle takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. Join Mote experts for an evening paddle as they explore Florida’s coastal waters. All kayaking equipment is provided and class begins with basic kayaking instruction. Members $20; non-members $24. Call Gina Santoianni at 388-4441, Ext. 514.

Saturday, March 10 Sale Away — takes place from 8:30

a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The Christ Church rummage sale features sporting equipment, household goods, clothing and more. Free. Call 3838833.

Sunday, March 11 Winter Concert Featuring Lorraine Wallace — starts at 4 p.m. at Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Lorraine Wallace, co-principal cellist of the Northbrook Symphony and member of the Lake Forest and Highland Park Strings, will be playing a concert. Free. Call 383-8833. Belle Canto Signers Concert — starts 5:30 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive. The all-women Belle Canto Singers will perform a concert. Cost is $10. Call 388-1234.

Monday, March 12 Our Love Affair with Film: Bradley Battersby — takes place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cultural Media Room at Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S. Bradley Battersby, chairman of the digital filmmaking department at Ringling College of Art and Design, will lecture on the art of filmmaking and why imagination and storytelling through visual images captivates and records our history and each other. Cost is $35. Call 383-2345. Mote Lecture Series: José Castro — starts at 7:30 p.m. at Immersion Cinema at Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. José Castro, Ph.D., with Mote’s Center for Shark Research and fisheries biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will recount more than 25 years in shark research. Cost is

The Things You DON’T See Are The Most Important…

$12 members; $15 non-members. Call 388-4441or register at www. mote.org/lecture.

Looking Ahead Attorney Gen. Pam Bondi to give a keynote presentation

Tuesday, March 13

What: This will be Attorney Gen. Pam Bondi’s first talk in Sarasota since taking office in 2011. A continental breakfast with Pam Bondi will take place starting at 8:30 a.m., and she will speak from 9 to 10 a.m. She will update attendees on the lawsuit to repeal Bondi Obamacare and the most recent lawsuit in which Bondi joined six other attorney generals to defend Americans’ religious freedom in a lawsuit filed against a federal government mandate that requires religious employers to offer health-insurance coverage. The breakfast will be hosted by the Republican Club of Longboat Key in conjunction with four other Republican clubs in Sarasota County.

Longboat Key Democratic Club Luncheon Meeting — starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Longboat Key Club Harborside Dining Room, 3100 Harbourside Drive. Ayse Somersan, Ph.D, a retired professor emeritus of economics and dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Extension, will be speaking on, “Is the United States Going Bankrupt?” Social hour begins at 11:30 a.m.; lunch begins at noon. Cost is $23. To RSVP, call Jane Albaum at 362-0520. ‘Rat Pack’ Re-imagined — starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S. Remember the days of Rank, Dino and Sammy featuring musicians John Rinell, Anthony Castellano Jr., Bruce Wallace, Scott Blum, Gary Listort and Glenn Listort. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Call 3832345.

Wednesday, March 14 Still on Island Time — takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Euphemia Haye, 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This cooking class will cover cucumbers Martinique, grouper Jamaican with yucca and onion sauce and planters cake. Cost is $60. Call 383-3633.

When: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 16 Where: Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd.

Lenten Series: Teresa Bowman — starts at 2 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. Teresa Bowman, an elder lawyer with Boyer and Jackson, P.A., will focus on legal and financial issues relating to long-term care. Free. Call 383-5259.

the

Cost: $20 Info: Call Ruth Strauss at 3835349 and mail a check to RCLBK, P.O. Box 8181, Longboat Key, FL 34228

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Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

o Mo re homes

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

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13A

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Pierre

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Villa di Lancia

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Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

NEIGHBORS

DORIAN AND JANINE IRIZARRY It was August 1997, and Garth Brooks was playing a free concert in Central Park. “It wasn’t the typical New Yorkers jammed into Central Park,” retired New York Police Capt. Dorian Irizarry says. He was off-duty, and his wife, Janine, was on-duty, riding Herman the quarter horse. “She always wanted to see how fast he could run,” Dorian Irizarry says. Fortunately, Central Park West was closed for the concert, which gave the couple a runway on which to test-drive Herman. “I remember thinking, ‘This is not good. We have a department horse and a department car, what if something happens?’” Dorian Irizarry says. But they did it, anyway. Dorian drove next to the horse at the same speed it was galloping to gauge how fast Herman could run. They marked him at 35 miles per hour. “All the cowboys at the concert were yee-hawing as I rode this horse,” Janine remembers. The couple met when Janine was a newly appointed sergeant and Dorian was a newly appointed captain; he needed a date for special functions the police captain would get invited to, such as the Grammys. Once, she was working in the mounted unit at the stables,

Eat In or Take Out

Courtesy photo

Janine and Dorian Irizarry pose together after Janine was promoted to captain.

and one of the horses wouldn’t come. “If we came near him, he’d run the other direction,” Janine says. Eventually, a bystander helped calm the horse down and capture him. “Do you know who that was?” Janine’s partner asked her. She did not. “That was (actor) Matthew Modine!” They love to swap stories — and the exchange can get competitive — and they frequently do so over dinner. A few stories include the time they attended

the MTV Music Awards; and when Janine met Pope John Paul II. “We can exchange stories every day,” Janine says. And, then, there are other stories. Dorian spent much of his career in narcotics. The most impact he made was on the narcotics scene in Manhattan. There were thousands of arrests made. “We never went home,” he says. “I retired in ’99 after 20 years with the police department, and I swore I’d never do any police work again,” he says. He went into corporate highrise security, working as the corporate director of security and director of operations for Mulligan Security for 10 years after that. Janine has her own stories. She was assigned to internal affairs human resources at a downtown Manhattan office building and was working there on Sept. 11. “My desk — and office — became the (headquarters of the) 1-800 number for missing people,” she says. She remembers lines of people waiting to donate blood outside a nearby hospital. For three months, working 12 to 15 hours daily, seven days a week, Janine and her co-workers answered phones and made

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a list of missing people and casualties. “It’s not something I like to re-live,” she says shaking her head. The couple moved to Longboat Key, where they are no longer working every holiday, weekends, long hours and tons of overtime. They started a home security business, Longboat Key Home Services, that checks up on homes while

— Mallory Gnaegy

Five Things You Didn’t Know About the Irizarrys www.YourObserver.com

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Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

15A

TOUR DE FORCE by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

Garden Club’s annual Home and Garden Tour highlights Key homes Six unique homes on Longboat Key and Lido Shores were featured in the Longboat Key Garden Club’s 36th annual Home and Garden Tour Saturday, March 3. Docents filled each room of the home giving a guided tour about art, furniture and architecture. In addition, merchants sold art, bonsais and other handmade crafts at each location.

Julie Trigg sold her bonsai trees during the tour.

Mary Torrez and Kathy Wells check out the view at the Trine home.

Karen and Chuck Dare with Bonnie and Larry Jones

Maggie Hagan and Susana Escalante Carpenter

Don Cutler looks at a wall decoration at the Garvin home.

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N. Blvd. of the Presidents & John Ringling Blvd. on ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE

Floral arrangement by Jane Boehme

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16A

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

OUR TOWN

>> Continued from Page 1A Mary Angioletti with Simba and Sammy, Joan Smith with Honey, Pauline Young with Katie and Rosemarie Hodges with Elliott

a Power of Wish

Thursday, March 29th Share the

Dora Walters

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida ®

+ Neighbors paws to welcome new neighbor with party

will be holding its Fourth Annual Sarasota Walk for Wishes. Join us at the walk and take steps toward making wishes come true for

Elliott, a 2-year-old black-and-white Sheltie, was the guest of honor at a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” party held March 2, at his new home with Mike and Rosemarie Hodges. Rescued from a dog pound by a Sheltie rescue group, Elliott arrived on Valentine’s Day. The Hodgeses’ 15-year-old dog, Jollie, died in December. Already acquainted with some of the dogs on Dream Island Road, the Hodgeses decided it would be fun to formally introduce Elliott.

local children who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions.

Registration: Child $10.00 Adult $20.00 Date: Thursday, March 29th Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m Place: Westfield Southgate Mall FoR moRe inFoRmaTion: visit sarasotawalkforwishes.kintera.org email alene.fowler@suncoastwish.org or call (941) 952-WiSH

Dog guests attending with their owners were Emily, Simba, Sammy, Katie, Honey and Zoey, a Yorkie, who turned out to be the life of the party. But the highlight of the party for everyone was the play hour in the yard preceding lunch. There was more play time after lunch and likely followed by naps when they returned home. In dog language, Elliott said, “I really enjoyed meeting my neighbors and I am looking forward to seeing them again. I love my new home and there are so many squirrels to chase. I just wish that all my homeless friends could be so lucky to find such a wonderful forever home.”

+ And the award goes to ... the Privateer North! On Feb. 26, the women of the Privateer North celebrated their third annual Academy Awards party — and most of them lasted until midnight. Monetary prizes were given to those who guessed correctly the most number of winners of Academy Awards. 77226

Thanks to our sponsors:

Right: Ballot winners Lana Finch, Bea Erickson and Sharyn Joseph

Courtesy photo

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Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

birds in paradise

17A

by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

People flock to Save Our Seabirds for inaugural event

Members of the event planning committee included Ann Anderson, Valerie Thackray and Nancy Curtis.

The men responsible for Winter the dolphin’s prosthetic tail: Kevin Carroll and Dan Strzempka, with Hangar Orthopedc Group. Carroll donates time and prosthetics to Save Our Seabirds and was honored at the event.

Jerry and Judy Zivic

Valerie Walters and Helene Adams

Dan and Judy Reskow

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

75556

Longboat Key Club and Resort chef Ed Geyfman, Food and Beverage Director Bob Weil, Member Event Manager and Planner Dan Wade and Director of Communications Sandra Rios

On Thursday, March 1, Save Our Seabirds hosted an elegant and sold-out “Sunset Soiree.” Its walkways were lined with tiki torches and candles, and people sipped cocktails and enjoyed appetizers served by Longboat Key Club and Resort staff. A string duet played while accompanied by squawking serenades from the birds. “Bird” was definitely the word at this event; the soiree and auction was a fundraiser to spread awareness about the non-profit facility and its injured birds, rehab and release efforts. The evening also featured prosthetic expert Kevin Carroll, known for his collaboration efforts for creating a prosthetic tail for Winter the dolphin. Carroll donates prosthetic legs to sand hill cranes at Save Our Seabirds. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation for the work he has done.

18A

Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

denim and diamonds

REGAL ROOTERS

by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

by Dora Walters | Senior Editor

BKYC members put on their best Western On Saturday, March 3, the members of Bird Key Yacht Club ditched their normal classic outfits for something with a little more glitz and glam. Members put on

their best denim, their best diamonds and even some diamond-covered denim for a Western-themed “Denim and Diamonds” evening of dinner and dancing.

A plush pup has found a new home with Heidi Erickson.

Dalia Kirk bought a clown for her garden.

Eager shoppers unearth treasured finds at sale Jerry Beck and Trudy Gremp

Tony and Eileen Massaro

As usual, the lines formed early and quickly lengthened at the annual St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Royal Rummage Sale’s early-bird preview sale March 2. There was a $5 admission fee. The rummage sale continued March 3, when there was no charge. First in line this year was Loretta Ludka. She arrived at 8:30 a.m. but left to attend 9 a.m. Mass and returned to the same posi-

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

tion. Ludka said she wasn’t shopping for anything in particular and just likes to shop. Before the doors opened, there were more than 200 eager shoppers in line. Jewelry, kitchen items, collectibles and books were popular items being sought. Proceeds benefit various church-related programs. Royal Rummage Sale CoChairwomen were Ingrid Wisniewski and Penny Joerner.

Photos by Dora Walters

Karel Beck, Alexsandra Coles and Joyce Steele

Cashier Arline Napiecek, right, assists Marcia Lloyd.

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Loretta Ludka was the first in line for the sale.

Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

19A

Town Hall 2012 Proudly Presents:

Bill O’Reilly Tuesday, March 13th Morning Lecture: 10:30 am | Evening Lecture: 7:30 pm

Don’t miss the 2013 Town Hall Lecture Series! Become an RCLA member and get early access to tickets and premium seating by calling 941-925-1343. Sponsors for the 2013 Town Hall Lecture Series, get an up close experience. For information, contact Jay Logan at 941-906-2824.

Thanks to all of our generous sponsors:

The Bill O’Reilly lectures are sponsored by:

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Roberta Leventhal Sudakoff Foundation Community Foundation of Sarasota County The Observer Group Oberndorf Family Foundation Gulf Coast Community Foundation Sun Hydraulics Corporation Harris Private Bank Williams Parker SunTrust Longboat Key Club & Resort Sabal Trust Company Jabil Circuit

Cat’sino Catsablanca Gala

20A

going the distance

“As Time Goes By”

An elegant evening reminiscent of the 1940s

When: Saturday, March 24, 2012, 6p.m. to 10:30p.m. Where: Laurel Oak Country Club 2700 Gary Player Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240

Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

by Dora Walters | Senior Editor

Beachplace golf event lands some winners The sixth annual Beachplace golf outing was held March 1, at the Bent Tree golf course. More than 40 golfers took part in the event, chaired by Sid Friedman and Ron Stephani. After the outing, participants gathered at the clubhouse for an informal hot dog and burger supper. Assisting the cochairs was a large committee of volunteers.

Tickets are $125 until Feb. 29, $150 after Visit their website for more information A Rescue, Adoption, Education & Resource Center

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cat depot

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A Home for the Holidays. It's every cat's wish.

Left: Elliott Weinstein, Ann Friedman, Betty Keller, Alice Weinstein, Jack Keelin and Budee Jacobs

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941.366.2404 www.catdepot.org 10009 Gulf Dr. & Pine Ave. • Anna Maria

Where will you be for Passover?

Temple Beth Israel is hosting a Seder Friday, April 6

Co-Chairmen Sid Friedman and Ron Stephani

after 5:30pm Shabbat Services catered by Michael's on East Led by Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, this Seder is for Temple members & guests only. YOU can become a Temple Beth Israel member. Call the Temple office to learn about our Introductory Offer, valid through May, 2013.

Photos by Dora Walters

Chefs Ned Pike, Mike McKee and Lee Peakes

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Support the only Jewish presence on Longboat Key!

by Dora Walters | Senior Editor

Photos by Dora Walters

Patty Johnson and Peter Palmieri

SEAFOOD • PASTA • FISH • PASTA • BEEF • SALADS • LOBSTER

Casual Italian Cuisine Hand Tossed Brick Oven Pizza LBK ’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN RESTAUR ANT Since 1990

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Early Dining and 2 for 1 Wine or Tap Beer 4:30 - 6 pm Nightly

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21A

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MUSSELS • LOBSTER • ANTIPASTO

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MUSSELS • LOBSTER • ANTIPASTO

Longboat Observer

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Now Open Until 1PM for the Winter Season!

Jim Larson, Joan Dempsey and Commissioner Lynn Larson

Country Club Shores III residents share their thoughts Schield, of the town’s Planning Department. Both gave details on the upcoming construction of a new Publix and CVS at the Avenue of the Flowers. Razing of the existing Publix is tentatively set for April 7. Questions from the audience were encouraged.

Lemon Avenue & Main Street New Hours: 7am-1pm every Saturday Fresh Produce • Plants & Flowers Local Seafoods • Prepared Foods • Baked Goods Cheeses & Meats • Local Crafts and more...

941-225-9256 • www.sarasotafarmersmarket.org

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Residents of Country Club Shores III held their annual meeting and social Feb. 27, at Cedars Tennis Resort. President Jay Greenblatt gave a brief overview of the year’s activities. Guest speakers were Commissioner Lynn Larson, who resides in Country Club Shores, and Steve

Get Connected: Silvana Nandin and Toni Giliberti

Jay Greenblatt and Bill Steele

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Link-In To Assisted Living An Educational Seminar

Over 33 years experience • New Contruction • Renovations • Staging & Editing

Lori Fountain, IDS www.FTDesignInc.com

Wednesday, March 14 10 to 11 a.m. Complimentary admission and refreshments Reservations and Information: Call (941) 951-1911 If you are looking into assisted living options for seniors, join us on March 14 for an educational seminar, Get Connected: Link-In to Assisted Living. This special event will feature a wide range of topics presented by Seth Holloway, MPH, CPH, Business Director at Brookdale Senior Living. He’ll help guide you through web-based resources that are available to help your search. When you attend, register to win gift cards to local restaurants! Make plans now to be here for this informative event.

Your story continues here… Personalized Assisted Living 2186 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, Florida 34239 (941) 954-1911 • Assisted Living Facility # AL7099 www.brookdaleliving.com ® Reg. U.S. Patent and TM Office. 52140-ROP01-0312 BC

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Longboat Observer

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OBITUARIES

by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

TBI hosts function to inspire new members

George Richard ‘Dick’ Donahue Jr.

George Richard “Dick” Donahue Jr. died Dec. 26. He was 78. Born July 27, 1933, in Lafayette, Ind., Mr. Donahue was the son of Dr. George Richard and Mary Cecile Watson Donahue. He graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School and the University of Notre Dame. After serving in the Air Force, he continued his education at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago where he met and married Chicagoan Sheila Marie Callan. They returned to Lafayette and resided there for more than 30 years, raising two children. After spending the winters on Longboat Key for many years, he retired, and they moved there in 1990. His wife, Sheila, preceded him in death in 1999. In 2005, he moved back to Indiana. Mr. Donahue is survived by his second wife, Sandra Allende; sister, Sheila Donahue Higgins; daughter, Megan Donahue; son, Dennis Donahue; and one grandson. A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, Dec. 31. Interment will be held at a later date on Longboat Key. Memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or The American Heart Association.

Temple Beth Israel hosted an open house Thursday, Feb. 23, at Sarasota Yacht Club. Members spoke about their personal experiences and involvement with the temple and also socialized with potential members. Appetizers and drinks were served at the event.

Marty Katz, Ruth Engman, Linda Baker and Elise Galinsky

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Above: Honey Kronenberg, Gene Goldman and Nancy Skadron

George and Roberta Waldis with Mark Walzer

Right: Judith Nelson Feldman and Kathy Brooks

All Angels by the Sea

WORSHIP DIRECTORY

The Episcopal Church on Longboat Key

563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key All are welcome. Please join us in worship!

Sunday Services

383-8161

8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Website: www.AllAngelsLBK.org

Wednesday Eucharist and Anointing 10 a.m. The Rev. David L. Danner, D. Min., Rector

Roser Community Church

Love is the doctrine of this church… Come join us as you travel your journey of faith.

10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Concert with Katherine Alexandra and Alex Dilan Classical and Pop Music Tickets $20 available from the office

Aging in Paradise Resource Center www.aginginparadise.org

Celebrating 100 years of Service in 2013

941-778-0414

512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria

76721

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Telephone: 383-6491 web: www.islandchapel.com

Gary Gary A. Batey, Pastor Pastor A non-denominational, traditional non-denominational, traditionalchurch church

Sunday 9Sunday, AM and AM —Traditional Worship 1011 am – Traditional Worship 9 am – Adult Sunday School 10 AM —Adult Sunday School & Book Study 10 am – Children and Youth Church School 9 AM —Children and Youth Church School

March 25 at 4 p.m.

The Community Church on Longboat Key

74435

sparking interest

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

72402

22A

www.roserchurch.com

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church On the Circle

40 North Adams Drive

941-388-1234

Sunday Worship Schedule

What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?

Roser Community Church Gary A. Batey, Pastor St. Mary, Star of the Sea, A non-denominational, traditional church www.starmandschurch.com

A SERMON SERIES BY DR. BRUCE PORTER

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Come and join us for an engaging series of sermons based on Martin Thielen’s best selling book. This series is sure to be a help to seekers and a comfort to believers who may find themselves questioning assumptions from their past. Join optional small groups to discuss topics at the heart of the Christian Faith.

Sunday 9 AM and 11 AM —Traditional Worship Welcomes you to Mass 10 AM —Adult Sunday School & Book Study

WINTER MASS 9 AM —Children and YouthSCHEDULE Church School LENT: M-F 9 and 11:30 am / Sat 9 am Confession before all weekend Masses Msgr. Gerard Finegan, Pastor

76675

Temple Beth Israel

Located at 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Share Shabbat and more:

A Center of Jewish Life and Learning in the Sarasota Area

i Jo

Temple Beth Israel

76760

Saturday: 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 am

Friday Evening, 8:00 pm Fourth Friday of the Month, 5:30 pm 941-778-0414 512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria Saturday Morning, 10:00 am www.roserchurch.com Please visit our Judaica Shop 941.383.3428 www.tbi-lbk.org

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

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4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 383-1255

Sermon on Sunday, March 11: “A Commandment from Calcutta”

Services at 8:30 & 10:00am • 383.8833 • www.christchurchoflbk.org

71560

Contemporary Service of Joy • 9:00 a.m. Sunday School (Youth & Adult) • 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Celebration • 11:00 a.m. 941-778-0414 512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria The Reverand Mark A. Bernthal www.roserchurch.com

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

LUCKY FANS WILL WIN A SHOTGUN RIDE ON THE HONDA GRAND PRIX TRACK MARCH 22

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23A

24A

Longboat Observer

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

ROGER C. PETTINGELL

WATER CLUB LUXURY LIVING The Water Club is a Premier Gulf front community on south Longboat Key. Gated and secured, these concierge buildings offer the ultimate beach front lifestyle. The floor plans, each with private elevator entry, are spectacular and spacious. The community amenities, including the 18,000 square foot club house, are unparalled.

PENTHOUSE LIVING Truly the most private beachfront home in the sky! Exquisitely furnished and finished and offering four true bedrooms. Gas fireplace and cooktop as well as a private two-car garage are among the unique features. Water Club Building II • 3,435 square feet • four bedrooms • three and one-half baths • $2,895,000 • fully furnished • www.waterclubnorth1102.com

BEACH FRONT LIVING

GULF LIVING

Located on the sunset side of Water Club II with views west to the beach and Gulf waters. Sumptuous master suite with private Gulf balcony, sitting room, walk-in closet and his and her baths. A true three bedroom, stylishly furnished and appointed with marble flooring, hand-crafted built-ins and custom window treatments. Water Club Building II • 3,054 square feet • three bedrooms • three baths • $1,275,000 furnished • www.waterclub204.com

Live the Water Club beach front lifestyle from this Dover residence which wraps around the corner of the building. Light and bright with lovely landscape views, this spacious two bedroom plus den residence is offered completely furnished. Water Club Building I • 2,965 square feet • two bedrooms plus den • three baths • $899,000 furnished • www.waterclub208.com

Roger C. Pettingell, Waterfront Luxury Specialist 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive Suite 1, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 office: (941) 387-1840 cell: (941) 586-6668 fax: (941) 827-9444 website: longboatrealestate.com bestsarasotarealestate.net blog: blog.longboatrealestate.com e-mail: roger@longboatrealestate.com

Luxury Marketing is the Difference 76924

Roger has teamed with Coldwell Banker Previews to offer his listings the highest level of luxury marketing. This combination brings together Roger as the top-selling Realtor in Sarasota with Coldwell Banker Previews which is the top-selling real estate company in the world. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate owned and operated by NRT, LLC.

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

REAL ESTATE

WEATHER

PAGE 8B

PAGE 11B

Allan Luke loves to compete on the Pickleball court.

Four-bedroom Lido Beach home sells for $2.75 million. PAGE 2B

fundraising scoreboard

SPORTS

See this week’s weather photo contest winner.

by Dora Walters | Senior Editor

Debbie Dean and Sylvia Babineau

Stefanie Anzel and Suzanne Reiman

Joan Biller, Jean Griffin, Angela Stowe and Dee Pinksi

Setting a new record

Photos by Dora Walters

Jackie Mitchell, Gloria Bergman and Lizzy Miller

Event Co-Chairwomen Andi Munzer and Rosalie Bergman

Judy Bloch

The Susan G. Komen Go for the Cure events on Longboat Key have set a new record. After totaling proceeds of Game Day, Mind in Motion Casino Night and the most recent Sports Day, held Feb. 28, at the Longboat Key Club, Co-Chairwoman Andi Munzer reported $103,000 had been raised. Last year’s total was $84,000. Munzer said a record 196 golfers, 9-hole and 18-holers, and tennis players took part in Sports Day. The event was dedicated to the memory of Bea Rapowitz, a co-founder of the first Go for the Cure event held 12 years ago. “That first year we held a single event, an afternoon of golf and raised about $50,000,” Munzer said. A second event — Game Day — was added, and two years ago a Casino Night was added. It proved to be a success as well. At the luncheon held at the Harbourside Dining Room, Munzer and her co-chairwoman, Rosalie Bergman, had special thanks for the Auction and Raffle Committee of Susan Levine, Betsy Granite and Gloria Bergman. Thanks also went the Longboat Key Club staff for their cooperation. Planning the events is a year-long process. After reviewing this year’s events, committees will be formed, and plans will begin for 2013. Funds raised go to the Susan G. Komen/ Florida Suncoast affiliate, which serves the surrounding area.

Bonnie Chisling

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

real estate | transactions

By Adam Hughes | Research Editor

Lido Beach home sells for $2.75 million William and Diane Wakely sold their home at 137 S. Polk Drive, in the Lido Beach Division of John Ringling Estates Inc., to Susan Kilman, trustee, Sarasota, for $2.75 million. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,758 square feet of living area. This week’s residential real-estate transactions took place between Feb. 20 and Feb. 24.

BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 24 through March 1, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive)

Queens Harbour

Dana Ash, trustee, Philadelphia, Brent Ash, trustee, of Eureka, Mo., and Marni Zenkewicz, trustee, Chicago, sold the home at 3620 Fair Oaks Place to Mayer and Deanna Wainstein, Longboat Key, for $1.75 million. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,665 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,725,000 in 2004.

Pelican Harbour and Beach Club

Kenneth Bennett, Longboat Key, sold his Unit 501 condominium at 4241 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Richard Beaumont and Deborah Hinckley, of Point Pleasant, Pa., for $859,000. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,660 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,235,000 in 2005.

The Water Club II at Longboat Key

Carolyn Glenn and Earl Glenn sold their Unit 804 condominium at 1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive to The Earl Douglas Glenn Trust for $853,900. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,054 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,245,000 in 2011.

Bay Isles

Regions Bank sold the home at 3341

Mallory Gnaegy

Unit 804 condominium at The Water Club II has three bedrooms and four baths. It sold for $853,900.

Bayou Sound to Howard and Tena Tessler, of Lake Bluff, Ill., for $675,000. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 2,421 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $695,000 in 2001.

Emerald Pointe South

Thomas Bijou, Longboat Key, sold his Unit 9 condominium at 1916 Harbour Links Circle to Charles and Carla Nash, of Ridgewood, N.J., for $655,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 2,180 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $600,000 in 2008.

Sunset Beach on Longboat Key

Cynthia Marty, trustee, of Tucson, Ariz., sold the Unit 1501 condominium at 2109 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Roy Dukesherer, of Benton Harbour, Mich., for $535,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,358 square feet of living area.

Talk to Tina Today - Longboat Key’s International Connection

76691

ONE PROPERTY, TWO OPPORTUNITIES Spectacular 100’ x 238’ beachfront parcel offering full Gulf and gorgeous sunset views with approved plans for a 5300 sq. ft. custom residence. Currently zoned for short term rentals with 2 updated beach bungalows producing great income until you’re ready to build your own dream … Offered at $1,799,000.00

Address Permit Applicant Amount 3010 Grand Bay Blvd. Alteration Mark Tobias $115,000 4234 GMD Alteration Marion Kelly $59,000 Jewfish Key 7140 La Lenaire Drive Alteration Preservation Association $41,950 6701 GMD Re-roof Herbert Gold $26,760 750 Russell St. Re-roof Stephen Garrod $7,000 5461 GMD Alteration Edmund Adams $3,600.39 549 Sloop Lane Alteration Mark Antos $2,499 3710 GMD Alteration John Monahan $800 780 St. Judes Drive N. Alteration Steven Schield $750 775 Longboat Club Road Alteration David Justice n/a 500 Schooner Lane Alteration Kelly Sullivan n/a It previously sold for $280,000 in 1997.

Sands Point

Howard Goldstein Family LLC sold the Unit 323 condominium at 100 Sands Point Road to Truman and Francesca Becker, Sarasota, for $375,000. Built in 1966, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,941 square feet of living area.

Bird Key

Shlaine and Richard Milligan, Altamonte Springs, sold their home at 604 Mourning Dove Drive to David Sylvester, Sarasota, for $1.65 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,240 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $2.85 million in 2006. David Pomier, trustee, sold the home at 536 Blue Jay Place to Alfonso and Eudora

St. Armands Division of John Ringling Estates Inc.

Brian and Lynda Merritt sold their home at 58 S. Washington Drive to Chris and Tracey Hostetler, of Brookings, S.D., for $725,000. Built in 1977, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,467 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,587,500 in 2005.

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

OPEN HOUSE Spanish Main Yacht Club SUN., MAR. 11, 12-3 pm A beautifully remodeled home nestled between the Gulf 594 Spanish S. Drive of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Direct water access is only steps away from your front door & the community marina. This immaculate Longboat Key Turnkey Furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath connected villa is designer perfect with beautiful upgrades throughout. Kitchen has quartz countertops, tile backsplash, tile flooring, recessed lighting & newer appliances. The Great Room opens up into a formal dining area. Gorgeous tile, recessed lighting and new windows with plantation shutters bring in lots of natural light. Remodeled baths have quartz counter tops, new hardware and upgraded tile work. This is the Best deal In Town at $374,900 M5821920

Longboat Key Realty

Tina Rudek -

Dell’Aglio, of Ossining, N.Y., for $850,000. Built in 1971, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,492 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $317,500 in 1997.

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

See virtual tour on your smart phone: Call 866-600-6008 Property #89439

www.LBKRealEstate.com

Kyle and Terri Henson Coldwell Banker Res. R.E.

Owned and Operated by NRT,LLC

Team.henson@gmail.com

77547

Attention Citizens Policy Holders

K: 941.320.0887 T: 941.320.5517

Remodeling By Design...

Lee Heineman

Construction & Design

941.383.9286

We know that you have been following the news concerning the many changes at Citizens Property Insurance! Effective February 1, 2012, no new policies will be written that are valued over $1,000,000. In Citizens efforts to further reduce exposures, as of May 1, 2012, no current policies will be renewed. We have markets that can provide you with the coverage Citizens is non-renewing. Just bring your current policy by our office or call for an appointment. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely, Sandra and george ceshker

Secur-All InSurAnce Agency, Inc.

CBC1251443

77651

(941) 383-3388

LeeHeineman.com

4134 Gulf of Mexico Dr. #206A

70918

Providing design services for Interiors, Kitchens & Baths

510 Bay Isles Road, Suite E | Longboat Key | FL | 34228

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

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

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

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. $1,399,000

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

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 G NEW LISTIN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

MARINA BAY - Gorgeous Bay Views

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' PROMENADE - Penthouse 3BR/3.5BA 2,612 Sq. Ft. UNIVERSITY PARK - Custom Lakefront 3BR + Den with 12 Ft. Ceilings

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

3BR/3.5BA 3,382 Sq. Ft. Building 1

$1,085,000

LA BELLASARA - Golden Gate Point PENTHOUSE 4BR/5BA 5,585 Sq Ft

$5,400,000

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

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

Hot

pROpERTiEs

Catch my Real Estate segment every Wednesday on Sarasota's

LONGBOAT KEY - Gulf Front Lot 293 x 114 Directly on the Gulf!

$1,699,500

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.

73720

The name to know in real estate

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

BUSINESS OBSERVER

SOCIALIZING STARS

by Dora Walters | Senior Editor

LLSA Chamber makes its ‘Broadway’ debut

By Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor were long-time associates at the former Maus & Hoffman clothing store on St. Armands Circle.

+ SYC makes a splash with water-sports program

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce held its most recent Business After Hours March 1, at the Broadway Promenade, in Sarasota. Host for the event was Bank United. Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres were served. Held monthly, the informal event provides an opportunity for members to network and become better acquainted.

Sarasota Yacht Club rolled out a kayak and paddleboard water-sports program March 5. Members will be able to rent kayaks and paddleboards. They will also be able to take lessons, fitness classes and take eco-tours. Prices range from $25 to $35 for half-days, and $30 to $50 for full days. There will also be a paddle clinic monthly during which members will be able to try the equipment for free. Part of the proceeds will benefit Mote Marine Laboratory.

+ Cool pool on Longboat Key receives recognition

Observer staff

Nelson Martin and Harold Freeman recently opened a new store called Martin Freeman, located in downtown Sarasota.

Lucas Lagoons Inc. of Sarasota won a bronze award in the Residential Restorations category for a Longboat Key pool it installed. The judges for the Florida Swimming Pool Association selected the Key winner from a “pool” of candidates for its waterfall, landscape and stonework with vegetation.

Steve Boris and Christine Koch

Photos by Dora Walters

Judy Tatar and Barbara Stroud

+ Longtime associates hold + Circle associates are sartorial celebration made in the shade Nelson Martin and Harold Freeman celebrated the opening of their new men’s clothing store, Martin Freeman, with a grand-opening reception Saturday, March 3, for friends and customers. The store is at 75 S. Palm Ave., just south of Caragiulo’s restauExpertMarketing Marketing Expert Expert Expert ExpertMarketing Marketing Marketing Expert Marketing International PropertyPromotion Promotion International Property rant in downtown Sarasota. Martin and International International InternationalProperty Property PropertyPromotion Promotion Promotion International Property Promotion SuccessfulSales Sales Successful Successful Successful Successful Sales Sales Sales Successful Sales Freeman, partners inTrusted the new venture, Trusted ProfessionalGuidance. Guidance. Trusted Professional Trusted TrustedProfessional Professional ProfessionalGuidance. Guidance. Guidance. Trusted Professional Guidance. ExpertMarketing Marketing Expert Sheldon Paley, Realtor® Expert Expert Expert Marketing Marketing Marketing Expert Marketing

Sunglass Hut on St. Armands Circle is offering 20% off of sunglasses and accessories for St. Armands Circle associates and members. Associates or members will receive 20% off (with some exclusions) if he or she brings a business card and/or pay stub to the St. Armands location from now through Sunday, March 11.

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 Sheldon Sheldon SheldonPaley, Paley, Paley,Realtor® Realtor® Realtor®Property Sheldon Paley, Realtor® www.SheldonPaley.com Signature Sotheby’sInternational International Realty Signature Sotheby’s Realty

Sheldon Paley, Realtor® Signature Signature Signature Sotheby’s Sotheby’s Sotheby’s International International International Realty Realty Realty Signature Sotheby’s International Realty

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction

ThePlaza PlazaatatFive FivePoints Points The The The The Plaza Plaza Plaza atat Five atFive Five Points Points Points 2011, 2012 The Plaza at Five Points 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 50 Avenue,Suite Suite110, 110,Sarasota, Sarasota, 34236 50 Central Central Avenue, FLFL 34236 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 5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction 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

Specialist

Barbara Harrison, Greg Hayes and Deborah Heinsohn

In I I

Robert Dinan with LLSA Chamber President Tom Aposporos

Transnational Referral Certification Resort and Second Home Specialist International Real Estate Federation Member

941.356.1857 • Jspaley@comcast.net

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

NEw LISTINg: 524 HoRNbLowER LaNE 3br, 2½ ba, pool – Gem on Canal New ListiNg Reduced $100,000 Signature Signature Signature Sotheby’s Sotheby’s Sotheby’s International International International Realty Realty Realty Signature Sotheby’s International Realty

ThePlaza PlazaatatFive FivePoints Points The The The The Plaza Plaza Plaza atatat Five atFive Five Points Points Points The Plaza Five Points 50 Avenue,Suite Suite110, 110,Sarasota, Sarasota, 34236 50 Central Central Avenue, FLFL 34236

5050 50 Central Central Central Avenue, Avenue, Avenue, Suite Suite Suite 110, 110, 110, Sarasota, Sarasota, Sarasota, FL FL 34236 34236 34236 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Sarasota, FL 34236 with dock; immaculate inside and out –FLfully furnished or unfurnished (buyer’s choice) – 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 www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com www.signaturesir.com 875,000 move in condition ........................................................................................................................................... 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 NEw LISTINg: LoNgboaT KEY TowERS Spectacular gulf front listing with PENDING PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING SOLD SOLD PENDING PENDING breathtaking beach views. LargestSOLD 2SOLD bd/2ba in Longboat Key Towers................................... $925,000 $749,000 7323 Kensington Court, University Park $359,000 2016 Harbourside 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2462 SF with 2 bedrooms plus den, 2 baths 1802 NEwviewsLISTINg:Spectacular ExTRaoRdINaRY baYFRoNT HoME on Longboat Key. Bay views SF with Lakefront Reduced Private$30,000 Listing. Call for details. ............................................................................................................. $3,200,000 Siesta SIESTa KEYPENDING oN THE baY 762SOLD PENDING PENDING SOLDDrive. Minutes from #1 Beach. PENDING PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING PENDING SOLD SOLD PENDING PENDING SOLD Bayou Sound Grand Islander Bayou Sound Grand Bay Bay Islander 4800 sq feet, including attached guest house. Island living at its finest. ........................... $2,200,000 Bayou Bayou Bayou Sound Sound Sound Grand Grand Grand Bay Bay Bay Islander Islander Islander Bayou Sound Grand Bay Islander $1,250,000 $999,000 $500,000 $1,250,000 $999,000 $500,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $1,250,000 $999,000 $999,000 $999,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $1,250,000 $999,000 $500,000 PENDING SOLD PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING PENDING SOLD SOLD SOLD PENDING SOLD 14021 bELLagIo waY, #312 3br, 2½ ba, 45 Ft. deep water protected dock. .... $699,000 in Deer #404 Creek $469,000 1211 Gulf800 of Mexico $769,000 Staghorn 1br, 1½ ba turn key furnished beauty. N. TaMIaMI TRaIL 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1827 SF 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

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

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

S S

Islander Islander Islander Islander Islander Islander $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000

Si S

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

50 50 5 5

Downtown living with outstanding rental history.............................................................................................. 280,000 If you are planning to list or buy a home, please call me at 941-356-1857. PENDING SOLD PENDING SOLD PENDING PENDING PENDING SOLD SOLD SOLD PENDING SOLD *If your property is currently listed, do not consider this a solicitation for that listing. Sabal QueensHarbor Harbor SabalCove Cove Queens $

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

Realtors -$975,000 Licensed Real Estate Broker $975,000 $975,000 $975,000

546 Bay Isles Road | Longboat Key, Florida 34228 | 941 - 383 - 2500 (M-F) www.signature.com

Bellagio at Osprey Harbor $799,000 Alinari at Rosemary Place

$304,000

36250

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

73743

77041

with full Gulf views

Resort Living Everyday! Don’t Miss Your Ticket To Paradise:

18 Holes of Golf • Tennis • Pool & Fitness Clubhouse, Lounge & Grove House Grill Convenient To Shopping, Sports, Airports, Sarasota-Bradenton, St. Pete, Tampa!

PEN PEN PENDIN PENDI PEND PEND

From The $200’s • Sales Center 941-721-6280 • 2925 Terra Ceia Bay Blvd. #2203 • www.TerraCeiaBay.com

73443

Gra Gra Grand Grand Grand Ba B Grand $9 $9 $999,000 $999,0 $999 $999,0

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Coldwell Banker

FLORIDAMOVES.COM A Home Search in 13 Diﬀerent Languages only on FloridaMoves.com.

Bradenton, Tidy Island. $3,900,000 5/4.5 SHF#A3956565 Baskind Warren Team 941-388-3966

Longboat Key, Queens Harbour. $1,899,000 4/5.5/2 Longboat Key, Country Club Shores. $899,000 SHF#A3934524 Martina Coppenrath 941-724-3339 3/3/2 SHF#A3951482 Roger Pettingell 941-387-1840

Longboat Key, Villa Di Lancia. $1,499,999 3/3/1 SHF#A3955494 Patrick DiPinto 941-323-0033

Sarasota, Lido Ambassador. $625,000 2/2/2 SHF#A3951810 Kathy Hoonhout 941-388-3966

Discover why Coldwell Banker is a trusted name in the U.S. and abroad, providing global reach with local expertise. ®

FloridaMoves.com Anna Maria Tidy Island $469,000 Michelle Musto, 941-809-3714 Panoramic bay views! 3BR/2.5BA 2764 sf, fireplace, pool/tennis & amenities. SHF#A3949384

Bird/Lido Key Lido Shores $5,900,000 Jonas Forslund, 941-266-1761 Gated, mediterranean inspired estate. 6,193 sq ft of majestic luxury. SHF#A3930363 Lido Key $2,395,000 Don Vercauteren, 941-228-3894/941-323-0033 5BR/5+BA/1C garage Key West style home situated on Lido Key. Grmt kitchen w/SS appl. SHF#A3907921

Longboat Key $869,000 Barbara Ackerman, 941-387-1820 Boaters fantasy! University Park $599,000 Michael/Mary Nell Moore, 941-321-8592/ 2 Story with 3,435 sq ft and 3 slips. SHF#A3938728 941-266-7740 3BR/4BA Pool home, outdoor fpl, bonus room, wet bar, office, wine room. SHF#A3922087 Beaches of Longboat Key $849,000 Jo James, 941-388-3966 Gulf view 2BR/2BA condo. Entertaiment size living room plus large balcony. SHF#A3954083 One Watergate $595,000 Kathy Hoonhout, 941-388-3966 Spectacular water views, great downtown location. 2/2 Plus den total update. SHF#A3952080 Grand Bay $839,000 Judy Kepecz-Hays, 941-387-1825 Sunrise & sunset views of Sarasota Bay and Sarasota city skyline. 3BR. SHF#A3956097 Serenoa $424,900 Louis Wery, 941-387-1816 Custom 4BR/3BA+office on half-acre lot in gated community with lake views. SHF#A3953498 Islander Club of Longboat $799,000 Jeff Mann, 941-388-3966 Set your sights on luxury in this exceptional 2BR/2BA condo. Lovely details. SHF#A3953344 Secluded Oaks $409,900 Leah George, 941-780-0597 4/3 Almost 200k under purchase price. Pool, lake view, great location. SHF#A3954208 Sunset Beach $799,000 Judy Kepecz-Hays, 941-387-1825 Outstanding 2BR/2BA condo. Walk-in closet, central H/A. Garage. SHF#A3956070 Green Acres $99,900 Angie Campbell, 941-320-1834 Short Sale - Big Value! Longboat Key Towers $790,000 Lynne Koy, 941-387-1803 Updated 2BR/2BA Sold ‘As-Is’. Location speaks lounder than words! SHF#A3944222

Bird Key $1,397,000 Lynne Koy, 941-387-1803 Completely updated condo w/direct gulf views & 2 covered parking spaces! SHF#A3947223 4BR/3.5BA Canal front home! Homeowner warranty included! SHF#A3951179 Beachplace $519,000 Maggie Hicks, 941-387-1860 Furnished 2BR/2BA Lido Beach Club $700,000 Angie Campbell, 941-320-1834 Relax & enjoy condo on LBK. Amenities include tennis, fitness & pool/spa. SHF#A3922591 beachfront living in this 2/2 condo w/private terrace. SHF#A3951921 Islander Club $499,000 Bruce Myer, 941-387-1859 The Wow factor! Sarasota $459,000 Patrick DiPinto, 941-323-0033 Nicest garden lot on the 2BR/2BA 10th floor home, designer remodeled 3.5 years ago. SHF#A3952332 island. Near clubhouse & tennis. SHF#A3940485 Inn on The Beach $495,000 Judy Kepecz-Hays, 941-387-1825 Magnificent Lido Surf & Sand $415,000 Lynn A. Luken, 941-388-3966 Delightful 2BR/2BA gulf and beachfront views. Wonderful buyer rental opportunity. SHF#A3956180 condo, lovely details, exercise rooms and garage. SHF#A3955109 Beachplace I $489,000 Maggie Hicks, 941-387-1860 Coveted southern exLido Towers $378,500 Barbara Miller, 941-388-3966 Picture yourself in this posure & the largest 2BR, 1st floor walk-out. SHF#A3953797 charming condo in a gated community. 2 Bedrooms. SHF#A3956548 Beachplace $449,000 Lynne Koy, 941-387-1803 New paint & carpet with Lido Harbour South $350,000 Angie Campbell, 941-320-1834 Classic 2BR/2BA lake & gulf views from this 2BR/2BA condominium! SHF#A3952097 glassed lanai overlooking gulf views. TKF & a perfect value. SHF#A3945580 Club Longboat $424,500 Bruce Myer, 941-387-1859 3BR/2BA Home w/ Lido Towers $350,000 Barbara Miller, 941-388-3966 Feel right at home in views of beautiful gulf waters & access to sandy beaches. SHF#A3922117 this delightful condo in a gated community. 2 Baths. SHF#A3956263 Seaplace $419,000 Lynne Koy, 941-387-1803 2/2 Updated kitchen, granite Pelican Gardens $219,000 Jonas Forslund, 941-266-1761 Updated studio counters, solid wood cabinets, SW gulf views. SHF#A3941459 villa across from Lido Beach, near Lido Park & St. Armands. SHF#A3908408 Bayport Beach & Tennis $399,000 Bruce Myer, 941-387-1859 Gulf views and deeded beach access are yours from this 2BR/2BA beach retreat. SHF#A3956445 Longboat Key

Manatee Riverview $2,895,000 Kathy Hoonhout, 941-388-3966 Richly appointed 4BR/5+BA riverside home. Newly constructed, 5,713 SF. SHF#A3954599 Waterlefe Golf & River $1,450,000 Liz Klements, 941-388-3966 Prize the comfortable luxury of this tile-roofed 4BR/4+BA residence. SHF#A3956049 Manatee $699,000 Jonas Forslund, 941-266-1761 3300 sf Ranch has a stocked pond & a grotto pool w/waterslide & jacuzzi. SHF#A3921024 University Park $689,900 Michael/Mary Nell Moore, 941-321-8592/ 941-266-7740 Private 3BR/3BA w/LR/DR, office, pool/spa in gated golf course community. SHF#A3950549 Anna Maria Island $275,000 Michelle Musto, 941-809-3714 Direct bayfront! 2BR/2BA, 1079 sq ft, furnished, pool & comm boat dock. SHF#A3941364

Siesta Key Gulf & Bay Club $725,000 Charles Offer, 941-388-3966 High quality condo overlooking Siesta Key beach, outstanding resort community. SHF#A3949213

Siesta Key $659,000 Babette Paige, 941-388-3966 Well maintained duplex. Longboat Key $8,450,000 Patrick DiPinto, 941-323-0033 Extraordinary estate Seaplace $299,000 Lynne Koy, 941-387-1803 Tastefully decorated 2BR/2BA Walking distance to beach & village, 3/2 per unit. SHF#A3941972 w/garden views of lushly landscaped grounds! SHF#A3950476 adorned with every convenience & luxury imaginable. SHF#A3951509 La Siesta $339,000 Nikki Boguszewski, 941-302-4676 Spectacular gulf Bay Isles $5,900,000 Judy Kepecz-Hays, 941-387-1825 Beautiful designed Seaplace $275,000 Bruce Myer, 941-387-1859 Priced for quick sale! Furnished views from top floor condo in Siesta’s best location. SHF#A3933018 2BR/2BA home in Seaplace’s G6 building. SHF#A3955646 custom built wtrfrnt home in gated Harbour section. 5BR. SHF#A3956139 Bay Isles $2,295,000 Mike Greve, 941-806-9444 Stunning custom wtrfrnt Inn on The Beach $239,000 Bruce Myer, 941-387-1859 Outstanding golf course view from this club suite at the Longboat Key Club. SHF#A3951362 home in prestigious Harbor section of Bay Isles. SHF#A3953976 Sea Horse Beach Resort $220,000 Jackie Kleppinger, 941-388-3966 Queens Harbour $2,150,000 Mike Greve, 941-806-9444 4BR/3+BA, Pool, Appealing waterfront condo. Central heat/air. Community swimming pool. private dock & bay views in this Queens Harbour home. SHF#A3931140 SHF#A3952937 Sanctuary II $1,985,000 Barbara Ackerman, 941-387-1820 Direct gulf front Mainland Sarasota walk down w/private plaza deck. Largest 3BR w/3115 sq. ft. SHF#A3951964

St. Armand’s Key

Sarasota Harbor East $349,000 Robert Fortier, 941-387-1869 Condo 2/2 bayfront w/view. Boat docks, heated pool, walk to St Armands. SHF#A3947144 Kingston Arms $324,000 Peter Brennan, 941-388-3966 Location, location! Delightful 2BR/2BA unit, community swimming pool. SHF#A3938669

Sarasota Harbor $189,000 Inger Lill, 941-388-3966 Cheerful waterfront Bay Isles $1,495,000 Bruce Myer, 941-387-1859 4BR/4.5BA Boater’s home Sarasota $1,395,000 Louis Wery, 941-387-1816 Stunning 4-ac estate nestled condo. Elevators. Dock. Community swimming pool. SHF#A3951587 with pool, two docks, lift and 160’ of seawall! SHF#A3949645 among oaks w/452 ft on river. OK to develop. SHF#A3952882

Venice/Osprey/Nokomis

Pierre $899,900 Michael/Mary Nell Moore, 941-321-8592/941-266-7740 Ritz Carlton Residences $1,098,500 Barbara Ackerman, 941-387-1820 3BR/3BA With gulf, bay, golf views. Tennis/pool/spa/fitness and guest suites. Water views from almost all rooms! 12th Floor, 2BR/2BA with 2,011 sq ft. Sarasota $2,495,000 Barbara Ackerman, 941-387-1820 Rancho del Sol - bay SHF#A3951455 front 5 BR + guest cottage on 1.4 acres. SHF#A3948516 SHF#A3934324

Residential ❙ Commercial ❙ Mortgage ❙ Rentals ❙ Corporate Relocation ❙ Closing Services

© 2012 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International, the Previews International logo and “Dedicated to Luxury Real Estate” are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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FLORIDAMOVES.COM

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COURT CONTINUUM

Longboat Observer

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

PAMPER YOURSELF and live on the beach at the Beach Residences, a Ritz Carlton managed property. This 4100+ sf residence has 3 bedrooms, a family room, formal living room and dining room. It is exquisitely finished and decorated and has remarkable views of the Gulf, the Bay, and downtown Sarasota.....................................................Furnished $3,895,000 SLEEPY LAGOON, SAILBOAT WATER - 4 bedrooms plus an office and a loft, caged heated pool, dock with lift. Beach access. ................................................................................................................................................$845,000 WINDWARD BAY - 2 penthouses with amazing bay views, tennis, 2 pools, boat docks, deeded beach access. 2 pets allowed .................................................................................................................................................$269,00 and $239,000 MARINA AND BAY VIEWS at Bay Harbour on the south end of LBK – just minutes to St. Armand’s Circle. 2/2 with screened porch ...................................................................................................................................................................................$319,000 WhITNEY BEAch - a 1/1 with views of Bishops Bayou and a 1 bedroom, 2 bath with a view of the beautifully landscaped grounds. Beach, bay, tennis, boat docks, fishing pier. Pets allowed.......................... $225,000 and $199,900 BANYAN BAY - a very relaxed atmosphere for this ground floor 2/2 designed for island living. Tennis, pool, beach, fishing pier, pet friendly. ...............................................................................................................................................................$259,900 hARBOUR LINKS - 3/3 corner villa with double garage on the golf course at the LBK Club. Beach Club membership. Pet friendly...........................................................................................................................................................................$379,000 LONG BEAch - 2 charming homes in historic Longboat Village. This is truly a family neighborhood in walking distance to the Art Center, beach, fishing pier and restaurants................................................................. $395,000 and $399,000 BOBBIE BANAN, REALTOR® 356-2659 • 383-2659

76723

bobbiebanan@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL (941) 388-4447

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Some of the men from the Wednesday morning tennis group pal around with their mascot, Racket: Frank Quiriconi, Bob Coyne, Steve Clark, Larry Straff and Larry Coleman.

Ambassador’s Circle

Tennis group welcomes new REID MURPHY players but keeps the old Luxury on the Water PREsEnts ...

Call Reid Today! 941.232.3304 www.reidmurphy.com

GRAND MARINER New luxury condos in gated deep-water, naturally protected yacht harbor. Slips up to 80 feet with all amenities.

$1,700,00 to $2,500,000 Only 10 remaining!

ORCHID BEACH GULF FRONT SPECTACULAR! 7th floor. Gorgeous Gulf, Beach and sunset views plus bay vistas. 3,600 sq. ft. 3 BD 31/2 BA. Master suite beach side. Incredible designer finishes throughout. Walk to St. Armands. Private 2 car garage. $2,675,000

BEST BUY BEACH GULFFRONT ESTATE 1+ acres gated &

private boardwalk to beach. 5 BD plus lg. family/game room area. Kitchen, living area & downstairs master open to beachside pool & deck - spectacular Gulf, beach & sunset views. Gorgeous details. Total privacy. 8 car garage! Bring Offers $4,500,000

pool w/outdoor living area & private water views. Lg. downstairs master plus 3 guest suites upstairs - 2 w/ private terraces overlooking water views. Exceptional architectural details. Great boat dock. $4,250,000

Pass, views to Gulf, outstanding sunsets. 4 BR main home plus 4 BR guest house. Gorgeous courtyard pool, dock, private beach access. The ultimate in designer finishes! $8,900,000

LIGHTHOUSE POINT GULF SIDE 196 ft. Gulf front w/private beach plus Gulf side pool. 5 BD/master downstairs. Incredible design finishes, high volume windows maximize water views. Boat dock & private sitting beach. $8,900,000 110 FT. BEAUTIFUL WHITE BEACH with four income producing cottages on 1.4+ acres nestled among native palms and pine trees. Continue as rental property; private family enclave; or build a beachfront estate. $3,590,000 SABAL COVE Spacious 4BR w/first level master suite. Exquisite lakefront! Bay Isles subdivision, deeded beach. Close to tennis $1,695,000 EMERALD HARBOR NEW HOME on wide canal. 4 BD/ Master bedroom downstairs, plus 3 suites upstairs. Top of the line finishes. Exercise rm., kayak launch pad, deepwater dock & pool. Lots of privacy w/bay views, plus deeded beach access. $2,395,000 HARBOUR VILLA CLUB Fantastic 2/2 Bayfront penthouse. New windows & decorating. Fabulous views. 40 ft. boat dock. $550,000, 2/2 end unit $495,000 BAYPORT 3 BD Gulf view corner condo - split floorplan. 3 terraces. Totally private, no one above this fabulous corner location. Tennis, large pool, bayside pier and beach. $595,000

OLD FLORIDA CHARMING 4,400 sq.ft. Home w/193 ft. unobstructed Bay vista. Dock your boat and launch your kayak from your own private beach. $3,250,000 BAYFRONTESTATEGated, Private, 1 acre estate w/5,000 SF 5 bedroom home on deepwater channel. Spectacular Bay vistas. Private beach access. Boat dock & lift. BAYFRONT LIVING AT ITS BEST! $2,500,000 WIDE CANAL WITH NEW BOAT DOCK 3 in from Bay. Great 3 bedroom home with new finishes. Large pool. $895,000 WESTON POINTE Stunning 3 bedroom home with boat dock! Living area is centered around pooltotal private outdoor living area. High ceilings, lots of windows - bright and open with beautiful finishes. Located behind the gates near tennis with beach access. $1,039,000 RITZ CARLTON TOWER RESIDENCE 10th floor views of Sarasota Bay to Big Pass, and views of Marina Jack. Southeast corner with two large terraces and morning sun. $2,595,000 DIRECT BAYFRONT NEW MEDITERRANEAN 5BR MASTERPIECE Magnificent pool/patio bayside, plus a large patio off master suite. Designer finishes. Gated with BOAT DOCK. $8,700,000

Developers Realty Inc. Lic. R.E. Broker • 1266 1st St., Suite 9, Sarasota, FL 34236

76685

EXQUISITE CUSTOM Open floor plan flows to WESTWAY ESTATE – 210 FT. DIRECTLY on New

Every Saturday and Sunday there are four courts reserved at the Longboat Key Club and Resort Tennis Gardens. Armed with rackets, a group of 16 men ranging in age from early 50s to late 80s play. Some of the guys play on Wednesdays and Thursdays together, too. The younger, athletic guys play the older, more experienced players, but everyone is skilled. It’s a group that’s been playing together for about 10 years. There are no arguments over points and lines or frustrated cursing when a match doesn’t go as planned. But there is some yelling. “You gotta watch out for this guy,” one tennis player warns from the middle court. A similar comment is made a few minutes later, when the organizer of the group is getting his photo taken. “Uh oh, Larry! Now they’re going to recognize your post office photos,” another player yells to organizer Larry Straff. The guys all chuckle when Straff fumbles a serve. “I hope she got that one on camera!” one of the men says. Judging by the smiles on their faces, Straff’s group is clearly a serious bunch. Seventy-one-year-old Straff walks over to the sidelines while the group is taking a water break. His dog, and the group’s mascot, Racket, perks up and runs over to him. “You know the nice part about the group?” he asks with a completely serious face. “We’re all not allowed near school yards.” All the men start laughing. They were right; you do have to watch out for Straff. Straff originally started playing with Bob Ruff’s tennis group, but they didn’t play on Sundays. Bob Burns had a group of four guys who played on Sundays, and when Burns couldn’t lead the group any longer, Straff took over. Ten years later, there are four times the number of members. A handful of original players are still around, but they are 10years older now. “The group grows and changes; guys leave, guys come back, (new) guys come in, guys get better, guys move on, guys get hurt. It’s just like everything else, life changes,” Roberta Straff, Larry’s wife, explains of the group’s evolution over time. Even the mascot has changed over time. The Straffs’ dog, Tennis, used to be the mascot and would sit on the sidelines every day. After Tennis died, Racket, a Cockapoo, was initiated into the group. Sometimes, they will play with complete strangers who are visiting Longboat Key and staying at the Key Club resort and want to play tennis for a morning. Straff says one of the group members who was visiting Longboat a year ago played when

By the numberS

2 — Hours the tennis group plays in a day 4 — Courts reserved on Saturday and Sunday 16 — Number of players who participate Saturday and Sunday

24 — Number of players involved in weekly tennis matches

50 — Youngest age in the group 71 — Larry Straff’s age 88 — Mort Mandle’s age, the oldest member of the group

they needed another player. The stranger ended up moving to Longboat Key, called Straff and joined the group. “In the summer time, I’m the official sub,” Roberta Straff says. “They are so much fun, and they are just absolute gentleman and some absolutely great tennis players.” When Straff started playing with the group, he was one of the younger guys, and the more experienced, older players would hit with him. At least three of those guys are still playing with the group, but now they are in their 80s. And the older players now return the favor. “We run them around a little bit,” says Mort Mandle in regard to the young guys. Mandle is 88 years old and is the oldest member of the tennis group. “It’s very good quality tennis,” Mandle says. “And there’s a lot of camaraderie. No one takes it too seriously.” Mandle says Straff keeps him playing. He has a good sense of humor, which he enjoys. Sometimes after the games, the group will go out to lunch together. “We’ve become both tennis friends and social friends,” Straff says of the group.

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

children champions

by Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

Bruce Myer 941.387.1859

Bruce@BruceMyer.com BruceMyer.com

Selling Luxury Real Estate for over 31 years! JUST LISTED!

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Program participants Rachel Pashaev, Nadine Fahoum, Tom Ziv, Valeria Nikolaev, Elad Gevandschnieder and Levi Mekonen

BIRD KEY - 3BR/3.5BA waterfront pool home with dock on N. Warbler Lane

Israel Tennis Centers children displaying smashing skills The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation visited Longboat Key Thursday, March 1. The non-profit organization is dedicated to the social, psychological and physical development of Israeli children through tennis. The children from a handful of the 14 tennis centers across Israel showed off the tennis skills they acquired through the program and shared their stories at a dinner after the exhibition. The event was held at the Longboat Key Club’s Tennis Gardens and also at the Harbourside Dining Room. Nadine Fahoum, a Muslim Arab from Hafia, Israel, attributes much of her success to the doors the Tennis Centers opened for her. She will be graduating from Duke University, where she is on athletic scholarship, and is its No. 1 singles player for tennis.

$2,795,000

PRIVATEER- 2BR/2BA, 8th floor home with views of the bay, downtown and Gulf. $449,000

JUST LISTED!

TIFFANY PLAZA - 2BR/2BA furnished and tastefully updated Gulf front retreat. $579,000

SEAPLACE - 2BR/2BA, furnished residence in HARBOUR CIRCLE - 2BR+Den/2.5BA open $399,000 popular Gulf front complex. $275,000 plan villa. Offered furnished.

VIZCAYA Furnished 2BR/2.5BA Gulf front home, AQUARIUS CLUB - 2BR/2BA, 5th floor residence private elevator,2-car garage. $1,895,000 with partial gulf & bay views. $549,000

BAY ISLES HARBOR SECTION 4BR/4.5BA home with 160’ of water frontage & additional dock and lift for up to 32’ boat. $1,495,000

ISLANDER CLUB -STUNNING! Remodeled 2BR/2BA, 10th Fl. condo. Must See! $499,000

JUST LISTED!

JUST REDUCED!

FAIRWAY BAY - 3BR/3BA oversized 1st floor residence with private walk down. $599,000

SLEEPY LAGOON -2BR/2BA Bayfront home on end lot with direct water views. $1,095,000

JUST REDUCED!

Co-Chairs Tom Bernstein and Larry Greenspon

Ruth Orne and Nancy Berkman

FAIRWAY BAY - 3BR/3BA condominium with oversized garage and 3 terraces. $479,000

LIDO BEACH CLUB - 2BR/2BA, 4th floor condo- INN ON THE BEACH - Great Income Potential! minium with partial Gulf views. $497,000 #5103 Golf Course view. $239,000

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES 3BR/3BA Canal front home w/large caged lanai & pool $799,000

INN ON THE BEACH - Great Income Potential! REGENT PLACE - Direct Gulf front 3BR/3.5BA Club Suite #2202 Gulf front. $439,000 upper floor home with over 3,500 sf. $2,795,000

JUST REDUCED!

QUEENS HARBOUR - Over 4,500 sq. ft. 4BR plus CLUB LONGBOAT - Furnished 3BR/2BA tennis THE BAYOU Spacious 3BR+ Den/3.5BA canal Den/3.5BA pool home w/Bay views. $2,150,000 player’s haven on the Gulf! $424,500 home with 80’ dock and 25,000 lb lift. $1,499,000

Kathy Brooks, Nina Schmidt and Sara Lyter

Rachel Pashev displays her tennis talent.

LONGBEACH VILLAGE

3174 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, FL 34228

941.383.5502 or 941.724.7228 CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company Cathy C. Meldahl P.A. Licensed Real Estate Broker

INN ON THE BEACH -GREAT INCOME POTENTIAL Double unit w/lockout feature. $1,025,000

LIDO BEACH CLUB - 2BR/2BA, 4th floor condo- LIDO BEACH CLUB - Furnished 2BR/2BA, 10th minium with partial Gulf views. $510,000 floor home with Gulf and city views. $649,000

Top 1% of all Sarasota & Manatee Realtors Rated in the Top 100 agents in Florida

73410

76726

Cute cottage in the historic area of LBK. 2BR/2BA only a short distance to the public beach, bay, boat ramp, LBK Art Center, restaurants & shops. Great value for a home on Longboat Key. A3920012 $234,900

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate • 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Ste. 1 • Longboat Key • At the Charthouse

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

athlete of the week

ALLAN LUKE

Allan Luke started playing hockey when he was old enough to walk across the street to the ice rink. He played until age 50. He’s also played softball and coached both AAA division hockey and high school girls fast-pitch softball. In 2004, he and his wife, Virginia, moved to Longboat Key. They took up pickleball, and he now plays three to four times per week on Anna Maria. Pickleball is a sport played with a ball similar to a wiffle ball and a paddle.

What sparked your interest in pickleball? (Virginia and I) stopped in the Villages and were visiting some friends. They have 110 Pickleball courts, and we watched it. I looked online and saw that Anna Maria had courts. What is your favorite aspect of pickleball? Competition. Competition. Competition. And the people. It was a great way for us to meet a lot of people.

If you could have a superhero power,

Ron Troxel’s rank for the 2012 Non-Formula Windsurfing Regatta Feb. 25 and 26, at Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

Top bridge score of Alex and Marlene Lancaster Feb. 28, for Sarasota Yacht Club’s couples bridge group.

Number of years the Windsurfing Regatta has taken place at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron.

for the first-place 17 Points Pheasants team for Bird Key Yact Club bowling league Tuesday, Feb. 28. Team members were Ray Hutchins, Beverly Harlfinger and Bob Petersen.

Women’s highscratch game score made by Ginny Rosenhaus for Bird Key Yacht Club bowling league Feb. 28.

6’7”

How close Linda Weber was to the pin at the Susan G. Komen Go for the Cure Women’s Golf Association event held Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Longboat Key Club and Resort.

what would it be? Well, two of (Virginia’s) sisters have had breast cancer. So, I would have the power of healing. Why is it important for you to keep active? Things in motion stay in motion. Things that rest die.

WAGNER REALTY

www.WagnerRealty.com

Bringing People Home Since 1939

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101, Longboat Key

Call 941-383-5577

76579

What is the breakfast of champions? Two cups of coffee, a banana and sometimes yogurt. (Long pause). And three Sweet Sixteen donuts.

3,870

162

What is the hardest element of playing pickleball? Realizing that you’re getting older and your reflexes and reaction times aren’t what they used to be. If you could play a game of pickleball with anyone in the world, with whom would you play? Probably Bill Wilson — he’s the best at Anna Maria Island (Community Center). Though, I should have said my wife.

JUST THE STATS

By Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

BAYVIEW 1BR/1BA CONDO IN SUTTON PLACE DOWNTOWN W/DIRECT BAY VIEWS! 3-4Br/3Ba/2CG w/pvt elevator, detailed & high ceil, crown molding, marble, builtins, gas fp, granite, imported cabinets, MBa w/jetted tub & bidet, state-of-theart sys, 2 balconies in secure bldg w/ amenities! MLS#A3943537 $1,375,000

Completely remodeled in neutral tones. Furnished & ready for you now! Boat slips, beach house, 2 heated pools, low fees, pets allowed. Marta Altizer $ 229,900 #A3953115

FURN W/PANORAMIC BAY VIEWS! Downtown/2-3Br/2Ba/1CG w/faux & artisan finishes, crown moldings, wood cabinets, ceramic tile, granite, plantation shutters, walk-in closets, open-air balcony & pvt laundry in secure building w/ amenities! MLS#A3929596 $450,000

CONRAD BEACH

Incredible opportunity to own 2 adjoining lots west of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Conrad Beach boasts timeless architecture, com. pool & clubhouse. Purchase separately or w/M5815731. Peter Uliano $ 260,000 #M5815734

2BR/2BA CONDO

9th FLOOR WITH BAY VIEWS - DOWNTOWN! Custom remodeled 2Br/2Ba/1CG w/ wood laminate flrs, tile, modern cabinets, built-ins, crown moldings, 2 pvt balconies, hurricane shutters & personal laundry in secure building with full service amenities! MLS#A3951357 $775,000

GATED BAY FRONT COMM! FUR 3-4Br/3.5Ba/3CG w/views, Lr/Dr, eat-in kitch., MBa w/jetted tub, elevator, bonus rm, plantation shutters, sec & cent vacuum sys, balcony & heated lap pool in exceptional location next to CC amenities & IMG academy! MLS#A3955851 $750,000

great view of Sarasota Bay, furnished, tile floors, upgraded kit., 2 pools, tennis, boat docks only $12 a month. Beach access. 2 pets OK. Seller pays $5,000 toward main. fee for 2012. Dorothy Cook $ 289,000 #A3950932

SIESTA KEY, REMODELED & FURN! 2Br/2Ba/1CP w/bonus rm, den, raised ceil, tile, plantation shutters, granite, crown moldings, wood cabinets, & w/d included in Island Reef w/resort-like amenities; pools, tennis courts, docks, beach access & more! MLS#A3943588 $399,000

2BR/2BA BAYFRONT

furnished condo on beautiful Longboat Key. 40ft deeded boat slip, updated master bath, heated pool, tennis courts, community boat ramp. Marcia Bayard $ 350,000 #M5818656

MEDITERRANEAN LUXURY ON NORTH LBK

BEAUTIFUL BAY VIEWS! 3Br/3Ba/2CG w/upgrades; ceramic tile, granite, raised panel cabinets, quality appls., ceiling details, MBr w/2 walk-ins & jetted tub plus pvt balcony in gated comm. w/amenities; pool, tennis, kayak, dock/fishing pier & more! MLS#A3947207 $345,000

MODERN DOWNTOWN BAY FRONT! 2Br/2Ba/1CG w/marble, granite, Corian, tile & bamboo flrs, furniture quality cabinets, built-ins, architectural elements, fp, updated eat-in kitch. & baths, pvt balcony & laundry, secure building w/ amenities! MLS#A3942652 $400,000

DOWNTOWN W/VIEWS! Completely remodeled 3Br/2Ba/2CG w/diagonal tile, granite, furniture quality wood cabinets, SS appls, pocket doors, modern MBa w/Roman shower & dual sinks, pvt balcony in Bay Plaza w/full service amenities! MLS#A3939930 $700,000

FULL BAY VIEWS Located at the very end of the street, offers unobstructed Sarasota Bay views, and canal access for boating. 2BR/2BA duplex, could convert to single family res. Great mid Key location. Teresia Bradford $ 975,000 #M5824461

U N I V E R S A L

PUZZLE ine

onl

CROSSWORD UPDATED DOWNTOWN BAY PLAZA W/ VIEWS! 2Br/2Ba/1CG w/bay views wood laminate flrs, tile, built-ins, crown moldings, granite, raised panel cabinets, new SS appls., hurricane shutters, pvt laundry & balcony in secure bldg w/full amenities! MLS#A3946299 $665,000

A crossword

that saves 75084

your scores

Sailboat water w/40’ dock, davit & 1300lb. lift. 3BR/2.5BA & office. High ceilings, completely renovated, huge pool & patio, walk to beach. Jerry Cunningham/Marta Altizer $ #A3952051 749,624

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

REAL ESTATE REPORTS

Ian Addy & Gail Wittig

By Mallory Gnaegy | Community Editor

Luxury real-estate firm Signature Sotheby’s International Realty celebrated its grand opening at 546 Bay Isles Road. Sales Manager David Kovalsky hosted the event along with his team of 21 agents. More than 100 clients and guests enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The company is continuing to expand by opening a new office this month in Lakewood Ranch.

+ Andrew Bers Earns Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation Andrew Bers of RE/MAX Alliance Group has earned the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. It was offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing in recognition of Bers’ experience, knowledge and expertise in the luxury-home market. This designation signals to affluent buyers and sellers that Bers has expertise and experience in the luxury-home marketplace and also gives him marketing tools and networking capabilities that benefit this type of client.

941.387.0100

5251 Gulf of Mexico Drive | Longboat Key | SOLD

+ Signature Sotheby’s International Realty LBK office open for business

Longboat Key Club & Resort | From the low $200’s to $1,000,000’s

Courtesy photos

3315 Gulf of Mexico Drive | Longboat Key | $3,800,000

WWW. ATHOMESARASOTA.COM

Sheldon Paley, Cheryl Loeffler, Sales Manager David Kovalsky, Marian Kovalsky, Signature Sotheby’s International Realty President Judy Green and Janet Bassett

+ Koy thanks current and past clients Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate agent Lynne Koy hosted 70 of her past and current clients Feb. 25 at her home. Drinks and catered food from Bird Key Yacht Club were served to her guests. It was the first afternoon cocktail party celebrated in honor and appreciation of her clients.

Lynne Koy with Greg and Mary Delgado

Free piCk - Up on LongboAt key

Michael Saunders & Company

For three or more boxes

Licensed Real Estate Broker

Whether you need to... send a package, print documents open a mailbox, ACCess the internet, or ship something big...

77721

440 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228 GailWittig@michaelsaunders.com

We’ve got you covered! 5380 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key 941.383.8989 store3225@theupsstore.com

• Leading Specialists at Longboat Key Club & Resort • 61+ Years of Combined Real Estate Sales Experience

• Office supplies • Shipping supplies • Greeting cards • Tervis Tumblers • Printer cartridges • LBK souvenirs

• Team Sales Exceed $195 Million Since 2005 • 2010 & 2011 Top Sales Team Michael Saunders & Company, Longboat Key

Barbara Milian, Ian Addy PA, Gail Wittig

We invite you to take advantage of our team’s experience and allow us the opportunity to present you with a complimentary market analysis of your property.

www.JennetteProperties.com Leasing Distinctive Properties to Extraordinary People

77437

64992

Vacation & Long Term Rentals S. Longboat Key & St. Armands 941-953-6000 N. Longboat Key & Ann Maria 941-792-6900 RENTAL PROPERTY MGMT

10B

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

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

One finesse too many It’s great when our finesse works, but against a cunning opponent, when we try that same finesse a second time, we sometimes get an unpleasant surprise. After that artificial (and strong) 2♣ opening, the rest of the auction was natural. West leads a trump against your slam — how do you propose to make 12 tricks? It may be too late already,

but let’s do this one without peeking at the E-W hands. The opening-trump lead has knocked out your entry to Dummy, and you must use that entry to take one of those red suit finesses. Which one? Surely it must be right to finesse in Hearts because, if that loses to West, you’ll have a Heart entry back to the board for the Diamond finesse.

So, the Q♥ is led from the board, and it holds. Yippee! Now Dummy’s A♣ is cashed (pitching a Diamond), and the winning Heart finesse is repeated. Oops! This time that dastardly West fellow produces the King. Even worse, Declarer now has no way of avoiding a Diamond loser also. Down one! When the first Heart finesse worked, Declarer took his eye off the ball. He must realize that a second Heart finesse is unnecessary. After the Q♥

wins, the 100% safe line is to cash the A♣ (pitching a Heart), ruff a Club high (just in case there is an overruff in the cards), then draw trumps and give up a Diamond.

BRIDGE HAND Vulnerable: North, South

North

West

Visit www.acbl.org for more about the game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org.

♠J ♥ Q J 10 ♦ 10 9 7 ♣ A J 10 9 5 4 East

♠ 862 ♥ K953 ♦ 865 ♣Q87

Contact Brian Howard, owner/director of the Bridge Center of Bradenton, at 7958981.

South

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE SAIPAN. Longboat Key resident John “Maddog” Wallace reads his Longboat Observer on the Banzai Cliffs on Saipan, northern Mariana Islands. At the end of World War II, Japanese soldiers and their families jumped from the cliffs into the sea to avoid capture by American forces. Wallace visited Saipan to run the Saipan Marathon — Wallace’s 355th marathon in his 113th country — a world record! Wallace also accomplished another goal at the Saipan Marathon — he now holds the record as the first person to complete a marathon in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the four U.S. territories.

Bidding: South 2 ♣ 3 ♠ 6 ♠

♠ 73 ♥ 872 ♦ K432 ♣K632

A K Q 10 9 5 4 A64 AQJ —

West Pass Pass All pass

North 3♣ 3NT

East Pass Pass

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

S aint C acchiotti, MIChaeL

PA, Direct: 941.38.SAINT (387-2468) Cell: 941.809.0787 Toll Free: 877.581.3444 SaintCacc@aol.com

MOULTOn Certified residential Specialist

Michael Saunders & Company

Realtor®

Licensed Real Estate Broker

It takes a lifetime to become an experienced professional and only minutes to realize you’re working with one!

n! UCTIO ICe reD r P e G hU

HOMES

CORAL SHORES BAYFRONT

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

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

rICe new P

Pamper yourself in the amazing comforts this home has to offer including a chef’s dream kitchen, 2 wet bars, Ralph Lauren paint techniques, outdoor summer kitchen, infinity edge pool, spa, and dock. $1,350,000

$2,895,000

CONDO’S AND LOTS

SANCTUARY GULF TO BAY

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

280’ ON THE BAY

Custom residence located in Hideaway Bay featuring 5,400+ SF of luxurious living space, contemporary kitchen, wine room, pool, spa and private boat dock with lift.

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

DESIRABLE LOCATION ON LBK

Enjoy amazing views of the Gulf, Bay, golf course and beyond in this Magnificent subdivided parcel on LBK with 4 buildable lots, $2,999,000 2,375 SF, 8th floor residence located behind the gates of the approximately 1.95+/- acres. Purchase an individual lot w/plans to begin construction on a Longboat Key Club. Sold Turnkey furnished. $2,895,000 $1,399,000 beautiful 4,000+ SF home. Purchase the individual lot & build to suit. $700,000

BIrD Key - 3BR garden home w/ pool in great condition and well maintained. A3954462 $575,000

“Nominated for the 2012 Five Star Award”

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

Access Virtual Tours & MLS at SaintCacchiotti.com Michael Saunders & Company, Licensed Real Estate Broker 440 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228 • 941-383-7591

Exclusive affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates & Leading Real Estate Companies of the World

77636

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

VILLa DI LanCIa - Designer furnished 3BR condo w/staircase from your terrace to the pool & beach. A3950629 $1,575,000 76775

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

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

TIDE CHART

Highs — 12:21p

Thurs., March 8 Fri., March 9

Weather Photo Contest Winner

Lows 7:01a 7:07p

12:43a 12:44p

7:29a

7:56p

Sat., March 10

1:35a

1:11p

7:55a

8:49p

Sun., March 11

3:33a

2:43p

9:19a

10:47p

Mon., March 12

4:41a

3:20p

9:40a

11:55p

Tues., March 13

6:18a

4:05p

9:51a

—

Wed., March 14

—

5:02p

—

1:15a

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.

TemperatureS

Temps.

Record Temps.

High

Low

Tues., Feb. 28 Wed., Feb. 29

82 82

67 66

88 (1997) 32 (1968) 82 (1976) 42 (1988)

Thurs., March 1

87 (1997)

35 (1986)

Fri., March 2

88 (1997)

33 (1986)

Sat., March 3

86 (1997)

30 (1980)

Sun., March 4

86 (1997)

32 (1980)

Mon., March 5

88 (1997) 35 (1971)

High

Low

Average Gulf water temperature: 68.5

MOON PHASES

Sunrise/sunset Sunrise 6:47 6:46 6:45 7:44 7:43 7:42 7:41

Sunset 6:35 6:35 6:36 7:36 7:37 7:38 7:38

March 8 Full

March 14 Last

March 22 New

March 30 First

Louis Cabot submitted this sunset photo, taken on the northern tip of Longboat Key.

76095

Thurs., March 8 Fri., March 9 Sat., March 10 Sun., March 11 Mon., March 12 Tues., March 13 Wed., March 14

11B

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

OXYMOROnS FOR nOnMOROnS by Gary Cooper

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

ACROSS

1 5 9 13 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 32 34 38 39 40 41 42 45 46 48 49 50 51

CRYPTOGRAMS 1. J Z L B S Z L K G Y S P I E N E B I P L B S Y I F N H S X Q Y Z E M W F N N G IXKHNLSLM

SZLPQ

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LW H K V R C W X Y V M W K W E V N Q Q LV A N H V P Z Q X J O LV O N K X ’ Q Q J J K Z I V.

53 55 56 58 59 60 62 67 68 70

Large Jamaican fruit “Of ___ I Sing” Use a swizzle stick Antithesis of 14-Down Examined, as a patient Devoted to God Bear in the night sky South African antelope Sporting a small bump? Diminutive being of folklore “Windy City” airport Sergeant’s command Body by Victoria product Imbeciles Lover boy Mine carrier Simple sugar Abstract painting style of the ‘60s Handel’s “Messiah,” e.g. Repugnant reaction Not needing a laugh track Historical period Peacock’s pride Mighty mite It may be on a roll Best buds Temporary home for Napoleon Bard of ___ (Shakespeare’s nickname) Complicated predicament Fail to include Arched foot part Folding beds Send a note of apology Cherry discard Certain immigrant Served dinner to Accused’s excuse Aware of

71 Out-and-out 73 ___ gin fizz (bar order) 74 Progress in the garden 77 Split asunder 78 One of the four cardinal directions 81 Serenaded 82 Couple’s possessive 83 Prefix for “scope” 84 Cookie favorite 85 “What ___, a mind reader?” 86 Arts and crafts stickum 90 Restaurant-bill computation 91 Silent signals 93 In front of others 94 Hidden and mysterious 97 Record producer nicknamed “Babyface” 98 Far from lenient 99 Bottom layer? 100 Existed once 101 Feed the pot 102 One-masted sailboat 103 Long-tailed parrot 106 Obviously at sea 112 Shopping hub of old Athens 113 Last word in church 114 Sophomore and junior, e.g. 115 Like a famous Ranger 116 Hot winter drink 117 Links numbers 118 Volcano of Sicily 119 From square one

dOwn

1 Olympics powerhouse 2 Type of toothpaste 3 Deplaning gift in Maui 4 Lock, stock and barrel 5 Amphitheater levels

6 Optimists have it 7 Land of Nor. and Fin. 8 180 degrees from WNW 9 Member of a certain branch of Islam 10 Wabash Cannonball, e.g. 11 “It ___ what you think!” 12 Prey for a cat 13 Unappreciative sort 14 Bundle of energy 15 “7 Faces of Doctor ___” 16 Scary Hollywood film street 17 Actress Charlotte of “The Facts of Life” 19 Wood-smoothing machine 23 “___ won’t hurt a bit” 24 Security worker 28 Shouts at the stage 29 Water park feature 30 Splendid 31 Immodesty 32 Dish’s companion in flight 33 Opposite of cool 34 Hears, as a case 35 Ingredient in baking powder 36 American or Delta 37 Cooked with dry heat 39 Eight-armed mollusks 40 Spanish jar 43 Rain gutter locale 44 Backs, in anatomical terms 47 Computer network acronym 50 Honey holder 52 Breakfasted 53 Wall-calendar page 54 “Exodus” director Preminger 57 ___ Lanka 58 Lincoln’s coin’s value 59 The Santa ___ winds

60 61 63 64 65 66 69 72 74 75 76 77 79 80 83 86 87 88 89 92 95 96 98 99 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111

Book excerpt Lit up, poetically Probe for water Ensconced in an animal hideaway Baseball Hall-ofFamer Monte Before, to bards “I ___ your pardon?” Prefix with “classical” Squash and pumpkin, e.g. Unsophisticated ones Spheres like the sun and moon Put on a new crew River near the Eiffel Tower Hard drinker Kind of pressure Target of a youth outreach program Wickerwork palms “Gimme a G ...,” e.g. Vultures have them In the direction of Angry people may hit it Grammatical connector Curl the lip Regional vegetation ___ mater Electronic reading Gym safety item “Long ___ and far away ...” Cape in Massachusetts Ballplayer’s headgear Caustic chemical “The best is ___ to come!” Heir, but not an heiress 67.5 degrees, in terms of direction Petal wetter

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Items Under $200 For Sale

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales

Condos/Apts. For Rent

Homes For Rent

3.5 Tao Digital Photo Frame/Clock (Mahogany), New in box, $50. 941-953-5222.

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

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

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.

BIKE STORAGE Rack: Aluminum Tension pole holds 2 bikes, use indoors or garage, $60.00. 941-587-5060.

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.

Lost & Found

BRICKMAN 2 Burner Propane Grill $25. Call (941)918-9043 between 9AM & 7PM.

FOUND: LADY’S NECKLACE in Bay Isles area, Call to identify. 941-383-9199.

COLOR LASER Printer/Copier/Scanner Samsung CLX-3185. Brand new. Box never opened, $119. 216-262-0021.

Merchandise Wanted

ETHAN ALLEN Old Tavern Muffin Stand. Made in Vermont, $85. 941-924-5093.

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

TV/VCR COMBINATION: 21"color with operating instruction booklet. Excellent picture quality. $65.00 obo. 941-383-4177.

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

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 1999 MERCEDES SL500, 2 Seat Convertible, Separate Hard Top. Only 34,806 Miles! White/Grey Leather, $15,000. 941-383-6417. 2002 LINCOLN Continental. Cabriolet top, mint condition, low mileage. Call Frank. 863-899-2523. 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 BOAT SLIP: Longboat Key Marina, 58x20, $122,000. Call Bob Baker, 941-704-4628. 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 Maintenance Detailing. Includes Exterior wash, interior wax, upholstery and stainless. $100-$250** Special 20'-28' ** Let your boat sparkle! 941-228-3489. Boats are selling very well. Over 24 sold this year, many in less than 2 weeks. 16 Year Island resident, many references. Excellent location, new high and dry marina, just over the Cortez Bridge. Keeping it real simple, “I do business on a handshake.” Let’s talk about selling your boat. 941-228-3489. Dave.

Sporting Goods Investor Wanted INVESTOR WANTED Sarasota based company established over 33 years ago. Owner is a graduate of Ringling College of Art. Family owned company holds signed contracts totaling over 900K+ plus a large amount of accounts receivables. Looking for short term working capital. I have small amounts of collateral. Please contact Scott at 941-544-6949, Thank you.

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

Business Opportunities IF YOU need a Housekeeper, give me call. 941-879-1989 Mirian.

Help Wanted ADVERTISING SALES The Sky’s the LIMIT. Advertising sales positions rarely open at The Observer Group. Because our sales executives know the sky really is the limit. There’s no limit to what they earn. All it takes is...the right person. To fly successfully in our limitless sky, you will need: - Experience selling top-of-the-line, quality services or products - Impeccable Integrity - Record of calling on decision makers - Boundless energy to prospect consistently - Record of success in a fast-paced environment - Desire to reach the sky What’s the payback? Personal satisfaction. Professional satisfaction. Financial satisfaction. Great work environment.

Furnishings

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

Positions Wanted

KING BEDROOM set includes head/ foot boards and frame, 2 night stands and large dresser. Raspberry wing chair with ottoman. 4 Deluxe white beach chairs. Lightly used queen mattress. Sony TV and DVD player with stand. 941-383-3755.

HHA/COMPANION AVAILABLE Caring, gentle and knowledgeable Home Health Aid/Companion available to care for your loved one. Over 18 years experience. CPR and first aid certified. Call 941-356-1712 and ask for Mary.

This week’s Sudoku answers

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.

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 56736

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. Mark, 941-383-4381, bradtma@yahoo.com 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. $950/mo. annual. Tenant pays electric. Karin Stephan at 941-504-4435.

Condos For Sale

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.

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.

Lots/Acreage For Sale 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

Out-of-State Property 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.

Out-Of-State Rentals BREVARD, NC Cool Mountaintop House with View. 2BR/3BA, Pet Friendly. No Smoking, $2,000/mo. Owner: 941-383-6844.

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.

Real Estate Wanted

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.

HOUSING + $20.00 Hr. Seeking bedroom with private bath in home of senior, executive, or professional. 10 years experience gated estates, private homes, condos. Married Couple – No Kids. 941.330.5882.

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.

Homes For Rent 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.

LIMITED TIME OFFER. ACT TODAY. Send your qualifications to: jraleigh@yourobserver.com

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

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.

Annual, Seasonal & Vacation Rentals Available Dependable rental & property management services. Longboat/St. Armands 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

76785

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.)

michaelsaunders.com/rentals

LIVE IN Position Wanted. 10 years experience working for senior couple and executive. Polished Professional. Personal Assistant, Companion, Cook, Housekeeper, Driver. Married Couple No Kids. 941.330.5882.

DID WE get your attention? You bet we did! Visit online Make your ad us stand out withatCOLOR. Only in The Observer Classifieds. www.yourobserver.com Call 941-955-4888 to advertise.

This week’s Crossword answers

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 56733

2012

This week’s Cryptogram answers 1. When the mystical ancient sculptors had fully completed their immense creation, it was a relief! 2. A lovable golfer said he used to consider himself indecisive at the game but now he wasn’t too sure.

Longboat ObserverOBSERVER THE LONGBOAT LONGBOAT OBSERVER THE THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 Thursday, March March 8, 8, 2012 2012 Thursday,

Real Estate Estate Wanted Wanted Real WANTED WANTED LUXURY ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS RENTALS LUXURY For Qualified Qualified Waiting Waiting Clients Clients For Sarasota Luxury Luxury Rentals Rentals Contact -- Sarasota Contact 941-356-5610 941-356-5610 email: info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com email: WANTED SEASONAL SEASONAL Rental: Rental: 33 1/2 1/2 months months WANTED December 15th, 15th, 2012 2012 through through March March 31, 31, 2013. 2013. December 2BR/2BA, Internet, Internet, land land phone. phone. Non-smoking. Non-smoking. 2BR/2BA, 317-341-0404, mbfleming1996@sbcglobal.net mbfleming1996@sbcglobal.net 317-341-0404,

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Rentals Vacation/Seasonal 112/2/ 112/2/

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Rentals Vacation/Seasonal CASA DEL DEL MAR MAR CASA BEACH RESORT RESORT BEACH RENTALS 44 NIGHT NIGHT MIN. MIN. RENTALS GULF FRONT/ GULF VIEW GULF FRONT/ GULF VIEW Reservations: 941-383-5549 941-383-5549 Visa/ MC Visa/ MC Reservations: Fax: 941-383-7925 941-383-7925 Fax: “Take our our video video tour tour at” at” “Take www.casadelmar.net www.casadelmar.net Office Open Open 77 Days, Days, 99 a.m. a.m. -- 55 p.m. p.m. Office 4621 Gulf Gulf of of Mexico Mexico Drive Drive 4621 Longboat Key Key 34228 34228 Longboat

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

“Where People People Return Return Year Year After After Year Year”” “Where “INTENTIONALLY BETTER” BETTER” “INTENTIONALLY BEACHPLACE BEACHPLACE RESERVE YOUR YOUR VACATION VACATION NOW!! NOW!! RESERVE LUXURY BEACH BEACH RENTALS…COTTAGES RENTALS…COTTAGES TO TO LUXURY CONDOS…ONE TO TO FOUR FOUR BEDROOM…LOOK BEDROOM…LOOK CONDOS…ONE NO FURTHER FURTHER THAN THAN FLORIDARENT.COM FLORIDARENT.COM NO DISCOUNTED RATES RATES 20-40%...CALL 20-40%...CALL TODAY!! TODAY!! DISCOUNTED PLEASE MENTION MENTION CODE CODE OBS2011 OBS2011 PLEASE 941 383 383 3117 3117 941 800 331 331 7293 7293 800 392 FIREHOUSE FIREHOUSE Lane, Lane, LBK LBK -- Newer Newer upscale upscale 392 Island home. home. Steps Steps to to beach beach & & pool. pool. Furn. Furn. 2BR 2BR + + Island Loft. Annual Annual or or short short term. term. No No pets. pets. No No smoking. smoking. Loft. Owner Agent. Agent. 941-544-0214. 941-544-0214. Owner www.LuxuryHomes-Condos.com www.LuxuryHomes-Condos.com BAYFRONT CONDOCONDO- PANORAMIC PANORAMIC VIEWS: VIEWS: LBK LBK BAYFRONT 2BR/2BA + + Den, Den, Pelican Pelican Harbour Harbour & & Beach Beach Club Club 2BR/2BA Available 2012 2012 & & 2013, 2013, Seasonal Seasonal or or Yearly. Yearly. Available Private Beach, Beach, Pool, Pool, Tennis, Tennis, Dock. Dock. Private Call: 513-608-4320. 513-608-4320. richwoodkids@hotmail.com richwoodkids@hotmail.com Call: BEACH FRONT FRONT SUNSET SUNSET BEACH, BEACH, LBK. LBK. 2BR/2BA. 2BR/2BA. BEACH Pool, spa. spa. No No pets. pets. 2-3 2-3 mo. mo. rental. rental. Available Available Pool, May-Dec., 2012. 2012. Jan-March Jan-March 2013. 2013. 248-330-7675. 248-330-7675. May-Dec., BEACHFRONT LONGBOAT LONGBOAT KEY KEY CONDO CONDO BEACHFRONT Rare 3BR/2.5BA 3BR/2.5BA with with beautiful beautiful views views of of Gulf Gulf of of Rare Mexico. Remodeled Remodeled kitchen kitchen and and baths, baths, W/D, W/D, Mexico. pool, tennis, tennis, spa, spa, photos photos available. available. pool, lburton177@aol.com or or 941-953-3438 941-953-3438 lburton177@aol.com LBK BEACHFRONT BEACHFRONT 1BR 1BR & & 3BR 3BR condos, condos, heated heated LBK pool, furnished. furnished. Starting Starting at at $1000 $1000 weekly. weekly. pool, Outrigger Resort, Resort, 941-383-3844. 941-383-3844. Outrigger

3BR, UPDATED, UPDATED, 3BR, TASTEFULLY DECORATED. DECORATED. TASTEFULLY GULF & & BAY BAY VIEWS. VIEWS. GULF CALL CYNTHIA CYNTHIA 407-492-5749 407-492-5749 CALL

Exceptional Vacation Vacation Rentals Rentals Since Since 1994 1994 Exceptional Homes & & Condominiums Condominiums Homes Studios to to Six Six Bedrooms Bedrooms Studios Beachfront, Intercoastal Intercoastal or or Garden Garden Beachfront, Excellent Service Service & & Staff Staff Excellent FLORIDA VACATION VACATION CONNECTION CONNECTION FLORIDA www.FLvacationconnection.com www.FLvacationconnection.com 941-387-9709 941-387-9709 877-705-2460 877-705-2460 LBK BEACHPLACE BEACHPLACE Condo. Condo. Beachfront, Beachfront, LBK 2BR/2BA. Elegantly Elegantly furnished, furnished, heated heated pool, pool, tennis tennis 2BR/2BA. court, covered covered parking, parking, exercise exercise room. room. Available Available court, May-Dec., 2012 2012 & & Jan., Jan., Feb., Feb., March March 2013. 2013. May-Dec., Non-smoking/ pets. pets. By By owner. owner. 941-383-1884. 941-383-1884. Non-smoking/ LBK SEAPLACE SEAPLACE -- Available Available January-April. January-April. LBK Lovely 2BR, 2BR, fully fully equipped, equipped, W/D W/D in in unit, unit, lanai, lanai, Lovely garden view, view, steps steps to to beach, beach, pool, pool, tennis, tennis, full full garden clubhouse amenities. amenities. Great! Great! Non-smoking/pets. Non-smoking/pets. clubhouse 770-314-6321. 770-314-6321. LBK: TIFFANY TIFFANY Plaza Plaza Beachfront Beachfront Condos, Condos, 1st 1st floor, floor, LBK: 2BR/2BA, W/D W/D in in units, units, walk walk out out to to beach. beach. 2BR/2BA, Furnished, heated heated pool, pool, covered covered parking. parking. 11 mo. mo. Furnished, min. 941-383-3338. 941-383-3338. min.

www.yourobserver.com www.yourobserver.com Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Rentals Vacation/Seasonal

13B Classifieds 13B

LBK, BAYFRONT, BAYFRONT, Longboat Longboat Arms, Arms, 2BR/2BA, 2BR/2BA, LBK, updated, nicely decorated, clean, fully furnished updated, nicely decorated, clean, fully furnished condo, high high speed speed Internet, Internet, heated heated pool, pool, tennis tennis condo, court, fantastic fantastic water water views views from from 30ft 30ft court, screened/glass enclosed enclosed lanai, lanai, private private beach beach screened/glass access steps steps away. away. Available Available May May 2012 2012 through through access April 2013. 2013. Monthly Monthly rates rates starting starting at at $2500. $2500. April 603-692-6445 or or saf3009@gmail.com saf3009@gmail.com 603-692-6445 SHORES. Gorgeous, LBK, C.C. C.C. SHORES. Gorgeous, beautifully beautifully LBK, furnished home, home, 3/2/2, 3/2/2, W/D, W/D, heated heated pool, pool, wireless wireless furnished highspeed internet, internet, plasma plasma TV, TV, cable, cable, lanai, lanai, dock dock highspeed and more. Walk to beach. No pets/ smoking. and more. Walk to beach. No pets/ smoking. Sleeps 5. 5. $4000/mo. $4000/mo. Owner, Owner, 941-504-1492. 941-504-1492. Sleeps BAY. LBK, FAIRWAY Available 2013 Season. Season. LBK, FAIRWAY BAY. Available 2013 Gated community, community, private private beach beach access, access, Gated swimming pools, pools, walking walking paths, paths, exercise exercise room. room. swimming 2BR/2BA, canal/ canal/ mangrove/ mangrove/ bay bay views, views, extended extended 2BR/2BA, patio, secure secure garage garage parking. parking. Non-smoking. Non-smoking. patio, No pets. pets. Competitive Competitive rates. rates. 863-651-1905, 863-651-1905, No 863-439-1304. 863-439-1304. LBK/SEAGATE Fabulous Fabulous Gulf Gulf views; views; 2bd, 2bd, 22 ba, ba, 22 LBK/SEAGATE balconies, steps steps from from beach, beach, pool, pool, tennis tennis courts, courts, balconies, other amen; amen; avail avail May-Oct., May-Oct., 33 mo. mo. minimum, minimum, other $3500-$4500 + + tax/mo; tax/mo; 201-659-0956 201-659-0956 or or email email $3500-$4500 rcharnes@ix.netcom.com rcharnes@ix.netcom.com LBK: BAYFRONT, BAYFRONT, 2BR/2BA, 2BR/2BA, clean clean turnkey turnkey LBK: furnished condo, condo, recent recent upgrades. upgrades. Spectacular Spectacular furnished water views views from from every every room, room, ground ground floor, floor, end end water unit. Covered Covered parking, parking, 55 pools, pools, tennis, tennis, fitness fitness unit. center. Gulf/ Gulf/ private private beach beach house house access. access. No No center. trucks/ pets/ pets/ smoking. smoking. LB LB Harbour, Harbour, 4440 4440 Exeter. Exeter. trucks/ Mid April April through through November: November: 88 months months $800/mo. $800/mo. Mid +utilities. Also, Also, 1BR 1BR unit, unit, $700/mo. $700/mo. or or $12,000 $12,000 +utilities. year round. round. 734-216-6622. 734-216-6622. year LBK: SEAPLACE, SEAPLACE, 2BR/2.5BA 2BR/2.5BA Town Town House. House. LBK: Partial Gulf Gulf views, views, nicely nicely furnished, furnished, lanai+ lanai+ terterPartial races, full full kitchen, kitchen, living, living, ding ding area, area, beach beach club club races, access (sauna, (sauna, gym, gym, tennis, tennis, w/pool), w/pool), walk walk out out to to access the beach, beach, breathtaking breathtaking sunsets. sunsets. Rental: Rental: the Jan.-May $3900. $3900. June-Dec. June-Dec. $1500. $1500. 22 mo. mo. min. min. Jan.-May Full year year $2350/mo. $2350/mo. mandalka@gmx.de mandalka@gmx.de Full LBK: SEASONALLY SEASONALLY OR OR ANNUALLY: ANNUALLY: DROP DROP LBK: DEAD GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GULF GULF VIEWS VIEWS from from every every DEAD window of of large, large, updated, updated, handsomely handsomely window decorated, 2BR/2BA 2BR/2BA condo condo right right on on beach. beach. decorated, Plasma TV. TV. No No Brokerage Brokerage Fee. Fee. Available Available Plasma starting 2013 2013 Season. Season. Call Call 941-349-0432 941-349-0432 or or starting 941-284-2002. 941-284-2002. LIDO BEACH BEACH CONDOMINIUMS CONDOMINIUMS LIDO Weekly -- Monthly Monthly -- Seasonal Seasonal Weekly Resort Properties, Properties, Inc. Inc. Resort Licensed Real Estate Broker Licensed Real Estate Broker Full Service Service Condominium Condominium Management Management Full 941-388-3921 -- 888-388-3921 888-388-3921 941-388-3921 941-650-1857 941-650-1857 Visit us us at: at: resortproperties.pro resortproperties.pro Visit LIDO BEACH BEACH Vacation Vacation paradise. paradise. 11 & & 22 bedroom bedroom LIDO condos overlooking overlooking beautiful beautiful Lido Lido Beach. Beach. condos Lido Dorset. Dorset. Rental Weekly rates. rates. Lido Rental condo. condo. Weekly 1-800-734-3370. 1-800-734-3370.

YourObserver.com

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Rentals Vacation/Seasonal

LONGBOAT KEY. KEY. Gulf Gulf front, front, LONGBOAT on beach, beach, 1BR/1BA 1BR/1BA condo, condo, on dining, sleeps/4, sleeps/4, king king pillowtop. pillowtop. dining, 857-939-1049. 857-939-1049.

heated pool pool heated full kitchen, kitchen, full 617-328-7145, 617-328-7145,

ON THE THE Gulf Gulf w/pool. w/pool. 1BR 1BR condo, condo, sleeps sleeps 4. 4. Nicely Nicely ON furnished, cable, cable, phone, phone, full full kitchen, kitchen, living, living, dining dining furnished, area, W/D in building. Weekly or Monthly. May area, W/D in building. Weekly or Monthly. May through January. January. $1600/mo. $1600/mo. 351-5101. 351-5101. through RARELY AVAILABLE AVAILABLE RARELY RESORT STYLE STYLE LIVING LIVING RESORT Private beach, tennis, heated pools, Private beach, tennis, heated pools, 2BR/2BA, Whitney Whitney Beach, Beach, Longboat Longboat Key, Key, 2BR/2BA, downstairs, Bayou/ Bayou/ dock dock frontage. frontage. downstairs, 941-724-3519 941-724-3519 SEAPLACE: 2BR/2BA, 2BR/2BA, NON-SMOKING. NON-SMOKING. Garden Garden SEAPLACE: view, 2 parking spaces, queen MBR, twin beds view, 2 parking spaces, queen MBR, twin beds 2nd BR, BR, turnkey turnkey furnished. furnished. New New A/C. A/C. Local Local phone phone 2nd service and and all all utilities utilities included. included. Available Available service September, 2012 2012 through through May, May, 2013. 2013. 22 month month September, minimum. 3 months or longer, better rates. May be minimum. 3 months or longer, better rates. May be seen March March 2012 2012 or or after. after. Call Call Saul Saul Coplan, Coplan, seen 941-727-4774 or or 941-350-9843. 941-350-9843. 941-727-4774

THE WESTCHESTER WESTCHESTER THE GULF FRONT FRONT GULF

2BR/2BA, open, open, direct direct views, views, tennis tennis 2BR/2BA, court, 22 heated heated pools, pools, steps steps away away from from court, the sand, sand, breathtaking breathtaking sunsets. sunsets. the 941-228-5671. 941-228-5671. WEEKLY RENTALS. RENTALS. Luxurious, fully furnished furnished Luxurious, fully WEEKLY bedrooms. Condominiums Condominiums and and Cottages. Cottages. 11 -- 44 bedrooms. Beach to to Bay. Bay. On-site On-site management. management. Pools, Pools, tennis, tennis, Beach boat slips. slips. Visit: Visit: www.FloridaRent.com www.FloridaRent.com for for boat information and and virtual virtual tours. tours. 800-333-7335, 800-333-7335, information 941-383-3117. 941-383-3117.

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

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Vacation/Seasonal Rentals WINDWARD BAY

14B Classifieds AVAILABLE MARCH 2013

SPECTACULAR Bay Views Throughout! 2BR/2BA remodeled condo. W/D in unit. Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Steps to pool/beach access, tennis, WiFi. 941-228-5671.

WINDWARD BAY AVAILABLE MARCH 2013

Waterfront Property

Bay Views NEWSPECTACULAR BAYFRONT VILLA'S OnThroughout! Longboat Key. 2BR/2BA condo. W/D instarting unit. in Deeded beachremodeled access. Only 4 available Steps to pool/beach the low $200's. Best keptaccess, secret intennis, a 55+WiFi. community. Owner says 941-228-5671. SELL! All reasonable offers will be considered. Financing Available! Dia Wilson, 941-284-3667. Leslie Russell, 941-330-7006. Barrier Island Realty, Inc. Property Waterfront PALMABAYFRONT SOLA BAY LAND: acres of waterfront NEW VILLA'S3.9On Longboat Key. approvedbeach for 7access. homes Only and 5 docks or starting use as in a Deeded 4 available single $1,499,000. Will consider the lowestate. $200's. Best kept secret in a 55+exchange commufor or Sarasota waterfront home. nity.income Ownerproperty says SELL! All reasonable offers will Marcia Wood, Broker, 941-350-2285. be considered. Financing Available! Dia Wilson, 941-284-3667. Leslie Russell, 941-330-7006. Barrier Island Realty,VILLA Inc. BOATERS DREAM! SINGLE FAMILY Deep Water, Extra Wide Canal w/Dock. 1,516 SF PALMA SOLA55+ BAYCommunity LAND: 3.9 on acres of waterfront 2/2 in Active LBK. $469,000 approved for 7 homes and 5 docks or use as a OBO. 941-383-9236. single estate. $1,499,000. Will consider exchange for income property or Sarasota waterfront home. Adult Care Services Marcia Wood, Broker, 941-350-2285. SINGLE FAMILY VILLA BOATERS DREAM! LENDING HAND,w/Dock. INC. 1,516 SF Deep Water,AExtra Wide Canal Hourly 24/7$469,000 Care, 2/2Caregivers/Companions, in Active 55+ Community on LBK. Transportation, Social Outings, Dr. Appts., OBO. 941-383-9236. Housekeeping, Meal preparation, Respite Care. Phone: 941-809-3725

Adult Care Services

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

Auto Service

AUTO STORAGE New facility unique in Sarasota CAREGIVER: I have a 100% gift tostoring share classic and exotic cars, caregiver motorcycles, boats and with you. I was a 24/7 for my mother more. Over 11,000ofsq.Alzheimer's ft. Climateuntil Controlled. 24 through all stages her recent Hour Surveillance. (941)404-9676. death. I have a gift Call to give. Do you need me? Call Mark 941-524-7712. WE WANT TO BUY YOUR VEHICLE!!! Any Make, Any Auto Model, Any Condition. Service No Title - No Problem! Bank Lien - No Problem! AUTO STORAGE Newfor facility in Sarasota Paying up to $30,000 Vehicles. Call AJ storing now at classic and exotic motorcycles, boats and 813-335-3794 for a cars, Free Quote or 813-531-4298. 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.

Longboat Observer THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 Thursday, March 8, 2012

Auto Transport

Cleaning

Personal Services

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

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.

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

SUNCOAST TRANSPORTER Long Distance Delivery. www.yourobserver.com “Snowbirds” I drive your car door to door! One Inclusive price. Auto Transport Mike 941-993-0236 RETIRED LONGBOAT KEY police officer. Drive your car to the North and back. 941-713-1596.

Catering

SUNCOAST TRANSPORTER LongDistance   Delivery.  “Snowbirds” I drive your carCAFE door to door! BLUE DOLPHIN One Inclusive price. Mike NIGHT 941-993-0236 FRIDAY DINNERS

ARE BACK AT OUR Catering LONGBOAT KEY CENTRESHOPS   LOCATION!!  BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE FRIDAY **MARCH 9** FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE BACK AT OUR MAINE LOBSTER  LIVE LONGBOAT KEY  BLUE FIN CRAB CAKES CENTRE PRIMELOCATION!! RIB SHOPS  CRISPY DUCK FRIDAY **MARCH 9** ALL ENTREES SERVED WITH CHEF’S CHOICE LIVE MAINE LOBSTER STARCH & VEGETABLE  BLUE FIN CRAB CAKES  PRIME RIB HOMEMADE PIES!  CRISPY DUCK AND MUCH MORE... JUST ASK... ALL ENTREES SERVED FRIDAYS NOW OPEN 8A.M.-8P.M. WITH CHEF’S CHOICE FULL MENU AVAILABLE STARCH & VEGETABLE BREAKFAST LUNCH PIES! HOMEMADE DINNER JUST ASK... AND MUCH MORE...

Cleaning Services CLEANINGComputer CHANGES LIVES. Local charity, Light

Under The Bridge, raises funds by offering cleanBRITGEEKONCALL.COM 20+ YRS EXP, PC ing services to you. Get your home cleaned and SETUP & INSTALLS, VIRUS REMOVAL AND help women in crisis get their lives back on track MUCH MORE. 941-320-3060, FAST SERVICE from Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, YOU CAN TRUST Homelessness, Addictions, and more. Call for more info- 941-567-4007. Cmagik LBK resident, servicing our island year round for over 12 yrs. Bachelors Degree with Computer Services 20 yrs. experience, PC or MAC. Professional help with computers, iPad/iPhones and EXP, tutoring. BRITGEEKONCALL.COM 20+ YRS PC References request. SETUP & upon INSTALLS, VIRUS REMOVAL AND Call Cort: 383-3878, 587-5588 cmagik.com MUCH MORE. 941-320-3060, FAST SERVICE OWN A MAC/IPHONE/IPAD? MacTutor offers 21 YOU CAN TRUST years experience. Unlimited free telephone follow Cmagik - LBK resident, servicing our island year up. (941)812-3887 www.FLMacTutor.com round for over 12 yrs. Bachelors Degree with QUICK, EASY, Affordable Training. Microsoft 20 yrs. experience, PC or MAC. Professional help Certified Trainer. QuickBooks advisor. LBK with computers, iPad/iPhones and tutoring. Resident. Call 941-383-9458. References upon request. Call Cort: 383-3878, 587-5588 cmagik.com Financial Services OWN A MAC/IPHONE/IPAD? MacTutor offers 21 GOOD CREDIT? Bad credit? No credit? years experience. Unlimited free telephone follow No problem! Are you currently employed? Are up. (941)812-3887 www.FLMacTutor.com you living paycheck to paycheck? Do you need QUICK, Affordable Microsoft cash? WeEASY, can help! Apply forTraining. a loan today! Call Certified Trainer. QuickBooks advisor. LBK 1-888-823-8766. Resident. Call 941-383-9458.

Home Improvement/ Remodeling Financial Services HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE Reliable &

GOOD CREDIT? Bad credit? NoBradenton credit? Prompt. 25 Years Experience 5 Years in No you currently Are Area.problem! Flooring,Are Masonry, Doors, employed? Carpentry and you living paycheck paycheck? Do you need Water Damage ... etc.to Call Scott at 941-536-1770. cash? We can help! Apply for a loan today! Call scottmwoolf1@gmail.com 1-888-823-8766. ISLE TILE Remodeling Home Improvement/ HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE Reliable & FOR AND EXPERIENCE” Prompt. 25 “QUALITY Years Experience 5 Years in Bradenton Area. Flooring, Masonry, Doors, Carpentry and Floors, showers, Water Damage ... bathrooms, etc. Call Scott at 941-536-1770. backsplashes, patio and pool decks. scottmwoolf1@gmail.com

383-3787 FRIDAYS NOW OPEN 8A.M.-8P.M. CALL RESERVATIONS FULLFOR MENU AVAILABLE BEER BREAKFAST & WINE AVAILABLE LUNCH Cleaning DINNER

20 years design background. Licensed - Insured - LBK Resident ISLE TILE References upon request. 941-383-2659 FOR “QUALITY AND EXPERIENCE” Floors, bathrooms, showers, JOHN GUBERNAT SERVICES backsplashes, patio and pool decks.

BEST HOUSECLEANING Great Price. Experienced. My Promise - You WILL Be Satisfied! 383-3787 Call Amy (941) 445-5844.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 20 years design background. HOME MAINTENANCE REPAIRS Licensed - Insured -AND LBKALL Resident Painting/ Power References uponWashing, request. Roof941-383-2659 Leaks/ Coatings, Cleaning Services

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS CLEANING BY Pauline. Housesitting, etc. Great BEER & WINE AVAILABLE references. Longboat Key. 941-358-0563.

Cleaning BEST HOUSECLEANING Great Price. Experienced. My Promise - You WILL Be Satisfied! Call Amy (941) 445-5844. CLEANING BY Pauline. Housesitting, etc. Great references. Longboat Key. 941-358-0563.

Excellent 30 years experience. JOHNservice. GUBERNAT SERVICES 941-962-4867 Cell PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 941-383-5765 Home ALL REPAIRS HOME MAINTENANCE AND Painting/ Power Washing, LBK ResidentRoof Leaks/ Coatings, Licensed/Insured Cleaning Services

TILE TILE TILE

Excellent service. 30 years experience. All Variations of Ceramic Tile Supplied & Installed. 941-962-4867 Cell Free Estimates & Custom Designs. 941-383-5765 Home Expert Marble & Travertine Installation Floor LBK Resident Licensed/Insured & Walls

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TILE TILE TILE

Grout Cleaning & Sealing Service Available All Variations of Ceramic Tile CallSupplied Ashdown& Flooring, Installed.Inc. LICENSED (941) 726-3077 INSURED Free Estimates & Custom Designs.

Go online 24/7 Go online 24/7 to place your ad in to Reserved place your ad in The Observer Space Classifieds The Observer Classifieds

Expert Marble & Travertine Installation Floor & Walls Painting/Wallpapering CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured. Grout Cleaning & Sealing Service Available Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, Call Ashdown Flooring, Inc. pressure washing. Residential & commercial, LICENSED (941) 726-3077 INSURED condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates. 941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

www.yourobserver.com www.yourobserver.com Your localClassifieds Classifieds Yoursource source for local

AUTO TRANSPORT

BOAT

Bullseye!

owner

Parrish, Fla. 34219

75497

SMS Mobile Marine Service Reach a Targeted Audience *36)LVKILQGHU,QVWDOODWLRQ2XWERDUGV ,2ªV,QERDUGV The Observer Service Directory Call for appointment941-232-3523

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76512

DOCKSIDE BOAT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Metz Auto Delivery LLC Parrish, Fla. 34219 owner

NEED HELP?? Shop, Errands, Drive, House-sit, Personal & Business Bookkeeping Computer aid. Mature, Multi-tasker. Call Peter 941-330-9120. Accounting/ Taxes I come to your home or office.

YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC Gail Sunray, Reconciliation Owner & Account  Bill Paying

  

Organizing Personal and Business Files Personal Business Bookkeeping Budgets && Financial Reports Accounting/ Taxes Federal and State Tax Returns

   

I come to your&home or office. BONDED INSURED Over 25 yrs. experience Bill Paying & Account Reconciliation Organizing Personal and Business Files Telephone: 941-749-5646 Budgets & Financial Reports yourbookkeeper@tampabay.rr.com Federal and State Tax Returns BONDED & INSURED Pet Services

FIND

Over 24 25Hour yrs. experience DOGGY HOTEL. Daycare. Brown Avenue near Bee Ridge and 41 behind Sleep King (new owner). First day FREE. Grooming by Mark. Telephone: 941-749-5646 Meet and greet and get a treat. 941-554-4620. in The yourbookkeeper@tampabay.rr.com PET NANNY will dog or cat sit. Walk, feed or stay overnight. Resident LBK since 1975. References upon request. 941-387-0419. Pet Services

IT!

Observer Classifieds

DOGGY Professional HOTEL. 24 Hour Daycare. Brown Avenue Services near Bee Ridge and 41 behind Sleep King WINDOW 10%Grooming off Residential (new owner).CLEANING First day FREE. by Mark. Window Cleaning with this941-554-4620. ad. 25 years Meet and greet and get a treat. experience, license and insured. PET will dog or cat sit. Walk, feed or stay Call: NANNY 321-576-2476. overnight. Resident LBK since 1975. References upon request. 941-387-0419. Tile

Professional Services

STEVE ALLEN FLOOR WINDOW CLEANING 10%COVERINGS off Residential Window Cleaning with this ad. 25 years PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE experience, license and insured. INSTALLATION Call: 321-576-2476. 20 YRS. Tile EXPERIENCE CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE STEVE ALLEN726-1802 FLOOR COVERINGS LIC/ INS PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION 20 YRS. EXPERIENCE CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS

FREE Bee! Classified

Free Classified when the total value of your merchandise is $200 or less (each item must be priced). Run 2 consecutive weeks in any Observer. Only one Free-Bee per month. Fax your ad along with your name, address, phone # and which Observer you want to be in to 941.362.4808 or mail to:

The Observer Group P.O. Box 2234 Sarasota, FL 34230-2234 Ads may also be emailed to: classified@yourobserver.com

No phoNe orders accepted. No commercial advertisiNg iN Free-Bee sectioN.

CNA/Home Health Aid 1st Class Caregiver

76512

SERVICES CBOAT ERTIFIED & INSURED

Gary D. Metzger

Gail Sunray, Owner Personal Services

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

SMS Mobile Marine Service *36)LVKILQGHU,QVWDOODWLRQ2XWERDUGV ,2ªV,QERDUGV Call for appointment941-232-3523

Drivers are retired Law Enforcement Ofﬁcers or family members! AUTO TRANSPORT

Gary D. Metzger

STEAKLEY PAINTING. Interior/ Exterior. Pressure Painting/Wallpapering Washing. Wallpaper Removal. Drywall Repairs. CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed 30+ & insured. Reasonable. Reliable. Professional. years Interior/ Exterior paintingavailable. includingFree drywall repair experience. References Estimates. and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, Lic./Ins. 941-228-7605, rlsteakley@comcast.net pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates. 941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

DOCKSIDE BOAT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Metz Auto Delivery LLC

Drivers are retired Law (941) 713-4542 Enforcement Ofﬁcers GPMETZ2@AOL.COM or family members!

LV1241

Ready When When You Ready YouAre Are ClassifiedAds Ads … … the Classified theWay WaytotoSell Sell

LV1241

LP Reserved Space

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER Thursday, March 8, 2012 YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC

Caring, Compassionate, Gentle and Kind Caregiver CAREGIVER/COMPANION Provides activities of daily CNA/Home Health Aid living, errands, shopping, transportation light meal prep. 1st Class&Caregiver Caring, Gentle BillCompassionate, Spence 941-993-7994 ,ICENSEDs)NSUREDs"ONDED BillMyCaregiver.com and Kind Caregiver Provides activities of daily living, errands, shopping, transportation & light meal prep.

76513

14B YourObserver.com 14B Classifieds

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER THE LONGBOAT Longboat ObserverOBSERVER Thursday, March8,8,2012 2012 THURSDAY, MARCH Thursday, March 8, 2012

CARPET CLEANING CARPET CLEANING

M OO VV II NN GG

MO V I N G

74865

www.SterlingHomeChecking.vpweb.com

ALL PLUMBING REPAIR

PROS

400-4864

s&ULLPLUMBINGSERVICES s&2%%PLUMBINGCHECK s.OTRIPCHARGES PET SERVICES PET SERVICES s3EPTICTANKPUMPING

941-755-6300

DRAIN CLEANING

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with mention of this ad

LIC# CFC1427462 Pets and Vehicle Transport Pets and Vehicle Transport Animal Lover will drive your vehicle or my vehicle

Animal Lover will drive vehicle or delivery. my vehicle with/without your pet.your Usually 1 day with/without your pet. Usually 1 day delivery. Also as a USCG Capt., I perform Burial at Sea Services (scatter ashes) Also as a USCG Capt., I perform Burial Sea Services (scatter ashes) on my boat for Pets at and People. OR 778-4461 on my boat for Pets and at People. Please Call Captain Nick 941-896-4696 UĂŠ, *,-ĂŠEĂŠ, " Please Call Captain Nick at 941-896-4696 RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL UĂŠ 7ĂŠ " -/,1 /" ĂŠ PLUMBING UĂŠ , 9ĂŠ- ,6 ĂŠ PLUMBING Family Owned & Operated UĂŠ7/ ,ĂŠ / ,2 Florida State Cert. Master Plumbers UĂŠ- 7 ,ĂŠEĂŠ , ĂŠ ĂŠ #CFC1426596

CHRISTIEâ€™S 778-3924

PLUMBING

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General Contractor Specializing General Contractor Specializing in Kitchen & Bath Remodeling in Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

PLUMBING PLUMBING Since Since 1975 1975

-//" ĂŠEĂŠ ,/9ĂŠ DEPENDABLE & ON TIME OR 778-4461 "7RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL UĂŠ, *,-ĂŠEĂŠ, " UĂŠ, *,-ĂŠEĂŠ, " FREE ESTIMATES UĂŠ 7ĂŠ " -/,1 /" ĂŠ RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL UĂŠ 7ĂŠ " -/,1 /" -!2).!$2 (/,-%3"%!#(s/0%.3!4 UĂŠ ,

9ĂŠ- ,6 ĂŠĂŠ

Free at home consultation Free at home consultation National Brands, Competitive Pricing National Brands, Competitive Pricing Limited Lifetime Warranty Limited Lifetime Warranty Seasonal Discounts Seasonal Discounts

74884 69127 69127

359-1904

www.lightreno.com Lawrence BarnettFully(941)526-7750 CGC1507388U.S. DOT No. 1915800 Licensed and Insured Barnett (941)526-7750 CGC1507388 Lawrence

9ĂŠ- ,6 ĂŠ UĂŠ7/ ,ĂŠ / ,Family Owned & Operated UĂŠ , UĂŠ7/ ,ĂŠ / ,Family Owned & Operated 2 Florida State Cert. Master Plumbers UĂŠ- 7 ,ĂŠEĂŠ , ĂŠ ĂŠ US PUMP YOUR SEPTIC TANK 2 Florida State Cert. MasterLET Plumbers UĂŠ- 7 ,ĂŠEĂŠ , ĂŠ ĂŠ #CFC1426596 AND SAVE MONEY! #CFC1426596 -//" ĂŠEĂŠ ,/9ĂŠ

be pumped once every DEPENDABLE & ONSeptic TIMETanksshould -//" ĂŠEĂŠ ,/9ĂŠ or three "7years to avoid total system and DEPENDABLE & ONtwo TIME FREE ESTIMATES drain ďŹ eld failure. A replacement cost of "7FREE ESTIMATES thousands of dollars. -!2).!$2 (/,-%3"%!#(s/0%.3!4

941-757-2595 $ No extra cost for digging! $ -!2).!$2 (/,-%3"%!#(s/0%.3!4

75151

WOODWORKING WOODWORKING INSURANCE

75973 75973

74885 77236 77236

REMODELING/HOME IMPROVEMENT REMODELING/HOME IMPROVEMENT

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941-383-2900

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74886

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73703

Take Take ofControl ControlPLUMBING of YY our our Life! Life!

Will travel Florida to Maine Will Florida to Maine andtravel all points in between and all points in between phone 941.554.4657 phone 941.554.4657 email LFrankRonald@aol.com email LFrankRonald@aol.com

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South Florida Tub & Tile ReďŹ nishing

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(941)737-5861 3AVE4IME-ONEY 927ARRANTY Commercial Commercial South Florida Tub

74887 77238 77238

77234 77234 75563 76425 76425

74298

Providing personal and administrative assistance to individuals & small Providing personal and administrative businessesâ€Śa reliable and&skilled assistance to individuals small resource readyreliable and able toskilled attack businessesâ€Śa and your â€œto-doâ€? list.toHTRS resource ready and WTR able attack $499!! ELECTRIC LICENSED - CFC1428540 Let me help get things youryou â€œto-doâ€? list. done! Let me help you get things done! $FFRXQWLQJ7DVNV Hire â€œYour Very Own Assistantâ€? $FFRXQWLQJ7DVNV Hire â€œYour Very Own Assistantâ€? )LOH 5HFRUG0DQDJHPHQW Judith A. Merkt )LOH 5HFRUG0DQDJHPHQW 'RFXPHQW &RUUHVSRQGHQFH3UHSDUDWLRQ & Insured) Merkt (BondedA. Judith 'RFXPHQW &RUUHVSRQGHQFH3UHSDUDWLRQ & Insured) (Bonded 'HFOXWWHU 5HRUJDQL]DWLRQ BSA, Inc. 'HFOXWWHU 5HRUJDQL]DWLRQ Â‡&HOO Inc. BSA, 2IĂ€FH +RXVHKROG0DQDJHPHQW om ssistant.c veryowna Â‡&HOO www.your 2IĂ€FH +RXVHKROG0DQDJHPHQW DVWQHW HUNW#FRPF 6SHFLDO3URMHFWVRIAOOT\SHV (PDLOMDP om Independently Owned and Operated Franchise www.yourveryownassistant.c 6SHFLDO3URMHFWVRIAOOT\SHV (PDLOMDPHUNW#FRPFDVWQHW

RONALD RONALD FRANK FRANK

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s2ElNISHs2EPAIR s#OLOR#HANGES s#OLOR#HANGES s"ATHTUBSs4ILE s"ATHTUBSs4ILE

All Work Warranted All Work Warranted

7/2+3 &/2Ă´9/5

Since 1975

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING MOVERS KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

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74929

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Lighthouse Renovations We sell boxes! Lighthouse Renovations www.lightreno.com

WILL BEAT ALL PRICES Animal Lover will drive your vehicle or my vehicle WILL BEAT ALL PRICES with/without your pet. Usually 1 day delivery. SERVICES Also as a USCGPERSONAL Capt., I perform Burial at Sea Services (scatter ashes) PERSONAL SERVICES on my boat for Pets and People.

Sarasota.MrRooter.com ÂˆViÂ˜Ăƒi`ĂŠUĂŠ ÂœÂ˜`i`ĂŠUĂŠÂ˜ĂƒĂ•Ă€i`

SUNCOAST SPRINKLER CO, LLC Peace of Mind While Youâ€™re Away 3XPSVÂ‡9DOYHVÂ‡&RQWUROOHUVÂ‡6SUD\KHDGV STERLING HOME CHECKING Absentee Owner Services 6\VWHP5HYDPSVÂ‡0DLQWHQDQFH&RQWUDFWVÂ‡,QVWDOODWLRQV Absentee Owner Services LicensedÂ‡941941-779-3665 - 400 - 0804 Â‡Insured Licensed Â‡941 - 400 - 0804/LFHQVHG ,QVXUHG Â‡Insured )UHH(VWLPDWHV www.SterlingHomeChecking.vpweb.com

(941) 377-7305 Vehicle Transport (941) 377-7305

#OMMERCIALs2ESIDENTIALs#USTOM0AINTING

SERVICES FREEPROFESSIONAL Appraisals Throughout Sarasota Until April 30, 2012 Will travel Florida to Maine BUYER OF STAMP COLLECTIONS andALL all points in between BUYER OF ALL STAMP COLLECTIONS American Philatelic Society Dealer Since 1969 phone 941.554.4657 American Philatelic Society Dealer Since 1969 email LFrankRonald@aol.com FREE Appraisals Throughout Sarasota FREE Appraisals Throughout Until April 30, 2012Sarasota REMODELING/HOME Until April 30,IMPROVEMENT 2012

77412 77412

LAWN CARE HOME SERVICES HOME SERVICES

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

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING PROFESSIONAL PET SERVICES PAINTING #OMMERCIALs2ESIDENTIALs#USTOM0AINTING

Pets and

American Philatelic Society Dealer Since 1969

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

75174 75174

75445 75445 38056 38056

scottmwoolf1@gmail.com

76051 76051

75148

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

Call Anytime 941-536-1770 scottmwoolf1@gmail.com

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69127 76515 76515

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PATIO PATIO REPAIRS REPAIRS

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400-4864

AND SAVE MONEY! Septic Tanks should be pumped once every two or three avoid total system and Septic Tanks years shouldtobe pumped once every drain ďŹ eld failure. replacement cost of two or three years toAavoid total system and of dollars. cost of drain ďŹ eldthousands failure. A replacement thousands dollars. No extra costoffor digging!

359-1904 359-1904

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www.lightreno.com FURNITURE REPAIR Lawrence Barnett (941)526-7750 CGC1507388FURNITURE REPAIR

LIC# CFC1427462

LET US PUMP YOUR SEPTIC TANK

MOVERS

General Contractor Specializing in Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

Lighthouse Renovations

DRAIN DRAIN REPAIR

Free at home consultation National Brands, Competitive Pricing Limited Lifetime Warranty Seasonal Discounts

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WOODWORKING WOODWORKING INSURANCE

73704 75974 75974

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Classifieds 15B

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75563 75563

and of RESTORATION INSPECTION CLEANING CERTIFICATION and RESTORATION

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LOCAL - LONG DISTANCE ELECTRIC WTR HTRS $499!! LICENSED - CFC1428540 LOCAL - LONG DISTANCE FREE ESTIMATES ELECTRIC WTR HTRS $499!! LICENSED - CFC1428540 www.yourobserver.com FREE ESTIMATES )##s$/4 Phone (941) 704-4278 &,-/6%23)- )##s$/4 Phone Fax (941) (941) 704-4278 538-3781 &,-/6%23)- Dave McCarthy Fax (941) 538-3781 ALL PLUMBING DRAIN dmccarthy114@hotmail.com Operator/Owner Dave McCarthy ALL REPAIR PLUMBING 400-4864 CLEANING DRAIN dmccarthy114@hotmail.com Operator/Owner 77142

76617 76617

100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED COMPUTER COMPUTER KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

of INSPECTION

CLEANING INSTITUTE

Sarasota.MrRooter.com 77142

75448

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY xÂŁĂ¤ĂŠ 9ĂŠ- -ĂŠ," ]ĂŠ-1/ ĂŠÂŁĂŠUĂŠ" "/ĂŠ 9]ĂŠĂŠÂ - ĂŠ-1 /,1-/ĂŠ ÂŽ xÂŁĂ¤ĂŠ 9ĂŠ- -ĂŠ," ]ĂŠ-1/ ĂŠÂŁĂŠUĂŠ" "/ĂŠ 9]ĂŠĂŠÂ - ĂŠ-1 /,1-/ĂŠ ÂŽ

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76516 74379 76516

73261 73261

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STAIN CONTROL

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Dave McCarthy Dave McCarthy

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THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER / UPHOSTERY TILE / GROUT Thursday,CARPET February 16, 2012 ODOR CONTROL STAIN CONTROL CARPET / UPHOSTERY TILE / GROUT

YourObserver.com

MOVERS MOVERS

SPINERGY STONE CARE SOLUTIONS SPINERGY STONE CARE SOLUTIONS /,6 ,/ ĂŠUĂŠ, ĂŠUĂŠ, / ĂŠUĂŠ-/ ĂŠUĂŠ/ ,,<<"

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Classifieds 15B Classifieds 15B 15B

www.yourobserver.com www.yourobserver.com

16B

Longboat Observer

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Proudly Presenting The Best Of

LONGBOAT KEY

& SURROUNDS 1

690 Cedar street Cheryl Loeffler

$3,249,000 941.302.9674

sothebysrealty.com/id/A3931406

1465 Gulf Of Mexico Dr., 306 $989,000 Teri Sax 941.228.5578 sothebysrealty.com/id/A3945160

3564 Fair Oaks Lane Jo Rutstein

sothebysrealty.com/id/A3951551

$2,300,000 941.587.9156

2600 Harbourside Dr., B17 $834,200 Marty Benson 941.232.9264 sothebysrealty.com/id/A3941060

415 L Ambiance Drive, A201 Cheryl Loeffler sothebysrealty.com/id/A3942732

941.302.9674 $2,395,000

6201 Gulf of Mexico Drive Carol Budnik & Victoria Horstmann sothebysrealty.com/id/A3954670

941.893.7792 $4,444,000

3030 Grand Bay Boulevard Marty Benson sothebysrealty.com/id/A3953403

941.232.9264 $3,700,000

657 Halyard Lane Mark Huber sothebysrealty.com/id/A3914523

941.356.2435 $1,895,000

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SILVER LINING

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Heidi Kurpiela

“We’re the kind of retired people who want to keep living it up,” says Kay Siebold, right, with Barbara Bostic, left. “What else would we be doing during all day? Going out to eat? How many times can you go out to eat?”

Folly Girls

Whether they’re tap dancing in sequins or getting down to Lady Gaga, Kay Siebold and Barbara Bostic are proving the Sarasota Silver Stars are much too young at heart to be a senior theater troupe. If retirement is meant for playing, then Kay Siebold and Barbara Bostic are at the top of their game. As members of the Sarasota Silver Stars, Siebold and Bostic are actresses, singers, dancers and poster girls for agelessness.

Tall, fit and dressed in matching black leggings, it’s easy to see why the two friends and fellow performers spend so much time at the Players Theatre. They love the spotlight — and the spotlight loves them.

“We want the community to see how much fun we have,” Siebold says. “And we need men,” Bostic adds. The two women giggle, and Bostic blushes.

COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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“Oh, you know what I mean,” she says. “We could use more men in the group. The group needs men. Not us.” Not every female performer can coerce her husband to go on stage, as Siebold has done with her husband, Wayne, a retired elementary school principal. He is among only a handful of men on the Silver Stars roster and will appear as a bumbling magician in the troupe’s March 17 show. “My husband never thought of himself as an actor,” Siebold says. “Then, all of a sudden he’s in all these skits. I see it all the time. People are afraid to say they’re actors. And then they start pulling it out of themselves.” The women are seated at a table in the lobby at the Players Theatre, kvetching about the Academy Awards: who looked frail (Angelina Jolie) and who looked adorable (Michelle Williams). They say the theater feels like their second home. Bostic jokes that without it, she’d constantly be in her kids’ hair. To sit at a table beside these women is invigorating. Even their director and choreographer, Berry Ayers, who moonlights as Sarasota’s favorite foulmouthed drag queen, Beneva Fruitville, says Siebold and Bostic keep him “on his toes.” Named after Sarasota Senior Theatre founder Irene Silver, the Silver Stars was born in May out of the blending of two local theater troupes: The Sarasota Senior Theatre, which Silver founded more than 12 years ago, and The Players Follies, for

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

(continued from page 1)

Courtesy photo

Kay Siebold and Barbara Bostic, far left, dressed to kill in the “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago.” which Siebold served as dance captain. A nonprofit organization comprised of about 60 members ages 50 and up, the Silver Stars meets three times a week and stages two main stage productions and several lobby shows a year. “I don’t have any formal training because growing up we couldn’t afford it,” Bostic says. “I used to sing and dance at home to all the big musical numbers, dreaming that one day I’d be able to dance on stage. (Silver Stars) has given me the ability to live out a fantasy.” A former Miss Rhode Island, Bostic, a Longboat Key resident, is a self-effacing mother-of-two who once represented her home state in the 1966 Miss Universe pageant. “There was no talent portion,”

IF YOU GO The Sarasota Silver Stars will perform “The Golden Age of Broadway” at 7 p.m. March 17, in the lobby at the Players Theatre. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 365-2494. she explains. “Miss Universe was beauty, face, figure, then brains.” A pageant girl to this day, she placed first in the swimsuit competition at the “Ms. Longboat Key: 50 and Fabulous” contest held seven years ago during the town’s 50th anniversary celebration. A former flight attendant for the now-defunct Eastern Airlines, Bostic spent most of her

career working as a beauty consultant for Elizabeth Arden and Estée Lauder cosmetic companies. Siebold, however, has tapdanced her entire life. A trained dancer and teacher, she taught tap and jazz for 16 years in Saudi Arabia, traveling with her students all over the country before moving in 1997 to Sarasota. She came to the Players four years ago to perform in the theater’s Broadway musicals, landing roles in “The Producers,” “Oklahoma,” “Seussical,” “Anything Goes” and “Dear World.” It’s no wonder she has the musculature of a woman half her age. “We try to avoid the term ‘senior,’” Siebold says. “We like to say we’re ‘experienced.’ I mean … look, the Silver Stars goes to senior centers and assisted-living facilities to perform.” Siebold has a point. And in case you missed it, her neon orange pedicure and stiletto heels should remind you: She’s no old lady. In fact, the self-described “glamma” (not grandma) is so loath to share her age that she refrains from ordering discounted coffee at McDonald’s. And when filling out forms at doctors’ offices, she likes to write “contemporary” in the age blank. To illustrate how contemporary she really is, Siebold reaches for a photo album and flips open to a snapshot of herself, Bostic and four other Silver Stars dressed in black fishnet stockings, corsets and garter belts — the costumes from their

Siebold can still squeak out a tap in stilettos.

IF YOU TAP Kay Siebold is teaching a tap workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 12 through March 15, at The Players Theatre. Price is $50.

version of “Chicago’s” “Cell Block Tango.” “Oh, look at us,” Bostic says. “It’s funny because I was never one to stand up in class and do a monologue. I’d have rather faked a sickness and gone to the nurse’s office.” Now she’s covering Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” in racy costumes, often of her own design. “It helps to keep yourself together,” she says of flaunting her body after 50. “Of course, we’re always trying to out-do one another,” Siebold adds. “Yeah, and you’re always winning,” Bostic groans. See a video of Kay Siebold and Barbara Bostic dancing.

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art scene HEARD

+ Asolo Rep pledges to present all ‘American’ season

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

+ Ringling students grab Academy Award And the Oscar goes to … now serving his second term as whoever got lucky enough to academy president, spoke to hold the statue last Friday students in the college’s digital during Tom Sherak’s tour of filmmaking and computer aniRingling College of Art mation programs. and Design. In addition to waxSherak, the presiing inspirational about dent of the Academy his own journey, Sherak of Motion Picture explained that students Arts and Sciences, can find a bounty of was in town last internship and grant week to give a preopportunities on the sentation to Ringling Academy Awards’ webCollege donors and site. clients of PNC Wealth Tom Sherak And, then, he pulled Management. out an actual Oscar. Following his lecture According to RCAD developThursday night, Sherak and ment officer Mary Lee Richey, his wife, Madeline, toured the the statue was bigger and RCAD campus Friday morning heavier than she imagined in the company of President Dr. — 8.5 pounds and 13 inches Larry Thompson. tall, to be exact. The actor/producer, who is “All my life I wanted to carry an Academy Award,” Richey says. “It was a great surprise. We didn’t know he was going to bring it.” Prior to Sherak’s tenure, the statue was routinely kept under lock and key. However, in an effort to make the Academy seem less stodgy, the president has begun to travel with the award. Courtesy photos Fortunately for Sherak, Oscar Ringling College seniors is a light dresser. TSA screenTingting Li and Cassie Otte rub ers rarely have to ask him to elbows with Oscar. remove his shoes or belt.

God bless the USA and the Asolo Repertory Theatre. On Monday, the company announced the lineup for it 54th season, and all I’ve got to say is red, white and blue never looked so colorful. Next fall, the company will kick off a five-year project focused on American theater. Dubbed the “American Character” project, the series will celebrate, over the course of five seasons, the people, culture and history of the United States. First on the patriotic program: the Founding Fathers’ musical “1776,” directed by Frank Galati.

+ Ballet nabs second Kennedy Center gig The Sarasota Ballet will continue its Washington, D.C., hot streak next year, when the company performs in June 2013 as part of the Kennedy Center’s “Ballet Across America” program. One of nine companies invited to dance in the festival, Sarasota Ballet will likely perform a work by British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton, whose work has helped the company stand out in the American ballet industry. In October, the organization danced George Balanchine’s “Diamonds” with the Kennedy Center’s resident company, Suzanne Farrell Ballet. “Next year we’ll be there in our own right,” says Director Iain Webb, who met the festival’s organizer, Meg Booth, during his time last fall in Washington, D.C. The news comes after Webb

If you think Galati’s interpretation of Victorian-era London was spot-on in “My Fair Lady,” wait until you see him recreate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The original Broadway production opened in 1969 and went on to win three Tony Awards — that’s one more Tony than Galati has on his mantle. Best of luck to resident hair and makeup artist Michelle Hart, as she begins the tedious task of customizing powdered wigs. The theater also announced its 2013 shows, starting with Kaufman and Hart’s Pulitzer Prize-winning ode to wacky/lovable American

families (“You Can’t Take it With You”); David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning ode to real-estate greed (“Glengarry Glen Ross”); Wendy Wasserstein’s Pulitzer Prizewinning ode to feminism (“The Heidi Chronicles”); and Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize-winning ode to Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” (“Clybourne Park”). Throw in Ken Ludwig’s murder mystery “The Games Afoot,” one to-be-announced world premiere and a new dance musical helmed by “Bonnie & Clyde” director Jeff Calhoun, and you’ve got one roaring repertory season. I know the expression is “united we stand,” but, in this case, I’d say “united we sit” sounds about right.

announced this week that the company would stage a circusthemed “Nutcracker” by Matthew Hart, the British choreographer behind this year’s season-opener, “Tchaikovsky’s Ballet Fantasy.” The new “Nutcracker,” which will be set to live music by the Sarasota Orchestra, will be staged Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and play Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, at Ruth Eckerd Hall, in Clearwater. What else can we expect next season from Webb and company, aside from a Ringling-esque “Nutcracker” and another Kennedy Center engagement? The season leads off Oct. 26, with a guest spot by the New Yorkbased Paul Taylor Dance Company at the FSU Performing Arts Center, followed by a performance in November of one of Taylor’s most popular works — “Company B,” a modern take on America on the verge of World War II.

The 2013 season begins with three back-to-back premieres of Ashton ballets, including the choreographer’s full-length masterpiece, “La fille mal gardée,” (“The Wayward Daughter”) in April at the Van Wezel. In keeping with the popularity of its “Theatre of Dreams” program, the season will end in May with an original program choreographed by principal dancers Ricardo Graziano and Kate Honea at the FSU Performing Arts Center. According to Webb, Honea’s piece will be set to live music by a local performingarts organization. And, if that’s not enough, the director is gearing up for 2014, when he will undertake one of his most ambitious projects to date: an international festival devoted entirely to performing Ashton’s work. “It’ll be 25 years since Ashton passed away,” Webb says. “We’re going to try to (dance) it all ourselves.”

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Asghar Farhadi is paying homage to Akira Kurosawa’s “Rashomon,” but it seems so. “A Separation” feels acutely familiar on so many levels. As we argue class distinction in our own >> ‘A Separation’ country, Farhadi explores Iran’s. The anger that develops among his characters is someThis year’s recipient of the Oscar for Best times based on the perception that rich Foreign Language Film was “A Separation.” It’s the story of marital conflict, caring for an people always prevail. Resentment begins to ailing parent, keeping secrets and telling lies. fuel hatred and, eventually, violence ensues And, although it’s set in present-day Iran, the in the film. message that the film puts forth is universal. In the opening scene, Nader (Peyman Moadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami), a middle-class couple, are seeking a divorce. They sit before a judge (heard but unseen) and stare into the camera as they make their case. Simin wants to move abroad to provide a better life for their daughter, Termeh Courtesy of Sony Classics (Sarina Farhadi), while Leila Hatami and Peyman Moadi portray a married couple who Nader wants to remain want a divorce in “A Separation.” in Tehran to care for Farhadi admits that he takes a long time his Alzheimer’s-stricken father. When the judge refuses to grant a divorce, to choose his actors, and it pays off — big time. The ensemble of men and women Simin and Nader agree to a separation. he casts is nothing less than perfection. At Simin moves in with her parents, and Termeh, in a well thought-out move, remains times, I felt as though I were watching a documentary because of the authenticity with her father. She knows that her mother that the actors exuded. The delicate and yet will never leave her behind. Nader hires forceful script is so well balanced that we, as a caregiver, Razieh (Sareh Bayat), who is pregnant. Razieh, a strict Muslim, keeps the an audience, are unable to take sides with anyone. job a secret from her hot-headed husband, At the heart of “A Separation” is the story Hodjat (Shahab Hosseini), knowing he’d of a married couple. But oppression, class never approve of her working for a man. distinction and doing the right thing play All hell breaks loose when Nader accuses Razieh of abusing his father and of theft. An prominently in its telling. “A Separation” inadvertent shove by Nader causes Razieh to is one of those rare intimate films, which miscarry. Or does it? As this fascinating film deserves a second look because you leave the theater with unanswered questions. unfolds, we’re never quite sure who’s telling — Pam Nadon the truth. I’m not certain if director/writer

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MUSIC

masterful singer with power and presence, and his Otello is believably characterized and brilliantly sung. Sean Anderson, another Sarasota stalwart, did a magnificent job last year as the good and courageous John Proctor in Robert >> Sarasota Opera: ‘Otello’ Ward’s “The Crucible.” Some of that goodEsultate! Sarasota Opera can exult in ness is still with him as Iago, the connivits new production of “Otello.” This guting, malevolent genius of evil, but the text, wrenching chronicle of evil incarnate is music and trappings of the role eventually Verdi’s retelling of the Shakespearean tragmanage to erase the singer’s innate sweetedy, but, with librettist Arrigo Boito’s assisness, and we begin to see Iago and not tance, it’s even more powerful and poignant Sean. His strong baritone is showing some than the playwright could have imagined. rough edges at the very top, but his Iago It was just four years ago that the is well sung and, as he slithers his way Sarasota Opera House had its massive reno- into Otello’s psyche, we begin to see what vation and re-opening. One of the achievecould, in a few years, be a portrayal of great ments of that renovation was the enlarging strength. His “Credo,” (written by Boito, not of the orchestra pit. And it’s that expansion Shakespeare) filled with pure hatred and that made this season’s production of Verdi’s malevolence, was almost too beautifully “Otello” possible. sung to be believed. But Anderson shows Still, it’s not just the enormous and spec- great potential to be truly terrifying. Iago is tacular instrumental forces in the pit and the quintessential Judas, bestowing kisses the seeming cast of thousands and brilliant like a snake and then stepping back and choral sound on stage that reaffirm the basking in the turmoil and terror. notion that live opera is more high definition Maria D’Amato is a stunning Desdemona. than anything we see on the screen. It’s the Her demeanor and voice radiate innocence singers that Artistic Director and conductor and love but, beneath that purity and goodVictor DeRenzi has amassed for this proness, we see courage, strength and the duction and the supple, believable staging kind of faith that’s steadfast even though by Stephanie Sundine (once an operatic she knows she’s about to die. Her Fourth Desdemona, herself) that bring this tragedy Act “Salce” (“The Willow Song”) and “Ave into our souls. Maria” were sung with the kind of control Those powerful opening notes Verdi wrote and radiance that Verdi must have heard as take us, like a great novel, smack into the he wrote these exquisite pieces. And her two uproar and tumult of the Cypriots, waiting moments of pure fear for her future — when through the storm for their hero and leader, she cries out to her friend, Emilia, and just the moor, Otello, to return from battle. before Otello strangles her — were positively His opening line, “Esultate!” tells us he’s bone chilling. defeated the Turks, but it’s the terrible web Heath Huberg’s Cassio, another pawn of intrigue, lies and jealousies on shore that in Iago’s woven web of deceit, was well lie in wait to defeat him. sung and acted. Huberg is a light tenor One of the most demanding and daunting and served as an excellent foil to Dávila’s roles in opera, Otello requires vocal strength, powerful sound. Cynthia Hanna, a Studio stamina and resilience, and Rafael Dávila, Artist, was a caring but knowing Emilia, but a tenor well-known to Sarasota Opera audishe came across as more of a servant than ences over the years, now is the embodifriend to Desdemona. We forget that she is ment of Otello. He has grown into a vibrant, married to Iago and knows his deceitfulness

Photo courtesy of Rod Millington

Soprano Maria D’Amato, as Desdemona, and tenor Rafael Dávila, as Otello, in the Sarasota Opera’s “Otello.” better than anyone. The smaller but still important roles of Roderigo (Mathew Edwardsen), Lodovico (Jeffrey Berbuan), Montano (Stephen Fish) and a Herald (Dimitre Lazich) were portrayed and sung with suitable strength. And, although the chorus didn’t have a chance to bask in the applause in a curtain call, the singers and chorus master Roger Bingaman should be commended for their rich sound and stellar performances. Once again, the orchestra, under DeRenzi’s vigorous and knowledgeable direction, was impressive. From the offstage

trumpets to the heady woodwind choir led by the English horn in the “Salce,” they were dramatic and dazzling. So was the lighting, deftly designed by Ken Yunker, and the stunning sets, especially the lattice work in Act Two, devised cleverly by David P. Gordon. We must remember that this, perhaps Verdi’s greatest opera, is “based” on the play by Shakespeare, so the acting is as important as the music. In this production, it all came together as these two great men of the theater would have wanted. — June LeBell

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BACKSTAGE PASS

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

by Heidi Kurpiela | A&E Editor

Woman of the House

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s house manager may be easygoing and hospitable, but that doesn’t mean she takes kindly to spilled wine and late arrivals.

Heidi Kurpiela

“It’s a good thing and a curse, too,” says WBTT house manager Myllanna McKinnon of the troupe’s close-knit vibe. “Sometimes you can get too comfortable. It’s good for performers to go out and experience how other theaters are run.” still come to your shows even though your chairs are uncomfortable,” she says. “We hope to get better chairs someday.” Like many WBTT performers and crew members, McKinnon started with the company as a teenager, having grown up performing for founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs when he was a theater teacher at Sarasota’s Westcoast School for Human Development. She notched her first WBTT production when she was 13

IF YOU GO “Sammy Tonight! A Tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr.” runs March 9 through March 31, at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe building at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. For tickets, call 366-1505 or visit wbttroupe.org. years old. Cast as a lead dancer in Langston Hughes’ gospel musical/play, “Black Nativity,” McKin-

non went on to dance in several more WBTT productions before deciding she was better suited for backstage work. “Once I was on stage and I saw all the people at work behind the scenes, I found out I liked helping out,” McKinnon says. “Plus, I know what dancers have to go through to succeed. I love to dance. I’m just not the person who drops everything to move to New York and live in a shoebox.” Resourceful and accommodating, McKinnon is the kind of person who loves to take care of people and solve problems. She’s the middle child in a family of three sisters, all who have gravitated toward careers in the arts. Her older sister is a stagehand and wardrobe supervisor for the troupe, and her younger sister is a violinist. After McKinnon bowed out of performing, she began picking up the slack backstage, working as a prop master, stagehand and dresser at a time when the company was still struggling to stay on its feet. At one point, she even stepped in as stage manager for “Jar the Floor,” which played for two weeks to a packed house at Art Center Sarasota during the troupe’s 10th anniversary season. “I’ve seen the troupe though times of struggle,” McKinnon

CONCESSION CONFESSIONS The top-five sellers at the WBTT concession booth: • Peanut M&Ms • Hershey’s chocolate with almonds • Wine • Cheez-Its • Coke says. “Sometimes you have to go through hardship before you can appreciate coming out the other side.” In July 2010, the company finally found its home and McKinnon her niche. As WBTT’s house manager, she’s tasked with stocking concessions, cleaning the theater, arranging for volunteer ushers, setting up and breaking down chairs and, most important of all: keeping audiences happy. If that means running out to buy caffeine-free beverages to keep patrons from getting too jittery late at night, then McKinnon makes a drink run. “You do what you can to keep the patrons comfortable,” McKinnon says. “They’re the ones keeping you in business.” As much as she’d like to replace the chairs with cushioned theater seats and add a few more stalls to the restrooms, she says she’d also like to see one thing stay the same: the intimacy of the company’s 160-seat theater. “Almost every seat is the best seat in the house,” McKinnon says. “Anywhere you sit, you can see everything.”

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It’s pretty easy to stay on Myllanna McKinnon’s good side. Just arrive on time and don’t spill your wine. Oh, and try not to rearrange her chairs. Just because they’re not bolted to the floor doesn’t mean you should move them to your liking. “It’s not safe,” says McKinnon. “They’re too tightly packed in for that.” The 24-year-old house manager at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has noticed several things since the company moved into its new theater space off Orange Avenue. To start: Gillespie Park residents sometimes amble into the lobby in the middle of a production. McKinnon understands their curiosity. Where there was once a vacant warehouse with an empty parking lot, there’s now a lively theater that sells out almost every show. If you heard live covers of Aretha Franklin pouring out of a nondescript building in your neighborhood, you’d want to poke your head in, too. Here’s something else McKinnon has noticed in the last two seasons: Audience members have started bringing pillows to shows, not because they’re planning to fall asleep, but because the seats aren’t padded enough. “It’s a good sign when people

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OF SARASOTA SARASOTA

In the Historic Asolo Theater at the Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road – Sarasota

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

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YourObserver.com

HOME & GARDEN

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

by Rick Wielgorecki | Contributing Columnist

Don’t get bamboozled For a long time in my horticultural career, I avoided bamboo like the plague. All I knew about it was that it grew impossibly high and that it spread like wildfire. I always imagined canes growing to stratospheric levels — way out of the typical suburban landscape — and sending up shoots at random, invading existing trees, shrubs, groundcovers and turf. And, for some Bambusa species, this is an accurate picture. When a client expressed an interest in using bamboo in his landscape, I did an internal, exaggerated eye-roll. Nevertheless, I thought, this will give me a chance to learn something. When I approached a nurseryman about the idea, he knowingly pointed out a massive stand of 50-foot bamboos swaying in the breeze in an adjacent lot. He did an external, exaggerated eyeroll and said, “You want to plant that?!” Once again, my thoughts turned against the idea. Another thing he knew for sure about bamboo was that it is expensive. However, he promised to get me a price list with descriptions of various species that were available. The first thing I learned was that bamboo comes in two types: running and clumping. The running types were the ones I knew well. The clumping types had the attractive characteristic of pretty much growing and maturing where they were planted. Suddenly, I realized that I could now utilize bamboo’s unique grace

The Fernleaf bamboo plant can be pruned into a hedgelike shape. and fascinating canes to use as a screen, focal point or counterpoint to formal hedges and shrubs. And what a wondrous variety from which to choose. There are huge canes that clack in the wind, colorful canes that are black or striped canes that display blue, green or yellow hues, canes that swell at the nodes suggesting Buddha’s belly. And the foliage can vary from fernlike and weeping to stately and rigid. The mature heights of bamboos can range from the 12-foot Fernleaf to the 55-foot Giant Timber. There are many intermediate species that range in the 20- to 30-foot height that can be used to enhance buildings of two stories or higher. Almost all varieties can

The Giant Timber Bamboo is originally from China. withstand below-freezing temperatures — Fernleaf as low as 15 degrees. This is good news in our subtropical climate. So, you can pick the bamboo that suits your needs. Select the size, color and shape of your dreams and rest assured that they will stay in their place. Shoot, nobody wants to get bamboozled.

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

Marie Selby Botanical Garden has a few Giant Timber Bamboo plants that reach high above the buildings.

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HOME & GARDEN

OPENING

Having completed my research I wanted to try a little bamboo in my own landscape. Because I had recently cut some tall old Buford hollies way back on the south side of my house, I was thinking of planting something to re-establish my privacy. My choice (because I am a shameless control freak) was Bambusa Multiplex, the Fernleaf variety. Two nice features of this species are an ultimate height of only 12 feet and the possibility of pruning the canes into a pleasing, hedgelike shape. After a year of growing and spreading, it has provided an attractive, feathery screen that has been most satisfactory.

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10 ■ Diversions >>

DÉCOR

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

By Loren Mayo | Black Tie Editor

Interior designers race to showcase skills The Sarasota Chapter of the Interior Design Society challenged its members to take a commercial space at 100 Central Ave. and, in less than four weeks, turn it into a move-in-ready, loft-style live/work space, featuring living and dining rooms, a master suite, art gallery, library and artist’s studio. Since its inception in 2002, the chapter has raised more than $17,000 for local charities and student scholarships.

IF YOU GO What: Designers on the move POP-UP Showcase

This closet showcases what you can do in a small space through shelving, drawers and hanging items at different heights.

Photos by Loren Mayo

Bright and colorful Lilly Pulitzer fabrics give the master suite a Caribbean feel.

Where: 100 Central Ave., Sarasota When: Times vary. The showcase runs through March 11. A wine and hors d’oeuvres meetthe-charities reception takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 9. Tickets: $10 donation benefiting the Education Foundation and Trinity Charities. Call: 928-7015 or 313-2222

Like the smell of coffee? Check out the two vases filled with coffee beans and flowers in this eclectic living room.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Diversions

YourObserver.com

DÉCOR MY DESIGN

This modern organic bamboo mirror is so unique that it makes a statement in any room, whether a large or small space. In this space, it complements other solid great pieces in addition to items on budget.

Living room: “There’s an eclectic feel of everything — mid-century, recycled, modern contemporary, Danish, mixed granite, marble and wood, and shine, color and texture” — Stan Writesel, Beginning to End Interiors Master suite: “It’s a pop of color with a Caribbean vibe” — Darian Hoyt Miller, Banana Tree Concierge

Two owl figurines from Roost are perched on a shelf in the art studio.

These daisy chain vases can hold faux or real flowers and look great above the mantel of a fireplace.

This antique lamp was found at Sarasota Architectural Salvage.

This one-ofa-kind, handmade table design could also be used as a kitchen backsplash or in a bathroom.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

Spotlight

DEEP Sleep . . . .

Have you seen tHe “new” taffy’s?

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St. Armands

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Catherine Bacon Susan Green

March 15th – 17th

A Night of Visual & Performing Art on the Charmed Circle

Trunk Show

busker [buhsk-er] noun- A street performer, troubadour or entertainer who performs in public places for gratuities. (i.e. sketching, painting, storytelling, musician, dancing, singing, caricatures, juggling, magic, mime, etc.

10:00 – 6:00

Two of Dream Weaver’s top artists pair the finest hand painted silks with beautifully coordinated, semi-precious stone jewelry for a knock out show!

Date: First Wednesday of every month Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm Place: Various locations around the Circle uos j d St. Armands Circle ugglers revives a European Tradition the First Wednesday of every month, with this exciting new event. Come enjoy a wide variety of entertainers from classical guitarist & cellists, to living statues, jugglers & mimes. Caricature artists to portrait artist, musicians & dancers and a few vocalists thrown in for good measure.

Wednesday nights on St. Armands is the place to be as we begin our new “Wonderful Wednesdays on the Circle” line up of special events!

364St. St.Armands Circle • 941.388.1974 364 Armands Circle

For more information, or to submit a Buskers Application to perform, please visit the St. Armands Circle Association website at www.starmandscircleassoc.com or call 941-388-1554.

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Come Be A Part of the St. Armands Busker Experience!