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HOME TOUR SEASON SPECIAL Garden Club features unique Key homes. INSIDE

LBK GENERAL ELECTION 2014 Candidates sound off

PAGES 6-7A

OUR TOWN

THE OBSERVER’S GUIDE TO THE ARTS AND SOCIETY | SPRING 2014

payment plan

DIVERSIONS

Look inside for SEASON magazine, your spring arts guide.

Lisa Fulk could teach grandma a lesson in pickling. INSIDE

by Kurt Schultheis | Managing Editor

Pension costs rise to $3.26 million Taxpayer costs for three frozen pension plans could rise from $2.76 million to $3.26 million if pension boards lower rates of return to appease Tallahassee pension officials. The Longboat Key Town Commission stopped the bleeding when it froze its three pension plans, but now it is dealing with the budget nightmare of paying off more than $27 million in unfunded liabilities. At its Feb. 18 workshop, Town Manager Dave Bullock explained

the town’s three pension boards are working to reduce the estimated rate of return for the frozen plans to a more reasonable 7% rate of return at the request of Tallahassee pension officials. “We all understand and believe that the rate of return for the frozen plans needs to be

lower than it was for the active plans,” Bullock said. “But the lower you make your rate of return, the higher the amount we have to pay back. The General Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees has already reduced that plan’s rate of return from 7.75% to 7%.

The boards of trustees for police and fire plans will meet later this week to discuss and finalize new rates of return. But lowering those rates has big budget and taxpayer implications.

SEE PENSION / PAGE 2A

SAND SHIFT

by Kurt Schultheis | Managing Editor

Commission debates federal funds for sand

+ Griffin reaches top-shelf status Longboat Key author H. Terrell Griffin can now call himself bestselling author H. Terrell Griffin. Amazon featured his 2011 thriller “Collateral Damage” as its “Daily Deal” Feb. 18 for $1.99. Late that afternoon, it climbed to No. 1 slot for Kindle’s paid bestseller list and stayed there until mid-afternoon Feb. 19.

Federal dollars would save money, but the town would have to give up control over future beach project decisions. Longboat Key’s taxpayers have paid for their beach projects for years because they’re picky about the way their coastline looks. By using two taxpayer-approved beach assessment taxing districts to pay for projects instead of using federal dollars for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers beach projects, the town gets sand onto the island at a faster pace. That process also allows the town to select the type of sand it wants. But that could change if the Longboat Key Town Commission decides it wants to use federal dollars for future beach projects. At its Feb. 18 workshop, Town Manager Dave Bullock told commissioners that he met with Corps officials at a beach conference two weeks ago to discuss the possibility of becoming eli-

Kurt Schultheis

John Wild and Richard Crawford

+ Wild: A Kiwanis man of all trades There’s only one John Wild and without him, the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key would be lost. At the club’s Feb. 13 weekly breakfast meeting, Kiwanis Club President Richard Crawford surprised Wild when he announced during his weekly remarks that he had created a new award called the President’s Award for Wild’s service to the club. “Without all of the little things and big things this man does to keep this club moving in the right direction, this club wouldn’t keep moving forward the way it has been,” Crawford said. Club members gave Wild a round of applause.

SEE OT / PAGE 23A

SEE SAND / PAGE 2A

THE BIG KEY-SY Kelsey Grau

Tom Vitro and Gerry Sullivan donned masks for the Longboat Harbour Mardi Gras party Saturday, Feb. 22. Attendees enjoyed a dinner of gumbo, blackened chicken and bread pudding before taking over the dance floor. For more photos, see page 20A.

File photo

Federal beach projects restore sand at no extra cost if the sand is washed away from a storm.

INDEX Calendar............ 18A Classifieds......... 16B

Cops Corner....... 10A Crossword.......... 15B

Neighborhood...... 1B Opinion.................8A

Real Estate........ 12B Weather............. 15B

Vol. 36, No. 30 | Five sections YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

PENSION / FROM PAGE 1A Currently, the town is estimating an annual required contribution for those pension plans of $2,760,020. But if all three frozen plans reduce their rates of return to 7%, the result will be a $500,563 pension cost increase for the upcoming fiscal year. That increases total annual pension costs for taxpayers to $3.26 million. Making matters worse, the commissioners are already looking at a $1,625,559 budget deficit the town is facing this summer because of inaccurate revenue estimates. Bullock told commissioners the town is looking at higher pension costs “for the next three critical years” before the pension liabilities are paid down and the pension budget line begins to reduce. Commissioners expressed both frustration and resolve when they heard the news. “We stepped up and did what we had to do,” said Commissioner Jack Duncan. “And now it’s time to pay the piper.” Duncan said town staff must work to prepare a report that taxpayers can review for the next three years that shows why pension costs are rising.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

“We need to put in place an explanation for this over a period of time,” Duncan said. “Taxpayers need to be prepared to know what’s going on.” Commissioner Phill Younger noted the town “should be nibbling off the big chunk of this debt every year.” “This is good stuff and it’s preparing us for reality,” Younger said. “The goal is figuring out how long we want to take to pay it down so the amount doesn’t keep increasing.” Bullock said he is working with the pension boards to address the town’s concerns. He said he brought the issue forward to the commission as an update and to start a discussion to come up with a multi-year strategy moving forward to pay off the debt. Although the pension boards are supposed to set annual rates of return without worrying about cost implications for the town, Bullock said the boards are aware of the issue the town is facing. “The pension boards don’t have a fiduciary duty to be concerned about the town’s overall budget, but there’s a reason why we put 15 taxpayers on these new frozen pension boards,” Bullock said. “They know their actions affect your budget.”

IMPACT OF BUDGETARY CHANGE IN ANNUAL REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS (ARCS) FOR PENSION PLANS WITH ASSUMPTION RATES AT 7% Pension Plan

Current ARC

Increase

Future ARC

Police

$633,590

$31,322

Fire

$1,526,725

$364,431

$1,891,156

General

$599,705

$104,810

$704,515

TOTAL

$2,760,020

$500,563

$3,260,583

$664,912

* Increase creates a potential 0.11 millage increase and a 5.3% tax increase impact. (Source: Town of Longboat Key)

SAND / FROM PAGE 1A gible for federal beach dollars. Corps officials informed Bullock that their department evaluated the Key 20 years ago and established the island was eligible for federal dollars at that time. The problem is, it takes three years for the Corps to perform the study that results in attaining money for a federal project. A north end sand and structure project wouldn’t be eligible for federal dollars. The Corps will know in a month if it has money in its budget to perform an updated study for the island, which would result in Corps officials coming before the commission for a special workshop to discuss the three-year study. Commissioner Phill Younger expressed frustration that beach engineers have previously told the commission it would take 10 to 15 years to be eligible for a project. “We’ve been eligible and could have started this process six years ago and been eligible for the upcoming project,” Younger said. “We kept being told it would take too long and that’s not the case.” When Mayor Jim Brown asked Bullock if the commission was misled by previous consultants, Bullock said, “I think coastal engineers and the Corps are in constant competition with each other… that’s all I’m going to say about it.” But if the commission moves forward with the Corps study, Bullock warned commissioners of several contingencies that must be met to attain federal dollars. The amount of funding the town would receive for a project is contingent on its number of beach accesses and parking spots. “Public access is a big, big deal with the Corps and we have less accesses than other islands,” Bullock said. Bullock also noted the Corps “is not necessarily in the fine white sand business.”

SAND SHARING Town Manager Dave Bullock told the commission at its Feb. 18 workshop that he is working with city of Sarasota officials for a future sand sharing agreement for dredging New Pass. The city has agreed to share the sand that could be deposited on Longboat Key and Lido Beach when federal money becomes available to dredge New Pass, which is expected in the next two years, Bullock said. “You have to buy up to get whiter sand,” Bullock said. Last but not least, Bullock said you have to wait for money. “We can’t pay for a project and be reimbursed for it,” Bullock said. “We’re stuck waiting for them to come perform projects on their timetable once the project is funded.” Bullock said the city of Sarasota is still waiting for a Lido Beach project to be funded that was originally brought forward in 1999. “They are still waiting on construction money, to show you how long it can take,” Bullock said. Bullock also outlined advantages to using the corp for future projects. The Corps pays for 55% to 60% of a federal beach project. “That funding share goes up if a federal channel contributes to the loss of sand,” Bullock said. “We certainly fall into that category.” And if a storm is responsible for loss of sand after a Corps project has already been performed, the Corps fully funds a future project to restore the beach. Commissioner Pat Zunz said taxpayers might have issues with the town aligning itself in the future with the Corps. “There has historically been resistance in our community not to pursue the Corps because of beach accesses, more parking and concern we would no longer have control,” Zunz said.

He’s Back!

Let’s Talk Remodeling By RUSTY CHINNIS Longboat Key Florida Licensed General Contractor 30 Years of Experience

Robby Self

former operator of north Longboat Key Chevron Station

Robby is back on the island and providing the same reputable auto repair and trusted maintenance of years past. Now operating at Grooms Motors in Holmes Beach, call Robby today to book your next oil change and service check-up.

If there's oneAthing I've learned over the thirty Choosing Design Professional

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homeowner’s vision and works within their budget. my experience, a contractor works IfInyou're consideringchoosing a remodeling project,who there are with somesuch verya professional yields a better outcome for everyone. The contractor important things that you'll need to consider and critical decisions will make sure that the plans reflectforward. the entire scopeusofasthe you'll need to make before moving Follow weproject cover and that the designer creates a set of plans that sub-contractors can topics like cost versus value, picking a design professional, getting read understand. When sub-contractors have aunderstanding clear picture and and evaluating recommendations for contractors, ofplans, what and they’re bidding on, the price will invariably be more reading specifications. We'll help you understand the competitive. The relationship assures the clientwith the project design importance of making sure the also specifications dovetail professional will be readily available in caseissues any changes occur. plans and your expectations. Other critical like insurance, Even the has lots of variables be permits, andsmallest workers project compensation (often overlookedthat by must clients) understood and addressed up front to assure the client’s satisfaction. will be covered in detail here and in-depth on our Web site. Homeowners are often told what they want to hear, instead of what they need know. Recently wedecisions were called to complete a project We'll helptoyou understand why you will make up front will when the client becameand alarmed with level of the determine the quality longevity of the the experience finished product. Now, contractor. the project had that beenhomeowners completed as drawn, client’s more thanIfever, it's critical verify the the experience and financial stability of their contractor and the reliability of the vision would have not realized.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

development models by Robin Hartill | News Editor CASEY KEY

LONGBOAT KEY

LARGEST 2013 SALE: $5 million, 703 Casey Key Road

SIESTA KEY

LARGEST 2013 SALE: $6.8 million, 6001 Gulf of Mexico Drive

LARGEST 2013 SALE: $10 million, 3410 Flamingo Drive

A TALE OF THREE KEYS

Casey Key, Siesta Key and Longboat Key are known for their white sand beaches, but each has a unique lifestyle because of development and restrictions. KEY COMPARISON See how Casey Key, Longboat Key and Siesta Key compare.

CASEY KEY

LONGBOAT KEY

SIESTA KEY

Single-family homes median sale price: $1.75 million

Single-family home median sale price: $582,500

Single-family home median sale price: $644,500

Condominium price (single sale recorded in past six months): $317,500

Condo median sale price: $428,750

Condo median sale price: $353,500

Approximate number of year-round residents: 7,000

Approximate number of year-round residents: 6,565

Length: 10.8 miles

Length: 8 miles

Notable residents: Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, Maria Sharapova, former Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott

Notable residents: Author Mary Jane Clark

Approximate number of year-round residents: 400 Length: 8 miles Notable residents: Rosie O’Donnell, Stephen King

that property owners successfully lobbied the Florida Legislature to pass in the early 1970s. The act designated most of the island as a wildlife and marine sanctuary and restricts the use of that land to single-family residences. Meanwhile, development on Longboat Key is difficult because of the restrictive codes and Comprehensive Plan the Longboat Key Town Commission adopted in the 1980s due to fears the Key would become overbuilt. Today, with just more than 400 resi-

dences on Casey Key, supply is scarce and prices are generally higher than on Longboat and Siesta keys. But many Casey Key properties have another unique feature: the ability to own Gulfto-bay-land. “Homes are mostly on the bayside, so you can cross the road and have a cabana and your own private beach,” said Nick Herron, of the Herron Group at RE/ MAX Alliance Group. Many residents are drawn to the fact that Casey Key doesn’t have commercial

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When Casey Key residents want to go to the grocery store, a restaurant or the doctor’s office, they have to leave the island. That doesn’t mean they have to drive far — there are a handful of businesses on the two roads that lead to the island, including the Casey Key Fish House, Casey Key Food Mart and Casey Key Marina. But the only businesses physically located on Casey Key are a few mom-and-pop hotels. Approximately 12 miles north of Casey Key, Siesta Key is bustling with businesses, including restaurants, shops, a fitness center, offices, grocery store and drug store. Tourists flock to Siesta Beach, which Dr. Beach named the No. 1 beach in America in 2011. Another nine miles to the north of Siesta Key is Longboat Key, where residents can do their grocery shopping, pick up prescriptions and go out to eat, but often have to venture onto the mainland for errands and events. It’s also popular with tourists, but beach accesses are harder to find and have limited parking. The island has also experienced a drop in tourism units over the past decade. What model do real estate buyers prefer? The answer depends on the buyer. “Privacy” is a word you’ll often see on Casey Key real estate advertisements. The island doesn’t have public events and has just two public beach accesses — which means less seasonal traffic. The lack of commercial development and high-rise condos on Casey Key is the result of the Casey Key Conservation Act

development or large condos. “There are a lot of artsy people and mostly people who aren’t really joiners who aren’t looking for a Longboat Key Club,” Heron said. “It’s not an inconvenience to those who live there,” said Michael Moulton, of Michael Saunders & Co., of Casey Key’s isolation. As for the less secluded islands of Siesta Key and Longboat Key, agents say there are differences in the typical buyer. “Seldom do I have a buyer for Siesta who is also a buyer for Longboat,” said Cheryl Loeffler, of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. According to Loeffler, young professionals are often drawn to Siesta Key, including its downtown-like Village, while Longboat Key attracts more retirees who are drawn to its relative seclusion. “People are drawn to Siesta Key for a number of factors,” Moulton said. “Rental timeframes are more lenient than on Longboat Key, so someone who is looking for a condo to generate income would tend to look there….The Village is both a turn-on or turnoff depending on who you talk to.” Longboat Key continues to explore the role of commercial property and tourism on the island. Town officials continue to discuss the possibility of a town center in the Bay Isles area near Publix. Loeffler believes the town center could have a positive impact, but she doesn’t find that Key buyers are concerned about its current amount of commercial development. “I really believe that the balance we have now is pretty much in line with what people expect,” she said.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

structural challenge

by Kurt Schultheis | Managing Editor

YourObserver.com Beach project fight cost NORTH AMERICA’S BEST OVERALL LOCAL NEWS SITE

Town commissioners question the costs the town incurred for legal challenges regarding the north end groin project.

of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals The Observer has partnered with The Sarasota-Manatee Originals and is producing an online video series. Each episode features one of the more than 53 members of The Originals.

taxpayers $150,000

Scan th e to watch QR code or visit o the video YourObs ur website, e InTheKit rver.com/ chen.

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Legal challenges levied against an application for sand-saving structures on the north end cost taxpayers $150,000 at a time when the town is facing a budget deficit. Challenges by former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash, Longbeach Village resident Gene Jaleski and the Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club led to a $150,000 budget transfer to pay for legal fees associated with the challenge. The Longboat Key Town Commission expressed frustration at its Feb. 18 regular workshop when Town Manager Dave Bullock asked commissioners to forward a budget allocation ordinance to their March 3 regular meeting. The balance transfer of $150,000 covers litigation costs directly related to the north end groin project. As part of a settlement brokered last month with McClash and the Sierra Club, the town agreed not to build a long terminal groin made out of rocks that would have attached to Beer Can Island and jutted into Longboat Pass. In return, McClash and the Sierra Club won’t object to the town’s plan to permit two permeable adjustable groins made out of concrete near Longbeach and 360 North condominiums. In a memo to commissioners, Bullock announced the town was billed $100,000 for litigation-related services through Feb. 6 in regards to the north end structure per-

mit. “The town estimates an additional $50,000 may be necessary for future costs associated with the litigation,” wrote Bullock in his memo. Commissioner Jack Duncan asked if the challenges from all of the parties, including Jaleski’s dismissed challenge, led to the $150,000 cost. While Bullock noted that Jaleski’s challenge was deemed untimely and dismissed, he said the town still incurred costs when it filed motions to dismiss it. “There were legal fees associated with the Jaleski challenge and another separate challenge that was deemed untimely,” Bullock said. Commissioner Phill Younger questioned the bill from the Washington, D.C., law firm the town hired to respond to the challenge. “This doesn’t feel right,” Younger said. “The bill seems excessive.” Younger plans to review the attorney bill before the commission discusses the ordinance on first reading and public hearing in March. Bullock also asked commissioners for $100,000 for anticipated consulting and legal services to prepare revisions to 1992 beach ordinances, which authorize the levy of millage dedicated to beach nourishment and maintenance projects in the future.

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LUNCHEON MEETING Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Harborside Dining Room at Harborside Golf Course Longboat Key Club and Resort Social Hour 11:30 AM – Lunch 12:00 PM

Guest Speaker: ALLISON TANT

CHAIRWOMAN FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

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Free home delivery: The Longboat Observer offers free home delivery to single-family homes on Longboat Key, Bird Key, St. Armands Key, Lido Key and Lido Shores. The Longboat Observer also delivers to every condominium, resort and commercial building on Longboat Key and Lido Key.

Allison led statewide efforts to win Florida for President Obama. As leader of the Florida Democratic Party, she has the vision, determination and qualifications to lead us in the fight against Rick Scott’s extremism.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

ANOTHER DAY

by Robin Hartill | News Editor

Judge could rule on Colony settlement Wednesday Colony Beach & Tennis Resort parties continue to wait for a ruling after U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May pushed back a scheduled hearing by a day. You won’t find the details about U.S. Bankruptcy Judge K. Rodney May’s rulings on a Colony Beach & Tennis Resort settlement in this week’s issue of the Longboat Observer. That’s because May pushed back a hearing that was scheduled for Feb. 25 to 2 p.m. Feb. 26 in his Tampa bankruptcy courtroom. Visit YourObserver.com Wednesday evening to learn what happened in court. In the meantime, we answer 10 commonly asked questions about the Colony. An earlier set of 10 commonly asked questions about the Colony is also available online at YourObserver.com.

What is May expected to rule about on Wednesday? May is expected to rule on both the proposed settlement between longtime Colony owner Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber and the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort Association and the Chapter 11 reorganization plan for Klauberowned entities. That settlement would give $3 million to Klauber through a consulting agreement and distribute $2.3 million to a U.S. bankruptcy Chapter 7 trustee to pay creditors. The settlement also absolves the association of a $25 million judgment for damages Klauber won in a bankruptcy appeals court in 2012. Colony Lender LLC, the largest

How many days worth of hearings has Judge May held since Klauber and the association announced the proposed settlement? Seven: Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 22, Nov. 25, Dec. 3, Dec. 4 and Jan. 27.

File photo

The Longboat Key Town Commission will discuss the fate of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort property and its buildings March 4. affected creditor in the case, has opposed the settlement because it isn’t included in the agreement.

What is the status of the other litigation surrounding the Colony? May canceled Colony Lender’s scheduled foreclosure sale of resort assets in early December; Colony Lender appealed the decision. The association sued the town last month, seeking relief in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court from a town resolution that mandates the association increase the bond that the town can use to maintain the dilapidated property from $50,000 to $250,000. Judge Charles Williams has not yet ruled in that case.

Additionally, Sheldon and Carol Rabin, owners of two beachfront units, announced they could file an injunction in circuit court against the association, citing its failure to maintain existing buildings on the property.

Will May’s ruling be the last word on the settlement? Not necessarily, because the parties can appeal. In fact, May told the parties in November that his rulings “will only be appealed” when urging them to reach a settlement.

Who will be responsible for paying a settlement? The settlement will come from assessments that unit owners pay.

Why is the Longboat Key Town Commission holding a March 4 hearing about the Colony? In December, Town Manager Dave Bullock and Building Official Wayne Thorne told the commission that the buildings are a nuisance and a threat to the health and safety of the general public during a storm. The commission scheduled the hearing to review building-bybuilding evidence about whether each structure is a public nuisance and the town needs to take action through its code process to have the buildings demolished.

What is the status of the property’s tourism use? The commission extended the property its third extension in December until April 30. Losing the grandfathered status would mean that the resort could lose its 134 nonconforming units. The commission considered making the demolition of Colony structures a condition of the extension but learned in December it couldn’t legally do so.

Has the town ever drawn on the $50,000 bond the asso-

ciation originally posted? No, although Bullock told the commission the town “went right to the edge of it on at least one occasion.” Bullock’s original request was that the commission increase the bond from $50,000 to $100,000, but the commission opted to increase the required amount to $250,000 at a December workshop. The association argues in its petition for a writ of certiorari that “there was no competent substantial evidence indicating how the $250,000 was determined.”

How many units does longtime unit owner Andy Adams now own? At least 60. Adams owns the units personally and through entities Colony Beach Investors and Breakpointe LLC. Colony Beach Investors purchased three of those units in 2014.

Are trespassing and vandalism still a problem at the Colony? At press time, the last incident recorded in Longboat Key police reports occurred Jan. 21, when unknown individuals kicked the door of a unit open and broke fixtures and also made holes in the walls and doors. Longboat Key police released statistics for 2013 that revealed that vandalism and trespassing offenses rose 54% and 32% respectively in 2013 compared with a year ago — an increase Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming attributes to incidents at the Colony.

5th Annual

Community Juried Exhibition March 1 – 27

Opening Reception Saturday, March 1 | 4:30-6:30pm Join us as we open our 5th Annual Community Juried Exhibition, celebrating the talent and creativity of our regional artists.

The award ceremony will start at 5:15pm. RSVP Required: 941.383.2345 or email lbkca@ringling.edu

Special thanks to our event and media sponsor:

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6860 Longboat Drive South Longboat Key, FL 34228 Hours: Tu - Sa 11am to 5pm

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To find submission guidelines, go to www.ringling.edu/lbkca For more information, call 941.383.2345 or email lbkca@ringling.edu

GENERAL ELECTION 2014

YourObserver.com

ELECTION

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Kurt Schultheis | Managing Editor

Gans wants to keep serving in a new seat Commissioner Terry Gans believes the Urban Land Institute’s recommendations could jumpstart a town center concept. When At-large Commissioner Terry Gans switched races in November, he made it known he would rather run against challenger Ray Rajewski in the District 3 race than against challenger Armando Linde. On Nov. 13, Gans said he was preparing to seek re-election to his at-large seat when he read the e-edition of the Nov. 14 Longboat Observer. In a Nov. 14 story titled “ULI study: worth $133,816.35?”, Rajewski said there were two ways to answer the above question. “It was worth it, because we now understand we have almost a perfect island,” Rajewski said. “The recommendations they came up with for the most part are so farfetched I don’t know how you implement anything.”

TERRY GANS AGE: 67 FORMER OCCUPATION:

Retired grocery store chain executive FAMILY: Wife, Diane;

two sons; and three grandsons.

HOMETOWN:

Washington, D.C. HOBBIES: Music, reading, movies, golf INTERESTING FACT:

Gans wrote his master’s thesis on Bob Dylan. The thesis was published in 1982, making Gans a published author. He was paid for 200 copies. When Gans read those comments, he said he knew he wanted to run against Rajewski instead of Linde. “We need to have

open eyes, preserve what we have here and realize that some changes need to be made to stay a competitive premier community,” Gans said. “That’s why I switched races.” A Grand Bay resident since 2005, Gans said Longboat Key is the only place that “truly fits” for him and his wife. Gans said he wants to be re-elected to continue what he and his fellow commissioners are working on, including changes to the codes and Comprehensive Plan. “The only way we go downhill as an island is if we let ourselves go downhill,” Gans said. “Whether we want to be or not, we are in competition with other communities. The good get better and the bad get worse. We will be attractive only as long as we deserve to be.”

File photo

Terry Gans is confident Longboat Key can continue to attract to future buyers if it changes its code and Comp Plan to allow for redevelopment.

QUESTION ANSWER with Terry Gans Was the ULI study worth $125,000? What has it accomplished so far? Whether it was $40 or $125,000 or $400,000, it is worth it if we take the important things they have shown light on and act on them. I don’t think they have told us anything we didn’t know already. You can have a Cadillac or the finest car in the world, but you still need a push if you’re stuck. I sense an excitement about the concept and the town because of the study. Do you support a town center concept for the Bay Isles area? How much of a player does the town need to be to make it happen? Yes. The ULI study has jumpstarted this town center idea. Whether it’s used for theater or music, I see a place for a small auditorium for people to congregate. The town can’t rule out buying property to create one or a town center concept. If the desire and necessity is there to accomplish this, it’s an avenue to consider if that’s the direction we want to go without levying extra charges on the taxpayers. What amenities should Bayfront Park Recreation Center offer? Do we need something better than the current recreation center? The town has a plan. The initial plan is to redo the recreation center. The town manager is working diligently with Sarasota County to continue and expand the park. I’m hopeful we will get working on that. It’s a good piece of land to make more enjoyable.

sort’s grandfathered tourism use for the third time. If you don’t see signs of progress before the current April 30 deadline, would you vote to extend the deadline again? It’s the cart-before-the-horse question. We have done a good job of yelling at attorneys and threatening the loss of tourism density. It served a purpose to some extent. Is there any more we can do as a town? I would like to see a tourism use on that property. If we know that’s what it is, why not say that’s what it is to attract investment and density? I think the ultimate thing we need to do is consider an overlay district there, which states what we want there. Is the town overstepping its boundaries by holding a hearing next month to consider tearing some of the buildings down? No. The question is if there’s a true public nuisance there. It’s a silly argument to say there’s no issue with those buildings. Neighboring properties are potentially threatened. We would be irresponsible if we didn’t address this. Do you support eliminating the Zoning Board of Adjustment? If so, how would you reassign the board’s duties? I’m not sure the history of why it was established. If we can get dedicated people to handle matters expeditiously, we wouldn’t have a problem. If we can’t get applicants and board members to show up, then there’s got to be another way.

Should the town pursue an offer from Sarasota County to take over emergency dispatch services? We are in our due diligence portion of that process. I want it to play out. We know how we want our needs addressed. Can we be assured the county will address our need for the snake-in-the-toilet calls and if our dispatch jobs will be protected and incorporated into the county? We’ll have to wait and see.

Now that all three town pension plans are frozen, how should the town address the plans’ unfunded liabilities? We have a good finance committee now that’s productive. One of the things that’s come out of that is we missed the bus on the bond market and it might be unpleasant, but we have to dedicate earmarked amounts from our budget to pay this off. If the bond market improves, maybe we can have a mix of annual earmarked funds and issuing bonds for a portion of it.

The commission voted in December to extend the Colony Beach & Tennis Re-

Town employee benefits: Do you think they’re too high, too low or about right?

They are not as generous as they were in the past. That’s not unique. I would like to give my kids everything I want, but I can’t afford it and the town is in the same position with taxpayer money. If you’re a good employer, you constantly evaluate your costs and your employee costs. Residents of the Longbeach Village and Country Club Shores disagreed strongly about the issue of boat and trailer parking. With that in mind, would you support the general concept of creating overlay districts so that restrictions could be made for certain communities without creating a town-wide ordinance? Where does it stop? On the boat and trailer issue, I was convinced it was a problem for a small segment. Country Club Shores wanted the town to address the issue. We heard loudly and clearly the Village was OK with boats and trailers. Overlay districts have to serve a purpose. When you have power to legislate, you have to be careful. It was a potential overuse of town power in that instance that wasn’t needed. What, if any role, should the town play in encouraging wireless carriers to improve their service on Longboat Key? The town has already taken a role. The town manager is moving on this and having conversations with carriers. What, if any role, should the town play in encouraging commercial development on the north end of the Key? The town created the overlay district up there. But you don’t have a single owner. I’m not overly impressed with the development of Whitney Plaza. I wish the owner the best, and the property looks better, but I’m concerned that he may not be successful. A traditional strip center is not the way to go. Right now, the property is in the hands of a business

owner who has the right to succeed or fail. Is the town heading in the right direction with its beach management plan? What kind of beach project do we need? I’m impatient and living in the real world. We were fully prepared to do a beach nourishment, but the cost to get a dredge got way too high. The idea of trucking sand may become more attractive. Protecting sand with sand that’s going to wash away won’t work. What, if any, changes should the town make to its codes and Comprehensive Plan? I’m in favor of making changes. People say the 1984 codes and Comp Plan served us well. I guess they did back then. But we have buildings that are 30 to 50 years old and are locked in to what they are today because they are nonconforming. We have to stop restricting uses just to the envelope of that property. Is the town operating as efficiently as it should be? If you’re doing the best you can, you’re kidding yourself. We have good leadership. We are down a lot of staff positions and things are going OK. We can always do better and re-examine what we’re doing constantly. If you could change any one thing about Longboat Key, what would it be and why? What’s your vision for the Key? I want Longboat Key to continue to be a premier balance of residential, tourism and just the proper amount of retail to serve those needs. We have to attract people. But we have to make sure we have what people want to buy our houses someday. That’s my ambition. To keep the things that make us great and attract new people while preserving a good balance for this island.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

GENERAL ELECTION 2014

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

ELECTION

YourObserver.com

by Kurt Schultheis | Managing Editor

Rajewski wants to preserve the Key and its codes District 3 commission challenger Ray Rajewski doesn’t think the town needs to change its codes or Comprehensive Plan. Bay Isles resident Ray Rajewski wants to attain a Longboat Key Town Commission seat to fight for what he believes. What he believes is Longboat Key’s codes and Comprehensive Plan have served the town well since 1984 and continue to serve the town RAY RAJEWSKI well. Rajewski, though, AGE: 69 says he’s not antiFORMER OCCUPATION: development or antiChief operating officer business. of television stations He points to Harry’s FAMILY: Divorced with Continental Kitchthree children and ens and Lazy Lobster seven grandchildren Longboat Key as examples of businesses HOMETOWN: Boston that have managed to HOBBIES: Golf, bicybe successful by procling and traveling viding value. He thinks the ColINTERESTING FACT: ony Beach & Tennis Rajewski served as Resort should have reexecutive vice presideveloped years ago, dent of CBS. although he’s not sure if the property needs to redevelop as a tourism property for the island to continue to be viable and support current businesses. “There’s plenty of tourists on the island without the Colony being open,” Rajewski said. Rajewski began visiting Longboat Key in 1983, at the invitation of a friend who had purchased a unit in Fairway Bay. He later purchased his home in the Bayou section of Bay Isles in 2004. “This is a wonderful place to live, and it needs to be preserved,” Rajewski said. “We have to be careful with our actions and preserve codes that have served us well.”

File photo

District 3 commission candidate Ray Rajewski doesn’t necessarily think the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort property needs to stay a tourism use for the Key to maintain its vitality.

QUESTION ANSWER with Ray Rajewski ULI study: Was it worth $125,000? What has it accomplished so far? I thought the study was a good idea and I participated in it. But it didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know. My opponent thinks it was worth it. I don’t. Do you support a town center concept for the Bay Isles area? How much of a player does the town need to be to make it happen? The whole concept of a town center and 30,000 square feet of retail is ridiculous. We don’t own the property. Who is going to build it? There’s a town center at Publix and it’s evolving. Publix built that plaza and is building a bank building across from it. We have banks, Town Hall, a library and Bicentennial Park. That’s our town center. The town shouldn’t play any role in a town center. We don’t own the land. What amenities should Bayfront Park Recreation Center offer? Do we need something better than the current recreation center? No. There’s a plan to explore cleaning up and preserving the rec center we have. It’s not high on my priority list to upgrade the park, but it’s on the list. The rec center building is fine the way it is. Should the town pursue an offer from Sarasota County to take over emergency dispatch services? Yes. They should consider it. Longboat Key residents are not willing to sacrifice the quality of dispatch services though. We need to get a consultant to develop the procedures we want to see in place if we outsource that service to Sarasota County. The commission voted in December to extend the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort’s grandfathered tourism

use for the third time. If you don’t see signs of progress before the current April 30 deadline, would you vote to extend the deadline again? It’s in the court’s hands. I don’t think we can do anything to pre-empt that. Given the town’s history on lawsuits, I wouldn’t risk threatening to remove tourism uses there. I sympathize with the people next door. It’s a great piece of property there. Something good will happen there eventually. It doesn’t matter if it stays a tourism unit though…I think we have enough tourism units. The Colony closed, the Holiday Inn is closed and traffic is still as terrible as ever. People are staying some place on the Key, and businesses we have are thriving in season. Is the town overstepping its boundaries by holding a hearing next month to consider tearing some of the buildings down? I think so. If there are 232 units and you start tearing down units, people are going to start suing. Do you support eliminating the Zoning Board of Adjustment? If so, how would you reassign the board’s duties? I don’t know. They don’t seem to be able to meet. Give the duties to a board that can handle it. Now that all three town pension plans are frozen, how should the town address the plans’ unfunded liabilities? I don’t think you take out a bond. Take out what you need from your budget to pay off what you can. But not the whole lump sum.

Town employee benefits: Do you think they’re too high, too low or about right? I don’t know the full benefit package. Free medical is pretty awesome. Salaries are good for a town this size, I know that. Residents of the Longbeach Village and Country Club Shores disagreed strongly about the issue of boat and trailer parking. With that in mind, would you support the general concept of creating overlay districts so that restrictions could be made for certain communities without creating a town-wide ordinance? Country Club Shores let their deeds and covenants expire and should put them back in place. This isn’t a town issue. What, if any role, should the town play in encouraging wireless carriers to improve their service on Longboat Key? I have Verizon, and I have never had a problem on the island. We shouldn’t be in the business of cell service, and I don’t think the town should get involved. What, if any role, should the town play in encouraging commercial development on the north

end of the Key? If property owners came to

the

town with a proposal for mixed use, the town should look at it. There’s too much commercial space on the island. Is the town heading in the right direction with its beach management plan? What kind of beach project do we need? They have to do something on the north end. I don’t think we can wait for groins. They have to do something now or people are going to start losing homes. Why can’t we get the counties to help? What, if any, changes should the town make to its codes and Comprehensive Plan? ULI said change the whole thing. But the codes and Comp Plan have worked for 30 years. What doesn’t work is when someone wants to do something different. If someone has a specific change, it should be discussed. But a blanket change of codes doesn’t work. They have worked for 30 years and why change them? Is the town operating as efficiently as possible? I think town is operating fairly efficiently. We have cut back a number of positions. My only issue with budget is less than 15% of my real estate taxes go back to the town. Why don’t we start digging into where the money goes? Who is looking at where the other 85% goes? It’s a lot of money, and we should fight for some of it to come back here. If you could change any one thing about Longboat Key, what would it be and why? What’s your vision for the Key? Nothing. The Key is perfect the way it is. We just need to work to maintain what we have.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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 Editor / CEO / Matt Walsh mwalsh@yourobserver.com Publisher / Lisa Walsh lwalsh@yourobserver.com Chief Digital Officer / Emily Walsh ewalsh@yourobserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes khughes@yourobserver.com Deputy Executive Editor / Jessica Luck jluck@yourobserver.com Managing Editor / Kurt Schultheis kschultheis@yourobserver.com News Editor / Robin Hartill rhartill@yourobserver.com Community Editor / Kelsey Grau kgrau@yourobserver.com Managing Editor/Design / Nancy Schwartz nschwartz@yourobserver.com Managing Editor/Diversions-Season / Stephanie Hannum, stephanie@yourobserver.com Arts & Entertainment Editor / Mallory Gnaegy mgnaegy@yourobserver.com Black Tie Assistant Editor / Heather Merriman hmerriman@yourobserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh jraleigh@yourobserver.com East County Advertising Manager / Lori Ruth lruth@yourobserver.com Sales Manager / Penny DiGregorio pdigregorio@yourobserver.com Sales Manager / Rosemary Felton rfelton@yourobserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter lritter@yourobserver.com Advertising Executives / Robyn Didelot, rdidelot@yourobserver.com Patti Duff, pduff@yourobserver.com Robin Harrell, rharrell@yourobserver.com Beth Jacobson, bjacobson@yourobserver.com Robert Lewis, blewis@yourobserver.com Suzanne Munroe, smunroe@yourobserver.com Richeal Parisi, rparisi@yourobserver.com Brand Marketing Manager / Leslie Gnaegy lgnaegy@yourobserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Managers / Lori Downey, ldowney@yourobserver.com Susan Leedom, sleedom@yourobserver.com Rachel Livingston, rlivingston@yourobserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executives/ Maureen Hird, mhird@yourobserver.com Deedie Parker, dparker@yourobserver.com Director of Creative Services and Information Technology / Kathy Payne, kpayne@yourobserver.com Assistant Creative Services Manager / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Jonathan Day, jday@yourobserver.com Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@yourobserver.com Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com Jim Knake, jknake@yourobserver.com Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@yourobserver.com Director of Digital Sales / Kathleen O’Hara kohara@yourobserver.com Interactive Art Director / Caleb Stanton cstanton@yourobserver.com Digital Project Coordinator / Heidi Cook hcook@digitalobservermedia.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Anna Foster afoster@digitalobservermedia.com Digital Content Producer / Alex Mahadevan alexm@yourobserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker lkeisacker@yourobserver.com Controller / Lisa Schwenk lschwenk@yourobserver.com Office Coordinator / Donna Condon dcondon@yourobserver.com

School tax: Devoid of choice When parents decide where to live, they make choices. And more often than not, the school drives the choice. If a family doesn’t have the means to afford a private school, the parents search. They talk to other parents — at their church, their synagogue, their new place of employment. They research online. They inspect in person … in search of the best public school for their children. This is the power of choice. And this search for the right neighborhood with the right school shows the enormous, inherent hunger parents have for school choice. They want choices. And they want to be freed from an education system whose rulers — the state, legislators, school boards and, mostly, the unions — imprison teachers, students and families in chains of topdown, centralized, bureaucratic processes. Centralized schools that for decades have been costing more and delivering less, what “A Nation at Risk” called “the rising tide of mediocrity.” Choice. And freedom. And competition. These are the ingredients that are missing from the March 25 referendum in Sarasota County to extend for four more years a one-mill, local-option school property tax. To be sure, it is futile to present cogent and compelling arguments against this tax in Sarasota County. Voters overwhelmingly have approved and extended the tax three times. This fourth time will be no different. This is how it goes: With each referendum, Sarasota County Public School District officials and supporters of the tax and schools make the case that, in large part because of the tax ($45 million a year), Sarasota public schools can have more money than they otherwise would, allowing them to pay higher salaries to hire better teachers, which leads to better-performing students, which leads to Sarasota County having among the highestrated schools in Florida. In turn, this reinforces what Sarasota County’s voting retirees (more than 30% of the population) believe. They are products of what they remember as a successful public-school system. And though largely unaware of how political, intransigent and mediocre (at best) the “system” has become, they still believe funding public education to the greatest extent possible with their taxes is a civic duty and obligation and act of altruism. For them, the statewide test scores and “A” ratings give them prima facie proof that more money makes a difference. Add to all of that the analysis of independent consultants who say Sarasota public schools are among the best-run schools in Florida. It would take million-dollar embezzlements of school tax dollars to persuade voters to defeat the tax. So what if — even after the tax has generated more than $340 million for the school district since inception — math and reading scores in the district have barely moved up the trend line?

The seen and unseen of the tax

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What makes it difficult to refute the tax is what parents and voters don’t see. What they do see looks like it makes sense. When you look at how that $45 million is spent annually, it probably looks justified and well allocated. A sampling: • $10 million to continue funding the 30-minute longer school day; • $1.6 million to continue funding elementary science teachers; • $5.9 million for charter schools; • $3.3 million for guidance counselors and behavioral specialists; • $1.9 million for assistant principals in Title I elementary schools; • $4.7 million to continue funding a visual performing arts coordinator, Booker and North Port High performing arts technicians, gifted foreign language teachers, Young Marines program at Venice Middle, elementary school dance teachers; • $8.7 million to continue funding art and music teachers; • $2.1 million to continue funding tech-

WHY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE MEDIOCRE It’s the unions. To understand one of the impediments to innovation and improvements in education and the problems that arise from centralization and union control, you might take the time to read through the Sarasota County Public School District’s contract with the teachers’ union. Go to: 1. www.sarasotacountyschools.net/ 2. Click on “Human Resources” on the left side of the site. 3. Click on “Bargaining Agreements” on the left-side of the site. 4. Read them and weep. Unions rule; administrators do not.

nology support professionals. But here’s what the parents and voters don’t see: How that $45 million — or for that matter, the school district’s entire $470 million in total revenues — would be allocated if left in the hands of the consumers and customers to decide. How that $10,000 a year in tax dollars per student were to be applied to their children’s education if parents had the freedom to choose. Of course, the sheer notion of giving parents choice and vouchers and creating competition among the schools sends the system’s defenders into apoplexy. But if you step back from the educational forest and look at the overarching direction of education reform, choice is inexorable: • After Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, the city’s horrendous K-12 publicschool system had to be rebuilt. Today, more than 80% of its public-school students attend charter schools and the rest attend schools operated by the state-run “Recovery School District.” New Orleans no longer has traditional district schools. The results have been remarkable. Before Katrina, only 35% of New Orleans’ public school students passed state tests; now that figure is 60%. The graduation rate has climbed from 55% to more than 75%. • Today, more than 30% of American K-12 students do not attend their district’s public neighborhood school, according to Chester Finn, president of the Thomas B. Fordham

MONEY OR FEAR?

Rabbi Jonathan Katz of Temple Beth Israel last week in our letters to the editor advocated against a “go-slow” approach to developing a Longboat Key town center. “Why still momentum for something many feel has already been too long in coming?” Katz asked. We also loved his quote of architect Daniel Burnham: “Make no little plans. They have no magic Katz to stir men’s blood … Make big plans; aim high …” Hear, hear. And at the end, Katz asked the pertinent question: “At this point, is money the real issue, or fear?” It’s not fear. It’s money. And people. Three of the biggest differences between John Ringling and St. Armands Circle and a town center on Longboat Key are: 1) Ringling owned all of the land; 2) It was his vision; 3) And he controlled both — the vision and the land. If Longboat Key had one visionary owner for all of the property and that owner loved the idea for the community and not for the dollar, there would be no need to continue digging like a hedgehog. We would get a town center.

Foundation. Instead, they and their parents exercised the right to attend schools of their choice: public, private, and many a hybrid and variant.” Finn cited in a paper a dozen types of different school models that have surfaced in recent years, everything from your standard district public school to virtual schools to homeschoolng. • Today, there are more than 5,000 charter schools in America run by various civic, education, parent and business groups. • More than half of the states operate state-level virtual schools — Florida being one of the leaders. There also are about 200 “cyber charters” in 25 states with more than 100,000 students. This movement toward choice is unstoppable.

Technology: End of union power

And giving it even more momentum is technology. In his chapter in the book, “American Education in 2030,” Terry Moe, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, predicts in “A New Politics of Education” that technology will be “the single greatest force for school choice in the nation’s history: far surpassing the earlier movements for charters and vouchers, generating a vast array of attractive new options to regular public school classrooms — and causing students, money and jobs to flow out of these traditional union strongholds.” He foresees an explosion of online educational options — more private and public virtual schools and online charter schools catering to all children’s different needs. He predicts the rise of the “hybrid” school in which kids still “go to school” at a physical place and interact face-to-face with teachers and students and participate in art, music and sports. But they will take roughly 80% of their academic classes online. Teachers will no longer “have the job of teaching a standardized curriculum to classrooms of 30 kids; instead they [will have] a much more differentiated profession — some teaching online, some overseeing large numbers of kids in computer labs, some tutoring kids one-on-one … some in charge of software development, and on and on.” As technology rushes forward, Moe predicts, it will end the unions’ chokehold on education. Technology, Moe predicts, will generate “new data systems and sophisticated new methods of measuring performance, putting the spotlight on poor performance by schools and teachers, and stimulating powerful coalitions — particularly those speaking for disadvantaged kids in big urban districts — to rise up and oppose the unions for resisting productive change.”

Send a message

You can predict the coming titanic resistance to this monumental choice wave from Sarasota’s education establishment — the tradition-bound school board, administrators and unions. Especially the unions; they have jobs to protect. But they will lose. Choice and freedom and competition and technology will be more powerful. And that power, we predict, will make next month’s referendum the last of voters’ automatic renewal of the one-mill, localoption school tax. If the education establishment has the will to look to the future, it will begin shifting its way of operating — ratcheting down the teacher-seniority and jobprotection covenants in the bargaining agreements and embracing mechanisms that give school consumers greater choices and more control over how tax dollars are spent. We’re not going to advocate either for or against Sarasota County’s one-mill, fouryear school tax. To no surprise, it is earmarked to continue the centralized, unioncontrolled model of delivering education. If you’re happy with that, vote yes. If you’re not — and believe in more choice, send a message.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

LETTERS AEDs increase chance of survival TO THE EDITOR for Longboat cardiac patients opinion | my view

by Paul Dezzi

Longboat Key Fire Rescue provides classes on automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm. If needed, it can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA usually causes death if it’s not treated within minutes. In fact, each minute of SCA leads to a 10% reduction in survival. Using an AED on a person who is having SCA may save the person’s life. Here on Longboat Key we have several condominiums and clubs that that have implemented an AED program. Also, all of the town facilities have AEDs, including the Longboat Key Publix Tennis Center, Longboat Key Town Hall, and the Public Safety Complex. To understand how AEDs work, it helps to understand how the heart works. The heart has an internal electrical system that controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. With each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads from the top of the heart

to the bottom. As the signal travels, it causes the heart to contract and pump blood. The process repeats with each new heartbeat. Problems with the electrical system can cause abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. Some arrhythmias can cause the heart to stop pumping blood to the body. These arrhythmias cause SCA. AEDs are lightweight, battery-operated, portable devices that are easy to use. Each unit comes with instructions, and the device will even give you voice prompts to let you know if and when you should send a shock to the heart. Learning how to use an AED and taking a CPR course are helpful. However, if trained personnel aren’t available, untrained people also can use an AED to help save someone’s life. You often find AEDs in places with many people, such as shopping malls, golf courses, businesses,

+ No taxpayer money for town center

ONLINE To learn about the signs of cardiac arrest and how to use an automated external defibrillator, visit YourObserver.com/AEDs. airports, airplanes, casinos, convention centers, hotels, sports venues and schools. You also can purchase a home-use AED. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are safe to use. There are no reports of AEDs harming bystanders or users. Also, there are no reports of AEDs delivering inappropriate shocks. If someone is having sudden cardiac arrest, using an AED and giving CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can improve the person’s chance of survival. Longboat Key Fire Rescue provides CPR and AED classes and demonstrations either at your facility or at the fire station. Please contact Fire Chief Paul Dezzi at 941-316-1944 for more information. Paul Dezzi is chief of Longboat Key Fire Rescue.

Tranquility, Peace, Happiness

Dear Editor: I had to respond to Rabbi Jonathan Katz’s recent letter to the Longboat Observer concerning your editorial about a town center. Katz made the point that great vision is sometimes required to accomplish big things. He used Ringling’s building of St. Armands Circle as an example. Unfortunately, he neglected to mention that Ringling used private money in his enterprises. He took a financial risk, and it succeeded. Further, Katz’s notion that Ringling built St. Armands for its “social value” and “community asset” is naive at best. No, sir. Ringling built it to make money. And that’s just fine by me — his profit in no way diminishes the public benefit we obtained from his great vision. That’s how free enterprise works. Katz claims a town center is “generating a lot of inter-

est” and that “many feel (it) has been a long time coming.” Question: Is there a poll or other data with real numbers to support those statements? Perhaps you could publish (or republish) it? Lastly, if I understand him correctly, Katz is not talking about using private investment but public money — aka my money in an undertaking that may or may not result in success. If a town center is such a wonderful idea, surely some entrepreneur would be willing to take a risk — if Katz has someone in mind I’d willingly support that. Absent the far higher chance of success that comes with private interest rather than government taking the lead, I’m with you, dear editor. I want our revenues to continue to be as carefully husbanded by our town as in the past — in other words, I do not want them to ever forget that it’s not their money. M.S. Ellsworth Longboat Key

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941-228-1613

Your Purchase of

The Premier Home Watch service plans have been designed with the customer in mind.

Proudly serving Downtown Sarasota, Golden Gate Point Bird Key, St. Armand’s Key, Lido Key, Lido Shores and Longboat Key.

PremierHomeWatchandConcierge.com

Visit the Parade of Homes February 22 - March 9

For Details ...www.paradeofhomesinfo.com

Grand Prize Sponsor Win a $1,000 Shopping Spree! Enter at any of our five locations or online at www.furnwarehouse.com

Your Purchase of

$999 or more

SARASOTA

BRADENTON

941-351-8600

941-749-6069

4027 N. Washington 1 Mile South of University on 301 Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

1100 West Cortez Rd. Corner of 41 and Cortez Next to Office Depot Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

ELLENTON

Your Purchase of

$1999 or more VENICE

PORT

550 S. Seaboard Ave. CHARLOTTE 5814 18th St East Across from the Ellenton Just North Of Venice Nissan 1241 El Jobean Rd. on U.S. 41 Bypass (776 across from Sam’s) Outlet Mall 941-479-7900 941-485-3211 941-764-8700 Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6 Sun. 11-6 Sun. 11-6

*On Purchases $300 or more with your Furniture Warehouse credit card made between Feb 26, 2014 to Feb 26, 2015. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within 12 months, by February 2015. Minimum Monthly Payments required. Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay the promo purchase amount in full before the due date. If you do not, interest will be assessed on the promo purchase from the purchase date. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases and, after promotion ends, to promotional balance. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement of their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval.

132641

Who is protecting your home investment while you are away?

10A

COPS Complimentary Workshop Series

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

CORNER

LONGBOAT

FEB. 13

Women’s Money Class

Bring your daughter, your mother or your best friend! Many women may be caught off guard by life’s events. Understanding finances and making important financial decisions can be overwhelming. Whether you are married, single, divorced, or widowed... this workshop may provide you with the information and strategies you need to plan for a better financial future. All are welcome.

THE CHECK ISN’T IN THE MAIL

FEB. 15

12:06 p.m. — 600 block of Dream Island Road. Assist Other Agency. A man discovered his vacation home was listed for rent on Craigslist without his permission when a woman searching for a Longboat Key rental called him because she was suspicious that it was a scam. The man who claimed to be listing the unit provided her with the address of a home in St. Petersburg that belongs to a deceased individual and asked her to send a check by priority mail for $3,000. The woman did not send any money.

ROUGH RIDE 8:20 a.m. — Intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Tarawitt Drive. Rescue. The front wheel of a woman’s bicycle fell off the shoulder of the bike lane, causing her to fall. Another rider tried to avoid hitting her and fell off his bike. Firefighter/ paramedics treated the woman and released her and transported the man to a hospital because of a possible broken collarbone or arm.

FEB. 14 MAYBE HIS BARK IS WORSE THAN HIS ACTUAL BITE

You are all welcome to attend the following classes: Wednesday, Feb. 26th at 10am....Where to Invest? Stock & Bond Class Wednesday, Mar. 5th at 10am....Planning Your Estate with a Florida Attorney Wednesday, Mar. 12th at 10am....Why Invest? Raise Your Financial IQ Wednesday, Mar. 19th at 10am....Where to Invest? Stock & Bond Class Tuesday, Mar. 25th at 10am....Planning Your Estate with a Florida Attorney

9:59 a.m. — 3500 block of Fair Oaks Lane. Public Service. A man hears a small dog across his canal barking throughout the day but does not know where the dog lives or who owns it. The man said it is annoying because he works from home. Police could not locate the barking dog.

Now is the time to take control of your financial journey.

FEB. 17

LOST AT SEA 2:02 p.m. — 600 block of Old Compass Road. Larceny From Boats. A GPS was stolen from a man’s boat. The man believes that suspect(s) stole the GPS in the last week and arrived by boat. Police obtained fingerprints and spoke to nearby residents, who said they did not see anything suspicious.

Call (941) 951-7009 to reserve your seat. Cheryl Christensen, CFP , MBA Vice President - Investments ®

Wells Fargo Advisors 1515 Ringling Blvd., Suite 600, Sarasota FREE PARKING IN GARAGE Wells Fargo Advisors is not a legal or tax advisor. The views expressed by the attorney are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Wells Fargo or its affiliates.

HE DOES NOT GET A PASS

Investment and Insurance products:

134646

NOT FDIC-insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. 2014 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

8:18 p.m. — 1000 block of GMD. Traffic. A man reported two drivers were traveling at approximately 70 mph and nearly crashed. Police spoke to the driver of one vehicle, who said the other driver was swerving all over the road and was probably intoxicated. The driver said the other driver tried to pass him, but he refused to let him pass.

FEB. 15 LOST AND FOUND 10:10 a.m. — 600 block of Cedars Court East. Recovered Property. A woman found a black sweater and a wallet with a small amount of cash on a walkway in a condominium.

CONTEST Enter for your Chance to Win (2) Travel Tickets* from one of the Following Carriers:

PEACOCK GAME, ROUND TWO 11:38 a.m. — 500 block of Dream Island Road. Suspicious Circumstance. A woman with a French accent followed a couple to their condo three weeks earlier and said she wanted to follow them home because she crossed the white line on the road, and she was playing the “peacock game.” The woman asked them if they lived in the condo full-time. The couple thought the incident was strange but decided to report it when they read a Longboat Observer article about scams that mentioned a woman who claimed to be playing the “peacock game.”

FEB. 18 ARE YOU FOR REAL? 11:39 a.m. — 400 block of GMD. Assist Other Agency. Police helped customs agents who were searching for an individual for deportation at a restaurant. Prior to the officer’s arrival, the manager did not believe the agents were actual officers because of recent scams reported in the Longboat Observer. The agents found the information they were looking for and went to Sarasota to find the person.

MISSIONS FUNDRAISING

Go to: yourobserver.com/ itsreadeverywhere to enter and for more details.

Saturday, March 8th 8:30am to 1:30pm

SCAN HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO ENTER ➤

All proceeds to benefit our church’s local Mission Programs

DO YOU SRQ?

BARGAINS GALORE! Clothing • Jewelry • Antiques • Books Housewares • Crafts • Furniture Collectibles • Electronics • Gifts •Baked Goods

6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive 383-8833 www.christchurchoflbk.org

134065

*restrictions apply

132689

Bikes • Golf Clubs • Designer Clothing

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

bookworms

YourObserver.com

11A

Café Don Giovanni

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Casual Italian Restaurant Delicious Dinners Nightly 4:30 - Close

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

(941) 383-0013

5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

Peter and Amy Roth with George and Roberta Wladis

132671

Parties of three or more, please call for reservations:

Carole and Jack McMahon

Reception honors lifetime Longboat Library members

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Elyse and Ed Rogers

Louise Rich, Sally Bunnell, Donna Godfrey and Maryann Tata

133434

On Feb. 20, lifetime members of the Longboat Library gathered at the home of Eileen Hassel for a reception in their honor. The library, which is staffed and operated entirely by volunteers, is a nonprofit organization supported by memberships and donations.

ON THE LAST REMAINING ESTATE PROPERTY THE 16 MOST EXCLUSIVE RESIDENCES IN THE STORIED HISTORY OF LONGBOAT KEY.

EXPLORE THE FINAL OPPORTUNITIES

Now

acceptiNg reservatioNs, please schedule your appoiNtmeNt today.

arialbk . com

| 941-376-9346 |

amyd @ adgcommunities . com

2251 gulf of mexico drive | ascentia realty group | licensed real estate broker

131760

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

12A

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

anna Maria island 206 spring lane Terry Hayes

anna Maria island 941.302.3100 $2,849,000

premiersir.com/id/A3989310

2802 avenue east Cheryl Loeffler

premiersir.com/id/A3987519

sarasota 340 south Palm avenue, 23 Jo Rutstein premiersir.com/id/A3986866

Golden Gate Point 941.302.9674 $5,695,000

premiersir.com/id/A3987647

siesta Key 5330 siesta cove drive Judie Berger premiersir.com/id/A3987041

laKewood ranch country cluB 941.928.3424 $3,500,000

6915 westchester circle Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin premiersir.com/id/A3992578

Meridian at the oaKs 409 north Point road, 602 Helena & Per Nordstrom premiersir.com/id/A3992288

941.228.7356 $465,000

premiersir.com/id/A3992835

Bradenton 12208 lavender loop Janice Clary

premiersir.com/id/A3992727

941.961.5857 $1,499,000

laKewood ranch 6814 tumbleweed trail Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin

941.779.5530 $329,000

premiersir.com/id/N5783588

941.587.9156 $1,299,000

premiersir.com/id/A3988425

waterleFe 10416 riverbank terrace Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin premiersir.com/id/A3992567

2600 Gulf drive north, 33 Terry Hayes

lonGBoat Key 941.302.3100 $679,000

premiersir.com/id/A3987899

1050 longboat club road, 802 Cheryl Loeffler premiersir.com/id/A3989167

MyaKKa city 941.587.4359 $1,225,000

29501 saddlebag trail Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin

premiersir.com/id/A3992846

941.587.9156 $1,099,000

941.302.9674 $629,000

MyaKKa city 941.961.5857 $1,225,000

29641 state road 70 e Roberta Tengerdy & Carolyn Collins premiersir.com/id/A3992814

941.321.2292 $949,000

laKewood ranch 941.961.5857 $459,000

venice 1639 lancashire drive, 1639 Cindy Marovich

anna Maria island 521 Magnolia avenue Jo Rutstein

anna Maria island

280 Golden Gate Point, 3 Cheryl Loeffler & Joel Schemmel

941.302.9674 $2,750,000

7458 edenmore street Jo Rutstein

premiersir.com/id/A3993011

941.587.9156 $433,000

venice 941.408.6041 $329,000

124 areca Palm court Bonnie Price

premiersir.com/id/N5783468

siesta Key 941.350.3362 $325,000

5830 Midnight Pass road, 502 Cheryl Loeffler premiersir.com/id/A3992713

941.302.9674 $1,095,000

Trust the reach and resources of a global leader with 14,337 associates, 6 clearwater | 727.585.9600 321 Indian Rocks Road North, Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770

sarasota | 941.364.4000 50 Central Avenue, Suite 110, Sarasota, FL 34236

saniBel | 239.472.2735 1640 Periwinkle Way, Suite 1, Sanibel, FL 33957

lonGBoat Key | 941.383.2500 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, FL 34228

venice | 941.412.3323 400 Barcelona Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

the ProMenade | 239.948.4000 26811 South Bay Drive, Suite 130, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

laKewood ranch | 941.907.9541 8141 Lakewood Main Street, Suite 101, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

caPtiva | 239.395.5847 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, FL 33924

Bonita Bay sales center | 239.495.1105 26951 Country Club Drive, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Sothebyâ€™s International Realty and the Sothebyâ€™s International Realty logo are registered service marks used

premiersothebysrealty.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

lido Key

anna Maria island

2050 Ben Franklin drive, 801 Jo Rutstein

941.587.9156 $2,349,000

premiersir.com/id/A3990001

230 oak avenue Terry Hayes

lido Key 941.544.3332 $950,000

premiersir.com/id/A3988439

Like.

1749 lincoln Park circle Brian Wood premiersir.com/id/A3986981

Bird Key

435 south Polk drive Lisa Morris

@PremierSIR

lincoln ParK 941.302.3100 $1,999,000

premiersir.com/id/A3987744

Tweet. @PremierSIR

600 wild turkey lane Laura Pearson

Pin.

Watch.

@PremierSIR

941.928.8408 $1,625,000

lido Key 215.510.0428 $849,000

premiersir.com/id/A3974488

@SothebysRealty

1212 Benjamin Franklin drive, Ph 7 Karin Stephan premiersir.com/id/A3992898

lonGBoat Key 941.504.4435 $795,000

premiersir.com/id/A3991541

osPrey 941.961.5857 $724,000

shadow Bay way Judie Berger

premiersir.com/id/A3992817

941.302.9674 $499,900

north venice 126 Bellini court Joe Vuono

premiersir.com/id/N5783608

osPrey 941.544.0977 $403,000

931 scherer way Helena & Per Nordstrom premiersir.com/id/A3992851

laKewood ranch 6414 Moorings Point circle, 101 Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin premiersir.com/id/A3991816

941.961.5857 $319,900

premiersir.com/id/A3992773

waterleFe

7639 tralee way Charles Totonis

941.524.8299 $674,900

premiersir.com/id/A3992749

941.228.7356 $399,000

1690 sweetland street Terry Herschberger

premiersir.com/id/N5783620

9923 Portside terrace Toi Estes

venetian Falls 941.468.8439 $399,000

20673 capello drive Sandra Simic

122 Mestre court Patricia Guenther

premiersir.com/id/A3992334

941.961.3570 $309,000

sarasota 4326 reflections Parkway Shannon Rogers premiersir.com/id/A3991655

premiersir.com/id/A3987719

941.928.3424 $399,000

167 tampa avenue, 216 Joe Vuono premiersir.com/id/N5783650

941.544.0977 $599,900

Bradenton 941.504.0944 $389,000

premiersir.com/id/N5783586

1001 Benjamin Franklin drive, 313 Judie Berger

venice island 941.896.2317 $649,900

premiersir.com/id/A3992910

venetian GolF & river cluB 941.356.2435 $319,500

lido Key 941.302.9674 $399,000

premiersir.com/id/A3972334

Mission valley

tatuM ridGe 201 londonderry drive Mark Huber & Erin McWhorter

7164 longboat north drive Cheryl Loeffler

laKewood ranch 941.928.3424 $695,000

941.302.9674 $3,995,000

premiersir.com/id/A3979174

lonGBoat Key

premiersir.com/id/A3979786

laKewood ranch

1570 harbor cay lane Cheryl Loeffler

anna Maria island 1207 Gulf north drive, 300 Cheryl Loeffler

7006 Kingsmill court Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin

13A

8722 54th east avenue Rita Green premiersir.com/id/A3992923

941.600.3746 $340,000

Forest at hi hat ranch 941.920.5454 $307,900

9327 swaying Branch road Brian Wood premiersir.com/id/A3959189

941.928.8408

$85,800-$205,900

680 offices, 53 countries worldwide and 20 locations along the Gulf Coast. vanderBilt | 239.594.9494 325 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, FL 34108

the Gallery | 239.659.0099 4001 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 102, Naples, FL 34103

FiFth avenue | 239.434.8770 776 Fifth Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102

Mercato sales center | 239.594.9400 9123 Strada Place, Suite 7125, Naples, FL 34108

the villaGe | 239.261.6161 4300 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Suite 100, Naples, FL 34103

Broad avenue | 239.434.2424 390 Broad Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102

rentals | 239.262.4242 1395 Panther Lane, Suite 200, Naples, FL 34109

estuary sales center | 239.261.3148 1220 Gordon River Trail, Naples, FL 34105

Marco island | 239.642.2222 760 North Collier Boulevard, Suite 101, Marco Island, FL 34145

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d with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. 1/293/13.

14A

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

THE GOOD NEWS // How donors, volunteers and beneficiaries connect

JAMIE UIHLEIN In 2004, Jamie Uihlein received a diagnosis that would change his life: tongue cancer. “I’ve never had a hot flash to my knowledge,” he says. “But when I found out I had cancer, I believe I had my first one. It was a real setback. I was frazzled, to say the least, and I just wanted to get on with the cure.” Uihlein immediately began scheduling radiation treatments, but at the advice of his family and friends, he decided instead to go to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, which is regarded as one of the leading cancer treatment centers in the country. He stayed in Houston for several months. The process was a hard time for his family, but Uihlein says it left him with a renewed sense of confidence. When he was declared cancer-free in 2009, he decided he wanted to do something special to give back, so he and his family created Polo Under the Palms, a fundraising event that benefits MD Anderson. “After treatment, the first thing I thought about was how

Read More DigitalObserverMedia.com

941.366.3468 DigitalObserverMedia.com

contact 134711

Longboat Key Rotary Club — meets at 5:30 p.m. in the Court Room of the Longboat Key Club’s Tennis Gardens, 3100 Harbourside Drive. Sydelle Pittas is seeking individuals who are interested in forming a new Rotary Club on Longboat Key. RSVP by emailing SydelleLaw@aol.com.

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR

18A

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

19A

2013 Local Media Association *

North American

Newspapers of the Year TWO YEARS I N A ROW! You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

*Local Media Association is an organization of 2,200 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada.

130599

For daily news, features, photos and videos visit:

20A

TRY ON A

TAILORED MORTGAGE

YourObserver.com

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

LIGH

E US

PROPERTY MAN

ENT EM

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mardi gras merriment

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Pat Marschke, Shelia Weiser and Joe Longtin

Eileen McTiernan and Joyce Mazurek

Longboat Harbour lets the good times roll

Looking for a NEW Property Management Company?

On Saturday, Longboat Harbour residents celebrated Mardi Gras with costumes, cocktails and Cajun cuisine. Attendees enjoyed a dinner of gumbo, blackened chicken and bread pudding before taking over the dance floor.

We offer two separate programs:

Full Service Property Management for Condominiums and Homeowners Associations. OR Full Monthly Accounting Service, without any Property Management Services.

941-650-5770

Left: MaryAnn Simpson with the night’s entertainer, Daniel Fugazzotto

www.lighthousepropertymanagement.net

(Next to Pattigeorge’s Restaurant)

119232

Our offices are located on Longboat Key: Harbour Square Office Building 4134 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Unit 203

Giliberti GALLERY

Ken and Pam Euerle

Market your property with the Giliberti Gallery Keeping an eye on your masterpiece where your investment is our fine art! SOLD

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES Two in from the bay, no expense spared

THE WESTCHESTER CONDO $1,385,000

PENTHOUSE 4825 Gulf of Mexico Drive $615,000 Reduced $599,000

941-284-9208 Mobile

toni.giliberti@floridamoves.com • www.teamgiliberti.com

COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

130693

day with a brisk walk on your private beach $650,000

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LONGBEACH – Direct Gulf Front Start your

Barbara Stamp and Eileen Gildea

Photos by Kelsey Grau

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

living legend

21A

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Karen Bokor, Judy Vigder, Florence Katz, Robert Vigder and Cheryl Brause

Temple honors longtime volunteer Florence Katz The Temple Beth Israel Men’s Club held a tribute and fundraiser Sunday in honor of Florence Katz. Katz, 98, a longtime Temple Beth Israel member and the founder and first director of the temple’s choir, was the recipient of the 2013 State of Florida Salute to Senior Award from Home Instead Senior Care. Family members and friends surrounded her at Sunday’s event, which included tributes and a musical tribute by the temple’s choir. Marty, Emma and Rabbi Jonathan Katz

Our expertise is in numbers. But our word is what’s most important. That’s why we believe you’re entitled to some important promises. At Canandaigua National Trust Company, we’ve made a pledge to: • Return your calls on the very same day • Meet with you regularly to review your financial

well-being • Treat you with honesty and respect

And if we haven’t kept our pledge, we’ll happily refund your money.1

Amy Epstein with her daughter, Jenny Alexander

Learn more about our time-tested trust and investment management strategies that can be customized to your needs—and our Pledge of Accountability1 that sets us apart from other financial institutions.

Marc and Ronni Loundy

Want to know what our Return was last year?

To discover what makes us different, contact Paul Tarantino today. Paul Tarantino, Vice President Business Development Officer 1586 Main Street, Sarasota (941) 366-7222, ext. 50720 CNTrustCompany.com

J.L. BAINBRIDGE &

Jerry L. Bainbridge

C O M PA N Y,

Fay E. Bainbridge

K. David Schoonover

Joel G. Oldham

I N C .

John B. Leeming

Barton L. Bainbridge

A fee-only Registered Investment Advisor helping clients achieve their investment goals. Locally owned and operated to helping clients grow their wealth since 1981. Payment of fees contingent on client’s complete satisfaction. Every client relationship has a dedicated portfolio manager. Offering both growth and income investing. For investment philosophy and results please visit our web site. Sign up for our free monthly newsletter. 1582 Main Street | Sarasota, Florida 34236

(941) 365-3435 | (800) 899-5171

118228

1 To see the full version of our Pledge of Accountability and Fee Refund Guarantee, visit CNTrustCompany.com/OurPledge or contact our office today. Canandaigua National Trust Company of Florida is an affiliate of Canandaigua National Bank & Trust. Investments are not bank deposits, are not obligations of, or guaranteed by Canandaigua National Trust Company of Florida, and are not FDIC insured. Investments are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Investments and services may be offered through affiliate companies.

129808

Trusts Estates Investment Management Accounts IRAs

To learn more about J.L. Bainbridge’s unique commitment to client satisfaction and the payment of our fees, call for a free investment review.

22A

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

TEA TIME

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Chapel transforms garden into Downton Abbey grounds On Feb. 19, Longboat Island Chapel hosted a high tea inspired by the popular TV show “Downton Abbey.” Attendees donned period-themed attire and jewelry, and topped off their outfits with extravagant hats.

Margaret Noble, Jan Gerlach and Ethel Doughty

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Alice Dzenitis, Becky Jones and Susan Wagner

Sally Kirk and Molly Carroll

Above: Alma Cockerham with Lois Finley and the Rev. Charlie Shook Left: Sue Reese passes a plate of sweets to the Rev. Vincent Carroll.

LONGBOAT KEY • LIDO KEY

HOMES • CONDOMINIUMS • RESORTS

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Unlimited is for Aqua Gold A/C and optional Plumbing members. Call for complete details. 132118

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Call Us Today!

(941) 866-6210

(Next to Longboat Ace Hardware)

P: 941 383-6900 FAX (941) 383-2170

LONGBOAT ACE HARDWARE

4030 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • Longboat Key • 383.1313

HOLMES BEACH HARDWARE

3352 East Bay Dr. • Holmes Beach, FL • 778.0999

3720 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • Longboat Key, FL 34228

UNLIMITED A/C & PLUMBING SERVICE CALLS $

Gourmet Candies & Gifts

941.387.9709 FVconnect@aol.com www.FLvacationconnection.com

Aqua Gold

FEATURING

Fresh Squeezed OJ, Grab & Go Sandwiches, Hot-Pressed Cubans, Italians & Subs, Soups, Coffee, Drinks & Beer Cave

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Longboat Key

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6:30A.M. - 9:00P.M.

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PEACE-OF-MIND YEAR ROUND WITH AQUA’S EXCLUSIVE HOME PROTECTION PLANS. Backed by the State of Florida, Aqua Gold members receive unlimited service calls*, unlimited replacement of most parts*, and labor and repairs for your homes air conditioners, heat pumps and plumbing (labor only).

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Never again worry about or pay for these potentially costly repairs! Call today for more information or to enroll and begin to protect your home as an Aqua Gold Member.

*Visit Our Website For Complete Details

www.aquaplumbing.com/maintenance

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VACATION

CONNECTION

Nicole Rawley and Lucia Barrett, with Romanza Strings

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FLORIDA

Ruth Gawle and Alden Lumbard

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

game time

OUR TOWN

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

St. Mary parishioners enjoy afternoon of golf

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

+ Longboat ladies share Simmons College connection When the Simmons College Club of Southwest Florida held its winter meeting Feb. 14 at the Polo Grill & Bar, in Lakewood Ranch, at least nine Longboat Key residents were in attendance, including current club President Marion Levine and past President Bobbie Banan. Simmons College assistant professor Saher Selod spoke about “Collateral Damage: The De-Americanization of Courtesy photos Muslim Americans After 9/11.” The club has established an endowed scholarship for a student living in Florida. For scholarship information, contact Levine at harbourkey@aol.com.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church held a parish golf outing Sunday at the Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside course. After playing 18 holes, the 106 golfers met in the dining room for dinner, prizes and the announcement of the winning team. In first place were Joe Bertazon, Mike Betazon, Frank Carpin and Al Feczko. Jim and Donna Pettinato and Nick and Diane Scandale won second place.

+ Former Chevron owner shifts gears

Anne Flinter, Carol Westwood and Barb Kiefer

After Robby Self closed the Longbeach Chevron in 2007, some residents went the distance, driving their cars to his Palmetto maintenance shop. Now, residents can save on time and gas and still take their cars to the longtime mechanic who operated on the Key for 17 years. Self now operates Grooms Motors & Automotive, at 5608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, where he provides auto repair and maintenance. Call 896-7898.

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Charlie Ross and Peter Corrigan

23A

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

David and Rosemarie Carter

+ Windward Bay residents have birds on the brain during Celery Fields trip Windward Bay resident Mark Davis, an Audubon-certified naturalist, recently used his eagle eyes to lead his neighbors on a birding trip to the Celery Fields, where he serves as a docent at the boardwalk. On Feb. 10, Davis led a group of approximately 10 residents on a two-hour tour, during which they spotted 26 species. They ended their morning by spotting approximately 15 roseate spoonbills flying over the water at eye-level and dazzling in the sunlight.

WORSHIP DIRECTORY All Angels by the Sea The Episcopal Church on Longboat Key

The Rev. Dr. Taylor M. Hill

All are welcome. Please join us in worship!

Sunday, March 23 @ 4 PM Fonda Davies, Organ Recital - FREE

Sunday Services

Sunday at the Chapel

An InterfAIth CommunIty ChurCh founded In 1956 133456

Visitors Welcome

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

Adult Education 9 – 9:45 a.m. Worship Service at 10 a.m. Ash Wednesday Service, March 5th at noon

40 North Adams Drive

THRIFT SHOP

Contemporary Service of Joy • 9:00 a.m. Sunday School (Youth & Adult) • 10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Celebration • 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Mark A. Bernthal

God’s work. Our hands.

open Mon., Wed. and Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

www.saklc.com

Temple Beth Israel

CATHOLIC CHURCH Welcomes You to Mass

Last Friday of the Month, 5:30 pm Saturday Morning, 10:00 am

Saturday: 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM

941.383.3428 www.tbi-lbk.org 133486

Confessions before all weekend Masses Msgr. Gerard Finegan, Pastor

A Center of Jewish Life and Learning in the Sarasota Area Share Shabbat and more: Friday Evening, 8:00 pm

WINTER MASS SCHEDULE

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

941-388-1234

Sunday Worship Schedule

The Rev. Dr. Vincent Carroll Senior Minister

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Telephone: 383-6491 • web: www.longboatislandchapel.org The Lord’s Warehouse

133445

The Rev. David L. Danner, D. Min., Rector

131744

Website: www.AllAngelsLBK.org

Please visit our Judaica Shop

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

133492

8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Ash Wednesday, March 5 - 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

134789

383-8161

563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

24A

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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

WATERFRONT LUXURY LIVING 1561 BLUE HERON DRIVE NEW ON THE MARKET! Lovely, waterfront 4BR/4½BA, on a deep-water yacht basin in the secluded community of Paradise Shores, just west of the trail. Offering almost 200 ft. of frontage with privately-gated entry, wine cellar, soaring ceilings, multiple outdoor entertaining areas and summer kitchen. List price: $2,195,000 Website: www.1561BlueHeronDrive.com

627 MOURNING DOVE DR.

4125 GULF OF MEXICO DR., #S301

2735 GULF OF MEXICO DR.

This exquisite bay front 4BR home on the prestigious Mourning Dove Drive in Bird Key is a statement of luxury living. Offering a 5,800 sq.ft. layout of designer features and outdoor entertaining areas to enjoy ideal bay breezes.

Direct Gulf front 4BR/3½BA penthouse with southern exposure, 4,800 sq.ft., designer details. Wraparound terrace with summer kitchen. Includes private, 3-car garage.

Pristine luxury awaits in this custom-built 6BR home ideally situated on the powdery shores of the Gulf. Offering designer interior features throughout, picturesque outdoor cabanas and entertaining areas.

602 S Owl Dr.

NEW HOME! 4BR/4½BA home on the open bay. More than 5,500 sq.ft. features spacious en-suite bedrooms, office, eat-in kitchen, family room, heated pool and 3-car garage. List price: $5,495,000 Website: www.602SouthOwlDrive.com

650 S Owl Dr.

Charming 3BR/2½BA home on deep water, direct access to Sarasota’s bay. List price: $1,199,000 Website: www.650SouthOwlDrive.com

398 Bob White Dr.

4BR/3BA waterfront home offers southern views and recent updates. Sailboat water, newer dock and lift. List price: $1,195,000 Website: www.398BobWhiteDrive.com

5861 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

Direct Gulf to bay estate parcel on Longboat Key offering a special site for your dream beach home and deep water, covered boat house and bay guest house. List price: $4,295,000 Website: www.5861GulfofMexicoDrive.com

629 Rountree Dr.

This spacious 3BR/3BA home on deep sailboat water with newer dock, seawall. Deeded beach access. List price: $1,795,000 Website: www.629RountreeDrive.com

435 L’Ambiance Dr., #L307

Stunning sunsets from this wonderfully-updated 3BR/3BA with walls of glass and wraparound terrace. Includes one secure parking space. Partially furnished. List price: $1,595,000 Website: www.LAmbianceL307.com

7100 Longboat Dr. E.

Bay front Rustic Luxe! Upgraded 4BR/3BA home on deep-water dockage with multiple lifts offers two separate homes. List price: $1,395,000 Website: www.7100LongboatDriveEast.com

List price: $4,495,000 Website: www.LaFirenzaS301.com

List price: $6,800,000 Website: www.2735GulfofMexicoDrive.com

585 Sanctuary Dr., #B304

3060 Grand Bay Blvd., #136

7038 Hawks Harbor Cir.

1015 Bogey Ln.

3060 Grand Bay Blvd., #121

1902 Harbour Links Cir., #16

511 Bowsprit Ln.

3030 Grand Bay Blvd., #324

2729 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #11

3080 Grand Bay Blvd., #542

1135 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #405

1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr., #303

1701 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #602

Light and open 4BR/4BA home situated directly on Sarasota’s bay front, 2-car garage, boat dock and lift. List price: $1,349,000 Website: www.3436MistletoeLane.com

Lido beach’s premiere Beach Residences community offers this lovely villa. Includes Ritz Members Club membership. List price: $1,095,000 Website: www.BeachResidences303.com

3613 Fair Oaks Pl.

4 Winslow Pl.

1701 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #402

384 Bunker Hill

5201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #103

Direct Gulf views, stunning sunsets, wraparound terrace from this 3BR/2½BA residence. List price: $1,299,000 Website: www.585Sanctuary304.com 4BR-plus-den newer home with views down the canal out to the bay. List price: $1,695,000 Website: www.1015BogeyLane.com Custom-built, newer 4BR/3½BA waterfront home situated on an oversized lot. Offers open layout, wonderful views, boat lift, newer seawall. List price: $1,095,000 Website: www.511BowspritLane.com

4239 Gulf of Mexico Dr., #MH2

Villa on the Beach! Rarely available 2BR beachfront Manor Home. Recently updated. Enjoy the beach just steps away. List price: $1,495,000 Website: www.PelicanHarbourMH2.com

3436 Mistletoe Ln.

2BR+den/2BA lake front home offers open pool deck and charming views. 2-car garage. Private beach access. List price: $899,000 Website: www.3613FairOaksPlace.com

3040 Grand Bay Blvd., #263

Beautifully upgraded 2BR/3½BA Cayman. Media room, wine storage, cook’s kitchen and custom features throughout. List price: $1,575,000 Website: www.GrandBay263.com

3030 Grand Bay Blvd., #361

Excellent Antigua with striking views, wraparound terrace and private beach access. List price: $1,395,000 Website: www.GrandBay361.com

Enjoy wonderful southern views from this 3BR/3½BA Antigua. Spacious layout, wraparound terrace. List price: $1,299,000 Website: www.GrandBay136.com Rarely-available 3BR/3½BA Antigua plan offers beautiful panoramic views at every turn. List price: $1,200,000 Website: www.GrandBay121.com Enjoy views of Sarasota’s bay, downtown and the marina from this 3BR/3½BA Cayman in Building III. List price: $999,000 Website: www.GrandBay324.com 2BR/2BA, 4th floor, Bimini abounds in custom details and views of the bay, golf course and downtown. Furnished. List price: $679,000 Website: www.GrandBay542.com

Charming, open 3BR/2BA bay front home in this secluded community. List price: $1,095,000 Website: www.FourWinslowPlace.com Beautiful, upgraded 4BR/3½BA home. A cook’s kitchen, formal living/dining rooms, custom details throughout. List price: $999,000 Website: www.384BunkerHill.com

The epitome of luxury living rests in this private island, almost 2-acres on the open bay. List price: $1,990,000 Website: www.7038HawksHarborCircle.com Secluded 3BR/3½BA villa. Private cabana. Two-car garage. Access to Bay Isles Beach Club. List price: $699,000 Website: www.EmeraldPointeSouth16.com Walk out to the beach in your “backyard.” 2BR/2BA ideal retreat or rental. Furnished. List price: $660,000 Website: www.LongboatBeachcomber11.com Gulf views welcome you in this 2BR/2BA, 6th-floor residence offering a beachfront terrace. Includes one covered parking space. List price: $760,000 Website: www.Beachplace2405.com Gulf views welcome you in this 2BR/2BA, 6th-floor residence offering a beachfront terrace, porcelain tile throughout. List price: $649,000 Website: www.AquariusClub602.com Wonderful 2BR/2BA beach getaway. You will adore Gulf sunsets from the terrace. List price: $575,000 Website: www.AquariusClub402.com The pristine shores of the Gulf are just steps away from this furnished 2BR/2BA residence in a quaint community. List price: $599,000 Website: www.GulfFrontCondo103.com

7890 Esperanza Cir.

Splendid Arthur Rutenburg lake front 3BR/4½BA home features a brand new kitchen and wonderful pool deck. List price: $749,900 Website: www.7890EsperanzaCircle.com

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.

Luxury Marketing is the Difference

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List price: $4,495,000 Website: www.627MourningDoveDrive.com

YourObserver.com

leading ladies

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle with Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby and his wife, Sharon Mote senior scientist Kim Ritchie, staff scientist Emily Hall, senior scientist Cathy Walsh and postdoctoral fellow Erinn Muller

Janet Ginn and Jennifer Vigne

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Giving Circle kicked off Friday with Tea for the Sea at the Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside Dining Room. While enjoying high tea, attendees learned about the research leading female scientists are conducting at Mote and the women who founded it, Eugenie Clark and Anne Vanderbilt. All proceeds from the event benefit Mote’s research, education and outreach.

Cheryl Viera and Lynn Rosen

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Sally Trout, Kimberly Carreiro and Libby Dayani

RETURN TO THE RED SEA

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle, Mote founder Eugenie Clark and Rachel Dreyer

Before Eugenie Clark founded Mote Marine Laboratory, she studied fishes in the Red Sea. Clark will celebrate her 92nd birthday with a trip to the Red Sea from April 29 through May 6; the trip is open to the public. Participants will dive reefs in Israel and Jordan with more than 2,500 species of marine life and explore landscapes and cultures at some of the world’s most historic places. Cost is $5,295 per person based on double occupancy and an expected group of 20 participants. Single occupancy requires a $1,200 supplement. Cost per person will vary if there are fewer than 20 participants. RSVP is required by Feb. 28. Contact Becky Wilson at 388-4441, Ext. 348, or email bwilson@mote.org.

Discriminating Tastes Require Uncompromising Results You Expect More …

ERIC TEOH

MICHAEL RENICK

941-735-2199 Eric@TeamRenick.com

FOR BUYERS & SELLERS Serving Anna Maria Island • Bird Key • Bradenton • Bradenton Beach • Holmes Beach Lido Key • Longboat Key • Sarasota • St. Armands • Siesta Key

www.TeamRenick.com

133475

Like us on facebook.com/TeamRenick

941-400-8735 Mike@TeamRenick.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Headed on a great vacation? Make sure to take your Observer along! Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to submit your entries. We can’t wait to see where The Observer will travel next!

Brandy Coffey

ABR,CIPS,CLHMS,CRS,RSPS,TRC Licensed Real Estate Broker Keller Williams Luxury Homes International

9230 BLIND PASS ROAD, SIESTA KEY Enjoy the splendors of paradise! Incredible package of homes available on Siesta Key! Main home is 4B/5.5BA/2CG at 8,230 sf $4,999,000. Two other guest homes reside on the property both include their own private dock and bay access and also a gulf front vacant lot. Each parcel can be sold separately if interested. $10,188,000

162 OSPREY POINT Private and exclu-

1300 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Experi-

sive estate nestled amongst the trees of The Oaks Bayside. 8,000+ sq ft w/ Neff designed kitchen, hand carved white onyx bar, home theater, 8 car garage, 1,400 bottle wine cellar, terrace fire pit, Light Touch system, and art-deco inspired designs. $4,699,900

ence the Ritz Carlton lifestyle at The Beach residences w/ 400 ft of gulf frontage. 9th floor unit w/ open floor plan with 2 BR+den. Spectacular light and bright condominium w/ volume ceilings. Private elevator, gorgeous wood flooring, and serene water views from every angle. $2,795,000

BRANCHING OUT. Longboat residents Ed and Terry Kolodzieski read their Longboat Observer at the roots of a towering tree while at the Pacaya Samiria Reserve in Peru.

SRQ AIRPORT is the proud sponsor of the 2014 “It’s Read Everywhere” contest.

7840 MANASOTA KEY ROAD Absolutely stunning Gulf front views from this 4 Bed/3 Bath + 2 Bed/1 Bath In-law Suite home situated directly on beautiful Manasota Key beach. This residence is surrounded by lush vegetation providing privacy and serene views. $3,400,000

1611 BRIDGE STREET Great opportunity to own a 2+ acre gated tropical oasis on the bay! The main home is a remodeled 3/2 home with a bonus room +2 car garage. The guest house is a remodeled 2/2/2 car garage home with a large lanai and plenty of privacy. $1,595,000

290 N WASHINGTON “Gioiello Sull Baia”

5582 SIESTA ESTATES, SIESTA KEY

was built like a modern-day castle, yet offering refined and graceful spaces. Commanding views of Sarasota Bay and direct access to the bay and gulf waters. Built in 2008 6,000 sq ft w/ boat dock.

Location, luxury, and lifestyle. This is a gorgeous 5B/5.5BA/3CG custom built pool home within the gates of Siesta Estates is in close proximity to the world famous Siesta Key Beach! Bring your beach bag and your flip flops and stay a while!

$5,990,900

4200 RIVERVIEW BLVD Over 1 acre on exclusive Riverview Blvd. 7600 sq ft 5 bed.+bonus room, in-law suite, boat dock, and spacious pool area with bar overlooking 300’ of frontage on the Manatee River, providing striking panoramic views of the Manatee River!

$2,990,000

941.383.5577 www.WagnerRealty.com

NEWLY UPDATED 1ST FLOOR 1BR/1BA with lanai. Water view, four pools, fitness ctr., clubhouse, beachside facility w/restrooms, shower & storage. This condo is rented Jan.15 to Apr. 15, 2014. $220,000 Kelly Belisle #A3984549

TROPICAL PARADISE ON BRADENTON BEACH Great income investment. Brand new furnishings. Pet friendly. Private beach access just steps away. Onsite cafe & gift shop. Daily rates available. $259,000 Mary Moore & Dia Wilson #M5835837

PENTHOUSE BAY VIEW LBK 2BR/2BA designer furnished, boat docks, beach cabana, pets welcome. A must see. Great complex, shows like a model. Best value on LBK. Hurry! $379,900 Marc Turner #A3926740

ISLAND STYLE INSPIRED 2BR/2BA unit. Great rental income property was completely renovated in 2005. New kitchen & bathrooms. Oversized screened lanai for maximum garden view. $389,000 Mary Moore & Dia Wilson #M5835441

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED TOWNHOUSE with 2 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 baths, eat-in kitchen, LR w/ fireplace, 1 car gar. w/parking for 2 cars. Com. pool, tennis, exercise room and deeded beach access. $389,000 Margot Robinson #A3992563

AMAZING VIEW! Gorgeous white sand beach & Gulf view as you walk thru the door. Nicely furnished w/lg. screened lanai. Gulf to Bay community w/heated pool, tennis & cabana w/BBQ. $550,000 Teresia Bradford #M5812253

CHARMING POOL HOME with 3BR/2BA, vaulted ceiling in great room, chef’s kitchen w/ SS appl., wood burning fireplace, built-in bookcases & more! Walk to beach, bay, boat ramp & fishing pier. $604,900 Lissy LaFlamme #M5843715

SPECTACULAR 3BR/3BA canal front pool home in Sleepy Lagoon. Deeded beach access and upgrades galore including a home warranty. $799,900 Dia Wilson & Mary Moore #M5841430

$1,225,000

603 LONGBOAT KEY TOWER Rare opportunity to own a 3 bedroom end unit on Longboat Key with gorgeous gulf to bay panoramic views! Relax as you gaze at the emerald green Gulf of Mexico all day long. Longboat Key Towers has 600’ of beach front. $1,579,900

22 S. Links Ave., Suite #204 Sarasota, FL 34236

Toll Free

For property management, call Bonnie Wiedeman 941-383-5577 133415

(941) 284-4474 Cell phone | (877)308-6311 (888)756-6624 Toll Free Fax

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Suite 101, in the Centre Shops, Longboat Key

133494

www.insarasotarealestate.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Lynne Koy ◆

presents her

LUXURY

PREMIER COLLECTION◆

BIRD KEY - Sprawling Waterfront Estate with spectacular water views and breathtaking sunsets! Situated on an oversized lot, this contemporary masterpiece offers over 6,000 square feet of indoor living space! $2,875,000

941.387.1803

lkoy@coldwellbanker.com

Tour Lynne’s properties at

www.lynnekoy.com Follow me on

Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / YouTube

SPICE BAY - Jewel Box construction on Siesta Key! British West Indies Antigua floor plan features 3BR/3.5BA, courtyard and pool. Builders - Perrone Construction. $2,200,000

At The Chart House on Longboat Key Broker/Associate, CRB, CRS, GRI Previews International Property Specialist Legends Society Involved Citizen: Sarasota Opera, SPARCC, Make-a-Wish, Meals on Wheels, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Breast Cancer Awareness

Global MarketinG: NYtimes.com Birdkeynews.com Coldwellbanker.com Worldproperties.com Trulia.com LynneKoy.com Rightmoves.com Greatwaterfrontliving.com Realtor.com Zillow.com

LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS - 3BR/3BA Penthouse with BIRD KEY - 4BD/4.5BA Waterfront Estate with views breathtaking Gulf, Bay and City Views! $1,949,000 of the Bay and Siesta Key. Remodel or tear down and build new! $1,725,000

BAY ISLES - Fantastic lot available in Bay Isles, situated BAY ISLES - Gorgeous 3600+ sq ft custom home at the end of the canal with views into Sarasota Bay. located on golf course and lagoon. 3BD/3BA/2CG. $1,325,000 $1,395,000

SEAPLACE G6-409 ��$349,900 LB ARMS 303C ��$299,000 SEAPLACE G3-302 ��$279,000 LB HARBOUR C-105 ��$199,000 Search Lynne’s website in English and 19 other languages!

GRAND BAY - Panoramic views of the Bay, ICW, and LIDO BEACH - Canal front undeveloped lot - 12,785 golf course. Cayman floor plan - 2BR/2.5BA/den. sq. ft. and 75 ft. of waterfront! One block to Lido $1,299,000 Beach! $1,200,000

DEDICATED TO LUXURY REAL ESTATE SM Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

UND

ACT

RAC

NT R CO

UND

TR CON

BIRD KEY - Exquisitely updated 3BR/3BA/2CG pool home. Private oasis with lush, tropical landscaping. $799,000

PLAYERS CLUB - Full Gulf views BEACHES – 2BD/2BA 7th floor confrom one of the two balconies at do with gorgeous full Gulf views this 3BR/3BA corner/end unit con- and stainless appliances. $649,000 do! $649,000

REPORT CARD FOR 2013: 37.5 MILLION IN SALES VOLUME THANK YOU TO MY LOYAL CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT!

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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

IT’S STILL MRS. ROGERS’

NEIGHBORHOOD

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

change of watch

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Grande Dame of Real Estate 39 Years of Experience

Advising, Buying, and Selling with a Personal Touch! 941.284.7373 annetterogers@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company, 94064

Kendall Smith and his wife, Rear Commodore Lynn Smith, with Vice Commodore Martha Schantz and her husband, Curtiss

BEACH RESIDENCES - enjoy sunrises, sunsets and city lights from this southwest corner gulf front residence. Three bedrooms. 3.5 baths,great room, formal living and dining rooms all exquistely finished and decorated. 4100 sq.ft. Pets welcome. Offered furnished. This is a Ritz Carlton managed property....................................................................................$3,895,000 LONGBOAT KEY - charming 3/3/waterfront home across from a 7 acre preserve.....................SOLD... $515,000 WINDWARD BAY - 2/2 direct bay front with amazing bay views and a peak of the Gulf. 2 pets allowed. Many community amenities. Offered furnished ................................................................................................................................$285,000

Bonnie McIntyre and Bill Noonan

Bird Key Yacht Club celebrates installation of new officers Bird Key Yacht Club held its annual Change of Watch Saturday, during which Lee Peakes succeeded David Powell as the

club’s commodore. After the installation of 2014 officers, attendees enjoyed cocktails and dinner.

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. ........................................................................................................................................................... SOLD........$275,000 LONG BEACH - Elevated Longboat Village home with 4 car garage, vaulted ceilings and lush landscaping... SOLD...$375,000 BLACKBURN POINT WOODS - Beautifully appointed maintenance free 4/3 villa with its own pool in an attractive neighborhood close to Casey Key. Amenities include tennis, community pool and clubhouse. .........................................$349,000 WINDWARD BAY - corner villa with a screened porch, carport, full size laundry room and a beautiful yard. 2 pets allowed.............................................................................................................................................................................$279,000 WINDWARD BAY - 2/2 with expansive view of Sarasota Bay. Community amenities include 2 pools, tennis,clubhouse, boat docks and deeded beach access. 2 pets allowed. ...........................................................................PENDING........ $257,900 BOBBIE BANAN, REALTOR® 356-2659 • 383-2659

bobbiebanan@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

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

133495

Ambassador’s Circle

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Dee Kropf and Barbara Chalson

Jan Peakes and her husband, Commodore Lee Peakes, with past Commodore David Powell and his wife, Marilyn

IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE AND THAT'S THE POINT.

DESTINATION INFINITY JUST 11. That’s it. Eleven opportunities to live a spontaneous, free-spirited lifestyle wrapped in an extraordinary coastal contemporary design. It’s a rare combination never before seen on Longboat Key, a chance to customize your surroundings in a place where golden sunsets are the currency of life. n Smartly designed 3,380 – 5,500 sq. ft. three-bedroom/den, four-bedroom and penthouse new-construction residences n Nestled on over three acres with 240 ft. of pristine beachfront immediately outside your door n Distinctive interiors, sumptuous finishes and floor-to-ceiling glass doors looking out to breathtaking views New fully finished residences from $2,900,000 to $4,950,000

Discover coastal contemporary style in an unforgettable setting. Discover limitless luxury. Discover Infinity.

Infinity Longboat Key | 4765 Gulf of Mexico Drive | Longboat Key, FL 34228 | InfinityLBK.com | information@InfinityLBK.com | 941.744.7441 ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECT STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS BY THE DEVELOPER, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTE, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

133295

133738

Licensed Real Estate Broker

Longboat Key South • 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

STRIKE ZONE

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Ian Addy & Gail Wittig

Sarasota Yacht Club bowlers Jerry and Sirlene Bonney with Gerry Chapman, Dee Devlin and Ray Hutchins

LF V

IEW

-O

LIS

TIN

L 2 B OWE DR ST W/ PRI GU CED LF V IEW

RES

IDE

LIS

TIN

TOP SALES TEAM COMPANY-WIDE

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

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

• Leading Specialists at The Resort at Longboat Key Club • 67+ Years of Combined Real Estate Sales Experience • Team Sales Exceed A Quarter Billion Since 2005 • Top Sales Team for 4th Consecutive Year Michael Saunders & Company, Longboat Key

Barbara Milian, Ian Addy PA, Gail Wittig

Luxury Service • Strategic Marketing •Benchmark Results 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.

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Bird Key Yacht Club bowlers Phil Smith, John Crowther, Beverly Harlfinger and Richard Fountain

240 Sands Point Road #4605/06 | Longboat Key | $1,150,000

The bowling teams of Bird Key Yacht Club and Sarasota Yacht Club gathered for their annual Bowl Off Banquet Feb. 18 at Sarasota Yacht Club. This year, Sarasota Yacht Club took back the trophy, after its team defeated the Bird Key bowlers 7,172-6,756.

545 Sanctuary Drive #503 | Longboat Key | $1,150,000

ES T OG

941.387.0100

225 Sands Point Road #7304 | Longboat Key | $365,000

1281 Gulf of Mexico Drive #906 | Longboat Key | $1,795,000

Yacht clubs face off in bowling battle

MIN

210 Sands Point Road #2702 | Longboat Key | $995,000

Margaret Ward, Doug Mampe, Debbie Duncan, Ron Ward, Mary Jean Mampe and Jeff and Jane Johnson hold the trophy.

749 Freeling Drive | Siesta Key |$3,600,000

www. athomesarasota.com

6B Direct Gulf Luxury Residence on Lido Key

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

renaissance man

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Dinner celebrates annual David Leffel workshop On Feb. 20, Adrian and Nancy Smith hosted a dinner for artists at their Gulfside home. The party celebrated master painter David Leffel’s annual Renaissance workshop at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design.

The Orchid Beach Club Mary Lou Johnson, Nancy Smith and Carol Raskin

Sarasota’s finest luxury residence with breathtaking City, Bay & Gulf views, soaring ceilings, world - class amenities, a Gulf front heated pool & spa, and even has a dog run. A short walk to St. Armands and a short drive to downtown. From 2950 sf to 6,000 sf under air starting from $1,995,000 to $5,995,000

Quite Simply … the Very Best Beachfront

Longboat Key Center for the Arts Executive Director Jane Buckman and Katherine Smith

Karen Geck, Carol Nicolai and Toni Maloney

My Realty Company 438A St. Armands Circle

www.myrealtycompany.com

134746

941/504.0551

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Louise Minges and Helen Chan

Mayor Jim Brown, Adrian Smith, Penny Diamond and David Leffel

Discriminating Tastes Require Uncompromising Results You Expect More …

ERIC TEOH

941-735-2199 Eric@teamrenick.com

MICHAEL RENICK

941-400-8735 Mike@teamrenick.com

For Buyers & Sellers

Anna Maria Island • Bird Key • Bradenton • Bradenton Beach • Holmes Beach • Lido Key • Longboat Key • Sarasota • St. Armands • Siesta Key D

UCE

RED

First floor condo with a view of the Gulf! $260,000

No stairs to climb as you enter this unit. Lots of potential with this two bedroom, one bath condo. First floor view of the Gulf. Perfect for an Investment Property, Second Home, or a Vacation Getaway. Seaplace Assoc. Longboat Key Condo MLS#: A3990198

Anna Maria

$1,250,000

Based Income Property – 5 Units Spectacular Ocean views from every apartment - corner lot! Great opportunity to live in one unit and make money renting the other units This is a must see for any experienced or new investor! Current Tenants have expressed a desire to remain MLS#: A3988421

Windward Bay

$379,000

Longboat Key Canal Front Villa Fully Furnished, Move-in ready 3BD, 2BA, Split Plan Attached Carport, Separate Inside Utility Room Windward Bay Offers: 2 Pools, 2 Tennis Courts, Fitness Ctr. 2 Marinas with available Boat Docks MLS#: A3978884

H WITT C IVE ACTONTRA C

Penthouse Level condo with a view of the Bay! $299,000

Unit is priced to sell! Two bedroom, Two Bath unit Boat Slips available for rent on property. Perfect for an Investment Property, Second Home, or a Vacation get away. Windward Bay Assoc. Longboat Key Condo MLS#: A3990197

www.TeamRenick.com

OUR HOUSE AT BEACH

$499,000

Siesta Key… Florida living at its finest! This 2 bedroom/2 bath condo looks out over the gorgeous beach. This unit offers many updates/upgrades. Whether you are looking for a primary home, second home or a great investment opportunity, you have found it here! MLS# A3989534 G

DIN

PEN

Cute! Cute! Cute!

$399,000

This is the one you have been looking for! Seaplace Assoc. Longboat Key Condo (G6 Building) Partially Updated, Move-in ready 2BD, 2BA Seaplace Offers 2 Pools, 1 Kiddie Pool, 2 Hot Tubs, 3 Tennis Courts, and more! MLS#: A3985138

Direct Gulf View!

$430,000

Great Price! Covered Parking! Great Opportunity! Seaplace Assoc. Longboat Key Condo (G6 Building) Many Updates, Move-in ready 2BD, 2BA Offered Turnkey Furnished, Seaplace Offers 2 Pools, 1 Kiddie Pool, 2 Hot Tubs, 3 Tennis Courts, and more! MLS#: A3987966

Like us on facebook.com/TeamRenick

Gorgeous Condo

$499,999

2BR/2Bath fully Renovated Condo with a Great Gulf View! Granite in the Kitchen & Bathrooms, Stainless Steel Appliances Upgraded Cabinets Throughout Seaplace Assoc. Longboat Key Condo (Top Floor, Desirable M1 Building) Offered Turnkey Furnished MLS#: A3989071

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

the finest services of real estate Betsy Sublette, Assistant 941.284.8483

Daniel Volz, Assistant 941.893.3757

Cheryl Loeffler, MBA Realtor 941.302.9674 Premier Sotheby’s Top Producing Agent

GOLDEN GATE POINT FROM $3,495,000 AQUA offers eight beautifully appointed full-floor residences directly on Sarasota Bay ranging from 3,800 to 6,700 square feet under air, each with a private two-car garage and an individual boat slip. With a full-time concierge, luxurious state-of-theart amenities and proximity to downtown, AQUA redefines elegance, prestige and gracious living.

BAY ISLES – LONGBOAT KEY

$3,995,000

BAY ISLES – LONGBOAT KEY

$3,795,000

HOLMES BEACH

$2,750,000

HUDSON CROSSING – SARASOTA $1,791,000

MARINA BAY – LONGBOAT KEY

$1,249,000

JAMAICA ROYALE – SIESTA KEY

$1,095,000

SILVER OAK – PALMER RANCH

BEACHPLACE

Fantastic new home in the Harbor section with almost 6,000 SF. Truly special custom detailing and design – perfect protected boating.

Exquisitely finished and furnished 3 bedroom residence with 2-car garage, boat dock, cabana and tranquil water views.

$1,095,000

Gracious 5,300 SF pool home in Silver Oak 4 en-suite bedrooms, 3-car garage and complete privacy.

The essence of gracious waterfront living! Five bedroom home with pool, media room, in-law suite and protected boating.

Light and bright corner unit with over 3,000 sq. ft. of spacious living and enormous wrap around terrace. Panoramic bay views.

$645,000

This corner residence provides loads of light and sparkling views of the Gulf, Bay and reflecting pool. A great beach getaway or investment.

Elevated 4 bedroom, 3 ½ bath home on 2 Gulf beach lots Magical water views.

A Class Act on the Beach. Beautifully finished and completely updated to amazing standards. Sweeping Gulf views.

LONGBOAT KEY

$399,000

2 bedroom Florida cottage on oversized corner lot in the Village. Room for pool.

Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Top 1% Producer in Real Estate Sales for Sarasota & Manatee County!

REID MURPHY Luxury on the Water

TASTY TRADITION

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

Call REID Today! 941.232.3304

www.reidmurphy.com

BEACH FRONT ESTATE

100 Feet Gulf Front Estate Plus Guest House

Positano residents raise their glasses to fine wine

$3,795,000

BAYFRONT POINT 4BR ESTATE $8,200,000 One private acre+ separate guest house. Boat docks.

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Molly and Steve Dutton with Bonnie and Keith Brauer

Beach, sunsets and superb privacy .

On Feb. 18, the Positano Fine Wine Club sampled a variety of wine and homemade hors d’oeuvres. Residents each bring a bottle of wine and an appetizer to share with fellow wine-lovers at the group’s monthly gatherings.

WESTWAY ESTATE ON NEW PASS $8,500,000 4BR home + 4BR guest house. 210’ frontage with dock.

Donna and Lew Patterson with Jackie Russell

$8,700,000 LIGHTHOUSE POINT SPECTACULAR $5,500,000 SPECTACULAR BAYFRONT ESTATE Private master + 3 guest suites. Fabulous in- 5BR 10,000 sq. ft. masterpiece. Views plus dock. door/outdoor living.

UCE

ED ST R

LIGHTHOUSE POINT CUSTOM HOME $3,490,000 SLEEPY LAGOON BAYSIDE ESTATE $2,525,000 Exquisite 5,000 SF waterfront 4BR home w/ dock. Approximately 2 acres, gated drive, tennis, deepwater dock.

Tom and Sandy Finnegan

Sandy and Jim Dixon

L’Ambiance L’Ambiance L’Ambiance

at Longboat Key Club

at Longboat Key Club at Longboat Key Club

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES $2,495,000 DREAM ISLAND ROAD $1,624,500 4BR custom home w/designer finishes. Deepwater 4BR canal home on sailboat water w/dock & lift. dock w/lift.

GRAND MARINER BAYSIDE $1,600,000 - $2,400,000 HIDEAWAY BAY SAILBOAT WATER $1,500,000 Luxury 3,200 - 3,600 SF 3BR condos with boat docks. 5BR custom family home w/dock for 50’ boat.

Live Like Royalty in The Royal Live Like LikeRoyalty RoyaltyininThe TheRoyal Royal Live

MLS A3992775 | Unit 809 | $3,100,777 | €2,264,300

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

Waterfront 7 REALTY Waterfront 7

Waterfront R E A L T7 Y

REALTY

MLS A3992775 | Unit 809 809 | $3,100,777 | €2,264,300 Waterfront 7 Realty MLS A3992775 | Unit | $3,100,777 | €2,264,300

Pamela J. Hagan Broker-Owner

In Mediterranean Plaza 595 Bay Isles Rd.,Suite 120E Longboat Key, Fl 34228 (941) 400.6682 www.Waterfront7Realty.com

134787

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON LONGBOAT KEY Wide canal lot on Dream Island Rd. $889,000 Deep water canal in Sleepy Lagoon $600,000 134752

WESTON POINTE WITH BOAT DOCK $1,075,000 Stunning 3/BR bright & open w/private outdoor living area.

MLS A3992775 | Unit 908 | $3,100,777 | €2,264,300

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Robin Hartill | News Editor

Waterfront 7 Realty opens in Mediterranean Plaza Longtime Longboat Key agent Pam Hagan recently opened the independent brokerage with five agents. In the 31 years that Pam Hagan has worked on the Key, she has earned the nickname “Miss Waterfront.” She began her career with Arvida in 1981 doing timeshare sales on Lido Key, then moved to the company’s Longboat Key office in 1983. She became a licensed broker in 1985 and has worked for various companies on the Key. On Dec. 1, Hagan opened her own brokerage firm, Waterfront 7 Realty, in Mediterranean Plaza. It’s an independent brokerage that aims to offer boutique services and deal directly with owners and agents. Currently, the firm has five agents and a sixth agent who is in the process of earning her license. Pat Benak is director of operations. “We’re not going to try to be a big firm,” Hagan said. “We’re going to be the best at what we do, not the biggest.” Hagan said one of her taglines is “putting the handshake back in the deal.” Although Longboat Key is Hagan’s niche, the firm will also serve communities throughout the Sarasota area, and Hagan is focused on finding agents who have their own niche. Hagan is chairwoman of this year’s Longboat Key Garden Club Home Tour and is active in Selah Freedom and Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast.

Photo courtesy of Giovanni Lunardi

Pam Hagan holds a photograph of her team of agents.

S aint C acchiotti,

PA,

MICHAEL

MOULTON

Certified Residential Specialist

Licensed Real Estate Broker

#1 Michael Saunders agent on Longboat Key 2013

NE W

LISTI

OAKS BAYDISE ESTATE - Spectacular 8,500sf residence designed & built by famed architect Bo MacEwen. A3993216 $2,675,000.

SANDERLING ON SIESTA - Rare over one acre 200’ gulf front estate in a private gated community. $5,650,000

CASEY KEY - Spectacular extensively remodeled gulf to bay residence on 1.25 acres. A3968932 $4,595,000

BIRD KEY - Stunning remodeled, pristinely maintained 3BR canal front residence. A3985864 $1,575,000

TESSERA - Downtown bayfront 3 bedroom furnished residence rarely available. A3988085 $1,450,000

LBK BAYFRONT LOT - 115’ wide mid key location w/ deeded beach access. A3971918 $1,975,000

440 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 Office 941.383.7591 | Mobile 941.928.3559 | SarasotasFinestProperties.com 134747

new business

Your Country Club Shores

Realtor®

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

Specialist

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

HOMES & CONDOS PRICE REDUCED

Country Club Shores

FAIRWAY BAY – BAYFRONT

BAY LAKE ESTATES Behind gates of Longboat Key Club Harbour. Spacious & Beautiful lake front home located on a corner lot with private 2BD/2BA overlooks Sarasota Bay. Split floor 1,463 square feet, 3BR, 2BA with a split floor plan, foyer plan, partially furn. Beach club memberships available. entry, spacious kitchen w/breakfast bar, large master $359,900 suite w/walk-in closet and screened lanai overlooking the lake. Great rental opportunities. $184,500

100 feet from the open bay! This beautifully maintained home has a breathtaking view, a huge lanai, and gorgeous 30x15 pool. Filled with upgrades inside and lovely touches $1,395,000 throughout. Your perfect home on South Longboat Key.

LOTS

SUNSET HARBOR BAYFRONT Enjoy spectacular sunsets and endless water views from this direct Bay front lot with deeded boat slip located in private and gated community. $699,000

A 30+ year resident of Sarasota, Gene moved to Longboat Key after a successful career in International Publishing. Multilingual, Gene has traveled to 150 countries and has lived throughout the world from NYC to Paris to Rio.

COMING SOON - MANGO BAY

West Indies inspired residences to be constructed on Longboat Key. Enjoy island living at it’s best in these custom designed estate sized homes. Eco friendly with over 3,000+ SF conveniently located on a canal with direct bay access and private beach access. Preconstruction pricing starting at $1,595,000

2009 - 2013 Five Star:

Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent!

Gene Deporis Jr 941. 586 . 6252 423 St Armands Circle

genedeporis@yahoo.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

133119

Access Virtual Tours & MLS at SaintCacchiotti.com

Bringing the world to Longboat Key, and Longboat Key to the world.

133702 134366

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

10B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

BUSINESS AT BREAKFAST

by Kelsey Grau | Community Editor

St. Armands Circle Association discusses upcoming events On Feb. 18, Steve and Carol Lawson hosted the St. Armands Circle Association February General Membership Meeting at their business, St. Armands Travel. The meeting is a monthly opportunity for association business owners and professionals to meet, network and discuss Circle happenings.

Andrew Vac, RE/MAX Alliance Group, Tammy Halsted, St. Armands Travel, and Ron Shields, Economic Recovery Group

Photos by Kelsey Grau

Living and Working on Longboat Key for 40 Years

Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor

3174 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, FL 24228

SERENE Enchanting SARASOTA Bayfront BAYEstate VIEWS

Call Tina Rudek

Your international real estate connection

Ich spreche Deutsch

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

Talk to Tina today

941.724.7228 CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

(941) 920 - 0303

ED!

REDUC

Now offeredatat Offered $1,385,000 $2,500,000

Completely private 5 BR, 4.53 BA Spanish inspired residence Impeccably maintained bedroom/2.5 bath residence onlywith onedeeded property beach access, deep water channel, boat lift and kayak dock, 4 car garage fromparking open Baysurrounded on quiet cul-de-sac in beautiful Country Club Shores. and RV by tranquility and lush tropical grounds.

At your service LBKRealEstate.com

Thursday is fishing with the girls... PENTHOUSE W/BAY VIEWS! 3-4Br/3.5Ba/2CG overlooking bay & city vistas w/diagonal tile, crown moldings, wood cabinets, granite, SS appls. & 2 pvt balconies in an inclusive downtown bldg w/full amenities & great location in cultural district! MLS#A3982043 $800,000

FRANCES CARLTON! Downtown 1-2Br/ 1Ba w/historic designation, Lr, Dr, den/study, wood flrs, ceramic tile, carpet, custom cabinets, French doors, Palladian windows, pvt laundry & pool views in secure bldg w/ amenities; courtyards, pool & assigned parking! MLS#A3974837 $175,000

Saturday is a sunset cruise with my husband. Join the Club and enjoy: • A full fleet of cruising, pontoon, fishing • and ski boats • No maintenance, cleaning or hassles • Unlimited boating

888.695.2778

eReading FreedomBoatClub.com

BRAND NEW W/DIRECT GULF VIEWS! 3Br/ Den/2.5Ba w/full renovations & redesigned flr plan, pvt elevator, custom cabinets, walnut flrs, quartz, granite, mother of pearl art, glass tile, balcony & garaged pkg in gated comm. on LBK w/amenities! MLS#A3990234 Offered at $2,250,000

BURNS COURT VILLAS! Downtown 3Br/2.5Ba/1CG townhome w/pvt elevator, granite, wood cabinets, travertine tile, wood flrs, crown moldings, 10FT ceil., fp, built-ins, Viking ss appls (gas), penthouse level Mbr w/jetted tub in gated comm. w/ amenities! MLS#A3988579 $800,000

DOWNTOWN VILLA! 3Br/2.5Ba & loft, maintenance free townhome w/tray ceil., crown moldings, built-ins, wood lam, tile, bamboo, wrought iron, gas fp, granite, wood cabinets, Kitchen-Aide SS appls., jetted tub, pvt garden & comm. pool next to Laurel Park MLS#A3986512 $550,000

View the electronic edition of The Observer before the print edition hits the newsstands.

UPDATED DOWNTOWN SARASOTA! 3Br/2Ba/2CG open plan w/pvt balcony, diagonal tile, hardwood flrs, modern kitch.w/granite, wood cabinets & SS appls., MBr w/2 walk-ins, pvt laundry & bonus storage in a secure renovated bldg w/ amenities! MLS#A3990047 $450,000

FURN & UPDATED W/GULF VIEWS! 2Br/2Ba w/balcony, Lr/Dr, Bkfst nook, modern kitch.w/granite counters, serving bar & raised panel cabinets, diagonal tile, wood flrs, MBr w/huge walk-in in a LBK bldg w/amenities; pvt beach, pool, tennis & more! MLS#A3989544 $725,000

360-DEGREE BAY VIEWS! Updated, Downtown 2Br/2Ba/1+CP 6th flr corner unit w/great room plan, kitch. w/bkfst nook & bar, ss appls., granite, wood cabinets, ceramic tile, built-in, hurricane windows & pvt laundry in secure Golden Gate bldg w/ amenities! MLS#A3992080 $600,000

8TH FL BAY VIEWS! 2Br/2Ba/1CG w/custom plan, marble, crown moldings, wood cabinets, plantation shutters, granite, built-ins, ss appls., pvt laundry & balcony in a Downtown bldg w/full service amenities; concierge, pool, spa, fitness ctr & more! MLS#A3991141 $430,000

www.candyswick.com

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It’s everything you imagine boating should be!

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• Consistent top producer on Longboat Key • In-depth knowledge of the real estate market • Active in our community with Longbeach Village Association Longboat Key Historical Society Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Longboat Key Center for the Arts Longboat Key Garden Club

Mary Czernyk, St. Armands Circle Association, and Bruce Dilges, of Sperry Van Ness

133003

Carol and Steve Lawson, St. Armands Travel

St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Diana Corrigan, association member Bill Carman and Sharon Juraszek, of Tommy Bahama

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

11B

Ackerman

INTRODUCING THE

BARBARA

REALTOR®

GROUP

The #1 Group on Florida’s West Coast and Ranked in the Top .5% of Coldwell Banker Associates Internationally.

ESCAPE THE POLAR VORTEX! P NEW

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PUT THE TOP PRODUCERS TO WORK FOR YOU.

OR ITY AFTE! N U T RT PPO ONT ES O W R NE ACHF BE One Watergate - Downtown Sarasota Rarely available 2BR/2BA ‘A’ floor plan is ready to be customized to your personal vision. Spectacular views of Sarasota Bay and the Marina from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The perfect downtown location! $515,000 INCL

UDE

EE E! PRIC ANCE F

CRE

Country Club Shores - Direct Bay Front Lovely 3,700+ SF waterfront home at the end of a cul-de-sac with 3 bedrooms plus study/4th bedroom, stunning open Bay views, infinityedge pool and two car garage. $3,500,000

Siesta Key - Norsota Way Unique gated Bay front jewel walled-in for privacy with four bedrooms, modern bathrooms and kitchen, gleaming wood floors and a covered pool with glassed outdoor entertainment area. Private dock with 2 boat lifts. $1,890,000

La Bellasara - Best Downtown Views Completely turnkey furnished 8th floor residence with 3 full bedrooms + study, 12 foot ceilings, summer kitchen and private garage. $2,695,000

Laurel Oak Estates - Lake Front Custom built 4,300 SF home with 3 bedrooms and a possible 4th bedroom in the attached guest house with full bath. Pool & spa area with summer kitchen looks out to long lake and lush golf course views. $995,000

DIT

NEW MAINTEN

6 MO

NTH

Water Club I - Pied-á-Terre Have a slice of paradise! Fully turnkey furnished, 1BR/1.5BA apartment in a great location with easy access to the beach and amenities ready for immediate enjoyment, a rare opportunity! $569,000

On the Gulf - Longboat Key Gated estate on nearly 2 acres with 150’ of pristine beach front on the Gulf of Mexico, built in 2007. 7 BR/6.5 BA, elevator, 2-story library, separate attached guest wing, 4-car garage. $8,900,000

Longboat Beach House - Direct Gulf Front Updated first floor corner location. 2BR/2BA, fully furnished, walk out to the beach or enjoy nightly sunsets from your lanai! $595,000

Grand Bay II - Stunning Views Sunrises and sunsets from this beautifully furnished two bedroom plus den apartment at Grand Bay with gorgeous water views. Includes two valuable garage spaces. Shows like a model. $1,299,000

Islands West - Direct Gulf Front Beach, Views, Location and Opportunity! Magnificent Southwest Beach & Gulf Views from every room of this 6th floor 2BR/2BA residence. $599,000

PR NEW

IST EW L

ING

ICE

Grand Bay III - Incredible Views Never lived in custom-designed 2BR + office/3BA apartment on the 3rd floor with sparkling Bay and city views. 2 garage parking spaces included. $1,249,000

Ringling Pointe - Historic Sapphire Shores Stunning Direct Bay Front On 145 feet of deep water with 5BR/3.5 BA, a 2,200 SF master suite, 1,000 bottle wine room, private dock. $3,740,000

Lido Regency - Bay and City Views Choice south corner two bedroom two bath apartment on the 10th floor with tons of space, oak wood floors, and spectacular Sarasota Bay and city views! $489,000

Siesta Cove - Siesta Key Waterfront 3- story coastal home located on a quiet cul-de-sac with 4BR/5BA has glorious water & tropical views from each level. 4,764 SF with private dock. $1,545,000

Eagles Point - The Landings Corner Penthouse apartment with unobstructed water views from every window. Three full bedrooms, glassed-in patio and 10ft ceilings. 2 valuable parking spaces included. $749,999

Grand Bay I - Views Views Views Updated 9th floor Cayman plan residence with 3BR /3.5 BA, soaring 11’ ceilings, and new wood floors. Enjoy sunrises on Sarasota Bay AND glorious sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico! $1,575,000

Promenade - Gulf Front Style, Sophistication, Simply a WOW on the Beach! Completely redone with sweeping Southwest views of the Gulf & Sarasota city skyline. Located on the 8th floor, 2BR/2BA & a 23’ terrace. $998,000

Sleepy Lagoon - Longboat Key Stunning waterfront home on Marbury Lane with 4 bedrooms + den / 4.5 bathrooms totaling 2,702 square feet. Completely renovated, new appliances, pool, boat dock and even a putting green out back! $1,180,000

941-387-1820 Direct I 800-910-8728 Toll-Free I www.barbaraackerman.com I barbara@barbaraackerman.com All Barbara’s listings are linked Internationally in 19 languages. Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

129669

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate I 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite #1, Longboat Key, FL 34228

12B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

real estate | transactions

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

By Adam Hughes | Research Editor

L’Ambiance condominium sells for $2.5 million The following residential real estate transactions took place between Feb. 10 and Feb. 14. A condominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Barbara DePaul, trustee, sold the Unit A-201 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to Maurice and Carolyn Cunniffe, of Greenwich, Conn., for $2.5 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,220 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.9 million in 2012.

Grand Bay

J. Donald and Sarah Morris, of Gainsville, Va., sold their Unit 166 condominium at 3060 Grand Bay Blvd. to Charles and Deirdre Schueppert, of Kent, England, for $1,395,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 2,781 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.1 million in 2000.

N.Y., for $725,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $425,000 in 1998.

Seaplace

M&T Bank sold the Unit M2-115 condominium at 1945 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Steven Micheletti and Kimberly Matuck, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., for $385,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,076 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $580,000 in 2007.

First Longboat Harbour

Ernest Enhorning and Corinne Townsend sold their Unit 108 condominium at 4350 Chatham Drive to Patricia Martini and Ciro Amato, of Califon, N.J., for $231,000. Built in 1969, it has one bedroom, one bath and 1,092 square feet of living area.

Country Club Shores

Cedars East

Sea Gate Club

LIDO KEY

Silvana Nandin and Antonia Gilberti, of Sarasota, sold their home at 561 Gunwale Lane to James and Marina Farr, of Longboat Key, for $1,342,500. Built in 1965, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,506 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,182,500 in 2006. James McIntosh, trustee, of Mason, Ohio, sold the Unit 6-E condominium at 2425 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Peter and Helga Biggs, trustee, of Winchester, Mass., for $785,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,470 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $520,000 in 2011.

Elizabeth Neupert, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 21 condominium at 535 Forest Way to Patrick and Mary Kondrat, of Longboat Key, for $215,000. Built in 1990, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,440 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $322,500 in 2004.

Lido Harbour Towers

Buckswild Properties LLC sold the Unit 307 condominium at 1770 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Diana Garcia, of Sarasota, for $500,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,207 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $410,000 in 2011.

Beachplace

Lenore Asher, of Dedham, Mass., sold the Unit 404 condominium at 1135 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Judy Lighter, of Port Washington,

YOUROBSERVER.COM // See a map

of this week’s real estate sales.

File photo

Unit A-201 at L’Ambiance has three bedrooms, three baths, two half-baths and 3,220 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million.

LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER

1926 Harbourside Dr # 1301 #A3991171 $629,000 Jennifer Putnam

Longboat Key 941-951-6660 941-539-6768

6821 Hughes St #A3982781 $575,000 Dana Westmark

Longboat Key 941-951-6660 941-356-5091

4600 Bay Shore Rd #A3983290 $574,900 Nancie Kalin

Sarasota 941-388-4447 941-928-8833

550 Oakford Rd #A3985889 $549,000 Valerie Telfair

Sarasota 941-388-4447 941-315-5488

6051 Gulf Of Mexico Dr #A3983113 $3,795,000 Ann Martin

1111 N Gulfstream Ave # 3C #A3986560 $545,000 Peggy Mock

Sarasota 941-388-4447 941-356-3584

6951 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 21 #A3992400 $529,000 Sandi Layfield

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

8640 Dolce Ln #A3986435 $489,900 Cathi Reali

Sarasota 941-388-4447 941-232-8200

1611 Pine Bay Dr #A3992754 $489,000 Barbara Najmy

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-383-7591

450 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # B101 #A3970985 $459,000 Diana Kryszak

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-356-7717

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

4485 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 503 #A3979554 $449,900 Steve Magner

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-376-8559

FAMILIAR FACES. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. Showcase your property to over 6,500 affiliate branches in 52 countries. 1937 Goldenrod St #A3992893 $375,000 Barbara May

7905 Waterton Ln #A3992456 $1,695,000 Jessika Arman

Sarasota 941-388-4447 404-822-9264

1930 Harbourside Dr # 124 #A3982406 $359,900 Saint Cacchiotti

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-809-0787

Lakewood Ranch 941-388-4447 941-587-4202

2002 Harbourside Dr # 1601 #A3931062 $339,000 Eileen Burke

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-266-8949

4380 Exeter Dr # 206 #A3990374 $335,000 Maureen Doherty

Longboat Key 941-951-6660 941-993-3159

4600 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 203 #A3993106 $335,000 Sharon Freeman

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-545-0899

225 Sands Point Rd # 6204 #A3985969 $334,000 Terri Derr

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-356-6694

1203 3Rd Street E Cir #A3981430 $329,000 Robert Lindeman

Palmetto 941-388-4447 941-504-2123

4822 Lake Breeze Ter #A3992124 $319,900 Maureen Horn

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-539-3384

6750 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 148 #A3978064 $300,000 Tammy Mast

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-256-6543

6835 Wagon Wheel Cir #A3986845 $300,000 Marcia Salkin

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-376-6121

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Feb. 14 through Feb. 20, in order of dollar amounts. (GMD = Gulf of Mexico Drive) Address Permit 6600 Bayou Hammock Single family Road home New single 830 Tarawitt Drive family home Alteration 3681 Bayou Circle 4835 GMD Kitchen alteration 560 Yardarm Lane Lift, seawall and dock 739 St. Judes Drive S. Alteration 551 Bowsprit Lane Seawall 3271 Bayou Road Pool 4825 GMD Alteration 6550 Bayou Dock Hammock Road 2339 Harbour Oaks Drive Deck screen enclosure 685 Spanish Drive N. Windows 690 Spanish Drive S. Windows 3740 GMD Alteration Alteration 380 North Shore Road 2252 Harbour Court Drive Window replacement

Applicant Michael Morris Hunt Brothers Homes Inc. Guy-Pierre DePoerck, trustee James Jezewski Steve Friedman Arthur Baer SP1 Inc. Kathleen Sweeney Joseph Tombasco

m i c hSchwell aelsaunders.com Jenifer Explore now on your phone or tablet. 61 S. Boulevard of the Presidents • St. Armands

941.780.0968

Jenifer Schwell brings 25 years of in-depth market knowledge and experience to work on your behalf.

Amount

Her command of the market and time-tested negotiating experience dealing with intricate and complex transactions produce a flawless closing without stress or last minute concerns. Jenifer makes buying or selling real estate a true pleasure, and prides herself on being there for her clients every step of the way, including long after the transaction is closed.

$1.6 million $365,000 $252,724 $57,865 $54,000 $48,386 $30,000 $29,707 $25,798

Edward Kolodzieski $14,592 Deena Delmoro $6,900 Elaine Anzalone $5,150 Wendy Duerkop $5,000 Ann Dolan $1,500 Guy Armstrong $1,072 Elizabeth Colebrook, trustee $730

13B

As a result, Jenifer has earned a long list of loyal clients who have bought and sold properties with her many times over. Her clients trust her implicitly, and they can be confident they have the very best when they hire Jenifer as their agent for life. Please visit JeniferSchwell.michaelsaunders.com to learn more.

1445 Gulf of Mexico Dr 502 Players Club Penthouse A3989515 $1,095,000

572 Gunwale Lane A3980750 $1,499,000

5200 Siesta Cove Drive A3979960 $2,150,000

4598 Guava Ct #A3987578 $295,000 Klaus Lang

4340 Falmouth Dr # 305 #A3985972 $255,000 Tama Traberman

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-320-1223

Longboat Key 941-383-5502 941-225-3351

RE N TA L

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

RE N TA L

4700 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # D202 #A3986790 $285,000 Bobbi Banan

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-320-4261

3240 Gulf Of Mexico Drive # 305B Longboat Key #A3968071 $4,000/month, 30 day min Diann Thelen 941-552-4200

3320 Gulf Of Mexico Drive # 102C Longboat Key #A3970123 $2,000-$3,000/month, 30 day min Diann Thelen 941-552-4200

2307 Cass St #A3985230 $289,900 Brigitte Von Kessel

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-266-2174

4350 Chatham Dr # 105 #A3988751 $207,500 Michael Bruno

1717 71st St NW #M5842256 $2,550,000 Cynthia Pierro

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-920-6818

230 Sands Point Rd # 3005 #A3987939 $1,350,000 Ian Addy Pa

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-961-8850

3691 Bayou Cir #A3990373 $1,049,000 Hannerle Moore

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

2069 Harbour Links Dr # 3 #A3992294 $996,000 Julie Klick

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-780-6001

2105 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 3403 #A3992589 $769,000 Christina Landry

Longboat Key 941-388-4447 941-376-4498

2525 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 4B #A3993027 $649,000 Tom Delaney

Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-387-3990

Longboat Key 941-966-8000 941-320-3229

RE N TA L

4960 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 202 #A3979213 $299,500 Diane Otis Stirling

115 Tyler Dr # 104 #A3979045 Diann Thelen

Sarasota $1,500-$2,500/month, 30 day min 941-552-4200

VA C AT I O N R E N TA L S 6633 Gulf Of Mexico Dr #A3989550 $22,000,000 Deborah Beacham

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

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

White Sands of Longboat whitesandsoflongboat.com 800.230.2428

132130

Veranda Beach Club verandabeachclub.com 800.411.5511

14B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

HEALTHCALENDAR

opportunity to discuss issues related to personal and/or health concerns; give and receive emotional, spiritual and practical support; and exchange information in a confidential setting. Call 383-6491.

Dr. Joel Schwartz, a psychiatrist and board-certified psychoanalyst, will discuss the physical and emotional benefits of humor. Cost is $15 for members; $20 for non-members. Call 383-8811.

All Angels by the Sea Longevity Journey Series — begins at 2 p.m. Feb. 26, at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. Liz Cupo, a mental health therapist, will speak on “The Psychologies of Growing Older and Living Longer.” Call 383-8161.

‘Laugh and Live Longer’ Lecture — takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 4, at the Longboat Key Education Center, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 212.

Shifting Sands Support Group — meets from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The group provides an



BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS

Screenings are offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. daily, at Longboat Key Fire Rescue, 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive. On occasion, personnel may not be available to provide the service if they are out on a fire/rescue call. Call 316-1944.

Tai Chi Class — takes place at 10 a.m. Fridays through March 28, at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-8161. Transitions Support Group — meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. The group is free and open to individuals in the community who are experiencing changes in their lives. Call 383-8161.

ON THE

Community Cancer Support Group — meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. The group welcomes cancer patients, long-term survivors and caregivers. Call 383-8192.

‘Marvelous Mind Games’ Workshop — takes place from 1:28 to 4:28 p.m. Feb. 26, at the Aging in Paradise Resource Center at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Nick Kovalakides, a retired Marine Corps captain, will lead the workshop that is meant to enhance brain power.

To submit a listing for next month’s health calendar, email Kelsey Grau at kgrau@yourobserver.com by 5 p.m. March 13. Please include the time, date, location, cost and any other relevant information.

DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET

O PE

ND N SU

-4 AY 1

Terri Derr • 941-356-6694 Michael Saunders & Company

Joe Romanowski • 941-721-6280 Royal Palm Real Estate, Inc.

Margot Robinson • 941-993-7990 Wagner Realty

Hannerle Moore • 941-387-7300 Michael Saunders & Company

LV7679

2069 HARBOUR LINKS DR, LBK $996,000 Emerald Pointe North. Coveted Bay Isles location & cherished privacy. Pool home, w/2,767 sq ft offers sophisticated details throughout. MLS A3992294

LV7681

FAIRWAY BAY TOWNHOUSE $389,000 2BR/2.5BA Living room fireplace, vaulted ceiling w/skylights, 1 car garage, heated pool, spa, tennis, clubhouse. Deeded Beach access. MLS A3992563

LV7697

REALTORS INVITED! NON MLS $347,800 Bay Club at Terra Ceia Bay! 3% Seller Paid Commission! 3Br/2BA+Den, 2120sf. Spectacular waterfront and sunset views! Low HOA fees. Views! Value!

LV7509

RESORT AT LBK CLUB $334,000 Own a Club Suite, gulf to bay, unabashed luxury, soothing sanctuary, toes in the sand, wind in your hair, yoga on the shore, income! MLS A3985969

Hannerle Moore • 941-387-7300 Michael Saunders & Company

LV7617

WATERFRONT BIRD KEY HOME $1,525,000 Beautiful Bird Key home w/121’ of seawall w/room for multiple boats. The classic interior includes 3,173 sq. ft. www.hannerle.com MLS A3991516

LV7361

LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS $1,495,000 Direct beachfront w/3 bedrooms & 2,593 sq. ft. This condo has walls of windows, crown moldings & builtins www.longboatlife.com for info. MLS A3987049

LV7680

GORGEOUS BAYOU $1,195,000 Overlooking Crane’s Bayou & Buttonwood Bay w/deep sailboat water, this 2-story, 4BR home is a boater’s paradise www.longboatlife.com MLS A3981543

LV7491

BEAUTIFUL BAYOU HOME $1,049,000 Remodeled w/new kitchen, baths & volume ceilings. Perfect for entertaining w/paver lanai & private pool area. www.longboatlife.com. MLS A3990373

Showcase YOUR Listings

Here

Michele Burnett • 941-928-1542 Michael Saunders & Company

Publishes Twice Each Month in The Longboat Observer Call your advertising rep for details 941-366-3468 134633

Michele Burnett • 941-928-1542 Michael Saunders & Company

ONLY $75

LV7111

Maureen Horn • 941-539-3384 Michael Saunders & Company

LV7507

BRILLIANT CONTEMPORARY! $3,795,000 Mansion on acre bayfront with guest house located in the heart of Sarasota. Designed by award winning architect. 8011 Longbay Blvd. MLS A3964509

LV7508

PANORAMIC SKYLINE VIEWS! $1,855,000 Prestigious Lido Shores ~ 462 Bowdoin Circle. Build your waterfront dream home or live in existing home in world class St. Armands. MLS A3934801

LV7676

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES LBK 1,649,000 Waterfront w/ boat dock.Built 2005, it’s lowest priced home built after 2001 w/4000+ SF on deep water canal in south Country Club Shores. MLS A3980172

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

OBSERVER WEATHER

15B

Do you love taking photos? We want your best photos of sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, etc. Submit your local weather photos for a chance to have your photo published in the paper! See all of the winning photos each week by visiting The Observer’s Facebook page.

TEMPERATURES

Record Temperatures High

Low

High

Low

Tuesday, Feb. 18

85 (1918)

35 (1977)

Wednesday, Feb. 19

86 (1990)

32 (1958)

Thursday, Feb. 20

85 (1977)

32 (1916)

Friday, Feb. 21

87 (1977)

32 (1958)

Saturday, Feb. 22

87 (1990)

30 (1977)

Sunday, Feb. 23

86 (1962)

33 (1978)

Monday, Feb. 24

87 (2001)

32 (1964)

Average Gulf water temperature: 67

MOON PHASES March 1 New March 8 First March 16 Full March 23 Last

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise

Sunset

Thursday, Feb. 27

6:57a

6:30p

Friday, Feb. 28

6:56a

6:30p

Saturday, March 1

6:55a

6:31p

Sunday, March 2

6:54a

6:31p

Monday, March 3

6:53a

6:32p

Tuesday, March 4

6:52a

6:33p

Wednesday, March 5

6:51a

6:33p

TIDES  Terri Envey submitted this sunset photo, taken at Lido Key Public Beach.

Scan the QR code on your smartphone to submit your weather photos! Or visit YourObserver.com and click on the “Contests” tab.

CRYPTOGRAMS KS

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Thursday, Feb. 27

—

11:43a

5:34a

4:58p

Friday, Feb. 28

—

12:05p

6:11a

5:52p

Saturday, March 1

—

12:23p

6:46a

6:39p

Sunday, March 2

12:17a

7:16a

12:45p

7:28p

Monday, March 3

1:06a

7:43a

1:10p

8:19p

Tuesday, March 4

1:56a

8:09a

1:38p

9:11p

2:51a Wednesday, March 5

8:33a

2:10p

10:08p

ACROSS

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

M J S W L V,

Lows

SHOES FOR RENT by Mary Jersey

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

1. K

Highs

pitchers 59 Welcome prelude 118 Make gender60 Not present 1 Group of two neutral 62 Sudden work 5 Hardly stimulating 119 It’s sometimes stoppage 10 “Big Three” struck in 66 Mounted again, as conference site photography a picture 15 Baby bed 70 Monetary value 19 Give an extreme 71 Casino winner DOWN makeover to 76 Petri dish contents 1 Lose tautness 20 In an unfriendly 77 “___ McPhee” (2005 2 Gossip fashion 3 Mine openings film) 21 Letter-shaped 4 Ellipsis part 78 Burst open skyscraper support 5 Riboflavin, for one 80 “All kidding ___ ...” 22 “... in ___-horse 6 Extreme 81 Some public open sleigh” 7 Rock heap officials 23 “Don’t bet ___!” 8 Economic and 84 Biological 24 Prom dress social misfortunes subdivision 9 Change the color of material, 86 Classic Icelandic 10 “Hooray!” sometimes 11 James Garfield’s poetry 25 Chatter idly middle name 87 Inquire 26 Old-time tale 12 Big name in jets 88 Dawdles 27 First N.L. player to 13 London art gallery 89 Slatted furniture hit 500 home runs 14 Purple birthstone item 28 Wins the chess 15 ___ point (for 91 They’re “two, two, match example) two mints in one” 16 Lion sounds 29 Do some spoiling? 92 Glazier’s need 17 Gold brick 31 Baseball or 93 Farthest or highest 18 Mardi Gras crossword solving, giveaways (Abbr.) e.g. 28 Short skirt 94 Connected with the 33 “Beg pardon ...” 29 Bar Mitzvah site eyes or vision 34 Mechanically raises 30 Ado 97 Additionally up 32 Gifted one’s gift 98 Eavesdropper 35 Something to buy 33 Fit for the job 102 Dessert not for the on “Wheel of 36 Heron cousin calorie-conscious 37 “Give that ___ Fortune” 105 Room in the game cigar!” 36 Charge, as with 38 Inquiry for a lost Clue feeling package 107 Cheer from the 38 Check the fit 39 Offensively strong bleachers 40 It might end up in 40 A dirty person may 108 Architectural the gutter draw one annexes 44 Bold 41 Nondairy topping 109 Mirror reflection 45 It has an academy 42 “Pee-___ Big 110 Book-jacket in Quantico, Va. Adventure” paragraph 43 Unappetizing meal 48 “Hard ___!” 111 Blue hue 44 Say suddenly (with (captain’s “out”) 112 Woman’s command) 45 “Can’t complain” undergarment 49 Liquid for pickles 46 West German 50 Old southern estate 113 “No way!” capital 114 Expenditures 52 Mighty small 47 “Meet Me ___ 115 The same, in 54 “Anytown, ___” Louis” footnotes 55 Pull strings? 50 Deep-piled fabric 116 Enjoys dinner 51 “My country, ___ of 56 Hotel relatives thee ...” 57 SWAT team rescuee 117 Wide-spouted

53 Show one’s boredom 55 ___-training (toddler’s task) 58 Jazz band’s job 59 “The one that got away” and others 60 Abbr. akin to alias 61 Kind of test 63 Disney seven 64 ___ out (nods off) 65 Enter, as data 66 Pro ___ 67 Hollywood giants 68 Eagle-eyed one 69 Coffee dispenser 72 In the habit of 73 Travel by horse 74 Performs basic arithmetic 75 Reporter’s source, at times 77 Sans mixers 78 Animal’s hide 79 Sale word 82 Immaculate 83 “A Raisin in the Sun” writer Hansberry 84 “Jail” lead-in, in Monopoly 85 Violin part 89 Corrode 90 Tactic 91 Necklace closings 92 Electrician’s gripper 94 Like Santa Claus 95 Jack-in-the-pulpit cousin 96 Not kindled, as a fire 97 “Rags to riches” penner 98 Sudden flow, as of water 99 Where many Goyas hang 100 House overhangs 101 What cats and rats do 103 Diving duck 104 Cover the road 105 Pivot 106 King ___ tomb 110 Physique, slangily 111 Winter wind quality

02-27-14

Thursday, February 27, 2014

ItemsUnder Under $200 $200 For Items ForSale Sale ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, 15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising. Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer. (No phone calls please.) (Please provide your name and address) Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group P.O. Box 3169 Sarasota, Fl 34230 BABY CRADLE: Antique Solid Wood, from England. Excellent Condition, $185.00. Call 941-383-1210. BEACH BIKES; 1 man's, 1 woman's. Good condition. $199. Call 941-993-8123. CAR TOP luggage carrier. $50 or best offer. 248-672-1646. GLASS TABLE: white wicker, 18”x48”x32”, $50. Exerciser: Pro Form, $50. 941-383-2269. TELESCOPE: 941-383-2444.

CELESTRON,

Asking

$199.

Autos For for Sale 2003 MERCEDES E320. Beautiful classic black, leather, garage kept, 125,000 miles with another 125,000 to go! Call 349-4835 to see, $11,500 o/b/o.

Autos Wanted Wanted WE BUY CARS. TOP $$ PAID FOR YOUR VEHICLES. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Boat Slips Slips For Rent/Sale Boat Rent/Sale 60’ BOAT Slip for Sale. Longboat Key Moorings. Slip H-12, prime location outside the restaurant. 713-552-1101, 713-725-3453. LBK MOORINGS: 73ft. Boat Slip $165,000. Easy in and out, unobstructed bay view, water, cable, wireless included. Owner Financing. Other slips available 45ft. to 194ft, from $1,274 per ft. Bettie R. Perry, Broker/Owner. Associated Realty LBK. 941-961-0372 LONGBOAT KEY: Indoor boat slip for rent. Top Level, 30/ft. length x 8/ft 6” beam x 9/ft. 10” height. 941-806-8500. NEW YEAR, New LOW rents from private owner in high and dry Marina. Excellent boating location. We will beat all prices! Call 941-544-5597.

Boats Boats are selling Very well. Most within a couple of weeks. Let’s talk about selling yours. “Business on a Handshake.” We buy boats too. www.Islandboatsales.net 941-228-3489. ChitwoodCharters.com Cruise or Fish Hyatt Sarasota Docks 32’/53’ Yachts - 2hrs./2 months 941-383-5232 UNIQUE, ERGONOMIC friendly Kayaks. www.wavewalk.com. Kayaks are now available on the Keys. Call Tom or Ari for your free Sarasota Bay demo. 941-524-7272.

Furnishings Furnishings BRAND NEW Serta Queen Pillowtop Mattress Set. Willing to sacrifice for $150. Need to sell quickly! (941)387-4810. PERSIAN AND Tribal carpets from our personal collection acquired over a 20 year period while living abroad. Room size carpets, runners, and smaller carpets. Photographs by E-mail. Carpets can be seen by appointment in Longboat Key. Cash only. E-mail: waa1204@gmail.com or vcabahrain@gmail.com

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales Garage/Moving/Estate Sales ALWAYS LBK’S BIGGEST & BEST! ROYAL RUMMAGE SALE VII ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA 4280 Gulf of Mexico Dr. SAVE THE DATES Friday, March 7, noon to 4p.m. $5.00 Admission Saturday, March 8, - 9a.m.-1p.m. Free Admission

ANNUAL FLEA MARKET Saturday, March 1st, 9a.m.-3p.m. Mt. Vernon Clubhouse, 4701 Independence Dr. South off Cortez Rd. Baked Goods, Clothing, Jewelry, Linens, Books, White Elephants, Furniture.

Auctions SUPER INVESTOR AUCTION. Great cap rate on 3 homes & duplex on two different lots. 3/1/14 one at 10a.m. other 12:30p.m. Call for info & terms. AB923 AU1333. 941-746-5355. www.arfaac.com All Florida Realty & Auction Co.

Personals *ADOPTION*: Loving TV Sports Editor & Pharmacist, Music, Nurturing Family Values awaits 1st baby. Expenses paid. 1-800-552-0045 FLBar 42311 *Lyn & Bob*.

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

Help Wanted Help Wanted JANITORIAL P/T - Monday through Friday, 8a.m.-12. Background check is required. 941-383-4223.

Condos/Apts. For Rent Rent Condos/Apt. For BEACHPlACE, lBk. Casual beachfront living in 2BR/2BA, balcony condo. Olympic pool, health club, tennis courts. Available June through December, $2500/mo. Also available January through March, $5200/mo. Call for info. Contact Elizabeth/NYC. 212-570-2950.

Condos/Apts. For Rent Rent Condos/Apt. For

Homes For Sale Homes Sale

L’AMBIANCE, LONGBOAT Key Club: Beach front 2/bedroom, 3/bath condo on high floor with 270° views over the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay and LBK Club. Sunrises, sunsets over the water thru floor to ceiling windows in all rooms. View at:

**UPSCALE HOMES** For a FREE list of upscale homes, visit SarasotaWaterfrontLuxury.com or call 800-691-0176 ID # 1049 Call anytime, 24/7

www.thephotos.smugmug.com/WaterFront/LBKCondo

Call 203-984-8477 or email garment@optonline.net LBK PORTOBELLO BEACH FRONT: 2BR/2BA Condo on 4th floor. For details and Virtual Tour, visit: www.BeachAbodeLBK.com Phone 815-919-5357. LBK: SANDS POINT 1BR/2BA, annual, unfurnished. Behind gates at Islandside. Water view. Non-smoking, No Pets. 941-383-3702.

LBK: TIFFANY Plaza Beachfront Condos, 1st floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, walk out to beach. Furnished, heated pool, covered parking. 1 mo. min. 941-383-3338. WANTED IN NORTH LONGBOAT. Annual Rental from April 1st, 2014. 3 + bed house. 2+ Car Garage. Private Setting. Excellent credit and references for quiet gentleman with no pets. Phone Sarasota Luxury Rentals, 941 225 1356 or email: info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com.

Condos For For Sale Condos BY OWNER. Turnkey apartment, 2BR/2BA, corner unit, Gulf side. $550,000. Lots of furniture, lots of room, lots of view, feet from the beach. Call 941-383-1741. FREE! What every Real Estate buyer or seller needs to know! Go to: www.yourmarketupdate.com GATED BEACHFRONT Community on Longboat Key. 2BR/2BA, updated kitchen, appliances, granite in master, heated pools. $299,900. Brooke O’Malley, CLUB REALTY. 941-726-2677 LBK: BAY ISLES; By Owner. 2BR/2.5BA, 2 car garage, 2400/sq.ft., $565,000. Call 941-383-5944. LONGBOAT KEY CLUB: INN ON THE BEACH. Private club suite, turnkey, tennis, Golf course view, 650/ sq.ft. $339,000. 708-267-6704.

Homes For Rent Homes Rent LBK: FULLY furnished, beautiful, 3BR/3BA +office and media room. Pool, spa, private dock, deeded beach access. $5800/mo. includes pool and yard maintenance. 941-383-8278.

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www.yourobserver.com

Re/Max Alliance Group

Lots/Acreage For Sale Lots/Acreage 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 $310,000. Call 612-723-6437

Out-of-State Property Out-of-State Property JACKSON HOLE GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB. A VIEW TO LIVE FOR!! Single Family Cabin with spectacular views of the Tetons. At the edge of Grand Teton National Park. Great golf, tennis, swimming, world class skiing, fishing and superb dining. Wildlife abundant. 2BR/2.5BA. Designer furnished and decorated. Convenient to airport, historic Town of Jackson. Golf and tennis membership available. Offered at $1,250,000. Joseph Albano 941-400-8877.

Real Estate Wanted Real Wanted WANTED LUXURY ANNUAL RENTALS For Qualified Waiting Clients Contact - Sarasota Luxury Rentals 941-225-1356 email: info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com Personalized attention with professional honest advice. 25 Years Experience - References available

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Vacation/Seasonal Rentals BAYPORT BEACH: 2015 Season. First floor, 2BR/2BA, end unit, gym, nobody above, internet, 1650/sq.ft. 941-387-0070. BAYPORT, LONGBOAT KEY. Beautifully furnished 2BR/2BA, direct Gulf view, lanai, sundeck, tennis, pool, fitness center, premium cable TV, hi-speed wireless internet, more. Available December 2014-January 2015. 954-476-1137, bayportapt@gmail.com BEAUTIFUL 2BR/2BA condo behind gates of Longboat Key. W/D. Available Jan., Feb., March, 2015. No pets./Non-smoking. Call 309-689-0830. Exceptional Vacation Rentals Since 1994 Homes & Condominiums Studios to Six Bedrooms Beachfront, Intercoastal or Garden Excellent Service & Staff FloRIDA VACATIon ConnECTIon www.Flvacationconnection.com 941-387-9709 877-705-2460

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SELL IT! 955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

Make Your Phone ring

Team Up With Classifieds /'955-4888 62 www.yourobserver.com HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 56733

This week’s Sudoku answers

HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 117730

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Your source for local Classiﬁeds

2014

This week’s Cryptogram answers

1. A singer, an artist and a counselor got into an argument over what “the blues” meant. It was colorful, moody and very baleful haggling. 2. A woodworker bored a hole in a board. His cute assistant said she was bored with the boards and would like to take a board to the beach.

17B Classifieds 17B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 Thursday, February 27, 2014 Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Weekly/ Monthly/ Seasonal Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-6127 Visa/ MC 800-352-0367 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m. M-F Ask about our special rates! Wagner Realty Since 1939

www.wagnerrentals.com

Vacation/Seasonal Rentals Vacation/Seasonal Rentals

Adult Care Services Adult Services

LIDO BEACH CONDOMINIUMS Weekly - Monthly - Seasonal

A Lending Hand, Inc.

www.casadelmar.net Weekly/Monthly Condominium Rentals 4 Night Minimum Reservations: 941-383-5549 Fax: 941-383-7925 Office Open 7 Days, 9a.m. - 5p.m. 4621 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 Fully equipped 2BR/2BA condos with washer and dryer, and wireless internet in each unit. Extra Large Heated Gulf View Swimming Pool!

OUR GUESTS RETURN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

GUlFFRonT: lonGBoAT TERRACE 2BR/2BA condo. Available starting April Tastefully decorated. 321-279-3610. LBK C.C. SHORES. 3BR/2BA/2CC. Vacation paradise home. Beautifully furnished, large heated pool, dock, laminated floors in bedrooms, king sized bed, screened lanai, Wi-Fi, plasma TV, phone and cable, W/D, walk to beach. No pets/non-smoking. Bring your boat. Sleeps/5. $4500/mo. Owner: 941-504-1492, 941-504-1927. LBK: BEACHFRONT. BOOK NOW for your next season rental. 1BR & 3BR condos. Starting at $1250. The Outrigger Resort, 941-383-3844. LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS. Beachfront condo behind the gates. Available winter 2015. 2BR/2BA, direct close-up Gulf view. Call 847-295-9252.

Catering HHHHH BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE BACK AT OUR LONGBOAT KEY CENTRE SHOPS LOCATION!!

Resort Properties, Inc. Licensed Real Estate Broker Full Service Condominium Management 941-388-3921 - 888-388-3921 941-650-1857 Visit us at: resortproperties.pro LIDO BEACH Vacation paradise. 1 & 2 bedroom condos overlooking beautiful Lido Beach. Weekly rates. Lido Dorset. Rental condo. 1-800-734-3370. LONGBOAT KEY Club Beachfront: 1/BR, 2/Bath. Sands Point Condo with Gulf views, large living room, den and beautifully renovated kitchen. Call 203-984-8477 or E-mail: garment@optonline.net LONGBOAT KEY. Gulf front, heated pool on beach, 1BR/1BA condo, full kitchen, dining, sleeps/4, king pillowtop. 617-328-7145, 857-939-1049.

“Your Home by the Sea”

YourObserver.com

www.yourobserver.com

LONGBOAT KEY: Sunset Beach. 2BR/2BA, professionally designed condo with gulf views, beautiful sunsets, double terrace with private steps leading to beach, pool and jacuzzi. Designated underground parking spot. Available April/May, very flexible one month time frames. $5800/mo. Virtual tour: www.stephanienigrodesigns.com. Click Floridian Projects, then beachfront property. 941-586-6882. ON THE Gulf w/pool. 1BR condo, sleeps 4. Nicely furnished, cable, phone, full kitchen, living, dining area, W/D in building. Weekly or Monthly. May through January. $1600/mo. 941-351-5101. PORTOBELLO: 3240 GMD on Longboat Key: 5th floor unit, Gulf view, private heated pool, steps to beach, 2BR/2BA. Reserve 1st quarter 2015. 941-223-0061. TIFFANY PLAZA on LBK, beachfront condo. 2nd floor unit. Sweeping views of Gulf, private heated pool, steps to beach. 2 bedrooms 2 baths including large master with views. Available now through end of March. 1 month minimum. Please contact Jennifer, 863-370-6996. WEEKLY RENTALS. Luxurious, fully furnished 1 - 4 bedrooms. Condominiums and Cottages. Beach to Bay. On-site management. Pools, tennis, boat slips. Visit: www.FloridaRent.com for information and virtual tours. 800-333-7335, 941-383-3117.

Waterfront Property Waterfront Property WATERFRONT “Million Dollar View” - FSBO. Go to: www.tarawittdrive.com Brokers paid. Check it out.

Adult Care Services Adult Services MEDICAL ASSISTANT/NURSING ASSISTANT CERTIFIED - FT or PT. Light cooking & housekeeping, doctors appointments, shopping, free to travel anywhere, personal care. Overnights available. Own vehicle. Non-Smoker. References available. 4 languages. Kati, 941-228-4183.

FRIDAY **FEBRUARY 28**

Caregivers/Companions Hourly 24/7Care Transportation Social Outings/Dr. Appts. Housekeeping Meal Preparation Assistance With Daily Living Activities Respite Care

4 LIVE MAINE LOBSTER 4 BLUE FIN CRAB CAKES 4 PRIME RIB 4 VEAL PICATTA ALL ENTREES SERVED WITH CHEF’S CHOICE STARCH & VEGETABLE

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HOMEMADE PIES! AND MUCH MORE... JUST ASK...

PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVER 33 Years Experience Retired LPN, active LMT license/ insured. Available 6:30a.m.-6:30p.m. daily except Sunday. Excellent References. Call Lynn 941-807-7948. Lic. #MA71420

FRIDAYS NOW OPEN 8A.M.-8P.M. FULL MENU AVAILABLE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

Air Conditioning Conditioning Air

383-3787 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS BEER & WINE AVAILABLE

GULFSIDE A/C & Heating, LLC. SALES & SERVICE, FREE ESTIMATES! 10 MINUTE RESPONSE. Visa/MC/Disc. Lic. #CAC1816929 941-962-6863.

Auto Transport Auto Transport RETIRED LONGBOAT KEY police officer. Drive your car North or South and back. 941-713-1596. SHIP YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

CLASSIFIED LINE AD PRICE First 15 words ................. $15 per week Each Add’l word ..............................50¢ 15% DISCOUNT for 4 week Run Yellow color $5 per Week Border as low as $3 per Week

Cleaning 30 YEARS experience. We take pride in pleasing customers. Homes, schools, churches, resorts, offices. 941-756-4570. BLUE FISH CLEANING INC. 941-705-3812. Insured, Bonded. Affordable reliable home cleaning, $60, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

Computer Services Computer Services Cmagik - LBK resident, servicing our island year round for over 12 yrs. Bachelors Degree with 20 yrs. experience, PC or MAC. Professional help with computers, iPad/iPhones and tutoring. References upon request. Call Cort: 383-3878, 587-5588 cmagik.com OWN A MAC/iPHONE/iPAD? MacTutor has 21+ years experience teaching Apple products. I speak English, not “Geek”! (941) 812-3887 www.FLMacTutor.com

Call: 955-4888 Email: classiﬁed@yourobserver.com Online: www.yourobserver.com

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IT!

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18B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

18B Classifieds

THETHURSDAY, LONGBOAT OBSERVER FEBRUARY 27, 2014 Thursday, February 27, 2014

YourObserver.com

www.yourobserver.com

Home Remodeling Home Improvement/ Improvement/Remodeling

Landscaping & Lawn Landscaping Lawn Service Service

ISLE TILE

PERSONAL GARDENER. Plant Maintenance. Native, Butterfly, Ornamental. Reliable. Local References. 941-366-2919.

FOR â€œQUALITY AND EXPERIENCEâ€?

Masonry

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

Pressure Cleaning Washing

SARASOTA COURIER Your Full Service Company!

PRESSURE WASHING: Residential and Commercial. ECO Cleaning. Roofs, lanais, pool areas, etc. Roof coating also. 941-756-4570.

STEVE ALLEN FLOOR COVERINGS PROFESSIONAL TILE & MARBLE INSTALLATION 20 YRS. EXPERIENCE CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE 726-1802 LIC/ INS

www.sarasotacourier.com 855-776-7363 or 212-804-8525

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates. 941-744-1020. 35+ years experience. CUSTOM PAINTING, Wallpaper Removal. Quality work at a reasonable price. Free Estimates. Established 1978. Call Daniel at L.L. Armstrong Contracting. Lic./Insured. 941-323-5074. RICK STEAKLEY PAINTING. Interior/Exterior. Pressure Washing. Wallpaper Removal. Drywall Repairs. Reasonable. Reliable. Professional. 30+/years experience. References available. Free Estimates. Lic./Ins. 941-228-7605, rlsteakley60@gmail.com

YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC Gail Sunray, Owner

All Variations of Ceramic Tile Supplied & Installed. Free Estimates & Custom Designs. Expert Marble & Travertine Installation Floor & Walls

I come to your home or office.

4 Bill Paying & Account Reconciliation 4 Organizing Personal and Business Files 4 Budgets & Financial Reports 4 Federal and State Tax Returns

DO YOU NEED A PERSONAL ASSISTANT? Transportation, Personal Errands/Shopping, Doctor Appts, Housesitting, Social EventsTheater, Dinner etc. Light meal preparation/ housekeeping. Call Ms. Schwabe 941-932-2732.

BONDED & INSURED Over 25 yrs. experience

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

Visit us online at www.yourobserver.com

GARAGE SALE

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

HOUSEHOLD MANAGER/ PERSONAL ASSISTANT. 20 years caregiving experience on Longboat. Excellent credentials. Improve the quality of your life. Call Debbie, 941-780-0072. For people who only want the best.

Grout Cleaning & Sealing Service Available

Y E N O M E V $A And Y E N O M E k MA

Personal & Business Bookkeeping Accounting/ Taxes

Personal Services Personal Services TILE TILE TILE

ISLAND SEDAN Serving Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, West Bradenton and St. Armands Towncar Service Rates: To or From: Tampa International Airport: $80 St. Pete/Clearwater Airport: $75 Sarasota/Bradenton Airport: $35 Call for rates to other locations Gratuities not included. 941-730-8803 islandsedan@gmail.com www.islandsedan.com

20 Years Experience - Uniformed Staff

Painting/Wallpapering Painting/Wallpapering JOHN GUBERNAT SERVICES Residential/ Commercial. Handyman Repairs, Roof Repairs, Coatings, Painting, Power Washing, Property Management, Home Watching. LBK Resident. Lic./Ins. 941-962-4867.

Transportation Transportation

*Restaurant Pick up & Delivery *Private Executive Car Service *Parcels, Gifts, Flowers, Groceries, Prescription Pick up & Delivery *Professional Packing and Moving *Removal of Unwanted Items *House Clearance Specialists

ALL TYPES OF MASONRY Specializing in concrete driveways, pavers, decorative concrete, stone work, patios. Call for free and honest estimates. 941-525-2435

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

Personal Services Personal Services

As low as $15 for 1 week! Get a discount when you run your ad in more than one Observer.

Pet Services Pet Services DOGGY HOTEL/GROOMING. 24 Hour Daycare. FREE Daycare with groom (we are the best). 3925 Brown Avenue behind Sleep King. doggyhotel.net 941-554-4620.

Call 941.955.4888

Service Directory PATIO REPAIRS, INC PATIO REPAIRS FurnitureSales Sales &&Repairs Furniture Repairs Cushions â€˘ Slings â€˘ Re-powdercoating #USHIONS s 3LINGS s 5MBRELLAS

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Dave McCarthy Operator/Owner

All Aspects of Home Maintenance & Repair

DOCKSIDE BOAT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

OleMurphs@gmail.com â€˘ www.OleMurphs.com Lic/Ins

PAINTING PAINTING

134476

941-254-7327 941-807-9800

Maintenance - Repair -Installation

15% rain OFF sensors

PAINTING & HOME IMPROVEMENT Remodel â€˘ Repair

IRRIGATION IRRIGATION A FULL SERVICE IRRIGATION COMPANY

COMPUTER

MARK HOWARD

131893

FREE ESTIMATES Dan Murphy: 941-400-8611 â€˘ Michael Murphy: 941-809-5247

Mark Fortson â€˘ CertiďŹ ed Building Contractor LIC# CBC056615 MRKFRTSN1@YAHOO.COM

PERSONAL SERVICES PERSONAL SERVICES

20 any irrigation OFF repair over $100

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941-888-2988 FREE ESTIMATES rainscapeďŹ‚.com

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

Friendly, Expert Computer Repairs

Licensed & Insured CNA on staff

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www.drgrabbars.com

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MOVERS

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Day Same * e ic rv e S

â€˘ Cleaning Home/OfďŹ ce/Rentals â€˘ Pre-arrival Services/Grocery Delivery â€˘ Courier Service (STA certiďŹ ed/IDC) â€˘ Pet Sitting/Groom/Vet Drop Off â€˘ General Errand Running â€˘ House Sitting/Vacation Home Check â€˘ Gourmet Meal Delivery â€˘ Anything you need, just ask!

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HANDYMAN HANDYMAN

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CERTIFIED & INSURED

MO V I N G

â€œWill move anything from a couch to a householdâ€?

941-807-6288

SMS Mobile Marine Service GPS/Fishfinder Installation â€˘ Outboards I/Oâ€™s â€˘ Inboards Call for appointment â€˘ 941-232-3523

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941-504-0903

Dave McCarthy

What ever â€œ...ITâ€? is, weâ€™ll MOVE IT! Call: 941-803-4959

*In Mo st Cases

Delivery â€˘ Transport â€˘ Hauling â€˘ Junk Removal Moveitsuncoast@gmail.com

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TIKI TIME PET SITTING IN-HOME PET SITTING!

Leave your fur kids in their environment with trusted, loving care! Providing quality pet care for 10 years! No extra charge for multiple pets & Holidays! EXCELLENT REFERENCES

480-694-0756

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Senior Service and Home Health Certified Nurse Assistance, Med Tech, and Level 2 Alzheimerâ€™s certification. Need help bathing, vitals, Licensed & Insured companionship, meal preparation, housework, or any other needs.

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MOVERS

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ADULT CARE SERVICES ADULT SERVICES

tikitimepetcare@gmail.com

THE LONGBOAT OBSERVER LONGBOAT OBSERVER Thursday, FEBRUARY February27, 27,2014 2014 THURSDAY,

Classifieds 19B 19B

www.yourobserver.com

YourObserver.com

Service Directory REALTORS

PLUMBING

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call for more information about The service directory!

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INSURANCE INSURANCE

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INSURANCE INSURANCE

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY 510 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 1 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL (INSIDE SUNTRUST BANK)

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941-383-3388 STOP BY AND MEET YOUR LOCAL AGENTS, SANDRA & GEORGE CESHKER

When It Needs to Be Sold, Rented or Serviced...

Reserved Space LP Reserved Space

Rely on The Observer Classifieds for your print and online advertising needs.

WATCH for our NEW Self-Service Online Site arriving on your screen soon. LV7692

20B

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Coldwell Banker

FLORIDAMOVES.COM

Sarasota, Harbor Acres $6,295,000 5/6.5 Joleen Roskamp 941-387-1874 MLS#A3990408 78648

Longboat Key, Coreys Landing $3,849,000 4/5 Linda Weber 941-387-1863 MLS#A3991576 79205

Osprey, Oaks $1,400,000 3/4.5 Lynn A. Luken 941-388-3966 MLS#A3992001 44969

Longboat Key, Longboat Key Towers $990,000 2/2 Bruce Myer 941-387-1859 MLS#A3986116 78628

Sarasota, Bird Key $2,875,000 5/5.5 Lynne Koy 941-387-1803 MLS#A3988925 79236

Find a location that fits your lifestyle. Enter your favorite places and search by travel time on FloridaMoves.com Mainland Sarasota University Park $1,299,999 Joe Cinque, 941-387-1805 4bd/4+ba; over 5000sqft w/elevator; office & bonus room; lakeside. MLS#A3988343 79225 Sarasota Bay Club $1,056,700 Andree Huffine, 941-232-4053 Luxury retirement living w/beautiful bayfront views! MLS#A3988769 79170 University Park $480,000 Michael/Mary Nell Moore, 941-387-1851 Private 2BR/2.5BA plus office with pool and spa in gated golf community. MLS#A3990928 77475 Savannah At Turtle Rock $422,000 Monica Roche, 941-387-1815 Maintenance free, cul-de-sac 2 story home w/preserve view. Gated comm/pool. MLS#A3988498 73035

Longboat Key, Country Club Shores $899,000 3/3 Judy Kepecz-Hays 941-387-1825 MLS#A3988166 79202

Stoneybrook Verandas 2 $249,900 Janet Dugan, 941-388-3966 Bring your dreams to this delightful 2BR/2BA condo. Cathedral ceilings. MLS#A3992753 44970 Bays Bluff $242,810 Marilyn Kneafsey, 941-373-0999 Panoramic bayfront views. 2/2 condo. Blank canvas to make your own! MLS#A3992510 81976 Gulf Gate Unit 4 $190,000 Kari Klein, 941-388-3966 Secure a happy future with this metal-roofed 2-bedroom home. Garage. MLS#A3992585 44971

The Keys Terr $1,188,800 Louis Wery, 941-387-1816 2BD + Den/3BA renovated corner condo at The Terrace w/Gulf & beach views. MLS#A3985840 79223 Country Club Shores $899,000 Judy Kepecz-Hays, 941-387-1825 Sailboat waterfront 3bdrms/3 bath, new seawall & 40í dock, deeded beach. MLS#A3985532 78624 Beachplace $760,000 Roger Pettingell, 941-387-1840 Savor a triumphant end to your search with this gracious 2BR/2BA condo. MLS#A3991893 79227

Osprey, Oaks $999,000 4/3.5 Roger Pettingell 941-387-1840 MLS#A3991368 78644

Longboat Key, Country Club Shores $769,000 2/3 Bruce Myer 941-387-1859 MLS#A3986912 79217

Pelican Harbour $330,000 Phil Schneider, 941-387-1889 Direct Bay views; pet friendly; open through the week also. MLS#A3985289 78627 Seaplace $317,500 Sandy Endres, 941-387-1861 A large 2/2 ground floor being sold ‘As Is’. MLS#A3983927 79218

Manatee Conquistador Bayside $299,000 Glenn Huminski, 941-387-1867 Experience the charm and privacy of this exceptional 3BR/3BA Contempo. MLS#A3987248 78646 Waterway $199,900 Team Vitale, 941-388-3966 Turnkey furnished 2BR/2BA water front condo w/private boat slip. Near beach MLS#A3990936 44972 Wildewood Springs $199,000 Scott Norris, 941-387-1880 Updated villa w/1800 sf, + nearly 500sf enclosed lanai, & private courtyard MLS#A3989068 73038

Venice/Osprey/Nokomis University Park $719,900 3/3.5 Michael/Mary Nell Moore 941-387-1851 MLS#A3982981 74444

Sarasota, Rivo At Ringling $469,000 2/2 Lou Salvatori 941-374-2666 MLS#A3993031 37671

Manasota Land & Timber $729,000 Lucy McCulloch, 941-383-6411 4BR with Lemon Bay views, secluded, walk to beach, huge pool. N Englewood. MLS#A3983050 74443

Yes, you can buy peace of mind! Contact a local Coldwell Banker associate. ®

Coldwell Banker Delivers Instantly! ®

Administered by American Home Shield



© 2014 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. The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Any affiliation by you with the Company is intended to be that of an independent contractor licensed real estate sales associate.

131886

Call 866.600.6008 from your smartphone and enter the  code to receive our mobile brochure with multiple photos, details and a virtual tour for any of these properties.

Diversions YourObserver.com

A&E

Jake Brady doesn’t rock, he concretes. PAGE 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

HOME

Three Things: Beauties of Bird Key PAGE 12

FOOD&COOKING | NICE CANS

BLACK TIE Sarasota Orchestra Gala PAGE 15 by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Mallory Gnaegy

“I like to think that people are always going to be getting interested in canning, and it’s important to understand the safety and science behind it so you can go home and do whatever pickling you want,” Lisa Fulk says.

PRESERVING THE ART OF

PICKLING Lisa Fulk has a jarring profession — she’s a master canner. And, she’ll show you the safe way to do it.

FOOD&COOKING COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: IN THE MIX

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

SET IN CONCRETE Jake Brady never considered himself an artist until everyone else started labeling him one. Now, he’s content signing his work.

"I've made a determination that 2014 will be more about my personal art and creating unique pieces," Jake Brady says.

S A R A S OTA

Mallory Gnaegy

ake Brady’s art is everywhere around town, but its presence is not obvious. Walk into Social on First, the IceHouse or Art Center Sarasota, to name a few places where he currently has installations, and see if you spot it. Here’s a hint: It’s not hanging on the walls or sitting on a pedestal like art in a traditional sense. Take Social on First, for instance. In the restaurant, there’s a 12-foot-long concrete parsons table with “Be Amazing” written in red concrete. Stylishly dressed Sarasotans sipping specialty cocktails rest their elbows on a concrete bar, or they lounge outside around a concrete table with a flame stemming from its middle. Brady designed and created all of these specialty concrete pieces. Jake Brady Concrete by Design specializes in custom planters, bar tops, vanity tops, benches, fire tables, fire gauntlets and tables seen at many hot spots and developments around town. But, let’s get one thing straight

POLO

CLUB

2014 SEASON BUY TICKETS AT THE GATE Public Always Welcome Every Sunday at 1:00 pm NOW – April 6 Gates Open at 10:00 am Admission: $12 each Children12 and under Free

941.907.0000

sarasotapolo.com Take University Parkway 3.5 miles east of I-75 and turn right on Lorraine Road.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! Polo is the perfect way for family and friends to spend a Sunday afternoon! Pack a picnic lunch and a cooler and come tailgate fieldside up close to the action! 134086

2 0 1 4 S A R A S O TA P O L O S P O N S O R S

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Courtesy photos

 The Pearl project in Oyster Bay he made and donated them. He made large benches for the IceHouse’s audio-video room and common area of the new gallery, too. Last March, Brady hosted Art Off Palm at his studio in the Rosemary District. It featured his own concrete frame-encased paintings, a collaborative effort with Alaska-based artist Eric Miller. He invited artist friends to showcase their work in a shared opening. Nearly 400 people attended. But business has not always been so abundant. In summer 2008, when he first started his business (then called Concrete Countertops Etc.) he had to sell his motorcycle and a few other belongings to get it off the ground. He even had to moonlight as a waiter at Roesslers.

“I always said, ‘Someday, I’m going to have that motorcycle back,’” he says. Now, parked outside of his studio on Florida Avenue is a new red Ninja sports motorcycle. Because Jake Brady Concrete by Design is doing well, he has declared 2014 as the year he will venture even further in his artistic expression; he plans to focus more on his own personal art, rather than custom pieces. He has already started creating and selling concrete sculptural work. He just picked up a pink inversion table, which he will use to create concrete casts of women’s torsos. He also plans to create lightweight sculptural wall hangings. And he’s in the process of working out future collaborative efforts and outdoor installations with a few notable artists in

 Brady’s custom bench design  Brady’s first sculpture town. “It’s exciting to talk to artists like that and have them call me an artist,” he says. “It’s pretty cool.” Brady only recently started initialing his work. He still uses air quotes when referring to himself as an artist, but he’s getting more comfortable with the designation. Just as an artist would sign the bottom corner of his work, if you look along the sides or near the edges of his, you’ll find a small “J.B.” “I finally have that self-confidence and realization that it is art that I create,” he says. “And I feel very good about signing those pieces.”

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— it is not cement. Brady will politely correct you if you call his work “cement.” “Cement is the flour, and concrete is the cake,” he says. “Cement is merely an ingredient in the concrete.” His “cake” is made up of glass fiber, sand and water that he makes into any color of the rainbow. Because of the glass fiber, it’s relatively lightweight and customizable compared to material such as granite or marble that is used in similar fashions. He’s one of few people in the region who specializes in the art form, and with its surge in popularity in interior design, local developers and contractors keep him busy. Brady’s art is in Guy Peterson’s $22 million Ohana house on Longboat Key. He created every countertop in the awardwinning Josh Wynne’s The Pearl on Oyster Bay, which won NAHB Platinum Award for green-built home. Brady is currently working on what will be a similarly big-name project on Casey Key that he won’t disclose any more information about. But he can talk about the project he’s doing in Miami with Ian Schrager, the co-founder and co-owner of Studio 54 who partnered with Marriot to create a luxury boutique hotel in Miami. Brady is doing all of the hotel’s bars. The arts people around Sarasota appreciate his work, too. While visiting Art Center Sarasota in spring 2013, he noticed the venue had standard-looking Mediterranean benches in its sculpture garden, and thought it could use modern, industrial, sculptural benches more appropriate for their location. So,

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR A&E EDITOR’S PICKS

ART

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

BOOKS

MUSIC

DANCE

THEATER

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

Concert at Noon: Studio and Apprentice Artists Noon at Sarasota Opera House Tickets $5. Call 328-1300.

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

Ringling In Bloom Designer’s Preview 5 p.m. at The Ringling Exhibit runs through March 2. Tickets $25. Call 359-5700.

34th annual Jazz Festival: Alexis Cole Quintet 7:30 p.m. at The Players Theatre Tickets $30 to $35. Call 366-1552.

Chamber Series: ‘Quartets’ Sarasota Orchestra 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall Tickets $29 to $37. Call 953-3434. Lesley Flanigan and R. Luke Dubois 6:30 p.m. at Ringling Museum of Art Tickets $10. Call 359-5700. Ariel Quartet, The Beethoven Cycle: Complete String Quartets The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast. 7 p.m. at USF Sarasota-Manatee. Tickets $20. Call 350-2338. 34th annual Jazz Festival: Peter and Will Anderson Jazz Club of Sarasota 7:30 p.m. at The Players Theatre Tickets $30 to $35. Call 366-1552. Behind the Curtain: ‘Dreamfall’ with Leymis Bolanos-Wilmott Fuzión Dance Artists 7:30 p.m. at New College fitness center. Free. Call 345-5755.

Program Five: Graziano, Ashton & DeMille 8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Runs through March 3. Tickets $30. Call 359-0099, Ext. 101. Rhythm of the Dance 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $40 to $55. Call 953-1552.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

Dick Hyman and Ken Peplowski 34th annual Jazz Festival 7:30 p.m. at The Players Theatre Tickets $35 to $40. Call 366-1552. Special Event: ‘Thrill of a Lifetime’ Sarasota Orchestra 7:30 p.m. at Neel Performing Arts Hall Tickets $10. Call 953-3434. Tempest Trio Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota

E IN TH T

CAS

ART SCENE

S CHEECF’IAL

LANDSCAPE PAINTING, UNTITLED

BY MARGARET BARNES ON DISPLAY: Gulf Coast

Community Foundation, 1931 S. Osprey Ave. and State of the Arts Gallery, 1525 State St.

SIZE AND MEDIUM: Oil. 48 inches by 36 inches.

INSPIRATION: “I can’t say there’s any (specific) inspiration because I never know what I’m going to paint until I get in my studio and start painting. I love the texture of oil and I never know; it evolves. Sometimes I take away, sometimes I put in, 7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater Tickets $25 to $45. Call 306-1200.

sometimes the whole thing goes away. I never sketch. I just get in my studio and work with colors; colors I hate, colors I like, colors that may or may not work — but that’s the fun part about painting.”

WHERE: Jalea, 1532 Main St.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2

WHAT ELSE: Jalea is the newly

PAELLA

WHAT: Saffron rice, chorizo,

clams, shrimp, salad, mussel, scallop, chicken and olives

Ann Votto 2 p.m. at Bookstore1Sarasota Call 365-7900.

‘Beehive’ Manatee Players 8 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center Runs through March 16. Tickets $26. Call 748-5875.

‘Some Enchanted Evening’ Musica Sacra Cantorum 4 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church. Tickets $20. Call 405-7322. Alton Brown ‘The Edible Inevitable Tour’ 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Tickets $40 to $55. Call 953-3368.

‘The Flying Dutchman’ by Richard Wagner Sarasota Opera 8 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House Tickets $19 to $120. Call 328-1300.

Harry Belafonte in “Harry and Lena,” which runs through March 23.

HOMETOWN: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

IF YOU COULD BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A PERFORMER: A physicist.

WHAT PROFESSION WOULD YOU

AG JEANS JBRAND

CORRECTION: Ricardo Gra-

ziano’s ballet is called “Before Night Falls” and opens Feb. 28.

WHAT SONG ALWAYS GETS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD? Journey’s “Don’t

NOT LIKE TO DO? I’d be a horrible

No, not really. I don’t have the grades for that, but I would like to be in the scientific realm.

BEST PAIRED WITH: Sangria

SOUND? Something breaking.

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lawyer.

Stop Believing”

WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE WORD? Onomatopoeia.

IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE HARRY AND LENA IN THREE ADJECTIVES, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Festive,

WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE

passionate and charming.

Temple Beth Sholom Mens Club pays tribute to our

“Man of the Year” Howard Tevlowitz

DAFTBIRD WON HUNDRED SPLENDID KATIN

JACK SPADE

SLVDR ANALOG WELLEN

PAPERBACK

COMUNE V I N C E ALL

COMING SOON ALL AT TO

Howard Tevlowitz

Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

Gerry Ronkin

President Temple Beth Sholom Men’s Club

Sunday, March 23, 2014 Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 South Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237 5:00 pm Wine & Hors d’oeuvres | 6:00 pm Dinner, Dress: Cocktail Attire

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Questions? Please contact Men’s Club President Gerry Ronkin 941-809-5195 or Program Chair Paul Rabin 941-927-0901

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DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: SPOTLIGHT

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Kevin Short champions Sarasota Opera’s casting process Interesting facts about Kevin Short: • Short started singing pop music, mimicking Michael Jackson and The Temptations as a boy. He first joined a choir his junior year of high school. • Short went to Morgan State University on a wrestling scholarship. One day, he decided to walk through the music department. A man, who turned out to be the music director, asked, ‘Can I help you?’ Short said he missed singing and was curious, so the director had him sing through a few patriotic songs. Because of what he heard, he offered Short a music scholarship. • Short is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for being an Outstanding American, an award given to wrestlers that earn international acclaim in a field other than wrestling.

Mallory Gnaegy

“Sarasota Opera does things traditionally,” Kevin Short says. “(It’s first about) ‘Can this person produce? Can they sing?’ and then it’s about the role. That’s why I love it here.” makes it somewhat easier, but if I were a tenor playing a love interest, I’d have an even harder time.” Short, who lives in Switzerland part of the year, has been successful abroad. It’s a trend among black male opera singers pursuing title roles. “In Europe, they turn opera over on its ear,” he says. “They look for things to jar what the stereotype would be.” But, it depends on each individual opera house. Short says he doesn’t make a big deal about it, and only discusses it when prompted because he says he understands the motive for some casting decisions, especially if

the piece is historical, such as King Philip II in “Don Carlos.” “It’s like doing a biopic of John F. Kennedy and casting Denzel Washington,” he says. He’s seen some men get frustrated with the same plight, but he’s not letting it affect him. He doesn’t even mind when they use makeup to lighten his skin at some places because he thinks it makes his expressions easier to read on stage. Plus, he thinks with the advent of high definition, anyone who doesn’t fit the physical “normal” stereotype faces similar prejudices. He has seen some of his overweight colleagues have weight-loss surgeries because of this. He’s noticed

opera companies have less of a problem with amplifying singers (which opera buffs consider cheating) if they have the right look. Or, if a role comes down to two singers, one with the right look and one who’s a better singer — the look typically wins. “You see it, and you may acknowledge it, but you can’t in any way let it affect you,” he says. “You have to keep casting your net and someone will buy it — you only need a few champions in your corner — that’s enough.”

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country. He was also the operatic soloist featured in the winter Olympics’ opening ceremony in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Short thinks the decisions stem from a certain level of comfort, or perception of the audience’s comfort. It makes some people uncomfortable to see a white female paired with a black male lead. He also thinks it’s easier for black women in opera because people have less of a problem with that pairing. He also suggests it’s hardest for tenors who typically play the love interest. “Luckily, I’m a bass so I often sing the role of devils and villains,” he says. “Playing bad guys

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In 1991, Kevin Short went on tour with New York City Opera as Figaro in “Marriage of Figaro” — it’s not often you’ll see a black leading man in opera. He remembers a particularly stinging review from the performance, in which the writer asked: “Why is New York City Opera pushing this social experiment on top of us?” Short knows firsthand the casting plight black males face in opera companies. But, he says, Sarasota Opera does it differently — Maestro Victor DeRenzi casts for voice first, then for appearance. Short will play the title role of The Dutchman in “The Flying Dutchman,” which opens March 1. Short, who was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in southern Maryland, calls Sarasota Opera his home opera because it’s where he first got his start in winter 1991, prior to his Metropolitan Opera debut later that year. He’s come back to perform in title roles in about 10 seasons since then. He says it’s in part to DeRenzi’s casting process. “I’ve performed roles here that in the states, I probably wouldn’t ever have the opportunity to perform,” he says. In other places around the United States, opera’s casting decisions reflect unspoken prejudices barring black men from singing the lead regardless of their qualifications, Short says. Short is qualified for a lead role, at least according to his resume, which includes singing with the Metropolitan Opera, the most championed opera house in the

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DIVERSIONS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: OSCAR FILM PICKS

AND THE WINNER IS... by Pam Nadon | Film Critic

I fully subscribe to the Oscar adage that “just being nominated is an honor.” That’s precisely why we watch the Academy Awards ceremony (well, aside from red carpet strutting). Garnering a nomination catapults one into that revered position of having created something meant to be seen, honored and possibly hurled into posterity. Most importantly, the event motivates audiences to seek out the very best in filmmaking. And, the nominees are ... By Brian Friel, Directed by Frank Galati

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Peggy Roeder & Christian Conn; photo by Cliff Roles

Sally Hawkins, “Blue Jasmine” Jennifer Lawrence, “American Hustle” Lupita Nyong’o, “12 Years a Slave” Julia Roberts, “August: Osage County” June Squibb, “Nebraska” My choice is June Squibb, who has all the best lines in the film and most of them are raucously risque. At age 85, she’s a breath of fresh air.

By Frank Galatit, fron the novel by John Steinbeck Directed by Michael Donald Edwards Cast of The Grapes of Wrath; photo by Annamae Baﬁa

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

By Christopher Durang, Directed by Peter Amster

Jefferson McDonald; photo by Frank Atura

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Barkhad Abdi, “Captain Phillips” Bradley Cooper, “American Hustle” Michael Fassbender, “12 Years a Slave” Jonah Hill, “The Wolf of Wall Street” Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club” I’m partial when it comes to Michael Fassbender in anything. His portrayal of a monstrous slave owner cuts to the quick. But most likely, Jared Leto’s uniquely brave performance as a transsexual will score the win.

BEST ACTRESS Amy Adams, “American Hustle” Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine” Sandra Bullock, “Gravity” Judi Dench, “Philomena” Meryl Streep, “August: Osage County” It should be a tight race between Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep. But Streep, as always, gives a flawless performance as a mouthy matriarch, spewing vitriolic barbs, sparing no one.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ACTOR Christian Bale, “American Hustle” Bruce Dern, “Nebraska” Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Wolf of Wall Street” Chiwetel Ejiofor, “12 Years a Slave” Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club” Ejiofor clearly deserves the award for his gut-wrenching portrayal of a free man tricked into slavery. But Matthew McConaughey gets my vote for re-inventing himself by taking the high road as of late. He’s riveting as a homophobic electrician/cowboy who contracts the AIDS virus.

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BEST PICTURE “12 Years a Slave” “American Hustle” “Captain Phillips” “Dallas Buyers Club” “Gravity” “Her” “Nebraska” “Philomena” “The Wolf of Wall Street” “12 Years a Slave” needs and deserves to win because its relevance is here and now for the shame we bear by having participated in such atrocities years ago. It’s a must-see film for every human being on the planet.

The 86th Academy Awards airs 7 p.m. March 2 on ABC. The show is hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

BOOKS // ‘Andrew’s Brain’ by E.L. Doctorow How to write about a book that is more concerned with process than with plot? The myriad concerns (written with a poetic hand) of an unlucky cognitive scientist regarding consciousness and self-estrangement; a book in the form of a conversation between two people — Andrew and Doc — that sometimes feels like three people (Andrew, Andrew, and Doc) recursive at every turn; hazy lines demarcating real and imagined life — a straightforward narrative these ideas do not make. Make no mistake: E.L. Doctorow’s newest novel, “Andrew’s Brain” has plot aplenty, but the way in which Doctorow unpacks Andrew’s story, through the filter of a man with a brain gone wild, is the real triumph of this odd little book. Tragedy seems to follow Andrew around — from his childhood dog kidnapped by a bird of prey on a walk to the accidental death of his newborn baby at his own hand to the death of his very young second wife during a national emergency — we are witness to a man convinced that his own existence causes harm to the ones he loves. Not only that. Andrew hears soundless voices, sees phantoms in the night. Andrew sometimes talks about himself in the third person. Andrew has dream visions that come to fruition. Andrew says things like, “How can I think about my brain when it’s my brain doing the thinking?” to his undergraduate students before running out of class. This is Andrew’s brain: dissociating from itself. “This too is the brain’s cunning,” he tells Doc, in what seem to be mandatory psychotherapy sessions, “that you are not to know yourself.” If Andrew doesn’t truly

know himself — perhaps because he’s had a legitimate break with reality as the result of too much tragedy — neither does the reader know with any certainty which parts of his story are true, which parts imagined — or even where Andrew is in time and place during his telling (I vote mental hospital). Doctorow plays with complex ideas here — questions neuroscience has been asking for a long time — when does the brain, for instance, become the mind? Neuroscientist Joshua Greene calls brain science “the soul’s last stand.” As if in echo, Andrew tells Doc that our brains are pretenders: acting like the soul — perhaps to comfort us in times of deep grief. Ultimately, brain science gives way to suffering for Andrew in the intersection between personal and public tragedy. What else is a brilliant mind to do but unravel with the weight of it all? — Alexis Orgera “Andrew’s Brain” is available at Bookstore1, 1359 Main St., Sarasota. Call 365-7900.

Top 10 fiction titles at Bookstore1 this month: 1. “Dr. Sleep” by Stephen King 2. “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt 3. “The Obituary Writer” by Ann Hood 4. “A Hologram for the King” by Dave Eggers 5. “Above Suspicion” by Helen Macinnes 6. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt 7. “Slow Man” by J.M. Coetzee 8. “City of Thieves” by David Benioff 9. “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” by Jonas Jonasson 10. “The Dinner” by Herman Koch

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// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

Sarasota County’s Top Producing Real Estate Team 2013

MUSIC // Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks V featuring Anu Tali and Ray Chen

Courtesy

technical prowess and the kind of intelligence that was more “Don Giovanni” than singspiel. Chen is a muscular player, leaning into the sound and emitting pure vocalism. This was stylistically correct playing that reminded us that Mozart was, in every way, a virtuosic, assertive, fearless composer who would have cheered this performance. Sibelius’ second symphony has always been one of my favorites. Hearing it performed Saturday night with Tali at the helm made me realize why. It was a revelation. For all of the warmth of the music, there is a solid core of ice at its center, from its opening chords to its organic textures. In fact, the Saint-Saens organ symphony and the Sibelius second have much in common because they both surround you in sound, even though the Sibelius does not use that instrument. Sibelius was probably the greatest, and certainly best known, of Finnish composers. Finland and Estonia share a common neighbor: Russia. And, because of their geographic and historic commonalities, it is hard not to imagine the Estonian Tali does not have those icy blue storms in her blood. Perhaps that’s why this performance had a steeliness, an iciness, that made the symphony even stronger. The resolute pizzicato duet between the basses and the cellos in the second movement could have cut through the core of an iceberg and then lasered into the Titanic. The icy silences were as thunderous as the fortes. The scherzo-like third movement, marked vivacissimo, was like a Mendelssohnian nightmare. Finally, the thrumming of the basses through the finale, with the extremely Russian (think Borodin) themes, led to an all-embracing amen. When addressing the audience, Tali usually starts by saying, “Dear friends,” like a letter in person. For the encore, Tali’s dear friends were embraced by a passionate string serenade by Heino Eller. It was a simple “Homeland Tune” but, being played in honor of Estonia’s Independence Day, which is being celebrated this week, it was more of a revelation than a tune. — June LeBell

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Violinist Ray Chen

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Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks V concerts this past weekend may have been titled “Homage,” but, for me, they should have been called “Revelations.” The homage was a tribute to music stemming from the classical period of Mozart and Haydn and looking forward to Sibelius and Prokofiev, who took some lessons from these earlier iconic figures. The revelation was in the performances, which emphasized the power of emotion, historic relevance and silence. Anu Tali, the new music director of the Sarasota Orchestra, is an international sensation who seems dazzled by Sarasota’s treatment of her as a “rock star.” In many ways, that’s just what she is and, in her stunning musicianship, she’s rocking our musical world. Opening with Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony,” Tali and the orchestra paid exquisite attention to detail, always focusing on the line the composer intended us to hear, while underscoring the inner voices that take this homage to 18th century musical styles into the early 20th century while keeping the clean, lean lines of the classical period intact. This is not an easy task. There are places where the strings are as exposed as they would be running nude down Siesta Beach. Lots can happen in that kind of revelatory playing, but, with Tali’s tight grip on the firm principle of classicism, the players’ unisons shimmered. There were precision-perfect pizzicatos in the second movement; wonderfully heavy, peasant-like dances in the slightly tipsy Gavotte; and a finale that was seamless, as the winds, in their overlapping rhythms, sped off to the races with classic grace. The classicism of Prokofiev was followed by the classical master, Mozart, who can be misunderstood and played as if he were a wimp regarding his writing background music for tea parties and light, country dances. In fact, much of Mozart’s music cries out for color, fervor and excitement. As with his operas, the difficulty lies in combining that innate excitement with the amazing clarity and precision called for in this style of music. Violinist Ray Chen got it right. Playing with strength, color and a complete understanding of Mozartean style, he, Tali and the orchestra gave Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 a reading that was physical, sexy, energetic and filled with character. Chen wrote his own cadenzas and played them with conviction,

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// FOOD&COOKING: NICE CANS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor (continued from page 1)

PRESERVING THE ART OF

PICKLING Lisa Fulk has a jarring profession — she’s a master canner. And, she’ll show you the safe way to do it.

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Lisa Fulk likes green beans that are really straight for canning purposes.

isa Fulk says strawberries were her gateway drug. The Cornell University-certified master food preserver had a surplus of strawberries following a strawberry-picking trip with her children. So, she learned to make jam. Her interest has turned her into a full-fledged canning and preserving professional. Fulk runs a business, Sunshine Canning, from her Bradenton residence, where she and her husband also keep chickens, two rabbits and a well-kept vegetable garden. She’s the only master canner in this area and leads pickling, pressure canning and jam making at places such as Geraldson Community Farm, in Bradenton, and Jessica’s Organic Farmstand. She also teaches private classes. At first glance, the faint smell of vinegar (a smell her children hate) is the only clue in Fulk’s house that she is a canner. But upon investigation, you learn she has cans hidden everywhere — including underneath her queen-sized bed and strategically hidden in shelves in her dining room. In addition, her garage stores loads of supplies for her culinary craft. She’s set for an apocalyptic crisis with every-

thing from traditional dill pickle spears to vanilla-spiced pears, and beets pickled in red wine to chicken stock. The pickling started when she was a little girl, and she pickled a little with her grandma, Helene McHale, who had an acre-sized garden. Although, her grandma probably didn’t listen to rap and hard rock while pickled like her granddaughter does. Fulk finds that in her classes, there are a lot of people with stories about pickling with their grandparents. “Pickling skipped a generation,” Fulk says. “So there are people that want to do it again, but maybe there’s not someone around to teach them.” She thinks there’s a general trend of people wanting to lead a more simple life, eat more local food and know their farmers. By default, that’s led to an increased interest in pickling, preserving and fermentation. The trend has found its way to menus in Sarasota — Indigenous offers pickled peppers and State Street Eating House tops its burgers with pickled onions, to name a couple. Fulk says her classes typically sell out, and she has a diverse variety of students ranging from hip localvores to seniors hoping to

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// FOOD&COOKING RECIPE: DILLY BEANS

Method: 1. Sterilize canning jars by putting them in a boiling water bath. Heat (but do not boil) the lids for sterilization. 2. Wash, trim and cut beans into four-inch pieces (make sure they fit in the jar). 3. Pack two strips of bell pepper, two strips of red jalapeno and the beans, lengthwise, into hot pint jars leaving one-fourth inch of headspace. 4. To each pint, add one teaspoon cayenne pepper, one clove garlic and one dill head brush up on their skills. She says it’s best not to trust any old recipe or process you find online because of the dangers of botulism, which can kill you. It’s important to understand the science and safety, which is what she teaches. Even if grandma has always processed her pickles in the dishwasher or oven and has never had a problem — it’s not safe. “Grandma doesn’t like hearing she isn’t right,” Fulk says with a

STEP #7

Pressure-canned glazed carrots; dill pickle spears; spiced tomato jam; crushed tomatoes; carrots, daikon radish and jicama; vanilla spiced pears, beets pickled in red wine; pressure canned chicken stock.

STEP #9

SOME TIPS FROM LISA:

or one teaspoon of dill seed. 5. Combine remaining ingredients and bring to boil. 6. Pour boiling liquid over beans, leaving half-inch headspace. 7. Remove air bubbles (You can use the handle of a wooden or plastic cooking utensil, but nothing metal). 8. Wipe jar rims to make sure no liquid is left. This helps prevent bacterial buildup.

9. Adjust lids. Process five minutes in a boiling water bath (with the rims on). 10. Let beans stand overnight, untouched in the rims. Take the rims off and let stand for at least two weeks before tasting to allow the flavor to develop. 11. Eat. These go great as a garnish on a bloody mary, as a nice addition to a cheese plate or straight out of the jar for a snack.

• Don’t pickle in any recycled jars. Only mason jars are made to withstand heat. • Don’t recycle the lids for pickling. Lids must be new each time to ensure the safest seal. • Don’t over process the cans or your product will turn to mush. • Use a pot that is tall enough to cover the cans with one or two inches of water. • Pay attention to every step in the process (even wiping the rims down) to achieve the safest method.

laugh. But, it’s true. Without using suggested methods, such as boiling the cans in water, there are hot and cold pockets and its unknown if the cans have reached the right temperature for the right amount of time during the processing step. And that’s just one of the safety considerations. Fulk recommends downloading the free “USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning” online to get safe-tested recipes. Or, you can

try her simple recipe for pickled green beans (above). For the most part, pickling is easy. Plus, there are plenty of pickling perks. Fulk says it’s convenient. She can open up a can of pressure-canned meat for tacos and have a side of canned glazed pickles for a quick and easy dinner for her children. She also says that in Florida, where there’s not much of a harvest in the summer time, you can pickle vegetables in the fall and winter when they are

in season, at the cheapest prices and have them year round. And, she says, they taste better canned at home than store-bought cans loaded with preservatives. The stores don’t carry the options Fulk creates. She likes trying interesting flavor combinations (for instance, she just pickled a jar of carrots, daikon radish and jicama). You can pickle any fruit and vegetable. Plus, she says: “It’s fun! Pickling is just interesting.”

• Don’t pickle in your microwave, oven or dishwasher. • Use a pot with a rack at the bottom. To create a makeshift rack, twisty-tie the lid rims together to make a rack. • Don’t put a hot jar directly on a flat surface. Put a cloth down first to prevent cracking. • Store your finished product with the lid rims off to prevent any bacterial build up. Don’t stack them, and keep them in a temperaturecontrolled environment. • If you hold a finished can by the lid, it should stay sealed. If it pops off, that means something went wrong in the process and the product isn’t guaranteed to be safe.

IF YOU GO Canning 101: Strawberry Jam When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 6 Where: Crowley Museum and Nature Center, 16405 Myakka Road Cost: $25 Info: Call 322-1000 or visit Sunshinecanning.com

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Ingredients: 2 pounds green beans 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 4 heads of dill or 4 teaspoons dill seed 4 cloves garlic 2 ½ cups water 2 ½ cups vinegar ¼ cup salt ½ red jalapeno cut in strips ½ bell pepper cut in strips

3 12

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// HOME&GARDEN

THINGS

by Robert Plunket | Contributing Writer

BEAUTIES OF BIRD KEY

It’s hard to believe that 30 years ago Bird Key was considered a bastion of genteel Midwestern retirement. Now, it’s transformed itself into a glamorous island of multimillion-dollar mansions and one of the best addresses in Florida. Many of Sarasota’s movers and shakers live here, plus an eclectic bunch of celebrities, including Jerry Springer and rocker Brian Johnson. The big attraction? What may very well be the best location in town. The beach is five minutes in one direction, and downtown is five minutes in the other. And everywhere you look lies an opulent Florida vision of the good life: beautiful homes, boating and tennis and the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay.

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The high end of Bird Key real estate can get pretty spectacular indeed, as evidenced by this $5,995,000 home on prestigious Meadow Lark Drive. Named Villa Toscana for its Italian-flavored atmosphere, it has four bedrooms and five baths in almost 6,000 square feet of living area. The dramatic two-story living room boasts a view of downtown Sarasota through a wall of windows, plus marble floors and an oversized fireplace. There is an outdoor living area with a kitchen and infinity-edge pool. The dock has a lift, along with a separate Jet Ski lift. Priced at $5,995,000. For more information, call Deborah Beacham of Michael Saunders & Co. at 376-2688.

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// HOME&GARDEN

2. VIEWS AND MORE VIEWS 627 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE

Another example of the high end of the Bird Key market is this luxurious fourbedroom, seven-bath home on nearby Mourning Dove Drive. Built in 2002, it features a host of top-of-the-line amenities, including an elevator, a separate guest wing on the second floor with a media room and a full kitchen, a saltwater pool and spa with a travertine pool deck. And

your boat will be well taken care of — there is a deep-water dock with a 27,000-pound lift, a mooring area and shore power 30 and 50 amp hookups. You’ll also find a formal dining room and plenty of terraces to capture the views and the breezes. Priced at $4,495,000. For more information, call Roger Pettingell of Coldwell Banker at 387-1840.

Photos courtesy of Michael Saunders and Co.

3. SOPHISTICATED CHARM 121 S. WARBLER LANE

By now, practically all of Bird Key’s original homes have undergone extensive renovations to bring them up to speed, such as this stylish, canal-front residence that was updated in 2012. Situated on a beautifully landscaped and oversized lot, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths in 2,424 square feet. Attention to detail is impressive: You’ll find

Photos courtesy of Coldwell Banker

hardwood floors throughout, arched doorways and windows, a wood-burning fireplace, crown moldings and a gourmet kitchen. The outdoor living area includes a screened pool and lanai, plus a charming walled garden. There is also a dock. Priced at $1,575,000. For more information, call Michael Moulton of Michael Saunders & Co. at 928-3559.

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// HOME&GARDEN: CELEBRATED ARCHITECTURE

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

Laurel Park neighborhood featured in Historic Homes Tour For one day only, Sunday, March 2, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation will present the 24th annual Historic Homes Tour, which takes place in the historic Laurel Park neighborhood. The tour will feature nine homes, which include proper-

ties designed by Dwight James Baum, John Early and Thomas Reed Martin. Current owners Ron Sobotka and Cynthia Collins gave us a sneak peak inside their remodeled Thomas Reed Martin home. For more photos, visit YourObserver.com.

IF YOU GO When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2 Where: Laurel Park Ticket price: $20 donation Benefiting: Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation Chairwoman: Joyce Hart Contact: 953-8727 or historicsarasota.org

1841 Oak St. — a John Early home

Homes on Tour: 1876 Oak St. 1855 Oak St. 1840 Oak St. 1841 Oak St. 540 Madison Court 543 Madison Court 517 Madison Court 1876 Oak St. — a Dwight James Baum design

512 Madison Court

543 Madison Court

527 Madison Court

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Scott Anderson, Hillary Steele and Tom Koski

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Joe McKenna and Design Chairwoman Anne Folsom Smith

Gini Pelz, Hannah Weinberg, Clare Segal and Stu Peltz

Ilene Friedman and Bea Friedman by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Assistant Editor

 CoChairs Beathe Elden and Christine Isaac

The table décor at "A-Nu Time"

Jim and Barbara Shirley

To celebrate the appointment of Anu Tali as Sarasota Orchestra’s fifth music director, the organization held a celebratory event called “A-Nu Time” Saturday, Feb. 22, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. President Joe McKenna, board chair and event Design Chairwoman Anne Folsom Smith and Co-Chairs Beathe Elden and Christine Isaac welcomed guests as they walked down the stairs into the grand foyer, which was decorated in stunning purple décor. The event began with a

cocktail reception on the Sunset Terrace, where more than 335 guests mingled amidst the fog that was rolling in off Sarasota Bay. Tali spoke a few words before the Masterworks performance, which included three works conducted by the new music director. Following the performance, guests returned to the grand foyer for the afterglow dessert reception, where they enjoyed desserts, a performance by the John Miller Jazz Quartet and the opportunity to mingle with Tali. Sally and Doug Wright

Diane and Norm Foxman

Photos by Heather Merriman

Ron Fisher, Marilyn Shuman, Bette Hoffman and Sophia Fisher

Anne Essher, Fran Fergusson and John Bradbury with Susan and Tim Clarke

Sydney and Jerome Goldstein

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: COLUMN

BLACKTIE&TALES

BLACK TIE R AFFAI

by Black Tie Staff

A WEEKEND OF SURPRISES

his past weekend was one for the party books. There were at least four surprise parties that BT knows of. Happy birthday to all! Dr. Raj Nalluri planned a birthday surprise for his wife, Dr. Chippy Naluri, while enjoying a weekend in New York City. Expecting to have a quiet family dinner, the birthday girl was shocked to see friends Dr. Thomas and Linda Doan and their children at Le Cirque. The Doans surprised her with a green tea cake from Lady M. Thinking she was just meeting girlfriends Ashley Kozel and Emily Stroud in the limo, Liebe Gamble was surprised to see friends Deborah Blue and Heather Dunhill also waiting inside for a Champagne toast. The ladies whisked the birthday girl away to a surprise dinner with more friends and hubby, Billy, at State Street Eating House. The party included Rich and Kris-

S TIDBIT

Flowergate ... To quote Gordon Greenfield, vice president of marketing, sales and public relations for Sarasota Orchestra, “We’re all enthralled. The excitement over Anu is quite literally palpable … not only by the audiences, but musicians and staff, too.” Thus it was “say it with flowers” all weekend. After the Friday night performance, the tiny new music director was almost literally bowled over by a huge bouquet from Marina Kaljurand, ambassador of the Republic of

MADCAP EVENING 2014 ‘MUSICALE & MUSINGS’  Joe Farrell’s surprise cake

ten Williams, Chris and Aimee Cogan, and Geoffrey and Brenda Michel. Joe Farrell got the “Surprise!” chant for his 60th birthday. Wife, Kristen, pulled off a “Wings and Fros” themed party held at Jesse

and Katie Biter’s — the theme came about because the Farrells own Wings and Afrohead wines. Joe’s daughter, Tess, 13, and her band even performed for the crowd. And, finally, to cap off his monthlong celebrations, Matt Brown was shocked to walk into Southgate Community Center with wife, Connie, and see 120 friends and family singing “Happy Birthday” (not the art gallery opening that he thought he was attending). After cutting the cake, friends stood up and told a memorable story about their experi-

Estonia to the United States, and another from Sten Schwede, consul general of the Republic of Estonia. Both dignitaries traveled from Washington, D.C., to see the concert and greet her afterward. On Saturday, there were flowers for her and for soloist Ray Chen, from the Sarasota Orchestra, arranged by board member Susan Sofia ... Missing in action … long-time supporter Jennifer Saslaw had to miss the “A-nu Time” gala due to a bee sting on her foot. It had swelled so much that she could not fit into any shoe and could hardly walk …

Sarasota style … There was plenty of it Saturday night, with Co-Chairs Beathe Elden and Christine Isaacs in black (by Craig Signer) and blue, Dr. Susan Weinkle in beige and black lace, and Unni Kaltenbacher in white Chanel … Warm wishes …to Gerri Laurino, creative director at 530 Burns Gallery and Yvan Maillet from Montreal, who married Feb. 16 at Lido Beach … I heart St. Jude … was the theme at a Feb. 20 kickoff luncheon at the home of Beverly Bartner. Bartner, along with Nikki Taylor and Montana Taplinger, hosted

Courtesy photos

 Linda Doan and Dr. Chippy Naluri

Photo by Stephanie Hannum

 Matt and Connie Brown

ences with Matt, a retired dentist and World Senior Olympic athlete. The room was full of love, and guests included Anne Hyrniewicz, Manny Garcia, Larry Rosenthal, Matt Zito, Barb Topel and Ken Brinker. “I am not the only one who thinks Matt is pretty special,” says Connie. “I wanted to find a way to show him how I feel and how so many others feel about him.”

the luncheon to introduce St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to the Sarasota community. Each woman told a personal story, explaining why they’d like the organization to be more involved in the area —in addition to providing a personal connection, it serves local families as well as collaborates with local hospitals in gaining traction in finding a cure. Seen mingling at the luncheon was Sarah Lodge, Jennifer Rust and Merete Hermansen. If you’d like to be involved in a future event, contact Veena Shrestha at 813-868-2703.

Nothing beats Friendship Centers’ “Madcap Evening” for an out-of-the-box, slightly wacky evening, and this year’s fifth edition raises that bar. Chairwoman Debbie Frank is promising an “eclectic confabulation of music, wit and whimsy” March 4. Les McCurdy will emcee and entertain along with Jairo Hernandez and his Tierra Nueva Band and humorist Richard Cook, plus returning favorites Tsadok Porter of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and artists from the Sarasota Opera. There will be an exciting live auction with “bucket list” dream vacations and fine jewelry, a silent auction and a sit-down dinner created by Chef Paul Mattison and an open bar — all this for $150. Funds raised support the mission of the Friendship Center: to promote health, dignity and quality of life through the journey of aging. Co-Chairs are JoAnn Nevins, Ingrid Keating, Joan Arnold and Sunny O’Flynn. Honorary Chairs are Harold Ronson, Molly Schechter and Betty Schoenbaum. For more information, call 556-3205 or visit friendshipcenters.org.

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// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

LUXURY LIFESTYLE JET PORT RECEPTION

ROARING ‘20S PARTY

Benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota | Friday, Feb. 21, at Rectrix Aerodrome Center

Benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of Sarasota | Saturday, Feb. 22, at Sarasota Yacht Club

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 Steven White and Karen Harris

Paul and Julie Meyers with Nora and Tim Falconi

Wayne and Debbie Seitl with Laura and Gaylon Peters

 Nora Guenther and Ann Rubenstein

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Trevor and Maria Kagin

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People of the booK FEATURING ROBERT EDSEL AUTHOR, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT OF THE MONUMENTS MEN FOUNDATION

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// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

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SOPHISTICATED STRUT FASHION SERIES

941.923.1736 Wed, February 12th & March 5th

Benefiting Center for Building Hope Friday, Feb. 21, at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club

5:30-6:30pm If you want a impeccable surgeon, “State of the Art Dr. Alberico Sessa is the cosCosmetic Surgery” metic SurgeonFacial to trust. Making the decision to have cosmetic surRefreshments • Space is limited After gery wasn’t easy for me but after one visit, I knew BeforeI was in the right Call to reserve your seat 941.923.1736 Procedure included Lift with Fractionated CO2 laser hands. I was supported by a caring and available staff, whoa Smart treated me with respect andwant privacy. My concerns and questions were If you an impeccable surgeon, Dr. Alberico Sessa is the cosmetic Surgeon to trust. Making the decision to have cosmetic surgery wasn’t easy for me but after one visit, I answered thoroughly. I have no regrets, only a lovely and youthful knew I was in the right hands. I was supported by a caring and available staff, who treated appearance again. Thank you Dr. Sessa! me with respect and privacy. My concerns and questions were answered thoroughly. I have

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Judy Reed, Karel Beck, Susie Klingeman and Lisa Olmer

Photos by Heather Merriman

COME & SEE...why our customers say we are the best kept secret in Sarasota.

Open Sundays during Season

SPRINGFEST 2014

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Fredy Mayer chef/owner www.morelrestaurant.com

Open Tuesday - Sunday 4:30 - 9:30 PM 3809 South Tuttle Ave. Sarasota 927-8716

WHEN: Saturday, March 15K & 12K start 7:30am Fest 9am -3pm

MAINSTAGE

WHERE: Sawyer Loop and Clark Road COST: Free Admission and Free Parking

It’s the Eighth Annual SPRINGFEST on Saturday, March 1, 2014, presented by Taylor Morrison! The ‘signature’ 5K and 12K races start at 7:30am through the communities of Palmer Ranch. Then the day becomes a wonderful family event with music by the Venturas in the afternoon. Enjoy food, live entertainment, displays & exhibits, health screenings, business partners, youth demonstrations and children’s activities until 3pm. Admission and parking are free of charge! 100 percent of the monies raised through race registrations go to the SAL, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Activities League supporting local youth programs. Please visit our website, SarasotaSpringfest.com for more information.

For a list of local ev ents, or to submit your own, visit ThisWeekI nS

arasota.com/calen da

“Engaging performances” -Sarasota Herald-Tribune

“Extremely clever”

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B, 22

Penny McNamee. Photo by FST.

SATURDAY, FE

“Absolutely right for ages eight to eighty” -Santa Barbara Independent

Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director

Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon Book by John Caird Directed by JOHN CAIRD

Sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Aﬀairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida.

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-The Observer

366-9000 �oridastudiotheatre.org

1241 N. Palm Avenue, Downtown Sarasota

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Exotic StorieS a Masterworks concert

March 7, 8 & 9 at Van wezel & neel F eaturing

Scheherazade

and other stories told through Music Also F eaturing guest conductor

mei-ann chen piano

soloist

Jean-PhiliPPe

collard tickets froM $30

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

941-953-3434

www.SarasotaOrchestra.org

AnniversAry 1949 - 2014

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with

20 SAILOR CIRCUS PRESENTS ITS 65TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW

It’s all part of the

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

Strength. Courage. Dedication.

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LEGACY Thurs, March 27 – Sat, April 5

Pepper Wakeland, Bill Hewitt, Judy Cuppy and Lu Cross

Tickets on sale NOW!

11TH ANNUAL CARING HEARTS LUNCHEON

Adults $16 • Children $12

Sailor Circus Arena 2075 Bahia Vista St. FREE BAG OF POPCORN! When you bring in a canned food item to benefit All Faith’s Food Bank Veteran’s Program.

Photos by Heather Merriman

Proud partner of:

CIRCUSARTS.ORG | 941.355.9805

 Jeff Bell, Dr. Lance Karp and Meghan Ruggiero

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US Coast Guard member and Legacy of Valor veteran, Anibal Martinez with Sailor Circus students

Benefiting First Step of Sarasota’s mothers and infants program Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Michael’s On East

The Circus Arts Conservatory is a 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts educational organization

Tracy Knight and honoree Sheriff Tom Knight

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Chairwoman Marcella Schuyler and AnneMarie Tardif

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

Martina Griffin, Bob Pretschner, Ricki Lindsay, Lon and Leslee Deckard, Mike and Mary Quillen and Robert Lindsay

2014 STATESMAN OF THE YEAR FEATURING U.S. SENATOR TED CRUZ Benefiting Republican Party of Sarasota | Thursday, Feb. 20, at Sarasota Yacht Club

MEI-ANN CHEN

Memphis Symphony Music Director

MARCH 6, 2014

RSVP: Mar y Hoffman

(941) 487-2737

Thursday • 6pm • PNC Bank

Join us for an intimate dinner

Exclusive Foundation Title Sponsor

with pianist, Jean-Phillippe Collard, and guest conductor, Mei-Ann Chen. You will hear the stories behind

Exclusive Corporate Title Sponsor

their passion for the classics. Photos by Heather Merriman

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and John Harrison Jr.

Melissa Howard and Mary Gratehouse

Hosted by Alexsandra Coles & Billy Robinson.

Media Sponsor

Dinner catered by Michael’s on East with a special 133895

musical interlude by the Sarasota Orchestra Brass Quintet.

Tickets on sale now!

Vickie Brill, Allison Olinger, Bridget and Christian Ziegler and Jay Riggs

Saturday, March 8, 2014

The Anna Maria Island Art League presents the 26th Annual

Sarasota Polo Club, Lakewood Ranch

Springfest

3:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:30pm

Fine Arts & Crafts Festival

March 8 & 9, 2014 Sat. & Sun. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Holmes Beach City Hall Field

Gates Open Polo Match Begins Cocktails & Hors d’Oeuvres Dinner & Dancing

Join us for a great event and a great cause. Everyone is welcome! Please join us for an afternoon of polo and fun as we raise money for advances in research, education and the treatment of cancer.

For sponsorships call 941.928.9296. Purchase your tickets online today.

Juried Art Exhibit

2014 BENEFICIARIES:

Live Music - Food “Young at Art” Children’s Exhibit & Activity Area

2014 PRESENTING SPONSOR

2014 MEDIA SPONSORS:

Community Booths Free Admission & Parking

www.islandartleague.org

941 778 2099

polounderthepalms.com

Win a 2014 Toyota Tacoma $100

donation

(only 1000 tickets available)

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PLUS

7 other LUCKY prizes

Proceeds to Benefit Center for Building Hope and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

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Buy your Lucky Draw ticket at: www.polounderthepalms.com

Presented By Toyota of Lakewood

Sarasota Concert Association’s Great Performers Series presents

HOTFLASH T

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

PublicaMedia

by Heather Merriman

Black Tie Assistant Editor

SARASOTA DESIGNER CREATES CUSTOM GOWNS FOR SARASOTA EXOTIC CAR FEST’S GATSBY-THEMED WEEKEND

Monday, . March 3 • 8 p.m wusf

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: TASTEFULLY TWENTIES

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Conductor Leonard Slatkin Pianist Olga Kern

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Observer Lonboat. East County. Sarasota. Pelican Press.

YourObserver.com

DSO’s South Florida tour is made possible by the GM Foundation’s generous support.

www.scasarasota.org • 941-955-0040

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Tickets: $45-75 • Available online

he glitz, the glam, the elegance — all that the 1920s embodies was seen throughout the weekend for the Sarasota Exotic Car Fest. The weekend-long event, which was themed “Gatsby,” kicked off Friday, Feb. 21, at Rectrix Aerodrome Center with the Jet Port Reception Party. The evening featured a runway show of 1920’s fashions — including custom designs created by local designer Alice Bee. Chairwoman Marilee Roberts approached the designer about creating custom gowns for the event — for the car models to wear, for

the runway show and also a custom gown for herself. There was not much research to be done for the gowns Bee would be creating for the event — the 1920s era happens to be her personal favorite. “It’s a very cool era, so much texture and richness,” says Bee. “It was all about excess.” When designing the gowns for the event, Bee’s intent was to create something “tastefully extravagant” that could be worn again — and she did just that.

THE PROCESS:

Verdi’s American Home

WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL February 8–March 23, 2014 | Tickets start at $19 | Simultaneous English Translations Above the Stage

The Flying Dutchman an opera by RICHARD WAGNER

Media Sponsor

Plan to attend our March 1–23 Legends of the sea come to life in a tale of love & redemption.

WINTER /SPRING

TRAVEL WINTER /SPRING TRAVEL SHOW Plan to attend our dara hobbs

kevin short

harold wilson

Senta

The Dutchman

Daland

michael robert hendrick

also

Il trovatore

The Barber of Seville

VERDI Feb. 8–Mar. 22

ROSSINI Feb. 15–Mar. 21

SHOW

ALICE BEE’S TIPS FOR DRESSING 1920S INSPIRED: “Dressing

VERDI Mar. 8–22

fers Special show of tives n ce in & booking nd SARASOTAOPERA.org for all that atte

1920s-inspired is about elegance, taste, style — intangible things, not the predictable costume. Don’t look like you’ve raided your mom’s dress up trunk. Before you leave the house, leave one piece at home,” says Bee.

plan your next vacation. Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

TRAVEL SPRING WINTER /SPRING TRAVEL TRAVEL SHOW SHOW TRAVEL SHOW TRAVEL SHOW SHOW Plan to attend our

Plan to attend our

Photos by Heather Merrima

ffers Special show o tives booking incen & Jérusalem d for all that atten

Now is the time/SPRING to plan your next vacation. WINTER Sarasota Opera House 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236

david neely

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Erik

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Special show offers & booking incentives for all that attend

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Plan to attend our

YOUROBSERVER.COM //

Visit our website for a video of the runway show from the Luxury Lifestyle Jet Port Reception featuring Alice Bee’s designs.

ntives & booking ince nd for all that atte ow offers

WINTER /SPRING

ers Special show offtives & booking incen d for all that atten

Special sh ntives & booking ince d for all that atten

fer Special show of ives  Ali Pruitt, Rachel Rossi, Sabra Pacheco and Colleen Yuskaitis model Alice Bee’s cent Now the time toNow plan next vacation. Now is theis time to plan your next vacation. & booking inyour end fers at atttime is ththe to plan your next vacation. 1920s gowns in the runway show at the Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Luxury Lifestyle Jet Port ow of

Now is the time to plan your next vacation.

Special sh ntives & booking ince nd te for all that at

Reception Friday, Feb. 21, at Rectrix Aerodrome Center.

Now is the time to plan your next vacation. OF SARASOTA SARASOTA

Saturday & Sunday – March 1 & 2 – 7:30 p.m.

Meet tour and andcruise cruisecompanies companies Meetrepresentatives representativesfrom frommany manypopular popular tour tour and cruise companies Meet representatives from many popular who will be available to answer all of your questions. Learn who will will be be available available to to answer answer all all of of your your questions. questions. all who Meet representatives from many popular tour and cruisewhat’s companies new for 2014 and beyond. about exciting offers and Learn all about exciting offers for 2012 and what’s new for 2013 and beyond.

In the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling

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will be available to answer all of your questions. Learn allwhoabout exciting offers forfor 2012 and what’s new for 2013 and beyond. Learn all about exciting offersFeaturing for 2012 and what’s new 2013 and beyond.and tours of: the cruises Featuring the cruises and tours of: Featuring the cruises and tours of: Meet representatives from many popularTours tour and cruise companies Featuring the cruises and tours of: Avalon River Cruises Pacific Delight • Avalon • Insight

who will be •available to answer all of your questions. • Avalon Insight •• Avalon •• Insight Azamara Oceania • Azamara & Beyond - Africa/India • Royal Caribbean Oceania Princess Seabourn •• & Beyond - Africa/India •• Royal Caribbean •• Carnival • Star Clippers Cruises Princess • Seabourn • Celebrity • Trafalgar • Carnival Star Clippers Cruises Globus Tours • Oceania Tauck Tours • Cruises • Azamara • Carnival •tour Star Clippers DATE: Wednesday, November 14from TIME:many 2 pm• Celebrity topopular 4 pm Meet representatives and cruise companies • Trafalgar Holland America Cunard • Uniworld Viking River Cruises • & •Beyond - Africa/India • Royal LOCATION: VIP WorldCruises Travel office•Caribbean Cunard • Uniworld • Celebrity • Trafalgar • Princess • Seabourn who will be available to answer all of your questions. 4971 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota, FL 34235 • Crystal • CrystalCruises • Viking River•Cruises River Cruises • Carnival • Star Clippers DATE: Thursday, TIME: 2 - 4pm• Viking •• VIP Uniworld •March Globus VIP Tours 941-377-0017 Learn• Celebrity all•• Cunard about exciting offers•for 2012 and6 what’s new for 2013 and beyond. Globus Tours Trafalgar • Holland America Windstar VIP World• Uniworld Travel office 4971 Ringwood Meadow, •LOCATION: Cunard • Crystal • Viking River•Cruises Holland America Windstar • Crystal • the Viking River Cruises Featuring cruises and tours of:14 TIME: 2 pm to 4 pm DATE: Wednesday, November Sarasota, FL 34235 941-377-0017 • Globus • VIP Tours • Globus VIPVIP Tours LOCATION: World Travel DATE: Wednesday, November 14 • •TIME: pm to office 4 pm • Holland America • Windstar popular representatives tour and 2cruise companies •Meet Insight 4971 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota, FL 34235 • Avalon Holland America from many • Windstar 1601641

Princess Cruises • Azamara Azamara Cruises • Oceania all about exciting offers for 2012 and what’s new for 2013 and beyond. • & Beyond - Africa/India Cruise• Line RoyalLearn Caribbean Celebrity Oceania Cruises Meet representatives from many popular tour and cruise companies • Princess • Seabourn Featuring the cruises and tours of: Compagnie du Ponant Cruises • Carnival • Star Clippers who will be available to answer all of your Cruises questions.Regent Seven Seas Cruises • Celebrity • Trafalgar Avalon • Insight Crystal Royal Caribbean International Learn all• Cunard about exciting offers forCruises 2012 and what’s new• for 2013 and beyond. • Uniworld • Azamara • Oceania Cunard Cruises Scenic River Cruises • Crystal • Viking River Cruises Featuring the cruises and tours •of: & Beyond - Africa/India • Royal Caribbean • Globus • VIP Tours Discover Alaska Seabourn Cruises • Seabourn • Avalon • Insight• Princess Holland America • Windstar

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office

Violin, Cello, Piano

“Trios Anyone?” BEETHOVEN | Trio, Op. 11 BERNSTEIN | Trio DVORAK | Trio, Op. 90 “Dumky”

TICKETS BY PHONE – M-F 10A-4P – $45 941.360.7399 Tickets/details 24/7 at www.artistseriesconcerts.org

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DATE: Wednesday, November 14 VIP TIME: World 2 pm to 4 pm LOCATION: Travel

Unique, live musical events that entertain, engage and inspire.

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for all

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

// BLACK TIE: JUST MARRIED

GROOM’S PARENTS:

BRIDE’S PARENTS:

Marybeth and Bill Wallace

Amy Fryrear and Gary Fryrear

HOW THE COUPLE MET:

Michael Wallace and Ashley McCormick worked together at the Legacy Golf Club, in Lakewood Ranch, for years before Ashley got the courage to actually start a conversation with Mike. Their first date was a group dinner with people from work in downtown Sarasota — Mike and Ashley both showed up, but everyone else stood them up. To this day, the couple still doesn’t know if the group did this on purpose or not, but it worked out for the best.

THE PROPOSAL:

Since the earlier part of 2012, the couple had a family vacation planned at the Don Cesar on St. Pete Beach (with Ashley’s entire family, which is big, since she’s one of nine kids). While grabbing food on the evening of Dec. 4, Mike ordered three mini fish tacos and Ashley ordered Ahi tar tar. On a normal dinner date, Ashley reports that Mike would eat all of his food and help her as well. So, when he only ate one taco, she knew something was up. After she shot down his idea of a walk on the beach, they ended up on a balcony to watch the sunset. There, Mike got down on one knee and proposed. The couple was able to celebrate with her entire family on the vacation.

yard under the oak tree on the bay with a crystal chandelier hanging from the tree. The wedding party walked to an instrumental of U2’s “All I Want is You” and the bridal processional was an acoustic version of Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Ashley wore her grandmother’s wedding ring on her right hand for her something borrowed. Following the ceremony, the couple wanted their guests to have a great time and party. There was not a single person not dancing the entire time, says the bride. A photo booth served as a fun addition, as well as the guest book. The reception ended with a sparkler exit and then the party continued with snacks and music at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Following their big day, the couple honeymooned at the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

THE DETAILS Photography: Naomi Chokr Photography Caterer: Gordon’s Gourmet Wedding planning: Megan Barnett (day-of planner) Floral design: Bee Ridge Florist Rentals: All Event Rental Invitations/Programs: DIY by the bride Cake: Pastries by Design Dress: Allure Brides by Sarasota Brides Wedding bands: Diamond Vault Photo booth: Venice Photo Booth Videographer: Ivory & Iron

THE WEDDING:

Three years ago, the couple was on a boat in Sarasota Bay and when they passed the Charles Ringling Mansion, Ashley declared she would one day marry there. On Nov. 9, the couple’s dream wedding came to life. The ceremony took place in the backPhotos by Naomi Chokr Photography

Where Sarasota Gets Engaged™

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3979 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL | (941) DIAMOND | DIAMONDVAULTJEWELERS.COM

YourObserver.com

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