East County Observer 12.4.14

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EAST COUNTY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEWS

SPORTS

DIVERSIONS

Meet the real snowbirds of the Ranch.

PAGE 3A

FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Premier Sports Campus hosts international event.

PAGE 18A

Theater brings back ‘Black Nativity’ for the holidays.

INSIDE

AIRMEN HONOR by Amanda Morales | Staff Writer

OUR TOWN

tide change

by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

Heritage Harbour seeks change

Gwen and Marion West live in Mote Ranch.

Marion holds a replica of the P-51 planes flown by the Tuskegee Airmen.

+ Like minds Stacy Rosenberg and her son, Logan, may have more in common than they realize, such as their taste in books.

Logan read “Wonder” in his fourth-grade class at Gene Witt Elementary School, while Stacy Rosenberg also was reading the same story.

“Wonder” tells the story of August — a boy who suffers from craniofacial disfigurations and is bullied in school.

Rosenberg read the story, because her cousin, Alyssa Henkin, edited the book and it became a New York Times best seller. After hearing how much Logan enjoyed the story, Rosenberg arranged for him and his class to talk with Henkin over the phone earlier this month.

For the Rosenbergs the phrase, “Great minds think alike,” rings true.

Heritage Harbour CDD board plans for more resident input.

Photos by Amanda Morales

SERVICE FOR

VICTORY Marion West served with the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II before returning to fight for his rights here at home.

Donna Soda and Lorraine Diorio

+ Holiday offerings Two East County businesses appealed to customers’ sweet teeth on the eve of Thanksgiving.

To say “Thank you” to loyal customers, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty on Lakewood Ranch Main Street and Michael Saunders & Co. on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard offered complimentary desserts Nov. 26.

Both companies used email blasts to notify individuals about the free sweet treats.

The Main Street Realtor offered slices of cheesecake and its neighbor, Michael Saunders, gave away 300 pumpkin, apple and cherry pies to its grateful customers.

While sorting through a cardboard box filled with photos and mementos, memories rush to Marion West’s mind.

The Mote Ranch resident pulls out a program from the 2007 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony and unwraps a miniature plane. It’s a replica of the P-51 planes the Tuskegee Airmen flew during World War II. The cream-colored plane is complete with the bright red tail that inspired the planes’ nickname, the “Red Tails.”

“It was during my senior year in 1941 and ’42 that the war broke out, and I knew that I was going to go into the Army, but I was preparing myself because I wanted to go to medical

school,” said West.

In 1941, West was a senior in high school in Owensboro, Ky. He had considered the idea of enlisting in the military at some point, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 West knew his destiny. The timing coincided with a new Army initiative to train civilian radio technicians. After completing the program, West joined the 1000th Signal Company of the 332nd Fighter Group, an allblack group.

SEE SERVICE / PAGE 2A

HERITAGE HARBOUR — Change is coming for Heritage Harbour residents, both in their CDD meetings and in their community.

Better wetlands regulation and community involvement are issues Heritage Harbour South Community Development District’s newest supervisors Tad Parker and George Mosinskis already have etched on their notepads.

Along with its new members, who replace CDD veterans Lee Bettes and Joe Jaudon, the CDD will soon have a new chairperson and potentially a shift in board dynamics.

The duo officially took their seats on the board this week and former CDD Chairwoman Joyce Sandy resigned from the chair position at the Nov. 12 meeting for undisclosed reasons.

“The board will be changing,” Mosinskis said. “Hopefully we’ll start making good changes.

There have been things that worked, and there are things we can improve.”

Mosinskis, who has attended

SEE CDD / PAGE 2A Courtesy photo

Above: Marion West enlisted after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Left: A replica of the Congressional Gold Medal commemorates the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II.

File photo

CDD Vice Chairwoman Michelle Patterson hopes more cooperation can result from the new Heritage Harbour South board.

INDEX Building Permits...13B Classifieds......... 17B

Cops Corner....... 10A Crossword.......... 16B

Neighborhood...... 1B Real Estate........ 12B

Sports................ 16A Weather............. 16B

Vol. 17, No. 3 | Three sections YourObserver.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

SERVICE / FROM PAGE 1A

CDD / FROM PAGE 1A

West specialized in radioteletype communications that would aid pilots in the air.

West showed an interest in becoming a pilot while training in Tuskegee, Ala. He passed the written and physical tests necessary to start training. The final step required written permission from an officer, but due to an influx of applications and an immediate need to deploy the group to Italy, there was a hold on promoting pilots.

West remained in his role in radio communications in the 96th Service Group for the Tuskegee Airmen, whose motto was “Service for Victory.”

“Flying was not necessarily my first choice, but I was going to try because it seemed promising at the time and I was willing to do it,” West said. “Later on I was happy that I didn’t because a lot of those guys didn’t make it. At the training we lost pilots, and certainly we lost them once we went overseas in combat.”

In 1943, West and the Tuskegee Airmen were deployed to Ramitelli, Italy. The role of the Tuskegee Airmen was to escort and protect American bombers from enemy aircrafts by flying a convoy of P-51 planes around bombers between missions in Germany. In more than 300 missions, the only bombers who were shot down were taken down by fire from the ground — none from enemy aircraft.

Following the war there was no formal recognition of the accomplishments of the airmen and little was known publicly of the role they played in the war. When West returned home in 1945 to the United States, it was not to a hero’s welcome but a harsh reality of returning to a racially segregated country.

He quickly resumed civilian life and used the G.I. Bill to earn his bachelor’s in chemistry from Fisk University and his doctorate in dentistry from Meharry Medical College in 1954. West began a practice in general dentistry in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he met his wife, Gwen.

In 2007, President George W. Bush recognized the 300 living Tuskegee Airmen

CDD meetings as a concerned resident since 2010, noticed a shift in the way supervisors interacted with each other and the audience over the years.

CDD Vice Chairwoman Michelle Patterson has noticed the negative shift as well. Conversations between board members turned into shouting matches, Patterson said, and gave the board an appearance it didn’t like.

“We didn’t have a good connectivity on our board before,” Patterson said. “Board member communication has been reckless, not all the time, but I would like to see no reckless conversation at all. That means not being rude to one another or disrespectful. We should show integrity.”

Listening to the advice of field professionals, such as district counsel, engineers, managers and other staff members, hasn’t been the CDD’s strongest attribute, Patterson said.

“We hire professionals, so let’s use them,” Patterson said. “We should rely on the actual professionals we’ve hired. I think the skill of board listening has been very lax. We don’t have to do everything the professionals say, but we’re paying them. Can we please listen and consider what they have to say?”

Courtesy photo

Leon Neal and Marion West fought together in World War II for the Tuskegee Airmen. They were reunited 50 years after serving.

WE MEET AGAIN, OLD FRIEND While training to join the 1000th Signal Company of the 332nd Fighter Group, Marion West met Leon Neal, who was also in the program in Kentucky.

The two ended up together in Tuskegee, Ala., and then deployed to Italy together, as well. After the war ended, the two went their separate ways with no communication for more than 50 years. In 2001, West joined the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a nationwide, nonprofit organization with local chapters. While attending an event for the Chappie Jones Chapter, West and Neal were sitting next to each other and didn’t even know it.

“We were separated by our wives, and he didn’t notice me and I didn’t notice him until we went out into the lobby,” West said. “We had planned to spend more time together but unfortunately he passed away a few months after.”

with a joint Congressional Gold Medal for their service in World War II. A replica of the medal that was given is subtly on display in a navy, velvet box in the family’s home.

“I feel very proud,” Gwen West said. “It’s important for people to know the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.”

Getting the community involved

The majority of the supervisors, both new and old, also agree utilizing the community and individuals who are experts in certain subjects will create a stronger bond with residents.

Letting residents know their knowledge is welcome, especially after the loss of the two longest standing board members last month, will benefit all parties, Parker said.

“It’s great to get participation from the audience and to use people who know what they’re talking about,” Parker said.

“We want this community to be more of a team effort. Residents should attend meetings, do studies and plant bushes.

We want people to get involved.”

By opening communication with resi-

File photo

Tad Parker hopes the new Heritage Harbour South CDD board will better utilize residents and their areas of expertise.

dents more, the board hopes a more diverse crowd will go to the clubhouse for the monthly meetings.

There’s also a multitude of families living in Heritage Harbour, but that demographic rarely attends meetings.

“We must find ways to grow the audience of our meetings so that it more effectively represents the diversity of our community,” Sandy said. “We have ethnic, age and family composition differences, as well as people who come from every part of this country and abroad. We should tap into the entire residential pool, to give the CDD the leadership which is truly representative of the electorate which we serve.”

Although the forecast of the CDD’s climate is unknown, Patterson is open to the new ideas she hopes come with her new teammates.

She sees new supervisors as fresh sets of eyes.

“Losing the historicals and those experienced eyes is something we’ll miss, yes,” Patterson said. “But, once the new members have a firm understanding, they will have good ideas, too, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

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NEWS BRIEFS

snow birds by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

+ UTC site changes considered this week Benderson Development seeks Sarasota County approval to expand its commercial center south of University Parkway between Cattlemen Road and Interstate 75.

The Sarasota Planning Commission will hear proposed changes 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

Benderson seeks to change zoning for a 5-acre parcel from “moderate density residential” to “high density residential.”

It also hopes to modify the future land-use policy to change the project’s total acreage from 276 acres to 281 acres and increase gross leasable space from 1.9 million square feet to 2.58 million square feet. The change also includes the addition of 600,000 square feet of commercial and 100,000 square feet of office.

Photos by Amanda Sebastiano

Above: Two sandhill cranes force drivers to maneuver around them Nov. 26.

Right: Three sandhill cranes walk down a Lakewood Ranch Boulevard sidewalk.

CRANE CRASHERS

Sandhill cranes will jump in your car, block roads and tap on your windows. Get used to it — they’re here to stay.

FEEDING FRENZY For 28 years, Ed Straight has rehabilitated sandhill cranes and other types of wildlife at Wildlife Inc. in Bradenton Beach.

He receives multiple phone calls a week from residents, especially in East County, who report seeing a crane limping or favoring a leg.

Straight said the limping cranes are suffering from a calcium deficiency caused by people feeding the birds bread. That’s a common misconception though because bread isn’t OK for birds to eat.

The carbohydrate affects the birds’ bones, causing what Straight coins “rubber bones syndrome.”

To rehabilitate cranes that suffer from the disorder, Straight tries to change the birds’ diet and feeds them grains and other foods.

“Cranes are more social than most birds,” Straight said. “They tap on windows and doors and say, ‘Where’s my food?’ Feeding the birds bread is becoming a major problem.”

Although Straight recommends individuals don’t feed the cranes at all, grains and seeds are healthier options.

For more information, call 7786324.

EAST COUNTY — East County has another type of snow bird influx that is back for the season, clogging area roads.

Hint: It’s the Ranch’s new mascot — the sandhill crane.

Although Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Director of Operations Ryan Heise receives phone calls weekly from residents who marvel at the birds and want more information on the animals, the “overly social” birds can pose potential hazards to drivers, particularly along Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

Why? They stand in the road, squawking at motorists who are forced to drive around them.

That’s because the span of wetlands surrounding the mostly two-lane stretch of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard is an appealing choice for the feathery jaywalkers.

Making matters worse, the birds aren’t typically afraid of humans and are more social than other types of birds, which can be to their detriment.

Sandhill cranes will tap on residents’ windows and doors looking for food and won’t hesitate to get into a driver’s vehicle.

In October, two sandhill cranes created a traffic jam on southbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as they stood in the right lane for more than 20 minutes. The cranes forced motorists to move to the left lane and maneuver around them.

Ed Straight, owner of Bradenton Beachbased wildlife rehabilitation organization Wildlife Inc., has also received a few phone calls recently from Ranch and East County residents who reported vehicles hitting the birds along University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and other local roads.

“The sandhill cranes don’t care if they’re stop-

ping traffic or slowing people down,” Straight said. “They will walk into the road and drivers have to yield to them.”

Ranch resident Bob Bronston said his neighbors saw a bird get hit on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in mid-November.

“They’re great ambassadors to our community and we have to look out for them,” Bronston said.

While the Ranch houses some year-round sandhill cranes that have decided to become fulltime Floridians, there are more of the cranes in East County and in Florida from November through March than any other time of the year.

“They march to the beat of their own drum, which I appreciate,” Heise said.

The birds travel from northern parts of the United States, Canada and other cold-climate areas to more southern states for the winter.

Sandhill cranes will be mating and nesting throughout the area before the majority of the flock heads north for the summer.

Sandhill cranes prefer to live near the lush areas and feed on worms and vegetation wetland areas encourage, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scientist Tim Dellinger.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dave Bristow has one piece of bird advice.

“Just be alert,” Bristow said. “That’s what drivers should be doing when driving.”

FAST FACT • Life span (in the wild): 20 years • Weight: 6.5 to 14 pounds • Height: 31.5 to 47.2 inches • Food preferences: Plants, grains, mice, snakes, insects, or worms • Home of choice: Freshwater wetlands

+ School District will increase staff, supplies Manatee County schools will soon see more staff members and instructional material for students.

As part of schools Superintendent Rick Mills’ and the Manatee County School District’s strategic plan for the 2014-15 school year, the district plans to hire more remediation teachers in middle schools and media specialists, to ensure each school has an individual in that position, according to a Nov. 21 press release.

The district will also staff more support specialists and physical education teachers in elementary schools.

Classrooms will also have new instructional software for students in grades K-12, along with new reading and math materials.

The materials have already been purchased and will be implemented into schools’ curriculum.

Hiring more educators and enhancing the supplies in area schools will collectively cost the district about $10 million.

Mills sees the changes as an investment into students’ education.

+ Correction A new home at 723 Dogwood Run in Greyhawk Landings West sold for $440,300. There was no previous sale price.

MEETINGS AGENDAS

&

 Manatee County School Board Workshop — 2 to 5 p.m.

Dec. 9, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton  Manatee County School Board Meeting — 5:45 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton  Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11, at the County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

global recognition by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

YourObserver.com Slipstream takes fourth NORTH AMERICA’S BEST OVERALL LOCAL NEWS SITE place in car competition East County students clinched a top marketing award through collaboration and long-range planning efforts.

Join us in the kitchen with Chef Gaetano of Ortygia as he prepares one of his favorite dishes, Arancini. Get the recipe and watch the cooking demo at YourObserver.com/ InTheKitchen.

Arancini

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

c o n t e st

Headed on a great trip? Make sure to take your Observer along! Snap a photo of you holding your Observer on vacation, then submit it and you could win travel tickets, courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

MOROCCO

SCOTLAND

EAST COUNTY — While other teams celebrated their winnings at the F1 in Schools national competition in May, Slipstream started planning for the Nov. 16 World Finals competition.

The East County students who make up the team — Domenic Aluise, Merritt Kendzior, Madelyn Kumar, Victoria Sinclair and Hannah Figueras — stayed up late in their Days Inn hotel room in Detroit to craft ideas for their next Formula 1 race car.

Each year, youths aged 9 to 19 who participate in in Schools strive to surpass the car and presentation they brought to the competition the year before. Students must also create an entirely new car and project after the national competition.

For six months, the high school students spent multiple days a week after school and on weekends brainstorming and preparing their project at “The 800,” a warehouse located off State Road 64 East lent to the group.

Their work didn’t go without reward.

Slipstream won the “Best Team Sponsorship & Marketing” award and placed fourth at the World Finals held Nov. 16 through Nov. 19 in Abu Dhabi.

Thirty-eight teams competed at the global competition. The local team was

Amanda Sebastiano

Slipstream members Victoria Sinclair, Hannah Figueras, Domenic Aluise, Merritt Kendzior and Madelyn Kumar show off their car.

the only United States group to receive a top 20 spot in the competition.

England, Australia and Germany secured the top three spots at the Finals.

For the five East County students, the experience leading up to the competition has taught the group life lessons.

“The World Finals and F1 in Schools have been the best experiences of my life,” Kendzior said. “We’re teenagers who essentially ran our own automotive company.”

BY THE NUMBERS

4

place at World Finals

5

members on Slipstream team

38

teams at World Finals competition

814

points received at Finals

Visit YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere to upload your photos!

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

BEAUTIFICATION

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by Pam Eubanks | Senior Editor

Club, CDD partner in butterfly garden project Lakewood Ranch gardeners will use their green thumbs to attract butterflies to Summerfield Park.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Carolyn Nation, Mary Auger and Norma Kisida stand opposite one another, pulling a measuring tape across yards of wildly growing plants at Summerfield Park.

And at the two 180-squarefoot spaces they measured, the Gardeners Out East Garden Club members will replant a long-unattended butterfly garden.

“It’s been a butterfly garden before, but it needs some TLC,” said Nation, the club’s president.

“That’s what we’re going to give it.”

“It’s just kind of a fit (for our club),” she said. “This will be an ongoing project. We’ve already been offered donations of trellises and other items.”

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 supervisors, who oversee the park, signed off on the concept at their November meeting. Lakewood Ranch’s operations staff will prepare the flower bed, located roughly between the Summerfield Park Pavilion and the Lakewood Ranch Information Center, and provide mulch and a watering system. The CDD will share in half the cost for plant materiPhotos courtesy of Norma Kisida

From top to bottom: • Eastern tiger swallow tail butterfly • Zebra long wing butterfly • Queen butterfly

Carolyn Nation, Mary Auger and Norma Kisida are eager to get started on the project. als, which will total about $1,000.

Club members will pay for the remainder of the plants and provide the labor to install it.

Garden Club members are wringing their hands in excitement as they select plants, design the garden’s layout and make other preparations.

The group plans to create the new garden by March 15.

Kisida, a master gardener, has personal experience with butterfly gardens and even teaches about them. She helps maintain

the master gardeners’ garden at Tillman Elementary, as well.

She said the garden will contain as many native and Floridafriendly plants as possible and will have a variety of both nectar plants, from which butterflies drink nectar, and host plants, which caterpillars consume. The group will lean on the advice of Florida Native Plants, a nursery, for plant suggestions.

“We want it to be as pretty as we can make it, but also functional,” said Nation, adding

Pam Eubanks

club members Eileen Amesbury and Brenda Morris also have been participating in the planning process. “We’re wanting to get the butterfly through its life cycle. We hope children can visit it.”

The Gardeners Out East Garden Club meets 1 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Northern Trust, 6320 Venture Drive, Lakewood Ranch. For information, contact Nation at 361-1047.

Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

by Pam Eubanks | Senior Editor

Classroom welcomes student’s return Student Shane Hense returned for his first day of school at Braden River Elementary Dec. 1.

RIVER CLUB — For 10-year-old Shane Hense, learning about decimals in Amy Hood’s fifth-grade class proved more exciting than Christmas morning.

After having 10 back surgeries over the summer related to a severe case of sclerosis, Shane returned to Braden River Elementary Dec. 1 for the first time this school year.

“Shane has thought the Thanksgiving week was the longest ever,” his mom, Lucy, said laughing. “(Monday morning), he was awake. At 7 o’clock, he said, ‘Can we go now?’

“Before all this happened — it was like dragging him to school,” she said. “It’s pretty amazing. He is so sociable. He just wants to be with people. He was going stir crazy at home.”

Shane arrived promptly for his 8 a.m. safety patrol duties in the cafeteria, before starting class at 8:30 a.m.

As he pulls out the neon yellow safetypatrol belt, he says it was, perhaps, his favorite part of the day; he’s wanted to serve on the safety patrol since kindergarten.

Shane breaks into a smile as he talks about being with his friends and finally being in his classroom.

“I’m excited,” Shane said. “I was kind of jealous on the first day of school and I was at the hospital. The only way we could keep up was text. It’s been kind of boring.”

His classmates sent cards and even called him at home during his absence.

Hood kept Shane’s desk open and assigned to him all year.

“For him, knowing that he’s always been part of the class and not forgetting him

him back than Shane is. They admire his positive attitude, upbeat personality, perseverance and confidence, they said.

Shane’s self-described best friend, Micah Martinez, played video games with Shane over the summer.

“He’s a really good friend,” Micah said.

“He doesn’t hold grudges. He’s happy.

Every night I would ask myself, ‘When is Shane coming back?’ It was really boring without him.”

Hood agreed: “He’s just very inspirational and the kids love him. I feel like our class is complete now.”

STUDENT SUPPORT

Pam Eubanks

Amy Hood’s fifth-grade class gathers around Shane Hense, pictured in his wheelchair.

He returned to school Dec. 1 and students saved a desk for his return.

— for him, that was big,” Lucy Hense said.

The Hense family took Shane for a spinal-and-pelvic fusion procedure in June, after one week of summer vacation. It was slated to be one of two surgeries, and he should have recovered by August. Instead, Lucy Hense said, Shane underwent 10 total surgeries, the last of which occurred Nov. 6.

Lucy Hense, a physical therapist, took five weeks off work, in total.

Normally Shane, who has a prosthetic leg, plays kickball and other sports at school. But because of complications from the surgeries, Shane will be in a wheelchair for at least the next six months.

Lucy Hense said the family plans to get Shane a power wheelchair so he can propel himself.

Shane’s friends and classmates aren’t worried.

They may even be more excited to have

Braden River students and their families attended fundraising events for Shane Hense.

Classmate William McBride, right, and others sold Team Shane T-shirts, too.

In total, the fundraisers generated more than $4,000 for the family.

“They have been such a burden of relief for us,” Shane’s mom, Lucy Hense, said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

HISTORIC EVENT

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by Pam Eubanks | Senior Editor

Historical Society plans for holiday boat parade IF YOU GO Christmas Boat Parade When: At dusk Saturday, Dec. 6 Where: Spectators can watch boats from Jiggs Landing Preserve, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton, or Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

Details: Motorboats will travel along the Braden River from Jiggs Landing Preserve to Linger Lodge Restaurant.

Participating kayak and canoes will parade at Jiggs Landing only for judging. The Old Braden River Historical Society will hold a parade after-party at Linger Lodge; cost is $18 and includes dinner. To enter a boat or buy after-party tickets, call Denise Kleiner at 320-8811.

Information: oldbradenriver.org. pects to double the number of boats in the parade this year and see increased attendance, as well.

Kleiner has made some changes to the parade’s structure based on concerns from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Kayak and canoes will be in a separate category than motorboats for decoration judging. Those watercrafts will parade in front of Jiggs Landing, but will not traverse the six-mile stretch of river with the motorboats as they did last year.

Visitors to Jiggs Landing should expect boat ramp delays and parking shortages the day of the parade, Kleiner said.

157108

BRADEN RIVER — Last year, when Denise Kleiner huddled in her Christmasdecorated motorboat and quietly orchestrated the whereabouts of about a dozen other decorated watercrafts, she hoped the efforts would relaunch an old tradition slowly, but surely.

But as boaters showed themselves in the Ever’s Reservoir for the area’s first boat parade, the cheers echoed off the water.

“People at Jiggs were bombarded; when we came out of the river, I couldn’t see the buildings there were so many people,” Kleiner said. “I never thought in a million years (we’d have that turnout). People along the river were having dock parties.”

This year, Kleiner is prepared.

The event will be held at dusk — likely around 6 p.m. — Dec. 6. Boaters will leave Jiggs Landing Preserve and travel about six miles along the Braden River to their ending spot at Linger Lodge Restaurant.

This year, the Old Braden River Historical Society, which Kleiner founded about seven years ago in an effort to preserve a cabin at the Jiggs Landing Preserve, will host an after-party at Linger Lodge. Tickets cost $18 and include dinner; pre-registration is required. Proceeds benefit the historical society.

“The whole idea is to have a historic event that’s fun,” Kleiner said, adding riverfront residents used to have a similar parade about 20 years ago. “It’s the perfect area.”

Last year’s parade featured 14 watercraft and drew an estimated 1,000 spectators, including those stationed at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge restaurant, as well as at homes along the river.

Based on early registration, Kleiner ex-

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YourObserver.com

Observer EAST COUNTY

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

MALL WARS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

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 Senior Editor / Pam Eubanks peubanks@yourobserver.com Sports Editor / Jen Blanco jblanco@yourobserver.com Staff Writer / Amanda Sebastiano amandas@yourobserver.com Digital Editor / Alex Mahadevan alexm@yourobserver.com Managing Editor/Design / Nancy Schwartz nschwartz@yourobserver.com Design Editor / Nicole Thompson nthompson@yourobserver.com Editorial Designer / Qing Tian qtian@yourobserver.com Managing Editor/Diversions-Season / Stephanie Hannum, stephanie@yourobserver.com Black Tie Editor / Heather Merriman hmerriman@yourobserver.com Arts & Entertainment Editor / Nick Reichert nreichert@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 Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara, kohara@yourobserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter lritter@yourobserver.com Advertising Executives / Robyn Didelot, rdidelot@yourobserver.com Austin Holmes, aholmes@yourobserver.com Beth Jacobson, bjacobson@yourobserver.com Robert Lewis, blewis@yourobserver.com Suzanne Munroe, smunroe@yourobserver.com Richeal Parisi, rparisi@yourobserver.com Toni Perren, tperren@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 Creative Services Assistant Manager / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / John Day, jday@yourobserver.com Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@yourobserver.com Jennifer Hogg, jhogg@palmcoastobserver.com Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com Shawna Polana Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@yourobserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker lkeisacker@yourobserver.com Controller / Lisa Schwenk lschwenk@yourobserver.com Office Coordinator / Donna Condon dcondon@yourobserver.com

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The retail landscape in the Sarasota-Manatee market shifted significantly when The Mall at University Town Center opened in north Sarasota County Oct. 16.

The arrival of UTC has caused the three closest enclosed malls — DeSoto Square, Westfield Sarasota Square and Westfield Southgate — to make numerous changes. That goes from new local executives to a revamped mix of stores. Other changes are cosmetic, from replaced lights to refurbished bathrooms to extra fountains.

The changes are a competitive necessity, but are

also part of a larger national trend. Paul Rutledge, who runs the retail brokerage group in Tampa for CBRE, cites a study that says 50% of malls nationwide are in need of a repositioning project. So Rutledge and his peers, in addition to customers and tenants, will all watch the mall wars closely. “For people in the retail industry,” says Rutledge, “this is a really exciting time.”

The following are strategies for all malls in the Sarasota-Manatee region not named The Mall at UTC. —Mark Gordon | Business Observer

// DESOTO SQUARE MALL The path to fix the problems at DeSoto Square Mall is long. But the executive behind the plan to restore a 42-year-old mall is undeterred.

The double whammies at the DeSoto Square Mall in central Manatee County, between a dreadful image and a Goliathlike competitor down the road, don’t scare Robert Tackett.

The shopping mall veteran, after all, once oversaw a mall at the intersection of one of the toughest neighborhoods in America: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard in south Los Angeles.

That corner was the heart of the 1992 riots. In 2007, a development group built a mall there, and Tackett, a Kentucky native with the twang to prove it, was hired to handle leasing.

A veteran of other malls with Simon Property Group, Tackett says he learned more about integrating a mall into the community at that center, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, than any other position. “I loved that job,” says Tackett. “It was a lot of fun.”

Tackett will need to keep that passion front and center in his latest task: saving DeSoto Square.

For several years, DeSoto has had an image of being in high-crime area — a reputation Tackett says is unfounded based on the latest Manatee County Sheriff’s Office data.

Past that, the tenant situation is tenuous. Anchors Dillard’s and Macy’s bolted for The Mall at UTC. Total occupancy is 82%, up from around 75% a few months ago, yet well below high performing. And the food court, a solid source of revenues for malls, has three empty spots out of eight.

The owner of the mall is Long Island, N.Y.-based Mason Asset Management, which bought it in late 2012 from Simon Prop-

AT A GLANCE 1. DeSoto Square Mall

• Location: U.S. 301 Boulevard West, Bradenton • Square feet: 689,470 • Number of stores: About 75 • Year opened: 1972 • Owner: Mason Asset Management • Anchors: Hudson’s Furniture, JCPenney and Sears • Other stores: Bath & Body Works, Champs, GNC, F.Y.E., Kay Jewelers and Victoria’s Secret.

2. Westfield Sarasota Square

• Location: U.S. 41 and Beneva Road • Square feet: 1,082,800 • Number of stores: 144 • Year opened: 1977 • Owner: Westfield Group • Anchors: Costco, JCPenney, Macy’s and Sears • Other stores: Aeropostale, AMC Theaters, Chick-fil-A, Men’s Warehouse, Ruby Tuesday and Yoder’s Marketplace.

3. Westfield Southgate

Mark Wemple

Robert Tackett was named general manager of DeSoto Square Mall in September. erty Group for $24.6 million.

Mason Asset Management put the property up for auction earlier this year, but rejected a $33.7 million offer.

The move surprised some commercial real estate brokers who believe DeSoto Square’s best days are in the past. “It needs to be repurposed,” says Paul Rutledge, who runs the retail brokerage in Tampa for commercial real estate firm CBRE. “The best value would be to tear it down.”

Tackett, named general manager of DeSoto Square in September, is undaunted. His first step is to handle every situation transparently. “You have to deal with things honestly and be up front with people,” he says. “You can’t blow smoke up people.”

At DeSoto Square, about two miles south of downtown Bradenton and 10 miles north of Downtown Sarasota, Tackett

made two changes quickly. One was to clean up what Tackett calls the curb appeal, everything from palm trees to bathrooms to potholes in the parking lots.

The next priority is tenant mix. Tackett says that’s a caseby-case process of meeting with current tenants to get leads and working a network of contacts in the retail community. Tackett hopes one of the newest tenants will be a big draw: Colonial Cinemas at DeSoto Six, a movie theater complex that replaces DeSoto Dollar Movies, which closed over the summer.

Tackett is encouraged by the recent occupancy uptick and the good wishes of people who want him to keep up the fight to save the mall, built in 1972.

“There are people who grew up here around the mall and raised their kids here,” says Tackett.

“People don’t want to see the mall go away.”

• Location: U.S. 41 and Bee Ridge Road • Square feet: 421,778 • Number of stores: 36 • Year opened: 1956 • Owner: Westfield Group • Anchors: Macy’s and CineBistro, a seven-screen luxury movie theater operated

by Cobb Theaters. CineBistro is projected to open in 2015 in space formerly occupied by Saks Fifth Avenue. Dillard’s is still technically an anchor until the store officially closes.

• Other stores: Champs, Coach, Express, J. Jill, Pottery Barn and the Walking Co.

4. The Mall at University Town Center

• Location: Interstate 75 and University Parkway • Square feet: 880,000 • Number of stores: More than 100 • Year opened: 2014 • Owner: Taubman Centers, Benderson Development • Anchors: Dillard’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue • Other stores: Anthropologie, Apple, Banana Republic, Boston Proper, Brooks Brothers, Crate & Barrel, J.Crew, Kona Grill, Pottery Barn, The Capital Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, Williams-Sonoma.

Sources: DeSoto Square Mall, Taubman Centers, Westfield Group

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

9A

// WESTFIELD SARASOTA SQUARE

// WESTFIELD SOUTHGATE

The largest mall in the Sarasota-Manatee market won’t give up its share easily.

Westfield Southgate, the area’s oldest enclosed mall, wants to reinvent itself, citing its premier western location.

The future of the Westfield Sarasota Square mall could be seen in a $2,000 espresso machine. Or a solid wood casket that runs $1,800. Or even a pack of eight men’s socks for $20.

Those are three of the thousands of items for sale inside a typical Costco, which opened in the mall in summer 2012. The membership bulk quantities warehouse draws a passionate and loyal following wherever it opens a location. That’s definitely been the case at the 145,000-square-foot Sarasota Square Costco, says General Manager Scott Christensen.

“It was a little unconventional in the beginning, but it’s been a great fit,” Christensen says.

Several area commercial real estate brokers say the best chance for Sarasota Square, on U.S. 41 and Beneva Road, to grow long-term is to nab more mass-appeal retailers like Costco that are a great fit.

“I think it needs some more middleof-the-road-type stores,” says American Property Group of Sarasota President Barry Seidel, whose main office is a mile down the road from Sarasota Square.

“They need to do something to pick that up.”

Westfield executives declined multiple interview requests. In an email response to questions, Westfield says it continually reinvests in its centers. At Sarasota Square the firm specifically cites Costco and the 2015 planned opening of H&M, a Swedish-based chain known for its budget-conscious fashions and styles. Other stores that recently filed permits for Sarasota Square, say mall officials, include

Mark Wemple

Westfield Southgate, a few miles south of downtown Sarasota, opened in 1956.

Courtesy

At 1,082,800 square feet, Westfield Sarasota Square is the largest enclosed mall in the Manatee-Sarasota region.

Rue21 and Old Navy. Those stores also cater to a budget-conscious clientele.

Sydney, Australia-based Westfield bought Sarasota Square in October 2003 from Texas-based Coyote Management for $77 million. In 2005 the firm announced a $50 million revitalization project that included new food court restaurants, a new 12-screen AMC Theater and 25,000 square feet of retail space. Built in 1975, the mall was previously renovated in 1979 and again in 1989.

“Westfield Sarasota Square is continuing to evolve following the success of Costco, catering to younger families in the area,” states the Nov. 18 Westfield email.

“Westfield believes in the Sarasota market and in the future of our assets there.”

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Paul Rutledge remembers the hoopla in 1999 when the Town Center at Boca Raton was renovated.

The mall added a Nordstrom, and with a Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in place, it set the tone for a competitive battle to grab market share. Other retail centers in Palm Beach County fretted about the impact of the Town Center, recalls Rutledge, now with CBRE in Tampa.

Rutledge sees many parallels in what the Town Center at Boca Raton did 15 years ago and the debut of The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota. But Rutledge says there’s hope for UTC’s competitors — if the strategies are sound and executed well.

“You can’t let UTC be the only game in town,” Rutledge says. “You have to play back and say, ‘We have this game.’”

Rutledge is mostly talking about Westfield Southgate. The mall, built in 1956,

is a few miles south of downtown Sarasota and has been the go-to center in the area for decades. Saks Fifth Avenue and a few other high-end tenants left Southgate earlier this year for The Mall at UTC. Westfield’s answer to The Mall at UTC is to turn Southgate into what officials call a “resort-style, boutique shopping experience.” Westfield executives declined multiple interview requests.

Westfield executives, in the statement, also comment on what some area commercial real estate brokers say is Southgate’s best asset: its location. It’s near downtown, at the corner of one of the busiest intersections in Sarasota County and a mile from a bridge that leads to Siesta Key. And Benderson Development recently paid $10 million for the 96,000-square-foot Dillard’s space.

“If I was to own a mall,” says American Property Group of Sarasota President Barry Seidel, “It would be Southgate.”

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10A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

COPS

GULF COAST

GOOD

MANATEE

CORNER

NOV. 18 DISCOUNT DRAMA 5:32 p.m. — 7300 block of 52nd Place East. Theft. A store manager reported that a juvenile employee was observed giving unauthorized discounts to a fellow employee that was there shopping and pocketing the savings. To date, the staff discovered the employee pocketed $1,204.90 from the scheme.

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NOV. 20

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HOT PURSUIT 7:40 p.m. — 8500 block of Cooper Creek Boulevard. Theft. Two men grabbed 10 pairs of pants valued at $1,000 total and began to run out of the store. A lossprevention officer attempted to stop the suspects, but they sprayed pepper spray in his face as he was trying to detain them.

Police found the suspects’ abandoned car in St. Petersburg and recovered the merchandise.

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8:24 a.m. — 6700 block of 26th Court East. Suspicious Circumstance. A recycling employee called police when a man showed up seeking money for construction-grade metal he was selling for scrap.

The man told police that his friend Buddy, who works on a construction site, said he didn’t need metal storm drain grate materials any longer. The man’s story checked out, but the construction company changed its mind and asked for the materials back.

Win 3,000, $ $ 1,500, or 500 to give to a local charity of your choice.

NOV. 24 MAN SENT PACKING 8:41 p.m. — 11000 block of State Road 64 East. Disturbance. Police responded

11:49 a.m. — 1100 block of 154th Street Northeast. Animal Cruelty. Police responded to a report of an emaciated horse. Police discovered the horse was 27 years old and being fed daily with fresh hay. The horse also had fresh water. No animal cruelty was observed. to a report of a disturbance and found a man with slurred speech and glassy eyes arguing with passerby. The man was on probation. No crime was committed, and the man agreed to move along.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS LOST 11:26 a.m. — 8100 block of Cooper Creek Boulevard. Lost Property. A man reported his Venezuelan relatives lost a bag while shopping that contained the passports they needed to return to Venezuela.

PARTING SHOT 4:56 p.m. — Interstate 75 Northbound.

Lost Property. A man told police he was in an accident on Interstate 75 earlier that day and his truck and boat on a trailer were towed away. The man reported his shotgun was missing from his boat when he went to retrieve his truck and boat.

Plus daily prizes.

1. Take the give good quiz on Facebook. {facebook.com/ObserverGroup}

ASK THE DOCTORS THE SECRETS OF LIVING WITHOUT ORTHOPEDIC PAIN, REVEALED

2. Tell us a little about yourself.

3. Enter for a Chance to win!

Join the physicians of Sarasota Orthopedic Associates in three separate one hour sessions as they address common causes and types of orthopedic pain, non-surgical options.

PRP/Stem Cells, and minimally invasive surgery. These FREE sessions will include lively Q&A opportunities.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

This holiday season, Gulf Coast Community Foundation celebrates your desire to give good. No matter how you give, GulfCoastGood.org helps you give your good to local charities.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 am

“Good News for Bad Knees” presented by Jeffrey A Silverstein, MD

9:45 am

“Living WITHOUT Shoulder Pain” presented by Johnny M Gibbs, MD

11:00 am

“Back on Your Feet: Foot & Ankle Solutions” presented by Eric R James, MD

RSVP to 941-487-2194 Center For Building Hope

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Medical services you can count on ‌

right here in our community.

8340 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Suite 210 Bradenton, FL 34202 (In the medical office building adjacent to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center)

Raelyn Calendine, MD

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Family Medicine Physician Board Certified in Family Medicine

Internal Medicine Physician Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Treats children age 5 and above; adolescents; adults.

Treats adult patients and performs joint injections.

Sheryl Okuhara, DO, FACOI Internal Medicine Physician Board Certified in Internal Medicine Treats adult patients.

Christina Knauer, ARNP Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For an appointment, please call 941.782.2800.

Accepting new patients.

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Suite 290 Bradenton, FL 34202 (In the medical office building adjacent to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center)

Jason Okuhara, DO, FACOI Cardiologist Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Echocardiography, Cardiovascular Diseases, Interventional Cardiology

Emmy Satya, MD, FACC Cardiologist Board Certified in Cardiology

For an appointment, please call 941.556.8930.

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11A

12A

A Night in Bethlehem

Science fair educates on stormy waterways

Saturday, December 6th ~ 6:00 - 9:00pm

It’s time to journey to the City of Bethlehem to be counted.

Join the Living Lord Lutheran Church congregation for a free community Advent celebration, as the church grounds are transformed into the city of Bethlehem with a Living Nativity!

All Ages are invited to share in fellowship as you meet shopkeepers, angels, & shepherds; sample delicious recipes; and get creative & crafty.

UF researchers, Town Hall orchestrate inaugural event to educate and entertain Ranch residents on ponds.

Come share the good news!

EAST COUNTY — Ryan Heise acknowledges that not everyone is excited by the words “stormwater retention pond.”

But the subject doesn’t have to be boring, he says. Ponds are more important than some area residents realize.

University of Florida researchers Emily Ott and Dr. Paul Monaghan found in a survey conducted last year that some residents don’t fully understand the purpose and importance of retention ponds and keeping them healthy. Heise has also been striving to change residents’ perceptions, starting with calling the water “ponds,” rather than “lakes.”

“We want to drive home the fact that ponds affect people in many ways,” said Heise, the Lakewood Ranch director of operations. “There are reasons people should care about their ponds, not just environmentally.”

Those reasons include catching stormwater runoff and neutralizing pollutants.

To educate the public on the water in their backyards in an interactive way, Heise, UF representatives and members of the Protect Our Ponds community taskforce are hosting an event called Protect Our Ponds Science Café.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Lakewood Ranch Town Hall will house the event Ott hopes will better inform residents on the purpose of ponds. Light refreshments will be served.

Should the event receive positive feedback and a successful turnout, Heise isn’t ruling out another café in the future.

Find us at: Living Lord Lutheran Church 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 753-9365; www.livinglordfl.org

Living Lord Lutheran Church “Loving, Learning and Living in Christ”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Retention ponds in Lakewood Ranch are more than just aesthetically pleasing parts of the community, according to Lakewood Ranch Director of Operations Ryan Heise.

The Protect Our Ponds Science Café will feature a range of resource management professionals, such as Heise, Ott, Ross Peterson, of the Manatee County Extension Office, and UF Associate Professor in Environmental Horticulture Dr. Gail Hansen.

Topics include landscape best practice in conjunction with Florida Friendly Landscaping guidelines, landscape architecture, stormwater pond functions and other environmentally-focused issues.

Charlie Nealis, a Ph.D candidate, will also reveal some of the results of his three-stage project on stormwater ponds

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

13A

STORMWATER ROUTE

IF YOU GO When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 Where: Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch Cost: Free Parking: Lakewood Ranch Town Hall or the back lot behind Lakewood Ranch Main Street Info: The event will feature presentations on landscape best practices, ponds and other environmental issues by agriculture leaders and enthusiasts, such as Dr. Gail Hansen, Ross Peterson and Ryan Heise.

Only the first 50 responders to the event will be admitted. Space is limited. Call 907-0202 or email ryan.heise@lwrtownhall.com.

Stormwater runoff sends pollutants and pesticides into East County retention ponds that work to help clean the water.

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in Lakewood Ranch. Nealis studied 36 ponds in Lakewood Ranch once a month for four months, and from those 36, he chose 12 to study for an additional eight months.

Nealis evaluated the nutrients and algae content in the ponds, followed by a survey he sent out to Ranch residents to gauge knowledge and understanding of stormwater pond purposes.

Nealis’ survey also contained visual samples of different algae found in local ponds, to give residents a better understanding of pond conditions.

But, listening to Nealis and other field experts regurgitate data and studies isn’t what the event is about.

Presenters will discuss issues with the audience in an interactive way to ensure participants understand which fertilizers harm ponds. Heise and Ott promise there will be no lectures, just conversations.

“There will be different styles of presentation to be efficient with people’s time and to encourage mingling,” Ott said.

“This event is more participatory.”

Two Town Hall salons housing the science fair for adults will also have a spread of booths, which will have posters, hand-

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Courtesy graphic of Uppercase Inc.

outs and other informational materials for attendees to take home.

“Stormwater ponds aren’t the sexiest of topics,” Ott said. “But we’re trying to make it more interesting and want people to understand the issues.”

To register for the event, visit whoozin. com/P6X-TWX-CPMP. Contact Amanda Sebastiano at amandas@yourobserver.com.

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7436 RIVIERA COVE Gorgeous lake & golf course views from this 3 bedroom, two bathroom home with den. Private pool. Two car garage.

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Lake access for boating from private island. 2344 sq ft. $389,000 6436 ORCHARD ORIOLE LANE Situated in Greenbrook Dale. Great room floor-plan. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Security system. Lovely pool with spacious deck & lanai. Lake view. 2 car garage.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Experience the Ice Palace in Grand Court

Featuring

The Ice Palace is locally sponsored by ©2014 Disney. Disney Movies Anywhere is open to U.S. residents age 13+. Visit DisneyMoviesAnywhere.com for complete details, and Terms and Conditions.

Open now through December 24 This year, the Ice Palace is celebrating the release of Disney FROZEN Sing-Along Edition on DVD & Digital HD. This much-loved, interactive holiday display features the sights and sounds of Anna, Elsa and their friends Olaf, Kristoff and Sven, plus a 30-foot Ice Palace with falling snow, a light show and other activities for the whole family. Come and see how you compare in size to Sven and Olaf and have your photo taken with Olaf at the Ice Throne. End your magical journey with a visit to Santa and a special Disney FROZEN Look-and-Find book!

Visit the Ice Palace Gift Shop Pick up a copy of the FROZEN sing-along DVD along with lots of other fun items including FROZEN dolls, puzzles, books and much more.,

I-75 and University Parkway • MallatUTC.com • 941.552.7002 155915

14A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club’s Cirque du Holidaze Holiday Bazaar — runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch.

DON’T MISS A Night in Bethlehem What: Come experience the town of Bethlehem the night Jesus was born.

Attendees will take part in the census, visit baby Jesus and enjoy crafts and other activities. For more information, visit livinglordfl.org.

When: from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 Where: Living Lord Lutheran Church, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch

Music on Main — runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Come hear live music from Up Tempo Contemporary Music while supporting The Food Bank of Manatee. Food and drink will be available for purchase; no coolers allowed. For information, visit lakewoodranch.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

Car Show for Toys for Tots — runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Creekwood Crossing, at Creekwood Boulevard and S.R. 70. The Gulf Coast Corvette Club will host this event, which features a car show, Chinese auction, raffle, trophies and more.

Proceeds will be used to buy toys for needy children. Guests can bring cash or unwrapped toys to contribute. Registration for vehicles costs $20. For information, call Dave Thompson at 704-8856 or visit GulfCoastCorvetteClub.com.

GreyHawk Landing Christmas Bazaar — runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the GreyHawk Landing Clubhouse, 12350 Mulberry Ave., Bradenton. Come for holiday shopping, while supporting GreyHawk Landing vendors. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Vendor spaces are available by calling debighlevents@hot mail.com or calling 773-4288.

Christmas Boat Parade — starts at dusk (around 6 p.m.) at Jiggs Landing Preserve, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton, and ends at Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

Spectators can vote for the best decorated boats, kayaks and canoes. For information or to enter a watercraft in the parade, visit oldbradenriver.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

Breakfast with Santa — runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at MacAllister’s Grill and Tavern, 8110 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch. Enjoy food and drink, photos with Santa and family fun. Reservations required to 359-2424, or visit macallisters.com.

Service of Hope — starts at 5 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton. Peace Presbyterian Church will host this special service for individuals experiencing loss or going through hard times. The service will include the lighting of candles and times of mediation, music and prayer. Snacks will be served following the service. For information, visit peacepcusa.com or call 753-7778.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10

Human Rights Day Town Hall Forum — runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

The United Nations Association-USA, Sarasota-Manatee Chapter will sponsor this event titled “Humanitarian Crisis: Iraq and the Region.” For information, visit unasarasotamanatee.org.

Christmas Photos with Santa — runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch.

Come out to get family photos with Santa.

For information, call 955-3456.

Horseshoe Cove Christmas Craft Sale What: The sale features items such as paintings, Christmas wreaths, knit and crocheted items, baskets and more. Coffee and coffee cake also will be available for purchase.

For information, call 7585335.

When: from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 6 Where: Horseshoe Cove, 5100 60th St. E., Bradenton

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Floor plans are the property of Taylor Morrison, Inc. and its affiliates and are protected by U.S. copyright laws. For further information, please see a Taylor Morrison Sales Associate and review our Terms of Use. This is not an offering in any state where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. © February 2014, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc., All rights reserved. FL GC#CBC1257822.

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COMMUNITYCALENDAR

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Sports

BASKETBALL | GOLF | FOOTBALL | SOCCER | SWIMMING | TENNIS | VOLLEYBALL

SOCCER Lakewood Ranch hosts international soccer event at Premier Sports Campus.

PAGE 18A

5

YOUROBSERVER.COM

HIGH

MOMENTS OF THE WEEK

1

Braden River graduate Willie McNeal caught a 2-point conversion to lead the Western Kentucky football team to a 67-66 victory over previously undefeated Marshall Nov. 28.

2

Former ODA kicker Sean Kirshe made a 42-yard field goal to help lead Hobart College to a 24-21 victory over Johns Hopkins in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs Nov. 29.

3

LaDhazia Williams and Aleah Robinson combined for 44 points and 32 rebounds to lead the Lakewood Ranch girls basketball team to a 58-46 victory over Fort Myers Nov. 24.

4

Filip Svoboda scored The Out-of-Door Academy’s lone goal of the game to propel the Thunder to a 1-1 tie with Sarasota Christian Nov. 24.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

SOFTBALL

basketball

by Jen Blanco | Sports Editor

by Jen Blanco | Sports Editor

SHARP SHOOTER

The Out-of-Door Academy senior forward Lisa Hoffman scored a career-high 33 points Nov. 24.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Lisa Hoffman isn’t one to shy away from competition.

A three-time MVP and The Outof-Door Academy senior forward, Hoffman has become one of the area’s most prolific scorers, having led ODA to the regional tournament twice in the past three years.

Although, there was a time when Hoffman, the team’s senior captain, faced a competitive test she wasn’t expecting — one that ultimately shaped her into the player she is today.

Three years ago, the then freshman, decided to try out for Next Level Hoops, a competitive travel team out of Lakewood Ranch.

Walking into the gymnasium, Hoffman looked around in awe as the area’s top talent hit the court.

Coming from a small school, Hoffman had never seen them in action before; it didn’t take long for her to realize the pace and level of expectation was unlike anything she had previously experienced.

“I was terrified,” Hoffman says.

It wasn’t until Hoffman was one of only a handful of freshman to break onto the 11th-grade team’s starting roster that she realized she could compete with anyone.

“Travel taught me individual growth,” Hoffman says. “You play at a much faster pace, and it’s made

Maggie Feix was named the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs’ new softball coach.

Coaching Change Maggie Feix enjoys the competitive spirit of her new team.

File photos

Lisa Hoffman is averaging 21.3 points per game in the last three games. me a better player and person overall.”

Now in her senior season, Hoffman is once again using her com-

SEE BASKETBALL / PAGE 17A

5

The Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team posted its fifth shutout of the season with a 6-0 victory over Berkeley Prep Nov. 24.

Lisa Hoffman, right, has led the Out-of-Door academy to the regional tournament twice in the past three years.

BY THE NUMBERS

21.3

The number of points Hoffman is averaging over the past three games.

33

The most points Hoffman has scored in a single game.

5

The number of years Hoffman has been a starter on ODA’s varsity squad.

9

The number of years Hoffman has been playing basketball.

1

Next Level Hoops’ USAAA Florida ranking when Hoffman joined the team as a freshman.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Maggie Feix doesn’t really remember what it’s like to be a player.

The glory days of hurling shutouts and winning state championships are in her past.

The former high school and collegiate pitcher wears a new hat now —one she’s been donning for the past six years.

But that doesn’t mean Feix has forgotten the thrill that comes from watching your team succeed both on and off the diamond.

Now the excitement just comes from a different vantage point — one of a head coach.

On Nov. 21, Feix, a physical education teacher at Lakewood Ranch, was named the Mustangs’ new softball coach. Feix replaces former head coach Tony Cummins, who stepped down following the end of the 2014 season.

“I know what it’s like to be in their shoes,” Feix says. “I’ve been on both sides (as a player and as a coach). I think that makes it easier for me to understand them, guide them, lead them and empower them to find success both on and off the field.”

A native of Rhode Island, Feix started playing softball at a young age and fell in love with the game after earning her first trophy. Feix worked her way up through the recreational and travel ball circuits as a catcher before deciding to try her hand at pitching.

As a sophomore, Feix helped lead her high school team to its first softball state championship. She went on to pitch at the University of Massachusetts for three years before blowing out her shoulder.

SEE SOFTBALL / PAGE 17A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

petitive edge to help lift the Lady Thunder. After falling to Bishop Verot 39-28 in the season opener Nov. 13, Hoffman has led ODA to three straight victories.

Most recently, Hoffman scored a career-high 33 points in a 4531 victory over Gateway Charter Nov. 24. It was the second time this season that Hoffman has scored more points than the entire opposing team combined.

“I want to say I’m surprised, but the level of play is so low,” Hoffman says. “I always try to get the younger girls involved because when I leave here, I don’t want to be called a selfish player.

I want to give them that experience.”

Hoffman, who is averaging 21.3 points in the last three games, credits her success on the court with the work she puts in outside of practice. Hoffman will spend anywhere between two and three-and-a-half hours every weekend in the gym working on shooting drills and mechanics.

Like a lot of children, Hoffman started out playing youth soccer. But she soon realized soccer wasn’t for her.

“I was awful at soccer,” Hoffman says with a laugh.

Hoffman began playing basketball when she was 9 years old after her parents bought her a basketball hoop for Christmas.

She began playing with the kids in her neighborhood — all of who were older and taller than she was.

It was during those pickup games that Hoffman learned the value of hard work and determination and how to thrive off competition.

“If you want to get better, you have to play against better peo-

SOFTBALL / FROM 16A

Jen Blanco

Senior forward Lisa Hoffman has led The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team to a 3-1 record so far this season. ple,” Hoffman says. “When I was young, I joined a (recreational) league and destroyed everyone because I had been playing with kids who were older than me.

That’s when I realized I was pretty good.”

Hoffman joined the ODA girls basketball team in seventhgrade, helping lead the Lady Thunder to district runner-up finishes in the 2010-11 and 201314 seasons.

This season, Hoffman has once again taken on a leadership role in the hopes of developing the team, which is comprised mainly of freshman who are almost all

relatively new to the game.

“There are so many different levels of talent that it makes it hard to combine practice,” Hoffman says.

Hoffman, who plans to study pre-medicine next year, knows that the day will come when she has to give up the game she loves.

For now, though, she’s focused on leaving her mark on a young ODA team the best way she knows how — by teaching them the importance of leadership, communication and individual growth.

Contact Jen Blanco at jblanco@ yourobserver.com.

Feix spent the next three years serving as an assistant coach at neighboring Amherst College before deciding to go back to school.

Feix received her master’s degree in education from Arizona State University in 2012. While in Arizona, Feix served as an assistant coach under Rich Hamilton at Red Mountain High, which has won five-consecutive state championships.

“I feel very blessed at this point in my life to have had excellent mentors and teachers along the way,” Feix says.

Feix moved in June 2013 to East County and shortly thereafter she assumed her first head coaching position at Plant City High, where she saw her team advance to the regional semifinals.

Looking to be closer to her family, Feix applied for the coaching position at Lakewood earlier this year.

“I heard about the opportunity here and after talking about it with coach Cummins, it reminded me a lot of Red Mountain,” Feix says. “I was fortunate to coach there. Hopefully I can use that experience to help lead this Lakewood Ranch team and continue the tradition of excel-

lence that coach Cummins put into place.”

Feix didn’t know much about Lakewood and its softball tradition when she applied for the position, but talking with Cummins and getting to know the girls, she’s gained an appreciation for the Mustangs’ competitive spirit.

Lakewood has been busy conditioning in preparation for the upcoming season, which officially begins Jan. 12.

At that point, Feix can begin working with the girls and building off of last season’s successes, which included a district championship and a berth in the regional finals.

“They have no idea how excited I am to work with them,” Feix says. “I’ve never been more excited for a season. The more experience that I have the more comfortable I become, and I feel like I can put my own stamp on it.

“I have high expectations for myself and my players,” Feix says. “I want everyone, especially the seniors, to buy into the season. It’s not about next year. It’s about finishing strong and leaving a lasting legacy for your teammates and the program.”

Contact Jen Blanco at jblanco@yourobserver.com.

“ I know what it’s like to be in their shoes; I’ve been on both sides (as a player and a coach). I think that makes it easier for me to understand them, guide them, lead them and empower them to find success both on and off the field.”

— Lakewood Ranch Mustangs softball coach Maggie Feix

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BASKETBALL / FROM 16A

17A

18A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SOCCER

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

by Jen Blanco | Sports Editor

Lakewood Ranch hosts international soccer event The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team hosted England, Australia and Brazil in this year’s tournament at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. The U.S. opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory over England.

East County soccer players and enthusiasts enjoyed watching some of the world’s top talent battle for supremacy during the 2014 Nike International Friendlies Nov. 28 through Dec. 2, at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch.

The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team hosted England, Australia and Brazil in this year’s tournament.

The U.S. opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory over England Nov. 28. Alejandro Zendejas scored in the 11th minute, and Christian Pulisic added a pair of goals in the 40th and 48th minutes. England scored its lone goal in stoppage time.

The U.S. returned to action Nov. 30, edging past Australia 2-1. After watching Australia score in the third minute, McKinze Gaines and Luca de la Torre added goals in the 15th and 69th minutes, respectively, to help lead the U.S. to victory.

With the win, the U.S. moved into first place heading into its final match versus Brazil Dec. 2.

Photos by Brian Blanco

U.S. forward Josh Perez attempts to gain possession from England’s Jahmal Hector-Ingram.

Midfielder Luca de La Torre maintains possession for the U.S. Under17 Men’s National Team during its game versus England.

Right: The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team defeated England 3-1 in the opening game of the 2014 Nike International Friendlies Nov. 28.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Sledding with Santa at the Y! Bring your Christmas wish list and meet Santa! Also enjoy sledding on real snow, face painting and craft-making. We will have milk, hot chocolate, and cookies for all, and coffee for parents.

Sledding on real SNOW!

Join the Y during the event and pay

No Joining Fee (up to $100 Savings) Friday, December 12th from 5:30-8:00p at the

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5100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton 941-782-0220

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www.manateeymca.org

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDELINES

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

+ Hockey tournament arrives in Ellenton this week

+ Twelve local skaters headed to nationals

+ University Place cardio tennis registration open Registration for University Place’s holiday cardio tennis classes is now ongoing.

Classes will be held at 6:30 p.m.

813 30

Twelve Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club skaters, who train at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, recently qualified for the 2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships Jan. 17 through Jan. 25, in Greensboro, N.C. The skaters earned a spot in the national championships after medaling at the U.S. Figure Skating Eastern Sectional Championships.

Medalists include: • Intermediate pairs gold medalists Elli Kopmar and Jonah Barrett • Novice pairs silver medalists Sarah Rose and Joseph Goodpastor • Novice men’s bronze medalist Barrett • Junior pairs gold medalists Cirinia Gillett and Maximiliano Fernandez • Junior pairs bronze medalists Alyssa McDougal and Paul Schatz The senior pairs teams of Tarah Kayne and Daniel O’Shea and Gretchen Donolan and Nathan Bartholomay also will be a part of Ellenton’s national championship team. This is the largest group of skaters from Ellenton to attend the national championships since the rink opened 15 years ago.

+ Rosedale to offer golf instruction for women Rosedale Golf & Country Club is now offering a new series of ladies-only golf classes.

The classes, led by Joe Robert, lead instructor at the Whidden Golf Academy, will focus on the basics of the game, including proper etiquette, rules and course management.

Classes will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and are limited to five people. Cost is $150 for six hours of instruction. Each class includes a warmup on the driving range, oncourse instruction and tips.

Dates include: • Session 1: Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 • Session 2: Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31 • Session 3: Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 • Session 4: March 7, 14, 21 and 28 For more information, contact Joe Robert at joerobertgolf@gmail.com or visit rosedalegcc.com.

JUST THE STATS

KUDOS

The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex will host the Silver Sticks Hockey Tournament Dec. 5 through Dec. 7.

This year’s tournament, which features Pee Wee 11- and 12-year-old hockey players, begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6. The finals are scheduled for 1 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The event is open to the public.

For more information contact Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex General Manager Tom Lindemuth at 932-6088 or tomlindemuth33@gmail.com.

19A

The number of yards Braden River senior running back Carlos Crawford finished the 2014 season with to lead the team.

The combined number of points twin sisters Emma and Sarah Fazio scored in the Lakewood Ranch JV girls basketball team’s 59-26 victory over Fort Myers Nov. 24.

6

Tuesdays, Dec. 9 and 16, at Lakewood Ranch Country Club and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, at River Strand Country Club. Classes will resume again Jan. 6. Class size is limited to eight participants.

For more information, contact michele@ cardiotennis.com

1 The number of points the Braden River boys basketball team lost to Bradenton Christian by in non-district action Nov. 24.

The number of games the Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team has won so far this season after beating Palmetto 2-0 Nov. 25.

3

The number of goals Sophia Falco scored in the Lakewood Ranch girls soccer team’s 6-0 victory over Berkeley Prep Nov. 24.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Spectacular SARASOTA JUNGLE GARDENS

Join us for Live Entertainment, S’mores and a Visit from Santa!

Lunch &Learn FREE

December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19-24, 26-28 6 pm-9 pm Adults $11, Children (Ages 3-12) $6 Kids 2 & under FREE

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20A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

ENGLEWOOD

LAKEWOOD RANCH

6150 Manasota Key Road Terry Herschberger 941.468.8439 premiersir.com/id/N5783382 $3,600,000

ENGLEWOOD

ENGLEWOOD GARDENS

7979 Manasota Key Road Terry Herschberger & Bonye Smart

941.468.8439 $2,950,000

premiersir.com/id/N5901602

LAKEWOOD RANCH CC 7510 Rigby Court

Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin 941.961.5857 premiersir.com/id/A4105054

$1,299,000

UNIVERSITY PARK COUNTRY CLUB 7304 Chelsea Court Louis Wery

941.232.3001 $1,289,300

premiersir.com/id/A4107994

FOREST AT HI HAT RANCH

WOODLANDS

9309 Swaying Branch Road Brian Wood 941.928.8408 premiersir.com/id/A3956080 $904,900

7305 Crape Myrtle Way Carol Clark & Paul Clark 941.350.4500 premiersir.com/id/A4105019 $899,000

PLACIDA

PRESTANCIA

345 Green Dolphin Drive Jerry Zaback 941.350.6885 premiersir.com/id/A3992541 $619,000

TURTLE ROCK 5193 Wild Flower Court Tamara & Todd Currey premiersir.com/id/A4108606

7624 Calle Facil Joel Schemmel

Cindy Migone & Darlene Gamble 941.812.7438

941.587.1776 $549,900

6718 Pebble Beach Way

Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin 941.961.5857

$418,000

1763 Grande Park Drive Bob Linthicum premiersir.com/id/N5782821

PRESTANCIA

premiersir.com/id/A3992087

7673 Portstewart Drive Charlotte Hedge premiersir.com/id/A3989691

941.228.9206 $544,900

premiersir.com/id/A4108113

941.587.4894 $395,000

Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin 941.961.5857

Terry Herschberger & Melissa Caldwell 941.468.8439 $2,399,000 premiersir.com/id/N5900910

LAUREL OAK

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2895 Dick Wilson Drive Joel Schemmel

941.587.4894 $1,849,999

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6901 South Gator Creek Boulevard Peter Laughlin 941.356.8428 premiersir.com/id/A3998028 $1,750,000

1983 Tom Morris Drive Jerry Zaback

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941.350.6885 $995,000

THE FOUNDERS CLUB 3432 Founders Club Drive Don Carroll 941.539.2132 premiersir.com/id/A3980756 $965,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH CC 941.587.4894 $895,000

7410 Mizner Reserve Court Maureen & Matt Morris 941.320.3960 premiersir.com/id/A4107074 $879,000

941.350.0100 $599,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH CC

13872 Siena Loop Louis Wery

premiersir.com/id/A4107232

941.232.3001 $598,300

premiersir.com/id/A4108021

941.896.2317 $725,000

7415 Weeping Willow Drive Carol Clark & Paul Clark 941.350.4500 $579,000

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THE FOUNDERS CLUB

Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin 941.961.5857

3815 Founders Club Drive Don Carroll 941.539.2132 premiersir.com/id/A3942105 $485,000

OAK FORD

TURTLE ROCK

SARASOTA

1832 Oakford Road Rigo Rivera

premiersir.com/id/A4106559

941.822.9097 $369,000

5038 Hanging Moss Lane

Charlotte Hedge & Tom Hedge Jr.941.350.0100 premiersir.com/id/A4108573

$355,000

LAUREL OAK 3111 Dick Wilson Drive Gigi Silverberg

9553 Forest Hills Circle Ken Ipox

premiersir.com/id/A4101253

941.993.3695 $1,490,000

premiersir.com/id/A3994360

LAKEWOOD RANCH CC 6919 Winners Circle

Jim Soda & Stacy Haas-Goodwin 941.961.5857

$950,000

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SILVER OAK 8965 Wildlife Loop Ken Ipox

941.993.7279 $649,000

premiersir.com/id/A3981099

HAMMOCKS

PRESTANCIA

$539,000

941.928.3424 $1,999,000

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BENT TREE

4224 Escondito Circle Cheryl Loeffler & Daniel Volz 941.302.9674 premiersir.com/id/A4102320 $515,000

premiersir.com/id/A4104911

FOUNDERS CLUB 8254 Roseburn Court Judie Berger

UNIVERSITY PARK 8226 Regents Court Toi Estes & Craig Cerreta

LAKEWOOD RANCH CC

8005 Royal Birkdale Circle

PRESTANCIA 4634 Mirada Way, 32/33 Joel Schemmel

$1,175,000

premiersir.com/id/A4101646

4175 Escondito Circle Joel Schemmel

ARBOR THICKET 1000 Thicket Lane

LAUREL OAK ESTATES

LAKEWOOD RANCH 941.587.4894 $600,000

premiersir.com/id/A4105742

PRESERVE 7475 Preservation Drive

BOCA ROYALE

LAKEWOOD RANCH CC

premiersir.com/id/A3999134

1265 Bayshore Drive Bonnie Price & Richard Bradway941.350.3362 premiersir.com/id/N5780546 $1,850,000

12535 Highfield Circle

7992 Megan Hammock Way Helen Wiegman 941.962.5848 $563,000

premiersir.com/id/M5833172

BOCA ROYALE 25 Dominica Drive Bob Linthicum

premiersir.com/id/N5900103

941.228.9206 $469,900

PRESTANCIA 941.993.7279 $339,000

7377 Regina Royale Joel Schemmel

premiersir.com/id/A4108155

941.587.4894 $319,000

over 15,000 associates | more than 750 offices | 52 countries worldwide | 24 locations CLEARWATER | 727.585.9600

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SOUTH TAMPA | 813.217.5288

VENICE | 941.412.3323

THE GALLERY | NAPLES | 239.659.0099

VANDERBILT | NAPLES | 239.594.9494

ST. PETERSBURG | 727.898.6800

CAPTIVA | 239.395.5847

THE VILLAGE | NAPLES | 239.261.6161

MERCATO SALES CENTER | NAPLES | 239.594.9400

LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526

SANIBEL | 239.472.2735

ESTUARY SALES CENTER | NAPLES | 239.261.3148

BROAD AVENUE | NAPLES | 239.434.2424

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

ST. ARMAND’S | 941.383.2500

FIFTH AVENUE | NAPLES | 239.434.8770

MARCO ISLAND | 239.642.2222

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. Property information herein is derived from various sources including but not limited to county records and the multiple listing service, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

157342

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Neighborhood B U S I N E S S | C L A S S I F I E D S | E A S T L I F E | G A M E S | R E A L E S TAT E | T R AV E L | W E AT H E R

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

YourObserver.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

TAKING CENTER STAGE For ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ star Olivia Garland, a Braden River Elementary student, acting is a family affair.

CO-STARS

Olivia Garland has performing arts in her blood.

In the mid-’80s, her mother, Angela Garland, studied drama in high school and performed in a range of school and Manatee Players productions.

But in college her passion for theater fizzled out — until two years ago when she noticed her then-7-year-old daughter singing around the house. She discovered Olivia also had dreams of being in the spotlight.

The Garlands started auditioning together for plays, such as “Les Miserables” in 2013. portray in her theater career.

A 1944 drama/comedy/musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis” tells the story of the middle-class Smith family and the group’s love

Now, both are involved with holiday productions throughout December. Garland is working behind-the-scenes as the stage manager of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” while Olivia takes center stage as Tootie in “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

Although Olivia says she received her acting abilities from her father, who has mastered “making any funny face,” Garland knows better.

“I think it’s neat that she’s sort of following in what I did,” Garland said. “But, she’s much better.” for St. Louis in the early 1900s.

Tootie’s father, Alonzo, receives a job opportunity in New York, and the family struggles with the idea of leaving Illinois.

A troublemaker who is fascinated with death and burying her dolls after they “die,” Tootie has been a difficult character to play. Still, Olivia, 9, relates to someone with quirky behavior.

No matter where she is, she loves to sing. Now, Olivia can’t stop humming songs from the play, even in the hallways at Braden River Elementary.

Courtesy photo

Angela Garland passed her passion for theater on to her daughter, Olivia.

Olivia has also been mastering juggling her hectic schedule of play rehearsals and homework

SEE ACTING / PAGE 10B

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EAST COUNTY — Talkative 9-year-old Olivia Garland is currently out of her comfort zone.

She has the tears to prove it, although these tears are on-demand for her first leading role in the Manatee Players’ production of “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

“I love it (acting),” Olivia says in a matter-of-fact tone, adding it’s hard to cry on cue. “I like being able to play different characters. (To cry) I think about things like moving away from my friends. Or, even worse, my two dogs, Jack and Balboa, dying. I love them and that would be the worst. But, having to cry so much and always keep your eyes wet is hard.”

The Braden River Elementary student stars as Tootie in the show, which runs Dec. 4 through Dec. 21. Olivia shares the role with Alana Rife.

For Olivia, her current role has been one of the most difficult to

Amanda Sebastiano

Olivia Garland, 9, will perform in her first leading role this month.

2B YourObserver.com tee time by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Golfers take swing for Ranch pet rescue Golfers used their clubs for a cause Nov. 15 during the Putts Fore Mutts event at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

About 128 golf enthusiasts teed off for the furry companions.

Proceeds benefited the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

F E A T U R I N G

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 • 7:00 pm Riverview High School

P

eople of the Book, featuring guest speaker Jeffrey Tambor, will serve to recognize and thank donors to Federation’s Annual Campaign; those making a minimum gift of $36 individual/$72 family are invited to attend the event as guests of the Federation.

RSVP at jfedsrq.org/pob A veteran of film, television, and the Broadway stage (including Arrested Development and Meet Joe Black), Jeffrey Tambor is one TOP SALES ASSO A T E most iconic and respected ofC Ithe Ranked in the Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Sales Associates

• 1 Ram Way, Sarasota

Right: Lorraine Williams and Monika Oberer pose with Buddy and Loki — pets available for adoption.

character actors of his generation.

As a man of many talents, Tambor is highly creative, using his overwhelming love for life and the lessons learned along the way as sparks of inspiration for his keynotes.

He speaks from the heart, sharing his personal truths as a way to inspire audiences young and old to embrace human connectivity.

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Call 941.343.2106 or contact Jeremy Dictor at jdictor@jfedsrq.org

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Photos by Amanda Sebastiano

Tatiana Gammicchia dresses for the occasion.

Sandy Ackinson and Fred Meyers relax in the shade before an afternoon in the sun.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

YourObserver.com

3B

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

4B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

REACH

runners ready

by Pam Eubanks | Senior Editor

HOLIDAY

SHOPPERS who reach for the Observer.

FCCI employee Matt Inman secures a number to the back of his son Aidan, left.

Harvest Hustle raises $10,000 for food banks

57

%

of adults

used print or digital newspaper ads in a typical week to make

shopping, planning and purchasing decisions.

More than 600 runners wound their way from Harvest United Methodist Church through the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club Nov. 22, during the church’s 16th annual Harvest Hustle 5K. The event raised more than $10,000 for The Food Bank of Manatee and All Faiths Food Bank.

79

%

of adults have taken action as a result of seeing a print ad in a newspaper in the last 30 days. More than half

Right: Jennifer McCullen, of Lakewood Ranch, registers for the race with the help of Joan Novak.

made the purchase.

Source: 2014 How America Shops and Spends NAA Study

Sailor CirCuS PreSentS

No other media engages consumers or influences purchasing decisions like

the newspaper.

e ti c k

ts

nnoSW ale!

90

%

o

of residents in Lakewood Ranch and surrounding areas say the East County Observer is their trusted source for local news.

Observer

Advertise in the in print or online this holiday shopping season.

Call: 941.366.3468

157410

Email: advertise@yourobserver.com

America’s longest-running, most highly acclaimed youth circus brings you a

Saturday

magical holiday experience!

Tuesday Dec 30

Dec 27

941.355.9805 CircusArts.org

thru

Adults $18 • Children $12 Sailor Circus Arena / 2075 Bahia Vista St.

157129

Please contact your OMG representative

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

5B

LIVE where you want in a home that you LOVE ESPLANADE AT ARTISAN LAKES Homes from the low $200s 10419 Inglenook Terrace, Palmetto I 941-882-5077

Stacy Tocci, of Lakewood Ranch, runs with her friend, Jennifer Yuza, of Sarasota.

ARBOR LAKES ON PALMER RANCH Homes from the $300s 5807 Palmer Ranch Parkway, Sarasota I 941-882-5421

Denise Pope runs with her children, William, Andrew and Caroline.

ARBOR RESERVE Homes from the upper $200s 4510 Garden Arbor Way, Bradenton I 941-799-5513

COBBLESTONE ON PALMER RANCH Coming Soon!

ESPLANADE BY SIESTA KEY Homes from the $300s New Section Released!

2531 Vaccaro Drive, Sarasota I 941-799-5512

ESPLANADE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Homes from the upper $200s Coach Homes Available!

5235 Esplanade Blvd., Lakewood Ranch I 941-799-5496

PALMA SOLA TRACE Close out! Final homes now selling! $10,000 Reduction!

7335 Skybird Road, Bradenton I 941-761-0587

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Marco, Bella, Nic and Cheri Avila, of Bartow, visit with Gerry Wilson, of Palmetto.

146663

MODELS OPEN DAILY

Hawthorne Village of Sarasota, a Not-for-Profit Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, invites you to attend a FREE community education seminar.

Good News for Bad Knees

Thursday, December 11 • 5-6pm Enjoy a light dinner and a discussion on common knee problems and various treatment options including non-surgical. Presented

by Jeffrey Silverstein, MD of Sarasota Orthopedic Associates.

Fellowship Trained & Board Certified Orthopedic Physician; Adult Hip & Knee Join Reconstruction; Trauma; Arthroscopy

Jeffrey Silverstein, MD

Space is Limited • Please RSVP by Wednesday 12/10 to 941.355.6111

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CALL 941-355-6111 TODAY

O,

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

the opportunities If you have the passion, ambition and aptitude, we have the jobs.

Observer Media Group Inc. is growing.

We have openings for the 18 following positions: • News Innovator Editor • 2 Business reporters • Government reporter • Sports reporter • Community reporter • Design editor

• Front-end developer • 4 Multimedia sales representatives • 2 Digital Sales Executives • Magazine Sales Specialist • 2 Multimedia graphic artists • Marketing coordinator

Every member of our OMG family is committed to a guiding vision: Innovate and elevate. Elevate our readers, our customers, our community and ourselves with innovative ideas, content and execution.

Join our family.

Send your qualifications and resume to: OMGjobs@yourobserver.com.

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Publisher of nine weekly newspapers, two quarterly lifestyle magazines, seven websites, 13 social media channels and a digital marketing agency covering seven Florida markets.

157264

6B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

HORSE POWER

7B

Below: Marcia and Ed Walton show off their 2012 Roush Mustang.

by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

Mustangs, antique cars take over Main Street Enthusiasts of Shelby Mustangs and other Ford-made vehicles gathered Nov. 23 for the 23rd annual Ponies Under the Palms event on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

About 132 vehicles with popped hoods lined the strip as proud owners sat in lawn chairs behind their speed beasts. Proceeds from the event, hosted by The Mustang Club of West Central Florida, benefited Tidewell Hospice and Southeastern Guide Dogs.

TAKE CHARGE

of Your Health Free Seminars

John and Peggy Cornwell

Photos by Amanda Sebastiano

Meet some of the fine surgeons at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center at these free seminars.

Back Pain and Adult Scoliosis Thursday, December 4 • 4 – 5 p.m.

Presented by Andrew C. Moulton, MD Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Dr. Moulton is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in nonoperative and minimally invasive surgery, including fracture care, deformity correction and child scoliosis.

Aging and Staying Active: Which Exercise Is Right for Me? Tuesday, December 9 • 4 – 5 p.m.

Presented by Paul Lento, MD Triple Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Dr. Lento specializes in nonsurgical physical medicine, including sports and spine rehabilitation. He has served as team physician to the Chicago Marathon and the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Elizabeth and Bruno Motta show off their '44 convertible.

Surgical Options for Weight Loss: A Bariatric Seminar Wednesday, December 10 • 6 – 7 p.m.

Presented by Stelios Rekkas, MD Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Dr. Rekkas will discuss how bariatric surgery can help reduce diabetes, high blood pressure and other obesity-related conditions.

Light refreshments will be served. Please call Direct Doctors Plus® at 941.708.8100 to reserve your place. The seminars are held in Conference Room 1 at the hospital. The hospital’s main entrance is the most convenient entrance to access Conference Room 1.

8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34202

Sam Strickland admires a '69 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

155251

www.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com

8B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

christmas inspiration

by Pam Eubanks | Senior Editor

HOME for the Holidays Walking into the home of Mary Jo and Harry Steltman at Christmastime is a bit magical.

The twinkling of lights, glimmers of red and gold ribbons and plethora of handcrafted decorations offer visitors a glimpse into the couple’s heart and heritage.

Mary Jo Steltman spends eight days decorating each room in their 3,600-squarefoot home in the Palm-Aire community.

The decorations are ones the couple has accumulated over 47 years of marriage, while living throughout the United States and around the world.

Harry and Mary Jo Steltman stand by the first life-size Santa decoration that sits in the entryway to their home.

AROUND THE HOUSE Right: Mary Jo Steltman inherited this figurine from her parents.

She remembers her mother decorating with it when she was a child.

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Left: Mary Jo and Harry Steltman made each other’s Christmas stockings, which hang beneath their fireplace. Mary Jo made Harry’s using needlepoint; he made hers using crewel, a type of crochet embroidery. Mary Jo has made stockings for each of the couple’s four children and eight grandchildren, as well.

The dining area features simple, but exquisite, decor.

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Holiday

CONSIGNMENT Quality Clothing

Both New and Slightly Used Jewelry, Handbags, Framed Art, Wigs, Wedding Gowns $40 & up.

Now Accepting Wedding Dresses.

5905 53rd Ave. East (River Plaza) Corner of S.R. 70 and Caruso

Store - 941 - 704 - 5722 Cell - 941 - 704 - 0072

Store Hours Wed - Fri 10:30am - 6pm Sat 10:30am - 4pm Sun 10:30am - 3pm

155954

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Shingles Tile • Metal Modifieds Built-Up Single Ply Membrane Aluminum Fascia • Soffit Siding Gutters Rotted Wood Replacement 157134

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Christmas DeCoration

Open House Celebration

WAREHOUSE SALE Artificial Christmas Trees

Main Street in Lakewood Ranch

Coordinating Wreaths and Garlands Home Decor Santas and Christmas Decorations Vintage Style Mercury Glass Ornaments And lots more!!!

Thursday, December 11th from 3pm to 7pm

refreshments and door prizes featuring ....

Patience Brewster, Vietri, Mariposa, Pandora, Alex and Ani.... and a large assortment of whimsical Christmas Ornaments

SUSANBINC.COM

Barb McSweeney will be onsite with her unique luxury brand jewelry collection

Dec. 6th

8:00 am - 3:00 pm CASH OR CREDIT CARD

7205 24th Court East Sarasota, FL 34243 941-755-0180

155002

Don’tThis MissSale!

This Sale!

Don’t Miss

8111 Lakewood Main Street | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 | 941.907.9125

157389

Between Tallevast and Whitfield off 301

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

9B

GREAT ROOM

The Christmas tree in the couple’s living area features a variety of ornaments — purchased and handmade — they’ve accumulated over 47 years of marriage.

The angel atop the Steltmans’ Christmas tree has been in Mary Jo Steltman’s family for more than 80 years. “It’s just a plastic angel, but it’s very special,” says Mary Jo, who remembers placing the angel on the top of the tree with her father.

The home’s red couch makes the perfect holiday accent for the Steltmans’ other decorations. Their dog, Molly, relaxes on it.

Mary Jo Steltman quilted this Christmas tree skirt in 1985 while living in Nashville, Tenn.

GUEST ROOM

GET SOCIAL WITH OUR NEW SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP!

Right: This nesting doll sits on the counter in the Steltmans’ guest bathroom.

You’ve always wanted to be a

member of the Lakewood Ranch Country Club and our NEW social membership is our most active, fun and affordable option!

Be sure to join in time for this year’s holiday festivities!

• Carefully planned dynamic calendar of year-round social events • Monthly member events and parties • Holiday buffets and galas • Card rooms • Members’ lounge for sporting events and daily happy hour • Casual Grille & fine dining room • Outdoor patio with fire pit • The Wildwood Wine Cellar, our private wine room

welcome to club life Contact Maureen LaTessa at 941.405.0138 today!

TAKE A TOUR OF THE CLUBHOUSE • ASK FOR MORE DETAILS 941.405.0138 | www.lakewoodranchgolf.com

154057

Above: Even the guest bedrooms are dressed with Christmasinspired bedspreads, pillows and other decorations.

10B

Gemz Fine Jewelry

Custom Designs & Unique Pieces...

$50 OFF

CUSTOM DESIGN RI NG OR PENDANT • Free Jewelry Inspection & Cleaning!

EXPIRES 12/11/14

Store Hours: M-Sat 10am-6pm

11161 SR 70 East • Suite 107 • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 • 941-752-0900

Lakewood Ranch Blvd. & SR 70 E - Facing SR 70 E

WEDDINGS • ENGAGEMENTS • ANNIVERSARIES • BIRTHS

OPEN SUN 12/14 & 12/21

152179

• Repairs done on premise!

• Large selection of Engagement & Bridal Sets.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

OCCASIONS

35 years experience

LAST CHANCE FOR

We can design anything!

Even an Idea!

YourObserver.com

Noon-5pm

Born DALTON MICHAEL GORRIS AND ANGELENA GRACE GORRIS

Fresh Fish Oysters • Crab

Dalton Michael Gorris and Angelena Grace Gorris were born to Michael and Jennifer Gorris Oct. 21, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Dalton weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. He was born at 9:46 a.m. Angelena weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She was born at 9:47 a.m.

“They were really only seconds apart, but, because of the time, he was at the end of one minute and she was at the beginning of the next,” Jennifer Gorris says with a laugh.

OPEN DAILY • 11AM - 10PM •

Daily/Weekly Specials HAPPY HOUR 11AM - 6PM & 9PM - CLOSE

>>> The East County Observer would like recognize your family’s milestones.

To have your announcement included in the East County Observer, please email your information to Senior Editor Pam Eubanks, peubanks@yourobserver.com.

ALL DAY SUNDAY! Watch all your NFL Games here!

FREE Fish Dip or Pickle Bites

ACTING / FROM PAGE 1B

Please present coupon prior to ordering.

One offer per table. Minimum $15 purchase pre-tax/gratuity required. Not valid with any other coupons or promotions. Exp. 12/13/14

7240 55th Ave. W. Bradenton 34203

941-896-9656 www.cedarreef.com

156179

(SR70 directly West of I-75 in Publix shopping plaza)

by sacrificing sleep and time with friends.

“When she does a show, we don’t get home until about 10:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m., and she has to be up by 8 a.m.,” her mom, Angela Garland, says. “We try to catch up on the weekends.”

Olivia has singing classes once a week and rehearsals five days a week.

She finishes her homework assignments in the car while her parents drive her to rehearsal or in the theater during downtime between sets.

“Being at the theater so much is a huge

commitment, and you have to love it to be able to handle that,”Angela Garland says.

“She does love acting.”

IF YOU GO Olivia Garland performs in “Meet Me in St. Louis” Dec. 5, Dec. 7, Dec. 9, Dec. 12, Dec. 14, Dec. 17, Dec. 19 and closing night, Dec. 21, at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, located at 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.

Ticket prices range from $27 to $37.

Visit manateeperformingartscenter. com to purchase tickets.

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December 25 - Christmas Edition Deadline: Wednesday, December 17, 4pm

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

SEASONAL CELEBRATION

11B

by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer

Church launches free, family-friendly festival Attendees of the Winter Celebration Nov. 22, at Christ Presbyterian Church enjoyed games, cookie decorating, a bonfire, food prepared by event volunteers and other activities.

The free family-centered festival also featured a snow slide to ring in the holiday season.

The church plans to host the celebration again next year.

‘Tis the Season

FOR ELF SPOTTING!

Right: Youth Director Alex Miranda paints faces.

$500

156374

wor th of gi ft ca rds to be given away!

Courtesy photos by Scott Gerhart

Payton Aaron whips down the slide.

Miranda Johnson helps children decorate cookies throughout the evening.

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12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

real estate | transactions

By Adam Hughes | Research Editor

Lake Club home sells for $1.62 million The following residential real estate transactions took place between Nov. 17 and Nov. 21.

A home in Lake Club tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Jeffrey and Lisa Fiorini, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 16315 Clearlake Ave. to Ian Howard, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.62 million. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,050 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,375,000 in 2012.

and 1,907 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $353,000 in 2010.

Riverwalk Ridge

Brent and Kimberly Bucks, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12202 Lobelia Terrace to Charles and Julie Warren, of Lakewood Ranch, for $525,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,151 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $630,000 in 2006.

Esplanade

Country Club Village at Lakewood Ranch

Doris Brown, of Bradenton, sold her home at 7331 Greystone St. to Barry and Sandra Gertz, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,425,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,235 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,667,000 in 2008.

Rodney Williams, of Lakewood Ranch, sold his home at 13218 Lost Key Place to David Weza and David Leier, of Eugene, Ore., for $1,207,500. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,852 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $917,000 in 2009.

Brian and Ailish Murphy, of Sarasota, sold their home at 6915 Westchester Circle to Christopher and Maureen Young, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.1 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 5,775 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $950,000 in 2010.

Gary and Joan Ales, of Davenport, Iowa, sold their home at 12054 Thornhill Court to Dave and Jane Pomeroy, of Nashville, Tenn., for $425,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,038 square feet of living area.

Jonathan and Abigail Collins sold their home at 7318 Wexford Court to Edward

Linda Ippolito and Harry Schoenfeld, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12764 Fontana Loop to Ronald and Susan Altman, of Bradenton, for $458,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,275 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $445,600 in 2013.

GreyHawk Landing Pam Eubanks

This home at 7331 Greystone St. has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,235 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,425,000. and Bonnie Shaklik, of Bradenton, for $320,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,773 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $305,000 in 2013.

Lake Club

Gerard and Michele Pento, of Warren, N.J., sold their home at 16009 Clearlake Ave. to Brent and Kimberly Bucks, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.25 million. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,053 square feet of living area.

Riverdale Revised

SP1 Inc. sold the home at 4750 Mainsail Drive to Barbara Bakus, of Bradenton, for

$564,900. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,916 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $975,000 in 2005.

Florence Worthington, trustee, and Norman Worthington Jr., of Sarasota, sold the home at 306 Americas Cup Blvd. to Kenneth and Patricia Nota, of Bradenton, for $493,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,085 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $300,000 in 1995.

Neil and Diana Farquhar, of Bradenton, sold their home at 3715 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Joseph McCann and Alice McCullough, of Bradenton, for $414,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool

12150 7413 Haddington Thornhill Court Cove #A4107013 #A4104619 $464,500 $1,270,000 Sherwin Mary PatTaradash, Pihl PA

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-448-3301 941-932-3065

7447 8312 Edenmore CatamaranStreet Circle #M5900697 #M5900826 $440,000 $1,250,000 Deborah Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-730-0777

5007 7250 45th Greystone St W St #M5846084 #M5845264 $435,000 $1,050,000 Debbie DeborahCapobianco Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-748-6300 941-907-9595 941-704-2394 941-730-0777

11758 13309 Forest Lost Key Park Pl Circle #A4105134 #A3997843 $409,000 $999,000 Karen Mary Pat CashPihl Greco

14910 6508 Moorings CamargoPoint PlaceCircle #A4104236 #A4105733 $399,000 $995,000 Tara The Collier Lamb &Group Judy Greene

Lakewood Ranch 941-349-3444 941-951-6660 941-266-4873 941-313-1212

5010 7030 18th Vilamoura Avenue Place W #M5903047 #A4101937 $868,000 $399,000 Kathy Mary Hellhake Valente

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-748-6300 941-388-4447 941-685-6767 941-544-0763

14614 9711 Portside Secret Harbor TerracePl #M5903021 #M5846615 $398,000 $854,000 Robyn Deborah Drourr Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-907-9595 941-812-7778 941-730-0777

1802 672 Planters 97th St Manor NW Way #A4106149 #M5844709 $365,000 $850,000 Felix Debbie Power Vogler & Lynne Callahan

SHARE YOUR

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-966-8000 941-907-9595 941-504-6927 941-932-3065

Bradenton 941-966-8000 941-748-6300 941-586-8958 941-705-3328

E. Donald and Mary Gessner, of Parrish, sold their home at 361 Blackbird Court to Jarrod and Diane Stead, of Bradenton, for $389,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,736 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $295,000 in 2010.

William and Bernice Hinkelman sold their home at 12819 Kite Drive to Jane Rattray and Michael Durachinsky, of Bradenton, for $371,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,269 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $322,000 in 2013.

Greenbrook Village

Anthony Giuliano, of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., sold his home at 14442 Sundial Place to Carl and Robyn Bradley, of Bradenton, for $385,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,730 square feet of living area. It previously

6818 6931 Dominion Winners CirLane #M5902750 #A3989315 $1,597,500 $1,200,000 Kimberly Nancy Phillips Walters

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-907-0164 941-400-6078

15320 6482 Watercrest AnchorageWay Pl Lakewood Ranch #A4103832 #A3987641 $359,900 $795,000 941-907-9595 941-951-6660 Robin Mackenzie Bowman Mudgett & Pat Mudgett 941-779-5000 941-961-4023

11812 7630 Silverwood Soft Rush Terrace Court #A4108399 #M5902279 $350,000 $795,000 Chris Deborah Baylis Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-735-4713 941-730-0777

PHOTOS

4204 5900 14th Riverview Avenue Boulevard E #M5903201 #M5903245 $349,500 $750,000 Cheryl Kathy Valente Roberts

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Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-266-1450 941-685-6767

14722 8142 Miramar LeopardWay Creek Place #A4107628 #A4103587 $339,000 $710,000 Theresa SusanneMeyers Cosgrove-Lee

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-349-3444 941-780-5214 941-400-9068

Lakewood Ranch 941-313-1591 941-907-9595 941-730-0777

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5909 6610 31st Coopers Court Hawk E Court #M5902727 #A4106314 $699,000 $335,000 Trish Alex Ley Chandler

Lakewood Ellenton Ranch 941-907-9595 941-966-8000 941-306-9533 941-504-6377

15607 8449 Miramar Leven Links WayPlace #M5902915 #A4106041 $629,000 $325,000 John MarciaCamino, Frost PA

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-812-8493 941-685-5060

6634 276 Sapphire OaklandLake Hills Drive #A4107697 #M5903442 $318,000 $612,000 Edward Debbie Vogler Haggerty

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-907-9595 941-748-6300 941-685-6154 941-705-3328

2825 6508 Terra Windjammer Ceia BayPlace Blvd # 1305 #M5845975 #M5901696 $315,000 $585,000 Dana NicolePreston Ryskamp

Lakewood Palmetto Ranch 941-748-6300 941-907-9595 941-705-5510 941-807-1766

11207 7606 Silverwood Marigold Drive Court #M5901620 #A4106113 $514,000 $313,000 Nicole Heidi Cox Ryskamp

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-807-1766 941-685-1529

12010 22235 Beeflower Panther Loop Drive #A4108258 #M5846712 $296,000 $499,999 Kathy CherylLewis Roberts

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-748-6300 941-228-1213 941-266-1450

7431 13970201st SienaStLoop E #A3999368 #M5900461 $285,000 $499,900 Chris Deborah Baylis Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-735-4713 941-730-0777

11323 12150 Blue Thornhill SageCourt Place #A4108189 #A4107013 $275,000 $464,500 Chris Sherwin Baylis Taradash, PA

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-735-4713 941-448-3301

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

13B

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest East County building permits issued by Manatee County for the week of Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, in order of dollar amounts.

EAST COUNTY Address

Permit

Applicant

7824 Panther Ridge Trail 14219 Woodhall Place 4718 Tobermory Way 21615 69th Ave. E. 12406 Tranquility Park Terrace 4831 Royal Dornoch Circle 8017 Fairhaven Glen 528 Honeyflower Loop 16416 Baycross Drive 8105 Brower Drive 7931 Whitebridge Glen 7010 211th St. E. 23890 Jennings Road 11328 Rivers Bluff Circle 214 147th St. E. 7198 Victoria Circle 4720 Fourth Ave. E. 11710 Winding Woods Way 10314 Palmbrooke Terrace 8111 Snowy Egret Place

Pool Pool Pool Barn Pool Pool Re-roof Pool Fence Re-roof Re-roof Pergola Mechanical Re-roof Re-roof Mechanical Re-roof Door/Windows Re-roof Mechanical

Joshua Colkmire Karl Ordetx Paul Grimond Frank Pettinato Peter Vitulli Gisele Mitton Johann Wendt Robert Carpenter Kathy Verble Kristine Phillips Thomas Conklin Luther Brown Carol Bevans Henry Schlusemann Barry Broder Joan Cooper John Wilson Todd McCabe Michael Gordon J. Michael Rivera

Amount $126,000 $52,366 $49,733 $49,000 $44,600 $39,570 $36,000 $28,725 $26,983 $19,135 $17,275 $16,781 $16,300 $16,140 $15,940 $15,795 $14,437 $13,478 $12,000 $11,822

7413 Haddington Cove #A4104619 $1,270,000 Mary Pat Pihl

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-932-3065

Source: Manatee County

sold for $679,800 in 2007.

Faith Moore, of Tallahassee, sold the home at 13843 Waterthrush Place to Armando Arias Jr. and Claudia Bolivar, of Bradenton, for $295,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,106 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $175,000 in 2009.

Timothy and Dona Griffeth, of Beaver, Pa., sold their home at 6429 Blue Grosbeak Circle to Anthony and Kristi Kemp, of Bradenton, for $290,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,771 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $179,000 in 2009.

The Links at Palm-Aire

Raymond and Beatrice Hansen, of Ven-

11109 5745 Fossano Hyacinth Drive Place #A4105602 #A4105158 $274,900 $459,000 CGloria SusanTotti-Cervoni Hilton

8308 8142 Portlight Miramar Way Ct #M5845982 #A4107628 $339,000 $250,000 Theresa KimberlyMeyers Walters

Lakewood Sarasota Ranch 941-907-9595 941-349-3444 941-350-3781 941-544-7746

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-907-0164 941-780-5214

16015 6482 Watercrest Topsail TerWay #M5845849 #A4103832 $359,900 $259,900 Kere RobinLewis Bowman

5308 8449 120th Miramar Avenue Way E #M5903314 #M5902915 $249,900 $325,000 Stacy MarciaBurton-cunneen Frost

ice, sold their home at 7312 Links Court to Ronald and Evelyn Wainscott, of Frankfort, Ky., for $375,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,867 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $300,000 in 1998.

7250 Greystone St #M5845264 $1,050,000 Deborah Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-730-0777

13309 Lost Key Pl #A3997843 $999,000 Mary Pat Pihl

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-932-3065

14910 Camargo Place #A4105733 $995,000 The Collier Group

Lakewood Ranch 941-951-6660 941-313-1212

14614 Secret Harbor Pl #M5846615 $854,000 Deborah Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-730-0777

Virginia Water

Darwin Perry and Susan Jessen sold their home at 6717 Virginia Crossing to J.R. Bruce and V. Ann Cassie, of Ontario, Canada, for $365,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,018 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $333,000 in 2010.

SEE REAL ESTATE / PAGE 14B

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-685-3270 941-779-5000

LakewoodParrish Ranch 941-907-9595 941-730-6194 941-812-8493

11812 6934 Woodmore Soft Rush Terrace Ter #A3999148 #A4108399 $259,900 $350,000 Sherwin Chris Baylis Taradash, PA

11207 6205 Macaw Marigold GlenDrive #A4108246 #M5901620 $249,500 $313,000 Sherwin Nicole Ryskamp Taradash, PA

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-448-3301 941-735-4713

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-448-3301 941-807-1766

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14810 12010 Skip Beeflower Jack Loop Drive #A3984568 #A4108258 $156,000 $296,000 Karen Kathy Lyons Lewis Nowadly

Lakewood Ranch 941-388-4447 941-907-9595 941-928-9496 941-228-1213

11323 3403 Cambridge Blue Sage W Place Drive #M5902404 #A4108189 $275,000 $150,000 Debbie Chris Baylis Vogler

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-748-6300 941-907-9595 941-705-3328 941-735-4713

14810 2920 Bayshore Skip JackGardens Loop Parkway #M5903265 #A3984568 $156,000 $120,000 James Karen Lyons Mcelhinney Nowadly

Lakewood Bradenton Ranch 941-748-6300 941-388-4447 941-773-1199 941-928-9496

Lakewood Ranch 941-966-8000 941-504-6377

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15607 Leven Links Placen We #A4106041 $629,000 John Camino, PA

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7439 Edenmore Street Lakewood Ranch 7606 Silverwood Court #A4107002 $519,000 #A4106113 $514,000 commitment rental – we pledge to941-907-9595 you an uncompromising Mary Pat Pihl 941-932-3065 Heidi Cox

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Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-807-1766

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7520 7905 Greystone Waterton Ln Street #M5901681 #A3992456 $1,695,000 $1,350,000 Jessika DeborahArman Angelo O’Mara

Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-388-4447 941-730-0777 941-587-4202

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Lakewood Ranch 941-907-9595 941-730-0777

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

REAL ESTATE / FROM PAGE 13B

Waterbury Grapefruit

To read the current issue go to lwrlifemagazine.com or stop by the Lakewood Ranch Welcome Center.

Rebecca and Mark Gutierrez, of Myakka City, sold their home at 4905 241st St. E. to Jeffrey and Kristy Leto, of Myakka City, for $362,500. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,279 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $285,000 in 2012.

GreyHawk Landing West

The Ryland Group Inc. sold the home at 1013 Buttercup Glen to Isaack and Khady Diarra, of Bradenton, for $344,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 2,810 square feet of living area.

Lakeside Woods

Todd Craig, trustee, of Monroe, N.Y., sold the home at 5836 Lakeside Woods Circle to John and Susan Milton, of Orlando, for $340,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,871 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $196,800 in 1993.

LWRLIF E

Peridia

Arthur and Mary Blakeman, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4213 Pro Am Ave. E. to Larry McWhorter and Joseph Killmeyer, of Bradenton, for $335,000. Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,866 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $285,000 in 2012.

LAKEW CO M M OO D R A N C H U N IT Y, A N AT U R R E A’S W IN T E E, S T Y L R 20 14 E

Savannah Preserve at University Place

Savannah Preserve Inc. sold the Unit 8077 condominium at 8077 Tybee Court to Sheila Cowan, of University Park, for $330,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,664 square feet of living area.

It’s a dog’s li fe

Mote Ranch Village

Jeanette Zaeske, of Springville, Iowa, sold her home at 5837 Carriage Drive to Joseph and Leslie Schulman, of Sarasota, for $285,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,950 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $166,000 in 1998.

LWRLIFE

Mill Creek

Lillian and William Bush, of Ellenton, sold their home at 1120 Mill Creek Road to Michael Hofer II and Monica Joiner, of Bradenton, for $262,000. Built in 1981, it

LAKEWOOD RANCH AREA’S COMMUNITY, NATURE, STYLE

$

$

Dinner only with coupon. Dine in only.

One coupon per table. Excludes holidays.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

No separate checks. Expires 12/18/14

157519

Crossing Creek Village

Fannie Mae sold the home at 6737 45th Terrace E. to Deborah Trueblood, of Bradenton, for $245,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,254 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,900 in 2008.

Creekwood

William and Carol Harbarth, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5007 72nd St. E. to Janice Laraway, of West Midlands, United Kingdom, for $240,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,738 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $184,900 in 2003.

Summerfield Village

U.S. Bank, trustee, sold the home at 6447 Golden Leaf Court to John and Deborah Skelly, of Valdosta, Ga., for $235,000.

Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,826 square feet of living area.

Gwen Olson, of Sarasota, sold her home at 5308 Ithaca Lane to Arturo Trevino and Claudia Castaneda-Trevino, of Sarasota, for $232,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,343 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $119,900 in 1993.

Terry Schwarz and Rhoda Schwarz, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the Unit 501 condominium at 8008 Grand Estuary Trail to Phillip and Lisa Christopher, of Bradenton, for $225,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $237,600 in 2007.

Pine Trace

Marsha Wilchfort sold her Unit 5 condominium at 7857 Pine Trace Drive to Frank and Eileen Boyle, of Sarasota, for $205,000. Built in 1986, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,560 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $180,000 in 2013.

NORTH MANATEE Twin Rivers

Robert Stettler and Jennifer Sine, of Sarasota, sold their home at 15807 33rd Court E. to Jeffrey and Lori Dobbeliare, of Parrish, for $405,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,510 square feet of living area.

YOUROBSERVER.COM // Read more transactions online.

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Alison Albee and Timothy Thurman, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5108 Palm Aire Drive to Donna Butler, of Sarasota, for $250,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,226 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $195,000 in 2002.

Coach Homes at River Strand

Jeffrey and Joyce Richter, of Thornton, Colo., sold their home at 10709 Old Grove Circle to Albert and Janice Miller, of Bradenton, for $288,900. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,160 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $169,100 in 1998.

1

Desoto Lakes Country Club Colony

Ashley Trace at University Place

Greenfield Plantation

pagFEe 80

LWR LI

Tien Her Ho and Ching Fen Tsai, of Loudon, N.H., sold their home at 8731 51st Terrace E. to Michael and Shirley Sullivan, of Bradenton, for $260,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,125 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $258,000 in 2002.

Palm West

Michael and Ivonn Fazio, of University Park, sold their home at 7844 Ashley Circle to Karen Lima, of University Park, for $298,000. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,892 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $222,000 in 2009.

Polo clu b for new primes season page 22 Seven c heats to e your ho njoy liday

Rosedale Golf and Tennis Club

Tara

Barbara Covey, of Portage, Ind., sold her home at 7009 Owls Nest Terrace to John and Jean Withers, of Bradenton, for $328,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,206 square feet of living area.

PAGE 5 0

has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,329 square feet of living area.

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157104

14B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

friendly faces

YourObserver.com

15B Let help you

by Pam Eubanks | Senior Editor

Couple makes memories

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER? CALL US TODAY!

Your HOMETOWN REALTOR TEAM is here to help you find YOUR DREAM HOME!

Mark Butler

Broker-Associate

941-704-6130

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Pam Eubanks

Joe Kopper and Phyllis Troy chat with Joanne Rubin, left, and Joan Hoonhout, right.

“When he had it, they had nothing like this for him,” Troy says. “They didn’t know what to do with it.”

Troy would bring children’s games to play with her father. She plays similar games with Reflections residents now, too.

“It gives them something to do,” Troy, 85, says. “They love to play games. They do great at art projects.

“It’s so gratifying (being here),” she says.

“I wouldn’t miss a Tuesday for anything.”

9030 Town Center Parkway Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

152133

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As Phyllis Troy sits at a table at Windsor Reflections Memory Care center, a facility for Alzheimer’s disease patients and individuals affected by memory impairment, she throws her hands up, as her hand of cards breaks the count of 21.

Resident Joanne Rubin glances toward the pile of cards and poker chips in front of her.

“What am I getting?” she asks.

Troy leans across the table for a closer look.

“You’re making money,” she says laughing, as her partner, Joe Kopper, collects Rubin’s winning cards from the table.

Troy, who has lived in Lakewood Ranch since 1997, began volunteering at Windsor Reflections after the facility opened about two years ago. Kopper joined her about a year later, and the couple now visits with residents every Tuesday afternoon.

Both had parents affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Troy remembers how her father began showing signs of the disease when he was about 80 years old. Troy’s mother became his caretaker, and, eventually, Troy’s father was placed in an assisted-living facility.

MAKE THE MOVE!

Barbara Hemingway Realtor

941-962-7041

RESERVE NOW BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

SATURDAYth December 13 9am -11am

Have you fallen . . . into

Doughnut

Hole?

REAL GOOD DEALS! REAL PEOPLE TO TALK TO! Paying too much for your prescriptions?

WE CAN HELP! We Use Only USFDA Approved Medications

Includes:

The

BRAND AND GENERICS AVAILABLE

A Discount, Mail Order Prescription Service

• Breakfast • Picture with Santa • 1 Movie ticket

We can help and

at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas

possibly Prevent this

941-355-7887

from Happening

HAPPY

Next Year!

COUPON REQUIRED

CIALIS ................... 5mg .........90 pills .......... $191.45

Call for a FREE quote on your current Meds.

VIAGRA................. 100mg .....24 pills .......... $136.73 SPIRIVA ................. 18mcg .....90 capsules ... $166.79 METRO CREAM .... 75%. ........60 grams....... $84.27 DOMPERIDONE .... 10mg .......400 pills ........ $93.57

HOLIDAYS! Wolves Head Pizza & Wings 941.251.4028

E-MAIL: INFO@DISCOUNTMEDDIRECT.COM WEB: WWW.DISCOUNTMEDDIRECT.COM

1837 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton (corner of SR Rd 64 & LWR Blvd)

157086

TOLL FREE: 877-695-7888 FAX: 941-355-6226 6270 N. LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD, SARASOTA

www.WOLVESHEADPIZZA.com

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN OUR NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FISH HOUSE There’s nothing quite like it!

NOW OPEN

Freshest Seafood Only Local Shucked Raw Bar Lunch Served

Lakewood Family Eye Care has relocated to

Monday-Saturday

11151 State Road 70 East Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Dinner Served

Directly behind Ken Burton, Tax Collector in the Lakewood Walk Publix Shopping Plaza

Tuesday-Sunday

Sunday Hours

Friendliest Atmosphere Staff and Neighborhood Patrons

Fun for the Whole Family Real Food & Real Good Times!

3pm-8pm

Dr. Troy Bedinghaus specializes in Comprehensive Family Eye Care & Treatment of Eye Disease

View our video

& f i s h m a941-907-0589 rket www.luckypelicanbistro.com

Can you find the lucky pelican?

6239 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch

153719

941-739-5959 | www.lakewoodeyes.com

156153

Located a mere 30 second drive off I-75 exit 213.

Next to the Holiday Inn....in the Lake Osprey Plaza

156478

Expires 1/7/15

16B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EXPLORING NATURE’S BEAUTY

Visit YourObserver.com to submit your local weather photos. Each weekly winner will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift card. One grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 flooring makeover.*

with

FORECAST THURSDAY, DEC. 4 High: 81 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 10%

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 High: 82 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 10%

High: 80 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 20%

SUNDAY, DEC. 7 High: 78 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 20%

Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.

YOUROBSERVER.COM/WEATHER

Sunrise

Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 4

7:05a

5:36p

Friday, Dec. 5

7:06a

5:36p

Saturday, Dec. 6

7:07a

5:36p

Sunday, Dec. 7

7:07a

5:36p

Monday, Dec. 8

7:08a

5:36p

Tuesday, Dec. 9

7:09a

5:37p

Wednesday, Dec. 10

7:09a

5:37p

Tuesday, Nov. 25

1.75

Wednesday, Nov. 26

0.16

Thursday, Nov. 27

0.00

Friday, Nov. 28

0.00

Saturday, Nov. 29

0.00

Sunday, Nov. 30

0.00

Monday, Dec. 1

0.01

MOON PHASES Dec. 6

Dec. 14

YEAR TO DATE:

2014

42.46 in.

2013

52.59 in.

Dec. 21

MONTH TO DATE:

Courtesy: wunderground.com

Visit our website to upload your weather or nature-related photos and for contest information, including rules and prize information.

RAINFALL

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

 Cas Bruniany submitted this sunset photo, taken on Thanksgiving Eve near Legacy

SUNRISE / SUNSET

2014

0.01 in.

2013

0.00 in.

Dec. 28

*Must own a home in Sarasota or Manatee counties. Grand prize winner will be announced in October 2015.

4551 N. Washington Blvd.,Sarasota • 941.355.8437 2510 1st Street W., Bradenton • 941.748.4679 1734 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice • 941.493.7441

www.manasotaonline.com

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

A LITTLE TOO WARM by Gary Cooper ACROSS

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

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Nasal partitions Certain Ivy Leaguer Cupid’s counterpart Kind of recording Projectile for 20-Across Raggedy doll Greek salad cheese Change genes It may be organized Chocolate source Jimmies “Thar ___ blows!”

Ad ___ Quavery singing effect “Relax, and that’s an order!”

Calm Connive Costner’s “Untouchables” role Nuclear energy source Marble used as a shooter It controls the bending of the mast “The Journey is the Destination” photojournalist Back of the neck “Your turn” Mushroom part “When I Need You” singer Leo Humidor item More impolite Speak from a

soapbox 61 Botanical swellings 63 Ninth-inning reliever, often 65 Makes less distinct 67 Stop working 70 It follows sunset, in poetry 71 Conveyance with a basket 75 Adam’s mate 77 Break away 79 ___ complaint (officially protest) 80 Cleans with soap 82 Acquire ivories 85 Gorillalike 87 Mooring sites 88 Boorish sort 91 Violin bow application 93 “Cut it out!”

95 Big beer buy 96 Little brook 97 Light bulb units 98 California city 100 Food scrap 101 Foolhardy 102 Pillager’s take 106 Chicken noodle, e.g.

107 Puts on the scales 109 Ukrainian seaport 111 Expressed in words 115 Spring month 116 Entertaining couple 117 Polish “Peter” 119 First president to marry while in office 120 One of 150 in the Bible 122 Shoot for (with “to”) 124 Conceal 126 Hot temper 127 Book feature

128 One with a requirement 129 Aces, sometimes 130 Cloak-and-dagger org.

131 Aggregate 132 Tests one’s metal 133 Hideous-looking 134 Always, in poetry

55 Certain Kosovo resident 56 Forty winks 58 Fix, as a pump 60 Gang territory 62 Cat call 64 Harassed 66 Small marine animal 68 Fix, as leftovers 69 “Be it ___ humble ...”

DOWN 72 Bright fish 1 Do a double-take 73 Luau souvenirs 2 Of a forearm bone 74 Endures 3 Chop finely 76 Big Bertha’s 4 Dupes birthplace 5 “The best things in 78 PC keyboard key life ___ free” 81 Wages received 6 Sticky issue during an illness 7 Autocrat until 1917 83 Plant-growing 8 Reproductive cell facilities 9 Unwelcome 84 Suffix that obligations maximizes 10 Repeated machine 86 Vichy attraction gun sound 88 Boast 11 Category 89 Add to the staff 12 Easily angered 90 Preludes to war, 13 “A Death in the often Family” writer 92 ___ of Capri 14 Chief of a North 94 Winnie-the-___ American tribe 97 Functioned as 15 Fielder’s goof 99 Husband’s 16 Sticker common-law right, 17 Cruise in the formerly movies 101 Mother Goose 18 Shock’s partner forte 28 Current measures 103 Fish hawk 30 Author Fleming 104 Basket twigs 34 Land parcels 105 Chinese “way” 36 On the ocean 37 “Sanford and ___” 108 Bothers a lot 110 Ninnies 38 Wine valley 112 It’s a piece of cake 39 Vase-shaped jug 113 Supernatural 43 Bullring hero 45 “Use the ___, Luke” 114 Dismal, old-style 116 Comedian Carvey (“Star Wars” line) 118 Commandments 46 Small eggs pronoun 47 Constructed again 48 San Francisco’s ___ 120 After-school grp.

121 Actor Alastair Buena Island 50 Soapmaker’s need 123 Wife of President McKinley 51 Like some decrees 125 “Runaway” rocker 54 French Sudan, Shannon today 12-4-14

154711

a reflection of nature’s beauty

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Items Under $200 For 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 ObserverThursday, Group August P.O. Box 3169 Sarasota, Fl 34230 AUTO FLOOR mats! 2 pc. black, embossed W/Logo. Unused. Fits Grand Caravan 2012/15. $40. 941-228-0306.

COLLECTIBLE SARATOGA Race Track duffel bag, new, $10. 941-224-1244.

DECO TILES: Mosaic glass +stone. Five brand new 12x12 sheets, $29. 941-358-5270.

HOMEDICS HEALTH Scale, new in box. Orig. $60. $25. (941)224-1253.

NEW BIKE Rack: Guardian 3 series, adjustable.

Itemsincluded, Under $200 For Sale Instructions $75.00.

306−5091.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE BREVILLE ESPRESSO machine ESP8XL. Super with the total of$125. all items $200 or less in clean.

Orig. boxvalue w/Inst.

941−907−4139. this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month, COMPUTER DESK: good next shape, 15 words or less.

PriceOak mustFinish, be included to 30"Dx50"Wx27"H, $30.

(941) 360−9681. each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in54" 1 Observer.

KIT/DINING TABLE: glasstop, wicker, 5 (No $195. phone941−373−6425. calls please.) chairs. Ex. cond.

(Please provide your name and address) WIND DEFLECTOR: BMW 3 Series convertible Email ad to: Gently used, black. Free. (941)650−3347. classified@yourobserver.com Online Autos Forat:Sale www.yourobserver.com BMW CONVERTIBLE Or 2006, mail to:M3 package, 53,500 miles, blue/tan/black.

Beautiful and fast. $19,950.

The Observer Group 920-379-7521. P.O. Box 3169 Sarasota, Fl 34230 CADILLAC DEVILLE. 1998, red sedan. Very good condition, 85,000 miles.

AUTO FLOOR Mats.$4995.

BrandPhotos new,available. factory Call 941-727-8155 packaging for 2007 Hyundai Azera, gray. $45.

941-744-1937.

Autos Wanted

COUCH: LEXINGTON, off white/ cream, 2 seater, GOTTA CAR941-746-7264. $200. Non-smoker/ pets. Call, You Wanna Sell?

CURIO CABINET: w/oak 17"wx12dx73"h, The good, the bad,trim, or the ugly. glass 3 side w/backCall mirror; now!4 glass shelves, $75.

941-363-4565. 727-400-1910.

GAS BUY DRYER: excellent by WE CARS. TOP condition, $$ PAID used FOR only YOUR 2 adults, $75.

Carol, 941-224-5760.

VEHICLES. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

HAIR PIECES: Paula Young’s - 2 blonde, 1 light brown. $45/all or $20/ea.

941-721-7392.

Flooring PATIO FURNITURE: 5/ft. hexagon glass table with YOUR ORDINARY 4 chairs, WE’RE $200.00.NOT 941-752-0385.

FLOORING INSTALLERS! PROFORM CROSSTRAINER 970 Exercise Bike.

We are more. We have multiple crews with over $200. 941-355-2282.

20 years experience to master your tile and wood TRANSPORT CHAIR: sturdy new folds flooring installation.

We specialize in tilechair, that looks compactly carry in a trunk, $160.

941-907-8938. like wood, to offset, patterns, and more.

Call us.

You won’t regretrack it. Fully and Insured.

WINE BOTTLE tableLicensed of hand forged iron & Joe Davis, 941.929.3000. glass top, $50.

941-201-5086.

Furnishings Autos Wanted

BRAND NEW Serta Queen Pillowtop Set. WE BUY CARS. TOP $$ PAID Mattress FOR YOUR Willing to sacrifice for $150. Need to sell quickly!

VEHICLES. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

(941)387-4810.

Flooring Garage/Moving/Estate Sales

STONE, TILE & WOOD FLOORING INSTALLERS. CHRISTMAS COOKIE SALE. Mix and match 20 Years Experience. Your flooring materials or homemade specialty cookies. Sold by the pound. mine. Lic./Ins. Call Joe, 941-929-3000.

Saturday, December 6th., 10:00a.m.-1p.m.

Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Rd., Sarasota 34238. Furnishings MATTRESS SALE! 50-80% Retail! 8-3pm, K Sets ESTATE SALE: Friday and OFF Saturday $290 QWestmoreland $150 F $140 - Call (941)387-4810.

7163 Dr.,Daniel, Whitfield Estates.

Christmas, baskets, dishes, TWIN BED collectibles, Set: Century,crafts, mattress, box springs, glassware, bicycles, golf clubs,top graphics, stamping headboards, armoire, granite over large chest and scrapbook supplies. of drawers, cream color. Great condition. $649.

941-345-4072. SALE: Saturday, 9-3pm, The MULTI-FAMILY Inlets, 344 46th Ct. E. Household and Christmas Merchandise Wanted items, more.

CASH FOR Old Military Items. Swords, uniforms,Merchandise insignia & old guns.Wanted Call 941-416-3280.

CASH FOR Old Military Items. Swords, Pets uniforms, insignia & old guns. Call 941-416-3280.

DOG GROOMING Mobile, dog/cat sitting, COINS, STAMPS, GOLD & SILVER WANTED. www.furrytails4grooming.com or 941-795-0303.

Paying Spot on Gold Bullion.

IMMEDIATE PAYMENT. Suncoast Stamp Company, 8520 South Pools/Spas Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.

941-921-9761 HOT TUBS - Slim Spas - Fiberglass Pools.

Pools/Spas Local manufacturer offering to sell directly to the publicTUBS at wholesale HOT - Swimpricing.

Spas -941-462-0633.

Fiberglass Pools.

Local manufacturer offering to sell directly to the Personals public at wholesale pricing. 941-462-0633. *ADOPTION*: AT-Home Parent & NYC Successful Businessman. Art, Music, Travel, Sports await 1st baby. Expenses paid. FLBar 42311. 1-800-552-0045.

Visit our website at www.yourobserver.com Storage

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

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

Business Opportunities

Good Things To Eat CLAIRE’S PRODUCE & PLANTS 7275 N. Lockwood Ridge Fresh & Local: Honey, Fruits, Veggies & More.

Wednesday - Friday 12-6, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-4 Frazier Firs & Holiday Plants Extended Hours begin 11/28/14

Personals *ADOPTING YOUR BABY IS OUR DREAM* Successful Musician & Exec. yearn for 1st baby.

7,Expenses 2014 paid. FLBar 42311. 1-800-552-0045. *Katherine & Mike*

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

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

Business Opportunities JAN PRO CLEANING FRANCHISE: $950 Down Required, Financing Available for growth, Includes customers. Earn up to $10,000 Month+.

Call 941-907-8141.

Help Wanted Wanted Help

DRIVERS: $5,000 Sign-On Bonus! Great Pay! DRIVERS: Bonus!

Great Pay! Consistent $5,000 Freight, Sign-On Great Miles on this Regional Consistent Freight, Great Miles on this Regional Account. Werner Enterprises: 1-855-517-2507.

Account. Werner Enterprises: 1-855-517-2507.

OUTSIDE GOLF Services F/T and P/T positions for Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club. Must be willing to work weekends. Provide exceptional service LOCAL to members and their guests while DELIVERY DRIVERS maintaining golf carts and bag drop area.

Apply in person at SMR 14400 Covenant Way, ARE YOU SEEKING A LONG TERM CAREER Bradenton, 34202 or send resume INSTEAD OFFL JUST ANOTHER DRIVING JOB…to human.resources@smrranch.com SE Independent Delivery Service, Inc., the delivery for the nation’s #1 furniture EOE. Drugcompany Free retailer – ROOMS TO GO – has local contractor Homes For Rent opportunities in the Bradenton/Sarasota area.

LUXOR MHP • $120,000+ Annually $500/mo. - 1 bed/bath mobile homes.

• Class A CDL REQUIRED 55+ community. No Pets.

• Paid Training 5811 14th St. W. Bradenton.

• Truck lease program available Sarasota Real Estate Assoc., Inc. • Performance & Safety incentives Greg Nowak 941-809-6034 • 1 year verifiable driving experience • No DUI/DWI history

Real Estate Wanted

Contact Matt @ 800-496-0404 ext 3213 or MDavis@roomstogo.com WANTED EOE/DFWP.

LUXURY ANNUAL RENTALS HOME HEALTHCARE for Young Male ALS For Qualified Waiting patient. Vibrant 33 year male ALS Clients patient requires help in dressing, meal prep, bathing, eating, Contact - Sarasota RentalsM−F cooking, errands, and lightLuxury housekeeping.

9AM − 3 PM. Looking for CNA or equivalent, with 941-225-1356 experience with PEG tubes and knowledge of email: info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com ALS. Must be reliable, provide own transportation and able to drive van, be tech literate and provide Personalized attention references. with941−840−1506. professional honest advice. www.ALifeStoryFoundation.org 25 Years Experience - References available

Condos/Apts. For Rent Adult Rental CareatServices ANNUAL CONDO Harborage on Braden

River.

Beautiful new, small gated IN-HOME ASSISTED LIVING. Whycommunity. leave the 2BR/2BA. Downstairs, water view own condo.

Tile, safety, beauty and comfort of your home to granite, crown molding.

Garage, fitness, receive professional, affordable andpool, compassiontrails, kayaks, marina.

No pets. $1,300 a month. ate care? You don’t need to! ElderCare Services 2provides miles west of I-75 on S.R. 70 and Natalie Way. complete customized care perfectly 712-334-0304 tailored to suit your needs and lifestyle. Services

Condos For Sale FREE! What every Real Estate buyer or seller needs to know!

Go to: www.yourmarketupdate.com

Homes For Sale TRUE 4BR+DEN, 3BA/2.5CG, Built 2006.

Accented with pillars, crown moulding, landscaping, granite. $350,000. Brooke O’Malley, CLUB REALTY 941-726-2677

Lots/Acreage For Sale ATTENTION DEVELOPERS FOR SALE BY OWNER Newly available residential development property located in Palmetto, Florida. 6 parcels totaling 58 acres with ready public road access.

Mostly cleared, minimal wetlands and zoned PDR with a future land use of RSF 6.

Potential for up to 157 homesites.

Call Gary for more information.

(941) 704-9255.

Real Estate Wanted

Cleaning WANTED

Air Conditioning

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

Auto Transport SHIP YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Cleaning

BRITISH MAIDS Residential Cleaning Services Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly Move-in, Move-out 941-350-8670 Licensed, Bonded & Insured www.sarasotaprofessionalcleaning.com Also offering Home Watch Services A CLEANING MOTHER−IN−LAWS APPROVE REAL CLEANING... not just dusting!

All types of cleaning. Insured.

(941) 320−0023 www.CleanTimeServices.com

Computer Services COMPUTER TECHNICAL Support. H/W & S/W problems solved. Virus/Malware removal; data recovery; Networking/ Internet Issues; Upgrades; A+, Network+ Cert. Tech. Navy trained electronics tech veteran. 941-225-0046.

Home Improvement/ Remodeling FRED’S HOME IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR. Painting, tile, kitchen backsplash, windows, drywall, fans, just ask! 941-744-7473.

Landscaping & Lawn Service

BLUE FISH CLEANING INC. 941-705-3812.

Insured, Bonded.

AffordableRENTALS reliable home LUXURY ANNUAL cleaning, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

For Qualified Waiting Clients BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria.

Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent ContactFree - Sarasota Luxury Rentals References.

Estimates.

Reliable.

Lic./ Ins. 941-400-3342. 941-225-1356 email: CLEANING info@sarasotaluxuryrentals.com EDLA’S SERVICES: Residential Commercial, New Construction. Meticulous, deep Personalized attention cleaning top to bottom. We Guarantee. Affordable with professional honest advice. & Reliable. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

25 Years References Licensed &Experience Insured. -30% off firstavailable cleaning.

941-536-7447.

GAIL’S CLEANING Service: 30 Years experience.

Adult Care Services Free laundry service.

God Bless our great country!

941-746-1562.

PERSONALIZED INDIVIDUAL CARE IN YOUR HOME. non-medical and medical care HOUSE Offering CLEANING/WATCHING. Excellent developed designed Cleaning, for your Languages: wants and References.and Meticulous needs.

Includes: Homemaking, errands, doctor’s English/German/Portuguese, 941-806-8854, visits, transportation, meal prep in conjunction fl.housewatch@gmail.com with special dietary needs & medication supervision (plus so muchWeekly, more). For more details HOUSE CLEANING. Bi−weekly or call 941.377.4465 or visit our website at Monthly Reliable, Mature & Experienced. www.EldercareSarasota.com or E-mail us at: References Available upon Request.

EldercareSRQ@aol.com.

Lic# (941) 30211372, Bonded For Free Estimate, call Carol 322−8486. and Insured.

Computer Services Air Conditioning

COMPUTERA/C TECHNICAL H/W& & S/W GULFSIDE & Heating, Support.

LLC. SALES SERVproblems solved. Virus/Malware removal; ICE, FREE ESTIMATES! 10 MINUTE RESPONSE. data recovery; Issues; Visa/MC/Disc.

Lic.Networking/ #CAC1816929Internet 941-962-6863.

Upgrades; A+, Network+ Cert. Tech. Navy trained electronics tech veteran.

941-225-0046.

Auto Transport SHIP YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./ Ins. 941-400-3342.

BLUE FISH CLEANING INC. 941-705-3812.

Insured, Bonded. Affordable reliable home cleaning, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

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include, but not limited to, homemaking, transportation, running errands, meal prep., medication supervision, 24/7 medical staffing, and more.

Please call 377-4465 for more info. or visit us on the web @ eldercaresarasota.com. Licensed, bonded and insured. Lic.#30211372

Cleaning

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BRITISH MAIDS Cleaning Services Residential & Commercial Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly Move-in, Move-out 941-350-8670 Licensed, Bonded & Insured www.sarasotaprofessionalcleaning.com

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LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH LAWN LAWN & & LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE LLC. LLC. Unhappy Unhappy with with your your current current lawn lawn service? service?

Try Try us us for for free! free! First First week week free free with with no no contract contract when when switching switching from from current current company. company. We We offer offer complete complete lawn lawn care care and and landscaping landscaping services. services.

FREE FREE ESTIMATES. ESTIMATES. 941-373-5110.

941-373-5110.

Painting/Wallpapering CARLO CARLO DATTILO DATTILO PAINTING. PAINTING. Licensed Licensed && insured. insured.

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

941-744-1020.

941-744-1020. 35+ 35+ years years experience. experience.

Pet Services Personal Services DOGGY HOTEL/GROOMING. 24 Hour Daycare.

FREE Daycare with groom (we are the best).

YOUR PERSONAL BOOKKEEPER, LLC 3925 Brown Avenue behind Sleep King.

Sunray, Owner doggyhotel.net Gail 941-554-4620.

Personal & Business Bookkeeping “K-9 BOOT CAMP” Professional in-kennel pet obedience program.

Accounting/ Taxes 40 Acre facility. 35 years proven results.

Lakewood Ranch area.

I come to your home or office.

Von Asgard K-9 Center, Inc. Boarding - Training - Sales.

Account Reconciliation 4 Bill Paying &941-322-0705 Personal and Business Files www.VonAsgard.com 4 Organizing 4 Budgets & Financial Reports 4 Federal and State Tax Returns BONDED & INSURED SOLDOver 25www.yourobserver.com yrs. experience Telephone: 941-749-5646 yourbookkeeper@tampabay.rr.com

This week’s Crossword answers

Pet Services “K-9 BOOT CAMP” Professional in-kennel pet obedience program.

40 Acre facility. 35 years proven results.

Lakewood Ranch area.

Von Asgard K-9 Center, Inc. Boarding - Training - Sales.

941-322-0705 www.VonAsgard.com HOUSE CLASSIFIEDS LP # 56733 DOG & CAT GROOMING Bring your BELOVED PETS here to be SPOILED as well as having THE BEST GROOMER IN TOWN BEAUTIFY your BABIES!! (941) 755−2233 2014

This week’s Cryptogram answers

1. A pyromaniac was getting advice on his problem.

“Yes, it is very wicked, but the main thing is not to make an ash of yourself,” his counselor told him.

2. I hoped to perform in a wind section in an orchestra, but when I attempted to learn the bassoon and the clarinet I found I couldn’t reed music.

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Diversions East County Observer

A&E

Review: Sarasota Ballet continues to impress.

PAGE 4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

A&E

Child actor embarks on musical voyage.

PAGE 5

BLACK TIE Havana Nights PAGE 7

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT | REASON FOR THE SEASON

the gift of

GOSPEL Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings back ‘Black Nativity’ for the holiday season.

by Nick Reichert | A&E Editor

Nick Reichert

Nate Jacobs and Donald Frison are unwrapping the musical theater gift of “Black Nativity.”

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2

EAST COUNTY DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REASON FOR THE SEASON

by Nick Reichert | A&E Editor (continued from page 1)

the gift of GOSPEL Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings back ‘Black Nativity’ for the holiday season.

T

he winter holiday season summons Christmas-themed, feel-good, family-friendly theatrical entertainment. It’s the time of the year when theaters, ballets and symphonies across the country unwrap productions of holiday favorites.

In Sarasota, a standout among the artistic holly is “Black Nativity.” Written by Langston Hughes, poet extraordinaire and one of the leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, the musical depicts the biblical birth of baby Jesus through the artistic and cultural lens of the African-American experience. Gospel music and jazz, modern and African dance are incorporated into the play to elevate the story’s inherent spirituality. The musical premiered offBroadway in 1961 and has been performed ever since as a spiritual and artistic revival.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s production, running from Dec. 3 to 21, is a reflection of Hughes’ highly adaptable and inspirational piece. Founding Artistic Director Nate Jacobs

19 - 20 December 2014

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Sir Frederick Ashton’s

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EAST COUNTY DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

3

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

That is what we’re doing at WBTT is to say remember the reason. I want them to be in a better place after they see this show.

– Nate Jacobs,

WBTT Founding Artistic Director Nick Reichert

Nate Jacobs and Donald Frison adds his personal dynamic flair to the show’s traditional gospel soundtrack by weaving in his own original songs. In addition, choreographer Donald Frison inserts his modern- and Africaninspired choreography to the classic nativity tale.

Though this is the first time Jacobs and Frison have collaborated, they discovered that they fit together as snug as a young babe in a manger.

“I couldn’t do any research on the choreography of past productions because of the original music being used,” says Frison, “and it had to come from within.

I knew it would all work out because his (Jacobs’) songs were so original and moving. I just closed my eyes and saw the dances.”

The musical, spiritual and cultural mash-up delivers the innate power of the nativity story along with the soul-stirring qualities of song and dance.

“During rehearsal you look around the room and the stage sometimes and we start a scene and these moments just happen,” says Jacobs. “You look into the performers’ faces and there’s this awe-inspiring spiritual experience.”

Universal celebration

Before the original production opened, it suffered an internal controversy when the title was changed from “Wasn’t it a Mighty Day?” to “Black Nativity.” Producers and actors feared white audiences wouldn’t attend a show with such a divisive title.

But, just like “Black Nativity,” the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has repeatedly resonated with theater audiences. The label of black is not a divider but just a description of a culture and experience that anyone of any age, creed, race or gender can recognize and celebrate. West-

coast Black Theatre Troupe’s impressive growth over the past 15 years is proof that great stories told well unify the human spirit.

“The style of the music and the spirit of the show is black,” says Jacobs, “but the story and its elements are all universal. And, just like this company, the show can be embraced by everyone in the community.”

Musically, an integral part of “Black Nativity” is the intangible qualities and strength of gospel music. Throughout the history of 20th century popular music, some of the most heralded and popular voices of the age such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Usher, Diana Ross, R. Kelly, John Legend and Little Richard all got their start in church choirs. This music of inspiration, deliverance and spiritual victory has its fingerprints all over pop, R&B/soul and rock-and-roll mu-

sic.

If this year’s production of “Black Nativity” is well received (WBTT previously produced it in 2002 and 2006), Jacobs hopes to turn it into a Sarasota family tradition. Now that the troupe’s budget and finances are at a secure level, Jacobs hopes to interchange “Black Nativity” and an original work, “Motown Christmas,” during every future holiday season.

Jacobs and Frison’s excitement and emotion are in abundance when speaking of the show and the process. It clearly isn’t just another show. And they hope that audiences that come, whether they believe in the religious impact of the story, are affected for the better by it.

Before they begin discussing the addition of the set design in the next rehearsal, Frison explains that “Black Nativity” displays what Christmas

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is all about. Above the sparkling lights, bedecked trees and colorful gift-wrap, is that gospel truth: the promise of a better tomorrow and love for all peoples.

“That is what we’re doing at WBTT is to say remember the reason,” says Jacobs. “I want them to be in a better place after they see this show. There are 160 people in here a night, and we want our audience to be refreshed and revived through ‘Black Nativity.’”

IF YOU GO ‘Black Nativity’ When: Runs through Dec. 21 Where: 1646 10th Way Tickets: $36.50 Info: Call 366-1505 or visit wbttsrq.org.

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The 27th Annual

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// Balanchine, Tuckett, Bruce

Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm JURIED ART EXHIBIT “Young at Art” Children’s Exhibit & Activity Area LIVE MUSIC Saturday: Anna Maria String Band, Gumbo Boogie Band, Drum Bunny Band - Howie Banfield & Scott Blum

FOOD & T-SHIRTS. Image courtesy of Kathy Sparks

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The Suncoast’s Premier Indoor Fine Art & Craft Show

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

HOLMES BEACH CITY HALL FIELD

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Once again, Director Iain Webb proved to be a master repertoire setter by creating a show that featured diverse styles of dance — neoclassical, lyrical and folk — with George Balanchine’s “Rubies,” Will Tuckett’s “Lux Aeterna” and Christopher Bruce’s “Sergeant Early’s Dream.” The Sarasota Ballet dancers continue to impress with their increasing talent and strength in all versatile forms of choreography. The production was complete with the accompaniment of live music performed by the Sarasota Ballet Orchestra and Key Chorale conducted by Joseph Caulkins.

This program kicked off with Balanchine’s “Rubies,” which is part of his three-act ballet, “Jewels,” set to music by Igor Stravinsky. The dancers bedazzled in deep-red costumes that glittered with ruby-like jewels, which clattered and clinked while they jumped and turned. The corps de ballet, which included eight girls and four boys, was especially strong in this utterly classic Balanchine-style piece that includes a mixture of angles, off-balance positions, turned-in passés and fancy, fast footwork en pointe.

Kristianne Kleine was a vision of one of the Balanchine stars — Merrill Ashley.

As the soloist, Kleine demonstrated the strength and agility as Ashley did when she was on stage. Kleine was stunning with her incredible long lines, perfect pirouettes and athletic jumps. She even looked as if she were going to kick herself in the head in a series of fouettés to attitude derrière.

Just coming off a Will Tuckett high from “The Secret Garden,” the audience was treated to more of his choreography. The Sarasota Ballet reprised Tuckett’s “Lux

Courtesy

Sarasota Ballet recently performed George Balanchine’s “Rubies.”

Aeterna,” which is a visual symphony.

Despite the low-lighting effects by Aaron Muhl and the gray simple costumes by Bill Fenner, Tuckett’s choreography is rich with intricate interweaving movements, lifts and group poses.

The ballet started out with a powerful scene. All the men moved forward in slow motion as if in battle. Slowly, one by one fell down, as if shot, leaving the lead male, Ricardo Graziano, standing with his “guardian angel,” Danielle Brown, ethereally arriving onstage to protect him. Graziano and Brown were incredibly expressive and danced beautifully to the moving chorus of Key Chorale.

Christopher Bruce’s “Sergeant Early’s Dream,” which is set to a selection of Irish, British and American folk songs, was an audience favorite of the program. The piece is like an Irish version of Agnes de Mille’s “Rodeo.” The entire cast of this piece was incredibly strong, expressive and funny, while tapping their feet and skipping as if dancing an Irish jig. The highlight of this piece was a hilarious drunken dance by David Tlaiye, Juan Gil and Logan Learned, who were sloppily proclaiming their love to Peggy Gordon, Kate Honea, who tapped her foot in disdain in the corner.

— Anna Dearing

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: MAIDEN VOYAGE

by Nick Reichert | A&E Editor

Child’s Play

Sophia Cavalluzzi stands tall among a crew of veteran performers in ‘South Pacific.’

IF YOU GO ‘South Pacific’ When: Runs through Dec. 28 Where: Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Cost: $34 to $72 Info: Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org.

Eight-year-old Sophia Cavalluzzi represents Sarasota onstage in “South Pacific.”

Sophia. “So, I started to sing in church.”

At St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton, Sophia started singing, which served as an extension of her vocal personality.

“She’ll definitely tell you what

Nick Reichert

she’s thinking,” says Haily Cavalluzzi, Sophia’s mother. “And whatever she adopts and becomes passionate about, she’ll go after.”

Through her time singing at school, church and voice lessons, Sophia and her fam-

ily learned that Asolo Rep was holding open auditions for children’s roles in “South Pacific.”

Auditions can be nerve-wracking for even the most seasoned professionals. But Sophia was unfazed. According to her mother, she was calm in the moment and performed with unabashed excitement. That combination of childlike enthusiasm when performing but maintaining professional airs impressed the creative team, her fellow cast members and audiences.

“I just really like doing this,” says Sophia. “I don’t know if I’ll act again, but it’s fun.”

As she heads to her costume and makeup calls, Sophia nonchalantly hugs her mom, gives her a kiss on the cheek and says goodbye.

“She’s never like this at home and school,” says Haily Cavalluzzi. “She usually, you know, acts like a kid.”

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a surprise that this is, in fact, her maiden voyage on stage.

Like a lot of young performers, Sophia discovered and developed her vocal chops in church.

“When I was in pre-kindergarten, we sang a lot and my teacher wanted me to sing,” says

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Currently stationed in the briny depths of Asolo Repertory Theatre is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “South Pacific.” With sweeping music, romance and humor, the production exhibits Asolo’s penchant for memorable and impactful productions of popular plays and musicals that draw seasoned cast members, designers and directors from America’s theater meccas such as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.

However, swimming through the sea of out-of-town sailors and nurses onstage, there is a Sarasota native.

Sophia Cavalluzzi, 8, from Sarasota and currently living in Bradenton, stars as Ngana, French planter Emile de Becque’s young daughter.

Though a small part, it is an essential role in the musical’s story as well as its staging. Sophia, in fact, opens the entire production. The curtain parts and the houselights rise as Richard Rodgers’ incomparable melody of “Dites-Moi” floats in the air.

Then Sophia, along with her costar Zachary Jones (playing her older brother Jerome), scampers under the bright lights and tropical scenery. The duo stands and proudly exchanges verses of the French nursery rhyme. Calm, confident and collected, Sophia performs like a stage performer three times her age. It comes as

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

‘PRESERVING EDEN: CLYDE BUTCHER’S FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHS’ OPENING RECEPTION Thursday, Nov. 20, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Clyde and Niki Butcher

Photos by Nick Reichert

Join us in the kitchen with Chef Gaetano of Ortygia as he prepares one of his favorite dishes. Get the recipe and watch the cooking demo at

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Teresa Tyrrell, Jeannie Perales and Matthew Woodside

Carolina Hernandez-Ron and Roger Capote

Terry Dardas and Syed Rizvi

Linda Baykent, Ed Zentz and Ange Wanless

Live musical performances that Entertain, Engage, and Inspire!

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Saturday – December 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday – December 7 – 7:30 p.m.

In the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling

TAKAAKI ONISHI , baritone ARLENE SHRUT , piano OF SARASOTA

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In the Historic Asolo Theater at The Ringling Museum of Art

A Broadway Holiday

WILL & ANTHONY NUNZIATA also featuring Gloria Musicae Singers with soloist Amy Connours Media Sponsor

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Editor

NIGHTS PARTY AT THE POINT Benefiting: Historic Spanish Point Friday, Nov. 21, at Historic Spanish Point It’s a nice treat when the weather cools down, and it was a crisp 65 degrees the evening of Friday, Nov. 21, for Historic Spanish Point’s annual fall gala, themed “Havana Nights — Party at the Point.” The event, which is hosted on the grounds of Historic Spanish Point overlook-

ing Little Sarasota Bay, attracted more than 215 guests. They enjoyed an evening of entertainment under the stars and raised more than $103,000 for the historic landmark. The energy was high, the grounds were stunning and the Cuban-themed atmosphere was on point.

Aimee and Chris Cogan with Kristan Hamill

Photos by Heather Merriman

Co-Chairs Joe and Kristen Farrell with Barbara and Todd Stainbrook

Melissa Stevens and Crystal Lahners

Bill and Darla Furst with Henry and Suzanne Rodriguez

DIScOVeR

Brenda and Geoffrey Michel

‘ Tis the season

WHAT’S ON

Warm-up to Fire Pit Seating Groups Save 20% through December 22

baYFRonT GaRDEns ToURs FRI & SAT, 10:30 AM $20 / $10 for Members From the soaring banyans to Mable’s roses, tour the “living collections” of the Bayfront Gardens.

naTIonaL THEaTRE LIvE, SKYLIGHT Dec 12, 7:30 PM, $20 / $18 for Members An HD-screening of the highly anticipated production of David Hare’s Skylight, starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan.

vIEwpoInT: bEsT In sHow Dec 13, 10:30 AM, $10 / $5 for Members Man’s best friend has appeared in art since ancient times. This lecture will look at the dog as an artistic and cultural symbol over the past 500 years.

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Fire dancers, specialty drinks, and a live DJ. Celebrate the solstice in our Courtyard and escape the pressures of the holidays for an evening.

Tickets and Information:

ringling.org or 941.358.3180

Closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

DREAM MAKERS BALL: ‘IT’S A SMALL WORLD’ Benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County Saturday, Nov. 22, at Hyatt Regency Sarasota Co-Chairs Tom and Debbie Shapiro Helen McBean, Lee Wetherington and Caroline Jensen

Tamara Chapman with Keffie and Bonnie Lancaster Larry Greenspon and Mary Gratehouse Photos by Heather Merriman

Dave and Donna Bewley with Lydia and Roger Miles Brian Mata, Paris Levine and Dagyn Tow

Two engaging experience .

One pectacular man ion.

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Victorian Christmas at the Crosley

December 9 through 21 Select dates

Feel the spirit of the holidays with a festive, family evening of theater, carols and tales to warm the heart. All amid the historic grandeur of the majestic Powel Crosley Estate.

Murder at the Crosley January 27 through February 6 Select dates

Feel the chill as you immerse yourself into an evening of Who Done It. You’ll follow colorful characters from room to room as you pick up the clues and unravel the mystery.

Jan. 27-29 – 7:30pm Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 – 2:00pm, 7:30pm Feb. 4-5 – 7:30pm Feb. 6 – 2:00pm, 7:30 pm

Dec. 9 -11 – 7:30pm Dec. 14 – 2:00pm, 7:30pm Dec. 16 -18 – 7:30pm Dec. 19-21 – 2:00pm, 7:30pm

BACVB-01880-14 Victorian and Murder-Observer.v2.indd 1

TicketMaster.com and at Bradenton Area Convention Center Box Office 941-722-3244, ext. 0 • PowelCrosleyTheater.com 8374 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA, FL 34243

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All tickets on sale Monday, October 20 at 10:00am $15-$25 (plus convenience fees) Tickets are $5 additional at the door Group Discounts Available

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