Sarasota Observer 3.31.22

SARASOTA

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Ride on. PAGE 2

FREE • FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022

VOLUME 18, NO. 18

YOUR TOWN

UNMASKED Charter school stages a rethink on an April musical following a visit from the governor.

SEE PAGE 3

Fast-food restaurant advances plan to open in bayfront traffic feature.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

A

File photo

Nock’s locks rock; hall calls Daredevil clown and circus performer Bello Nock’s hair has been nominated for a spot in the International Hair Hall of Fame in Poughkeepsie, New York.

A Sarasota resident, Nock was not immediately available for comment but said through a spokeswoman that he was honored.

“Bello is thrilled by word he will stand among the finest heads of hair in the world,” said Pomp Udor, a Nock family spokeswoman.

Other members of the 2022 nomination class are Jennifer Aniston, Grace Jones, Chris Hemsworth, former NWA wrestler Dusty Rhodes and David Beckham.

Induction ceremonies are set for this summer.

Courtesy image

Artwork from the Sarasota Modern Arts School of Karma promoting its April show had to be withdrawn.

fast-food staple will become a rule of the road next fall when final touches are made on the nation’s first roundabout restaurant.

Burbank, California-based Burgers as Art LLC announced plans last week to build its first Florida location in the middle of the roundabout soon to link Gulfstream Boulevard, Tamiami Trail and the Ringling Causeway. Three other businesses bid on the project.

“What’s the last thing you always hear after you make a drive-thru order,” Burgers as Art CEO Wolfson T. Shaker rhetorically asked at a news conference adjacent to the construction zone on Wednesday. “ ‘Please drive around,’ that’s what. ‘Please drive around.’ Harr, harr, harr. It’s a case of Burgers as Art imitating life.”

By the Sarasota Observer’s presstime, state and city officials had not released the bids from the winning company nor the three other contenders to assure residents the decision had been made on a financial basis, not on the basis of a comedically perfect set-up and punchline by the CEO. That the decision to erect a fast-food restaurant in one of the most highly scrutinized transportation projects in Southwest Florida history was made on any basis was the topic of a second news conference held on the steps of City Hall two hours later.

“This is a reprehensible miscarriage of the public trust, will endanger countless lives and be a danger to driving, too,” said Steven P. Knowitall, a critic of many municipal issues and a vegan.

Florida Department of Transportation officials defended the decision as part of a new state initiative to help public works projects pay their own way instead of “constantly tapping into the pockets of everyday Floridians who may live hundreds of miles away,” spokeswoman Transpo Tashun said, adding tourists and other out-of-towners are forecast to contribute at least 40% of the operation’s revenue. “We can’t charge a toll there, but we can charge rent and take a little something off the top of every burger they sell.”

SEE ROUNDABOUT, PAGE 4

File photo

Manatees owe $125,000 What started as a whimsical demonstration of how manatees are trained has become a sad tale of gambling and debt.

Local sea cows Hugh and Buffett have delighted Sarasota people for years with their uncanny Super Bowl picks — in Buffett’s case, an 11-2 record going into this year’s contest between Cincinnati and Los Angeles.

Perhaps overconfident at recent success, both manatees chose underdog Cincinnati and backed up their picks with a complex series of parlay wagers that could have financed Mote Marine Institute and Aquarium’s Benderson Park expansion plans if successful.

They were not.

Now, both animals owe a pair of Las Vegas sharks about $125,000, with no way to pay.

Buffett and Hugh swam off when approached by a reporter seeking comment.

A roundabout plan for lunch

Artful 5G poles on the way New company puts an aesthetic spin on what some consider eyesores.

SEE PAGE 4 Courtesy image

Paisley-style wraps are just one option proposed for the city.

A+E

Alfred Hitchcock Live — The Birds.

INSIDE

2

TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

WEEK OF APRIL 1, 2022

Football stadium coming to USF “It looked like Ronald McDonald or something.”

Student actor Dirk Rock on an attempt to use makeup to re-create the Phantom of the Opera’s mask, Read more on page 3

Trail traffic a legacy of gas prices S

BY THE NUMBERS 72

Highest number of artfully designed 5G cell-phone poles proposed by a company for installation in Sarasota neighborhoods.

arasota County officials are attributing an unusually high use of the Legacy Trail, from Fruitville Road to Clark Road and within the city limits of Venice, to record-high gasoline prices.

Recreation authorities told county commissioners this week that the crowds on the trail had doubled the design capacity several times in recent weeks, generally following the trend of higher fuel prices.

“We can say for certainty that our population is healthier than other regions without such an awesome amenity,” said Lovey Parks, a county recreation staffer.

“We can also say for certainty that they are stingier with a dollar than most places, too.”

In 2021, the trail saw 479,000 unique visitors, county records show. In the first quarter of 2022, more than 145,000 unique visitors have used the trail. It’s not known how many of them were engaged in recreational uses and how many were using the trail as a transportation alternative.

Parks did say that the number of dogs on the trail has dropped slightly this quarter.

“We can only assume people are traveling to and from work, heading to the shops and what have you,” she said.

Plans are being considered to accelerate proposals to widen the trail and potentially add a series of traffic circles and flyovers at key intersections and trailheads to account for the near-gridlock conditions during morning and afternoon commutes.

PAGE 4

0

Current number of Burgers as Art franchises open in Florida, which will change this fall when a store opens in the Gulfstream-U.S. 41 roundabout.

PAGE 4

8,000 B.C.

Approximate year of a previously undiscovered civilization that once dwelled on the former site of Longboat Key’s Colony Beach and Tennis Resort.

YOUROBSERVER.COM

CALENDAR n Sarasota Department of

Redundancy Department regular meeting — 9 a.m.

Friday, April 1, City Hall, 1565 First St.. n Sarasota County Silly Rules Citizen Oversight Commission regular meeting — Noon Friday, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Boulevard. n Sarasota County Schools Dessert Advisory Board special meeting — 3 p.m. Friday, April 1, Landings Administration Building, 1900 Landings Administrative Building.

.com e s u ho

e War

re rnitu

Fu

The

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Long a goal of the University of South Florida, an on-campus football stadium is on the road to reality.

And that road is Tamiami Trail.

Plans were unveiled last week to build a 23,000-seat stadium on USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus following initial, and erroneous, reports of such a project on the university’s Tampa campus.

“What a setting, right along the bay,’’ said Director of Athletic Facilities Management Mater Dee. “We think what we can offer the college football world can’t be duplicated anywhere.”

About 1,900 students attend the Sarasota-Manatee campus, and about 50,000 attend in Tampa.

School officials pointed out the convenience of travel for visiting teams and the USF Bulls, who plan to charter a jet for each home game rather than try to drive through Tampa Bay-area traffic.

The move to locate the stadium more than 70 miles from the central campus but still on a campus was considered an “elegant approach to a sticky issue,’’ Dee said.

As for capacity, Dee reminded a reporter that USF has won only 14 games since the beginning of the 2018 season. “Plenty of room for everybody,” Dee said.

SRQ airline plan doesn’t get off ground

File photos

Top: A typical day on the Legacy Trail in February 2022 Above: Last Sunday on the Legacy Trail just east of Beneva Road.

Sarasota County Area Transit officials are also considering the purchase of decommissioned 10-passenger pedal pubs to serve as the first Legacy Trail

Area Transit service vehicles, with the goal of removing as many bicycles as possible.

WestStar Airlines last week announced, then retracted, news of new flights from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport when it realized it didn’t yet own any airplanes.

The startup airline based in Charleston, South Carolina, posted on its website four new routes from SRQ to Savannah, Georgia; Tallahassee; Louisville, Kentucky; and its home base.

Two hours later, it posted a followup saying the discount air carrier had been so eager to add to SRQ’s airline and destination totals it had forgotten to order the seven Boeing 737-500 aircraft it needed to complete the routes.

“Our bad,” a company spokesman said.

SHOP INCREDIBLE DEALS!

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST*

PICK UP TODAY OR FREE DOOR DELIVERY TOMORROW** WE OFFER FULL-SERVICE DELIVERY AND SET-UP Need Help Shopping Online? Call 941-359-2255

living room Comfortable sectional with a relaxed, yet sophisticated look.

Bold

styling Contemporary design. Includes table, two chairs and a bench.

SOUTH SARASOTA 5252 S. Tamiami Trail (at Phillippi Creek) 941-260-9601

1199

$

99

899

$

NORTH SARASOTA 4027 N Washington Blvd (Hwy 301) 941-351-8600

99 4-PC

Warmth

and style Queen headboard, footboard, rails, dresser and mirror.

Continuous

support

Beautyrest® Daydream Plush Queen Mattress. All Sizes Available.

ELLENTON BRADENTON 5814 18th Street East 1100 Cortez Rd W (across Premium Outlets) (corner US Hwy 41) 941-479-7900 941-749-6069 Stores Hours: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 11-6

VENICE 550 S Seaboard Ave (US Hwy 41 Bypass) 941-485-3211

89999

$

49999

$

PORT CHARLOTTE 1241 El Jobean Rd (across Sam’s) 941-764-8700

* On Purchases $300 or more with the Furniture Warehouse credit card made between March 31, 2022 and March 30, 2023. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within 12 months, by March 2023. Minimum Monthly Payments required. Offer applies to only single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and equal monthly payments are required equal to initial promo purchase amount divided equally by the number of months in promo period until promo is paid in full. The equal monthly payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required if the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval. Furniture must be delivered within 90 days for all financing offers. All prices include Hot Buys or Coupon savings. Terms of promotions - Previous purchase excluded, cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Promotion offers exclude Hot Buys, floor models or clearance items, sales tax, furniture protection plans, warranty, delivery, or service charge. ** Pick Up Today or Free Door Delivery pertains to in-stock merchandise.

370208-1

Inviting

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

GOV. DERAILS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL PLAN Visit from state’s chief executive prompts dramatic rethink, all because of one prop that simply had to go.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

A

brief visit from Florida’s governor two weeks ago prompted a Sarasota County charter school to back away from plans to produce an Andrew Lloyd Webber classic as its drama season finale, all because of one small, but vital, prop.

A mask.

Sarasota’s Modern Arts School of Karma was halfway through a week of dress rehearsals on March 17 in advance of the April 1 premiere of “Phantom of the Opera” when Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped at the school on Beneva Road during a tour to promote pay raises for teachers.

Following remarks to reporters praising Republican legislators for upping the average teacher salary statewide to $47,000, DeSantis asked to stop into the school’s theater department to watch a few minutes of rehearsal.

“Yes, let’s watch the thespians perform,’’ said school Director Tony Oscar Emmy.

“Whar did you say?” the governor asked.

“You know, thespians, we say that word all the time around here,’’ Emmy responded. “Thespians, thespians, thespians.’’

“Don’t say thespians,” the governor replied while opening the door to the theater.

Once inside, he immediately strode to the stage and confronted senior Dirk Rock, portraying the Phantom, alongside junior Astrid McGonnagie as Christine Daae in a romantic scene.

“He walked right past Astrid and came right up to me and told me to take off the mask,” Rock said. “His exact words, and I will remember them until the day I die: ‘C’mon man, it’s ridiculous. It’s nothing but theater.’”

Mortified school officials, realizing they were at a point of no return, whisked DeSantis to the theater’s control room to demonstrate a new soundboard purchased with state arts-education funds redirected from a Democratic-sponsored

MUSICAL IN THE WORKS ON HYDE’S LIFE AND TIMES A stage-writing and composing duo are workshopping a musical production for a fall premiere based on the life and times of Sarasota businessman and erstwhile candidate for public office Martin Hyde.

Tentatively titled “Do You Know Who I Am?” the production is written as a delightful romp through Hyde’s early days in England as a professional soccer player to his time in Sarasota as a businessman, political figure and firebrand.

Among the musical numbers the team of Frank Rooney and Wayne Lampard are working on: “I’m In, I’m Out,” “Tennis, Anyone,” “Roger Stone is Calling,” “It’s My Turn to Talk (So Be Quiet)” and the title number, “Do You Know Who I Am? (I Don’t).”

Although the musical has yet to boast any financial backing, the writers said they hope a series of showcases over the summer might attract interested investors.

affordable housing program.

Emmy said the effect was devastating on the drama troupe.

“They were worried the show wouldn’t go on,” he said. “I was worried for my job . . . and the show, of course.”

Rock said he just wanted to explain what was happening to DeSantis.

“I tried to yell across the theater at him that I knew it was theater, of course it was theater, that this is a theater class, and that theater was the whole point, but by then everyone was scrambling around trying to figure out what to do next, and he was gone,” Rock said. “Astrid started crying, blubbering something about we could do a mask with makeup, and she tried with some foundation and an eye pencil, but it looked like Ronald McDonald or something worse.”

Rock said he had his heart set on the Phantom role since he was 6.

The music. The romance. The period formalwear.

He said he first heard the show’s haunting music while riding to Tallahassee in 2010 for a “Summer with Gilbert and Sullivan” camp at Florida State University, and he was hooked.

After that trip, Rock said he

DIRK RO

CK

A g e : 17 | H a ir c o lo r: B ro w n H e ig h t: 5 | Eye co lo r: B ro w ’7 ” | S h o e s iz e : n 10 .5

ditched his plans for an “HMS Pinafore” sailor-suit Halloween costume (“I felt it was my duty”) and dressed as the Phantom seven years in a row from ages 6 to 12, never once hearing a peep about wearing a mask in public.

Since then, he’s seen “Phantom of the Opera” five times – three times on Broadway, once in Las Vegas with Gilbert Gottfried in the lead role, and last summer in London’s West End. “I was born to play him,” he said of the tormented soul who lives under the stage of a Paris theater in the production based on the 1910 novel “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra” by Gaston Laroux.

In the days that followed his brush with DeSantis, Rock said he grew sullen, backsliding into quiet nightly performances of “He is an Englishman” before bedtime.

His parents, fearing further Gilbert and Sullivan regression, contacted school officials and hid the family’s DVD of 1983’s “The Pirates of Penzance” starring Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt.

The Rocks, Emmy and other school officials met and agreed to allow the young actor to anchor whatever production the school could assemble in a short period as a replacement show.

But fearing more backlash, school leaders insisted on a production with no masks.

“Think of me; this was not a case of a prima donna wanting to be a star,” Rock said. “This was my life.”

Rock’s choices of replacement shows were initially tricky to navigate. n “Cats?” Masks. n An avant-garde mash-up of two classics, one a beloved radio and TV western and the other a 1970s and ’80s pop icon’s breakthrough album, dubbed “The Lone Stranger?” Masks. n “Lion King?” Masks. n A little-known stage version of “Planet of the Apes?” Masks. n A musical adaptation of the Cher classic, “Mask?” Well, not exactly masks, but you get the idea. n “Beauty and the Beast?” Masks.

“Without an audience for my senior year, I’ll just have to learn to be lonely,” Rock recalled saying, nearly giving up on his footlight dreams.

“He walked right past Astrid and came right up to me and told me to take off the mask. His exact words, and I will remember them until the day I die: ‘C’mon man, it’s ridiculous. It’s nothing but theater.’’’

— Dirk Rock

Finally, the school and family settled on a show so well-known and devoid of face coverings that preparing in less than a month was simple.

And safe.

Sarasota Modern Arts School of Karma will present “Our Town” with a Friday night show, a Saturday night show and two shows on Sunday through April. The Thornton Wilder play is considered a metamasterpiece, a show within a show that can be staged with little scenery and props and little dialogue.

The school quickly remade the theater marquee to reflect the new show.

Rock said he looks forward to portraying the Stage Manager, a central character.

But, he said, he’s learned a valuable lesson in how the real theater works and how outside influences can easily affect those off stage as well as the performers. And he offered a piece of teenage advice.

“If the governor comes around, don’t wear a mask of any kind,” he said. “Oh, and don’t ever say ‘thespian.’ That seemed to start the whole thing.”

SEE OPERA, PAGE 4

3

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

GOTCHA!

ELDER CARE • NANNIES • HOUSEKEEPERS • LUXURY SERVICES

We are there when you can’t be.

Happy April Fools’ Day from the Sarasota Observer! The stories on pages 1 through 4 are not real news. Hope you’re as relieved as we are!

Company proposes artful twist on cell towers Arizona firm wants to build up to 72 poles in a variety of pleasing designs.

The Finest Local Elder Care & Lifestyle Services Provider

ERIC GARWOOD

“LifeWorx brings quality of life into the home and helps you and your loved ones relive the joyful moments of their lives by connecting, relating, and sharing.”

MANAGING EDITOR

We work relentlessly to find the best caregivers in the industry—we promise that you and your family will be matched with a skilled, reliable, and compassionate caregiver. You will notice the smile on your loved ones’ faces and you will feel the peace of mind so many the families we have worked with have felt.

They’re not just in good hands— they’re in the best hands.

Our Promise,

Bal Agrawal Founder & CEO

(941) 477-2690

1425 Main Street Sarasota, Florida 34236 Visit us online at SARASOTA.LIFEWORX.COM Also servicing: Chappaqua, NY • Englewood, NJ • Great Neck, NY • New York, NY • Westport, CT LifeWorx Florida LLC Homemaker & Companion Services License # 237944

SARASOTA & SIESTA KEY

Observer 1970 Main St., Third Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236

371133-1

4

A startup wireless company last week pitched a plan to city leaders to bring up to six dozen artfully designed 5G cellular-service poles to neighborhoods not served by facilities often derisively referred to as “stealth Q-tips.”

Fun for All 5G LLC of Mesa, Arizona, is seeking to erect a series of poles outside of downtown and then lease them to major wireless carriers. The company must first gain city approval to vary from design and appearance standards adopted in 2018 before the first two-story tall, flat black poles started going up in downtown and along the bayfront.

“We seek to bring a bit of whimsy and fun to something that some people call an eyesore,” Fun for All 5G CEO Comm Unicator told city leaders at a workshop meeting. “Sure, everyone wants to see kitten videos, get the latest news and scores, and even watch you ladies and gentlemen conduct the business of the city. But if you ask your residents, they would tell you those brooding monstrosities around town don’t do anyone any favors.

“We’re here to be the best of both worlds: superior connectivity in a package that people actually want in their neighborhoods.”

Fun for All 5G documents filed with the city propose as many as 72 poles installed west of Tuttle Avenue and south of Fruitville Road, which Unicator called a “5G desert.” Among the designs proposed are poles that in the likeness of Kokopelli, a native American deity often depicted as a tall, slim flute player with braided hair, variations on totem poles or

other tribal figures, or simply using existing designs but wrapped in flowery or paisley patterns.

“People are cuckoo for Kokopelli,” Unicator said. “There’s a reason he’s found his way deep into the American culture, far from the American Southwest. Just driving in, I saw them in front of used car lots.”

Local governments are limited in how they can regulate the installation of wireless facilities beyond basic regulations on micro sites versus much taller macro sites, basic appearance standards, heights and distances between each pole.

Wireless companies nationwide are shifting from a network that once relied on massive antennas to smaller but more numerous micro-cell poles. While Americans have generally supported the roll out of more capable networks, pushback has been on the rise over the installation of the often dark, forboding looking poles.

“We’re only in the initial stages of conversation about this,” a city spokesman said on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations. “But it does look promising.”

Unicator told city leaders his company’s artful 5G poles average about 93% efficiency when compared to standard designs, owing to some technical compromises to accommodate the looks, meaning “for every 14 standard poles, you’d need 15 of ours. But wouldn’t you rather look at 15 of ours than 14 of theirs?”

A timetable of when the proposal could be heard by the city’s Planning Board, and then by the full City Commission had not been finalized.

PHONE: 941-366-3468 | WEBSITE: www.YourObserver.com

TO EMAIL US Email press releases, announcements and Letters to the Editor to: Kat Hughes, khughes@yourobserver.com

TO ADVERTISE Display Advertising: To obtain information,

Burgers as Art’s first Florida store

call Sam Johnson at 941-366-3468, Ext. 319.

Classified Advertising / Service Directory: For information and rates, or to place an ad, call 941-955-4888. Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To place a classified ad online, visit www.YourObserver.com, or email your ad to classified@yourobserver.com.

TO SUBSCRIBE To subscribe: Please call Donna Condon at 941-366-3468, Ext. 301, or email dcondon@yourobserver.com.

MAIL DELIVERY SUBSCRIPTION RATES First-Class One year / $200 Six months / $160 Three months / $128

Canada One year / $250 Six months / $200 Three months / $160

PUBLIC NOTICES The Sarasota/Siesta Key, East County and Longboat Observers meet the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Sarasota & Manatee counties, per F.S. 50.011.

AUDITOR INFORMATION Verified Audit 1101 Fifth Ave., Suite 270 | San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 461-6006 | www.verifiedaudit.com

LIKE US

www.facebook.com/ObserverGroup

WATCH US

www.youtube.com/user/YourObserverVideo

FOLLOW US

https://twitter.com/observergroup

Courtesy rendering

Roundabout FROM PAGE 1

Tashun said the cost of the roundabout would likely be recouped in about 10 years.

The restaurant will offer no parking or sit-down service and will be accessed via the inside lane of the roundabout. Customers can veer off the roadway into the drive-through line, then drive around back into the circle on the way out to continue their travels and enjoy a meal.

A limited menu will speed the ordering process, Shaker said.

Beyond the financial gain, Tashun and Shaker said there was a practical aspect not always available with every public works contract.

“That circle is going to jam up sooner or later,’’ Tashun said. “Probably sooner. And people gotta eat.’’

In keeping with the city’s goal of adding public art to roundabouts, an

architecture competition will determine the exteriour design of the restaurant. Several local architects are already involved with the project that also is drawing national and international attention.

Tashun said the state will keeping close watch on the operation of the restaurant with an eye toward similar projects elsewhere.

Among them: n NASCAR-style toll booth fuel stops; n Red-light camera-based portrait studios; n Annual subscriptions for Lexus lanes on new or expanded highways; n Never-open fees for drawbridges; n Pay-to-play bogus SunPass bills to fool spouses into thinking a driver was somewhere else entirely and not on that side of town where that floozy secretary of yours Sylvia lives. n Coin-operated crosswalks.

“The possibilities are endless,’’ Tashun said.

Officials said the burger stand would offer no sit down service.

SARASOTA

Summer Fun Observer

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

2022 Guide

Your guide to summer camps in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

INSIDE ARTS PAGE 4

EDUCATION PAGE 18

GENERAL PAGE 23

SCIENCE PAGE 34

SPORTS PAGE 37

FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

VOLUME 18, NO. 18

Orchestra hits the road

Fruitville Road land deal opens options for arts organization. SEE PAGE 7

YOUR TOWN

Courtesy photo

Remembering Bandi The Sarasota Police Department is mourning the death of Bandi, an 8-year-old German shepherd who had been on the job since 2016.

Bandi died of natural causes.

The dog was born in Hungary and served with Sgt. Jonathan Misiewicz. Bandi was certified in explosive odor detection, tracking, article search and apprehension.

The Sarasota Police Department will host a remembrance event for Bandi at 5 p.m.

Thursday, March 31, outside its headquarters on Adams Lane.

The ceremony is open to the public.

Magical afternoon Historic Spanish Point turns enchanted for special family event.

SEE PAGE 24 Harry Sayer

Olivia Costa receives a balloon sculpture upon arrival at Historic Spanish Point on Saturday.

A+E

City kickstarts scooters

Harry Sayer

Clean sweep

Siesta Key — and Sarasota as a whole — are big attractions to tourists and get plenty of visitors month in and out.

It’s no secret, though, that people don’t always clean up when they leave. Fortunately, locals who are invested in community help recently stepped in to help clean up the area.

Keep Sarasota Beautiful volunteers took part in the Great American Cleanup initiative on March 26, picking up trash at several Sarasota venues.

Tracy Bakich of the Siesta Key Kiwanis Club tackled the Siesta Key beach’s public access area on Saturday, one of dozens of volunteers countywide.

“We’re proud of Siesta Key; we want more people to come and visit here,” Bakich said.

Blake Fussell

Vice Mayor Kyle Scott Battie rides a Veo sit-down scooter.

Two-wheeled rentals add a new option for getting around town. SEE PAGE 10

A positive expression.

INSIDE

6

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

WEEK OF TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

MARCH 31, 2022

Atkins enters race for county commission

“Sarasota Police Department believes these two homicides are connected.”

Interim Police Chief Rex Troche on a pair of homicides along Tamiami Trail, one of which has resulted in an arrest. Read more on page 14

BY THE NUMBERS 32

Acres of a site chosen on Fruitville Road as the new home of the Sarasota Orchestra.

PAGE 7

4

Number of city commission election districts proposed in a rejected plan to establish an elected-mayor position in Sarasota.

PAGE 9

108

Age of Ann Fischbeck, a resident of Brookdale Senior Living.

PAGE 23 Blake Fussell

Brian Cornell, right, digs in with his wife, Martha, their children, Jonathan and Megan, and their grandchildren.

CALENDAR n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m. Monday, April 4, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, Landings Administration Building, 1980 Landings Blvd. n Sarasota County Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, Commission Chambers, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd.

Cornell Pavilion begins A groundbreaking was held Wednesday at the future location of Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion, which will open in fall 2023 thanks in part to a $10 million donation from Target CEO Brian Cornell.

At the ceremony, Cornell spoke about what the project and the city of Sarasota have meant to him.

“Sarasota has been our home, or home away from home, for the last 28 years,” he said. “We’ve always admired the work done by the Sarasota Memorial Hospital system. There is an urgent need

for convenient and comprehensive care where patients feel safe and welcomed, and that’s exactly what this project will deliver.”

The new pavilion, worth about $71 million, will replace the facility at Bayside Center for Behavioral Health.

The three-story facility will include 82 private rooms and four in-patient units.

The first floor will host outpatient programs, which will include a 24-hour assessment center.

In addition to creating the new facility, Cornell said his other focus has been de-stigmatizing speaking about and seeking help with

mental health challenges.

He said he hopes that the new, welcoming facility will inspire other communities and bring world-class mental health experts to Sarasota.

“We can have a huge impact on Sarasota and on families for many years to come,” Cornell said. “I think we can build a blueprint for communities across America to follow and continue to raise awareness on the needs of millions of Americans who struggle today with behavioral health challenges.”

A second former Sarasota mayor has entered the race for the Democratic nomination for Sarasota County Commission, District 2.

Fredd Atkins announced last week his intention to seek the office now held by Republican Christian Ziegler.

City Commissioner and former Mayor Hagen Brody announced his intention in February to run for the seat as well. Siesta Key resident Mike Cosentino and Sarasota lawyer Andrew Bevan have also announced.

“Residents in Sarasota expect local leadership to work for them, and I have consistently shown that during my time in and out of office,” Atkins said in a statement. “For years I have worked tirelessly for the betterment of all Sarasotans.”

Atkins ran for the District 1 seat in 2016 but lost to Republican Mike Moran. Atkins won the vote in District 1 but lost the countywide vote to Moran. Following a redrawing of districts, Atkins’ residence was reset to District 2 in 2020, the election for which was two years away.

Voters in March rejected a referendum that sought to return to countywide commission voting from a system of single-member districts in which electors within a county commission district can cast a ballot for candidates running for that seat. That system debuted in 2020.

Lobster specialist set for St. Armands A restaurant that began business as a food truck operation in Connecticut plans to bring New England flavor to St. Armands Circle in April.

LobsterCraft, launched in 2012 as a fleet of trucks selling lobster rolls in Norwalk, Connecticut, announced this week plans to open a store at 28A South Boulevard of the Presidents in mid-April. The 1,400-squarefoot outlet will offer seating for 30, take out, delivery and catering.

“This is an exciting chapter for myself and my crew,” said owner Mike Harden. “The expansion of the brand into Florida, and the opportunity to bring a little taste of New England to the Sunshine State, has been a dream of mine.’’

AC1 DIRECT PRICING NO HASSLES NO HEADACHES NO HIDDEN FEES GUARANTEED! FREE SECOND OPINIONS 2 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

5590

$

3 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

6290

$

4 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

6890

$

2.5 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

5990

$

3.5 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

6590

$

5 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

7190

$

ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE INSTALLATION, TAXES AND PERMITS*

NO PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS!*

*LOANS PROVIDED BY ENERBANK USA, MEMBER FDIC (1245 BRICKYARD RD, SUITE 600, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106) ON APPROVED CREDIT, FOR A LIMITED TIME. 6.99% FIXED APR. MINIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS APPLY. INTEREST STARTS ACCRUING WHEN FUNDS ARE DISBURSED. INTEREST WAIVED IF REPAID IN 365 DAYS. REPAYMENT TERMS VARY FROM 24 TO 72 MONTHS. ACTUAL LOAN TERM MAY BE SHORTER IF LESS THAN THE FULL APPROVED AMOUNT OF CREDIT IS USED. FIRST MONTHLY LOAN PAYMENT DUE 365 DAYS AFTER FUNDS ARE DISBURSED.

374910-1

www.callac1.com

SERVICING HILLSBOROUG� PINELlAS, BRADENTON AND SARASOTA COUNTIES *See AC1 for complete details. Some restrictions apply. CAC1820105

368452-1

941-777-4221 813-819-0777

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

7

The site on Fruitville Road sits between two retail sites and homes to the north.

File photo

CEO William Skaggs stands next to the empty lot that has been reserved for The Players at Waterside Place.

ORCHESTRA FINDS A HOME ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

S

ST.

arasota Orchestra has agreed to buy 32 undeveloped acres outside the city limits on Fruitville Road between Cattlemen Road and Honore Avenue for a new performance venue and home base, the organization said last week.

The land at 5701 Fruitville Road is owned by Walmart Stores East LP of Bentonville, Arkansas, and is valued by the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s office at $7,335,000. The parcel, immediately west of a Sam’s Club retail store owned by the same company and another shopping plaza, is zoned for planned commercial use.

Single-family housing borders the northern boundary of the property.

No agreed-upon purchase price was disclosed, though private philanthropy has already been fully raised by Sarasota Orchestra, the organization said.

“We’re honored to be part of the growing momentum to elevate the area’s artistic and musical experiences and to play an even greater role in contributing to the cultural, economic, educational and quality of life conditions of the greater Sarasota-Manatee area,” said Sarasota Orchestra President and CEO Joseph McKenna in a statement. “Our plans for this dynamic musical destination will bring to the community something it’s never had – a concert hall with outstanding acoustics that will transform the experience for patrons of our orchestra and the many local performing arts groups that will share our stage. This treasured asset will expand our region’s cultural capacity for the next century.”

Orchestra leaders plan to conduct workshops with neighborhoods, civic leaders and arts groups in assembling a plan for the land.

HONORE AVE.

32-acre site between Honore Avenue and Cattlemen Road will include performance space, along with event and educational facilities.

HEADING EAST In addition to its main concert hall, the site is also expected to allow for room to construct educational facilities, event and outdoor space.

RICHARDSON RD.

75 FRUITVILLE RD.

Along with an 1,800-seat concert hall, the facility will include a 700seat recital hall for chamber music and other flexible uses.

Educational facilities are also planned with which the orchestra could extend partnerships with area schools.

Sarasota Orchestra said the site

“Music is not only a source of inspiration and beauty, but also fundamental to health, well-being and to enriching quality of life.

This music hub will offer an ideal combination of both natural and artistic beauty.”

— Bramwell Tovey, Sarasota Orchestra’s music director

GE RD.

INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY

The orchestra said the site’s proximity to Interstate 75 will increase accessibility for patrons in Sarasota County and elsewhere.

“This is a pivotal moment in the orchestra’s 73-year history, representing a bold, civic-minded vision about our future and our potential to enrich lives throughout the greater Sarasota area and beyond,” said Tom Ryan, chair of the Sarasota Orchestra’s board of directors. “Schedule limitations at existing venues place extraordinary burdens on cultural organizations both now and into the future. The opportunity to ease this pressure with well-designed acoustic space for music organizations will enhance and improve our region’s reputation as a premier destination for arts and culture in Florida.”

File photos

Bramwell Tovey

might also include walking trails, playgrounds and water features, depending on the direction of a master plan development.

MOTE BUILDS NEARBY

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is building a new attraction not far from the site at Nathan Benderson Park. Additionally, the multiuse Fruitville Commons area is under development nearby on the east side of Interstate 75, and Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place community continues to grow deeper south into Sarasota County.

“We want to ensure that everyone in the community has access to the benefits of cultural expression,” said Bramwell Tovey, Sarasota Orchestra’s music director. “Music is not only a source of inspiration and beauty, but also fundamental to health, well-being and to enriching quality of life. This music hub will offer an ideal combination of both natural and artistic beauty.”

In September, McKenna said the group had ruled out all sites within city limits and was focusing its search for a new home elsewhere in Sarasota County.

Since 2019, the orchestra had identified Payne Park as the only viable site for a new music hall within city limits as the organization planned to relocate from its primary venue on the bayfront.

Although the city initially rejected a proposal to use 7 acres in Payne Park for an orchestra facility, the city commission reversed course last year, empowering staff to include parkland in its negotiations with McKenna.

In June 2020, McKenna said the orchestra considered Payne Park to be “off the table,” citing legal issues and questioning the city’s openness to allowing the orchestra to use a portion of the property.

At the time, city officials expressed optimism that the orchestra was still willing to negotiate.

It’s curtains Players CEO says smaller theater project was presented to SMR but not accepted.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

T

he plan for a $30 million theater complex to house the The Players Centre of Performing Arts in Lakewood Ranch is dead.

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch issued a statement Monday saying it has terminated its agreement with The Players to build a performing arts center in Waterside Place. The Players informed Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty, a subsidiary of SMR, that it was talking with the city of Sarasota about potentially relocating its operations to the Municipal Auditorium at 801 N. Tamiami Trail.

The Players CEO William Skaggs stressed that his group is only in talks with the city of Sarasota, and nothing has been agreed upon.

Skaggs said The Players presented a smaller theater complex plan to SMR, but it was rejected.

“The Players Centre has been evaluating the size and scope of the Lakewood Ranch project,” Skaggs said. “The Players recently approached SMR with some ideas for a smaller project that did not include a traditional theater.”

Skaggs said that while the project didn’t come to fruition, The Players Centre will continue to bring productions to Lakewood Ranch.

“The Players is an invaluable asset to the region, and while we would have enjoyed its presence in Waterside Place, we believe the new location in Sarasota allows it to expeditiously return to its full programing and build for the future,” said Kirk Boylston, president of Lakewood Ranch Commercial, in a release. “Now that Waterside Place is complete, activated and more than 80% leased, we are in a much better position to attract a highly impactful and complementary use that will serve our residents. We are just beginning the exploration process.”

Skaggs hedged on his nonprofit’s future during a Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance luncheon on March 23.

“We are evaluating everything regarding our facilities,” Skaggs said. “We are discussing our future plans as we move past the pandemic.”

Skaggs, who said in December he was working on a possible five-year lease with Sarasota for the Municipal Auditorium, said the rise in construction costs during the pandemic has been problematic. “It’s insane,” he said.

SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole said other arts possibilities would be considered for the hole left by the decision to part ways with The Players’ Centre complex.

“Every community aspires to have have some kind of civic uses for the community,” Cole said.

“Arts enrich everyday life. But does that need to be bricks and mortar?”

Cole said that with Lakewood Ranch’s expansion into Sarasota County with Waterside, it is seen as being more part of a region. With Sarasota being heralded for its arts offerings, that regional art box could be checked already.

Lakewood Ranch has become the nation’s No. 1-selling multigenerational community with its parks, open space and entertainment hubs, so the question is whether it needs a huge theater.

“That’s a great question,” Cole said. “We’ve never approached it from that perspective.”

Cole said SMR has been focused on The Players occupying the space at Waterside Place, but now the focus will shift to what’s best in that spot now that the theater is not coming.

After the Sarasota Observer reported in December that Skaggs had been talking with the Sarasota City Commission about signing up to a five-year lease with a possible extension to use the Municipal Auditorium, Skaggs said The Players was still committed to building the new theater complex in Lakewood Ranch. He told the East County Observer in September the plan was in place to break ground on the Waterside Place theater complex in 2023.

It was May 2, 2016, when The Players announced it would leave its Sarasota theater to build a new complex in Lakewood Ranch.

8

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Condo tower to undergo major repairs Work to address issues at The 101 Condominium will affect residents and might force retailers to shutter and move.

by Dental Implant Specialists

LOUIS LLOVIO

IMPLANT TEETH IN A DAY

SECURE LOOSE DENTURES

SECOND OPINIONS

BUSINESS OBSERVER

ALL ON 4 BRIDGES

M

ore than 10 years after the thennamed Dolphin Tower condominium in downtown Sarasota shut down because of structural problems that forced residents to evacuate, the tower must again undergo major repairs that could affect both residents and retail tenants.

Jim Toale, president of The 101 Condominium Association of Sarasota, confirmed the work was needed in an email exchange with the Business Observer, a sister paper of the Sarasota Observer, and said what happens to residents and retailers would be known later in the week.

“The contractor decides how they are going to execute the plans and specifications,” Toale wrote. “It is obvious that there will be an impact to our residents, the commercial unit’s owner and her tenants, but we don’t have that detail yet from the contractor. We should have that information by the end of the week.”

The fear among merchants is that they’ll be forced to move — permanently or temporarily — to accommodate the work, and they are concerned about being able to survive the disruption in business. The Observer has confirmed that at least one local commercial real estate firm in the city has been reaching out to building owners in search of space for the Palm Avenue tenants to move.

The building, now known as The 101 Condominium, is in downtown Sarasota at 101 S. Gulfstream Ave. Built in the early 1970s, the Dolphin Tower, as it was then known, was shut down in 2010 after major structural issues were discovered on the fourth floor. Residents were forced to evacuate, and the building remained

One of the nation’s leading authorities in implant dentistry practices right here in Sarasota.

KATHERINE E. MISCH DMD

SPECIALIST IN PROSTHODONTICS AND TEETH IN A DAY 25 years experience with an eye for achieving a natural perfection in dental restorations

www.drmisch.com

SPECIALIST IN ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY & PROSTHODONTICS International lecturer with faculty appointments at Univ. of Michigan, U of F & UAB, author of numerous scientific publications.

120 South Tuttle Ave Sarasota, FL 34237

941.957.6444

Lecture & Luncheon

closed for several years.

According to published reports at the time, within a month of discovery, the problem was so severe it could have led to a collapse, similar to what happened to the 12-story Champlain Tower South in Surfside last year.

The problem this time is in the building’s three-story parking garage, which has closed for repairs.

According to Toale, the current project “will strengthen the connections between some of the columns in the garage and the parking decks.”

“The fix involves supporting the parking decks around the columns requiring corrective work with temporary supports called ‘shoring,’” he wrote. Shoring, according to the engineering blog “The Structural World,” is used to support a building to prevent collapse.

Toale said the issue was discovered during a structural strengthening project on the 15-story tower eight years ago. An engineer at that time found the connection between some of the columns and the parking deck was not strong enough. The engineer “did not place urgency on correcting the condition.”

The design to correct the issue was completed two years ago, and a special assessment to complete the work was approved November 2020.

Dolphin Tower was evacuated in 2010, and repair and renovations began in 2014.

OPEN HOUSE Wednesday / April 6th / 5pm-8pm

Calling All Stylists! Come in & Check it out!

You are INVITED to the Salon Exclusive Preview Opening!

MYTHS VS FACTS ABOUT YOUR MEDICATIONS April 6 • 11am Speaker: Kathleen Hnat, CPh, RPh Director of Pharmacy, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota

INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING, AND MEMORY CARE Choices, Flexibility & Quality...

Discover the difference today!

PLEASE RSVP Limited Space Available Call 941-413-7997 or MarketingDirector@DiscoverSarabella.com

5650 Gantt Road • Sarasota, FL

DiscoverSaraBella.com (941) 879-9399 / 1345 2nd Street /Sarasota, FL 34236

370312-1

ALF License #13578

378811-1

377540-1

CHECK OUR REVIEWS ONLINE

CRAIG M. MISCH DDS, MDS

File photo

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

City commission turns away elected-mayor proposal Other charter-revision proposals are approved for the ballot that voters will consider in November.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

S

arasota’s form of city government will remain for now after commissioners on Monday rejected for ballot placement a charterrevision proposal that would have created an elected mayor’s position.

The 4-1 vote in a special meeting organized to consider proposals from the city’s Charter Review Committee didn’t outright reject the notion but rather voted against placing it on the November ballot.

The rejected proposal called for a mayor who would be elected citywide every four years, the elimination of at-large commission seats and a new city commission map with four districts instead of three.

The elected mayor would have been vested with no additional powers than the other four district-elected commissioners, and the responsibilities and roles of the city’s charter staff — city manager, city clerk/auditor and city attorney — would have remained unchanged.

“I believe this is not the way to handle it,” said Commissioner Liz Alpert, who voted in the majority.

“I’m not in favor of this recommendation at all. I think the way we have it now works very well.”

Among the charter revision recommendations the commission did approve for the November ballot: n A provision to change the way commissioners are paid. Currently, the formula used is one steeped in state statute that bases county commission salaries on population. Instead of 67% of that range,

the percentage would be upped to 100%, meaning city commissioners’ salaries would rise from $30,000 to $44,250. The advisory board sought a pay raise to $40,000 for commissioners and $45,000 for the mayor, with 2% annual increases. The alternative measure, introduced by Alpert, was passed 3-2. n A provision to update charter language requiring surety bonds for named individuals and instead allow the flexibility to provide either bond or insurance coverage. It passed 4-1. n A provision to require a supermajority to sell city land. It passed 4-1.

The city, like many with a commission-manager form of government, operates with elected officials supported by a professional staff. The mayor in Sarasota, and in many other cities, is more of a ceremonial role, though the member in that role has the responsibility of running public meetings. Mayors in such forms of government are selected by their elected-member colleagues.

Mayor Erik Arroyo, who was selected to his seat for a year’s term in November, cast the dissenting vote.

He said the city probably should at some point consider a stronger form of mayor who can serve for a number of years and be elected with a vision to pursue.

He added that the role of City Manager Marlon Brown is often limited in initiating policy recommendations and that an executive-style mayor could not only initiate such actions, but also help to get them passed.

“What’s presented to us, I agree we probably shouldn’t adopt,” he said.

“I think the strongest argument we have is Mr. Brown can’t come to us and say, ‘I would like you to pass this.’

If we had someone who is sort of at the same level as Mr. Brown and was adept at driving policy . . . there may be some benefits to it.”

File photo

City commissioners voted to keep the form of government under which they work.

Commissioner Hagen Brody said he would support discussion of an executive-style mayor in the future but made clear Monday’s discussions shouldn’t be construed as criticism of individual staff members in City Hall. “I adore our charter officials we have today,” he said.

“Are we ready for it now? My feeling is that the only body that can answer that is the electorate,” Brody said. “Eventually, I think somebody is going to have to craft an executive-mayor form of government and ask that question, and if we’re not ready now, we’re not ready. But at some point in the future, either a group of citizens is going to have to put that together and get the petitions to do it, or the commission is going to have to do it.”

The city is obligated to convene a Charter Review Committee every 10 years, with each commissioner tapping two individuals to serve on the 10-member advisory board.

This board began work last summer, and one of its main focuses was the role of mayor.

The city has seen multiple failed attempts to create an elected mayor position. In 2011, the Charter Review Committee decided not to recommend such a referendum after three previous measures did not garner support from a majority of voters.

Resident Martin Hyde told commissioners a switch to a citywide election for mayor would likely doom the chances of a minority winning the seat in what he called “a highdollar race.”

“You know who doesn’t win that?

An African-American doesn’t win that,” he said.

Vice Mayor Kyle Battie said he was in favor of keeping things as they are. “I like the way our government is functioning,” he said. “I like the direction of the city, and I think we’ve accomplished much in my short time with the city. That’s my position, and I stand by it.”

Alpert noted that beyond the change in how mayors would be elected, the switch away from three districts and two at-large seats to four single-member districts and a mayor makes a fundamental change.

She reminded commissioners that everyone in the city now has the ability to vote for three of the five seats.

Under the proposal, that number falls to two.

“It may be faster with one person driving the ship; it might not be better,” Commissioner Jen AhearnKoch said.

“I like the way our government is functioning.

I like the direction of the city, and I think we’ve accomplished much in my short time with the city. That’s my position, and I stand by it.’’

— Vice Mayor Kyle Battie

Only With Us We captivate the rare, the beautiful and the exceptional. Including the most desirable homes in Sarasota.

We curate them. We showcase them.

We present them as no one else can – to attract the most qualified buyers.

Whether they are just down the street or a world away. Let us show you.

1801 N. Lake Shore Drive | 4BR/3BA/3,349SF | $1,995,000

Nothing Compares Contact Peter for a private consultation:

377030-1

PETER G. LAUGHLIN 941.356.8428 PGL.Group/Only

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.

9

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

HAVE YOU MET

Sarasota’s big wheels roll out first rental scooters, bicycles

BOB?

Micro-mobility plan includes access to rentals in St. Armands Circle.

OVER THE BRIDGE

BLAKE FUSSELL STAFF WRITER

S

arasota city commissioners tested electric scooters and bikes last week outside of City Hall for the official unveiling of the Veo Micro-mobility Project that will continue to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

In a partnership with scooter company Veo, a pedal bike (the Halo), a standing electric scooter (the Astro 3) and a seated scooter (the Cosmo) will be available for rent throughout Sarasota. Approximately 350-400 scooters and 50-75 bicycles will be available when the rollout is complete.

In combination with the city’s month-old Bay Runner trolley, leaders hope to put a dent in troublesome traffic between downtown and the beach, along with other locations.

“I’m happy that our city leaders have supported this program and have supported creating an environment where we live more and drive less,” said Mark Lyons, Sarasota Parking and Mobility general manager. “That means taking advantage of these mobility options.”

Veo mobility scooters and bikes have already been implemented in several cities, including St. Petersburg. Scooters will cost $1 to unlock and 37 cents a minute to use, while bicycles will cost 50 cents per half hour.

Before taking off on an electric scooter in downtown Sarasota, Mayor Erik Arroyo spoke about how increasing means of mobility has been an emphasis since he became mayor. Even though it has been a priority from his first day, additional

FRIENDLY Badger Bob is a funny name, but we’re serious about providing unFURgettably unparalleled service – with every call.

Yes, Veo scooters and bikes can go across the Ringling Bridge. Under Florida state law, scooters are treated like bicycles. Users will be expected to follow state laws and avoid crowded or narrow sidewalks. As with bicycles, the city encourages users to travel on bike lanes/paths when available. In the near future, a specially designed shared bus bike shoulder lane will facilitate easier passage over the bridge.

modes of clean transportation have been especially prevalent recently.

“We’ve been committed to reducing our carbon footprint by nearly 100% by 2050, and this is how we get there,” Arroyo said. “Especially with everything going on in the world.

There’s people who cannot afford gas because it’s now $6 a gallon in many parts of the country. This reduces our reliance on foreign oil.”

Besides the environmental impact electric scooters could have, Vice Mayor Kyle Scott Battie acknowledged the impact they could have on traffic. With the option of a bicycle or scooter, Battie said traffic congestion in Sarasota could be decreased.

Battie recently visited Washington, D.C., and said his primary mode of transportation besides walking was an electric scooter. He said that it not only allowed him to bypass some traffic but also made him feel more engaged in the community, which can now be done in Sarasota.

“It’s a great way to get yourself involved and engaged in the city.

It’s a way to partake in the beautiful paradise we live in,” Battie said.

“You can experience what’s happening in Sarasota with all of the activity that’s going on.”

Battie thanked Commissioner Hagen Brody, a longtime and out-

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY TREE

DEPENDABLE

WILLS, TRUSTS, EASTATE PLANNING & PROBATE

Bob is always ready to go beyond the call to ensure your home’s A/C, plumbing, appliances and electrical are running right – 24/7.

It’s never too early to seek to have your loved ones protected.

PROVEN

Call for a free 15-30 min. consultation

941-315-2114

You can expect a job well done, every time, backed by our Badger Bob’s Done-Right the First Time Guarantee.

Bob may be our mascot, but he embodies all the great qualities you can expect from our team when you choose Badger Bob’s Services. That’s our promise. Give us a call and see for yourself.

M. Michelle Robles, Esq.

WWW.ROBLESLAWPA.COM 8592 POTTER PARK DRIVE, SUITE 150 SARASOTA, FL 34238

Sarasota’s Best Voted One of

28 Years in a Row!

YOUR HOME DESERVES Hunter Douglas!

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

941.777.2004 | badgerbobs.com

24/ 7

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

2021

Emergency Service

372418-1

License #: CFC1427129, CAC1815977, EC13009294

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

Duette® Duolite™ PowerView® Motorization

370841-1

WANT TO MEET BOB?

370591-1

10

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

11

Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch’s 5-STAR MED SPA

Beauty is our Business OVER 700 FIVE STAR REVIEWS!

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

Blake Fussell

50

Vice Mayor Kyle Scott Battie and Commissioner Hagen Brody ride new Veo scooters.

spoken supporter of the scooter program. Brody said the recent work between commissioners and Veo has given him confidence that the program will be a solution.

Brody, who joined the mayor and vice mayor in riding the scooters on Friday, said that the program is a reflection of the future of transportation. He said that because Sarasota has many venues within close proximity of one another, the scooters could eliminate unnecessary traffic and attract more people to popular destinations.

“This is one way we see the multimodal and multifaceted means of transportation plan for Sarasota,” Brody said. “It’s not a silver bullet that solves all traffic issues, but it helps. It’s an enjoyable way to get out of your car. We’re looking to expand this so people from all corners of the city can utilize this.”

Brody also said he has hoped to expand the project beyond city limits.

He spoke about the Legacy Trail, oper-

% OFF

ated by the county, as a “multimodal superhighway.” If the scooters or other future projects are combined with the Legacy Trail, multimodal transportation could grow in popularity.

“Transportation options are critically important, not just to our community but to every community going forward,” Brody said. “I think over the next few decades you’ll see more and more options. I think these assets in our community will become more and more important to citizens of Sarasota.”

Once the rollout of scooters and bicycles has been completed, they will be available to rent between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. More information on Veo scooters can be found on the website VeoRide.com.

The scooters and bicycles are limited to an electronically controlled area of operations via a GPS-monitored process called geofencing, which will not allow them to leave the city and cross into Longboat Key, for example.

Com

(Package of 4 - Limited Spots Available)

NEW Skin Tightening & Facial Rejuvenation RF Laser Treatment

159

$

per area

(For Frown, Forehead & Crow’s Feet)

(Filler For Cheeks)

499

$

each

1.5 cc per syringe

699

A COVID Vaccine Mandated Campus

$

1951 N. Honore Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34235

LOCK IN YOUR RENT FOR

(Reg. $699)

5 YEARS

per vial

(Collagen boosting for long-lasting results.

Treats Face and Body)

SIGN NOW & SAVE!

I’ve been a client at Bowtique Med Spa for a few years, and hands down this is the best place to go for any treatment you desire. The staff is extremely qualified and professional and the prices are more reasonable than at my plastic surgeon’s practice back in KY. I highly recommend Bowtique for all your skin care needs.

- Karen G.

*

Skyrocketing property values mean the time is now to sell your home and lock in your rent rate at Aviva for 5 years. Protect yourself from rising inflation — and be part of a safe, secure, and thriving independent living community!

Sign by April 15th. Call 941.225.8369 today! *5 Year Rate Lock applies to Independent Living Rental Agreements only, for the length of the lease, or until 5 years from lease signing. This cannot be used in combination with any other sales offer. Limited time only offer. Expires April 15, 2022.

Assisted Living Facility #8951

DEPOSIT REQUIRED AT BOOKING

Available while supplies last. Must mention ad to receive promotion.

Cannot combine with any other discount. Not valid towards previous purchases. All sales final. No refunds. Offers expire April, 30, 2022.

CALL TODAY

TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENTS! LWR | 6277 LAKE OSPREY DR. 941.359.BTOX (2869) 373953-1

AvivaSeniorLife.org

SRQ | 6118 S. TAMIAMI TRL. 941.360.BTOX (2869)

MON/TUE/TH/FRI 10AM - 5PM ALTERNATE WED/SAT 10AM - 4PM WWW.BOWTIQUEMEDSPA.COM 371473-1

Limited Time OFFER

12

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA / SIESTA KEY

We need Colorado’s TABOR All of our governments are spending unthinkable amounts of money. After Colorado limited spending to population and CPI growth, wild government spending stopped, and Colorado’s economy flourished.

“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 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com

STATE GOVERNMENT SPENDING & PERCENT CHANGES Dollars in millions

Managing Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writer / Blake Fussell, BFussell@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Shawn Candela, SCandela@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Spencer Fordin, SFordin@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

$

MATT WALSH

A

s you would expect in these culturally charged days, all the media attention in Florida has focused on HB 1557, what Republican legislators call the “Parental Rights in Education” bill and the liberal Democrats call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill (a complete misnomer, by the way).

That’s the way it goes every day in the media. Little attention is paid to what they used to teach in journalism schools: Follow the money.

Sure, there were stories two weeks ago reporting the Legislature adopted another record-high budget: $112 billion, up 10% from the previous year, also a record.

In two years, Florida’s state government will have increased spending $19.8 billion, a 21% increase.

In most times, these amounts and percentages would be unheard of and alarming. If Florida Democrats had control of the Legislature and passed this kind of spending, the so-called conservative Republicans would be screaming.

You can say the same when you go downstream to the local government levels. As you can see in the accompanying box, in the current fiscal year, total spending for Sarasota and Manatee counties jumped 15.1% and 16.8%, respectively.

Again, these numbers are alarming. Back in the day, when lawmakers and the public actually cared about taxes and government spending, many fiscally conservative lawmakers would go ballistic if government budgets exceeded the combined percentage growth of population and inflation.

To that end, if you look at the red fever line in the top accompanying graph, you can see how the Legislature during the Charlie Crist, Rick Scott and first two years of the Ron DeSantis administrations kept the growth rates in Florida’s spending at 5% or less for a 12-year period. Of course, the two years when Florida’s overall spending declined were the years of the Great Recession.

We all know what’s driving the big jump in spending: Congress’ $6 trillion spending and borrowing binge the past two years to rescue (Ha!) the U.S. economy and the citizens whose jobs were destroyed by the federal government’s overreactions to COVID-19.

Inflation? This is another example of how it looks: more profligate government spending. Every government entity in the country is awash in money that came off the federal government’s printing presses. And all this new money being spent is contributing to the rise in prices — too much money chasing too few goods and services.

We are witnessing, of course, proof yet again of that old saw: If you give government money, it will spend it. And the justification, as we often hear, goes like this: “If we don’t spend this federal money, it’ll just go to some other city or state, and they’ll get it.”

What a perverse system.

So here we go. The crazy spending begins. When Congress recently passed the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill, according to Sen. Rick Scott, it contained 5,000 earmarks — money for individual lawmakers to pay for special projects in their districts. In Tallahassee, Republicans included their share of earmarks as well (see box).

What’s more, state and local governments can’t resist their do-good, get-re-elected desires to throw money at a problem they largely created: affordable housing.

Senate President Wilton Simpson proudly touted in his post-leg-

HOW TWO GOVERNORS COMPARE

State budgets and percent changes. Dollars in millions. No doubt, you’ll notice the double-digit increases in Florida’s spending — thanks to Congress doling out and the Federal Reserve Bank printing so much COVID relief money.

GOV. DESANTIS’ FIRST TERM

2022-2023 $112,071.0 2021-2022 $101,653.8 2020-2021 $92,268.1 $90,987.5 2019-2020 Total change in 4 years

10.25% 10.17% 1.41% 1.88% 23.17%

GOV. SCOTT’S SECOND TERM 2018-2019 $89,312.7 2017-2018 $84,953.0 2016-2017 $82,284.9 $78,396.6 2015-2016 Total change in 4 years

5.13% 3.24% 4.95% 1.71% 13.92%

Source: Florida Department of Demographic & Economic Research

SPENDING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

The following tables show overall budgets and spending for the past four years, including the transfer of money from state and federal sources. With the exception of Longboat Key, you can see the big jumps in cash and spending in the most recent fiscal year — attributed to COVID relief cash from Congress. Dollars in millions.

SARASOTA COUNTY 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019

$1,535,552.4 $1,333,705.1 $1,320,929.3 $1,242,441.0

+15.1% +0.9% +6.3% —

MANATEE COUNTY 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019

$1,767,040.7 $1,512,350.8 $1,540,205.4 $1,417,022.4

+16.8% -1.8% +8.6% —

CITY OF SARASOTA 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019

$233,280.3 $234,412.7 $256,061.5 $230,769.2

-0.5% -8.4% +10.9% —

Source: Sarasota, Manatee, Longboat budget documents

islative summary that the Legislature has allocated more than $350 million for affordable housing, “with $100 million to focus on down payment assistance for our hometown heroes — teachers, health care workers, law enforcement and others.”

“We can do more to make sure housing is affordable so that those who provide critical services can live in the communities they serve,” Simpson said.

Classic picking winners and losers — e.g., what about all the restaurant, waste haulers, food delivery and grocery people who were hometown heroes during the pandemic?

The Sarasota County Commission was expected to jump on the affordable housing wagon Tuesday as well. It was expected to approve $25 million of federal COVID money for affordable housing programs, in addition to the $38 million it already approved for “miscellaneous projects.”

While a few people — a few in comparison to the millions who will not receive a housing subsidy — will benefit from this affordable housing largesse, all this relief money is more harmful than helpful.

For one, it’s the cause of the current economic conditions, the rising prices, rising interest rates and the recession that is to come.

Second, in the case of affordable

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com

housing, handing out subsidies does nothing to address why housing is increasingly costly. Once again, point to government.

Pat Neal, one of the most prolific homebuilders on the West Coast of Florida, says government regulations, impact fees and such items as delays in permitting typically add 20% to the cost of a home. If you add in density and height restrictions, which constrict the numbers of units that can be built, that adds more, especially for land.

Everywhere you turn, especially now when all these governments are awash in money, the amount of waste and the cost to taxpayers is almost criminal.

The politicians keep spending.

There is a way to stop it. They did in Colorado — for a while. In 1992, voters approved the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. It limited state government spending to no more than the combined annual percentage increase in population growth and the CPI. If the state took in more money than those two measurements from the previous year, it refunded the excess to the taxpayers.

For 10 years, before politicians persuaded taxpayers to change the rules, TABOR held government spending in check; Colorado’s economy and personal income grew faster than the national average, and Coloradans received $3.3 billion in

FLORIDA EARMARKS Here’s a sampling of the local earmarks in Florida’s 2022-23 appropriations.

Reliever Road Design Project, $400,000 Blountstown City Hall, $500,000 Brevard Zoo Aquarium, 950,000 Camp Gilead Facility Improvements - Polk County, 500,000 Casa Familia Shared Living, 2,000,000 Central Florida Smart City Centers, 4,000,000 Charlotte County Airport Aviation Technician Facility, 3,000,000 Charlotte County William R. Gaines, Jr. Veteran’s Memorial Park, 2,000,000 City of LaBelle Emergency Generators, 130,000 City of Sanford Parking Facility, 1,500,000 Coral Springs - Public Safety/Public Works Building Hardening Project, 800,000 Cox Science Center and Aquarium Expansion-West Palm Beach, 10,000,000 Crystal River Kings Bay River Walk Final Phase, 3,000,000 Fort Myers Inclusive Playground for Children of All Abilities, 1,000,000 Greater Palm Harbor YMCA Field House and Family Locker Rooms, 3,000,000 GWC Woman’s Club Restoration, 350,000 Habitat for Humanity at Citrus Springs, 2,500,000 Hernando County Central Fueling Facility, 980,000 Holmes County Consolidated Government Efficiency Center, 4,000,000 Hope Partnership Attainable Housing, 500,000 IDignity Statewide Operational Headquarters-Orlando, 1,500,000 Jewish Federation of Greater Naples-Campus Security, 245,000 K-9 Behavioral Enrichment & Training To Enhance RehomingMiami-Dade, 150,000 Lake Conine Recreation Elements, 200,000 Lincoln Park Community and Vocational Center, 152,600 McIntosh Town Hall, 500,000 Milton Community Center Expansion Project, 500,000 Monroe County Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing, 1,956,500 OCEARCH Mayport Research and Operations Center, 4,500,000 Royal Palm Beach-Commons Park Corporate Picnic Pavilions, 450,000 Sports Training and Youth Tournament Complex, 35,000,000 Stewart Street Facility Revitalization-Milton, 500,000 Town of Hilliard-Community Center/Hurricane Shelter Project, 5,144,800 Veteran Memorial Park Maintenance and Repair-Pensacola, 355,000 Veterans Park Land Development, 400,000 Veterans Resource Center Phase II, 1,650,000 Victory Village Rehabilitation Project, 250,000

refunds, $3,200 for a family of four.

Perhaps one day, Florida lawmakers will be able to quit fighting culture wars and focus more on spending and regulating less.

Ah, we dream.

Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Audri Ferguson, AFerguson@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@ YourObserver.com Advertising Assistant / Sam Johnson, SJohnson@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma Burke, EBurke@yourobserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Coordinator / Samantha Dischinger, SDischinger@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon @YourObserver.com

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Jacksonville Record & Observer, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles 1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

YourObserver.com © 2020 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Bay Runner: Not ‘funner’ for taxpayers I am a longtime fan of the Observer and the Hayek quote on your editorial page.

The opinion you expressed regarding the Bay Runner spoke of the success as measured by a ridership of 9,455 in three weeks.

Unmentioned is the cost, which a quick search determined to be about $1.5 million a year.

Assuming 3,000 riders a week (150,000 per year) yields a cost of $10 a one-way ride or $20 for a round trip. Said another way, that is about 200 passenger round trips a day.

Given the daily Bay Runner schedule has an estimated frequency of 100 round trips per day, that amounts to an average of two riders per trolley per roundtrip cycle.

Not “funner” for the taxpayer by any means.

ED PINTO AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE SENIOR FELLOW DIRECTOR, AEI HOUSING CENTER SARASOTA

Happy to help Greetings from the deadnewspaper guy.

Thanks to the magic of Google alerts, I just ran across your commentary. First, congratulations to you and your organization for a robust news site and content. Very impressive.

Second, I’m glad that my comment about dead newspapers gave you a nice peg for your commentary promoting your publications. Happy to help.

Finally, I assume you know but just in case you don’t, I wasn’t saying all newspapers are dead.

I was specifically referring to the death of 19 print products in my market. Furthermore, I’ve been using the news of Gannett’s decision to stop publishing as a call to arms to inspire our communities to take matters into their own

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

TOSSING ONIONS 2 a.m., 3900 block of Breezemont Drive Property damage: A woman told police that a day after her neighbors threw a party, she found onions on her pool screen. She figured kids were throwing the onions over her fence. On a previous occasion, she spent more than $500 to repair her pool screen, but after it happened multiple times, she turned to the police. Officers spoke with the neighbors, who denied responsibility or presence of children. Those who threw the onions were not identified.

hands by creating their own independent sites.

Again, I wish you continued success. And I’m happy if I helped you champion your cause. I only wish your editorial followed what I consider a best practice in good journalism and hyperlinked to my “newspapers are dead” comment (and to Dan Kennedy’s blog post, too) so truly curious readers could decide if I’m an idiot or not and to provide readers with the context that’s so important in this day and age.

GREG REIBMAN PRESIDENT, CHARLES RIVER REGIONAL CHAMBER NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSSETTS

Perhaps someone can explain On Sunday, March 13, at least 12 missiles were launched by Iran, causing damage to the American Consulate in Iraq, as well as sending American soldiers stationed in the area scrambling for cover.

Iran later stated that the missiles were intended for Israel, a close United States ally in the Middle East. Iran has promised to obliterate Israel in the past. Meantime, President Joe Biden is having friendly negotiations with Iran (and Venezuela) to purchase oil.

I am personally having trouble wrapping my head around Joe Biden’s policies. Am I the only one?

Perhaps those who voted for Joe Biden can explain?

MELISSA MORRILL SARASOTA

WRITE AWAY Have an opinion? Write a letter to the editor to Manging Editor Eric Garwood at egarwood@ yourobserver.com or through the postal servce at Observer Letters to the Editor, 1970 Main Street, Sarasota, 34236. Be sure to sign it.

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

MEANINGLESS MONEY 10:45 p.m., 1400 block of Main Street Battery: A group of women were visiting Sarasota for the week and went to a bar for drinks. An older man approached the group and began flirting with them. The man frequently showed his credit card and bragged about his wealth. He then offered to pay one of the women for a kiss, which irritated the group.

A few minutes later he showed his credit card again, and one of the women slapped it to the ground.

This angered the man, who pushed the woman and grabbed her. Bar security separated the man from the group, and no injuries occurred.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

FOUND ON THE ROOF 11:30 a.m., 3800 block of Bayshore Drive Theft: Police responded to a call about a man stealing a bike from a rack. Officers located the man who ran from the police. Officers tried to end the chase by using their stun guns, but the man kept running.

Eventually, officers spotted the man on the roof of a residential garage.

The man continued to flee but was eventually caught in a backyard. The man had a green powdery substance on him that was not identified. He was transported to jail.

13

COPS CORNER

LETTERS

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

TEEN SHENANIGANS 9:45 p.m., 300 block of Ringling Boulevard Harassment: A business owner informed police that multiple teenagers in the area had been harassing her. She said that they entered her business multiple times to heckle her and left prank voicemails on her phone. The teenagers were accompanied by an adult female, whom the business owner informed of the incidents. Police searched for the group but were unable to locate them. The police left a message on one of the teenager’s cell phones not to contact the business owner again.

SPRAY-PAINTED PLATES 11 p.m., 2300 block of Temple Street Property damage: An officer pulled over a woman who had a license plate spray-painted black. The woman said she did not know her license plate had been spray-painted, but her roommate had told her the same had happened on her vehicle.

The back of her vehicle also had a “C” sprayed on it, which caused an estimated $500 in damage. The officer went to the woman’s home to check for security footage but was unsuccessful. No other vehicles in the vicinity appeared to be affected.

DIAMONDS

Special Prices from the Largest Diamond Importer Trade Your Small Diamond for a Larger Diamond

THE LAST FIVE YEARS MAR 4-APR 3 “captivating” “engaging” “endearing” ~ KIM COOL

Shape

Size

Color/ Clarity

Round Round Round Round Round Round Round SOLD Round Cushion Cushion Cushion Oval Oval Oval SOLD Pear Pear SOLD Emerald Emerald Emerald SOLD

1.51 Carat 2.02 Carat 2.00 Carat 2.52 Carat 3.01 Carat 3.13 Carat 5.05 Carat 10.39 Carat 1.70 Carat 2.01 Carat 5.02 Carat 2.01 Carat 3.00 Carat 5.02 Carat 2.00 Carat 5.00 Carat 1.53 Carat 2.03 Carat 2.42 Carat

H SI1 GIA E SI2 GIA I SI2 GIA D V52 GIA G SI2 GIA G SI2 EGLUSA H VS2 GIA L SI1 IGI J VS2 GIA E SI2 GIA J VS1 GIA D SI2 GIA H VS1 GIA I SI1 GIA D VS1 GIA D VVS1 GIA G VS2 GIA F VS2 GIA F SI1 GIA

Certified

Diamonds by Doron is a wholesaler with many more diamonds in stock.

PA I D F O R I N PA R T B Y S A R A S OTA TO U R I S T D E V E L O P M E N T TA X

378563-1

TICKETS | VeniceTheatre.org | 941.488.1115

ANTWERP

LAKEWOOD RANCH

San Marco Plaza | 8225 Natures Way Suite 115 | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-210-4052

378940-1

ISRAEL

14

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Police link murder suspect to more recent death William Devonshire was arrested Saturday in the death of 48-year-old Kelliann Ripley. Police say he’s also suspected in a March 10 death.

“Sarasota Police Department believes these two homicides are connected. The facts and evidence in these two cases lead us to believe the cases are related.”

ERIC GARWOOD

was already in custody. Though jail records included two addresses for Devonshire, the police department lists him as a “transient.” He’s being held with no bond allowed.

“We had some information leading us to believe he could be our possible suspect, so we had surveillance on him while we were trying to work on the back end with respect to the DNA,” Troche said. “So, once he went to a certain area of the city, in this regard, Pioneer Park, we had already known he was trespassed, so once he entered that park, we placed him under arrest.”

According to the medical examiner’s office, Ripley was killed by blunt force trauma and strangulation.

In a probable cause warrant affidavit, police reported that cell phone data was used to track Ripley’s movements in the days before her body was found.

Video evidence confirmed that at around 5 a.m. on Feb. 23, Ripley was walking north on Tamiami Trail near Centennial Park, where her body was found two days later. Video evidence

— Interim Police Chief Rex Troche

MANAGING EDITOR

Eric Garwood

Interim Police Chief Rex Troche speaks about the arrest of 52-year-old William Devonshire in a news conference Monday morning at Sarasota Police Department headquarters.

Department believes these two homicides are connected. The facts and evidence in these two cases lead us to believe the cases are related.”

Devonshire has not been charged in the March 10 homicide.

Troche said Devonshire had been under surveillance and was arrested March 25, inside Pioneer Park on Tamiami Trail, a location from which he had been previously served

a trespassing citation. In the course of officers speaking to Devonshire in the park on Friday, he was arrested on trespassing and drug-related charges and voluntarily agreed to a DNA swab, Troche said.

Evidence from that swab was connected by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to the Ripley case

by Saturday, and murder charges were filed against Devonshire, who

56 HI-Y IELD OPTIONS

Luxury | Comfort | Resort

%

KEEP IT LIQUID

APY*

.

are

This is just what I have been waiting for. Goodbye stress, hello relaxation.

SAVINGS SPECIAL

Local pros helping you with 240+ years of combined banking experience!

Venice Sarasota • 1697 Tamiami Tr. • 8383 S. Tamiami Tr. 941.254.5935 941.300.4149 LOCKTr.IN A• 2323 GREAT RATE • 4103 S. Tamiami Stickney Pt Rd. 24-MONTH CD SPECIAL 941.803.1086 941.541.4938

We take care of Moms and Dads

Bradenton • 3901 Cortez Road W. 941.213.8826 %

.75

APY**

Venice • 1697 Tamiami Tr. 941.344.2699 • 4103 S. Tamiami Tr. 941.313.8547

5424 Lena Road Bradenton, FL 34211 941.229.0336 | www.InspiredLiving.care

Bradenton • 3901 Cortez Road W. 941.202.6405

*Savings Special: $5,000 or more, new money. Rates as of 2.15.22. This is a limited time offer and subject to change without notice. **CD Special: $25,000 or more, new money. Rates as of 2.15.22. This is a limited time offer and subject to change without notice. Penalty for early withdrawal.

APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Liberty Savings Bank, F.S.B., Member FDIC

377151-1

Home of Free Checking & Great Rates Proudly serving Sarasota & Manatee Counties for over 25 years

Sarasota • 8383 S. Tamiami Tr. 941.698.6891 • 2323 Stickney Pt Rd. 941.263.8869

- Nina

Assisted Living & Memory Care

377639-1

A 52-year-old Sarasota man charged last weekend with murder in a February homicide case is a “strong suspect” in the March death of a second woman whose body was also found along Tamiami Trail, police said during a news conference Monday.

William Devonshire was charged on Saturday at Sarasota County Jail in the death of 48-year-old Kelliann Ripley of Sarasota, whose body was found Feb. 25 in woods near the Centennial Park boat ramp in the 1100 block of Tamiami Trail.

Police on Monday said they think there is a connection between Devonshire and the death of a 59-yearold woman whose body was found March 10 in the 1900 block of Tamiami Trail. Police have not identified that victim publicly, citing Florida victims’ rights laws.

“We believe Devonshire is a strong suspect in that case,” Interim Police Chief Rex Troche said in a news conference on Monday. “Sarasota Police

from a retail site also showed a man with Ripley, who was later identified as Devonshire.

As Ripley and Devonshire crossed 10th Street, the security camera captured him pointing toward the park, according to police.

They continued to walk north on Tamiami Trail toward the wooded area in which Ripley’s body was found, covered with some branches, rocks and palm leaves.

Among the evidence police said connected Devonshire to the crime scene was DNA gathered from one of the branches.

Devonshire was convicted of murder in a 2003 Delaware robbery and has a criminal history in New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio and Sarasota, police said. Troche said Devonshire was not cooperating in the investigation.

Troche thanked the department’s Criminal Investigation Unit, Community Action Team, Homeless Outreach Team and Marine Patrol for their assistance, along with the FDLE and FBI for their technical assistance. He also thanked the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney’s Office and Attorney General’s office.

“We want to send our condolences to the family who are mourning the loss of their loved one in this tragedy,” he said, adding that the family allowed the release of Ripley’s name following Devonshire’s arrest.

ALF# AL12727

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION & X-RAYS (941) 260-2712 LOCATED OFF STICKNEY POINT

377158-1

$2395 Implant, Post, & Crown

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Just Announced

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

15

2022

NO. 16 ranked the

TOP RE AL ESTATE BROKER AGE IN THE U.S. by 2021 sales volume

SARASOTA 3736 Meridale Road Joel Schemmel

GOLDEN GATE POINT 188 Golden Gate Point #101 Joel Schemmel & Moriah Taliaferro

608 69th Avenue West Laura Stavola

14619 Leopard Creek Place Laura Stavola

EL PRESIDENTE

$3,500,000 415.299.2452

WEST OF TRAIL 1801 North Lake Shore Drive Peter Laughlin

$1,995,000 941.356.8428

$1,595,000 941.447.4875

BLUE HERON POND $1,200,000 941.350.6885

153 Wading Bird Drive Megan George

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL GOLF CLUB 5634 Palmer Circle #201 Leslie Dufresne

1680 Sandy Pine Drive Julie Russell

$5,499,999 941.447.1466

COUNTRY CLUB EAST $1,625,000 941.447.4875

6326 Midnight Pass Road #209 Jerry Zaback

7108 Trout Lane Amee Sams & Beth Sargent

PRAIRIE CREEK ESTATES | PUNTA GORDA $5,750,000 941.587.4894

WHITFIELD ESTATES

ENGLEWOOD $12,000,000 941.587.4894

$519,000 941.374.5010

HAWTHORNE $534,900 941.726.1998

GULFSTREAM TOWERS

1682 Hawthorne Street Amy DiSalvo & Mike Warm

$4,000,000 941.780.8080

NORTH PORT

33 South Gulfstream Avenue #1007 $425,000 Art Paterson 941.302.8194

2284 Bluebird Avenue Jody Callan

$420,000 941.525.8707

View a rea list ings

7 RESIDENCES

Located in Sarasota’s lively Rosemary District, Collage on Fifth encompasses seven luxury condominiums. Priced from $1,350,000, these unique residences offer a contemporary oasis just moments from the city’s cultural center.

1469 5th Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.920.1500 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 multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

WORTH MORE

SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000

VENICE | 941.412.3323

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

Contact us for a confidential consultation PremierSothebysRealty.com LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.2500

RENTALS | 941.203.3433

370690-1

your home has never been

16

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

WELCOMES WELCOMES WELCOMES Julia Havlovic, MD WELCOMES WELCOMES

Julia Havlovic, Julia Havlovic, MD JuliaCertified, Havlovic, MD Julia Havlovic, Board FamilyMD Medicine

Board Certified, Family Medicine MD

WELCOMES

Board Certified, Certified, Family Medicine Board Certified, Family Medicine Board Family Medicine

Courtesy photo

City leaders get capital ideas in D.C. visit

r. Havlovic brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Palmer Ranch ffice a wealth of knowledge and experience in Family Medicine.

Dr. Havlovic brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Palmer Ranch City Commissioners attend

Julia Havlovic, MD

Dr. Havlovic Havlovic brings brings to to Intercoastal Intercoastal Medical Medical Group Group at at the the Palmer Palmer Ranch Ranch Dr. office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Family Medicine.

Dr. Havlovic brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Palmer Ranch office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Family Medicine. office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Family Medicine.

the 2022 National League of Cities Conference.

Board Certified, FamilyWI Medicine ndergraduate: University, La Crosse, office a wealth ofViterbo knowledge and experience in Family Medicine.

Undergraduate: Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI Undergraduate: Viterbo LaCrosse, Crosse, Medical School: University of Wisconsin School Undergraduate: ViterboUniversity, University, La WIWI of Medicine BLAKE FUSSELL Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Medicine Medical School: University of School of Medicine Medical School: University of Wisconsin Wisconsin School of and Public Health, Madison, WI STAFF WRITER Undergraduate: Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI and Public Health, Madison, WI and Public Health, Madison, WI and Public Health, Madison, WI Medical University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Dr. School: Havlovic brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Palmer Ranch esidency: Alaska Family Medicine Residency, Residency: Alaska Family Medicine Residency, our Sarasota City commissioners Residency: Alaska Family Medicine Residency, Residency: Alaska Family Medicine Residency, to Washington, D.C., on office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Family Medicine. and Public Health, Madison, WI ProvidenceAlaska Alaska Medical Medical Center, Anchorage, AK Providence Medical Center, Anchorage, AKtraveled Providence Alaska Center, Anchorage, AK March 14, where they discussed Providence Alaska Center, Anchorage, AK Certification: Alaska American Board ofMedical Family Residency, Medicine Residency: Family Medicine civic issues with elected officials Certification: American Board of Family Medicine ertification: American Board of Family Medicine Undergraduate: Viterbo La Crosse,Doctors WI Certification: American Board of Family Medicine a federal funding perspective Hospital Affiliations: SarasotaUniversity, Memorial Hospital; Hospital Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, AK from Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine during the National League of Cities ospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital Congressional Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital Certification: American Family Medicine Conference. and PublicBoard Health,ofMadison, WI NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! City commissioners attended NOW Sarasota ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! Residency: Alaska Family Medicine Residency, Hospital Affiliations: Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital speeches by President Joe Biden,

F

Providence Alaska NEW Medical Center, Anchorage, TO SCHEDULE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL AK NOW ACCEPTING PATIENTS! NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! TO AN PLEASE CALL Certification: American Board of Family Medicine

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!

941-330-2913 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital 941-330-2913 TOHospital SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL Palmer Ranch OfficePATIENTS! NOW ACCEPTING NEW 941-330-2913 Palmer Ranch Office

941-330-2913 941-330-2913

8592 Potter Park Drive, Sarasota, FL 34238

Potter AN ParkAPPOINTMENT, Drive, Sarasota, PLEASE FL 34238 TO 8592 SCHEDULE CALL

Palmer Ranch Office www.intercoastalmedical.com www.intercoastalmedical.com 941-330-2913

www.intercoastalmedical.com Medicare and most insurances accepted Medicare and insurances accepted Medicare andmost most insurances accepted

377352-1

Medicare and most insurances accepted Palmer Ranch Office 8592 Potter Parkand Drive, Sarasota, Palmer Ranch Office Medicare most insurances accepted FL 34238 Palmer Ranch Office FLFL 8592 Potter Sarasota, 34238 8592 PotterPark Park Drive, Drive, Sarasota, 34238 l National Expertise l Multiple Locations A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l l www.intercoastalmedical.com A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Expertise Multiple Locations 8592 Potter ParkGroup Drive, National Sarasota, FL 34238 Medicare and most insurances accepted www.intercoastalmedical.com www.intercoastalmedical.com

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg during the conference. Commissioner Hagen Brody said learning from others about the appropriation of federal funds was one of his biggest takeaways.

“It was an opportunity for us to get together with other elected officials from across the country,” Brody said.

“We talked about issues affecting our communities and how different communities have handled similar issues. We shared ideas and information which focused on the federal side of things, rather than the state.”

This year’s conference was the first for Brody, but at least one Sarasota city commissioner typically makes the annual trip. This year, every city commissioner attended the event except Mayor Erik Arroyo.

A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations l Multiple l Multiple A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty NationalExpertise Expertise Locations A Patient Focused, Multi-SpecialtyGroup Group ll National Locations

ient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations

Brody said he left the conference with ideas from other elected officials that he will look to implement in Sarasota but also learned about specific federal programs that could help projects in the works in the city.

“We do a lot with our own state delegation to bring back money to Sarasota but not so much with our federal partners,” Brody said. “I think that’s critically important, especially now when there’s so much money for cities to move forward with important projects.”

Conferences with federal officials have been impactful in the past, according to Brody. He said that Sarasota has received $2 million for bay restoration in the federal appropriations budget and $2.5 million for Bobby Jones wetlands restoration.

In addition to continuing projects already funded through federal dollars, Brody said that the conference was an opportunity to discuss funding projects he is currently passionate about, which helped him choose to make the trip.

Brody met with the deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to discuss his ideas for street improvements in Sarasota. The meeting helped him learn about specific funds available for the programs he’s proposed.

“As we put together the funding mechanism for some of these bigger projects, the typical way to do it is to gather it from different areas,” Brody said.

Commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch and Hagen Brody pose with North Port Commissioner Jill Luke (center) at the National League of Cities Congressional Conference.

19th Annual

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA

CRAFT FESTIVAL April 2nd - 3rd

Sat./Sun. 10am - 5pm

Outdoors at 5 Points Park & Central Avenue in Downtown Sarasota, FL FREE ADMISSION

377633-1

JAMES & BELLA LASSAK

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

17

Whichever door you chose, opportunity knocks.

At William Raveis, creativity is key to our success. Unlocking opportunities for everyone.

We empower our agents to excel, providing an entrepreneurial environment in which they can truly express themselves. Acting as an accelerator of talent, through our coaching and mentorship programs. Equipping our team with state-of-the-art tools to make selling effortless. Providing a framework in which they can flourish.

And become the real estate entrepreneur they want to be.

Getting creative is better for everyone.

Homes sold easier. Homes sold faster.

Homeowners happier.

Your best can only get better.

Call for a confidential consultation 941.894.1255

Featured Listings

Bradenton

Siesta Key

2371 Landings Circle | $1,085,000

5400 Ocean Blvd. #2-1 | $2,599,999

Angela Lista | 941.544.6255

Holly Parry | 941.809.8050

Siesta Key

Siesta Key

116 Vista Hermosa #104C | $560,000

5400 Ocean Blvd. #1-3 | $1,599,999

Grace Bergeron | 941.586.3279

Holly Parry | 941.809.8050

Featured William Raveis Luxury Properties

Palm Beach | Florida

Naples | Florida

299 Tradewind Drive | $19,500,000

636 13th Avenue South | $10,900,000

Palm Beach Worth Ave Office | 561.655.6570

720 5th Ave South Office | 239.231.3380

Recognized as the #1 Luxury Brokerage by Luxury Portfolio International (2018)

140 Offices 4,400+ Sales Associates $21 Billion in Annual Sales 8 States - CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT

376715-1

#1 Family-Owned Real Estate Company in Florida and the Northeast

18

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

OODLES OF KITTENS

370195-1

Adopt, Don’t Shop 941-366-2404 | 2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 | www.catdepot.org S E A F O O D E AT E RY I N S O U T H S I D E V I L L AG E Photos by Harry Sayer

EAT LOCAL

EAT FRESH

Above: Rabbi Benjamin Shull of the Jewish Congregation of Venice speaks to the crowd.

Left: Temple Beth Shalom Rabbi Stuart Altshuler sings with the audience.

369958-1

Open Tuesday - Friday 11am to 9pm Saturday 3 to 9pm Closed Sundays & Mondays

ORDER ONLINE ReefCakes.com

1812 S. Osprey Ave. Sarasota, FL 34239 941-444-7968

Jewish organizations back Ukraine

S

donate shop donate & & shop

arasota Jewish organizations met in solidarity with Ukraine during a rally at Temple Beth Shalom on March 22.

The event, put together by Temple Beth Sholom, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and the Sarasota-Manatee Board of Rabbis, included community members from the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee assembling in support of Ukraine and its Jewish population as the war with Russia continues.

Many condemned the actions of the Russian government while pleading for mercy and support for both Ukraine and Russia’s Jewish communities.

The ongoing war deeply upset Rabbi Stuart Altshuler with Temple Beth Shalom, who made multiple trips to Ukraine in the 1990s to work with Jewish organizations.

“A lot of our people have come from Ukraine,” Altshuler said. “The Jewish history in Ukraine goes back to the 16th century. … We’re scared. We’re scared for the whole world.”

Altshuler led the crowd in singing and praying for Ukrainians as the sun set.

At one point, the audience heard from Lara Kozik, a Ukrainian citizen who fled with her family and are now staying with a friend in Sarasota.

“Unfortunately, we had to leave our country when the war began,” Kozik said.

“Our friends and lives are still there. We’re praying for all of them. We’re feeling better that we are safe, and we feel so much support.”

—HARRY SAYER

Building Materials Appliances Building Materials| |Furniture Furniture | | Appliances Art Art | Decorative | Lamps | DecorativeAccessories Accessories | Lamps

3 Stores n 1 Location n Location n 1 10:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Saturday Tuesday-Saturday 3 Stores n Sarasota 17th Street n 10:00am - 5:00pm Monday 2095 - Saturday n donate? large items to Sarasota 2095Have 17th Street

Call to schedule your free pick up.

n www.habitatsrq.org large items to donate?

(941Have ) 444-5783

Call toisschedule yourafree pick Our vision everyone deserves decent placeup. to live.

www.habitatsrq.org

379099-1

n

370391-1

(941) 444-5783

Our vision is everyone deserves a decent place to live.

Get Behind the Headlines Your membership supports independent local journalism

• Quarterly eNewsletter, Extra! Extra!, from the Observer Newsroom • Invitations to member-only events Mar.: Observer Cup Polo Apr.: Lakewood Ranch: The future of development panel discussion

ea Becomoday! ie T News

May: Wine & Wisdom Aug.: Candidate Forum

$ /mo.

Or $50

• Unlimited access to our email newsletters and website; no registration pop-ups when logged in

Feb.: Sarasota City Update by City Manager

here, at home, in your neighborhood.*

5

Membership benefits include:

• Opportunities to connect with our journalists and give feedback

year

JOIN TODAY, VISIT

Questions? Call 941-366-3468 or newsies@yourobserver.com

*Don’t worry - we’re still free and always will be.

373451-1

YourObserver.com/newsies

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

19

The bridge isn’t for sale.

The rest? Let’s talk.

One of the biggest names in real estate has arrived in Sarasota.

19 4 7 R IN G LIN G BLVD | SA RA SO TA , FL | 941.822.0708 | C OR C OR A NDWE L L I NGS.C OM

378357-1

©2022 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

MARCH 31, 2022

— Riverview High’s Susan Lowther SEE PAGE 22

HIGH

SPORTS

“Sometimes I don’t take a shot when I need to take one. That has been better this season.”

5 Photos by Ryan Kohn

Derek Wagner, second from right, was honored before Cardinal Mooney’s game against Canterbury. Wagner poses alongside his family: Bryce, Grant and Sara Wagner, as well as Mooney senior Joseph Beach.

MOTIVATED TO 1

Former Riverview High football standout Richie James signed with the New York Giants on March 25.

James, a wide receiver and kick returner, spent the previous four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

2

Riverview High senior Christopher “Pip” Smalley went 2-4 with a double and three RBI on March 29 in the Rams baseball team’s 12-2 win over North Cobb Christian at IMG Academy in the IMG National Classic. Smalley also pitched five innings, allowing no earned runs (two total runs) on five hits with six strikeouts.

3

Sarasota High senior Lance Trippel went 2-4 with two doubles and five RBI on March 29 in the Sailors baseball team’s 10-0 home win over Manatee High.

4

Riverview High senior Michelle DiPuma went 2-3 with two RBI and two runs scored March 27 in the Rams softball team’s 16-1 win against Braden River High.

5

Cardinal Mooney High sophomore Lindsay Kuo had six goals and three assists March 29 in the Cougars girls lacrosse team’s 21-11 home win against Canterbury High.

LIKE LIGHTNING. PAGE 21

Derek Wagner picked up his 100th career win in February and has plenty of wisdom to share.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

N

ear the end of the third quarter of Tuesday’s game against Canterbury, the Cardinal Mooney High lacrosse team faced a five-goal deficit, 11-6.

After taking a 2-0 lead, the Cougars had been outscored 11-4. Even after a Mooney goal got the home crowd briefly back into it, Canterbury immediately made it 12-7. On a night when Mooney Coach Derek Wagner was honored pregame for his 100th career win, which he collected Feb. 25 in an 18-10 win against Berkeley Prep, it looked like the Cougars were going down in defeat.

When the game ended, the Cougars threw their sticks in the air in a mass celebration. They had made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter to take a one-goal lead, remained confident despite two late Canterbury goals that put them down again, then scored with less than 30 seconds left to send the game into sudden-death overtime, where Mooney won 16-15.

A different team, even a talented one, would likely have packed it in after the third quarter. Not the Cougars. Wagner made sure of that.

“He’s (Wagner) the best motivator I know,” Mooney junior Sean Laureano said. “He goes out there and puts together great schemes offensively and pushes us to work our hardest. That’s why we are able to get these gritty, hard-fought wins like tonight.”

Laureano said Wagner’s message against Canterbury was conveyed purely through emotion. There wasn’t one line of rhetoric that Wagner used to fire up his players.

Instead, the message was written on his face and in the sound of his voice.

He believed in them, so they should believe in themselves. The Cougars were good enough to complete the comeback; they just had to go do it.

“When we play with a lot of emotion, that’s when we’re at our best,” senior Ramsey Choueiri said. “It’s also when we have the most fun.

That’s what we were able to do in the fourth quarter. We picked it up from coach.”

Wagner said he knew there was a chance the team would have a shaky start. It was just the Cougars’ second home game of the season; the first was the Berkeley Prep game in February. It’s a scheduling quirk of lacrosse, Wagner said, in which teams schedule home-and-home matchups in consecutive years.

Sometimes that results in a plethora of home games in a season, but the next year home games will be scarce.

The Cougars have two home games remaining, at 6 p.m. Thursday against Springboro High (Ohio) and at 7 p.m. April 8 against Lake High-

land Prep.

As a result of the gap between home games, Wagner knew his team wanted to play its best — and maybe try a little too hard in the process. The rocky start wasn’t a shock, but the scoring margin was. Wagner said he got nervous as the game approached the end of the third, but he had faith his team would turn it around.

“With high schoolers, everything is between their ears,” Wagner said.

“They have all the capability in the world to do what they need to do on the field. It’s a matter of, can they control what’s between their ears?

Once they get that snowball effect of a few big plays, that carries itself to the next goal and the next goal and so on.

Raw emotion; it’s hard to stop that.”

The win over Canterbury, Wagner’s 105th career win, has the Cougars at 7-4. Wagner said he is at once happy with the team’s play and could not care less about its record, as long as the team’s losses come in good efforts against quality opponents. The Cougars annually play one of the toughest schedules in the state to prepare for the postseason.

The deluge of road games this year, while not intentional, will help in that preparation. Wagner said that as long as the team keeps improving, he’ll be satisfied. So far that has been the case. Wagner said he’s particularly happy with Mooney’s composure when faced with challenges like

WIN

the Canterbury win.

Wagner’s wins have spanned nine seasons at Mooney. Throughout that time, he and his coaching staff have sent dozens of players to the college ranks, including current Utah sophomore M.J. McMahon, Boston University sophomore J.P. Jackson and two Mercer players, junior Ryan Katchen and freshman Christian Laureano. Wagner has learned a lot over the years, but the most important lesson he’s learned is that every player is an individual.

“You have to handle everyone differently,” Wagner said. “How tough you are on them and how you address things with them. My phone is always open to them. Players are always calling in the evening if they have an issue and they want to talk about it, school related or not school related. These kids have embraced the program. I think that is what has meant the most to me and been eyeopening for me. They’re 15-, 16-, 17-, 18-year-old kids, but when they buy in and they trust you, they really open up. They’re good, genuine kids.

That is the only reason why I do this, to get that genuineness out of them and watch them develop over the years. That’s what keeps me and my other coaches going.”

IF YOU GO

Mooney junior Sean Laureano said Coach Derek Wagner is the best motivator Laureano has met. Wagner was honored for reaching 100 wins before the team’s game against Canterbury High.

What: Cardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse (7-4 as of March 30) vs. Lake Highland Prep (5-6) When: 7 p.m. April 8 Where: Cardinal Mooney High Why: It is the Cougars’ final game of the regular season, a last test before the team’s playoff run begins Cougars player to watch: senior defender Ramsey Choueiri, who is a key piece to Mooney’s back end and a player willing do to anything to help the team, including taking faceoffs when necessary

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

PROSE AND KOHN

said he learned his technique by watching YouTube videos of Olympians, particularly Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. He takes mental notes and puts those notes into practice every time he takes to the track.

On weekends, when Evans runs with his AAU club, he likes to arrive an hour early to get in extra work.

Recently, Evans said, he’s been working on keeping his knees up and tight to cut down on motion. His knees getting loose is a holdover habit from his old running days when, he said, he used to “run all sloppy.”

“It was kind of crazy looking,” Evans said. “Over the years, I have gotten better about that, especially my start.”

Evans said he did not know how close he was to breaking Riverview’s records until coaches told him before the Rams’ March 29 practice. Evans had modest goals coming into the 2022 season. As a freshman, Evans mostly ran the 400 meters, though he was placed on the 4x100 relay team once. He didn’t advance past the district meet stage of the postseason.

But this year, after getting settled into the 100 and 200 slots, Evans has found a home and thrived. He wanted to run the 100 in under 11 seconds, for instance; he’s already done that, so his goals are changing.

“It makes me feel like I need to work even harder, knowing how close I am,” Evans said. “I need to stay consistent with my work and my times and go as low as I can. I think I can do it.”

Evans is one of the top track and field athletes in the area, no doubt, but others are having great seasons as well, showing up high in the state rankings. Let’s take a look at who else is making a strong impression.

Courtesy photo

Into the record books

21

Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A (10.76 seconds).

The time is also the second-fastest in Riverview history behind Reggie Green (10.74 seconds). Evans also holds the school’s secondfastest time in the 200 meters (21.92 seconds) behind New York Giants wide receiver Richie James (21.63 seconds). That time is good for 11th in Class 4A. Evans set both times March 23 at the IMG Spring Break Invitational.

Seeing as Evans has more than half of his high school career

remaining, expect to see those records fall sooner or later. His coaches have no doubt he can do it.

Not bad for someone who admits he hated running when he started doing it competitively in fifth grade.

The reason? It was simply too much running – a sentiment even the most fervent athletes can understand.

“I had to fight through the pain,” Evans said with a laugh. “I liked that there was a chance to get better every day. That is what helped me stick with it and get to this point.”

Like a lot of Gen Z athletes, Evans

to take approximately six more seconds off his time to catch state leader Brayden Seymour, a senior at Hagerty High (4:15.52). A tough task, but Miller has set himself up to have a shot at the state meet, and that’s not nothing. n Staying with the Sailors boys, junior Tyler Boyer is fifth in Class 4A in the 110 meter hurdles (14.82 seconds), and junior Tyler Pack is sixth in the high jump (1.92 meters). n On the Sailors girls side, junior Haven Wyles is tied for fourth in Class 4A in the high jump (1.57 meters), junior Isabella Nebel is fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (44.64 seconds), and junior Ella Menke is eighth in the 800 meters (2:20.90). Of this trio, all of whom have impressed, Wyles is perhaps the most impressive. In 2021, Wyles hit 4 feet, 11.75 inches at her first meet but was unable to replicate the feat the rest of the season, reaching the regional meet before stalling out. This year, though, she matched her personal best mark at the Booker Invitational on March 4, then beat it on March 10 at the North Port Invitational. If she can keep improving it, she’s a real contender; there’s a glut of athletes jumping at approximately the same height in Class 4A, so even marginal improvement the rest of the way could lead to a medal at states. n At Cardinal Mooney High, junior Madeline Carson is seventh in the Class 2A girls discus (35.71 meters).

Carson competed in the state meet last season and had a personal best throw of 34.30 meters coming into 2022, so she’s already made an improvement. That bodes well for her chances to get back to the state meet and perhaps finish in the top five in the state.

n Sarasota High junior Alec Miller is fourth in Class 4A in the boys 1,600 meters (4:21.37). He set the mark March 26 at the FSU Relays in Tallahassee. Like Evans, Miller didn’t make it to the state meet last season. His best 2021 time in the 1,600 was 4:51.64, according to Athletic. net. He’s taken approximately 30 seconds off that time in 2022, an impressive achievement. He’ll need

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota Observer.

Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

INFINITE POSSIBILITIES. ONE SOURCE.™

TILE & STONE

|

|

MOSAICS

CABINETRY

|

COUNTERTOPS

|

FLOORING

FLORIDADESIGNWORKS.COM

INFINITE POSSIBILITIES. ONE SOURCE. ™ SARASOTA 941.355.2703

|

4500 Carmichael Ave., Sarasota, FL 34234

374684-1

H

is coaches say Riverview High sophomore Jayson Evans is a quiet kid.

That’s fine. His ability to run does all the talking he needs.

Evans is in the midst of a breakout season for the Rams’ track and field team. As of March 29, Evans holds the 10th-fastest 100-meter time in

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

RYAN KOHN

Riverview sophomore Jayson Evans is in second place on the school’s 100- and 200-meter dash lists and primed to break both of the records soon.

Jayson Evans races past Riverview sprint standards while still a sophomore.

|

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

ARE YOU

STRUGGLING WITH LOW T?

941.444.1441

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Low Energy, Brain Fog, Decreased Libido, Mood Changes, Loss of Muscle Mass?

Call today for your initial consult!

5911 N HONORE AVE., SUITE 103, SARASOTA, FL 34243 (Behind Whole Foods on University Pkwy)

Testosterone Therapy TRT // Medical Weight Loss // Sexual Health Aesthetics // Anti-aging Therapies // Peptide Therapy

378922-1

gapininstitute.com

Get events directly to your inbox

Susan Lowther Susan Lowther is a sophomore midfielder on the Riverview High girls lacrosse team. As of March 29, Lowther leads the Rams with 52 goals and 37 assists.

When did you start playing lacrosse?

I started playing lacrosse in third grade with the Sarasota Seahawks. I had a neighbor who played lacrosse for that league, so I joined, too. I had never heard of it. I remember I really liked it right away. My high school coach (Ashley McCloud) was actually my first coach back then.

What is the appeal to you?

Well, I like being a midfielder because you can cause turnovers and see how those turnovers result on the other side of the field. Lacrosse is a full-field game. It is rewarding to see your hard work translate in that way.

What is your favorite memory?

I think it is actually our win on Satur-

YourObserver.com/newsletters

day (March 26) against the Community School of Naples. We were down 7-1 and came back to win it 15-12. It was fun. I think we just wanted to win. Early on, we weren’t making the right passes or communicating on defense. But eventually everyone decided that we wanted to win, and we did. We came back.

What is your best skill?

I have good strength and good stick work, which is important in lacrosse.

What have you been working to improve?

I have been focused on improving my confidence. Sometimes I don’t take a shot when I need to take one.

That has been better this season.

What are your goals for this season?

As a team, we want to win a district championship. We lost to Newsome High in the district final last year. We all believe we can win it this year.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

I think my favorite movie is “The Truman Show” and my favorite TV show is either “Friends” or “Gossip Girl.”

From festivals to performances and art exhibits, discover the wide variety of events happening in Sarasota and Manatee.

JOIN OUR LIST!

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

What is your favorite subject?

I like math and chemistry. In both subjects, when you understand it, it’s really rewarding.

Which superpower would you pick?

Super speed. It would just be cool to have. You could run anywhere.

SCAN CODE TO SIGN UP

378882-1

Sarasota’s Only Locally Owned Community Bank People like to shop local. Supporting local retailers and frequenting independent restaurants is a great way to make an investment in the place where you live, work, and play.

Have you considered banking local? The money we lend at Gulfside Bank supports the families and businesses who are living and investing in our community. As Sarasota’s only locally owned community bank, we are your neighbors, we are your friends, and we care about your success.

Choosing Gulfside Bank is another great way to support and invest in your community.

Meet your new banker. Call us today.

(941) 303-4200

Live here.

Bank here.

333 N. Orange Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 303-4200 gulfsidebank.com 378129-1

22

Classifieds 33 Games 32 Real Estate 29 Weather 32

MARCH 31, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Harry Sayer

Grace Fischbeck visits her mother, Ann Fischbeck, who recently celebrated her 108th birthday.

GENERATIONS OF CELEBRATIONS Grace Fischbeck and her 108-year-old mom, Ann, have a special relationship.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

G

race Fischbeck has always been close with her mother, Ann. In some ways, it was inevitable. Growing up with parents who managed a resort in Hawaii led to isolation in its own way. There was beauty — it’s Hawaii, after all — but people came and went at the hotel, rarely ever staying for long.

While Grace didn’t have many friends nearby at the time, she always had her mom.

That bond has changed but never wavered over the years. No matter the year, situation or state the pair have lived in, Ann and Grace have always been close. That closeness, along with a touch of flamboyance and a love of parties and gatherings, has been what’s united the pair.

Which made it all the more welcome on March 14 when Brookdale Sarasota Midtown assisted living facility staff celebrated Ann’s 108th birthday. The staff surprised her with balloons and written messages of love and support from fellow residents.

“There’s no other person in our family with this longevity; it’s unusual,” Grace said. “People ask her what’s the secret to her age, and she always (beckons) them closer and says, ‘It’s the gin that keeps me going.’”

Ann was born in Oakland, Florida, in 1914, to parents from Chicago. Her father liked fishing in Lake Apopka, and the family often made trips to the Sunshine State.

Travel was a feature of Ann’s childhood. Her father owned a paper company that had them visiting states across the country and making the occasional trip to Europe.

That love of travel stayed with Ann as she grew older and went on vacation to Hawaii. It was there she met her future husband, John, in what Grace describes as a whirlwind romance.

“He asked her to marry him; he

“She lived quite a busy life, but she was always here for us. She was very hands-on, despite the many activities she was involved in.”

— Grace Fischbeck, on her mother, Ann

drove them out to Diamond Head Lighthouse and said, ‘As long as this light shines, that will be my love for you.’”

They eventually married and settled in Hawaii. John worked as a manager at a hotel in Hawaii, and the pair had three children. Grace remembers her parents dressing formally (with the occasional bit of lei flair) and meeting with guests in the hotel’s dining room almost every night.

“She liked people and felt comfortable meeting with them,” Grace said.

Drama came in a flash with the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Fortunately, the family was on vacation in Florida at the time.

“They were told not to go back, the Army was taking over (the hospital),” Grace said. “They decided to stay in Florida.”

At that point, Grace had been born and the family returned to Hawaii when she was 5. She recalls her mom being an everpresent factor in her life at that time, always there for her and

her siblings.

“She lived quite a busy life, but she was always here for us,” Grace said.

“She was very hands-on, despite the many activities she was involved in.”

That included regular picnics at local parks, trips to the aquarium and long drives in the family’s Cadillac convertible. John worked hard managing the hotel, while Ann enjoyed caring for their three children.

That closeness was something of a Fischbeck tradition. Ann was the youngest of three siblings and spent plenty of time with her parents.

Family dynamics changed, and Ann moved to Sarasota after her husband’s death in 1985. She decided to join her daughter Grace, who now had two daughters of her own and her own condo to call home. That cycle of care continued when Ann became a bigger part of her granddaughter’s lives.

“We’d all take road trips together in the summer,” Grace said.

Ann and Grace volunteered with the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center Auxiliary services over the years.

Ann joined the Brookdale Sarasota Midtown assisted living facility in 2019 and has had trouble hearing of late. While it might be occasionally difficult for some, Grace says she communicates well with her mother all the time.

Ann has been an avid scrapbooker throughout her life, often accumulating photos and memories and making a presentation out of them.

Grace visits her mother and takes out the scrapbooks for them to pore over and reminisce. Sometimes Ann works on adult coloring books, which is something of a callback to her passion for painting earlier in her life.

“She reads the newspaper every day; sometimes she cuts out things she likes,” Grace said.

Something that has carried through the Fischbeck generations is a love of parties: Ann’s mother loved them, she loves them, and Grace loves them as well.

“Her mother, Grace (MatherSmith), who I was named after, was a very flamboyant and outgoing person,” Grace said. “She loved to have parties; she was quite something. My mother spent a lot of time with her when she was younger, and a lot of it rubbed off.”

For Ann’s 90th, Grace hosted a costume party in which everyone had to dress as their “secret desire.”

Some came as airline pilots and big game hunters, but Ann went to a costume dress shop to find clothing and accessories to dress up as her mother as a tribute to her family.

As time has gone on, many of Ann’s friends and colleagues her age have died. But still, Ann receives letters of comfort and cheer from her friends’ loved ones, children and grandchildren.

“She keeps up with family members, and they send her cards and pictures, which has been nice,” Grace said.

Y OUR LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE

Whether Buying Or Selling... You Can Count On Us ThompsonGroupSarasota.com Ranked In The Top 1% In Sarasota-Manatee Counties Over $150 Million in Real Estate Sales Five Star Agent Award Recipient In 2022

JENNIFER THOMPSON

TAYLOR THOMPSON

RAEANNE MALONE

941.928.0790

941.928.2372

941.448.3211

P.A., REALTOR®, GRI

P.A., REALTOR®

P.A., REALTOR®

6021 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD | SIESTA KEY | FL 34242

SCAN THE QR CODE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE

374769-1

374763-1

Jennifer@ThompsonGroupSarasota.com Taylor@ThompsonGroupSarasota.com Raeanne@ThompsonGroupSarasota.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Concert FOR

Photos by Harry Sayer

Sergey, Katy and Shetland Kalinichenko

Spanish Point turns enchanted H

UKRAINE

istoric Spanish Point was transformed into a magical land at the Enchanted Garden Family Festival on March 26.

The new event included fairies, gnomes, storytellers, unicorns and more at the 30-acre site. Kids received balloon animals and crowns as they entered and further enjoyed arts and crafts, stories, unicorns rides and other features situated around the trails and gardens.

Enchanted Garden Family Festival expands on the popular Fairy Festival held there in previous years, before the site became part of Selby Gardens.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 3 PM

A concert featuring musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra, arts community, and youth and adult choirs. The concert will include readings, prayers, and an opportunity to support the people of Ukraine.

We encourage everyone to wear blue and yellow.

The concert will also be livestreamed via our website.

Above: Hannah Bagnall acts as the day’s storyteller.

Left: Carolyn Rule manages the crafts area.

WWW.CHURCHOFTHEPALMS.ORG 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota FL 34239

378412-1

— HARRY SAYER

The Home Service Pros Who Care

The Area’s most Trusted Name since 1974

New AC System Starting at

4,800!

$

+ 12 Months 0% Financing Available!

Some restrictions apply. This offer applies to a 1.5 T, 14 SEER HVAC System with heat strip and thermostat included. Includes reconnection to existing ductwork, wiring, refrigerant piping and drain. Not valid on prior purchases and cannot combine offers.

Limited time offer.Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air for details.

Offer expires 4/30/2022.

250 OFF

$

Whole House Water Treatment System Cannot be combined with other offers.

Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air for details.

Offer expires 4/30/2022.

100 OFF

$

LET AQUA HELP YOU ON YOUR NEXT ELECTRICAL PROJECT!

Reme Halo Air Purifier

SERVICES INCLUDE: Complete Home Rewiring Standby Generators & Service Repairs on All Generators Surge Protection

Cannot be combined with other offers.

Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air for details.

Offer expires 4/30/2022.

FREE

AND SO MUCH MORE!!

Water Quality Analysis ($99 value)

CALL NOW! 941.866.6210

or visit www.AquaPlumbingSarasota.com

Cannot be combined with other offers. Must present coupon at time of service.Contact Aqua Plumbing & Air for details.

Offer expires 4/30/2022.

Lic # cAc1816020 • PLbg cFc1428223 • ELEc Ec13009313

SEE HOW MUCH MORE YOU CAN SAVE!

Air Conditioning

Plumbing

Electrical

Water Treatment

371460-1

24

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

25

THE ACKERMAN GROUP 941.387.1820 TOP PRODUCING SMALL TEAM IN SARASOTA COUNTY RYAN ACKERMAN ryan@ackermangroup.net

BARBARA ACKERMAN barbara@ackermangroup.net

www.ackermansrq.com

FEATURED PROPERTIES GRAND BAY - LONGBOAT KEY

$2,950,000

MERIDIAN 3 - 401 N. POINT ROAD #703

3 Bedroom | 4.5 Bathroom | 10’ Ceilings | 2 Parking Spaces 270º Sunrise and Sunset Views from this 9th floor residence.

HARBOR ACRES ESTATE

HARBOR ACRES - 1309 VISTA DRIVE

$949,000

3 Bedroom | 3 Full Bathrooms | 2 Parking Spaces | Hurricane Shutters Unobstructed Gulf and Intracoastal views from the screened terrace of this 7th floor residence.

GOLF COURSE & LAKE VIEWS

$18,000,000

GULF GATE - 7340 CURTISS AVENUE

443 JOHN RINGLING BLVD., STE., F | SARASOTA, FL 34236

$649,000

1,906 A/C SF | Over .25 Acre private lot | 3BR/2BA

Harbor Acres | 230’ Open Bay Front | Gated Estate, Endless Sunsets, City Views Expansive Views of Ringling Bridge | One-of- a- kind Masterpiece | Designed after a European Seaside Chateau – La Cornue kitchen cabinets, imported tiles, onyx, plaster walls, two fireplaces & elevators. Main bedroom suite on the ground level with 2 private baths – Customized steel framed hurricane impact windows and doors– oversized climate controlled and fully tiled 3 car garage with extensive built-in storage – infinity edge glass tiled pool reflects your evening sunsets. For only the discerning and distinguished homeowner.

Entierly updated with top-of-the-line appliances, open floor plan, offering golf course and lake views. Plenty of room for a pool!

•

595 BAY ISLES RD., SUITE 250 | LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228

This is not a solicitation of another broker’s listing.. Market data supplied by Market Quest June 2021.

371492-1

GRAND BAY I - 3060 GRAND BAY BLVD. #191

OAKS PRESERVE

26

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

YOUR CALENDAR

WEST FLORIDA’S PREMIER POOL BUILDER

BEST BET SATURDAY, APRIL 2

36TH ANNUAL RUN FOR THE TURTLES 7:30 a.m. at Siesta Key beach, 948 Beach Road. The annual race features a fun run and a 5K benefiting the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program at Mote Marine. $40. Call 348-4441.

Design•Build•Maintain Professional In-House Construction Call today to schedule an appointment

370721-1

941.927.1882

of West Florida, Inc. Lic# CPC1458597

www.HolidayPoolsFlorida.com

Family Owned and Operated Since 1994

File photo

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES 2022 EXHIBIT Runs through April 10 at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive. More than 40 artists will have their work promoting diversity highlighted in massive poster form in this annual attraction at Bayfront Park. Free. Visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.

BEYOND VAN GOGH SARASOTA Through April 24 at Starry Night Pavilion at University Town Center, 195 University Town Center Drive.

The immersive attraction will place you in the middle of hundreds of Van Gogh’s artistic creations. $28 for children 5-15, other tickets start at $43. Visit VanGoghSarasota.com.

FRESH FRIDAYS 8 p.m. at Lemon Avenue and State Street. Sarasota’s monthly Fresh Friday series continues with an “Art On The Block” event with live music and dancing downtown. Sarasota. Free.

April is National

AQUA EGG HUNT 1 p.m. at Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St. Arlington Park hosts an egg hunt in the pool; look for a golden egg to win special prizes. $2. For information, call 263-6732.

CONCERT FOR UKRAINE 3 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road. Dress in blue and yellow and enjoy a concert featuring musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra and other performers from the arts community to support the people of Ukraine. Donations accepted. Visit ChurchOfThePalms. org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

YOGA BY THE BAY 6 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive. Bring a yoga mat to Erin Hurter’s weekly outdoor yoga session overlooking the bay. Free.

AIRLINE TICKET DOOR PRIZES January - February 2022

CHILD ABUSE

$500 GAS GIFT CARD DRAWING

Business & Community MARKETPLACE

PREVENTION

M NTH

Thursday, April 14 | 4:30 PM – 7 PM | Robarts Arena Bank of England Mortgage Bekins Moving Solutions Beneva Flowers & Plantscapes Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Inc. Body Soul and Pole LLC BMO Harris Bank Bone Dry Roofing Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Buffalo Lodging Associates CareerSource Suncoast Cat Depot Children First, Inc. Community Assisted & Supported Living, Inc. Complete Weddings + Events Der Dutchman Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County Easterseals Southwest Florida Exclusive Shape LLC First Home Bank First Horizon Bank Florida Blue Florida Pipe-Lining Solutions, LLC Hear Again America Hometown News USA In The Pink Lakewood Ranch Medical Group Lutheran Services Florida, Inc. Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce

$25

New underwear & diapers

$125

A child's therapy session

$250

A 3rd grade class learns the Touching Rule

$500

A child receives a forensic medical exam

379115-1

How will you help?

Mueller Financial Services Music Compound Neuro Challenge Foundation, Inc for Parkinsons Nothing Bundt Cakes Observer Media Group PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Sarasota PKF Mueller RITE Technology Robert Toale & Sons Sarasota Bradenton Lakewood Ranch Roberts Insurance Group Runningboards Marketing - Sarasota (FL) Sam’s Club Sam’s Club Snack Shop Sarasota Animal Hospital Sarasota County Government Sarasota County Solid Waste Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Solmart Media, LLC State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota SunCoast Blood Centers The Bay Park Conservancy, Inc. Tidewell Hospice TriNet Urban E Recycling USF Sarasota - Manatee Vacasa, LLC Vensure Employer Services VetCor of Sarasota-Manatee Willis Smith Construction, Inc.

$5 entry! SarasotaChamber.com

378944-1

371031-1

9 4 1 . 3 4 3 . 9 3 9 6 | w w w. G r a n t s G a r d e n s . c o m

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Elite Hearing Centers of America ALL PURCHASES BACKED BY NEVER PAY RETAIL AGAIN! ALL PURCHASES BACKED BY NEVER PAY RETAIL AGAIN! OUR INDUSTRY LEADING Elite Hearing Centers of America OUR INDUSTRY LEADING

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

27

Elite Hearing Centers of America 60-DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL! 60-DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL! ALL PURCHASES BACKED BY OUR INDUSTRY LEADING ALL PURCHASES BACKED BY We are proud to offer the lowest prices We are proud to the lowest prices 60-DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL! theindustry, industry, no one can OUR INDUSTRY ininthe oneLEADING can match matchus, us,

60in-Day Risk-Free Trial! the industry, no one can match us, not even COSTCO or SAM’S CLUB! not even COSTCO SAM’S We are proud to offer the lowestCLUB! prices

We are proud to offer the lowest prices in the industry, notcan even SAM’S CLUB! no one matchCOSTCO us, not evenor COSTCO or SAM’S CLUB!

From beginning to end, our Doctors of From beginning to end, our Doctors of Audiology and Licensed Hearing Aid Specialists Audiology and Licensed Hearing Aid Specialists are here to take care of all your needs.

Fromare beginning to our to Doctors Audiology andof Licensed here toend, take care ofofour all your needs.

From beginning end, Doctors Hearing Aid Specialists are here to take careAid of allSpecialists of your needs.

Audiology and Licensed Hearing FREE Hearing Exam and Evaluation here Exam to take of all your needs.

Hearing Exam and Evaluation FREEare Hearing and care Evaluation  FREE FREE Remote Programming from Anywhere, Nationwide RemoteProgramming Programming from Anywhere, Nationwide FREE Remote from Anywhere, Nationwide  FREE FREE 3 Year Warranty and Loss Insurance FREE Hearing Exam and Evaluation Year Warranty Warranty and  FREE FREE 33Year andLoss LossInsurance Insurance Remote Programming from Anywhere, Nationwide THEFREE BEST PRICES ON LEADING MANUFACTURERS

THE BEST ON and LEADING MANUFACTURERS FREE 3 PRICES Year Warranty Loss Insurance THE BEST PRICES ON LEADING MANUFACTURERS

Don’t go to a warehouse for your Don’t go to a warehouse your hearing aidsMORE! just to PAY MORE! hearing to PAY Don’t go aids to for a just warehouse for your Don’t goaids to a just warehouse your hearing to PAYfor MORE! hearing aids just to PAY MORE! Elite Hearing Centers

OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY & LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS

of America

Elite Hearing Centers Rated

OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY & LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS

OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY & LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS OVER

ALL LOCATIONS CDC COVID COMPLIANT

AmericaCenters Elite of Hearing

OPEN NOW: of America Rated

SARASOTA 941-210-4310

2807 University Pkwy In Publix Plaza at University Walk

BRADENTON Rated 941-201-6076

ALL LOCATIONS CDC COVID NT IANS COMPLTIO

DELRAY BEACH 561-501-4392 ALL LOCA CDC COVID 4900 Linton Blvd #3 COMPLIANT (In between Poppies Restaurant and Kristi Cleaners) E.

OPEN NOW:

2001 Manatee Avenue Ste 104

OPEN NOW: BOYNTON BEACH

(Bradenton Pain and Wellness Center)

561-619-9274 4739 N Congress Ave (In between Dollar Tree and Fon Shan Chinese)

50 LOCATION NATIONW S IDE

!

OV

ROYAL PALM BEACHER 50 LOCATION 561-631-8757 S OVN E R ABlvd T5IO 0 NWID 11985 Southern E! LOCATIO NS (Publix at Crestwood NATIONWSquare IDE! - next to Carter Healthcare) JUPITER 561-529-3011 6725 West Indiantown Rd Bay 39 (In Jupiter West Plaza)

SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE NUMBERS: HTP-1029, HTP-1024, HTP-1031, HAS-0673, HAS-6042, HAS-0637, HAS-0638, HAS-0633 GEORGIA LICENSE NUMBERS: HADS000995, HADS000996, HADS001001, HADS001003 SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE NUMBERS: HTP-1029, HTP-1024, HTP-1031, HTP-1023, HAS-0573, HAS-0642, HAS-0637, HAS- 0638, HAS-0633 GEORGIA LICENSE NUMBERS: HADS000995, HADS000996, HADS001001, HADS001003

378353-1

Coming soon! Boca Raton, Orange Park, Sebastian

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

SARASOTA 4645 Ainsley Place 7 Beds 6 Baths 4,272 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4514309 $22,000,000

SIESTA KEY 7722 Sanderling Road 2 Beds 3 Baths 2,580 Sq. Ft. Brian Loebker 941-735-4393 A4527041 $9,000,000

SARASOTA 3300 Old Oak Drive 4 Beds 4/3 Baths 6,428 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4520464 $8,495,000

ST. ARMANDS KEY 96 N Washington Drive 3 Beds 4/2 Baths 5,660 Sq. Ft. Eileen (Dee Dee) Burke 941-266-8949 A4525014 $7,899,000

CASEY KEY 503 Casey Key Road 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,358 Sq. Ft. Sarah Macrae 941-587-1195 A4522516 $6,395,000

SIESTA KEY 7108 Midnight Pass Road 6 Beds 5 Baths 4,697 Sq. Ft. Stephen Weeks & Jeff Hinrichs 941-504-3689 A4523915 $4,950,000

SARASOTA 1898 High Point Drive 5 Beds 6/1 Baths 4,102 Sq. Ft. Jeffrey Hinrichs 941-456-1251 A4527192 $4,350,000

SARASOTA 473 Partridge Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,226 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4511642 $3,195,000

SIESTA KEY 472 Island Circle 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 3,339 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4526972 $2,995,000

SARASOTA 35 Watergate Drive 603 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,990 Sq. Ft. Joan Dickinson & Beth Afflebach 941-914-0496 A4529059 $2,950,000

SIESTA KEY 430 Island Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,282 Sq. Ft. Carol Thomas 941-349-3444 A4525370 $2,700,000

BIRD KEY 628 N Owl Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,534 Sq. Ft. Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies, LLC 941-685-6767 A4526783 $2,595,000

SARASOTA 1335 Second Street Villa 2E 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,520 Sq. Ft. Brian Loebker & Jonathan Abrams 941-735-4393 A4522536 $2,399,900

SARASOTA 1684 Peregrine Point Drive 5 Beds 5/1 Baths 5,610 Sq. Ft. Michael Hays 941-376-1826 A4527855 $2,399,000

SIESTA KEY 6326 Midnight Pass Road 508 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,318 Sq. Ft. Karen Chandler 941-544-4919 A4523199 $2,159,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 8171 Abingdon Court 2 Beds 2/2 Baths 2,609 Sq. Ft. Rachel Benderson 941-376-0218 A4525357 $1,650,000

SIESTA KEY 5966 Midnight Pass Road G-73 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,164 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Abrams 941-232-2868 A4528314 $1,600,000

SARASOTA 1646 7th Street 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,340 Sq. Ft. Valarie Wadsworth 941-780-3858 A4528362 $1,369,000

SARASOTA 2677 Butterfly Jasmine Trail 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,453 Sq. Ft. Victoria Turner 662-614-2783 A4528589 $1,300,000

NOKOMIS 516 Tamiami Trail S 302 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,158 Sq. Ft. Camille Schwabe 941-894-4771 A4527984 $1,125,000

SARASOTA /SARASOTA SQUARE 12649 Promenade Estates Boulevard 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,045 Sq. Ft. Kristina Waskom 941-266-8658 A4529107 $779,000

SARASOTA 4817 Hawkshead Park 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,842 Sq. Ft. Nancie Kalin 941-928-8833 A4525411 $760,000

SARASOTA 4333 Charing Cross Road 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,336 Sq. Ft. Kelly Quigley 941-356-9954 A4528705 $525,000

SARASOTA 4420 Chase Oaks Drive 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,946 Sq. Ft. Anja Deichmann 941-284-7987 A4529261 $500,000

SARASOTA 4333 Edenrose Way 98 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,517 Sq. Ft. Angela Adams 941-809-9760 A4528642 $422,500

SARASOTA 1423 Hillview Drive 6 Beds 7/2 Baths 11,588 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs & Kim Ogilvie 941-374-2920 A4525534 $21,600,000

CASEY KEY 712 N Casey Key Road 8 Beds 9/1 Baths 13,553 Sq. Ft. Brian Loebker 941-735-4393 A4503358 $20,000,000

ST. ARMANDS KEY 66 N Washington Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,983 Sq. Ft. Kristina Waskom 941-266-8658 A4519666 $10,900,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

373437-1

28

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Bay Island properties sell for $6.2 million

Other top sales by area

A

SARASOTA

MCCLELLAN PARK TCMAX LLC sold the home at 2141 McClellan Parkway to Samuel Presnal, trustee, of Sarasota, for $3,199,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,876 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,558,000 in 2021.

BURNS COURT VILLAS Alan and Robin Wallack, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 20 condominium at 1505 Oak St. to Paul and Deborah Silber, of Ellicott City, Maryland, for $1.65 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,910 square feet of living area. It sold for $839,900 in 2007.

CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY James and Loretta Floyd, of Orlando, sold their Unit 1104 condominium at 888 Blvd. of the Arts to Todd Recknagle and Kristina Mailloux, trustees, of S. Lyon, Michigan, for $1.5 million. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,729 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2016.

William Guy Kenyon II and Janet Marie Kenyon, of E. Amherst, New York, sold their Unit 503 condominium at 888 Blvd. of the Arts to Steven Glen Brookshire and Lois Ankine Brookshire, of W. Des Moines, Iowa, for $1,225,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 square feet of living area. It sold for $470,000 in 2009.

REAL ESTATE

MARCH 14-18

RESEARCH EDITOR

SARASOTA: $3.3 MILLION

Oyster Bay Landings John Crichton Jr. and Chantale Langlois, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1460 Rebecca Lane to Peter and Ling Arenson, of Chicago, for $3,293,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,030 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.3 million in 2016.

Nat Kaemmerer

Both properties at 3820 Flamingo Ave. were built in 1925.

HUDSON BAYOU Jason and Deirdree TruluckWilliams, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1723 Bay St. to Sue Carlson, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $1,219,800. Built in 1923, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,237 square feet of living area. It sold for $650,000 in 2020.

BUNGALOW HILL Marcia Watson, of Durham, North Carolina, sold her home at 1018 Pomelo Ave. to Ronald Shugar, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.2 million. Built in 1942, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,299 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,000 in 2012.

ONE WATERGATE Christopher Dale Jacobs and Kelly Walton Jacobs, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 11-E condominium at 1111 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Douglas and Ingrid Johns, of Dahlonega, Georgia, for $1.1 million. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,575 square feet of living area. It sold for $570,000 in 2018.

ALTA VISTA STREET Gail Abrams, as Personal Representative, of Sarasota, sold the home at 1734 Alta Vista St. to Mission Property Partners LLC for $785,000.

Built in 1951, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 649 square feet of living area. It sold for $21,000 in 1977.

ADDITION TO VAMO Paul Gaydos and Marianne Gaydos sold their home at 1899 Vamo Way to Mariusz Bugara, of Prospect Heights, Illinois, for $770,000.

Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,718 square feet of living area.

29

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

ADAM HUGHES

two-property sale in Bay Island tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Rebecca and Gordon Nidiffer sold two properties at 3821 Flamingo Ave. to John Melk and Karen Palmer Melk, of Naples, for $6.2 million. The first property has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,806 square feet of living area. The second property has one bedroom, one bath and 504 square feet of living area. Both properties were built in 1925.

|

OSPREY: $1.1 MILLION

Oaks Joseph Ottaviano and Xiz Wu, of Sarasota, sold their home at 48 Osprey Point Drive to Michael and Charlotte Barnard, of Osprey, for $1,098,900.

Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,881 square feet of living area. It sold for $323,700 in 2015.

PALMER RANCH: NOKOMIS: $670,000 $900,000 Hammock Preserve Atalia Harel Luzon, of Sint-Michielsgestel, The Netherlands, sold the home at 5721 Sweet Leaf Way to Admiral Weaver Inn Inc. for $900,000.

Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,114 square feet of living area. It sold for $568,800 in 2021.

Calusa Lakes Richard Hansen, trustee, and B. Linda Hansen, of Venice, sold the home at 2029 White Feather Lane to Kevin and Sheri Stevenson, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for $670,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,613 square feet of living area.

FOREST LAKES COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES John Richard Reiter and Kim Ann Reiter, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2115 Brookhaven Drive to MarSEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 30

In with the new

LOMA LINDA PARK Twentynine Investments LLC and Lude Inc. sold the home at 2147 Floyd St. to Carissa Gross, of Sarasota, for $960,000. Built in 1954, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,739 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 2021.

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

ENCLAVE AT LAUREL PARK Adria Michelle Jones, of Sarasota, sold her home at 512 Laurel Park to Richard and Felicia Poes, of Interlaken, New York, for $875,000.

Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,423 square feet of living area. It sold for $580,000 in 2020.

Longboat Key

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From $2.4MM to $10.9MM | Call for appointment | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued for the week of March 14-18, in order of dollar amounts.

Downtown St. Petersburg

CITY OF SARASOTA Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

136 Golden Gate Point #301

Renovations

Gay Krischner

$95,000

505 S. Orange Ave. #1502

Electric

Cheryl Adelman

$80,080

3144 Wood St.

Solar System

Jessica Young

$59,000

2850 Michigan St.

Solar System

Alexa White

$42,660

1524 Noth Drive

Dredging

Jose Miguel Fernandez

$39,260

De Castro

1360 Tearose Place

Re-roof

Robert Fournier

$31,400

1255 15th St.

Siding

Gregory Hawkins

$29,600

2475 Wisteria St.

Windows

Todd Hudson

$27,712

1905 Alta Vista St.

Mechanical

Carolyn VanHelden,

$21,937

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1MM’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com 2 UNITS LEFT

Downtown Sarasota

trustee

SARASOTA COUNTY Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

549 Venice Lane

Dock/Seawall/

Frederick O’Brien

$181,035

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2MM’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

Boat Lift 370 Mac Ewen Drive

Remodel

Barbara Nahrgang-Kaz $140,000

1946 Mid Ocean Circle

Pool/Spa/Deck

Mervin Yoder

12436 Golden Sage Drive

Pool/Deck

John Chizik

$94,160

20 Whispering Sands Drive

Renovation

Theresa De Vivo,

$85,000

Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

Virtual home tours | OnDemand local experts | Interactive site and floorplans

$106,000

8334 Sanderling Road

Pool/Spa

Sean Bavol-Montgomery $82,424

12483 Marsh Pointe Road

Pool/Deck

Howard Okazaki

$80,420

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

373410-1

#504 trustee

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of February 2022.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

30

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Real estate FROM PAGE 29

garet Sweeney, of Sarasota, for $758,000. Built in 1965, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,875 square feet of living area. It sold for $188,000 in 2013.

PELICAN COVE William and Zoe Gordon sold their Unit 193 condominium at 1519 Pelican Point Drive to Theodore Levine and Lucia Swanson, trustees, of Basalt, Colorado, for $686,000. Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,842 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2015.

5TH & CENTRAL Michael Patrick McMenamy and Dana Christine Dupuis sold their Unit 203 condominium at 433 Central Ave. to Ralph Hoenle and David White, trustees, of Bradenton, for $679,000. Built in 2008, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,475 square feet of living area.

It sold for $535,000 in 2019.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 722 condominium at to Louis Lasday, of Sarasota, for $678,000.

Built in 2003, it has one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths and 1,170 square feet of living area. It sold for $623,000 in 2018.

GULF GATE WOODS Dean and Melinda Gray, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2318 Cass St. to Christopher Ganacoplos and Patri-

cia Ganacoplos, of E. Lyme, Connecticut, for $672,000. Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,542 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2017.

Paula Morris, of Sarasota, sold her home at 2320 Cass St. to Opendoor Property Trust I for $514,300. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,463 square feet of living area. It sold for $192,000 in 2002.

Patrick Elder, of Sarasota, sold his home at 2738 Coventry Drive to Mardor Investment Trust, Marvin Cundiff and Doris Cundiff, trustees, for $435,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,771 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2017.

SHADOW LAKES Daniel and Karen Gallo, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, sold their home at 3360 Mayflower St. to Joseph Dombrowski, of Sarasota, for $636,000. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,708 square feet of living area.

It sold for $325,000 in 2018.

A.L. JOINER’S Lance and Katarzyna Bozman, of Gainesville, Georgia, sold their home at 2374 Arlington St. to Temple Street Partners LLC for $625,000. Built in 1961, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,126 square feet of living area. It sold for $225,000 in 2017.

RIVER FOREST Bernard Kuras and Timothy Peek sold their home at 2227 Alvarado

Lane to Christopher and Julie Helms, of Sarasota, for $615,000.

Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,128 square feet of living area. It sold for $148,000 in 2000.

BAY HAVEN Merry Berger, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 1010 Virginia Drive to Timothy and Erin Macholz, of San Francisco, California, for $607,000. Built in 1942, it has two bedrooms, one bath, a pool and 988 square feet of living area. It sold for $190,000 in 2014.

LONG MEADOW FSKS Rental LLC sold the home at 2304 Bougainvillea St. to Mission Property Partners LLC for $561,000. Built in 1954, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,538 square feet of living area. It sold for $210,000 in 2013.

40TH STREET OfferPad (SPVBORROWER1) LLC sold the home at 710 40th St. to Kelvin and Marlene Womak, of Memphis, Tennessee, for $549,900. Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,814 square feet of living area. It sold for $553,500 in 2021.

FLORA VILLA Vicki Marsh, as Personal Representative, sold the home at 4529 Worcester Road to Ruslan Pshichenko, Vitaly Pschichenko and Marina Tupikov, of Arvada, Colorado, for $525,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,436 square feet of living area. It sold for $345,000 in 2018.

Home Care Services Customized to your

GLENWOOD PARK Edward and Sydney Dehus, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2104 Wood St. to Traci Carroll, of Sarasota, for $480,000. Built in 1952, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,115 square feet of living area. It sold for $54,900 in 2013.

CRECELIUS Claudia Salgado Leonard and Jeremiah Leonard, of Nokomis, sold their home at 2230 Alice Road to Theresa Brown and Francis Ward, of Sarasota, for $400,000. Built in 1963, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,269 square feet of living area.

It sold for $91,200 in 2008.

GULF GATE EAST Brenda Burney sold her home at 6530 Waterford Circle to Cynthia Schatzle, of Sarasota, for $465,000.

[Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,595 square feet of living area. It sold for $277,000 in 2007.]

SIESTA KEY SIESTA ISLES L. John Loud Jr. and Donna Loud, of N. Ft. Myers, sold their home at 5354 Shadow Lawn Drive to Florida Blue Sky LLC for $1,700,100. Built in 1964, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,083 square feet of living area. It sold for $250,000 in 1990.

WILKINSON WOODS Tamas and Melinda Vass, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 28 condominium at 3589 Wilkinson Woods Drive to Robert and Beata Szpiczynski, of Sarasota, for $440,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,390 square feet of living area. It sold for $86,000 in 1987.

SIESTA SANDS RESORT McGuirk Family Ltd. Partnership sold the Unit 412 condominium at 1001 Point of Rock Road to Barry Eckhold and Diane Eckhold, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.61 million. Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,370 square feet of living area. It sold for $557,500 in 2006.

VALENCIA TERRACE Paul Eisenbarth and Pola Sommers, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1224 15th St. to John and Alla Denke, of Charleston, South Carolina, for $430,000. Built in 1948, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 824 square feet of living area.

Christopher Tomasso, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 411 condominium at 1001 Point of Rocks Road to 36 Wagon Road LLC for $1.45 million. Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,370 square feet of living area. It sold for $765,000 in 2004.

PALM LAKES Diane McMullin sold her home at 6312 S. Lockwood Ridge Road to David and Alice Lewis, of Sarasota, for $407,500. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,667 square feet of living area. It sold for $210,000 in 2018.

SIESTA’S BAYSIDE Wesley Renneberg, trustee, of Belgrade, Montana, sold the home at 565 Commonwealth Place to Arlen Kangas, trustee, of Naples, for $1,525,000. Built in 1973, it has

Full Gulf Views!

SIESTA KEY PENTHOUSE FOR SALE

needs

30

YEARS

of EXPERTISE

Our services are customized to your needs...with continuity of caregivers and oversight to ensure your satisfaction!

nkobritz@youthfulaginghomecare.com

3 Bed / 3.5 Bath

3700 sq. ft. under air

5675 of usable space

Waterfront heated pool/spa with poolside seating

9008 MIDNIGHT PASS Road #5

370095-1

Nicci Kobritz, President

Scan for Article

youthfulaginghomecare.com License 299991326

Private Elevator

Boat Slips Gourmet Kitchen

3,995,000

$

Tony Andrews Andrew & Associates tandrews@andrewsrealtyinc.com Phone: (941) 921-5999

379125-1

941.925.9532

Unparalleled 360-degree, stunning Gulf views luxurious full floor penthouse condo with 825 sq. ft. of an exclusive, private roof-top terrace.

EVERY THURSDAY AT 5:30 PM MARCH 17th THROUGH APRIL 21st For tickets and information visit: SarasotaPolo.com

378290-1

Caring starts here. Contact me today.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

GULF AND BAY CLUB John Brugger, trustee, of Naples, sold the Unit 607 condominium at 5760 Midnight Pass Road to Gary and Lucretia Krudys, of Sarasota, for $1,095,000. Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,361 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2007.

SANDY COVE Micki Smith, of Venice, sold her Unit 10-2W condominium at 22 Sandy Cove Road to Tami Kaplan, trustee, of Boston, for $1,008,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,407 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2013.

OCEAN BEACH Rachel Charles Bloomfield and Matthew Richards, trustees, of New York City, sold the home at 528 Ralph St. to Vanessa Dallas-Gilmer, trustee, of Sarasota, for $995,000. Built in 1958, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,796 square feet of living area.

It sold for $500,000 in 2004.

SARASOTA SURF AND RACQUET CLUB N.B. Ltd. sold the Unit 203 condominium at 5916 Midnight Pass Road to Roger and Vicki Williams, of Franklin, Tennessee, for $986,200.

Built in 1971, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,173 square feet of living area. It sold for $125,000 in 1985.

CRYSTAL SANDS Zenia McAllister, trustee, and Alexandra Godleski, of Missouri City, Texas, sold the Unit 1010 condominium at 6300 Midnight Pass Road to Joe Armideo Clay Commons LLC and Rita Armideo Clay Commons LLC for $900,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area.

JAMAICA ROYALE Judy’s Siesta Condo LLC sold the Unit 85 condominium at 5830 Midnight Pass Road to JL Siesta Realty for $863,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 921 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2014.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

BEACHAVEN APARTMENTS Jonathan Alpert, of Mountainside, New Jersey, and Jeffrey Alpert, of Ross, California, sold their Units 16 and 18 condominiums at 5858 Midnight Pass Road to Douglas Anderson, of Marquette, Michigan, for $815,000. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,062 square feet of living area. It sold for $539,000 in 2021.

REVISED PLAT OF SIESTA CAJ Properties LLC sold the home at 205 Garden Lane to Douglas Tussing, Qualified Intermediary, for $815,000. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,367 square feet of living area. It sold for $377,000 in 2004.

PEPPERTREE BAY Lynn Yantzi and Nancy Steinmann Yantzi, of Ontario, Canada, sold their Unit 201 condominium at 1125 W. Peppertree Drive to Amanda and Lawrence Connors, of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, for $801,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,200 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in 2014.

THE TERRACE Carla Kelliher, trustee, sold the Unit 84 condominium at 5400 Ocean Blvd. to Angela Van Vliet, trustee, of Fishers, Indiana, for $765,000. Built in 1970, it has one bedroom, one bath and 928 square feet of living area. It sold for $154,000 in 1994.

Royal Swazi – The Terrace LLC sold the Unit 14 condominium at 5400 Ocean Blvd. to Kurt and Julie Wright, of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, for $745,000. Built in 1970, it has one bedroom, one bath and 992 square feet of living area. It sold for $387,500 in 2003.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS $137,000,000 PENDING & SOLD IN 2021

PENDING

SUCCESS STORIES

2 DAYS | 7340 PINE NEEDLE RD | $3.2M

“Judie was very professional and took care of all our needs as we were preparing to list our house and very attentive as we progressed to a successful closing. I would highly recommend her to any buyer or seller. “

405 BEACH RD | $4.25M

1 DAY | 657 SIESTA DR | $2.45M

“Judie Berger and her team were consummate professionals from the beginning to the end of our real estate sale.

We would definitely engage Judie to either purchase or sell other properties.”

NEW

PENDING

DONNA LOUD

“SEABREEZE” | $3.1M

SOLD

JEFF & CHRISTINE MOLER

1

No.

SIESTA KEY’S TOP SELLING REALTOR ® SINCE 2005

546 FREELING DR | $1.975M

BUYER | $3.2M

23 Years Connecting Buyers & Sellers of Sarasota’s Finest Homes Ranked in the Top 1% of Realtors® in the USA

BUYING OR SELLING? SCAN THE CODE FOR MORE INFO 941.928.3424 | judie.berger@premiersir.com 371720-1

31

372722-1

three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,849 square feet of living area.

It sold for $1.25 million in 2020.

|

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.

32

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, MARCH 31 High: 87 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 4%

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 High: 81 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 58%

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Thursday, March 31

7:21a

7:46p

Friday, April 1

7:20a

7:47p

Saturday, April 2

7:19a

7:47p

Sunday, April 3

7:18a

7:48p

Monday, April 4

7:16a

7:48p

Tuesday, April 5

7:15a

7:49p

Wednesday, April 6

7:14a

7:49p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 High: 83 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 46%

SUNDAY, APRIL 3 High: 82 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 46% Tatiana Ortiz captured this view of Sarasota Bay.

April 30 New

May 8 First

May 15 Full

May 22 Last

RAINFALL Monday, March 21

0

Tuesday, March 22

0

Wednesday, March 23

0

Thursday, March 24

0.04

Friday, March 25

0

Saturday, March 26

0

Sunday, March 27

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2022-23 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2023, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2022 3.66 in.

2021 4.62 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 2.51 in.

2021 1.73 in.

The Observer’s

Weather ENTER: &Nature

Sponsored by

YourObserver.com/contests KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

371167-1

2022-23 PHOTO CONTEST

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY

celebrity cipher

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

tropical forest? (... letter 2) 33 Reindeer’s feet 1 Short putt 37 Pans’ partners 6 Apple assistant 10 Something to scratch 38 “Affirmative” 14 Fluffy footwear brand 39 Pirate’s booty, after be17 Omit in pronunciation ing set on fire? (... letter 4) 43 Hedren of “The Birds” 18 Gin’s go-with 47 Valuable holdings 19 Hot rod’s sound 48 Possess 21 Shade 49 Reclined 22 Trade of swindling 51 Candies on a rope, secrets? (In this clue’s sometimes answer, note letter 1) 24 Venue for a hand drum 53 That and that 54 Casual hairstyles? concert? (... letter 2) 55 Type of bike for two 26 Intellectual thrills 57 Iranian currency 27 Mass email intro 58 Totally stink 29 Pole ___ (Olympic 60 Nickname that drops event) “hew” 30 Triage ctrs.

61 Greets someone from 31 Ringing things in a

afar 63 Bill dispenser that’s out of order? (... letter 6) 67 Rounded roofs 68 Like some home cooking? (... letter 7) 69 Wide area 70 “Indeed” 71 Hideout 72 Perfume vessel 73 Maker of motorcycles and keyboards 75 Respectful address 76 Was at the wheel 81 What makes you a sucker?

83 Not any 84 It really gives a hoot 85 Alligator’s cousin 86 Uses a swizzle stick

88 One who makes your bed on a ship? (... letter 2) 91 Quaker morsel 93 ___ Day (Wednesday) 94 Tweaks 95 Spots to store hiking shoes? (... letter 6) 100 Jigsaw solver’s concern 101 Section of a song 102 Wilson of “The Office” 103 Pastrami and others 109 Hallmark employee’s first product? (... letter 4) 111 Chopper used to take pictures? (... letter 9, and note what all the specified letters spell) 113 Name within “Shania” 114 Partner of “aahed”

“U’B GMP FWINWDP, XEP VKM LIW VW HUOOUGC? GWUPKWI LIW AME. LGO AME VLGGL HGMV VKLP? U OUC UP!”

–

SUGDW SLECKG “VX MPWX FE ARX XCZX. DPVPU VPMM NMVNJU UNKYPBPKX SFEXJ NEC UXKTYPAJ BFY NCWXEATYX NEC KRNMMXEZX.”

– MTKJ MNVMXUU

“B GSLN SX STZBCN NOOIDZ ZI DNGSBX S AIWBZBCN DIMN GIENM ZI LBEW ... ZI WUIV ZUNG ZUNDN’W SXIZUND VSK.” – GT USGGND Puzzle Three Clue: C equals V

45 Solid that makes a rainbow 46 State known for potatoes 50 Game show vehicle, maybe 52 Thin 54 Humiliate 55 “Beautiful Surprise” DOWN singer 1 C.S. major’s future field 56 When repeated, a fish 2 Lotion ingredient used in tacos 3 ___ colada 59 Artisan’s website 4 Asked for one’s license, 60 Brooding parent say 62 Lush with greenery 5 “I can help another 63 Software engineers, customer!” briefly 6 Telenovelas, e.g.

64 Leaves 7 Roadside lodgings 65 In pieces 8 Manipulate, as a game 66 ___ Lama 9 Arctic fishing shelters 67 Hollywood’s Keaton 10 Drip source in a 71 Cheerful tune hospital 74 Mass of people 11 Online menace 75 Trade 12 2021 NBA All-Star Mike 77 Fair attraction 13 Take all of 78 Representative Ilhan 14 Rental truck brand 79 Brand of skater shoes 15 Some seabirds 80 Sinus doc 16 Hanukkah treat 82 Had as a pen pal 18 ___ trap (alluring Insta- 84 Units of resistance gram post) 85 Laker’s Boston rival 20 Unpacks and gets 87 Spanish seasoning settled 89 Enter the big leagues 23 Doctrines 90 Clothing worker 25 “2001: A Space Odys- 92 Scrolls in arks sey” computer 95 Designer Geoffrey 28 Keeps cool or warm 96 Go in circles?

31 ___ of Arc 97 Sch. west of Tulsa 32 Wager 98 Isn’t indifferent 33 “Quiet!”

99 Youngster 34 Guess hedge 100 Honors lavishly 35 Bits of dough?

101 Feb. 14 36 Seasoned pro 103 “Mourning” bird 37 Church seats 104 Jell-O ___ (shaped 39 Softball club food) 40 Castle for castling 105 Fencing sword 41 Long one-star reviews 106 Heaps and heaps 42 “___ Mubarak” 107 Outdoor reception 44 Oscar nominee Rosie shelter whose surname has the 108 Indian titles same consonants as 110 103-Down’s cry “prize” 112 Concealed

115 Colorado or Congo 116 Tea of “Madame Secretary” 117 “Then again ...”

118 ___ buco 119 Some Sharon Olds poems 120 Car or can problems

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Two Clue: D equals K

NOT I by Matthew Stock and Emet Ozar. Edited by David Steinberg

Puzzle One Clue: N equals F

crossword

© 2022 NEA, Inc.

sudoku Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

3-31-22

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

Landscaping/ Lawn Services

2BR/2BA CONDO

Professional Gardener Design, installation, maintenance, flowers, herbs, vegetables, and exotic gardens.

Regular weekly lawn maintenance and restoration 40+ years experience.

Tomlarsen559@gmail.com farmgirlfarmboyorganics.com 941-357-7750 business or 678-755-3804 cell

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

DIRECT OCEAN-FRONT SIESTA KEY

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

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

AVAILABLE: MARCH 17-31, 2023 AND APRIL 2023 8th floor, spacious, best views, 30 ft lanai, beautiful furniture & accessories, covered parking

F150 SB roll-up, lockable tonneau cover, $125. Cabela’s Heavy Duty Meat Grinder, $60.

Text 719-250-8565 FOR SALE: MCM, 1960's, "Rembrandt", 36" tall, brushed gold table lamp with vintage shade.

Like new. $50 (941)504-0165 GOLF BALLS. Refurbished, all brand names. (No knicks) 150 to choose from. 2 dozen/$20.

Call Mike 941-256-5583 HANKOOK KINERGY 18” tires.

New $50 each. 239-222-8054 LUCITE SHELVES- 12-21 in.

Thick acrylic, great for display. $1.00 each. 941-921-1815 NEW PAMPERED Chef stoneware cookie sheet $50, folding beach wagon $70, wooden tray tables (4) $65.

941-359-8460

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage

CALL 941-955-4888 USED FREEZER- good and working condition. $199 OBO 941-955-8970 or 941-879-7884 WATER SKIS (pair) HO Sport 66”. $20. Slalom needs new binder.

Picture online. 941-966-6816

home services

individuals to work with our team In addition, to our MRO as an MRO Technician performing technicians, we are seeking various MRO related activities on individuals for our Supply Chain teamAir including an NPI(RATs), buyer andAir Ram Turbines Commodity Manager (Twinsburg, Driven Generators (ADGs), OH). These individuals are in Generators and both Electrical charge of the overall management of the electronic commodity.

Boxes and Components. A&P's, Maintenance Person, ASE's and We offer highly competitive compensationInclined packages, individuals sign-on Mechanically and retention bonuses and welcomed!

Autos Wanted relocation. Our culture is one of CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

accomplishment, family, empowerment, transparency and In addition, to our MRO passion to succeed.

technicians, we are seeking If you are interested or you know individuals for our Supply Chain anyone interested, please apply team including an NPI buyer and on our company website www.safran-group.com/jobs.

Commodity Manager (Twinsburg, OH).NOTE: These individuals are in These positions require charge of thetooverall management access technologies and hardware subject tocommodity.

US national of the electronic

If you are interested or you know Advertise as low asanyone interested, please apply on our company website $17.50 per week! www.safran-group.com/jobs.

CALL NOTE: These positions require 941-955-4888 access to technologies and

Professional Services

Advertise your business or service in the Observer Advertise your business

or service PAGES in the Observer RED Advertise your business or service in the Observer RED PAGES CALLPAGES TODAY RED

941-955-4888 CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

Perfect Solutions For Seniors *Caregivers/Companions *Personal Care * CNA’s/HHA’s

hardware subject to US national* Assistance with Daily Living Ac-

tivities * Hourly 24/7 Care quirements. All applicants must be -Affordable Rates STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/US Persons (8 USC 1324b(a)(3)), * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured Trailer. Secure facility, low monthlyor otherwise authorized by the Phone (941) 809-1438 rentals, Clark Rd area.

941HHA# 299994819 809-3660, 941-809-3662. U.S. Government. No company WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

jobs

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

LOST DIAMOND cluster earring near Marina Jack/Gulfstream Ave. while walking the dog on Gulfstream Ave. or Marina Jack park. Large reward offered.

Please help! (941) 416-5444

YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com/RedPagessecurity based export control re-

sponsorship will be offered.

LONGBOAT KEY Incredible views Private boat dock Owner/agent $650,000

Misc. Items

941-955-4888

Our culture is one of GARAGErelocation. accomplishment, family, empowerment, transparency and passion to succeed.

SALE

OLD ORIENTAL RUGS wanted

by Collector. Highest prices paid.

Please Call/Text 203-228-4868

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and collectors plates. Personal and confidential. Please call Marc: 941-321-0707.

FIND BUYERS AND SELLERS HERE!

ANGELO'S LAWN Care. Mow, edge, string trim & blow. From $20/cut. Licensed & Insured.

941-217-9000

security based export control requirements. All applicants must be Persons (8 USCcompetitive 1324b(a)(3)), WeUSoffer highly or otherwise authorized by the compensation packages, sign-on U.S. Government. No company and sponsorship retentionwill bonuses be offered.and

Homes for Sale

Merchandise Wanted

Adult Care Services

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

Antiques/ Collectibles

***COMMUNITY YARD Sale*** Saturday April 2, 8:00 am 2:00 pm, Siesta Key: Tropical Circle off Midnight Pass Rd.

CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

Help Wanted YARD CLEAN-UP. Light work, bush trimming, $20/hour. High school kids welcome to apply.

Gulf Gate area.

Email mmbertera@aol.com Or Text (941)400-2659

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677.

SELL IT FAST HERE! POST YOUR AD WITH EASE YourObserver.com/RedPages

PERSONAL CARE GIVER- Private care: Meal preparation, errands, shopping, and more.

Affordable hourly rates, available weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

©2022 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

COUNTERTOP MICROWAVE oven. Excellent condition. $55.

941-400-4808

ANN: (407) 227-6817

peekers’ place

CHRYSLER AC Charge Kit, max seal, R1234YF refr., hose, gauge, adaptor $120. (941) 203-0381

Painting

SAFRAN POWER USA Sarasota, Florida is seeking skilled individuals to work with our team as an MRO Technician performing various MRO related activities on Ram Air Turbines (RATs), Air Driven Generators (ADGs), Generators and both Electrical Boxes and Components. A&P's, Maintenance Person, ASE's and SAFRAN POWER USA Sarasota, Mechanically Inclined individuals Florida iswelcomed! seeking skilled

real estate

Items Under $200

auto

stuff

Help Wanted

By Owner: oceanfrontsiesta.com

The The The CRYSTAL CRYSTAL CRYSTAL CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR choice! choice! choice!

RED PAGES

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I’m not perfect, but who are we kidding?

Neither are you. And you wanna know what? I dig it!”

Vince Vaughn Puzzle Two Solution: “We live on the edge. Kiwis will always sacrifice money and security for adventure and challenge.”

Lucy Lawless Puzzle Three Solution: “I make an active effort to remain a positive role model to kids ... to show them there’s another way.”

MC Hammer

This week’s Sudoku answers

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

©2022 NEA, Inc.

34

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Aluminum

Cleaning

Concrete CRACK REPAIR

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS 95 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

YoderAluminum.com Computer

SELL YOUR CAR!

“No Job Too Small”

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

Driveways • Sidewalks

WE COME TO YOU

Reasonable Prices

918-8587

Licensed & Insured

Free Estimates

Doors

Sliding Glass Door Repair

DON’T THROW YOUR COMPUTER OUT THE WINDOW – CALL LORITECH!

5-Star Rated

Servicing the Sarasota area since 1999

Also Laying Stone

New & Refurbished Computers Servicing PC & MAC on Site or In Shop Virus and Spyware Removal- Free Software We Make Windows 10 User-Friendly!

FAST • EASY • SAFE

6968 Beneva Road (Next to Beneva Flowers)

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

AM Art of Cleaning

Hardware Repair Virus / Malware Cleanup Software & Printer Install New Computer Setups New Purchase Consults Seniors & Beginners

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL TEXT ME:

(941) 822-3036 amartcleaning@gmail.com

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

Furniture Repair

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

Pegatronics.com 377191

• Residential & Commercial • Post-Construction • Move In / Move Out • AIRBNB

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

941-735-3362

941-504-0903

Find anything in the RED PAGES | 941-955-4888

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Doors

Handyman

Naji Aoun

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S ome

epaiR

eRvice

• No JoB Too SmaLL • ScReeN RepaiRS • paiNTiNG/DRY WaLL • TiLe RepaiRS • & mUcH moRe!

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

www.ezslider.com

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

RED PAGES

24/7 SERVICE

Call us today! 941.628.8579 377670

CONSTRUCTION HANDYMAN • Home Repairs & Maintenance • Interior & Exterior 941.504.2745 • Garage Floor Paint 941.400.1563 • Power Wash

378893

DON’T let your PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your WINDOWS be a PANE!!

Realtors

377632

Cleaning

378032

941-929-9095

378819

HoHoBuysCars.com

377621

Michael Koch Concrete, Inc.

360495

Auto Service

941.270.4400

Call Bobby • FREE Estimates 319-693-8800 or 941-374-7670

377631

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

CONCRETE FUSION

(941) 809-7311

FREE

ESTIMATES!

378881

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

378892

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

BUZ CORP D/B/A

378890

378035

#1 in IR REPA Crack %

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services each week in the Red Pages.

CALL 941-955-4888

Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care.

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

378329

378439

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Movers For $135 per hour you get: A truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to

make your moving day a pleasure.

Licensed and insured #IMT708

Pet Care

Complete Plumbing Services & Repairs Residential, New Construction and Commercial Serving the area since 1993 No Job Too BIG or Too SMALL. We DO IT ALL!

Veteran Owned & Operated • Third Generation Master Plumber All Major Credit Cards Accepted Generalplumbingsarasota.com

941-923-8140

378888 Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

Building & Roofing Contractor

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

377474

$100 COUPON $100 COUPON

941-CLEAN IT 2 5 3 - 2 6 4 8 FREE INSTANT ESTIMATES when you Call RICK for SCHEDULING

$100 COUPON 378897

Call John 941.377.2940

Pressure Washing

941-544-1066

AFTER

BEFORE

| scaperotta@aol.com

378041

Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance

Licensed

“No Job Too Small”

TREASURES Looking for something? Your lucky discovery is closer than you think.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing n s a S u n u n w r o i s n e k Wind S erly

25

ows

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Insured

941-270-1561

found here.

Res./Com.

SPECIAL 00 Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

Find anything in the RED PAGES 378025

Curt’s Lawn Service

Windows

STANDARD WINDOWS

Eldridge Re-Screen

Lawn Care

Trees

UP TO

Rescreening & Repairs

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Italian American Owned

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

CALL 941-955-4888

House Washing, Roofs, Screen Cages, Pavers, Driveways and Walkways.

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Showcase your products or services.

941-626-3194

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

PRESSURE WASHING

• Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways Deck/Paver Sealing• •Decks Gutter• Driveways Cleaning ••Roofs • Pool Cages AndSealing Much•More!

• Deck/Paver And Much More

Licensed & Insured

724-2945

SOFT WASH

378043

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

$100 COUPON

$100 COUPON

377674 364556

WE ARE THE SOFT WASH PRESSURE WASHING PROS

$100 COUPON

Fully Insured

State Licensed Contractor #CCC057066

$100 COUPON

377672

941-228-9850

Joe Murray, Owner

• Drain & Sewer Cleaning • Backflows Installation • Natural Gas Installations - Appliance Hook ups • Power Flush & Comfort Height Toilets • All Water Heaters - Tankless - Gas - Solar • All Major Plumbing Fixtures Repaired or Replaced • Garbage Disposals • New Water & Sewer Services • Dishwashers Installed • Wells & Pump Repairs

Pressure Washing

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

378895

All Work Guaranteed

$100 COUPON $100 COUPON

DRGRABBARS.COM

GLENN KROECKER

3687676-01

Specializing in Re-Roofing & Repairs

378899

$100 COUPON

INCLUDES 2 MOEN STAINLESS STEEL ANTI SLIP CONCEALED SCREW GRAB BARS (16” & 24”)

Lic. & Ins.

38 Years Experience

Power Washing

THE GRAB BAR GUY

373-9299

Gulf Gate RoofinG inc.

378896

378040

General Plumbing Services Inc.

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH TO S. VENICE

LEAKY ROOF? (941) 345-5264

Melanie Gates

Plumbing

GRAB BARS

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

by

Serving South Sarasota Only including: Palmer Ranch – Osprey – Nokomis

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

941.966.0333

Manufacture and workmanship

(941) 966-2960

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

$235 235

Roofing

• Pet Sitting • Dog Walking • Over 24 years experience • Excellent references

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

$

Doors and more!

Warranties

Watching your home while you’re away

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

Pet Services

PALMER RANCH HOMEWATCHERS®

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

941-345-5264

378327

378894

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

Wizard Moving SRQ

941-955-4888

377664

Dave and Connie Grundy

Rescreening & Repairs

378042

Pinnacle Home Watch.com Stop Worrying About Your Home While Away

35

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

377662

Home Services

|

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s TOP PRODUCING TEAM in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

SI E S TA K E Y 6 4 8 B E AC H ROA D | $9,9 0 0,0 0 0 The ultimate in beachfront living. Enjoy daily beach walks, warm gentle Gulf breezes and endless water views from this one-of-a-kind residence on Siesta Key Beach. After a fun-filled Florida day, relax and enjoy a gorgeous sunset from one of the large Gulf-front terraces or equally spectacular rooftop pool deck.

SI E S TA K E Y 8 4 2 3 M I D N I G H T PA S S ROA D | $9, 5 0 0,0 0 0 Escape to your very own private island paradise on world-famous Siesta Key.

PEN D I N G

PRE S TA N C I A 3 9 4 4 LO SI L LI A S D RI V E | $2 , 8 0 0,0 0 0 This modern estate is an architectural gem in the exclusive community of Palmer Ranch.

SA R A S OTA 37 3 6 M ERI DA L E ROA D | $1 2 ,0 0 0,0 0 0 A secluded 13-acre walled sanctuary tucked in the heart of Sarasota.

G O L D EN G AT E P O I N T 1 8 8 GOLDEN G ATE POINT #101 | $ 5,75 0,0 0 0 Located directly on Sarasota Bay and home to only eight waterfront condominiums.

SI E S TA K E Y RO B ER T S P O I N T ROA D | $2,9 9 0,0 0 0 This waterfront lot, with access to Hanson Bayou, sits on a private tree-lined street.

PEN D I N G

SI E S TA K E Y 5 3 0 0 AV EN I DA D EL M A R E | $ 2 ,0 0 0,0 0 0 Incredible waterfront opportunity on world-famous Siesta Key!

S O LD

C RE S T WO O D V I L L A S 5 374 C H RIS T I E A N N PL AC E #16 | $ 3 69,0 0 0 Maintenance-free villa conveniently located in Sarasota.

LO N G B OAT K E Y 310 5 G U L F O F M E X I C O D RI V E | $1 2,9 0 0,0 0 0 With over 176 feet of direct beachfront, this is one of the most significant beachfront properties available on Longboat Key.

From the ISLANDS to the GREENS Joel Schemmel, J.D., REALTOR® 941.587.4894 Donna Soda, REALTOR® 941.961.5857 SCHEMMELSODAGROUP.COM

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 multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

370153-1

36