Sarasota Observer 4.22.21

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 17, NO. 21

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YOUR TOWN

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

A new look for the future

Commissioners take first step to a broad overhaul in business districts. SEE PAGE 3A

WHEELY FUN

Harry Sayer

Turtle teaches a lesson

Food truck fest draws families to an eclectic event of food, frivolity. SEE PAGE 18A

Visitors to Siesta Key Beach might notice a new addition to the main pavilion area: a sea turtle sculpture made entirely of aluminum.

The new sculpture has been brought to Siesta Key’s shores by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the city of Sarasota to raise awareness of the dangers of water pollution and the value of clean water.

The sculpture was created

by Asolo Repertory Theatre designer Jeff Dean, who modeled it to highlight the impact of recycling. Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the city held a special unveiling event for the sculpture April 17.

Harry Sayer

Autumn Campana checks out the goats with her family at the S.M.L. Food Truck Festival on April 17.

Courtesy photo

Trumpet player wins scholarship Members of the Sarasota Chorus of the Keys organization are lovers of music and deeply passionate about their art.

They also love to reward that talent in others. The group recently had the chance to do so again by awarding a scholarship to Tyndale McCoy, a Pine View High student who plays trumpet in his school’s wind ensemble and jazz band.

The $2,000 Sheridan E. Brown Memorial scholarship will help McCoy continue his music education while attending Florida State University this fall.

Board open to new rule

File photo

Masks were required for Lily, Mason and Cassidy Berg and all other students throughout 2020-21.

Leaders begin to rethink masks for 2021-22 year.

SEE PAGE 10A

A+E A buffet of talent.

SEE PAGE 2B

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WH AT’S H A PPENING

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

|

WEEK OF APRIL 22, 2021

Appeals court rejects Big Pass lawsuit

“This is something that could really turn into a big benefit for our community.”

County Commissioner Christian Ziegler on the new on-demand transit system. READ MORE ON PAGE 4A

Another legal challenge to the dredging of Big Pass has failed.

On April 14, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal affirmed a circuit court decision to reject the Siesta Key Association lawsuit contesting the project. The Siesta Key Association alleged that the city violated county regulations in partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a Lido Key shoreline renourishment project.

The circuit court decision, issued in 2019, said the city had not failed to meet any legal requirements in obtaining a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The appellate court affirmed the dismissal. The city completed dredging work for the Lido project in 2020.

BY THE NUMBERS 68

Percentage of the city’s affordable housing fund made up by a request for $1.9 million.

PAGE 6A

100

Rooms proposed in a fourth hotel application on Siesta Key. PAGE 9A

1,480

Student cases of COVID-19 reported by Sarasota County Schools.

PAGE 10A

File photo

Testing this week indicated a continued presence of red tide in Sarasota coastal waters.

CALENDAR n Sarasota City Commission meeting — 6 p.m. Monday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 4, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County Commission meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, May 5, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd. n Sarasota County School Board meeting— 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, Board Chambers, 1980 Landings Blvd.

Samples indicate elevated levels of red tide

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week after 2021’s initial advisories of positive tests for red tide in Sarasota County’s coastal waters, the most recent tests continue to show areas with elevated levels.

Mid-week testing on Longboat Key and North Lido Beach indicated medium concentrations of Karenia brevis cells, indicative of red tide presence, according to

com use.

individuals, including eye, nose and throat irritation.

Individuals with respiratory issues might experience more severe symptoms, but symptoms generally dissipate when an individual leaves the area where red tide is present.

While red tide is present, the health department recommended against swimming around dead fish.

The county has received $13 million in federal relief funds to help residents struggling to pay rent.

The funds will provide up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance to eligible individuals.

The county is working to start the process as quickly as possible. Those interested in the program can sign up at SCGov. net to be notified when the application portal opens. So far, the county has received 580 submissions for program interest forms.

The notification system is not an application for the funds.

A household must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling and meet several criteria.

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Water samples from Siesta Key, South Lido, City Island, the Ringling Causeway, St. Armands Key and Downtown’s Bayfront indicated lower levels.

In a release, the health department said the red tide might cause mild short-term respiratory issues for some

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SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Courtesy rendering

City staff produced a rendering of what a built-out downtown core could look like under existing regulations. Planning Director Steve Cover says giving architects more flexibility could create a more visually interesting skyline.

City plots potential zoning code updates ■ Encouraging redevelopment of shopping centers as transit-oriented mixed-use sites ■ Allowing residential development in some industrial zone districts ■ Changing downtown setback regulations to accommodate wider sidewalks ■ Updating the map of roads designated as “primary streets,” which are required to comply with design guidelines intended to promote walkability ■ Accommodating the development of “missing middle” housing types — such as fourplexes and courtyard apartments — in the Park East neighborhood

File photos

City staff believes simplifying the zoning regulations on corridors including Fruitville Road could make it easier to attract mixed-use redevelopment.

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

I

t’s been more than two decades since the city adopted a comprehensive overhaul of its zoning code, but that could change next year.

On Monday, the City Commission voted 3-2 to move forward with a plan to develop options for revising the building regulations in nonresidential areas of Sarasota. The forthcoming proposals could reshape permissible developments downtown and on commercial roads, such as U.S. 41.

Monday’s vote did not commit the city to making any changes.

The commission authorized the Planning Department’s plans for drafting and evaluating potential revisions, a process likely to extend into 2022.

City staff intends to spend most of 2021 gathering input, holding a series of public meetings before returning to the commission with an update toward the end of the year.

In endorsing the idea, a majority of the commission indicated a desire to update a document it saw as increasingly out of date.

“This is just good growth management,” Commissioner Liz Alpert said.

Commissioners Jen AhearnKoch and Erik Arroyo voted against moving forward with the entire slate of items that staff identified prior to Monday’s meeting.

Ahearn-Koch said she believed it could be sensible to start by examining potential changes related to a few specific subjects, such as adjusting building setbacks, but she feared the city was pursuing too much too quickly.

“I think this is very aggressive,”

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Other municipalities, such as St. Petersburg, don’t place caps on residential density for individual projects. Instead, those cities dictate the maximum allowable size of a building via floor area ratio, based on the size of a lot.

Although residents have raised concerns about the effects of higher-density development in their neighborhoods, some planners say density is not a highly useful metric for evaluating the merits of a project. That’s especially true in an intensely urbanized area with a mixture of uses, where essential services are typically located near residences.

“By concentrating the population and the density downtown, you don’t have to drive everywhere to get to everything,” Cover said. “You literally can walk out of your residential unit, and you can walk to a restaurant, you can walk to work, you can maybe hop on a trolley or transit to get somewhere.”

DESIGN ASPIRATIONS

Officials are exploring revisions to the city’s building regulations outside predominantly residential areas. What could this mean for Sarasota’s future?

OTHER ITEMS

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Mayor Hagen Brody says the lack of redevelopment for sites including the Cabana Inn property on South Tamiami Trail can be attributed to restrictions within the current zoning regulations.

Ahearn-Koch said.

Although staff said the timeline for adopting changes could be variable depending on the will of the commission, Mayor Hagen Brody said he was eager to move forward.

“I think it’s really important this commission is bold on this,” Brody said. “We all know there’s issues with our zoning code in the city of Sarasota. We deal with the symptoms all of the time in these commission chambers and never the problem.”

What, exactly, will the city be examining as officials investigate opportunities to update the zoning code?

CORRIDOR CHANGES

City officials indicated an interest in updating the land use regulations on commercial corridors, such as Tamiami Trail and Fruitville Road.

Staff said there are a variety of zoning classifications for properties on these corridors — on Fruitville Road alone, there are 22 dif-

ferent land designations. Under the existing Euclidean zoning code, properties are sorted into specific categories that dictate what can and can’t be developed on a property.

Brody argued the lack of modern redevelopment on Tamiami Trail can be tied to the current zoning designations on the corridor. Staff said it was possible to streamline the code to create simpler mixed-use districts to govern future growth.

In addition to Tamiami and Fruitville, staff identified the following streets as areas for potential revisions: University Parkway, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Washington Boulevard, Lime Avenue, 10th Street, 12th Street, Tuttle Avenue, Hillview Street and Osprey Avenue.

DOWNTOWN CHECKUP

It’s been more than 15 years since the city adopted its 2020 Downtown Master Plan. (It’s also currently 2021.)

As a result, staff believes there could be opportunities to refresh one of the most recently overhauled segments of the zoning code. During Monday’s meeting, staff outlined how the regulations in downtown Sarasota compare to some other cities in the region.

In particular, staff examined limits on density and building height. Planning Director Steve Cover said downtowns are generally the area with the most intense development in the city to create a compact, walkable district with a concentrated population.

The maximum residential density allowed in the downtown core zoning districts is 50 units per acre — just a quarter of the 200 units per acre developers are permitted in downtown Bradenton if they earn density bonuses.

Planning staff has said increased density can be used as a tool to encourage desirable forms of development, such as affordable housing or buildings that comply with certain design criteria.

Cover also expressed a desire to adjust the downtown building regulations to allow more flexibility for architects in hopes of creating a more distinct skyline.

The city allows for 10-story buildings in the downtown core and 18 stories in the downtown bayfront district. At Monday’s meeting, Cover presented a rendering of what the downtown core could look like built out under the existing code.

“Our city and our skyline can wind up being almost like a flattop haircut,” Cover said. “Very uninteresting, very uninspiring — and we just don’t want to go down that path.”

Cover said the regulations could be written to encourage more variety in building height.

In discussing the possibility of increasing building heights, Cover cited distinct architectural features in the skylines of larger metropolitan areas including Seattle, Chicago and Milwaukee.

That drew the ire of Dan Lobeck, a downtown resident, advocate for controlled growth and the only member of the public to speak at Monday’s meeting.

“We don’t need a Sears Tower and buildings reaching the sky to have character,” Lobeck said.

Cover and other city officials rejected the idea that buildings in excess of 100 stories were a relevant point of comparison, expressing a desire to maintain the character of Sarasota while encouraging variety.

“Sarasota will never be a Chicago or New York,” Commissioner Kyle Battie said. “We’re not talking about skyscrapers.”

Although staff’s presentation largely focused on managing new development, Ahearn-Koch asked staff to pursue opportunities to maintain existing buildings, as well.

“I would like to see us put more effort into preserving those original structures we have now, so we can keep that originality and that fabric in our community,” Ahearn-Koch said. “Those are our stories that we have to tell, and that’s our architecture.”

With regulations already allowing for more intense development than what’s currently in place in many areas, some city officials said the prospect of warding off growth altogether was not realistic. In taking a look at significant revisions to the zoning code, a majority of the commission hopes to create a better framework for the future of development.

“It’s not about whether we grow or not — that’s not an option,” Brody said. “It’s how we grow.

That’s the question we’re asking.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

SCAT’s mobility-on-demand service to start in June

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BRYNN MECHEM STAFF WRITER

County commissioners have moved forward with a plan to rethink much of the county’s public transportation system.

On April 6, commissioners approved a one-year contract with River North Transit LLC of New York City to provide mobility-on-demand services for one year. The contract includes a notto-exceed limit of $2.29 million.

The change comes after commissioners in October 2020 announced a plan to eliminate many of Sarasota County Area Transit’s fixed routes in favor of a system that uses ride-sharing services to feed main trunk routes or, in some cases, provide pointto-point service. The service is scheduled to begin in June.

The plan cuts all routes in North Port, Venice and Englewood, as well as unproductive routes in the city of Sarasota and on the barrier islands.

“This is something that could really turn into a big benefit for our community,” Commissioner Christian Ziegler said.

Nine firms responded to the county’s request for a mobilityon-demand service, and four were invited to make oral presentations.

The contract with River North Transit LLC includes the option of up to four one-year exten-

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It will also provide all vehicles and staff needed for the service to function and will take care of vehicle maintenance and fuel.

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Commissioners hope the change will mean more savings for the county’s budget. A consultant hired to measure the old system’s effectiveness found that in 2019 the county spent $20.5 million on its fixed-route system, with an average cost of $100 per hour.

However, because of littleused fixed routes, the consultant estimated there was a $4 million cost of ineffective service. Commissioners hope that after several years of proposed fixes, the new mobility service will prove to be a positive step for the county.

“There’s been an enormous amount of effort and time put into this,” Commissioner Ron Cutsinger said. “This is pretty cutting edge.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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Board rejects grant request for Bobby Jones wetlands A vocal critic of local government played a key role in denying the request, an outcome city officials described as highly unusual.

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

The Southwest Florida Water Management District gave high marks to the city’s plans to build an 18-acre wetland to improve the quality of water discharging into Sarasota Bay. In its assessment of the project, SWFWMD staff said the project’s treatment of runoff from a 5,800acre watershed would remove a significant amount of nutrients from water entering the bay.

A report said the project was cost effective and in line with the governor’s directive to prioritize projects that will mitigate harmful algal blooms. Staff deemed the project a high priority for a $1.5 million grant.

That’s why City Manager Marlon Brown was surprised at the outcome of the April 8 meeting of the Southern Region Cooperative Funding Initiative, a SWFWMD subcommittee that evaluates grant proposals from Sarasota and three neighboring counties.

The board voted 2-1 to deny the city’s funding request, the lone project rejected of 22 ranked as a medium priority or higher.

When SWFWMD staff asked to advance the city’s project to the full SWFWMD board for further consideration, Southern Region CFI Chair Joel Schleicher declined.

“As highly ranked as we were and having the support of the district staff, what happened today was highly unusual and something I never experienced in my 27 years of public service,” Brown said in an email to city commissioners following the meeting.

A central figure in the outcome of that meeting is a critic of city government. Schleicher is the co-founder of the BEST Plan for Sarasota, founded in 2019 as a nonpartisan advocacy group focused on the city’s government.

The nonprofit has said city officials lack transparency, fiscal responsibility and forwardthinking leadership. Schleicher contributed $50,000 to a nowdisbanded political committee under the same name in 2019.

That same year, Schleicher coauthored an opinion piece in the Sarasota Observer advocating to reform city government. The column pointed to such places as Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; and Jacksonville — where the city and county had consolidated — as a potential solution for issues with city government.

Brown said questions Schleicher raised at the meeting took him by surprise.

“After the fact is when I heard about this individual’s other concerns about the city of Sarasota,” Brown said.

File photo

An 18-acre created wetlands is part of a larger plan to renovate the 293acre Bobby Jones Golf Club property.

Schleicher said that he saw no reason why his criticism of his local government as a private citizen would affect his ability to serve as a fair arbiter when assessing the merits of the city’s grant application.

He noted that the Southern Region CFI endorsed more than $127 million in future funding at its April 8 meeting, and he said his opposition to the proposal was rooted in a desire to exercise fiscal restraint.

Asked why the city’s $1.5 million request was a tipping point

for fiscal restraint — and the lone project ranked as a medium priority or higher to not move forward — Schleicher said he did not believe the city’s plans were firm enough. In its assessment of the application, SWFWMD staff gave the proposal high marks for readiness, stating construction is ready to begin by Dec. 1.

Schleicher said the city’s changing plans for Bobby Jones Golf Club made him question whether the committee truly knew what the property would look like when construction

begins. The city has been committed to a 27-hole renovation at Bobby Jones since spring 2020.

Commissioners discussed potential revisions to those plans this year but ultimately stood behind its design.

Schleicher said his concerns were also fueled in part by issues with previous city projects, such as Lift Station 87, which took nearly a decade longer to construct and $60 million more than original estimates. Brown noted that project dates to 2008, preceding his hiring as city manager in late 2020.

“Yes, we have a new group of leadership at the city, but the city has historically missed certain deadlines,” Schleicher said.

Schleicher remarked that he might know too much about the Bobby Jones project. After the April 8 meeting, he dismissed the idea that he was judging the city’s proposal on a different standard.

“Do I happen to be closer to a project in Sarasota County than I am in Charlotte County? Yes,” Schleicher said. “But to sit there and say you’re too close to a project and have too much knowledge? That’s nuts.”

Brown said he wanted to explore the city’s options for seeking an alternate resolution to the grant request, but he pledged to move forward with the $3 million project with or without SWFWMD assistance.

“We don’t have to do this project, but the bay belongs to all of us,” Brown said. “Our water belongs to all of us, and we should all do our part.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Artist housing project fails to secure city funding

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Although the city rejected the Arts and Cultural Alliance’s proposed partnership, the nonprofit still intends to bring affordable live-work space to the North Trail.

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DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

I

f the yearslong effort to create an affordable artist-housing project in Sarasota is going to become a reality, it won’t be with significant financial support from the city.

On Monday, the commission voted 3-2 to reject a request to partner with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County on construction of live-work space for artists at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail. The Arts Alliance is negotiating with Sarasota County to use the site, which county officials are trying to sell to aid the development of affordable housing.

The Arts Alliance asked the

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city to approve a partnership that would involve the city purchasing the land, setting aside a portion of the 6.2-acre site for the artist housing project. Although final terms of the partnership were subject to further negotiations with the county, the Arts Alliance asked the city to consider spending up to $1.9 million.

The commission was split on the merits of the partnership, but a majority of the board opposed making a financial contribution targeted solely at artists, particularly when the county intended to use the land for affordable housing one way or the other.

“I want to support it, but I tell you what — with the number of things we have going on in District 1, Newtown in particular, it’s just real tough for me,” Commissioner Kyle Battie said.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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Artspace’s previous developments include the Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts in Fort Lauderdale.

Plans for Sarasota called for construction of 64 units, though commissioners wanted 50% more units.

File photo

ability of the housing units. City commissioners Jen Ahearn-Koch and Liz Alpert offered their support for the proposal, calling it an opportunity to meet the needs of Sarasota’s arts community while also encouraging the economic revitalization of the north Trail.

Although Battie and Mayor Hagen Brody were hesitant to support a project focused on one profession, Ahearn-Koch and Alpert noted the city contributed to the Lofts on Lemon project, an affordable housing complex in which a portion of the units give preference to teachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses.

Although the Arts Alliance believed a partnership with the city would help deliver a development aligned with the community’s best interests, Executive Director Jim Shirley said the city’s support was not essential.

“We’re not stopping at all,” Shirley said. “We’re going to move forward with our negotiations.”

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Artspace has managed more than 50 similar projects across the country. In February, the county selected the Artspace project as its favored proposal among six for the North Trail site.

“I think this area of the county is very ripe for a focus on arts and culture,” County Commissioner Christian Ziegler said.

Still, as the county advanced to negotiations with the Artspace team, it sought changes. The Artspace plans called for 64 units, and the group offered $1.3 million for the site.

The County Commission directed staff to seek a 50% increase in the price and a 50% increase in the number of units capped at a price affordable for individuals making 80% or below the area median income.

The Arts Alliance saw the partnership with the city as an opportunity to address the land costs without affecting the afford-

8A

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

SARASOTA / SIESTA KEY

OPINION / OUR VIEW

The insidious tax: Inflation Food prices are rising 8% to 10% a month for restaurants. Don’t blame the suppliers. Blame the Washington looters for printing too much money.

MATT WALSH

T

ake a good look at the accompanying two charts from the Federal Reserve Bank.

Sadly, those are prima facie evidence of the untold story of Washington politicians killing the wealth of the middle class and savers and setting the stage for another national economic calamity.

The weapon is inflation — simply, the printing of more money. Printing more dollars to feed the stupefyingly reckless spending of our Washington politicians — presidents and congressional members of both parties alike.

Consider this: From the start of Donald Trump’s presidency to the Joe Biden presidency, the M2 money supply — the standard measurement of money and deposits in circulation — has increased 47%, from $13.36 trillion to $19.67 trillion. Since 2010, the increase has been 132%.

It’s seemingly incomprehensible just to think of all of the stacks of trillions of dollars that were printed to keep up with the spending: n $839 billion in the 2009 Obama stimulus; n $900 billion in the first COVID-19 relief package in 2020; n $1.9 trillion in the Biden COVID-19 package this month; and n Not to mention, the $6 trillion in federal deficits the past five years.

To be sure, it is difficult to grasp how all those billions and trillions trickle down to you and affect your day-to-day life. But here, perhaps, is an explicit way to frame the printing of all this money: Surely, you have noticed how that $100 in the grocery store checkout line is purchasing less and less.

And that is it. That is the hidden, insidious tax of inflation. It strikes in small amounts, like a constant drip, gradually reduc-

ing everyone’s purchasing power, with consumers rarely grasping the seriousness of the tragedy.

This is the vicious work of Washington politicians.

As the late Austrian economist, Ludwig von Mises, explained inflation in the 1960s in a series of lectures: “The first rule, or the only rule which we have to teach everybody in explaining the problems of money is that an increase in the quantity of money brings about for the group, for the people, for the society, for the king, for the emperor who does it, a temporary improvement of the situation. (Think of this in terms of the COVID-19 stimulus checks — the “temporary improvement.”)

“But if so, why do it today only and not repeat it tomorrow? This is the problem of inflation.

“The problem is not to increase the quantity of money. The problem is to increase the quantity of those things which can be bought with money. And if you are increasing the quantity of money, and you are not increasing the quantity of things which can be bought with money; you are only increasing the prices which can be paid for them.”

That is happening now.

A long-time, restaurant owner in Sarasota and Manatee told us this week food prices for his restaurants have increased 8% to 10% in just the past 30 days.

Lobster prices have tripled.

A Siesta Key restaurant owner echoed the increase in food prices, noting also they’re increasing because their suppliers can’t find enough drivers.

Such shortages are likely to get worse. Think of what will happen nationally when the lockdown states reopen. More restaurants will compete to buy a limited supply of food — driving up prices further still.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Home Builders reports lumber prices have increased more than 200% since April 2020, boosting the price of an average new single-family home to increase by more than $24,000.

A Longboat Key home builder tells us his business is strong, but two problems are stressing him out — the backlog in materials, which is delaying completion dates, and an inability to find reliable people to work.

Ditto for the restaurant owners:

LUDWIG VON MISES ON INFLATION WHO'S TO BLAME?

The inflation is not the higher prices; the inflation is the new money pumped into the market.

It is this new money that then inflates the prices.

“And the government asks: ‘What happened?’ … The governments try to find somebody who is responsible — but not the government. They consider the man who asks for higher prices responsible.

“But he must ask for higher prices because there are now

more people wanting to buy his produce. Now people are coming — not with 500 but 600 pieces of money in their pockets. And the buyers must, therefore, in order to prevent other men from getting the things they want, pay higher prices. Now we have inflation.”

MASSES HURT FIRST

“People still believe that destroying the value of the monetary unit is something that does not hurt the masses. But it does hurt the

SIGNS OF A COMING CALAMITY? The top chart shows the increase in the nation’s M2 money supply — inflation. Fueling this printing of money/inflation is Congress’ spending, as indicated by the similar growth in the nation’s debt below.

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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One has more than 100 openings he hasn’t been able to fill.

The lack of labor is acute. You know it yourself. Wait staffs are slower, and you see the “Now hiring” signs on the doors of every retail business. Employers are desperate for reliable help.

The labor shortage is also one of the unintended consequences of Congress printing too much money and handing out COVID-19 relief checks. The incentive to work has diminished.

In March 2020, just before all the pandemic shutdowns began, Florida’s labor participation rate reached 60%, its highest level since 2013. But now it’s hovering around 57%.

Why work when Washington keeps sending you checks?

It’s hard to imagine how today’s circumstances can end well. Particularly when the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and their puppet, Biden, are

masses. It hurts them first.

“There is no better way to bring about a tremendous revolution than to destroy the savings of the masses.”

IT’S LIKE DRUG USE

“One could compare this printing of paper money with what has happened in the field of the use of various drugs.

“Just as when you start to use certain drugs, you don’t know when to stop or how to stop, it is the same with the printing of paper money. Governments don’t know when nor how to stop.”

demanding even more spending and printing for the Green New Deal.

When Congress was on the verge of approving the most recent $2 trillion plan, AOC said that wasn’t enough; it should be $10 trillion.

All of this is a national tragedy and a colossal economic calamity bound to happen.

Equally tragic is how Americans are seemingly so oblivious to what the looters in Washington, D.C., are doing to them.

As von Mises said more than 50 years ago: “Everything that is done by a government against the purchasing power of the monetary unit is, under present conditions, done against the middle classes and the working classes of the population. Only these people don’t know it. And this is the tragedy. The tragedy is that all these people are supporting a policy that makes all their savings valueless.”

IT’S LIKE COMMUNISM

“If the government can inflate whenever it wants to spend, it can take away from the people without their agreement everything — their purchasing power, their savings and so on.

“From this point of view there disappears even the fundamental principle which everybody sees as the difference between a Communist government and a government based on the idea of individual freedom, the preservation of free markets and the ability of the people to control the government.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

9A

Siesta Key gets fourth proposal for boutique hotel A 100-room hotel on 2.15 acres is proposed for a parcel located near Siesta Key Beach at 5810 Midnight Pass Road.

BRYNN MECHEM STAFF WRITER

A boutique hotel has been proposed for Siesta Key, bringing the total number of hotel proposals seeking changes to county regulations to four.

The new proposal, filed by Weiqi Lin of Port Coastal Consultants on behalf of the company ABC SUB2 LLC, is for a 100-room hotel on approximately 2.15 acres at 5810 Midnight Pass Road.

The lot, which formerly housed a Wells Fargo Bank, is 1,200 feet from the main Siesta Key Beach access, the proposal states. It is about 1.25 miles from Siesta Village and currently serves as paid beach parking.

The property recently was sold to ABC SUB2, which filed its articles of incorporation with the state in January.

The proposal, submitted to the county in March, outlines a boutique hotel that would include

100 rooms, a restaurant and a hotel lounge and bar. A pool and hot tub also are planned.

“The uniqueness of its size makes it an ideal parcel for a boutique hotel on Siesta Key and its location is perfect for a hotel/ restaurant/bar to serve the many visitors and residents to Siesta Key every year,” the document notes.

Two levels of parking with 394 spaces are proposed underneath the hotel. About 97 parking spaces will be allowed for extra beach parking and overflow spaces and seven handicap spaces will be included.

The total height of the building would be 35 feet above parking. The proposal is asking for a change in county zoning and land-use regulations that would allow the 35-foot height maximum for commercial construction on the Key to be calculated for the building above the garage, not from ground level.

Similar to three other hotel proposals on the Key, the boutique hotel submission proposes changes to regulations that affect density and transient use.

The density allowed in the Siesta Key Overlay District is 13 units with kitchens per acre or 26 units without kitchens per acre

DIVORCE

Brynn Mechem

A fourth hotel is proposed for 5810 Midnight Pass Road, which serves as paid beach parking.

on Commercial General properties. The requested density of the boutique hotel would equal 52 units per acre.

The new proposal matches another for a 120-room hotel on Old Stickney Point Road that calls for a change that would double the residential density allowed.

A redevelopment proposal for Siesta Key Beach Resort and Suites seeks a countywide change to the Unified Development Code that would allow any existing transient accommodations with 40 or more unites before 1989 to be redeveloped without having to comply with density standards.

without ATTORNEYS

Finally, a proposal for a 170room hotel at the edge of Siesta Village wants to eliminate residential density calculations for hotels altogether.

Siesta Key Coalition, a grassroots efforts against the hotels, said that if approved, the proposals would open the floodgates to similar projects in the future.

However, the proposal for the Midnight Pass property notes that the land owner is a Siesta Key local who owns real estate and business interests on the Key. “As a member of the community, he understand the concerns involving the environment, the

beaches, the waters, the lack of parking and the impacts of development on Siesta Key,” the application states. “As such, the new owner is interested in developing the parcel in a way that will help preserve the community and neighborhood values of Siesta Key.” The document notes the owner is willing to work with condo associations, the Siesta Key Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Wells Fargo building was built 1971 and closed in 2020. The property was purchased for $4.4 million.

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Sarasota School Board members are considering letting the district’s mask policy sunset June 30.

Board members revisited the policy, which requires all students and staff to wear a face covering while on campus or in district vehicles, after Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran sent a letter to Florida districts asking them to make masks optional for the next school year.

Students have been wearing masks since August, but health officials now say numbers of COVID-19 cases might be low enough to reconsider.

Michael Drennon, an epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County, said the positivity rate is 6.8%, an increase from February’s 3.5% rate. However, he said rates have remained lower than a year ago.

Although he said confidentiality rules prevent him from disclosing the number of staff or students who have received COVID-19 vaccinations, district Chief Operations Officer Jody Dumas said the district’s three clinics for teachers were “well received.”

Dumas said that as long as the county’s positivity rate continues on a downward trend, a voluntary mask policy is logical, though data should be monitored throughout the summer.

“Our medical professionals know better how to treat these cases and identify it earlier on,” board member Bridget Ziegler said. “I would very much like to see us move toward an optional face mask circumstance.”

Since school started Aug. 31, 2020, there have been 373 positive staff cases and 1,480 student cases. Because the district is still recording positive cases, some

File photo

board members were wary of letting the policy expire.

“I think it’s too far out from the beginning of the next school year, and we’ll have to wait and see,” board member Jane Goodwin said.

She also noted that vaccines are not yet available for most students, just those 16 and older.

Board members agreed they’d like to hear from teachers and others before deciding.

Superintendent Brennan Asplen said administrators have “every intention” of starting the 2021-22 school year as normal.

Aside from face masks, board members considered allowing teachers to remove the plastic shields used to divide classroom desks. They said they had heard from many students who say it is hard to see the board and focus during class, particularly now that many have seen heavy use.

Although district leaders say they could be removed, it would need to be an all-or-nothing scenario. Board members will meet closer to the start of the new school year to discuss final decisions on a mask policy, desk shields and options for quarantine learning.

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APRIL 15

DUMPING GROUNDS Noon — 1800 block of North Tamiami Trail Misc. officer: A property owner HEADLINE HERE HEADLINE HERE reported that his property Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui manager audia observed a man park INE HERE HEADLINE HERE non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur?a plumbing company truck and orem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia trailer next to the site, dumping H E occaboria A D L I N Eid et HE RE Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, eostiis Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis m abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? an unknown substance onto the eum unde same eos qui audia Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes property. The manager asked a cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis sti volupta debit quatur? non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? what was going on, to which agnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes e quam, occaboria id et eostiis Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis the man replied he was cleaning out a backed-up system at , quiatiorrum eatem nes dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes a nearby house. The man then 1+ ACRE BAYFRONT ESTATE NEXT TO THE FIELD CLUB left the area. The substance was With a storied setting of wide-open Bay views adorned with a picturesque grand-fathered boat house and located only 3 lots about 20 feet by 20 feet and a from the Field Club, this estate size property consists of 2 buildable lots, over 1.2 acres and 112.5 feet of shoreline. Gated for ultimate privacy, this offering represents a great opportunity to create your masterpiece in one of Sarasota’s most prominent few inches deep, the officer said. neighborhoods. Possibilities lie in either constructing a new residence or remodeling the existing structure on either one or The fire department responded both lots. The existing home is perfect for multi-generational families. Distinct wings offer privacy and the ability to have family members work at home. Last remodeled in 2005 in early Coastal Traditional architecture, the floor plan offers the ultimate in to the scene and determined the flexibility. The bayside master suite of rooms is located on the first level. An expansive living room/dining room are along-side the kitchen. One staircase leads to massive dual offices/gyms/dens and the other staircase accesses 2 guest bedroom suites substance was likely not flamand separate self-contained 2 bedroom/2 bath guest quarters with kitchenette. Features include a metal roof, wrap around mable and hazardous. The officer porches, and an open free form pool. The pool-side cabana provides a summer kitchen and pool bath. $6,995,000 attempted to contact the plumbing company, but a manager was HEADLINE HERE HEADLINE HERE not immediately available.

Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia

INE HERE

APRIL 16

DISPUTED CHARGES 9:14 p.m. — 900 block of Benjamin Franklin Drive Dispute: A hotel guest ordered food for delivery to her room. The total was $76.72, but she received a charge of $92.06 from the restaurant. She called about the discrepancy, and the restaurant said they only charged her $76.72. The guest wanted a full refund for her order.

An officer spoke to an individual at the restaurant, who insisted they only charged the guest $76.72 and sent a screenshot of the receipt.

The guest sent a screenshot of her credit card notification to the officer, who passed it along to the restaurant. The guest reported the restaurant refunded her in full.

Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia

HEADLINE HERE

non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur?PATCHING A HOLE orem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia Ernam dolorem asitaque eum unde same eos qui audia 5:16 p.m. — 1700 block H E occaboria A D L I N Eid et HE RE Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, eostiis Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis of Bethune Court m abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? eum unde same eos qui audia Ernam dolorem eum unde same eos qui audia dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatemasitaque nes dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes Property damage: A woman a cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis sti volupta debit quatur? non explam abores alitiisti volupta debit quatur? flagged down an officer to report agnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes dolorro magnimusa nam, quiatiorrum eatem nes that someone shot her bedroom e quam, occaboria id et eostiis Iqui repuda cus eatum re quam, occaboria id et eostiis RITZ CARLTON PENTHOUSE 1350 MAIN ST #704 window with a BB gun. The This pristine entire eastern section of nam, Walk out your door and you’re 3nes minutes away from the , quiatiorrum eatemresidence nes occupies the dolorro magnimusa quiatiorrum eatem

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woman said the window was shot I D E N Ctwo E S .months ago, but the property owner required a police report to get the window fixed. The woman said she did not know who shot the window.

FUNNY MONEY 10:09 p.m. — 1600 block of South Tamiami Trail Financial crime: A customer at a restaurant paid for a $10.36 meal with a $100 bill and 36 cents in change, receiving $90 from the cashier. The manager of the restaurant later opened the cash drawer and realized the $100 bill was fake. The manager took off

in pursuit of the customer, who had just left the building and got in a car to vacate the premises. The manager provided a description of the car, but officers were unable to locate the customer in the area.

The Silverstein Institute

Joins

First Physicians Group First Physicians Group is delighted to announce the addition of The Silverstein Institute to our award-winning healthcare system.

Since 1979, the Silverstein Institute has set the Sarasota standard for care of conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat, with more than 50 medical specialists employing their expertise to relieve patients of complicated concerns ranging from hearing loss and sinus issues to vertigo and allergies.

As part of First Physicians Group, the dedicated professionals of The Silverstein Institute will continue providing the same services and level of care that patients have come to expect and rely on, but now with the backing of the entire Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and its quest to provide comprehensive and seamless healthcare to our community.

Still the same great providers at the same four locations: First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Floyd Street 1901 Floyd St. Sarasota, FL 34239 First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Blackburn Point 929 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste. 205 Osprey, FL 34229 First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Lakewood Ranch 8433 Enterprise Circle, Ste. 150 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 First Physicians Group Silverstein Institute at Longboat Key 546 Bay Isles Rd. Longboat Key, FL 34228

For appointments, please call (941) 366-9222.

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C A L T O D A Y T O I N Q U I R E A B O U TBayTviews H Efrom S EtheOterrace, N E highlight - O F - the A -skyline K I Nfrom D RES formal dining room, the office/den, an open family room this attractive 7th floor unit. Features include granite counand a chef’s kitchen. Enjoy the many amenities of the hotel, ters, stainless appliances, newer W/D, plenty of closet space your concierge and owner’s DA Y own TO INQ Uprivate I R Eentry.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

New regulations could legalize food trucks

WELCOMES

Despite concerns about issues with brick-and-mortar restaurants, the city offered an initial endorsement for mobile food businesses.

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or more than a decade, food trucks have been an increasingly common business across the country, but the city’s zoning code doesn’t recognize they exist.

That could change next month if the City Commission finalizes adoption of a series of zoning text amendments it approved on first reading Tuesday. City staff is proposing new regulations for food trucks, adding a definition to the zoning code and allowing the mobile eateries to operate in several districts around town.

Right now, food trucks are only allowed to operate on private property within the city via a provisional use or temporary activity permit. State regulations adopted in 2020 prohibit local governments from requiring food truck operators to obtain a license or permit to operate.

City staff indicated the new regulations were an effort to

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comply with state law while also recognizing the modern usage of food trucks.

Staff proposed allowing food trucks to operate on private property by right in the Newtown commercial business district, on the North Trail and on properties zoned downtown edge, industrial or government. Food trucks would be required to obtain written approval from property owners to operate and would not be permitted to make sales in the public right of way. The proposed amendment would create a cap of three food trucks operating at one property at any given time, and food truck operations would be limited to the hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Commissioners Jen AhearnKoch and Kyle Battie questioned whether the proposed regulations would have a detrimental effect on locally owned brick-andmortar restaurants in the zone districts where food trucks were allowed.

“You want to help,” AhearnKoch said. “You don’t want to create an unfair competitive advantage.”

Planning Director Steve Cover said his professional experience in Atlanta and Madison, Wisconsin, led him to conclude that food trucks weren’t a significant detriment for business at traditional restaurants.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

File photo

“Food trucks have no impact on sit-down restaurants because it’s a different customer,” Cover said.

“Secondly, even the takeout restaurants — because there’s more activity in the area, actually we found their businesses improved with the addition of food trucks.”

Although the board voted to advance staff’s recommendations, the zoning text amendments could be adjusted at a future meeting before final adoption. To expand the regulations to permit food trucks in additional food districts, the city would need to hold a separate series of public hearings with proper notice, City Attorney Bob Fournier said.

The city’s existing regulations have been a source of frustration for business owners including Kim Livengood, co-proprietor of the Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

When she attempted to bring a

food truck to the property, she said it was challenging to stay in line with the city’s rules even after obtaining the necessary provisional use permit. Livengood said she appreciated staff’s willingness to attempt to work with her and encouraged officials to embrace increased flexibility.

“We need them to support new ideas and opportunities for businesses to thrive,” Livengood said in a previous interview.

If finalized, the zoning text amendment would be the latest in a line of regulations designed to better accommodate mobile food services in Sarasota. In 2016, Sarasota County moved to relax regulations that prohibited food trucks from operating within 800 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant. In 2018, the city adopted an ordinance designed to permit sales from ice cream trucks.

Although food trucks have appeared at events in Sarasota for years, the businesses were not permitted to operate without the city issuing a temporary permit.

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SCHOOL ENDS. HUNGER BEGINS. Due to COVID-19, even more children in our community are at risk of summer hunger.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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Bella and Savannah Gill have a swing-side seat to the circus performances.

Personalized Estate Liquidation Benefiting Youth, Inc.

Ringling celebrates World Circus Day

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he John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art celebrated the circus arts with special performances and snacks during World Circus Day on April 17. The annual event at Ringling featured special circusthemed snacks as well as a food truck offering refreshments. The Circus Arts Conservatory held two acrobatic performances featuring students from the Sailor Circus Academy.

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Above: Michael Bacallao and Alyssa Chermak relax on the museum grounds.

Right: Meghan Smith with Bex, Vaughn and Soul Simpson

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

17A

Above: Sasha Drapkin spins with her aerial act.

Left: Walter Nord and Aidan Bracewell juggle together.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Carter Stine takes a comfy ride down the slide.

Above: Addison and Ava Jacob paint together.

Left: Shawn Griffith pets the goats.

Maggie Smith and Michael Griffin with Trinity the dog.

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Families play at Food Truck Festival

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

19A

Take It On...

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F

amilies played, listened to music and ate plenty of good food at the second S.M.L. Food Truck Festival on April 17.

The outdoor event held at the Fruitville Grove Farm Market had games, arts and crafts, live music and around 30 food trucks for attendees to check out.

The event had 30 food trucks.

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Mackenzie Sisson rides a shark.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

TRIBUTES Joseph Asher Nowicki November 30, 1998 – March 29, 2021

electronics, RC cars, lasers, motors, engines and more. “Scientific experiments” started early, and continued on into young adulthood.

Sarasota - Joseph Asher Nowicki, Age 22, passed away peacefully on Monday March 29, 2021 at Bethesda East Hospital in Boynton Beach, FL. Joey lost his long fight with the disease of addiction.

During his many months of sobriety and recovery, Joe worked in sales and maintained his passion for his motorcycle, auto work, and all things mechanical. He loved to fish the waters of Delray Beach, where he spent most of the past two years.

Born November 30, 1998 in Sarasota, FL, Joseph is survived by his parents Fred Nowicki and Nora

Nowicki, sister Elena Nowicki and his grandparents, Tamas and Susan Frecska and David Nowicki. Joey’s memory will live on in the hearts of his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who knew him as a smart, sensitive “gentle giant.”

Joey was a shining light, with strong intellect and burning curiosity from an early age. As early as age 3, he would take apart, and put back together, all things mechanical, ranging from sliding door locks to small appliances, advancing later to

He was a proud member of Cub Scouts Pack 50, and later BSA Troop 895, in Sarasota.

Scouting provided a great path for developing his interests, sense of adventure and love of nature. The camaraderie of his peers provided a stage to develop his natural compassion, innate kindness and unique brand of humor.

Joey cherished his sister, cousins and close friends, and spent treasured time since childhood on Cape Cod with family. He considered “Grammy’s beach” his second home.

The family considers it our duty to speak freely and honestly about the merciless addiction to Benzodiazepines, now at epidemic scale, and to participate with action.

The family is requesting donations in lieu of flowers to: First Step of Sarasota (Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services) at: https://www.fsos.org/ get-involved/donate with dedication to the memory of Joseph Asher Nowicki.

Joey’s memory will live on in the hearts of his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who knew him as a smart, sensitive “gentle giant.”

SERVICE: Sunday, May 2, 10AM Phillippi Estate Park - Gazebo 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Please note that for the health and safety of all, and per facility requirements, attendees must observe COVID-19 protocols to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

DONATIONS: The family is requesting donations in lieu of flowers to: First Step of Sarasota (Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services) at: https://www. fsos.org/get-involved/donate with dedication to the memory of Joseph Asher Nowicki.

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APRIL 22, 2021

— Sarasota High’s Danny Torrealba SEE PAGE 23A

HIGH

SPORTS

“Every pitch counts. Every swing counts. Every moment in the game counts. And there’s no time limit.”

5 Photos by Ryan Kohn

The Rams stretch out before their April 20 practice. They will play Newsome High in a regional semifinal game at 7 p.m. Friday at home.

Sarasota High senior Orlando Cicilioni won the boys 1,600-meter run (4:30.42) and the 3,200-meter run (9:52.50) April 17 at the Class 4A District 8 meet, held at Lakewood Ranch High.

1

THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

Riverview High senior Mikayla Desantis went 3 for 3 with a home run April 14 in the Rams’ 13-1 softball victory at Braden River High.

2

Effort has Rams boys lacrosse on the verge of the Elite Eight.

3

RYAN KOHN

Cardinal Mooney High sophomore Madeline Carson won the girls discus (35.59 meters) and the javelin (25.96 meters) April 15 at the Class 2A District 12 meet, held at Booker High.

4

Former Sarasota High softball player Alexis Johns, a sophomore outfielder at South Florida, went 1 for 2 with two stolen bases and two runs scored April 17 in the Bulls’ 6-0 win against 6-0 against Florida Gulf Coast.

5

Riverview High senior Karson Ligon threw five shutout innings, scattering six hits and striking out five, in the Rams’ 4-1 baseball victory against Lakewood Ranch High.

SPORTS REPORTER

T

he secret to the success of the Riverview High boys lacrosse team is no secret.

It’s hard work and a desire to walk away the victor.

That’s all the Rams have needed, according to players and coaches. The talent has always been there, even in 2020, when the team went 5-4 in a pandemicshortened season. This year, with 13 seniors on a 29-member team, everything was right for the Rams to reach the next level — if they started playing like every game, every possession, mattered.

“You never really know how much they want it until you get out and play a little bit,” Rams Coach Pete DeLisser said. “But the way it has turned out, this has become an exceptional group of kids.”

The Rams are 14-3, and on

Rams Coach Pete DeLisser

April 16, they defeated Gulf Coast High 11-7 to win Class 2A, District 12. The win advanced the Rams to their Class 2A regional, where they will face Newsome High (1520) at 7 p.m. Friday at home.

DeLisser said he was not sure how the team would handle close games, but an early 10-9 win against Berkeley Prep quieted those fears, as did a 13-8 win against Gulf Coast. In both games, DeLisser said, the players responded to pressure.

Senior midfielder Will Evans said the team improved its fundamentals over the offseason, and senior attacker Blake Quigley said

GREAT Succulent

the team’s chemistry gives them an edge over opponents. It’s that chemistry, senior midfielder Tyler Horiuchi said, that allows the veteran players to hold teammates accountable. If someone’s not pulling weight, the captains are not afraid to call that person out, Horiuchi said.

Senior defender Kai Hudson pointed to a game against Jesuit High as an example of what the team is capable of. The Rams went on the road and beat Jesuit, previously undefeated and No. 3 in the state.

Quigley, Evans and junior Kenneth Kaiser all have more than 30 goals, and freshman J.C. Fleming has 23. It’s difficult for any team to contain all four scoring threats at once.

The team has also relied on strong play from senior goaltender Chris Johnson in net. He’s allowed just 5.8 goals per game.

Newsome scores an average of 19.6 goals per game — though going against a weaker schedule, according to MaxPreps.

“If we go out and give our 120%, we can beat anyone in the state,” Hudson said.

IF YOU GO ■ What: Riverview High boys lacrosse (14-3) vs.

Newsome High (15-2) ■ When: 7 p.m.

Friday ■ Where: Riverview High ■ At stake: The winner will advance to the regional finals (Elite Eight) on April 30.

■ Tale of the tape: Newsome is ranked ninth in Class 2A and 19th in the state

by MaxPreps; Riverview is ranked 10th in Class 2A and 20th in the state.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Leading and learning Sailors baseball Coach Clyde Metcalf led his team to victory Tuesday the way only he can.

B

ack in 2019, I brought you the wisdom of Sarasota High baseball Coach Clyde Metcalf, the master of little details. Metcalf knows more about the game than my brain could ever comprehend.

On that day in 2019, in a game against Venice High, the Sailors fell behind early and struggled against good pitching, only to make Metcalf’s adjustments and come back to win 3-1.

Metcalf was in similar form Tuesday night in the Sailors’ home game against Lakewood Ranch High. Sarasota senior pitcher Conner Whittaker was brilliant most of the night, but a mistake to Lakewood Ranch’s Ryan Combs in the second inning resulted in a ball flying over the left field fence. It gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. The game stayed that way for a while.

In fact, the Sailors were so stagnant on offense that they had no hits through three innings. They kept popping harmless flies to

the Lakewood Ranch outfielders.

That’s when Metcalf started spreading his gospel.

“If you don’t get the ball out of the air, you might get no-hit tonight,” Metcalf said to his team in a huddle before the bottom of the fourth inning. Mustangs starting pitcher Brett Plimley, a left-hander, was throwing too well to be taken deep, so trying to do so was futile. Instead, Metcalf wanted the Sailors to focus on making hard contact, even if that contact resulted in a grounder.

Of course, the next batter, senior catcher Satchell Norman, smoked a ball to left field — on the ground. The third baseman had no chance. Metcalf clapped but otherwise showed no expression. He’s been right too many times before to get excited by a base hit.

Metcalf never stopped teaching. He yelled at his outfielder for not making a play on a foul ball, even though the first baseman made the catch, because the angles were better. He told junior infielder Mario Trivella to stay at first base after a poor throw resulted in a momentarily loose ball, even though the rest of the team urged Trivella to try for second base. Metcalf was

Ryan Kohn

Sailors baseball Coach Clyde Metcalf gets the infield at Sarasota High back into game shape after his team’s win against Lakewood Ranch.

again right in his analysis; the ball ricocheted off the fence and rolled to the feet of a Lakewood Ranch fielder. He noted that every foul ball was going over the Mustangs’ dugout, meaning the Sailors’ hitters were late on pitches, and told his team to swing earlier.

Metcalf teased his players for not paying attention in the way good coaches do, answering an

assistant coach’s question about the count after a player failed to respond. He laughed and shook his head as he did so. But he also defended them to the bone, running onto the field to argue with the umpires about a close call at first base. He didn’t win the argument, but the effort was appreciated, as was his loud declaration of “great pitch, Conner” whenever a close Whittaker

pitch was called a ball.

In the fifth inning, the Sailors broke through. With Garrett Browning on first base, Trivella slashed a double down the left field line — again, on the ground — which allowed Browning to advance to third. He scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at one.

The game stayed tied through seven innings, which meant extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth, with runners on first and second, senior outfielder Danny Torrealba ripped a hit to left (do I even have to tell you what kind at this point?), and senior outfielder Kyle Manitz scored from second to win the game 2-1. The team gave Torrealba the hero treatment, chasing him around the field and ripping his jersey off, while Metcalf just watched.

After the game, Metcalf instructed his team to get the field ready for Wednesday’s game against Riverview High.

Some coaches would leave it at that. Metcalf didn’t. He hopped on the infield groomer and drove it around the dirt himself.

“I’m the only guy that can use this thing,” Metcalf said afterwards, in a shrugging “What are you going to do?” tone.

When you watch Clyde Metcalf, you never stop learning — or being entertained.

Ryan Kohn is the sports writer for the Sarasota Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

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When did you start playing baseball?

I’ve been playing basically since I was 2 years old. I’ve always been in the backyard, throwing with my dad, [Adrian].

What is the appeal to you?

It’s just awesome. Every pitch counts. Every swing counts.

Every moment in the game counts. And there’s no time limit.

You go into extra innings to win if you have to do that. You always play to the end.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I have been working on my arm.

I want to get a stronger arm from the outfield.

What is your favorite food?

I love any type of pasta with a good Alfredo sauce.

What is your favorite movie?

I have to go with “The Sandlot.”

Just a great movie.

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Danny Torrealba is a senior outfielder on the Sarasota High baseball team. Torrealba hit a walk-off single April 20 in the Sailors’ 2-1 win (eight innings) against Lakewood Ranch High.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Protect Your Family Tree

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Danny Torrealba

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

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I would say my best skill is my hitting. I’ve been swinging well this year. I try to drive a lot of runs in. I just put the barrel on the ball.

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APRIL 22, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS

START YOUR

HOW IT COMES TOGETHER

ENGINES Faulhaber Fab Lab’s sixth annual radio-control car race was far more than a day on the track for about 100 students.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

R

acers expect to have fun during the Faulhaber Fab Lab Remote Control Car competition.

But it’s a lot more than a few hours on the track.

More than 100 students on 35 teams competed last weekend in a series of races in the hopes of winning in elementary, middle and high school categories.

The rapid-fire day of twists and turns is the culmination of weeks of plotting, designing and building designed to test teamwork, creativity and ingenuity.

Gabriella Gentile, a Pine View senior and a member of the race’s executive committee, has been involved with the race since she was in middle school.

She said racing and then planning the event has given her a creative outlet she has rarely had.

“I got to work with my hands. I got to use tools,” Gentile said. “I really loved that because there’s not a spot outside of this in my everyday life that I would get to construct wooden fixtures [or] use a laser cutter.”

Beyond a simple day at the races, teams build their cars in concert with a theme. Previous years featured such themes as Monster Island, the future and junkyards.

This year’s focus was on the fantasy world.

One track was laid out with logs and lumber. A second track featured drawbridges, traps, forest obstacles and a dragon.

The students were tasked with connecting the wiring to get their cars running and encouraged to add some color and design as part of another competitive element.

Iris, Camile and Tobias Dahlborg were inspired by “Alice in Wonderland” and created a

Executive Director Ping Faulhaber with Arjan Sandhu.

Benjamin Hansen led his team The Clankers to win first place on the challenge track for the middle school division.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Above: Tobias, Iris and Camile Dahlborg raced as “Dahlborg in Wonderland” and won a design award for their Cheshire Cat race car.

Below right: Brandt Berden steered the Beastie Boys vehicle.

Cheshire Cat car with a laser cutter, a 3D printer, pipe cleaners and paint at the Fab Lab. That commitment to aesthetic resulted in their team winning a design award at the end of the competition.

“Everything here is to encourage people to innovate,” Faulhaber Fab Lab Executive Director Ping Faulhaber said. “The teams are having fun, but they don’t

realize they are learning.”

Arjan Sandhu had some knowledge he thinks gave him an edge.

The Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences student has for years learned about cars from his father, Harry, who tunes up cars for a living. Transitioning to remote control cars wasn’t easy, but it was a language he already understood.

Just listen: “These cars aren’t

very complicated, but they can go fast,” he said. “They’re very tail-happy. The back [of the car] will slide and drift a lot with this design. … I counter-steer by turning into the slide — that keeps it steady.”

Rather than embrace the fantastical trappings and designs that so many other racers used to decorate their cars, Sandhu instead felt that a less-is-more approach would be best for his vehicle.

He kept his car’s shape sleek and simple and painted it gold in honor of King Midas and the Midas Touch. He entered the competition as Team S.P.E.E.D. along with his teammate, Steele Jackson.

Sandhu ended up walking off as the winner in the middle school division. It’s been an adventure for Sandhu the past few weeks figuring out how exactly to optimize his car, but it feels even better to have taken home a trophy.

“I wa s n ’ t expecting to do this well,” he said. “I just feel happy.”

The big race day’s elaborate tracks and themes don’t appear out of nowhere. A volunteer team of 14 students spends about 10 weeks planning and executing the event while the racers work on their cars.

After devising a theme, the committee splits into subgroups to handle developing the main and secondary tracks along with trophy designs. Once the design and plans are finalized, volunteers collect materials or make them themselves to build the tracks. A new group this year managed weekend workshops for students interested in creating additions for their cars at the Fab Lab. It means a great deal to Gabriella Gentile, a member of the organizing committee. She still regrets stepping back her junior year and has embraced the competition fully for her last year in high school.

“I stopped to tutor somebody,” Gentile said. “I honestly missed these Fridays every single week.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

OPERA

IF YOU GO

2021 SPRING OPERA FESTIVAL When: “Dido and Aeneas” through April 25; “Il Signor Bruschino” through April 24 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota Info: Call 328-1300, or visit SarasotaOpera.org.

A LA CARTE Sarasota Opera’s talents are cooking up something to sing about.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

O

pera is a feast for the senses. Many operas revolve around actual feasts. Say what you will about their morals, but Falstaff and Don Giovanni knew how to eat well. The same can be said for Sarasota Opera’s multitalented singers. They fill their free time with a long list of creative activities — and the culinary arts are at the top.

So what’s cooking? To find out, we explore the moveable feasts of mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez, baritone Marco Nistico and mezzo-soprano Laurel Semerdjian.

When did your love of cooking start?

Marco’s foodie fascination began in his student days in Paris. He was living alone for the very first time. He couldn’t afford to eat out and had to cook for himself. “I was forced to make my own meals, and I didn’t

have a clue,” he said. “I thought about my childhood memories of my mom and grandmother cooking in Naples. So I called them up and asked: ‘How did you do that?

What were the ingredients? How hot did you cook it? How long?’

I’d take all these notes then try to repeat what they did in my tiny Paris kitchen. I wasn’t as good — not even close. But all my French friends loved my pizza and pasta, I guess because it was so different. They said, ‘Marco, your cooking is the best in the world!’

I knew better, but I didn’t talk them out of it.

Lisa got in touch with her inner chef in childhood. Her parents encouraged Lisa to cook — and to learn. “My aunt always said: ‘If someone in the family cooks a meal you love, don’t just eat it.

Ask them how they made it, and write it down. You can get the recipe now. The day may come when you can’t.’” Lisa followed her aunt’s advice. But most of her learning was hands on. “I’d always help my grandma make

tortillas or whatever she was cooking,” she said. “Dad would also let me help cook breakfast on the weekends, usually pancakes. I really enjoyed it, and I guess it stuck with me.”

Laurel’s epicurean epiphany is similar to Lisa’s. “My love affair with food definitely started when I was young. My mom always encouraged me to cook with her, and so did my grandmother. Whatever they cook, it’s always amazing, whether it’s Armenian food or a new invention. After I moved away, I did exactly what Marco did. I’d pick up the phone. ‘Hey, Mom! I really like this recipe you made.

How did you do it? Tell me the secret!’ And just like Lisa, I’d write it down and try to repeat the magic. After that, I just kept going.”

Lisa Chavez (left) enjoys creating such culinary dishes as fried green tomatoes (above). While the mezzo soprano’s parents encouraged her to cook, Chavez acquired her cooking skills mostly through hands on experience.

Best-loved meals?

Lisa’s culinary choices change with the seasons. “My wintertime favorite is a cider-braised sage pork. I’ll stew it for hours and serve it with fresh spaetzle.

In the spring, I celebrate the end of the winter funk with crispy

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Courtesy photos

Laurel Semerdjian’s (left) love of cooking came from her mother and grandmother, while Marco Nistico’s began as a student in Paris.

Laurel: “My favorite food to eat is my mom’s Armenian rice pilaf.

Browning the vermicelli in butter gives it this rich nutty flavor.

It’s every Armenian child’s first solid food.”

Marco: “My mom’s Italian meatballs — they’re my all-time favorite. And they’re not spicy!

People have this cliche in their heads: ‘Italian-a spicy meata-balls.’ So people think Italian meatballs are always spicy. No,

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What’s your top culinary guilty pleasure?

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I like myself some tacos, you know. Bread is my favorite thing to prepare right now. I love baking different styles of bread. The possibilities are endless.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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SARASOTA 7727 Donald Ross Road W Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4493537 $2,100,000

SARASOTA 127 S Pineapple Avenue Nora Johnson & Klaus Lang 941-809-1700 A4491365 $1,875,000

SARASOTA 1335 2nd Street 4E Jonathan Abrams & Brian Loebker 941-232-2868 A4490030 $1,699,900

SARASOTA 1711 Baywood Way Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4488310 $1,200,000

SIESTA KEY 6140 Midnight Pass Road 208 Mina Johnson & Ethel Lovelace 941-404-9347 A4493412 $1,189,000

SARASOTA 1722 Stanford Lane Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4494930 $1,175,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 6700 Gulf Drive 15 Lindsay Nock 941-735-7005 A4492778 $1,150,000

SIESTA KEY 6300 Midnight Pass Road 806 Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4493385 $1,150,000

SIESTA KEY 5966 Midnight Pass Road G-115 Denise Mei & Nicole Mei 941-685-3198 A4488505 $1,099,999

SIESTA KEY 6266 Midnight Pass Road 404 Marlene & George Marshall 941-539-8850 A4485606 $895,000

SIESTA KEY 5966 Midnight Pass Road G-52 Debra Pitell-Hauge & Lisa Sebastian 941-356-0437 A4486332 $895,000

SIESTA KEY 5911 Midnight Pass Road 505 Mary Jo Violett 941-928-8474 A4496312 $875,000

SIESTA KEY 1311 Roberts Bay Lane Deborah Nelson & Bernadette Caswell 941-266-5900 A4497050 $800,000

SIESTA KEY 5911 Midnight Pass Road 405 Veronika Bajtala 941-504-0307 A4495868 $775,000

SARASOTA 235 Cocoanut Avenue 105B Sandi Layfield & Michael Nink, PA 941-914-2807 A4496292 $759,000

SIESTA KEY 5780 Midnight Pass Road 102 Maurice Menager & Lin Dunn 941-809-2154 A4464913 $710,000

ENGLEWOOD 1375 Beach Road 101 Scott Johnston & Helene Johnston, PA. 941-232-5482 N6114551 $699,000

SIESTA KEY 160 Garden Lane Nora Johnson & Klaus Lang 941-809-1700 A4495349 $650,000

PARRISH 4012 Twin Rivers Trail Gregory Zies & Kathy Valente 941-779-3081 A4494524 $590,000

SARASOTA 4642 Meadowview Circle Sonya Kis 941-228-1831 A4493185 $530,000

SARASOTA 7773 Fairway Woods Drive 1101 Gladys Carrasco 941-400-1520 A4494960 $459,000

BRADENTON 12375 Lavender Loop Emmy Lou Gilbert 941-807-1764 A4496427 $425,000

SARASOTA 2583 Jefferson Circle Peter Mann 941-914-5657 N6114762 $400,000

SARASOTA 3935 S Shade Avenue Tammy Mast 941-256-6543 A4489158 $370,000

SARASOTA 2512 Jamaica Street Jeffrey Maglione & Kris Niehaus 941-302-4891 A4497039 $305,000

SARASOTA 1064 N Tamiami Trail 1404 Linda Thompson 941-400-0805 A4484752 $275,500

BRADENTON 840 Audubon Drive 840 Maruta Miluns 941-374-9702 A4496622 $269,000

355157-1

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Residences, 1001/1003 Beth Afflebach & Joan Dickinson 941-737-1756 A4471072 $3,700,000

SARASOTA 990 Blvd Of The Arts 1403 Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4449930 $2,795,000

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

SARASOTA 2524 Pleasant Place Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4490046 $2,795,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Casey Key property sells for $6.75 million ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

two-property sale on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Sharon Carole, of Sarasota, sold two properties at 2718 Casey Key Road to Carol Juergens and Audrey Su-Chung Juergens, trustees, of Inverness, Illinois, for $6.75 million. The first property was built in 1940; it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,591 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1990; it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,285 square feet of living area.

They sold for $4.92 million in 2012.

SARASOTA

HARBOR ACRES Robert and Maria Martin, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1373 Harbor Drive to John and Carol Bruno, of Sarasota, for $3.35 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,080 square feet of living area.

It sold for $1.55 million in 2012.

TESSERA Russel and Susan Samson, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 102 condominium at 500 S. Palm Ave. to Morton Siegel, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2.73 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,315 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.35 million in 2017.

PARADISE SHORES Kenneth and Lauren Doyle, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2200 Oriole Drive to Rafael Jose De La Puente and Alexis

Sulkowski, of Bradenton, for $2.35 million. Built in 1980, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,753 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.38 million in 2017.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

7B

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

APRIL 5-9

Other top sales by area SARASOTA

McClellan Park Cheryl Zimmer, of Sarasota, sold two properties at 2160 Oval Drive and properties at 1744 N. Seminole Drive and 2160 Seminole Drive to Sam in All LLC for $3.45 million. The first property at Oval Drive was built in 2000; it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,364 square feet of living area. The second property at Oval Drive was built in 2000; it has one bath and 572 square feet of living area. The property at 1744 Seminole Drive was built in 2000; it has one bedroom, one bath and 1,044 square feet of living area. The property at 2160 Seminole Drive was built in 1934; it has one bedroom, one bath and 576 square feet of living area.

LA BELLASARA Margaret Ward, of Minneapolis, sold her Unit 501 condominium at 464 Golden Gate Point to Stanley and Ellen Light, of Sarasota, for $2.33 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,384 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.7 million in 2006.

HOLIDAY HARBOR Ronald and Kathy Barnett, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7755 N. Holiday Drive to Jeffrey and Carol Edgar, of Sarasota, for $1.7 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,317 square feet of living area. It sold for $970,000 in 2015.

SOUTHPOINTE SHORES K.R. Byju and Yemuna Satya, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1738 Southpointe Drive to Michael and Jami Chechel, of Milford Charter Township, Michigan, for $1.66 million. Built in 1967, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,678 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million in 2004.

THE RESIDENCES Bridget Spiess, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1405 condominium at 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive to Brent Henry and Minnie Baylor-Henry, of Boston, for $1.65 million. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,058 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.25 million in 2005.

|

SIESTA KEY

Ralph S. Twitchell George Kozma and Sharon Eis sold their home at 113 Big Pass Lane to Lani Investments of Florida LLC

for $2.7 million. Built in 1958, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 4,162 square feet of living area. It sold for $995,000 in 2000.

PALMER RANCH

The Country Club wof Sarasota Miroslav and Sarka Hornakova, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3852 Spyglass Hill Road to James Ariagno and Lisa Postle, of Woodland Hills, California, for $1.02 million. Built in 1984, it has four bedrooms, six baths, a pool and 5,018 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in 2015.

OSPREY

Casey Key Jerry and Rita Collins, of Nokomis, sold their home at 141 N. Casey Key Road to Gary Spiezio, of Osprey, for $3.33 million. Built in 1961, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,560 square feet of living area.

It sold for $2.18 million in 2015.

In with the new

BAY VIEW HEIGHTS Virginia Jerrems, of Sarasota, sold the home at 2626 Cardinal Place to SPE #201 LLC for SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 7B

SALES GALLERY OPEN

Longboat Key

These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued for the week of April 5-9, in order of dollar amounts.

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 From the $2,000,000’s Call for appointment. SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

Bradenton Riverfront Riverside Point | 941.201.8505 Home sites from $229,900 | Homes from the low $600,000s RiversidePointFlorida.com

C I T Y O F SA RAS O TA Address

Permit

Applicant

1255 N. Gulfstream Ave.

Alterations

Helen Abramowicz,

Amount $103,044

#406 trustee 2510 Novus St.

Alterations

Yevgeny Khodorkovsky $85,000

3838 Flores Ave.

Re-roof

Robert Gershen

3740 Tangier Terrace

Ramp/Boat Lift

John Folvig III

888 Boulevard of the Arts

Doors

Deborah Farrington

2959 Bay St.

Solar System

Jean Bayou

1409 Hillview Drive

Pool pavilion

Michael Milam

$22,500

1944 Grove St.

Demolition

William McFadden

$20,000

$34,500 $27,507 $26,804

MOVE-IN READY

NOW SELLING NEW PHASE

#1801/1802 $23,116

Downtown Sarasota Risdon on 5th | 941.365.1414 From the high $300,000s RisdonOn5th.com

Northwest Bradenton Palma Sola Bay Club | 941.216.7436 From the high $300,000s PalmaSolaBayClub.com

SA R A S O TA CO U N T Y Address

Permit Applicant Amount

1280 Dolphin Bay Way #401 Remodel

Pamela Kamm

$175,800

5770 Midnight Pass Road #609 Remodel

Todd Long

$120,000

6228 Weymouth Drive

Windows

Floy McWilliams

$115,000

5910 Tidewood Ave. #3

Remodel

Richard Griffith

$98,000

5704 Sunflower Circle

Pool/Spa/Deck

Nera Tuli

455 Pennsylvania Ave.

Move House

Regina De Palma

2715 Tangelo Drive

Pool/Deck

Richard Liebler

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

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

$91,130 $65,000 $61,978

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA 355167-1

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

Prices as of February 2021.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

8B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Siesta Key Bayfront Estate

Real estate FROM PAGE 7B

$1.56 million. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,876 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 1994.

3821 Flamingo Ave., Sarasota, FL 34242

 1 1⁄2 acres w/ 200 ft of Bayfront  5 BR/ 5.5 BA 5860 sq ft + guest house and 3 car garage  Dockage for 2 boats on the bay plus add’l dockage on Hanson Bayou for a 50 foot boat and lift  Built in 1925, updated and expanded to enhance the authentic character of this southern hospitality home  Verandas, brick terraces, 4 fireplaces, French doors, formal dining room

opening to private pool and expansive lawns MLS#A4496158 $6,900,000

Landings Treehouse

1543 Landings Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34231

 3 BR/ 2.5 BA2104 sq ft + garage  Live amongst lush canopy and bright greenery bringing nature into your elegant home  Vaulted ceiling, balconies in each room and skylights throughout provide an abundance of natural light  Gated community, 24-hour security,

nature trail and optional membership to the Landings Racquet Club for fitness center, heated pool, pickleball, and 8 har tru-tennis courts MLS#A4495204 $525,000

356496-1

#1 Agent in the Siesta Key Office for 29 years!

Voted Sarasota Magazine’s Five Star Agent “Best in Client Satisfaction” 14 Years in a Row Coldwell Banker - International President’s Premier Agent

Jackie

Betsy

de MANIO Eberley

de MANIO cell: 941-914-5540 office: 941-349-2922 betsy@betsydemanio.com

cell: 201-233-1959 office: 941-349-2922 Jackie@JackieEberley.com

VUE Murat Camoglu and Jorge Albert Aristizabal Restrepo, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 808 condominium at 1155 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Michael Nuremberg and Judith Schneider, of New York City, for $1.5 million. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,591 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.28 million in 2018.

MARINA TOWER Villa II LLC sold the Unit 801 condominium at 1233 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Judith Schuman, of Sarasota, for $1.21 million.

Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,940 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million in 2018.

CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY Giuseppe Casadio sold the Unit 3 condominium at 906 Boulevard of the Arts to Helen Barbara Herrott, of Sarasota, for $1.2 million. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 1,904 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 1998.

DESOTA PARK The Hibiscus Compound LLC sold the home at 1896 Hibiscus St. to Daniel and Linda Vilardo, of Sarasota, for $1.05 million.

Built in 1925, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,221 square feet of living area. It sold for $727,500 in 2017.

THE CLOISTERS AT THE LANDINGS Judith Hollingsworth, trustee, sold the home at 1403 Cedar Bay Lane to Stephen and Elizabeth Agren, of Sarasota, for $925,000.

Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 3,560 square feet of living area. It sold for $700,000 in 2012.

LAWRENCE POINTE Rosemarie Gschwendtner and Sally Rudicel, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 103 condominium at 101 Sunset Drive to Tara Adine Powers and Kevin Powers, of Crystal River, for $920,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,693 square feet of living area. It sold for $834,000 in 2016.

PLAT OF SARASOTA Cheryl Wisener, of Blairsville, Georgia, sold two properties at 301 and 305 S. Osprey Ave. to Timothy Christensen, of Racine, Wisconsin, for $875,000. The property at 301 was built in 1914; it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,491 square feet of living area. The property at 305 was built in 1975; it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,416 square feet of living area. They sold for $425,000 in 2016.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Coldwell Banker Realty Owned and Operated by NRT,LLC

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

9B

Ballet’s 30th anniversary

T

he Sarasota Ballet celebrated its 30th anniversary season April 18 as hundreds of supporters gathered at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall where they enjoyed a performance of “Birthday Offering” by Sir Frederick Ashton. Ballet Director Iain Webb thanked the audience for coming and spoke to how happy he and the company were to perform in front of a live audience.

Guests then headed outside for dinner and a paddle raise to support the company.

— HARRY SAYER

Photos by Harry Sayer

Jacqueline Morton, Jonathan Coleman, Paul Nucci and Nora Everlove

Above: Charlie Annaloro, Linda Mitchell and Teresa Samuels Left: Mercedes Soler and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva

Above: Director Iain Webb and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri Right: Diane and Bob Roskamp

BU

YE

S R/

SE

LL

BU

EL

LE

R

W ho you list with matters

SOLD OVER LIST PRICE | $6M LP

PENDING 3 DAYS | $1.399M

317 BEACH RD | $3.4M

SOLD | $3.8M LP

PENDING 3 DAYS | $995K

548 BEACH RD | $1.695M

SOLD | $2M LP

PENDING 2 DAYS | $989K

PENDING | $1.975M

ER

YE

R

YOUR HOME HAS NEVER BEEN WORTH MORE YEAR-TO-DATE SIESTA KEY’S TOP SELLING REALTOR ® SINCE 2005 • I live and sell the Siesta Key lifestyle!

• Best in client satisfaction real estate agent 15 years in a row by Sarasota Magazine

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.

355069-1

941.928.3424 | judie.berger@premiersir.com | www.homesofsarasota.com |

10B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

BEST BET

A Unique Celebrating 15Boutique Years inwith Venice of Arty Clothing in Sizes to XXL. dressing Women withXSPanache!

APRIL 23

SUNCOAST BOAT SHOW 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through April 24 at Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Hundreds of boats, accessories, clothing and other boating-related products will be on display at the 38th annual show. Daily tickets are $16, with children 15 and under admitted free. For information, visit SuncoastBoatShow.com.

• Avalin • Bali A Unique Boutique with Arty Clothing in Sizes • Et Lois • Flax XS to XXL. • Bali • Luukaa • IC Collection • Jess and Jane • cut.loose • Sympli...

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Sandy’s Closet Samples and Closeouts of Famous Labels at wholesale prices!

484-9911 • 128 W. Venice Ave. 484-9911 • 128 W. Venice Ave. www.sandysdesignerclothing.com

www.sandysdesignerclothing.com

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FO-1900800

Sandy’s Closet Samples and Closeouts of Famous Labels at wholesale prices!

File photo

Randall Hinely with his boat at a past Suncoast Boat Show

COMMUNITY APRIL 24

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 and 25 at Five Points Park at Central Avenue, First Street and North Pineapple Avenue. Art, jewelry, sculptures and other work are expected for the two-day annual event. Admission is free. For more information, visit VisitSarasota. com.

356237-1

Advance ticket purchase required

‘IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO’ 1:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. The Sarasota Opera will present this 90-minute operatic comedy from

Gioachino Rossini both in person and virtually. Tickets start at $23.

For information, visit SarasotaOpera.org.

APRIL 29

SAILOR CIRCUS PRESENTS ‘A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES’ Afternoon and evening performances are planned through Sunday, May 2 at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. A movie-themed performance will feature acrobatics, juggling, roller skates and more. Tickets start at $20 for both live and virtual audiences. For information, go to CircusArts.org.

If you’re wondering what a gift to the Healthcare Foundation can do,

Ask a stroke patient.

Kati had a stroke at her gym. At the time, she couldn’t talk but she could think. She worried that her children might grow up with a single parent—as she did.

The Healthcare Foundation has provided grants for stroke telespecialists and life-saving, high-tech equipment such as the Rapid iSchemaView enabling physicians to make faster, more accurate diagnostic and treatment decisions for stroke patients.

Kati says that thanks to the SMH stroke team and the support of the Healthcare Foundation, her family remains intact.

Every gift can make a difference to someone, including you.

Together we strengthen healthcare.

349324-1

Give today.

941.917.1286 | smhf.org A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION WILL USE THE FUNDS FOR THE STATED PURPOSE BUT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE THE GIFT IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE IF THE STATED PURPOSE IS IMPOSSIBLE OR IMPRACTICAL TO ACHIEVE.

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

Submit your photos at YourObserver. com/ Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 202122 Weather and Nature photo contest.

In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

High: 84 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 4%

FRIDAY, APRIL 23 High: 88 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 8%

SATURDAY, APRIL 24 High: 86 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 7%

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

Judith Horn captured this photo of a great blue heron at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

High: 83 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 58%

|

11B

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, April 22

6:58a 7:57p

Friday, April 23

6:57a

7:58p

Saturday, April 24

6:56a

7:59p

Sunday, April 25

6:55a

7:59p

Monday, April 26

6:54a

8:00p

Tuesday, April 27

6:53a

8:00p

Wednesday, April 28

6:52a

8:01p

MOON PHASES

May 11 New

May 19 First

May 26 Full

June 2 Last

RAINFALL Monday, April 12

1.96

Tuesday, April 13

0

Wednesday, April 14

0

Thursday, April 15

0

Friday, April 16

0

Saturday, April 17

0

Sunday, April 18

0

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2021 8.82 in.

2021 4.09 in.

2020 5.72 in.

2020 1.74 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 349215-1

CROSSWORD

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 That sow 4 Surfer’s bud 8 Slamming, as a door 15 Yukon SUV maker 18 Unlikely story 20 1987 cyberpunk film 21 Regatta stick 22 “Feel like enjoying the beach hut together?” / “Up for splitting the fare, Ms. Gasteyer?”

24 Fight finisher, briefly 25 Break up 26 “The ___ Squad” 27 Bark sound 28 Chop

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

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your vacation, Mr. Luthor!”

110 Travel permit 113 Suffix for “lime” 114 Money exec 115 Word before “heat” or “humor” 116 Judge’s perch 117 Diarist Anais 118 “You call this a mushroom?!” / “This seems dull, Mr. Grissom!”

124 Trawling need 125 Assumption 126 Coppertop battery brand 127 “Heehaw!” source 128 Fiery insects 129 Boatloads 130 Ctrl-Alt-___

49 New York City’s ___ River 50 Risque 51 Kindle purchase 52 South Korea’s capital 53 It may be home-cooked 57 Stir-fry vessels 60 ___ Mahal 61 Tractor-trailer 62 Numero after due 63 ___ crust (elite) 64 Falafel holders 66 Jack’s value in blackjack 69 Pesto vegetable, at times 70 “Downton Abbey” countess Crawley 71 Bad, as a loser 72 Cabo’s peninsula 73 Some cosmetics bellringers 74 Marquee boxing matches DOWN 78 Leave home but not go 1 Was atrocious too far?

2 “Gimme that!”

79 Newspaper essay 3 Pacific climate woe 80 Ties the knot 4 “Dynamite” K-pop band 83 Explosive letters 5 Shout from the stands 87 Number of spaces in 6 Los ___, New Mexico tic-tac-toe 7 Everglades wader 88 Flat-topped hill 8 Garment with cups 90 Canal to the Hudson 9 Member of “The Squad” 91 Immense from NYC 10 Hawks’ and Hornets’ org. 92 Qatari leader 93 Times past 11 Survivalist’s kit 94 Muscular “Guardians of 12 He flew too close to the the Galaxy” character sun 95 Watson’s co.

13 Like some yogurt 101 “More!” at a concert 14 College app stat 102 Combed (through) 15 Tied the knot 104 Ocean motion 16 Flip out in public 29 Tattoo canvas 55 Lincoln, familiarly 82 Glowing 105 Take off on a plane trip 17 Royal symbol 30 “Sit atop a caretaker’s 56 Amazement 84 Sound receiver 106 Made level 19 Long.’s counterpart shoulders!” / “Stay alert, Mr. 58 180 degrees from WSW 85 Ready for harvest 107 ___-Barbera 22 Director Anderson Fleming!”

59 Primary 86 “Come along!”

108 What breaks up $1,000?

23 Ice cream brand 37 Apt things to put in the 61 Move closer to a screen, 89 “Don’t reveal how you 109 Italian fashion house 30 Taekwondo level indicator dryer? say lost weight!” / “Persevere, 111 Regatta boat 31 Fitzgerald of jazz 39 Clearance event 65 Horse’s morsel Mr. Danson!”

32 Kiln hidden in “roasting” 112 Sounds of understanding 40 Strong ales 67 Thieves’ hangout 116 2021 Super Bowl champ 33 Forearm bone 97 Most popular ride at 41 What it takes to tango 68 “Don’t forget the deli 118 “Ask Me Another” 34 Tush Disneyland?

43 “OK, ___ bite!” spears!” / “Any is fine, Mr. network 35 Lounging wear 98 Crystal ball, for one 44 Suddenly bite Paul!”

119 Yang’s complement 99 Google revenue sources 36 Pairs 46 Lawn game 72 Punch sound 120 Real ending?

38 Nintendo console 100 They fit into 105-Across 48 “Switch the machine 75 Mess around musically 121 “Moines” lead-in 41 Weary worker’s cry off and on!” / “Enough, Mr. 76 Regular lifters, informally? 103 “Really, though?”

122 To’s partner 42 Crowdsourced site 77 “Fuhgeddaboudit!”

105 Glasses choices Garfunkel!”

123 Admirer 45 School grp.

81 “Queen Sugar” creator 107 “This fine three-story 53 Interlocked 47 Idyllic garden 54 KALLAX shelf unit seller DuVernay place is on me!” / “Enjoy

CONVERSATION PARTNERS by Freddie Cheng; Edited by David Steinberg

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“G MN WIY ZSMPVLEP EA GNNGZSMPWL ASEN BMFMP DIE DYPW WE MNYSGXM, JECVCU ZEGPZ WE M LWSMPZY PYD DESCV.” – ZYESZY WMRYG

“PTJEDKJCRCFCZI VCZODHZ EDVTP, ZOT GSZT DG ZOT JTXPTZSPI ZOPDHBO ZOT SBTJ.”

– SPCTF NDPGASK Puzzle Two Clue: N equals D

Sarasota

OUTDOOR KITCHENS, DECKS, WALKWAYS AND MORE

Puzzle One Clue B equals J

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

04-22-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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941-270-4400.

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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.

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

HAYWOOD POOL Pump with heater good condition. $150 941-348-6703 HOOVER AND Shark hard floor cleaners, like new, $45 each, Total Vibration exercise machine $100 941-925-3084 HUSQVARNA WEED whacker, new, used once, Model 179L $150, Black & Decker shears $20 941-776-3417

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less.

Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236 4 KITCHEN counter 24” highchairs, white metal, reddish gold cushions, $10 each.

941-923-3386 ALABASTER LAMP $100; 10+ blue/white vases, etc. $75.

941-922-1096 or 941-242-0203 ARMOIRE, TOMMY Bahamastyle...34-1/2x24x71, $65, Matching Queen Headboard, $35. 941-321-1808 BEACH WAGON new $50 941-284-3813 CONCRETE DOLPHIN statue, 2 ft $70, Waterford paperweight $65, knee pillow $25, metal garden trellis $15 941-359-8460

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

FAMILY SECURITY DRIVER 941-735-4732.

Ask for Eddie.

Many years experience with rock stars, wild teens, children, elderly, and foreign families.

Feel safe, Be safe 24/7 Licensed and Legal.

SHERWIN WILLIAMS dotation interior latex paint, 3 cans, believable buff color, never been used. $100 941-539-1596 SOFA, 6 1/2 ft. Plush, like new.

Downsizing, picture available. $165 941-358-5313 WHITE SIDE by side fridge, 22 cf, water and ice in door $200 941-321-5136 WOOD OFFICE desk $200 obo. 941-228-9131

941-955-4888 PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

Boats FISHING CHARTER 30 ft. luxury charter in shore or offshore 941-312-5772

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales ESTATE SALE 9 - 2 Fri. Apr. 23 9 – 12 Sat. Apr. 24 891 Freeling Dr. – Siesta Key Queen & 4 poster bed set, leather chairs, pair of love seats, 4 very nice area rugs, very nice dining table, dinette set, 4 leather seat bar stools, 3 Trek & 1 Raleigh bike, 2 hall or sofa tables, lamps, 4 electric theater chairs, pair of benches, mirror, serving cabinet, 2 desks, butcher block, pool table, stemware, Murano glass, coffee tables, 2 kayaks, game table & lots more.

See pix & more details: www.estatesales.net Sale by Julie McClure

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

You’re only cheating yourself.

Items Under $200

WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Autos Service

peekers’ place

stuff

FOUNTAIN PEN set.1970s.

Osmiroid #75 pen, 6 22K nibs, ink, 3 books. Ex. cond.

(941) 966-6816

LOCAL COLLECTOR pays cash for flags, guns, medals, helmets, war souvenirs, military items ours/theirs.

941-323-9417.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

Help Wanted

Help Wanted SALES ASSOCIATE Seeking year-round PT/FT salesperson.

Applicant should be an energetic team player with strong customer service skills. Experience preferred. sarasota@breezinup.com

This week’s Crossword answers

SALES ASSOCIATE Seeking year-round PT/FT salesperson.

Applicant should be an energetic team player with strong customer service skills.

Experience preferred. sarasota@breezinup.com

SELL YOUR STUFF FOR FREE! Items Up to $200

YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “I am the grandson of immigrants from Japan who went to America, boldly going to a strange new world.”

George Takei Puzzle Two Solution: “Responsibility without power, the fate of the secretary through the ages.”

– Ariel Dorfman

This week’s Sudoku answers

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ELECTRICAL WORLD and Engineering magazines 1899-1901, approximately 10, $1 each, wonderful photos and ads. 941-921-1815

Merchandise Wanted

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

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

jobs

Items Under $200

auto

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

We’ll SWEEP you off your feet!

RED PAGES

SARASOTA OBSERVER

WANTED- LBK Beachfront Condo Searching for LBK updated oceanfront condo to rent. 2BR/2Ba with heated pool, tennis court. No pets, non smoking quiet complex.

Annual rental. Property managers/realtors/owners welcome. (423) 736-8326

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE! CALL 941-955-4888 WRITER SEEKS affordable, COVID-Safe mother-in-law suite or private room. I’m quiet, clean, professional & discreet.

Will caretake or housesit for snowbirds.

Excellent references.

941-271-1778.

GREAT FINDS LOCATED HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Aluminum

Adult Care Services

SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

Epic Home Care Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s CareLight Cleaning Med AdministrationMeal Prep Shopping, Errands & More

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Call for a FREE Evaluation!

941-536-6372 EpicHomeCare@yahoo.com Rosa Torres- Owner

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction. 941-400-2866.

355958

HoHoBuysCars.com

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.

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

New & Refurbished Computers Servicing PC & MAC on Site or In Shop Virus and Spyware Removal- Free Software We Make Windows 10 User-Friendly!

5-Star Rated

DON’T THROW YOUR COMPUTER OUT THE WINDOW – CALL LORITECH!

6968 Beneva Road

354934

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

941.270.4400

Painting

Computer

FAST • EASY • SAFE

Owner / Operator Insured

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

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria. Residential.

Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

SELL YOUR CAR! Dustin Yoder

Landscaping/ Lawn Services

Cleaning

WE COME TO YOU

13B

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Auto Transport

Auto Service

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

|

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

356311

real estate

Rentals Wanted

home services

YourObserver.com

941-929-9095

Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

Realtors

Hardware Repair Virus / Malware Cleanup Software & Printer Install New Computer Setups New Purchase Consults Seniors & Beginners

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

354939

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362 Concrete State Lic. CR CO25291

LACIVITA CONCRETE Since 1967

Residential Concrete Specialist Patios - Driveways - Sidewalks

3680493-01

922-3157

355558

Michael Koch Concrete, Inc. Driveways • Sidewalks

Servicing the Sarasota area since 1999

356310

Also Laying Stone

Reasonable Prices

TREASURES

found here.

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

Licensed & Insured

918-8587

Free Estimates

334711

“No Job Too Small”

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Doors

CREATE A LOT OF BUZZ!

Handyman

Sliding Glass Door Repair

Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.

CONSTRUCTION HANDYMAN • Home Repairs & Maintenance • Interior & Exterior • Garage Floor Paint • Power Wash

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Naji Aoun 355504

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

941.504.2745 941.400.1563

355506

14B

Doors

• Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Licensed Lic. #38333 References

“OUR ESTIMATES & ADVICE ARE FREE”

(941) 504-3168

RIGHT

ON TARGET

Call us today!

941.628.8579 355513

www.ezslider.com

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

OBSERVER RED PAGES Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad YourObserver.com/RedPages

356308

DON’T let your PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your WINDOWS be a PANE!!

✦ Carpentry ✦ Indoors ✦ Remodeling ✦ Ceramic Tile ✦ Water & Fire Damage ✦ Kitchen/Baths

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Handyman

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S

GRAB BARS

ome epaiR eRvice • No JoB Too SmaLL • ScReeN RepaiRS • paiNTiNG/DRY WaLL • TiLe RepaiRS • & MUCH MORE!

235

355963

Health

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Licensed

DrGrabBars.com COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

356305

THE GRAB BAR GUY

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA “Medical Breakthrough Technology for bulging, herniated and degenerative disc ...

No Pain, No Drugs, No Injections, No Surgery”

Roofing

LEAKY ROOF? Gulf Gate RoofinG inc.

38 Years Experience

Specializing in Re-Roofing & Repairs

GLENN KROECKER

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

954-1878

University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

All Work Guaranteed

355524

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936 355571

373-9299

724-2945

Lic. & Ins.

356303

Find anything in the RED PAGES | 941-955-4888

Movers

Pinnacle Home Watch.com Stop Worrying About Your Home While Away Dave and Connie Grundy

Wizard Moving SRQ

For $110 per hour you get: A truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to

Rita Raimer

Ray - 941-313-4538

Licensed and insured #IMT708

Painting

Faulkner’s

Doors and more!

Windows

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Painting & Pressure Cleaning

Driveways Deck Staining Roof Cleaning

Res./Com.

Free Estimate 941-922-3996

High Tech Home Watch and Concierge Service available Who is checking the house while you are gone?

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

• 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 Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

Power Washing

355569

Pressure Washing

PALMER RANCH HOMEWATCHERS®

Pressure Washing

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

Honesty, Integrity and Pride • Roofs • PoolCages Cages•• Decks Decks ••Driveways • Roofs • Pool Driveways • Deck/Paver Sealing • Gutter Cleaning • Deck/PaverAnd Sealing • And Much More Much More!

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

356138

355570

Licensed & Insured

941-544-1066 Italian American Owned

ows

120

25

$

STANDARD WINDOWS

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00 5

$

Watching your home while you’re away

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

354946

General Plumbing Services Inc.

Lic./Ins.

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 eani et W(941) s n ng s a S u n u n w r o i s n e k Wind S erly UP TO

Plumbing

HighTechHomeWatch.com Rita@hightechhomewatch.com

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

Retired Police Officer

941-315-2415

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

make your moving day a pleasure.

351320

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999

Screening 355964

Home Services

354945

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance

3687676-01

CALL 941-955-4888

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007

Building & Roofing Contractor

Curt’s Lawn Service

Showcase your products or services each week in the Red Pages.

Fully Insured

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Lawn Care

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

BONDED/INSURED

Joe Murray, Owner

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

356301

FREE CONSULTATION

354940

Call John 941.377.2940

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a

941-228-9850

356307

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Insured

941-270-1561

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

355522

“No Job Too Small”

10% OFF FOR MENTIONING THIS AD

LIFETIME GUARANTEE

INCLUDES 2 MOEN STAINLESS STEEL ANTI SLIP CONCEALED SCREW GRAB BARS (16” & 24”)

This Doctor is Among

RED PAGES

941.966.0333

$

355510

ESTIMATES!

Eldridge Re-Screen

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880 AFTER

BEFORE

| scaperotta@aol.com

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE RED PAGES

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

355512

FREE

809-7311

24/7 SERVICE

Rescreening & Repairs

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

15B

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

|

16B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

DOING MORE IS OUR DISTINCTION

$

WWW.SCHEMMELGROUP.COM

CLOSED IN 2020

PENDING

S I E S TA K E Y 1 2 7 5 P O R T L A N E | $1 , 8 5 0,0 0 0 Stunning bay views and boating water.

PR E S TA N C I A 4 2 01 L A S PA L M A S WAY | $1 , 2 9 5 ,0 0 0 Sprawling home with lake and golf course views.

NEW LISTING

LO N G B OAT K E Y 4 3 5 L’A M B I A N C E D RI V E #J 4 0 3 | $ 2 , 5 8 5 ,0 0 0 Beachfront condominium on Longboat Key.

$

100

MILLION

CLOSED OR PENDING IN 2021

S I E S TA K E Y 8 4 2 3 M I D N I G H T PA S S R OA D | $7, 9 9 5 ,0 0 0 Grand waterfront estate with 100 feet of frontage.

S I E S TA K E Y 8 2 1 8 S A N D E R L I N G R OA D | $14 ,0 0 0,0 0 0 The ultimate beachfront compound encompassing over 4 acres on Siesta Key.

PENDING

104

MILLION

NEW LISTING

D OW N TOW N SA R A S OTA 101 S O U T H G U L F S T R E A M AV E N U E # 6 C | $ 3 4 6 ,0 0 0 Great downtown location.

G O L D EN G AT E P O I N T 1 2 8 G O L D E N G AT E P O I N T # 9 01- #10 01 | $ 3 ,49 5 ,0 0 0 Three-story penthouse in one of the best locations in downtown Sarasota.

Listing inventory is at a historically low level not seen in many years.

As a result of our extensive marketing reach and in-depth understanding of the local market, we can provide you with the best possible experience when selling your home. If you are considering selling, now is the time. Please contact us!

JOEL SCHEMMEL, J.D., REALTOR® 941.587.4894 | JOEL.SCHEMMEL@PREMIERSIR.COM SHARON CHIODI, REALTOR® 941.809.0380 | SHARON.CHIODI@PREMIERSIR.COM SCHEMMELGROUP

SCHEMMELGROUP

SCHEMMELGROUP

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 and neither suggests nor infers that Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted.

355074-1

SCHEMMELGROUP

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

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THURSDAY PRINT DISTRIBUTION 60,000

The Observers* 50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

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Sarasota Observer Longboat Observer East County Observer Siesta Key Observer

Sarasota Herald-Tribune** 31,712 Bradenton Herald*** 18,632

10,000

*Source: Verified Audit Circulation Annual Audit ending March 31, 2020. **Source: Alliance for Audited Media Annual Audit ending Dec. 31, 2019, does not include Venice and North Port in Sarasota or Charlotte counties. ***Source: Alliance for Audited Media, 24 months ending Dec. 31, 2019.

Pick up your FREE copy of The Observer every Thursday.

For the nearest location: YourObserver.com/rack-locations 355730-1

BRIDGE April 2021 Issue

Quarterly Member Magazine

From the CEO Page 2

New Team Members Page 6

New in Membership

100 YEARS

Pages 12-13

Leadership Sarasota Pages 14-15

THE CENTENNIAL MURALS Pages 8-9

Click here to Read the April 2021 BRIDGE Magazine: https://issuu.com/greatersarasotachamber/docs/2021_april_bridge_magazine