Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 1.15.26

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Observer

Grit, guts and grace.

PAGE 8A

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

VOLUME 21, NO. 49

YOUR TOWN

City manager field cut to 42 Sarasota leaders move ahead with semi-finalist interviews as March deadline looms. SEE PAGE 5A

Ian Swaby

Ciera Coleman and Alissa Silvers

A dedicated artistic effort During the Community Paint Day and Kids’ Wellness Fair on Nov. 15, more than 100 volunteers added their own brushstrokes to a mural inspired by Sarasota’s coastal beauty on the lifeguard building at Arlington Park Aquatic Complex.

The project entered the spotlight again Jan. 12, as the city hosted a dedication ceremony, attended by artist Alissa Silvers, who led the project.

“This work responds beautifully to its surroundings,” said Jonathan Parks, chair of the Public Art Committee. “Flowing forms, wavelength movements and bold personal color echo Sarasota’s coastal energy and native landscape, while subtle aquatic details tie the artwork directly to this beloved place.”

Ian Swaby

Third graders Silas Swor and Misha Reus perform in “Button Up Your Overcoat,” celebrating the 1930s.

Courtesy photo

The ribbon is cut by a group that included, in part, Becky van der Bogert, Claudia Cardillo, Jennifer Vigne, Jim Tollerton, Tom Koski, Thomas Williams and Olga Pliner.

Southside reels in the years School’s centennial event goes whimsically back, all the way to 1924. SEE PAGE 2B

A workspace to support learning For 37 years, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County was headquartered at The Landings, the School District of Sarasota County’s administrative complex.

However, as its reach expanded, its presence became centered in the community.

On Jan. 12, the foundation held a ribbon-cutting for its office at 2000 Webber St., officially naming the space the Tom and Sherry Koski LaunchPad for donors Tom and Sherry Koski.

The office’s features include expanded capacity for meetings and community gatherings and a podcast studio. $0.10

A+E

St. Armands chalks up win City, Circle celebrate award of millions to help pay for drainage upgrades.

SEE PAGE 3A S.T. Cardinal

Chris Goglia has been president of the St. Armands Residents Association since 2020. He has been part of the effort to secure more funding to fix St. Armands Circle’s flooding issues.

Put a little fiber in your art diet.

INSIDE

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

WEEK OF JAN. 15, 2026

“We have spent the last year refining the center, the design, and taking the feedback from the community and taking the feedback from our elected officials.”

Area hospitals highly ranked by Forbes Four hospitals in Manatee and Sarasota counties were listed among Florida’s best on a recent ranking

by Forbes magazine’s 2026 Top Hospitals survey.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s main campus, its Venice campus and HCA Florida Doctors Hospital in Sarasota were among the 29 statewide medical facilities named by Forbes.

It was the first year Forbes compiled such a list, which totaled 253 facilities with five-star rankings and 509 with four-star rankings. More than 5,400 were considered initially, the magazine said.

Only SMH-Sarasota received a five-star overall ranking from the magazine. Forbes said its main focus was on clinical patient outcomes.

Tania Castroverde Moskalenko on updates to the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Read more on page 12A

BY THE NUMBERS 4.5 MILLION

Passengers traveling through Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in 2025, an all-time record for SRQ YOUROBSERVER.COM

<$300 MILLION

The updated projected cost for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center PAGE 12A

Patterson Foundation names new executive

2005

The year Gov. Jeb. Bush visited Southside Elementary to sign a bill making the orange the state fruit PAGE 8B

CALENDAR n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1960 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance)

Courtesy photo

The property at 7366 Point of Rocks Road includes 180 feet of Gulf frontage.

Siesta home joins $20+ million listings

A

three-story waterfront estate on Siesta Key has hit the market for $26 million.

At 7366 Point of Rocks Road, the property spans nearly 1 acre and includes more than 180 feet of Gulf frontage. Among the highlights are the infinity-edge pool that appears to merge with the Gulf, multiple terraces and an elevator.

At 10,600 square feet of interior space and more than 20,000 square feet total, the property provides a “grand yet effortless indoor-outdoor lifestyle, ideal for both elevated

entertaining and daily living,” according to the listing.

The Spanish colonialinspired estate was designed by Sarasota-based CMSA Architects and built in 2020 by Jackson & Associates General Contractors, also of Sarasota. It includes five bedrooms, five full baths and two half-bathrooms. Tucked on its own wing, the primary suite comes with a stone-surround tub, double-entry shower, coffee bar and two custom closets.

In addition to a large island kitchen with Subzero and Wolf appliances, the home features a

prep kitchen, wine room and bar plus fireplace-anchored great room. An outdoor kitchen is complemented by a wraparound bar.

Currently, there are three existing houses listed in Sarasota County for more than $20 million, including a home on Sarasota Bay was listed for $22 million in the Indian Beach neighborhood. A home Oyster Bay Estates was listed in December as the most expensive listing in Sarasota County at $26.4 million.

The Patterson Foundation has selected a new vice president of community impact. The fully endowed charity named Julio Suarez to lead the organization’s mission to bridge philanthropic strategy, impact investing innovation and community engagement to advance its mission to strengthen people, organizations and communities.

Suarez brings more than 20 years of experience in philanthropic and mission-driven leadership. He joins The Patterson Foundation from DRiWaterstone Human Capital, where he was managing director. In this role, he led executive searches and strategic consulting efforts for foundations, nonprofits and missiondriven organizations nationwide.

Prior to DRiWaterstone, Suarez previously worked as head of the Anheuser-Busch Foundation and community affairs for AB InBev, where he oversaw $15 million in annual giving, and was director of the Darden Restaurants Inc. Foundation.

Suarez will lead the development and implementation of The Patterson Foundation’s impact investing program across Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

456636-1

TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

2A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

3A

NOW All appears normal in some areas of St. Armands Circle, such

as the sidewalk and landscaping aside Columbia Restaurant. About 40 storefronts, however, remain vacant 15 months after Hurricane Milton.

THEN

Images of the mud at the waterline of storefronts on St. Armands Circle serve as reminders of the flooding caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

‘A SENSE OF

ACCOMPLISHMENT’ As planning begins on how best to spend $13.5 million in Resilient SRQ funds, St. Armands businesses and residences celebrate a respite from frequent flooding.

Photos by Andrew Warfield

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A

t a cursory glance, all appears to have returned to normal at St. Armands Circle. Street parking spaces are filled, restaurants are brimming with patrons, shops are welcoming customers and freshly replaced landscaping paints a lush, colorful backdrop.

A deeper look, though, reveals persistent reminders of the 2024 hurricane season and the devastation wrought by Helene and Milton as storm surge and heavy rains combined to overwhelm the already problematic drainage system that, in recent years, has proven inadequate even for abnormal rain events.

Of the 130 ground-level business spaces along St. Armands Circle, approximately 90 are now occupied.

Some storefronts remain boarded 15 months after Hurricane Milton — a direct hit — finished off what Helene — a glancing yet disastrous blow — started. In the residential areas primarily on the northern half of the key, many erstwhile single-story homes built at ground level remain vacant or their lots cleared as construction of new, code-required resilient homes signal hope for the future.

Residents, commercial property owners and merchants for years have

WHERE THEY GO

Places visited in Sarasota County in fiscal year Oct. 1, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025.

Downtown Sarasota, 67% Lido Key, 58% Siesta Key, 56% St. Armands Circle, 53% Longboat Key, 28% Venice, 23% Lakewood Ranch, 16% Casey Key, 14% Englewood, 6% North Port, 6% Manasota Key, 4%

Source: Downs & St. Germain Research

WHERE THEY COME FROM Trend data from Visit Sarasota County’s research platform for July-September 2025 indicates of those spending their time and money in St. Armands: 31% were local residents.

21% were visitors from within a 50-mile radius of St. Armands outside of Sarasota County.

48% were visitors from outside of a 50-mile radius of St. Armands.

Source: Zartico

lodged complaints and concerns with the city and county about St. Armands’ aging stormwater infrastructure and its increasing inability to prevent flooding even from storms that fall far short of tropical weather events.

Albeit tragically, the 2024 hurricane season proved their case, which thanks to a $210 million federal grant for countywide resilience projects has now captured the attention of Sarasota County government.

As in the rest of the Sarasota city limits, stormwater mitigation on St. Armands is managed by the county via interlocal agreement among the two governmental entities. On Dec. 16, the Sarasota County Commission allocated $13.5 million in federal disaster recovery grants — known colloquially as Resilient SRQ — to pair with nearly $500,000 in city funding to devise a system to drain St. Armands more efficiently.

The city had requested $24.5 million but was in competition with infrastructure project requests by the county, other county municipalities, nonprofit organizations and others, all vying for more than $174 million in applications for an available $57 million tranche.

“I’d like to give as much as we can to St. Armands because I think it’s critical,” said Commissioner Teresa Mast during the allocation discussion. “I wish we had enough for all of that. We don’t.”

A COMMUNITY EFFORT

St. Armands advocates worked to martial their forces prior to that Dec. 16 meeting. Chris Goglia, the president of St. Armands Residents’ Association, urged his membership to make the trip to Venice to speak before the commission. Many did, and were joined by city of Sarasota and even Longboat Key officials.

“In the six years I’ve been doing this and covering a lot of issues, that was probably the best turnout ever,” Goglia said of the show of force.

Lobbying ranged from describing St. Armands as a major tourist attraction and key economic driver for the county to being the lone point of access to and from the southern end of Longboat Key. It is crucial, then, for its streets to not remain impassible, as they have in the past, for days or even weeks at a time.

Among the speakers was Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock, who was perhaps the most pointed in his message.

“This is a county project. This is county infrastructure, and it serves a region of the county that you’ve heard is very important,” Bullock, who is also a former Longboat Key town manager, told commissioners at the meeting. “Designed in 2004, it was designed to handle rain events and to clear the streets. It’s not going to stop storm surge. Most of the people here understand that, but what it stopped doing was clearing the streets. ...

“You own it. You operate it. You maintain it, and you charge for that. But more important, this is a keystone element in a region of the county that is probably unparalleled in its contribution to the county’s economy.”

Visit Sarasota County does not possess data to quantify the economic impact of St. Armands’ commercial district, but its research shows it attracted 53% of all visitors to the county in fiscal year 2025, which ended on Sept. 30.

This despite businesses and restaurants being shut down for months, if not for the entire season, in the aftermath of the storms. St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Rachel Burns said that reality check caught the attention of county officials she says have long “kicked the can down the road” when it came to the Key’s failing drainage infrastructure.

“I do believe there was some fear that the thought was this was a 100year storm and we can just put this off again,” said Burns, whose organization represents the merchants of St. Armands Circle. “We are getting $13.5 million, we’re going to be able to address some issues and I think it’s the start of a plan.”

That plan is already under development. Shortly after the Dec. 16 meeting, city of Sarasota Public Works Director Nikesh Patel met with Ben Quartermaine, who directs the county’s new stormwater division spun off from the county’s Public Works department, and came away feeling confident the total $14 million investment will address the urgent needs.

“We feel that this is a win. It’s a significant, targeted investment for one of the most vulnerable and economic important areas of the county,” Patel said.

A CLEAN SLATE

Although preliminary planning has yet to begin, Quartermaine said in a statement the project envisions retrofitting existing stormwater

pump stations to increase the level of service. The goal is to retrofit the system to accommodate the 100year storm and maintain evacuation access. County staff intends to brief the design firm on the current system and its known issues.

But Patel said early focus is on pump station upgrades for more storage capacity, possibly supplementing them with additional pumps; generator upgrades for greater reliability during power outages; and improving the system of tidal check valves and outfalls to better manage the perfect storm of tidal surge pushing seawater into the pipes already filled with existing rainwater.

Patel said, “I don’t want to say that it’s going to be a full revamp, but there may be additional pumps out there, but I don’t speak on behalf of them. They will have to go through design and permitting to determine what’s going to meet the resiliency and the flood mitigation. It’s going to be close to a $14 million project to address what we can with the funding that we got, you know.”

Design for flood mitigation on St. Armands most likely will not mirror the city’s project request.

Instead, the County Commission instructed Quartermaine to work with the city to determine how to most efficiently spend the $13.5 million plus the city’s contribution to achieve the most effective result.

Goglia said in advance of Dec. 16 he wasn’t certain if any amount would be applied to St. Armands and is pleased with the county’s allocation.

“There’s a sense of accomplishment. I think residents and business owners really worked hard over two to three months to ask for this funding,” he said. “This investment is going to be made over the next three years, so it’s nothing that’s going to immediately fix everything, but I just think everyone, after surviving two hurricanes last year, has a longer term view now.

“We’re very positive that, over time, things are going to get better.”

Sarasota Public Works Director Nikesh Patel helped lead the city’s efforts to secure $13.5 million in Resilient SRQ funding to address persistent flooding on St. Armands.

“I’d like to give as much as we can to St. Armands because I think it’s critical.

I wish we had enough for all of that.

We don’t.”

— Teresa Mast, commissioner

Of some 130 ground-level commercial spaces on St. Armands Circle, approximately 90 are open for business at St. Armands Circle. Several reminders of the flood damage remain in the form of boarded storefronts.

4A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

CURRENT

S H O W R O O M F O R S A L LY T R O U T I N T E R I O R D E S I G N

SALE O U R B I G G E S T & O N LY

ALMOST EVERY THING

50% OFF

Caregivers Forum 2026 Connect • Educate • Support

Keynote: Derrick M. DeSilva, Jr., M.D

Friday, February 6, 2026 8 am – 12 pm

Chairwomen: Paula Falk and Pam Polowski

Harvest House Venue 3650 17th Street, Sarasota 34235

This morning retreat is for you… those new to caregiving and those well into their caregiving journey.

Justin R. Bryant, DO, MBA, FACOS, FACS

Medical School: Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK

Limited seats available, secure your spot today!

$25 tickets: SFC2026.eventbrite.com Media Sponsor

Media Sponsor

455936-1

Media Sponsor

PUBLIC NOTICES

Fellowships: Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC; Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Accepting New Patients!

(941) 262-4001

FIRST PHYSICIANS GROUP

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

First Physicians Group Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Waldemere Medical Plaza

AUDITOR INFORMATION Circulation Verified Council 12166 Old Big Bend Road, Suite 210 | St Louis, MO 63122 314-966-7111 | www.cvcaudit.com

Residencies: Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Tulsa, OK; Beaumont Health, Farmington Hills, MI

1921 Waldemere Street, Ste. 301, Sarasota, FL 34239 smhfpg.com

456185-1

For more information call Senior Friendship Centers, Georgann Nugent, (941) 556-3216.

Media Sponsor

First Physicians Group Welcomes

Board Certification: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by American Osteopathic Board of Surgery

Breakfast • Speakers • Panel Discussions Senior Service Resources • Bring your questions!

RIS ARRIS LY AMILY

W

hat began as a project to replace aging and failing pipes and remodel bathrooms at Sarasota City Hall morphed into a 17-month odyssey with the closure of the only public restrooms in the building. That left attendees of City Commission meetings sometimes scrambling to access two available stalls in the attached City Hall Annex and a temporary portable restroom facility parked outside of the building from July 2024 to January 2026.

The duration of the project became the butt of jokes around City Hall, but there was good reason that what was intended as a simple project morphed into a complete remodel at a cost of $659,811.

As workers unearthed the 60-year-old water and sewer lines

they found brittle, fragile iron vessels buried beneath the floor, the extent of the deterioration requiring a slow, measured approach to the rehabilitation, according to Communications General Manager Jan Thornburg.

Proper mitigation required erection of temporary walls extending into the City Hall lobby to accommodate digging more broadly and deeply into the ground beneath the building than was anticipated. The result of the project are two new, gleaming restrooms that will greet visitors.

With no fanfare, ribbon cutting or speeches delivered by city officials, the new facilities opened on Jan. 5.

But be forewarned: The genderspecific rooms were swapped with the men’s room now to the left and women’s room to the right, so be sure to carefully examine the designations before entering.

Dr. Bryant is a board-certified plastic surgeon with fellowship-training in both microsurgery and craniofacial reconstructive surgery. He offers the most advanced approaches to breast reconstruction including microvascular reconstruction. He also specializes in reconstruction from head to toe for patients of all ages, including oncologic reconstruction, lower extremity reconstruction and limb salvage.

Caregiving begins with self-care.

THE HARRIS FAMILY

City Hall bathrooms reopen after 15-month rehab project STAFF WRITER

457185-1

8 3 C O C O A N U T AV E 941-953-4418 M O N D AY - F R I D AY 1 1 : 0 0 - 4 : 0 0

Andrew Warfield

The interior of the new restrooms at Sarasota City Hall feature tile walls and an architectural feature on the ceilings.

ANDREW WARFIELD

ACCESSORIES · ART · LIGHTING · FURNITURE

456103-1

THE

D E S I G N E R WA R E H O U S E

YourObserver.com

5A

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

City mulls 42 candidates for new manager

THE FIELD The list of 42 candidates for city manager ranked by score by search firm Sumter Local Government Consulting. To view all candidate resumes, visit SarasotaFL.gov and click on City Manager Search on the home page.

Candidate, current/ most recent location Thomas Thomas, Bloomington, IL

With Sarasota Interim City Manager Dave Bullock’s planned departure on March 6, the City Commission now faces urgency to name a new permanent chief executive.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

T

hey come from as near as Sarasota and Port Charlotte and from as far as Stockton, California. Some are retired career military — one a Navy rear admiral — and another has a law degree. Some have more than 10 years of experience as a city manager, others none at all.

There are 42 candidates for Sarasota’s next city manager, pared from an application pool of 87.

With a March 6 sunset of Dave Bullock’s tenure as the city’s second interim city manager looming, the Sarasota City Commission held its first open meeting with Warren Hutmacher of Sumter Local Government Consulting on Jan. 13. The

CITY MANAGER CANDIDATE RANKING METHODOLOGY Management experience Points City manager 1-4 years 35 City manager 5-9 years 40 City manager 10-plus years 45 Assistant city manager/ 20 department head 15 Senior military/private /nonprofit Education Bachelors degree Masters degree

10 15

Population More than 50,000 as city manager

10

International City/County Management Association involvement ICMA as city manager ICMA membership

10 5

purpose was to discuss his group of 37 candidates recommended to advance in the process, a pool augmented by five more at the dais by Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch.

Sumter’s list is based on a ranking methodology that weighs heavily on experience as a city manager.

During the meeting, Hutmacher laid out the five-phase strategy for the search, the fifth being the extension of an offer to replace Marlon Brown, who retired from the position in October 2024.

In the interim, the commission first appointed now-retired Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat to lead the city government, then Bullock, the former Longboat Key town manager, who assumed the role in May 2025.

Now working with its second executive search firm — commissioners and Colin Baenziger and Associates of Daytona Beach Shores parted ways in May 2025 after a mutually dissatisfactory launch — Bullock’s impending departure applies a hard deadline lest the commission be compelled to seek yet another temp to fill the void for a third time.

That sense of urgency was not lost on Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich in countering Ahearn-Koch’s insistence to add one more step in winnowing the field from 42 to a finalist group of six — more of them or fewer at the commission’s discretion.

“I keep remembering Mr. Bullock is going fishing March 9 or something, and I don’t think it’s necessary to add one more step,” Ohlrich said.

“Maybe not another step, but some sort of a conversation,” Ahearn-Koch replied. “It just feels like a lot to go from 40 to six, and with five (commissioners). Commissioner (Kyle) Battie may have a different six. You may have a different … maybe not. I don’t know.”

With Sumter’s prescribed Phase 1

City manager experience (years) 10+

Score

10+

90

David Vela, Odessa, TX

Andrew Warfield

Dave Bullock is the second Sarasota interim city manager since the October 2024 retirement of Marlon Brown.

now complete, Phase 2 is underway as the firm will conduct video interviews with all semifinalists, which will be shared with and individually viewed by commissioners. A special meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 10, during which finalists — six is the target — will be selected.

Remaining phases: Phase 3: Finalist selection on Feb. 10. Commissioners will review the semifinalist report and supporting materials and select finalists to invite to Sarasota for in-person interviews.

Phase 4: Interviews over a twoday period that include one-on-one sessions with each commissioner, individual meetings with the city’s leadership team, a city tour, a full commission interview of up to 90 minutes per candidate and a public open house.

Phase 5: The person who emerges is selected as the preferred finalist by the City Commission, which will then authorize City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs to negotiate a contract. Any offer is contingent upon a successful background check.

Per the city charter, selection of the preferred finalist will require a commission supermajority of four votes.

100

Hector Rivera, Ellijay, GA

5-9

90

Tim Gleason, Davenport, IA

10+

90

Yvonne Kimball, Morrow Bay, CA

10+

90

Lynda Boswell, Temple Terrace, FL

1-4

85

Randy Robertson, N/A

10+

85

Robin Gomez, Madiera Beach, FL

5-9

85

Carl Geffken, Fort Smith, AR

10+

80

Colin Donnelly, Dania Beach, FL

1-4

80

Harry Black, Stockton, CA

5-9

80

James Gleason, Winter Garden, FL

10+

80

Michael Cassady, Mount Prospect, IL

10+

80

Adrian Jones, Conway, SC

1-4

75

Andrew Butterfield, Port Richey, FL

1-4

75

Christopher Ricci, Havre de Grace, MD

1-4

75

Charles Gable, Gettysburg, PA

10+

75

Chris Hobby, Peachtree City, GA

10+

70

Dan Wendt, Vandalia, OH

1-4

70

Emilie LaGrow, Paw Paw, MI

10+

70

10+

70

Ricardo Mendez Salivida, Miami FL

None

70

Pietro Scalera, Bloomingdale, IL

10+

70

Charles Morris, Milton-Freewater, OR

1-4

65

Joseph Gaa, Washington, IA

Kemarr Brown, Homestead, FL

None

65

5-9

65

Robert Fowler, Mentor, OH Kelcey Young, San Pablo, CA

1-4

65

Steven McLaughlin, Troy, NY

5-9

65

Jarvis Sims*, Stockbridge, GA

1-4

65

James Harriott Jr., Sarasota

None

60

Karie Friling, Overland Park, IL

1-4

60

David Wulf, Kings Point, NY

None

55

Michael Leahy, Annapolis, MD

None

55

David Freeman, Newport, VA

None

50

Tarik Rahmani, North Miami Beach, FL

None

50

Tonja McCoy*, Lauderdale Lakes, FL

None

50

Demetra McBride*, Sarasota

None

45

Christopher Rodriguez, Washington, DC

None

45

Troy Anderson, Wichita, KS

None

45

Michael Jensik, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

None

30

Tony Palermo*, Port Charlotte, FL

None

30

Steven Menard*, St. Augustine, FL

None

15

* = Added by Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch

YOUR HOME OF DISTINCTION AWAITS Heritage Builders brings timeless luxury to your lifestyle.

Located in Sarasota’s most coveted neighborhoods.

Sold

BIRD KEY WATERFRONT

SIESTA KEY WATERFRONT

THE SAND DOLLAR · 118 N Warbler Lane, 34236

THE ISLANDER · 558 Venice Lane, 34242

$6,885,000 | 4,594 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 3-½ Bath 3.5-Car Garage | Infinity Pool | VIP Suite | Study | MLS A4557763 Now Available

$4,985,000 | 4,170 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 1-½ Bath 2-Car Garage | Pool & Spa | Media Room | Study | MLS A4589732 Move-In Late Fall 2025

Under Contract

OYSTER BAY

OYSTER BAY LAKEFRONT

THE SANIBEL II · 1401 Crocker Street, 34231

THE WINDEMERE II · 1521 S. Lake Shore Dr, 34231

BUILD A CUSTOM HOME DESIGN ON YOUR LOT OR CHOOSE A PLAN FROM OUR PORTFOLIO. 941-328-8272 | HeritageBuildersWFL.com

$6,998,000 | 4,866 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 2-½ Bath Elevator | Pool & Spa | Media Room | Study | MLS A4637673 Available Now with Leaseback

Heritage Builders of West Florida, LLC | CBC1259037 HB Realty Group, Inc. | Licensed Real Estate Broker

442067-1

$4,298,000 | 3,862 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 1-½ Bath 4-Car Garage | Covered Lanai & Veranda | Chef ’s Kitchen | MLS A4637517 Move-In Early 2026

6A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

A rendering of the proposed Shore restaurant as viewed from North Boulevard of the Presidents.

ON IS

.

Courtesy image

DR

The site of the proposed Shore restaurant on St. Armands is shaded in blue.

D

MA

N. .O VD BL FT HE TS

EN ID ES PR ST. A RM

AND S CIR

.

KEY NOTES Courtesy rendering

Shore’s plan to return to St. Armands faces FEMA’s 50% rule requirements Resilience regulations could require upgrades if value exceeds half of redeveloped building’s appraised worth.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

be removed from the calculation as Deputy Building Official Mike Taylor informed Bill Waddill of project consultant Kimley-Horn.

As other staff reviewers discussed the plan with the applicants, Taylor visited the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s website to research the value of the two structures. The building at 28 N. Boulevard of the Presidents is valued at $1.3 million and 24 N. Boulevard of the Presidents is $800,000. Including a 20% upward adjustment absent a privately executed appraisal, that comes to approximately $1.2 million in value of the structures. Land value is not included in the FEMA rule calculation.

“It doesn’t sound like this project can be built for under 50% of the value of that,” Taylor said. “Even with a private property appraiser, it would be difficult to meet those numbers and still be able to get what you want

out of this.”

What they want — they being applicants United Associates Ltd. and Kauffman Family Partnership — is to redevelop the two-story commercial properties that have been vacant since the 2024 hurricane flooding into a three-story “Shore flagship” building that would include a Shorebranded restaurant, cafe and retail

S E L L YO U R VA LUA BL ES T O T H E N A T I O N ’ S L E A D I N G E S T AT E B U Y E R S We buy gold, silver, diamonds, coins & more!

3 D A Y S O N LY | J A N U A R Y 2 7 - 2 9 Tuesday - Wednesday 9am - 5pm | Thursday 9am - 4pm 3545 53rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34210 | Call for directions: (941) 755-6767

W H AT W E BUY Fine Jewelry

Coins & Currency

Rarities

Diamonds

Watches

Fine Art & Luxury Goods

Scrap Gold & Silver

Sterling Silver

& Much More

RE CE IVE A 20 % BO NU S When you trade for store credit * Receive immediate payment! No appointment necessary.

Ready to Sell?

SCAN QR CODE HERE for full buying event details.

Call (888) 787-1112 or visit NationalRarities.com for any item-related questions.

*A free evaluation will be provided, but there is no obligation to purchase your items. Exclusions Apply. **We are not an authorized Rolex dealer nor are we affiliated or endorsed by Rolex, Rolex USA, or any of its subsidiaries.

455195-1

A

plan to bring the popular Shore restaurant back to St. Armands Circle will likely have to overcome the 50% FEMA rule for redeveloping structures in floodprone areas.

Shore owner Tom Leonard closed the original retail shop and secondfloor restaurant after flood waters plagued St. Armands Key during the 2024 hurricane season.

During a pre-application confer-

ence with the city’s Development Review Committee in mid-December, plan reviewers informed representatives of the project that simple flood proofing won’t be enough to meet the federal guideline if the improvement to buildings at 24 and 28 N. Boulevard of the Presidents exceeds half of the appraised value of the buildings.

That means the entire project must be brought to current code requirements for flood resilience.

The FEMA rule applies if repairs or improvements to a building in a flood zone cost 50% or more of its predamage/pre-improvement market value. That often means raising a structure to base flood elevation to meet modern safety codes to maintain insurance eligibility and reduce flood risk as required by the agency.

To be determined is whether the cost of installing flood-proof glass and panels at the ground level would

Key takeaway: The owners of Shore, a St. Armands Circle restaurant and retail store heavily damaged from storms in 2024, are looking to rebuild — bigger and taller — in a new location.

Core challenge: The project will need to comply with a FEMA rule that states if repairs or improvements to a building in a flood zone cost 50% or more of its pre-damage/ pre-improvement market value, then the entire structure must be elevated and brought up to current flood-resistant construction standards — like new buildings.

What’s next: More meetings and document submissions to officials with the city of Sarasota.

store. Above would be a new third story of either residential space or a boutique hotel, a three-phase project a news release described as the first “fully immersive Shore lifestyle destination.” (United Associates and the Kauffman Family Partnership are connected to Dr. Mark Kauffman, a prolific Sarasota property owner and developer; his daughter Mindy Kauffman; and Sarasota-based Red Property Management, according to Florida Department of State records.)

Because the redevelopment of the commercial spaces will require no rezoning, a future site plan may be administratively approved. The eventual third-floor phase would require approval of the Planning Board.

Leonard closed the two-story restaurant and retail store at 465 John Ringling Blvd. in the aftermath of the flooding suffered by St. Armands Circle during hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. He since leased the space to Tommy Bahama, which moved its restaurant from its original location about three blocks east at 300 John Ringling Blvd.

That space remains vacant.

Shore still operates restaurant locations at 800 Broadway St. on Longboat Key, just south of Anna Maria Island, and at Disney Springs.

The next step toward approval of the St. Armands Shore project will be an initial submittal to the DRC.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

7A

A Century Old Story

A story that began over 100 years ago and is still being written today.

Once a beloved landmark, now an enduring icon reborn. Mira Mar is the future of luxury living in Sarasota, grounded in the grandeur of its past, and offering an unparalleled residential experience in the heart of downtown.

One of Sarasota’s few remaining flagships of the great Florida Land Boom of the 1920’s, it is with great pride that we restore the Mira Mar to its rightful place as a gleaming icon of Sarasota.

Rising elegantly above South Palm Avenue, the revived and resplendent Mira Mar presents a limited collection of 70 estate-style residences across two 18-story towers. Each home is designed to the highest standards, with sweeping views, refined interiors, and private access to best-in-class amenities.

Mira Mar is more than a residence — it’s a return to grace.

The First, Last, & Only Opportunity of its Kind CALL FOR YOUR PRIVATE APPOINTMENT:

+1 (941) 200 1772 MIRAMARSARASOTA.COM 1258 N PALM AVENUE, SARASOTA, FL 34236

455549-1

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FILED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND NO OTHER STATE. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY THE CONDOMINIUM UNITS IN STATES WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION CANNOT BE MADE. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ANYTIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

8A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

DAVID BELILES | 1930-2026

‘Midnight Flyer’ signs off Plymouth Harbor resident loved his family, his friends and being a U.S. Marine.

MARK GORDON

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

David and Ruth Beliles were married on Valentine’s Day in February 1953.

President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

BUSINESS OBSERVER

Sports Reporter / Jack Nelson, JNelson@ YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Ian Swaby, ISwaby@ YourObserver.com; Andrew Warfield, AWarfield@YourObserver.com Digital News Analytics and Marketing Strategist / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Digital News Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com Editorial Designer / Jenn Edwards, JEdwards@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com

A

imless and apathetic, David Beliles made a big life decision one day in September 1948 while riding a streetcar through his native Louisville, Kentucky, alongside two fellow bored high school buddies: They were going to join the U.S. Marines.

A short time later, Beliles found himself in a Marine barracks at Parris Island, South Carolina. His spontaneous decision to join the Marines, three years after World War II, was underway.

And it worked. The Marines turned Beliles from an empty-inside teen to an eager-for-life young man. “David would tell me over and over, ‘The Marines turned my life around,’” said Matt Walsh, Beliles’ son-in-law.

Beliles also turned what the Marines made him into a long career in media and newspapers. That career had two acts, first in the Midwest, and later in Sarasota, where he was chairman of the Observer Media Group. Beliles and his wife, Ruth, along with Walsh and his wife, Lisa, bought the Longboat Observer in 1995. That purchase launched what’s now one of the largest independent family-owned news media companies in Florida, with more than a dozen print publications and websites stretching from Naples to Jacksonville.

And the Marines also kickstarted a life well-lived, during which Beliles blended a sense of travel and adventure with a sense of humor, and above all else, a sense of caring for the many people in his orbit. That included being the patriarch of his large network of family and friends.

It also included being something of an unofficial mayor of Plymouth Harbor, the Sarasota retirement community where he lived for 15 years.

Beliles died Sunday, Jan. 11, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after complications from falls. He was 95.

Longboat Key Town Commissioner BJ Bishop, who sat behind Beliles and his wife for more than 20 years at All Angels Episcopal Church on Longboat Key, said her friend was the “epitome of a gentleman. He was just gracious and kind.”

Many who knew Beliles echoed those words.

Bishop visited Beliles in the hospital Sunday morning shortly before he died and noted he had stopped working so hard to breathe. “I said, I know you’re a proud Marine, but even Marines are allowed to rest, and he smiled,” she said. “So I knew that he could still hear.”

Gracious and kind were only some of the words used to describe Beliles.

Others called him smart, wise and intelligent — so much so his son, Buck Beliles, was stunned to learn his dad dropped out of high school to join the Marines. “He sat me down the night before I graduated high school and told me,” Buck said. “He was so intelligent and such a great writer. I had no idea. It came as quite a shock.”

Beliles eventually earned a high school diploma, in 2003, from the Florida Department of Education, due to his service in the Marines during the Korean War. Beliles hung the diploma proudly in his Plymouth Harbor apartment, and education was something he preached often with his children and grandchildren.

“He was always very proud I went on to get my Ph.D.,” says Buck, who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.

IN MEMORIAM

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: All Angels Episcopal Church in memory of David Beliles, 563 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, FL, 34228; Plymouth Harbor Foundation, 700 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL, 34236, or PlymouthHarbor.org/Donate; or FoldsOfHonor.org, which provides scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and families of first responders.

“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.”

Courtesy images

Richard and David Beliles with their father, Neale.

David Beliles with one granddaughter, Kate Walsh, on the left, and another granddaughter, Emily Walsh, on the right in a photo from 2012.

Chief Revenue Officer / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Regional Sales Director / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@ YourObserver.com; Richeal McGuinness, RMcGuinness@YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver.com; Anna Reich, Anna@YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Sydney Schunk, SSchunk@YourObserver. com Head of Sales Operations / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Account Managers / Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com; Caitlin Ellis, CEllis@YourObserver.com Director of Strategic Growth / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Strategic Marketing Coordinator / Landyn Park, LPark@YourObserver.com Social Media and Content Manager / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com

David and Ruth Beliles with their firstborn, Lisa.

ON THE AIR

The oldest of three children born to Neale and Mary Catherine Beliles, David grew up at the end of the Great Depression. His father sold life insurance door to door for a time during the day, earning 25 cents a week, and worked in a factory at night, fabricating cigar boxes. Neale Beliles would later go on to work in the newspaper business, forging a path for David.

Neale Beliles worked in circulation and promotions for newspapers, with a stop at the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1941 to 1945. That meant David, along with his brother, Richard, worked there, too — as paperboys. They got up every day at 4:15 a.m. and loaded two bags of papers on their bicycle handlebars, according to a presentation the family wrote for David’s 80th birthday celebration. The brothers delivered 400 newspapers a day, placing the papers on porches instead of tossing them, David recalled.

Beliles’ newspaper career wasn’t a straight line after his paperboy stint.

He moved to Chicago after being discharged from the Marines. He took a few classes at Columbia College there, but school wasn’t a fit. He wanted to work.

He found a job at ABC-TV in Chicago, where he worked on scripts for the then-popular “Super Circus” TV show. Then he got a break: A general manager of radio station WEDC in Chicago heard Beliles’ baritone voice. He hired Beliles, then 23, for the coveted role of Midnight Flyer, the DJ and “rip-and-read” news reader from midnight to 6 a.m.

The big break came with challenges. Like the times Beliles would butcher names of musicians and songs, he told the Observer on his 80th birthday. “People would call in and give ’em hell,” he said.

There was also the grind: He was taking classes during the day, working at ABC and then the six-hour

David Beliles, right, with a friend while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Midnight Flyer shift. Then he took the last L train and walked 2 miles home.

FIND THE WORDS

LOVE OF HIS LIFE

All Angels Episcopal Church the Rev. Dave Marshall recalled he met David Beliles in March 2019 at the church’s Ash Wednesday service. And he was there when Beliles died Jan. 11.

The reverend found it challenging to find the words to properly capture Beliles — a longtime newspaper man and talented wordsmith.

“The problem is, when you have such a great man in your congregation, words start to fail,” Marshall said. “I’m trying not to be sad about the loss, because you only get one David Beliles. But I got him, for a while, so it’s important not to be sad at what we lost, but focus on the fact that I got to know him.”

With some help from his dad, Beliles got a job in newspaper circulation, starting with the Champaign-Urbana Courier in Illinois in 1952. While just a start in the field, the paper was important in Beliles’ life for another reason: the newspaper’s social editor, Ruth Dearing.

The pair began dating and after a short courtship, were married on Valentine’s Day in 1953. (An old family joke has it Ruth took David “out of circulation.”) The couple was married for 67 years, until Ruth died Nov. 24, 2020.

A short time later, Beliles received two job offers on the same day: news director of a radio station in Champaign or assistant circulation director of the Independence, Missouri, Examiner. He chose the Examiner.

That led to a position as manager with Stauffer Publications. In 1961, he was given his first assignment as the boss of his own newspaper, when he was named editor and general manager of the York News-Times in Nebraska. Beliles was successful there, which led to a string of other management roles in the company, with stops over 30 years in Arkansas City, Kansas; Hannibal, Missouri; and Grand Island, Nebraska. He eventually became vice president of Stauffer Communications, overseeing 12 daily newspapers across the Midwest.

‘PUBLIC FIGURE’

David and Ruth Beliles raised their two children — Lisa was born in 1954 and Buck came a year and a half later, in December 1955 — along with becoming community fixtures in the towns in which they worked. “My dad was kind of a public figure in any place we lived,” said Buck. “People always knew who I was.”

Buck remembers the time the fam-

Director of Creative Services and IT / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver. com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Information Technology Manager / Homer Gallego, HGallego@YourObserver. com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon @YourObserver.com

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

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

CEO / Matt Walsh MWalsh@YourObserver.com President / Emily Walsh Chairman / David Beliles (1995-2026) Vice President / Lisa Walsh (1995-2023) 1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

YourObserver.com © 2025 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

ily lived in Nebraska at the same time he was learning to read as a young boy. It was the 1960s, and the civil rights movement was heating up.

Beliles would sit with Buck and read the paper every day together — a lesson in reading and civics. “It’s where he taught me that judging people by the color of their skin is wrong,” Buck said.

Buck says he learned another lesson, this one in unconditional love, from his dad a few years later. This was when Buck was 16, hanging out with some bad kids, using drugs and widely “getting into trouble,” he said.

“I thought he was going to throw me out of the house,” Buck said.

“Instead, he just gave me a hug and said ‘I’m worried about you.’”

SEMPER FI

Plymouth Harbor resident David Beliles, who died Jan. 11, was a proud and patriotic U.S. Marine. In nearly any town he lived, he walked in a freedom parade or any other July 4 or Veterans Day celebration. Beliles joined the Marines in 1948.

One of the local traditions he participated in was the Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon at Marina Jack, which has been held annually Nov. 10 since 2003.

That includes participating in the tradition of the passing of the first piece of cake from the oldest Marine in the room to the youngest.

David Beliles, at 93, passed a piece of cake to the youngest Marine in the room, Tony Fudoli, 32, at the 2023 luncheon. Standing behind the table is Beliles’ grandson, Brian Walsh, a lieutenant colonel in the Marines.

NO. 1 FAN

Caring for others was a hallmark of Beliles’ life.

Consider his four grandchildren: One, Emily Walsh — the oldest of Matt and Lisa Walsh’s three children — is president of the Observer Media Group and, like Beliles was in Nebraska, is an active leader in the Florida media industry. Kate Walsh is the co-owner and artistic director of the Colorado Ballet Society, while Brian, the youngest, is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marines. Buck Beliles’ daughter, Jessica Prevost, is a licensed therapist. Kate Walsh says Beliles — they called him Poppy — doted on all four of the grandkids.

9A

Kate Walsh, a professional dancer for the Sarasota Ballet for 19 years, 10 as principal dancer, says Beliles came to nearly every one of her performances. Poppy, she says, was an unconditional supporter. “He was the biggest critic of my critics,” she said. “Anyone who wrote anything bad about me, he would tell me to not worry about it. He was my biggest fan.”

A NEWSPAPER LIFE

That sentiment carried from family

David Beliles in 1971, when he was editor and publisher of the Courier-Post News in Hannibal, Missouri, after the paper was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

members to Plymouth Harbor residents to friends at All Angels Episcopal Church. The Rev. Dave Marshall at All Angels said Beliles always dressed smartly and treated fellow congregation members with respect, kindness and a genuine curiosity to hear their stories. That last part, Marshall believed, was a trait Beliles carried over from his newspaper days.

Those newspaper days inspired Matt Walsh — decades before he and his father-in-law teamed up with their spouses and some partners to buy the Longboat Observer.

Walsh recalls he’d been dating Lisa for a little bit — they were students at the University of Missouri — when she invited him to come meet her parents back in her hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Walsh recalls his first impression of David Beliles. There was the dark gray Brooks Brothers suit. The blue Brooks Brothers shirt. The penny loafers.

And the stories. David Beliles, then the editor and publisher of the local newspaper, talked of meeting the governor of Missouri one day, a CEO of a major corporation the next.

“I’m listening to this and thinking this is what I want to be when I grow up,” Walsh said. “I want this life. This sounds pretty cool.”

As Walsh grew in his media career — from South Dakota to Miami and Florida Trend to Forbes magazine in

Florida — and he and Lisa started a family of their own, he and Beliles would often dream: Wouldn’t it be amazing to buy a newspaper of our own someday? “We talked about it a lot,” Walsh said. “It just never happened.”

Then came the opportunity to buy the Longboat Observer.

Beliles had been retired for less than two years, Walsh said, and was generally risk-averse. And there was a hiccup in the process of buying the Longboat Observer, when a banker financing the deal looked across the table at Walsh and Beliles and said, ‘Who is going to guarantee the note?’

“David turned white,” Walsh recalled, prompting him to go find some outside partners to help finance the deal.

KEY LESSONS

Beliles became a key mentor for Walsh. The father-in-law working with son-in-law, a dynamic known to get dicey in some businesses, wasn’t an issue. “We were never at nasty odds,” Walsh said.

Walsh said his lessons from Beliles were practical and philosophical.

The philosophical? Do what you say you are going to do. Always be honest.

The practical? Nothing gets done in any company without a sale —

obvious as that might sound.

For that lesson, Walsh goes back to the early days of the Longboat Observer in 1995. Back then, the paper, which was essentially the entire company, was based out of a two-story building on 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat.

Walsh was feeling pretty good about the content side of the paper.

Then this, as the day to pay employees grew closer on the calendar: “David,” said Walsh, “casually said to me, ‘You know, payroll is in two days. It might be a good idea if someone went out and sold an ad.’”

Lesson learned. Walsh kept that front and center in leading the Observer’s expansion. “David was a mentor for 50 years,” Walsh said. “He had a great sense of humor and was a really great guy. He was so enjoyable to be with.”

One final lesson Walsh learned from Beliles was the power of unheralded generosity, both with family and the community. Buck Beliles noted he saw that in his dad, as did Bishop, his longtime All Angels friend.

“He was one of those quiet presences at our church,” she said. “If we needed something, no one ever knew who took care of it. But in a lot of cases, it was David.”

— S.T. Cardinal and Dana Kampa contributed to this story.

DEFINING THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF LUXURY NE

NE

W

W

4205 HIGEL AVE | $7.5M

1140 SEASIDE DR, #301 | $5.25M

534 BEACH RD | $5M NE W

W IO NE UCT TR NS

W

CO

NE

N

3939 HIGEL AVE | $3.775M

1221 S BASIN LN | HOME SITE | $2M

9265 BLIND PASS RD | $3M

W I NE UCT TR NS

W

CO

NE

ON

7219 PINE NEEDLE RD | HOME SITE | $1.1M

1136 SEASIDE DR | $1.495M

5432 CAPE LEYTE DR | $1.199M E 5 A L 2 02 PS Y TO A KE ST SIE

3721 FLAMINGO AVE | $1.395M PE

5348 SHADOW LAWN DR | $1.795M

ND IN G

SANDY HOOK RD | $10.5

21 Years as Siesta Key’s #1 Real Estate Agent Verified in the Top 1.5% of REALTORS ® in the USA

1

No.

SIESTA KEY’S TOP SELLING AGENT SINCE 2005

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. | *Sales data source: Steller MLS and RealTrends Verified.

Judie Berger, P.A., REALTOR ® Judie.Berger@PremierSIR.com 941.928.3424 homesofsarasota.com

456715-1

Over $500 Million Sold Since 2020*

10A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Florida’s

Luxury Real Estate Brand* In a world of options, there is only one like us — the one for results. *Based on Internal Data Compilation for calendar year 2024 for Florida, covering approximately 90% of MLSs. Data set includes all properties valued at $1 million and above, across all property types.

Scan below for a full list of Open Houses, property details, driving directions and more

1543 Eastbrook Drive Peter G. Laughlin

$3,750,000 941.356.8428

CASEY KEY

9940 SW Peace River Street Courtney Green & Melissa Caldwell

COUNTRY CLUB EAST 15024 Castle Park Terrace Laura Stavola

$1,475,000 941.447.4875

REDINGTON BEACH 15815 Redington Drive Holly Switow

$850,000 941.735.3186

$650,000 513.368.8569

SAWGRASS 764 Sawgrass Bridge Road Martha Pike & Denise Mattmuller

3939 Higel Avenue Judie Berger

6549 Gulf Of Mexico Drive Holly Switow

$1,900,000 941.735.3186

15101 Rawls Road Valerie Dall’Acqua

$1,100,000 941.928.3424

3648 Beneva Oaks Boulevard Katy McBrayer

SANDERLING CLUB 7219 Pine Needle Road Judie Berger

141 Medici Terrace Audrey Peabody

$699,900 941.780.6695

6828 Avenida Marbella Cindy Taliaferro

$1,675,000 941.445.7295

1374 Moonmist Drive #B1 Judie Berger & Ryan Evans

$1,000,000 941.400.2406

2002 8th Street West Ellen Kirkegaard

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12002 Soft Rush Terrace Rebecca Zimmerman

$649,000 941.504.5758

7909 Rio Bella Place Johnny Sokhon

5655 Pipers Waite #27 Fernando Viteri

$875,000 941.364.4000

COBBLESTONE AT PALMER RANCH $665,000 941.224.4824

8744 Bellussi Drive Cindy Taliaferro

$659,000 941.894.7269

VENETIA $595,000 941.961.4579

SARASOTA $549,000 941.894.7269

$1,500,000 941.928.3424

RIVERSIDE PARK

BRADENTON

MARBELLA $549,900 941.716.4392

POLYNESIAN GARDENS

BENEVA OAKS

THE MEADOWS 3732 Surrey Lane Alfredda Smith Hurst

$3,775,000 941.928.3424

SARASOTA

VENETIAN GOLF & RIVER CLUB

RENAISSANCE | WEST VILLAGES 20332 Bandera Place Stephen Ault

SIESTA KEY $3,650,000 941.525.2740

LONGBOAT KEY $2,500,000 941.809.8432

$7,500,000 941.928.3424

WEST OF TRAIL

1620 Casey Key Road Mike Warm

ARCADIA

4205 Higel Avenue Judie Berger

SIESTA KEY

4374 Via Del Villetti Drive Beth Sargent & Barbara King

$589,000 941.716.1277

GRAND PALM $549,000 941.400.7676

1367 Still River Drive Martha Pike

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 resources, including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. Source: BrokerMetrics®

$536,880 941.716.4392

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

ORANGE ONE 410 North Orange Avenue #218 Frank Lambert & Anita Lambert

SANCTUARY III $2,428,200 941.920.1500

8119 Waterbend Trail Charles Totonis & Joe Harris

WATERSIDE

545 Sanctuary Drive #B605 Steve Wexler

WATERSIDE

$2,395,000 941.586.1124

724 Crosswind Avenue Charles Totonis & Joe Harris

COUNTRY CLUB EAST $1,510,000 941.524.8299

7108 Callander Cove Vittoria Rutigliano & Tamara Currey

11A

$1,695,000 941.524.8299

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

$1,249,000 941.962.5867

14325 Stirling Drive Katy McBrayer & Montana Taplinger

$829,900 941.400.2406

THE GULF COAST LUXURY LEADER

BRADENTON 243 Petrel Trail Rebecca Zimmerman

VICENZA $519,999 941.224.4824

200 Tracino Terrace Marsha Weaver

$435,000 941.894.7269

500 Canal Way Courtney Green

MIRA LAGO 4141 Entrada Court Cindy Taliaferro

$445,000 941.468.2227

NOKOMIS

LAKEWOOD RANCH $425,000 941.809.8432

7007 Portmarnock Place Gloria Bracciano

$2,500,000 941.229.4000

RIVER DANCE

BRADEN CROSSINGS 5513 47th Court East Lisa Gullick

5107 Greencroft Road #23 Fernando Viteri

$2,499,000 941.524.8299

$349,000 941.400.7676

808 3rd Avenue West #205 Hannah Herrig

$358,000 941.468.0493

3825 Wilshire Circle #1 Carlos Santos

PLANTATION

THE LAKE CLUB 16218 Daysailor Trail Charles Totonis & Joe Harris

VIVIENDA AT THE MEADOWS

$414,000 941.364.4000

561 Clubside Circle #58 Van Parker

SARASOTA

LAKESHORE VILLAGE SOUTH

LONGBOAT KEY

2651 Midnight Pearl Drive Jaci Krawschenko & Jennifer Garrabrant

$342,500 941.284.3789

3810 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #F105 Ellen Kirkegaard

$375,000 941.737.5518

$355,000 941.735.8302

PORT CHARLOTTE $336,000 941.364.4000

18091 Eau Gallie Circle Elke von Oertzen

$329,000 941.441.7073

THE CURTAIN

RISES SOON BE A PART OF THE GRAND REVEAL AdagioSarasota.com ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the state of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice.

Artists Concept

BECAUSE EVERY HOME IS UNIQUE. JUST LIKE YOU. JUST LIKE US. BROKERAGE | RENTALS | RELOCATION | NEW DEVELOPMENT | MORTGAGE | TITLE | INSURANCE | FINE ART CONSIGNMENT VENICE | 941.412.3323

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.2500

RENTALS | 941.203.3433

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 resources, including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. Source: BrokerMetrics®

455486-1

SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Van Wezel family joins support for new SPAC

A NEW APPRECIATION

Anthony and Katherine Van Wezel Stone, grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel.

According to a press release issued by the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, members of the Van Wezel family said discussions over the past year “have led us to an appreciation that the project is an evolving concept in which the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will continue to serve the city as a venue for the arts in harmony with and alongside the new Performing Arts Center.”

More than a half century ago, Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel were the benefactors of Sarasota’s primary performance venue, the city-owned building now incorporated into the developing The Bay park.

That the foundation intends to incorporate the Van Wezel into a cultural campus won the support of Lewis Van Wezel’s grandchildren, Anthony Van Wezel Stone and Katherine Van Wezel Stone. According to a news release, the foundation is “prepared to steward multiple venues as part of a unified cultural campus in which an updated Van Wezel Hall will continue to host artistic performances and educational opportunities.”

“Our grandfather and his wife, Eugenia, loved Sarasota and believed in the power of the arts to strengthen community and bring people together,” the family is credited in saying in a joint statement. “After meeting with the foundation, we are pleased that the Performing Arts Center project will build on their vision while ensuring our family’s legacy continues to serve our community.”

Grandchildren of the late Lewis Van Wezel have joined the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation to advocate for a ‘unified cultural campus.’

STAFF WRITER

A

lthough all has been quiet in the nine months since the matter of a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center last appeared before the Sarasota City Commission, behind the scenes, a harmonious sound has been building to a crescendo.

On Jan. 8, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation announced, following months of discussion with heirs of the namesakes of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, that the family has joined with the foundation in support of the proposed new venue.

In addition, during the founda-

tion’s monthly Center Stage Conversation event that evening, SPAF CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko announced a forthcoming new design — dubbed Concept 2.0 — that moves the new PAC just to the south of the 10th Street boat basin, a reduction of seating in the main hall to 2,200 plus a 300-seat multipurpose room, plans for two on-site parking decks and a new price tag of less than $300 million.

How much less has yet to be announced, but more clarity is promised when a new design concept by architect Renzo Piano Building Workshop is revealed, perhaps as early as February.

“We have spent the last year refin-

Rendering courtesy of Laura Ansel

A new site map for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center shows the location south of the 10th Street boat basin. Two parking garages are proposed to the south of the building in The Bay park.

Courtesy image

ing the center, the design, and taking the feedback from the community and taking the feedback from our elected officials,” Castroverde Moskalenko said during the Center Stage Conversation. “And so we have a few updates.”

Those updates are intended to garner full support of the heretofore reticent City Commission, which tabled an implementation agreement with the SPAF in March 2025, citing concerns over the cost and scope. At that time, the proposed design showed two buildings, pared from the originally proposed four, with a main theater seating capacity of 2,500 to 2,700. The projected cost was $407 million, factoring inflation.

At that meeting, commissioners requested more thought be put into the project and brought back to the board at a special meeting prior to May 5, a meeting that never took place.

The Sarasota PAC is a public-private partnership plan between the SPAF and the city and county with the foundation pledging 50% of the capital cost and the local governments 25% each via tax-increment financing revenues collected on the improved value of properties within close proximity to The Bay park. That’s the same arrangement the Bay Park Conservancy has with the city and county, which includes all development within the 53-acre property, such as a new Performing

Arts Center.

The refined scope of the new design that will soon be presented is reflective of the original architecture firm request for proposal issued in 2023. Criticisms of the initial design concept presented include the seating capacity, the location that impeded into the boat launch area of Centennial (soon to be The Bay) Park and the cost.

The newly proposed location places the building approximately where the master plan has shown it for nearly a decade.

“One of the things that we heard last year was the location, and so we’ve gone to work with our partners at the city of Sarasota, at The Bay park, the architects and our consultant, and we have moved the location of the Performing Arts Center,” Castroverde Moskalenko said. “That has now changed, and we have moved the location of the building to the south side of the 10th Street canal.”

A new site map displays the building just south of Van Wezel Way, the main entrance into the current parking lot, flanked by two parking structures to its south.

“I’m happy to report all of you who always ask me about parking that those are two parking garages,” Castroverde Moskalenko said. “One of the visions of the city and The Bay park is to provide more park for all, and so by removing the parking (lot) from the Van Wezel, that will be replaced by two parking garages.”

ISPR GOVERNING BOARD MEETING

Dr. Kansara

Tuesday, January 20th • Noon Imagine School at Palmer Ranch

at Coastal Eye Institute, is a leading expert in the field of ophthalmology, specializing in:

To Join By Computer: https://imagineschools.zoom.us/j/9031606808 Meeting ID: 903 160 6808 | Password: Team

Top 10% in Math in the State!

• Glaucoma Management & Surgery • Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Procedures • Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery • Routine Eye Care

Call TODAY for tour!

IMAGINE SCHOOL AT PALMER RANCH Academics • Character • Leadership

Tuition Free Charter School • 6220 McIntosh Rd • Sarasota, FL 34238 (941) 923-1125 • www.ImagineSchoolsPalmerRanch.org

His patient-centric approach ensures personalized treatment plans that cater to your unique eye health needs.

Pirouette® Clearview Wren Sheer Shades in 1290 Goldfinch PowerView® Automation

Whether you’re seeking preventative care or battling an eye condition, Dr. Kansara’s expertise and compassionate care can guide you towards improved vision and a healthier lifestyle. He is dedicated to staying at the forefront of ophthalmic advancements, offering the latest treatments and technologies to deliver the best possible outcomes for his patients.

BRATING CELE

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive compassionate and personalized eye care.

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

Dr. Kansara looks forward to helping you see the world more clearly.

heraldtribune.com

WINNER

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

6310 Health Pkwy., Ste. 340 • Lakewood Ranch 217 Manatee Ave. E. • Bradenton 111 S. Pineapple Ave., Ste 301 • Sarasota

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989 456957-1

CoastalEye.com • 941-748-1818 • Most Insurance Plans Welcomed

456626-1

ANDREW WARFIELD

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

©2026 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved.

All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.

454816-1

12A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

13A

SARASOTA’S DEFINING ADDRESS A curated collection of 86 private residences in the heart of downtown Sarasota.

Sales Gallery: 1605 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236

WAresidencessarasota.com 941 900 3111

456306-1

Waldorf Astoria is a registered trademark of Hilton International Holding LLC, an affiliate of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (together with its affiliates, “Hilton”). The Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota are not owned, developed, or sold by Hilton, and Hilton does not make any representations, warranties or guaranties whatsoever with respect to the Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota or the related development project. The Owner uses the Waldorf Astoria brand name and certain Waldorf Astoria trademarks (the “Trademarks”) under a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license from Hilton. The license may be terminated or may expire without renewal, in which case the Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota will not be identified as a Waldorf Astoria branded project and the Owner will not have any rights to use the Trademarks.

14A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Courtesy image

The latest rendering of Mira Mar Residences.

Andrew Warfield

Seaward Development is seeking approval for a parallel facade for its frontage along South Palm Avenue.

When old meets new With partial city sign-off in hand, the restoration and redevelopment Mira Mar project needs a few adjustments to conform to current standards.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A

ll 27,500 square feet of storefront and second-floor office suite space have been vacated at the Mira Mar, for now a ghostly presence along a 400-foot stretch of South Palm Avenue.

Concurrent to work underway to stabilize and then rehabilitate the two, century-old structures, the entire project that includes twin condo towers to the rear of the historic buildings received partial signoff from the city’s Development Review Committee on Jan. 7.

That means enough of the city department reviewers’ comments have been satisfactorily addressed that remaining issues may be

resolved individually with staff members.

Other matters remain, though, which will require granting of two administrative adjustments by Director of Development Services Lucia Panica. Also, owner and developer Seaward Development is seeking a technical deviation because the existing structure is too close to the property line, which is inconsistent with the city’s Engineering Design Criteria Manual.

The applicant is seeking a reduction of 1.17%, or 2 feet, of parallel facade frontage from 157 to 155 feet, just less than the 90% required.

According to documents filed with the city, Seaward proposes no changes to the existing facade.

“The proposed adjustment will

not significantly detract from the livability or appearance of the Downtown Core zone district,” reads the narrative provided by project consultant Kimley-Horn. “The facade will remain as existing with updates to landscaping and other decorative features to improve the pedestrian experience.”

Seaward is also seeking an adjustment to use alternative materials along the South Palm Avenue frontage that are inconsistent with the EDCM. According to the application, the materials will be limited to accents on the upper portion of eight decorative arches, the architectural elements used to screen the parking podium openings.

“The proposed materials, being a mixture of aluminum-type mate-

rial and plant material, will provide visual interest that is in line with the character of South Palm Avenue,” reads the application. “The use of multiple materials will contribute to the articulation of the facade and harmoniously enhance the design of the proposed building and existing historic structure. Planters will be utilized on multiple stories along South Palm Avenue to bring a vibrant sense of place while providing for ease of maintenance.”

The podium will be located behind the historic buildings, which will support the two towers with 70 condominiums above three levels of parking. It will also include a wide variety of amenities, and habitable space on the first two floors along a central courtyard to the west and Mira Mar Court to the east.

NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE WIDTH

According to the application, it is not feasible to provide the required building setback on the south side of the historic structure along McAnsh Square and the redevelopment on the east side at Mira Mar Court, which are 35 feet and 40 feet, respectively.

The requested technical deviation will provide relief from the building “shy zone,” amenity zone and total frontage area.

A shy zone refers to the area imme-

We Serve All Families

diately adjacent to a building pedestrians tend to avoid.

The application said because the historic building is so close to the property line, it converges with McAnsh Square “at such an angle that the required pedestrian area cannot be provided.”

To mitigate this reduction in pedestrian space on McAnsh Square, Seaward has proposed a new crosswalk across McAnsh Square east of South Palm Avenue to enhance the navigation of pedestrians between Main Street and South Palm Avenue.

The new construction portion of the project is also set back from the property line farther than required.

It’s a fair trade, according to the developer, resulting in the delivery of equal or superior streetscape design compared to the EDCM standards.

“The acreage of the site, the existing historic structure proposed to remain and the standard to provide three roadway frontages creates unique site design constraints, which impact developable area,” reads the application.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 70 condos, which start at $3.8 million, will fund the rehabilitation of the Mira Mar, estimated at upwards of $30 million. Completion of the new towers is anticipated by the end of 2028.

Helping Homeowners Navigate the Home Lifting Process

Experts In Celebrating Life

LET US HELP YOU GET

“ ”

HIGH & DRY. A LASTING PLACE OF PEACE AND REMEMBRANCE

As our new mausoleum nears completion, we invite families who wish to plan ahead to reserve from the limited indoor spaces available.

941-529-7550 - www.rasarasota.com - info@rasarasota.com

Stoneybrook’s

IT’S BACK

Also introducing our Cremation Garden

& Open to the Public

A beautifully landscaped setting designed for families who choose cremation.

Offering permanent memorial spaces where loved ones can be honored and remembered with dignity.

Planning today ensures your wishes are respected tomorrow, while easing the burden on those you love.

Contact us for a personal consultation.

Reservations Recommended

Sunday Brunch BUFFET

Undressed Salad With Croutons, Cheese, Dressings On Side Shrimp Cocktail, Cocktail Sauce, Lemon • Smoked Salmon, Herb Cream Cheese, Red Onion, Caper, Tobiko, Cornichons • Omelet Station Toast Station • Bagels, Sliced Breads, English Muffins, Butter, Peanut Butter, Jellies, Cream Cheese French Toast • Waffle Station with Butter, Whipped Cream and Chocolate

ROBERT TOALE & SONS FUNERAL HOME AT PALMS MEMORIAL PARK 170 Honore Ave Sarasota, FL 34232 | 941-371-4962

Eggs Benedict • Scrambled Eggs • Breakfast Potatoes • Biscuits and Gravy Bacon • Sausage Links and Patties Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Rolls • Danish and Muffins • Fruit • Yogurt • Granola • Desserts

24.95 plus 7% tax and 22% gratuity Please remember all menus and selections are subject Change based on availability

Not affiliated with Toale Brothers Funeral Home or Toale Brothers Inc.

8801 STONEYBROOK BLVD | SARASOTA,FL 34238 457216-1

www.RTSfunerals.com

450351-1

Sundays 10am-1:30pm www.STONEYBROOK.net | 941.918.9595

449754-1

Ready to get started or have questions about elevating your home?

Contact RA Sarasota today.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

15A

SOMETIMES, LOOKING BACK IS THE BEST WAY TO LOOK AHEAD.

TH IS IS A MAR A .

The attractions of Amara, diverse and extraordinary, know no equal. This begins with its Golden Gate address — for the Point is one of those rarest of natural wonders — an enclave that looks across the bay and back to the city — once-in-a-lifetime views that are yours every day. Now accepting contracts.

VISIT OUR SALES GALLERY 1819 Main Street, Suite 110 | Sarasota, FL 34236

C O N D O M I N I U M R E S I D E N C E S F R O M T H E $ 4 M s | 9 4 1 . 8 6 7. 7 1 6 0 | A M A R A S A R A S O TA . C O M

456175-1

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

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

SCHEDULE A CRAFTSMAN

941.280.0223

•Honey Do Lists •Drywall Repair •Mount Tv’s •Cabinet Install •Doors & Trim •Finish Carpentry

•Shelving Installation •Furniture Assembly •Hardware & Fixtures •Tile Backsplash •And More, Just Ask!

COPS CORNER

“Bringing Helpful To Your Home”

NO JOB IS TOO SMALL

Licensed & Insured. Lic# CBC1267572.

637 N. Tamiami Trl, Nokomis, FL 34275 | 941.280.0223 | AceHandymanServices.com

INTERIORS

MONDAY, DEC. 16

FRIDAY, DEC. 26

HEATED INCIDENT 8:47 a.m., 2000 block of Orchid Street Property damage: While driving for a restaurant delivery service three days prior, a man said he left his vehicle in a privately operated parking lot in downtown to briefly make a delivery nearby, and upon returning learned the vehicle had been towed.

After having a friend take him to retrieve the vehicle, he was driving the next day and noticed the engine overheated, so he left it in a parking lot overnight.

Upon arriving on this date, he noticed the radiator had been damaged and suspected it was inflicted by the towing company. An officer inspected the damage, took several photos and advised the complainant to contact both the towing company and his insurance carrier.

ASSAULT BY BOTTLE ROCKET 11:46 p.m., Ted Sperling Park Suspicious incident: After having locked up facilities at the South Lido Beach park for the night, a security officer complained that two unknown males, who had been launching bottle rockets, shot them in the direction of his vehicle.

The guard has just secured the bathrooms and headed for his car. When he entered the vehicle, a barrage of bottle rockets began striking it from an unknown direction.

There was no damage to the vehicle and the complainant was unable to identify the pair because of the darkness.

Two officers, including a dog unit, arrived on the scene to assist and searched the area but located no suspects.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17

MAN, HOTEL HOOKED BY CREDIT CARD FRAUD 11:42 p.m., 200 block of North Tamiami Trail Suspicious incident: After a “guest” rented two rooms at a downtown hotel, management became suspicious when it learned the $1,500 tab was reserved online with a stolen credit card. Checking in at 3 a.m., the front desk clerk failed to verify the credit card and provided keys to the room.

The man who reserved the rooms was accompanied by his “girlfriend,” the nature of their relationship left in question by the time they were prompted to flee the hotel in haste.

During their stay, multiple men were observed arriving and leaving the two rooms. When the manager confronted the subject about the credit card issue, the pair quickly left the hotel in an unknown direction and with no vehicle on file. The manager then entered the rooms where he discovered an unwitting — but likely not innocent — unknown male whom he told to pay for the accommodations or vacate the premises.

The astute manager suspected the rooms were being used for prostitution or some other illicit activity, having found lingerie and other “adult items” scattered throughout.

Also left behind were many business cards, among them one for a budget lodging establishment

941.924.4481 | 4453 Ashton Road, Unit C, Sarasota, FL 34233 | www.B2END.com

ROOF

CLEAN & SEAL

THE SUPREME GOLF SWING

CLEAN • SEAL • RESTORE • PROTECT • SAVE

PROBLEM

You will Slash your Golf Score in 90 minutes...

Guaranteed! “This clinic is priceless”

Millions of recreational golfers are inconsistent arm swingers, can’t hit it with their practice swing, do great on the range, but not on the golf course.

SOLUTION

Everyone will lower their score in this Revolutionary Golf School with U.S. Marine now Sports Scientist Stephen Cornetta. You will become a silky smooth power leg player and make it look easy.

Those black streaks on your roof are more than just dirt.

They’re mold and bacteria eating away at your shingles or tiles. Our process removes the source and protects your roof, keeping it clean and strong for years.

CALL TODAY!

(941) 320-6172

Longer lifespan Lasting Protection

Mold Defense Stronger Roof

BRING YOUR 7 IRON Enroll at class $19 or Pay Online $14.95 Bring One Friend | FREE with this Ad CORNETTASGOLF.COM

Clean Look Tile Preservation

ALL INDOORS • RESERVATIONS NOT REQUIRED

340+

Owned and Operated by the Yoder’s

Your financial journey.

Let’s go.

Hampton Inn Mon. Feb. 2nd 10am or 2pm 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd.

PUNTA GORDA

Charlotte Harbor Event Ctr. Tue. Feb. 3rd 10am or 2pm 75 Taylor St.

456468-1

LAKEWOOD RANCH

446559-1

456475-1

From Custom Blinds to Complete Interiors, We Design with Passion, Creativity, and Care.

elsewhere in the city.

The entire discovery began when the manager received a phone call from a man stating his credit card, of which he still had possession, had random unauthorized charges from the hotel. Investigating the credit card fraud, the officer spoke with the man by phone. He stated he had recently visited two bars where he used the card, but did not recognize the male subject by description.

He was advised to cancel the credit card.

The officer then visited the no-tell motel identified by the business card found in the room.

Staff confirmed the pair had been guests there, having stayed for a week paying daily with cash.

They were eventually told to leave over suspicion of illegal activity. The staff showed security footage of the pair, which matched the description provided by the defrauded hotel manager.

Having requested a mugshot lineup to be reviewed by the complainant, the case was then referred to the Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation.

Charting your path, together.

With expert support and a full range of services from Everence®, you can build a financial future that reflects your values and goals. Take control of your finances and let Everence guide you on your path to success.

LET’S GO Find out how we can help you meet your financial goals at everence.com/sarasota Everence Financial 2480 Fruitville Rd., Suite 7 Sarasota, FL 34237-6204 941-953-6655

Everence Federal Credit Union 3407 Bahia Vista St. Sarasota, FL 34239-7425 941-953-4859

Banking | Investing | Retirement | Financial Planning | Insurance | Charitable Giving Everence offers credit union products that are federally insured by NCUA. Investments and other products are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal and have no credit union guarantee. Some Everence products and services may not be available in your state. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

457054-1

16A

JANUARY 15, 2026

SPORTS

“But my sophomore year, I knew I had to grind to get a varsity spot.”

— Carter Evans, Riverview boys basketball SEE PAGE 19A

FAST

SKIP-IT

BREAK

TO WIN IT

Image courtesy of Jordan Perez/Florida Athletics

Defensive back Teddy Foster has transferred to South Florida after two seasons at Florida. But he isn’t the only former Cardinal Mooney player headed to a new home.

Kensington Kotuby accomplished an unprecedented feat with 1,154 Skip-It jumps in 15 minutes and 29 seconds.

A

JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER

S

everal presents sat under the tree on Christmas morning in the Kotuby household. They were of various shapes and sizes, but all had that signature mystique of the holiday.

Some were addressed to Kensington Kotuby. One of them, in particular, took the 10-year-old Sarasota resident by surprise.

This hadn’t been written on her wish list.

“For a second, I was confused what it was,” Kotuby said.

Not too long after unwrapping the Skip-It — brought by Santa Claus — she figured out how it worked.

Good-natured fun with the toy soon became a competitive obsession.

She just couldn’t put it down.

Kotuby, a fifth-grader at Ashton Elementary, set the Kids World Record for longest time doing SkipIt jumps on Dec. 26, 2025, in the girls’ 10- to 12-year-old division. Her 1,154 consecutive skips in 15 minutes and 29 seconds were unprecedented.

A Skip-It is a children’s toy featuring a hoop and ball connected by string. The hoop is attached to one ankle while the ball makes a 360-degree rotation as the user skips.

It was first introduced in the

MORE ABOUT KIDS WORLD RECORDS Not to be confused with Guinness World Records — a separate organization — Kids Worlds Records recognizes achievements by kids ages 4 to 16 years old around the globe.

Individual attempts are grouped and adjudicated by age range and gender. Age ranges are 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-16, while genders are boy, girl and gender X. Group attempts, on the other hand, are grouped and adjudicated strictly by size.

The number of participants can be small (2-5), medium (6-15), large (16-30) or gigantic (31-plus).

For further information on how to pursue a Kids World Record, you can visit KidsWorldRecords.com/ How-Yo-Break-A-Record.

Photos by Jack Nelson

1960s, but experienced a surge of national popularity late in the ’80s and during the ’90s. Tiger Electronics acquired the American rights from the Paul E. Price Co. in 1988 and modernized the Skip-It by adding a mechanical digital counter.

Time Magazine even named it to an “All-Time 100 Greatest Toys” list back in 2011 as one of 16 selections from the ’80s.

“It’s an addicting toy,” said mother Teri Kotuby. “Once you start going, you just can’t stop.”

That much quickly became true for Kensington Kotuby. When she started out, there was friendly competition in the family for who could do the most Skip-It jumps.

Her 12-year-old brother, Lincoln, wanted to give it a shot.

So did her 13-year-old sister, Brooklyn. Teri Kotuby got in on the fun, too.

Matthew Kotuby, her father, was bold enough to proclaim he could out-skip all of them. But that statement didn’t age so well.

“Once she started getting into the hundreds, I gave up,” Kotuby said.

Their family has always e n c o u ra ge d athletic activity and competitive attitudes.

Matthew and Teri Kotuby attended the University of Bridgeport, where they were a baseball player and gymnast, respectively.

Kensington Kotuby has been involved with gymnastics for six years and jiu-jitsu for the last four. Both sports have taken her all around Florida, the U.S. and even out of the country to compete.

Both of her parents played with a Skip-It at one point or another during their own childhoods. Her own skills with the toy advanced from beginner to expert faster than anyone in the house could keep up with.

“She kept beating her

own record, and all of a sudden, she was like, ‘I wonder if there’s a world record?,’” said Teri Kotuby. “Then her and her sister looked it up and found out that there actually was.”

Thus began a record-setting pursuit. Kensington Kotuby practiced throughout Christmas and kept on going the following day, becoming inseparable from her Skip-It. There was pain in the process — blisters developed. She had to apply Band-Aids and wear two layers of socks, but remained resolute in her commitment to the feat.

Wear and tear showed on the SkipIt, too. It had to be rescued from the pool multiple times and the padding on the hoop ripped in multiple spots.

It even “exploded,” per Kotuby, but still works as of Jan. 11.

Persistence paid off when she surpassed the previous record of 13 minutes and 27 seconds. At that point, she had already done 800-plus consecutive skips, but didn’t stop there.

She continued for over two more minutes.

“It was all self-motivation,” said Matthew Kotuby. “She saw it and she said, ‘Hey, I’m going to beat everybody in it and be the best.’ And then she just kept pushing herself as far as she could.”

World records, though, rarely belong to one person forever. There’s often somebody else out there on the brink of doing something unprecedented.

Should another person displace her at the top, Kensington Kotuby won’t hesitate to try to reclaim her record. She’ll set an even loftier goal.

“I’ll do it again,” Kotuby said. “I’ll go for an hour next time.”

The Suncoast News Network put together a segment on her recordsetting performance, and after it aired on Jan. 5, word began to spread around Sarasota.

Kensington Kotuby was sick at the time. One of her teachers at Ashton Elementary showed the segment to her classmates, so when she returned to school, all her friends shared excitement about her achievement.

Matthew Kotuby has heard from multiple co-workers at Merrill Lynch about it. Teri Kotuby has received several messages on social media in that regard.

Their 10-year-old daughter has become a local celebrity of sorts. And it’s thanks to a present she never even asked for.

Teri, Kensington and Matthew Kotuby are part of a five-member family that has always encouraged friendly competition.

Not pictured are 12-year-old Lincoln Kotuby and 13-yearold Brooklyn Kotuby.

Kensington Kotuby shows off her Skip-It skills on Jan. 11 at Urfer Family Park. She wore two pairs of socks and multiple Band-Aids to battle blisters in pursuit of her record.

pair of Cougars from the Class of 2024 have new homes on the college football landscape.

Teddy Foster, a defensive back, announced his transfer from Florida to South Florida on Jan. 6 ahead of his redshirt sophomore season. He recorded six tackles during the last two seasons with the Gators. The former three-star recruit will be part of the first Bulls squad under coach Brian Hartline, who previously served as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.

Also on the move is wide receiver Zy’marion Lang, who shared on Jan. 5 that he’s headed to UConn after two seasons with Toledo. The rising junior did not play in 2025, but appeared in 10 games as a freshman, making four catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. UConn hired coach Jason Candle away from Toledo to replace Jim Mora, and Lang followed. ... Sarasota Christian girls soccer finished as runner-up to The Out-of-Door Academy in the SSAA state championship on Jan. 10 with a 7-2 defeat.

Despite the loss, it represented the school’s first appearance in an SSAA title game for any sport. Seventh grade forward Reagan Volkert scored both goals for the Blazers, and as of Jan. 12, is up to a team-high 10 goals with Sarasota Christian sitting at 8-4-1 on the season. ... In boys basketball, two local athletes have established themselves among the state’s most prolific scorers. Riverview senior guard Josh Harris ranks first in FHSAA Class 7A with 24.1 points per game, as of Jan. 12, and has torched opponents on a regular basis.

His season high of 42 points came against Booker on Dec. 5 in a 74-71 loss. Harris has drawn multiple defenders in recent weeks, and still, averaged 16.5 points per game in the Rams’ four contests from Dec. 29 through Jan. 9. J.P. Lattimore, meanwhile, continues to score at will for Booker. The senior forward owns 19.4 points per game — good for eighth in all of Class 4A. His best performance this season came on Nov. 20 with 32 points against Venice in a 76-52 victory. Lattimore also put up 26.5 points per game in four outings from Dec. 29 through Jan. 7.

DIGGING DEEP PAGE 18A

18A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

NELSON’S NOGGIN

JACK NELSON

Life without Lackaff The Sailors’ leading scorer has been sidelined, forcing the defending state semifinalists to adapt quickly.

S

tar players don’t just spearhead scoring. They’re a necessity for teams that yearn to hoist trophies and bathe in confetti.

It’s those elite scorers who are often trusted with the ball when a bucket is needed most. When the offense has gone quiet, they’re relied upon to bring the noise.

Johnny Lackaff carries such a reputation for Sarasota boys basketball.

The 6-foot-3 junior guard is a true three-level scorer. He finishes strong at the rim, can make it rain from beyond the arc and shoots efficiently anywhere in between.

Defensively, he also demonstrates a high basketball IQ. His steady, disciplined presence forces contested shots without racking up personal fouls.

But he’s been eliminated from the Sailors’ equation for the time being.

They’ve had to adapt accordingly — and fast.

“We definitely have the talent and ability,” said athletics director and fourth-year coach BJ Ivey. “But it’s going to take a little bit for guys to get used to new roles and understand what we want them to do.”

Lackaff has been unavailable for the team’s last five games, as of Jan. 12, while rehabbing a leg injury. He last competed on Dec. 29, 2025, against Suncoast — a 51-50 victory for Sarasota — in the Kingdom of the Sun tournament’s consolation championship.

In that outing, he dropped 22 points, but averaged an even-better 23.7 per game this season entering the tournament. He was the go-to guy in 2024-25, too, putting up 21.9 points per game en route to the program’s first state semifinal appearance in 56 years.

The guard’s elite set of skills

have attracted Division I interest.

He holds offers from Florida State, Jacksonville, Duquesne, Samford, Bradley, FGCU, Iona and Stetson.

Simply put, Lackaff is the last player opponents want to see, but for the very same reasons, exactly why the Sailors miss him dearly.

“He’s the engine that drives us in so many different ways, offensively and defensively,” Ivey said. “So many intangibles that he brings to the table.”

Sarasota stood at 15-5 entering its Jan. 13 game against Southeast.

In the latest edition of the FHSAA rankings, the group clocked in at No. 6 in Class 7A and No. 33 overall in the state.

Ivey’s squad went 12-3 with Lackaff while scoring 64 points per game and allowing 54.2. Without him, it has gone 3-2, posting averages of 58 scored and 55.4 allowed.

Still, the Sailors don’t exactly have bad losses on their resume.

Defeats have come at the hands of Archbishop Stepinac (New York), Imhotep Charter (Pennsylvania), Stranahan, Santa Fe Catholic and Parrish Community.

Stranahan is the reigning 4A state champion, while Santa Fe Catholic finished as the state runner-up in 2A. Archbishop Stepinac ranks No. 11 in the country, per MaxPreps, while Imhotep Charter is a defending state semifinalist in PIAA Class 6A. Parrish Community is the outlier.

But the Bulls are 14-3 this season, and even without Lackaff, the game seemed winnable for the Sailors down the stretch.

“It was a two-possession game with a couple minutes left,” Ivey said. “So I was proud of the way our guys played, energy- and effortwise. Now we’ve just got to clean

Jack Nelson

some things up.”

With its leading scorer sidelined, Sarasota has largely looked to David Young and Isaiah Jenkins to sustain success. The 6-foot-6 senior forward and 6-foot-3 junior forward, respectively, have both answered the call.

Young submitted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double on Jan. 9 in the team’s 73-54 drubbing of Riverview. Jenkins followed that a day later with a team-high 21 points in a 65-56 victory over Cardinal Mooney.

The duo powered the front court before Lackaff’s injury, too, but have since embraced heavier involvement in the offense.

“Other guys have had to step up, and we went deep into our bench to try and compensate for that,” Young said. “Really just still having that confidence and trusting in each other that we’re going to get it done even when Johnny’s not here.”

A pair of sophomore guards have also been plenty busy in the back court.

Zoltan Perc, standing at 5-foot10, is a speedy and shifty option for Ivey to employ. He’s a persistent driver and has shown an improved ability to create for himself.

Then there’s Greg Dauer — hard to overlook. He’s a lengthy guard at

6-foot-5 and can put a unique twoway stamp on the game.

Sarasota has relied on its depth to try to fill an impossible-to-fill void.

And to his credit, Lackaff doesn’t just take up space on the bench.

The star guard is plenty vocal from afar, shifting his on-court coaching to the off-court point of view.

“You can tell he’s really compelled. He still wants to be here,” Young said. “He’s not pouting. He’s still trying to give his best.”

Losing Lackaff at this point in the season could come with consequences.

If Sarasota can’t hold steady until his return, its postseason outlook may suffer for it. The team’s seeding for the FHSAA Class 7A tournament will worsen with every loss.

A collapse hasn’t happened yet, though. It’s unlikely to.

There is more to these Sailors than their star.

Senior forward David Young (33) dribbles up the court with two defenders on him during a Jan. 9 game between Sarasota and Riverview. The Sailors have leaned on Young, among others, with Johnny Lackaff unavailable.

Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. Contact him at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.

Now Offering

SOCIALMEDIA MANAGEMENT for Your Business

Stop the Social Media Stress We’ve got you covered.

Maximize your brand’s potential with Emma Burke-Jolly, a social media expert with seven years of experience at the Observer. She will leverage her expertise to enhance your online presence, engage your audience, and create high-quality content. Stay ahead of trends, save time, and drive growth with strategic, data-driven campaigns.

Our expert could be yours too.

To learn more about this opportunity 450849-1

call 941-366-3468 or email advertise@yourobserver.com.

Emma Burke-Jolly Social Media and Content Manager

ITALIAN NIGHT

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

It’s been a scoring spree to remember for Carter Evans. Across his last four games, the junior forward has averaged 24.2 points per game for Riverview boys basketball. That stretch includes a career-high 28 on 10-for-14 shooting Jan. 6 in a 66-59 victory over Venice. The Rams stand at 11-6, as of Jan. 12, and Evans has posted 16.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this season. Evans is the Sarasota Athlete of the Week.

When and why did you start playing basketball?

I started playing basketball in late, late ninth grade. And I didn’t play (in a game) during ninth grade at all. I just started touching the ball, getting shots up. But my sophomore year, I knew I had to grind to get a varsity spot. I was on JV most of my (sophomore) year, but for the last two months, I was on varsity.

Junior year is still loading.

After all these years, why have you stuck with the sport?

My mom loves basketball. If I quit right now, I don’t know what she would do. She might kick me out.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far and why was it so memorable?

It’s probably when I scored 28 (points) on Venice. When I came home, it felt like I was a different dude. But my mom said, “You’ve still got to work on some things.”

How would you describe your style of play to someone who hasn’t seen you in action before?

I’m like a slasher. I don’t really shoot that much, but (I get) free throws. I’m going to go in and get a foul, and if they don’t foul me, I’m going to get a bucket — every single time.

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

How have you found your stride as a scorer in these last few games?

I’m more confident and driving (into the paint) a lot. Coach (Jeff Harris) really, really believes in me with that ball. Just driving in and getting buckets.

When you’re not playing basketball, how do you spend your free time?

Watching NBA players, like my idols Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Carter Evans

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would you meet and why?

Giannis. I just like how he uses his length.

Friday, January 23, 2026 Siesta Siesta Key Key Chapel Chapel Presents...

Presents...

5:00pm

ITALIANSiesta Key Chapel Present NIGHT

Featuring NIGHT the live music of...

Siesta Key Chapel Presents...January 23, 2026 Friday, NIGHT 5:00pm

ITALIAN

ITALIAN

Friday, January 23, 5:00pm

NIGHTFeaturing the live music of...

Friday, January 23, 2026 5:00pm

Featuring the live music

Featuring the live music of...

Bryan Gurl, Pianist

Michele Pruyn, Soprano

What’s something unique about you that not many people know?

I’m a mama’s boy.

Bryan Bryan Gurl, Gurl, Pianist Pianist

Michele Michele Pruyn, Pruyn, Soprano Soprano

$30/person includes:

If you could go anywhere in the world for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?

The Bahamas, so that I could enjoy the beaches.

Michele Pruyn, Soprano

What song or artist gets you in the zone before a game?

It’s got to be YoungBoy Never Broke Again.

19A

...a delightful multiple-course Italian dinner $30/person prepared fresh by catererincludes: extraordinaire Norm $30/person includes: ...a delightful multiple-course Italian dinner ...a delightful multiple-course Italian dinner Jewett of Sarasota Concierge.

We will not have prepared fresh fresh by by caterer caterer extraordinaire extraordinaire Norm Michele Pruyn, prepared Norm a bar; however, patrons areWe invited tohave BYOB. Jewett will not Soprano Jewett of of Sarasota Sarasota Concierge.

Concierge. We will not have

Bry

Bryan Gurl, a a bar; bar; however, however, patrons patrons are are invited invited to to BYOB. BYOB.

Reserve your tickets by calling the office at 941-349-1166 or by Pianist Reserve your tickets by emailing administrator@SiestaKeyChapel.org.

Reserve your tickets by by calling calling the the office office at at 941-349-1166 941-349-1166 or or by $30/person includes: emailing administrator@SiestaKeyChapel.org. emailing administrator@SiestaKeyChapel.org.

At this time we can only accept checks or cash. multiple-course Italia ...a delightful

At or cash. cash.

At this this time time we we can can only only accept accept checks checks or $30/person includes:

prepared fresh by caterer extraordina ...a delightful multiple-course Italian dinner All proceeds to benefit the KeyChapel Chapel Music Ministry.

All proceeds proceeds to benefit benefit theSiesta Siesta Key Key Chapel Music Ministry.

All to the Siesta Music Ministry.

Jewett of Sarasota Concierge. We will prepared fresh by caterer extraordinaire Norm Siesta Key SiestaKey Key Chapel Chapel Chapel a bar; however, patrons are invited Jewett of Sarasota Concierge. We will not Siesta have 4615 4615 Gleason Gleason Avenue Avenue 4615 Gleason Avenue Sarasota, a bar; however, patrons are invited to BYOB. Sarasota, FL FL 34242 34242

Finish this sentence.

Carter Evans is ...

The best.

Sarasota, FL 34242 Reserve your tickets by calling the office at 941-34 941-439-1166 941-439-1166 emailing administrator@SiestaKeyChapel www.SiestaKeyChapel.org Reserve your tickets by calling the office at 941-349-1166 or941-439-1166 by www.SiestaKeyChapel.org At this time we can only accept checks or emailing administrator@SiestaKeyChapel.org. www.SiestaKeyChapel.org At this time we can only accept checks or cash.

All proceeds to benefit the Siesta Key Chapel Mu

All proceeds to benefit the Siesta Key Chapel Music Ministry.

457080-1

What are your goals for your junior season with Riverview?

I’m definitely trying to average more, especially rebounds. But (I’m) also trying to become a better person.

Siesta Key Chapel 4615 Gleason Avenue Sarasota, FL 34242 941-439-1166 www.SiestaKeyChapel.org

Siesta Key Chapel 4615 Gleason Avenue Sarasota, FL 34242 941-439-1166 www.SiestaKeyChapel.org

Family Medicine

WELCOMES

Full Mouth Implant Dentistry

Paula Forteza, MD Board Certified, Family Medicine

You NEVER GET a SECOND CHANCE to GET IT RIGHT the FIRST TIME

Dr. Paula Forteza brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Beneva Family Practice office a patient-centered approach and a strong clinical foundation in Family Medicine.

Do you want a WEEKEND trained dentist OR a SPECIALIST who has spent 30 years treating and teaching the MOST COMPLEX implant cases?

30 Years of Serving the Sarasota Community Over 17,000 Dental Implants Restored 2012-2024 Sarasota Top Dentist Past President Sarasota County Dental Association Past President FL Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Past President FL Prosthodontic Association

Undergraduate:

University of Miami, Miami, FL

Medical School:

St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

Residency:

HCA Oak Hill Hospital, Brooksville, FL

Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Sarasota Doctors Hospital A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL

8/26/21 3:27 PM

941-365-7390 941-371-3337

A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locat 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

www.intercoastalmedical.com Medicare and most insurances accepted

941-394-8138

www.CHASOLEN.com

445966-1

DMD, FACD, FAAID

8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

456676-1

3333 Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 921 S.Cattlemen Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34232

Specialist in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry Howard M. Chasolen 2033 Wood Street, Suite 125, Sarasota, FL 34237

Beneva Family Practice Cattleridge Medical Building I

8/26/21 3:27 PM

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

l

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

8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

8/26/21 3:27 PM

$9,280,000 $8,500,000 $6,900,000 $4,000,000 $3,900,000 $3,800,000 $3,550,000 $3,499,000+ $3,450,000 $3,450,000 $3,250,000 $2,875,000 $2,770,000 $2,750,000 $2,725,000 $2,275,000 $2,275,000+ $2,250,000 $2,150,000 $2,100,000+ $2,000,000 $2,000,000+ $1,972,500+ $1,890,000 $1,880,000 $1,675,000

2245 OAK TERRACE STREET 16628 BERWICK TERRACE 7934 ROYAL BIRKDALE CIRCLE 7924 REDONDA LOOP 4002 LAS PALMAS WAY 6626 THE MASTERS AVENUE 402 WALLS WAY 8253 GRANDE SHORES DRIVE 8050 REDONDA LOOP 9420 OLD HYDE PARK PLACE 9420 OLD HYDE PARK PLACE 7917 MAINSAIL LANE 7003 LANCASTER COURT 4811 CABREO COURT 15515 DERNA TERACE 14817 SECRET HARBOR PLACE 7037 BRIER CREEK COURT 5035 KIVA CIRCLE 7618 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD 7618 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD 4515 TERRAZZA COURT 12840 SORRENTO WAY 7220 WHITTLEBURY TRAIL 3860 BOCA POINTE DRIVE 3307 VICENZA COURT 6834 TURNBERRY ISLE COURT $1,565,000+ $1,550,000 $1,425,000 $1,375,000 $1,345,000 $1,325,000 $1,325,000+ $1,300,000 $1,255,000 $1,240,000 $1,240,000+ $1,220,000 $1,200,000 $1,186,000 $1,140,000+ $1,135,000+ $1,125,000 $1,122,500+ $1,115,000 $1,115,000+ $1,100,000 $1,055,000 $1,050,000 $1,000,000 $990,802+ $925,000

$925,000 7620 CLUB LANE $890,000 8067 SLIPWAY DRIVE $885,000 16125 TRADEWIND TERRACE $870,000 4629 ANTRIM DRIVE $855,000+ 13307 SWIFTWATER WAY 7020 WHITTLEBURY TRAIL $850,000 3267 ALBA CIRCLE $797,860+ 4651 CLAREMONT PARK DRIVE $750,000+ 16442 HILLSIDE CIRCLE $730,000 17016 SEAFORD WAY $675,000+ 5786 SANDY POINTE DRIVE $630,000 7116 PRESIDIO GLEN $600,000 5234 CASTELLO LANE $600,000 7116 PRESIDIO GLEN $600,000+ 17739 CANTARINA COVE $590,000 7829 BIRDIE BEND WAY $559,000 13245 GUYANA STREET $523,000+ 2721 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE, 607 $457,500 5674 PALMER CIRCLE, 202 $433,000 16112 ISOLA PLACE $429,944+ 4738 CLAREMONT PARK DRIVE $426,000+ 920 TIDEWATER SHORES LOOP, 304 $315,000 4947 GREENCROFT ROAD, 175 $307,000 5042 MARSH FIELD ROAD, 16 $250,000+ 972 LA COSTA CIRCLE, 2 $160,000

1350 MAIN STREET, SARASOTA, FL 34236. 941.867.6199 © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. *REALTRENDS VERIFIED BASED ON 2024 SALES.**BASED ON CAREER SALES. ***BASED ON 2025 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN AND PREMIER SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY TRANSACTIONS (BOTH PENDING AND CLOSED). +REPRESENTED THE BUYER.

1333 VISTA DRIVE 641 RANGER LANE 18826 GANTON AVENUE 3909 CASEY KEY ROAD 540 N TAMIAMI TRAIL, 1503 19405 GANTON AVENUE 8540 PAVIA WAY 7011 BELMONT COURT 1631 HILLVIEW STREET 608 BAYVIEW DRIVE 1757 OVAL DRIVE S 17120 VERONA PLACE 19458 BEACON PARK PLACE 166 GOLDEN GATE POINT, 70 15814 BAYCROSS DRIVE 19444 BEACON PARK PLACE 19444 BEACON PARK PLACE 1701 SANDALWOOD DRIVE 7928 MAINSAIL LANE 16341 DAYSAILOR TRAIL 325 CASEY KEY ROAD 325 CASEY KEY ROAD 11432 HARBOURSIDE LANE 5125 OXFORD DRIVE 8428 CANE BAY COURT 8335 SEA GLASS COURT

SCHEMMEL SODA GROUP 2025 SALES

TOTAL CLOSED SALES IN 2025 ***

$138,149,106

SOLD | 1333 VISTA DRIVE | HARBOR ACRES | WEST OF TRAIL | $9,280,000

O: 941.867.6199 | M: 941.587.4894 joel.schemmel@elliman.com schemmelsodagroup.com

Sales Associate Executive Director of Luxury Sales

JOEL SCHEMMEL

Trust Is the Difference

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

455406-1

SOLD AND PENDING IN 2025 ***

+ $177M

SMALL TEAM BY SALES VOLUME IN FLORIDA*

#20

IN CAREER SALES **

+ $1.2B

SMALL TEAM BY SALES VOLUME IN SARASOTA*

#1

A REMARKABLE YEAR. AN EXCEPTIONAL STANDARD.

20A YourObserver.com

Classifieds 17B Games 16B Real Estate 13B Weather 16B

JANUARY 15, 2026

YOUR NEIGHBORS MICROSCOPE

color, your contrast, gets quadrupled,” he said.

The microscope also relies on its patented Lumarod illumination system, a curved plexiglass-style rod that directs light.

Brock’s wife, Jennifer Brock, said the higher the magnification, the flatter the specimen must be, although they want kids to enjoy looking at objects that aren’t prepared slides.

Dennis Brock has also created an attachable platform for cell phones, so users can take pictures of the view inside the microscope.

MAKER Since 1987, Sarasota’s Dennis Brock has been producing the Brock Magiscope, which draws from ambient light and minimizes breakable components.

SHARING SCIENCE

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

B

efore he created the Brock Magiscope in 1987, Dennis Brock attended a microscope-repair school, where he was tasked with replacing the fine- and coarse-adjustment knobs that control the tool’s focus.

However, that wasn’t a satisfying task for him.

“I said, ‘Well, I want to fix it because I want to be better than anyone else,” he recalls.

When he built the Brock Magiscope in 1987, one of his goals was to create something that would last.

The microscopes, which are handmade partly in his workshop in Sarasota, have no electrical components, don’t require batteries and have few breakable parts, with minimal screws and no mirrors.

“The entire genre of microscopy had become some-

Above: The Brock Magiscope (pictured with an attachment on left, and a band used for securing trays) is the only microscope made in America today, according to Dennis Brock.

Inset: The Brock Magiscope uses ambient light.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Dennis Brock works on a Magiscope in his workshop.

thing for the elite. It had become an elitist tool, something you avoid in school, something that teachers avoided because the scopes don’t work,” he said.

He says there are now more than 250,000 Brock Magiscopes, which he says are the only models made in the United States, still in circulation.

FROM REPAIRING TO BUILDING

Brock grew up in row houses in a Jewish neighborhood in Philadelphia, at a time, he says, others were moving to the suburbs.

“I was left behind because I was from a broken family,” he said.

He ran away at 16 years old but was ultimately forced to keep attending high school until he was 17.

However, Brock says you could have dropped him “in the middle of the ocean” and he would have succeeded.

“I knew I was smart, I knew I was creative, but I didn’t think I’d live to be an adult because I knew that I had been handed some really bad cards,” he said.

After working to repair and finish furniture, he saw an ad for a microscope repair person. Although the role didn’t offer a salary, it would provide training in the craft.

Soon, he was working on microscopes costing thousands of dollars, with 30-40 parts.

“Either I would sink or I would swim … I suffered a thousand deaths doing that, but I succeeded, and after awhile, I was the top repairman in Philadelphia,” he said.

Later, while repairing and selling microscopes in Orlando, he decided to create his own microscope.

The goal was simplicity and durability.

As Brock’s office shows, he’s a fan of objects that last.

He has collections that includes sewing machines from Japan; type-

Take Advantage of a Buyer’s Market

FOR A CLOSER LOOK Visit Magiscope.com.

writers, mostly the Olympia-Werke variety, from Germany; Zeiss microscopes, binoculars and guitars.

He says he’s also learned how to fix everything he’s collected.

“We have to stop throwing things out,” he says. “Everything I collect are items that do not have a half life.

They are always going to be useful.”

That’s just one way in which his views aren’t conventional.

Brock says he believes people live more than once, inheriting skills from past lives, and he is a member of Mutual UFO Network.

He also states that science and religion can be reconciled, criticizing attempts to stop kids from learning about evolution.

“They’re not thinking enough.

They want simple answers,” he said.

A MICROSCOPE COMES INTO FOCUS

When Brock first gave the Magiscope to the director of the Orlando Science Center, the director yanked the viewing tube out of its clamp.

He told Brock, “Come back when you can’t do that.”

After Brock created a version that worked, the product was born at the center in 1987, where Brock says it received positive feedback.

In addition to its durability, Brock says the Magiscope is also unique in the way its lenses are arranged.

Its basic model has a magnification of 20x with a 5x eyepiece and 4x objective, a lower magnification than microscopes usually do, although the lenses are interchangeable.

“What happens when you do that?

Your depth of field? Your light, your

Dennis Brock said when he started his business, Brock Optical, he sold thousands of microscopes every year and had a half-dozen employees, at times selling 100 in a week.

For the past 10 years, he has been making the microscopes on his own, which he says is good in the sense that it provides quality control.

“I have been David. I refuse to play with Amazon ... I have been barely existing for a couple of years now,” he said.

Brock creates the brass components while sourcing others including the lenses. Jennifer Brock said the materials cost about $80, and the basic package sells for $329.

She also said last Christmas was the most difficult one in terms of sales.

One reason is that the couple have not traveled with the microscope as much as in the past, and also that they hope to pursue more community involvement.

In the past, they participated in events including three regional events and one national one by the National Science Teachers Association, while also presenting with parties including the Council for Exceptional Children and at homeschool conventions.

She said those experiences brought lots of connections with others who came to use the microscopes.

Those include a farmer in Florida who uses them for soil samples, an Israeli professor who brought one to the Burning Man festival, gardening programs across Minnesota, art museums in Arizona, stamp collectors, students and researchers.

Recently, the couple dropped off 12 at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

Meanwhile, the business started an initiative called “Project Magiscope” that encourages people to make taxdeductible donations to help offer the products to classrooms.

They say they are also building a curriculum for users of the product, which could include fun activities that allow kids to “work in a group and get their hands dirty.”

“It is entirely in my nature to learn everything I can and to teach everything I can, and the microscope shows people that there’s a whole world they’re not aware of,” he said.

“That’s a very important lesson.”

Each condo community has its own vibe -

and its own fine print.

• Monthly fees - what’s covered and what’s not?

• Financial stability - how healthy is the association?

• Pet policies- will your furry friend be welcome?

• Rental rules - can you rent it out when you’re away?

• Amenities & lifestyle- poolside chic or private retreat?

• Price ranges - what’s available for your budget right now?

455226-1 455226-1

Sarasota’s condo market is growing fast, and it pays to have someone who knows the buildings, the developers, and the best opportunities before they hit everyone’s radar.

Your Sarasota Condo Connectionhere to make it simple, smart, and fun.

Gigi Silverberg | Broker associate Mobile 941-993-3695

Luxury Real Estate | Sarasota Coastal Living

2B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Stacey Monroe high-fives Louisa Tiriobo and Caitlin Lawless.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.

Movement in memory It provides scholarships to seniors at Riverview High School, where Andrew played soccer, to benefit soccer players, JROTC cadets and track athletes.

Monroe said the funds raised in the race offer anywhere from $12,000 to $16,000 in scholarships, and the leftover funds go to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which also offers scholarships in Andrew’s name.

Olivia Rosenthal, a 12th grader who plays soccer at Riverview High School, said she knows firsthand the challenges of finding ways to pay for school.

“I just think it’s really valuable, because as a fellow senior, I’m also trying to get scholarships for college, so it’s nice that I can contribute to an event that’s going towards charity, and I know by participating. I’m helping other students get their college paid for,” she said.

Pamela Kurpiewski approaches the finish line.

Thomas Lewis shows some patriotic colors during the run.

Kathy Hargreaves, Debra Riva, Charlie Roberts, John Hargreaves, Russa Vega, Kevin McQuaid and Samantha Wirks gather on the beach.

— IAN SWABY

A life-changing destination is here.

THE CORNELL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PAVILION The Cornell Pavilion is a safe, welcoming place for those struggling with mental health issues. With evidence-based programs and services, and the most experienced clinicians, lives are transformed, smiles return and our community grows stronger.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS CRITICAL TO ITS SUCCESS Only 17% of SMH’s behavioral health costs are reimbursed.

Learn how you can make an impact, call 941.917.1286 or visit smhf.org.

Learn more.

448622-1

S

tacey Monroe says as a member of local running clubs, she knows many of the hundreds of people by name who turned out for the 13th Annual Andrew Monroe Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk.

“It makes me proud. It makes me very proud,” she said of how the event, held at Siesta Key Beach on Jan. 11 in honor of her son, has grown.

One of the attendees was Charlie Roberts, who has been supporting the event for years and had the chance to coach and referee Andrew.

He recalled him as “super-friendly, super-committed, just a great allaround kid,” saying his son, Trevor Roberts, a teammate, was fond of him.

“It’s an important function,” Roberts said of the race. “It keeps his name alive and brings money to great causes. So it’s a wonderful event.”

The goal of the event is to raise funds for a higher education that Andrew, who died in a car crash in 2011, did not have the chance to complete.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

3B

The Ar t of Waterfront Living at Wild Blue LUXURY DESIGNER-DECORATED MODELS NOW OPEN NEW HOMESITES AVAILABLE

Life revolves around the spectacular 30,000-square-foot clubhouse—now under construction and opening this fall. This is where neighbors become friends over resort pools, shared meals at indoor-outdoor dining venues, and rounds on the premier putting course. With a golf simulator, fitness center, cinema, and stunning waterfront homes by the region’s most sought-after builders, this Lakewood Ranch community is Sarasota’s most distinctive address for those who value connection as much as luxury.

NOW OPEN: MIDWAY SPORTS PARK Tennis • Pickleball • Basketball Dog Parks • Children’s Playground

Visit Today.

8396 Sea Glass Court, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 l 941.313.3852 From University Parkway turn south onto Lorraine Road and follow the signs to Wild Blue at Waterside WildBluelwr.com Residences from $1.5 million ANCHOR BUILDERS • AR HOMES BY ARTHUR RUTENBERG • JOHN CANNON HOMES LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES • STOCK LUXURY HOMES • STOCK CUSTOM HOMES

454085-1

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. ALL RENDERINGS AND PLANS ARE PROPOSED CONCEPTS SHOWN ONLY FOR MARKETING PURPOSES AND ARE BASED ON THE DEVELOPER’S CURRENT PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN. DEVELOPER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, REVISE OR WITHDRAW THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN DEVELOPER’S SOLE DISCRETION WITHOUT NOTICE. NOTHING HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO OBLIGATE THE DEVELOPER, OR ANY AFFILIATE OF DEVELOPER, TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT OR OFFER ANY OF THE PROJECT FOR SALE, AND NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED A GUARANTY OF ANY KIND. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SALE OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

TECHNOLOGY FOR GOOD According to its website, the Deb Kabinoff Fund helps nonprofits throughout Sarasota County optimize technological capabilities to serve their constituencies. For more information about the fund, whose slogan is “Technology for good,” visit DebKabinoff.fund.

Photos by Andrew Warfield

The mobile Sarasota Learning Center can be deployed anywhere in the city, and can even be used as emergency shelter if needed.

Police department rolls out mobile Sarasota Learning Center SPD’s new tech-rich trailer will be deployed by the Community Relations Division to take resources to many who don’t have access.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

T

he Sarasota Police Department has another wheeled asset in its arsenal, but rather than an assault vehicle, cruiser or mobile command post, this one is outfitted with iPads, a smartboard, classroom supplies, satellite internet, a 3D printer and more than 200 books.

It’s the new Sarasota Learning Center, a 28-foot, self-contained trailer to be employed by the SPD’s Community Relations Unit. Introduced by the SPD on Jan. 9, it is designed to provide a safe learning environment that supports academic growth and social development while children engage and fos-

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche with Learning Center chief benefactor Deb Kabinoff.

ter trusting relationships with police officers.

At a cost of approximately $100,000, the trailer was paid for by a philanthropic effort led by Sarasota resident Deb Kabinoff.

While officers will manage the trailer and participate in activities,

the goal is for the vehicle to be used as an on-campus field trip experience or for special outreach events for youth in the city.

“I was very fortunate in my career.

I started and sold several software companies,” Kabinoff said. “When I retired here to Sarasota, I wanted to take the opportunity to use the money that I had made with technology to help apply technology to not-forprofit organizations and to people who didn’t have access to technology that might help them the way that it helps so many other people.”

To address that need, she founded the Deb Kabinoff Fund to provide capital for projects related to bringing technology to people who could not otherwise afford it.

Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche and Kabinoff had previously partnered in efforts to provide technology to underserved areas of the city.

“We pitched this idea of a trailer with the latest in technology, and then essentially tutoring kids and allowing our officers to ingratiate themselves with the kids and build friendships and partnerships,” Troche said. “At the same time, we can

allow the kids to have an on-campus school trip where they can leave their classroom and come just be in a different environment.”

Books for the Sarasota Learning Center were donated by Felicia Donson of Mom’s Book Nook and the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County.

The colorful wrap, which showcases the city’s skyline, was adapted from an image provided by Liesl Walsh Photography.

In addition to serving as a mobile classroom, the Learning Center is adaptable to other uses.

Troche said, for example, it can be used as shelter if needed in emergency situations, an onboard generator providing air conditioning and the desks raised and secured to the walls for more space.

Through an operable window on one side, it can be parked on a neighborhood street and serve as a free ice cream truck.

Those are just some of the possibilities. But the primary objective is use as an education tool.

To that end, officer Whitney Bentz of SPD’s Community Relations Unit has stocked the trailer with everything a classroom would need, including school supplies, a map of the world, colorful seating, the 3D printer and more.

“We’ve outfitted it with everything a classroom would need,” said Bentz in a news release. “I want to see kids using it and enjoying how much work has gone into to creating this space. I want them to get excited when they see it pull up to the school and think ‘I get to do this today.’”

Kabinoff said her involvement with the unit began with sponsoring the wrap but gradually morphed into funding the trailer, then the iPads, furniture and other amenities.

“Chief Troche and I have worked together for several years,” Kabinoff said.

“He really believes in community policing and establishing that relationship, so when he finds an opportunity to reach out to a group of children in the community who don’t have access to technology the way other people might, he calls me.

“He had this idea, and I went for it immediately.”

Initially, the Sarasota Learning Center will be available at community events and at elementary schools in north Sarasota as part of a partnership with the Sarasota County School District.

The interior of the SPD’s new Sarasota Learning Center.

Discover Home SHELLSTONE AT WATERSIDE Sarasota, FL

PALMERA AT WELLEN PARK Venice, FL

Approx. 1,692-3,733 sf From High $500's 2 Amenity Centers Quick Move-Ins Available

Approx. 2,375-3426 sf From High $700's Gated with Amenity Center Quick Move-Ins Available

MODEL CENTER 792 Blue Shell Loop Sarasota, FL 34240 941-361-2536

MODEL CENTER 18188 Foxtail Loop Venice, FL 34293 941-361-2537

CA DRE Broker #01203752

www.homesbytowne.com

456423-1

4B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

5B

THE ALL-NEW AL PIEMONTE LINCOLN IN BRADENTON

NEW 2025 LINCOLN AVIATOR

NEW 2025 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

NEW 2025 LINCOLN NAUTILUS

NEW 2025 LINCOLN CORSAIR

LINCOLN TOTAL CASH*

LINCOLN TOTAL CASH*

LINCOLN TOTAL CASH*

LINCOLN TOTAL CASH*

$6,000

$6,000

$6,000

$4,000

MEET OUR TEAM

Bobby Rathbun General Sales Manager

Jakob Kounkel

Bryan Anderson

New Car Sales Manager

Alex Lukacs

Used Car Sales Manager

Steve Fannin

Service Manager

Body Shop Manager

Lincoln Pickup & Delivery

Lincoln Mobile Service

We’ll come to your home or work, pick up your vehicle, service it, and bring it back to you.

We’ll come to your home or work and change your oil and filter.

PLUS Additional Services Below

Enjoy an effortless way to service your vehicle.

APLINCOLN.COM

Routine maintenance on your vehicle.

At your time and place.

• FLUID TOP OFFS • TIRE ROTATIONS • WIPER BLADES • RECALLS

• BATTERIES • SOFTWARE UPDATE • LIGHT REPAIRS • ACCESSORY INSTALLATION

WE OFFER COURTESY LOANER CARS WHEN YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS REPAIRS, TRUST THE EXPERTS AT AL PIEMONTE LINCOLN FOR: • BODY SHOP • FREE ESTIMATE • WE WILL BEAT ANY WRIT TEN ESTIMATE • WE REPAIR ALL MAKES & MODELS • WE ACCEPT MOST MA JOR INSUR ANCE C ARRIERS • IC AR GOLD CERTIFIED

PHONE: 941.277.5389 | EMAIL:BODYSHOP@APLINCOLN.COM

1 MILE FROM THE SARASOTA AIRPORT

6760 14TH STREET WEST, BRADENTON, FL 34207

LINCOLN PRIORITY SERVICE

99

$

.95

Replace Oil and Filter With Synthetic Blend Oil • Rotate, Inspect, and Pressure Check Tires • Inspect Brake System • Test Battery Condition • Check Filters as Required • Visually Inspect Belts and Hoses • Inspect and Adjust Fluid Levels • Reset Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® *Retailer-installed retail purchases only. Up to six quarts of Motorcraft® Synthetic Blend oil and Motorcraft oil filter. Hybrid battery test excluded. See Service Advisor for vehicle applications and details. Motorcraft® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. **Valid for Lincoln vehicles within four years of the new-vehicle limited warranty start date or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. See your dealer for complete details. Lincoln reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue this program at any time. Expires 3/31/2026

WWW.APLINCOLN.COM SALES: 941.269.6858 SERVICE: 941.277.5389 PARTS: 941.269.6837

^Off MSRP. On select models. MSRP may not be price at which vehicle is sold in trade area. Includes applicable manufacturer rebates & manufacturer incentives. In lieu of special financing. Ex. #25073, MSRP=$108,310-$10,000=$98,310. Offer ends 3/31/2026. See dealer for qualifications and complete details. *$6,000 Retail Customer Cash on select Lincoln Nautilus, Aviator and Navigator models. Restrictions apply. Ends 3/31/2026. See dealer for details. **$4,000 Retail Customer Cash on select Lincoln Corsair models. Restrictions apply. Ends 3/31/2026. See dealer for details.

455928-1

CERTIFIED COLLISION CENTER

YourObserver.com

YOUR CALENDAR

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

FRIDAY, JAN. 16

FLORIDA ARBOR DAY AT THE BAY | MICROFORESTS FOR URBAN RESILIENCE Noon to 1 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. In celebration of Florida Arbor Day, learn from Charles Reith about his work in planting microforests in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

HEALTHY LIVING: ASIAN SPICE TEAS 2-3 p.m. at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Free. Learn about the world of Asian tea traditions in this class that involves creating a tea infusion. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

SMH RENEW AT THE BAY 11 a.m. to noon at Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts. The final two of three guided sessions on making lasting positive changes are planned, sponsored by Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s wellness team. On Jan. 17, learn from dieticians about meal prep skills in “Healthy Eating & Meal Prep Made Easy.” The final session, “Shop This, Not That: Secrets to Healthier Grocery Shopping” will take place Jan. 24. Registration required. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

MONDAY, JAN. 19

RINGLING BY THE BAY 5:30 p.m. at John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. $25; $20 for members. Enjoy live music and dancing along the bayfront. Seating is provided. The performer for this session is Gustav Viehmeyer and FSU Music. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Visit Ringling.org.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. UNITY WALK 11 a.m., beginning at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34th St., and ending at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave. Free. Sarasota’s community will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this annual memorial walk. The preceding memorial breakfast is now sold out. The day will also include the Dr. MLK Medical/Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robert L. Taylor Community

File image

BEST BET

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

A CENTURY OF CARS Main Street, Sarasota, to St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle.

Free. The Sarasota Yacht Club and St. Armands Circle, both founded in 1926, are celebrating their 100th anniversary with this parade and car show. The event will feature a total of 175 vehicles, between the parade and the exhibitors on the Circle, who will be dressed in period clothing to match the era of their car. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.

Complex from noon to 4 p.m., at the walk’s end. Visit EventBrite.com.

THURSDAY, JAN. 22

CINEMA AT THE BAY: RAY 7-9:30 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Enjoy an outdoor movie under the stars at The Bay. “Ray” (PG-13) highlights the musical journey of Ray Charles.

Registration required. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

PERFECT UNFOLDING: SEVEN YEARS OF LIFE-CHANGING SOLO ADVENTURE WITH KRISTY HALVORSEN 4-5:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. Join former Sarasota County resident and North Port Fire Rescue Lt. Kristy Halvorsen, as she shares stories from her seven years of nomadic adventure across North America which she wrote about in her book “Perfect Unfolding.” Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

FINAL DAYS FOR OUR SAVE NOW ON BIGGEST STRESSLESS COMFORT SAVINGS OF THE YEAR DONATE $50 or more to Resurrection SAVE $200 OFF House now through Jan. 20th and Every Stressless Seat!

SAVE $400 off Stressless*

LEARN HOW YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

7211 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231 *See Sales Associate for Details

Mon.-Sat. 10-5 • Sun. 12-5 941-923-2569 copenhagen-imports.com

456794-1

COPENHAGEN IMPORTS • FINE LUXURY FURNITURE

457191-1

6B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

7B

On Lido Key. A LIFE INSPIR ED.

R E SI DE NCE SL I DOK EY.COM

Welcoming Owners 2026 • From the $7 Millions • 941-888-3131 Visit Our Sales Gallery: 540 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236 ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

455314-1

This project has been fi led in the state of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Equal Housing Opportunity. Rosewood Residences Lido Key is owned and being developed, offered and sold by WSR—Lido Beach, LLC (“Developer”). The project is not owned, developed or sold by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, L.L.C. or any of its affi liates (“Rosewood”). Developer uses the Rosewood marks pursuant to a license agreement with Rosewood, which may be terminated under certain conditions. Rosewood does not assume any responsibility or liability in connection with the condominium. © Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. The Ronto Group®. Rosewood Hotels and Resorts®.

8B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Fifth graders Eva Portnow-Rivas, Ma’laya Harris, Sienna Ackerman and Adrianna Scott perform the Charleston, as a celebration of the 1930s.

Audiology

WELCOMES Madeleine Berg, AuD, CCC-A Photos by Ian Swaby

Certified CCC-A, Audiology

A CENTURY OF SOUTHSIDE

W

Dr. Madeleine Berg brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Cattleridge I office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Audiology.

hen John Spielman became principal of Southside Elementary in 1982, the school was near closing with only about 250 students, his granddaughter Brooke Harris, a fourth grader, told an audience on Jan. 9.

“On Southside’s 100th birthday, we University of South Florida, Tampa, FL Undergraduate: honor not only the principal he was, but the heart he gave to the school, a heart that still beats for today,” she said.

University of South Florida, Tampa, FL Graduate School: The Southside Centennial ceremony looked back even further, covering the eras through which Southside Elementary CCC-A (Certificate of Clinical Competence Certification: has existed since its founding in 1924. in Audiology) Students danced the Charleston and sang hits from the past, while guests learned facts about the school.

A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations For instance, Gov. Jeb Bush came to campus in 2005 to officially sign a bill making the orange the state fruit after RIDA’S FINEST teacher Janet Shapiro’s class discovered SHOWROOM no such state designation existed.

During the centennial event, students, A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations staff and guests sang “Happy Birthday” and “Hoorah for Southside.’’

Cattleridge Medical Building I Then they ate cake.

3333 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 “We’re really happy to be here, part of M THE PLUMBING PLACE this wonderful community, grateful that www.intercoastalmedical.com this exists and this tremendous support ce for the teachers, the arts,” said parent Medicare and most insurances accepted Mary Theresa Kiely. ur 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1 8/26/21 3:27 PM 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL

Fifth grader Oliver Shaha discusses the 1970s.

8/26/21 3:27 PM

941-379-1800

NOWLEDGE. SERVICE.

8/26/21 3:27 PM

456680-1

8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

Beautiful AND Durable Exterior Door Hardware A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group National Expertise Multiple Locations

itchen & Bath Fixtures • Sinks & Tubs

er oilet & Bidets • Kitchen & Bath Lighting

l

— IAN SWABY

l

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

TRUST. KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE. 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

r & Cabinet Hardware • Mirrors & Cabinets

Fifth graders Charles Pimentel and Colton Anderson perform “Ice, Ice Baby,” celebrating the 1990s.

8/26/21 3:27 PM

ur• Bath Furniture & Accessories It’s a frustrating reality for many Gulf Coast For over 30 years The Plumbing Place has worked hard to earn the trust of our

homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished

150 years of combined experience, our

exterior door hardware caused by our harsh

rs customers and contractors. And with over friendly and knowledgeable staff delivers exceptional customer care.

salt-rich air.

We eventually learn that the tease of “lifetime “Everything about the place is beautiful, we should brass” really means a lifetime of maintenance call it the pluming boutique, so clean, organized, big

of items,There friendly staff…” and selection repair. is a practical solution to this - RANDA Z.

RIDA’S FINEST SHOWROOM

common problem – Bronze or Stainless Steel.

LEDGE. SERVICE. Both materials offer excellent salt tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance with a minimum of maintenance. A variety of

Shop our 6,000 sq.ft. Showroom for the

M THE PLUMBINGstyles PLACE Straightforward Name. and finishes provide a perfect match to Best & Most Extensive Collection Anywhere.

FROMOWNER THE PLUMBING PLACE JOHN SMITHMAN, 5678 FRUITVILLE ROAD | SARASOTA, FL 34232 941.378.5678 | THEPLUMBINGPLACE.COM

When you want your freedom to roam, there’s only one Power Chair

Convenient Location.

Beautiful AND Durable

Exterior Door schemes Hardware existing color including rich patinas of

Beautiful AND Durable classic bronze, contemporary polished or Outstanding Showroom.

Exterior matte nickel, andDoor black. Hardware It’s a frustrating reality for many Gulf Coast

homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished

itchen & Bath Fixtures • Sinks & Tubs

oilet & Bidets • Kitchen & Bath Lighting

exterior door hardware caused by our harsh salt-rich air.

We eventually learn that the tease of “lifetime

TRUST. KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE.

r & Cabinet Hardware • Mirrors & Cabinets brass” really means a lifetime of maintenance

HEAVIEST PART NOW ONLY 18 LBS It’s a frustrating reality for many Gulf Coast Beautifully crafted bathroom and kitchen fixtures, Smitty’s Architectural Hardware, located WEIGHT CAPACITY UP TO 300 LBS homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished has worked hard to earn the trust of our fittings and accessories from leading designers.

“Everything about the place is beautiful, we should customers and contractors. And with over inside The Plumbing Place, displays many and kitchen fixtures, fittings and Beautifully bathroom door hardwarecrafted caused by our harsh Masterpieces of functionality and style showcased 150 call yearsitofthe combined experience, our pluming boutique, soexterior clean, organized, big friendly and knowledgeable staff delivers lines of door hardware in beautiful styles for accessories from leading designers.

Masterpieces of functionality Go Just About Anywhere - Move the joystick in the in an astounding showroom.

- RANDA Z. air. selection of items, friendly staff…” salt-rich exceptional customer care. and style showcased in an astounding showroom. your home that are well suited for our direction you want to go - indoors or out. Turns on a dime and repair. There is a practical solution to this

• Bath Furniture & Accessories

common problem – Bronze or Stainless

For over 30 years The Plumbing Place

Steel.

Both materials offer excellent salt

tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance

with a minimum of maintenance. A variety of styles and finishes provide a perfect match to

existing color schemes including rich patinas of classic bronze, contemporary polished or matte nickel, and black.

Visit our showroom or call to arrange an appointment.

in tight spaces and fits under a table. Multi-terrain wheels demanding environment, and will create the We eventually learn that the Road teaseorof “lifetime 5678 Fruitville •call Sarasota • Florida 34232 Visit our showroom to arrange an appointment. work on grass and small gravel. first “Everything impression your front door deserves.

941.378.5678 5678 • Sarasota • Florida 34232 • 941.378.5678 about the place isFruitville beautiful, we should Road brass” really means a lifetime of maintenance Smitty’s Architectural Hardware, located

inside The Plumbing Place, displays many

lines of door hardware in beautiful styles for your home that are well suited for our

demanding environment, and will create the first impression your front door deserves.

The Perfect Travel Companion - Patented swivel-

call it the pluming boutique, so clean, organized, big

of items,There friendly staff…” and selection repair. is a practical solution to this

away footrest makes it easy to sit and stand on your own.

Lightweight and travel-friendly. Folds flat to 12 inches in seconds and is FAA compliant. Fits into almost any vehicle.

- RANDA Z.

Shop our 6,000 sq.ft. Showroom for the

t. Showroom for the common problem – Bronze or Stainless Showroom for the ve Collection Anywhere.

Steel. e Collection Anywhere.

Best & Most Extensive Collection Anywhere.

JOHN SMITHMAN, OWNER

5678 FRUITVILLE ROAD | SARASOTA, FL 34232 941.378.5678 | THEPLUMBINGPLACE.COM

WNER

NER LEDGE. SERVICE. | SARASOTA, FL 34232 Both materials offer excellent salt

mSARASOTA, for the FL 34232

MBINGPLACE.COM BINGPLACE.COM

n Anywhere.

SHIPPI

with a minimum of maintenance. A variety of

Shop our 6,000 sq.ft. Showroom for the

Best & Most Extensive Collection Anywhere.

• TUBS • VANITIES FAUCETS SINKS •• • TUBS • VANITIES • SHOWERS styles and finishes provide a perfect match to FAUCETS SINKS Beautiful AND Durable • • • • SHOWERS MIRRORS STEAM MIRRORS STEAM ROOMS • SAUNAS WHIRLPOOLS Exterior Door Hardware existing color schemes including rich patinas of ROOMS • HARDWARE TOILETS • TOILETS • BIDETS • LIGHTING • ACCESSORIES SAUNAS• BIDETS classic bronze, contemporary polished or DOOR AND CABINET HARDWARE matte nickel, and black.

LIGHTING • ACCESSORIES www.theplumbingplace.com

FROMOWNER THE PLUMBING PLACE JOHN SMITHMAN, 941.378.5678 | THEPLUMBINGPLACE.COM

It’s a frustrating reality for many Gulf Coast

homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished exterior door hardware caused by our harsh salt-rich air.

We eventually learn that the tease of “lifetime

brass” really means a lifetime of maintenance

and repair. There is a practical solution to this common problem – Bronze or Stainless

Smitty’s Architectural Hardware, located www.theplumbingplace.com “Everything about the place is beautiful, we should inside The Plumbing Place, displays many and kitchen fixtures, fittings and Beautifully crafted bathroom Steel.

Both materials offer excellent salt

tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance

a minimum of maintenance. A variety of call it the pluming boutique, so clean,with organized, big

lines of door hardware infrom beautiful styles for accessories leading designers.

Masterpieces of functionality and style showcased in an astounding showroom. styles and finishes provide a perfect match to

existing color schemes including rich patinas of Z. selection of items, friendly staff…” - RANDA classic bronze, contemporary polished or matte nickel, and black.

Use Code*: FREESHIP

Call 877-617-7153 Visit ShopJourney.com/Zoomer *While supplies last. The Zoomer Chair is a personal electric vehicle and is not a medical device nor a wheelchair.

It is not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. We accept all major forms of payment, but do not accept Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance. © 2025 Journey Health & Lifestyle - BAPZMR1/606724

456202-1

5678 FRUITVILLE ROAD | SARASOTA, FL 34232

450360-1

L 34232

COM

FRENEG*

tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

9B

LET US DESIGN A POOL THAT FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE

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

941.927.1882 456958-1

Michael Hartenstine, Todd Morton, owner of Morton’s Gourmet Market, and his son, Will Morton, attended the event, which Morton’s also catered.

www.HolidayPoolsFlorida.com

Lic# CPC1458597

Family Owned and Operated Since 1994

Aqua’s Got Your Back.

Sara Bailey and her husband, Ken Bailey, both attended Southside Elementary School during the 1950s and ’60s. They have two sons, and three grandchildren, including Ashley Bailey (pictured).

Fifth graders Islay Finlay and Elliott Friedman prepare for the event.

Your Partner for Total Home Care: Uncompromised Comfort, Unwavering Reliability

941.366.7676 AQUAPLUMBINGSARASOTA.COM

456647-1

LIC # CAC1816020 • PLBG CFC1428223 • ELEC EC13009313 456084-1

ADOPT DON’T SHOP

H VAC | EL EC T RIC | PLUMBING | WAT ER T RE AT MEN T

OPEN 7 DAYS 10am-6pm - 941-366-2404 | 2542 17th St., Sarasota, FL 34234 • www.catdepot.org

JOIN US FOR A

EVENING OF HIGH STAKES, HIGH STYLE AND HIGH ROLLING

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026 6:30PM TO 11:00PM THE ORA | 578 McIntosh Road, Sarasota BLACK TIE | JAMES BOND-INSPIRED | LIGHT FARE | OPEN BAR

453168-1

CASINOROYALE26.GIVESMART.COM Hosted by YMCA of Southwest Florida Sarasota City and Palmer Ranch Community Boards, with proceeds benefiting both locations

10B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

SECOND OPINIONS

DENTAL HYGIENE

ESTHETIC GUM CRAFTING

UM EASE

VENEERS VENEERS

IMPLANT TEETH

DENTAL EMERGENCIES

IMPLANT TEETH

TEETH IN A DAY

VOTED IMPLANTS SARASOTA’S DENTAL

TOP IMPLANT & AESTHETIC DENTISTS

SARASOTA’S TOP IMPLANT & AESTHETIC DENTISTS

Vykky Contreras

Rhythm and harmony V DR. MAGGIE DR. KATHERINE Providing simple to complex specialty DR. HARRY HARING DR. CRAIG MISCH MISCH-HARING MISCH Specialist in Specialist in dental care in one location Specialist in convenient Specialist in Prosthodontics & Oral Surgery & Implants

Periodontics & Implants

Prosthodontics & Implants

Implants

alist in odontics & nts

ARRY HARING

DR. MAGGIE MISCHHARING Specialist in Periodontics & Implants

DR. KATHERINE MISCH Specialist in Prosthodontics and Implants

DR. CRAIG MISCH Specialist in Oral Surgery & Implants

ring is a master an using the latest Smile Design ology to create ifully natural smile overs. Specializing lant restorations, al tooth crowns & rs.

Dr. Misch-Haring specializes in minimally invasive surgical treatments for esthetic gum contouring, implant placement, and treatment of gum disease around teeth and implants.

smiles with Same Day Teeth, implant dentures, and Facelift dentures.

grafting, implant surgery and complication care for over 30 years.

Dr. Craig Misch is a Providing simple tois complex world renowned implant Dr. Katie Misch surgeon, lecturer, author a master implant with over care and recognized leader specialtyspecialist dental in implant surgical 30 years experience treatments. Offering creating functional, in one convenient location Same Day Teeth, bone healthy and beautiful

120 S. Tuttle Avenue, 120 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34237 Implant & Aesthetic Dentistry Sarasota, FL 34237 Implant &Misch Aesthetic Dentistry (941) 957-6444 (941) 957-6444

Kindly Kindly useuse thethe QRQR code to access our tocode access our website. website.

—IAN SWABY

450417-1

A family-owned dental A family-owned dental specialty practice specialty practice

ykky Contreras is a dancer and drummer at the Siesta Key Drum Circle who began attending the beach event about 10 years ago.

So she said she wasn’t sure what the experience would be like as she headed indoors on the night of Jan. 11, to the event space at Casey Key Resort in Osprey.

She said the drummers enjoy the outdoors and sunset, and the spiritual and positive feeling of the tradition, which she said is something she wants to share with multiple generations.

However, Steven Mark, of Sarasota’s Over 50 group on Meetup.com, a former vintage guitar store owner from New Jersey, said he wanted to introduce melodies to the percussion sounds of the drum circle.

As Mark and other members took to the stage to perform familiar songs from the past, they were joined by Contreras, who danced and played drums, as well as Alan Bitterman, a member of local drum circles, on hand drums.

“I just thought, why don’t we just have a fusion that’s never been done before?”

Mark said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Steven Mark plays the drums.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Greg Edmondson, Diana Pennington and Sue Goldstein gather.

“Instead of handing everyone the same prescription, we start with a functional evaluation, looking at things like inflammatory and hormone markers,” Magistri said.

The providers also take a complete medical history of the patient, and ask questions about the patient’s weight history, injuries, lifestyle and dietary preferences to get a full picture. Patients can expect body composition testing that measures body fat percentage, visceral fat, and muscle mass, along with comprehensive lab work.

Anti Aging & Ketamine Center offers a range of medications, such as GLP1s like Wegovy or Zepbound, stimulant medications, weight loss peptides and more. These options are thoughtfully paired with personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance to help patients lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way.

What a Perimenopausal Woman and a Former Athlete Learned About Weight Loss WHY PERSONALIZATION CHANGES EVERYTHING. What does a perimenopausal woman have in common with a former male athlete?

They both turned to Anti Aging & Ketamine Center to help them lose weight, but the similarities stop there. After all, weight loss isn’t one-size-fits-all, according to Melina Magistri, co-founder of Anti Aging & Ketamine Center.

center takes a functional and holistic approach to guiding patients through the process. The medical providers look at everything from medical history to lifestyle preferences before making an individualized plan.

452106-1

they were no longer as effective as they had been years ago. He also had previous knee injuries that prevented him from doing his usual workouts. The providers at Anti Aging & Ketamine Center conducted a full functional evaluation, made a few dietary suggestions, and created a care The 47-year-old woman, who had struggled plan tailored to his needs. with her weight her whole life, started with Not your typical weight loss clinic, the small changes like drinking more water “We also ended up adding testosterone and cutting back on her weekly trips to and peptides that cut body fat and increase the drive-thru. After shedding the first muscle mass,” Magistri said.

20 pounds naturally, she began taking a He lost 7 percent body fat and about 27 GLP-1 medication under the guidance of pounds, while gaining roughly 10 pounds Melina Magistri, who ensured the patient of muscle. He also lost 7 inches from his continued to lose weight gradually to avoid waist alone. muscle loss. Over 18 months, the woman lost 137 pounds and has since maintained “He’s actually in better shape than he was when he was an athlete,” Magistri said. her weight.

Melina Magistri DNP, APRN, FNP-C and Ann Marie Catania MSN, CRNA

The former athlete, on the other hand, came in hoping to drop just 30 to 35 pounds and have more energy. He already understood the nutritional basics but found

Like many patients at the Anti Aging & Ketamine Center, both individuals began their journeys with a goal in mind and needed a plan to get there.

“We fine-tune items throughout the weight loss process and everything’s personalized because everybody’s different,” Magistri said.

Whether you’ve struggled with yo-yo dieting, are experiencing menopausal weight gain, or want to cut body fat while building muscle, Anti Aging & Ketamine Center offers personalized weight loss programs tailored to your body, goals, and lifestyle. Call today to schedule a comprehensive weight loss evaluation and discover how a customized approach can help you achieve lasting results.

• Bioidentical Hormones • Medical Weight Loss • Ketamine Therapy • Peptide Therapy 5500 Bee Ridge Road #106, Sarasota 6124 53rd Ave E, Bradenton 941-755-9355 antiagingandketamine.com

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Vibrant Senior Living

Coming Soon to Lakewood Ranch!

Conceptual rendering

Conceptual rendering

Emerson Lakes Is Now Accepting Reservations.

The first phase of construction is now underway. This includes the beautiful Coral Ridge Clubhouse and three residence buildings: Sandhill Point, anticipated to open in the fall of 2026, followed by Laguna Springs and Mangrove Run, opening in the first half of 2027.

Everyday Resort Living Here are just a few resort-style amenities you can expect: • Multiple dining venues

• Pickleball and bocce ball courts

• Outdoor pool with a walk-up bar

• Outdoor fitness center with meditation garden

• State-of-the-art fitness center

• Firepits

Predictable Costs, Exceptional Value Our community’s smart financial structure will provide peace of mind and security by streamlining most bills into a simple monthly payment. Your Monthly Service Package covers: • Utilities, maintenance, and property taxes

• Use of fitness center, pool, and dozens of other amenities

• Cable TV, internet, and landline phone

A Community You Can Trust Emerson Lakes℠ is a part of Erickson Senior Living,® one of the largest senior living providers in the nation. Here, you’ll enjoy a maintenance-free, independent lifestyle backed by over 40 years of trusted experience.

6045 White Eagle Boulevard Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202 EmersonLakesCommunity.com

1813950

457066-1

Don’t wait! Call 1-888-515-6435 to learn more about this exciting new community!

11B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

LONGBOAT KEY 562 Ranger Lane 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,149 Sq. Ft. Cheri Castro 941.740.5371 A4675541 $3,499,900

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 1155 N Gulfstream Ave #1704 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,920 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard, PA 941.685.0422 A4676211 $2,900,000

SIESTA KEY 4757 Higel Ave 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,232 Sq. Ft. Victoria Turner 662.614.2783 A4669548 $2,750,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 1155 N Gulfstream Ave #1506 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,770 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard, PA 941.685.0422 A4676218 $2,500,000

SARASOTA (EAST OF I75) 3597 Founders Club Dr 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,957 Sq. Ft. Richard Hearn 941.313.1591 A4673915 $2,275,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 1846 Lincoln Dr 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,618 Sq. Ft. Fred Sassen & Barbara May 404.408.5956 A4666374 $2,195,000

SIESTA KEY 7221 Plovers Way 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,748 Sq. Ft. Natalie Gutwein 941.993.2660 A4675508 $2,000,000

SIESTA KEY 5966 Midnight Pass Rd #G113 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,300 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon & Sophia Dudon 941.234.3991 A4673331 $1,750,000

SARASOTA (EAST OF I75) 3386 Charles Macdonald Dr 4 Beds 2/2 Baths 4,125 Sq. Ft. Laurie Minear & Angela Adams 941.301.8050 A4676175 $1,690,000

SARASOTA (EAST OF I75) 222 High Point Dr 6 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,792 Sq. Ft. Erin Halstead 941.270.0539 D6145331 $1,500,000

SIESTA KEY 5341 Siesta Ct 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,902 Sq. Ft. Fred Sassen & Barbara May 404.408.5956 A4671562 $1,450,000

SIESTA KEY 1260 Dolphin Bay Way #404 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,200 Sq. Ft. Mina Johnson & Ethel Lovelace 941.404.9347 A4673762 $1,395,000

SIESTA KEY 1240 Dolphin Bay Way #401 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,200 Sq. Ft. Ethel Lovelace & Mina Johnson 941.586.7390 A4658380 $1,375,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 1350 5th St #306 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 1,836 Sq. Ft. Angela Lista 941.544.6255 A4673354 $1,200,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 4672 Pine Harrier Dr 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,558 Sq. Ft. Kelly Quigley 941.356.9954 A4676715 $1,195,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 2576 Wood St 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,307 Sq. Ft. Jackie Griese 941.718.0045 A4676383 $1,050,000

SIESTA KEY 6415 Midnight Pass Rd #211 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,358 Sq. Ft. Mina Johnson & Ethel Lovelace 941.404.9347 A4675481 $927,000

SIESTA KEY 6500 Midnight Pass Rd #208 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,086 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon & Sophia Dudon 941.234.3991 A4675137 $890,000

SIESTA KEY 6265 Midnight Pass Rd #306 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,556 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941.356.9642 A4674553 $889,000

SARASOTA (EAST OF I75) 10144 Morning Mist Ln 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,406 Sq. Ft. Barbara A Milian, P.A. 941.504.0660 A4674346 $799,000

SARASOTA (EAST OF I75) 13648 Heritage Way 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,996 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941.735.4713 A4673361 $750,000

SARASOTA (EAST OF I75) 4228 Francis Bacon Ln 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,282 Sq. Ft. Mary Jo Violett 941.928.8474 A4674738 $575,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 3681 Divot Ln 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,647 Sq. Ft. Keith Kropp & Wayne Rogers 941.587.8376 A4676539 $524,900

SIESTA KEY 9200 Midnight Pass Rd #28 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,122 Sq. Ft. David Anthony 941.786.4282 A4674722 $475,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 2560 Tulip St 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,296 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 941.363.6507 A4668326 $415,000

SIESTA KEY 3820 Flamingo Ave 4 Beds 4/2 Baths 4,775 Sq. Ft. Fred Sassen & Barbara May 404.408.5956 A4673215 $8,395,000

SARASOTA (WEST OF I75) 35 Watergate Dr #1201 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,751 Sq. Ft. Beth Afflebach, LLC & Joan Dickinson 941.737.1756 A4672912 $3,950,000

SIESTA KEY 6910 Midnight Pass Rd #A 5 Beds 5/2 Baths 2,966 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon & Fred Sassen 941.234.3991 A4674217 $2,975,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

454999-1

12B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

DEC. 22-JAN. 2

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

S

heri Dwyer, of Newport Beach, California, sold her home at 26 Sandy Hook Road S. to David and Laurie Gendell, of Sarasota, for $10.5 million. Built in 2003, it has five bedrooms, five-andtwo-half baths, a pool and 5,175 square feet of living area. It sold for $4.9 million in 2015.

SARASOTA THE JEWEL

Mark and Leslie Laven, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 1201 condominium at 1301 Main St. to Joshua and Debbie Resnick, of Sarasota, for $6.1 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 4,040 square feet of living area.

It sold for $2,884,800 in 2016.

POINSETTIA PARK

M&J Pham Development LLC sold the home at 1805 Golden Rod St. to Christine Bunt, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2.8 million. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,640 square feet of living area.

DESOTA PARK

Alex and Lynette Ramos, of Siesta Key, sold their home at 1966 Hyde Park St. to David and Alisa Heedy, of Sarasota, for $1.5 million. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,321 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,275,000 in 2024.

SARASOTA: $6.9 MILLION

File image

Anderson, of Alameda, California, for $745,000. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,624 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2024.

SIESTA KEY

HALCYON SIESTA KEY

Salvatore and Francoyse Fratino, of Osprey, sold their Unit 401 condominium at 6100 Midnight Pass Road to Carl Byrne, of Skaneateles, New York, for $6,925,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,525 square feet of living area. It sold for $4,576,700 in 2019.

BAY ISLAND SHORES

4Rising LLC sold the home at 548 Siesta Drive to Teddy Lee Tolliver Jr. and Tamara Tolliver, of Mason, Ohio, for $2,695,000. Built in 1951, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,711 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,023,000 in 2024.

THE DEMARCAY

Mimi Gonzalez, trustee, sold the home at 5430 Avenida Del Mare to VACAY BY MC LLC for $1.95 million. Built in 1951, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,741 square feet of living area. It sold for $342,800 in 1999.

LAUREL STREET

Ronald and Adrienne Watts, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1919 Laurel St. to Lido 651 LLC for $1,072,000. Built in 1949, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,694 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2022.

SAPPHIRE SHORES

Vicki Lachman, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 442 N. Shore Drive to John and Denise Fusselman, of Sarasota, for $830,000.

Built in 1952, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,598 square feet of living area. It sold for $342,900 in 2012.

SOUTH GATE

Suzanne Hohman and Christopher Crawford, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3430 Jaffa Drive to Shigefumi Matsumoto and Pamela

TURTLE ROCK

Ehab and Vicki Michael, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5080 Timber Chase Way to Christopher and Lisa Jantzen, of Sarasota, for $675,000.

Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,292 square feet of living area. It sold for $346,000 in 2013.

PROMENADE ESTATES

Konstantin Sirotkin, of Vancouver, Washington, sold the home at 12665 Promenade Estates Blvd. to Benjamin and Brittany Minard, of Sugarcreek, Ohio, for $500,000.

Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,045 square feet of living area. It sold for $414,200 in 2021.

The home at 3544 San Remo Terrace was built in 1971 and has five bedrooms, five-and-twohalf baths, a pool and 6,710 square feet of living area. It sold for $6.9 million.

ONLINE See more transactions

SARASOTA BAY CLUB

Equity Trust Co. sold the Unit 1103 condominium at 33 S. Palm Ave. to Gregory Perrone and Carolyn Perrone, trustees, for $1,125,000. Built in 2024, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,412 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.34 million in 2024.

pool and 2,691 square feet of living area. It sold for $715,000 in 2023.

SARASOTA BEACH

Tia Rinker-Thompson, trustee, of Syracuse, Indiana, sold the home at 5365 Calle Florida to Charles Fischer and Kathleen Fischer, trustees, of Loveland, Ohio, for $2,075,000.

Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,988 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,225,000 in 2019.

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 226 condominium at 1299 Tamiami Trail to Herbert Silverstein, of Sarasota, for $1.4 million. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,524 square feet of living area. It sold for $745,000 in 2018.

REAL ESTATE

Siesta Key home tops sales at $10.5 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

13B

at YourObserver.com.

San Remo Estates 210 S Harbor LLC sold the home at 3544 San Remo Terrace to Brenda Lena Long and John Edward Long, of Sarasota, for $6.9 million. Built in 1971, it has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,710 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.9 million in 2012.

OSPREY: $3.5 MILLION

Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club Kenneth Thomas Lilley sold his home at 431 Yacht Harbor Drive to Sarasota Sunsets LLC for $3.5 million. Built in 1979, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,006 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 1980.

NOKOMIS: $1.15 MILLION

Calusa Lakes Ove and Marianne Sens, of East Troy, Wisconsin, sold their home at 2196 Muskogee Trail to Troy Hobick and Tamara Hobick, trustees, of Nokomis, for $1.15 million.

Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,058 square feet of living area.

It sold for $652,500 in 2020.

HARMONY

Janet Bausch sold her home at 4865 Featherbed Lane to Kristian and Lori Ulloa, of Sarasota, for $1.4 million. Built in 1955, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,482 square feet of living area. It sold for $437,000 in 1997.

SARASOTA SURF AND RACQUET CLUB

Deborah Thaman, trustee, sold the Unit 508 condominium at 5924 Midnight Pass Road to Robert and Diane Hoffer, of Siesta Key, for $1.4 million. Built in 1971, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,173 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.1 million in 2024.

PALMER RANCH

For nearly 50 years, Michael Saunders & Company has led Southwest Florida real estate. Our Developer Services Division offers unmatched expertise from concept to sell-out, partnering on 85+ landmark projects like the St. Regis Longboat Key Residences, The Collection, The Mark and The Ritz-Carlton Residences with innovation and integrity.

Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota From From $2.5M to $30M+ | WAResidencesSarasota.com

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From $1.3M Call for an appointment | Residences400central.com

STONEYBROOK

Peter O’Donnell and Gregory Groves sold their home at 8765 Merion Ave. to Adam and Vjolca Graves, of Ontario, Canada, for $680,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Let’s build something extraordinary together.

These are the largest city of Sarasota building permits issued for the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 2 in order of dollar amounts.

CITY OF SARASOTA Permit

Applicant

Amount

1007 Citrus Ave.

Addition

Frederick Fine

$560,000

50 Central Ave. #12G

Alterations

Joseph Adajian

$127,486

941.951.6650

2727 Waldemere St.

Pool/Spa/Deck

Henry Miller

$73,150

MSCDeveloperServices.com

1870 Jasmine Drive

Pool/Spa/Deck

Eric Wilder

$72,000

2524 Pleasant Place

Enclosure

Steven Czak, trustee

$33,250

659 Ohio Place

Shed

Jason Preisler

$30,289

4704 Winchester Drive

Alterations

Diego Medina

$29,031

1829 Bougainvillea St.

Windows

John Orr

$22,273

2104 Datura St.

Re-roof

Karyn Smith

$17,486

35 Watergate Drive #1503

Mechanical

Stephen Sundheimer

$17,300

Source: City of Sarasota

Prices as of January 2025

Issa Homes at SeaFlower | 941.491.7879 From $1.29M | SeaFlower.IssaHomes.com

455009-1

The Edge Sarasota | 941.866.3068 | From Mid $3M Sales Gallery at 1801 Main Street | TheEdgeSarasota.com

Address

14B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere for a chance to win.

Florida Is More Than A Vacation, Make it Home Join Us for an Informational Seminar There are numerous misconceptions and strategies surrounding the process of establishing residency in Florida.

Our team offers complimentary seminars to provide in-depth information on these strategies and related topics.

The Buskey McGinty Group Private Wealth Management

Scan Here to Register

5259 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231 941-364-4558

450680-1

thebuskeymcgintygroup@rwbaird.com BuskeyMcGintyGroup.bairdwealth.com

©Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. Member SIPC. MC-1778600.

RENAISSANCE MAN: Wayne Osher at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy, with a copy of the Sarasota Observer.

In celebration of our 48th Anniversary in providing quality In celebration of our 48th in providing Cardiovascular Care toAnniversary Sarasota County residentsquality In celebration of our 50th Anniversary in providing quality Cardiovascular Care to Sarasota residents The Cardiovascular Center ofCounty Sarasota Cardiovascular Care Sarasota, FL and appreciation for the Thethe Cardiovascular Center ofinSarasota and El in Shahawy Family Foundation Lifetimeand Achievement Award from the city of Sarasota to the Shahawy Family Foundation are El pleased to sponsor the Dr. Shahawy, M. El Shahawy Family areThe pleased to sponsor the Foundation is pleased to sponsor:

23/23/23 23/23/23 26/26/26

UPGRADE YOUR OUTDOORS

CARDIOVASCULAR CONGRESS National Congress National Congress 23rd Annual National Cardio Sarasota Congress on 23rd Annual National DISEASE Cardio Sarasota Congress on CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION The 26th 26 Annual National CardioSarasota Congress on CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION CME accredited program by DISEASE the Florida Medical Association

with Motorized Screens & Awnings

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION & TREATMENT CME accredited program by the Florida Medical Association Hosted by 26 Renowned Professors of Cardiology

13 CME Approved

by Florida Medical Association February 3-4, 2023

February 3-4, 2023 2026 FL Hyatt February Regency,6-7, Sarasota, Hyatt Sarasota, TheRegency, Westin, Sarasota, FLFL Endorsed by the Endorsed by the Endorsed by the

Schedule Your FREE Estimate & Receive

Professor El Shahawy MD, MS,M. FACP, FESC, MD, MS, FACP, FESC, FASH, FASH, FASPC, Professor M. ElFSCCT, Shahawy

FASPC, FSCCT, FACC FAHA, FACCFAHA, MD, MS, FACP, FESC, FASH, President the President ofofthe International FASPC, FSCCT, FAHA, FACC International Society Society for Cardiovascular President of the International for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Society forPrevention Cardiovascular Disease and Program Director Disease Prevention Cardiovascular Center Program Director of Sarasota, Florida Program director

on Motorized Outdoor Screens & Awnings

Sun Screens

Up to 100% UV Protection

Storm & Hurricane Screens

30 Fabric Choices by

The Westin Hotel, Sarasota, FL

Vice President of the Cardiovascular Diseasefor International Society Prevention Cardiovascular Disease Program Co-Director Prevention Program Co-Director

iscvdp.org or cardiologycenter.net

*Offer valid on SPF brand motorized awnings and screens only. Offer excludes installation, sales tax, shipping and handling. Not valid on previous purchases or with any other offer or discount. Florida License #CGC1534833.

SPF_NewspaperAd_5.542x9.833.indd 1

CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER OF SARASOTA

Please Contact: or iscvdp.org Register Online at: cardiologycenter.net AdmiralTravel.com | 941-951-1801 ororCall 941-366-9800 iscvdp.org Register Online at: or Call 941-366-9800 456206-1

Privacy Screens

Cardiovascular Health Assessment Center CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER OF SARASOTA

MD, FACC, FAHA Vice President Professor J. Cohn of the International MD,for FACC, Society Cardiovascular Professor J.FAHA Cohn Disease Prevention Vice President ofFAHA the MD, FACC, ProgramSociety Co-Director International for

Free for nurses, medical students & residents if registered prior to Jan 20, 2023 Free for nurses, medical students & residents if registered Nominally discounted registration fees for other Health prior Care to Providers!

Free for nurses, medical students & residents if registered Jan 20, 2023 prior to January 31, 2026 seating is limited Must pre-register to guarantee seat at ISCVDP Nominally discounted registration fees a for other Health .ORG Care Providers!

Discounted registration fees for other healthcare providers!

Must pre-register to guarantee a seat at ISCVDP.ORG SATURDAY TO THE PUBLIC Must register AFTERNOON before January 31, SESSION 2026 to takeFREE advantage of discounted rate Saturday afternoon free to the public preregister Must pre-register to guarantee a seatsessionSESSION SATURDAY AFTERNOON FREEmust TO THE PUBLIC For Travel Accommodations, Please Contact: Must pre-register to guarantee a seat AdmiralTravel.com|941-951-1801 For Travel Accommodations, For Travel Accommodations, Please Contact: AdmiralTravel.com| 941-951-1801 Register Online at: cardiologycenter.net

855-769-8014

Retractable Awnings with FREE LED Lights

In Cooperation with the Members of

Cardiovascular Health Assessment Center

Sponsored By The International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ISCVDP) and The Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota Foundation for Research & Education Sponsored

By The International Society for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (ISCVDP) and Hosted by 23The of the most renowned professors in cardiology including current and past Presidents of Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota Foundation for Research & Education ASPC, SCCT, professors ACC, AHA,inand Worldincluding Heart Federation Hosted bythe 23ISCVDP, of the most renowned cardiology current and(WHF) past Presidents of 11.5 CME program. the ISCVDP, ASPC, SCCT, ACC,accredited AHA, and World Heart Federation (WHF) 11.5 CME accredited program.

Call To Schedule a FREE Estimate!

Motorization & Home Automation Options

Professor J. Cohn

10/24/25 10:08 AM

CELEBRATING OUR 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN SARASOTA, FL

457039-1

250Off

$

Professor M. El Shahawy

*

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

15B

Treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids may delay cognitive decline.*

Better hearing.

Better thinking.

Did you know that your ears and brain work as a team?

Recent studies have found that treating hearing loss can support healthy aging and reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 48% over three years.¹

RISK-FREE IN-HOME TRIAL of the latest hearing aid technology² Offer expires 01/30/26

Hear better for years to come. Request our

SAME-DAY SERVICE

Protect your brain with just one visit.

941-398-9956

SL-AT1217155121

2807 University Pkwy., Sarasota 836 Pinebrook Rd., Ste D-5, Venice

• 14800 Tamiami Trail, North Port • 1720 S. McCall Rd., Ste H, Englewood

* Source: Sarant et. al 2023 https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/research-groups/audiology-and-speech-pathology-research/hearing-and-cognition-research-program/research/remediation-hearing-aids 1Lin, F., et al. (2023, July 17). Hearing intervention versus health education control to reduce cognitive decline in older adults with hearing loss in the USA (ACHIEVE): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01406-X 2Certain types of hearing loss may require a hearing instrument model that is not appropriate for the trial. Hearing evaluation required. See clinic for details. Only available for selected hearing instruments. Offers expire 01/30/26.

457003-1

BOOK NOW

16B

YourObserver.com

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 15

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 61 Low: 38 Chance of rain: 44%

FRIDAY, JAN. 16 High: 61 Low: 46 Chance of rain: 0%

Thursday, Jan. 15

7:21a

5:58p

Friday, Jan. 16

7:21a

5:58p

Saturday, Jan. 17

7:21a

5:59p

Sunday, Jan. 18

7:20a

6:00p

Monday, Jan. 19

7:20a

6:01p

Tuesday, Jan. 20

7:20a

6:02p

Wednesday, Jan. 21

7:20a

6:02p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 17 High: 71 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 2%

Jan. 18 New

Jan. 25 First

Feb. 1 Full

Feb. 9 Last

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, JAN. 18 High: 61 Low: 41 Chance of rain: 20% Gordon Silver took this photo of a young fawn at Myakka State Park in Sarasota keeping an eye on its mom.

Monday, Jan. 5

0

Tuesday, Jan. 6

0

Wednesday, Jan. 7

0

Thursday, Jan. 8

0

Friday, Jan. 9

0

Saturday, Jan. 10

0

Sunday, Jan. 11

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Contests. All submissions will be entered in the 2025-26 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2026, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 1.06 in.

2026 0.11 in.

2025

MONTH TO DATE: 1.06 in.

2026 0.11 in.

2025

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

“WANNA TRADE?” by Sara Cantor, edited by Jared Goudsmit astrology term

chain

118 Smallest island nation

48 Texter’s “As a heads-up

119 PC company originally

...”

called Multitech

52 Datebook entries (Abbr.)

120 Sweet ___ (“Always

54 No. 1 pal

Sunny” nickname)

55 Get better

121 Stovetop/oven

56 ___ in a while

122 Inch along

58 “Let’s play, band!”

123 Singer/activist Simone

60 Memorable time period

124 Aspiring Anglophone’s

62 “God Help the Child”

subj.

author Morrison

125 Corporate symbols

64 Triage places (Abbr.)

126 “Electric” fish

65 “Days of Distraction”

127 ___ and ends

author Alexandra

DOWN

1 $$$-dispensing devices 5 BBQ side dish 9 Girder metal 14 Kim ___ (drag queen named after a Korean dish) 17 Scottish hillside 18 Digging tool 19 This puzzle’s is “Wanna Trade?”

20 Sweetums 21 Countess’s husband 22 Slice, like a turkey 23 Pleasant smells 25 “I understand now!”

26 “Put your pajamas on!” or a hint to the “swap” at 5-Down 28 Guys 29 Prepare for a move

67 Sour cream and ___

1 Aid and ___

69 Stated

2 Practice exercises

70 Egg cells

3 Long-tailed monkeys

71 Italian scooter brand

4 Chooses

74 Sailor

5 Where a guest may sleep

77 Blog feed letters

6 Lao minced meat salad

80 “Brokeback Mountain”

7 “Truly,” “madly,” “deeply,”

director Lee

etc.

81 Vacation hrs.

8 Crabgrass-removing

83 Places to buy parrots

garden tool

85 “Essential” organic

9 Endurance

compound

10 Out of steam

86 Waterway’s curve

11 ___ mess (dessert named 87 Remain

©2026 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

66 Jargon

31 “I dunno”

57 “The Studio” actress

93 Cambridge univ.

32 Renovated

Catherine

94 Permanently away,

34 Freeway exit

59 Pecan dessert

or a hint to the “swap” at

35 Make warped

61 Frequently

90-Down

36 Fibrous muffin ingredient 63 College discussion group 98 ___ the Elder (Roman 37 Liberate

65 Trotting horse’s sound

38 Binary digits

68 Sprint to safety, or a hint 99 Name that’s an anagram

39 Comedian’s bookings

to the “swap” at 55-Down

of “visa”

41 Appropriate to show to

72 Pinball foul

100 Copenhagen resident

your boss, or a hint to the

73 Implies

101 ___ the Bear (Muppet)

“swap” at 24-Down

75 Cuatro + cinco

103 “___ Todd” (musical)

47 The Beatles’ ___ Pepper

76 ___ Lanka

105 Slandered

48 Disaster relief org.

78 Spice akin to fennel

108 Open up like a tulip

49 Town hidden in “Where

79 Short putt

109 Intense fear

do we go from here?”

82 Nile reptile

110 Spice in pumpkin spice

50 Mother, to a Brit

84 A-listers

111 Pond carp

51 Many a James Baldwin

88 _on-_overnmental _rga-

112 Obtainable, or a hint to

writing

nization

the “swap” at 92-Down

53 Recede

89 “Special” operative

115 Sorta

55 “The Studio” actor Seth

91 Livens (up)

116 Standing up, or an

senator)

after a British school)

90 Words of praise from a

12 Massachusetts’ state tree pup owner 13 Children’s jumping game 92 Attempts to take control 14 “Sweet Thing” singer Khan 95 Wax-wrapped cheese 15 Totally blah

96 Accommodates

16 Like some mobile

97 Scooby-___

purchases

98 Contrast’s partner

18 Affliction

99 Certain chili pepper

24 Office space

102 “Let’s ___” (“Time to

448062-1

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. “’FJRU RDXJ RUMNP’ FMBWX EOGTLJ ZP WDAJ AMNJYJN ... D AJWU RBEO SMP FOJT D FGR MT UOJ RUGLJ.” NDUG ZMNJTM

“’IMWUMW’ MW KZY BNMW’ (1952) NWH VZMCHSMBKZ PYBY KZY KPX ZNBHYIK KZMWUI M YRYB ZNH KX HX MW JO CMDY.”

HYSSMY BYOWXCHI

“X JMZ ABLG MGF LMXZTF YB TGYTLYMXG BYKTL RTBRHT. X’IT KTMLF HMPEKYTL MGF MRRHMPZT MGF WGBJG M HBY BN ZBLLBJ.”

FBGMHF B’SBGGBL

Puzzle Three Clue: N equals F

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: R equals V

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

The Grounded Feeling Everyone will Enjoy

Puzzle Two Clue: S equals J

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2026 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

27 Woman in Progressive ads leave”) 30 Ship’s staff

104 Rowing machine, for

33 “___ Kapital”

short

34 “No ___!” (“Don’t be

105 Sly and mocking

insulted!”)

106 Artists’ inspirations

35 Prescribed amount

107 Singer Merman

40 Cameroon’s neighbor

108 Certain hand drum

42 Hazy vapor

111 Royal such as Lear or

43 Lamb’s mama

Dedede

44 Muscat resident

113 Biodiesel, e.g.

45 Opposite of urban

114 Spanish Mmes.

46 Once-giant discount

117 ___ Paulo

©2026 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

01-15-26

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

RED PAGES AD RATES

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each add’l word ....... 50¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

Open House

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

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

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

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales ESTATE SALE Friday January 16 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM Saturday January 17 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Sunday January 18 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Rain or Shine 712 dream island road Longboat Key SIGNED ARTWORK inc. NUDES, STEINWAY GRAND PIANO, DAVID BURT YARD SCULPTURES, FINE ANTIQUE FURNITURE, RUGS, TEAK TABLE & CHAIRS, UNUSUAL PIECES THROUGHOUT, DECORATIVE ITEMS, GARAGE FULL - see estatesales.net for photos Can't Take It With You - in search bar.

HUGE, ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE Friday 1/23 & Saturday 1/24 8 am- 2 pm Something for everyone: clothing, jewelry, housewares, books.

2 VCRS. Mitsubishi HS-U449, w/boxes, remotes, cords, manuals. $40 & $60.

(941) 966-6816

SILICON INFRARED Heater 1500 Watts, as new, $50 (941) 321-5136 Leave Message

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage CALL 941-955-4888

Antiques/ Collectibles

ANTIQUES WANTED

WANTED Paintings •B Bronzes •P Sculptures •O Oriental Rugs •S Asian Art •A Antique Furniture •A

Al Tomlinson

Concordia Lutheran Church 2185 Wood Street Sarasota (Corner of Wood St & School Ave) CONCORDIASARASOTA.ORG

Merchandise Wanted

FIND BUYERS AND SELLERS HERE!

40+ years in Sarasota Honest Evaluations NO ONE PAYS MORE!

941-400-8811

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

As low as $17.50 per week!

Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

3901 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota View our listings online: www.bahiavistafl.com To schedule a tour, call 844-552-4574

Real Estate Wanted Real Estate Wanted Looking to buy a house with no hoa and a yard. Good, bad or ugly, with down payment, I’ll pay closing costs and make payments.

941-529-6822

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. Instagram: Braziliancleaningservicess CLEANING BY Expert Residental, commercial, and deep cleaning especially (941) 400-2866

Houses or Condos

Handyman Services

Reservations 941-383-5577

JAMES BOTTORFF HANDYMAN SERVICES Call or Text 941-807-0032 Registered in the state of FL.

941-955-4888

Homes for Rent

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA RENTAL HOUSE 7 Day Minimum

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

GET RESULTS!

Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms with POOL

Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.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. 941-448-8468.

35+ years experience.

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC

1188 Tahiti Parkway, Sarasota, FL Contact Linsey at 918-760-7720 for more details.

Homes for Sale

SELL IT FAST! Place Your Ad Online YourObserver.com/RedPages

INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

LUCKY FINDS...

HERE!

Visit the

YourObserver.com/RedPages Over 1 Acre Beachfront House $6.5 million Sailboat Access Canal 4 Bed Pending $675,000 Plantation Golf Course View Condo 3 Bed $294,000 House on Canal with Pool & Dock $1,250,000

SARASOTA FL, Co. seeks a Purchasing Coordinator. 2 yrs exp as a purchasing coordinator or store manager req. Send detailed resume to: Italian Idea SRQ, LLC, 136 S Pineapple Ave Sarasota, FL 34236. No calls pls.

Painting

Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

RED PAGES

Help Wanted

MITCHELL HANDYMAN. Painting, Carpentry, Tile, Pressure Cleaning.

Home Improvements, Repairs.

Small and large! 941-284-8488.

Longboat Key, FL 34228 M-F

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

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

BUYING GOLD, SILVER W/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Watches & Pocket Watches.

Confidential & Honest.

FREE HOUSE CALLS. Call David (941) 499-6417 SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Open House 1st Saturday of the month 10am-2pm

WEEKLY MONTHLY

GARAGE SALE

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com

Visa/MC

PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE TODAY

23 PIECE vintage 22k gold accented glassware bundle, good condition $125 Call/Text (941) 504-0165 BOOKS ON art, collectibles, history.Like NEW! Great Xmas gifts. $1.00 ea Call 941-780-4467

auto

Call for details: 941-724-9486

THREE BEDROOM CONDO Unit 1701 available for monthly rental in Copperleaf the Brooks.

Contact donnamariecos5@icloud.com

Manufactured Home Community 55+ Active Lifestyle

Pool Home Completely Upgraded $545,000

home services

Items Under $200

$500/month. We can accept electronic payment or check. No credit card.

Condos/Apts. for Rent

jobs

stuff

PRIVATE 29’ covered dry slip for lease at The Boathouse on Longboat. Located just a few minutes to the Gulf and downtown Sarasota.

real estate

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

Auto Transport Luxury Sarasota Bay views 4 Bed 5 Bath with Boat Dock $1.76 million Near South bridge to Siesta One level, heated pool, stroll to shops. 3Bed-2.5Bath $1,250,000 Brooke O’Malley CLUB REALTY Call 941-726-2677

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

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

Cleaning BETTY’S HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE. Residential, high quality cleaning. Reasonable rates. Lic./Insured.

Free Estimates!

Call 941-650-6180

www.yourobserver.com/redpages

Restaurants BLUE DOLPHIN CAFE

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE BACK AT OUR ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE LOCATION!!

FRIDAY ** JANUARY 16TH **

 1 1/2 LBS LIVE MAINE LOBSTER

 BLUE FIN CRAB CAKES  TROPICAL SALMON  PRIME RIB ALL ENTREES SERVED WITH CHEF’S CHOICE STARCH & VEGETABLE INCLUDING HOMEMADE PIES! AND MUCH MORE... JUST ASK...

FRIDAYS OPEN 5P.M.-8P.M. SERVING DINNER ITEMS

941-388-3566 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS BEER & WINE AVAILABLE

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Aluminum

Doors

Home Services

DON’T let your

INJECT-AFLOOR SYSTEM

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

MAKE YOUR

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

SELL YOUR CAR!

• HEALTH INSURANCE, THAT IS AFFORDABLE • HEALTH INSURANCE, FROM EXCELLENT CARRIERS

Call us today!

• AETNA, UNITED HEALTHCARE OR CIGNA NETWORKS

941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

FAST • EASY • SAFE

• I CAN SIGN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY UP TODAY • CUSTOM DESIGN YOUR PLANS

WE COME TO YOU 5-Star Rated

(941) 302-5850

455826

455824

941-735-3362

GROW

YOUR BUSINESS Advertise as low as $85 per week.

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

(941) 809-7311 ESTIMATES!

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGEAREA: AREA:LAKEWOOD PARRISH TO NORTHPORT COVERAGE RANCH TO S. VENICE

DRGRABBARS.COM

*DRILLING CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR MARBLE, GRANITE OR PORCELAIN. COUPON REQUIRED.

Landscaping & Lawn

ROCK & SHELL LANDSCAPING BRICK PAVERS, PATIO, DRIVEWAY WASHED SHELL, LIMESTONE, YARD, DRIVEWAY LARGE + SMALL BOULDERS, SHORELINE REBUILD

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America

DAVID -(941) 228-6479- INSTALLED 457163

455825

INCLUDES22MOEN MOEN STAINLESS INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL STEELANTI ANTISLIP SLIP CONCEALED PEEN CONCEALED SCREW SCREW GRAB GRAB BARS (16”BARS & 24”)(16” & 24”)

941.966.0333

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Shell Work & Landscape Stone Driveways | Yards | Dirt Work | Light Demo

Rich Briandi | 941-356-5616

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Lic./ Insured

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

Movers

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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

CREATE BUZZ!

Wizard Moving SRQ For $149 per hour you get:

A truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to

make your moving day a pleasure.

Advertise your business in the Red Pages. Call 941-955-4888

You’re only cheating yourself.

455812

Pegatronics.com

FREE

249 235

* $ $235

$

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

peekers’ place

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

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

6968 Beneva Road

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

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

Health

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

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

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

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

24/7 SERVICE

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

941-929-9095

CALL 941-955-4888

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S

Computer

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

Showcase your products or services.

364556 455197

(941)400-6786

Email steve@setohealthgroup.com setohealthgroup.com

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Call Mike Today!

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

Direct Call 941.993.4137 Text 941.993.4427

SERVING SIESTA KEY & SARASOTA COUNTY

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS • DRYWALL • PAINT • TRIM • DOORS • TILE • FLOORING • SHOWER TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772

Registered Handyman/Insured

456138

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Handyman work by C.T.MALLETT SERVICES LLC

455076

Carpentry All Phases • Cabinets • Molding & Trim • Plank Flooring • Live Edge Epoxy Tables & Countertops

MASTERCRAFT CONSTRUCTION

• Carpentry, instalations and repair • Painting, Finishing and Assembly

456372

REMODELING SERVICES INCLUDING

C.T. MALLETT

455789

Carpentry

CONTACT ME TODAY.

455817

HoHoBuysCars.com

Handyman 455796

941.270.4400

• 12 OR 24 OR 36 MONTHS OF GUARANTEED COVERAGE

Licensed and insured #IMT708

This week’s Crossword answers

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “’West Side Story’ would change my life forever ...

I felt such joy when I was on the stage.”

Rita Moreno Puzzle Two Solution: “’Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952) and childbirth were the two hardest things I ever had to do in my life.”

Debbie Reynolds Puzzle Three Solution: “I was born and raised to entertain other people.

I’ve heard laughter and applause and known a lot of sorrow.”

Donald O’Connor

This week’s Sudoku answers

456374

455811

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

ARE YOU STILL LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE

FREE

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

DON DI STEFANO (941) 893.8475

DO YOU HAVE LOOSE & HOLLOW TILES?

Insurance

©2026 Universal Uclick

Dustin Yoder

NEW AGAIN

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

LOOK LIKE

453811

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

GROUT

©2026 NEA, Inc.

18B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Painting

Rescreening & Repairs

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC

Eldridge Re-Screen Licensed

“No Job Too Small” Insured

• Pet Screen • 20/20 No-See-Um Screening • We Paint Pool Cages

941-270-1561

Pet Services

Roofing

455832

CALL OR TEXT 941-900-9398 TODAY! OWNER: DON HUBIAK

Pet Care by Melanie Gates

Tree Removal Tree Trimming Lawn Maintenance and More!

20 years local experience

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Serving South Sarasota Only including: Palmer Ranch – Osprey – Nokomis

Licensed & Insured

Building & Roofing Contractor

FREE ESTIMATES, CALL TODAY!

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit and Fascia • Metal & Shingle Roofing • Pool Cage, Pan Roofs & Lania Fabrication • Aluminum Welding & Fabrication

Dog Sitting (sm/md) Dog Walking (sm/md) Cat sitting & Cat/Kitten Introductions 455827

Administering medication

(941) 544.5663

luislopeztreeandlawnservices.com

941-626-3194 kennethfuhlmaninc.com

(941) 966-2960

Windows 455818

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

NEED HELP?

Remodeling/Home Improvement

Find business and service professionals in the Red Pages.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Screening

SCREEN MACHINE

Remodeling & Custom Homes

941-879-3136

Transportation

TandemHomesFlorida.com | Office@TandemHomesFlorida.com Licensed General Contractor - CGC1537429

RIGHT ON TARGET Advertise your business, starting at only $85 per month.

SPECIAL 00 5

Trees

$

OBSERVER RED PAGES

YOUR HOME

found here.

Find a place where you can visit listings, not just imagine them.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

456375

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

160

25 $

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

941 - 248 - 4734

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

455819

455807

941-888-4868

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

455820

Screen Repair | Per Panel Pricing Building | Under Truss | Lanais | Entryways Prompt Estimates (usually no visit necessary)

455814

RE-SCREENING

• On Time, Quality Work • Available 24/7 • Free Estimates • Financing Available

410036

• 30 Years Experience • Locally Owned • Full Service Design in 3D • Fully Insured

455808

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

30+ years Exp. & Excellent References

Trees

455833

Exterior / Interior / Cabinets

19B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

Make Your Next Move Exceptional

4315 Mangrove Place, Sarasota

1541 Bay Point Drive, Sarasota

$15,950,000 | 6 BR, 6 BA, 3 HALF BA | Web# A4659292

$7,499,000 | 4 BR, 4 BA, 1 HALF BA | Web# A4634377

Inbal August: M 917.957.8111

Kelly Mooney: M 941.587.8430

121 N Casey Key Road, Osprey

749 Freeling Drive, Sarasota

$7,100,000 | 4 BR, 5 BA, 1 HALF BA | Web# A4667263

$4,995,000 | 4 BR, 4 BA, 1 HALF BA | Web# A4666354

Lisa Napolitano: M 941.9930025

Nikki Taylor: M 941.587.9060

1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, #1704, Sarasota

301 Quay Commons, #1610, Sarasota

$3,825,000 | 3 BR, 3 BA | Web# A4664895

$2,099,000 | 2 BR, 3 BA | Web# A4647965

Inbal August: M 917.957.8111

Lisa Otte: M 941.281.5472

128 Golden Gate Point, #301B, Sarasota

149 Montelluna Drive, North Venice

$1,795,000 | 4 BR, 3 BA, 1 HALF BA | Web# A4662515

$899,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA, 1 HALF BA | Web# A4660725

Nikki Taylor: M 941.587.9060

Nikki Taylor: M 941.587.9060

1558 4th Street, #208, Sarasota

915 Seaside Drive, #613, Sarasota

$829,000 | 2 BR, 1 BA, 1 HALF BA | Web# A4673640

$18,000 | 4 BR, 3 BA | Web# A4645738

Kelly Mooney: M 941.587.8430

Kelly Mooney: M 941.587.8430

1350 MAIN ST, SARASOTA, FL 34236. 941.867.6199 © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

elliman.com

456803-1

20B