Siesta Key Observer 1.13.22

SIESTA KEY

Super costume

Observer

PAGE 17

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

VOLUME 52, NO. 27

YOUR TOWN

Golf in November City OKs plan for Bobby Jones restoration, park forever. SEE PAGE 3

Good, clean fun Families pop in for a soap bubble extravaganza.

SEE PAGE 18

Nat Kaemmerer

Missing something?

The Music statue on St. Armands Circle is “A flat” these days, but some of its edges might “B sharp” after a fall last week. The damaged statue is missing its head and hands after a tumble, likely caused by someone climbing on it.

St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Diana Corrigan said she was notified on Jan. 5 that the statue, located near the island-bound entrance to the Circle, had fallen. She notified the city but didn’t know when it would be picked up and repaired.

As of Jan. 10, Music was on its pedestal, albeit still missing a couple of appendages.

Corrigan said the Circle has had problems with people climbing on statues in the past.

The statues are considered public art, and Corrigan said visitors should refrain from touching them. Several are replicas of Ringling Museum pieces, while others were donated by John Ringling himself in the 1920s.

Harry Sayer

Blaise Ryndes dazzles the crowd with bubbles during Saturday’s Bubble Festival at the Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

Courtesy photo

A ‘Fresh’ wedding

What could be more romantic than nuptials within days of Valentine’s Day? In front of hundreds of strangers . . . officiated by the mayor . . . in a city park?

If that sounds like your Wedding Day dream event, then the people at Fresh Fridays have a deal for you.

Organizers of the city’s downtown street parties are looking for a couple to be married or renew their vows on Feb. 4 as part of the monthly series’ Love in the Air installment for February.

Interested? Email FreshFridays@next-mark.com with your names, a brief statement on who you are and why you think you would be best for the event in Five Points.

The first 500 guests on Feb. 4 get free roses, by the way.

A+E

City ideas for surtax go down to the wire Advisory panel nears the end of the line in recommending projects to City Commission.

SEE PAGE 5

Eric Garwood

Legacy Trail expansion north to the county line is one of the potential projects to draw funding from the citys’s surtax share.

Get back ... to the Beatles.

INSIDE

2

TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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WEEK OF JAN. 13, 2022

Orioles tickets go on sale this week

“Kids were screaming ‘It’s Captain America!’ They were loving it.”

Major League Baseball is in a lockout, but that’s not affecting the Baltimore Orioles’ spring plans.

In fact, Orioles fans can secure their 2022 spring training tickets this week.

Individual tickets for the team’s 13th spring season at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.

All tickets must be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets; there will be no in-person ticket sales Saturday out of COVID-19 concerns. Ed Smith Stadium will continue to serve as a testing site.

Fans with Birdland Memberships will be eligible for a Thursday pre-sale. Additionally, fans who sign up for the team’s Sarasota 365 newsletter will be eligible for a Friday pre-sale.

The Orioles’ 2022 spring training schedule includes 16 home games: 12 afternoon games with a 1:05 p.m. start and four night games with a 6:05 p.m. start.

Kristopher Paul, on his experience in the Sarasota Downtown Holiday Parade as the superhero Read more on page 17

BY THE NUMBERS $150,000

Value of the bond city leaders used in 1925 to acquire the land on which Bobby Jones Golf Club was built.

PAGE 3

22.51%

Seven-day COVID-19 test positivity rate for Sarasota County.

PAGE 4

Offices close for MLK holiday Monday

$191 MILLION

Estimated city of Sarasota share of a countywide 1-penny surtax, if approved by voters in 2022.

PAGE 5 Courtesy photo

Artist Erin Ernst created a sculpture of giant cigarette butts in the sand to help raise awareness.

$419,225

Median price for Sarasota County single-family home sold in November.

Gruters sponsors beach cigarette measure A

PAGE 9

sk anyone who’s been to a beach what the most prevalent piece of seaside trash is, and the answer is almost always cigarette butts.

The slow-to-degrade bits of refuse turn up in beach cleanups and, wildlife advocates say, the digestive systems of sea turtles and other marine dwellers.

State Sen. Joe Gruters is hoping to give local governments the power to ban smoking on the beach, something that can’t be done now because of state laws.

CALENDAR n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m. Board Chambers, Landings Administration Building, 1960 Landings Blvd.

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“Florida beaches are the economic engine of our state,’’ Gruters said at a news conference last week on Lido Beach. “People travel from around the world to visit our pristine shorelines and enjoy the Sunshine State’s natural beauty. We must do everything that we can to protect our most valuable asset.”

Gruters has sponsored a bill in the Florida Legislature this session to allow counties, cities and towns to ban smoking on the beaches. The bill would also open

up that option for state parks.

Gruters’ bill has been moved along in the Senate after approval by the Community Affairs Committee and is now under consideration by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

A companion bill in the state House of Representatives has been referred to committee.

Appearing alongside Gruters at the news conference were representatives of Ocean Conservancy and Sarasota artist Erin Ernst.

City and county offices will be closed Monday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

A City Commission meeting that normally would have taken place Monday morning is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday morning at City Hall.

Libraries, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota and government administration offices will be closed.

Trash collection remains as normal, though because some routes will vary, residents are asked to have trash on the curb by 6 a.m.

Sarasota County Area Transit fixed route bus service will operate normally, as will on-demand rides and the Siesta Key Breeze trolley.

Correction

The venue for the Catholic Charities Ball was listed incorrectly in last week’s Season magazine. The event will be held 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at The RitzCarlton, Sarasota.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER

GREEN IS GOOD

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

BATHROOM

MAINTENANCE BUILDING

City Commission approves sweeping project to restore Bobby Jones golf, build park that will remain green ‘in perpetuity.’

CLUBHOUSE PRECISION WEDGE TARGETS

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

D

rivers, putters and periodic plaid pants could return to Bobby Jones Golf Club as early as November after a day of sweeping decisions this week that one city commissioner called “monumental.’’

In a daylong special meeting at City Hall on Monday, commissioners worked their way through a series of decisions that closed out years of discussion, proposals and counterproposals on what to do with the nearly century-old municipal golf course.

Central to the plan is using about 153 acres for 27 holes of golf and the remainder of the 261-acre parcel to create a public nature park, set aside “in perpetuity’’ as a preserve with a variety of green-space uses.

Closed to golfers since the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and reopened in mid-2020 as a series of nature trails, Bobby Jones is in line for restoration of its original 18 holes, designed nearly a century ago by renowned golf course architect Donald Ross, who drew some of the United States’ most iconic courses.

“Securing a conservation easement on 261 acres of urban green space is a historic legacy action,” Mayor Erik Arroyo said. “Future generations are guaranteed this beautiful natural area, that eventually will connect to the Legacy Trail, will permanently exist as parkland for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Construction could start by Feb. 1 on the restored 18 holes, which golf course architect and city consultant Richard Mandell said would trace the path of holes 10-18 of the two courses known at Bobby Jones as the American and British sides, which is the track of Ross’ original design. A new nine-hole short course across Circus Boulevard is also planned, along with a practice facility. A new clubhouse will replace the one demolished in 2021.

While play could resume for the 2021-22 winter season on both new courses, the new clubhouse likely won’t be ready until 2024.

On Monday, city commissioners approved these measures: n A $12.5 million contract with QGS Development to build the golf facilities and perform work toward the nature park’s wetlands restoration. n A $544,000 contract with Jon F. Swift Inc. to design construction plans for a new clubhouse. Though a 12,000-square-foot complex with two buildings (one to house golf carts) was specified, commissioners asked planners to consider options, including a two-story building with overlooking views of the nature park. n Continued negotiations with Indigo Golf Partners toward a potential management agreement for the golf course.

HIMALAYAS GREEN

PARKING

SHORT GAME AREA

PUTTING GREEN

FUTURE LAWN BOWLING PARK

DEVELOPMENT CENTER

ADJUSTABLE SHORT COURSE WETLAND DRIVING RANGE

Courtesy rendering

ROSS COURSE WALKING PATH

10 FAST FACTS

A few odds and ends you should know about the Bobby Jones Golf Cub project:

1 2

The restored golf course is designed to be 6,715 yards from the back tees and will play to par 71.

THEY SAID IT . . .

We just couldn’t leave out these quotes from the daylong special meeting on Monday.

“We saved the shag carpeting, didn’t we?”

— Commissioner Hagen Brody on the demolition of the former clubhouse

“I don’t know Donald Ross from Diana Ross.”

— Vice Mayor Kyle Battie

“Should we be subsidizing what has been called a good walk spoiled? I think not.”

— Martin Hyde

n A bond not to exceed $20 million to pay for the project. n A conservation easement for the entire 261-acre property with the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast to maintain the space as green “in perpetuity.” Details of that agreement still remain to be finalized. n An agreement between the city and the foundation to jointly raise funds for additional amenities in the park, such as trails, bridges over canals or wetlands, shade features, picnic areas, or other related items.

Eric Garwood

Bobby Jones Golf Course has been closed to golfers for nearly two years. It’s been open to recreational cycling, running and walking.

n Conveyance of 12 acres to Sarasota County for a “destination playground.”

“This is a monumental decision we’re making here,” Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch said.

Nearly three dozen residents, both in person and on Zoom, spoke highly of the plans, especially the nature park and the easement agreement, with some comparing it to ongoing work on the city’s bayfront to build The Bay Park project. Others said the acreage would become “Sarasota’s Central Park.”

“This area is a remarkable gem,” said resident Charles Kalmykow.

“What I love best about it is its natural beauty. As we watch it rapidly disappear, we understand what a treasure Bobby Jones is.”

Though the bond’s limit is set at $20 million, the costs are expected to be less.

Kelly Strickland, the city’s director of financial administration, estimated the 20-year-old interest payment on the bond would be about $3.8 million. Concerns about the ability of the course to break even financially were raised, along with concerns about unexpected costs.

Following a remark by Commissioner Liz Alpert that “parks are generally not a profit center,” Arroyo said he was more concerned about the profit and loss of the golf course and not the park investment.

“I wish we were only restoring the park for 100% of the people and not just the golf course for the people who play golf,” he said.

The city for years has looked for a way forward with the facility between Fruitville Road and 17th Street as rounds-played plummetted and city subsidies rose.

While Mandell said the new course would look much like the original, there will be differences, though he said the design was informed by Ross’ drawings.

He said the original course had few trees and no real water features.

Portions of the course also were built below the 100-year flood plain, which will be corrected.

Since the course closed, grass and weeds have overtaken many of the course’s landmarks, filling in sand traps and reclaiming greens and fairways. Tee markers still stand on many holes, offering a glimpse of how things were. In many cases, the granite slabs with carved information on hole yardages and hole nicknames are the only clues to the past.

William Sterling, a visitor from Michigan, explored the nature trails

Three bids were received by the city for the construction of the golf course and nature park: the winning bid of a $12.5 million contract from QGS Development along with bids of $13.68 million and $14.13 million.

3

Contractors for the golf course told city commissioners they intend to hire as many local workers as possible.

4

Though design of the new clubhouse isn’t set, the proposal calls for 12,000 square feet broken into two connected buildings, one for cart storage and one for the pro shop, locker rooms, dining and other uses.

5

The conservation easement agreement spells out specific uses that are allowed and not allowed.

Generally, residential and industrial uses are forbidden.

Among the uses allowed: Nature and recreational trails and wetlands boardwalks; concessions; playgrounds; canoe/kayak launch and storage; outdoor sports facilities (disc golf course, tennis courts, pickleball courts, lawn bowling); outdoor public gathering places.

6

It is likely that the golf course will open more than a year before the clubhouse is finished. City Manager Marlon Brown said temporary structures probably will not only serve as a clubhouse but also as a cart storage facility.

7

The Sarasota City Commission issued bonds totalling $150,000 in 1925 to acquire 290 acres for park purposes and build a municipal golf course. The Donald Ross course, known then as the Sarasota Municipal Golf Course, opened in 1926.

8

Bobby Jones usage hit a high in 1997 at 164,000 rounds and fell to 143,000 rounds by 2007 and 102,000 rounds in 2013.

9

In August 2019, the Conservation Foundation began discussions with Sarasota about preserving the golf course property.

10

In 1927, Sarasota renamed the course the Bobby Jones Golf Club in honor of the superstar amateur golfer of the day. More than 1,000 people gathered to watch Jones play an exhibition round to dedicate the course. He shot 73.

on a recent Saturday, while cyclists and runners took to the paved cart paths. He said it was initially hard to imagine the site busy with golfers.

“It’s a little hard to get your bearings, looking around for signs of the golf course,’’ he said while standing on the first fairway of Bobby Jones’ American course. “We were wondering where the tee box was, but once we figured that out, we could see the hole as it was.’’

Chatting in the parking lot alongside perhaps a dozen cars – about half with bicycle racks attached – Sterling said he would like to return to see how it all turns out.

“I’d really like to see what it looks like again,’’ he said. “I’m looking forward.”

3

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

ELDER CARE • NANNIES • HOUSEKEEPERS • LUXURY SERVICES

School district reminds parents of COVID resources

We are there when you can’t be.

Appointment-only testing sites are available for students, school staff.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

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Sarasota County Schools returned to session Tuesday following the winter break, and officials last week reminded parents and staff of the availability of COVID-19 testing of students and staff.

Appointment-only testing is available Monday through Friday at Florida Department of Health locations in North Port (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Osprey (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and the Ringling Boulevard office in Sarasota (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) for symptomatic faculty, staff and students.

School staffers, faculty or parents and guardians must complete the COVID-19 Test Request form and email it to DohSrqCovid19@ FLHealth.gov. If you can’t email the request, call 861-2941. When leaving a voicemail, include your name and telephone number.

Students went on break on Dec. 23, and the school district had not updated its online dashboard of student and staff positive COVID-19 cases, but it plans to resume frequent updates as classes begin. In total, according to the document, 3,624 students and 459 staffers or faculty have tested positive.

Parents are also reminded that face masks are optional, in keeping with state law that eliminates mandates, though a message sent to parents last week included a reminder that masks are advised inside school buildings, quoting Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.

The district started the academic year with a mask mandate that would have automatically rescinded when the local rate of positive COVID-19 test results fell to 8% but would have

File photo

reinstated with three consecutive days of a 10% positive test result rate.

This week, Sarasota County’s sevenday positive rate was 22.51% Also part of an emailed reminder to parents, the district said contact tracing and quarantine protocols were in line with the state’s surgeon general’s advice.

The reminder said: “Parents and legal guardians of students who are known to have been in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 may choose one of the following options: n “Allow the student to attend school, school-sponsored activities or be on school property, without restrictions or disparate treatment, so long as the student remains asymptomatic; or n “Quarantine the student. A quarantined student can return to school on/after the eighth day from exposure.”

The district also asked parents who could do so to drive children to school as a means of reducing bus ridership. “Though our school buses are cleaned thoroughly and regularly, a temporary decrease in the overall amount of bus riders may help reduce the rate of potential COVID spread on our buses,’’ the district said.

Classes resumed on Tuesday for Sarasota County students.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

5

THE CITY’S PROJECTS

These are the highest-priority projects suggested for penny tax funding between 2024 and 2039. The rankings were assigned by the city’s Surtax IV Ad Hoc Committee.

File photo

Multimodal trail expansion is one of the potential projects to draw funding.

City panel winnows penny-tax projects Commissioners will hear the advisory committee’s recommendations on Jan. 31.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

A

city advisory panel is working its way through projects that could be financed, at least in part,

by Sarasota’s share of a countywide penny sales tax.

The five-member Surtax IV Ad Hoc Committee has been at work for months, gathering dozens of ideas from city staff and the public, scoring and prioritizing those ideas, and now putting dollar estimates alongside them to see what can be paid for by the estimated $191 million the tax would bring to the city over the next 15 years.

Once committee members finish by the end of the month, they will deliver their recommendations to the City Commission in a special meeting planned for Jan. 31.

City Commissioners can accept all,

some or none of the recommendations, or could reallocate the revenue attached by panelists to the projects before passing the final list and suggested expenditures to the County Commission.

It’s the County Commission’s responsibility to decide to put the measure, estimated in value at $2 billion between 2024 and 2039, on the ballot for November’s general election.

Although the lists of projects developed by Sarasota, the county and other municipalities within the county aren’t binding, deviations must go through a public hearing and be reviewed by an oversight group.

At a meeting last week, the committee began winnowing the dollar figures to build into its recommendation to the commission, acknowledging that the city staff’s estimated costs for the highest-ranked projects exceed what’s expected to be collected by at least $200 million.

Committee member Lou Costa recommended reducing the contribution to each item by at least half, adding that the penny sales tax revenue doesn’t have to cover the entire

cost of each because other funding sources are often available. The next time the panel meets, from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 21, city Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat will present a revised list with reductions in proposed expenditures.

Beyond Costa’s call for cutting line items in half, the committee recommended reducing the penny tax share of the city’s Bay Park project from the full $60 million estimate to $10 million. Likewise, the committee suggested cutting to $10 million per line item for the further expansion of

SURTAX?

In place since 1989, the county’s 1% sales surtax generates revenue for the county, Sarasota County schools and Sarasota’s four municipalities.

Local government bodies are restricted to using the money for infrastructure projects.

Following the sales tax creation via referendum, the electorate extended it in 1997 and 2007.

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PROJECT ESTIMATED COST Road resurfacing/rehabilitation $30 million Sidewalk expansion/replacement $9.5 million Parks and recreation facilities $49.9 million North Legacy Trail expansion $39.5 million Expansion of multimodal trails $13.4 million Green canopy/streetscapes/urban forestry $4.2 million Seawall upgrades/replacements $6.8 million Street lighting upgrades/replacements $7.5 million Flooding resiliency $4 million Dredge, shore up Hudson Bayou $1.3 million Traffic-calming infrastructure $3.8 million Bobby Jones recreational/wetland Unknown Streetscapes for east-west corridors $22.1 million Affordable/workforce housing Unknown Complete street program $17.9 million The Bay park project $60 million Bridge replacement/rehab $8.5 million Rehab of city’s 12th Street Complex $29.1 million Addition of public restrooms Unknown Underground powerlines $8.7 million

the Legacy Trail from Fruitville Road north to University Parkway.

Informally, a 50% cut in all the recommendations, paired with larger reductions for the Bay and the Legacy Trail, adds up to about $130 million.

“I would like to share with you that whatever you vote on today might change,” City Manager Marlon Brown said. “The Commission obviously has the final say. Obviously, there is a limited amount of money; it’s not infinite.”

Many of the projects, such as road resurfacing and sidewalk work, received money from the last batch of surtax money approved in 2009.

Some of the items removed from the committee’s highest priorities include projects that likely could be funded through other means, such as a proposed park in the Rosemary District and a crosswalk at U.S. 41 and Boulevard of the Arts, which will likely be funded by the state.

Additional money could come from federal sources, such as the recently passed infrastructure bill.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Surtax IV Ad Hoc Committee plans to meet at 10 a.m.

Jan. 21 at City Hall to finalize its proposals.

JAN. 31 The Surtax IV Ad Hoc Committee will present its recommendations to the City Commission.

FEB. 21 The City Commission is expected to sign off on the final list of projects and funding to send to the County Commission.

MARCH County commissioners are expected to vote to approve the ballot language.

NOVEMBER County voters participating in the general election will decide whether to approve the surtax for the fourth time.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

City commissioners take dog parks idea for a walk Adding facilities to existing parks could help pet owners find more places to exercise outdoors.

BLAKE FUSSELL STAFF WRITER

S

arasota City Commissioner Hagen Brody presented the idea of making Sarasota a more dogfriendly area during a commission meeting Jan. 3, asking city leaders to set aside space in existing parks for dogs to have access to both open space and water.

Brody mentioned the high density of dog owners in Sarasota’s downtown area who have limited options for where to take their dogs. Brody suggested using space below the Ringling Bridge in Bird Key Park and Ken Thompson Park, both of which offer space that has not been heavily utilized.

“It’s important for our community to be known as a dog-friendly community,” he said. “It’s important that pet owners are able to let their dogs play in water, whether it’s beach or bay. The other cause of concern is that our downtown has a tremendous amount of dog owners and only two dog parks that are heavily used.”

Brody noted a plan used by nearby Venice, where parts of the beach are separated for those who wish to bring their dog and those who do not.

Venice’s setup has been popular but requires a long drive for downtown residents.

Although creating more dogfriendly areas could appear to be an inclusive decision without consequence, Brody brought up environmental concerns such as preserving wildlife on Lido Beach, an area he initially suggested be partially dedicated to dogs.

“I assumed there would be concerns upon wildlife issues if we did

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this on Lido Beach,” he said. “I want staff to fully explore that. The endangered species and birds that nest here are important for our ecosystems.”

Kylee Wilson, a Sarasota-area resident who attended the commission meeting, has analyzed the bird population on Lido Beach. She said adding a dog park on the beach would be detrimental to the birds’ habitat and recommended Ken Thompson Park as an alternative.

Ken Thompson Park, often used for boaters but rarely seeing significant foot traffic, has a large open field to go along with grills, benches and other amenities. The idea shared

by Brody and Wilson was to further accommodate parts of the park specifically for dogs as an easy and quick solution.

“I love Ken Thompson Park where the big field could easily become a fenced-in area,” Wilson said. “I think that is a really great route. It is super underutilized, and I think it would bring a lot of good attention to the corner.”

Vice Mayor Kyle Scott Battie and commissioners Liz Alpert and Jen Ahearn-Koch voiced support for finding ways to make Sarasota more dog-friendly. The commissioners agreed on a motion to analyze where and how dog parks can be implemented on city property.

In the meantime, dog owners have utilized the facilities in place. Sarasota resident Max Taylor walked with his dog, Miga, through Bird Key Park on Friday, which he often does to get Miga exercise.

“Bird Key is a nice, long walk.

This is where we usually go and it’s great. In the summer time it’s usually breezy, and Miga is super fluffy, so we like it,” Taylor said. “But there could always be more done for dogs.”

Phil Stephen, joined by his family and two dogs, strolled through Bird Key Park recently. While he lives just a short walk away from the park, he

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Beauty is our Business

Blake Fussell

recognized a clear shortage of areas dedicated to dogs in Sarasota.

Unlike Taylor, Stephen said he “takes his dogs everywhere.” He said that while Sarasota has many beautiful, open areas, there is a need for more dog-centered spaces.

“I don’t think there’s an issue with space,” Stephen said. “I think there’s an issue with space for dogs. There’s so many parks and beaches and some of them should be catered towards dogs.

“And we understand the poop. We understand the problems that come with that. But that’s why we need dedicated areas. Bird Key is one of

“I don’t think there’s an issues with space. I think there’s an issue with space for dogs.”

— Phil Stephen

11

Max Taylor walking his dog, Miga, through Bird Key Park on Friday.

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the few places they can get in the water, but technically, they’re not even supposed to be here.”

Information regarding dog restrictions in city can be found on the Sarasota County website under the “Dog Parks and Dog-Friendly Parks” tab.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA / SIESTA KEY

Myths about improving roads Some might think building more roads only leads to more road usage. Logic points to the contrary.

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

ADRIAN MOORE AND STEVEN POLZIN

D

o you think improving and expanding roadways in the Sarasota region will improve things? Or make them worse? Do you think making it easier for more people to travel just causes, well, more people to travel, and soon congestion is just as bad as ever? If so, what is the point of improving Sarasota’s road network?

People often say that improving roads and adding capacity to allow more travel will lead to new and additional traffic and not improve anything. It’s “we can’t build our way out of congestion,” or “don’t build it and they won’t come.”

Transportation experts call this the principle of induced demand.

At its worst, “don’t build it and they won’t come” is like stopping school construction to solve classroom overcrowding. At its best, it is an often-observed reality that without road pricing to match supply and demand, sometimes not all of demand to use the roads can be met, which results in congestion. But while it is true in some narrow contexts, it is far more often misused as a one-size-fits-all justification for resisting roadwaycapacity expansion. Now, when the pandemic has changed travel behavior, some permanently, it’s time to reconsider this old saw.

Let’s imagine we made major improvements to Fruitville Road between Interstate 75 and downtown, with synchronized signals and real-time active flow management systems as well as redesign and restriping to allow an additional reversible lane to expand capacity in the direction of the rush hour.

But after a year or two of less congestion, more people are using the road and congestion comes back. Is that project a failure? Most opponents of road expansions would say yes because it did not solve congestion.

But there are five interpretations of what actually happened, and the truth could be a combination of any or all of them.

Growth is happening. One reason more people might be using

a new or improved road is increased population, employment, or activity in the area. From 2010 to 2020, Sarasota County’s population rose from 379,000 to 434,000, a 14.5% increase. There are simply more people trying to travel in the region.

Specifically, a better-flowing major arterial might trigger development near that road rather than farther north or south, which might reduce sprawl and shorten commutes, but also might draw new congestion to the improved road.

People change travel routes. A new or improved road that provides more reliable or faster travel means some people will change their usual travel routes to take advantage of it. This isn’t new travel; it’s just redistributed thanks to better flow.

Indeed, some people might have been using narrow roads or neighborhood roads to avoid congestion but shift to using the improved arterial. This is safer for everyone and means shorter or more reliable trips for those changing their routes.

People change travel times. A better and less-congested road will cause some people to change when they travel. An errand or appointment they might have postponed until midday to avoid congestion can now be done earlier or later thanks to the less-congested road.

This also isn’t new travel, and it has no effect on total travel but enables individuals and commercial vehicle drivers to travel on their preferred route at a better time. A parent might get home in time to eat with the family, attend a sporting event, or proctor homework. A delivery vehicle might be able to deliver products more quickly. These benefits improve the quality of life for everybody.

People change modes. Less congestion might cause some people to stop using the bus or carpooling and drive instead, thanks to reduced congestion. This isn’t new travel, but it is new vehicles on the improved road. In Sarasota County, only about 1% use transit to get to work, but nearly 12% carpool, at least before the pandemic. Based on national data, working from home has likely cut those numbers substantially, and some of that will be permanent. So, there is not a lot of transit travel there to shift to driving alone when roads improve.

Moreover, supporting congestion to induce people to use transit or carpool is terribly ineffective and makes people’s lives less convenient. Transit use would have to increase 14 times just to absorb new travel from population growth, when in fact it is barely able to hold onto the riders it has.

VEHICLE-MILES OF TRAVEL VS. VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED PER PERSON, NATIONALLY

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

Source: USDOT National Household Travel Survey

People travel more. Some fear that reduced congestion due to road improvements will cause some people to travel who otherwise would not have, or to travel farther, perhaps living farther out of town or going farther to shop, than they would with higher congestion. This is indeed added travel, and since this can have some environmental impact, they might argue it is better to let the roads be and let congestion constrict this potential additional travel. But if improving or adding a road causes people to travel farther to work or shop or enjoy recreation, that means before the road improvement they were settling for something worse, and that they get real benefits from more mobility. This has traditionally been a desirable outcome of better transportation created by new connections or new capacity.

A few other facts about travel to keep in mind. Nationally, we have not tested the hypothesis that we cannot build our way out of congestion, and for decades demand has grown despite roadway capacity per capita shrinking. Arguably, demand is being induced despite a lack of new capacity. However, in recent years vehicle-miles of travel per capita have not returned to the peak levels of 2004-2007 (See figure).

At the same time, rising telecommuting instead of work travel is likely to impact traffic inducement. The work-at-home share has grown from 2.3% in 1980 to 5.9% in 2019 and dramatically accelerated with the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in expectations that post-COVID work-at-home shares will be over 10% and increase as the share of information jobs in the economy increases. E-commerce, distance-learning, online business transactions and telemedicine are

also likely to grow.

Finally, a growing share of roadway travel (almost 30%) is not household-based person travel but commercial and service vehicle travel responding to business, government and household needs. This includes police, fire, ambulance, mail, school buses, delivery vehicles and the myriad services we use, from lawn, insect, pool and repair services to service visits such as home health care, real estate agents and decorators. This travel doesn’t reduce when congestion rises, it just becomes more expensive and worse for customers or those calling for emergency services. Road improvements and better mobility help us in many ways besides our own travel.

It is transportation officials’ responsibility to vet and challenge proposed projects based on a full analysis of the impacts. Studying design options to improve transportation outcomes and reduce the effect on neighboring and broader communities is likewise a worthwhile endeavor. Accepting the myth that improving roads just induces more demand and that congestion will soon return ignores the muchmore complicated realities of travel supply and demand, and the many and broad benefits of mobility improvements.

Adrian Moore is the vice president of Reason Foundation and lives in Sarasota, and Steven Polzin is a former transportation professor at the University of South Florida.

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Legislative politics fells Siesta incorporation

T

o all those people who worked so earnestly on the Siesta Key incorporation efforts: Good

try.

An extra shoutout goes to Harry Anand, a Siesta Key resident, entrepreneur and former 12-year mayor of Laurel Hollow, New York.

Anand volunteered to advise the incorporation proponents, ultimately leading the efforts that brought the idea closer to success than ever before.

But unfortunately, welcome to the world of Florida legislative politics.

A lot of times, it really stinks.

For decades, we have watched how issues that seem logical, reasonable, rational and good nevertheless are often not the right ingredients for a bill to make it through the Legislature. It’s the politics that count.

It is a frustrating process, to be sure, and one that often doesn’t make sense.

In the wake of the local legislative delegation’s 3-3 vote last week rejecting bills that would allow for an incorporation referendum, many Siesta incorporation supporters asked how and why state representatives whose districts have no connection to Siesta Key can have a say in whether a bill affecting Siesta Key is filed?

Why, for instance, should Reps.

Will Robinson of Bradenton and Tommy Gregory of East Manatee County have a say in whether Rep. Fiona McFarland, who represents Siesta Key, files a bill dealing with her district?

On the surface, that doesn’t make sense. But it’s one of those longstanding, quirky policies of the Legislature.

There were other Tallahassee political realities at play as well.

Rare is the proposed legislation that is passed in the House and Senate and signed into law the first time it is proposed. That typically only happens when the legislation is a priority or has the strong backing of the governor, Senate president and/ or House speaker. Or when the proposed legislation is an emergency.

Fact is, if you want something passed into law, having leadership support is crucial.

Otherwise, expect to have a bill filed multiple years before it finally passes. And all through the process, the legislation needs persistent champions in the House and Senate and effective lobbying from the affected constituents.

Another unspoken rule of Tallahassee: If you want legislation passed, have the language written and key supporters signed on in the summer prior to the next session.

That’s when the deal-making is done.

Finally, as the Siesta incorporation supporters learned, the local delegation should be locked in for certain before the issue reaches a public vote.

Yes, being rejected hurts and sometimes stirs up anger. But for those Siesta residents who still believe incorporation is what’s best for Siesta Key’s future, consider this defeat a learning moment and part of what typically is a long process.

Indeed, if the incorporation supporters are still determined, Gregory gave them the criteria necessary for the local delegation’s support: n Persuade the city of Sarasota to de-annex the northern tip of Siesta Key so the proposed town of Siesta Key would include the entire barrier island. That will always be a hard sell.

Cities rarely go along with giving up territory and property-tax revenue.

But you can see Gregory’s reasoning: future complications between the city of Sarasota and town of Siesta Key. n Conduct a non-binding referendum of Siesta Key voters using the exact language that would be posed to voters in a binding referendum.

The local legislative delegation wants convincing proof the majority of Siesta residents and voters support incorporation.

n Revise the budget. While incorporation supporters strongly defend their projections of the town government initially costing $3.6 million, or 0.24 mills, Gregory, Robinson and Rep. James Buchanan — the three who voted not to support legislation — are not convinced that rate is realistic.

All three of these criteria would require persistent efforts, with no guarantee the 2023 Legislature would support a binding referendum on incorporation. But that’s what it would take to at least get the matter up to Tallahassee.

There is another way, albeit one in which Siesta residents have little confidence: Put aside the arduous challenge of incorporation. Instead, emphatically and persistently convince Sarasota County commissioners that Siesta Key deserves better, and persuade commissioners to be more responsive to Siesta.

Three ways to assure that: a Siesta resident representing the island’s interests on the county commission; a Siesta resident on the planning commission; and constant, vocal vigilance on the part of Siesta residents.

It’s politics.

— MW

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

left without paying. The employee followed the woman and reported that she brandished a box cutter and told him to stop following. The employee allowed some distance to build between him and the woman and called police while still following. Officers took the woman into custody, finding a box cutter in the grass nearby. She denied pulling a knife and said she had no money and was hungry.

Region’s median sales price for homes is third in Florida, behind Fort LauderdaleMiami area and Naples.

MONDAY, JAN. 3

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

A

lthough the calendar has flipped to a new year, a local real estate expert says he has no reason to believe the beginning of 2022 will look any different than 2021.

That is to say, the connection of short supply, high demand and rising median prices regionwide shows no signs of slowing down.

“It’s not surprising that our market is now priced higher than it’s ever been before,” said Alex Krumm, the 2021 president of the Real Estate Association of Sarasota and Manatee, in a news release. “New listings that come to market are being sold in a matter of hours, and there are far more buyers than there are homes to sell them. I expect we’ll continue to see higher prices next year.”

December figures are expected to be released on Jan. 20, but November numbers continued as they have for most of the previous year.

November 2021 data indicates the highest recorded prices in both counties for both property types.

The single-family median price in Manatee County increased by 28.5% to $450,411. In Sarasota County, the single-family median price increased by 19.9% to $419,225.

Condo prices increased by 28.6% to a median of $349,900 in Sarasota and by 26.4% to a median of $300,000 in Manatee.

In November, the Sarasota, Bradenton North Port area’s regional median price for single-family homes rose to $432,625, third highest of the state’s 22 metro areas. The year-to-date median price, which stands at $400,000, likewise is third highest — a 21% increase since 2020, according to statewide figures collected by Florida Realtors. Condominium median prices for the region

Eric Garwood

in November stood at $325,000 — fourth in the state.

At the end of November, the inventory of all active listings in the two counties decreased by 59.4% to 1,654 listings. The supply of inventory is at 0.7 months for single-family homes, a 61.1% decrease in Sarasota and a 56.3% decrease in Manatee. Condo supplies are comparable.

The median time from listing date to contract hovers around one week in the two counties. The median time to contract for all property types in the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton MSA was seven days in November.

Reflective of the most recent figures, eight of the nation’s 10 hottest real estate markets (as defined by speed of sales) are in Florida. Six of those are in Sarasota County (South Sarasota County, East Venice, Englewood, Venice, Nokomis and The Meadows).

“Expect a very busy winter and spring,” Krumm said.

Homes are averaging seven to nine days on the market before going under contract, according to local sales figures.

MONDAY, JAN. 3

LOST, THEN FOUND 7:27 p.m., 0 block of Avenue of the Presidents Found property: A caller to police reported finding an unattended designer purse that contained cash, credit cards and a number of personal items. The responding officer took possession of the purse, locking it in his patrol car.

Several hours later, police received a call from an out-of-town person who reported a lost purse. After ownership had been confirmed, the purse was returned.

SATURDAY, JAN. 1

CREDIT ONE DEBIT CARD 8:35 p.m., Gulf of Mexico Drive and Ken Thompson Parkway Found property: A caller to police reported finding a debit card and wanted to turn it over to police. An officer met the caller downtown, who said he had found the card while fishing near the New Pass bridge. The name on the card did not connect with any local addresses and an exact match could not be confirmed among several similar names tracked down in a police database. The card was held for safekeeping.

NOVEMBER STATS Single-family homes (Changes are year over year) 833 closed sales (-2%) $419,225 median price (+19.9%) 7 average days to contract (-53.3%) 0.7 months of inventory (-61.1%) Condominiums 351 closed sales (-16.8%) $349,900 median price (+28.6%) 7 average days to contract (-80%) 0.7 months of inventory (-79.3%)

SUNDAY, JAN 2

DINE, DASH, THREATEN 9:25 p.m., 1500 block of Main Street Theft: A restaurant employee sought to press theft charges against a woman who ordered and accepted $28.34 in food, then

SLICE OF LIFE 1:17 a.m., 1200 block of Palm Avenue Suspicion: An out-of-town man who said he had been visiting several bars downtown told police he met a woman and they returned to his hotel room. The woman asked to take a shower and, when the man entered the bathroom to use the toilet, she leapt from the shower and said, “I’m going to slice you.’’ The man ran from the room to the hotel lobby to call police. Officers found the woman had left with her belongings and had not stolen anything.

The man had both keys to his room.

Officers canvassed the area but found no woman nearby fitting the description.

9

COPS CORNER

Manatee, Sarasota home prices still climbing

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QUIET DOWN THERE, GOOD BUDDY 8:25 p.m., 1200 block of Gulfstream Avenue Noise: The sound of a large truck idling for what witnesses said was hours prompted a call to police. The responding officer learned from the truck’s driver that he was making a delivery at the address. The officer told the driver there was no issue, and the caller said she would spread the word that the truck was there legally.

KEEP IT DOWN, HUH? 9:58 p.m., 3400 block of Tamiami Trail Suspicious person: Officers spoke to a man who had been outside having a loud argument with an acquaintance on the telephone.

Officers explained to the man that his loud voice was disturbing at least one person nearby. The man expressed remorse for the volume of his voice and said he would step inside the next time such a phone conversation was necessary.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

FAM I LY

Blake Fussell

Siesta hopes to fight back with lawsuits Incorporation of Siesta Key has been tabled for the next two years, but residents will continue to make their voices heard through lawsuits.

BLAKE FUSSELL STAFF WRITER

Siesta Key residents wishing to incorporate the island saw their bill to do so killed by state legislators who represent Sarasota County last week. But efforts to make the decisions within their community will continue primarily through activism and legal remedies, residents were told at a meeting of the Siesta Key Association.

James P. Wallace III, a Siesta Key resident and plaintiff in two lawsuits, updated members on where his legal proceedings stand.

Wallace announced that he has filed an appeal of the Florida Department of Transportation’s decision to deny him a hearing regarding a new signalized intersection for Stickney Point Road between the south bridge and Tamiami Trail.

Wallace said the permit that allows the traffic signal assumed “being stuck in traffic is insufficient to establish legal standing. This case raises the issue as to whether the residents of Florida’s barrier islands do in fact have legal standing.”

Siesta Key residents rely on the south drawbridge to the mainland for essential travel, including medical emergencies.

The approved intersection construction could worsen the already present traffic issues residents run into when conducting their daily activities, Wallace said.

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Wallace, who has previous experience in transportation work, collaborated with an engineer to create and present a model of what changes to the intersection could do to island traffic. The project found a 30% increase in travel time during tourist season. FDOT approved the construction anyway, according to Wallace.

“It’s an incredible problem, and there’s all kinds of construction everywhere,” Wallace said. “The corner where this was approved has been vacant for 10 years.”

Increased roadway congestion was also a concern for the approval of two new hotels on the island, which was the premise of another lawsuit filed against Sarasota County.

The approved hotels could cause additional pedestrian traffic and confusion between private and public beaches. The hotels could also create a precedent for future projects, which has worried Siesta Key residents that the island could look very different in the near future.

“This is all about Siesta Key. If we lose these cases, there will be a dramatic effect, and Siesta Key will be toast,” Wallace said. “These two things would be so destructive, and I think people will be outraged.”

Although incorporation of Siesta Key has become nearly impossible within the next two years, annexation has become a possibility.

The Sarasota City Commission is scheduled to discuss what would be involved in such a move at its regular meeting on Jan. 18.

Annexation would require a feasibility study, two public hearings, approval by the city commission and a vote on it in the next election. The city commission meeting will be in the City Commission Chambers at 9 a.m.

James P. Wallace III updates the Siesta Key Association on lawsuits during Thursday’s meeting.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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Photos by Harry Sayer

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The monthly party featured a “Dance Under The Stars” theme in which dance instructor Maksym Lototskyy of Dynasty Dance Clubs led the crowd in a series of dance moves and configurations throughout the night.

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JANUARY 13, 2022

HIGH

SPORTS

5

1

Cardinal Mooney High junior volleyball player Jordyn Byrd was named the 2021-2022 Gatorade Florida Volleyball Player of the Year on Jan. 11. Byrd recorded 551 kills, 258 digs, 56 blocks and 25 service aces this season.

2

Cardinal Mooney High junior guard Olivia Davis scored 24 points Jan. 11 in the Cougars’ 69-57 home girls basketball win against Venice High.

3

Sarasota Christian senior forward Brian Hershberger had 11 points and 10 rebounds Jan. 7 in the Blazers’ 70-24 road boys basketball win against Community Christian.

4

Cardinal Mooney High sophomore goalkeeper Lucia Via-Reque made eight saves in the Cougars’ 2-0 girls soccer win against Braden River High.

“I’m just glad we were able to get the win for our coach since he used to play here.”

— Cardinal Mooney High’s Connor Heald SEE PAGE 16

COUGARS COME UP CLUTCH Cardinal Mooney is off to a 11-4 start under first-year coach, Vince Cherry.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

A

s Cardinal Mooney High sophomore guard Connor Heald’s shot went in, the air in Riverview High’s gym was sucked out.

Heald’s three-pointer from the right side with about six seconds remaining gave the Cougars a 71-70 lead in what appears to be a budding boys basketball rivalry. Riverview junior Jason Jackson responded with a three-point shot of his own at the buzzer, but it clanked out. The only sound remaining came from Cougars players and fans rushing the floor.

Mooney, a Class 3A team, defeated the Class 8A team with two potential NCAA Division I players (Jackson and freshman Jamier Jones) and a Division I football player (Jaron Glover).

The Cougars (11-4) came close to beating the Rams (11-4) on Dec. 30 in the Suncoast Classic but came up a point short.

Jackson hit a big-time shot with six seconds remaining in that game to give the Rams a 59-58 win after Mooney led most of the way. Cougars first-year coach Vince Cherry, a Riverview alumnus, said the team learned from its mistakes in that game to get the win Tuesday.

“We competed well in that first game, but we made mistakes down the stretch that were just careless,” Cherry said. “We were up four points and we would come down the floor and jack up threes, things like that.

Tonight was about building off of that and being smarter. They are way more athletic than us — we can’t dunk like them — but we made them sit out and defend a little bit more.

We ran our stuff (on offense), and that helped us.”

As much as one win can be a proof of concept for a team’s identity, the win over Riverview gives Mooney fans a glimpse at what the Cougars can be. Mooney does not have a lot of height, but that doesn’t matter much if the Cougars are executing. Four Mooney players (Heald, sophomore Dylan Higgins, sophomore Franklin Liriano and senior A.J. Russo) reached double-digit points against the Rams and sophomore Teddy Foster finished with nine points. The game showcased the team’s outside shooting, but also a willingness to be patient and wait for the right opportunity, as well as a penchant for offensive rebounding. Mooney held the ball for several minutes to start the game, passing the ball around the perimeter and cleaning up on the boards before eventually hitting a three-pointer. And every time the Rams made a run, Mooney answered.

5

Sarasota High freshman guard Sean Collier scored 13 points Jan. 10 in the Sailors’ 43-34 road boys basketball win against Braden River High.

FALL FORWARD. PAGE 15

Cardinal Mooney’s Dylan Higgins hits a midrange jumper against Riverview.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Cardinal Mooney junior Drew Carter (10) and junior Randy Wilson (32) celebrate with Connor Heald (11) after Heald hit the game-winning shot against Riverview.

Above: Cardinal Mooney coach Vince Cherry pumps his first after the Cougars hit a big shot against Riverview.

Right: Cardinal Mooney’s A.J. Russo takes contact in the paint against Riverview.

“I think we lose this game last year,” Cherry, an assistant coach on last year’s team, said. “We have a lot of heart this year. I went in the locker room after the game and I was like, ‘Damn, we have really grown up as a basketball team.’ It comes from them buying in. You can see it during the games, I am passionate about these kids. They let me get on them the whole game. They don’t complain about it and it rubs off on them. They see I have their back so they have my back. It’s a special thing.”

Heald, who finished with 17 points, said going against each other in practice every day has made everyone on the team better.

“We’re great friends off the court, but when we get on the court, we’re enemies,” Heald said. “We go at each other every day. It’s a lot of fun.”

Riverview was visibly disappointed with its play throughout the game.

Multiple Rams crouched or laid on the court in the seconds following the final buzzer, watching the Cougars’ celebration. It wasn’t the outcome they wanted, but the Rams still showed an ability to come from behind when their athleticism is thrown into overdrive. Jackson finished with 20 points; Jamier Jones had 19, including two thunderous dunks from the left baseline. Glover also added 14 points.

As crushing as the loss was for the Rams — and as euphoric as it was for the Cougars — both teams are in good shape for the postseason, which begins with district tournaments on Feb. 8.

The Rams won’t see many teams with Mooney’s depth and tenacity, and the Cougars won’t see many, if any, teams with Riverview’s physical gifts.

Over the next three weeks, both programs will get the chance to solidify their in-game plans and grow into themselves.

Still, the win meant a lot to Cherry, who said it was “no secret” that he wanted to best his former team in his first season. Cherry, an electric presence on the Cougars bench, believes the win can be a stepping stone to something even bigger.

“The sky is the limit for us,” Cherry said. “We put no expectations on this year. We’re just going with it. We’re all learning together and whatever happens, happens. It’s working so far.”

IF YOU GO

What: Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball (11-4) vs.

Venice High (4-7) When: 7 p.m. Jan. 20 Where: Cardinal Mooney High Why: A chance to see the Cougars test their depth against another Class 8A opponent Cougars player to watch: Sophomore Dylan Higgins, who led the team with 19 points against Riverview High on Tuesday

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

15

RYAN KOHN

Take them to school Checking in on some local athletes who are excelling.

T

he beginning of the year is as good a time as any to check on our collegiate athletes, as I am wont to do.

I took a look at our football alumni in the fall, but there are plenty of other fall and winter sports athletes thriving in one way or another.

Former Riverview High boys basketball star Brion Whitley transferred from Murray State to Southern University before this season.

Through 16 games, the move has worked out. Whitley, a junior, is the Jaguars’ sixth man, coming off the bench to provide a spark whenever the team needs it. His stats suggest he should be getting more playing time. Whitley is averaging 12.5 points a game, third most on the team. He’s also fourth on the team in steals (21). His success has not been opponent-dependent, either.

While his best game (29 points) came against tiny Ecclesia College, he also scored 14 points against Kentucky.

With Whitley on board, the Jaguars have started the season 9-7. I don’t know if he’ll get a start as the season progresses, but it might not matter. Whitley is taking advantage of whatever is handed to him, like he always has.

Whitley’s former Rams teammate AJ Caldwell is at Tennessee-Chattanooga and is also an important piece for the Mocs. Caldwell has started nine of the team’s 16 games and is averaging five points, 2.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game while turning the ball over just 17 times. Caldwell is a glue player for the Mocs. He plays strong defense and does whatever the team needs on the offensive end. That’s why he’s getting 27.3 minutes per game,

the fourth-most on the team.

The Mocs are 13-3, so whatever Caldwell and his teammates are doing, it’s working.

At Kentucky, former Riverview High volleyball player Riah Walker got playing time as a sophomore.

The libero played in 71 sets over the course of the season and recorded 154 digs. She only made six receiving errors. Her defensive play helped the Wildcats to a 25-5 record, though the team was upset

by Illinois in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Speaking of the Wildcats, former Sarasota Military Academy athlete Mary Tucker, fresh off her Olympic silver medal performance, is back at Kentucky for another season of dominance in rifle. She’s now a junior. After winning a national championship last season, Tucker and the Wildcats are off to another good start, though they did drop an early-season match against Mississippi. I doubt the slip-up will matter much. She remains one of the best shooters in the world.

Isabel Traba, a former Sarasota High girls swimmer, is having a strong season at Miami. In November, Traba finished second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.47) and third in the 200-yard butterfly (2:02.29) at the Miami Invitational, among other strong results. But she’s not the only member of her family doing big things. Traba’s sister, Mercedes Traba, is also a Sarasota alumna and also competed at the Miami Invitational, though for Vanderbilt. A freshman, Mercedes finished third in the 500-yard freestyle (4:51.17), the 400-yard individual medley (4:23.16) and the 1,650-yard freestyle (17:16.17) at the meet.

Elsewhere in the water, former Riverview High boys swimmer Brett Riley is a senior at Purdue.

First of all, this is a wild realiza-

tion for me when I remember that I covered Riley and his teammates’ quest for a fourth-straight high school state title in 2017. Time is a weird thing. Anyway, Riley has had a strong career for the Boilermakers. He scored in all three of his Big 10 Championship individual events as a junior and is on track to end his career well this year. Riley finished sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke (1:58.72) at the 2021 Purdue Invitational in November.

Former Cardinal Mooney High volleyball Coach Chad Sutton also spent the last two season at Purdue as a volunteer assistant coach, learning under the well-respected Dave Shondell. The Boilermakers were 26-7 last season, reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before losing in four sets to Pittsburgh. Sutton will now depart Purdue, but wherever he lands, success will likely follow.

Former Booker High boys basketball Coach Markus Black is on staff at Arkansas as a graduate assistant. The Razorbacks are 10-5 in 2021-2022 but on a three-game skid since entering Southeastern Conference play in late December.

They’ll assuredly get right against my beloved but quite bad Missouri Tigers on Wednesday night.

The level of talent coming out of this area never ceases to amaze me. These are certainly not all of the names I could have included in this column. I mean, I didn’t even mention Emma Weyant, our other Olympian, who continues to hone her sport at Virginia. Hopefully, these columns remind you how lucky we are to be able to watch these stars on a daily basis. The next few years are going to add even more talent to this collection, too; All you have to do is look at our current crop of swimmers and basketball players to know that. As much as football is the dominant

Photo courtesy Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com.

Former Ram AJ Caldwell is a key contributor for Tennessee-Chattanooga.

sport here — and we certainly have our fair share of great football players — the winter sports are on the come-up.

Get on board now so you’ll be able to say, “I remember them when … .”

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota Observer.

Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

The end of the year is a time to look back on the past while looking forward to the future. It’s a time of reflection, resolutions, and hope. It’s a time for family, friends, and your fellow citizens. As an organization, we can look back at our 50+ year history and see how we’ve grown from one small Club to six Club locations and four school sites across communities in both Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. We can look back and see that, through our biggest milestones and our greatest challenges, caring individuals like you were by our side.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

16

RAINFOREST MA SK S of COSTA RIC A

Connor Heald Connor Heald is a sophomore shooting guard on the Cardinal Mooney High boys basketball team. Heald hit a go-ahead 3-point shot with six seconds remaining in the Cougars’ 71-70 road win against Riverview High on Jan. 12. Heald finished with 17 points.

What is your favorite food?

Definitely macaroni and cheese.

When did you start playing basketball?

I started playing in kindergarten.

My family got me a hoop for our house, and I started shooting on it all the time. I was exploring different sports, and basketball is the one that I loved. I played basketball every day, and I still do.

What is your favorite school subject?

I like science, especially chemistry.

What is the appeal to you?

The energy is amazing. The coordination on the floor, the chemistry my teammates and I have; it’s all great.

SPON SOR S

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

What is your best skill?

It’s my shooting. That is something I have always worked on.

What is your favorite TV show?

I don’t watch much TV, honestly. I’m either watching film or working out or hanging with my friends. Basketball is most of what I do.

Which superpower would you pick?

I would want to be able to fly. I would go wherever I wanted to go.

What is the best advice you have received?

Even if the three is not falling (early), I have to go find my shot.

Finish this sentence: “Connor Heald is …” … Outgoing. I’m a talkative guy.

What have you been working to improve?

My defense. It’s been a little rough this year at times. I’ve been trying to get that fixed.

& ANONYMOUS

What were you thinking before your final shot (against the Rams)?

If I’m open, I am going to shoot it. I wasn’t nervous at all. I wasn’t thinking much. I just knew I was going to hit it. When the game ended, I had so many emotions. I’m just glad we were able to get the win for our coach (Vince Cherry), since he used to play here (at Riverview).

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Classifieds 27 Games 26 Real Estate 23 Weather 26

JANUARY 13, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS — Brian Polizzi, owner of The Dark Side

WHO WIELDS THE SHIELD?

Longtime cosplayer Kristopher Paul makes the most of his appearances in Sarasota as Captain America.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

K

ristopher Paul makes things.

He made his bones designing flyers and posters with his graphic design background. He also helps make furniture as a handyman and helps make wheelchair mobility an easier task.

But not everything he makes is part of the work-a-day world. Paul, 36, is a dedicated cosplayer — someone who dresses up as characters from pop culture— and has attended many conventions and nerd gatherings to show off the costumes and designs he makes himself.

Those have included Power Ranger suits, a superhero from the CW DC Show “Legends of Tomorrow” and the futuristic Batman suit from “Batman Beyond.”

As Captain America, Paul drew squeals of delight from children along the route of December’s Sarasota Downtown Holiday Parade.

“Kids were screaming, ‘It’s Cap-

tain America!’” Paul said. “They were loving it.”

Paul moved to Tampa from Brooklyn, New York, in 2005 to attend school for graphic design. He befriended students who were into anime — sharing his love of Dragon Ball, Gundam and other stylish productions — and that’s where his interest in nerd culture stepped up.

“I always took Halloween pretty seriously,” Paul said. “My friends suggested, ‘Why don’t you get a Green Lantern suit?’ and I started going to conventions. At first it felt weird since you’re wearing fullblown spandex, and then you get used to it; you pick up the ins and outs.”

It didn’t hurt that Paul was a lover of performance and theater as well, and took to wearing costumes easily. It took time learning how to construct the costumes he loved — not to mention finding the fabric designers and craftsmen that could assist him — but he had help from cosplaying

friends who’d been in the same boat.

“Cosplayers help each other,” Paul said. “They help out the new guy, and then eventually I became that kind of person for others.”

While living in Port Charlotte, Paul needed a place to pick up his comics each Wednesday and found The Dark Side comics shop in Sarasota. That led to him dressing as superheroes during the shop’s Free Comic Book day in the summer and ultimately resulted in his walking with the shop’s cosplay group in the downtown holiday parade each year.

“It just adds another level of fun,” said Brian Polizzi, owner of The Dark Side. “It blows kids’ minds to see these real-life versions of these characters.”

These days, Paul dresses as Sam Wilson, the Marvel comics superhero known as The Falcon, who served as Captain America’s partner for decades in the comics.

Notably, Sam Wilson took on the Captain America mantle himself in the Rick Remender-penned and Stuart Immonen-drawn comics series from 2014. Paul read those comics as they were coming out and felt that version of Wilson was a perfect character to play.

“The day Sam Wilson became Captain America was the day I sketched out the suit exactly how it would look (on me),” Paul said.

He’s had a few iterations of the bodysuit designed by fabric printers and added a

back.”

He switched to the foam that’s used as flooring in children’s playgrounds for his wings, picked up a proper Captain America shield to pose with and hasn’t looked back.

Pop culture eventually caught up to Paul’s love of the character. A scene in the 2019 Avengers movie “Endgame” had Captain America — now aged and unable to fight, reminiscent of the 2014 comic series— passing on his shield to Sam. Paul, who attended the premier in full Captain America costume, couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I screamed, ‘Take the shield!’”

Paul said. “My wife is grabbing my arm in the theater; it was the most amazing feeling I’d had in my life.”

The subsequent “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” television show on Disney Plus cemented Wilson’s status as Captain America and ended with the character wearing the stars and stripes.

The look had reached the public at large, and Paul knew it was time to show it off. He put on his costume and, along with other Dark Side comics cosplayers and fans, recently marched down Main Street to the cheers of families during the holiday parade.

Paul brought his latest wing-andsuit design to the parade and, while he had trouble seeing in the dark with his red-tinted goggles, enjoyed seeing all the children notice the light-up sneakers that he wore for extra effect. Seeing how the crowd reacted to both his costume and mannerisms playing the character he loved is what made it great.

Paul has more plans for his cosplay ahead of him. He recently attended a convention in St. Pete and plans to visit more as they happen in Florida. He’ll be bringing his wings and shield with him.

“My cosplay (work) has kept growing and growing,” Paul said.

backpack for wings, goggles and other accessories. Very few knew about the look early on, and even fewer went to cosplay as Sam, which Paul says helped get him attention when he debuted in the suit.

“Eventually more and more people started to do the costume, so I had to do something major to stand out,” Paul said. “I designed wings out of cardboard (for conventions). Those first wings hurt; they were very heavy on my

Photos by Harry Sayer

Kristopher Paul wears his suit to conventions every chance he gets.

‘‘

“It just adds another level of fun. It blows kids’ minds to see these real-life versions of these characters.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Bubble bash S

arasota families came out in droves to enjoy a bubble bash of epic proportions during the Bubble Festival on Jan. 8 at the Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

The noon event featured bubble artist Blaise Ryndes and his acclaimed Sphere Bubble Show, during which he and his staff amazed children with massive bubble shapes that floated throughout the bazaar. Ryndes, a Tampa resident, was featured on the 13th season of “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC. Families also enjoyed snacks from vendors, boba tea, Hula Hoop games and face-painting.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Adam Lesser admires his work.

—HARRY SAYER

Beckham Buchanan works on his own bubbles.

Above: Jenna and Halle Buchanan reach for the passing bubbles.

Right: Dozens of children chased after the bubbles floating through the bazaar.

Judah Swan introduces his parrot Ninja to the fun.

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YOUR CALENDAR BEST BET: EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES 2022 EXHIBIT Through April 10 at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive More than 40 artists will have their work promoting diversity and inclusion highlighted in massive poster form in this annual attraction at Bayfront Park.

Free. For information, visit EmbracingOurDifferences.org.

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JAN. 14

RAINFOREST MASKS OF COSTA RICA Through Jan. 30 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. The annual exhibit detailing masks from the Boruca Tribe of Costa Rica returns to Selby Gardens for the 18th year. Masks are available for purchase. For information, go to Selby.org.

SARASOTA FUN IN THE SUN 2022 Through Jan. 15 at Holiday Inn Airport, 8009 15th St. E. This figurine festival returns to Sarasota for two days of sales, workshops and finely crafted creations. $5. For information, call 215-409-8040.

GEM, JEWELRY AND BEAD SHOW Through Jan. 16 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Vendors will show off the many rocks, gems, jewelry and other items

of note over the weekend. $5. For information, go to FrankCoxProductions.com/schedule.

SIXTH ANNUAL SARASOTA SEAFOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL Through Jan. 16 at J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive. Fresh seafood and live music is the catch of the day at this weekend-long lively festival.

Free. For information, go to SeafoodFestivals.com.

JAN. 17

CHRIS CHRISTIE - THE RINGLING TOWN HALL 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey comes to Sarasota to speak about his experiences during this town hall series.

Tickets start at $70. For information, call 309-5100.

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20

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Photos by Harry Sayer

Dwight Icenhower rocks the house as Elvis Presley.

Long live the King

Garry Moore as Little Richard with Leona Cohen

J

an. 8 marked the 87th birthday of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, and both locals and visitors celebrated the King during the Shake Rattle and Soul Fest at Robarts Arena.

The two-day event started Jan. 7 and attracted Elvis fans of all shapes and stripes, meeting in Sarasota to enjoy a festival full of tunes from Elvis tribute acts. Tribute acts honoring Rod Stewart, James Brown, Little Richard and Roy Orbison also appeared.

The weekend concluded with two big events Jan. 8. First, Dwight Icenhower got the crew whipped into a frenzy as he danced and sang as multiple iterations of Elvis Presley at the Elvis Birthday Bash Concert.

Then the night ended in celebration with an after-hours party paying tribute to Elvis.

Above: Steve Bobbitt as Rod Stewart Left: Jim and Bonnie Parr

— HARRY SAYER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

21

WILD FLORIDA An exploration beyond the pavement.

Myakka counts record bird species

L

Miri Hardy

During the Myakka River Christmas Bird Count, staff and visitors covered 152 square miles in 78 hours, with a resulting record of 125 bird species.

“This bank is amazing.”

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ate in December, before dawn, 38 bird aficionados arrived at Myakka River State Park, one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks. Equipped with sharp eyes and ears, binoculars and scopes, they counted birds — 19,903 to be exact — during the Myakka River Christmas Bird Count.

The Christmas Bird Count is a community science project organized by the National Audubon Society. Held annually, it contributes to a database that highlights conservation action required to protect birds and the habitats they need to survive.

Like others, this count took place in a 15-mile-wide circle, within which all birds seen or heard were tallied — not only species but the number of individual birds, too.

But bird counts are not just about numbers. Tying a park record set in 2011, 125 bird species were spotted, including a first-time sighting of a whooping crane, one of the mostendangered birds in North America.

And crested caracaras, an especially meaningful species for Myakka, also showed up to be counted. An important yet increasingly scarce yearlong resident of our Florida dry prairies, caracaras are habitat specialists, largely dependent on the open, treeless habitats of the dry

WELCOME TO THE WILD Wild Florida is a monthly feature written by Miri Hardy, the first executive director of the Friends of Myakka River. Miri has been a Sarasota resident since 2014 and holds a doctorate in social psychology from Washington University in Saint Louis. She is happiest exploring wild Florida, often on her bike, and capturing its beauty with her camera.

—MIRI HARDY, SAVE OUR SEABIRDS

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations and our own.

- Susan

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prairie landscape, a globally imperiled ecosystem endemic to the state.

Myakka’s prairies were speciesrich prior to the 46 years of fire exclusion, which began in the mid1930s. To mitigate the damage done by fire exclusion, a focus of Myakka River State Park’s staff is the restoration and maintenance of the park’s nearly 15,000 acres of Florida dry prairie, with prescribed fire being an important tool in this process. During the years of fire exclusion, caracaras were not observed residing in the park. But thanks in part to the reintroduction of fire starting in the 1970s, they have returned.

In fact, crested caracara observations in and around the park have increased over the past 13 years.

And, as you can imagine, it was an absolute delight to be able to include five of them in our count when they were spotted, fittingly, foraging in the ashes of a recent prescribed fire.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

SIESTA KEY 3251 Higel Ave 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,607 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4518377 $6,450,000

NOKOMIS/NORTH VENICE 1012 Bayview Drive 6 Beds 5/1 Baths 6,305 Sq. Ft. Crystal Cosby 571-230-5013 A4521028 $2,250,000

SARASOTA 3835 Pomegranate Place 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,179 Sq. Ft. Kelly Quigley 941-356-9954 A4519108 $1,975,000

PALMETTO 2211 6th Street W 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,011 Sq. Ft. Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4520763 $1,970,000

SARASOTA 3501 Founders Club Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,836 Sq. Ft. Richard Hearn 941-313-1591 A4497661 $1,700,000

SIESTA KEY 1660 Summerhouse Lane 402 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,110 Sq. Ft. Anja Deichmann 941-284-7987 A4517373 $1,600,000

SIESTA KEY 5830 Midnight Pass Road 802 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,285 Sq. Ft. Perry Corneau 941-650-4626 A4520638 $1,600,000

SIESTA KEY 1001 Point Of Rocks Road 411 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,370 Sq. Ft. Joanna Benante & Ann Martin & Amber Watson 941-356-7717 A4517478 $1,575,000

SIESTA KEY 4910 Commonwealth Drive 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,210 Sq. Ft. Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear 941-951-6660 A4512691 $1,500,000

SIESTA KEY 506 Treasure Boat Way 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,930 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4521319 $1,500,000

SIESTA KEY 5533 Cape Aqua Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,302 Sq. Ft. Brian Loebker 941-735-4393 A4517797 $1,395,000

SIESTA KEY 6300 Midnight Pass Road 208 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,271 Sq. Ft. Tara Lamb & Judy Greene 941-266-4873 A4520394 $1,275,000

SARASOTA 2203 Hillview Street Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4518090 $1,250,000

SARASOTA 7700 Iguana Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,550 Sq. Ft. Lee Byron & Sue Keal 941-350-5542 A4512842 $899,998

PALMETTO 610 16th Avenue E 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,957 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4514336 $899,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7511 Pine Valley Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,187 Sq. Ft. Gloria Bracciano 941-229-4000 A4520204 $865,000

SARASOTA 707 S Gulfstream Avenue 101 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,247 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4518888 $850,000

SARASOTA 1039 23rd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4519506 $799,000

SIESTA KEY 5858 Midnight Pass Road 16 & 18 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,062 Sq. Ft. Veronika Bajtala 941-504-0307 A4520457 $775,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6108 Stillwater Court 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,039 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4521116 $775,000

SARASOTA 101 S Gulfstream Avenue 15B 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,320 Sq. Ft. Tracy Jones 941-376-3405 A4518516 $470,000

BRADENTON 920 Tidewater Shores Loop 306 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,232 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4519374 $439,990

BRADENTON 9004 Hammock Edge Place 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,834 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Fox & Susan Fox, PA 941-544-6649 A4520947 $425,000

SARASOTA /PINECRAFT 3137 Homasassa Road 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,496 Sq. Ft. Camille Schwabe 941-894-4771 A4521309 $399,000

SARASOTA 3639 S Lockwood Ridge Road 2 Beds 1 Baths 1,186 Sq. Ft. Valarie Wadsworth 941-780-3858 A4518154 $349,777

SARASOTA /PINECRAFT 3222 Old Oak Drive 6 Beds 4 Baths 3,617 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs & Sara Boudarga 941-374-2920 A4520979 $5,000,000

SARASOTA 374 Bob White Drive 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,409 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4519401 $3,850,000

SARASOTA 473 Partridge Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,226 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4511642 $3,095,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 370921-1

22

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Harbor Acres home sells for $8.76 million

Other top sales by area

A

SARASOTA

THE TOWER RESIDENCES Paul and Gayley Knight sold their Unit 1003 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive to Bryan Lourd, Bruce Bozzi Jr. and Barry Blaine Lourd, trustees, of Los Angeles, for $2.5 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,985 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,875,000 in 2008.

HARTSDALE Ronald Burton Sobotka Jr. and Cynthia Charlayne Collins, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1955 Morris St. to John and Barbara Semens, of Sarasota, for $2.2 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,647 square feet of living area.

MARK SARASOTA Pamela Osborne, of Salisbury, Connecticut, sold her Unit 1113 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Ronald Alan Seff and Shelley Ruth Seff, of Sarasota, for $1.6 million.

Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,482 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,048,500 in 2020.

ALINARI James Hanrahan sold the Units 505 and 507 condominiums at 800 N. Tamiami Trail to Geoffrey and Elizabeth Frazier, of Sarasota, for $1.5 million. Built in 2007, they have three bedrooms, three-and-twohalf baths and 2,981 square feet of living area.

Michael Spielman, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 1208 condominium at 800 N. Tamiami Trail to Keith and Christine Spirgel, of Moorestown, New Jersey, for $760,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two

REAL ESTATE

DEC. 27-31

RESEARCH EDITOR

SIESTA KEY: $3.25 MILLION

Bay Island Stanley and Merry Beth Raymond, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3532 Flamingo Ave. to Christy and Francis Caselli, of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, for $3.25 million.

Built in 1950, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,162 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,395,000 in 2016.

PALMER RANCH: $1.15 MILLION

Courtesy photo

Esplanade on Palmer Ranch Jeffrey and Julie Kweder sold their home at 5373 Salcano St. to Martin and Sheryl Larsen, of Elmhurst, Illinois, for $1.15 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,030 square feet of living area. It sold for $820,700 in 2019.

The same home at 1364 Harbor Drive that sold for $8,768,700 in December sold for $6.1 million in July 2020.

baths and 1,484 square feet of living area. It sold for $565,000 in 2019.

CORAL COVE Donald Eggebrecht and Pamela Eggebrecht, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 1815 Upper Cove Terrace to Stephen and Briana Santoro, of Ontario, Canada, for $1.4 million. Built in 1961, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,742 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2013.

Christopher Juall and Tessa Juall, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1825 Cockleshell Drive to David Surdez and Todd Stuart Smith, of Sarasota, for $999,000. Built in 1959, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,431 square feet of living area.

It sold for $430,000 in 2015.

rooms, two baths, a pool and 1,849 square feet of living area. It sold for $236,300 in 1992.

VALENCIA ROSEMARY PLACE TOWNHOMES Michael and Taguhi Parise, of Bradenton, sold their home at 1270 May Lane to James and Pippa Bird, of Carrollton, Texas, for $926,000.

Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,291 square feet of living area. It sold for $608,700 in 2019.

SOUTH GATE John Scalzi and Linda Larsen, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 3424 Tanglewood Drive to Laurie Rosin, trustee, of Sarasota, for $840,000. Built in 1962, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,987

Peter and Tiffany Liashek, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1806 Caribbean Drive to Stanley Raymond III and Merry Beth Raymond, of Sarasota, for $635,000. Built in 1961, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,848 square feet of living area. It sold for $415,000 in 2017.

ESPLANADE BY SIESTA KEY John and Barbara Semens, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 2420 Vaccaro Drive to Daniel Dunn and Madelyn Dunn, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.1 million. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,104 square feet of living area. It sold for $716,000 in 2016.

BAY POINT PARK Geoffrey Kanter and Nancy Parsons-Kanter, of W. Boothbay, Maine, sold their home at 1036 S. Orange Ave. to Todd and Jennifer Linehan, of Sarasota, for $1 million.

Built in 1952, it has three bed-

23

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

ADAM HUGHES

home in Harbor Acres tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Michael Kaiser and John Spencer Roberts sold their home at 1364 Harbor Drive to Mitchell and Dawn Epstein, of Sarasota, for $8,768,700. Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 5,240 square feet of living area. It sold for $6.1 million in 2020.

|

OSPREY: $1.15 MILLION

Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club Peter Mainguy and Tracy Mainguy, of Nokomis, sold their home at 1516 Southbay Drive to Kenneth and Mary Armstrong, of Osprey, for $1.15 million. Built in 1983, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,821 square feet of living area.

It sold for $540,000 in 2016.

NOKOMIS: $590,000

Sorrento Woods William and Kathleen Davis, of Poland, Ohio, sold their home at 1528 Vermeer Drive to Robert Warner and Christine Wilcox-Warner, of Sarasota, for $590,000.

Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,322 square feet of living area. It sold for $204,000 in 2011.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 24

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

Longboat Key

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TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued for the week of Dec. 27-31, in order of dollar amounts.

Downtown St. Petersburg

CITY OF SARASOTA Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

1561 Blue Heron Drive

Alterations

James Turner IV

$450,000

1585 Bay Point Drive

Pool

David Karins

$185,000

1720 Morrill St. #11

Windows

Craig Roalson

$75,020

2347 Arlington St.

Remodel

Adam Kwiat

$60,000

1655 South Drive

Re-roof

Scott Smith

$59,990

706 Indian Beach Circle

Resurface Pool

Bruce Crissy Jr.

$40,000

3940 Bay Shore Road

Wall/Gates

Greg Anderson

$15,000

1926 Goldenrod St.

Enclosure

Kevin Murphy

$10,803

2344 Temple St.

Plumbing

Mary Acosta

$9,000

988 Blvd. of the Arts #1616

Boatlift

Gregory Norris

$8,949

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com

MOVE IN FALL 2022

Downtown Sarasota

SARASOTA COUNTY Permit Applicant Amount

4822 Ocean Blvd. #4C

Renovations

Jeffrey Milone

5315 Hidden Harbor Road

Re-roof

Tim Nilson

$98,000

409 N. Point Road #804

Alterations

Deborah Ann Taylor

$85,000

5668 Semolino St.

Pool/Spa/Deck

$100,000

Beverly Longo

$81,452

223 Hidden Bay Drive #402 Remodel

Sandra Gillette

$80,000

5261 Celedon Court

Re-roof

Arash Farahvar

$56,500

5970 Roseto Place

Remodel

David Mager

$56,000

4799 Hanging Moss Lane

Re-roof

Jianjun Liu

$49,750

38 Osprey Point Drive

Pool/Spa

Vincent Deramo

$42,000

4190 Hearthstone Drive

Re-roof

Kevin Maluchnik

$42,000

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

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

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WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2021.

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24

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

ISPR GOVERNING BOARD MEETING

Real estate FROM PAGE 23

square feet of living area. It sold for $230,000 in 2002.

Tuesday, January 18th • Noon Imagine School at Palmer Ranch

HUDSON LANDINGS Bonnie Lynn Rumbold, of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, sold their Unit 862 condominium at 862 Hudson Ave. to Neiman Investments LLC for $800,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,362 square feet of living area. It sold for $679,000 in 2021.

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GULF GATE WOODS Richard Honish and Rhona Bohan, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7331 Bounty Drive to Randy Scianna and Kim-Anh Nguyen, trustees, of Sarasota, for $550,000. Built in 1971, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,913 square feet of living area.

SARASOTA BAY PARK Judith Rosemarin, of Long Beach, New York, sold her home at 2304 Hickory Ave. to Joao and Anabela Silva, of Sarasota, for $539,000.

Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,278 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2015.

PHILLIPPI LAKE Timmy Amann, of Alexandria, Kentucky, sold the home at 2520 Wilkinson Circle to Douglas and Sondra Black, of Sarasota, for $515,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,553 square feet of living area. It sold for $437,000 in 2020.

TOWN & COUNTRY ESTATES Midland IRA Inc. sold the home at 3500 Plantation Drive to Eric and Julie Stafford and Roy Edwin Kopischke, of Sarasota, for $469,000. Built in 1972, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,815 square feet of living area. It sold for $213,000 in 2015.

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SAN MARCO Terez Molnar, of Budapest, Hungary, sold her Unit 404 condominium at 1188 N. Tamiami Trail to Beverly Longo, of Sarasota, for $560,000.

Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,843 square feet of living area.

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GROVELAWN William and Lisa Ann Weaver, of New Market, Tennessee, sold their home at 2058 Wisteria St. to Roger Conrad, of Nashville, Tennessee, for

BAY VIEW ACRES Steven Douglas Sibinski, Personal Representative, and Revival Ministries International Inc. sold the home at 1716 Baywood Way to Randy Scianna and Kim-Anh Nguyen, trustees, of Sarasota, for $575,000.

Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,757 square feet of living area.

WELCOMES

to an

• • •

William and Linda Smith, of Alna, Maine, sold their home at 2325 Waldemere St. to Cheryl Blankenship, of Sarasota, for $400,000.

Built in 1954, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,125 square feet of living area. It sold for $190,000 in 2020.

RINGLING BOULEVARD William Kosar and Juliana Parente, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2452 Main St. to Stephanie Leah Rimer, of Sarasota, for $699,000. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,300 square feet of living area.

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LOMA LINDA PARK Brett Branning and Carlla Juffo, of Waynesville, North Carolina, sold their home at 1346 Loma Linda Court to Roque and Karen Diaz, of Sarasota, for $750,000. Built in 1950, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,791 square feet of living area. It sold for $220,000 in 2015.

LA LINDA TERRACE Douglas Black and Sondra Helena Black, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2120 Hawthorne St. to Ashley Nicolls and Valerie Nicolls, of Sarasota, for $699,000. Built in 1952, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,582 square feet of living area. It sold for $305,000 in 2018.

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Avenue office wealth in Undergraduate: College Park, Undergraduate: University Park, MD Undergraduate: Universityof of Maryland, Maryland, College Park, MDMD Medical School: Medical School, Newark, NJ Medical School: Rutgers, New Jersey School, Newark, NJ NJ Medical School: Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, Residency: Haven Hospital, Residency: InternalMedicine, Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Residency: Internal Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT New Haven, CT Fellowship: Fellowship: Hematology/Oncology, Johns Hopkins Hopkins University University Fellowship: Hematology/Oncology, JohnsMD Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD Certifications: American Board of Medicine; Certifications: American Board of Internal Internal Medicine; Medical Oncology Oncology Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine; Medical Medical Oncology

EXPERIENCED • COMPASSIONATE • AFFORDABLE Our fully licensed (AHCA) and dementia trained adult day center has provided experienced, compassionate care since 1980. We offer more than 150 combined years of caregiving experience.

Refreshments will be provided.

NOW ACCEPTING ACCEPTING NEW NOW NEW PATIENTS! PATIENTS!

Please RSVP by Jan.24 (Sarasota)

by Jan. 31 (Venice)

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! TO SCHEDULE SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, APPOINTMENT, PLEASE TO AN PLEASE CALL CALL

Call (941) 556-3253

941-200-1125 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 941-200-1125

Can’t join us? Take a virtual tour at friendshipcenters.org/virtual-tour

East Avenue Office (Behind Midtown Plaza) East Avenue Office (Behind Midtown Plaza) 1217 East Avenue, South, Suite 201, Sarasota, FL 34239 1217 East Avenue, South, Suite 201, Sarasota, FL 34239 East Avenue Office (Behind Midtown Plaza) www.intercoastalmedical.com www.intercoastalmedical.com Medicare and most insurances accepted

941-200-1125

or email Robi Leach at RLeach@friendshipcenters.org

1217 East Avenue, Suite 201, accepted Sarasota, FL 34239 MedicareSouth, and most insurances 372139-1

www.intercoastalmedical.com A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations l National Expertise l Multiple Locations A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group Medicare and most insurances accepted 1820 Brother Geenen Way • Sarasota, FL 34236 2350 Scenic Drive • Venice, FL 34293

A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations 372710-1

www.friendshipcenters.org

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

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

25

Who you work with matters OVER $137,000,000 PENDING & SOLD IN 2021

4 0 5 B E A C H R D | O F F E R E D AT $ 4 . 2 5 M

BUYER | $9.2M LP

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Thank you for another record-breaking year!

BUYER | $4.6M LP

SELLER | $4.5M LP

SELLER | $1.832M | ABOVE LIST

23 Years Connecting Buyers & Sellers of Sarasota’s Finest Homes Ranked in the Top 1.5% in the USA

BUYING OR SELLING? SCAN FOR MORE INFO

1

No.

SIESTA KEY’S TOP SELLING REALTOR ® 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.

371722-1

941.928.3424 | judie.berger@premiersir.com

26

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 13 High: 68 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 11%

FRIDAY, JAN. 14 High: 66 Low: 51 Chance of rain: 1%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 13 7:21a 5:56p Friday, Jan. 14

7:21a

5:57p

Saturday, Jan. 15

7:21a

5:58p

Sunday, Jan. 16

7:21a

5:59p

Monday, Jan. 17

7:21a

5:59p

Tuesday, Jan. 18

7:21a

6:00p

Wednesday, Jan. 19

7:21a

6:01p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 15 High: 70 Low: 63 Chance of rain: 4%

SUNDAY, JAN. 16 High: 71 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 73%

Dawn Scire captured this colorful image of sunset on Siesta Key beach.

Feb. 8 First

Feb. 16 Full

Feb. 23 Last

March 2 New

RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 3

0.03

Tuesday, Jan. 4

0

Wednesday, Jan. 5

0

Thursday, Jan. 6

0

Friday, Jan. 7

0

Saturday, Jan. 8

0

Sunday, Jan. 9

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2021-22 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2022 0.03 in.

2021 0.34 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 0.03 in.

2021 0.34 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 371147-1

941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

crossword

celebrity cipher

SIDE ORDER by Drew Schmenner. Edited by David Steinberg genre 120 Alley group 121 Swarming insects 122 Like a scrubbed launch 123 Excellent, informally 124 Epic story 125 Terrible ___ (toddlers’ phase)

DOWN 1 Diplomat’s grace 2 Cherish 3 Book that lists words backward (Hint: This clue’s answer includes letters 3-7 in 43-Across) 4 Contented 5 Turf 6 Libyan capital 7 The Pacific, e.g.

8 Ctrl+V, on a PC 9 Ravens’ home?

10 Sulk 11 Poker winnings 12 More strict 13 Those running for office, say 14 ___-rock 15 As well 16 Seer’s skill, for short 18 Finish ©2022 Universal Uclick 21 Japanese midsize car drive 68 Greek row house 90 Unadulterated (... includes letters 7-10 in ACROSS 39 Episodic 69 It precedes Sept.

92 Received by good 41-Across) 1 Baseball field cover 41 Dessert topped with 70 Summer, in French fortune 27 Cardamom and nutmeg 5 “Don’t do that!” burnt sugar 71 Dream sleep letters 95 Day celebrating an 1862 29 List shortener 9 Venmo and Tinder 43 Making a fortune?

72 Church song Mexican victory 31 Type of PC port 13 Despise 47 Former Russian leader 73 Word before “the land of 98 University official 34 Review using stars 17 “Hello” pop star 48 Be a bad winner the free” 99 They position cameras 35 Thurman of Hollywood 19 Killer whale 49 Hula dancer’s garland 74 Common feature of an on a set 36 “Mr. Blue Sky” grp.

20 Length of a sub, 50 Piece of concert merch antismoking ad 100 Topped, deep-fried 37 ___ & Perrins steak maybe?

51 Statements recited in 77 Poet W.H. tortilla sauce 21 Songs that sound the court 78 She visits Luke in “The 103 (“The baby’s sleep38 To this day same backward? ing!”)

53 Faux ___ Last Jedi” 40 Religious ceremonies 22 Group of witches 105 “Moby-Dick” captain 54 Makes amends 79 Building wing 42 Nail polish brand 23 Perishes 106 Sure winner 56 Name hidden in 80 “That’s beautiful!”

43 Anticipate logistically 24 Adorable 107 Corp. image squad “Aquarius” 81 Certain goat’s wool 44 One may have time for 25 “Gimme five!”

110 Country estate 57 Scientist Newton 82 Thanksgiving dessert many hobbies 26 Tire patterns 83 “A League of ___ Own” 113 Skilled enough 45 Ark constructor 28 One of 1,093 for Edison 60 Like a bass’s voice 115 Somewhat (1992 film) 46 Gem that’s often red 30 ___ Goldberg machine 63 Dressed to the ___ 85 Cause of a swelled head 117 Model maker’s wood 52 X game (... includes let32 Places in med. dramas 64 “Stan & Ollie” co-star 118 For grown-ups 67 De Armas of “No Time 86 Hairpiece ters 7-9 in 74-Across) 33 Characterized by 119 Hard-boiled movie 87 Be of use 53 Tree with fronds 35 How stereotypical teens to Die”

55 Earn after taxes 58 Apple assistant 59 Apt name for a smarty 60 Make it clear what’s allowed, and a hint to filling in four answers in this puzzle 61 How many applicants are selected?

62 “Interested in comin’?”

64 San ___, Puerto Rico 65 Fairy tale baddie 66 Flinch 69 Zits and such 72 Embrace 74 Mariner’s headwear 75 Add-on 76 Drive-___ window 77 Battery terminal 81 50+ years, for Harold and Maude 82 Chunky salsa (... includes letters 4-7 in 95-Across) 84 “Yo!” 85 Scraped (by) 87 “Cathy” cry 88 Compete 89 Whichever 90 Musical group in a gym 91 Lecturer’s pause fillers 93 Stretching, as one’s neck 94 Split second 96 One of 31 in enero 97 Win in 52-Down 101 Afternoon TV dramas 102 Lower leg bone 104 Must 106 ___ ‘N Slide 108 Longtime SCOTUS monogram 109 Word after “midnight” or “critical” 110 Movers’ vehicle 111 Promise at the altar 112 Carry laboriously 114 “No way, ref!”

116 Airport org. with wands

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“MTSW C RVH XCHA, PO ZRMNW VJJCJDHW SRVTLWH. C ZVA NCXW, ‘OMD PVXW V ABCTVN SMFH IFMP ASFVJSR, VTH ZW’NN JVNX.’”

– BVJ KWTVJVF

“XT ZCRPU ZP LC NWKCALW TC RABW FXHU. ZP WXSP NC DHSP NWHT FPKJPBN DHJP ZWPU ZP XKP RPTTPE AF HUTHEP.”

– RXKV O. IDHLP

“E’UK ZWDZNX GKKP ZV VSK EPVKYXKHVECP CT HCBIJVKYX ZPM DSZVKUKY VSKN HZP YKUCWJVECPERK.” – OKTT GKRCX © 2022 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle Three Clue: B equals M

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue: O equals J

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clue: T equals F

HARDWOOD

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

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-13-22

Made for where you live. Here!

RED PAGES Help Wanted

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card 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.

Merchandise Wanted

Autos for Sale

JOIN OUR TEAM! Sarasota Opera is hiring!

JOpen OIN OPositions: UR TEAM! JOIN O UR TEisAhiring!

MStaff !

Sarasota Opera Janitorial/Operation Bar and Concession Staff Sarasota Opera is hiring!

Open Positions: Patron Service Representative Open Staff ToJanitorial/Operation apply, visitPositions: www.SarasotaBar Opera.org/careers and Concession Staff Janitorial/Operation Staff Patron Service Representative Bar and Concession Staff Patron Service Representative To apply, visit www.SarasotaOpera.org/careers To apply, visit www.SarasotaOpera.org/careers

135 POCKETBOOKS-MOSTLY mystery-Famous authors. All for 40.00. Must pick up.

(941) 893-0001.

FUJI BICYCLE stepthrough 3” 26 inch wheel size Saratoga 2.0, silver. $199 941-927-9816 GOLF PULL cart by Bag Boy, like new, $60 941-377-5687 KING-SIZE "MY Pillow" mattress topper (3") Only used 2 weeks. $175. jas1028@verizon.net LOT OF Paperback books same author Danielle Steel. Some hardcover. Entire collection for only $75, 941-404-9271 MANY MISCELLANEOUS items including collectables and furniture pieces. $50 each.

941-800-4476

Mercedes-Benz G550 4MATIC..................$25,000 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550 4MATIC Mileage: 10,812 Fuel: Gasoline Exterior Color: Black Interior Color: Black Transmission: 7-Speed Automatic Engine: 5.5L V8 32V MPFI DOHC Drivetype: AWD I need to sell it urgently contact me through email pinpointsale@gmail.com

Autos Wanted

OPTIMUS SPEAKERS $35 for pair, Glenburn turntable $50, RCA DPS audio-receiver $40 or OBO call before 7pm/no texts 941-355-2870

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

PROVENT SLEEP APNEA therapy product (2) boxes of 30 each, $199 (941)355-3339

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

SONY WIRELESS noise cancelling headphones, WH-H910N, slightly used. $79 941-539-9322

Antiques/ Collectibles WANTED: OLDER Baseball/Football Cards/Sports Cards Seeking large collections of sports cards.

Everything wanted BUT late 80smid 90s cards. Clean out your storage! Text: 941 548 6492

SELL IT NOW! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Looking to hire for part time work.

Some qualities: punctual, organized- looking for someone who is VERY organized, decisive, hard-working, good character, ability to think ahead of someone needs (with vision and foresight), With Ease of Expression.

Respectful. Very responsible. Looking for someone to perform various duties including- Knowledge of Apple OS ...Various admin duties * Experience as a personal assistant / skills for organization will be valued. Contact Krystina Muller, 941-306-9689

You’re only cheating yourself.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

FOR SALE Mercedes-Benz G550 4MATIC $25000 I want to sell my Mercedes-Benz G550 4MATIC, I am the first owner of this car and it is barely used for five months, No accident record and there is no mechanical or engine fault.

peekers’ place

Advertise items less than $200 for FREE!

PERSONAL CARE GIVER- Private care: Meal preparation, errands, shopping, and more.

Affordable hourly rates, available weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 B e d 2 B a th Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

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

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

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

Landscaping/ Lawn Services Professional Gardener Design, installation, maintenance, flowers, herbs, vegetables, and exotic gardens.

Regular weekly lawn maintenance and restoration 40+ years experience.

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

Homes for Sale

Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

Auto Transport

Adult Care Services

Painting

Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000

DISPLAY ACCESSORIES including plastic acrylic shelves for jewelry, photos, knick knacks, etc. Large quantity. $8 for all.

941-921-1815

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

Single Male wants to buy home for sale by owner. Deposit and terms negotiable and according to the owner.

Contact Tom 678-755-3804 tomlarsen559@gmail.com

Perfect Solutions For Seniors *Caregivers/Companions *Personal Care * CNA’s/HHA’s

* Assistance with Daily Living Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

ES HANDYMAN & REMODELING. Hardwood flooring, kitchens, drywall, painting and electrical.

Honest and best prices.

30+ years exp. Fully ins/lic. 716474-8492.

Call for coming soon listings.

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677.

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage

CALL 941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

Tax Preparation EXPERIENCED TAX preparation, reasonable fees. Call for a quote.

800-278-7772 IRS AFSP Participants

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Once I had kids, my whole attitude changed. I was like, ‘You make a spinal cord from scratch, and we’ll talk.’”

Pat Benatar Puzzle Two Solution: “As women we go through so much pain. We have to live this perfect life when we are messed up inside.”

Mary J. Blige Puzzle Three Solution: “I’ve always been at the intersection of computers and whatever they can revolutionize.”

Jeff Bezos

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2022 Universal Uclick

©2022 NEA, Inc.

auto

Help Wanted

real estate

MARINE AQUACULTURE / Biologist / Aquarist Marine Aquaculture Facility, E-Commerce and Phone Support for two marine businesses/ Part-time $15-$19/ hour. Flexible Schedule. Great job for a marine biology student or aquarium hobbyist. Contact EdK@CulturedCorals.com for details.

jobs

stuff 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

Help Wanted

Pets

Items Under $200

LOVE THE arts? We’re hiring!

Sarasota Opera is looking for Patron Service Representatives in our Box Office.

Please Visit www.SarasotaOpera.org/ careers to learn more.

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and collectors plates. Personal and confidential. Please call Marc: 941-321-0707.

ESTABLISHED DOG Sitting business seeking new clients! Daily, overnights, or extended stays in my home. Gulf gate area. Please text 941-400-2659

HOME & Office Cleaners Wanted $620/Weekly Cleaning Position: Available Working Days: Mon-Fri Time Schedule: 11 AM - 2 P Minimum Requirement Email: candice75312@gmail.com

Real Estate Wanted

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

We’ll SWEEP you off your feet!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

28

SARASOTA OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Aluminum

Cleaning

Concrete CRACK REPAIR

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS 9 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

YoderAluminum.com Computer

SELL YOUR CAR!

“No Job Too Small”

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

WE COME TO YOU

Reasonable Prices

Doors

Sliding Glass Door Repair

941-929-9095

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

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

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME 370552

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

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

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

Furniture Repair

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

Pegatronics.com

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

941-735-3362

371087

424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com

Free Estimates

372506

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

Beauty

AMANDA

Licensed & Insured

6968 Beneva Road

371064

HoHoBuysCars.com

918-8587

Also Laying Stone

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

5-Star Rated

Servicing the Sarasota area since 1999

Driveways • Sidewalks

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

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

Michael Koch Concrete, Inc.

360495

Auto Service

Call Bobby • FREE Estimates 319-693-8800 or 941-374-7670

941-504-0903

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

370573

Owner Insured

372501

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

/Insured Operator

CONCRETE FUSION

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Doors

Handyman

371066

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

CONSTRUCTION HANDYMAN • Home Repairs & Maintenance • Interior & Exterior 941.504.2745 • Garage Floor Paint 941.400.1563 • Power Wash

Naji Aoun

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

Ron Chapman Home Service Interior/Exterior Painting Dryer Vent Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

cell: 941.250.1505 • FREE Estimates

Call us today! 941.628.8579

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S ome

www.ezslider.com

372503

eRvice

• No JoB Too SmaLL • ScReeN RepaiRS • paiNTiNG/DRY WaLL • TiLe RepaiRS • & mUcH moRe!

24/7 SERVICE

(941) 809-7311

FREE

370625

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S Realtors

epaiR

ESTIMATES!

Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care.

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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

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

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

370619

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

370628

371088

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

371083

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

BUZ CORP D/B/A

370624

370579

#1 in IR REPA c Cra k 5%

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Home Services

Movers

Wizard Moving SRQ

LEAKY ROOF?

make your moving day a pleasure.

Gulf Gate RoofinG inc.

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

Pet Services

Melanie Gates

• Pet Sitting • Dog Walking • Over 24 years experience • Excellent references

GRAB BARS COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

Screening

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

Trees

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

DRGRABBARS.COM

Complete Plumbing Services & Repairs Residential, New Construction and Commercial Serving the area since 1993 No Job Too BIG or Too SMALL. We DO IT ALL!

Veteran Owned & Operated • Third Generation Master Plumber All Major Credit Cards Accepted Generalplumbingsarasota.com

941-923-8140

Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

Power Washing Pressure Washing

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Call John 941.377.2940

370575

371089

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

941-544-1066

Res./Com. AFTER

BEFORE

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

| scaperotta@aol.com

Italian American Owned

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Rescreening & Repairs

Lawn Care

Curt’s Lawn Service

370588

Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

CALL 941-955-4888

“No Job Too Small”

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do. Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

ows

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Insured

941-270-1561

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

Eldridge Re-Screen Licensed

Lic./Ins.

ndow & Pressure Clea et Wi nin s n wn as Sunrise Win g Su erly kno d

370622

372511

Deck/Paver Sealing• •Decks Gutter• Driveways Cleaning ••Roofs • Pool Cages AndSealing Much•More!

• Deck/Paver And Much More

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

3687676-01

941-232-1192 Windows

Honesty, Integrity and Pride • Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways

Licensed & Insured

RED PAGES

Licensed & Insured

10 Years Experience 370597

Pressure Washing

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

724-2945

(941) 345-5264

• Drain & Sewer Cleaning • Backflows Installation • Natural Gas Installations - Appliance Hook ups • Power Flush & Comfort Height Toilets • All Water Heaters - Tankless - Gas - Solar • All Major Plumbing Fixtures Repaired or Replaced • Garbage Disposals • New Water & Sewer Services • Dishwashers Installed • Wells & Pump Repairs

371104

General Plumbing Services Inc.

371102

372751 364556

Plumbing

GLENN KROECKER

Lic. & Ins.

941-345-5264

Serving South Sarasota Only including: Palmer Ranch – Osprey – Nokomis

THE GRAB BAR GUY

373-9299

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

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

370626

(941) 966-2960

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

370621

370586

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

372516

371100

THERAPY, LLC

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH TO S. VENICE

Building & Roofing Contractor

SHOALVIEW

by

370595

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Diagnoses & Prognoses | Procedures & Treatments Acute & Chronic Illnesses | Sudden Medical Events & Surgeries Aging Health Concerns | Pre-surgical Preparation | Specialty: Cardiac

Pet Care

Fully Insured

State Licensed Contractor #CCC057066

Anxiety - Depression - Grief & Loss - PTSD related to:

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

941-228-9850

Joe Murray, Owner

Medical Support Therapy for:

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

941.966.0333

All Work Guaranteed

Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern Ph: 941.922.2628 | Christi@ShoalviewTherapy.com PO Box 17276 | Sarasota, FL | 34276-0276 ShoalviewTherapy.com

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

235

Specializing in Re-Roofing & Repairs

C H R I S T I W. D E C K E R, MSW, RN

Watching your home while you’re away

$ 235

Licensed and insured #IMT708

Personal Services

PALMER RANCH HOMEWATCHERS®

$

38 Years Experience

370589

371097

Ray - 941-313-4538

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

Roofing

For $135 per hour you get: A truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to

Dave and Connie Grundy

29

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

372517

Pinnacle Home Watch.com Stop Worrying About Your Home While Away

|

30

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

From the ISLANDS to the GREENS

NE W LISTING SA R A S OTA 37 3 6 M ERI DA L E ROA D | $1 2,0 0 0,0 0 0

A secluded sanctuary tucked in the heart of Sarasota, this 13-acre walled and gated estate is located just south of Clark Road in Central Sarasota. The main house and guesthouse sit on about 3 acres of the property leaving approximately 10 acres for redevelopment.

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

SI E S TA K E Y 3 5 3 6 BAYO U LO U IS E L A N E | $ 6 ,97 5 ,0 0 0 Gulf-front estate on the north end of Siesta Key.

N E W LIS T I N G

SI E S TA K E Y 5 3 0 0 AV EN I DA D EL M A R E | $2 ,0 0 0,0 0 0 Incredible waterfront opportunity on world-famous Siesta Key.

PRE S TA N C I A 3 9 4 4 LO SI L LI A S D RI V E | $2,9 9 5 ,0 0 0 This modern estate is an architectural gem located in Palmer Ranch.

N E W LIS TI N G

SI E S TA K E Y F L A M I N G O AV EN U E | $1 ,9 9 0,0 0 0 This waterfront lot on Hanson Bayou sits on a tree-lined street on the coveted north end of Siesta Key.

L A K E WO O D R A N C H C O U N T RY C LU B 7 310 W E X FO RD C O U R T | $ 5 75 ,0 0 0 This lovely single-family residence is located in the heart of Lakewood Ranch.

N E W LIS T I N G

SI E S TA K E Y 6 4 8 B E AC H ROA D | $9,9 0 0,0 0 0 Endless water views from this one-of-a-kind residence on Siesta Key Beach.

LO N G B OAT K E Y 310 5 G U L F O F M E X I C O D RI V E | $1 2,9 0 0,0 0 0 With over 176 feet of direct beachfront, this is one of the most significant beachfront properties available on Longboat Key.

SARASOTA AND THE ISLANDS Joel Schemmel, J.D., REALTOR® 941.587.4894

LAKEWOOD RANCH Donna Soda, REALTOR® 941.961.5857

370142-1

SCHEMMELSODAGROUP.COM

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

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