Siesta Key Observer 1.27.22

SIESTA KEY

Observer

Family night.

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

VOLUME 52, NO. 29

YOUR TOWN

Food court proposal rejected City votes down plan to sell land alongside plaza for dining destination. SEE PAGE 3

Eclectic collection

Courtesy photo

Completely different

Sale offers something for all. SEE PAGE 24

Mayor Erik Arroyo runs a tight ship when it comes to publicspeaking time limits at City Commission meetings. Just ask the Knights Who Say Ni. At City Hall, Arroyo regularly explains to speakers that they have three minutes to make their points. He reminds them that as the timer runs down, they should wrap up, though there is typically a five-second grace period in which to close.

But when the bell rings, “you must stop.’’

On one occasion recently, he jokingly threatened offenders with reciting the city’s arcane tree ordinance as punishment.

More recently, Arroyo again ran through his admonishments, warning anyone who droned on they’d “be sentenced to the mandatory minimum of having to recite your favorite quote from the 1975 hit film ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’”

There were no offenders.

Harry Sayer

Karin Gustafson has found a number of vintage beer accessories and decorations to sell at her annual fundraising event.

Courtesy photo

Temple pays tribute to trees Temple Emanuel paid tribute to the natural world by tending to its garden during its Tu B’Shevat celebration on Jan. 22.

The annual tradition, also known as the Birthday of the Trees, brought parents, grandparents and children to the temple playground for a ceremony that encouraged taking care of nature.

Temple members took part in nature-based activities that started with planting flowers.

Families also decorated flower pots and tried out “tree yoga.”

The celebration ended with songs, blessings, the audience hearing a story about trees and healthy snacks to enjoy for the ride home.

A+E

Coin buffs find ways to change with the times COVID concerns flip club’s activities but not its enthusiasm.

SEE PAGE 26

Fancy footwork.

SEE PAGE 13 Harry Sayer

The Sarasota Coin club admires many different kinds of coins.

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TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

SARASOTA OBSERVER

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WEEK OF JAN. 27, 2022

Bill Waddill, Bay Park Conservancy chief implementation officer, Read more on page 6

31 weapons surrendered at event

$275,000

A

Rejected offer to buy a strip of land adjacent to Paul Thorpe Park.

lthough Sarasota’s police department accepts unwanted guns and ammunition by appointment year-round, more than 30 weapons were collected during a recent “Done with a Gun” event at two locations in the city.

Officers took in 31 firearms, seven BB guns, batches of bullets and a crossbow. Among the guns were an AK-47, a Desert Eagle semi-automatic handgun and a semi-automatic shotgun, a police spokeswoman said in a release.

The weapon turn-in event took place on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the police department’s headquarters near downtown and a police substation on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. “We consider Saturday’s ‘Done with the Gun’ turn-in event a huge success,” said Sarasota Police Interim Chief Rex Troche.

“More than 30 firearms will be disposed of properly and stay out of the hands of children and possible criminals. Our community came forward to responsibly dispose of firearms and ammunition, thereby eliminating the risk of theft, misuse, or accidental discharge. This is another way we’re committed to keeping the City of Sarasota a safe place to live, work and play.”

All firearms and ammunition collected will be destroyed by a certified vendor that specializes in destroying firearms. All firearms collected were run through a law enforcement database to ensure that they had not been re-

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Artistic finalists to create a piece for the Fruitville Road traffic circle at Tamiami Trail.

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600

Teacher salaries funded by the 1-mill property tax on the ballot March 8 in Sarasota County.

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Years since the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built.

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CALENDAR

n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 7, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County Commission regular meeting — 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8, Commission Chambers, County Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd. n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting, — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1, Commission Chambers, Administration Building, 1980 Landings Blvd.

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Cafe L’Europe sold to Amanda, John Horne

“If we’re building on this park for 50 or 100 years, it’s important to make it resilient.”

BY THE NUMBERS

The

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

The owners of Anna Maria Island Oyster Bar restaurants have acquired Café L’Europe on St. Armands Circle.

A staple of the eclectic restaurant scene on St. Armands Circle for decades, Café L’Europe was previously owned by Julie and Ron Milton, who also own Scene magazine. The new owners, Amanda and John Horne, are set to assume ownership of the restaurant Feb. 1, according to a statement. The restaurant sold for an undisclosed amount.

The new owners have operated Anna Maria Island Oyster Bar, with four locations, for 25 years.

“For us, the sale is bittersweet,” Ron Milton said in a release. “Since purchasing this legendary restaurant in 2016, Julie and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, our family-like relationships with our incredible staff, and getting to know our many loyal, wonderful customers.”

Well-known Realtor dies at age 73

Courtesy photo

Weapons and ammunition turned in will be destroyed.

ported stolen or used in a crime.

If residents were unable to attend Saturday’s “Done with the Gun” turn-in event, Sarasota police accept unwanted firearms year-round. If residents have unwanted firearms or ammunition, they can call the Sarasota Police Department Property Unit

at 941-263-6040 to arrange an appointment.

Additional information can be found at www.SarasotaPD.org/ crime-prevention/done-with-thegun

Jim Soda, one of Lakewood Ranch’s premier Realtors, died Monday after a long illness at 73.

Longtime friend and fellow Realtor Matthew Sevarino said Soda was “basically the mayor of Lakewood Ranch.”

“He was just extremely friendly and happy,” Sevarino said. “He was the friendliest guy you could imagine … extremely social and calm. He had been the leading Realtor in Lakewood Ranch for years.”

Soda moved to Lakewood Ranch from Canfield, Ohio, in 2001 after building a hauling business. His wife, Donna, said her husband started the business with two trucks and grew it to more than 200 trucks.

Donna and Jim Soda, who would have been married 29 years on Feb. 9, were best friends and partners, working together in the real estate industry. The Sodas and Sevarino had merged with Joel and Toni Schemmel in August of 2021 to form the Schemmel/Soda Group with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Whimsical artwork adorns the centerpiece of the park, a mermaid fountain crafted by Nancy Goodheart Matthews.

PARK PROGRESS

The City Commission’s decision on Paul Thorpe Park last week was its second high-profile decision on public parkland this month.

On Jan. 10, the commission unanimously approved borrowing up to $20 million to restore Bobby Jones Golf Club to its original 18-hole championship layout, plus a nine-hole adjustable course across Circus Boulevard. The commission also decided unanimously to create a conservation easement for the entire 261-acre property for a nature park on the remaining acreage, in perpetuity.

Additionally, the city, county and the Bay Park Conservancy are moving forward with plans to build a 53-acre bayfront destination on land that surrounds the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This effort last week received a $10 million boost in the form of a community development block grant for climate resiliency projects. (See Page 6)

A curving pergola with bougainvillea features shaded benches.

PLAZA STAYS AS IS

MAIN ST.

Courtesy rendering

STATE ST.

LEMON

Commissioners were told the proposal for Paul Thorpe Park would serve to activate a small plaza at Pineapple and Lemon avenues.

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MANAGING EDITOR

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Thorpe was integral to the revitalization of Sarasota’s downtown area.

He was a founding member of the Downtown Sarasota Alliance and helped organize landmark downtown events, such as the New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop, the Fourth of July Fireworks and the Sarasota Farmers Market. He died a month after the park’s rededication, at 91.

“A promise made is a promise kept,” Battie said.

EDM attorney William Merrill, with Icard Merrill Attorneys & Counselors, asked city commissioners to think of the proposal not as a legal offer to settle but as a means to activate land that offered possibilities beyond its current use.

“I’d like everyone to kind of look at this as really more as a blank space of, ‘What would you like to have in this location?’” he said. “What would

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intact, the small strip of city land that is connected to the park but not officially within its boundaries would have been sold.

A pergola with winding bougainvillea plants on that spot would have been removed to accommodate the plans.

To hear the dozens of residents who spoke against the proposal, so would have the park’s character.

Mayor Erik Arroyo cast the dissenting vote, saying the proposal was an opportunity to upgrade the square and add to its usefulness.

“I don’t see a lot of green space,” he said. “I see a lot of concrete. And I don’t see a lot of people that come and stay and hang out and appreciate the beauty there.”

Vice Mayor Kyle Battie recalled when the roughly triangular plaza was named in Thorpe’s honor in 2017.

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The city was offered $275,000 for the blue strip of land alongside Paul Thorpe Park.

Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park

ERIC GARWOOD

all it a park, a plaza, a square.

Call it an oasis in the middle of the city or a place in need of a reason to visit.

Whatever the terminology or description, following a City Commission vote last week, Paul Thorpe Park will remain unchanged as a public property at the confluence of Lemon and Pineapple avenues in downtown.

By a vote of 4-1, commissioners rejected a proposal to sell a strip of connected land to a New York real estate company for $275,000 in what had been billed as a settlement by EDM Realty Partners LP in a longrunning legal dispute with the city.

City legal advisers have said their position is strong and presented the settlement offer as a required piece of in-the-sunshine business.

In addition to taking ownership of a strip of land adjacent to the park, EDM Realty proposed building a two-story food court there to help activate the park as a destination and shield view of a nearby parking garage, a structure now screened by a stand of bamboo reaching nearly to the garage’s uppermost floor.

While Paul Thorpe Park itself was to remain city property and largely

PERGOLA REMAINS

Above: Palate was proposed as an eightposition food court.

you like to have surrounding a park?

Do you want a blank wall of a garage, or would you like to see something where there’s eyes on the park for crime prevention issues as well as for aesthetics and desirability?”

Central to the proposal was a design crafted by students at Ringling College of Art and Design that envisioned an eight-position food court called Palate directly to the east of the square, featuring outdoor seating both upstairs and down, restrooms (both public and for patrons) and a small bar.

Sophie Ruiz, one of the students who worked on the design, called it a “unique, one-of-a-kind dining experience which encapsulates the artistic culture of Sarasota.” A canopy roof and a multicolored overhang were design highlights of the students’ work.

“This is not going to be an empty building by the time we’re done building it,” said Jonathan Mitchell, the owner of the adjacent Northern Trust land. “It’s going to be occupied, and it’s going to be widely used by the community. It’s affordable food; it’s widely varied; it’s a place where people can come and mix.”

The park was the focus of 2017 revitalization when it was renamed from Pineapple Park to the current name, honoring the man colloquially named “Mr. Downtown.” Part of the work to remake the triangular spot was the renovation of the iconic mermaid fountain.

Nancy Goodheart Matthews, who was commissioned in 1993 to create the fountain, was among the dozens of people who implored the City Commission to leave the park as is.

She said the fountain is her only work worldwide that is accessible to the public.

“Who will stand up for Paul Thorpe Park when I am gone?” she asked.

The settlement proposal was tied to an ownership dispute dating to 2016 over the strip of land adjacent to Paul Thorpe Park.

Although the city agreed to sell land next to the Northern Trust parking garage to a real estate firm in 2016, EDM-Sarasota challenged the city’s ownership of the land and its right to sell. In 2021, a judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court determined the city was the rightful owner of the land, a decision EDMSarasota appealed.

City Attorney Robert Fournier made clear to commissioners that the offer for a settlement came from the EDM side of the legal equation, and he was obliged to bring it to their attention for their decision. He said in late 2021 that the judge’s ruling said the city met three standards that were sufficient for claiming ownership of the property, meaning it was the city’s to sell, and an appellate judge would have to determine the court was incorrect on all three fronts. Fournier said the chances of winning any appeal is high.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Circle art choice set for today

We are there when you can’t be.

Fruitville artwork is likely more than a year away.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

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City leaders on Thursday are expected to recommend an artist to create a centerpiece for the traffic circle at Fruitville Road and Tamiami Trail, though the actual artwork is likely more than a year from adorning the traffic feature.

At 9 a.m. at City Hall, members of the city’s Public Art Commission will consider three artists and their applications with the goal of selecting one to forward to city commissioners.

The three artists under consideration: n Sujim Lim, of Canton, New York n Mark Aeling, of St. Petersburg n Shan Shan Sheng, of San Francisco.

The artists’ proposals were unveiled at a Tuesday Zoom session attended by the trio. The artists presented their works, then explained a bit about their experience and the inspiration for their proposals.

The cost of the final selection will be paid from the city’s public art fund, which is funded by builders and developers in the city through a 0.5 percentage point fee of building value. Tax money is not used in the city’s public art program, said Mary Davis Wallace, the city’s senior planner for public art.

A general timeline of the project envisions City Commission consideration of the finalist choice in March with further considerations and approvals, including by the Florida Department of Transportation, through 2022. Work to actually build the piece could take up to six months, so installation is tentatively expected by summer 2023.

In her presentation, Lim said her work entitled “Dwell” drew from a fascination with the nearby sea and the life that lives under its surface.

“Nature has a way to calm our minds and souls,’’ she said, adding that its location might encourage drivers to

Courtesy renderings

stop or slow down.

Aeling said he was inspired by the orchids of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in creating “Whorligig.”

“We get a lot of change in the piece throughout the day as the shadows evolve,” he said.

Sheng’s proposal, called “Open Gate,” is an architectural-glass structure designed to “remind us of Sarasota’s historic embrace of art, as it continues to beckon artists, musicians, writers and other creatives into its community.” Sheng said its glass construction ensures the work “will have two lives: one in the day and one in the night.”

Top to bottom: “Dwell,” by Sujim Lim, of Canton New York; “Whorligig,”

by Mark Aeling, of St. Petersburg; and “Open Door,” by Shan Shan Sheng, of San Francisco

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SARASOTA OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

5

Millions in school funding on March ballot Continuation of voterapproved 1-mill tax rate would deliver an estimated $71.6 million.

BREAKING IT DOWN Based on estimated countywide property valuations, the school district’s 1 mill property tax, if approved by voters, would bring in $71.6 million, or about $1,692 a student. Here’s how it’s broken down by types of schools and schools in the Sarasota area:

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

T

he last time voters considered Sarasota County Schools’ supplemental 1-mill property tax, they passed the measure with its highest approval rate ever, at nearly 80%.

This year, as the funding source comes up again for voter approval on March 8, school officials aren’t taking anything for granted.

On the line are salaries for about 600 teachers, along with those for guidance counselors and other staffers who interact with students, as well as the district’s ability to deliver summer learning programs.

It’s also how the school district provides its 30 extra instructional minutes a day, which helps it maintain a consistent A rating.

The extra mill, $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value, brings in about $71.6 million annually.

“Everything we can do to make sure our kids are educated to the fullest extent and being successful and

High schools: $13.24 million n Booker: $2.5 million n Riverview: $2.6 million n Sarasota: $2.4 million n Suncoast Tech: $436,996 Middle schools: $8.2 million n Booker: $1.26 million n Brookside: $1.03 million n McIntosh: $944,374 n Sarasota: $1.43 million

File photo

Students who attended kindergarten through 12th grade with an additional 30 minutes of instructional time would have been in class about an extra year at graduation, school leaders say.

having those opportunities,” Superintendent Brennan Asplen said. “So, I think it’s real important. I think people recognize that, too.”

The decision to continue a supplemental 1-mill property tax for schools comes up once every four

ELECTION FACTS n Election day is Tuesday, March 8 n Deadline to register for the elec-

tion is Monday, Feb. 7 n What else is on the ballot: The county referendum on shifting away from single-member districts for County Commission elections n Early voting: Saturday, Feb. 26, through Sunday, March 6. Voting is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at the following Supervisor of Elections office locations: In Sarasota, the Terrace Building, 101 S. Washington Blvd., and the

North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd. In Venice, Robert L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 Tamiami Trail S., Room 114. In North Port, Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail n Vote by mail: Those wishing to register for voting by mail can do so by visiting SarasotaVotes.gov/ ql3. In addition to mail delivery, secure voting boxes will be available at the Supervisor of Elections locations in Sarasota, Venice and North Port.

years in Sarasota.

Since 2002, voters have approved the tax rate to fund things such as the extra instructional time, which makes possible a seven-period day at the high-school level, pre-K programs, art and music teacher positions and additional school staff.

School leaders point out that the additional instructional hours, if applied to a student who begins in kindergarten and graduates high school, will be the equivalent of an extra year of schooling.

Between the state-mandated “required-local effort” millage rate and the district-set base rate plus the voter-approved rate, property owners pay 6.7 mills (equal to about $3,350 on a $500,000 property).

Over the last few months, the district has been working to get out the word of the upcoming election among civic groups and area charitable foundations. The millage rate renewal has traditionally enjoyed broad support in Sarasota County, but every election cycle is different.

“You don’t ever rest on your laurels,” said communications director Craig Maniglia. “That’s why we do this. I can’t tell you that outcome would be the same if we did nothing. But would you wake up Monday morning and go, ‘Boy, we should have’? At least we know we did anything we possibly could have.”

A 1-mill measure passed in November in Manatee County with nearly 70% of the vote.

This year, the 1-mill election is paired with the county’s request to return to at-large voting for the County Commission from a recently installed single-member district system.

To lose millions in funding would mean restructuring programs and potential layoffs, Asplen said.

School officials emphasize that this is not a tax increase. The millage rate has been in place since 2002, and if it’s approved, the revenue would apply to fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

While the voter-approved 1 mill is

Elementary schools: $16 million n Alta Vista: $557,190 n Ashton: $921,660 n Bay Haven: $649,774 n Brentwood: $627,660 n Emma Booker: $627,447 n Fruitville: $962,390 n Gocio: $628,120 n Gulf Gate: $645,277 n Lakeview: $617,431; n Phillippi Shores: $788,472 n Southside: $712,255 n Tatum Ridge: $699,502 n Tuttle: $821,451 n Wilkinson: $583,616 Charter schools: $10.1 million

devoted to salaries, the school district is also working on a list of capital projects funded by its 25% share of the countywide 1 penny surtax.

While cities and towns work through priorities for that levy, Maniglia said the school district has been setting that discussion aside.

“They’ve kind of put it on hold until we get through March 8,” he said.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Drive kicks off for a new Van Wezel If everything goes according to plan, the new Sarasota performing arts center could be completed in about six years.

SPENCER FORDIN A+E EDITOR

The fundraising push for the new Sarasota performing arts center is about to begin in earnest.

The facility, which will be funded by a public and private partnership, is undergoing a recosting estimate and expected to go to a public hearing within a couple of months.

Cheryl Mendelson, the CEO of the Van Wezel Foundation, said Monday that she hopes the project can be funded, designed and built over the next six years.

“There’s a lot of money that has to get raised,” Mendelson said. “We have to have the community passionate about this. We need to have our city government have the vision and the foresight to say, ‘We must do this now.’”

The existing Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built 52 years ago, and a 2017 Climate Adaptation Plan identified it as being located in the middle of a high-risk flood zone.

The project would develop the ground the hall sits on in addition to funding a new building. The new facility is expected to have a main stage with 2,250 seats as well as a 400-seat flexible performance space that looks out on an event lawn.

Mendelson said the plan is to build the new edifice without interrupting the events at the existing facility.

The Van Wezel Foundation believed the project would cost between $300 million and $350 million in 2018, but it’s unclear what the final tab will be.

She said the organization paused its fundraising efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic so that it could concentrate on funding the existing needs of the organization. But now they’re back at it and beginning to take the full measure of their fund-

Courtesy photo

Courtesy rendering

ing needs.

“We’ll provide an updated range as we go public in front of the commission, hopefully by the end of this quarter,” Mendelson said. “We’re still working on that, and it’s complicated.”

If everything goes according to plan, the Van Wezel Foundation will progress to selection of architectural firms by this summer.

The project would then go through two years of a design phase and 30 months of construction before opening its doors at some point in 2028 or 2029. The public took part in an extensive survey about the project in 2020.

The Van Wezel Foundation plans on at least $50 million coming from a $200 million tax increment financing plan that was passed by the city and county in 2020. The hope is that by the time all of the money is raised, it will amount to a 50-50 split between public funding and private philanthropy.

Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged a grant of $10.5 million to The Bay Park Conservancy project last week, and Mendelson said it’s imperative to work hand in hand with local government.

“This is why we cannot delay this project, because there are resources for infrastructure coming forward in a way we will not see again in a long time,” Mendelson says.

The Van Wezel Foundation has announced next steps in it plan to build a new performing arts center.

Governor awards $10M grant for The Bay park project BLAKE FUSSELL STAFF WRITER

G

ov. Ron DeSantis stopped in Sarasota last week to present a grant of $10.4 million toward The Bay Sarasota project. The grant will be used for environmental restoration and infrastructure along the park’s shoreline.

DeSantis briefly met with Mayor Erik Arroyo and members of the Bay Park Conservancy, the group leading the project in partnership with the city.

“It was a brief, short-notice kind of thing,” said AG Lafley, CEO of The Bay Park Conservancy. “The governor spoke briefly, and it was a very low-key announcement. But it secured a $10 million grant from the state of Florida for environmental projects.”

The Bay, a planned 53-acre park and event venue near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, includes a half-mile of shoreline that the grant will help restore. The land along the shoreline will be raised, native plants will be planted, and infrastructure will be made storm-resistant.

With the grant, shoreline projects are expected to be completed in the next four to six years, according to Bay Park Conservancy Chief Implementation Officer Bill Waddill. The

park in its entirety is expected to be completed in eight to 10 years.

“This gives us the ability to develop a more-resilient shoreline,” Waddill said. “If we’re building on this park for 50 or 100 years, it’s important to make it resilient. It’s great to see millions of dollars going into environmental causes. It shows something great about the officials here in Florida.”

The Bay Park Conservancy has planned to elevate roads in the park to prevent flooding and mentioned sea-level data and weather trends in its grant proposal. Among the roads is Van Wezel Way, which leads to the performing arts venue.

While the projects are meant to preserve the park and historic buildings, restoring the natural environment along the shoreline has also been a focus.

Hog Creek, a narrow stream in the park, is a specific destination for some of the grant funding. The creek’s water will be restored with native, natural materials in an effort to further restore the area.

“This is great for Sarasota,” Lafley said. “I love what the mayor (Arroyo) said today. He said, ‘I don’t care if you’re a Republican or Democrat, a Libertarian or a vegetarian. What happened today is good for Sarasota.’”

A new grant being presented by Sarasota officials. From left to right: Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, A.G. Lafley, Erik Arroyo, Jennifer Compton, Jeannie Perales, Bill Waddill, Marlon Brown, Rob Lane, Hagen Brody

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2021 ends with record real estate numbers

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

We are so proud to be part of this incredible event!

Region wraps up year near the top of the state.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

SARASOTA’S 5-STAR MED SPA

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ore than $15 billion changed hands in residential real estate deals across Manatee and Sarasota counties in 2021, a year that included prices that rose to unprecedented levels while the number of closed sales still managed to break levels set a year ago.

Virtually every measure of the market in the two-county area continued an ascent that began in 2016.

“The real estate market was running on all cylinders in 2021 with a massive migration of homebuyers from the Northeast, Midwest and California, while international buyers were few and far between,” said Roger Pettingell, a Coldwell Banker Luxury Realty agent who MLS yearend data says was involved in the sale of $206.8 million in 2021, a personal record and the highest total of any individual agent selling residential properties. “Buyers were looking to escape high-tax states, choosing Florida as a safe, more affordable, healthy place to live.”

Some numbers from 2021: n Overall sales volume for singlefamily homes in Sarasota and Manatee counties was $11.1 billion, a 42% increase from 2020. Condo sales volume rose 57.9% to $4.6 billion. n The region’s median time to contract in 2021 was seven days for single-family homes, 76% faster from the 30 days seen in 2020. n Virtually every sale was for list price, compared with 97% in 2020. n While the median price for single-family homes rose 20.9% to $405,000, the average price rose more, 25.7% to $573,804, indicating faster growth in the segment of properties on the high end of the

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While median prices rose throughout the area, the average price of a home rose faster, indicating growth in the upper end of the price range.

range. A home on Casey Key sold for $16.5 million as the region’s highest price, which tied for the highest price ever in the area for a sale. n Of the 19,405 closed single-family home sales, 42% of them were in cash. In 2020, the cash percentage was closer to 29% of total sales.

Both Pettingell and Tony Veldkamp, president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota Manatee, said they see a potential flattening of the upward trend in 2022 with the local market remaining strong.

“We anticipate the price growth and velocity of sales to start leveling off, helping to increase inventory,” Veldkamp said. “Now is a great time to consider selling your home if you’ve been thinking about it.”

In December, the median sales price for a single-family home reached $435,788 in Sarasota County and $460,000 in Manatee. The region closed out 2021 third in the state behind Miami-Dade-Palm Beach counties and the Naples area.

Median sales prices for condos were $360,000 in Sarasota and $302,965 in Manatee in December, also all-time monthly highs.

“Sellers remain in control,” Pettingell said.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA / SIESTA KEY

How a Sarasota nurse practitioner saved COVID lives without shots Vanessa Hamalian and her Latitude Clinic treated 1,092 patients with ivermectin and the FLCCC protocols, none with vaccines. 1,091 recovered.

Regular readers of this page know that we have published articles, news stories and editorials in support of alternative treatments to COVID other than vaccines, including the protocols of the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Alliance doctors and their use of the drug ivermectin.

We are not anti-vax, but we believe the federal health agencies have duped the American people by intentionally disparaging alternative treatments that work and are far less expensive than the vaccines.

To show there is another side, we are publishing this week the story of Vanessa Hamalian, a Sarasota nurse practitioner who opened a family practice in 2021. Hamalian treated all of her COVID patients — 1,092 of them — according to the FLCCC protocols and most of them with ivermectin.

What follows is only a segment of a longer story. To read the entire story, go to: YourObserver.com/ Vanessa-Hamalian. — Matt Walsh MATT WALSH CEO

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6, 2021

N

urse practitioner Vanessa Hamalian unexpectedly found herself confronting a life-changing dilemma.

It was the same one hundreds of thousands of Americans faced time and again throughout 2021.

Earlier in the day, her employer of seven-and-a-half years, a family physician in the Sarasota area, informed his staff he had obtained a supply of Moderna vaccines and that every employee would be required to be vaccinated.

Hamalian drove home that evening, her mind spinning, somewhat stunned: “What?” she thought.

“In modern medicine we are now accepting ‘no data’ equals ‘safe’ and ‘effective’ and ‘mandated?’”

Before she left work that day, she asked for time to research the vaccine. She was still breastfeeding her and her husband’s 7-month-old child, and she was concerned about the effects the vaccine could have on her baby.

Hamalian spent that weekend reading as much as she could on the data and studies about the vaccines.

What she found “was not much data at all.”

She made up her mind. “I was not comfortable doing something this new,” she says. “It has been accepted knowledge for a long time that mothers’ antibodies transfer to their children during breastfeeding.”

The following Tuesday, Hamalian hand-delivered a letter to her employer (see sidebar). She cited four sources: the FDA, the U.S. Surgeon General, the Moderna vaccine fact sheet and an article from PubMed, the Google for medical research. Each of them convinced Hamalian there still wasn’t sufficient evidence of the effects and efficacy of the vaccine.

She concluded her letter: “I have a strong and closely held belief that I alone am responsible for the medical treatments that I accept for myself. I understand that any adverse outcomes of this medical treatment are my responsibility alone and that neither the federal government nor the vaccine manufacturer nor the mandator of the vaccine will hold any responsibility or liability.

“I speak with the same conviction that has driven the Right to Choose for so long, “My Body, My Choice.”

In addition, I now have the added responsibility of my child who is dependent on my choices which directly impact his nutrition and his immune system.

“I hope you will consider delaying the mandate to vaccinate until the vaccine is FDA approved and the safety studies are complete. The answers of safety that have stopped every other mRNA vaccine need to be answered before this fasttracked vaccine is made manda-

tory.”

That afternoon, she was fired and given six weeks’ notice.

What happened over the next 12 months was a dizzying and exhilarating — sometimes harrowing — 365-24-7 whirlwind, with Hamalian deep in the treacherous trenches and on the frontlines of COVID-19. With her and husband’s savings, they took an all-or-nothing risk and opened her own family practice in Sarasota.

From July 2021 to mid-January 2022, Hamalian and her Latitude Clinic have treated 1,092 COVID-19 patients.

For most of them, she prescribed the much-disparaged drug ivermectin, and to all of them the treatment protocols of the muchdisparaged doctors of the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance.

Her results would shame mainstream medicine: Only one of Hamalian’s patients died.

None was intubated.

None was put on a ventilator.

Only 10 were hospitalized.

The one who died was a man of advanced age with multiple endstage cormorbities.

Hamalian says that except for the one deceased patient, “all are better and have returned to their normal lives. Some of the long-haul patients we are still working with and do not know if they will recover to 100% of the pre-COVID health.

Most of our long-haul patients say they have recovered completely.

Most that are not fully recovered say they are 70% to 90% improved so far.” nnn

SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2021

Corey Green, 30, father of four children ages 6 and under and owner of a fast-growing youth recreation business in South Florida, is lying in bed, eyes closed, body aching. He doesn’t even want to talk.

He has COVID. He has had it for 10 days. At one point his temperature reached 102.5 F; his oxygen level dropped to 93%, an alarming level for a usually healthy 30-yearold. Normal O2 is 97%-100%.

At this moment, he is calling his wife’s cell phone. It’s a struggle for him. Ashley Green is waiting for a Walgreens pharmacist to fill her husband’s prescription for ivermectin. Nurse practitioner Vanessa Hamalian in Sarasota had called it in.

Corey tells Ashley his temperature is rising and his oxygen saturation level has dropped to 96% again.

But the pharmacist resists. He tells Ashley that ivermectin “is not a normal prescribed medicine. We need to verify the prescription and call (the prescribing practitioner).”

The pharmacist sends her to the end of a long line.

She waited for an hour. “I was so frustrated,” she says. “It was ridiculous. I had a prescription. Vanessa texted me that she was frustrated, too.”

The pharmacist finally com-

THE VACCINES

Asked whether she has been vaccinated, Vanessa Hamalian replies: “That’s personal information I don’t share.”

Asked how she responds when a patient asks whether to be vaccinated, Hamalian says: “People need to do their research. Study. Ask questions.

“I believe people are intelligent enough to make their own decisions. Not every person needs the same medical treatment. And if your provider is not answering your questions, find another provider.”

Hamalian says her office does not have the space or facilities to administer the vaccines.

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writer / Blake Fussell, BFussell@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Shawn Candela, SCandela@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Spencer Fordin, SFordin@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

Lori Sax

Sarasota nurse practitioner Vanessa Hamalian: “I feel such passion to give primary health care access to all people that is free of judgment and condemnation and respects the individual’s intelligence and ability to make good choices for themselves and their families.”

THE STATS These are the numbers of COVID patients and patients seeking ivermectin for prophylaxis reasons seen by Vanessa Hamalian and the Latitude Clinic in 2021: Covid Prophylaxis

July 21 August 470 September 231 October 73 November 68 December 179 50 January

32 425 267 64 44 105 250

Source: Latitude Clinic

plied and filled Ashley’s ivermectin prescription. By the time Ashley returned home, Corey’s temperature had reached 104; his O2 was a dangerous 87.

Three days later, Corey Green beat COVID, a result he and Ashley attribute especially to Hamalian, her care, and to ivermectin and the FLCCC protocols Hamalian prescribed.

For Hamalian, Green’s case is etched in her mind. Green was her first patient suffering from COVID who came to her from her being listed on the FLCCC site and the first for whom she prescribed ivermectin.

Although she didn’t know how Green would respond to her treatments, within three hours of his first doses of ivermectin and the FLCCC protocols on Tuesday, July 27, Green’s temperature dropped to 99.9 from 103, and his O2 level rose to 98% from 93%.

“It was pretty shocking to see it work that dramatically,” Hamalian says. nnn

Hamalian’s year of treating COVID patients with ivermectin, no vaccines, and Corey and Ashley Green’s nine days of beating COVID with ivermectin, are microcosms of rarely told success stories in the war on COVID. For two years, the national public health agencies, national medical establishment, national media and Big Tech social media have portrayed the doctors and practitioners who follow the protocols of the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance as kooks and discredited and fringe physicians.

The heads of the Washington health agencies have refused to acknowledge the extraordinary success that drugs such as ivermectin

and hydroxychloroquine and other treatments have had around the world saving lives and reducing COVID outbreaks. And hospitals throughout the country, including Florida, have refused to allow ivermectin to be administered to patients.

Even after her husband’s remarkable recovery, Ashley Green recalled a father of one of the youths in their recreation program believing that ivermectin had nothing to do with Corey’s recovery. It “was just a coincidence,” he told her.

But the details of Hamalian’s journey and the Greens’ experience with the coronavirus and ivermectin show how our governments’ mandates, the incessant push for vaccinations, the constant flow of conflicting information, the partner-like relationships of Big Pharma with Anthony Fauci and the nation’s Big Three health agencies, the no-visitation and draconian policies of the hospitals, and the national media’s often-distorted and dishonest reporting have compelled health care providers like Hamalian and consumers like the Greens to do what would not have been done pre-COVID: question, doubt and ultimately reject the medical establishment and seek other alternatives.

Hamalian is on the front edge of a spreading medical trend. Spawned by the tumult the pandemic has brought to institutional medicine and science, family medicine practitioners are reviving the old doctor-patient relationship. No insurers come between them to dictate treatments. Patients pay their doctors and medical providers directly. And as a result, the providers don’t feel compelled to see a patient every 15 minutes. They spend the time their patients need.

“Vanessa was texting me every day,” Ashley Green says, “which I thought was amazing.”

Likewise, the Greens are among untold Americans who are growing increasingly distrustful of and angry with authoritarian governors, Joe Biden’s vaccine mantras and mandates, and the obfuscatory statements and conflicting information that come out of the national health agencies. These Americans don’t want Big Brother telling them what to do. Their distrust is compelling them to turn elsewhere to control their own medical destinies.

TO READ THE ENTIRE STORY, GO TO: YourObserver.com/Vanessa-

Hamalian

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

9

Mini-reef success leads to more research

RANTS & RAVES LET’S HEAR FROM YOU Life is full of gems — and boulders. And in our new column, Rants & Raves, we want to hear about both.

This column will be an open, anonymous hub for comments where you can share what’s going great, and also what you think is not so great. Want to give someone a shout out for helping you change a tire in the rain? That would be a rave. Unhappy about the new traffic pattern to accommodate a roundabout? That would be a rant — and probably a popular one at that. Please note: Comments regarding the editorial page will be run as letters to the editor.

There are two ways to submit your rant or rave. The first is to leave a message with whatever you want to say on our voicemail at 366-3468, Ext. 798. The second is to email us at RantsAndRaves@YourObserver.com.

I’m a bit late, but I just wanted to thank the gentleman who bought dinner for my daughter and her two kids on Christmas Eve. She is a single mom and took the kids out for a treat, and when she went to pay, the server told her a kind man who was sitting nearby had already picked up the check, and Merry Christmas.

This meant a lot to her, and we could all use more people like him in our world. To whoever you are, thank you and God bless, and she will be looking for her chance to pay it forward.

nnn

We thought we couldn’t be any happier in our new home in downtown Sarasota. Until, that is, encountering a City Hall employee who took me by surprise by arranging to dismiss a parking ticket I had gone there resigned to pay.

After earnestly quizzing me about the particulars, he diagnosed the problem: I’d paid enough by credit card but entered the license plate number incorrectly. New plate, old memory.

Small acts, big impact. No city, no person, is one thing, but signs of goodwill abound in this fair city.

180 mini-reefs have been installed on Siesta Key. With visible success and a recent county grant, project leaders are now focused on gathering data.

BLAKE FUSSELL STAFF WRITER

A

fter securing their latest county grant of $9,000 in October, Siesta Key residents have installed 180 mini-reefs in the waters surrounding the island. The next step in the mini-reef project will focus on science, data and measurements.

The mini-reefs, designed to provide housing primarily for juvenile fish, have helped reverse the effects infrastructure has had on the water’s ecosystem. Jean Cannon, a leader in the mini-reef project, said the minireefs have already shown effectiveness.

“We’ve already seen an uptick in the fish population,” Cannon said.

“We’ve had more manatees because of the mangroves there for them to eat. We’ve even seen some 22-inch tarpon in the canal.”

Cannon said the first step was acknowledging visible progress.

Now, with the help of seven volunteers, the project’s next step will focus on the science and precise data behind the progress.

Measurements have typically been done using kayaks, but Cannon said finding volunteers with larger boats would make measuring more efficient.

“We have been borrowing some of the measuring tools from Venice and Anna Maria. I think it’s important that we have our own,” Cannon said.

“These digital tools will cost around $7,000.”

A team from Anna Maria has scheduled a trip to Siesta Key this week to train residents on how to use their digital measuring tools.

Harry Sayer

A stack of mini-reefs before they were installed in February 2021.

Once the measuring process has been determined, practiced and perfected, mini-reef volunteers will be able to analyze what is needed to maintain steady progress.

The three areas have not worked separately, though. Venice, Siesta Key and Anna Maria’s environmental advocates have formed the Blue Water Coalition, where data, training and equipment can be shared.

“The three of us are doing the exact same thing, collecting the exact same data,” Cannon said. “We’re working together, comparing results and training each other. We may be pulling in Pelican Cove, too, if they’d like some assistance.”

Water salinity, oxygen content and pH are a few of the measurements being analyzed. Not only are the measurements useful in attracting oysters and additional ocean life to the mini-reefs, but they could also assist in the broader goal of a cleaner, more free-flowing waterway.

Cannon said the Siesta Key canal flows with the tide one way in and one way out, which has caused sediment to become stagnant and muddy the water. But if mini-reefs attract oysters and worms, the problem

could be solved naturally.

“Oysters are like little supercleaners,” Cannon said. “They pick up all this stuff in their shells, rework it and spit it out. Then that becomes food for baby fish, and it really gets the whole ecosystem going.”

If all goes according to plan, increasing the oyster population will be the primary focus in 2023, after data, volunteers and equipment are strengthened this year. Already partnered with several students at Eckerd College (St. Petersburg) and The Out-the-Door Academy, Cannon said the effort has continued to grow.

In addition to assisting Siesta Key’s waterways, Cannon said the experience will be shared with the county and the rest of the state.

“I believe it’s the University of Florida that has a water atlas, and that’s something we want to contribute to,” Cannon said. “This isn’t just for Siesta Key; it’s for the whole county and the state.

“Hopefully if we continue to evolve our processes, more and more communities will do this. All communities can do this; it just takes a little concentration.”

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You’re invited to

New deputies prepare for spring break

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T

he Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department in October added two full-time deputies to focus solely on Siesta Key. Now that the deputies have worked their new roles for a few months, they are prepared to focus on spring break crowds.

Before the June 2021 budget meeting that created the new positions, law enforcement patrols on the island primarily focused on daytime activities. Now, Siesta Key has had at least one deputy present at most times each day.

“We’re trying to spread the manpower out the best we can,” Capt.

Bryan Ivings said of Siesta Key. “The two deputies have worked for us for many, many years, and they were chosen through a selection process.”

The deputies work from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Both deputies are present on Thursday and Friday, the days most calls are received, according to Ivings.

Siesta Key’s two new deputies are Jim Lynch and Mark Eve, who are familiar with the area.

“Both of them have already spent time in Siesta Key,” said Kaitlyn Perez, director of the sheriff’s community affairs. “They’ve made relationships in the business community. When people see them, they’re already going to know them.”

With more than three months in their new roles, the new deputies will have the annual challenge of keeping spring break events safe and under control.

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focus a lot of our assets to Siesta Key during that time for any issues that may happen,” Ivings said. “You just want to be present to prevent anything from happening.”

During spring break season, it is not uncommon for 500,000 people to be in the Sarasota area. During that time, additional personnel are focused on Siesta Key and will be alongside the new deputies.

With more than a month before spring break truly makes an impact, Perez said the sheriff’s department will try to give the public a heads-up on traffic, parking and crowd concerns to minimize confusion and incidents.

“We’ll have a lot of people on a small barrier island,” Perez said.

“We’ll have signs out, and we want to inform people when the lot fills up. We do everything we can to make sure everybody has a safe and enjoyable experience.”

Perez recommended using ridehailing apps to minimize the traffic on Siesta Key during spring break season.

Reporting incidents on Siesta Key has the same protocol as doing so on the mainland. If an emergency arises, citizens should call 911. Calling 941-316-1201 will request assistance in a non-emergency setting.

Siesta Key’s beach is a popular destination throughout the year, but its popularity peaks at spring break.

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THROWING ROCKS 8:36 p.m., 3000 block of Maple Avenue Criminal mischief: A woman heard screaming outside of her home and went to check it out. She then saw a man throwing rocks at her car, which officers estimated caused $500 in damage. The man accused of throwing the rocks was involved in an earlier civil dispute involving the woman and another man. He was charged with criminal mischief and taken to jail.

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UP A TREE 12:10 a.m., 100 block of Halton Place Animal problem: A family found a raccoon trapped in their home’s enclosed porch and called police for help. Animal services was called, but the raccoon freed itself and fled to a nearby tree before officers arrived.

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CAUGHT SLEEPING, SIR 7:10 a.m., 2800 block of Ringling Boulevard Trespassing: Two people were found sleeping on the property of the National Guard Armory. After getting woken by an Army sergeant, the two packed up their belongings and walked away. Both were given trespassing warnings.

THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY 11:50 a.m., 1000 block of North Tamiami Trail Suspicious incident: Employees were waiting for their shift to start at a store. As they entered, one employee held the door open for another, who took offense to the gesture. The angry employee began cursing at the other and reportedly said, “Let me leave before I have to shoot someone.” He was then asked to leave for the day. The threatening employee left before officers arrived, and the company is considering termination.

STEALING FLOWERS Noon, 1600 block of 4th Street Suspicious person: A witness reported a man pulling flowers from the garden of a housing complex.

The accused man told officers he “only took one flower.” Officers spoke with the property manager, who said he had lots of flowers and would be happy to give the man some; he just had to ask. The accused man complied when he was asked to leave the property. It was not determined how many flowers he left with.

MAN DOWN 7:30 p.m., Intersection of S. Tuttle Avenue and Colorado Street Intoxicated person: An officer found a man he recognized unconscious on the sidewalk with his legs in the street. Aware of the man’s drug use and current state, the officer believed the man had put himself in harm’s way and transported him to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

The man regained consciousness following treatment but did not recall the incident.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

This vibrant ballerina is part of Eduardo Kobra’s “Dance” mural on the second floor of the Palm Avenue Parking Garage.

The “Music” mural by Chor Boogie on the fourth floor of the Palm Avenue parking garage contains super bright colors and images.

This Nate Baranowski mural at Florida Studio Theatre is based on a work by Edward Robert Hughes.

SPENCER FORDIN A+E EDITOR

Y

ou know a city takes art seriously when it decorates its intersections and parking garages.

The Nate Baranowski mural below is based on art

by Eugene Ivanov.

Five Points, a historic anchor of downtown Sara-

sota, is now so full of public art that it seems like you’re seeing another mural or another sculpture on every corner – and sometimes even in the crosswalks.

Enter Arts Advocates, who have developed a walking curriculum of the city’s public art treasury.

The local group is running three tours in which its docents discuss the pieces on display and the public proliferation of local art, and the Five Points walk recently brought a group to enjoy the scenery around the Art Ovation Hotel and the Florida Studio Theatre.

SEE ART TOUR, PAGE 14

Nate Baranowski’s “Man With Umbrella” takes up the whole side of a building.

Photos by Spencer Fordin

Arts Advocate docent Stephenie Frasher stands in front of Brandon Thrift’s “Love One Another” mural.

14

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Art tour

HOW PUBLIC ART IS FUNDED

FROM PAGE 13

The tour, led by docents Nanette Crist, Judy Levine and Stephenie Frasher, started right in the shadow of the Art Ovation Hotel, and the talk began at the beginning of Sarasota’s local art scene.

The first contributions to Sarasota public art occurred through John Ringling back in the 1920s, and the sculptures he donated still decorate St. Armands Circle.

Decades later, Sarasota began its own public art program, and it now has more than 80 pieces of public art on display.

Starting at Art Ovation and walking up Cocoanut Avenue, the tour finds three highlights within the first block.

There’s a bike painted white with two flamingoes on it by local artist William Pearson — also known as Dr. Nik — and a technicolor mural with a message by Brandon Thrift.

The mural reads “Love One Another” and is festooned with rainbow bright lines and colored hearts.

And just yards away, there’s a painted crosswalk that brackets Cocoanut Avenue and Second Street.

That installation, known as the Pride Walk & Street Mural, was laid down last spring to commemorate Pride Week and to foster an air of inclusivity.

You won’t have to walk too far — like literally across Cocoanut Avenue — to find the next hub of activity.

There are a group of murals and sculptures around the Florida Studio Theatre campus, and the area is dominated by the work of muralist Nate Baranowski.

Baranowski contributed three murals that take up the entire side of a building, and he also worked on a smaller and more intimate piece of William Shakespeare in the theater’s inner courtyard.

Two of the Baranowski murals are re-creations of pieces by Eugene Ivanov, and another was inspired by a piece made by Robert Evans Hughes. That last piece, an ethereal woman, evokes the style of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“There’s a lot going on. The col-

Spencer Fordin

Arts Advocate docent Judy Levine speaking in front of the Clockwork of Convergence sculpture by Vicky Randall.

IF YOU GO

Arts Advocates Walking Tours City Hall: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Feb. 14 Rosemary District: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 11 Tickets: $30, members $28 Info: ArtsAdvocates.org.

Contact: NCrist17@Gmail.com

ors are very saturated. It’s a complex painting,” says Crist of the mural.

“It’s a beautiful work of art. You don’t really need to study it to look for some deeper meaning.”

The tour also makes a stop at a lovely sculpture with a long history in Sarasota called Butterfly Lady that graces the front courtyard of Florida Studio Theatre, and another sculpture arranged in the intersection of Cocoanut Avenue.

That latter sculpture — dubbed Jumping Fish by Jeff Laramore — is intended to evoke the image of fish

leaping out of the water, and Levine said it was commissioned with a $150,000 grant by the city.

“It’s here in the roundabout. It stands 16 feet tall, 12 feet wide,” says Levine. “Look how open the design is. The artist has to think about safety, visibility of traffic and things we never really consider an artist doing.”

Jumping Fish is one of three roundabout projects that have already been brought to completion, and there are roundabout art improvement projects in the works at four additional locations.

The Five Points tour winds past the Art Ovation hotel and includes a brief lesson on sculpture and a chalk drawing on the sidewalk, and then it proceeds to its piece de resistance: The Palm Avenue Parking Garage.

There are five distinct murals in the garage dealing with elements of the Sarasota art scene: theater (sixth floor), opera (fifth floor), music (fourth floor), film (third floor) and dance (second floor).

The murals were completed as

part of the “Going Vertical” edition of the 2012 Sarasota Chalk Festival, and they each choose fitting subjects to illustrate their theme.

Muralists Marco Bell and Monica Spain, who painted the opera mural, chose a Madame Butterfly motif to underline that the garage empties into the Sarasota Opera facility.

“Musicians and artists always say, ‘It’s nice to get work,’” says Bell of the mural. “Originally, I think we thought we were going to be the one on the floor below.

“We had originally planned for this to be on one facade, but it turns out that it turns right here. It worked out in that our design didn’t have to be modified; it just took a bend in it.”

The interesting part is that the tour, which takes about 90 minutes, only covers part of Sarasota’s public arts legacy.

Arts Advocates also conducts tours of the City Hall area — which will next be held on Feb. 14 — and of the Rosemary District, which is scheduled for March 11.

For every multifamily or commercial project valued at more than $1 million, the developer is required to contribute to Sarasota’s public art fund.

Developers can make a cash contribution of $5,000 per $1 million valuation, or they can commision a work with commensurate value to be placed on their property or elsewhere.

If the work is placed on their property, the developer is required to fund maintenance.

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15

Courtesy photo

Photo courtesy of John Jones

Nicholas Caycedo, Sheffield Chastain and Linden Tailor in “America in One Room.”

We can work it out Jason Odell Williams’ ‘America in One Room’ proves the power of dialogue in a world-premier production at Florida Studio Theatre.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Jason Odell Williams is an awardwinning playwright and Emmynominated television producer based in New York City. His plays, such as “Church & State” and “Handle with Care,” explore both the political and the personal.

His latest play, “America in One Room,” does both. It’s now on stage at Florida Studio Theatre. Williams created this reality-based drama in 2020 during the summer of social distancing as part of FST’s Playwrights Project.

Writers are often asked where they

got the idea, and they usually give the same answer: Ideas are everywhere. There’s a constant stream on TV, snippets of conversation, dreams, the radio, the internet or the newspaper.

Getting an idea is the easy part.

Finding a good idea is not so easy.

The trick, as Williams knows, is noticing when a good idea comes along.

“I got it from a news story in ‘The New York Times,’” he says. “Not a front-page article. It was buried in the back of the news section.”

According to Williams, that article was about an event called America in One Room.

A nonprofit, nonpartisan group was behind the experiment.

In September 2019, the group gathered more than 500 people from all across the country and put them in one hotel room in Texas.

The participants came from all walks of life and all political affiliations: Democrats, Republicans and

everyone in between. In one room, they were divided into big groups and small groups to talk about the big issues.

And talk across party lines.

The theory: If you put a diverse array of people in a room and get them talking to one another, you could change the polarized dynamic of contemporary America.

“It had to be real talk, not people yelling at each other on Twitter, not quoting sound bites back and forth,” says Williams. “It had to be a real conversation, with real answers to honest questions. ‘Why do you think that? Why do you vote that way?

What issues are the most important to you?’”

The organizers got the people talking about their deepest concerns.

It was a bold experiment that didn’t immediately work.

At the beginning of the week, it felt like the participants’ ideas were planted in the ground and nobody would budge. By the end of the week,

it felt like there was much more wiggle room, more give and take. More people started seeing things from the other person’s point of view. and it wasn’t contentious.

“The experiment finally did work,” Williams says. “It showed that peoples’ hearts and minds can change.

That captured my imagination.”

Williams adds that America’s contemporary political landscape can seem hopelessly divided, like a deadlocked shouting match with no possibility of change or real dialogue.

“If you’re on one side, that’s it; if you’re on the other side, that’s it,” he says. “You’ve got to pick sides, and you won’t even talk to the people on the other side.”

Williams saw this experiment as a glimpse of hope. It grabbed his attention, and he instantly saw the dramatic potential.

“I thought this news story would be a great jumping-off point for a play,” he says. “But ‘America in One Room’ is still a fictionalized version of the actual events. For this story to work on stage, I had to make it interesting. The reality was just a room with people talking. So I had to invent some dramatic conflict.”

After a long gestation, Williams’ reimagining of America’s one-room dialogue is finally on one stage. The playwright says he was “thrilled” to see a fully staged performance of his new play in front of a packed house at FST. What would he like to see next?

“My corny hope with this play is that it will go on to get produced all across the country and start conversations and make America a little less divided,” says Williams. “A little more united, and maybe even a little happier, at least until they turn on the news again.”

Playwright Jason Odell Williams based his play “America in One Room” on reallife political discourse.

IF YOU GO

‘America in One Room’ When: Through Feb. 27 Where: FST Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota Tickets: $36-$39 Info: Call 366-9000, or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA By

THORNTON WILDER Directed by

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

THIS WEEK

OUR PICK

PIANIST EMANUEL AX PERFORMS CHOPIN Emanuel Ax, winner of a handful of Grammy Awards, is coming to Van Wezel to pay tribute to Chopin. Ax, a piano professor at Juilliard who has collaborated with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma on multiple award-winning productions, won honorable mention at the International Chopin Festival in 1970.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $30-$95 Info: SCASarasota.org/ GreatPerformers.

Elizabeth Baker will perform “Void” on Monday as part of EnSRQ’s season.

THURSDAY

‘DANCE MAKERS’ 7 p.m. at Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $10-$45 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

LUNCHEON SERIES: STUDIO OPERA STARS 11 a.m. at Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Drive $54 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Come enjoy a delectable meal and listen as singers from the Sarasota Opera’s Studio Artists Program play the Bird Key Yacht Club. Program director Maestro Johannes Löhner will accompany the singers as they power their way through a selection of opera favorites.

A number of nationally acclaimed contemporary choreographers, including Dazaun Soleyn, Jennifer Nugent and Adele Myers, will be taken on by the expressive movers of the Sarasota Contemporary Dance troupe.

Dance Makers will also bring back

CHAMBER SOIRÉE 6: ‘INHERITANCE’ 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $38-$48 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

“Kinda Cagey,” a piano and dance duet performed by Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Francis Schwartz.

Runs through Jan. 30.

LYNNE KOPLITZ 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

You might have seen her on her Netflix special, “Hormonal Beast.”

Now, Lynne Koplitz is coming to make you laugh in person. Koplitz will play two shows Friday and two shows Saturday before wrapping up her stay Sunday. Koplitz, a Long Island, New York, native, has also appeared in several Comedy Central programs.

HARRY CONNICK JR. 8:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $162-$207 Visit VanWezel.org.

Family ties are the theme for this event; the three featured composers — Beethoven, Mozart and Michael Tilson Thomas — all entered their field after learning their craft from their fathers.

The orchestra will play Beethoven’s “Quintet Op. 16 for Piano and Winds,” Mozart’s “String Quartet No. 17, K. 458, The Hunt,” and “Street Song” by Thomas.

The New Orleans crooner will be the featured performer at the 2022 Van Wezel Inspiration Gala. Connick Jr. will play selections from his distinguished career after diners contribute to support arts education in Sarasota. The gala is in its 20th year of working toward its mission of enriching the community through the power of the arts.

FRIDAY JAZZ AT TWO: THE FIVE POINTS QUINTET 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road $10-$20 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Guitarist Marc Mannino fronts the Five Points Quintet, which plays a variety of standards as well as jazz and bossa nova. The supporting musicians are vocalist Darcie Allen, saxophone player Pete Carney, drummer Bob Lunergan and bassist Pete Innocenti.

KANSAS: ‘POINT OF KNOW RETURN’ 8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $68-$141 Visit VanWezel.org.

Carry on my wayward band. Kansas has been touring the country for nearly five decades, and this tour commemorates the band’s fifth album, which contains the smash hit “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, and now it’s bringing the Midwest to Van Wezel.

SATURDAY TONY SANDS PRESENTS ‘RAT PACK TOGETHER AGAIN!’ 2 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave W., Bradenton $30 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. org.

They’re still swinging. Relive the timeless singing of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. as the revival act’s hep cats cruise through some of the best-known songs in the pop canon.

HISTORY OF ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM 4:30 p.m. at Midge Johnson Fine Art, 3983 Destination Drive, Osprey $25 Visit MidgeJohnsonFineArt.com.

The moving worlds of piano and painting intersect at Midge Johnson’s Fine Art gallery.

This one-hour event will feature the piano playing of Alan Wasserman and commentary by Johnson as the married couple trace the movement of abstract expressionism in both music and art.

THE GRAND SHANGHAI CIRCUS 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $22-$57 Visit VanWezel.org.

Prepare to be astounded as the grand spectacle of the Grand Shanghai Circus flits across the stage for one night only at the

The Pops Orchestra is proud to welcome the Josie Music Awards “Tribute Artist of the Year” nominee, Mark Sanders, to the stage singing all your favorite Barry Manilow hits from “I Write the Songs” to “Copacabana.” This is THE Valentine ticket to get this season on the Suncoast!

SUN, FEB 13, 3PM Riverview Performing Arts Center

MON, FEB 14, 7:30PM SCF Neel Performing Arts Center

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If you’re in the audience, you’ll have a hand in directing where this program goes. FST Improv looks to poke fun at snowbirds and beach bums with sketches, musicals and classic improv games.

The troupe will solicit suggestions before steering the fun to discuss what makes Sarasota Sarasota.

SUNDAY WINTER CONCERT Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble 2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 FL-64 East, Lakewood Ranch $10 Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.

The ensemble’s Winter Concert will feature songs composed by John Philip Sousa, Percy Grainger and Robert Schumann, among others. The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble was formed as a professional-level community band; it debuted in 2019 and played a July Fourth concert with the Choral Artists of Sarasota last year.

THE CHOIR OF MAN 7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 7777 N. Tamiami Trail $22-$57 Visit VanWezel.org.

It’s a love message to your local pub, and the Choir of Man hopes you’ll spend the evening singing.

The international sensation, which features a live, working bar on stage, will bring a variety of voices to bear on a succession of pop, Broadway, folk and pub rock tunes.

‘LET’S HANG ON!’ FRANKIE VALLI TRIBUTE SHOW 7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Jervey Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W. Tickets $42 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Pay tribute both to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

www.manasotaonline.com

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 28; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 and Jan. 30; 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $40-$115 Info: SarasotaBallet.org.

but also to the smash hit “Jersey Boys,” which chronicles their rise to fame. It will be tight harmonies, taut choreography and high notes as far as the ear can hear.

MONDAY

APRIL 21, 2021 7:30 PM Wednesday, February 4:30 16, TO 2022 • 4 - 7:30 pm NATHAN BENDERSON PARK, FINISH TOWER SARASOTA,Country FLORIDA The Meadows Club 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota �SlLVERSEA"

Meet and hear from the travel experts.

SEVEN SEAS CRUISES•

‘VOID’ 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave. $25 Visit ENSRQ.org.

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It’s a feast for all the senses. “Void” is a work by Elizabeth A. Baker that combines visual projection, electronic processing and the acoustic performance of concert instrumentalists.

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MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ CABARET WITH ZACH BARTHOLOMEW TRIO 7:30 p.m. at FST’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St. $39, members $35 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Get down with Zach Bartholomew as he plays the music of Chick Corea. Bartholomew, a pianist and music educator, has performed at a number of national and international engagements, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival.

WEDNESDAY ‘ROSE’ 7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail $18-$36 Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org.

Call your mother, then settle in for a one-woman tour de force that will take the show’s star from the devastation of the Holocaust to the triumph of living in Miami Beach.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday Free with museum admission Visit RinglingCollege.Gallery/ BaschGlass.

This exhibit of fine glasswork art opened this month and will run through March 25. Don’t miss the exceptional pieces of craftsmanship and unique commissions from some of the world’s most-renowned artisans.

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FST IMPROV: ‘LIFE’S A BEACH’ 8:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St. $15 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

or RSVP to Roz@BookThatEscape.com

the legendary figure.

Now, Barbieri brings the de Valois choreography back to Sarasota for the first time since 2016.

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Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Dancers, acrobats and aerials are on the menu for the traveling circus company playing in a traditional American circus stronghold.

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‘LOVE & BETRAYAL’ It’s a classic repertoire of British ballet fronted by routines choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton and Dame Ninette de Valois. Ashton’s “Valses noble et sentimentales” will be presented again by Iain Webb, who worked with Ashton on the ballet in 1987 and revived it in Sarasota in 2012.

“The Rake’s Progress” was choreographed decades ago by de Valois, and Margaret Barbieri was tutored directly by

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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Farm to Fillet Sunday, Jan. 23, at Mote Aquaculture Research Park | Benefiting Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

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Photos by Harry Sayer

Top: More than 350 people attended the event. Above: Nikki Logan Curran, Chef Paul Mattison and David Curran Left: Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Michael P. Crosby and Mote Aquaculture Research Park Director Kevan Main

ote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium supporters braved cold weather for good food during the second Farm to Fillet lunch on Jan. 23.

The second annual lunch event — which was delayed in 2021 due to the pandemic — had more than 350 guests meeting at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park to support its work in researching new technology, bolstering local snook populations and more.

After delaying the event a week due to inclement weather, Mote Marine had a new hurdle to work with in the form of chilly weather and a light drizzle that persisted throughout the event. Guests arrived in warm clothing and carrying umbrellas for the social hour before sitting down for lunch catered by Mattison’s.

Chef Paul Mattison gave the crowd some insight into the food the guests would soon enjoy — étouffée, arapaima fish and ending with a parfait — before passing off to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium President and CEO Michael P. Crosby and Mote Aquaculture Research Park Director Kevan Main.

The event concluded with guests touring the research park’s facilities.

—HARRY SAYER

COMMUNITY LECTURE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 Hyatt Regency Sarasota

7PM

AN EVENING WITH NOA TISHBY Israeli-American author, actress, and activist CHAIR

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

YOUR WINTER AT T H E VA N W E Z E L SARASOTA PREMIERE!

WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE!

WED, FEB 2 | THUR, FEB 3 7:30PM SPONSORS: Wilde Lexus Sarasota and ABC7 Courtesy photo

Ashley and Timothy Gruters welcome their son Timber Bertram Gruters into the world.

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SARASOTA PREMIERE!

HARRY SAYER

WED, FEB 9 • 8PM SPONSOR: Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Featuring Six-time Grammy ® Nominee and renowned singer and songwriter VALERIE SIMPSON

Some weather, huh?

That statement tends to be the worst kind of small talk when you’re with people to pass the time, but in this case I think it’s valid. When it’s not been rainy, it’s been drizzling and when it’s not been drizzling the temperature been reaching the low 40s. I’m probably just complaining — especially compared to our many snowbird neighbors who’ve faced worse temperatures than this —but Farm to Fillet this past Sunday was particularly bracing.

In any case, we have a nice slate of events coming up that will include circus acts and a performance from Harry Connick Jr., but this past week had fun happenings as well.

Harry Sayer

Ashley and Timothy Gruters like golf, that much is certain.

Ever since learning they’d be having a baby boy to join their three daughters, Ashley and Tim have decided to go all out with a golf theme. That’s included a Christmas photo shoot at the Bobby Jones golf course and a “babymoon” vacation to Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green to play golf and other sports.

Their daughter Piper even plays in the U.S. Kids golf series.

For baby number four — or is it fore? — Ashley had a baby shower luncheon at the Laurel Oak Country Club complete with a golf-themed cake and decor on Jan. 2.

Timber Bertram Gruters was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital right on time — the newborn baby arrived into the world on Jan. 17, precisely the date he was expected.

With all this golf iconography to set the scene, we hope Timber grows up to have a mean swing. No pressure, buddy.

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Donor Appreciation

The Child Protection Center has its fair share of events in support of its services helping child abuse victims.

That’s included the Night of Hope and Healing and the Blue Ties and Butterflies event each year.

The organization recently added another event in the mix, this time to show appreciation to its donors.

The first donor luncheon was held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Jan. 19 with more than 60 supporters and CPC figures attending in support of the organization.

Top supporters received coins from the organization in appreciation of their continued support.

Staley said the event won’t t be an annual affair but hopefully will be held again in the future.

Top: The 76-pound arapaima was on-site to welcome guests.

Above: Graci McGillicuddy and CPC Executive Director Doug Staley

Bringing together four Phantoms from the Tony Award®-winning “The Phantom of the Opera” for an unforgettable night of entertainment!

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Visitors to the Mote Marine Aquaculture Research Park had a different kind of sight welcoming them to the Farm to Fillet lunch on Jan. 23: A 6-foot, 76-pound arapaima fish laid straight out on ice.

The massive fish was brought to the location off Frutville Road from the Horse Creek Aqua Farm in Arcadia, which breeds the fish.

The fish’s presence was showing the guests exactly what type of meal they’d be having later in the event and putting a spotlight on the lesserknown breed. The second course of the dinner was arapaia served three ways with Worden Farm greens, cannelli beans and sea purslane. The fish was so large that Chef Paul Mattison was able to get several distinct cuts for the audience to enjoy.

Winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards®, two Grammy Awards®, and an Emmy® Award!

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Fore For Four

Meal On Display

“Respect,” “Think,” “Until You Come Back To Me,” “Daydreaming,” “Natural Woman” and more!

JANUARY 27, 2022

HIGH

SPORTS

5

1

Former Riverview High boys basketball player Brion Whitley, now a junior at Southern University, had 17 points and seven rebounds Jan. 24 in the Jaguars’ 100-72 win against Mississippi Valley State.

POSITIVE SPIN Even a Tuesday loss against Clearwater High was encouraging to Booker High Coach Ty Bryant heading into the postseason.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

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Cardinal Mooney High sophomore boys basketball player Connor Heald scored 29 points Jan. 20 in the Cougars’ 66-53 home win against Venice High.

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Sarasota Christian senior boys basketball player Drew Yoder scored 27 points Jan. 25 in the Blazers’ 79-72 home win against Gulf Coast HEAT.

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Sarasota High senior girls soccer player Presley Gaberseck scored three goals Jan. 21 in the Sailors’ 4-0 home win against Imagine School at North Port.

Booker’s Chariot Johnson hits a layup against Clearwater.

Booker’s tallest player is 6-foot Cunningham, whom Bryant championed as a defensive stalwart but had little help against Clearwater.

If Booker can do in the postseason what it did in the second half against Clearwater, though, size might not matter. Teams cannot score in the paint if they can’t get the ball into it; the Tornadoes’ pressure, coupled with the athleticism of players such as DuBose, Johnson and sophomore Jakai Peterson, who leads the team with 3.2 steals a game, put Booker in control. Bryant said he wants to see more of that.

Also helping the team prepare for the postseason is its strength of schedule. Booker, ranked seventh in Class 4A by MaxPreps, has played a number of schools from other classifications in the hopes of iron sharpening iron. That includes Clearwater, ranked 11th in Class 5A, but also Cardinal Mooney High twice (first in Class 3A), Carrollwood Day (sixth in 3A), Vero Beach High (seventh in Class 7A) and Charlotte High (second in 5A). Booker is 1-5 in games against those teams, but each game has made the team better.

That’s part of the reason why Bryant left the building so happy. Nearing the end of year two at the Tornadoes’ helm, Bryant said the job has been more work than he expected, but he’s proud of what the program has done during his tenure. The team is playing well, yes, but also doing well in the classroom. Bryant said DuBose is second in her class in terms of GPA this year, and last year the team held a GPA over 4.0.

“We’re just fine,” Bryant said. “We could use a little more consistency.

Sometimes when teams go to a twothree zone, we get stuck and don’t move to the ball. But once we start picking it up, look out. They have to slow us down. That’s not easy to do.”

Booker’s Sariah Bradley (11) gets fouled against Clearwater.

IF YOU GO What: Booker High girls basketball (14-7) vs. Keswick Christian (14-8) When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Booker High Why: The Tornadoes will attempt to close out the regular season with a win Tale of the tape: Booker is ranked seventh in Class 4A and 47th in Florida

by MaxPreps; Keswick Christian is ranked 10th in Class 2A and 188th in Florida Tornadoes player to watch: Junior forward Chariot Johnson, who averages 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds a game Crusaders player to watch: Sophomore guard Ava Graham, who averages 17.2 points a game

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Riverview High junior girls basketball player Sami Slusarek scored 18 points Jan. 24 in the Rams’ 72-50 road win against Lakewood Ranch High.

fter an extended chat with his Booker High girls basketball team and assistants, Coach Ty Bryant emerged with a smile, wishing the school’s janitorial staff goodnight and laughing on the way to his car.

His good mood was not evident when the team left the court nearly 30 minutes earlier. Booker (14-7) had lost to Clearwater High (14-6) 79-70.

At various points in the second half, the score was more lopsided, with the Tornaodes down by 20 at times.

But the final score also could have been closer, or perhaps come with a different outcome. In the fourth quarter, Booker went on a furious run, pressing Clearwater into mistake after mistake and turning the mistakes into points. Down 14 with 2:30 to go, Booker got within seven until a combination of missed shots and 50-50 officiating calls went against the Tornadoes.

The loss stung in the moment.

After taking the time to cool emotions, however, Bryant said he felt good about his team going into the postseason, which begins Feb. 1.

“That effort is the sign of a team that is going to be a problem,” Bryant said with a laugh. “And that’s a good

team we played. They held us to 29 points in the first half. But we ended with 70. We’re not bad, either.”

The Tornadoes aren’t a big team, but they are fast, skilled and deep.

As of Jan. 25, no Tornadoes player averaged double-digit points a game despite the team averaging 56.4 points a game. Instead, the Tornadoes have five players who average 5 points or more a game (another, junior Jaida Cunningham, is just below that mark, at 4.9 a game). The highest average belongs to junior Leah DuBose at 9.6 a game, followed by junior Chariot Johnson at 8.4 a game. Johnson also leads the team with 4.9 rebounds a game.

Bryant said the lack of size hurt the Tornadoes against Clearwater, which got into the paint in the first half and scored without much trouble. Clearwater has two senior centers in Phillicia Jackson and Kyleigh Welsh, who stand 6 foot 4 and 6 foot 3, respectively, and also have the 6-foot junior forward Olivia Fuller.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

YourObserver.com

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PROSE AND KOHN

If you’re bored with the ‘big four,’ branch out and try one of these sports instead.

being attracted to the challenge.

The classes at EVO are for both kids and adults. Based on videos that EVO has uploaded to YouTube, the course looks like it could take time to master, at least for beginners. The gym also has a Team Ninja program that enters competitions, including national ones. This is serious business. You don’t have to be that into the sport to give these classes a try, though. Individual sessions are $20 per hour for adults and $15 per hour for kids 7-17.

S

Think about surfing. Think about how difficult it is to gain balance at the beginning. Now think about sailing. Think about all the nautical knowledge that is required to get your boat to the finish line safely and in a timely manner.

Now combine surfing and sailing.

Seemingly, you would have something impossible. But you don’t.

You have windsurfing, also known as sailboarding, and it’s offered in the Sarasota area, including at Bird Key Park by Island Style Sports.

Windsurfing is exactly what it sounds like. You ride a surfboard that has a sail attached to it, giving riders more control over their direction and speed. It also means

21

ARCHERY

All right, is archery as out-there as some of the other sports on this list? No. It’s in the Olympics after all. I’m not naive enough to think I discovered the sport or anything.

But answer me this: When is the last time you actually tried archery?

For most of you, I’m guessing the answer is either “when I was a teen in Boy/Girl Scouts” or “never.”

I’m in the same camp (Boy Scouts), so I don’t say that to shame anyone. I was good at it despite my lack of experience, and I remember having a ton of fun. Those memories were brought up in 2017 when I wrote about the Sarasota Archers.

I haven’t been since, but maybe I’ll change that soon.

For anyone else with the same experience — or if anyone brand new is thinking it would be fun to sling some arrows at targets — the Archers have an easy registration system on their website.

Courtesy photo

Elkin Mosely plays disc golf in MVP Sports and Social’s league. Disc golf can also be played at Payne Park, North Water Tower Park and Lakeview Park in Sarasota.

riders don’t have to wait for waves; beginners can windsail over calm waters. I haven’t tried it, but based on YouTube videos, it looks like a lot of fun, especially the more extreme versions of it.

That’s not what places like Island Style Sports offer, of course. They give a beginner’s course. Lessons are given almost year-round and last two hours. Island Sports’ Laurel Kaiser told me that the lessons give an “all-around experience” guaranteed — or it’s free of charge. What’s the harm in trying it, right? You might have a blast.

NINJA WARRIOR

Did you know that “American Ninja Warrior” has been running on NBC for 13 seasons? I didn’t until a few

seconds before writing this sentence, and now I feel dreadfully old.

It has also made me think, “Wow, that is a lot of demand to watch people run and jump and climb things and usually fail.” It makes sense, then, that Sarasota has its own Ninja Warrior class available at EVO Athletics.

If you don’t know, Ninja Warrior is essentially what I just said, except not as a joke. The professional courses, which include things like jumping from ring to ring, running across a bridge of spinning balls and climbing an inverted wall, take a mind-boggling amount of athletic ability to complete at all, let alone be fast enough to win. It’s quite impressive to watch, and I can easily see a certain type of athlete

DISC GOLF

But I digress. Disc golf is much more popular now than it was even a few years ago, and there are plenty of options for those looking to get into the game — which is played exactly how you think it is.

You throw discs into chain baskets placed across a park to look like a golf course. It’s fun but more difficult than it sounds.

One option for serious players in Sarasota is the Sky Pilots team, which plays matches at North Water Tower Park and Lakeview Park. But you are also welcome to go to either of those parks, or Payne Park, on your own or with a small group and toss the disc around. The discs are fairly cheap, and if you’re just starting out, you don’t need more than one. It’s a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning. On this one, I would know.

BOSSABALL

The most obscure sport on the list, by far. Bossaball is so out there that, as far as I can tell, there actually is not a place to play it in Sarasota. But there should be, dang it, which is why I’m including it. Can someone out there start a bossaball league?

I’ll be the first sign-up.

Hear me out on this one. Bossaball, which originated in Spain, combines volleyball, gymnastics and soccer into a beautiful athletic feat. I don’t have the space to get into all the rules, but a quick YouTube search can show you exactly what I mean. Imagine how cool it would be to trampoline into the air and kick a ball over a net and past an opponent.

I’m starting the campaign now: Bring bossaball to Sarasota. Let’s make it a goal for 2022. If you’re with me, shoot me an email. I can’t wait to give it a shot someday.

The first thing you should know about disc golf is that people do not like it when you call it “Frisbee golf.” It’s like calling table tennis “ping-pong.” One time, I said “Frisbee golf” to a college friend who played the sport a lot, and he almost hit me. We had consumed a few adult beverages, sure, but still.

It’s serious.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota Observer.

Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

RYAN KOHN

Off-beat challenges ports journalists write about the “big four” all the time: football, basketball, baseball/softball and soccer dominate the conversation.

I’m guilty of this sometimes. It’s easy to fall into the trap. And sometimes there’s simply more demand for those things from readers than other sports. But it’s fun to write about other sports, too: volleyball and wrestling and swimming and the like.

And sometimes, it’s fun to go in an entirely different direction.

I know there are people out there asking themselves what the weirdest or most niche sport they can try in Sarasota is, so I’m giving some ideas. I haven’t done all of these things myself. I haven’t even done most of them. But I’m including them because they look way fun and over-the-top, and we all could use some of that in our lives. So get off the couch this weekend and try one.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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Riverview boys senior midfielder Gabe Crozat (11) splits two Cardinal Mooney players to get control of the ball. The Rams are the top seed in their district.

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It’s tourney time Boys and girls soccer playoffs begin this week.

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day. Win that game and the Sailors will play Venice or a to-be-determined opponent — perhaps rival Riverview — in the finals Feb. 2.

The Sailors boys (3-9-2) will play at Venice High (7-6-3) in a firstround match on Thursday.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

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The Florida High School Athletic Association soccer playoffs have arrived. Here’s a breakdown of the sport’s district tournaments, which begin this week, for area schools.

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The Rams boys (10-0-4) are the top seed in the Class 7A District 8 tournament. They have a first-round bye and will play the winner of Sarasota High (3-9-2) and Venice High (7-63) on Feb. 1. With a win, the Rams would advance to the district final, perhaps against No. 2 seed Gulf Coast High (14-4-2).

The Rams girls (8-7-2) will host North Port High (7-10-1) in a firstround game on Wednesday. A win would pit them against top-seed Venice High (8-4-3) on Friday.

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The Cougars boys (3-9-3) have a bye in the first round of Class 3A District 9 play and will start with a road game against Fort Meade High (7-3-3) on Friday. Mooney would next play the winner of Lake Placid High (9-4-2) and a to-be-determined opponent in the district finals on Tuesday.

The girls team (7-6-1) has an easier path. They, too, have a bye in the first round and await the winner of a Thursday match between Avon Park High (4-10-2) and Frostproof High (0-12-2) on Jan. 31. If the Cougars win that game, they will play the winner of Fort Meade (9-7-1) and Lake Placid (12-2-1) in the finals Feb. 3.

BOOKER HIGH

The Tornadoes boys (6-7) begin their Class 4A District 11 run Thursday against Parrish Community High (9-10-4). If they advance, they will play top-seed DeSoto County High (12-1) on Jan. 31.

The girls team (0-9) did not qualify for the district tournament.

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JANUARY 27, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS Rebecca Goldthwaite and Karin Gustafson organize the sale every year.

A Beatles print

Photos by Harry Sayer

Something for everyone HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

K

arin Gustafson works hard collecting.

She’s been collecting eclectic items since she was young, and her hobby has only intensified in recent years. Gustafson has led the Karin’s Causes estate sale — a three-day event offering all sorts of items and oddities for collectors and customers — in Sarasota for years.

A collection of fine art from regional Florida artists? She has that. Jewelry? A roomful.

African carvings, vintage Americana decorations and 1990s “Star Wars” figures? Have them, she does.

The items are carefully cultivated

by Gustafson and researcher Rebecca Goldthwaite, who spend months and months picking out items for the big sale. The event has raised more than $100,000 for various nonprofits over the years, with last year’s event bringing in more than $15,000.

After months of collecting, it’s time for Gustafson to put her collection up for sale once more. The 2022 estate sale will be at the Scottish Rite building across from VFW Post 3233 on Jan. 27-29.

“All of this stuff sticks to my shoes,” Gustafson said. “I’ve been a collector since I was a little kid.”

Karin’s Causes was born out of Gustafson’s longtime passion of picking up collectibles and valuables. Goldthwaite met Gustafson while volunteering for the Y Foun-

dation’s estate division — Gustafson was president of the organization for more than two decades — and the pair quickly became friends. Goldthwaite, a Longboat Key resident who has worked as a museum docent and researcher for years, was already a fan of collecting and sales and took to Gustafson’s work.

“She was holding sales in her garage, and dealers would come from miles around,” Goldthwaite said.

“One day she called me with the idea, asking, ‘Do you think we could take this bigger and make some money for charities?’”

Karin’s Causes has grown ever since, each year providing money for a number of nonprofits. This year’s event benefits the Animal Rescue Coalition, the New College Foundation’s scholarship fund and the Scottish Rite Foundation’s “Helping Children Communicate” program,

which assists children with communication issues.

Gustafson and her friend Donna Hardin collect the many items, but it falls to Goldthwaite every summer to organize them.

“Every Sunday, the barrage of photos (of items Gustafson has purchased) start coming in,” Goldthwaite said. “My job is to find the treasures and hidden values. I enjoy it and try to go to any lengths to find out what something is.”

She looks for items at garage sales and consignment shops instead of estate sales, as the latter often price things too high. Goldthwaite said they try to apply “out the door” pricing for their items when the estate sale comes around. It’s all money raised for a good cause at the end of the day,

This year’s sale has a wide-ranging collection of 1990s toys and collectibles.

A mid-20th century decorative container

An African handcarved birthing chair

both Goldthwaite and Gustafson reason.

“The whole idea is to connect people to worthy causes via the sale of items they love,” Goldthwaite said. “We want people to leave here happy.”

Given both Goldthwaite and Gustafson’s passion for fine art, it tracks that there’s a rich selection of artwork at each sale. The group has procured painted works from Syd Solomon, Kasper Zimmerman, Beth Arthur and artists inspired by the Florida Highwaymen. Gustafson collects art from Florida women artists and is bringing a couple of pieces from her own collection to the sale.

It’s thrilling to find new gifts and collectibles throughout the year, but the hardest day for Gustafson is when she brings the hundreds of items to the event space.

But after the sale ends and much of their inventory has been depleted, she feels the pull start all over again.

“After every sale, I say I’m never doing one again,” Gustafson said.

“But after a month, we’re back out there and we find things.”

IF YOU GO What: Karin’s Causes 15th Annual Estate Sale Where: Scottish Rite Building, 240 S. Tuttle Ave. When: From 4-7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 ($15 donation required); 9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 28-29.

Call: 720-4021

‘‘

The 15th annual Karin’s Causes sales starts Jan. 27.

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COMPOUNDING PHARMACY & WELLNESS CENTER YOUR CALENDAR

Transfer to Sarasota’s Most Trusted Compounding Pharmacy!

Please help us Welcome Kristin Read, RPh as our new Managing Pharmacist!

Kristin has over 26 years of experience in hospital, retail/ compounding, and long-term care sectors. She has a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy from the U of NC and a Bachelors in Chemistry from NC State University.

Be sure to say “Hi” the next time you’re in.

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SATURDAY, JAN. 29

19TH ANNUAL ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE ART FESTIVAL Jan. 29-30 at St. Armands Circle. Fine art returns to St. Armands Circle for a weekend-long festival featuring vendors and artists showcasing their work.

Free. For information, visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.

We Compound Various Strengths of Ivermectin* RAIN FOREST MASKS OF COSTA RICA Runs 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, visit Selby.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 29

NEW YEAR, NEW ART! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Creative Liberties Artist Studios, 901-B Apricot Ave. Studio artists and vendors will be on hand for the one-day event.

Free. For information, go to CreativeLiberties.net.

1926 TOUR 3:30 p.m. at Selby Five Points Park,

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1 Central Ave. Take a walk through downtown Sarasota in the context of the year 1926 during this hour-plus tour. $19.26. For information, go to CompassRoseHistory.com.

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5TH ANNUAL JUNGLE JAMBOREE 4:30 p.m. at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd.

This annual get-together brings face-painting, food and drinks and fundraising to Big Cat Habitat to support the Junior League of Sarasota. $30. For information, email Jamboree@JLSarasota.org.

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Change is in the air at rare coin club

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Pandemic has shaken up things for group that meets in Sarasota monthly.

HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

The Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery has been a fixture in Sarasota on South Washington Boulevard since 1991 and years before on Main Street.

As of late, it’s been home to something else as well.

The Sarasota Coin Club — a mix of men and women who pride themselves on being longtime coin collectors — meets at the gallery once a month to catch up, compare coins, plan trips and enjoy the hobby.

It’s been a relatively hectic time for the coin club, which has had to relocate and adjust operations in the wake of the pandemic. The group typically met in a fire station in Waldemere but had to move to the Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery for meetings more than six months ago.

“It’s been a little disjointed,” said David Klein, club president and one of the partners of Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery. “COVID has scared a lot of people off; we have a lot of elderly members.”

The coin club has historically held shows of its own, but COVID-19 has nixed those plans for the time being.

Members meet the third Monday of every month to go over plans to visit new coin shows, even going as far as to sponsor bus fare for transportation. The meetings often end with raffles and auctions.

Klein’s journey into coin collecting started when he found a job at a coin shop to make some extra cash when he wasn’t working at a restaurant. It was the tangible products that represent swaths of history that appealed to Klein.

“Everybody here would agree that it’s history,” Klein said. “There’s a reason why all these coins were minted, why they’re rare or not rare.

To have them nice and in beautiful condition, that’s rare.”

Klein’s time running the Sarasota Coin Club started in a more unexpected way; he jokes he never wanted it when it was offered 32 years ago.

The club was close to disbanding.

They asked Klein if they could host a meeting at his store. He agreed.

“At the first meeting, I was appointed vice president,” Klein said. “The next year I was president, and we took it from five people to 125.”

Klein feels the industry has done well during COVID. The lack of trade shows — a non-pandemic year would have him going to more than

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Matt Ruttley, a chief data officer with the Certified Collectibles Group, says his company’s Numismatic Guaranty Co. subsidiary has seen a surge in coin rating submissions since the start of the pandemic. Though there isn’t a firm answer as to why — Ruttley says many chalk it up to people looking through their collections while on lockdown, even though the upward trend continued after lockdowns ended — his personal belief is an increase in collecting groups on social media. “There are a plethora of Facebook and Instagram based groups that have brought in a new generation of collectors, fostering intense competition,” Ruttley said in an email.

David Klein has plenty of rare coins and valuables.

10 a year, but now it’s maybe two or three — has hurt business, but pivoting to online sales has proved essential.

“Rare coins and gold are hot,” Klein said. “People are worried about our economy. When things are scary for people, they take money out of banks and buy coins or collectibles.”

As it stands, coin shows are returning, and Klein has noticed an increased interest.

“You become attached; you love it,” Klein said. “The coins are beautiful, and they’re history – when you think about who held those coins in their hands.”

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ADVERTISMENT

The Thompson Group Joins William Raveis Real Estate Top Producing Team Expands Luxury Network in Sarasota

January 23, (Sarasota, FL) - William Raveis Real Estate (WRRE), the top family-owned real estate company in Florida and the Northeast is pleased to announce The Thompson Group has joined their family-owned brokerage.

The mother and son duo of Jennifer and Taylor Thompson along with fellow Realtor® Raeanne Malone specialize in luxury waterfront and golf community properties and have produced an eye-popping $75 Million in sales for 2021.

“Our affiliation with William Raveis Real Estate will ensure a significantly broader level of exposure along with enhanced marketing opportunities for my clients,” says Jennifer Thompson, who has been selling the Sarasota lifestyle for 10 years and launched The Thompson Group in 2020.

Pictured above left to right: Matt Lane, General Manager William Raveis FL, The Thompson Group; Raeanne Malone, Jennifer Thompson, Taylor Thompson, Brian Tresidder, Sales Manager

“We are truly honored to have sales associates the caliber of Jennifer and Taylor join us, they are exceptional professionals who operate a highly successful luxury real estate team,” says Matt Lane, General Manager and Managing Broker of WRRE in Florida, a luxury real estate powerhouse with more than 140 offices and 4,400 agents across Florida, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. WRRE has produced a record $4.5 Billion in sales in Florida and $20.5 billion in company sales for 2021, up over 20 percent from 2020. “There’s no other brokerage like us in Sarasota, considering 4 of the top 5 states having the most people moving to Sarasota County are from the Northeast, we offer a brand awareness and marketing network unlike any other”, adds Lane.

“This is an opportune time for us to make this change, I was impressed with William Raveis Real Estate from the very first time I spoke with Bill and his team,” said Jennifer Thompson. “As a family- owned and run company, they make decisions like we do, always looking to make the best possible choices to strengthen our business. Our team shares a supportive culture, focused on customer service, and we look forward to building on that within the Raveis footprint.” Adds Thompson.

Jennifer Thompson is in the Top 1% of Realtors in Sarasota and Manatee counties, her exceptional marketing skills, knowledge of the marketplace and first-class customer service brings her customers the results they expect from a leader in luxury sales. She has multiple top producing awards and holds a Graduate Institute of Realtors® designation.

The Ohio State Buckeye attributes her success to a genuine passion for helping people whether they are buying or selling or relocating to a place she calls home. Jennifer’s kind nature, unwavering patience, and steady work ethic have earned her a true reputation for excellence. Jennifer will go the extra mile in every facet to exceed her customer’s expectations from the first visit to closing. She will help you find “your little piece of paradise” from golf to the gulf and everything in between.

As a true local, born and raised in Sarasota, Taylor Thompson knows the ins and outs of the greater Sarasota area which results in his uncanny ability to pair each client with their ideal home. Taylor’s positive and amiable nature translates into a professional, friendly, and stress-free buying or selling experience for his clients. No stranger to the outdoors and the exceptional lifestyle Sarasota has to offer, you’ll find Taylor spending his free time golfing, boating, taking his dog, Finn, to the park and spending time with family and friends.

The Thompson Group has built a strong reputation assisting both Sellers and Buyers of luxury properties in Sarasota and the Lakewood Ranch areas achieve their goals. Sarasota and Siesta Key offer spectacular vistas, world-class beaches and some of the country’s most uniquely styled estate homes.

To contact The Thompson Group please call Jennifer at 941.928.0790 or email to Jennifer.Thompson@raveis.com.

About William Raveis Real Estate William Raveis Real Estate is the number one family-owned real estate company in Florida and the Northeast, and the sixth largest independent real estate brokerage in the United States, according to RealTrends. William Raveis, WRRE’s CEO and Chairman, founded the company 47 years ago and has turned it into a real estate powerhouse with more than 4,400 talented sales associates across 140 offices in Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. WRRE is the only privately held firm offering mortgage, insurance and title services under one roof to its clients, thereby creating a seamless end-to-end customer experience. In 2021, William Raveis closed $20.5 billion in real estate sales, $2 billion in mortgages, serviced 30,000 insurance customers, and closed over 29,000 transactions.

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

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

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Tower Residences, 1505 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,659 Sq. Ft. Joan Dickinson & Beth Afflebach 941-914-0496 A4522557 $4,400,000

BRADENTON 8415 Broadstone Court 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,189 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4515827 $4,395,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $3,999,000

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

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

SIESTA KEY 1001 Point Of Rocks Road 412 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,370 Sq. Ft. Perry Corneau 941-650-4626 A4512199 $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 5533 Cape Aqua Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,302 Sq. Ft. Brian Loebker 941-735-4393 A4517797 $1,395,000

SIESTA KEY 1080 W Peppertree Lane 807A 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,105 Sq. Ft. Kristina Waskom 941-266-8658 A4521530 $1,299,000

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 8821 Misty Creek Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,244 Sq. Ft. Bernadette Caswell 941-320-8265 A4521942 $1,200,000

SARASOTA 1917 Rose Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,839 Sq. Ft. Maria Beck PA & Jalina Beck 646-531-4118 A4521547 $1,150,000

BRADENTON 1523 1st Avenue W 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,500 Sq. Ft. Fran DeDona & Pam Goodwin 941-812-5023 A4505327 $999,750

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

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

BRADENTON 348 Snapdragon Loop 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,469 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4519347 $795,000

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

SARASOTA 1111 N Gulfstream Avenue 2D 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,736 Sq. Ft. Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear 941-951-6660 A4522274 $720,000

SARASOTA 1039 23rd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4519506 $699,000

SARASOTA 3000 S Jefferson Avenue 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,398 Sq. Ft. David D'Angelo 941-587-7268 A4522342 $575,000

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

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

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

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condominium in The Phoenix tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Reginald and Lauren Saint-Hilaire, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 302 condominium at 136 Golden Gate Point to Murray and Lila Zedeck, of Fort Lauderdale, for $3.1 million.

Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths and 3,785 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,225,000 in 2018.

SARASOTA

THE BLVD OF SARASOTA Tanner Johnson, of Wichita, Kansas, sold his Unit 604 condominium at 540 N. Tamiami Trail to William Read and Angela Panzica, of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, for $2.35 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,676 square feet of living area.

BUCCANEER BAY Joseph Carbone and Barbara Carbone, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1899 Buccaneer Circle to Wayne and LeAnna Miller, of Sarasota, for $945,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,942 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2000.

RENAISSANCE Lewis and Rita Nardini, of Richardson, Texas, sold their Unit 1011 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to Allison and Glen Jacobs, of Decatur, Georgia, for $800,000.

Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,420 square feet of living area. It sold for $620,000 in 2019.

Glen and Allison Jacobs, of Decatur, Georgia, sold their Unit 1116 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to William Michael Hallman and Bina Mehta Hallman, of Durham, North Carolina, for $503,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,120 square feet of living area. It sold for $286,000 in 2005.

Mahvash Eshaghian, of Woodland Hills, California, sold her Unit 1118 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to Janice Zarro Wood, trustee, of Sarasota, for $479,000. Built

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JAN. 10-14.

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

SIESTA KEY: $2.15 MILLION

Sarasota Beach WTEM 638 LLC sold the home at 638 Calle Del Otono to Henry and Amy Morton, of Sarasota, for $2.15 million. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,582 square feet of living area.

It sold for $907,500 in 2014.

PALMER RANCH: $1.08 MILLION Legacy Estates on Palmer Ranch Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 12048 Legacy Estates Blvd. to Ara Anthony Avedisian and Margarita Anesti Avedisian, of Sarasota, for $1,080,800. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,686 square feet of living area.

Courtesy photo

Unit 302 at 136 Golden Gate Point was built in 2001. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,785 square feet of living area.

in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,055 square feet of living area. It sold for $305,000 in 2002.

HIBISCUS PARK Jennifer Bright, of Sarasota, sold her home at 2123 Sunnyside Lane to Paul and Melissa McManus, of Sarasota, for $785,000. Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,279 square feet of living area. It sold for $288,000 in 2014.

SOUTH GATE Merinda Mazie, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 2761 Goldenrod St. to Goldenrod Property LLC for $700,000. Built in 1959, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,563 square feet of living area. It sold for $230,000 in 2020.

of living area. It sold for $212,100 in 2014.

POINSETTIA PARK Opendoor Property Trust I sold the home at 1947 Magnolia St. to Antony Astmann, of Sarasota, for $605,000. Built in 1951, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,324 square feet of living area. It sold for $593,000 in 2021.

PINEHURST PARK Hong Ung and Amy Chen, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2140 Pinehurst St. to Anhlac Bao Pham, of Germantown, Maryland, for $580,000. Built in 1975, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,795 square feet of living area. It sold for $200,000 in 2014.

ANR Group & Trust LLC sold the home at 2201 Tuttle Ave. to Artem Olegovich Kiryukhin and Larisa Kiryukhin, of San Rafael, California, for $597,500. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,687 square feet of living area. It sold for $265,000 in 2021.

OSPREY: $2 MILLION

Oaks Harry Edgeworth and Barbara Sue Edgeworth, trustees, of Bedford, Indiana, sold the home at 249 Shell Midden Court to Edward and Patricia Carmody, of La Fayette, Georgia, for $2 million.

Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, four-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,620 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.65 million in 2009.

NOKOMIS: $2.6 MILLION

Casey Key Robert Bain Bry and Heather Ann Sullivan, trustees, of Medford, New Jersey, sold the home at 707 Casey Key Road to J. Dean Stauffer and Shelagh Stauffer, trustees, of Nokomis, for $2.6 million. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,400 square feet of living area. It sold for $165,000 in 1983.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

Mary Ellen Morton and Marjorie Ann McCallar, trustees, of Andrews, North Carolina, sold the home at 2315 S. Brink Ave. to Kathryn Wright, of Sarasota, for $470,000. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,611 square feet of living area.

Cynthia Kathryn Dumbaugh, of Nokomis, sold her home at 2611 Wisteria Place to Target Financial Services LLC for $455,000. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,052 square feet

29

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

REAL ESTATE

Golden Gate Point condo sells for $3.1 million

|

Longboat Key

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

SALES GALLERY NOW OPEN

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued for the week of Jan. 10-14 , in order of dollar amounts.

Downtown St. Petersburg

CITY OF SARASOTA Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

888 Blvd. of the Arts #605

Remodel

Timothy Christensen

1640 Bayview Drive

Re-roof

Brian Murphy

3322 Higel Ave.

Pool/Spa

Randall Ferman

$68,000

394 S. Shore Drive

Seawall/Dock/Lift

David Barcomb

$60,000

659 45th St.

Pool/Deck

Alex Panasevich

$42,650

1124 S. Orange Ave.

Seawall

Michael Naughton

$33,758

2139 Hawthorne St.

Windows

Barbara Olin, trsutee

$29,803

2988 Michigan St.

Electrical

Cindy Smith

$24,805

1500 South Drive

Mechanical

James Miller

$23,642

1590 Gulfview Drive

Piling

Brian Reeves

$23,638

$143,200 $73,347

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

12612 Night View Drive

Pool

Lars Weimer

$95,000

662 Fernwalk Lane

Windows/Door

John Sobczak

$90,927

5616 Soft Skies Drive

Pool/Spa

Joshua Lapides

$75,440

140 Sugar Mill Drive

Windows/Door

David Knox

$71,244

2531 Monterey St.

Pool/Spa

Seth Steinhauer

$47,606

8909 Huntington Pointe Drive Re-roof

Scott Hagan

$42,495

1826 Meadowood St.

Re-roof

Marla Hough

$40,000

1794 Amethyst Lane

Re-roof

Karen Orr

$39,900

1350 N. Portofino Drive #210 Windows/Door

Martin Thurston

$39,000

7081 La Ronda Court

Sandra Oliver

Re-roof

$36,745

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.

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

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

Licensed Real Estate Broker

370931-1

Address

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Night Market Fun T

Temple Beth Sholom invites you to a

HAVDALAH OPEN HOUSE

he monthly RADD Night Market kicked off a night of food, music and fun in the Rosemary District on Jan. 20.

Attendees gathered in the Rosemary District for the nightime event held on the third Thursday of every month. Vendors sold their homemade wares while children and families danced to music throughout the evening.

This month’s night market was followed soon after by the reimagined PINCfest art and music event that went on through the weekend.

New & Prospective TBS Members please join us January 29, 2022, at 6:00 PM at a private outdoor venue; details will be provided upon registration RSVP Susan Cahn info@templebethsholomfl.org

372346-1

*Kosher refreshments provided, Must be fully vaccinated to attend*

www.templebethsholomfl.org - 941.955.8121 - info@templebethsholomfl.org

— HARRY SAYER

Jim Lampl and Allison Jacobs

Sandy Cove: Hidden Gem on Siesta Key

Photos by Harry Sayer

Evann Dickerson, Jody Sayre, Tara Dickerson and Carolyn Billinget

22 Sandy Cove Rd #201, Sarasota, FL 34242

• Spacious, updated, turnkey furnished unit in coveted Sandy Cove • 2 Master Suites with a tranquil lake view • Gulf front private beach, fishing pier & kayak storage • Impact glass windows and doors • Full size washer and dryer in unit

• Elevator or walk up to second floor • Lush tropical setting • Short stroll to quaint Siesta Village for dining, shopping and entertainment • Big dogs welcome

MLS A4523142 $988,000

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

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

355847-1

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

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

Above: Sydney Baulier and DreamLarge Director Julia Groom Right: Megan and Cohen Sanders

Coldwell Banker Realty Owned and Operated by NRT,LLC

Get Behind the Headlines Your membership supports independent local journalism

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

ea Becomoday! ie T News

May: Wine & Wisdom Aug.: Candidate Forum

$ /mo.

Or $50

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

Feb.: Sarasota City Update by City Manager

here, at home, in your neighborhood.*

5

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year

JOIN TODAY, VISIT YourObserver.com/newsies

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

373451-1

30

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

|

31

Sarasota’s Best Voted One of

28 Years in a Row!

YOUR HOME DESERVES Hunter Douglas!

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

Above: The night market was followed by the PINCFest in the Rosemary District.

Right: Monica Lee and Dakota Wojcik with Oakley

372410-1

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

371029-1

Miles, Justin, Summer and Hudson Bloom

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

$137,000,000 PENDING & SOLD IN 2021

“Judie Berger is magic. Incredible work ethic and local knowledge. She is totally professional and yet so much fun. She negotiated the top price for us, and we will always be grateful!”

NEW

SOLD

SUCCESS STORIES

Jane & Jeff Johnson

BUYER | $4.6M LP

SELLER | $4.5M LP

SOLD

Rick Brown

1

No.

SIESTA KEY’S TOP SELLING REALTOR ® SINCE 2005

3 DAYS | SELLER | $1.832M | ABOVE LIST

5354 SHADOW LAWN DR | $1.495M

PENDING

SOLD

“Judie and her team were awesome! This was our first house purchased in Florida and they were able to walk us through any potential road blocks we might have run into not knowing the differences with FL real estate. They were able to help us narrow our very broad search criteria and find a great house in a location that works very well for us. They made us feel valued and part of their team the entire time.

We finished the experience happy with our house purchase and feeling like we had friends we could reach out to. They are professional and have great experience to lean on.”

NEW

117 PIERSON LN | $1.395M

1 DAY | 528 RALPH ST | $995K

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

BUYING OR SELLING? SCAN THE CODE FOR MORE INFO

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.

371713-1

941.928.3424 | judie.berger@premiersir.com

32

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 27 High: 69 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 14%

FRIDAY, JAN. 28 High: 65 Low: 47 Chance of rain: 24%

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise

Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 27

7:18a

6:08p

Friday, Jan. 28

7:18a

6:08p

Saturday, Jan. 29

7:17a

6:10p

Sunday, Jan. 30

7:17a

6:10p

Monday, Jan. 31

7:17a

6:11p

Tuesday, Feb. 1

7:16a

6:12p

Wednesday, Feb. 2

7:16a

6:12p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 29 High: 50 Low: 38 Chance of rain: 1%

SUNDAY, JAN. 30 High: 51 Low: 43 Chance of rain: 0% Michele Jasen captured this bald eagle flying away from its nest on Lido Key.

Feb. 23 Last

March 2 New

March 10 First

March 18 Full

RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 17

0.05

Tuesday, Jan. 18

0

Wednesday, Jan. 19

0

Thursday, Jan. 20

0

Friday, Jan. 21

0

Saturday, Jan. 22

0

Sunday, Jan. 23

0.01

*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 0.44 in.

2021 0.63 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 0.44 in.

0.63 in.

2021

MANASOTA FLOORING INC KARASTAN, MOHAWK, AIRO, SMARTSTRAND, ALL PET 941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

celebrity cipher

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE by Val Melius. Edited by David Steinberg 118 Word before “thy father” 119 “I don’t know how ___ does it!”

120 IHOP serving

DOWN

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

29 Some med. drama sets 30 Juliet’s boo 1 Shells in an Italian 31 “Sherlock” network, in seafood dish, say? the U.K. 6 Expert 32 Happen without effort 9 ___ diem 37 “Disco Inferno” refrain 14 Manager of corp. ac(... letters 11-8) counts 43 In a crowd of 17 Cookies in many 44 Shaves crosswords 46 Eye, in Ibiza 18 ___ Vegas 47 “Don’t move, Fido!”

19 Stuffed Indian pastry 48 D.C. MLB player 20 Plasma globe, e.g.

49 “Wreck-It ___” (2012 21 Chicks’ noises film) 22 Michael Jordan’s 51 Commenced Tarheel State sch.

53 Allen of “Assembly 23 Movie theaters Required” 24 Brisbane bouncer, 54 Comfortably wealthy briefly (... letters 9-6) 25 Phablet released in 2014 (In this clue’s answer, 58 Company concerned with fake reviews see letters 15-12)

59 “That’s too bad,” oldstyle 60 What slip-ons lack 61 Heron’s habitat 62 Oodles 63 Hesitates 64 Source of Pringles 66 Fireplace flakes 69 Font with a Narrow style 70 Practical folks 74 Gas in Sin City signs 75 Parting words (... letters 14-10) 78 Explosive letters 79 Enjoys a short break 80 Elizabeth of “Avengers: Endgame” 81 Anti-piracy warning org.

82 Smidgen 84 “Whaddaya know!”

85 Come clean about 87 Ducks’ are webbed 88 Broke the ice with humor (... letters 9-6) 92 Singers’ charity events 95 “Families of the Mafia” channel 96 Coins in Cologne 98 Name within “admiral” 99 Does everything possible, or a theme hint 109 Know-it-___ 110 Enjoyed a short break 111 “Found it!”

112 Potions professor at Hogwarts 113 ___ with caution 114 Less distant 115 Dark ‘n’ Stormy liquor 116 Conversation focus 117 Some, in French

1 Bubble Wrap noises 2 Cross-section calculation 3 Look to be 4 Odds-on favorite 5 Make certain 6 Outlet insert 7 Sounded like a phone 8 Muppet who sang “I Love Trash” 9 V formation?

10 “Preach it!”

11 Longtime Cowboys QB Tony 12 H.S. exam 13 Slip past 14 Netflix subscriber, often 15 Its legs go into the dish swikee 16 “Island Prelude” woodwind 19 Philly NBA player 23 “The Rebel” author Albert 26 Surveillance grp.

27 Lung division 28 Subsides 32 “Zip your lip!”

33 Many a Muscat Festival attendee 34 Oven gloves 35 Paintball sounds 36 Like most lapdogs 38 Not genuine 39 A wee bit open 40 Very thin 41 Trains travel on them 42 Minor nature goddess 45 P, in Greek 49 Seized autos 50 Landed 51 Bend under pressure 52 Some seek a more perfect union 55 Van ___ (“Jump” band) 56 Waves wildly

57 Bygone legal drama with Susan Dey 58 “Feel me?”

61 1998 Disney role for Ming-Na Wen 63 Londoner, e.g.

64 Handles efficiently 65 Spread written with two accents 66 Piece of mischief 67 Mister, in Managua 68 Spicy Mexican foods 69 Offshore 70 Artifact 71 Not as dangerous 72 Asian land where “The Golden Child” is set 73 Peevish moods 75 Impulse 76 Requirement 77 Parent celebrated in May 83 Last part of “The Tempest” 85 Ohio rubber city 86 Cole of “Black-ish” 87 “Don’t worry,” biblically 89 Gripe 90 King’s card?

91 Word before “space” or “planet” 93 Minor quibble 94 Pizza leftovers, perhaps 97 Scorches 99 Praise to the skies 100 “What ___ is new?”

101 By oneself 102 “Shanghai ___” (2000 martial arts Western) 103 “And I should care because ...?”

104 “Nah!” 105 Thelma or Louise 106 California wine region 107 Movie such as “Gladiator” 108 Backyard barbecue site

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“C RCEV HVWNW RJE J RJO HM PYMR OMG RWNW CY HVW LMMX MIX XJOE TWKMNW OMG JAHGJIIO IWKH HVWS.” – WX VWISE “VFVUDYERAZ DHK PMAY YH SV, DHK MTUVMID MUV. DHK’UV WRNOTD HA YEV OMYE YH IRWXHFVURAZ RY.” – MTRXRM CVDW “DR PRRO GSAR THPOPREE, GSAR BSGFJEEHSP, GSAR VSZ, GSAR WJMIKXRA. H ORNHPHXRWZ DJPX XS BSPXAHCMXR XS XKJX.” – RWWRP ORIRPRARE Puzzle Three Clue: C equals B

crossword

371150-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue: P equals W

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue: P equals K

CARPET

© 2022 NEA, Inc.

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

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-27-22

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Adult Care Services

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

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

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages FOR SALE: 2 Vintage 1960's, ZPM Radonsko/Michael Thonet #18, bentwood cane seat chairs.

Good Condition $65 (941)504-0165

LIFETIME OUTDOOR Storage Bin Model 60040 -- $100 5' wide x 2' deep x 2' high.

941-925-3084 POST HOLE digger brand new. $25 Brand new chaise lounge white, cushions, 2 for $7. Ladies golf clubs full set, $50 941-228-9467 SILICON INFRA red heater, 15W, timer up/down temp. as new, $75 941-321-5136 WHEELCHAIR BY ki., new asking $125 , cement pelican 2 foot tall painted $65 941-359-8460

Announcements

Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 B e d 2 B a th Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000

www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

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.

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

Call 941-726-2677.

Help Wanted BUSINESS CONSULTANT to consult, advise & suggest solutions for the company's overall business model. Create in-depth reports & presentations, etc.

Mon-Fri 40hrs/wk. Bachelor’s in Business Mgmt./Admin. or related field of study OR 24 mos. as Business Consultant/related occupation req’d. Mail Resume to D&P Remodeling & Maintenance LLC, 1057 Willis Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232

11:00am-4:30pm Compensation: $130

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

Signup at https://signupdirect.com for consideration.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION Chapter Administrator - The Sarasota chapter of the YPO (Young Presidents Organization) seeks an organized professional to manage chapter business.

This role will manage the membership database, member communication, schedule and organize events, manage chapter website, and track checks and payments. Looking for 3-5 years of administrative experience.

Proficiency in Word, Excel, and website content management.

Detail-oriented, responsible, and able to work independently. If this describes you, please send your resume to Sam Samuelson at samsam3942@gmail.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

RED PAGES RED PAGES CALL TODAY CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 941-955-4888 Painting 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.

This week’s Crossword answers

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage CALL 941-955-4888

Adult Care Services

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Autos Wanted

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

Requirements: Sarasota Co resident with valid FL DL or State ID, laptop or desktop with working web camera, speakers, microphone, and zoom.

SARASOTA COUNTY RESIDENTS

Cleaning

Advertise your business Observer or service inyour the business Advertise or service in the Observer

Real Estate Wanted

Get paid to evaluate an actual court case from home.

ONLINE MOCK JURORS NEEDED

SINGLE DAY EVENT

pinpointsale@gmail.com

GOLF OUTING - LONGBOAT KEY CLUB February 17th 8:00am Harborside Course. $150 including awards luncheon. Call St. Mary’s Church office M-F for entry form (941-383-1255)

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

Call for coming soon listings.

Drivetype: AWD I need to sell it urgently contact mesell through emailcontact I need to it urgently pinpointsale@gmail.com me through email

CALL 941-955-4888

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

YourObserver.com/RedPages

engine fault.

Mercedes-Benz G550 4MATIC..................$25,000 Mercedes-Benz G550 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550 4MATIC..................$25,000 4MATIC 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550 Mileage: 10,812 4MATIC Fuel: Gasoline Mileage: 10,812 Exterior Black Fuel: Color: Gasoline Interior Color: Exterior Color: Black Black Transmission: Automatic Interior 7-Speed Color: Black Engine: 5.5L V8 32V MPFI DOHC Transmission: 7-Speed Automatic Drivetype: Engine: 5.5L V8 32VAWD MPFI DOHC

to clean out your garage

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

BUY & SELL HERE!

FOR SALE Mercedes-Benz FOR SALEG550 4MATIC $25000 Mercedes-Benz G550 I want to4MATIC sell my $25000 Mercedes-Benz G550 I am the first I want to 4MATIC, sell my Mercedes-Benz owner this car Iand is barely G550of4MATIC, am itthe first used foroffive owner thismonths, car andNo it isaccident barely record and is noNo mechanical used for fivethere months, accident record and thereoris no mechanical engine fault. or

RED PAGES

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

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

941-323-9417.

FUJI BICYCLE stepthrough 3” 26 inch wheel size Saratoga 2.0, silver. $199 941-927-9816

Use the

941-955-4888

Merchandise Wanted

Autos for Sale

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

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

©2022 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

BALI VERTICAL fabric blinds.

38x44, (2) 70x56, 104x56. Thatch toffee color. $199 (941) 966-6816

SELL IT NOW!

Homes for Sale

Auto Transport

peekers’ place

21 CU.FT Freezer bought new Paper 2001- 32 degrees Key $200+ (941) 879-7884

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

home services

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

DOWNSIZING FEBRUARY 3rd - 5th, 9am-2pm. Electronics, furniture, kitchenware, bedding, outdoor/yard items & much more!

7521 SUNDIAL TERRACE

Autos Wanted

jobs

Items Under $200

ANNUAL INDIAN BEACH SAPPHIRE SHORES NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE50+ HOUSEHOLDS: January 29 & 30th: 9a.m.-3p.m.

Please remember to bring your mask!

auto

stuff

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

real estate

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

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.

MOW MOWOVER OVERthe thecompetition! competition!

Made for where you live. Here!

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them.”

Ed Helms Puzzle Two Solution: “Everything you want to be, you already are. You’re simply on the path to discovering it.”

Alicia Keys Puzzle Three Solution: “We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.”

Ellen DeGeneres

This week’s Sudoku answers

Epic Home Care Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s CareLight Cleaning Med AdministrationMeal Prep Shopping, Errands & More Call for a FREE Evaluation!

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

©2022 NEA, Inc.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Computer

Doors

Sliding Glass Door Repair

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

6968 Beneva Road

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

941-929-9095

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

SELL YOUR CAR!

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

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU 371064

HoHoBuysCars.com

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

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Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

941-504-0903

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Handyman

Pegatronics.com

5-Star Rated

941-735-3362

371087

941.270.4400

Furniture Repair

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

371066

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

Concrete

Cleaning

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS #1 in IR REPA Crack 5%

CONCRETE FUSION

Interior/Exterior Painting Dryer Vent Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning

cell: 941.250.1505 • FREE Estimates

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S ome

“No Job Too Small” Driveways • Sidewalks

WITH THE RED PAGES

Reasonable Prices

Licensed & Insured

918-8587

Free Estimates

Doors

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

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Call us today! 941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

372503

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

eRvice

(941) 809-7311

FREE

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 Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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

Home Services

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

371097

Realtors

24/7 SERVICE

Servicing the Sarasota area since 1999

Also Laying Stone

epaiR

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

Michael Koch Concrete, Inc.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

Ron Chapman Home Service

BUZ CORP D/B/A

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

372501

371083

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

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

Naji Aoun

CRACK REPAIR

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

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

DON’T THROW YOUR COMPUTER OUT THE WINDOW – CALL LORITECH! 373445

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE” 372506

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

360495

373065

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

373059

Aluminum

371088

|

373446

SARASOTA OBSERVER

373439

34

Dave and Connie Grundy

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999

PALMER RANCH HOMEWATCHERS® Watching your home while you’re away

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

373069

373449

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

Pet Services

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

GRAB BARS

Pet Care

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

DRGRABBARS.COM

373447

Screening

Plumbing

THE GRAB BAR GUY

General Plumbing Services Inc. 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

GLENN KROECKER

• 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

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

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

Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

Trees

Power Washing

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Pressure Washing

Licensed & Insured

372511

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

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

Pressure Washing

(941) 345-5264

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

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

• Deck/Paver And Much More

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com 373061

Lawn Care

724-2945

Wizard Moving SRQ

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

Licensed 373071

make your moving day a pleasure.

Licensed and insured #IMT708

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

Medical Support Therapy for:

“No Job Too Small”

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

ows

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Gulf Gate RoofinG inc.

SPECIAL 00

Specializing in Re-Roofing & Repairs

Purified water window cleaning available!!

LEAKY ROOF? 38 Years Experience

All Work Guaranteed

941-228-9850

SHOALVIEW THERAPY, LLC

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing as Sunrise Wi n w o n k Sun y l nd er

Roofing

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

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

Res./Com.

Insured

941-270-1561

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

371100

941-232-1192 Windows

Eldridge Re-Screen

Movers

Ray - 941-313-4538

Licensed & Insured

10 Years Experience

Rescreening & Repairs

Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance Lic. & Ins.

| scaperotta@aol.com

Italian American Owned

373070

3687676-01

Curt’s Lawn Service

941-544-1066

BEFORE

AFTER

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

373073

Call John 941.377.2940

373443

371089

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

371104

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

373-9299

372516

COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH TO S. VENICE

Building & Roofing Contractor

Joe Murray, Owner

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

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

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

Fully Insured

State Licensed Contractor #CCC057066

HEROES

5

$

373072

CREATE BUZZ!

Advertise your business in the Red Pages.

Call 941-955-4888

372517

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. • Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

(941) 966-2960

372751 364556

941.966.0333

Melanie Gates

371102

235

$ 235

35

Roofing

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

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

$

by

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

373441

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

|

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s TOP PRODUCING TEAM in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

SIE S TA K E Y 6 4 8 B E ACH ROA D | $9,9 0 0,0 0 0 The ultimate in beachfront living. Enjoy daily beach walks, warm gentle Gulf breezes and endless water views from this one-of-a-kind residence on Siesta Key Beach. After a fun-filled Florida day, relax and enjoy a gorgeous sunset from one of the large Gulf-front terraces or equally spectacular rooftop pool deck.

U N D ER C O NTR AC T

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

SIE S TA K E Y 3 5 3 6 BAYO U LO U ISE L A N E | $6 ,975 ,0 0 0 Gulf-front estate on the north end of Siesta Key.

U N D ER C O NTR AC T

SIE S TA K E Y 5 3 0 0 AV ENIDA D EL M A RE | $2,0 0 0,0 0 0 Incredible waterfront opportunity on world-famous Siesta Key.

U N D ER C O NTR AC T

PRE S TA N CIA 3 9 4 4 LOSILLIA S D RIV E | $2,9 9 5 ,0 0 0 This modern estate is an architectural gem located in Palmer Ranch.

U N D ER C O NTR AC T

SIE S TA K E Y FL A MIN 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.

SA R ASOTA 37 3 6 M ERIDA LE ROA D | $1 2,0 0 0,0 0 0 This 13-acre walled and gated estate is located just south of Clark Road in Central Sarasota.

U N D ER C O NTR AC T

CAS TEL D EL M A RE 16 02 STI CK N E Y P O IN T ROA D #10 6 | $ 4 0 0,0 0 0 Ideally located just off Siesta Key’s south bridge on the mainland.

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

From the ISLANDS to the GREENS SARASOTA AND THE ISLANDS Joel Schemmel, J.D., REALTOR® 941.587.4894

LAKEWOOD RANCH Donna Soda, REALTOR® 941.961.5857 SCHEMMELSODAGROUP.COM

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

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

370144-1

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