Siesta key observer 3 2 17

SIESTA KEY

1

SEASON

Observer PB

Formerly the Pelican Press

SEASON

SEASON

017 SPRING 2

ERVE THE OBS

Y D SOCIET ARTS AN E TO THE R’S GUID

Season MUSIC DANCE ART magazine THEATER K TIE

BLAC INSIDE

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 47, NO. 32

FREE

•

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

CITY COMMISSION CLASH

Learn about the eight candidates and their stances in our pullout election guide. PAGE 13A

YOUR TOWN

Go for the art Sarasota artists go public for a cause. PAGE 1B

Courtesy photos

Garys celebrate 65 years of bliss

Anna Brugmann

Ellen McKeefe, a member of Sarasota Urban Sketchers, holds one of the many pieces that will be offered Thursday at the group’s sale.

Stay a little longer As Airbnb rises in popularity, residents are wary of short-term rentals in their neighborhood.

PAGE 9A

‘That’s the price we pay’ Siesta Beach’s No. 1 rankings come at a cost. PAGE 3A

John and Donna Gary celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Feb. 23. The couple, who met at their church in Chicago and moved to Sarasota in 1985, celebrated their anniversary by visiting Marc Chagall’s “Flowers and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams” exhibit at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and having dinner at Ophelia’s on the Bay. They also participated in “Say I Do Again” on Feb. 14 on Siesta Key. But, the secret to their long marriage doesn’t have to do with events and art exhibits. It’s something much more meaningful.

“It’s very simple,” John Gary said. “We’ve had our ups and downs in our marriage. We love each other very much, of course, but the main thing is we read our Bibles, and we pray together every single day.”

BLACK

INSIDE

TIE

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

WEEK OF MARCH 2, 2017

BY THE NUMBERS

8 days

minimum stay for vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods in the city.

SEE PAGE 9A

$9.8 million

estimated cost of a proposal to redesign Fruitville Road in downtown with roundabouts and fewer lanes.

SEE PAGE 4A

$592,191

cost of a six-month trial for a free Siesta Key trolley service.

SEE PAGE 20A

$9,000

money the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County needs to raise to pay for an artists housing market study.

SEE PAGE 12A

MEETING n Regular City

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Commission meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, March 6, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota

Sarasota County may lose another administrator

“It was the place to be on Lido at one time, but that time has come and gone.”

Carl Shoffstall, Lido Key Residents Association president, on the proposed redevelopment of the former Helmsley Sandcastle hotel.

READ MORE ON PAGE 6A

Ringling College alumni take home Oscars It’s no secret that Ringling College of Art and Design is home to some serious film-school talent. At Sunday’s 87th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, this fact was broadcast for millions of viewers, as many of the art college’s alumni took home Oscars for their work.

Twenty-three Ringling graduates worked with Disney Animation Studios on “Zootopia,” which won an Oscar for best animated feature film.

Patrick Osborne, a 2003 computer animation graduate, also earned a nomination for best animated short for his virtual reality film, “Pearl,” the first Academy Award nominee of its kind. Osborne won an Oscar in 2014 for his animated short, “Feast.”

“We are consistently amazed with the creativity and achievements of our graduates,” Ringling College President Larry R. Thompson said in a Feb. 27 release. “We applaud their recognition by the Academy last night and congratulate them and all of our graduates who have been honored through the nomination process by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for their mastery in telling powerful and moving visual stories.”

Last year’s awards ceremony recognized 13 Ringling graduates who worked on Pixar Studios’ animated feature “Inside Out.” In 2015, 29

Courtesy illustration

Zootopia, worked on by 23 Ringling grads, won an Oscar on Sunday.

graduates worked on Disney’s Oscar-winning “Big Hero 6.”

Film producer Adele Romanski, a Pine View High School

graduate, also accepted the Oscar for “Moonlight,” which won best picture.

In what could continue the shake-up of Sarasota County’s executive team, Pasco County commissioners have chosen Assistant County Administrator Mark Cunningham as a finalist to replace Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker.

The Pasco County Commission last week narrowed its search for a new administrator to five candidates, including Cunningham. After joining Sarasota County in 2012, he now oversees community service departments, which include parks, recreation and natural resources, emergency services and libraries, among others.

Pasco County executive recruiting consultant Mark J. Morien called Cunningham “a future star with unlimited potential,” according to a Tampa Bay Times article.

Pasco Public Information Officer Doug Tobin confirmed Cunningham was a finalist.

The news came the same day Sarasota County Administrator Tom Harmer announced the hiring of North Port City Manager Jonathan Lewis to replace Assistant County Administrator Jonathan Evans, who plans to take a position managing the city of Riviera Beach.

That means if Pasco County chooses Cunningham, half of Sarasota County’s four-person administrative team, which includes Deputy County Administrator Steve Botelho, — will be new to the position.

Redefining Service for

Luxury Real Estate

Are you looking for the best value in your real estate transaction?

I’m Jeff Rhinelander and here’s why you will want to make sure I’m your representative buying or selling your Sarasota or Longboat Key condo or home. I bring you 10 years of experience in the negotiation of high-stakes contracts on behalf of one of the largest health care companies in North America. My professional experience has taught me the importance of building relationships and the value of hard work, honesty and integrity. You can rest assured that with me as your Sarasota real estate agent, you will receive the best price on the home of your dreams along some of the most desirable coastline in the world.

For me, being a real estate agent isn’t just about the transaction. It’s about developing relationships. It’s not just about property. It’s about families and building life-long memories. Whether you’re a seasoned investor looking for property, a first time home buyer or a professional seeking a vacation property with a private deck, I can help you find the best property for the right price.

Contact me today to find the perfect real estate solution for you.

Jeff Rhinelander • REALTOR ® • Ocean Real Estate For more information call 941.685.3590 or email Jeff@JeffRhinelander.com Visit JeffRhinelander.com today.

400 Madison dRiVE, suitE 220 | st aRMands CiRClE | saRasota, FloRida

227442

WH AT’S H APPENING

2A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

3A

We’re No. 1!

Siesta Key Beach is tops — again. All the praise might be good for tourism, but some residents aren’t basking in the attention.

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

O

n Siesta Key, it’s not lonely at the top.

This year, TripAdvisor ranked Siesta Key Beach No. 1 in the country and No. 5 in the world. Siesta was on top of the travel site’s ranking of the best beaches in the U.S. in 2015, too. (The beach fell all the way to No. 3 in 2016.)

The accolades aren’t anything new. The fine, white sand makes it one of the most iconic shorelines in the nation. Anyone who’s driven around Siesta Key has seen the road signs touting the No. 1 ranking Siesta Beach got from Stephen Leatherman — better known as Dr. Beach — in 2011.

County and tourism officials are eager to tout these rankings as a success story.

“I think what it really shows is the enduring love that visitors have for Siesta Beach and how much people really like all the new enhancements,” said Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley, referring to the $21.5 million beach improvement project the county completed last year.

But for longtime Siesta Key residents, success comes at a price.

Every evening, a large group gathers at Sunset Point near Beach Access 2 to take in the sights as the day comes to a close. Once the sun has descended below the horizon, most people leave — but those who stick around are mostly

Photos by David Conway

The higher profile of Siesta Key Beach has made it more attractive to tourists like Balaji Katari, Mahesh Ellenty and Ashish Gupta. But Siesta Key residents say the top rankings have come with some negative side effects.

year-round residents.

These residents obviously enjoy the natural beauty of Siesta Key. They like it enough to keep living there. But as the beach has garnered more national attention, the character of the island has changed, they say.

The traffic is the big problem.

It goes beyond just congestion.

People come from out of town and don’t know how to drive in Sarasota — either they’re too aggressive, or they don’t go fast enough.

There are other issues residents bring up. People leave their trash behind on the beach, which is also too crowded. The bars in the village are too rowdy. The island is too built-out. The county doesn’t do enough to address the needs of the average Siesta Key citizen.

Ed Sturm, a 25-year resident of Siesta, sums up his feelings about the No. 1 rankings bluntly.

“I wish Dr. Beach never heard of this place,” Sturm said.

It’s not fair to say all Siesta Key residents are this blasé about the honors bestowed to the beach.

Visitors to Siesta Key Beach take in the sunset at Beach Access 2. Even among those off-put by the increased tourism, Siesta’s natural beauty remains alluring.

When Siesta Isles resident Tony Romanus saw the news about the most recent TripAdvisor ranking, it brought him back to his family’s original decision to move to the area.

“My wife and I fell in love with Siesta Key the very first time we were here when we walked on that beach,” Romanus said. “It was a February day, and it was incredible. Here we are — we ended up buying a house.”

He said there’s a natural instinct for residents to want to keep Siesta Key somewhat of a hidden treasure. At the same time, Romanus said, the tourism keeps the local businesses on the Key afloat.

“There’s pros and cons,” he said. “There’s eight weeks or so of really tough traffic. That’s the price we pay.”

Siesta resident Nora Patterson was on the County Commission when Dr. Beach ranked Siesta Key No. 1. She thinks the TripAdvisor rankings — which are based on user reviews and have come after the county improvement project — reflect increased satisfaction from tourists to the area.

The renovations included a new pavilion, enhanced landscaping and the addition of parking spaces. Patterson said the improvements were long overdue, and might only add to the outside interest in Siesta Beach moving forward.

“If you think of a gorgeous painting and it’s in a frame that’s not very attractive, it doesn’t get appreciated quite as much,” Patterson said.

She acknowledged the character of the island has changed during the past five decades, but said it would be impossible to keep such a high-quality beach under wraps today. Change may come with some less desirable side effects, but that doesn’t necessarily make change bad.

“I’ve lived here since 1970,”

Patterson said. “When we first moved there, when you went, you could go to the beach in the summer and you might be the only person you could actually see on either side of you. That’s changed.

It certainly is charming to be the only person on the beach, but our folks need jobs. Tourism is a big producer of jobs.”

Brett Amundson is a new resident on Siesta Key, and the beach played a big role in his decision to make his home there. He planned to come down on a temporary basis as he helped a friend repair a house. He took to the area almost immediately.

He recalled a night in his first month in the area. There was a full moon, and he was walking along the beach. The reflection of the moonlight against the sand illuminated his surroundings.

He marveled at the scene — and vowed to buy a phone with a better camera.

With or without the No. 1 rankings, it’d be hard to scare off people like Amundson, or like Romanus years before him, who fall in love with the natural beauty of Siesta Beach.

“Having lived on the other coast of Florida, the beaches over here are so pristine,” Amundson said. “It’s something you just don’t find anywhere else.”

For Haley, success begets more success. Marketing Siesta Beach isn’t the most challenging job in the world, but the No. 1 rankings are an opportunity to make an even more convincing sell to prospective visitors. Haley is determined to keep making that pitch.

“We blew it out of the water with promotion and we’ll be doing that again,” she said. “Because people can’t rank Siesta No. 1 until they visit.”

Whether you think the attention is good or bad, Siesta Beach seems fated to remain in the spotlight.

“My wife and I fell in love with Siesta Key the very first time we were here when we walked on that beach. It was a February day, and it was incredible.

Here we are — we ended up buying a house.”

— Tony Romanus, Siesta Isles resident

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Live Beautifully Live Beautifully Live Beautifully Live Beautifully

Lakehouse West is a privately owned upscale retirement community located in is beautiful Sarasota providing a warm Lakehouse West a privately ownedFlorida, upscale retirement community personalSarasota approach to senior living. a warm located and in beautiful Florida, providing Lakehouse West is personal a privately owned upscale retirement and approach to senior living. community located inyou beautiful Sarasota providing a warm We invite become part Florida, ofupscale our family and enjoy an Lakehouse West is ato privately owned retirement community and personal approach to senior living. independent andSarasota carefree lifestyle.

Our and goalenjoy to an located beautiful providing aiswarm We inviteinyou to become part Florida, of our family make independent the rest your lifecarefree the bestlifestyle. of life.

Fromiswellness, andofpersonal approach toyour senior living. and Our goal to We invite you to become part of our family and enjoy an fine dining, and social initiatives to scheduled transportation, make the rest of your life the best of your life. From wellness, independent and carefree lifestyle.

Our goal is to houskeeping and home maintenance, weand strive to meet We invite and you to full become part of scheduled our family enjoy an fine dining, social initiatives to transportation, make the needs rest of your life theamaintenance, best of your life.

From your to maintain vibrant and Our active lifestyle. independent and carefree lifestyle. iswellness, tomeet houskeeping and full home we goal strive to fine dining, and social initiatives toof scheduled transportation, make the needs rest ofto your life theabest your life. From wellness, your maintain vibrant and active lifestyle. houskeeping and full home maintenance, we transportation, strive to meet If the need arises, Lakehouse West has an elegant Assisted Living fine dining, and social initiatives to scheduled your needs to maintain a vibrant and active lifestyle. pavilion on-site providing you an 24 elegant hour houskeeping and full home maintenance, weservices. strive to meet If the need arises, Lakehouse West has Assisted Living your needs to maintain a vibrant and active lifestyle. pavilion on-site providing you 24 hour services.

If the need arises, Lakehouse West has an elegant Assisted Living pavilion providing you an 24 elegant hour services.

If the need arises,on-site Lakehouse West has Assisted Living

Fruitville Road proposals draw strong criticism Area leaders, cyclists and commission candidates have spoken out against a narrower Fruitville — but city planners believe the idea can work.

pavilion on-site providing you 24 hour services.

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

Make the rest of your life the best of your life.

Make the rest of your life the best of your life. www.lakehousewest.com

www.lakehousewest.com (941) 923-7525 • 3435 Foxof Run Rd,life Sarasota, • Lic.#AL5850 Make the rest your the bestFL of 34231 your life.

(941) 923-7525 • 3435 Foxof Run Rd,life Sarasota, • Lic.#AL5850 Make the rest your the bestFL of 34231 your life. www.lakehousewest.com (941) 923-7525 • 3435www.lakehousewest.com Fox Run Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231 • Lic.#AL5850

Before you criticize a proposal to revamp Fruitville Road in downtown Sarasota, Steve Stancel wants you to know he already knows it sounds weird.

221186

Between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301, Fruitville is a major arterial road.

It’s an evacuation route. It’s a link to the barrier islands, to the interstate. During rush hour inseason, it’s already a nightmare.

So for the city to consider narrowing the road from four lanes to two? To propose adding roundabouts? It’s backwards. It’s wrong.

Stancel, chief planner with the city and the point person for plans to redesign Fruitville, understands all of that. But he says the evidence doesn’t bear it out.

“We have literally not found any stories of disasters with roundabouts or road diets,” Stan-

(941) 923-7525 • 3435 Fox Run Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231 • Lic.#AL5850

SARASOTA & SIESTA KEY

Observer

4 Convenient Locations Open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. • No appointment necessary

1970 Main St., Third Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236 PHONE: 941-366-3468 | WEBSITE: YourObserver.com

Welcome Snowbirds! We’re here for you when you need us.

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

TO ADVERTISE Display Advertising: To obtain information, call Marisa Merlino at 941-366-3468, Ext. 381.

Classified Advertising / Service Directory: For information and rates, or to place an ad, call 386-447-9723, Ext. 132. Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To place a classified ad online, visit YourObserver.com, or email your ad to randi@palmcoastobserver.com.

TO SUBSCRIBE

Bradenton

Sarasota

4647 Manatee Ave W www.bradentonurgentcare.com 941.745.5999

6272 Lake Osprey Dr. www.sarasotaurgentcare.com 941.907.2800

Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota West

9908 S.R. 64 East www.lwruc.com 941.747.8600

1435 South Tamiami Trail www.sarasotaurgentcare.net 941.554.4301

Flu & Pneumonia Shots • Digital X-rays • Labs & EKGs on-site Glucose Level • Blood Pressure Checks • B12 Shots

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

MAIL DELIVERY SUBSCRIPTION RATES First-Class

Canada

One year / $200

One year / $250

Six months / $160

Six months / $200

Three months / $128

Three months / $160

LIKE US

WATCH US

FOLLOW US

Observer Group

YourObserverVideo

@ObserverGroup

230126

4A

Member of Manatee Physician Alliance

161852 10/16

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

CENTRAL

YourObserver.com

ORANGE AVE.

LEMON AVE .

COCOANUT AVE.

FRUITVILLE RD.

N

OSPREY AVE.

2ND ST.

41

MAIN ST.

One of two proposed plans for Fruitville Road would add roundabouts.

M

E AV

.

cel said. “We have found plenty of cate bike lanes to Second Street, success stories.”

Fourth Street or both.

As of now, there are no conThe city wants to make it easier crete plans to reshape Fruitville for people to get from the RoseRoad. On Feb. 21, the city held mary District to downtown. Offia workshop to discuss two pro- cials want to encourage the use of posals. One is the controversial multimodal transportation. “road diet,” which would narrow Based on the modeling done in the road between Cocoanut and conjunction with consultant Sam Lemon avenues and install three Schwartz Engineering, the “road roundabouts at Cocoanut, Cen- diet” seems to do the best job of tral and Lemon avenues. accomplishing those goals.

The other wouldMATTAMPA-MH_ForestLakes_QMI_SarasotaObserver_News_HalfPG keep four lanes “We’ve run the models; we’ve between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301, taken a look at the evacuation MATTAMPA-MH_ForestLakes_QMI_SarasotaObserver_News_HalfPG File Name: removing bike lanes to expand numbers,” Stancel said. “The the sidewalks to at least 10 feet continue to work 10.375”roundabouts x 8” 0.25” Trim: Safety/V.O.: in width. Both plans would relobetter than the traffic signals in Bleed: N/A Colours: CMYK

BLVD. NG ment of theLIregional transportaNG ” Gans said. “Like it tion network, I R or not, it does not exist in a vacuum of downtown Sarasota.”

The concern extends to prospective city leaders, as well. At a candidate forum Feb. 27, seven of the eight candidates for City Commission said they opposed the plans for narrowing Fruitville.

City Commissioner Susan Chapman, who is seeking re-election, said the city lacks a cohesive street grid. Until that changes, Fruitville Road will always be an important connector.

“There are no alternatives,” Chapman said.

Stancel disagreed with that assertion, pointing to Ringling L PA

David Conway

As of now, there are no concrete plans to reshape Fruitville Road.

those three locations.”

Stancel said it’s the city’s job to address and allay the public’s concerns. If the Feb. 21 meeting is any indication, there’s work left to do. People from the barrier islands expressed grave concerns about the idea of narrowing the road — including Longboat Key Mayor Terry Gans, who said the proposed changes “must be vigorously opposed.”

Gans said he believes the plans are well-intentioned. He understands a desire to foster greater connectivity in the heart of the city, but that does not address Fruitville’s role in the broader regional transportation network.

“Fruitville Road is a critical ele-

“We have literally not found any stories of disasters with roundabouts or road diets. We have found plenty of success stories.”

Due: --/02/2017 Publication:

5A

Boulevard and 10th Street as other east-west streets that connect U.S. 41 and U.S. 301. He also OF THE ARTS said the cityBLVD. is making a conscious decision to promote other modes of transportation instead of focusing on cars.

“Things are going to change between now and 20 years from now,” Stancel said. “I think we’re going to have a better public transportation system. I think people will walk more if we make it more walkable. I think there are options out there the city can look at besides just trying to divert traffic as a way to alleviate vehicle trips.”

Most crucially, he continued to repeat that maintaining four lanes and traffic signals won’t produce better traffic flow.

“This is a science,” Stancel said.

“Traffic engineers have models.

The models can be highly, highly accurate.”

Although other residents at he Feb. 21 workshop, particularly cyclists, shared strong skepticism about the plans, the crowd was divided about whether the redesigns were a good idea.

Stancel said the city has mostly heard support for creating a more pedestrian-friendly Fruitville.

Early estimates put the cost for both options at just less than $10 million. Stancel said staff will incorporate the input gathered from the public and produce recommendations for the City Commission. A vote on the plans will likely come this month or April.

Designing and engineering will take eight to 10 months, and construction could begin in summer 2018.

“Any concern is a valid concern,” Stancel said. “We need to address it.”

PROPOSED CHANGES TO FRUITVILLE

4TH ST.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

— Steve Stancel

DPI: 300 Built: 27/02/2017 - SH

LIMITED TIME – CHOOSE YOUR HOME, CHOOSE YOUR SAVINGS! ON SELECT HOMES:

ON QUICK MOVE IN HOMES:

Receive up to $10,000 in COMPLIMENTARY Design Upgrades* PLUS..

• $3,500 in Closing Costs**

HUGE savings offered now PLUS..

• Complimentary Level 1 Refrigerator, Washer and Dryer • Assistance with Closing Costs** • We’ll pay 1 YEAR HOA Fees (up to a $2,700 value)^

• We’ll pay 1 YEAR HOA Fees (up to a $2,700 value)^

EXPLORE A SAMPLING OF OUR FEATURED QUICK MOVE-IN HOMES PALM GROVE

OCEANA II

DRIFTWOOD END

DRIFTWOOD END

COASTAL, 2 BEDROOM + FLEX ROOM, 2 BATH,

CRAFTSMAN, 2 BEDROOM + DEN, 2 BATH, 2-CAR GARAGE, 1,370 SQ.FT.

COASTAL, 3 BEDROOM + LOFT, 3 BATH, 2-CAR GARAGE, 1,729 SQ.FT.

CRAFTSMAN, 3 BEDROOM + LOFT, 3 BATH, 2-CAR GARAGE, 1,726 SQ.FT.

HOMESITE 8/3 WAS $316,380

HOMESITE 13/4 WAS $360,170

HOMESITE 12/3

2-CAR GARAGE, 1,388 SQ.FT.

HOMESITE 22/6 WAS $315,360

RIGHT NOW $299,860

THIS SPECIAL SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY WON’T LAST, CALL OR VISIT TODAY.

RIGHT NOW $287,000

813-382-7722

SALES CENTER & DECORATED MODELS ARE OPEN DAILY 3637 TIN CUP BOULEVARD, SARASOTA FL 34232 I-75 to Exit 207 (Bee Ridge) West 3.6 Miles to S. Beneva, Turn Right on S. Beneva, Travel 1-Mile North, Community Entrance Just past Webber Rd.

RIGHT NOW $329,999

RIGHT NOW $319,999

SIKORSKI.MELANIEK@MATTAMYHOMES.COM MATTAMYHOMES.COM

*All prices, availability and information is subject to change without notice. *See New Home Counselor for complete details. Terms and conditions apply. To receive up to $10,000 in design upgrades, buyer must purchase a minimum of $10,000 in design options. Valid on new purchases of homes sold 2/24/17 - 4/23/17 that have started and close on or before 5/31/17. **Buyer must use Mattamy Home Funding in order to receive Closing Cost incentive. Valid on homes sold 2/24/17 - 4/23/17 that close on or before 5/31/17. Terms and conditions apply. See New Home Counselor for details. ^Terms and Conditions Apply. Ask NHC for details. Availability is subject to prior sale and other conditions, and may change without notice. E&OE. Builder’s CGC1524054 MATTAMPA-MH_ForestLakes_QMI_SarasotaObserver_News_HalfPG.indd 1

WAS $347,640

230254

Discover your new lifestyle at our gated community of new townhomes & villas with amenities at a fabulous Sarasota location.

2017-02-27 4:47 PM

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Redevelopment to beef up Lido Sandcastle

“In order to be competitive, they need to update the hotel and make it a more contemporary beach resort.”

— Bruce Franklin, president of Land Resource Strategies

Alex Mahadevan

Once owned by the four-legged heir of Leona Helmsley’s estate, the Helmsley Sandcastle Resort on Lido Key is poised for new life under a redevelopment plan submitted by the current owners.

KEVIN MCQUAID BUSINESS OBSERVER

One of Florida’s largest hotel owners plans to redevelop the former Helmsley Sandcastle Resort in Sarasota and add 128 new rooms to the beachfront lodging property.

Ocean Properties Hotels Resorts & Affiliates seeks to raze the existing hotel, completed in 1953, and build a 304-room hotel and related space in a pair of towers slated to rise nine and 10 floors, according to development documents submitted to Sarasota city officials.

“In order to be competitive,

they need to update the hotel and make it a more contemporary beach resort,” says Bruce Franklin, president of Land Resource Strategies, the real estate consulting firm working with Ocean Properties on the proposal.

The new hotel, on 6.1 acres on Lido Beach, could be completed in 2019, if required approvals from the city are forthcoming.

Franklin says the new 1540 Benjamin Franklin Drive hotel would also contain roughly 20,000 square feet of meeting, ballroom and restaurant space.

Ocean Properties, which acquired the 176-room Lido Sandcastle in February 2014 for

— Additional reporting by David Conway

welcomes

Michael J. Gordon, MD Board Certified, Orthopedic Surgery, Sub-specialty: Surgery of the Hand Dr. Gordon brings to Intercoastal Medical Orthopedics Group a wealth of knowledge and experience in Orthopedic Surgery. He specializes in the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. Dr. Gordon treats pediatric patients and sees general orthopedic issues, as well. He utilizes the most current technologies and techniques to address your unique needs, from the routine to the complicated.

Undergraduate: Yale University, New Haven, CT Medical School: Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Fellowship: Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University, New York, NY Certifications: American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons; American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons; Sub-specialty: Surgery of the Hand

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL TODAY Beneva Professional Center

941-955-6748

943 S. Beneva Rd., #106 Sarasota, FL 34232

Medicare and most insurances accepted

www.intercoastalmedical.com

World Class Dentistry and Facial Esthetics®

231087

The 64-year-old former Helmsley Sandcastle Resort on Lido Key is set to be redeveloped into 304 rooms in nine- and 10-story towers.

$27.4 million, has requested a pre-application meeting with Sarasota’s Development Review Committee.

The new hotel is being designed

by Nichols Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates Inc. The Lido Key Residents Association will hear a presentation on the plans from Ocean Properties Vice President Mark Walsh at its March 18 meeting. When the developer purchased the property in 2014, residents expressed concern the hotel would be razed and replaced with a condominium tower, according to Carl Shoffstall, president of the Lido Key Residents Association.

Shoffstall said the organization hasn’t had an opportunity to discuss the proposed redevelopment, but a hotel is likely to generate less controversy than a residential project. He recalled a conversation he had with Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley, who said she didn’t want to see Lido turn into a private island without places for visitors to stay.

“We’ve been losing a lot of hotel rooms over the years,” Shoffstall said. “A lot of people say we need more hotel rooms on Lido.”

The Sandcastle has a colorful history on the island — including a period from 2007 to 2011 when the property was owned by a dog, who inherited the hotel from real estate mogul Leona Helmsley after her death. Despite its connection to the community, Shoffstall said the building itself hasn’t necessarily held up over the years.

“It’s dated, man,” Shoffstall said. “It’s not a historic building or anything like that, and it does need a lot of work. It was the place to be on Lido at one time, but that time has come and gone.”

Ocean Properties’ plans come as roughly 1,000 new hotel rooms are being constructed or planned in downtown Sarasota.

Franklin said Ocean Properties’ proposal likely won’t be impacted by a glut of new rooms downtown, the majority of which are expected to come online by 2018.

“Downtown and Lido Beach are truly two different markets,” Franklin says. “The beach is much more tourist-oriented, whereas downtown tends to be more of a business market.”

Ocean Properties’ officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the proposal.

In all, Ocean Properties owns more than 100 hotels containing 17,000 rooms throughout North America, according to its website.

In Florida, the company owns the Lido Beach Resort, the Holiday Inn Lido Beach, The Resort at the Longboat Key Club, Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key, Sanibel Island Beach Resort, the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Naples, the Holiday Inn Lido Beach and other hospitality properties.

Intercoastal Medical Group Lakewood Ranch

941-362-8662

11505 Rangeland Parkway Bradenton, FL 34211

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

233427

6A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

7A

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840

622 SOUTH OWL DRIVE - BIRD KEY

1111 RITZ CARLTON DRIVE #1501 - THE RESIDENCES

The spectacular location of this custom Bird Key home is unique to Sarasota. Situated on a twolot, corner homesite, it offers more than 450’ of direct bay frontage. This stunning four-bedroom, 5,000+ SF home was designed by famed architect Cliff Scholz and built by Perrone Custom Home Builders, featuring impressive interior finishes, sound-proof office, bonus room, fully-equipped summer kitchen with expansive outdoor entertaining areas and deep-water dockage.

The combination of two expansive residences, this designer residence is a once in a lifetime opportunity. An Anne Folsom-Smith interior masterpiece, you will fall in love with the designer, high-end finishes showcased throughout. Located on the 15th-floor of the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in heart of downtown Sarasota, where you can walk or bike to everything, including a bustling city life, as well as Lido and Longboat Key Gulf beaches.

636 BEACH ROAD

5151 JUNGLE PLUM ROAD

The “Belle of the Beach” is a private beach home just waiting for you. The many features offered at this three-story Key West inspired residence include a spacious four-bedroom layout, open gourmet kitchen, 2,000+ SF of beachfront balcony space and 100’ of your own piece of quartz-filled shores at famed Siesta Key Beach.

Bike to Siesta Key Village for activities everyone can enjoy.

Delight in serene bayfront living at this wonderfully spacious six-bedroom estate, on more than a half-acre of lush property, just minutes from the renowned Siesta Key Beach and bustling life at Siesta Key Village. This secluded boater’s paradise boasts 150-feet of bay frontage with main and guest homes only a few steps from deep-water dockage, multiple lifts and an open pavered pool deck.

www.636BeachRoad.com

670 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE - BIRD KEY Overflowing with charm and allure, this stunning home offers more than 4,000 SF of designer living space. Built in 2006, this custom estate features high-end imported finishes and is ideally situated just three homes in from Sarasota Bay and a stone’s throw away from open Gulf waters.

www.670MourningDoveDrive.com

$2,999,000

1117 BEN FRANKLIN DRIVE - LIDO KEY Full of appeal and lovely updates, this 3BR/2BA beach residence is situated among manicured landscaping, brick pavers, pebbled walkways, wonderful gardens and privacy walls of lush foliage. You will appreciate the effortless Gulf access with Lido Beach just across the street!

www.1117BenFranklinDrive.com

$3,795,000

www.RitzResidences1501.com

$1,199,000

$5,995,000

www.5151JunglePlumRoad.com

$3,195,000

604 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE

438 PARTRIDGE CIRCLE

386 BOB WHITE DRIVE

You will adore the coveted location and lovely upgrades offered at this fivebedroom boaters paradise. Showcasing stunning views and a generous 5,000 SF interior that includes, master and guest wings as well as new impact windows.

From the garden veranda, open pool deck, 28’ dock and three lifts, to the light and bright interior; this custom-designed, four-bedroom Las Casitas home is full of beautiful finishes and wonderful aspects.

You will love every aspect of this home.

Private, three-bedroom home offering updates inside and out. Located on deep Bird Key waters that open to Sarasota Bay, this home is move-in ready!

Immediately enjoy the open layout, dock

ww.604MourningDoveDrive.com

ww.438PartridgeCircle.com

www.386BobWhiteDrive.com

$2,695,000

$2,395,000

$1,499,000

975 WHITAKERS LANE

16210 CLEARLAKE AVENUE

This magnificent five-bedroom, designer home rests on the tranquil waters of Whitake Bayou, opening to Sarasota Bay and the Gulf. More than 5,000 SF of interior abounding in high-end finishes with an open pool deck and deep-water

Indulge in serene lakefront living at the Lake Club! Built by Marc Rutenberg in 2010, the impressive, sleek and modern design of this 4,000 SF, three-bedroom plus den contemporary home is simply waiting for you to make it your own.

101 SOUTH GULFSTREAM AVENUE #11E

dockage.

Offering peaceful lake views.

www.975WhitakersLane.com

www.16210ClearlakeAvenue.com

$2,095,000

$1,690,000

and lift.

Walk to everything from this completely renovated, eleventh-floor, two-bedroom retreat in the heart of downtown Sarasota.

Island Park at Marina Jack is just across the street. Includes covered parking.

www.DolphinTower11E.com

$399,000

201 Gulf of Mexico Drive Suite 1, Longboat Key, Florida 34228 office: (941) 387-1840 cell: (941) 586-6668 fax: (941) 827-9444 website: www.365Sarasota.com e-mail: roger@pettingell.com Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

232900

$9,995,000

www.622SouthOwl.com

OPINION / OUR VIEW

8A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

We recommend …

A call to the Generation X and Generation Y voters of the city of Sarasota: This election will set the course for your family’s future in Sarasota. 1) Vote. 2) Stop STOP!

T

his is a message to the Generation X and Generation Y voters of the city of Sarasota (as well as to all city voters who want a prosperous future for the next generations): 1) Let this soak in: Economic and population growth are essential to the flourishing of prosperity … essential to your future and your children’s future.

2) Vote March 14. Two seats are being contested on the five-member City Commission. Your votes, especially, will determine whether Sarasota moves forward or backward.

3) Stop STOP! This is the organized group that wants, primarily, to stop a process in city codes that allows city planners to approve development plans without public hearings — so long as the plans meet all required city codes.

STOP! wants to require public hearings before the city planning board and City Commission. Both boards would need to approve a project after hearing input from the public.

At first glance, STOP!’s efforts sound good and more democratic. But in the larger context, the overall thrust of this group is exactly what it says: STOP! It wants an onerous, bigger government net that will add higher costs to all development and thereby make Sarasota housing even more expensive than it already is for Gen Xers and Gen Yers.

Two candidates, in particular, are aligned with STOP! and embrace a bigger, more restrictive and intrusive city government: incumbent Commissioner Susan Chapman and candidate Jennifer Ahearn-Koch.

And based on past city elections, whose recent outcomes have been controlled by a minority of voters — the proSTOP!, pro-regulation, anti-free market activists — Chapman and Ahearn-Koch stand a good chance of winning the two seats.

Mind you, this year’s city elections have more candidates than usual — eight. The two candidates who obtain 50% or more of the vote win. But with so many candidates, it’s likely none of them will reach the 50% threshold, creating a run-off of the top three vote-getters.

With the past four city elections and run-offs averaging only 19% voter turnout, the say-no-to-everything coalitions who favor Chapman and Ahearn-Koch have decided the outcomes.

This is why the Gen Xers and Gen Yers who care about economic opportunity, affordability and the future need to vote.

But vote for whom?

As we have seen and heard the candidates, spoken with their associates and former associates and analyzed their views and visions, three candidates have risen to the top who most closely embrace what we always espouse for every level of government: that of limited government, fiscal restraint, robust property rights, safe streets and the goodness of free-market capitalism.

Our top three, alphabetically: Hagen Brody, Patrick Gannon and Martin Hyde.

As it is with every political candidate, each has his strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s what stands out to us:

Hagen Brody

For Gen Xers and Gen Yers, Brody, 35, stands out as a representative of the next generation. Indeed, we have advocated for many years that it is time for the next generation to become more engaged to determine the destiny of Sarasota.

It would be refreshing to see a young, unfamiliar face on the commission — someone not from the same ol’, same ol’ factions that have dominated City Hall over the past two decades.

Brody represents that. But more than that, he is smart and grasps the larger vision. Although a registered Democrat, he sounds like a fiscal conservative.

When Brody spoke to our editors, he

said he has learned while campaigning: “People are furious about how their tax dollars are being spent.” He says creating a parks district would be nothing more than a tax increase.

He sees three priorities for city government: Affordable utilities; sustainable infrastructure (streets, sewers, etc.); and top-notch public safety. Sounds like a great agenda.

How do you fix the city’s pension problems? “You don’t fix it by spending more money.”

Asked why voters should choose a largely unknown candidate, Brody responds with great insight: “Why would you want (to elect) someone who spent time on the planning board during this period? Why leave the reins in the hands of people who got us here?” These are references to planning board members Ahearn-Koch and Gannon and City Commission Chapman.

To be sure, Brody is a risk. This is his first engagement in the public arena.

He grew up in Sarasota. As a teen, he was arrested for credit-card theft. But he reformed and earned his law degree.

He served in the State Attorney’s office until his superiors discovered he had let his Florida Bar license lapse. “I was in the middle of a major heroin trafficking case,” he told us. His license was quickly reinstated. A short time afterward, “I was nominated to serve on the Sarasota County Bar Board of Directors.

“I’m doing this for the right reasons,” Brody told us. “I’m doing this because I chose to come back to Sarasota to make a difference. I want to see us move in a different direction.”

Patrick Gannon

Patrick Gannon is the establishment wise owl.

That’s not to say he is a part of the city’s “shadow government” of antieverything constituents. He’s a steady, predictable, logical problem solver.

For starters, Gannon’s professional experience gives him a seasoned perspective on finances, the dynamics of leadership and the role of a commissioner who must weigh the needs and demands of many constituencies.

From 2000 to 2008, Gannon was CEO and a board member of OASIS Open, the international consortium of 600 organizations that oversaw the development and management of standards on the internet. He was involved in startups in Silicon Valley, eventually serving as a senior executive at two tech companies. And since moving here in 2006, he has been active in city affairs, recently as president of the Downtown Condominium Association and a member of the city’s planning board.

Gannon knows more about the workings of city ordinances and the way City Hall works (and doesn’t work) than any of the candidates. It’s not overstating to say he is a technocrat. Talk to Gannon, and you’ll quickly walk through the weeds of technical detail. He works all the channels and coalitions tirelessly for a consensus solution.

This is encouraging: When speaking about city finances, Gannon told our editors: “I don’t see where financial impacts are ever discussed.” He spoke of a “significant waste of taxpayer money” under previous commissions.

Gannon is a pragmatic thinker. He says solving traffic would be his top priority.

And he made reference in our conversation about the importance of property rights — a plus. The closest he comes to a vision is this: “Sarasota is at a pivotal time in its history,” Gannon told us. “If we don’t get it right, we lose the opportunity for 50 years.” At least he sees that.

Martin Hyde

Martin Hyde strikes us as the most outwardly passionate for winning a seat on

the commission. Mr. Social Media. It’s probably safe to say none of the candidates has worked the streets for voters’ support as Hyde has — a sign of commitment.

Hyde — as is Brody and Gannon — is an outsider. This is his first venture into the public arena as more than an online critic of City Hall. After watching the way the current commission has managed taxpayers’ money and other issues (the lift station, parking meters, events, homelessness), the Howard Beale in him (“Mad as hell …”) motivated him to be more than a crank.

Owner of Copyforce Inc., a Sarasota office equipment provider, Hyde, like Gannon, is a common-sense thinker and has the hands-on experience of a business owner who leads and manages 24 employees and carries the risks and burdens of making it profitable.

Hyde describes himself as closer to libertarian in his views, but he doesn’t take strident stands on most issues. His MO: Listen, evaluate, make common-sense judgments. But there’s one exception: Spending. “There will be no sacred cows on expense and no line item that I won’t consider carefully before approving,” he says. “These are taxpayers’ funds, which are hard earned and deserve to be treated with due respect.”

On growth, Hyde also takes an approach that accepts rather than resists reality: While STOP! is about restraint, Hyde says you can’t live in denial and resistance that Florida and Sarasota will continue to grow, so evolve with it and manage for it.

A Brit by birth, a Sarasota resident for 18 years and U.S. citizen for 12, Hyde is engaging with his British accent and humor. Judging from his fundraising, Hyde’s delivery of his message of common sense has attracted a following.

He has raised four times the amount of campaign money than his closest rival — nearly $50,000.

But there’s another side to his British humor. Recipients of his emails and personal encounters see a tendency for what they call a quick trigger and cutting glibness. Hyde responds: “If I was unable to control myself, I wouldn’t have lasted 30 years in business. If I was a complete maniac, the truth would be out by now.”

The ‘bullet’ vote

Perhaps it’s in our nature: There are times to take risks, always challenge the status quo. But do so rationally.

That philosophy compels us to encourage Sarasota’s Gen Xers and Gen Yers — as well as all Sarasota city voters — to bring a new direction to City Hall and choose a new generation of leaders on the Sarasota City Commission.

Think about it: The overall makeup and thinking of commissioners over the past two decades largely has clung to the philosophy of holding on to an unrealistic premise — that in the state of Florida, Sarasota can remain stuck in time.

Don’t STOP! Go forward.

The three candidates most likely to fulfill that are Brody, Gannon and Hyde.

But you only get two votes.

Which two of the three? Here’s a hedged vote: the predictable, establishment oriented Patrick Gannon and the next generation, 35-year-old Hagen Brody.

But if you want to guarantee that at least one of these three indeed wins a commission seat with 50% or more of the vote, take the “bullet” approach.

Vote only for one candidate. When you vote for only one candidate, you reduce the total number of votes cast, thus increasing the percentage of the vote given to the candidate with the most “bullet” votes.

If you have the courage to shoot the bullet and cast your vote for the future, we recommend: Hagen Brody

SARASOTA & SIESTA KEY

Observer “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 Editor / CEO / Matt Walsh mwalsh@yourobserver.com Vice President / Lisa Walsh lwalsh@yourobserver.com Publisher / Emily Walsh ewalsh@yourobserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes khughes@yourobserver.com Managing Editor / Eric Garwood egarwood@yourobserver.com Deputy Managing Editor / David Conway dconway@yourobserver.com Staff Writer / Anna Brugmann abrugmann@yourobserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn rkohn@yourobserver.com News Innovation Editor / Alex Mahadevan alexm@yourobserver.com Copy Editor / Kelly Carson kcarson@yourobserver.com Arts + Entertainment Managing Editor / Nick Friedman, nfriedman@yourobserver. com Black Tie Reporter / Niki Kottmann, nkottmann@yourobserver.com Editorial Designers / Meghan Sasser, msasser@yourobserver.com; C.J. Major, cmajor@yourobserver.com; Laura Woodside, lwoodside@yourobserver. com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh jraleigh@yourobserver.com Sales Manager / Penny DiGregorio pdigregorio@yourobserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara, kohara@yourobserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, lritter@yourobserver.com Advertising Executives / JP Clayton, jpclayton@yourobserver.com Diane de Spirlet, ddespirlet@yourobserver. com Robyn Didelot, rdidelot@yourobserver.com Beth Jacobson, bjacobson@yourobserver.com Allison Kummery, akummery@yourobserver.com Robert Lewis, blewis@yourobserver.com Richeal Parisi, rparisi@yourobserver.com Toni Perren, tperren@yourobserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, sleedom@yourobserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Manager Lori Downey, ldowney@yourobserver.com Marisa Merlino, mmerlino@yourobserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive/ Maureen Hird, mhird@yourobserver.com Director of Creative Services and Information Technology / Kathy Payne, kpayne@yourobserver.com Creative Director / Caleb Stanton, cstanton@yourobserver.com Creative Services Coordinator / Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com Technology & Development Manager / Adam Quinlin, aquinlin@yourobserver.com IT Operations Manager / Mike Herndon, mherndon@yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Thom Gravelle, Shawna Polana, Luis Trujillo, Allison Wampole Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker lkeisacker@yourobserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, rlabrin@yourobserver.com Office Coordinator-Subscriptions / Donna Condon, dcondon@yourobserver.com

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

Publishers of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record, Palm Coast Observer, Plant City Times & Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Windermere Observer, Winter Park/Maitland Observer Business Observer, LWR Life Magazine and Season Magazine.

Chairman / David Beliles Editor and CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh

1970 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

YourObserver.com © 2017 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

9A

Resident keeps watch for short-term rentals

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

Browsing VRBO.com for vacation-rental properties in Sarasota last month, Deborah Dart found a number of charming homes marketed in the Laurel Park neighborhood.

For a visitor, staying in a house in Laurel Park — right next to downtown and a short walk to the bayfront — might be an ideal arrangement during a trip to the city.

For Dart, a year-round Laurel Park resident, the listings were more concerning. She appreciates the eclectic character of the neighborhood, but the shortterm vacation rentals come with some negative side effects.

“You’re faced with people who don’t know where to park, what the codes in Sarasota are, where to put the garbage,” Dart said.

As sharing-economy services such as Airbnb increase in popularity, residential areas across the country have grappled with the issue. For Dart, the inconveniences she described are secondary to a bigger question about how the rentals can reshape a neighborhood.

FISH FRY

$

time, he described nightly rentals as something “we perceive could become an ongoing issue.”

Lawrence Burleson, the city’s code compliance supervisor, said the city is usually able to bring owners into compliance just by sending a letter informing them of the regulations. If a property owner refuses to comply, a special magistrate can issue daily fines until the situation is rectified.

Staff doesn’t scour the internet for vacation properties that only have a six-night minimum stay, but when a resident lets the city know about an illegal rental, action is taken.

“Right now, we’re responding strictly on a complaint basis,”

12

Every Friday Night • 5 - 8pm

DINE-IN OR TAKE-OUT

Friendship Knot Quilters Guild Presents

16 Annual Quilts in Paradise A SHOW OF MORE THAN 200 QUILTS Created by Guild Members Friday, March 3, 9a-5p | Saturday, March 4, 9a-4p

at Robarts Arena 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota FOR MORE INFORMATION:

SAINT BONIFACE CHURCH (Community Center) 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key

Above: Visitors to VRBO.com can find rental properties in Laurel Park available for shorter than the minimum eight-night stay the city requires.

th

FRIED TILAPIA

Macaroni & Cheese, Coleslaw, Corn Bread, Dessert and a Drink

Burleson said. “We don’t have the manpower to check everything, but we’ve had very good cooperation from the property owners.”

Dart understands enforcement poses a challenge for the city, and she’s hopeful staff will take meaningful steps to address any future issues that pop up. The listing websites don’t mandate a minimum stay for residential properties, so she believes any change will have to come from the property owners themselves.

“I don’t think the companies like VRBO really care, nor can the city really regulate those companies,” Dart said. “The city needs to go educate the owners. I believe they’re going to do this.”

ALSO FEATURING

Door Prizes Opportunity to win a gorgeous Raffle Quilt Merchant Mall Daily Silent Auctions Quilt Appraisal Services ... and much more

232941

DAVID CONWAY

If short-term rentals are more lucrative than long-term rentals, lower income residents can get forced out. Dart said she sees fewer full-time residents in the neighborhood than she used to.

“Places can stay vacant all summer long or for months, because the owners taking advantage of this short-term rental period have made all their money for a few months and don’t really care if they’re renting full time,” Dart said. “It tends to change the dynamics of a neighborhood.

I don’t think it’s particularly healthy.”

City regulations prohibit shortterm rentals in residential areas.

Rentals in those neighborhoods are required to have a minimum stay of eight days.

Dart doesn’t think property owners are nefariously renting houses for shorter periods. When she reached out to the city regarding this issue in August, staff took action and she saw a downtick in improperly listed properties. Over time, though, the rule-breakers have built up again.

“I think it’s a problem that requires kind of a continuing follow-up, because there are always new owners,” Dart said.

“Who would know that code even exists?”

In August, city staff took a proactive approach. Tim Litchet, director of Neighborhood and Development Services, said the city’s mortgage foreclosure specialist would be handling illegal rental cases going forward. At the

230006

As property owners in such neighborhoods as Laurel Park rent homes to vacationers, neighbors are wary of the impacts.

www.friendshipknotquiltersguild.com OR EMAIL quiltsinparadise@tampabay.rr.com

NO INTEREST UNTIL MARCH 2018! * SAME DAY PICK UP OR NEXT DAY DELIVERY!

FREE $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE FIRST 100 CUSTOMERS

State Certified General Contractor

Gift Certificate valid towards purchase of $500 or more. Must be used by 3/9/17

•Porch Enclosures •Parts •Repair

BRADENTON SARASOTA

ALSO AVAILABLE …

IMPACT ENERGY STAR RATED 1955 So. Trail, Venice

Since 1969 • www.wilson-window.com

war .furn www

m

se.co

ehou

227044

5330 Ashton Ct., Sarasota

492-5200

Contemporary Sofa & Loveseat Beautiful & distinctive sofa and loveseat group upholstered in durable 100% microfiber fabric. Style, Comfort, and Value.

•HURRICANE WINDOWS 921-1113

SPECIAL PURCHASE

1100 West Cortez Rd. Northeast Corner of Cortez Rd. and 41

4027 N. Washington 1 Mile South of University on 301

Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

VENICE

PORT

599

$

Sofa & Loveseat

CHARLOTTE 550 S. Seaboard Ave. Just North Of Venice Nissan on U.S. 1241 El Jobean Rd. (776 across from Sam’s) 41 Bypass

ELLENTON

5814 18th St East Across from the Ellenton Outlet Mall

(941) 749-6069 (941) 351-8600 (941) 485-3211 (941) 764-8700 (941) 479-7900 Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Sun. 11-6

Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

Mon.-Sat. 9-9 Sun. 11-6

233136

om

23315 9

t

r y.c

Emerg

cy

t is

en

Emergency Dentistry 24/7 941.375.4005 Call DNow! en

*Offer applies to only single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on promo purchase and equal monthly payments are required equal to initial promo purchase amount divided equally by the number of months in promo period until promo is paid in full. The equal monthly payment will be rounded to the next highest whole dollar and may be higher than the minimum payment that would be required it the purchase was a non-promotional purchase. Regular account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. For new accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%; Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for their applicable terms. Subject to credit approval. Terms of promotions - Previous purchase excluded, cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Discount offers exclude Hot Buys, floor models or clearance items, sales tax, furniture protection plans, warranty, delivery, or service charge.

10A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Landscape with House and Ploughman (detail) Vincent van Gogh

1111 Ritz Carlton Drive #1803 $3,595,000 | Web ID A4178186 Cheryl Loeffler 941.302.9674

8285 Midnight Pass Road $2,600,000 | Web ID A4178769 Joel Schemmel 941.587.4894

1106 Casey Key Road $2,195,000 | Web ID N5911741 Richard Bradway & Courtney Green 941.809.8431

1625 South Lodge Drive $1,725,000 | Web ID A4178284 Peter Laughlin 941.356.8428

7246 Greystone Street $1,450,000 | Web ID A4178326 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

1359 Harbor Drive $1,149,000 | Web ID A4178661 Roberta Tengerdy & Carolyn Collins 941.321.2292

1555 Sandpiper Lane $999,000 | Web ID N5911751 Amy Terzuoli 941.536.1244

118 12th Avenue East $964,900 | Web ID A4162772 Devon Davis & Warren Merriman 941.720.2053

7213 Greystone Street $924,000 | Web ID A4178277 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

537 Fore Drive $875,000 | Web ID A4162479 Cindy Pierro 941.920.6818

6919 Dominion Lane $848,000 | Web ID A4157020 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

7510 Mizner Reserve Court $825,000 | Web ID A4169134 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

2513 Vaccaro Drive $809,000 | Web ID A4156591 Roberta Tengerdy & Carolyn Collins 941.321.2292

790 Vanderbilt Drive $795,000 | Web ID A4148361 Sandy Gillette & Thomas Netzel 941.504.0170

881 Hillcrest Drive $775,000 | Web ID N5911764 Sandra Simic 941.504.0944

5436 Sundew Drive $679,000 | Web ID A4178629 Cindy Migone 941.812.7438

1770 Benjamin Franklin Drive #602 $645,000 | Web ID A4169596 Richard Dow & Kate DeVilliers 941.388.1023

6210 Stillwater Court $600,000 | Web ID A4176383 Michelle Crabtree 941.724.4663

Gulfwinds Way $584,000 | Web ID N5911767 Richard Bradway & Courtney Green 941.809.8431

2588 Bay Street $559,990 | Web ID A4176444 Robert Sherman 941.313.1301

808 3rd Avenue West #706 $499,900 | Web ID A4178063 Kevin Milner 941.539.3287

340 Parkdale Drive $449,900 | Web ID N5910426 Melanie Twigg 941.809.3453

2614 Bay Drive $449,000 | Web ID A4178308 Daniel Volz 941.893.3757

2455 Bee Ridge Road $419,000 | Web ID A4178324 Jacody Swor 941.356.4545

435 South Gulfstream Avenue #408 $399,000 | Web ID A4178730 Helena & Per Nordstrom 941.228.7356

1921 Monte Carlo Drive #504 $389,900 | Web ID A4169242 Gigi Silverberg 941.993.3695

206 Bella Vista Terrace #29D $379,000 | Web ID A4178671 Patricia Guenther 941.961.3570

1968 Batello Drive $369,900 | Web ID N5911591 Chris & Betsie Shiparski 941.375.1148

1145 Arbroid Drive $364,900 | Web ID N5911872 Debbie Sugden 941.223.9363

7608 The Plaza $359,000 | Web ID A4162451 Jaci Krawtschenko 941.284.3789

11898 Forest Park Circle $334,900 | Web ID A4169088 Shannon Rogers 941.920.5454

10499 Sherman Street $310,000 | Web ID A4178093 Gregg Center 312.636.5153

12248 Longview Lake Circle $305,000 | Web ID A4178628 Brian Wood 941.928.8408

YO U R H O U S E . T H E I R H O M E .

Over the years, hundreds of owners have placed their trust in the area’s most

8 0 0 . 74 9. 7 3 6 8 | R E N T S A R A S O TA .C O

experienced team of luxury rental professionals. Let us make your house their home.

20,000 associates | 880 offices worldwide | 66 countries and territories globally | 40 Premier Sotheby’s International Realty locations LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526 ST. ARMANDS | 941.383.2500

SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

VENICE | 941.412.3323

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate and neither suggests nor infers that Premier Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted. *Landscape with House and Ploughman (detail) by Vincent van Gogh used with permission.

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED PARTNER WITH A GLOBAL REACH

PREMIERSOTHEBYSREALTY.COM

233316

Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends Top 500 OVER $4 BILLION IN SALES VOLUME IN 2015 *

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

2016

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

11A

WE PROUDLY RECOGNIZE OUR TOP PERFORMING PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR UNPARALLELED SERVICE AND RESULTS!

OUR TOP 10 SAR ASOTA REGION ASSOCIATES

Schemmel Property Group 941.587.4894

Cheryl Loeffler 941.302.9674

Peter Laughlin 941.356.8428

Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

Greg Van Natter & Gloria Bracciano

941.730.1999

Todd & Tamara Currey 941.587.1776

The Soda Group 941.809.7759

Roberta Tengerdy & Carolyn Collins

941.321.2292

Judie Berger 941.928.3424

Bonnie Price 941.350.3362

20,000 associates | 860 offices worldwide | 66 countries and territories globally | 40 Premier Sotheby’s International Realty locations LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526 ST. ARMANDS | 941.383.2500

SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000

LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941.907.9541

VENICE | 941.412.3323

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. *Landscape with House and Ploughman (detail) by Vincent van Gogh used with permission.

233315

PREMIERSOTHEBYSREALTY.COM

12A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Artists group makes final push for housing study

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

It’s been more than three years since Veronica Morgan started telling people in the community about a potential live/work venture for artists.

It’s been nearly one year since the conversation about potential artist-housing developments, which fell dormant after an initial period of energy and interest, was revived — with Morgan and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County determined to recapture the momentum it created in 2014.

Today, the group remains $9,000 shy of its fundraising goal of $42,500 — money that will be used to fund a study of the market for artist housing in the region.

After more than three years

of work just to try to get a study done — a long way from actually developing any housing units — it would be easy to walk away from the issue. But the Arts Alliance remains convinced Sarasota is a good place to develop artist housing, and it remains committed to keeping the conversation alive.

“This could really help be a real stimulus for redevelopment and for cost-effective housing,” said Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts Alliance. “These are two big issues that face us as a community today. Even though, overall, we’re a fairly wealthy community, there are a lot of spots where we’re not.”

The Arts Alliance has been working with Artspace, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that specializes in developing affordable artist live/work housing. If Artspace chooses to build a project in a community, it manages it in perpetuity, ensuring the residential units remain affordable.

Artspace representatives held a series of meetings in Sarasota in 2014, and a preliminary report concluded a mixed-use housing project could serve as a “catalyst for change” on the North Trail.

“This could really help be a real stimulus for redevelopment and for cost-effective housing.”

— Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance

The next step, the firm said, was to raise the $42,500 for an arts market study, which would determine the demand for artist housing within a 50-mile radius of the city.

Based on the arts community in Sarasota and the surrounding areas, Shirley is confident the study would show positive results once the funding is there.

“I feel pretty comfortable they would come back and say this would be a great space for an Artspace project,” Shirley said.

But right now, he can only speculate.

There are signs of progress. In the past year, the group has raised $23,000 for the Artspace study.

The Arts Alliance hasn’t let artist housing fall off its radar. Next week, the organization will host a series of small community events with individuals it believes could help push the fundraising over the $42,500 goal.

Although it’s taken this long to raise $33,000, Shirley has seen firsthand the excitement surrounding the prospect of creating affordable housing for artists in Sarasota. Once the fundraising problem has been conquered and residents can see progress, he said the energy will return.

And he said the fundraising goal can be met in the very near future.

“We’re prepared, along with Artspace, to begin the process of going forward just as soon as we

Courtesy photo

The nearest Artspace project is in Fort Lauderdale.

get that money in hand,” Shirley said. “I would hope, with a little luck, it’s not inconceivable we

could give the Artspace organization the go-ahead sometime in early March.”

&

PURCHASE THIS SEASON MOVE IN

BY SUMMER New waterfront living from the $500s.

Secure your new residence today.

Perfectly positioned midway between Sarasota and Venice, discover Edgewater at Hidden Bay. 52 brand new condominiums nestled within an established community with peaceful preserve or bay views. Our relaxed lifestyle includes the following: ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

Gated Community Under-Building Covered Parking 2 & 3 Bedrooms, 2 or 2.5 Baths Home Office or Den Gourmet Kitchens Spacious Individual Storage Units Spectacular Clubhouse Expansive Pool, Spa & Sundeck Tiki Bar Fitness Center Tennis & Pickleball Courts Boardwalk & Fishing Pier Kayak Launch & Storage

249 Hidden Bay Drive, Osprey, FL 34229 EdgewaterHB.com 941-966-3600

233476

The Arts and Cultural Alliance needs $9,000 to gather more information about a potential artist live/work housing project.

Observer ELECTION 2017: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION

WHERE THEY STAND With two seats on the City Commission up for grabs, eight candidates in the race weigh in on the issues and make their case for your vote.

SEE PAGE 14-16A

PAGE 14A Would you consider raising the general fund millage rate from its current level?

Ahearn-Koch: Atkins: Brody: Chapman: Gannon: Hyde: Sandstrom: Sperling:

DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

S

arasota voters will head to the polls March 14 and cast their ballots in the race for two open City Commission seats, electing two people to the most important policy position in the city.

Well, maybe. The March 14 vote may be less of an election and more of a winnowing: Eight people are running for the two citywide at-large seats on the commission, and a candidate must win at least 50% of the vote to win a seat this month. If no candidate breaks that mark, a runoff is scheduled for May. Nevertheless, the stakes are high for this month’s election.

The city appears positioned to make crucial decisions on a number of issues that will shape the long-term character of Sarasota. From new zoning regulations to homeless policy, from the redevelopment of the bayfront to traffic management, the City Commission will make big choices during the next four years.

We asked the eight candidates in the race for their thoughts on those issues. In this section, you’ll see why candidates think voters should pick them to join the City Commission at such a pivotal time.

Do you support the creation of a paid parking system in the city?

Ahearn-Koch: Atkins: Chapman: Brody: Gannon: Hyde: Sandstrom: Sperling:

Do you support the creation of a parks and recreation taxing district?

Ahearn-Koch: Atkins: Brody: Chapman: Gannon: Hyde: Sandstrom: Sperling:

PAGE 14A

Jen Aheran-Koch

Do you think the city is growing too fast?

Ahearn-Koch: Atkins: Brody: Chapman: Gannon: Hyde: Sandstrom:

Fredd Atkins

Sperling:

PAGE 14A PAGE 15A

Do you believe the city should restrict the use of administrative review for development proposals?

Ahearn-Koch: Atkins: Brody: Chapman: Gannon: Hyde: Sandstrom: Sperling:

Susan Chapman Hagen Brody

PAGE 15A

PAGE 15A

Do you support the use of downtown as a venue for large-scale, multiday events?

Ahearn-Koch: Atkins: Brody: Chapman: Gannon: Hyde: Sandstrom: Sperling:

Martin Hyde Patrick Gannon

PAGE 16A PAGE 16A Mikael Sanstrom Matt Sperling

ELECTION 2017: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATES, AT-LARGE

14A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

I offer a unique perspective of Sarasota and have the experience and the passion for facilitating the city’s growth in a balanced and coordinated fashion. I grew up here, lived abroad where I witnessed different and new ways of doing things, chose to come back with my husband and young son, Tobias, to continue to build a family, start a business and help found a nonprofit. In addition, I have been heavily involved in local government as a neighborhood leader and for two consecutive terms on the planning board.

My familiarity with the city and my range of experience makes me a valuable asset to the City Commission, especially in bridging communication, which is my profession.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Traffic, administrative approval and sidewalks n Affordable housing and homeless n Parks, trees and quality of life

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

As a three-time city commissioner, and two-time mayor, I have the experience, temperament and the foresight to best serve the entire city of Sarasota.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Support smart development that puts the residents first and makes developers contribute their fair share toward infrastructure. n Develop a workable action plan to reduce chronic homelessness, protect businesses and move the homeless from the streets into long-term housing.

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

As an attorney, former prosecutor and son of Sarasota, I have a realistic view of the problems facing Sarasota and the skill set to address them. I’ll bring fresh leadership to the City Commission to finally address the ongoing issues facing Sarasota.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Get us back to basics. Our municipal government needs to refocus and prioritize our tax dollars on the three pillars of municipal government: efficient and affordable utilities, a sustainable and proper infrastructure and effective public safety — not on wasteful peripheral issues or pet projects. n Bring a clear direction to guide responsible development. Doing something over and over again expecting a different result is not the answer. Some of my opponents have been intimately, if not officially, involved in the direction and planning of our city for years.

We will finally address haphazard development and promote a vibrant, family-friendly, Main Street-centric downtown. Work to preserve the unique character-

JEN AHEARN-KOCH

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

Taxpayers need to know the commissioners are investing their tax dollars wisely. With pension and other post-employment benefits in the city increasingly commanding a greater percentage of our annual budget, all future commissioners will need to show discipline and courage in making difficult decisions that put the

n Develop solutions to address the failing transportation network in our city.

city back on a road to relevance for taxpayers, where their investment is one that first and foremost goes into enhancing the safety and general quality of life of this city. This is my orientation and the direction where I hope to move the city. There should be careful scrutiny of any and all projects that come before the commission, and being fiscally responsible is an essential role.

The taxpayers need to know the

FREDD ATKINS

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget? n Refrain from entering unnecessary litigation. n Stop paying for the attorney’s fees of the incumbent commissioner who is a party to a public records lawsuit. n Not approve the creation/filling of unnecessary staff positions. n Critically evaluate the city’s millage rate. n Support the increase of multimodal impact fees.

rich neighborhoods and improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity throughout the city. n Serious homeless solutions.

This is a humanitarian and economic crisis. As a prosecutor, I dealt with the mental health and substance abuse issues on the ground level that impact much of our chronic homeless population.

I oppose Housing First models where our city taxpayers would foot the rent for apartments indefinitely for chronic homeless folks and those who will surely arrive in the future. Those models are not only a financially unattainable promise but do not adequately address the underlying issues.

Our nonprofit network is what sets us apart and enables us to address this issue without taxpayers. I’ll leverage my experience and relationships to bring the nonprofits, law enforcement and county courts together to work in better continuums and partnerships to address this crisis and reduce homelessness.

While implementing this broader strategy, we will pass ordinances that effectively protect the economically sensitive areas surrounding Main Street by excluding solicitation and panhandling from these zones in a meaningful and constitutional way.

commissioners are investing their tax dollars wisely.

Age: 52 Profession/experience: Master’s in international affairs, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University; BA in international affairs, American University of Paris; JAK Consults, Sarasota, founder and consultant, marketing, planning, public relations, design, 2001 to present; Mattison’s Restaurants & Catering Sarasota, marketing, PR and design director, 2004-2016; city of Sarasota Planning Board, member, vice chair and chair, 20092015.

HAGEN BRODY

Age: 35 Profession/experience: Attorney and former Sarasota County prosecutor. Currently serving on the Sarasota County Bar Association and Teen Court Board of Directors.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

I support the public process and growth in Sarasota that includes the public’s voice. Currently, the public process is part of some of the city’s developments. However, just 14 years ago, that process was changed for the downtown master plan area, and the city added administrative approval as a settlement to the threat of lawsuit. Downtown administrative approval means that even the largest buildings are approved administratively and involve no public input. The community’s voice is a valuable tool in gauging a project’s impact, success and compatibility. Without the public’s input, you alienate the exact people you hope will embrace the project and participate in its eventual success. I support the public process for the whole city, not just a portion of it. Our public process is our voice. The administrative approval process is a 14-year-old failed experiment.

Age: 65 Profession/experience: Served three times as mayor during his tenure on the City Commission, 1985-2005, and 2006-2011. Has been involved with every aspect of city governance, and represented the city on a variety of national committees. Substitute teaches for Sarasota schools, and is a licensed real estate agent.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

Establish a better policy for special events. Refrain from giving developers vested trip credits in the determination of traffic impact for new development. Not approve every development.

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

Last year, our city ran a milliondollar deficit wasting money on peripheral issues and pet projects. We need to refocus our tax dollars on the basics and get our fiscal house in order. Our revenue is naturally rising merely from the increase in local property values.

We have thousands of units already approved and on the way, further expanding our tax base.

Let’s not squander it. We have a unique opportunity to finally address our financial issues without raising taxes. Let me say it again, let’s not squander it!

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

Shape a community. Support inclusive neighborhoods that strengthen the unique personalities of each and protect the identity of our traditional Main Street-centric downtown. Move toward a more pedestrianfriendly town and increase bicycle paths, beginning with promoting the Legacy Trail extension. Add more family-friendly downtown events that foster the sense of community we’ve always enjoyed in Sarasota.

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Transportation. Our transportation network is fragmented, damaged, unsafe, and inadequate to meet current demand. n Overdevelopment/poor quality development. The mass and scale of new development overwhelms the public realm and discounts human scale. n Chronic homelessness. Despite the city’s great progress, we need more intergovernmental unity supporting permanent solutions and better funding.

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

I am the only candidate who is an elected neighborhood leader, planning board member, and has executive business experience managing multimilliondollar corporations. I am the only candidate who is a veteran and the only candidate who lives in downtown Sarasota, where I daily encounter the impact of traffic, development and homeless issues.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Smart growth. I support a balanced growth agenda. As stewards of our local government and its future, it is imperative that we manage growth and development so residents, visitors and businesses are assured that the city’s special character will be sustained — that the natural beauty, neighborhood quality, historic charms and urban vibrancy that makes Sarasota’s high quality of life will be preserved throughout its future. n Traffic and transportation. I support implementing a mobility plan that emphasizes safety for pedestrians and bicycles, while managing our roadways to help accommodate a smooth flow of traffic. In a growing city, there is a need to improve the efficiency and availability of all forms of transportation used by its resi-

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

In a management sense, I’m the most qualified, having run complex multimillion-dollar enterprises for 30 years. I have experience in all relevant areas from finance, human resources, policy creation and supervision. In my world, if you get it wrong, you lose clients and money, so I’m acutely cognizant of performance.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n To move the elections from March to November, saving taxpayers $100,000 on each election while increasing voter participation threefold. n To re-establish public safety

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

Priorities should be core government services: public safety, water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure and parks. The defined-benefit pension system and other benefits for retirees have large unfunded balances.

For several years, the commission has migrated to a definedcontribution system, as well as greater annual contribution to the plans.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

Our economy is driven by our unique environment, warm weather and arts and cultural amenities. A sense of ease promotes tourism and population in-migration. Sarasota’s vitality depends on preserving high quality of life, unmarred by poor quality development and trans-

dents. I have actively supported the new downtown circulator to reduce traffic congestion. We can encourage more pedestrian traffic with beautiful, safe, shaded and wide sidewalks. n Environmental protection. We must preserve our neighborhoods while protecting our natural environment. I have a proven track record of working toward a more sustainable Sarasota with these accomplishments: I led a citizen team planning for pocket parks in Rosemary District; I will create more pocket parks and green space in the city; I authored a city zoning text amendment to strengthen the tree mitigation policy; I authored changes to the city’s Environmental Protection Plan.

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

With my extensive business management career, I have prepared and managed large budgets.

I have served as treasurer for nonprofit corporations. I will make sure the financial impacts of commission decisions are balanced against the city goals.

I will insist the city’s financial plans assess future development impacts to our transportation network and our water and sewer infrastructure. As we prioritize budget expenditures, we must also deliver on the promises made to our employees — past and present.

through adding police officers, reversing a trend of decline over the past 20 years, where we now have over 25% fewer officers than we used to have. n Addressing the pensions deficit by adding immediately to the fund via savings made on wasted legal fees and additional layers of management that we’ve added.

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

I’m the only candidate who has made any mention of fiscal policy during the campaign to any meaningful extent. I know that if we run out of money, it’ll be the citizens that’ll be forced to pay higher taxes for fiscal mismanagement, and I won’t let that happen.

SUSAN CHAPMAN

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Age: 66 Profession/experience: Washington University, St. Louis, A.B., J.D., M.S.W.; Practicing attorney, 40 years; Sarasota city commissioner, 2013 to present; former vice mayor; Metropolitan Planning Organization representative, including Public Transportation Task Force; Sarasota planning board member, chair, vice chair; Ad Hoc Police Advisory Panel, chair; Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations president, executive committee

portation gridlock. Our planning process needs to focus on these issues.

PATRICK GANNON

Age: 68 Profession/experience: Currently president of the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association residential neighborhood with 6,000plus residents, and vice chair of the city’s planning board.

Previously president of the international nonprofit Smart Grid Interoperability Panel; president of Warning Systems Inc. and president and CEO of OASIS open internet standards consortium. Began career as NASA rocket engineer.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

The city of Sarasota needs a balanced, stable economic base.

The city needs to be sure we have in place a balanced set of policies and zoning codes that enable economic stability in order to produce sensible growth.

A growing, vibrant downtown is a litmus test to attract talent and is imperative to a growing regional workforce. Attracting young, innovative workers and retaining our local college graduates provides diversity in the economy, which makes us less susceptible to economic downturns. For companies to expand or relocate to Sarasota, they need access to office space and access to trained, educated workers. The workers need access to reasonable workforce housing, walkable and bikeable streets and access to amenities (parks, restaurants, clubs, music). The City Commission must keep this vision in mind when considering landuse decisions. I have extensive experience creating and implementing economic development plans that protect the needs of the community while building a stable economy.

MARTIN HYDE Age: 51 Profession/ experience: President of Gulf Business Systems since 1999. Previously, director of Copyforce Ltd. in the U.K.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

Being economically vibrant and being responsible are not mutually opposing aims or goals. It’s possible to encourage and advocate for success while preserving the things that matter to most of us, such as the environment we live in.

15A

ELECTION 2017: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATES, AT-LARGE

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

As a person who has been engaged with city issues for a number of years, I bring in-depth understanding of a broad range of issues, institutional knowledge and historical perspective. As a person trained and experienced in land use (former county code enforcement special magistrate), my skills uniquely qualify me.

|

ELECTION 2017: SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATES, AT-LARGE

16A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

A city commissioner’s responsibility begins with leadership, which includes listening to experts and the community’s voice.

My background with political science will bring a fresh perspective to City Hall. I have always prided myself on the ability to reason with all different types of ideologies. We live in a community, and everyone’s voices should be heard instead of a few.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Green initiatives, such as solar implementation and park beautification. n Pedestrian safety, including traffic management.

In a crowded field, what makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

I am the most experienced candidate for providing solutions to the city of Sarasota’s problems.

I have started and operated a business on St. Armands Circle, and I understand what serious issues face city residents. I have a solution for our most urgent problem: 2,000 affordable apartments.

n Preservation of local small businesses.

MIKAEL SANDSTROM

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

I am the only candidate who consistently advocates for the implementation of solar panels throughout Sarasota (traffic lights, street lights, parks, heating for community pools, Bobby Jones golf carts, etc.) so in the long run, the city budget will not be burdened by unnecessary electricity costs and will save money. We need to start somewhere to reduce our impact, even if it is small. I would love to see City Hall’s roof covered in solar panels and the electricity inside pay for itself.

MATT SPERLING

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during your term on the commission? n Implement my plan of creating the Sarasota Housing Trust to lease and raise $300 million in private capital from high networth investors. The 48-acre barely utilized “executive” course at city-owned Bobby Jones Golf Club is the perfect site. n Eliminate all city of Sarasota departments as rapidly as possible. Sell all city assets like

Age: 33 Profession/experience: Economic Sustainability Foundation, 20022007; Libertarian National Party, 2008; Stockholm University, 2012; FreedomWorks, 2013; Sweden Trade Inc., current

Age: 59 Profession/experience: Southside Elementary School, Brookside Middle School, Sarasota High. Florida State University, B.S. Economics, 1981.

Retired Senior Vice President of Investments at Raymond James, 1997-20140.

A.G. Edwards, 19811997. Specialized in municipal debt obligations.

Van Wezel, G. Wiz, Payne Park Tennis and Skate Park, Sarasota Auditorium. Merge all planning, zoning, inspection with Sarasota County. Merge utility department with Manatee County or Sarasota County. Ninety percent of all city employees should be working for Police Chief Bernadette DiPino.

Use all savings to pay down the $320 million pension deficit.

Near the employment cores of downtown and Sarasota Memorial, link with a commuter trail on the railroad tracks from Newtown to Bobby Jones Village. n Fifty additional police officers, all on specially designed bicycles, all with EMT training. As the SPD transforms from inefficient SUV vehicles, due to the uniqueness of our city, to bicycle and foot patrol, the citizens and tourists will feel safer. Siesta Key joins the city to benefit from the millage rollback from staff reductions and the superior method of law enforcement.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

Aesthetically speaking, development should be offset by green initiatives such as green rooftops since it helps reduce storm runoff; however, the city’s growth will eventually lead to further gridlocked traffic. Smart signals have the ability to detect patterns in traffic and change lights accordingly, so these changes need to be made immediately. Traffic is the catalyst for whether the city’s growth will be sustainable or not. If growth isn’t matched with smart solutions then we will see stagnant traffic all year long.

How would you serve as a good financial steward of the city’s budget?

My experience in municipal debt finance and my plan for raising $300 million in private capital are why you should consider voting for me.

How do you believe the commission should strike a balance between maintaining an economically vibrant city and addressing concerns related to growth?

Balance between economic vibrancy and growth concerns are simple for me. Growth is good. A percentage of the residents will object to change and growth, and they should probably vote for the STOP! candidates.

KEY DATES MARCH 6 Early voting begins.

Voters can cast their ballots from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office.

MARCH 11 Last day for early voting.

MARCH 14 Election day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place by visiting sarasotavotes.com.

APRIL 10 Voter registration deadline for runoff election, if necessary.

MAY 1 Early voting begins for runoff election.

MAY 6 Last day for early voting in runoff election MAY 9 Runoff election day MAY 12 Elected commissioners take office.

File photo

If you want to vote early, you can cast your ballot at the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office, located in the Terrace Building at 101 S. Washington Blvd.

MAKE YOUR PICK Because there are two open seats on the City Commission, voters will be allowed to vote for up to two candidates on election day. If there’s only one candidate you like, voting for one person is fine, too.

If no candidate wins a majority, the top three votegetters will advance to the May 9 runoff. Again, voters will be allowed to vote for up to two candidates.

If only one person wins a majority on March 14, the candidates with the second- and third-most votes will advance to the May 9 election. In the runoff, voters will pick between those two candidates.

ONLINE Want to see more of the candidates’ responses? Visit YourObserver.com to read about bayfront redevelopment, affordable housing and other issues affecting the City Commission race. Plus, you can check out videos from our in-depth interviews with each of the candidates.

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

17A

new listings

Ranked #3 Team for Coldwell Banker in ALL of North America...!

River Wilderness - Parrish 4BD/5BA | 4,363

$ 1,742,000

Beneva Oaks - Sarasota 4BD/2BA | 2,913

$750,000

Sapphire Shores - Bay Shore Road 5BD/7BA | 5,313 SqFt

$3,995,000

Bay Plaza - Downtown Sarasota 2BR/2BA | 1,656 SqFt

$885,000

Open House Sat - Sun 1-4 350 Tierra Mar Lane #3

Village Place - Siesta Key 3BD/2.1BA | 2,012 SqFt

Lawrence Pointe - Downtown 2BD/2BA | 1,929 SqFt

Beneva Oaks - Mainland 5BD/5.1BA | 6,206 SqFt

Sarabande - Downtown 3BD/2.1BA | 2,437 SqFt

$1,349,000

Water Club - Longboat Key 3BR/4BA | 3,045 SqFt

WAS $1,659,000 NOW $1,575,000

Ritz Carlton Tower Residences - Downtown 3BR/3.1BA | 3,659 SqFt

$2,899,000

Open House Sunday 1-4 3761 Eagle Hammock Drive, Sarasota

$799,000

$915,000

$1,379,000

www.ackermangroup.net

Hammock - Sarasota Mainland 5BD/4BA | 4,035 SqFt

1350 Main - Downtown 2BD/2BA | 1,597 SqFt

Casey Key - North Casey Key Vacant Land | 1.5 Acres

$685,000

$989,000

$2,750,000

office@ackermangroup.net

Bouchard Gardens Botanica - Mainland Sarasota 3BD/2.1BA | 2,512 SqFt

Winding Oaks - Longboat Key 2BR/2BA | 2,112 SqFt

Riverview - Bradenton 3BR/3.1BA | 4,042 SqFt

The Landings - Mainland 5BD/4.1BA | 4,282 SqFt

$475,000

Aqualane Estates - Mainland 5BD/5.1BA | 6,216 SqFt

$1,100,000

$3,250,000

Casey Key - North Casey Key 5BD/5.1BA | 6,024 SqFt

$619,000

$1,395,000

$4,450,000

941-387-1820

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, LLC • 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1 • Longboat Key, FL 34228

Owned and operated by NRT, LLC

232891

condominiums

NEW PRICE

18A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Venetian Dental Your Beautiful Smile Begins Here

FREE valu5e6 $2

Offices in Venice, Osprey, and Sarasota to serve you!

code 031

941-234-4455

2nd Opinion

(D0140, D0270, D0220, D0330) Includes any necessary X-rays.

Present this coupon to redeem the offer.

Uninsured patients only.

Not valid with any other offers.* Expires 3-14-2017.

Call now (941) 234-4455

233161

VenetianDentalCare.com Courtesy rendering

The Lift Station 87 landscaping plans are also being finalized now.

Royal Maids Sarasota is Now Under New Ownership

Lift station construction remains on schedule DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

In late January, the engineering team overseeing Lift Station 87 reached an important milestone: It successfully microtunneled beneath the Osprey Avenue bridge and Hudson Bayou.

This step is a crucial part of the construction of a new wastewater facility at 1900 Mound St., and has been the source of great consternation. The city fired the previous engineering firm overseeing the project because it could not successfully microtunnel beneath the bayou. The new engineering firm, McKim and Creed, determined it would have to close the Osprey bridge for a year to complete the work.

The technical procedure involves boring a hole into the earth, a process used to install pipes that will reroute wastewater from the aging Lift Station 7 facility.

“This is a significant milestone,” city Utility Director Mitt Tidwell said.

Still, don’t expect to use the Osprey bridge anytime soon. At a workshop Tuesday, McKim and Creed project manager Robert Garland confirmed the bridge is

We are excited to announce Sharon Touray as the new owner of our Sarasota office. She has over 15 years’ experience in operating a maid service both here and in the U.K. We are looking forward to welcoming new and old customers.

4911 14th St West #102, Bradenton, FL 34207 www.bradentonroyalmaids.com 941-922-5326 (CLEAN) | 941-752-6243 (MAID)

229229

Give us a call today!

still scheduled to reopen in July, if everything proceeds according to schedule.

Garland explained that, although the microtunneling has cleared the bayou, it doesn’t mean the work is done. The crews still have to complete the drilling from south of the bridge to U.S. 41 and Osprey, and then drill again from Osprey to the lift station location on Mound Street. There’s still a large pit near the bridge where workers are conducting this activity, Garland said.

“What we don’t want to do is reopen traffic, from a safety standpoint,” he said.

Garland said the street could conceivably reopen to pedestrian traffic sooner than that.

Overall, the project remains on schedule. The second phase — construction of the lift station building — is scheduled to begin in the summer after the microtunneling work is finished.

Although the completion of the project and decommissioning of Lift Station 7 is scheduled for 2020, Garland said the team is looking for opportunities to push that timeline up.

“Our intent is to compress our schedule to the best of our ability,” Garland said.

V E N I C E ’ S WAT E R F RO N T LANDMARK SINCE 1976.

marina restaurant tavern

41

st

w w w. c r o w s n e s t - v e n i c e . c o m

annual limerick contest & st. Patrick’s DaY celeBration

Sarasota Orthopedic Associates is pleased to announce Gregory C. Farino, MD, Board Certified Hand & Wrist Surgeon is accepting patients in our four locations

Finals Judging live in our Tavern wiTh darrell o’lawhorne aT 9 pm march 17

• Trigger Finger • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Thumb Arthritis • Wrist Tendonitis • Hand & Wrist Fractures

THE

BEST

228670

Limericks due march 15 - entry info onLine

TREATING CONDITIONS OF THE HAND AND WRIST INCLUDING:

SIESTA KEY

232666

Sarasota - Lakewood Ranch Venice - Bradenton

VENICE

www.SOA.md 941.951.BONE

LV5463

DINING

BRINGING ITALY TO SIESTA KEY

5104 ocean blvd • siesta key village open for dinner Sun.-Thu: 4-10pm Fri-Sat: 4-11pm Happy Hour: 4-6pm Daily www.cafegabbiano.com

Please Call 941-349-1423 For Reservations

NEW ENGLAND SEAFOOD AT ITS BEST! Mon.-Thurs. 11:30-9 pm, Fri. & Sat. 11:30-9:30 pm Open Sundays 11:30-9pm • 5157 Ocean Blvd.

941-349-2323 • www.sarasotalobsterpot.com SIESTA KEY’S MOST AFFORDABLE KID FRIENDLY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT! Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner • 1200 Old Stickney Point Rd. 941-349-3885 • www.captaincurts.com VENICE’S WATERFRONT LANDMARK SINCE 1976.

Boat or Car • Lunch & Dinner • Open Daily 1st Floor Tavern • 1968 Tarpon Center Dr. 941-484-9551 • www.crowsnest-venice.com

227550

OF

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH DR. FARINO TODAY

MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

1968 Tarpon Center Dr 9 4 1 . 4 8 4 . 9 5 5 1

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

19A

FEB. 26

COMPLETE REMODEL

SALE TRAIL 6 a.m. — 2300 block of Milford Circle Lost and found property: A resident was having a yard sale when a neighbor mentioned there was a bicycle in the street earlier that morning. The resident noticed the bicycle was still there later in the day, so she went over to look more closely at it. She noticed a man’s wallet sitting underneath the bicycle, so she called the police to report it. An officer found a Florida ID card inside of the wallet. After retrieving the bicycle, the officer visited the address listed on the card. The man outside the property listed said he had never heard of the man named on the ID card, and said he has been living at the address for a year.

The officer took the ID and bike to police property.

POOL MAINTENANCE

Call for a FREE estimate Holiday Pools of West Florida the ONLY Local All-inhouse Pool Builder

of West Florida, Inc.

www.HolidayPoolsFlorida.com

Call today to schedule an appointment

941.927.1882 Lic#CPC1458597

WAR AT HOME 9 a.m. — 600 block of Melody Court Dispute: A man reported a fight he had with his roommate in the past. The man said he and his roommate got into a dispute, and his roommate hit him. An officer asked why the man had not reported the incident when it happened, and the man said he tried to resolve the dispute with his roommate before going to the police. The officer told the man he would need to provide additional information to pursue the case. The man did not provide any more details.

FEB. 25

WIPED OUT 10 a.m. — 1085 block of Patterson Drive Property damage: A woman left her van in her driveway overnight after coming home from work. In the morning, she discovered an unidentified subject broke the passenger-side mirror and bent one of her windshield wipers.

There were no witnesses to the vandalism and no potential suspects. An officer estimated the cost of the damage at $300.

FEB. 26

TAGGED OUT 1 p.m. — 1000 block of Big Pine Road Lost and found property: A man said the temporary paper tag fell off his car when he was driving.

The man said he needed a case number from the police to get a new tag.

TV STAND 4:20 p.m. — 2100 block of Wood Street Dispute: A man said his exgirlfriend moved out of their home and took his television with her. The man said he bought the

television. An officer told him that, because his ex-girlfriend had been living at the residence, she did not commit a crime by taking the television. The officer contacted the ex-girlfriend, who said they bought the television together and it was not there before she moved in. The officer told the man that the disagreement was a civil dispute.

Winter Sales Event MAKE YOUR DREAM A REALITY

FEB. 27

GETTING IN EARLY 8:56 a.m. — 1800 block of North Tamiami Trail Property damage: A property owner reported that, sometime in the past 24 hours, someone smashed out one of the windows in the building on her property.

It did not appear that anyone had entered the building. The property owner said the building is unoccupied and scheduled for demolition.

306 Canyon

For a limited time both Grady-White and Yamaha Outboards are offering terrific incentives towards the purchase of any new Grady and/or a qualifying Yamaha Motor.

Come in today to see how you can save.

CANNONS.COM

PRIVATE TOUR 9 a.m. — 4700 block of Eastchester Drive Suspicion: An agent for a real estate company reported that an unknown individual unlawfully entered the property sometime in the past four days. The agent found two chairs in the kitchen that were previously sitting on the back patio. There were also signs the shower had been used.

There were no signs of forced entry into the property, which indicated that another real estate agent may have left the door unlocked. The officer also questioned whether the signs of entry happened after someone with lawful access to the residence visited the property. The agent locked all the doors and windows before leaving.

941-383-1311

6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

233292

FEB. 22

us o n

230135

like

COPS CORNER

NEW CONSTRUCTION

CASUAL WATERFRONT DINING

Fresh local seafood served in a casual atmosphere

It’s a Sarasota Tradition!

“It was a brave man that first ate an oyster.”

Broiled|Steamed

-Jonathan Swift

Soups and Salads

Baked|Blackened Grilled|Cajun Pasta|Combo Pots Fresh Seafood Chicken|Steaks

941.925.4444 | www.creekseafood.com

5353 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL

Sun.–Thur. 11am–10pm | Fri.–Sat. 11am–10:30pm

OPEN HOUSE, Sunday March 5, 1-4 pm 3960 Torrey Pines Boulevard, Country Club of Sarasota

941.921.9465 | www.tablesrq.com

“List price below appraised value” Exclusive Country Club of Sarasota. A MUST SEE HOME. Immaculate, large 3 bedroom 3 bath wrap-around pool home sits across the 18th Fairway with expansive nature views of the golf course and lake. 4” Plantation shutters throughout open to the all new pool and patio. Prime location within walking distance to TPC. 2016 renovations are extensive and top-of-the-line: all new pool system, (3 new jets and vac line; pebble lining, solar heating, pump, filter, pool lighting) new pool tile and coping; complete renovation of pool cage, screens, doors. New pavers and new solar path lights. Renovation of pool bath new flooring, vanity, lighting, low-flush toilet. Dream kitchen has oversized 35” black onyx granite island and matching countertops, tons of custom cabinets, under cabinet lighting, pull out drawers with slow closures; all SS appliances. Entire interior of the house is newly painted, as well as all doors and baseboards. Replastered volume ceilings, new 52” and 72” ceiling fans. New German flooring installed in living room and all bedrooms. Complete redesign of master bath to an oversized, all travertine Roman Shower with dual shower heads. Cedar lined his and hers closets with custom closet systems. Another WOW is the oversized 2 car garage (with coated flooring) with a side door for your golf cart! Exterior has all new extensive landscaping for great curb appeal from all angles. Absolutely move-in ready. Live the carefree Florida Lifestyle with doors wide open. MLS#A4174768 $499,000

5365 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL Mon-Thu: 4-10pm | Fri-Sat: 4-10:30pm | Sun: 11am-10pm

Get Your Seat at the Table Combining a relaxed ambiance & sophisticated cuisine Global Bites | Raw Bar | Soups | Farm Salads Land | Sea | Vegetarian | Daily Specials

Call Anthony DeLuca, Broker/Owner (941) 685-6001 228014

Your Local Experts in Sales and Rentals in Pelican Cove for over 17 years!

DeLuca Realty and Audrey Rain Rentals your #1 Real Estate Company located in the Palmer Ranch Plaza, 8515 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34238 (941) 487-7162

233669

Go to: www.adelucarealty.com for more information and a tour.

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Siesta trolley plans roll ahead

SWIF T RD. GH

AS TP

41

S

North Village BE

AC H

.

RD

RD .

ID NI

T GH

Public Beach

M S PA

D. SR

After years of lobbying from businesses, Siesta Key will finally get its trolley service this month — though it’s unclear whether that service is here to stay.

On Tuesday, the County Commission approved a contract with St. Louis-based transit company Ride Right LLC to operate a free open-air trolley circulator for a six-month trial run. The service will cost $592,191, part of which is funded by a Florida Department of Transportation grant.

The trolley service, called the Siesta Key Breeze, will run from Turtle Beach to the Siesta Key Village. During peak hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., trolleys will run every 20 minutes. The trolleys will run every 30 minutes off-peak, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Before the Siesta Key Village Association merged with the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the merchants group advocated

PROCTOR R D.

NI

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

private trolley ventures have popped up during the past decade only to fizzle out, though Matthes attributed that to a lack of county support.

The FDOT grant funding the trolley service expires in August.

Keiderling said that grant is essential for SCAT to continue its agreement with Ride Right — and high ridership numbers will help the transit operator secure state funding. Without that outside funding source, barring any significant changes to the SCAT budget, the trolley service is unlikely to last beyond the summer.

“Essentially, I think the only way we’d be able to continue it is if we receive grant funding going forward,” Keiderling said. “It’s up to all of us to make it work.”

Businesses in the area want to spread the message that the trolley is available.

“We just have to get the word out to the condominiums and business owners — to get the word out to the public so it’s used,” Matthes said.

Still, there’s no set threshold the trolley service must hit to continue past the six-month trial period. Although higher ridership increases the odds of procuring another grant, Kenderling said even a successful trolley service may be at risk depending on what the state agency decides.

“It’s a crapshoot if you get the grant funding,” she said.

ID

DAVID CONWAY

strongly for the creation of openair transit service on the island.

Leaders such as Daiquiri Deck co-owner Russell Matthes saw enhanced public transportation as a way to address the growing traffic issues on Siesta.

“I don’t think it’s an option anymore,” Matthes said. “It’s a must-do thing.”

The trolley is replacing a failing Siesta Key transit service. Sarasota County Area Transit created Route 10, which served the Siesta Key beaches, in 2014. SCAT attempted to adjust the route to increase ridership, but the bus service continued to suffer from a lack of interest.

Both Siesta merchants and SCAT officials said ridership may have been down because the type of vehicle didn’t match the desires of riders in the area. The hope is that a switch to a trolleyinspired open-air vehicle will produce increased enthusiasm.

“That’s what we’ve heard — everybody wants an open-air trolley,” SCAT spokeswoman Kendra Keiderling said. “It’s the image, it’s the statement. It doesn’t have the stigma of the bus; it’s neat to get on. That’s why we’re trying this.”

Although merchants might be excited to see a trolley rolling through the Key, county officials are making clear that this is only a test for now. There’s reason to question whether a trolley service will be successful. Multiple

BEE RIDGE RD.

M

The county is testing a free trolley service on Siesta Key for six months.

Businesses are excited, but is the long-awaited transit option viable as a long-term venture?

SI ESTA DR.

IC ST

E KN

Y

PO

T IN

.

RD

South Village

SIESTA KEY TROLLEY ROUTE The trolley will stop at all SCAT stops along Beach Road. Riders can flag down the vehicle south of Midnight Pass Road.

Turtle Beach N

Free Cosmetic Surgery Seminar BREAKTHROUGHS IN FACIAL COSMETIC SURGERY: Revolutionary Procedures to Achieve a Fresh, Natural Appearance When it comes to cosmetic surgery, we are in the Golden Age of technology and procedural safety. Learn about the stunning, natural results of surgical and non-surgical facial cosmetic procedures.

Wednesday, March 8th ● 4:00pm ● Sarasota 2601 S. Tamiami Trail

Reserve your seat today!

250* FOR FIRST 5 DONATIONS

$

CenterForSight.net/Seminars | 941.925.2020

*$50 PER DONATION

John P. Fezza, M.D.

DONORS MUST BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 - 64

Cosmetic Facial Surgeon

WWW.IMMUNOTEK.COM

Named “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd.

941-210-5588

228936

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE PAYMENT, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT.

DONATE PLASMA SAVE A LIFE RECEIVE CASH NEW DONORS

3900 N. LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD. • SARASOTA • FL • 34234 NEW HOURS MONDAY - SATURDAY • 9AM - 5PM

226914

20A

YourObserver.com

17LWR057_LWR_OBSERVER_3-2_INSERTION-PRESS.pdf

1

2/23/17

11:35 AM

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

21A

MORE TO SEE AND DO.

4 TH B E S T S E L L I N G

COMMUNITY IN THE U.S.

B A C K Y A R D B A R B E C U E S A N D N E I G H B O R H O O D 5K S .

CO O KI N G CL A S S E S A N D A R T FE S TI VA L S .

E A R LY M O R N I N G M AT C H E S A N D O U T D O O R MOVIE NIGHT S . WHATE VER YOU LOVE , YOU CAN DO MORE OF IT HERE .

VISIT OUR AWARD -WINNING COMMUNIT Y AND EXPERIENCE LIFE IN LAKEWOOD RANCH F O R YO U R S E L F.

HOMES FROM THE $200S TO OVER $1M. INFORMATION CENTERS & MODEL HOURS: M O N D AY – S AT U R D AY: 1 0 A M – 5 : 3 0 P M | S U N D AY: N O O N – 5 P M

231607

L AKEWOODRANCH.COM | 800.648.1862

22A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Breaking bread Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton joins with Christians and Jews to bolster Family Promise.

ANNA BRUGMANN STAFF WRITER

Becky Taylor wasn’t trying to make a statement when she reached out to the Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton to join her organization, Family Promise.

It was late July. It was before anti-Muslim rhetoric bubbled over on Jan. 27 when President Donald Trump signed a now jettisoned executive order prohibiting people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.

Taylor, network director for Family Promise of Sarasota, said she had no agenda. She was just trying to honor the roots of her organization.

Family Promise offers a safety net to families falling into homelessness. Through a network of partner congregations, it offers food, housing and support in an effort to reroute a family’s path away from homelessness.

With Family Promise partner Temple Beth Sholom, its mission has been primarily carried out by Christian churches, until now.

“Family Promise was founded as an interfaith hospitality network, and we decided that we were going to take that very literally and reach out to all faiths in our community,” Taylor said. “I just felt that it was important to

include everyone.”

It's a feeling Taylor shares with many others in the Sarasota community.

Although the mosque has always welcomed visitors, Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton volunteer Amani Makarita said lately more people have expressed interest in visiting.

“We’ve had a lot of people calling to tell us they want to support us and they feel we belong here, and they just want to meet a Muslim. Some of them have never met a Muslim before,” Makarita said.

Easing interfaith relations was not the express impetus for Taylor’s invitation, but she concedes her organization’s most recent partnership could do just that.

“No one is openly saying ‘I am doing this for interfaith relations,’ but … maybe we are doing a little for (interfaith relations),” Taylor said. “Just because we are doing it.”

The Islamic Society eagerly accepted Taylor’s invitation.

After months of conversations, the mosque, Sarasota’s only place of worship for Muslim residents, formally joined Family Promise as a host congregation in late 2016.

“Part of our belief is to help and serve …” Makarita said. “It was a great opportunity, because it was just handed to us, really.”

Now, with her small army of

Anna Brugmann

Becky Taylor, the network director of Family Promise of Sarasota, chats with volunteers Gulzar Allarakhia and Nazia Abid. The Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton recently joined Taylor’s group in helping local famiilies.

volunteers, Makarita works to serve the three families being helped by Family Promise. Each week, a different congregation helps care for the families, including providing dinner.

“We’ve had a lot of people who want to cook,” Makarita said. “We love to feed people.”

Dinners follow a practiced pattern. It's chaotic. But it’s a comfortable chaos of coaxing children to eat while the older children arrive from school.

Taylor encourages her congregations to treat Family Promise families like they would their own family, with one small exception when preparing food.

“Keep the spices down to a minimum,” Taylor advised Makarita’s volunteers, “But bring things that

you might serve at home … that’s what Amani’s volunteers have done, and the kids are eating it and loving it."

Meals follow the familiar rhythm. Three family members dish out dinner buffet style, scooping rice, vegetables and chicken onto paper plates. After the children are fed, the adults sit with Islamic Society volunteers around a rectangular table while youngsters play on a computer.

The choreographed routine was set to the murmur of small talk.

“It’s delicious,” someone complimented the cook. “I love the cabbage.”

Taylor said she believes that will be the impact of the partnership — the moments when volunteers and families are able to share

their culture through food.

“I think that’s probably going to be the best legacy right there,” Taylor said. “Our kids have now been exposed to the food. They have sat and played games with women wearing hijabs ... they were just family.”

Although many volunteers are happy to share their culture, that wasn’t what attracted them to the program.

“We are part of the community, and we want to give,” volunteer Nazia Abid said.

In Islam, she said, whatever you have is a result of a community.

“When your community needs it, you have to give in the form of Zakat (charity). It’s one of the pillars of Islam. It’s an obligation,” she said.

Spacious tower residences just released from $ 1.5 million.

SALES STUDIO NOW OPEN. You’re living in one of only 49 expansive, modern residences in Sarasota’s newest, most impressive downtown address. You glance out the window at your vibrant town with all its cultural offerings, trendy restaurants and boutiques, wondering what excitement today will bring. Then, you see the Bay, simply breathtaking. Add on-site dining on the first floor and a rooftop zero horizon pool – there’s nowhere else like it.

RIGHT IN THE HEART OF SARASOTA’S FAMED BOULEVARD OF THE ARTS.

500 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236

BLVDSarasota.com | 941.316.1499

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES,TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. ALL PRICES AND FEATURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL DRAWINGS ARE CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS AND DEVELOPER EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS.

231950

Presented by Key Solutions Real Estate

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

23A

ADVERTISEMENT

Luxurious Models on Display in The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch During Sarasota-Manatee Parade of Homes Stock Development and its Preferred Builders are presenting eight luxurious furnished model homes within The Lake Club Village at Lakewood Ranch during the Sarasota-Manatee Parade of Homes February 18th through March 5th. The models are open for viewing Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Stock and its group of homebuilders are introducing a collection of attractively priced luxury home and homesite choices. Clubhouse enhancements, expanded amenities, and concierge services will make the already enviable Lake Club lifestyle even more appealing.

by Stock Signature Homes are being featured during the Parade in Matera. The Akarra IV by John Cannon Homes, Arthur Rutenberg Homes’ Almeria model, and The Leeward by Nutter Custom Homes are being showcased in the Vineyards. Residences in the Vineyards are priced from the $800s. Stock’s Cameron and Murray Homes’ Resolute custom estate models are also being featured. Custom estate homes in The Lake Club start at $1.4 million. A Premier Club Membership at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club valued at $30,000 is included with the purchase of every newly constructed residence.

New facilities and renovations were recently completed at the Club at a cost of $25 million.

Six of the models featured during the Parade are located in The Lake Club’s Matera and Vineyards neighborhoods. Home and lot packages in Matera are base-priced from the $700’s. The Adalia by London Bay Homes and the Joliette II and Oakdale II models

Visit The Lake Club Model Preview Center at 8307 Lake Club Boulevard within Lakewood Ranch or call (866) 498-5253. Visit The Lake Club online at thelakeclublwr.com.

Tour 8 Model Homes February 18th - March 5th

There’s club living.

And then there’s

living.

Enjoy a

$30,000 PREMIER CLUB MEMBERSHIP*

with every new home.

MATERA from the $700s

MAKE IT YOURS

from the 700s $

VINEYARDS from the $800s

LAKE VIEW ESTATES from $1 million

CUSTOM HOME ESTATES from $1.4 million

Make your next move to a place that’s moving forward. The Lake Club offers expanded amenities and activities, concierge services, a refreshed clubhouse underway, and a wide selection of homes and homesites in four distinctive neighborhoods. Come see all that’s new at The Lake Club during the Parade of Homes, February 18th–March 5th.

Visit our Model Preview Center today | 8307 Lake Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 | (866) 498-5253 | thelakeclublwr.com

BROKER PARTICIPATION WELCOMED. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NOT AN OFFERING WHERE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. *OFFER VALID THROUGH 5/31/17. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS APPLY. OFFER SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. SEE SALES ASSOCIATE FOR DETAILS.

232663

ANCHOR BUILDERS | ARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES | JOHN CANNON HOMES | LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES LONDON BAY HOMES | MURRAY HOMES | NUTTER CUSTOM HOMES | STOCK SIGNATURE HOMES

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Lots of observers at the Cup

P

erhaps the biggest problem during the Observer Cup on Feb. 26 at the Sarasota Polo Club was that halftime was too short.

Some children didn’t have time to get on the wagon pulled by the Clydesdales.

With wonderful weather and a full slate of activities, fans lined the north side of the field from end to end. The south side was just about as full with tailgaters enjoying spreads surrounding the pavilion during the event.

Photos by Jay Heater

Children piled into the back of a wagon for rides pulled by Clydesdales at halftime.

— JAY HEATER

Buck Schott represented Tito’s in the Observer Cup.

Ellie Arthur and her mom, Mandy Arthur, check out the horses before the Observer Cup at the Sarasota Polo Club.

Ray Shepherd and Kim Gennocro of Lakewood Ranch enjoy the day.

Missions & Music Events

MAKE YOUR DREAMS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP INTO REALITY!

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE COVENANT

*March 12th - 10:30am

Project CURE and lite lunch honoring Dr. William and Mrs. Judy Kraut

*March 19th - 3:00pm The Meadows Chorus

233163

GET ON PATH TO BUY THE HOME YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

*Reservations required one week prior to event: 941-922-5509 OR  PCCevents@PresbyterianCC.org

March 26th - 10:30 am Musical Performance by Beth Cantin-Straubel

7950 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL SARASOTA, FL 34231

Homeownership is a dream that FCB can help you make happen, and it’s easier than you think!

FCB’s Affordable Home Loan Program can help you overcome: • • •

DOWNTOWN

LIVI NG

Limited assets for a down payment Low credit Income and budget challenges

1350 Main

A great opportunity to own a condo in Downtown Sarasota’s finest and best located community.

2 BR/2 BA split plan spacious condo 1336 s.f. with bamboo floors and marble bathrooms and terrace overlooking pool and City.

24 hour concierge, resort style pool with gas BBQ deck, guest suite, social & meeting rooms, state of the art fitness center. A wonderful home or a really good rental investment.

Our local underwriting team offers personalized service that helps you get approved, fast decision making, and low fixed rates with flexible terms so you can easily manage your first mortgage.

We also offer a range of resources that can help you get mortgage-ready:

•

First-time homebuyer workshops that qualify you for key programs like Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance, where available.

•

FCB’s comprehensive new website, FCBMortgageCentral.com, with a range of free tools that help you get to closing days faster.

$

575,000

(the lowest price per s.f. in newer Downtown condos)

Stop by your local banking center or call us today so we can help you make homeownership a reality for you!

To view please call

Michael 941-504-8018 Brian D. Shipton Affordable Housing Specialist 205 Del Prado Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL 33990

FCBMortgageCentral.com

Michael Granston has been connecting Happy Buyers with Happy Sellers for 20 years in Longboat Key and Downtown Sarasota

P: 239.552.1895 C: 570.220.6409 E: bshipton@fcb1923.com F: 239.790.1389

All credit applications are subject to credit and underwriting guidelines and approval. Non-business purposes loan only. 4195 0916

232488

NMLS# 404135

216877

24A

MARCH 2, 2017

HIGH

SPORTS

5

“I love to make people laugh, even when they’re down. I love to pick them up.”

– Terrionna Smith. SEE PAGE 27A

TORNADOES TURN THE PAGE Booker basketball’s storybook season ended last week, but the program’s next chapter is bright.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

1

Sarasota Military Academy girls basketball senior Hayley Walding was named the Class 5A Player of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association on Feb. 23, as part of the association’s district awards.

2

Booker girls basketball senior Cellexia Foster was named the Class 6A Player of the Year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association on Feb. 23, as part of the association’s district awards.

3

The Sarasota Scullers rowing team won 13 medals at the Sarasota Invitational Regatta from Feb. 23-25, including gold medals for its Women’s 2x, Men’s 2x (A), and Women’s Novice 8+ teams.

4

Riverview girls lacrosse junior Veronica McCurdy had five goals Feb. 21 in the Rams’ 16-15 win against The Out-ofDoor Academy.

5

Riverview softball freshman Holley Peluso threw a complete game and went 2-2 with 3 RBI Feb. 27 in the Rams’ 6-3 win over Lemon Bay.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, AND A SLICE PAGE 26A

N

o team feels satisfied when it loses in the playoffs. The end of the season brings anguish and disbelief. For a senior class, those feelings are amplified.

That does not mean, though, that players have to hang their heads all offseason. For the Booker boys basketball team, the best is yet to come, and that is enough for the Tornadoes and fans to take pride in what the team accomplished this past season.

It was the first under coach Markus Black, who previously coached the JV squad. It began ominously. Sophomore Johnnie Williams IV said the team was having an issue gelling during preseason workouts, perhaps because the players were lining up against themselves every day.

At first, it was just words. Then, it turned physical, with players giving an extra edge to their fouls on drives to the paint and shoving each other down. Even once the season began, some players weren’t happy with the playing time they were receiving, senior Eunique Arnold said. The team sat at 1-3 through its first four games — a less-than-ideal start.

The team had nowhere to go but up. Thankfully for Booker, up it went. Arnold said that Black threw the gauntlet down: If players were more concerned about their own playing time and stats than accomplishing the team’s goals and putting the Tornadoes first, they would not play at all.

This got the team’s attention, Arnold said. It prompted everyone on the team to play unselfishly. The team’s chemistry got better, and the team’s play dramatically improved. Booker won 14 of its next 15 games. That is an impressive run for anyone, but especially so for a team led in large part by three underclassmen: sophomores Williams IV and Jordan Clark and junior Jaylen Jones.

Booker finished the season 20-8, the team’s best regularseason record since 2005-2006, when it went 22-4 and won a state championship. To expand the context of this achievement further, the Tornadoes were 13-11 last year. This is a level of success the program has not seen in a long time, and it came suddenly.

The playoffs promised to be a challenge. Booker has recently struggled to make it out of its

BY THE NUMBERS Booker’s season records, by year: 2016-2017: 20-8 2015-2016: 13-11 2014-2015: 14-10 2013-2014: 5-14

Ryan Kohn

Sam Evans drives the lane for a shot against Riverview.

district, losing in the first round four years in a row. The team fixed that, though, by downing Lake Wales 80-74. The Tornadoes lost to Sebring in the Class 6A District 10 final, but still advanced to regionals, and for them, that was enough.

Awaiting Booker in the regional quarterfinals on Feb. 16 was Tampa Jesuit, which went 22-5 in the regular season and featured senior guard Stevie Darst, who will be playing Division 1 basketball at Loyola next season.

Arnold said that his non-basketball friends at Booker all told him that they had no chance to win.

SEE PAGE 27A

3

Number of returning starters for Booker next season

6

Number of seniors the team loses next season

1

Number of years Markus Black has been a head coach

26

Number of points Johnnie Williams IV scored against Tampa Jesuit in the regional quarterfinals

26A

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

On the mound or behind the bar, Rawley’s an ace

Ryan Kohn

Shane Rawley inside his restaurant, Shaner’s Pizzeria.

place. He may not have grown up here, but Rawley is an all-in Sarasotan now.

After retiring, Rawley could have sent his life in numerous directions. Why choose to open a restaurant?

“I like to eat,” he said.

Good reason. I applaud him for following his dreams.

Rawley said he sought to differentiate the pizza at Shaner’s from most of the other pizza joints in the area. He wanted to

bring the thin, crispy style of pizza that reigns supreme in his childhood home of Racine, Wis. The warm vibe the restaurant emits is key to what Rawley is trying to achieve. He’s seated more people in his restaurant before, when it was located downtown, but he feels that Shaner’s current locale is perfect. Making money is secondary, he said. He wants strangers talking to each other from separate tables, hopefully no longer

WE’RE PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

strangers by the end of the night.

Rawley himself wants to pop into conversations while he works behind the bar, which he does roughly six nights a week.

He’s equally happy to talk food and baseball, and while I had the chance, I couldn’t help but ask him about his playing career.

Like his restaurant career, Rawley played the game because he loved it and was good at it, not to rake in cash. He made $21,000 his rookie year in Seattle, he said.

He made the All-Star team with the Phillies in 1986, which he called an “incredible” experience, and won 17 games the next season on a team that went 80-82. One of Rawley’s favorite memories is getting a hit off Dwight Gooden in the bottom of the eighth in a 1-1 game on Sept. 17, 1984, and scoring the eventual game-winning run after Gooden balked with him on third. Rawley returned to the mound in the ninth and finished the game.

That’s all interesting, but I was more curious about the hijinks that occurred off the field ­— baseball is known for attracting pranksters. Rawley said most of his nights were spent with teammates in hotel bars watching ESPN, but he did share one particularly entertaining story about his time with the Yankees.

While on a road trip to rival Boston, Rawley and a few teammates somehow got ahold of a waterballoon launcher, and decided

to trek to the roof of the bank next to their hotel and fire them at the passersby on the street.

Everyone had a good laugh until Boston police descended, thinking the large group on top of the bank was trying to rob it. Once the police realized who (and what) they were dealing with, they told Rawley and company to scatter.

Rawley is a believer in lifelong learning. As a player, he said, he would pick the brains of such players as Mike Schmidt to try to gain the perspective of a star hitter, and Schmidt would do the same in reverse. It takes more than talent to be successful in the majors. The public has no idea how hard baseball players work to earn and keep their spots, he said.

He brings that same attitude and work ethic to the restaurant business, and believes that his customers appreciate it. It’s a pride thing for him.

“I want customers to thoroughly enjoy themselves,” Rawley said. “Have a great time, good food, good atmosphere.

That’s what it’s all about. I want people to be able to forget their troubles here.”

Ryan Kohn is a sports writer for the Sarasota Observer. Contact him at rkohn@ yourobserver.com.

Every day, Mosaic puts science to work right here in our community. Our reclamation team and ecologists use the latest technology and scientific methods to reclaim formerly mined lands, creating natural corridors for native wildlife and even reviving streams that haven’t existed for over a century. As a global leader in reclamation ecology, Mosaic is pioneering new environmental approaches to create vital habitats and land uses for future generations — both ours and nature’s. The sawgrass marsh near Hooker’s Prairie provides an abundant source of habitat and food for a variety of plant and wildlife species.

To learn more about Mosaic’s leadership in reclamation ecology, visit MosaicCo.com/Florida.

© 2017 The Mosaic Company

233132

W

alking into Shaner’s Pizzeria, located in Gulf Gate at 6500 Superior Ave., I was greeted by the most intimate restaurant of its ilk I’ve ever entered, and I’ve entered my fair share. There is barely enough space to walk between the bar and the tables lining the adjacent wall. Pictures of a (usually) clean-shaven man on a pitching mound line the interior, along with photographs of baseball stadiums, Topps cards, and pennants featuring team logos from different eras of the game. There are no giantscreen TVs or arcade games.

It’s almost quaint. This is how owner Shane Rawley likes it, though he adds that he does wish he had hung on to more of his own memorabilia. It’s hard to think about your legacy while you’re living it, he said.

Rawley, that clean-shaven man from the pictures, was a Major League pitcher from 1978, when he broke into the league with the Seattle Mariners, until 1990, when he retired after a year with the Minnesota Twins.

In between were longer stints with the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.

Rawley has actually lived in Sarasota since 1982. While playing for Seattle, he became good friends with Edward Friar, the president of the Washington Bar Association. Friar moved here, and when Rawley came to visit him, he fell in love with the

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

Ryan Kohn

Cyrus Smith hits a crossover.

Booker FROM PAGE 25A

A reaction to seasons past, probably, but Arnold and Co. took it as a personal challenge.

In a back-and-forth battle, Booker won. Williams IV led the way with 26 points and eight rebounds. Clark added 21 points himself, and Arnold, who called the game the highlight of the season for him personally, had 19.

The win brought yet another matchup with district rival Sebring in the regional semifinals on Feb. 21, and again, Booker would fall. The Tornadoes finished the year 1-3 against the Blue Streaks. The loss hurt, and

Williams IV said he thought the team was capable of making a much deeper playoff run, but in the wake of so many down years, the players know that this season was a success.

Despite the loss, Black is not done coaching. He is already working after school with any players who want to refine their games, and is actively calling schools and showing film of all six of his seniors in an attempt to get them into college.

What was recently a program in disarray is now on the rise. With Williams IV, Clark and Jones all returning next season, plus key junior Frederick Francois, Booker has a chance to repeat its surprising success, and Arnold believes it will.

How long have you been playing softball?

I’ve been playing since I was 7 years old. When I first tried out for softball, I thought it would be like a cheerleading thing. When I went out there and saw a whole bunch of dirt, I was like “No, I don’t want to try out for this!” Then I got into it, and I started loving it.

What appeals to you about softball?

It’s not a girly-girl sport. I love to get dirty.

What is your best skill on the field?

Hitting. I’m a power hitter. I love to hit.

What is your favorite softball memory?

In my second season playing softball, I was still really shy (at the plate). My coach told me, “You can do it!” After he told me that, I got my first home run. I was so happy.

What is your favorite food?

Pizza. I like the triple meat, with bacon and turkey and sausage.

What hobbies do you have?

I actually always continue playing softball outside of school and practice. I just love playing.

I do running drills, I run “suicides.” I work out a lot, too.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at rkohn@ yourobserver.com What is a random fact about you?

When I’m at home, I love to do homework. People don’t understand. Homework is the key to everything. It keeps your grades on point, and that is what you need to succeed.

What is the best of piece of advice you have been given?

To always do your best, no matter what.

Someone is always watching you. You can do it.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Terrionna Smith Terrionna Smith is a sophomore at Sarasota Military Academy, but she plays on the Booker High softball team because SMA does not have one. Smith plays first base and is a powerful hitter. As of Feb. 27, Smith held a .579 batting average with more than half of her hits going for extra bases, including a grand slam in the Tornadoes’ 24-3 win over The Out-ofDoor Academy on Feb. 23.

27A

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

When did you laugh the hardest?

When my sister (Shaterria “Cheerio” Smith) sat in this chair. My family and I knew it was broken, but she didn’t. She sat in it and it fell, and so did she. We just started laughing so hard.

Finish this sentence: “Terrionna Smith is ...” ... The most energetic person you will ever meet. I love to make people laugh, even when they’re down. I love to pick them up. I don’t want to see anybody feeling down.

That’s not me. I hate to see it.

CRITICAL THINKING

CREATIVITY

COLLABORATION

Since 1924, we have prepared young people with the knowledge, confidence and skills to take them wherever they want to go in life.

Hear directly from our students at www.oda.edu/beoutstanding.

A Cum Laude Society School

Pre-K - 12th Grade | Sarasota, Florida | 941-554-3400 | www.oda.edu

Now accepting applications for 2017-18

232968

Be OUTstanding

COMMUNICATION

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

A Century of American Stability Est.1898 – England, Arkansas

A Century of American Stability Est.1898 – England, Arkansas

MORTGAGES MADE EASY

Southwest Florida’s Most Trusted Direct Lender

LOCAL IN-HOUSE Underwriting and Loan Processing

Conventional Mortgages

FHA | VA | USDA | JUMBO

Reverse Mortgage Purchase or Refinance | Bridge Loans Give us a call and you’ll see the difference (941) 361- 1280

230515

Oday Marogi Area Manager NMLS# 457582

Dusty Meshberger Area Manager NMLS #412459

OVER 2.6 BILLION FUNDED IN 2016 235 N. Orange Ave, Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 361-1280 | www.BOEFlorida.com Oday Marogi and Dustin Meshberger are not loan originators. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. All loans are subject to credit approval including credit worthiness, insurability, and ability to provide acceptable collateral. Not all loans or products are available in all states or counties. Bank of England is not affiliated with any government agency. Bank of England Mortgage is a division of Bank of England. NMLS 418481. Member FDIC. 230892

28A

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

MARCH 2, 2017

YOUR NEIGHBORS PARK CLEANUP

For the love of art

Neighborhood comes together for park improvements.

Photos by Anna Brugmann

A group of amateur artists combines altruism and art.

ANNA BRUGMANN STAFF WRITER

O

n Wednesdays, the women of Sarasota Urban Sketchers can expect a familiar message: Friday. 10 in the morning. Starbucks. First Street.

The uninitiated might speculate the email refers to a dangerous rendezvous, but reality is less dramatic.

It’s the usual call to gather for a group of artists who have been meeting for nearly two years around Sarasota to sketch, paint or just chat at some of the city’s iconic landmarks.

“Everybody brings their own chair. We all have small palettes that we use for travel, so we use those,” Sarasota Urban Sketchers participant Ellen McKeefe said.

“Sometimes, I bring a big sketchbook, and I basically just practice perspective. You just do what you please.”

For most it’s a hobby. Few have sold a painting. But come March 2, that’s due to change.

The women are hosting their first art sale at Malbi Decor on Pineapple Avenue, set up to aid a pair of art teachers.

Their collection of work is the product of outings to Bayfront Park and the Ringling Bridge, Five Points Park and the historic DeMarcay Hotel.

Faith Reynolds started the meetings in 2015 while taking a

Many pieces depict Sarasota landmarks.

JOIN THE SKETCHERS For information on how to join the Sarasota Urban Sketchers on their weekly outings, email Faith Reynolds at faithreynolds@ me.com

watercolor class at Selby Gardens.

“I didn’t enjoy doing large pictures, so I went on a trip and decided to journal,” Reynolds said. “I got a little watercolor journal … and did sketches along the way.”

And she kept sketching.

Every week she would meander around downtown, creating art as she went.

“She mentioned in one of the art classes she just wanders around downtown and does small sketches,” Amy Harding said. She was taking an art class with Reynolds at the time and asked to tag along.

And then another friend asked to come, and then another.

“It just kept growing,” Harding said. “It’s all just people who live in the area. Some of them are snowbirds, and some of them are full-time residents, but all of them have an interest in loving Sarasota or just painting and hanging out.”

The group has maintained a consistency that is stereotypically uncharacteristic of artists.

It meets at the same place, at the same time to do the same thing.

Yet, the group exercises a level of flexibility one would expect from a creative community.

Some women come every week and some just once a month.

Sometimes someone will bring a needlepoint project instead of a palette, and sometimes someone will bring nothing at all. They’ll come to enjoy the company.

Since its inception, the group has swelled, incorporating friends-of-friends and art class acquaintances. The group now includes almost 30 women.

Each sketch represents countless mornings spent sitting in the

shade, creating art while constructing their community.

“Some of us studied art in college, but no one ... made living out of it,” McKeefe said. “So it really is kind of nice how it worked out that we are doing it later.”

The proceeds of the sale will be donated to two art teachers, one at Horizons Academy in Manatee County and one at Booker Middle School in Sarasota.

They decided to do the sale before it settled on a beneficiary, but it wasn’t difficult to decide on who should receive the funds.

“Art for art,” Sarasota Urban Sketcher participant Brandy Braver said. “That’s a no-brainer.”

Reynolds said the goal is to supplement the teachers’ typical budget to account for alternative or higher quality items.

“We can just imagine how neat it would be ... for a teacher that is underfunded to be able to buy supplies and things that the school normally wouldn’t get for them,” Reynolds said.

It’s their first major colaboration, but the group expects to collaborate again.

Harding said they are creating a cookbook with sketches of the finished dishes.

But even as the group evolves, Harding expects it will stay true to its roots. It’s a group that prefers to keep the organization simple — no officers, no dues, just art.

“We’re just an informal group of people who like to get together and sketch,” Harding said. “We don’t want to make it too complicated.”

Above: Jerome Chesley helps Ellen McKeefe and Karen Jackson price the pieces that will be sold at the Sarasota Urban Sketchers art sale March 2.

PAGE 4B

CRAFTS ON THE KEY

IF YOU GO Date: March 2 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Malbi Decor patio, 127 S. Pineapple Ave. Art from the Sarasota Urban Sketchers will be for sale. The event will also feature a raffle and refreshments. All proceeds will benefit Horizon’s Academy and Booker Middle School.

Siesta Key Craft Festival’s 23rd edition makes a big splash.

PAGE 7B

JLS BRUNCH

Junior League of Sarasota kicks off annual home tour with brunch.

PAGE 10B

REAL ESTATE

Pea Pellew holds the still life she submitted to the sale.

Casey Key home sells for $3,495,000.

PAGE 13B

2B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Teresa Wetzel tries on a scarf.

Virginia Hughes speaks to a customer.

Photos by Anna Brugmann

Susan Jordan tries on a hat at Le Marche Behemien.

Le Marche Bohemien takes over Five Points Park

B

ooths featuring repurposed and ecofriendly art filled Five Points Park on Feb. 25 for the third annual Le Marche Bohemien.

The event was sponsored by the Downtown

Spangle and Valya Taylor enjoy the sunshine.

Merchants Association.

“This is a fun event that really helps a lot of artists,” event organizer Christine Baer said. “We take old things and make them new.”

— ANNA BRUGMANN

Samantha Ehrhardt and Maya Lana search T-shirts.

WHY CHOOSE AN Intercoastal

GREAT SELECTION!

We also carry a complete line of accessories and bike clothing

PUlMonoloGIst?

SARASOTA

Sarasota’s largest dealer since 1969 3800 S. Osprey Ave. • Sarasota 366-4144

Education. Expertise. Compassion.

Monday - Saturday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Faisal ahmad, MD Board Certified, Pulmonology and Critical Care 223281

Dr. Faisal Ahmad brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at Cattleridge a wealth of knowledge and experience in Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, utilizing the most current technologies and techniques to address your needs, from the routine to the complicated.

Gulf Coast CEO Forum presents

Dr Kerry

Johnson

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL TODAY

March 8

7:15 AM

The Francis

The Gulf Coast CEO Forum welcomes Dr. Kerry Johnson on March 8th for “Sales Magic”, a dynamic presentation for its members.

Focusing on how to build trust with potential clients and increase sales closing ratio to 85% in under three minutes, Johnson promises to provide actionable takeaways for sales professionals and companies of all types. Learn to maximize referrals and learn the two key questions that determine how people buy.

Cattleridge Medical Building

941-379-1799

3333 Cattlemen Rd., Suite 106 Sarasota, FL 34232

For information on how to join, visit GulfCoastCEOForum.com

Medicare and most insurances accepted

www.intercoastalmedical.com

The Gulf Coast CEO Forum is a member network providing relationships, ideas and solutions for regional CEOs through speakers, small groups, special events and dynamic programming.

For membership information, contact Kim Miele, kim@gulfcoastceoforum.com.

233462

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

233425

gulfcoastceoforum.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

|

3B

BeallsFlorida.com

Exclusively at SHOP SAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE STORE & AT BEALLSFLORIDA.COM REEL LEGENDS®

INTRODUCING:

Freelines for the Family

OUR LATEST PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS SO COMFORTABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT, YOU’LL FORGET YOU'RE WEARING IT.

Moisture Wicking

Quick Dry Featherweight

FREELINE Quick Dry

Moisture Wicking

REEL LEGENDS®

Flip Flops or Water Shoes for Ladies & Men

20

EXTRA

% OFF

SAVINGS PASS

your purchase

SALE, REGULAR & CLEARANCE MERCHANDISE Use promo code REELTEC on BeallsFlorida.com

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 1-4, 2017 Savings Pass valid for use on a qualifying merchandise purchase in Bealls Department Stores, by phone at 800-569-9038, on Click & Find kiosks and on BeallsFlorida.com only. Savings Pass must be presented at time of purchase. Limit one (1) Savings Pass per purchase. Cannot be applied to prior purchases, gift card purchases, existing Bealls Florida credit balances, taxes, or shipping charges and cannot be used with Employee Discount or any other offer. Dollar-off discounts will be applied before any percent-off total purchase discounts. Savings Pass is applied to qualifying items on a prorated basis; returns will be credited at the return price on your receipt. EXCLUSIONS: Cobian®, Columbia, Gumbies®, Huk™, La Blanca®, Levi’s®, Melissa & Doug®, Natural Life®, Night Ize®, Nike®, Pelagic®, Sakroots®, Sawyer®, Simply Southern®, Southern Fried Cotton™, Suncloud®, Under Armour®, select premium comfort shoe brands, Bealls Outstanding Buys, Bealls Extreme Values and other brands listed at BeallsFlorida.com/exclusions. Not valid at Bealls Outlet. Bealls stores & BeallsFlorida. com are operated by Beall’s Department Stores, Inc. and Beall’s Westgate Corporation. SP01

bealls buck$

FOR EVERY $50 YOU SPEND

Go to BeallsFlorida.com for hours, locations and the latest deals!

Bealls stores & BeallsFlorida.com are operated by Beall’s Department Stores, Inc. and Beall’s Westgate Corporation.

232962

GET

Receive $10 Bealls Bucks (March 1 & 2, 2017) when you make a qualifying merchandise purchase of $50 or more (before taxes) in Bealls Department Stores only.

Maximum of $120 Bealls Bucks awarded per customer. Bealls Bucks have no cash value and can be redeemed in-store (March 3 & 4, 2017) only at Bealls Department Stores. Bealls Bucks must be presented and surrendered at time of purchase; any remaining balance will be forfeited. Bealls Bucks cannot be earned on purchases of gift cards or applied to prior purchases, gift cards, taxes or existing Bealls Florida credit balances. Bealls Bucks will be applied before any percent off total purchase discounts. Offer cannot be earned or combined with Employee discount. OP12

4B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Photos by Anna Brugmann

Luiciana Pereira helps plant flowers in front of the Gillespie Park police substation.

Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association President Linda Holland and Charing Bostic

Neighborhood cleanup

T

he Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association was up early Feb. 25 and ready to get their hands dirty. Residents dug through dirt and compost to replant flower pots in front of the Gillespie Park police substation and in the garden in front of the Gillespie Park sign.

Alejandro Casco and Damian Rosario

The association used money from a city of Sarasota neighborhood grant to make the improvements a reality.

“The substation is 20 years old, so it needed some spiffing up,” Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association President Linda Holland said.

— ANNA BRUGMANN

Savanah Montes rakes leaves in Gillespie Park as part of the neighborhood’s workday.

A Tradition of Exceptional Service for Extraordinary Lifestyles

PRESENTS HER

Broker/Associate, CRB, CRS, GRI Previews International Property Specialist

L U X U RY C O L L EC T I O N

Open Sunday 1-4

Office: 941.387.1803 Cell: 941.544.5117 lkoy@coldwellbanker.com LynneKoy.com

Open Sunday 1-4

BIRD KEY - 11th largest home site on Bird Key, offering 25,895 sq ft on Sarasota Bay and 233’ of seawall! Vast terraces with soaring wood beam ceilings, pool with fountain, boat lift, and endless water views.

554SSpoonbillDr.com $4,395,000

BIRD KEY - Beautifully updated garden home. Lushly landscaped, with a pool and private backyard that is perfect for entertaining! 3 BD+ den/3 BA. Open floorplan with 2,706 sq ft.

429PheasantWay.com $1,045,000

MOTE RANCH - Stunning upgrades throughout, shows like a model! Expansive floor plan with 3 car garage, den, family room, bonus room, pool, and serene lake views!

6824CoyoteRidgeCt.com $499,000

Report Card: $40 Million in Pending and Closed Sales in 2016! Thank you to my customers and clients for your loyalty!

Thinking of Selling Your Home?

Lynne provides the hands-on service, personal attention and unmatched market experience to get the results you deserve.

For real estate representation built on trust and your satisfaction call Lynne today at 941.544.5117.

Follow me on:

201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1 • Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Top ½ of 1% of all Coldwell Banker Agents Internationally for Closed Transactions.

233029

For more information on these or any of Lynne’s extensive portfolio of premier properties, visit the newly redesigned LynneKoy.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

5B

COFFEY & COMPANY 22 S. Links Ave., Ste #204, Sarasota, FL 34236 www.insarasotarealestate.com 941.284.4474 Cell Phone 877.308.6311 Toll-Free | 888.756.6624 Toll-Free Fax

The Best Home-Buying Decision You’ll Ever Make Brandy Coffey ABR,CIPS,CLHMS,CRS,RSPS,TRC Licensed Real Estate Broker | Keller Williams Luxury Homes International

FEATURED PROPERTY

OSPREY HARBOR VILLAGE

506 VENICE LANE, SARASOTA

Come enjoy the resort lifestyle! Maintenance free waterfront living with full service Marina, Harbor Master, docks and wet slips that accommodate 50’ boats with deep water access. Units #413 #306 and #305 available. Each unit ranging between

A spectacular British West Indies design on Siesta Key. This masterpiece is perfectly situated on Grand Canal with the finest attention to detail including Pecky Cyprus columns, a gorgeous stone fireplace, and vaulted ceilings throughout 6,800 sq. ft.

$3,850,000

730 SIESTA KEY CIRCLE, SARASOTA This one of a kind home is located in Siesta Bayfront, an exclusive community of elegant and spacious estates. One of a kind waterfront home featuring 4BR/3BA on a quiet street. Just a few min to quaint, Siesta Key Village and a short 4 minute ride to the famous Siesta Key Beaches.

$599,900 - $669,900

600 N. JACKSON ROAD, VENICE Welcome to Villa De Vita, a stunning 100 acre premier equestrian Tuscan style estate perfect for those who value both 136 OSPREY POINT DRIVE, SARASOTA the pastoral landscape and love being near the beach. Natural beauty abounds on this This gorgeous home has undergone an extensive $1M renovation and features 7BR/6FBA/3HBA, stunning property. A truly unique property special for it’s value of space and top of the line dollar Brazilian cherry wood flooring, renovated chef ’s luxury amenities. Property includes a working horse-farm with a 22-stall barn, caretaker kitchen, customized entertainment area, two master suites, infinity-edge pool/spa. apartments, staff kitchen and offices, a John Deere customized equipment garage. $9,450,000

$1,495,000

$3,449,900

3505 WHITE LANE, SARASOTA

29810 SADDLEBAG TRL, MYAKKA CITY

411 LYCHEE ROAD, NOKOMIS

7794 HOLIDAY DRIVE N, SARASOTA

Gorgeous Arthur Rutenberg 4BR/3FBA/2HBA home on the Hansen Bayou! Easy boating access to the Intracoastal. Gourmet kitchen with gas range, solid wood cabinetry, granite countertops, custom backsplash, top of the line appliances and wine refrigeration. $2,274,900

Custom built home on over 5 acres with 4BR/2BA. Main home features a private office, formal dining room and a bright open living space that leads out to the oversized patio and pool area. A separate guest residence is also included with 1 full BR, bath, kitchen and living area. Includes solar hot water heater, new AC for guest house & HOME WARRANTY.

Nestled on 5.1 acres in a private waterfront setting, this 7,700 sq. ft. estate is situated with deep water dockage and immediate access to the intracoastal waterway, just minutes to the Gulf. Features include a chef ’s kitchen, guest house, custom pool with cabana and more! $3,400,000

Masterful design and modern luxury are uniquely embodied in this 4BR/3BA home. This waterfront residence with wall-to-wall windows is a haven for gazing at the bay views. Enjoy gatherings in the generously-sized living/dining area.

3129 FOUNDERS CLUB DRIVE, SARASOTA

211 TREMONT LANE, LIDO KEY

HIDDEN LAGOON

23 S. POLK DRIVE, SARASOTA

Paradise found within the exclusively gated Founder’s Club. Beautiful Views of the lake and golf course First floor Master w/ private wet bar, executive office, and doors leading to pool are. Chefs kitchen featuring Wolf appliances. Great for entertaining.

This property is located in an exclusive enclave of homes on Lido Key and features 3BR/4.5BA, high ceilings, beautiful Lucite staircase, private master retreat, private balconies off all bedrooms, and a large updated kitchen with bay views. Perfect for entertaining.

Affordable Waterfront Community. 3 bed, 2 bath. Upgrades include tray ceilings, open kitchen, solid stone counter-tops & stainless appliances. Master suite features a large walk-in closet, master bath w/ granite top dual skins and walk-in shower. Park your boat right behind your house at your private dock.

Newly renovated 4BD/3.5BA 3 level home w/private gate, deep water boat dock and elevator. Main floor features a chef ’s kitchen, great room, bedrooms with ensuite baths, half bath and formal living and dining.

Master retreat covers 3rd level with ocean views.

$1,950,000

$2,275,000

$399,900

$2,995,000

$2,495,000

$549,900

4205 HIGEL AVENUE, SIESTA KEY 227353

Direct gulf to bay access! Just minutes from downtown luxurious private estate 4BR/4BA, finest craftsmanship and quality with hand-crafted wood doors and ironwork from centuries past. This gated estate provides secluded beach for high level of privacy.

$5,985,000

107 OCEAN PLACE, SARASOTA

Custom Key West style home on Siesta Key w/ private beach! This home features imported cabinetry, hardwood, Travertine marble & quality carpeting, hand crafted details, granite, soaring 2-story ceilings, 2 master suites, custom kitchen w/ Thermador, Bosch, & Sub-Zero appliances, separate Butler’s pantry, aquarium glass overlooks beach & Gulf views, elevator, surround sound and a 10 car garage.

$4,895,000

6B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Siesta Dental Get the smile you’ve always wanted!

941-266-7000 $99

$50 0 valu e

(D0150, D0210, D1110, D0180, D0330) Includes Exam, X-rays, Cleaning in the absence of gum disease, and VELscope Oral Cancer Screening. Uninsured patients only.

Not valid with any other offers.* Expires 3-14-2017 Call now (941) 266-7000

code 031

233160

New Patient Cleaning Special With Oral Cancer Screening

SiestaDental.com STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE GALA

Sat. 3/11, Hyatt Regency Sarasota Ticket Price $200 • Table of Eight $1,500

PREMIUM RAFFLE TICKETS

$25 each or 5 for $100 7 amazing raffle prizes! 3 vacations including a trip to anywhere in the world, Italian jewelry and more.

Drawing held 3/11-

Photos by Anna Brugmann

NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN

Francis Shea, Michael Ward, Peter Graham and John Gale

Buy tickets now at www.catdepot.org

Early St. Patrick’s Day at St. Michael

233133

The resource for Rescue, Adoption, & Education

W

hen it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, there is no time like the present for members of St. Michael the Archangel Church.

The congregation celebrated the holiday early this year with its annual Ceili on the Key Irish Festival on Feb. 25 at St. Michael the Archangel Church.

Parishioners donned their most festive green apparel for the evening of frivolity, which included special performances

by Drake School of Irish Dance, Sarasota.

Serving “Key” People Since 1949 6519 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key

941-349-1311

Full service bar & drive thru package window

(Located on south side of building).

Free hot dogs steamed in Sauerkraut ready at noon every Saturday!!!

Carley Honish of the Drake School for Irish Dance, Sarasota performs.

— ANNA BRUGMANN 227414

Open 7 days a week ~ 365 days a year 10:00 A.M. ~ 2:30 A.M. Weekly Sunday 11:00 A.M. ~ 2:30 A.M.

Claire Corry

Good As New Consignment

WINTER CLEARANCE SALE! 20% - 50% - 70% OFF!

Sleep King will

STOREWIDE (Bridal excluded)

PAY YOUR SALES TAX on all purchases

Men’s ■ Women’s ■ Children’s ■ Clothing & Accessories 1273 S. Beneva Road • 941-366-1234

THRU 3/31/17

Visit www.GoodAsNewSarasota.com for our consignment policy and other info

NEAL SUTOR

RY EMOS M E W EIV LO RECAM PIL se ha FO . purc dels with lect mo e on s

Come see Neal in his new location at Salon Lofts (loft #4) in Paradise Plaza.

941- 922 - 5271 TOLL FREE 800 -265 - 9124 www.sleepking.net

“Let’s have fun & create

CALL to Book: (941) 780.7249

|

3800 S. Tamiami Trl. Sarasota 34239

231210

a style just for you!”

Authorized Dealer

229981

1901 HANSEN ST., SARASOTA, FL 1 BLOCK SOUTH OF BEE RIDGE OFF 41 - TURN at TIRE KINGDOM MON - FRI 8:30 - 8 • SAT 8:30 - 6 • SUN 11 - 6

232691

March 1st - 11th

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

7B

Siesta shows its crafty side

S

iesta Key residents and visitors were offered a smorgasbord of custom arts and crafts Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 during the 23rd annual Siesta Key Craft Festival in Siesta Key Village.

White tents featuring custom wind chimes, original art, handmade textiles and other arts and crafts filled Ocean Boulevard.

— ANNA BRUGMANN

Sawai McLaughlin chats with a customer as she works on one of her custom T-shirts.

Photos by Anna Brugmann

Lori Green shows a customer a necklace at the 23rd annual Siesta Key Craft Festival.

Barbara Downey works on a piece during the Siesta Key Craft Festival.

Marilyn Graves browses a booth.

Sarasota’s Top Performing Team

PROPERTY HEADLINE Community Name $0,000,000

PROPERTY HEADLINE Community Name $0,000,000

PROPERTY HEADLINE Community Name $0,000,000

1.2 ACRE BAY FRONT LOT

Located just south of The Oaks and Spanish Point on a Canopy Road with 120’ of Bay frontage this site is situated amongst impressive luxury homes and noteworthy owners. Boaters will appreciate the long dock to depths accommodating 30+ foot craft and the old covered boat slip just itching to be reborn. Build your dream home! $1,695,000

Featured Spectacular Properties

PROPERTY HEADLINE Community Name $0,000,000

PROPERTY HEADLINE Community Name $0,000,000

LONGBOAT KEY LOT

PROPERTY HEADLINE Community Name $0,000,000

Prime location including deeded beach and bay access are the keys to perfection for this oversized residential building site. This is probably the best price on the island to build your custom dream home. Adjacent to Joan Durante Park for those loving nature.

Close to all of Longboat Key’s restauPROPERTY HEADLINE rants, shops and just across from the beach. $299,999

Community Name $0,000,000

WEST OF THE TRAIL IN VERY DESIRABLE LOCATION

Brand new home featuring the best of the best with wood floors, top of the line cabinets, glass backsplashes, gourmet kitchen, 3BR/2 ½ BA plus apartment over the garage. Beautiful pool with living wall through walls of glass. Clerestory windows bring loads of natural light. Oversized garage, pavered drive, large bedrooms, amazing baths, just everything you could want in a home. $1,395,000

Kim & Michael • Precise Target Marketing • 33 Years of Unrivaled Market Knowledge • Strategic International Exposure

941.376.1717

KimOgilvie@michaelsaunders.com SarasotaFineHomes.com

1605 Main Street, Suite 101 • Sarasota, Florida 34236 941.951.6660 • michaelsaunders.com

233562

HARBOR ACRES

This gracious Traditional home enjoys the best of both worlds…

Bay, City and Bridge views along with protected deep water harborage with 6-7’ of water depth. Built in 2009 and set in a lushly landscaped backdrop, this home features favored one level living, 14’ ceilings, luxury finishes throughout and an open floor plan. 3 car gar, 40’ heated pool, dock. $4,695,000

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

YOUR CALENDAR

SARASOTA OBSERVER

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 AND SATURDAY, MARCH 4

QUILTS IN PARADISE Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd. The event features gift basket raffles, quilt raffle and silent auctions.

Quilts available for purchase.

Admission is $8. Visit friendshipknotquiltersguild.com or email quiltsinparadise@tampabay. rr.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

SPIRIT OF AMERICA RALLY Runs from noon to 3 p.m. at Bayfront Park near the Unconditional Surrender Statue. The event is a part of rallies across the country.

Its purpose is to show support President Donald Trump. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring their own signs, but discourage vulgar content. For information, email spiritofamericarallymanateesar@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS Painters will be at work from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Phillippi Estate Park. The Light Chasers: Plein Air Painters of the Suncoast will host its annual paint-off during the Phillippi Farmhouse Market.

Guests may buy works at the market after judging. For information, visit lightchasersinc.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

PHILLIPPI ESTATE PARK BROWN BAG LUNCH CONCERT Runs from noon to 1 p.m. at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a lunch and a chair and enjoy live music in the park. The event is free. For information, call 316-1309.

It takes a very special source of energy to wake up in the morning and want to make each day better. At FPL, we’re committed to doing our part. We’re using U.S.-produced natural gas and our state’s very own sunshine to help create a better tomorrow for all of us. See how at FPL.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 11

PINECRAFT DAYS ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL Runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Beneva Marketplace, 1231 S. Beneva Road. The festival features more than 40 vendors, many from the Pinecraft community. Admission is free. For information, visit facebook. com/Pinecraft-Amish-Village-151427764956066.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

ASOLO PLAY READERS: “THE BOYS IN THE BOAT” Runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St., in the Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium. The Asolo Play Readers will be reading excerpts from “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. The book documents nine American rowers’ quest for gold in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Those interested can register at fl.evanced.info/ sclibs/lib/eventcalendar.asp.

The deadline for registration is 10 a.m. March 8. For information, call 861-1163.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 12

FRUITVILLE GROVE BERRY FESTIVAL Runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fruitville Grove, 7410 Fruitville Road, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a berry festival featuring craft booths, face painting and berry-themed treats. Admission and parking is free. Visit fruitvillegrove.com/berry-fest.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

This advertising is paid for by FPL shareholders, not our customers.

231398

8B

VIBES AND VOICES Runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court. Tickets costs $15 in advance and $18 at the door. For information, call 894-6469.

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

GOLDEN GATE POINT

$5,495,000

CASEY KEY

$5,295,000

L’AMBIANCE – LONGBOAT KEY

$2,595,000

LIDO SHORES

$2,200,000

Third floor grand residence with 5,658 SF, 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2 terraces with water and city views. Private boat dock and 2 car garage.

Ninth Floor residence with 12’ ceilings and amazing views of Gulf, Bay and city Skyline! Sophisticated updating. New impact rated doors and windows.

GOLDEN GATE POINT

FROM $1,650,000

Eight unique residences with floor-to-ceiling windows. Resort style pool/spa, cabana, individiual garage space and private elevator foyer.

PLAYERS CLUB– LONGBOAT KEY

$895,000

Updated corner residence with impact doors and windows. Two bedrooms, 2 baths, expansive solarium and 2 covered parking spaces.

Key West Style Gulf to Bay compound on over 3/4 of an acre offers coveted island living only available on Casey Key.

Mid-Century Modern completely renovated in 2007. Three bedrooms, generous and private gardens with deeded beach access.

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

RITZ RESIDENCES - PENTHOUSE

$3,595,000

RITZ TOWER – SARASOTA

$1,890,000

$1,090,000

Spectacular views from this majestic penthouse residence with over 4,200 SF. Full time conceirge, 24 hour in room dining, valet and more.

Sophisticated corner residence with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, generous terraces for viewing, meticulous finishes and 2 parking spaces.

DOWNTOWN-LAUREL PARK

$1,199,000

DOWNTOWN-LAUREL PARK

PALM PLACE – DOWNTOWN

$529,000

SAN MARCO - DOWNTOWN

Quiet and private 3 bedroom home with a generous office and a separate apartment above garage. Enchanting outdoors with a pool and spa.

Short distance to the Bayfront, City’s galleries, restaurants, & shopping.

This completely renovated 2 bedroom condominium is perfection!

Open and spacious 3 bedroom custom home with detached fully-equipped guest house, hand-scraped wood floors, two car garage, and magical water feature!

The Plaza at Five Points | 50 Central Avenue | Suite 110 | Sarasota, FL 34236 | 941.308.6554 Cheryl.Loeffler@sothebysrealty.com | CherylLoeffler.com 233555

$499,000

Live in the heart of the cultural corridor and close to downtown, theater, galleries and fine restaurants. Second-floor, 3 bedroom unit.

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.

9B

00

m MLS)

10B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Home tour toasts to 40 years

T

he programs were printed, the route plotted and the trolley prepared for the Feb. 24 Junior League of Sarasota’s Simply Sarasota Tour of Homes.

But before the tour began, guests gathered at Pineapple Yoga Studio for brunch to toast to the tour’s 40th year.

“We’re really proud to have that legacy,” Junior League of Sarasota President Britt Riner said.

All proceeds of the event benefited the Junior League’s community service projects. The tour showcased five Sarasota homes ranging from modern to contemporary to historical.

“We always want to have a range of (homes),” event cochairwoman Alexandra Harb said.

Anne Braman and Fran Nitschke

Photos by Anna Brugmann

Co-chairwoman Alexandra Harb, Junior League of Sarasota President Britt Riner and Denise West

Denise West and Heather Koester

— ANNA BRUGMANN Karen Stevens Brazell, Susan Newman, Kimberly Papirio, Joanne Lane and Lynne Lawless

with Dr. Chris Cortman 6-7 PM

Sunday SCHEDULE

Since 1969 5330 Ashton Ct., Sarasota

WORSHIP SERVICE 8:45 & 11:00 ADULT BIBLE STUDY 10:00 CHAPELKIDZ 11:00

State Certified General Contractor

The Rev. Dr. Kathleen Wiggins

preSbyterian

USa

IF YOU WORKED AT VISIONIFENERGY/SOUTHERN YOU WORKED AT GAS IN THE SARASOTA, FL GAS VISION ENERGY/SOUTHER AREA DURING THE YEARS IN THE SARASOTA, FL OF:

• Repair • Replace • Condos • Homes

Coffee fellowship on deck Nursery open for 11:00 service

SieSta Key Chapel

VISION ENERGY VISION ENERGY SOUTHERN GAS SOUTHERN GAS EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES

AREA DURING THE YEARS OF:

www.wilson-window.com

941.349.1166 www.siestakeychapel.org

1974 - 1986

921-1113

4615 GLEASON AVE | 1 MILE NORTH OF SIESTA KEY VILLAGE OFF OCEAN BLVD

- 1986 PLEASE1974 CALL ANDREW AT 1-618-650-6231

227045

227374

PLEASE CALL ANDREW AT 1-618-650-6231

OPEN HOUSE Sunday 1-4

4312 HIGEL AVE Private Beach & Gulf Views! Over 4000 sf on 1.1 acres, gated, 3 bed, 3 ba, Pool $

3,795,000.00 - MLS # A4178636

229951

Wed. March 8th

“Simple Truths to Set You Free”

1833 MORRILL ST Work/Live zoned, Towles Ct., 2 bed, 2 ba, garage. 1st Fl office/studio/commercial w/ ba $

650,000 - MLS # A4178717

SARASOTA PROVIDERS:

1740 S. ORANGE AVE GREAT PRICE! Gated entry to 3,000 sf, fenced 15,000 sf lot, well-updated with pool $

989,000.00 - MLS # A4171694

4511 DEL SOL BLVD S Longwood Run remodeled beauty. 3 bed, 2 ba, 24’ encl. lanai and private yard $

309,000 - MLS # A4178490

Ryan S. Jawitz, DO • Anne McBride, MD Charles Rodriguez, MD • Matthew J. Bonanno, MD Gregory Polar, DO • Denise West, PA-C Rebecca Thompson, ARNP-C • Chasie Haupt, PA-C Kristin Yunis, ARNP-C • Michael Banuchi, PA-C Same Week Appointments Available

Serving Sarasota and Beyond . . .

Pam for Your Perfect Florida Lifestyle.

ed + den with private pool, in Contact

941-955-0360

RiverchaseDermatology.com

223289

om MLS)

Pam@SarasotaAndBeyond.com SarasotaAndBeyond.com

229429

ar with pool and private setting

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Elizabeth and Rick Bonovitz

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

11B

SARASOTA LUXURY

LIFESTYLES CHEROKEE PARK WATERFRONT

Siesta Isles Association gathers for annual meeting

M

embers of the Siesta Isles Association met at St. Boniface Church Feb. 21 for their annual meeting and dinner.

County Commissioner Alan Maio addressed dinner guests and Harold Ashby discussed the Siesta Key Association’s perspective on the upcoming Siesta Promenade project and the Lido Beach renourishment project.

BEAUTIFUL CHEROKEE PARK FAMILY HOME . . . . . . . $1,725,000 4 BR/2.5 BA/3,632 sq. ft. Living, dining and family rooms open to covered patio/pool/spa. Large yard with treehouse. Canal to bay.

TURNKEY FURNISHED GOLDEN GATE POINT

Courtesy photos

Tony Romanus and Harold Ashby

— ANNA BRUGMANN

NO JOB TOO TOUGH. NO JOB TOO ROUGH!

#1 in Customer Service CCC 014 711 Roofing Contractor

CCC 016 171 Building Contractor

HI 5324 Home Inspector

WE ARE THE AREA’S LEADING

RE-ROOF SPECIALISTS

941.756.4259

PANORAMIC VIEWS IN ALL DIRECTIONS . . . . . . . . . $1,295,000 3 BR/4 BA/3,000 sq. ft. Spacious, bright and intimate 6th floor condo in Golden Gate Point. Spectacular bay & city views.

DOWNTOWN PENTHOUSE

ONLINE: www.ApprovedRoofingLLC.com SERVING FLORIDA’S GULF COAST FOR OVER 40 YEARS

SKY HIGH CONTEMPORARY AT 1350 MAIN . . . . . . . . . 3,250,000 2 BR/3.5 BA/3,251 sq. ft. Open concept, high ceilings, city to bay sightline. In the heart of downtown at Main and Palm.

LIDO SHORES BAYFRONT

RMD Tax Solutions, Inc. TAXES • ACCOUNTING • BOOKKEEPING + INVESTMENT PLANNING FOR BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS • Fast, Accurate & Professional • Free same-day e-filing • Individuals, Corporations, Trusts & Partnerships

WATERFRONT PARADISE WITH WIDE OPEN VIEWS . .$3,695,000 3 BR/5.5 BA/4,062 sq. ft. 3 levels of outdoor living. Outdoor kitchen with popup TV. 70-ft. water frontage. Two boat lifts plus floating dock.

Walk-ins & Appointments Welcome

Adding value when it matters most. Our value added

Free Consultation

Karen Knatz, CPA (941) 925-0732

service is personal. It’s professional. And it creates outstanding results for you.

e-mail: karen@rmdtax.com www.rmdtax.com

941.356.8428

8590 POTTER PARK DR. SARASOTA, FL 34238

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.

233552

peterglaughlin.com/results

(ACROSS FROM THE YMCA)

233488

233286

GAF CertainTeed Owens Corning TAMKO Firestone • Residential Commercial Repairs Maintenance • Financing Available

Shingles Tile • Metal Modifieds Built-Up Single Ply Membrane Aluminum Fascia • Soffit Siding Gutters Rotted Wood Replacement

12B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY CO N N E C T E D.

S A R A S OTA 1502 Sandpiper Lane Kelly Quigley & Linda Dickinson 941-356-9954 A4136828 $2,350,000

S A R A S OTA 225 N Polk Drive Mel & Jan Goldsmith 941-356-6673 A4178355 $1,850,000

S A R A S OTA 6901 S Gator Creek Boulevard Robert Moffatt & Peggy Wellman 941-374-0811 A4147870 $1,699,000

S A R A S OTA 133 N Washington Drive Ann Martin & Joanna Benante 941-356-7717 A4177541 $1,250,000

S A R A S OTA 1053 Citrus Avenue Christine Del Monte 941-266-6733 A4167134 $1,199,000

S A R A S OTA 6040 Traylor Avenue Ryan Skrzypkowski 941-387-6630 A4165017 $1,050,000

S A R A S OTA 1670 Bay View Drive Maureen Horn 941-539-3384 A4177326 $1,050,000

S A R A S OTA 3920 Elysian Woods Lane Jennifer Linehan 941-266-7555 A4166582 $995,000

S I E S TA K E Y 6266 Midnight Pass Rd 404 Team Dunn 941-809-2154 A4159484 $749,900

S I E S TA K E Y 5760 Midnight Pass Road 702 Ellen Baker & Michael Hollenbeck 941-268-4999 D5916943 $749,900

S A R A S OTA 1750 Benjamin Franklin Drive 8C Judy Wright 941-232-8041 A4136644 $675,000

VENICE 2505 Northway Drive Martha Pike 941-716-4392 N5911099 $599,900

S A R A S OTA 8216 Varenna Drive Marlene & George Marshall 941-539-8850 A4173525 $459,000

S A R A S OTA 800 N Tamiami Trail 805 Ellen Wells 941-544-4849 A4177516 $389,000

S A R A S OTA 101 S Gulfstream Avenue 4J Barbara May 404-822-9264 A4162967 $350,000

S A R A S OTA 5711 Renzo Lane Marianne Lebar 941-650-0337 A4175124 $350,000

S A R A S OTA 3663 Country Place Boulevard Dan Freed 941-735-0770 A4177070 $340,000

S A R A S OTA 6956 Stetson Street Circle Donald Geikie & Dana Westmark 941-356-8457 A4169808 $339,000

VENICE 1578 Monarch Drive 1578 Bambi Utton 941-228-4881 N5911451 $324,900

S A R A S OTA 2431 Cass Street Gilbert Schulze 941-400-0318 A4177086 $309,900

OSPREY 7101 Jessie Harbor Drive 7101 Linda Driggs 941-374-2920 A4177365 $295,000

S A R A S OTA 2526 S East Avenue Robert Lindeman 941-504-2123 A4171012 $289,000

S A R A S OTA 9570 High Gate Drive 1713 Marilyn Vespoli 201-926-7272 A4151469 $269,900

VENICE 208 Wetherby Street Kathleen Carbone P.A. 941-228-8429 A4169727 $254,500

S A R A S OTA 5675 Beaurivage Avenue Mary Defrank 941-544-0214 A4173398 $246,500

S A R A S OTA 2618 Fort Worth Street Miriam Pearson 941-726-4687 A4178497 $199,900

S A R A S OTA 5292 Willow Links 58 Pamela Wall 941-504-5019 A4177828 $169,900

S I E S TA K E Y 3535 Flamingo Avenue Michael Hays 941-376-1826 A4162146 $3,249,000

N O KO M I S / N O R T H V E N I C E 3718 Sandspur Lane Sandy and Jerry Strom 941-650-8297 A4172937 $3,199,000

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

OPEN HOUSES SUNDAYS 1–4 PM

michaelsaunders.com

S A R A S OTA 1400 Siesta Drive Brittany Russell 941-321-5404 A4169548 $2,790,000

8 8 8 . 552 . 52 2 8

michaelsaunders.com L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E B RO K E R

232009

S A R A S OTA 2050 Benjamin Franklin Drive PH-1102 Kim & Michael Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4165339 $5,995,000

S I E S TA K E Y 501 Beach Road B Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4175979 $2,599,000

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home on Casey Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Ashley Hamlet, of Nokomis, sold her home at 602 S. Casey Key Road to Steven Swanson and Glenna Flo Swanson, trustees, of Holmes Beach, for $3,495,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, five full baths, three halfbaths, a pool and 5,725 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,515,700 in 2001.

SARASOTA BAYPOINT PARK Francis Puig and Eileen Toolin sold two properties at 1050 Bay Point Place to Eric Zampol and Tiffany Pitre-Zampol, of Sarasota, for $1,479,000. The first property was built in 1925, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 3,683 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1925, it has one bedroom, one bath and 247 square feet of living area. They previously sold for $520,000 in 1993.

THE RESIDENCES

George Kane, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 1107 condominium at 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive to Simon and Barbara Smith, of Ontario, Canada, for $1.03 million. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,170 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $965,000 in 2001.

CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY

Diane Brandlein, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1111 condominium at 988 Blvd. of the Arts to Mushira Eid, trustee, of Sarasota, for $648,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $610,000 in 2015.

Peter and Edith Wain sold their Unit 1102 condominium at 888 Blvd. of the Arts to David Saca and Elaine Broughton, of Faunex, Switzerland, for $550,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,288 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $505,000 in 2007.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

FEB. 13-17

Other top sales by area SARASOTA

Vista Bay Point Eliot and Lynne Godofsky sold their Unit 902 condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point to Long Boat IV Ltd. Partnership for $1,495,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,317 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $1.3 million in 2012.

SIESTA KEY

Siesta on the Rocks

1019 Crescent Street LLC sold the Unit 3 condominium at 1025 Crescent St. to Benjamin and Maggie Brunner, of Syracuse, Ind., for $1,475,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,349 square feet of living area.

PALMER RANCH

Prestancia Lester Wolff and Robert Pettey, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7832 Estrella Court to Vincent Czaplyski and Kimberly DominickLuret, of Sarasota, for $850,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,857 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $795,000 in 2013.

13B

REAL ESTATE

Casey Key home sells for $3,495,000

|

OSPREY Oaks II

Stanley and Mary Antrim, of Palm Beach Gardens, sold their home at 703 N. Mac Ewen Drive to Alan Moskowitz and Lisa LaCourse, of Wichita, Kansas, for $1,005,000.

Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,564 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $985,000 in 2013.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

JOHNSON ESTATE

Amber and James Lynch sold their home at 1511 Crocker St. to Blair Eadie, of New York City, for $600,000. Built in 1925, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,976 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $485,000 in 2014.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 14B

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.

Jonathan Abrams

5100 Ocean Blvd. • Siesta Key • 941. 232.2868 Jonathan’s outstanding track record in real estate has positioned him as an expert on luxury waterfront properties and new downtown condominiums.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

He provides:

These are the largest city of Sarasota and Sarasota County building permits issued for the week of Feb. 13-17, in order of dollar amounts.

C I T Y O F SA RAS O TA

n

The latest market information

n

In-depth analysis of the area’s best deals

Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

n

Stylish, cutting-edge marketing

99 Sunset Drive #401

Doors/windows

Jean-Pierre Gorgue

$49,343

n

1875 Goldenrod St.

Pool/spa/deck

Anthony Homer

$45,727

Tailored, expert advice on new construction

3825 Indian Beach Lane

Seawall

Andrew Attardo

$31,302

50 Central Ave. #11H

Remodel

Faye Ledwick

$28,290

340 S. Palm Ave. #120

Remodel

Dale Strohl

$25,000

2512 Alameda Ave.

Reroof

F. Wayne Underwood

$18,050

5009 Remington Drive

Alterations

Elizabeth Rabbitt

$14,830

2070 Clematis St.

Doors/windows

Laura Cohn

$13,140

2342 Milford Circle

Reroof

Eugene Strutt

$11,550

3550 Tangier Terrace

Pool/spa

Scott Schechtce

$11,500

An enthusiastic, diligent and dedicated professional, Jonathan looks forward to working with you in the pursuit of your real estate goals.

Call Jonathan today for the results you deserve.

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

Permit Applicant Amount

6624 Hawkins Road

Renovations

Irwin Campbell

$145,720

6323 Anise Drive

Pool/deck/

Matthew Newman

$112,000

pool cage

4912 Peaceable Way

Pool/spa

Karin Galliano

5916 Snowy Egret Drive

Pool/spa/deck

Wade Tucker

SOLD Aria Penthouse $5,250,000

AVA I L A B L E 2905 Casey Key Road A4168851 $5,695,000

AVA I L A B L E 150 Givens Street A4169728 $4,295,000

$71,411

Richard Finkle

$65,000

7631 Cove Terrace

Spa

Adam Armbruster

$50,000

8504 Woodbriar Drive

Reroof

Mitchell Dutton

$42,972

1491 Landings Lake Drive #33 Enclosure

William Cooper

$41,700

372 Renoir Drive

Pool/spa

Sheila Rigoni

$38,000

8233 Shadow Pine Way

Spa

Dejan Risimic

$36,000

Source: Sarasota County; city of Sarasota

232947

$67,711

1622 Clower Creek Drive #121 Remodel

SOLD Sansara Penthouse $5,109,575

Licensed Real Estate Broker

14B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY, MARCH 5th 1-4 PM 1260 Dolphin Bay Way, #401

Real Estate FROM PAGE 13B

KENTWOOD ESTATES

Donna Griffin and Maryann Vitiello, of Monmouth, N.J., sold their home at 1502 Eastbrook Drive to C.L. Swanson Corp. for $538,500. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,891 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $550,000 in 2015.

Beautiful full bay views looking south from this spacious 2200 sf condo. Dolphin Bay is one of the newer gated complexes on Siesta Key. Just a short walk to the powdery white sand beaches that have won so many awards. This 3BR/3BA/1CG condo has shellstone floors throughout, Plantation shutters. Kitchen with granite counters, tumbled marble backsplash, breakfast bar, plus island. The 17x13 lanai is glassed and screened, perfect for watching the boats on the IICW. One pet is allowed. Dolphin Bay has a fabulous clubhouse, 3 Har-Tru tennis courts, heated pool, spa, fitness center and fishing pier/day dock. AC new in 2009, hot water heater 2014, washer/dryer 2016.

The condo is being sold furnished for your convenience, so just bring your toothbrush and bathing suit. The bay views are incredible!

MLS#A4173008 Offered at $1,175,000

POINSETTIA PARK

Call Stacy Liljeberg at 941-544-6103 Voted 5-Star Best in Client Satisfaction for 11 consecutive years Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

Create the Kitchen of Your Dreams COMPLETE KITCHEN from

$4995

with Cabinets and Granite Countertops Granite and Quartz Countertops from

$20 sq ft

Offer Expires in 10 Days Installation NIC

KB DESIGN GROUP INC 232824

For a FREE Kitchen Design Consultation Call 941-356-1200

Weather &Nature

233601

stacyliljeberg@michaelsaunders.com

Steven Kravitz and Valerie Montague, of Tiburon, Calif., sold their home at 1847 Magnolia St. to Antoine Cantin, of Sarasota, for $415,000. Built in 1946, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 1,359 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $372,000 in 2004.

SIESTA KEY RIEGEL’S LANDING

Melvin Klinghoffer, trustee, of Tampa, sold the home at 5831 Riegels Harbor Road to Peppertree LLC for $1.39 million. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,772 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $725,000 in 1998.

HORIZONS WEST

Eugene Zoeller, trustee, and Phyllis Zoeller, of Jupiter, sold the Unit 208 condominium at 6140 Midnight Pass Road to Mott Holdings LLC for $925,000. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,552 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,000 in 1992.

WHISPERING SANDS

Richard Ryniker II, of Fairfield, Conn., sold his Unit 806 condominium at 19 Whispering Sands Drive to Judith Hunter and John Hunter, of Charlottesville, Va., for $725,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,282 square feet of living area.

Lee Cadby sold the Unit 204 condominium at 199 Whispering Sands Drive to Ellen Melchionno and Frederick Wilson III, of Medford, Mass., for $307,500.

Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2007.

CRESCENT ARMS

Theresa Visconti, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 204-N condominium at 6310 Midnight Pass Road to Ronald and Jacqueline Stonecipher, of Woodstock, Ga., for $710,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 977 square feet of living area. It sold for $655,000 in 2004.

OCEAN BEACH

Stephen and Cynthia Dorothy, of Guildford, England, sold their home at 4509 Banan Place to Nicholas Matejuk and Judith Wightman, of Ontario, Canada, for $565,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,920 square feet. It sold for $425,000 in 2011.

TWIN OAK POND

Lisa Bechtold sold her home at 5254 Winding Way to Amber and James Lynch, of Sarasota, for $450,000. Built in 1970, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,989 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $137,400 in 1994.

2017

PHOTO CONTEST

FEBRUARY WINNERS: We want your BEST PHOTOS

of nature, birds in flight, flowers in bloom, etc.

East County Jeannie Sparks

Sarasota Samantha Bisceglia

Longboat Stan Singer

Three monthly winners of the Photo Contest will each receive a

25

$

Gift Card

Monthly winners

will be finalists for the

GRAND PRIZE:

2,500

$

Flooring Makeover

For complete contest rules or to submit your photos, visit the “Contests” page at yourobserver.com

223392

Sponsored by

Part goofball, and Good dog!, he’s a Labrador retriever of impeccable pedigree—and pure puppy passion. But in just two years he’ll become freedom, confidence and independence for someone who could really use it.

Help us make

all he can be: A Southeastern Guide Dog.

227645

Exploring Nature’s Beauty

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

|

15B

sarasota's finest properties Best Looking AGent

320 FAUBEL ST $899,000

PENDING 7672 COVE TER $1,795,000

539 AVENIDA DEL NORTE $699,000

A RT F U L LY U N I T I NG

Extraordinary

p pr ro op pe er rt t ii e es s with

Extraordinary lives

1225 WHITEHALL PL $1,299,000

1046 CONTENTO ST $1,125,000

your Siesta Key Expert

941.928.3424 JUDIE.BERGER@SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM

HOMESOFSARASOTA.COM SIESTAKEYTOUR.COM

5439 AZURE WAY $1,175,000

1366 ROBERTS BAY LN $1,995,000

OPEN HOUSE -Sunday, Mar. 5, 1-4 pm

2737 Cardwell Way, Gulf Gate Woods

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.

1660 Summerhouse Land #102 Summer Cove, Siesta Key

1746 Landings Boulevard, #80 The Landings, Sarasota

This bright & Spacious 2 bedroom/2 bath with den (can be 3rd bedroom) offers an updated kitchen with granite counters & Kraftmaid cabinets, updated baths, with an oversize 2 car garage. Both bedrooms, den & kitchen/dining open to a pool deck partly under cover, partly open but all screened with an expansive pool! Landscaped for privacy & ready for immediate occupancy! MLS#A4138749 $359,900

Larry Brzostek CRS CLHMS 941.993.3125 Email: Larry@LBrzostek.com ,

5140 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota,FL 34242

Web: LarrySellsSarasota.com

Are you represented at closing?

GKWH & GIBSON,KOHL,WOLFF&HRIC,P.L.

www.SarasotaClosings.com

Beautiful Carriagehouse Villa is ready to move in! Enjoy your evening overlooking the private lake. The 2 bedroom, 2 bath home has been freshly painted and has a clean and beautiful feel to it.

This carriage house is sunny and bright with a Southern exposure.

Once in the front door, your eye is drawn to the lake view. You will feel like you are on vacation. The Landings has a nature trail to the Intracoastal Waterway and is close to shopping and restaurants.

This unit is a must see! MLS#A4177789 $330,000

TheHE POWER OFof TWO!

An attorney represents your interests at closing in ways that a title company cannot.

941.365.1166

Spacious 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath of pure luxury offers privacy with the sophistication and conveniences of a fine resort. Your own elevator, sparkling bay views with lush landscaping as the backdrop, an over-sized lanai for entertaining, two secure under-building parking spaces with room for additional storage. The Siesta Key lifestyle is yours from within this home and in the fabulous clubhouse (formerly the iconic Summerhouse Restaurant). THIS IS A MUST SEE! IT WON’T LAST and only one available! MLS#A4148379 $1,099,000

Call the KRAMER-THOMPSON TEAM Today!

Lauren P. Kohl Attorney at Law

Christine Kramer, Realtor

®

Direct (941)914-5011 ChristineKramer@michaelsaunders.com

Jennifer Thompson, Realtor

®

Direct (941)928-0790 JenniferThompson@michaelsaunders.com

With offices in Sarasota and Osprey

REAL ESTATE CLOSINGS TITLE INSURANCE NEW CONSTRUCTION CONDOMINIUMS FOR SALE BY OWNER

941.966.3575

800 Second Street, Suite 901, Sarasota 14 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey

Lauren P. Kohl Attorney at Law

1635849

arasotaclosings.com

Stephanie Church 941.724.5448 Enjoy a relaxed, easy lifestyle in this 2,532 +/- sq. ft. home in one of Sarasota’s most beautiful deed-restricted communities located west of the Trail and just moments from the shopping, dining and entertainment attractions of downtown. The home features four bedrooms, and three full baths in a split floor plan for greater privacy.

MLS#A4177370 $740,000

Stephanie@StephanieChurch.com www.StephanieChurch.com

7618 MIDNIGHT PASS RD., SARASOTA Welcome to an oasis of serenity, tropical elegance and sumptuous living in the Sanderling Club, one of Siesta Key’s most treasured waterfront communities. Set on nearly an acre on tranquil Heron Lagoon, this spacious and inviting threebedroom, three-and-a-half bath home recently underwent a complete renovation.

MLS#A4176380 $1,635,000

233564

4684 PINE HARRIER DR., SARASOTA

WEATHER

16B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, MARCH 2 High: 78 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 20%

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 High: 74 Low: 55 Chance of rain: 0%

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 High: 77 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, MARCH 5 High: 77 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 10% Mary Tygh Parks captured this shot one morning at Celery Fields.

ONLINE

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/weather and facebook.com/ObserverGroup

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 2

6:54a

6:31p

Friday, March 3

6:53a

6:32p

Saturday, March 4

6:52a

6:32p

Sunday, March 5

6:51a

6:33p

Monday, March 6

6:50a

6:33p

Tuesday, March 7

6:48a

6:34p

Wednesday, March 8

6:47a

6:35p

MOON PHASES

March 5 March 12 March 20 March 27 First Full Last New

RAINFALL Monday, Feb. 20

0.00

Tuesday, Feb. 21

0.00

Wednesday, Feb. 22

0.00

Thursday, Feb. 23

0.00

Friday, Feb. 24

0.00

Saturday, Feb. 25

0.00

Sunday, Feb. 26

0.00

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2017 2.42 in.

2017

2016 5.65 in.

2016 1.24 in.

0.72 in.

a reflection of nature’s beauty Your One Stop Home Improvement Specialist. Family Owned and Operated for over 35 Years.

4551 N. Washington Blvd.,Sarasota • 941.355.8437 | 2510 1st Street W., Bradenton • 941.748.4679 | 1734 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice • 941.493.7441 96 Turns back to 000, e.g.

98 Many moons past the newborn stage 99 Sammy with over 600 home runs 101 Be patient in line 102 Concerning the pope 105 Without punishment 109 Irritate 110 Common Darth Vader misquote 114 Billy ___ Williams 115 Tweaks text 116 Relative of a U.S. dollar 117 Film archive containers 118 ___ Arbor, Mich.

119 Finely chopped spreads 120 Meaty, soupy dish 121 Common Valentine’s Day gift

DOWN

©2017 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

1 Thailand, once 5 Provo’s state 9 You may break one while exercising 14 Common pet 17 Be a debater 19 Thing on a football jersey 20 City in Taiwan 22 Valuable mined rock 23 What Charlie said 26 Tennis court feature 27 Makes a lasting impression?

28 Down Under city 29 Word with latch or hang 31 Bird of the cuckoo family

32 Commandments number 33 “Married to ___” (Michelle Pfeiffer film) 36 Make imperfect 39 Extremely cold Circle 43 Initial acts 46 Have a brilliant thought 48 Monetary unit of Albania 49 “Psycho” scene of terror 51 One chin-up, e.g.

52 ___ &Gabbana of fashion 53 Beaver’s construction 54 Color over, as hair 55 Type of pickle 56 Help a criminal in wrongdoing 57 Musical Puente

58 Toyota no more 59 Television, radio, newspapers, etc.

60 Caribbean, for one 61 Bus utilizer 62 “For ___ a jolly good ...”

63 Monopoly property 65 ___ Arabia 67 Remote button abbr.

68 Classic column style 69 Sidestepped 71 About half of the adult population 72 Humble home 74 Word with “as directed” 77 Hidden complication 78 Vital layer with a hole

80 Con ___ (lively, in music) 81 Show off one’s muscles 82 Sound reverberation 83 Fourteen pounds, across the pond 84 One’s boy 85 Garlic mayonnaise 86 Have regrets 87 Collusion or secret agreement 88 Baseball score 89 LPs 90 Dessert of nuts and honey 92 It converts sun rays into electricity 95 Had a seat

1 Wise 2 Metal that can rust 3 Obviously excited 4 Ritual hand movement in Indian classical dancing 5 Riotous feeling 6 Turns browner in the sun 7 “What ___ bid?”

8 Nag persistently with trivial complaints 9 Light in the night sky 10 Would like to have 11 Ice skater’s figure 12 Do an impression of 13 ___ Aviv of 41-Down 14 What Balki Bartokomous said 15 Cookie with a white center 16 Exact revenge on 18 Proceed or issue forth 21 Chemically similar compound 24 Sheepish 25 Well-mannered man, in Britain 30 Prefix with smoking or lethal 32 Earthquake’s onset 34 What Joey Tribbiani said 35 Olympic sword event 36 Man with a golden touch 37 Photoshop software producer 38 What Zeus said 40 Off to ___ start (running

behind schedule) 41 Jewish republic 42 You may be checked in it 44 Started again, as a candle 45 Spread out, as fingers 47 Be directed?

50 Lyric poem with complex stanza forms 53 What Steve Urkel said 55 Places to grab a sandwich 57 It may get high on the beach 58 Word with call or booth 59 Soft, deep mud 61 Slugger Babe 64 Heading for a list 66 With a bow, to a cellist 67 Via ___ (expensive street of Rome) 69 Harsh in taste 70 Place where nothing’s the matter?

71 Pre-stereo recordings 72 Asinine 73 Rodeo bucker, for short 75 Historic city in Alabama 76 Remain alive 79 “Do not feed the animals” sign locale 81 Little lie 83 Utilize a bank account, in a way 85 Outstanding, elite player 87 Home for a king 88 Long-distance auto races (var.)

89 Socially distant 91 Hawaiian island giveaway 93 Good gardening soil 94 Account held in reserve 97 Emptied one’s wallet 100 Time-time link 101 “Beau Geste” author or type of bird 103 Paid helper 104 Quarterback’s option 105 “You betcha!”

106 Stat start 107 Seafood items often smoked 108 Language of Scotland 109 “Sweet as apple cider” girl of song 111 Baseball official 112 Mauna ___ (volcano) 113 Call from 111-Down

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“W KLJP OMERF AKLA HKP WH LH NWRF LRF DLBWRZ L YPBHMR LH HKP WH KWGLBWMEH. HWUYGX YEA, LUX YMPKGPB WH UX KPBM.” – LCWC LRHLBW “KGFT V RZX BL IZM ZT ‘NDYEA’ ... V WVWT’X XGVTE D IZM XGDX FCJFPPFTX JZOPW FCVAX UZY BF.” _ TVJE ZUUFYBDT Puzzle Two Clue: M equals B

AS THE SAYING GOES by Timothy B. Parker

Puzzle One Clue: D equals C

CROSSWORD

229077

www.manasotaonline.com

©2017 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2017 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

3-2-17

Thursday, March 2, 2017

INFO & RATES: 386-447-9723, ext 132 • Fax: 941-362-4808 • EMAIL: randi@palmcoastObserver.com • ONLINE: classifieds.yourobserver.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at Noon • Service Directory - Friday at 3pm • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Items Under $200 For Sale ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

386-447-9723 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 P.O. Box 3169 Sarasota, Fl 34230 CAR COVER, excellent condition, $45. Please call, 941-924-9101.

CEILING FAN: outdoor, Model #53054, new in box, Hunter, white, $119. Toddler bed rails, $17.

941-539-9322.

G.E. FREEZER: 14.1/cu.ft., excellent condition, $100 o/b/o. 941-923-1079.

G.E. RANGE: white, self-cleaning, electric coil, excellent cond. 220 electric, $100/obo.

941.228.9885.

HOT TUB/FREE. 4 person capacity. Very good condition. Call 941-358-9182.

MICROWAVE: FITS over range, electric, black, $75 o/b/o. 941-374-2054.

Antiques/Collectibles

Events

PURCHASING EAMES, Knoll, Danish, Dunbar, Evans, Laverne, Nakashima, Parzinger furniture, glass, pottery and designer clothing. Tommy McDonnell 772-643-3209.

FIFTH ANNUAL SUN CIRCLE ART FESTIVAL, Art, Food, Live Music. SATURDAY MARCH 4, 10A-5P, at SAPPHIRE SHORES PARK: 5022 Sun Circle Drive, Sarasota

Autos Wanted WE BUY CARS. TOP $$ PAID FOR YOUR VEHICLES. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Boats

1958 68/ft. Trumpy Complete 2 Year Restoration For Sale or Charter ChitwoodCharters.com Party/ Real Estate/ Wedding Cruises Marina Jack’s Docks Grand Banks and Selene Yachts 36/ft. to 68/ft.

2hrs./2 months 941-383-5232

Flooring

MOTORCYCLE (NEW) & saddle bags, leather & seat set, $150.obo. 941.953.4186 MOTORCYCLE SEATS & saddle bags for any type of motorcycle.

Set or separate, $100.

941.735.1066, Harley RECLINER, ETHAN Allen swivel chair, blue, 2 years old, excellent, $200. 941.349.7565, 941.587.9569 SEA LAMP underwater fish light, new in box, $125.

941.445.4338 TRANSPORT CHAIR, $50. Corona typewriter, early 1940’s, $40. Leg or arm chair exercises, $10.

941-922-2247.

VIOLIN W/CASE with bow, $139. 17 Flute Music Books, $60. 941-358-8511.

WELLCRAFT 1980’S designer Paint Scheme Catalogue, $200 513-658-2628, Sarasota.

WHEELCHAIR HIGH back recliner $50. Wheelchair transporter NEW $65. Toilet seat NEW potty attachment $15. 941.966.7928 CARPET CLEANER Bissell, ProHeat 2X, $75.00, OBO 941−356−3723

Antiques/Collectibles

BUYING ART

Wood floors, laminate & tile. Sales and Installation. Master craftsman working in and around lakewood ranch and Sarasota. over 15 years excellent references. Fully Licensed and Insured.

Call for free estimates Joe Davis, 941.929.3000.

Furnishings DINING ROOM table and 8 chairs from Tradition De France, coffee table glass and brass trim, white antique cupboard, TV, full 4 posted bed, large desk.

703-795-7959.

Garage/Moving/Estate Sales CRAFT SHOW: Sat., March 4, 9a.m.-2p.m. Venice Isle Estates, Via Veneta Street. Coffee, rolls, lunch, door prizes. Bake Sale with all proceeds going to cancer research. 941-483-3308.

DOWNSIZING OR IN NEED OF LIQUIDATION? Estate Sales with 16 years experience.

Staging and conducting Estate Sales in Florida.

Antique shop owner.

Sonny Martin with Coldwell Banker of St. Armands Circle, could do open house for you.

Camillia’s Antique Estate Sales 352-871-0743 or 252-665-7653 Call for a Free initial visit.

Oil Paintings - Water Colors Sculpture - Bronzes Statuary - Asian Art Call Al Tomlinson

941-400-8811 “Paying the highest prices in the Sarasota area for over 40 years”

RIVER FOREST subdivision multi-home Garage sale. Saturday, March 4th from 8:00a.m.-noon. S. Tamiami Trail entrance across from the “RoomsTo-Go”.

UNIVERSITY PLACE: 13th Annual Community Sale, Saturday, 3/04, 8a.m.-12p.m. University N, to Honore, right on Cooper Creek (gates on both Honore and Cooper Creek are open). Quality Home furnishings, clothing and much more!!!

Merchandise Wanted CASH FOR Old Military Items. Swords, uniforms, insignia & old guns. Call 941-416-3280.

Adult Care Services

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

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

Help Wanted CONCIERGE-PART-TIME. WE are looking for a concierge for Saturday & Sunday, 7am-3pm and 3pm to 11pm at a luxury condominium in downtown Sarasota. The ideal candidate would be an outgoing people person with good computer skills.

The job will include greeting and assisting residents and guests and answering the phone. Some moving of patio furniture may be required. Reliability is key. We are looking for a positive and respectful attitude and a willingness to assist high-end residents in a relatively stress free environment. Must be able to pass background and drug test. Only non-smokers please. Please email resume to: cvolpe@castlegroup.com FULL TIME Housekeeper wanted for small beachfront resort on Longboat Key. Excellent cleaning skills required, daytime hours only, weekends hours also required. Prior cleaning experience and background check required. e-mail resume: info@diplomatresort.net THE ROSKAMP Institute seeks Scientist I in Sarasota, Florida. Design, conduct and supervise neuroscience experiments involving neurobehavioral, molecular and neuropathological analyses.

Manage program data, organize and report findings, estimate and track project costs, develop and maintain schedules, and allocate personnel and material to meet project goals. Assist with grant proposal preparation. Share research findings via refereed journal publications. Requires Ph.D. in Neuroscience or related biological field or foreign equivalent and one year of experience in conducting neurobehavioral, molecular and neuropathological analyses. Mail resume to Jan Girard, The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34243.

Perfect Solutions For Seniors * Caregivers/Companions * Meal Preparation

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

Phone (941) 809-1438 HCS# 231434/234157

Auto Transport AUTO/PET DELIVERY. Sarasota area to S.E. Michigan area. FBI background checked, bonded, insured. Retired police officer. 941-323-3945.

SHIP YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Classified Ads Bring Results 386-447-9723

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I have found that she is as kind and caring a person as she is hilarious.

Simply put, Amy Poehler is my hero.”

– Aziz Ansari Puzzle Two Solution: “When I got my job on ‘Parks’ ... I didn’t think a job that excellent could exist for me.” – Nick Offerman

Condos/Apts. For Rent

This week’s Sudoku answers

LBK WATERFRONT condo, 2bd/2ba, gated, covered parking, pool/spa, 180 degree view of sunset. htpp.pix360.com/slideshow/14999 email: sportsmkt@aol.com or 941.702.8680

Condos For Sale PALMER RANCH: Botanica. 3BR/2BA, water view, high ceilings, crown molding, lots of natural light. Quartz counters, S.S. appliances, new W/D, attached garage. Near shops and Siesta Key. $359,900. 616-566-0857.

Homes For Sale RARELY AVAILABLE: 4 1/bedroom units on beach on Casey Key. Mike Brossard, Rosebay Real Estate. 941-565-5957.

SOUTHBAY YACHT RACQUET CLUB: vacant, unfurnished 2BR/2BA with office, large pool.

Private Sale or Lease. Owner R.E. Agent, 561-301-8481.

©2017 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

Adult Care Services Personalized in-home care to meet any needs.

We provide medical and non-medical services 24/7. From transportation and housekeeping to meal preparation and medication assistance. We can create a customized plan that works for you.

Call ElderCare Services at 377-4465 or visit our website at: www.ElderCareSarasota.com for more information. Licensed, bonded and Insured.

Lic# 30211372 I HAVE an MS Exercise Science degree and certified in Parkinsons exercise to manage the disease. Also, experienced with developing exercise programs for elderly and handicapped.

Website: parkinsonslifestylemanagement.com Bill 941-685-1144.

ADVERTISE YOUR As low as $17.50 for 1 week!

CALL 386-447-9723

2017

All Florida Counties Since 1992) FREE INFO! 1-888-847-1997.

and Commercial. High quality cleaning.

Reasonable rates. Licensed. Insured. References.

Call 941-650-6180.

BLUE FISH CLEANING INC. |941-705-3812.

18B SARASOTA OBSERVER THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 Insured, Bonded. Affordable reliable cleaning, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Carpentry Residential.

Meticulous Cleaning.

Excellent RON VOIT CONSTRUCTION L.L.C. Comm/Res. References.

FreeInterior Estimates.

Reliable.

Lic./ and Ins. Room Additions.

Renovations.

Kitchen 941-400-3342.

Bath Remodeling. Door and Window Replacement.

CLEANING BYRepairs.

BrazilianCrown Lady. Meticulous, reliable, Rotted Wood Molding and Trim. deep cleaning specialist.State Residential.

Commercial.

Call Ron 941-228-7601.

Lic. CBC1259788.

New Construction. 941-400-2866.

Cleaning

BETTY’S HOUSECLEANING Service. Residential and Commercial. High quality cleaning.

Reasonable rates. Licensed. Insured. References.

Call 941-650-6180.

BLUE FISH CLEANING INC. 941-705-3812.

Insured, Bonded. Affordable reliable home cleaning, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./ Ins. 941-400-3342.

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady. Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential. Commercial.

New Construction. 941-400-2866.

YourObserver.com

Massage

home

MASSAGE BY LOREDANA Home Improvement/ $70 1 Hour for 1st Remodeling Visit

Cleaning DIRTY GROUT GONE! Computer Services

Cleaning - Recoloring MacTutor - Sealing. has 21+ OWN A MAC/iPHONE/iPAD? www.GreaterGrout.com years experience teaching Apple products.

I speak English,941-404-6151 not “Geek�! (941) 323-2363 www.FLMacTutor.com

GET RESULTS! PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE TODAY

mitchell handyman.

Painting,At Carpentry, Former Employee The Ritz Tile, Pressure Cleaning. Total ReWill Home Come Improvements, To You pairs. Small and large!

941-284-8488.

941-400-3940 loredana@aol.com LICENSE Legal #MAOO21257 Services 1-SIGNATURE DIVORCE OR MISSING SPOUSE DIVORCE! WILLS AND EVICTIONS ALSO! STARTING AT $65. We Come To You! (Serving All Florida Counties Since 1992) FREE INFO! 1-888-847-1997.

classifieds.yourobserver.com Massage

classifieds.yourobserver.com

Computer Services

ADVERTISE YOUR

GARAGE SALE As low as $17.50 for 1 week!

CALL 386-447-9723

MASSAGE BY LOREDANA $70 1 Hour for 1st Visit Former Employee At The Ritz Will Come To You 941-400-3940 loredana@aol.com LICENSE #MAOO21257

OWN A MAC/iPHONE/iPAD? MacTutor has 21+ years experience teaching Apple products.

I speak English, not “Geek�! (941) 323-2363 www.FLMacTutor.com

Painting/Wallpapering CARLO DATTILO painting. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair Retail and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, “SOCIALwashing.

MEDIA ISResidential A SOCIAL &DISEASE� for pressure commercial, other bumper stickers and novelties condos.

Honest & reliable.

Freevisit estimates. www.zazzle.com/lagooncorps 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

Retail “SOCIAL MEDIA IS A SOCIAL DISEASE� for other bumper stickers and novelties visit www.zazzle.com/lagooncorps

Reserved Space LP Reserved Space

ALTERATIONS/UPHOLSTERY

CLEANING

DOORS

Frank Beck Upholstery

DON’T LET YOUR

Sliding Glass Door Repair

DRYER START A FIRE!

Home Furnishing Restoration and Upholstery Specialist!

Honesty • Integrity • Quality • Value

Call Paradise Dryer Vent Cleaning Today

230799

ALUMINUM

COMPUTER

231739

15505 Lemon Fish Dr. Bradenton, FL 34202 OfďŹ ce 941-650-9790

233217

231772

DECORATIVE SURFACES FOR: PATIOS, POOL DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, ENTRYWAYS

Licensed • Insured Lic. #25393

3675768-01

• POLY-PEBBLE / EPOXY • TEXTURED CONCRETE • RESEAL & REPAIRS • INTERLOCKING BRICK PAVERS Free Serving Sarasota 355-1148 Estimates Since 1979 SARASOTA • BRADENTON • VENICE

Michael Koch Concrete, Inc.

230804

“No Job Too Small�

Driveways • Sidewalks

Servicing the Sarasota area since 1999

Also Laying Stone

Reasonable Prices

Licensed & Insured

918-8587

Free Estimates

/54$//2 &52.)452% %80%243 s 777 0!4)/2%0!)23 .%4

230750

Custom Surfaces Inc.

Home Remodeling Service Lic. & Insured

941-504-0903

3680493-01

922-3157

Shamrock Renovations, LLC

PATIO REPAIRS FurnitureSales Sales &&Repairs Furniture Repairs

PATIO FURNITURE REPAIRS Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating #USHIONS s 3LINGS s 5MBRELLAS

Residential Concrete Specialist

552-5766

231773

FURNITURE REPAIR

Since 1967

Patios - Driveways - Sidewalks

CARPENTRY

780-3788 • 822-0436

LACIVITA CONCRETE

State Lic. CR CO25291

Sharon M. Guy, P.A.

941-228-5011

Licensed/Insured • Free Estimates

941-929-9095 Classified Ads Bring Results • 386-447-9723 CONCRETE

Law OfďŹ ce of

Specializing in Quality Work / Done on Time

Repair • Popcorn Removal • Remodel • New Construction

(Just around the corner Next to Beneva Flowers)

WILLS, TRUSTS, PROBATE, ELDER LAW

Sharon M. Guy

CHALMERS DRYWALL

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

NEW LOCATION: 6968 Beneva Rd.

ATTORNEY

OfďŹ ce in Palmer Ranch 8586 Potter Park Drive, Sarasota, FL 34238

DRYWALL

230795

Yoderaluminum.com

Advertise your business in The Observer Business Directory Call 386-447-9723 to advertise

LV10376

New & Refurbished Computers Servicing PC & MAC on Site or In Shop Virus Removal We Make Windows 8 User-Friendly!

Yoder Aluminum Inc. “Specializing in 6� Seamless Gutters�

ERE!

OUT TH GET YOUR NAME

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

Insured

Dustin Yoder yoderaluminum@gmail.com

230215

frankbeckupholstery@gmail.com

Dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure ďŹ res LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED reported to U.S. ďŹ re departments in 2006-2010.

www.paradisedryervent.com

233230

Gulf Gate Village 6568 Superior Ave., Sarasota, FL 34231

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

230186 38056

ESTABLISHED 1975!

941• 925 • 2447

233197

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am - 3pm • Weekends by appointment

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE�

YOUR SAFETY IS PRICELESS! 941. 979. 2707

HANDYMAN

STEVE PANEBIANCO

HOME REPAIR SERVICE • NO JOB TOO SMALL • SCREEN REPAIRS • PAINTING/DRY WALL • TILE REPAIRS • & MUCH MORE!

24/7 SERVICE

966-5094 Cell #809-7311

FREE

ESTIMATES!

) Carpentry ) Indoors ) Remodeling ) Ceramic Tile ) Water & Fire Damage ) Kitchen/Baths Licensed Lic. #38333 References

“OUR ESTIMATES & ADVICE ARE FREE�

957-4762 (cell #) 504-3168

IN PRINT AND ONLINE.

A POWERFUL COMBINATION. VISIT: CLASSIFIEDS.YOUROBSERVER.COM

231774

Allow me to do my very best for you!

233171

In shop free estimates Pick up and delivery services available

SARASOTA OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

HOME SERVICES

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

Gulf Breeze Home Watch

IKEA® KITCHEN INSTALLATION & DESIGN SERVICE

229086

Peace of Mind While You Are Away

Starts at just $30/mo. • Family Owned and Operated Serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties

941-321-9441

PET SERVICES

Pet Care

Melanie

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

by the Multi-Award Winning Kitchen Craft, LLC

Ins./Bonded

by

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

We are Not IKEA’s Installers We are Your IKEA Kitchen Installer

PLUMBING

General Plumbing Services Inc.

Independent Svc Provider

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!

941-726-2662

Family Owned & Operated • Third Generation Master Plumber All Major Credit Cards Accepted PlumbingServicesSarasota.com

Already have an IKEA Kitchen design you’re working with?

Email us for a FREE installation quote!

230217

FAST SAME-DAY SERVICE

941-923-8140

Your IKEA kitchen warranty will not be void if we install your kitchen

27900 Installed

$

Your Bathroom Safety Specialist 230222

Lifetime Guarantee

Installed Within 24-Hours

KEEP YOUR INDEPENDENCE!

233173

941.966.0333

Specializing in Re-Roofing & Repairs All Work Guaranteed

Team Up With Classifieds

941-228-9850

Joe Murray, Owner

386-447-9723

724-2945

Lic. & Ins.

230191

373-9299

IRRIGATION

941-345-5264

HALL AMERICAN SCREENING LLC

MOVERS

Specializing in Lanai Screening and Panel Replacements David Hall

A FULL SERVICE IRRIGATION COMPANY

rain sensors 233194

20 any irrigation

LP Missing: # 231639

David Hall is the one to call!!!

Licensed and Insured

TREES

$ OFF repair over 100

Licensed & Insured

10 Years Experience 231639

941-888-2988 FREE ESTIMATES rainscapefl.com

For $85 per hour you get: A truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to

THE GRAB BAR GUY

make your moving day a pleasure.

OZ - 941-313-4538

941-232-1192 WINDOWS

231871

Oz the Wizard of Moving

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

Res./Com. Lic./Ins. & Pressure C Window lean t e s ing known as Sunrise W Sun ind erly Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005 ows

Licensed and insured #IM2186

Tropical Painting CALL TODAY & SAVE 10% Get More For Less

954-1878

231879

Professional | Honest | Affordable | Reliable Robert Baker 941-204-7444

Licensed & Insured

tropicalpainting15.com

230192

PAINTING

GLENN KROECKER

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

941-993-9976

HallAmericanScreening@Gmail.com HallAmericanScreening.com

233177

Maintenance - Repair -Installation

$

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

Satisfaction Guarantee Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

Free Estimates Lawn & Landscape Maintenance 233219

LV10380

SCREENING

CURT’s Lawn Service

3687676-01

447-9723

Fully Insured

State Licensed Contractor #CCC057066

LAWN CARE

about Call for Informationtory the Business Direc

233199

230796

230751

WWW.DRGRABBARS.COM Licensed • Bonded • Insured Locally Owned & Operated

941.295.7788

230219

233466

379-9070

24 HR. EMERGENCY SERVICE

LEAKY ROOF?

Make Your Phone Ring

Assuring a home’s security, livability, and investment value is maintained in your absence

15% OFF

$

38 Years Experience

Licensed/Insured

YOURS!

ANY SERVICE W/THIS COUPON

GULF GATE ROOFING INC.

www.HawkeyeHomeWatchServices.com

THIS SPACE COULD BE

$20.00 OFF

ROOFING

A Private Company Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007

HawkeyeHWS@gmail.com

Reg. Price 30900 Installed

Fast Quality Service at Reasonable Rates Ins./Lic. #RF0048866

Watching your home while you’re away

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area |

Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

• Repairs • Remodels • Installs • • Drains & Sewers • Cleaning • Repiping •

Disposal Special

www.yourikeakitcheninstaller.com

Installation • Maintenance

Home Watch Services

• 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

230559

Sarasota Gate & Access

941-349-4455

233232

(941) 966-2960

233221

www.homewatchofsarasota.com info@homewatchofsarasota.com

19B

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

|

UP TO

110

WINDOWS $ 25 STANDARD

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

% OFF + Additional $ 00 SPECIAL 1 0 5 www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com For Senior Citizens

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941-284-5880

YOUR CONNECTION to selling your service with success.

For more information, call 941-955-4888 386-447-9723 or visit or visit classifieds.palmcoastobserver.com classifieds.yourobserver.com

20B

SARASOTA OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

SPG SCHEMMEL PROPERT Y GROUP REP RES EN T IN G

JOEL SCHEMMEL, J.D. 941.587.4894 joel.schemmel@sothebysrealty.com

SHARON CHIODI 941.809.0380 sharon.chiodi@sothebysrealty.com

Casey Key | 3528/3521 Casey Key Road | $5,295,000

Coral Cove | 7462 Cove Terrace | $3,690,000

Indian Beach | 916 Indian Beach Drive | $2,495,000

Siesta Key | 1136 Windsong Lane | $1,895,000

The Oaks Clubside | 419 Walls Way | $1,795,000

Prestancia | 4369 Boca Pointe Drive | $1,099,000

S a r a s o t a ’ s M OST A M A ZIN G PRO P ERTIES

SchemmelPropertyGroup.com facebook.com/schemmelpropertygroup

609 Golden Gate Point | Starting at $1,650,000

Fr o

O 0 p m 2/ en 1- 0 5 4 p. m .

AQUA Grand Residence | 280 Golden Gate Pt | $5,495,000

AQUA | 280 Golden Gate Point | $5,495,000

Beach, boating or golf?

LET US HELP YOU

E SA N L D E IN G

Phillippi Creek | 5343 Palos Verdes | $895,000

P

Fr o

O 0 p m 2/ en 1- 0 5 4 p. m .

Osprey Harbor Village | 14021 Bellagio Way | $1,095,000

FIND YOUR NEW HOME schemmelpropertygroup.com Prestancia | 7251 Regina Royale | $399,000

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

Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate and neither suggests nor infers that Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted. Colorado listing courtesy of The Boyd Team, Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty.

233554

Prestancia | 4520 Murcia Boulevard | $459,000