Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 2.16.23

SPD going to the dogs

Czech Republic-born K-9 Kodak, a German shepherd, has completed 640 hours of initial training with handler Officer Paul Gagnon. Training includes patrol work, tracking, building searches, area searches, article searches and apprehension.

Gagnon joined the SPD K-9 unit in 2021 and is certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a K-9 handler.

When not helping solve crimes at work, Kodak, who celebrated his second birthday on Feb. 8, enjoys taking long walks on the beach, playing ball and chewing on things that should not be chewed on.

The Sarasota Police Department K-9 unit currently has four dogs and four handlers.

flight

Mentor moment

Lysette and Arlette Alanis are sisters with a passion for helping others, especially kids. Their mother, who is also a USF student, told them about the opportunity to tutor and mentor middle school students as part of a literacy initiative that’s funded by a $500,000 gift from Sarasota philanthropists Joe and Mary Kay Henson.

“I already had done observation in kindergarten through fifth and high school. So, I took this opportunity to see what a middle school setting is like,” said USF education major Arlette Alanis.

The Alanis sisters both say they want to make a difference in the lives of these students.

“I thought this was a good opportunity to interact with students and encourage them to love reading,” said Lysette Alanis, a communication sciences and disorders major.

Dariela Delgado

Panache with Pooches Fashion Show models Zooey and Sandy Koolkin

WEEK OF FEB. 16, 2023

BY THE NUMBERS

New flight from SRQ airport is a Breeze

low-fare airline, will add nonstop service between SRQ and T.F. Green International Airport near Providence, Rhode Island.

The new route fulfills popular demand among Sarasota-area travelers, according to Rick Piccolo, the airport’s president and CEO.

“Providence is a destination

Bayfront Park splash pad work set to begin

Construction is expected to begin this month on the new playground and splash pad at Bayfront Park. Not to be confused with The Bay, Bayfront Park is at U.S. 41 and Ringling Boulevard near Marina Jack.

The plans for the $3.2 million renovation include a shipwreck-themed playground with climbing features, shade structures and a new splash pad rebuilt from the ground up. The entire play area will be graded to one level with shaded seating between the playground and splash pad. The animal statues, which were longtime fixtures at the previous splash pad and are part of the city’s public art collection, will be incorporated into the play area’s landscaping.

Construction is expected to be completed in the late fall of this year.

Attainable housing town hall March 1

A second attainable housing Town Hall with the public will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, in the meeting chambers at Sarasota City Hall, 1565 First St. It is a follow-up to a standing-room-only town hall in January, when staff outlined how attainable housing could be incorporated into future developments within downtown zone districts.

The meeting will also be livestreamed and available on demand through the city of Sarasota website at SarasotaFL.gov.

that travelers have been requesting for years, and we look forward to welcoming this new service,” Piccolo said. Breeze will offer an introductory fare of $59 one way, on sale through Feb. 20. With the new route, Breeze now offers 143 nonstop routes between 35 cities in 21 states.

“We always look for routes that people are traveling today but can’t get there nonstop,” said Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman. “Now SarasotaBradenton residents can get

to Providence twice as fast for about half the price.”

Providence will be the third route to and from SRQ offered by Breeze, joining Hartford-Bradley Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, and New York/Westchester County Airport.

Breeze Airways began service in May 2021, operating a fleet of Embraer 190/195 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The airline has ordered 80 brand new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with options for 40 more.

A comprehensive plan amendment adopted by the City Commission in 2022 provides for the opportunity to increase the attainable housing inventory. In exchange for attainable housing on-site is an option for a density bonus up to four times the base density, plus additional considerations.

An overview of proposed incentives will be presented, frequently asked questions will be addressed, and citizens will have a chance to provide additional input.

The January town hall can be viewed on demand via SarasotaFL. gov, archived on the Meetings/Agendas/Video webpage under Public Forums & Community Meetings of Interest.

“I’m going to vote yes, but I hate backing in. I know a lot of people like it.”

Sarasota Vice Mayor Liz Alpert. Read more on page 6A

Courtesy photo

Breeze Airways is adding a third route to Providence, Rhode Island, from SRQ beginning July 13.

Cranes over Sarasota

Construction projects changing the ever-evolving city skyline.

Sarasota doesn’t have an official city bird, but if it did, it might as well be the crane. City Hall does have a frequent avian visitor in a great egret, which has been nicknamed Sid E. Hall by a prominent staffer.

If the city were to choose an official bird, though, the crane would be a suitable choice. Not the feathered winged type, but the kind that rises above new construction sites, transporting equipment and materials upward to the climbing downtown skyline. Most recently, there were as many as six cranes towering above the city, all at residential construction sites, possibly leaving visitors and even seasonal residents wondering: What are all these projects?

Condominiums and luxury rental apartments are being built at The Quay, in Golden Gate Point and in the downtown core, stretching from the waterfront to the eastern end of Main Street, bringing hundreds of new residences and thousands of commercial square feet.

Many more such projects are in the pipeline.

Here is a graphic illustration of the latest active construction projects enhancing the Sarasota cityscape.

One Main Plaza Developer: Belpointe REIT Inc.

Location: 1991 Main St.

Floors: 10

Details: At the corner of Main Street and Links Avenue, there will be 418 luxury rental apartments and 55,000 square feet of ground floor retail space among two buildings.

The DeMarcay Residences

Developer: GK Real Estate

Location: 33 S. Palm Ave.

Floors: 18

Details: Nearly sold out, there are 39 luxury condominiums on 17 floors with a rooftop amenity area. Built at the site of the former DeMarcay Hotel, the historic facade is incorporated into the architecture.

Bayso Developer: Kolter Urban

Location: The Quay

Floors: 18

Details: Luxury condominium tower at the southeast corner of Quay on the roundabout at U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road. Its 149 units have sold out.

Cordelia

Developer: Lennar MultiFamily Communities

Location: The Quay

Floors: 12

Details: Luxury 240-unit multifamily rental development including 13,000 square feet of retail along U.S. 41 in The Quay.

The Evolution Developer: WB Golden Point LLC

Location: 111 Golden Gate Point

Floors: 9 Details: Luxury condominium tower with 20 units situated at the entrance of Golden Gate Point. Construction was delayed most of 2022 until a new general contractor was named.

SIX88

Developer: Vandyk Properties

Location: 688 Golden Gate Point

Floors: 9 Details: Luxury condominium tower with 10 units at the entrance of Golden Gate Point.

Zahrada II

Developer: Zahrada Development

Location: 1558 Fourth St.

Floors: 5

Details: Mixed-use with four small retail units and 18 condominiums. It is the second phase of Zahrada adjacent to Phase 1, comprised of six luxury townhouses.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

The

Regency Sarasota

St. Armands BID to make second bid for renewal

Falling just short of a 10-year renewal of the St. Armands Business Improvement District, its board will begin the process for a second ballot for property owners on the Circle.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Following the failure of the membership of the St. Armands Business Improvement District to renew the special district for another 10 years, its board of directors is preparing to take a second vote on the matter.

During the Feb. 6 Sarasota City Commission meeting, BID Business Manager Julie Ryan, a city employee, explained the shortfall in the required percentage vote of the 63 property owners at St. Armands Circle was largely because of technicalities.

Because it is a special tax overlay district, the voting is weighted by the relative value of the property owners who cast ballots. Of the ballots returned, 48.9% of the assessed value that returns ballots approved of the renewal. Ryan said two of the returned ballots were disqualified because they were improperly completed, either of which would have put approval over the top.

Ryan told commissioners that historically it requires two votes to renew the BID.

At its Feb. 8 meeting, the BID board voted 3-0 to restart the renewal process, which will require several months to complete. The current timeline runs until August. Without timely renewal approval, the BID expires on Sept. 30. Absent from the meeting was Yamen Elsaid. The fifth seat is vacant and has yet to be filled by City Commission appointment.

BID Chairman Tom Leonard blamed the first vote shortfall on confusing ballot instructions.

“I’ve talked to almost every one of these property owners, and we all filled them out,” Leonard said of the returned ballots. “I’m going to be honest with you. I had mine completely done and I put it in the envelope and I said, dang, now I I’ve got to get my wife’s signature. She’s in California. So I spent I don’t know how many dollars on FedEx going back and forth.”

Another property owner, he said, filled out the ballot while on the way to airport and, needing a witness signature, had her Uber driver sign. The ballot was disqualified because the driver did not provide his or her address.

More education, Leonard said, should be included with the second ballot to ensure that the votes will meet all the criteria required by state special district statute. A new website launched by the BID since the beginning of the first ballot process, Ryan said, will help.

“I also had another person I talked to who said we didn’t have their right address. Now we have to go back and try to get that fixed,” Leonard said.

City considers making street eats permanent

More than a dozen Sarasota restaurants still offer outside dining in parking spaces. Now they seek making the pandemic-era policy a permanent option.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Unless the city adopts a new ordinance by the end of next month, the pandemic-era on-street dining option for downtown restaurants is scheduled to expire on March 31.

The Sarasota City Commission will take up the matter at its Feb. 21 meeting, scheduled one day later than the usual Monday in observance of Presidents Day.

Last November, some restaurateurs asked the City Commission to extend parklet dining temporarily until a permanent solution can be found. At the time, it was expected

to expire on Dec. 31. Of the 19 restaurants that put tables on the street in public parking spaces starting in 2020 just to stay in business, 15 still have active permits to use them for ever popular al fresco dining.

Not only do parklets expand capacity as restaurants continue to recover from COVID-19 restrictions, they are an option for customers who remain hesitant to enter crowded spaces.

Among the conditions of the extension granted last fall, restaurants are required to pay the city $25 per day per parking space occupied to offset lost parking revenue. In the interim, commissioners instructed staff and City Attorney Robert

IF YOU GO

The next Sarasota City Commission meeting will be held 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the meeting chamber at Sarasota City Hall, 1565 First St. The meeting can also be viewed online here or live-streamed on the city’s Facebook page.

Fournier to research other jurisdictions that now have permanent parklet policies and any pertinent legal considerations.

In a Feb. 1 memo to commissioners, Fournier wrote that many of his initial concerns over permanent parklets have since been alleviated, those primarily potential legal challenges over private use of the public use easement, and that use of parking spaces for dining must still provide for the primary purpose of vehicular travel and parking.

Mostly, he said at the time, the city must find a way to show the private use of public right of way provides a valid public benefit.

“Based on additional research and review of ordinances from other jurisdictions I have done since November, it seems that cities that have been adopting these ordinances are generally cognizant of the two general requirements,” Fournier wrote. “The private use must also serve a public purpose, and that the primary purpose of the street should still be for travel and incidental parking.”

The restaurants that have parklets typically occupy one or two parking spaces, leaving other spaces available for the primary use.

“Most of these ordinances do contain various provisions to enable the municipalities to argue, if challenged, that the private use is not permanent because it is subject to periodic renewal and because no property rights are being conveyed to private users,” Fournier wrote. “These ordinances also contain provisions to limit the amount of space devoted to parklets so as to preserve the argument that the primary use of the right of way still serves the purpose it was dedicated to serve.”

The most commonly cited public benefit justification for the adopted

parklet ordinances, Fournier found, is to stimulate economic development.

Downtown restaurants, with limited space and generally no outdoor patio space, employed the parklets as a matter of survival during Covid.

Among those lobbying for a continued parklet policy were Bricks Smoked Meats General Manager Meghan Croke and Duval’s General Manager Jonathan Van Dyke. Both restaurants are among the handful that invested in permanent-looking enclosures to their parklet space that appear as extensions to their brickand-mortar space.

“The restaurant industry was hit pretty hard during the pandemic, and that continues in a different form,” Croke previously told the Observer. “It’s very difficult to staff. Our labor costs are up over 20%, and supply chain issues continue to cause shortages and higher costs. So while the pandemic may have eased in terms of numbers of cases, the after-effects definitely linger, and the parklets have been a huge help.”

They have also helped the downtown restaurants compete with their suburban counterparts that have the advantage of space for outdoor patios.

Said Van Dyke, “Being in historic downtown, we have a natural beauty to the area, but we don’t have the ability to have patios with the exception of new construction. Especially in the downtown core within the downtown improvement district, there’s not really the ability to rebuild buildings, some of which have historic significance, and the ability to extend outdoors to have that outdoor dining.”

In his memo, Fournier advised that any ordinance drafted should provide for the city to credibly counter any challenge that private use serves a public purpose, and that the ordinance does not provide for a permanent conveyance of public space. It must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Restaurant owners that will occupy the spaces should also acknowledge that was is an expansion of their space will result in additional property taxes.

Andrew Warfield

Duval’s restaurant at 1435 Main St. is one of several restaurants in downtown Sarasota taking advantage of parklet dining. The city allowed restaurants to place tables over parking spaces during the pandemic.

City backs up repeal of back-in parking ban

Saturday, March 25, 2023

In-Person & Virtual Attendance

Bradenton Area Convention Center

1 Haben Blvd, Palmetto, FL 34221

9 AM – 3 PM (ET)

Doors open at 8 am • Program starts at 9 am

FREE EVENT

Registration Required at ParkinsonsExpo.org

Online registration is strongly encouraged. Visit ParkinsonsExpo.org or call 941-926-6413 ext.105 for more information.

Sponsorship opportunities available.

The Parkinson’s Expo will feature presentations from medical experts on treatment options, the latest in research, managing the non-motor aspects of the disease, and more. This event is presented to the community at no charge thanks to the following partners:

Exclusive Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors Encompass Health

Rehabilitation

Hospital of Sarasota

Silver Sponsors

Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acorda Therapeutics Boston Scientific Parkinson's Foundation

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Drivers who prefer to back into parking spaces may soon have permission to go rear wheels first in city-owned and controlled surface lots and decks.

At its Feb. 6 meeting, the City Commission approved amending an ordinance to allow back-in parking in individual facilities at City Manager Marlon Brown’s discretion.

The policy doesn’t apply across the board. Brown will determine which facilities will permit backin parking on a case-by-case basis. Currently, signs prohibiting backin parking are posted in surface lots such as Bayfront Park and in parking decks in downtown and at St. Armands Circle.

Back-in parking can be a polarizing issue among drivers, including commissioners who were divided regarding their parking preference.

As for the support of removing the citywide ban, they were in unanimous support.

“I’m going to vote yes, but I hate backing in,” said Vice Mayor Liz Alpert. “I know a lot of people like it.”

“I’ll vote yes. I love backing in,” said Mayor Kyle Battie.

The amendment still prohibits back-in parking in angled spaces, except where otherwise posted. Backing in is required, for example, along Gulfstream Avenue.

Back-in parking had been prohibited by city ordinance where posted in most city parking facilities. That was primarily because the city’s Parking Division scans license plates for expired registrations and sto -

len vehicles. With Florida requiring only a rear license plate, it can be a challenge to efficiently run plates on vehicles backed into spaces, particularly in parking garages.

Commissioner Debbie Trice asked if there was any pushback from the Parking Division about the platereading obstacles.

“As you may recall the parking manager at the time, (Mark) Lyons, came before you and said that he will support this and that there are no other issues other than do they have to get out of their enforcement vehicle to read the tag,” Brown said. No drivers will be required to back into a parking space. In lots where Brown deems it permissible, it will be optional.

“It simply allows it, and it would not apply to the angled spaces,” Fournier said. “It wouldn’t apply on the street, just in city-owned lots, not private lots, and in city-controlled parking structures or portions thereof.”

Andrew Warfield

A sign at Bayfront Park reminds drivers back-in parking is not permitted there. That could change at the city manager’s discretion thanks to an ordinance amendment approved by the City Commission.

Ryan Dunn,

Undergraduate:

Fellowship:

Certification:

Back-in parking will now be allowed in city-owned and controlled parking facilities at the city manager’s discretion.

than 1.1 million votes cast on HGTV.com. We’re proud to have our Gulf Stream, FL home voted the most spectacular home in the U.S. This winning Florida estate was listed by Paula Wittmann and Michelle Noga of William Raveis.

YIMBYs have good answers

Housing costs (and government) have made Florida expensive. A great reason to fix policies.

The adverse effects of this are being felt everywhere in everyday living, and, as other regions have shown, it only will worsen in years to come. That is, unless city and county policymakers and the public have the courage and goodwill for dramatic changes.

TOP MEDIAN HOME PRICES IN U.S.

The table shows the median home prices for the 20 most expensive U.S. markets and Florida’s metro markets for single-family homes and the change in prices from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the fourth quarter of 2022.

SARASOTA/SIESTA

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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MATT WALSH

“The fundamental (but recently forgotten) core mission of cities is to accelerate the upward social and economic mobility of its inhabitants.”

— Joel Kotkin, Chapman University

“Planners should maximize the extent to which people can plan their own lives.”

— M. Nolan Gray

Author, “Arbitrary Lines”

Don’t do it, commissioners. Don’t try to become developers and apartment owners. That’s not the city government’s job.

It was painful to read last week that the Sarasota City Commission engaged in serious discussions about becoming an owner and developer of below-market rate apartments to help address the city’s lack of affordable housing.

They should have listened to Vice Mayor Liz Alpert: “How could it make sense for the city if it doesn’t make sense for developers?”

It’s bad enough to have the city in the golf course ownership and development business. But it’s just as bad for commissioners to think Sarasota city government can help solve the city’s affordable housing problem by developing city-owned property in partnership with private enterprise.

Politicians just can’t resist the thinking that government has all the answers.

This idea isn’t it, regardless of how it looks on paper.

To that end, while Sarasota entrepreneur Mark Vengroff, CEO and owner of One Stop Housing and son of the late Harvey Vengroff, may have presented commissioners with a proforma showing the financial viability of such a venture (200 apartments producing a $1.7 million annual surplus for the city), you have to ask yourself:

When has anyone ever seen a government entity become a successful housing developer? When does a simple proforma on paper ever turn out to be simple for a government?

But let’s at least give the commissioners credit: They are looking for solutions to this region’s most pressing economic issue — the high cost of housing.

Surely, most Sarasotans have experienced the effects of high housing costs — and not just the prices they have paid for a home or condo. Here is one: You call your doctor to make an appointment, and the automated answering voice apologizes and says the doctor’s office is short-staffed. That is the situation virtually everywhere.

At the same time, we continue to hear story after story how the cost of housing has scared off job recruits from moving here. Business owners tell us repeatedly how they hired candidates, only to lose them once the candidate tried to find affordable housing.

Talk to every business owner in this region, and she or he will tell you hiring skilled people is the number one challenge.

That critical shortage of skilled labor is a result of the shortage of affordable housing for the middle and starter classes of workers.

This imbalance certainly isn’t new. It has been a slow, tightening squeeze for two decades. But in the wake of the pandemic, the labor shortage and rising cost of housing have become even more acute.

They are especially exacerbated in destination resort-retirement communities similar to Greater Sarasota-Bradenton.

But these conditions are not just affecting Sarasota. Here is the reality: Florida is no longer an inexpensive place to live.

Just the opposite.

The accompanying table shows Florida has 18 of the 100 most expensive metro markets ranked by median sales prices for single-family homes. That is nearly 20% of the total, and it includes every metro market in Florida, except Ocala, which ranks 106th.

The cause of this is simple economics: Supply and demand. Florida’s population growth — a 50-year phenomenon — has outstripped the growth in supply.

But go a step further. When you look into “why” the supply has not kept up, that’s when the issue becomes more complicated. Multiple forces have restricted the supply.

One of the chief inhibitors is existing residents. Just as the sun rises in the east, throughout Florida, and especially in northern Sarasota County, the minute a developer proposes apartments anywhere or, say, a 100-home development in the suburbs, nearby neighbors show up at commission meetings in opposition.

To an extent, it’s understandable. Few people like their neighborhoods and streets to become more crowded.

You can also say restricting

Source: National Association of Realtors, www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housingstatistics/metropolitan-median-area-prices-and-affordability.

supply is an economic benefit for existing residents. Look how that has boosted the value of homes, a primary asset of every homeowner.

Perhaps the biggest inhibitor to supply is at the governmental level. Elected officials have adopted encyclopedias of zoning and development ordinances that make it near impossible to build starter homes and still make a profit.

It’s routine for developers to go through multiple public hearings with their lawyers, engineers and architects at their sides, each running the clock on their fees and driving up the cost of housing.

Add to that the myriad impact fees and other regulatory requirements. They typically add 20%22% to the cost of a new home.

But there are ways to remove government obstacles that will result in more affordable units.

Two examples: minimum lot sizes and parking requirements. Allowing smaller lot sizes and fewer parking requirements would reduce land and planning costs dramatically.

After Houston lowered minimum lot size requirements, it saw the construction of 25,000 new starter units. When the California Legislature legalized accessory dwelling units (e.g. garage apartments) in 2016, those units grew from almost none in 2016 to 10,000 in 2021.

These examples show there are paths to incentivize the development of more affordable housing. In fact, there is a new organization sweeping the country — YIMBY Action (Yes In My Back Yard), a national not-for-profit with local chapters working to change laws and incentives in ways that bring about more affordable housing for working people.

If there is a market ripe for this kind of effort, it is Greater Sarasota and the city of Sarasota in particular. (There is a YIMBY Tampa, YimbyTampa.com.)

Suffice it to say, then, rather than think about the city building and owning apartments, city commissioners and city officials should be thinking: “What can we do to remove obstacles that discourage and stop private enterprise from filling the gap? How can we get out of the way?”

Everyone here — all SarasotaManatee residents — has a financial and lifestyle stake in the region’s supply of housing. And surely everyone’s preference would be to have a flourishing, market-driven, not government-driven, housing market — one that offers great opportunities “for the upward social and economic mobility of its inhabitants.”

New College likely to be DeSantis’ tar baby

Gov. Ron DeSantis now has both hands stuck on a career-damaging tar baby — New College of Florida. We all know DeSantis is a man of decisive action. That’s a good trait in a good leader. So it has not been at all surprising that after he decided to take on New College as a turnaround and rescue project, he would be bold. You start at the top, of course.

Which he did, appointing a majority board of governors whose views are in line with his political philosophy — to exorcise wokeism from the state’s schools and transform the school into public-funded Hillsdale Col-

lege of the South.

And in turn, it would be expected for DeSantis (and his new board) to choose an ally to be the turnaround-rescue president. Which is, of course, what Richard Corcoran is. The former speaker of the Florida House has been one of the few in DeSantis’ Kitchen Cabinet, serving as the governor’s secretary of education the past four years.

But two moves have now put DeSantis’ decision making and judgment at risk:

• 1) Corcoran’s compensation.

The board awarded him a $699,000 annual salary, more than twice that of the previous president; plus $84,000 a year for housing; and $12,000 for his car allowance.

Corcoran also will receive $105,000 annually in retirement compensation, and he will have the opportunity to earn a bonus of up to 15% of his annual salary for achieving

certain goals.

All this for a president of a college with 700 students. That compares with the base salary of $600,000 for the president of the University of Central Florida, a school with 68,000 students. Taxpayers have taken note. Social media and emails are aflame with people aghast at Corcoran’s pay.

• 2) Infusion of $15 million, plus $10 million annually.

DeSantis pledged to pour this amount of taxpayer money into New College to be used to hire more faculty and provide scholarships to students.

Making that kind of pledge is the equivalent of an entrepreneur investing that amount of money in a 60-year-old business that has never made money. It’s a gamble.

Can such a venture be turned around? Can it be reinvented? Probably, but at what cost? It’s not

only “how much will it take?” It’s also: What will it take? How long will it take?

Before making such a move, every good entrepreneur asks himself/ herself: Why should I do this? Is it worth it? Is there a better use of that $15 million, $25 million, $35 million?

Indeed, for the taxpayers of Florida, is there a better use of those funds?

With all due respect, Gov. DeSantis, where is the business plan that shows for Florida taxpayers that what you are attempting with New College is the best option? That it is better than, say, just selling the school and letting someone else be responsible for its rescue?

Doesn’t Florida have bigger issues to deal with than becoming mired in what most assuredly will become DeSantis’ political tar baby?

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“If everyone would have turned theirs in who said they were going to turn them in, or they would have filled it out correctly, we could have had as much as 70-plus percent.”

Restarting the process starts with a petition that at least 13 property owners sign. That petition must then be presented at a meeting of the City Commission — the April 3 meeting is the earliest that can be placed on the agenda — and the commission must validate the petition to pursue a second vote.

Assuming City Commission acceptance of the petition, ballots must be delivered via certified mail, then returned. Renewal is approved by affirmative vote of greater than 50% of the assessed property owners.

“I’m really confident that we can get this done right, but it is a little bit of holding hands,” Leonard said. “Some of (the property owners) have offices and they get thrown in the desk. So anyway, I’m confident. That being said, those people who voted for us, thank you. And those people who did not send in their ballots, we will be hunting you down.”

To meet state statute, the voting period must conclude within 120 days, by Aug. 7.

The St. Armands BID is one of more than 1,800 special districts in the state.

The BID is governed by a board of directors that is appointed by the City Commission. The five-member board currently has a vacancy. Rachel Burns, executive director of the St. Armands Circle Association, who along with her husband owns commercial property there, has expressed interest in filling that seat. The association is an organization of merchants at the Circle.

Commercial property owners in the BID pay additional property taxes that are collected by the city, the revenues made available for improvements and service enhancements within the district. Sarasota has a second special district, the Downtown Improvement District.

Opinion not backed by data presented

You have to be living in a cave for a decade or two to not be aware of media bias. The Observer is as guilty of it as any media I listen to or read.

If Matt Walsh can slide in a snide remark about the Biden administration, he never misses an opportunity. “Declare fentanyl a WMD” goes far above the normal. The letter from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is disgraceful for at least a couple of reasons.

First, she wants to blame President Biden for the uptick in fentanyl deaths from 2019-2022 and says they increased 59% over that period. In fact, Trump was president during 2019 and 2020 when the increase occurred so dramatically.

According to the chart provided, the increase while Biden has been president is less than 10%, from 5,302 to 5,791. Maybe lies and misleading analysis is why Biden hasn’t responded in seven months.

Secondly, if immigrants coming in is the cause of fentanyl deaths one might ask how much of the drug was found on the plane trip to Martha’s Vineyard that we paid for thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis? I would guess if it was found coming in the governor would have broadcast it for weeks. Some media might look into this. The drugs will quit coming when Americans quit buying, it’s about supply and demand or as some say, “free market” working.

GLENN BAILEY LIDO KEY

SEND US YOUR LETTERS

Have something to tell us? Send your letters to Kat Wingert, KWingert@ YourObserver.com.

easy The Living is

Public invited to comment in SPD accreditation program

The Sarasota Police Department will undergo examination by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Sarasota residents are invited to participate in the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation process of the Sarasota Police Department.

A team of assessors from the CFA will arrive on March 21 to examine all aspects of SPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. To achieve accredited status, the department must comply with multiple standards, many of them critical to life, health, safety and best practices.

Accreditation occurs every three years. The accreditation manager for the SPD is Marissa Moore.

“Accreditation improves agency accountability by ensuring that laws and legal guidelines are followed and promotes trust within our community by being transparent with our operations,” Moore said. “From hiring to training, incident response procedures and evaluation/discipline processes, assessors will review policies and documentation to ensure our agency practices are current, fair, equitable and in line with Florida state statutes.”

Assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance may be observed. As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public may submit comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards is available online at FLAccreditation.org under the standards tab. Comments may be mailed to CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida 32302; or sent by email to FLAccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us

Once the CFA assessors complete their review of the agency they will

BENEFITS OF CFA ACCREDITATION

n Increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services.

n Enhances community understanding of the law enforcement agency and its role as well as its goals and objectives. Citizen confidence in the policies and practices of the agency is increased.

n In conjunction with the philosophy of community policing, commits the agency to a broad range of programs, such as crime prevention, that directly benefit the public.

n Creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to control and prevent crime. This partnership helps citizens to understand the challenges that confront law enforcement, which in return receives clear direction from the community about its expectations.

report to the full commission, which determines if agencies have earned accredited status.

Don’t we all want more time to enjoy life? More time to get things done, to make friends and to nurture relationships. More time to focus on family or for yourself. At Lakewood Ranch, we’re all about enjoying life. That’s’ why our community is filled with shopping, dining, nature, entertainment and recreation. So that everything you may need from day-to-day is nearby and conveniently located.

At Sarasota Memorial, you’ll find the award-winning comprehensive cardiovascular care that you need to stay active and living the life you want to live. Whether it’s a sudden heart attack or a chronic condition, our expert team of cardiologists, electrophysiologists and cardiovascular surgeons stand ready, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver both rapid diagnosis and equally swift intervention. And a multidisciplinary approach to collaborative care ensures every patient receives the personalized treatment they need to get them back on their feet and back with the people they love.

Because home , not the hospital , is where the heart should be .

THE KEY TO HIS HEART

2:14 p.m., 1600 block of Ninth Street

Property damage: A man arrived at a police station to make a report of his vehicle being keyed by his roommate within the previous 24 hours. He advised that his roommate, a female, admitted to the vandalism because she was upset that he did not return her phone call. The complainant, though, said he had no proof, nor did he witness the keying of his Nissan SUV.

The complainant reported the woman did state she would pay for the damage, adding he does not wish to press charges but wanted to file the report in the event she reneges on her commitment.

home owner that ATVs typically are not insured and, absent someone admitting to the incident, his legal options are limited.

MONDAY, FEB. 6

METER MADE UNUSABLE

11:18 a.m., 400 block of Madison Drive

Criminal mischief: The owner

of a parking meter company at a private parking lot called police to investigate damage to a meter, which was sprayed with black paint in an attempt to render it inoperable. He advised police it was the second time the meter had been vandalized. The complainant said the last violation ticket generated by the meter prior to the vandalism was to a worker at a nearby restaurant, whose employees had been using the lot. Within two days after that car was ticketed, the meter was spray painted. The complainant advised that he spoke to management of the restaurant, asking to tell employees to no longer park in his client’s lot. There was no physical damage to the meter, and the owner estimated the time and chemicals needed to strip the paint were valued at $200.

Fast Break

DON’T COUNT OUT THE COUGS

on Feb. 14.

The Sarasota High baseball program retired former coach Clyde Metcalf’s No. 32 jersey before its Feb. 14 preseason contest against Cardinal Mooney High. Metcalf coached the team from 1982 through 2022 and led the Sailors to six state championships.

… The Riverview High boys basketball team (10-18) capped an improbable run at the Class 7A district tournament with a 52-49 road overtime win over Sarasota High (21-6) on Feb. 10. The Rams now advance to the regional quarterfinals, where they will meet Winter Haven High (23-4) on the road Feb. 16. Whatever happens in that game, Riverview deserves credit for fighting through to the end of their season despite early struggles.

… The Sarasota Paradise, a pre-professional soccer team playing in the United Soccer League’s League Two, held an initial tryout Feb. 4 and is holding a second tryout March 11 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Registration for the tryout is $50. The minimum age is 17. For more information, visit SarasotaParadise.us.

… The Sarasota Invitational Regatta is happening Feb. 2426 at Nathan Benderson Park. The event will feature youth, middle school, high school and masters rowers from across the state competing for glory, including Sarasota Crew and Sarasota Scullers. The event is free for spectators. For more information, visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

… Pitchers and catcher report for the Baltimore Orioles’ spring training on Feb. 16, with the full team arriving Feb. 21 and games beginning Feb. 25 against the Minnesota Twins. In other words, it is the best time of year. You can visit Orioles. com to look at the full game schedule (and promotions schedule) and purchase tickets. See you at Ed Smith Stadium.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

There is only one thing Booker High girls basketball coach Ty Bryant still wants to see out of his team.

It’s something a lot of programs take for granted.

“I want them to have more fun,” Bryant said with a smile. “I’m serious. We’re beating the odds. Nobody thought we would be doing this.”

The Tornadoes (21-7) are headed to the Class 4A regional finals after a 69-40 home win over Gibbs High (21-7) on Feb. 14. After falling behind 9-3 in the first quarter thanks mostly to a bevy of Gibbs free throws, the Tornadoes used their patented mix of suffocating defense and lightning-quick transition scores to keep the Gladiators off balance. Playing a full-court press, Booker forced Gibbs into turnovers and was able to recover on defense on the occasions Gibbs was able to break the press, preventing easy baskets.

“I knew if we could get them running, that would be a problem (for them),” Bryant said. “That was the message after the first quarter: get them running and box out on rebounds. It was a physical game. But we did it in the second half.”

The win gives Booker a shot at going to the state semifinals (Final Four) for the second year in a row. In that sense, Booker is not a typical underdog. But the Tornadoes lost four seniors from last year’s team to graduation and lost four other players in the months since, for various reasons. It has resulted in more pressure being put on the team’s returnees to make big plays when they need to be made, while younger and less experienced players take on important secondary roles.

In the back half of the season, junior guard Jakai Peterson has become the team’s go-to scorer. Peterson scored 32 points against Avon Park High on Feb. 3, 15 points against Anclote High on Feb. 9 and 17 against Gibbs. She’s not alone, though: Three other players — seniors Leah DuBose, Sariah Bradley and Kymani Freeman — all average 7.7 points per game or more.

What is unusual about Booker is not just its defensive prowess, but how much the team has embraced that style of play. DuBose said the players have come to value getting a steal, or otherwise causing a turnover via tight defense, as much as they do getting a bucket.

“A lot of people like to play offense

WHIRLWIND

Five miles southeast of Booker High, the Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball team also played a home regional semifinal game Feb. 14. The Cougars (19-5) beat Tampa Catholic (14-11) 60-42 to advance to the Class 3A regional finals. Senior guard Olivia Davis scored a gamehigh 31 points. Mooney will host Tampa Prep (22-4) at 7 p.m. Friday for a spot in the state semifinals (Final Four). It would be the program’s third straight trip to the Final Four in Lakeland. As of Feb. 14, Mooney is ranked No. 4 in the class by MaxPreps, while Tampa Prep is ranked No. 10.

and look to score,” DuBose said. “But we thrive on defense. When we get a steal and a fast break, that gets us going. We can do it again and again. We build off of that.”

As far as the Tornadoes have come, Bryant said, they deserve to enjoy the journey. He lives out that example for his players. During games, Bryant paces the sideline, oscillating between enjoyment and bewilderment at his team’s shot selection or a foul call. But he always comes back to fun. In the waning minutes of the team’s win over Gibbs, a Booker player was called for a foul and raced down the court in frustration at the call, ending up near the Booker bench. Bryant looked at the player and smiled.

“That is the fastest you have run in two years,” Bryant said to her. Both laughed.

Booker’s good times have a chance to continue. With a spot in the Final Four on the line, Booker will take on the Academy of the Holy Names (24-6) at 7 p.m. Friday at home. The Tornadoes are ranked No. 7 in Class 4A by MaxPreps while Holy Names is ranked No. 8. On Dec. 15, Booker beat Holy Names on the road, 52-42. Both teams have grown since that game,

and Bryant and his Tornadoes know it will take a great effort to advance — but also that they have what it takes.

The Tornadoes may have been underdogs once, but they play and act like the favorites now.

“We’re going to do it again on Friday (advance to the Final Four),” DuBose said. “I have confidence in my team and our coaching staff. We’re going to get it done.”

“I love the grind of it. I love the connection that it gives me with my teammates, that spark on the court.”

— Booker High’s Leah DuBose SEE PAGE 18A

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Booker sophomore Jsyiah Taylor brings the ball up the court against Gibbs.

Booker High junior Jakai Peterson drives the lane against Gibbs.

Booker High girls basketball is headed back to the regional finals after a win over Gibbs High on Feb. 14.

Booker senior Sariah Bradley hits a three-point shot against Gibbs.

Ryan Kohn

The Sarasota High baseball program retired Clyde Metcalf’s No. 32 jersey

The next level

DEVYN FLAHERTY, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL

Flaherty, a junior, is as reliable a player as exists in college softball.

Now that the high school spring sports season is here, it is also time for spring NCAA sports to get started. As always, the Sarasota area is flush with talent in these sports. This year’s group is a mix of veterans gearing up for one last ride with their teams and young players looking to lock down permanent spots in the lineup — plus a former Olympian.

CLARK DEAN, HARVARD

UNIVERSITY MEN’S ROWING

Dean, a Pine View School graduate, competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but he’s not done with the college rowing life yet. Now a senior at Harvard, Dean and his teammates in the top varsity eight boat will try to improve on their sixth-place finish (05:56.147) at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships from 2022.

CONNER WHITTAKER, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL

The former Sarasota High hurler will get his sophomore season at Florida State started with the Seminoles’ 5 p.m. home game against James Madison University on Feb. 17. Whittaker was named to the National College Baseball Writers Association Freshman All-American Second Team in 2022 after he pitched 36.1 innings, all out of the bullpen, and held a 2.48 ERA and a 2-2 record. Whittaker struck out 33 batters while walking just 12. Under new Seminoles Coach Link Jarrett, it remains to be seen how Whittaker will be used, but it would not be a surprise if he ends up a consistent starter.

In 2022, the former Riverview High star, hit .355 with 12 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 31 RBIs, plus 26 steals and a .980 fielding percentage on her way to a spot on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team.

Flaherty and the Seminoles, already 4-1 on the year as of Feb. 14, will continue their season at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 with a game against the No. 10-ranked University of Arizona in Clearwater.

JACK DUFFY, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON BASEBALL

Like Whittaker, Duffy is a former Sailor who had an outstanding 2022 season and earned bigger opportunities. Playing at Polk State University, Duffy hit .442 — the best mark in the junior college Florida College System Activities Association — with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs as a sophomore. He was named a NJCAA Division I All-American Second Team for his efforts.

Now at Houston, Duffy, a junior, has a chance to become a big name in college baseball circles. The Cougars went 37-24 and reached the American Athletic Conference Championship Game in 2022.

BEN McCABE, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BASEBALL

McCabe, a former Sailors star, is in his senior season for the Knights and is expected to once again be a leader at catcher. He’s started every game of the last two seasons.

In 2022, McCabe hit .298 with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs and held a .979 fielding percentage.

McCabe and the Knights went 34-24 but lost to Houston in the American Athletic Conference Championships.

MJ McMAHON, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MEN’S LACROSSE

McMahon, a Cardinal Mooney High grad, started all 14 games for the Utes in 2022. As a sophomore he tallied 31 points (20 goals, 11 assists) with nine ground balls and ranked

second in the Atlantic Sun Conference and 20th nationally in shot percentage (.417).

Now a junior, McMahon will be tasked with leading a team looking to build on a 10-4 season a year ago.

WYATT PLATTNER, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI MEN’S GOLF

Plattner, a freshman who graduated from Cardinal Mooney in 2022, had a strong start to his college career in the Bearcats’ fall season. Plattner improved his finish in every fall season event he played, culminating in a seventh overall finish (seven under par, 209) at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate Championship, held Oct. 9-11 in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

The more official spring season begins Feb. 26 when the Bearcats play in the Dorado Beach Collegiate in Dorado, Puerto Rico. If he can build on his fall results, Plattner could be in for big things.

JACQUI PUTRINO, FLORIDA STATE WOMEN’S GOLF

Putrino, who won back-to-back individual state titles as a sophomore and junior at Riverview High, is now a freshman at Florida State. She saw action in three events during the Seminoles’ fall season and played well, averaging a 73.75 round with a low round of 68. In her first collegiate event in September, she tied for 20th overall at the Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Oklahoma, by shooting par (210).

Like Platter’s fall season, Putrino’s success should set her up well for a promising spring campaign.

SHELLI DiPUMA, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA SOFTBALL

DiPuma is a freshman at UCF after graduating from Riverview High in 2022, so her playing time will largely depend on how much she impresses her coaches. Based on her high school performance, she could make a quick impression. DiPuma was a top-100 national recruit via Extra Innings who hit .388 with 14 home runs during her Rams career. DiPuma played catcher for Riverview but is listed as a utility player on the UCF website, which may allow her to play sooner than she otherwise would.

JAXON CRUMP, AIR FORCE ACADEMY BASEBALL

Crump, a former Sailor, missed the 2022 season because of an injury, which is especially tough as a freshman trying to make an impression on a new staff. But the righthanded pitcher is back for the 2023 season and will try to earn some chances to toe the rubber. Crump held a 2.60 ERA over his high school career.

This group of alumni has the potential for big seasons in 2023.

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

Courtesy photos

Former Riverview Rams softball player Devyn Flaherty is a star shortstop at FSU.

Former sailor Ben McCabe is now a senior catcher at UCF.

You are invited to a special intimate performance put on by the Sarasota Jazz Project.

We will be enjoying wine and cheese under the shade of our Oak Tree, while listening to Jazz selections from this talented group.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Leah DuBose

Leah DuBose is a senior on the Booker High girls basketball team. DuBose averages 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, according to MaxPreps as of Feb. 15. The Tornadoes (21-7) will play the Academy of the Holy Names (24-6) at 7 p.m. Friday at home for a spot in the FHSAA Class 4A Final Four.

When did you start playing basketball?

I started in fourth grade. My brother (Noah DuBose) actually played for my head coach’s (Ty Bryant) team at the time. I would go to the practices and play in the gym. One day I asked coach why there wasn’t a girls team. I ended up practicing with the boys, but a few practices later I brought some other girls with me. Before you knew it, we had created a fifth grade girls AAU team.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the grind of it. I love the connection that it gives me with my teammates, that spark on the court.

What is your best skill?

I’m a vocal leader. I pick my teammates up when they’re down. Everybody has off games. No one can make every shot or grab every rebound. We have to keep encourag-

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 have you been working to improve?

I’ve tried to improve my ball handling and confidence. I can’t say that my ball handling is great yet. (Laughs.) It’s getting there.

What is your favorite memory?

It has to be winning regionals last year. There was confetti falling down. There were balloons. We got to cut down the nets. That was the first time I had ever done that. But we’re going to do it again Friday.

What does the team have to do to reach the Final Four?

We have to come in prepared like we did (against Gibbs High on Feb. 14). We have to study our opponent and continue to work together and cheer from the bench. We’re going to get it done as a team.

What is your favorite food?

It is either pizza or fettuccini Alfredo. If you’re getting pizza, get a cheese pizza from Il Panificio downtown and tell them Leah sent you.

What is your favorite subject?

I’m a math nerd. I’m just good with numbers.

Which superpower would you pick?

I want to fly. Travel and plane tickets are expensive. I could go anywhere and at my own pace.

Finish this sentence: “Leah DuBose is …” … A grandma. People might not understand that, but I like to take care of my teammates and put them before myself. I like helping people. So I see myself like a grandma in that way.

Pooches take the catwalk

No outfit is complete without a decked out pooch. The Sarasota Garden Club presented its Panache with Pooches Fashion Show Charity event for Donte’s Den on Feb 8.

Sarasota fashionistas strolled the garden with champagne flutes, while local vendors sold plants, paintings and clothing before the start of the fashion show.

Evelyn & Arthur’s store manager Aliki Gable partnered with Donte’s Den founder Marsha Panuce to create a fashion show that showcased the fashions at Evelyn & Arthur and bring awareness to the dogs of Donte’s Den.

“It’s all beauty,” said Panuce. “It was very quick that I found out that they (Evelyn & Arthur) love dogs. Aliki is a tremendous dog-lover.”

Models strutted down the runway while some dogs decided to lick every other guest sitting along the edge.

“It’s always an honor for Donte’s Den to mesh with the community,” said Panuce. “Our staff and myself, we don’t shop at the box stores. We shop at the local boutiques. The merchandise is different and we en joy seeing it. It does mesh with the happiness that we have at Donte’s.”

— DARIELA DELGADO

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Patricia Driessen and Olivia strut down the runway.

Panache with Pooches Fashion Show models Moxi and Barbara Brizdle.

Nick Panuce, Snoopy and Haley Oler work the Donte’s Den booth.

Mary Reed, Grace Antoon, Susan Brown, Ellen Layman and Carol Dornbush attend Panache with Pooches Fashion Show.

Zooey shows off her matching leash and hat.

Kathryn Chesley dresses like Mable Ringling.

For over 42 years,

The Child Protection Center (CPC) has been providing lifesaving services for child abuse victims in Sarasota and DeSoto County. CPC continues to expand their efforts in South Sarasota County, in order to fight the darkness that lurks behind closed doors.

Congressman Greg Steube announced that CPC received a Federal Earmark for

THREE MILLION DOLLARS

to ensure our community is supported in bringing healing to victims of child abuse. On February 15th, community members and elected officials were invited to CPC’s South County Grand Opening , which commemorated the continued expansion.

In 2021, CPC purchased a large property in North Port, to meet the growing need of child abuse services post COVID pandemic. Recently, North Port was ranked the

2nd fastest growing city in the United States.

From 2000-2020 the population of North Port grew by 213%almost ten times more than Sarasota and Venice in the same time frame.

While the booming population and economic growth in North Port is incredible for children and families...

darkness still creeps in.

The demand for child abuse services continues to grow at an alarming rate. This year alone, the Child Protection Team has seen a 35% increase in the need for medical examinations for alleged child abuse victims.

The long term goal? Creating an entire CAMPUS OF HEALING

“This Federal Earmark will help CPC establish an additional

6,000 sq. foot brick-and-mortar building

to continue meeting the growing needs of our community." says Executive Director Douglas Staley.

Child abuse victims NEED YOUR HELP.

"The support from our community members is vital in order to bring this dream to life." says Staley.

CPC's Capital Campaign will provide a safe space for vulnerable children, to receive compassionate care on their healing journey.

You can help change lives in Sarasota County by supporting the CHILD PROTECTION CENTER. Scan the QR code with your smartphone to make a life-saving donation TODAY!

Thank you for being a champion for children!

Storybook Street brings literacy to life

Future bookworms are now in training. These young minds were eager to find the next book at Storybook Street.

The Early Learning Coalition partnered with local arts organizations to host Storybook Street in-person Feb. 11 at Suncoast Technical College.

Children balanced spinning discs with the Circus Arts Conservatory, gazed at a real-life ballerina thanks to the Sarasota Ballet and wiggled to a violin playing, “Baby Shark” with Sarasota Orchestra before receiving books that related to that specific art.

“We have such a vibrant arts-rich community. Why don’t we tap into that?” said Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Ana McClendon. “Just like reading, if you can hook them into the arts — into reading — when they’re little, then they are more likely to want to crack open a book.”

Booths from several arts organizations scattered around the entrance to Suncoast Technical College making it feel like a scavenger hunt for kids in search of their next book.

“It’s very much within our mission to do literacy outreach,” said McClendon. “At the end of the day, you can preach, ‘Read to your child’ and ‘Read aloud,’ but if they don’t have books at home, then you can kiss that goodbye.”

Two hundred and ninety families walked away with preschool books for their kids

“Reading is so important. It helps them for years to come,” said Angela Miller, who attended Storybook Street with her son Roman Miller. “You can never have too many books.”

— DARIELA DELGADO

CHILD PROTECTION CENTER

PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE.

SERVING SARASOTA & DESOTO COUNTIES SINCE 1980

Corbin, Zane Stephenson dress as their favorite characters with their mom, Beth Stephenson.

Isha Pramudyasworo picks up her book from the Sarasota Ballet booth.

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Jason, Mara, Callan and Kaia Putt with Ms. Frizzle and Dr. Seuss

Couples once again say ‘I do’

Dyan and Laphan Dennis’ love story all started with a blind date.

Dyan’s good friend was married to Laphan’s co-worker. The married couple thought the two to be a good match and arranged a date for Dyan and Laphan on Valentine’s Day.

“We used to have big company parties for executives only,” said Laphan as he lifted his brow toward Dyan. “She came to one to check me out.”

The two eventually did go on their Valentine’s Day blind date and have been inseparable since. They celebrated and renewed their 33 years of marriage at the Say “I Do” Again vow renewal ceremony

Feb. 14 at Siesta Key Beach.

Laphan gazed at Dyan with gentle eyes as he reminisced on their wedding day when he was 38 and she was 37. “I had jet black hair and weighed 50 pounds less,” said Laphan with a chuckle. “It was love that fattened me up.”

Some 310 couples registered for the annual vow renewal ceremony held by Sarasota County. It’s an event that Program Coordinator Catherine Wunderlich finds joy in organizing every year. “It’s amazing to stand up on stage and look at everybody,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite events. Everyone is in love.”

— DARIELA DELGADO

Photos by Dariela Delgado

More than 310 couples gather for the annual Say “I Do” Again vow renewal ceremony on Siesta Key.

Judge Steven Walker acknowledges the crowd of couples.

Holly and Mark Lambert celebrate their 48 years of marriage.

Tracy and Pavan Mediratta renew their 17 years of marriage.

Dyan and Laphan Dennis renew their 33 years of marriage.

At Seeds of Life your child’s middle school experience will include a bilingual and inclusive environment with off-campus experiences focused on a sense of community as students learn, grow, exercise choice, and foster relationships as they mature into teenagers with a love for learning.

SHELL CLUB 2023 SHELL SHOW

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Robarts Arena in the Potter Building, 2896 Ringling Blvd. Summon your inner Floridian at this Exquisite Shell Art show. There will be scientific and artistic exhibits, shell crafts, educational programs and shells for sale. Entry donation is $5 for adults. For information, visit SarasotaShell Club.com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17 — SUNDAY, FEB. 19

ST. BARBARA GREEK FESTIVAL

11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road. Get ready to eat, drink and dance at the 39th annual Greek “Glendi” festival, which includes the best of Greek eats and culture that’s fun for all ages. This year’s raffle includes a price of a new MercedesBenz or $35,000 in cash. Entry is free; raffle tickets are $100. For more information, visit StBarbaraFestival.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 18

2023 PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND SALE

9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Sarasota Succulent Society, 1310 38th St. Are you a plant parent? This Presidents Day sale can be your excuse to get that new plant for your garden. An educational program will be presented on the north lawn at 11 a.m. Admission is free. For information, visit SarasotaSucculentSociety.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

THE MEADOWS FARMERS MARKET

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Meadows Farmers Market, 5041 Ringwood Meadow. Do your weekend shopping with local farmers and business owners. This pet-friendly event will have music for you to bop to the next booth. This is a free event. For information, call 315-7773.

MONDAY, FEB. 20

CONNECTIONS, A DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES: ‘THE LAST TOURIST’ (2021)

2:30-4:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Mu-

“I have bought and sold over 7 houses in my 71 years and have worked with several realtors. NEVER, and I repeat, NEVER, has any realtor been so helpful, pleasant and knowledgeable throughout the home buying and selling process. Anne and her team are gems. They are worth their weight in gold!!! Highly recommended!!

FRIDAY, FEB. 17 THROUGH

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

25TH ANNUAL THUNDER

BY THE BAY MUSIC & MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL

From 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Do you love motorcycles? This festival will indulge your inner love of the road with food and live music. Regular gate admission $15 per day. For information, visit ThunderByTheBay.org

seum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail. Come out and watch, “The Last Tourist,” which examines the effects of mass tourism on our planet. Engage in a facilitated discussion about the film afterwards. Tickets are $15. For information, visit OlliRinglingCollege.org.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

TOT SPORT SAMPLER

9:30-10:15 a.m. at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St. Bring your toddler to play and learn basic sports skills and selfconfidence while having fun. This event will show the basics of soccer, basketball, T-ball and more. Great for ages 2-4. Drop-in sessions are $8. For information, call 263-6732.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

‘X’ MARKS THE SPOT 11 a.m. at The Sarasota Children’s Garden, 1670 10th Way. This event will start with a pirate tale and transition into a treasure hunt in the garden. Free admission for 2-year-olds and under; $6 for 3- 6-year-olds; $10 for teens-adults; $9 for seniors. For information, visit SarasotaChildrensGarden.com.

A Sarasota home on Gulfview Drive tops the week’s sales at $3 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Bay Point Park tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Stephen and Lynn Kukanza, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, sold their home at 1589 Gulfview Drive to Eugene and Diane Katz, of Sarasota, for $3 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,114 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.95 million in 2020.

SARASOTA GROVE LAWN

Maria Eck, of McLean, Virginia, sold her home at 2047 Datura St. to Robert Gordon, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2.2 million. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two baths  and 3,050 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,743,200 in 2022.

SANSARA

Peter and Patricia Gebauer, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 602 condominium at 300 S. Pineapple Ave. to John and Ellen Calamos, of Sarasota, for $1.95 million. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,291 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,713,300 in 2017.

MCCLELLAN PARK

Charles Pennetti and Sindia Velazquez sold their home at 2318 McClellan Parkway to Marsha Swinton, of Sarasota, for $1,171,000. Built in 1951, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,186 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2020.

RIDGEWOOD

Jonpaul and Lee Ann Blair sold their home at 2246 Fiesta Drive to Amanda Leigh Rico and Ryan Rico, of Sarasota, for $1,125,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,471 square feet of living area. It sold for $567,700 in 2017.

BAY POINT APARTMENTS

Danny Beer, of Waterford, Michigan, sold his Unit 61 condominium at 350 Golden Gate Point to Ofer Miller and Haya Genya Miller, of Sarasota, for $1.05 million. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,612 square feet of living area. It sold for $847,000 in 2021.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL

Eric and Jill Lubiner, of Biddeford, Maine, sold their Unit 1502 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Wieslaw Bober, of Sarasota, for $1,045,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $740,000 in 2018.

THE CONDOMINIUM ON THE

BAY Charles Gist, of Portola Valley, California, sold his Unit 714 condominium at 988 Boulevard of the Arts to ONE PARK 1109 LLC for $1 million. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,729 square feet of living area. It sold for $195,000 in 1993.

PLAT OF SARASOTA

Timothy Christensen, of Racine, Wisconsin, sold his home at 1810 Morrill St. to Joseph Gherardi, of Stockton, New Jersey, for $775,000. Built in 1922, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,518 square feet of living area. It sold for $558,000 in 2021.

PAYNE PARK VILLAGE

Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 2501 Boone Court to Rebekah Ann Mandeville, of Sarasota, for $700,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,865 square feet of living area.

ESSEX HOUSE

Marz Attar, of Beckley, West Virginia, sold his Unit 408 condominium at 707 S. Gulfstream Ave. to Wally and Mechelle Kulesza, of Sarasota, for $688,000. Built in 1974, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,591 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2006.

PELICAN COVE Charles Sparks and Rhoda Marcus,

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Other top sales by area

SIESTA KEY: $1.95 MILLION

Bay Island

L. Norman Vaughan-Birch and Erin Tom Vaughan-Birch, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3350 Flamingo Ave. to SRQ HOME HOLDINGS LLC for $1.95 million. Built in 1951, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $63,500 in 1977.

PALMER RANCH: $1.15

MILLION

The Country Club of Sarasota

Jefferson Lee McDuffie and Shari Reid

trustees, sold the Unit 127 condominium at 1627 Boathouse Circle to Mary Ann Barton and Todd Hyman Barton, trustees, of Sarasota, for $560,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,216 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2021.

PINE SHORES ESTATES

Alan Shootes, of Anderson, Indiana, sold the home at 6220 Beechwood Ave. to Tomasz and Dorota Bierc, of Wood Dale, Illinois, for $525,000. Built in 1954, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,375 square feet of living area. It sold for $69,000 in 1992.

ONLINE

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

McDuffie, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3914 Prairie Dunes Drive to John and Dawn Eichenlaub, of Sarasota, for $1.15 million. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,624 square feet of living area. It sold for $465,000 in 2017.

OSPREY: $1.25 MILLION

Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club

Michael and Brenda Clarkson sold their home at 223 Four Knot Lane to Christopher and Lisa Fibbe, of South Hamilton, Massachusetts, for $1.25 million. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two-andtwo-half baths, a pool and 2,884 square feet of living area. It sold for $435,000 in 2018.

NOKOMIS: $770,000

Sorrento Bayside

Krzysztof Kwak, of Homer Glen, Illinois, sold his home at 421 Bayside Lane to Greg Wickner, of Bradenton, for $770,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,473 square feet of living area. It sold for $497,000 in 2021.

Courtesy photo

The home at 1589 Gulfview Drive was built in 2001. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,114 square feet of living area.

Our Two

Order tickets and complete program details:

Next

Music Mondays

Monday, February 20

Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 3:00 pm

Modern Marimba celebrates the true diversity of music. Tihda Vongkoth has performed as a guest orchestral percussionist with a number of local orchestras. Described as a “captivating storyteller” and “sensitive” player, Steph Davis is a Boston based artist and marimbist.

Tuesday, February 21 Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 2:30 pm

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: When Will We Find a Cure? Dr. Aron Troen will explain why the first FDA approved immunotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease is mired in controversy and explore current barriers to finding a cure.

Wednesday, February 22 Sarasota,10:30 am

Can Dementia Be Prevented? The Role of Diet and Lifestyle Public health guidelines advise diet and life-style approaches to lower one’s risk of developing dementia. Dr. Aron Troen will explain how the evidence for potential “risk reduction” is obtained evaluated.

Thursday, February 23

Sarasota,10:30 am - Lakewood Ranch, 5:00 Friday, February 24 Venice,10:00 am

Changing World: Changing Middle East The Biden administration is facing simultaneous geopolitical crises with Russia, Iran, and China. Amb. Dennis Ross will discuss the implications for U.S. policy and the Middle East.

An exploration beyond the pavement.

Local nature key in hospitality for real-life snowbirds

In winter months, cold weather to the north brings mass migrations of birds to our region in quest of warmer climes.

Some, just like human snowbirds, choose to stick around in Sarasota County for the season. But as an important stopping point on the Atlantic Flyway — a major northsouth avian superhighway in North America — South Florida also provides critical food and shelter to migratory birds heading to breeding or overwintering sites further afield.

Whether they’re here for several months or mere days, migratory birds are important members of our natural systems who provide ecosystem benefits such as pest control and pollination of plants. And, as parts of the food chain, they are a food source for other wildlife.

Notably, the Atlantic Flyway is the most densely populated and developed out of the four major flyways crossing the United States. Indeed, loss, degradation and fragmentation of important migratory bird habitats is potentially the largest individual threat to migratory birds. And much of this threat is caused by human development.

Protected public lands, such as Myakka River State Park, support migratory birds by providing the natural habitats, diversity of food and native plants these bird species depend on.

Because native plants evolved to exist in our environment, they are well adapted to Florida’s climate, soil conditions and wildlife. And, as native vegetation is the foundation of healthy wild Florida ecosystems, a key focus of Myakka’s Florida Park Service staff is the removal of highly invasive plant species, which were introduced to Florida either purposefully or accidentally. Such plants actively damage ecosystems by displacing native plants, there-

fore reducing wildlife habitat quality. Invasive plants also can change important ecological functions, such as water flow.

To support migratory birds, oftentimes all that is needed are small areas of protected land, with native plants that provide shelter and food along their migration route before they continue on to their final destinations. Even on private lands and urban areas, restoring suitable wildlife habitats by replacing nonnatives with native vegetation is a powerful conservation tool for maintaining healthy bird and other wildlife populations.

— MIRI HARDY, FRIENDS OF THE MYAKKA RIVER CONTRIBUTOR

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

Miri Hardy Robins are one of several migratory birds that rely on resources locally during their winter journeys.

SARASOTA INSTITUTE OF LIFETIME LEARNING

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SPLIT PEAS by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen, edited by David Steinberg

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

RED PAGES

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888 redpages@yourobserver.com

The Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only.

*All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.

*It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

ESTATE SALE

9-2, Fri Feb 17

9-12, Sat Feb 18

5182 Sandy Beach Ave Siesta Key

New queen electric bed, 2 gray electric recliners, Cort 6 string guitar, Dusty Strings harp, 4 leather recliners, king & twin bed sets, single electric bed, Bernhardt sofa, sectional, traditional & leather sofas, area rugs, TV’s, TV stand for large TV, lamps, writing table, end tables, bookcases, 100’s of mystery novels, coastal patio & dinette sets, 2 sets of dishes, Hoover Wind Tunnel steam vacuum, Schwinn Airdyne exercise bike, fridge, PlayStation 3, golf bag, shing poles, men & women’s clothes, lots of linens & kitchen

P Pix: www estatesales

White Golf shoes (9) $50. 941-228-9467

SEWING MACHINE, ( nger) portable, slant needle. Vintage, barely used. 941-371-3513

TRIPLE DRESSER and mirror

72”. All wood. Drexl Heritage. $100. (913)645-6469