Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 3.2.23

Circus performers tour Sarasota

The Discover Sarasota Tours trolley is known for showing visitors Sarasota, but the morning of Feb. 24, it had a different crowd: circus folks.

With the hustle and bustle that comes with traveling show business, most circus performers don’t get the opportunity to explore the city in which they are performing.

The Circus Arts Conservatory offered the visiting artists of the “Circus Sarasota Legacy: 25th Anniversary Show” a chance to see Sarasota’s rich circus history.

“This was an idea I had one day to be able to combine this existing tour with a tour of (circus) people coming into Sarasota,” said Circus Arts Conservatory Marketing and Communications Director Abby Lasky.

Backstage at the Van Wezel

A gift amongst friends

Understanding the need for adult day care services and caregiver resources, Harold Ronson and Hein Rusen collaborated to donate $2 million to the Senior Friendship Centers Foundation to endow The Ronson & Rusen Caregiving Place.

“We all know what Senior Friendship Centers does for our community, however the services affect us all personally,” said Hein Rusen in a press release. “Yesterday, the person that needed help was just someone we knew. A friend of a friend. Today, it is me or someone in my family. Tomorrow, it could be you. Think about that when you decide where your next charity donation goes.”

This year, Senior Friendship Centers celebrates 50 years of providing services that allow older adults to maintain their independence.

Dariela Delgado

Dariela Delgado

Brianna Aular brings her business, Local by Brianna, to the Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime on Feb. 25.

WEEK OF MARCH 2, 2023

BY THE NUMBERS

USFSM breaks ground on student center

On Wednesday, the University of South Florida began construction on its $42 million housing and student center at its Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Work on the center, which will house about 200 students, is scheduled to finish in time for the start of the fall 2024 semester.

The six-story, 100,000-squarefoot building is an eagerly awaited addition to a campus where students have historically lived at home or had to find off-site housing. The university says adding the residences and

the center “will help the university recruit and retain students, including from out of state and overseas; elevate the on-campus experience for all students; and allow the Sarasota-Manatee campus — the only four-year research university in the region — to forever shed the moniker of being a ‘commuter college.’”

When the university announced the project in September, it said the new building would include a 32,000-squarefoot student center and have a bookstore as well as dining

Chihuahua

rescued

from Sarasota Bay

Sarasota Police Department Officer Michael Skinner says he may have a new department nickname after saving a Chihuahua from behind the Sarasota Yacht Club on Feb. 17.

While on marine patrol Friday night, he communicated the dog’s name to fellow officers and quickly started receiving text messages, “Did you just say Tinkerbell on the radio?”

He did, and it was a serious matter. The tiny Chihuahua fell overboard with her owner. The man was transported to the hospital, so his wife went with him. Tinkerbell was out of sight in Sarasota Bay for 45 minutes.

Skinner wasn’t optimistic when arriving on the scene with his partner, Officer Ron Dixon, considering the size of a Chihuahua and the strength of the current. It was also dark out, and she fell in near a seawall. Even the docks were five to six feet over her head. It was unlikely she would have found a way out herself.

But Skinner and Dixon found Tinkerbell within 15 minutes of arriving. The resourceful dog swam to what Skinner described as looking like a piece of concrete piling covered in oysters.

Train derails in Manatee County

Emergency crews responded to a seven-car train derailment in Manatee County on Tuesday. Seven cars derailed near the 7200 block of 16th Street East near Tallevast Road, just east of the Sarasota-Manatee International Airport.

options, lounges and meeting rooms. The top four floors will be 68,000 square feet and be made up of 70 double-occupancy rooms and 60 single-occupancy rooms.

The building is going up on Seagate Drive, on the south side of the campus, just west of the Selby Auditorium and Crosley Campus Center.

USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus came into existence in the mid-1970s when the university brought the New College of Florida into its system.

Two of the seven rail cars are propane tankers.

No injuries were reported. Manatee County Emergency Medical Services and Sheriff’s Office personnel were deployed to the scene in addition to Manatee County Public Safety personnel to assist with the clearing of the tracks.

Before the tracks could be cleared, the propane had to be removed from the tankers.

Crews remained on standby to monitor the cleanup efforts.

“Year after year I have supported you every time, and I’m thinking this could be the last time that I can support you.”

County Commissioner Nancy Detert to EDC leaders. Read more on page 6

Courtesy

CURTAIN CALL?

Management of Sarasota’s performing arts hall discusses operational and physical challenges as the city explores repurposing the 58-year-old icon.

As the Sarasota City Commission prepares to name a blue ribbon committee to explore the feasibility of repurposing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, public debate continues over whether the city should be considering a replacement of the iconic purple structure on Sarasota Bay.

The City Commission is scheduled to take up the committee discussion during its next meeting Monday, March 6. Meanwhile, advocates for preserving the Van Wezel as the city’s premier performing arts facility insist the building can be refurbished, fortified against the elements and expanded to meet the needs of performances and patrons alike.

On a parallel track, a committee appointed by the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation — formerly the Van Wezel Foundation — are in the process of selecting an architecture firm to design a replacement for the Van Wezel. That is proposed to be built on the opposite corner of the parking lot within The Bay, the 53-acre city-owned park currently under development.

The new SPAC is proposed to cost about $275 million to build. It would have a greater seating capacity — 2,100 compared to the 1,741 in the Van Wezel — and, proponents say, will be better equipped to accommodate national tour productions.

Advocates of the Van Wezel cite a 2021 study by Karins Engineering, which was commissioned by City Manager Marlon Brown, that gave an estimated cost of $46.8 million to fortify the building against storm surge and flooding, resolve the issue of no center aisle in the auditorium, and raise the roof by 28 feet to accommodate balcony seating and expand the capacity to 2,200.

That estimate includes mechanical and HVAC upgrades, additional elevators, catwalks and lighting, plumbing, building a storm surge wall behind the structure and more. The report states the building is “well within” the 100-year floodplain.

Kelly Franklin, an opponent of replacing the Van Wezel, says the proposal to build a new theater complex is based on two flawed assumptions.

“The first is that we need more seats,” she writes in a statement she plans to deliver to the commission on Monday. “The Van Wezel has only reached capacity 11% of the time over the last 10 years. We don’t need more seats, and even if we had them, Tampa would still enforce 90-mile blackouts on the newest Broadway tours.

“The second false assumption is that the Van Wezel is in bad shape and can’t be protected from the elements,” she continues. “The Karins Engineering report clearly states that the Van Wezel is structurally sound, can be water- and weatherproofed, and that its mechanical and technical systems are updatable.”

Meanwhile, those who operate the Van Wezel face daily challenges of front- and back-of-the-house functions in what they say is a building whose 58-year-old design cannot accommodate the needs of some shows nor the conveniences and ser-

where patrons entering the building and standing at concession stands merge.

“I’m new here, but the very first thing I saw was this corner right here,” he said standing just inside the front doors. “We’ve also got the bay side entrance, which has its own set of challenges because people are walking across the parking lot past the loading dock. Once inside, there is this small area where we have a bar set up, and if you get more than 15 people you can’t get around to the grand foyer to the founders lounge to the other side of the venue. It’s an immediate choke point with lines that trail to the bathrooms and the staircase.”

In the auditorium, Myers said the lack of a center aisle means patrons seated in the center must squeeze past dozens of others should they need to exit mid-show, and it takes the audience more time to exit and re-enter during intermission. The Karins report shows an option for one additional aisle on either side plus an exit aisle to move patrons toward the doors from those aisles. That will cost 171 seats in the lower seating area, but the addition of balcony seating more than mitigates that loss.

The aisles along the walls, Myers said, forced “The Lion King” to cut elements from the show because they were too large. A production of “Aladdin” also had to cut elements because there was not enough stage space to store and access the props.

The design of the roof, he added, is not conducive for acoustics.

“The orchestra has complained about the acoustics in here for a long time because you have all the very sharp angles; it’s a giant room that comes down to a point where all of the sound just disappears,” Myers said. “There’s hardly any bounce. It just gets absorbed, especially when you get bodies in here. It deadens the whole room.”

Nate Myers describes sound challenges in the auditorium caused by the shape of the roof.

Stage area storage is also a challenge, Myers said, particularly for more complex shows that require scene elements to be raised, lowered and moved about amid actors’ movements, storage boxes and other unseen activities. Some shows must store items in trucks at the loading dock after, and even during shows, another of the many factors touring companies consider when selecting venues.

DAMP BASEMENT

Below sea level in the Van Wezel is the domain of Facilities Maintenance Manager Jerry Sheffer. The basement, permeated by a musty odor, contains offices, storage, mechanical systems, narrow hallways and what management describes as outdated and undersized dressing rooms.

The Karins report suggests installing a flood pressure slab, which requires the entire lower level slab be removed and replaced posing “serious constructibility issues.” That work is not included in the $46 million estimate.

The basement is also home to a proprietary hydraulic lift system that lowers the first few rows of seats, stores them beneath other seating and provides the platform for the orchestra pit.

It also is used to raise three baby grand pianos to the stage, which are stored in the only room large enough in the basement because no other space is available. That same room shows evidence of hydrostatic pressure as moisture from beneath the building composed of sea water is drawn up through the foundation and the seams in the linoleum tile floor, leaving small mounds of sediment, which contain salt, behind.

vices patrons demand.

“It’s about the number of seats and can you sell them in your market?” said Manager of Technical Production Nate Myers. “The market here is really good and it’s only getting better, but at the end of the day the determining factors are things like the reputation, can we get in and out, do we have to cut elements out of the production? These are all variables that they think about when they’re deciding if coming here is a good fit.

“Right now, first national tours aren’t even looking at us.”

MAKING MODIFICATIONS

A recent tour of the Van Wezel provided a peek behind the curtain, the façade of what is presented to the audience as a seamless process of putting on a show.

It begins just inside the main entrance, said General Manager Stu Klein, as tight corners and narrow corridors create pinch points

“We’ve had moisture tests, and this room is not too bad,” Sheffer said. “We’re having to replace the tile here probably every three to four years, and there are a couple of areas behind the scenes that we haven’t been able to afford to change the tiles.”

The hydrostatic pressure doesn’t pose any imminent threat to the stability of the building, an independent structural engineer told the Observer, but it will gradually degrade the foundation if not property mitigated. Salt, he added, is much more corrosive to rebar or welded steel reinforcement than to the concrete itself.

The pit for the lift, installed in 2008, is in the lowest part of the building, several feet below sea level.

“We have electrical down here. There is some water intrusion starting down here,” Sheffer said. “If this pit floods, this will all have to be replaced.”

The discussion on whether the Van Wezel will be replaced, restored or repurposed will begin in earnest on Monday.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Manager of Technical Production

Photos by Andrew Warfield

The seating area of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has no center aisle, requiring patrons seating toward the center to step over dozens of others to enter or exit their rows.

The bay side entrance to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is to the right of the three loading dock doors, which General Manager Stu Klein describes as an unappealing first impression of the building. Point to Sarasota Bay just behind the building, he said, “We hope they are distracted by this view.”

ANDREW WARFIELD | STAFF WRITER

One Park works to overcome perceptions of breezeway

Implant Specialists

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Three weeks after developers of One Park received an extension to close on blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay, the development will come before the Planning Board on March 8 — a critical step for One Park to be built as proposed.   At issue — both with the city and in the courtroom — is One Park’s design that would bridge blocks 1 and 9 above an 80-foot wide, 22-foot high “breezeway” above Quay Commons, the internal private street that provides primary access into The Quay from Boulevard of the Arts.  Owners in The Ritz-Carlton Residences, otherwise known as Block 6, have challenged that the air rights above Quay Commons belong to the master association of the 14-acre mixed-use development and therefore cannot be conveyed to One Park along with the sale of blocks 1 and 9.

Oral arguments in Block 6 versus GreenPointe Developers and Quay 1 & 9 LLC are set for mid-May. GreenePointe is developing The Quay under the entity Quay Venture. Quay 1 & 9 comprises developers Property Markets Group of Miami and Jebco Ventures of Sarasota.

The city is not party to the suit as the argument is over air rights above a private street. City approval is required, though, to amend the development plan that permits it. Developers of One Park are attempting to allay the fears over

what the opponents to the project are characterizing as a potentially dangerous “tunnel” at the primary point of ingress and egress both by foot and vehicle.

“We understand those who don’t want our building built. We understand why they’re saying what they’re saying,” said Property Markets Group Managing Partner Dan Kaplan, contrasting the One Park breeze to one at the base of Bayso. That one stands over Bayso’s private driveway running through the center of the building at the other end of Quay Commons.

“The breezeway is 80 feet wide and close to 22 feet tall,” he said. “Relative to the Bayso, that’s more or less three times the size and pretty close to 50% taller, so from a design standpoint, what we’re proposing is very, very different. The area will also be activated.”

Activated, as Jebco Ventures Managing Partner Kim Githler describes, possibly with — among other things — a restaurant by Michael Klauber of Michael’s On East fame. Klauber is one of the future residents of One Park.

“He wants to open a restaurant there, so it’ll be very activated with local retail and restaurants in that area,” Githler said. “There will be trees and places to sit down and tables, and we will have bicycles and wide sidewalks on either side.”

GROWING OPPOSITION

Residents of Block 6, the only currently occupied building in The Quay, have frequently spoken before the City Commission over what they see as an illegal transfer of the air rights and in opposition to the size and scope of the building that would stand at the entrance of The Quay. They say the breezeway will adverse-

The development will go before the Planning Board on March 8 to defend its design of a structure to bridge two blocks of The Quay.

ly impact their right of enjoyment, create safety hazards, block views and more.

Block 6 has recently been joined in its lobbying efforts by future buyers of condominiums in Bayso, which is in the latter stage of construction on the southeastern corner of the property. Entries on a community social media page for future Bayso residents encourage a letter-writing campaign to the Planning Board and City Commission. Others messages show some buyers have requested Bayso developer Kolter Urban exercise its voting power in the master association to oppose One Park.

And on Feb. 24, a letter was sent to the Planning Board from five former members of that body — Robert Lindsay, Eileen Normile, David Morriss, Mortan Siegel and Patrick Gannon — all of them involved in crafting the development agreement for The Quay, in objection to amending the agreement to accommodate One Park.

“Before you now is an amendment that would undermine the agreed upon development plans and the purposes which underscored those plans,” they wrote. “As DRC staff has expressed, the One Park development plan is ‘inconsistent’ with the 2016 (general development plan) and contrary to the sworn testimony and

representations made by Quay Venture at that time. No provision was made, nor ever approved, allowing for a condominium to span between two blocks over Quay Commons.”

The letter continues: “Quay Commons — the main and only traffic and pedestrian artery in the community — was represented by Quay Venture in sworn testimony over multiple hearings before the Planning Board and the City Commission to be a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined boulevard, open to the sky, which would seamlessly connect U.S. 41 and Bay Park through the Quay.”

PARALLEL TRACKS

Before the One Park site plan can be presented to the planning board, the general development plan amendment must first be approved. The Planning Board will make its recommendation to the City Commission on March 8, after which a legislative hearing will be placed on the commission’s agenda. The project already has final sign-off by the Development Review Committee, pending the amendment to the development agreement.

If commissioners approve the amendment, a quasi-judicial hearing for the One Park site plan will be placed on the Planning Board’s agenda.

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Its decision may be appealed by either the developer or Block 6 to the City Commission, depending on the outcome. Commissioners will then determine if they will hear the appeal should one be brought. All of that could be wrapped up by June.

The commission laid out the hearing sequence at its Feb. 30 workshop.

The process will be similar to the recent approval of the multiuse Bath & Racquet Club redevelopment, which has since been appealed to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court after the City Commission declined to hear that appeal. The final resolution of One Park is eligible to follow a similar course.

Running concurrent to city considerations will be the legal battle over the conveyance of the air rights. The 12th Circuit Court will hear oral arguments over whether Quay Venture is obligated to turn over the space above Quay Commons, as part of the master association’s common property, or if Quay 1 and 9 can build over the street.

A judgment is expected to be rendered by mid-June.

The closing date extension has a flexible sunset, depending on when the judicial decision is rendered. It gives One Park an outside date at the end of September, or within 30 days of the judge’s ruling.

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And if the court sides with Block 6?

“We’ll figure something out,” Kaplan said.

HIGH STAKES

With the extension agreement, legal complaints filed by both One Park and Quay Venture against each other on Jan. 31 — which Kaplan described as necessary for each to protect their own interests — are withdrawn.

The One Park developers have much at stake in both the civic and legal processes. They have pre-sold 65% of the 123 luxury condominiums based on the current design plan, which includes 18 floors with a 63,000-square-foot amenity deck on the fourth floor.

Opponents, meanwhile, say their stakes are high as well, concerned that One Park being built as proposed will be a detriment to their lifestyle and their considerably elevated property values with purchase prices of their homes in the millions.

One Bayso future resident posted on the community Facebook page her worries about safety, noise and aesthetics of the “tunnel.”

“As a woman, walking through a tunnel is a very scary thing,” she wrote. “I would personally avoid going into the tunnel for fear of rape or attack. We have unfortunately been culturally conditioned to worry about this, and I’m sure other women might feel the same. The alternative route (walking along Tamiami Trail) isn’t much better.”

A more common objection is that One Park will be a monolith inconsistent with the rest of the buildings within The Quay.

“Folks are already accusing us of building some sort of a monolithic structure, almost imagining something like in Eastern Europe in the 1940s,” Kaplan said. “We’re really building a beautiful glass tower … We’re not a developer that skimps on design and architecture. We’re looking to work with the city. We’re looking to work with the residents. We’re looking to make Sarasota a real home for us. Building something that’s not attractive, that doesn’t add value to the rest of the city just doesn’t make sense to us.”

Whether it makes sense to city leaders and the court will be determined by summer.

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Courtesy rendering

The One Park breezeway over Quay Commons is proposed as 80 feet wide and 22 feet high and would be activated with outdoor cafe seating, a restaurant and other retail.

EDC teetering on further county funding cuts

Sarasota County commissioners were not persuaded by the Economic Development Corp.’s annual report that it merits a sustained level of county funding.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

The long-running contentious relationship between county commissioners and the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County resurfaced Wednesday as EDC Chief Operating Officer Erin Silk presented the organization’s fiscal year 2022 report.

Consistent with years past, well before Silk’s time with the EDC, the two longest-tenured members of the Sarasota County Commission characterized the report as long on buzzwords and short on tangible data to justify the level of funding the organization receives from county taxpayers, which comes in the form of business tax and per capita contribution revenues.

The EDC gets public funding from the county and its municipalities in addition to private donations.

Although its goal is to achieve an equal balance of public and private funding, 36% of its $1.6 million current year budget, or $576,800, came from private sources.

In return, it serves as a third-party nonprofit partner in marketing the county to potential employers and provides business-related services and activities outside the scope of government. As a business recruiter, it has the latitude to work with companies with anonymity — as they generally prefer — up until the time Sunshine laws require they go public.

Under the new leadership of CEO Lisa Krouse — who took the helm just less than two years ago — and with a reconstituted board of directors, commissioners acknowledged last June that progress had been made by the EDC while still reducing its county funding by one-third. It was the first of a three-year plan to phase out county funding if tangible results deemed satisfactory by the commission are not produced.

EDC PUBLIC FUNDING

Government funding sources of the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County.

County Business Tax: 44%

County Per Capita Contribution: 20%

Municipalities’ Per Capita Contribution: 15%

Film and Entertainment

Funding: 12%

Other: 3%

Total: $1.07 million

Source: Sarasota County

“It’s a completely reset organization with new leadership, a new direction and is adapting to the current circumstances,” said Commission Chairman Ron Cutsinger, one of three members remaining at the dais from the year prior. He also serves as the commission’s representative on the EDC board.

“Every event that I’ve been to has been high energy, very positive, fully attended and a lot of excitement on a lot of very diverse industries.”

That said, Cutsinger agreed with commissioners Mike Moran and Nancy Detert that, come budget season, the EDC will need to produce the measurables they demand to not further cut its funding.

In her presentation, Silk attempted to provide some of that data.

“Ten of the projects that we were working with successfully closed last year, meaning they’ve broken ground on their facility or are opening their expansion,” she said. “These projects report $24.5 million in capital investment over the next 10 years, and this equates to $3 million net in tax benefit, meaning our municipal government partners and school board will

collect a net $3 million in taxes after all other costs are considered.”

Much of the EDC’s work is intangible — serving as the county’s business permit arm, hosting site visits, allocating COVID-related CARES Act funds, and as a private entity marketing the county and performing services a government cannot. The EDC is also the county’s designee agency with the state of Florida, and as such works with Enterprise Florida to respond to requests for proposal from foreign and domestic companies and to develop and track business recruiting leads.

Moran, who has been on a mission to defund the EDC for more than six years, expressed continued frustration over a lack of tangible results to justify its just more than $1 million in total public funding. Periodic turnover on the commission, he added, tends to blur the historical perspec-

File photo

need to get down to stuff that can be memorialized, which is results. The results, depending on how you measure them, are awful long-term. It’s promising short-term, but it’s been promising short-term for six years since I’ve been sitting here. I’ve had for six years these promising glimmers of hope. I appreciate you Erin. It’s not totally your water to carry on this for sure. It’s a bigger conversation well beyond you.”

Why, Moran asked Silk, should the county not simply bring two people in-house to perform economic development tasks?

She cited one example.

“There are a couple private property owners in Sarasota County that we see opportunity to develop light industrial,” she said. “It’s up to them whether or not they want to work with us, but they’re willing to engage with us. There are about 500 acres right now that we’re working with FPL to produce a marketing video for this property owner who has the opportunity to create 3,000 singlefamily residences or 600,000 square feet of light industrial.”

Her point being the desired confidentiality of the client is unavailable if working with a government, and without the EDC’s relationships, expertise and assistance the property would likely bring only more residential rather than at least the possibility of more jobs.

Detert wasn’t convinced, adding she wants to see more “meat and potatoes” come May.

“Year after year, I have supported you every time, and I’m thinking this could be the last time that I can support you,” she said.

tive of the EDC’s performance.

Gone from the commission from last year are Christian Ziegler and former Chairman Al Maio.

“It’s very frustrating because all of this learning curve is at the taxpayers’ expense,” Moran said, careful to not lay blame on troubles of years past on Silk. “The institutional historical knowledge of this is very troubling to me, and that’s where we

“What an organization like Enterprise Florida and the EDC can do for a community is they can take a small businessman and make him into a big businessman, which he couldn’t do on his own because you’re opening doors. I haven’t seen any of that happen here.

“Before May you’re going to have to prove to us that you are capable of getting all your ducks in order.”

County Commissioner Nancy Detert, who has supported the Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County in the past, said this year could the last time she does unless tangible results are presented to the commission at budget time.

“Year after year, I have supported you every time, and I’m thinking this could be the last time that I can support you.”

Nancy Detert, County Commissioner

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For SMH, context matters

All things considered, in the fog of the crisis, SMH’s handling of COVID was exemplary — except in one area.

Nothing is likely to assuage the families whose loved ones died from COVID-19 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital during the pandemic.

Their experience of being unable to hug their dying loved ones will be etched in their minds — a pain that will never heal.

But as heart-wrenching as that is, if you dispassionately read all 82 pages of the three-year review of SMH’s “Response to COVID-19 Pandemic” and, equally important, remember the context of the time and put yourself in the shoes of the people on the daily frontlines of the pandemic, you can justifiably conclude:

All things considered, overall, the entire SMH staff did an extraordinary job in a crisis.

As a $1 billion enterprise in the business of curing the sick and saving lives, SMH’s staff — the CEO and its 9,000 other staff members — should be congratulated and, yes, thanked. Their three-year, day-today handling of this deadly epidemic showed that the citizens of this region should have great confidence in their public hospital.

Now that, of course, is not the view of a vocal minority that has been excoriating the hospital, its board and physicians on TikTok. Sure, they did things they probably wish they didn’t or wish they had done better. And the raw nerve that continues to sting family members who lost loved ones is how the SMH medical staff and hospital treated them.

But to vilify the hospital, its management and doctors is to ignore the context; to be ignorantly judgmental; to fail to walk in others’ shoes; and to forget this most basic human trait: In times of crisis and chaos, when conditions are changing by the minute and hour, when information is unknown and changing just as rapidly, men and women rise up in the moment and take action for the good. With all they have and know, they make the best decisions they can and do the best they can.

That is the picture that emerges from the three-year review of how Sarasota Memorial handled COVID-19. SMH’s entire staff did its best. And it did well. When measured independently, SMH outperformed its peers on many levels.

Perhaps the most repeated takeaway from the three-year review will be the conclusion of Premier Inc., a leading health care consultant and analytics firm. In its analysis of 1,300 hospitals, Sarasota Memorial’s COVID mortality rates were better than those of Premier’s national, South Atlantic, Florida and peer hospital benchmarks.

SMH: 5.6% mortality rate; hospitals in the South: 14.4%.

While some of the COVID deaths became the trigger for the public review of Sarasota Memorial’s practices, reading the 82-page report gives you a true sense of the magnitude of what went on in the SMH system during the pandemic.

IMPROVISE AND REACT

It was the fog of war.

Sarasota County reported the first case of COVID-19 in Florida on March 17, 2020. Its staff had no idea what was about to occur.

Within a few weeks, SMH had 70 COVID patients. By July 2020, Sarasota County was averaging 200 new cases a day.

n January 2021: 275 cases a day.

n September 2021: 480.

n Jan. 19, 2022: 870.

Altogether, SMH treated 13,731 cases and 70% of all hospitalized COVID patients in the county.

Ninety-four percent survived; 768 died, as of this week.

The rapid rise in case numbers required SMH’s leadership and staff to react and improvise quickly.

Already at capacity when the outbreak began, the hospital’s leadership doubled its intensive care unit beds to 120; it shifted the use of several hundred beds and created

10 new care units to create isolation rooms. This is throwing out established daily routines for hundreds of staffers and implementing new, unfamiliar practices. Talk about disruption; this was worse.

A special supply chain team scrambled to keep the hospital operating. The hospital’s biomedical engineers used a 3D printer to recreate a routine replacement part that manufacturers could not provide for respirator face shields. They figured out how to extend the life of N95 masks.

In 2021, the hospital used more than 273,000 N95 and isolation masks a month. Prior to the pandemic, typical usage was 2,400 masks a month.

Demand for COVID testing skyrocketed, causing the hospital to invest nearly $1 million in testing equipment:

n Early 2020: SMH conducted 1,000 tests a month.

n December 2021: 20,000 a month.

Altogether, SMH processed 317,600 tests in the three years.

All of those demands required people to manage them, and leaders to coordinate SMH’s 9,000 employees — all of them on high alert and wondering in 2020 and 2021 if they would be stricken with the deadly virus.

During the 2020 summer surge, more than 450 employees were unable to work because they contracted COVID. More than 400 missed work during the Delta wave in the summer of 2021. Infected employees jumped to 1,100 during the Omicron wave from December 2021 to February 2022.

In the midst of this, Sarasota Memorial hired more than 900 new employees in 2021 to prepare for the opening of the SMH-Venice hospital and the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute Oncology Tower. All of them had to be trained and onboarded.

The stress took its toll. Said the report: “Sarasota Memorial offered around-the-clock counseling and support to help staff cope with the emotional strain, and provided ongoing wellness, stress reduction and resiliency training programs to help prevent burnout and fatigue.”

While hospitals around the country saw record turnover, SMH’s turnover was lower than all of its peers. That played in the Gallup organization’s awarding SMH its “Exceptional Workplace Award”

in 2022, citing the SMH staff for its “resiliency, determination and commitment to making their people a priority.” Taken in context, that recognition is deserved.

LOSS OF TRUST

But the underlying issue that spurred the election of four new board members in November and drew more than 500 people to two public hearings was this: how the doctors treated patients and families and the medications and protocols they prescribed. That is the divide.

As a business in a crisis, you get the picture in the report of competent, thoughtful leadership and a staff committed to winning a war.

But at the same time, the public’s trust of what the physicians were doing deteriorated.

Patricia Maraia, one of three new board members who was part of slate of three elected in November, has been a registered nurse and patient advocate for 34 years. She was appointed vice chair of the study committee.

In her career, Maraia said nurses and doctors have always been willing to make suggestions and collaborate. “This time around was so shocking to me because so many voices were shut down. Open debate was not allowed.”

Maraia: “Bottom line was a lack of communication … I’m not saying it was intentional.”

Because of the speed at which the pandemic took off, “the medical staff was so involved in trying to figure this thing out that maybe communication got left by wayside,” she said.

She thinks fear “played a big role in the lack of people wanting to do things (out of the mainstream), because they were afraid it would increase the numbers or increase the deaths from COVID.”

Think back to 2020 and 2021, before vaccines. The national media became a mouthpiece for everything that came out of the CDC.

Day after day, Dr. Anthony Fauci and his Washington colleagues drummed into people’s minds — including the minds of physicians — only certain treatments and drugs were acceptable. Everything else was quackery (Remember the ivermectin horse paste?).

You could see it in hospital after hospital: The medical staffs lining up behind the so-called official

IVERMECTIN: SCORNED; NOT BANNED

Contrary to a common charge that Sarasota Memorial banned the drug ivermectin for COVID patients, the three-year review reports that “treatment decisions are made between patients and their doctors” and that ivermectin was available if a physician requested it. The report says 41 physicians prescribed ivermectin to 151 patients. But you can conclude from the report that SMH’s COVID treatment task force and medical staff subscribed to the D.C. public health establishment’s rejection of ivermectin. Said the report: “… Most

physicians at Sarasota Memorial and across the nation do not recommend or use ivermectin for hospitalized COVID patients due to lack of proven efficacy in large, randomized and controlled trials.” Evidence is otherwise.

Throughout the pandemic, the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, a group of internationally recognized critical care physicians, published results of ivermectin studies throughout the world.

On its current website, FLCCC reports there have been 90 studies from 963 scientists involving 133,842 patients in 27 countries.

scientists from D.C. SMH itself formed a task force of representatives from more than 20 specialties to vet and recommend treatments. “Materials and guidance were updated regularly and covered all aspects of COVID-19 treatment … as well as review of evidence-based literature,” the study reports. “Each iteration included the latest recommendations from the CDC, NIH, WHO, Infectious Diseases Society of America and multiple medical societies.”

The task force also looked at the therapies and drugs that Fauci and other D.C. officials scorned. But as the sidebar below shows, the picture that emerges can you lead you to conclude: Fear helped fuel group think — medical staffs throughout U.S. following the so-called science of the D.C. medical establishment.

Doctors at SMH and all over the country did not want to be associated with a small group of critical care physicians who challenged conventional wisdom — even if they had ample proof of the efficacy of ivermectin and valid arguments to be skeptical of the vaccines.

Given all of the unknowns at the time, you can’t fault the SMH medical staff for following its lowrisk instincts.

But while the medical staff resisted alternative therapeutics and advocated for vaccines, the public over time became smarter and wiser — and less trusting of the medical establishment, including at SMH.

Maraia recalled a speaker at the first public hearing. He said: “Do you realize what you all have done? You have created such a distrust in the medical profession that I don’t know if it is ever going to be repaired.”

“That hit me very hard,” Maraia said. “To hear that was devastating.”

“That is what I am trying to fix,” she said. “Ultimately, that’s my goal — to bring that trust back to the medical community.”

WORKING TOGETHER

The three-year review of SMH’s COVID practices was a start.

For one, the SMH board, CEO and medical staff deserve credit for conducting the review to begin with. It’s rare for hospitals to open themselves to such scrutiny. But SMH’s leaders obviously recognized that as a tax-supported institution, they have an obligation to be open to inspection and respond to criticism and recommendations.

Appointing Maraia vice chair of the study committee also sent a message. “It was (the SMH staff’s) commitment to me that they were willing to work together,” she said.

That’s why, to some surprise, she voted to accept the report. The other two board members elected on the same slate voted against accepting the report.

“I feel very good about the potential of where things are going to go,” she said.

MATT WALSH

To read the SMH Study Committee’s recommendations to the hospital board, go to: YourObserver.com/ SMH-Recommendations.

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Courtesy photo

The accompanying photos show how a surgery recovery room at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, left, was converted and equipped with life-saving equipment to care for non-COVID critical care patients during the pandemic.

Renderings unveiled for county’s new home

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

On Jan. 31, the Sarasota County Commission approved $28 million in capital improvement revenue bonds to finance construction of a new county administration center. On Wednesday, commissioners got their first look at what the new $75 million building will look like.

Still in the design phase, Director of Capital Improvement Projects Carolyn Eastwood showed commissioners exterior renderings of the building that will replace the current county headquarters at 1660 Ringling Blvd. The new building will be on county-owned land in Fruitville Farms.

With an emphasis on health and fitness — the building will be next to Celery Fields, which offers ample exercise opportunities — among the architectural features is a glassenclosed “communicating staircase” protruding from the front of the building. It is intended to encourage staff to climb the stairs rather than ride an elevator, in stark contrast to the current administrative center.

“In this building right now we have staircases, but they’re enclosed,” Eastwood said. “There are really no windows. Staff don’t interact. Those who use the elevator never see people using the stairs, so that’s why we call it the communicating staircase. The idea is to try to have staff have more interaction when they use the stairs and also promote staff to use the stairs. It’s a brighter environment, and it’s more inviting.”

The public will have access to the ground floor, where the 3,500-square-foot meeting chamber will be located on the north end of the crescent-shaped building. A 2,400-square-foot “think tank,” currently on the third floor, will also be on the first floor, allowing easier and more secure public access. The floor will also have con-

ference rooms, a canteen for staff with views of Celery Fields, and a 4,000-square-foot gym.

“I know we’re in the beginning stages here, but what I really would like to know, in serving the public in spaces they’re going to use, is how many seats are in the chamber?

How many stalls in the bathrooms?

How does that compare to what we already have?” said Commissioner Nancy Detert. “One of the first things I ever noticed about coming to this building is that the bathrooms are so nicely located. They seem very open to the public and large, and they’re just right there and easy to find. You don’t have to go down a hallway. Numbers are going to be important to me.”

Although those numbers have yet to be determined, the floor plan shows restrooms located between the meeting chamber and the think

tank, with another set of restrooms near the opposite end of the building.

The county sold its 170,000-square-foot administration center in downtown to Benderson Development Inc. in December 2021, along with two adjoining properties used for parking, for $25 million. In April 2022, it executed a land swap with Benderson, trading county-owned land at Nathan Benderson Park for the new site on Apex Road.

Built in 1973, county staff estimated the current building would need $49 million in repairs over the next 20 years, and moving the administration center to an unincorporated area along the interstate would make it more accessible to more county residents, particularly as the population center moves to the southern part of the county.

The design for the new building

is due to be submitted on March 17.

From there, the countdown begins to vacating the current space by the time the lease expires on Dec. 31, 2025.

“After that is the construction development phase for the construction drawings later in the spring,” Eastwood said. “We hope to bring back an initial guaranteed maximum price package for approval, and that would allow us to get started early on a site work package as well as maybe some purchase of long lead items. In the fall, we anticipate completing our design and permitting and then starting full construction.”

That leaves two years to complete the building.

“And then we have a couple of months in order to move everybody out of here and get them into the new facility.”

A glassed-in staircase and views of Celery Fields are intended to promote fitness and vitality among staff. The $75 million building is also planned to be more public-friendly.

Courtesy rendering

The south side of the new Sarasota County Administration Center will offer views of Celery Fields, a county park, across the sidewalk from the building.

YOUR JOB AWAITS!

Anyone who has lived in a home that does not have enough counter space, storage, room for guests, etc... knows the frustrations of being in a home that just isn’t working.

Most people know what isn’t working but they aren’t sure how to fix it. Designing a home that is right for you goes far beyond the number of bedrooms you need. Your home should reflect who you are and how you want to live.

Tacos, tequila and a rooftop bar: Banditos is coming to downtown

Maryland-based Banditos Tacos & Tequila will occupy the former Tavern on Main location as it makes its Florida debut. It will feature the chain’s first rooftop patio.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Sarasota is getting a new “taco temple.” Baltimore, Maryland-based Banditos Tacos & Tequila plans to open its first Florida location in fall 2023 at 1468 Main St., the former

location of Tavern on Main.

The restaurant describes itself as a “taco temple inspired by the mouthwatering flavors of Mexican street food.”

With four restaurants in Maryland, one in Virginia and two new locations coming to those states, Sarasota is the most far-flung site from its base. Banditos Senior Vice President of Marketing Jen Cruise said it won’t be the last in the Sunshine State.

Sarasota was chosen as the first location, Cruise said, because of the year-round and seasonal populations, its status as a vacation destination and, perhaps most importantly, the weather. The local Banditos will

Brian Phipps of Phipps Home Design believes in this philosophy and has been turning wish lists into reality for over 25 years. Each of the 1,700 luxury homes that he has designed in Longboat Key, Bird Key and Anna Maria is distinctive because the owners have different ideas of the perfect home.

Phipps distinguishes himself by focusing solely on residential projects.

“We’re more efficient than a lot of designers,” Phipps says. “Some take two years to design a home. We can get the construction started in months as opposed to years.”

“Being streamlined is key,” Phipps says. “People are busier than ever. It is important that we get the design done right and that we are efficient in our approach to the project.”

Clients begin by sharing their dreams and requests. Early on, Phipps recalls receiving files of magazine pages from clients. Today, inspiration comes in digital form and social media posts. From there, Phipps infuses his own ideas with the clients’ to arrive at “workable” ideas.

Positioning of the house is also a primary factor. In fact, Phipps walks the property with the clients to determine the size of home that the lot can accommodate, as well as how to best take advantage of the views and natural light.

He then gets down to the details of his clients’ preferences - including the kitchen sink. For home design, Phipps leans toward the Palm Beach and Boca Raton aesthetic, where he cut his teeth in the business.

“East Coast stylization has worked well on the West Coast,” he says.

Several past clients have hired him to remodel the homes he designed decades ago. “It’s nice to be able to walk into a house 25 years later and nothing has changed,” Phipps says.

“It was that nice to begin with.”

Besides comprehensive design packages, Phipps Home Design also helps in working with other professionals, including builders, landscape architects and interior designers. The result is an exquisite home, inside and out, that complements its surroundings.

be the first in the chain to offer rooftop dining, perhaps a prototype for future Florida restaurants.

YOUR HOME DESERVES

Hunter Douglas!

“We know the demographics for our type of cuisine, which really lends itself from young to old, so we have a very wide group that we appeal to, not just the locals but also vacationers,” Cruise said. “The weather really lends itself to year-round dining out, so it just made sense to bring our taco temple down to Florida.”

Another advantage, she said, is that Sarasota is the spring training home to the Baltimore Orioles, offering fans a familiar taste of home when visiting here.

“I wouldn’t say that was the draw for us, but it is nice to have that there, too,” she said.

The Sarasota restaurant will be approximately 10,000 square feet, 5,000 on the first floor, and 3,000 indoor and 2,000 outdoor on the second. That will require some vertical construction. The building currently is only one floor.

Cruise said the company is in the bid process for a contractor, and a more accurate estimate to complete the space will be available sometime in March.

Banditos is noted for its vibrant color scheme and atmosphere, Cruise said.

The menu for one of its locations shows 19 taco varieties, seven burritos, bowls, sides one would expect from the genre, and 62 tequilas and

19 mezcals. Also from the agave plant, mezcal is processed differently from tequila, lending a more smoky flavor.

“Banditos is really known for our unique flavor profile and our tacos. We really pride ourselves on our taco options and appealing to different flavor profiles from spicy to sweet,” Cruise said.

“We’re also very well known for the extensive variety of tequilas and mezcals that we bring to our restaurants. We’re really known for the vibrancy. We bring a lot of characteristics and personality and vibrant colors into the restaurant.”

More information about Banditos is available on the company’s website, BanditosTNT.com.

The bar area of Banditos Tacos & Tequila in Arlington, Virginia is an example of the vibrant color scheme of the restaurants.

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

A rendering of the outdoor rooftop space at the planned Banditos Tacos & Tequila at 1468 Main St.

SUNDAY, FEB. 19

2:41 p.m., 3700 block of Bayou

Louise Lane

Dispute: A woman displaying a dismissive eye roll escalated into a dispute as police responded after she was yelled at by a man who has allegedly repeatedly shouted at her several times about rolling her eyes while he walked past her. The man had left the area before officers arrived.

The incident was apparently part of a long-running dispute over a third party and medication that may or may not have been given to that third party, or whether that third party refused to take the medication provided. It was determined no crime had occurred and no further action was taken.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

SLOW GETAWAY

12:03 a.m., 1700 block of Spring

Creek Drive

Residential burglary: A stolen tricycle was recovered shortly after it was stolen from a residence as a suspect riding a three-wheeler that matched the description was located near the intersection of South Osprey Avenue and Floyd Street. The subject fled from law enforcement on the trike before being apprehended at the 1800 block of Prospect Street.

A search of the suspect’s backpack revealed two bags of marijuana. The search for the trike started when the victim advised he observed an unknown individual enter his property and go into the backyard before taking it from the property.

LETTERS

FRIDAY, FEB. 17

FISH STORY

8:45 p.m., 400 block of John Ringling Boulevard

Dispute: A man told police he was fishing off a pier at the Ringling Bridge when another man approached him and asked for bait. The complainant said the man appeared intoxicated and would not stop approaching, so he told him to leave the area. Finally, the complainant said the man pulled his fishing net from his shoulder and, after resisting, he reported the man said, “I’m going to my car to grab my 9 millimeter and put it in my waistband.”

At that point, the complainant called police.

Upon arrival, officers located the suspect by his vehicle, who admitted to saying he had a gun, although no gun was located. He further admitted his comment about a gun was “stupid.” The man left the area on his own without further issue.

Once located, officers attempted to stop the suspect from fleeing, and eventually apprehended him on foot. He was charged with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. The victim was provided transport to the location to retrieve his tricycle.

Quay is circumventing city rules

Question: When do 9 building sites equal 10?

Answer: When you create one out of thin air.

The latest (and largest) building proposed for the Quay is designed to use air space over a 78-foot-wide Quay Boulevard to join two building sites into one massive building called One Park Condominiums. In fact, the size of the portion suspended over the roadway is reportedly equal to an additional building in itself. Nearby residents claim that those air rights belong to them, and they are in court to prove it.

The plans violate the 2016 development agreement entered into by the city and Quay Venture, the master developer and owner of the 14-acre Quay. For this building to be built, there would have to be some major changes made to that development agreement. But this won’t be the first time they have asked for special treatment.

When Quay Venture purchased the property, they inherited an aging development agreement with a well-defined site plan, but they had other plans for the site, they just didn’t know what they were. A new development agreement would require a new detailed site plan, which takes time. The city’s zoning code was crystal clear — no site plan, no development agreement.

No problem! Somehow in 2016 the city agreed to tweak its regulations to create something that did not exist in the zoning code. They called it a “general development plan.”

The Quay’s plan had few details. In addition to the expedited process, the city agreed to vacate certain streets and allow credits toward potential traffic mitigation. Quay Venture in return promised designated common areas for the public’s enjoyment including the boulevard, Quay Commons. While a court case over who actually owns the air rights above Quay Commons proceeds apace, the City Commission has been jousting with its own city attorney over what procedures would be fair to both groups that claim ownership when the developer seeks city approval for changes to the development agreement and general development plan. In the most recent public discussion on the subject city commissioners voted 4 to 1 (Ahearn-Koch voting “no”) agreeing to the building developer’s request for a custom-made process and ignoring the city attorney’s advice.

City Attorney Robert Fournier explained that the proposed changes in the two documents should be heard in one public hearing in front of the Planning Board. Attorneys for the building developer (Quay 1 and 9 LLC) preferred to have them heard separately, which according to

Fournier creates an unfair legal environment, suppresses public input and limits the information that can be discussed.

There are other real reasons for the public to be concerned. Behind the scenes, attorneys for Quay 1 and 9 LLC have been pushing for an expedited process according to Fournier and “demanding subservience to their will.” Meanwhile, Aaron West, speaking on behalf of Quay 1 and 9, told the City Commission on Nov. 21, 2022 that “UPON COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING …we will be donating a million dollars to The Bay.” In this case, quid pro quo is Latin for “Shameless Inducement.”

If the Quay’s owners and their buyers want to change the rules of the game seven years after the agreements were signed, it seems only fair that the benefits of the backroom negotiations in 2016 yield to the realities of today — with today’s fees, regulations and a new traffic study.

When do nine building sites equal 10? When and if city leaders vote to allow Quay 1 and 9, LLC to renege on promises made seven years ago. As surely as the proposed building floats above Quay Commons, a vote to support it by city leaders will suspend all belief that contracts with the city carry any weight at all.

EILEEN WALSH NORMILE FORMER CITY COMMISSIONER AND PLANNING BOARD CHAIR

DSA recognizes leaders

The Downtown Sarasota Alliance hosted its third annual Evening of Recognition and Awards Celebration Feb. 21 at Tamiami Tap.

DSA Chair and Presenting Sponsor Shay Atluru started the celebration with a brief presentation on DSA’s mission. “Our job is to increase the quality of life in downtown for residents, merchants and businesses,” Atluru said.

Local businesses, merchants and community members sat on the edge of their seats as they waited for the award winners to be announced.

“Someone who brings value to the community should be recognized,” said Atluru.

He explains that many times these local business and people make the community a better place without the expectation of acknowledgement or reward. “That’s what we are doing. We are saying, ‘Thank you for all that you’re doing.’”

The following individuals and organizations were recognized for the contributions to the community:

n DSA presented the Third Annual Paul Thorpe “Mr. Downtown” Award: City Manager Marlon Brown

n Visit Sarasota County presented the Nonprofit of the Year Award: Teen Court

n The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County presented the Community Impact Award: Geckos Hospitality Group

n The Meadows Country Club presented the New Business of the Year Award: Main Street Creamery

n Diversified Technology Consultants presented the Young Professional of the Year Award: Greater Sarasota Chamber Director of Membership Engagement Craig McGonigal — DARIELA DELGADO

Photos by Dariela Delgado

The Paul Thorpe “Mr. Downtown” was awarded to City Manager Marlon Brown. Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie and Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson accept the award on Brown’s behalf.

Front: Sonya Isram, Sara Rachon, Young Professional of the Year Craig McGonigal, Heather Moore and Zach Henkel. Back: Dan Sidler, Ed Hill and Kevin Golumbeck.

Naomi Gomez and Katy McBrayerLynch of Teen Court take the NonProfit of the Year Award.

SPORTS

Fast Break

In partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, sports legend Dick Vitale has created the “Super 16 Basketball Bash,” a raffle where the winner gets to watch a third-round NCAA Tournament men’s basketball game with Dickie V himself at his Lakewood Ranch home. Raffle tickets are $100, and there will only be 2,000 sold. The drawing will take place March 15. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit V.org/ SuperSixteen.

... Cardinal Mooney football player Teddy Foster’s national profile continues to grow. The rising senior defensive back has now received 19 NCAA Division I offers. This month, some of those offers came from the universities of Southern California, North Carolina and Minnesota.

... The Sarasota High football program announced Feb. 24 that it was adding former Booker High head coach Baraka Atkins as its defensive coordinator under new head coach Josh Phillips ... By the way, spring football starts on May 1, which now, is somehow two months away. The time can’t pass quickly enough.

... The Sarasota Open tennis tournament has announced its 2023 dates. The tournament will be held April 9-16 on Payne Park Tennis Center’s outdoor, green clay courts. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the event.

... Sarasota Crew had 13 rowers sign with colleges on Feb. 15, including three rowers — Grant McCurdy, Colton Millar and Danny Schaffer — who signed with the Ivy League’s Columbia University.

... Don’t forget to sign up for the Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon, which comes to Nathan Benderson Park March 10-12. The triathlon features Elite, Junior, Youth and Age Group races, plus paratriathlon races.

And in case you don’t want to run but want to watch, the event is free to attend as a spectator. For more information visit SRQTriFest.com.

OUT, BUT NOT OVER

After a third straight Final Four run, Cardinal Mooney will return all but one player next season.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Three years in a row, the Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball team reached the sport’s biggest game.

Three years in a row, the Cougars returned home disappointed.

On Feb. 25, the Cougars (21-6) fell 54-38 to Miami Country Day School (25-7) in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A state championship game at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. It was the

program’s third straight title game loss after falling to Westminster Academy in 2022 and Miami Country Day in 2021.

As disappointing as the title game’s result was, the Cougars should have a chance to return to the state tournament for a fourth time in 2023-24. The Cougars will return seven of its eight players next season and likely will add more players, either from the junior varsity roster or from its incoming freshman class. All of its returning players will be upperclassmen, with forward Sam Kotasek being a senior and the other six players being juniors. It will be a far cry from the beginning of this season, when the Cougars had to not only learn a new coach’s system but replace three members of its starting lineup.

Forward Kali Barrett, guard Sy’monique Simon and guard Bri Behn should form the team’s primary scoring trio. Barrett averaged 15.2 points per game, Simon averaged 11.7 points per game and Behn averaged 6.9 points per game — but 10 points per game over her final three games.

In the first year under coach Marlon Williams, the team developed a defense-first mentality embodied by the team’s penchant for steals and a quick transition game. With an offseason of development, all of these skills should develop further.

Asked about the program’s future, Barrett uttered a single word: “Bright.” After the game, Barrett took to Twitter to say she was proud of her team but will never forget the feeling of watching Miami Country Day celebrate its championship win. Barrett and the Cougars are hoping that feeling is reversed in 12 months.

As bright as the team’s future may be, it is a future that will not feature senior Olivia Davis, who will graduate this spring and play for the University of Tampa. Williams said the team is losing its emotion leader.

“You know Hulk Hogan?” Wil -

liams said, flexing his arms and mimicking the wrestler’s scream. “That’s what we’re going to miss. That leadership, that passion. At practice, she comes in and its always just, ‘Let’s go.’ I’m going to miss that fire.”

The impression made Davis smile. Davis said the Cougars program has come to be more than a basketball team to her. Mooney has taught her to love all of her teammates and as a result deepened her love of the game itself, especially when the program helped her come back from a torn ACL her freshman year.

“I helped plant the seeds,” Davis said. “Now it’s up to Kali and Sy.”

The state title game itself started close; Mooney trailed by a single point, 8-7, after one quarter. Miami Country Day broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring the Cougars 23-12 for a 31-19 halftime lead. Mooney cut the lead to 39-29 after three quarters, but the Spartan’s air-tight defense prevented the Cougars from scoring enough points to mount a comeback. The Cougars primarily attempted to score points inside the paint, but rushed some shots that led to uncharacteristic misses.

Williams said he did not think Miami Country Day’s physical defense necessarily led to the inside misses; his team just didn’t play its best.

“Our girls, I’m proud of them,” Williams said. “(But) we missed key shots.

There were a few details that we missed, a few players missed defensive assignments, and they’re a wellcoached team.”

Miami Country Day coach Ochiel Swaby said his team’s defensive plan was to take away Davis’ shot-making ability with double-teams and force other players to beat them — and actually told Davis as much after the game, as a sign of respect. Davis finished the game with 10 points on 2-10 shooting. Barrett led the Cougars with 16 points.

The Spartans were led by senior Kristina Godfrey, a Florida Atlantic University signee, who had 20 points on 9-13 shooting.

TORNADOES ALSO FALL IN LAKELAND

Before the Cougars fell to Miami Country Day on Feb. 25, the Booker High girls basketball program (22-8) had a chance to reach the Class 4A state title game itself on Feb. 23. It didn’t go the Tornadoes’ way. Booker lost 65-35 to Lake Highland Prep (246) in the Final Four.

Like Mooney, Booker kept the score close early, but a 19-point run by the Highlanders in the first half made a comeback all but impossible.

Senior guard Kymani Freeman led the Tornadoes with eight points while junior guard Jakai Peterson added seven.

“I like the aggression, the emotion of lacrosse, as well as the flow of it ...”

— Sarasota High’s Kellen Rector SEE PAGE 18

Courtesy photo

Dick Vitale is starting a new “Super 16 Basketball Bash” raffle.

Mooney coach Marlon Williams encourages his team to keep fighting.

Mooney sophomore Sy’monique Simon drives to the basket against Miami Country Day’s Sofia Mendez.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Mooney senior Olivia Davis battles in the paint on a layup opportunity.

Mooney sophomore Kali Barrett skies for a layup.

Mooney sophomore Josie Maloni guards Miami Country Day’s Kristina Godfrey.

Sail to better days

each game — which all came against talented teams — the winning goal was either scored with less than a minute remaining or in overtime.

At a certain point, that stops being a painful coincidence and starts being a cruel joke played on the team by the universe.

If you were ever an athlete, think about the worst loss you experienced in your playing days, the one that kept — or still keeps — you up at night.

It’s probably a close game, decided by one basket or touchdown or goal. Those tend to be gut-wrenching. It’s also probably a game where you felt your team was equal or superior to your opponent in terms of talent. In the unluckiest cases, it was all of this, plus the game was decided late, maybe in the final seconds.

All athletes have at least one such loss, but I can’t recall ever reading about a more heartbreaking stretch than the one the Sarasota High boys lacrosse team had from Feb. 17 through Feb. 24. In those eight days, the team played four games, three at home. The Sailors lost all four games by one goal. In

The streak put the team’s record at 0-5, but the Sailors are much more talented than that implies. In year two of having a varsity program, the Sailors went 11-7 in 2022. They returned a lot of production in 2023, including leading scorer Kellen Rector, now a senior.

This season was supposed to be a liftoff point for the program, but the streak put a damper on things — or at least it would have in many programs. But the Sailors don’t think like other programs.

“Expectations are the same, 100%, unequivocally,” Sailors coach Kendall Gay said. “We’re four goals away from being 5-1. That has been the message to the guys. We’ve been pushing a little bit too much, maybe beyond our current skill level. Part of it (the change) has been getting guys to play within themselves. Just play their style.”

Gay said he talked with players individually about where their heads and hearts were after the losing streak. It takes work from every member of a team to stop such a slide — if you’re not careful, things can quickly get out of hand, turning from close losses to blowouts. That didn’t happen here. On Feb. 28, the Sailors shook off whatever bad mojo had been following them when they picked up their first win of the season at home over Venice High 13-4. They moved the ball well on offense and created open opportunities to score. They were disciplined on defense and gave the Indians little space. When Venice did get a shot off, senior goalkeeper Jacob Lunde was there to stonewall it, sometimes in spectacular fashion. One first-half sequence saw a scramble in front of the Sailors net end with Lunde first tracking a ball to his right, then lunging back to

his left and making a diving save, getting just enough of the shot to deflect it wide.

The win was a boost to the team’s morale, which was evident in the club’s celebration, a joyous affair that saw the Sailors sprint onto the field and gather around Lunde — you never make the goalie run to reach the celebration in field sports — before hooting and hollering like they had won a state title. A lot of pent-up frustration was let go in those moments, and understandably so.

One win does not a season make.

The Sailors know this. But all turnarounds start with one win, and this one seems as good as any. As Gay said, the team’s own expectations have not changed. They expect to compete and build off how they ended last season.

“I feel like we broke the curse,” Kellen Rector said. “It feels amaz-

ing. We had been stuck in the gutter but we were pulled through it tonight. I never lost confidence (in the team). I know the skill level of the guys. We just needed to put ourselves in situations where we could thrive.”

Rector said a big difference came in the team’s pace of play. The Sailors were methodical against Venice, Rector said, but never stopped moving. They personified the “be quick, but don’t hurry” adage. They controlled the ball and never let the Indians get comfortable, and when Venice did manage to steal some momentum back with a goal, the Sailors answered, shutting down any potential runs. It’s a formula that can lead to success.

Gay said outside of Rector, the team has received strong contributions from junior midfielder Cooper Oriol, who is “sneaky and shifty” and surprises opposing defenses with his skill, and sophomore midfielder Hayden Stroud, who has a knack for being in the right places at the right time to clear the ball out of danger zones and into the hands of the team’s skilled attackers.

The team may be in better spirits than they were last week, but the road to the postseason will not get easier for the Sailors now that they’re in the win column.

Upcoming opponents include Lakeland High (6-0), Northside Christian (3-1) and Bishop Verot High (4-1). Do they care? Not particularly. After all, they were one goal away from knocking off teams like Barron Collier High (5-0) and Osceola High (4-0). Play like they did against Venice and they can climb the standings quickly, despite what their current record implies.

“If we follow our method, we can beat anybody,” Gay said.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

The Sailors had four heartbreaks in a row before a Feb. 28 win over Venice High.

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Sarasota High’s Maximillian Farrugia (8) and Cooper Oriol (3) chest bump after a goal against Venice.

Sarasota High junior Cooper Oriol received praise from coach Kendall Gay for being “sneaky and shifty” on the field.

WED | March 29th | 6PM Michael's On East Gala Tickets: $250

Purchase at CPCSarasota.org

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

The Child Protection Center (CPC) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their signature fundraising event, Blue Ties and Butterflies. The funds raised over the last 10 years at this annual event, has helped CPC sustain programming and continues to bring transformational healing to child abuse victims.

Kellen Rector

Kellen Rector is a senior attacker on the Sarasota High boys lacrosse team. Rector is an offensive leader for the Sailors and scored 40 goals in 2022.

When did you start playing lacrosse? I was in either kindergarten or first grade. I borrowed a stick from my cousins to play with them, and I fell in love with the game.

What is the appeal to you?

I like the aggression, the emotion of lacrosse, as well as the flow of it. I still have as much fun playing it now as I did when I started.

What is your best skill?

Well, I would like to say it is my shooting, but my shooting isn’t always there. It’s probably my ability to see the field. I used to play basketball, so I translated that skill (court vision) to lacrosse. I’m also good and moving around and using my body to my advantage.

“Sustainability

What have you been working to improve?

Probably my passing the most. I can still get better, but I have been working on that for a long time.

What is your favorite memory?

I scored my 40th goal of the season in districts last year. That was a big milestone for me. It came from playing passionately and working hard.

Join us for a beautiful night of growth, healing, and transformation

What are your goals for this season?

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

What is your favorite food?

This is tough. My grandmother (Carolyn Rector) always made this dish of steak, mashed potatoes, asparagus, corn pudding and garlic bread. I grew up eating that a lot, so it’s special to me.

What is your favorite TV show? I love anime. ‘Naruto’ is a big one for me.

What are your hobbies?

Obviously, I love hanging out with my boys, going to the beach or gaming, stuff like that. I also play pickup basketball.

Which superpower would you pick?

Probably super speed like The Flash, Barry Allen. I’d just use it to get through daily life.

What is the best advice you have received? Keep moving forward. I heard that in the movie “Meet the Robinsons” when I was a kid and it stuck with me.

Finish this sentence: “Kellen Rector is ... ” ... Motivational, determined and caring.

darkness hides amongst the shadows.

Historically, there are over 3,200 reports of child abuse made annually in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

“In 2013, we decided enough was enough ." says Executive Director Douglas Staley.

NO MORE SECRETS. NO MORE HIDING.

CPC's Board of Directors and advocates decided to take action to increase awareness of child abuse and raise much needed funding to expand and sustain program services.

"We knew our community would be stronger together for children, when we joined forces to bring them the healing they deserve.” says Staley . “The creation of Blue Ties and Butterflies in 2013 was a pivotal moment in our organization's history.”

As Blue Ties and Butterflies blossomed, so did the Child Protection Center.

Local advocates and passionate philanthropists advocated for CPC, bringing monumental

growth and financial stability.

Enjoy:

A moving story from a child abuse survivor and community advocate.

An exciting line-up of live auction items featuring meals, wheels, and incredible steals!

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CHILD PROTECTION CENTER

PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE. SERVING SARASOTA & DESOTO COUNTIES SINCE 1980

I’m just trying to make everyone better. We want everyone to step up so we can get to the next level as a team. I know we can do it. And for me personally, I’m just trying to enjoy the season. This is the last time I’m going to be playing lacrosse because I’m going to be studying culinary arts next year.

What made you interested in culinary arts?

Food has always been a big part of our family. My mom (Stacy Rector) cooks all the time, and I was always in the kitchen with her and learned to love it. I’m taking culinary classes at Suncoast Technical College right now, so it’s already half my day. I also work with chef Paul Mattison. It’s my favorite thing to do.

SETTING UP SHOP

DELGADO | STAFF WRITER

DARIELA

The blazing sun didn’t stop these youngsters from selling their creations at the fourth annual Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

Umbrellas came out and sunscreen was caked on these little faces as they set up their booths on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Kim Livengood had a hand on her hip and gazed with proud eyes at the 15 booths that were run by youngsters ranging from 5- to 16-year-olds.

“What’s been really fun is that some of the kids have done it every year, so I feel like I’m watching them grow,” she saidl

These young CEOs offered a variety of wares, from handmade bracelets and original paintings to fresh eggs and crocheted dolls.

These best friends support each others’ ideas, dreams and, most importantly, each others’ business. They both attended the Young Entrepreneur Market for the second year in a row. Daczewitz took a crochet class one day and fell in love with the craft. “I just really enjoy making crochet,” she said.

Delauro has been making jewelry since she was 7 years old and is no stranger to the jewelry-making business. With a little help from a cousin at the beginning, she slowly grew confident and decided to go solo.

“I love it here,” said Delauro. “It’s fun to see people pick out certain pieces.”

MAX CRAMER, 10, AND SAM CRAMER, 9

Max and Sam Cramer are two serious business partners. The brothers are learning their family business of Raptor Beach Farms.

Their family sells eggs to The Hamlet’s Eatery, a food truck that’s stationed at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, so it made sense that these brothers would try their hand at selling organic eggs at their first year in Young Entrepreneur Market.

“Our mom always wanted chickens,” said Sam Cramer.  Added Max, “We were saving (eggs), then we had 30 dozen in our fridge.”

BRIANNA AULAR, 11

Local by Brianna started when Brianna Aular received a whole bunch of crafts as a gift. She got to brainstorming on what to do with the materials. Going through them, she saw charms and an idea clicked. She decided to make earrings. “I spent a whole day making the earrings,” she said.

When her mother, Katie Aular, saw her creations, she got the idea to help her daughter sell them at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime at last year’s Young Entrepreneur Market.

In that first year, she saw that her wood earrings were the most popular, so she brought them back this year along with new items: jarred chamomile tea and handmade soap.

“We are going on a trip to Spain. I was trying to raise some money for it,” said Aular.

LUCILLE DELAURO, 13, AND DAPHNE DACZEWITZ, 13

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Lucille Delauro and Daphne Daczewitz share a table to showcase their handmade items at the Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

Brianna Aular brings her business, Local by Brianna, to the Young Entrepreneur Market at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.

Max Cramer cools off with a cold drink as Sam Cramer holds a chick while selling eggs.

Lighthouse takes steps toward brighter future

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center continues helping those with vision loss as it works on repairing its home.

DARIELA DELGADO STAFF WRITER

The ghost of Hurricane Ian still lingers at Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center. Mother Nature’s rage tore its walls, ripped the ceiling and ruined the floor. However, that doesn’t stop the nonprofit from educating, empowering and providing resources to those with vision loss.

While still dealing with the pandemic, the arrival of Hurricane Ian brought along another set of challenges: The major one was the loss of its building.

Nevertheless, this Sarasota nonprofit organization took the first step toward a new normal by bringing back its “Walk and Talk” gathering Feb. 24 at Payne Park.

When quarantine was in place, “Walk and Talk” was placed on hold.

“Pre-COVID, we had weekly ‘Walk and Talks’ where the clients would

come to the center and walk around the neighborhood,” said Lighthouse Communication Specialist Amanda Just. “It was just a time for them to be social, get some exercise and practice their orientation and mobility skills.”

Now with no building, it was no longer possible to hold “Walk and Talk” at the center, so its leaders got the idea to move it to a public outdoor space. Lighthouse plans to continue hosting the event on a monthly basis alternating between Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Fifteen people arrived at the park. Some called out each others’ names, fist bumped and hugged one other before strolling through the park with easy conversation about the little things.

Maria Acosta took this opportunity to get out of her New College dormitory and feel the sun rays on her skin. Acosta has been with Lighthouse for six months. She receives resources to help her get around campus, but even she gets tired of the college life. “This was something to do so that I’m not stuck in my dorm,” she said.

Lighthouse Vocational Rehabilitation, Technology and Mobility and Rehabilitation Manager Latricia Gambrell has been at Lighthouse the longest. She has seen the evolution of Lighthouse for the past 14 years and sees the change it makes in the lives of those it serves.

“For the future, we are looking at how we can serve our outlying counties,” said Gambrell. “To plan more

activities for them and offer more trainings for them. I feel like that’s the route we are going.”

Although there’s no timeline for repairs to its current center, Gambrell said that having a building in those outlying areas would be a great goal for the future. “It can be small,” she said. “Just one that we can call our home.”

Lighthouse Vocational Rehabilitation, Technology and Mobility and Rehabilitation Manager Latricia Gambrell walks with Maria Acosta.

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center Communication Specialist Amanda Just leads a group of walkers.

Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County members Lila VandeBroek, Catherine Cropsey, Andre McClerkin Jr., Tierra Chander and Lvelisse Rivera join the Lighthouse “Walk and Talk.”

Photos by Dariela Delgado

SUMMER FUN GUIDE

Your guide to summer camps and activities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

More than 135,982 families in Sarasota and Manatee counties have children under the age of 18 living at home.

With 66% of summer camp shoppers taking action after seeing a newspaper ad, our Summer Fun Guide is great place to grow your business and keep kids busy this summer!

PUBLISHING:

PRINT: Thursday, March 30

ONLINE DIRECTORY: Thursday, March 16

AD DEADLINE: Tuesday, March 7

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY 941-366-3468 // advertise@yourobserver.com

Junior League toasts success

The Junior League of Sarasota’s 46th Annual Tour of Homes returned in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and members of the nonprofit celebrated a successful event with a happy hour at CinéBistro on Feb. 25.

After two years of a scaled-back version of the tour, more than 500 attendees had the opportunity to admire six of Sarasota’s most exclusive homes face-to-face while supporting a good cause.

“All of the money that we raise goes to our signature focus, which is aging out of foster care,” said Junior League of Sarasota Committee Chair Kari-Jo Koshes.

Attendees had friendly debate over their favorite home with a drink of their choice in hand. Silent auction items ranged from orchestra tickets to fly fishing lessons.

“(This event) is a way of connecting with our community. All of it comes back to the fact that we are raising money for a really important cause,” said Koshes.

— DARIELA DELGADO

The nonprofit’s 46th Annual Tour of Homes returned in person and ended with happy hour at CinéBistro.

Photos by Dariela Delgado

Laura Conaboy, Maegan Collin, Laura Mayhew and Nicole Zimmerman

Junior League of Sarasota Committee Chairs Caroleen Brej and Kari-Jo Koshes end the 46th Annual Tour of Homes with a celebratory happy hour at CinéBistro on Feb. 25.

Sean and Becky Quina

Amy Lettich and Gina Bates

BEST BET

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

SPRING TRAINING

VS. ATLANTA BRAVES

1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St. The Orioles are in town through March 26 warming up for baseball season. Take in some peanuts and Cracker Jack and root for the home team. Tickets $28-$40. For information, visit MLB.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 THROUGH

SATURDAY MARCH 4

2023 QUILTS IN PARADISE —

FRIENDSHIP KNOT QUILTERS’ GROUP BIENNIAL QUILT SHOW

9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Quilters rejoice. There will be more than 200 stunning show quilts to see at this show. Spend your weekend with a raffle quilt, challenge quilts, special exhibits, vendors, consignments, auctions, baskets and more. Tickets $5.50. For information, visit FriendshipKnotQuilters.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT

6 p.m. at Phoenix Lodge No. 346, 240 S. Tuttle Ave. Come outside with a blanket and watch “Shrek” at this family friendly event hosted by Sarasota Lodge No. 147 F&AM. There will be plenty of popcorn for everyone. This is a free event. For information, email Chris Burns, ChrisG.Burns2@ gmail.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

JAZZ BRUNCH WITH KELLY BROADWAY & ROBERT NISSIAM

11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Hamlet’s Eatery, 821 Apricot Ave. If you are a lover of improvisation and swing, come out and listen to this duo play songs from The Great American Songbook. This is a free event. For information, visit HamletsEatery.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 6

ARTISTS ON ART — A PEER CRITIQUE, PHOTOGRAPHY

10:30 a.m. at Art Center Sarasota,

707 N. Tamiami Trail. Want to grow as a photographer? Come out and meet with fellow artists for a peer critique. With constructive and insightful feedback, the sky’s the limit to foster artistic growth.

Registration is $5. For information, visit ArtSarasota.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7

CIVICS AT WORK

10:30-11:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave. Listen to Suzanne Spaulding speak about why Americans must understand the nuances of our democratic republic and the role of everyone in moving us toward that more perfect union. Tickets $10. For information, visit SillSarasota.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

CORESRQ: TAI CHI

8-8:45 a.m. at Common Ground, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Take 45 minutes to get your body moving. This outdoor group exercise class will incorporate slow Chinese movements. This is a free event. For information, visit TheBaySarasota.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

BROWN BAG CONCERT SERIES Noon-1 p.m. at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail. Bring your brown bag lunch, a lawn chair and spend your noon listening to Stephen Ditchfield. This laidback concert will have you wanting to stay longer for an encore. This is a free event. For information, call 861-5000.

Kentwood Estate home tops sales at $3.2 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Kentwood Estates tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Barbara and Robert Risbridger, trustees, of Cedar, Michigan, sold the home at 1572 Eastbrook Drive to Roger and Joyce Talbot, of Sarasota, for $3,205,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,834 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.75 million in 2021.

SARASOTA

PETER HANSEN

Roger and Joyce Talbot, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1415 Quail Drive to George Rhymestine, of Sarasota, for $2.3 million. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,855 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.16 million in 2015.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 707 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Matthew and Carole Zito, of Sarasota, for $1.1 million. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,546 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2010.

RIVER FOREST

87 Sandy Court LLC sold the home at 5383 Palos Verdes Drive to Duane Hostetler, of Rexford, Montana, for $995,000. Built in 1965, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,416 square feet of living area. It sold for $665,000 in 2021.

INDIAN BEACH

Randall and Denette Sellers, of Raleigh, North Carolina, sold their home at 4035 Sarasota Ave. to Steven Scott Heiple, trustee, of Norman, Oklahoma, for $955,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths, and 1,855 square feet of living area.

PETROUTSA BROTHERS

Mary Nittolo, of New York City, sold her home at 1661 Ninth St. to Levi Yitzchok Steinmetz and Devora Leah Zirkind, of Sarasota, for $950,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,247 square feet

The home at 1572 Eastbrook Drive was built in 2019. It has two bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,834 square feet of living area.

of living area. It sold for $460,700 in 2017.

EMBASSY HOUSE

Marilyn Wolff sold the Unit 1103 condominium at 770 S. Palm Ave. to Merrill Bonder, of Sarasota, for $900,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,284 square feet of living area. It sold for $995,000 in 2022.

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS

Joseph John Fico Jr. and Maureen Conlon Fico, of Winchester, Massachusetts, sold their home at 1642 Bahia Vista St. to Cherokee Park Ltd. Inc. for $875,000. Built in 1926, it has one bedroom, one bath and 626 square feet of living area. It sold for $885,000 in 2022.

WILLOWBROOK

David and Sheryl Lawson, of Sarasota, sold their home at 9040 Willowbrook Drive to Warren and Donna Bovich, of Placida, for $665,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,209 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 2015.

VAMO

Madrid Capital LLC sold the home at 1716 Mova St. to Randy and Lisa Upman, of Sarasota, for $632,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,430 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2022.

HOMECROFT Naomi Schlabach, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 3475 Clarinda St. to Freeman Miller, James Miller, of Millersburg, Ohio, Atlee Junior Miller, Hosanna Kay Troyer, of Sarasota, and Martha Habegger, of Scottsville, Kentucky, for $588,000. Built in 1946, it has two bedrooms,

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Other top sales by area

SIESTA KEY: $1.9 MILLION

Windward Passage

Angel and Sandra Delgado, of Sarasota, sold their Unit E4 condominium at 4708 Ocean Blvd. to Paul Mastropieri and Melissa Wahl, of Ocean City, New Jersey, for $1.9 million. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,277 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.45 million in 2021.

PALMER

RANCH:

$1,095,000

Esplanade on Palmer Ranch

one bath and 975 square feet of living area.

THE STRAND OF SARASOTA

James and Tonya Godwin, of Sarasota, sold their Unit A212 condominium at 1709 N. Tamiami Trail to Elwood Apartments LLC for $579,900. Built in 2022, it has one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths and 855 square feet of living area. It sold for $396,100 in 2022.

CENTRAL PARK

George Lavigne and Jeannette Ruggiano, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 407 condominium at 825 Osprey Ave. to Jennifer Lee, of Sarasota, for $549,900. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,260 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2014.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 26

Jamie Pritchett, of Winter Garden, sold her home at 5420 Bartolomeo St. to Harry Schmidt and Dianne Gibbs, of Sarasota, for $1,095,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,346 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000 in 2018.

OSPREY: $1.14 MILLION

Emerald Woods at Oaks

Harold and Jessie Dell, of Osprey, sold their home at 127 Turquoise Lane to Bruce and Kena Cohenour, of Greensboro, North Carolina, for $1.14 million. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,258 square feet of living area.

NOKOMIS: $650,000

Mission Estates

Thomas and Lori Ushio, of Greeley, Colorado, sold their home at 2181 Sonoma Drive to Zachary Warren Brower and Cassandra Brower, of Nokomis, for $650,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,209 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2010.

Dariela Delgado

Real estate

FROM PAGE 25

PHILLIPPI GARDENS

David and Jennifer Wilson, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2473 Yorkshire Drive to Landz Management & Consulting LLC for $518,000. Built in 1963, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,592 square feet of living area. It sold for $250,000 in 2011.

at 4879 Commonwealth Drive to Petrilla Family Investments LLC for $1 million. Built in 1957, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,341 square feet of living area. It sold for $508,000 in 2003.

HARBOR TOWERS YACHT AND RACQUET CLUB Sterling FL Holdings LLC sold the Unit 618 condominium at 5855 Midnight Pass Road to JRWood Holdings LLC for $900,000. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,755 square feet of

PET PICS

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

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GZ JNLWXF RHXALUJ.” PNCCU’T VFLXU OXA

“XIJZJ OPEE VJWJZ KJ MVUXIJZ AJLL KJTG. IPR BEMDPVC OMR WJZD

RBJTPME MVY YPRXPVTXED

KZPEEPMVX!” XUVD PUHHP

“YJEE (VJUM) UTWRX UNDCCJR AWFHU EBTA SNJ JSNJBJDR. ... NHF HADPHCDSHTCF DIIDBJCSRZ

RHAHSRJFF. ... BJFS HC IJDUJ.”

NAME-DROPPING by Emet Ozar and Will Nediger, edited by David Steinberg

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“PET TAXI” cat carrier, medium, $25. Ortho x spinal stimulator, never used, box/instruction $100. 239-351-4985

SAW horses $25/ea.

Convection oven $30. Portable “bag” chairs $15. Soft-sided tool box $20. 941-228-9467

SIDE TABLES BROWN W/

GLASS TOPS & ROUND 2/$25 (941) 920-2494

WHIRLPOOL LARGE capacity gas dryer. Under two years old.

$199 rm. 575-649-3405

WICKER

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PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never know to fail) Oh, Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O, Star of the

527-7434

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