Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 10.26.23

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Pride display.

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

VOLUME 19, NO. 48

YOUR TOWN

New hotel proposed on Siesta Benderson wants to amend county comprehensive plan to pave hotels’ way. SEE PAGE 5

Ian Swaby

Kari Ellingstad, Maria Somera Ramirez and Daniel Ramirez, 2

Healthy progress

When Maria Somera Ramirez found out she was pregnant seven years ago, she began seeking doctor appointments.

Yet many clinics were not accepting patients, and the cost of a consultation was beyond what she could afford.

Ramirez found the answer at a Sarasota nonprofit, CenterPlace Health, which was newly offering its services.

By the time CenterPlace Health’s fifth birthday celebration arrived on Oct. 18, recognizing the nonprofit’s five years as a federally qualified health center through a luncheon at Michael’s on East, Ramirez had become vice chair of its board.

Ramirez said she felt an obligation to give back to the organization whose goal is to offer high-quality, low-cost health care to those in need.

“They needed voices like mine — people that receive services, because in the end, they are focused on the people they serve, which is us — just regular consumers,” she said.

Primate procession Arlington Park’s haunted trail had tricks and treats for kids of all ages.

SEE PAGE 22

James Peter

DeWayne Hill and Anais Zambaux

Ian Swaby

Stephen Hecht, 2, and his parents, Stephen and Jennifer Hecht, all came dressed as monkeys, while their dog, Freckles, accompanied them as a banana.

Mentor support

An under-the-radar cause took the spotlight Oct. 23 at SRQ Waterworks.

The Sheriff’s Activities League has been helping the youth of Sarasota County for almost 40 years, but the SAL charity auction at the downtown club was the first “big fundraiser in a long time” for the nonprofit, said DeWayne Hill, director of the SAL. The SAL connects at-risk youth in Sarasota County with sheriff’s deputies for mentorship, after-school activities and recreation. SAL’s Explorer Program offers high school students leadership training and the chance to learn firsthand about law enforcement careers.

Anais Zambaux, a junior at Sarasota High, is in her fourth year in the program and is considering entering the U.S. Marine Corps or perhaps attending a ROTC program.

“I’ve learned to treat everyone with respect, even if they’ve been in (prison), they’re still people and deserve respect.”

First line of response For 911 dispatchers, the shifts are long, calls are tough and the pressure’s on.

SEE PAGE 3

Carter Weinhofer

Tia Brand takes nonemergency and emergency calls, working on multiple screens that all serve a different purpose.

A+E

Sound of a masterpiece.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

WEEK OF OCT. 26, 2023

Free legal advice at Selby Library

“I seconded it, but I don’t have to support it.”

The Young Lawyers Division of the Sarasota Bar Association and Sarasota County Libraries will provide free community advice sessions on Oct. 27 and 28 at the Selby Library, 1331 First St. in downtown Sarasota.

The sessions will cover topics including estate planning, financial literacy, landlord/tenant issues, debt collection and more.

The events are free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with attorneys and local organizations to learn what resources are available.

■ 2:30-4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27; wills and estate planning; controlling your assets.

■ 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28; landlord/tenant rights.

■ Noon-1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28; domestic violence.

■ 1:30-2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28; interactions with law enforcement at traffic stops.

No registration is required. For more information, email ­MFavorite@ scgov.net or call 941-861-5421.

Sarasota Vice Mayor Liz Alpert. Read more on Page 6

BY THE NUMBERS 2

In dollars, the cost per fare for a new county shuttle service between downtown Sarasota and SRQ airport.

PAGE 4

2

The number of neighborhood associations in Gillespie Park competing for city grant funding.

PAGE 6

45

The length in minutes of the Music Compound’s nonstop performance of the entire Pink Floyd album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.”

PAGE 23

Miller returns as CEO of All Faiths Food Bank Andrew Warfield

CALENDAR

Rick Piccolo has guided Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport through unprecedented growth.

n Sarasota City

Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 6, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 7, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance).

Piccolo named top airport leader of 2022 T

he Federal Aviation Administration’s Southern Region Airports Division named Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority CEO Rick Piccolo the 2022 Air Carrier Airport Manager of the Year, the division states in a news release.

The award is given to an airport professional “who exemplifies excellence in airport management, demonstrates exceptional leadership, tirelessly works to promote the aviation industry, and has achieved efficiencies and improved pro-

ductivity in their organization,” according to the FAA’s division.

“I am very grateful and humbled to receive this award from the FAA Southern Region Division,” Piccolo said in a news release. “This is a testament to a supportive board combined with a great team of employees and tenants at the airport who work diligently every day to make our users’ journey safe, secure and as stress-free as possible, especially during this period of unprecedented growth at SRQ.”

That growth has been nearly fourfold since prior to the pandemic.

In 2019, SRQ served approximately 1.3 million passengers.

Piccolo recently told Sarasota City commissioners the airport expects to serve 4.3 million passengers this year.

The FAA’s Southern Region Airports Division cited Piccolo’s success in guiding the airport through “unprecedented passenger growth, marked by an outstanding increase of 46% over 2021 and 155% over 2020.”

All Faiths Food Bank has named prominent community leader Nelle Miller as president and CEO. Founded in 1989, All Faiths is the only food bank and the largest hungerrelief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties with $20.64 million in revenue in fiscal year 2021.

Miller succeeds CEO Sandra Frank, who announced her intention to retire in March. She will assume her responsibilities on Jan. 3.

Miller returns to All Faiths Food Bank after serving on the board from 2016 to 2021, including as chair from 2018 to 2020, during which time she assisted in the development of a succession plan for the organization.

All Faiths Food Bank works with nearly 200 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths said it is rated “four stars” by Charity Navigator and is a member of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

ANSWERING THE CALL

Courtesy image

The Emergency Operations Center call center works in “pods,” with each team working on a certain aspect, such as fire dispatch, law dispatch and call taking.

Call and response Sarasota County emergency dispatch handles callers’ worst days — every day.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

I

t’s never silent.

Walking into the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center is like stepping inside the air traffic control center of a busy airport, with screens, maps and headset-wearing staff all around.

Sirens in different tones sound every few seconds, keyboards are constantly clacking, and then there’s the voices. “911, what is the location of the emergency?” “911, what is the location of the emergency?”

POD PARTNERS

Operator Tia Brand started in the fire dispatch pod at 3 a.m., picking up some overtime before her regular shift starts at 7 a.m. By 8 a.m., she’s on a roll.

Brand focuses on fire dispatch for north Sarasota. Her territory is from University Parkway to Stickney Point. The dispatcher to her right, Pam Manning, is on break, so Brand is also covering her territory.

Early in the day, fire calls aren’t usually pouring in. The afternoons can get busier, though.

“Fire is either crazy busy or it’s nothing,” Brand says.

Shortly after Manning gets back from break, a robotic voice from the computer states, “Fire.”

A call needs to be dispatched.

It’s in Manning’s territory, but it’s possible that power lines are involved. Someone needs to call Florida Power & Light — Brand is on it.

The first try isn’t answered. Brand tries again. No luck.

Josie Lopez, a newer dispatcher, tries her hand at getting a hold of FPL. No response.

Brand keeps trying, but then Manning gets word it’s a phone line, not a power line. Everyone goes back to their own screens.

“Fire pod is really a team effort for sure,” Brand says.

Shifts are 12 hours long, but there’s always a lot of overtime available.

The department remains understaffed by about 22 people.

Brand says she usually has one day off a week. She appreciates the overtime pay.

Brand never imagined growing up in Englewood that she would be in this career. After graduating college, she saw an ad in the paper for a dispatch job and applied.

She’s been here 14 years now.

Manning, one of her “pod partners,” has 22 years of experience.

Lopez is going on about five years at the call center.

But it’s not as easy as applying, getting the job and taking the calls.

There’s a one-month academy for new recruits, followed by three months of floor training.

Everyone in the fire pod agrees that five years is usually the threshold — if dispatchers can get past the first five years they’re usually in the career for good.

SAFETY FROM A SCREEN

A big part of dispatching for law enforcement is making sure the officers going on calls are safe.

The screens at fire and law enforcement dispatch look almost identical — the main difference is the type of calls coming in.

To the far left of the dispatchers is a screen with all radio frequencies for the territory that the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office covers. There are at least two dozen, but Brand can identify each like second nature.

Incoming calls show up in identical fashion to how they do in fire.

The calls appear, Brand looks at the nature of the call and finds the right unit to respond.

Calls that flash blue are high priority — this could mean violent crimes.

For those calls, Brand said dispatchers send a more emphasized call tone to let the responding officer know it’s urgent and to take precautions.

The other part of law dispatch is checking in on officers in the field.

Shortly into Brand’s shift at law dispatch, an officer calls in a traffic stop. He gives his location, a description of the vehicle and the license plate number.

Every five minutes after, an officer either responds to a call or calls in a traffic stop, dispatchers request a “10-74.” The purpose is to check the officer’s status, to make sure they’re OK. If the officers respond with “104,” that means they’re all good and don’t need further checks. But if they respond with another “10-74” it means they’re still OK but want the dispatcher to continue the fiveminute checks.

Around 10 a.m., an officer calls in a check on a suspicious person. The call comes in broken, so Brand asks the officer to repeat.

Diction in fire and police are different, Brand says.

Law is usually faster and more mumbled. It takes some experience

“It’s rewarding to help people and get them doing the job I love to do.” ­— Tia Brand, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office operator

to make out what the officers are saying on the first try.

CONSTANTLY CLICKING

At 10:16 a.m., a call comes in about a fight at tennis courts in Sarasota.

The report says it’s a physical altercation. Multiple units respond.

Minutes later, a medical call on Longboat Key comes across the law dispatch screen. On Longboat, all medical calls also get police dispatched.

Two units on Longboat were busy, so Brand tries calling the on-duty sergeant over the radio. There’s no immediate response, and Brand is about to call the sergeant’s phone when one of the units becomes available.

Brand sends that unit to the medical call.

Seven hours into a shift, Brand is alert and rapidly clicking between screens, sending the appropriate help.

She’s on top of her game. A good amount of coffee helps too, she says.

Sometimes shifts are longer than 12 hours with overtime, which Brand said she takes quite a bit. But shifts are easier to manage with a break every two hours.

“I like my job,” she says. “I like helping people.”

More than just helping people, she finds the job is most rewarding when people appreciate the help.

Brand also enjoys helping new people on the team and seeing them progress. Soon, she says, she might go back to being a part-time training officer.

“It’s rewarding to help people and get them doing the job I love to do,” Brand says.

Brand spent a couple hours taking calls, both emergency and nonemergency.

The busiest time is between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. After that, it’s not too hectic the rest of the night, Brand says.

Starting at 11:10 a.m., she picks up a nonemergency call for a citizen to report a possible burglary.

For each call that comes in, calltakers input the situation type in the report. Then, on a screen to their left, an auto-generated question list appears.

Brand and other workers said sometimes people on the other line get frustrated with all the questions.

It’s understandable, the dispatchers said, because the person having an emergency usually just wants help as quickly as possible.

“There’s a reason for all the questions we ask,” Brand says. “It’s very important.”

If the situation is in progress, there’s a greater number of questions — and different ones than if the situation has occurred in the past. If the situation deals with a suspect, there are different prompts for if the suspect has left the scene or if the suspect is still around.

It’s important to ask all the questions and in the order they appear, Brand says. The questions help calltakers get all the important information to share with responding agencies.

Address verification is another important aspect of taking calls. The address is taken at the start of the call and then asked to be repeated at the end.

“What’s the nearest cross street?” is one question that some callers have difficulty with, but it helps pinpoint and verify an exact location.

Call-takers may also ask many questions as to the city, apartment number, lot number, entrance or what area inside a store.

Getting an exact location is important, not only for responding agencies to know where to go, but also for their safety.

Brand takes another nonemergency call around 11:30 a.m. It’s someone asking if the department offers service hours. Brand gives the caller the number for the exact department to contact.

All the calls are taken equally seriously, and the call-takers try to give help whenever possible.

TIME TO BREAK

As noon approaches, Brand takes another short break. She still has about seven hours left in her shift: a 12-hour shift.

There’s no real “lunch break” per se. Everyone in the call center gets a 20-minute break every two hours.

There’s a few ways to de-stress after exceptionally difficult calls.

Some laptops in the pods play calming videos: three-hour YouTube loops of soothing marine life scenes or puppies falling asleep.

In the dispatch break room there’s a massage chair, apparently contributed by Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi.

Dezzi is like a celebrity within the fire pod. The four dispatchers working talk about the massage chair, ask who has taken which training with him and swap stories of meeting him.

No job in the call center is easy, but Lopez says there’s one thing that makes or breaks a person.

“It’s a job where you have to get used to not knowing the outcome.”

MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES Working in the call center is no easy job.

Dispatchers talked about the range of calls they experience, from helping people deliver babies to being on the line with someone who may commit suicide.

It’s not always easy to deal with those issues, they said. Some people aren’t cut out for the job, and that’s one of the reasons for a high turnover rate.

A 2016 study showed that people working in 911 dispatch and call-taking experience the same level of mental health complaints as fire and police officers.

Yet in Florida, the civilians answering calls about people’s worst days aren’t classified as first responders.

Several of the civilian workers at the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office call center shared their frustration over not having this same classification.

This means they aren’t entitled to the same mental health benefits as first responders, which include coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder.

In early 2023, House Bill 291 was proposed to expand the classification of “first responders” to include 911 telecommunicators. The bill was terminated by legislators by May.

Carter Weinhofer

Tia Brand takes nonemergency and emergency calls, working on multiple screens that all serve a different purpose.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Charter boat ordinance doesn’t leave the dock A bid to regulate commercial operations in county parks stalled as a compromise is sought.

Courtesy image

Sarasota County’s planned shuttle service between downtown and SRQ would utilize trolley-like vehicles every 20 to 30 minutes.

All aboard!

Sarasota County set the fares for a new trolley route that will serve the airport and five stops downtown.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A

new trolley service will connect downtown Sarasota with Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport by the end of the year.

On Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission approved a staff recommendation for fares for a service to routes between the airport and five stops in downtown Sarasota.

The primary intent of the service is to provide convenient transportation for visitors to and from the rapidly growing airport.

Rick Piccolo, the president and CEO of the Bradenton-Manatee Airport Authority, recently told Sarasota city commissioners that the airport has grown from 1.3 million passengers per year in 2019 to a projected 4.3 million by the end of 2023. Currently under construction is a new terminal with five groundbased boarding gates, all of them leased to Allegiant Airlines.

Sarasota County’s Breeze Transit has purchased and is awaiting delivery of two trolleys for the service. Both will be equipped with luggage racks. Stops for the service will include: n Boulevard of the Arts at Quay Commons n Ritz-Carlton Drive at First Street and Watergate Drive n Second Street at U.S. 41 n Ringling Boulevard at Palm Avenue n Boulevard of the Arts between U.S. 41 and Cocoanut Avenue Stops along the route will be served every 20 to 30 minutes.

The shuttle fare is set at $2 per standard trip and $1 per trip for riders who are ages 65 and older, who receive Medicare or have a disability beginning March 1, 2024. The halfprice option is required to be offered to those groups by recipients of Federal Transit Administration grants.

In preparation for the new service, fare cards with electronic magnetic data strips that are read in the transit fare boxes are being procured.

Because of the lead time to acquire and program the cards, staff proposed implementing the new fare amount on March 1, 2024. Until then, the standard fixed-route bus prices of $1.50 for regular trips and 75 cents for those qualifying for halffare will be applied.

Because this route is designed to serve tourists, outreach has been targeted at organizations and businesses serving visitors.

SARASOTA & SIESTA KEY

Observer

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

F

or the time being, it will be business as usual for operators of commercial fishing and tour boats out of Sarasota County-owned water access parks and facilities.

County commissioners on Tuesday were caught in a conundrum between a significant source of tourism activity for the region and businesses they say have been operating illegally for years on county property without enforcement.

More than a dozen speakers, most of them owners of fishing and other commercial watercraft who pick up and drop off customers at public boat launches, told commissioners that a permit program proposal by the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department would put them all out of business and harm local tourism.

Violation of the proposed ordinance, which is intended to clean up language in the current law, would bring penalties of imprisonment of no more than 60 days and a fine not exceeding $500. The county currently doesn’t allow nonpermitted commercial activity in its parks and beaches, but enforcement to date has been discretionary, which is to say spotty.

In response to an increase in unauthorized commercial watercraft using parks and amenities for guests of private charters, Parks and Recreation staff executed a commission request to research the development of a permit program for fishing charter and/or tour boats within the county water access parks that

Courtesy image

would allow charter boat operations.

Paying for a permit may seem simple enough, but there’s a catch, according to Parks Director Nicole Rissler. “You still have to have a business use permit, and to operate in the Marine Park District you have to have an abutting lease,” she said.

That means an operator must have a slip or brick-and-mortar presence nearby. “It still has to have that other piece to be able to operate in the Marine Park District.”

Waiting lists for such a location, boat captains said, are years long.

Commissioners appeared to have little appetite to put the small operators out of business, nor to waive the obligations that other businesses must meet to operate in parks and on beaches. Rather than taking a vote on the proposed ordinance, commissioners accepted County Administrator Jonathan Lewis’ advice to allow him to bring back a plan for a collaborative approach — including a task force — to seek a solution.

That won’t happen until early next year.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Joe Neunder warned captains that they may face fines under the current ordinance as they continue to operate in the interim.

“For the record, what you guys are doing currently is not under our current ordinance,” Neunder said. “It’s just not really permissible. You could go operate tomorrow and presumably get a fine.”

Michael Pines of Low Tide Tours speaks to Sarasota County commissioners about an ordinance to regulate commercial boat operations in county parks.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 RAIN OR SHINE 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM You are invited to a special intimate performance put on by the Sarasota Jazz Project.

Enjoy listening to Jazz selections from this talented group either out in our gardens or indoors, depending on the weather.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

5

‘Legislative fix’ may be in on Siesta Key Benderson seeks an amendment to the comprehensive plan to greenlight high-intensity hotels on the island.

OCEAN BLVD.

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ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

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— Siesta Key resident Lourdes Ramirez

AVENIDA DE MAYO

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nother proposal for a hotel in Siesta Village has surfaced, and this time it includes a developer’s request for a Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan text amendment that would allow it to be built.

In a letter on behalf of Benderson Development, Philip DiMaria of consultant Kimley-Horn informed the county’s planning department that it is seeking text amendments to the county’s unified development code to provide that “transient accommodations” are considered a nonresidential use throughout the county.

By letter to the county planning director, a petitioner may request that the County Commission allow any privately initiated plan amendment to be submitted at any time.

The planning director must then seek commission recommendation as to whether the request can be reasonably accommodated at the time requested or whether the amendment more appropriately should be processed as part of the annual legislative cycle.

Benderson is seeking to bring the matter before the public sooner than the normal cycle accommodates.

Benderson wants to build a 210room hotel in Siesta Village at a height of 85 feet. The development entities are 5221 Ocean Blvd LLC, SBP 5239 LLC, SKH 1 LLC and 7978 CCB 14 LLC. There was no formal plan submitted in conjunction with the text amendment request.

Benderson owns properties at 5221

BE

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This map shows the locations of Siesta Key parcels owned by Benderson Development entities — 5214 Ocean Blvd. (left) and 5221 and 5239 Ocean Blvd.

and 5239 Ocean Blvd., currently the site of two small retail centers, and across the street at 5214 Ocean Blvd., which is fronted by Bonjour French Cafe.

According to state records, three of the four entities are affiliated with Benderson. The principal of the fourth, SKH 1 LLC, is Robert Anderson Jr., who has been unsuccessful in developing a 170-room hotel on

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“The bottom line is Sarasota County Commissioners will have to choose between the lives of residents and visitors of Siesta Key or caving in to pressure from developers.”

Calle Miramar in Siesta Village.

“The purpose of the proposed text amendments is to permit the redevelopment of properties within commercial zone districts on lands having the ‘Barrier Island’ future land use designation to promote transient accommodation, i.e. hotel, uses,” DiMaria’s letter reads. “Additionally, the proposed amendment would allow for the redevelopment

and replacement of older, nonconforming structures located on properties in commercial zoning districts within the Siesta Key Overlay District.”

The letter is one of two received by the county proposing amendments to the comprehensive plan, the second from the would-be developer of a 120-room hotel at 5810 Midnight Pass Road on the southern end of Siesta Key. That planned hotel and Anderson’s hotel at Calle Miramar have been successfully opposed in court by Siesta Key resident Lourdes Ramirez as in violation of the comprehensive plan.

“I’m very concerned,” Ramirez said. “For two years, I have focused on revealing the truth that Siesta Key has the highest existing densities in Sarasota County. We are a barrier island with only one two-lane road connecting two bridges. As a vulnerable, hurricane-prone congested barrier island, any increase in density is a threat to human life.”

At Tuesday’s meeting, county commissioners received County Attorney Joshua Moye’s recommendation to forego an appeal of the final judgment on the lawsuits that stopped the development of the hotels. The County Commission approved those hotels in 2021.

In a memo to commissioners, Moye wrote, “There is a possibility of a legislative fix, which amends the county’s comprehensive plan. As of

the date of this memo, one party has submitted such a possible amendment. Such an amendment would require a supermajority vote of the board.”

That “legislative fix” is in reference to Benderson’s request, which will likely once again pit Siesta Key residents against the county in opposition to bringing greater density to the island. That division resulted in an unsuccessful bid to incorporate Siesta Key into its own municipality. A bill introduced this year to the Florida Legislature to permit a referendum on incorporation died in committee.

In his letter, DiMaria wrote, “The proposed unified development code text amendments will eliminate residential density and residential density calculations for transient accommodations, and instead rely on existing height, bulk, setback and other commercial development standards and requirements, none of which are being changed. An end result of this proposed text amendment will be a more predictable and logical use of land.

“Transient accommodations would no longer be required to occupy oversized parcels in order to generate an economically feasible number of units based on a residential density calculation being applied to a commercial use in a commercial zoning district.”

If adopted and not successfully challenged in state court, the amendments are viewed as a legal pathway to permit the hotels to be built. The two invalidated by Carroll’s ruling, though, would have to undergo the county’s approval process again.

“It doesn’t mean they won’t eventually get (approval), but rather that the developers will have to the process over from filing an application through public hearings,” Ramirez said. “The bottom line is Sarasota County commissioners will have to choose between the lives of residents and visitors of Siesta Key or caving in to pressure from developers.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Neighborhood rift The requested replacement of three Little Free Libraries is the casualty of dueling Gillespie Park associations.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

T

wo decades of a simmering neighborhood squabble between two competing neighborhood groups came to a rolling boil at the Oct. 16 Sarasota City Commission meeting over what would otherwise be a typically routine consent agenda item.

Pulled from the consent agenda was the matter of $34,106 in neighborhood partnership grants, which became a 90-minute discussion with members of two Gillespie Park neighborhood associations debating the validity of the process under which the city determined the allocation of just less than $2,000, leaving city commissioners to determine how to fairly address the competing interests.

In the end, commissioners voted to allocate the remainder of the grants, for which the neighborhood associations are required to apply in meticulous detail, while holding out the Gillespie Park share, hopefully until both sides can come to an agreement, or perhaps even merge after years of infighting between the 40-year-old group and its 20-yearold rival upstart.

The latter elicited no small degree of skepticism from commissioners.

While suggesting a motion to hold the Gillespie Park allocation until the next grant cycle in March, Mayor Kyle Battie likened it to “kicking the can down the road.”

“With all due respect, you can have a fight next cycle because if you have two submittals and we bring it to you, you’re going to have the same issue and you’ll have to decide which gets the grant,” said City Manager Marlon Brown.

“With all due respect, you can have a fight next cycle because if you have two submittals and we bring it to you, you’re going to have the same issue and you’ll have to decide which gets the grant.” ­­— Marlon Brown, city manager

Andrew Warfield

Gillespie Park currently has three Little Free Library book exchange boxes.

“That’s why we strongly urge them to merge,” said Commissioner Erik Arroyo.

To that, Battie said, “Yeah, right.”

The two associations were instructed by Brown to work together to draft the grant proposal. Members of the younger association — which has named itself the Original Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association — charged that the leadership of the actual original association cut them out of the decision process.

With the grant money, it proposes replacing the three wooden Little Free Libraries in the neighborhood with new models made of durable, low-maintenance composite material.

Currently, Joy McIntosh told commissioners, the existing free bookswapping boxes are in need of constant maintenance, all performed to date by volunteers with no construction expertise or funding for materials.

Members of the newer association said the Little Free Libraries are in fine shape and the $2,000 can be

better used elsewhere. More than the book boxes themselves, they argued that the process was somewhat less than democratic.

“This boils down to nobody is against Little Free Libraries,” said Gillespie Park resident Derin Parks.

“We have three in our park. They’re great. They serve the community.

They don’t need replacement. They just need some paint and a little bit of repair. We don’t need grant money for that. What we need is a consensus on what we can do to move Gillespie Park forward.”

Any form of consensus has been hard to come by, but the leaders of the older association claimed it isn’t for lack of trying.

“The Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association communicates with its residents in several ways,” said Linda Hall, who helped organize the group in 1983. “Emails inviting residents to meetings are sent to over 135 recipients each month. Also, meeting updates and other information of interest to neighbors is provided by

email on a regular basis. This information is also provided on the Gillespie Park Facebook page and the Nextdoor neighborhood app. Our meetings are open, informative and beneficial to our residents.”

Not so much, said neighborhood resident Kimiko Ogg, who said the members of the newer association were cut out of the decision process for the grant application, as previously dictated in a directive from Brown that the two groups work to find consensus.

She charged that Hall submitted the grant application without input from the younger association.

“We had an email submitted by Linda from the other association stating that she was going to submit to get the grant for these libraries,” Ogg said. “We tried to reach out and discuss that to see if we could come up with a better idea to no avail, so we did not have a consensus on agreeing to submit for grant application for these libraries. We had direction come down from the city that

said that on many issues brought to the forefront in Gillespie Park that both associations need to come to a consensus before asking the city to approve them, and we just feel that we haven’t had that treatment.”

The lingering division between the two groups resulted in no grant for now for Gillespie Park as Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch’s motion to approve the allocation, seconded

by Vice Mayor Liz Alpert, failing 3-2 with Arroyo, Alpert and Debbie Trice opposed.

“I seconded it,” Alpert clarified before the vote, “but I don’t have to support it.”

What she does support is putting the onus on Gillespie Park residents to come together, hold an election and create a single neighborhood association.

Otherwise, said Arroyo, “There’s no incentive to work together and then we’re back here in a year doing the same thing.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Every day is a Chamber of Commerce Day

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / James Peter, JPeter@YourObserver.com Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Ian Swaby, ISwaby@ YourObserver.com; Andrew Warfield, AWarfield@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com Editorial Designer / Luke Reasoner, LReasoner@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com

EMILY WALSH

Much more than networking and mixers, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is making an economic impact on our community by focusing on key issues, such as affordable housing and workforce development.

Y

ou could say every day in Sarasota is a Chamber of Commerce Day. With average temperatures of 82 degrees, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and blue skies, it’s no wonder people are flocking here to live, work and play.

Most likely, the chamber will be hosting one of its nearly 100 events on any one of those given days. But the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is so much more than just chamber chicken lunches.

Sure, they may be dining on chicken, but more than 500 attendees at the Sarasota Chamber’s 103rd Annual Meeting on Friday, Oct. 27, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, will learn about the impact the chamber is making on our community through advocacy and programming related to key area issues such as affordable housing and workforce development.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the Sarasota Chamber had a goal to reach more than 1,325 member businesses. With a record number of new members and high renewal rates, the chamber beat its goal with businesses affirming that the organization provides value. Sixtythousand working individuals comprise those 1,325-plus member businesses. According to the U.S. census in 2021, 148,594 people were employed in Sarasota County, which means that the chamber represents 40% of the working population. Proving that the chamber embodies its purpose as the “voice of business.”

By listening to its member voices, the chamber helps to create opportunities and solutions through the number of councils and programs it stewards. The Government Issues Council, led by Joe C. Hembree, chair-elect of the chamber board of directors, monitors and develops public policy positions that are probusiness and pro-greater Sarasota and sets the chamber’s legislative priorities.

In 2023, those priorities focused on four key themes: ■ Transportation and infrastructure ■ Education and workforce ■ Water quality ■ Economic development To accurately represent our members’ concerns regarding these issues affecting their businesses, the chamber surveyed its members and had a response of more than 250 businesses. No surprise that workforce — retaining employees

File image

and attracting new hires — and affordable housing surfaced as the top two items. More than 73% of respondents reported that lack of affordable housing was causing moderate to severe disruption to their businesses.

Likewise, in a survey sent to the chamber’s Young Professional Group that comprises working individuals from age 19 to 40, of the more than 500 respondents, 96% shared that they feel the cost of housing is negatively impacting the local economy and 51% shared that they are housing-cost burdened, which means that they are spending more than 30% of their gross income on housing.

As reported last month, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city of Sarasota is now $2,202. On a visit to Boston a few weeks ago, local agents were advertising one-bedrooms for rent in the upscale Beacon Hill neighborhood for around $2,750.

Thankfully, in September, the Sarasota City Commission created a new zoning ordinance giving developers incentives to construct higher-density projects that include at least 15% attainable units. In part, the new zoning changes were made due to the chamber’s lobbying efforts. But there is still work to be done.

In partnership with the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Community Assisted & Supported Living Inc., Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Sarasota Chamber is hosting an Affordable Housing Summit from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium. At the summit, the chamber will share more detailed findings from the aforementioned surveys and bring together local government officials and business owners to learn about best practices from across the county.

Regarding workforce, the Sarasota Chamber is making big strides through the CareerEdge Funders Collaborative and Opportunities for All. In 2023, CareerEdge awarded a record $205,000 in employer grants to train more than 300 local employees. It also delivered four bridges to careers with fast-track programs in marine service, automotive lube tech and certified nursing assistants with a new electrical training cohort underway that led

IF YOU GO

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT When: 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 Where: Sarasota Memorial Hospital Auditorium To register: Visit SarasotaChamber.com/Events.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

to an average $3.48 wage increase upon training completion.

Launched in 2021, Opportunities for All is a two-part program that helps small and minority businesses grow and places interns with area businesses over the summer.

Funded by the Barancik Foundation, Opportunities for All received more than 100 applications for businesses assistance funds and was able to deploy $100,000 to 45 minority businesses in our community. This past summer, 27 diverse, aspiring leaders were provided professional development and placed in internships at 16 local businesses.

Employers of interns in the Opportunities for All program are fully funded for their participation.

While the chamber’s events, like the Annual Meeting taking place this week, are part of the organization’s core programming and funding and the largest way to facilitate connections among its members, your Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is so much more. In fact, it is a member of the top 2% of chambers nationwide with a four-star accreditation due to its community impact from its additional programming like affordable housing advocacy, CareerEdge workforce training and Opportunities for All. It’s been one of the highlights of my career to serve the Chamber as the chair of the board of directors.

From meeting the members at our monthly Trustee events, playing poorly in the annual golf tournament to lobbying our legislative leaders in Tallahassee, working alongside President & CEO Heather Kasten to represent our business community has been an immense pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

The Sarasota Chamber hosted its 102nd Annual Meeting in October 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. This year, more then 500 people are expected on Friday, Oct. 27, at The RitzCarlton, Sarasota.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

9

Judge rules against One Park plan Hunter Carroll rules air rights above Quay Commons must be conveyed to the The Quay master association per the general development plan.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

T

he controversial proposed One Park condominium development in The Quay has been dealt a second defeat in as many weeks as 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll on Monday ruled that Quay Venture LLC cannot convey the air rights above Quay Commons to Property Markets Group, operating in The Quay as Quay Blocks 1 and 9.

At its Oct. 12 meeting, the Sarasota Planning Board voted 3-1 to recommend the denial of PMG’s proposal to combine blocks 1 and 9 to build One Park on both blocks connected via a breezeway over Quay Commons.

In his 30-page ruling, Carroll wrote that air rights over Quay Commons, the primary street serving the 15-acre master development must, per the general development agreement between the city of Sarasota and Quay Venture, be conveyed to the master association.

“The Court’s rejection of Quay 1/9’s construction of the Master Declaration is based on a review of all provisions within that contract,” Carroll wrote. “There were no factual findings necessary for the Court to conclude that no provision within the master declaration suggests that Quay Venture at the time it recorded the master declaration had the intent not to commit the air rights more than 14 feet above the roadways to being common areas. The Court concludes that the master declaration plainly and unambiguously included the air rights above Quay Commons within the common areas.”

Anticipating Carroll might rule against One Park as proposed, PMG has been working on an alternate plan for separate buildings on the two blocks.

“Understanding the ruling from Judge Hunter Carroll could go in either direction, our development team has been working on designs for two buildings on blocks 1 and 9 at The Quay for months,” said PMG Founder and Managing partner Kevin Maloney. “When revealed, these iconic communities will underscore our commitment to redefining luxury living on the West Coast of Florida.”

PMG closed on blocks 1 and 9 on Sept. 29, acquiring the property from Quay Venture for $37 million.

In his five-point ruling, Carroll wrote: ■ On Nov. 6, 2018, the Master Developer — Quay Venture, LLC — committed all property within The Quay to the provisions of the master declaration. In doing so, Quay Venture defined the common areas to include, among other things, the roadways. This commitment included all air rights above Quay Commons, not just the air rights to a limit of 14 feet above the road’s surface.

■ The original Driveway A and Driveway B, now known as Quay Commons, was developed within the meaning of the master declaration by April 30, 2021. This vested in Block 6 Condominium Association Inc. and its unit owners various rights in the use of both Quay Commons and all its air rights.

■ When Quay Venture and Quay 1 and 9 signed their original agreement on Sept. 13, 2021, for the purchase of Blocks 1 and 9 as well as the air rights above 14 feet over Quay Commons between Blocks 1 and 9, Quay Venture was already under a contractual obligation, as expressed in the master declaration, to convey Quay Commons, including all air rights — not just the air rights to a limit of 14 feet above the road’s surface — to the master association.

Courtesy image

■ Quay 1 and 9’s One Park development application improperly and impermissibly contemplates building units between Blocks 1 and 9 above Quay Commons. This cannot occur, as Quay Venture is obligated to convey both the road and all air rights above Quay Commons to the master association.

■ Quay Venture’s efforts to redefine or withdraw the air rights exceeding 14 feet above Quay Common’s road surface is invalid and of no force and effect.

“I could not be happier with the findings of the Court,” said attorney Morgan Bentley, who represented owners of Ritz-Carlton Residences in opposition to One Park. “The judge obviously gave a great deal of time and thought to his conclusions. I would also like to commend the owners at the Ritz-Carlton. They had to put up with a lot of pressure from this developer to get to this point and should rightfully enjoy the win.”

Collectively known as Block 6, Ritz-Carlton residents challenged the efficacy of the plan, primarily over the air rights issue above 14 feet.

At 123 luxury condominiums, approximately 80 of which were presold, One Park had been designed to plan over Quay Commons at a height above 20 feet over an activated breezeway. Now it’s back to the beginning for a two-building plan on blocks 1 and 9. With all other blocks in The Quay planned, the remaining entitlements PMG may build by right on its two blocks are 150 units.

The city will learn what PMG has in mind by the end of the year.

“Updated building plans will be released in 2023 and our team is looking forward to presenting the project to the city of Sarasota for administrative approval early in 2024,” said Maloney. “We will offer current One Park buyers the first opportunity to be part of our two new, iconic communities before sales open to the public.”

A rendering of the proposed One Park in The Quay.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Bay’s first birthday With planning for future phases underway, The Bay Park Conservancy celebrates the park’s first anniversary.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Steve Augeri sings Oct. 21 at the Bay Turns One.

Courtesy images

There was fun for all ages at The Bay’s celebration of its first year.

rounding The Bay, which dedicates tax dollars on the incremental value of improved property there.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be standing here speaking to you today about this project to take 53 acres of asphalt and concrete and transform it into green space,” said Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie. “I want to thank everyone who has made this possible and more importantly, the residents and the citizens of the city. We’re ranked No. 5 in the nation, No. 2 in the nation, and we don’t get there because of the things that we’re not doing. We get there because of the things that we are doing. This is a shining example of that.”

Bay Park Conservancy Board of Directors Chair Jennifer Compton reported that in its first year The Bay recorded in excess of 250,000 visits with 97% saying they would return. The goal of The Bay, she said, is to provide a park that is free and open to the public and is sustainable operationally, environmentally and financially.

Plans under development for future phases include revenue-producing features such as waterfront dining options in the Canal District — cash flow that will help sustain the park operations.

“The ideas that we saw earlier this

Andrew Warfield

Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith was among the speakers at the first anniversary celebration of The Bay.

week are extraordinary, features like the addition of beautifully greenscaped walkways connecting culturally significant buildings such as our Municipal Auditorium and Blue Pagoda and a town square to provide another gathering place for the community to come to enjoy farmers

markets, fairs and festivals,” Compton said.

Other plans include, “the extension of a continuous resilient shoreline all the way to Centennial Park, better access and amenities like day docks and retail, and delivering on the community’s desire for waterfront dining by eventually providing fantastic bayfront venues offering a range of accessibly priced food and beverage options.”

Friday’s event was part of a fiveday celebration that included a multicultural festival, live music, guided tours, kayak tours and more.

Philip DiMaria of project consultant Kimley-Horn told the crowd he grew up in New York City playing in Central Park, drawing a comparison to The Bay and its place in the development of the city.

“As a local business employing young professionals and families we understand the vital role that such a project plays in our community’s growth and prosperity,” DiMaria said. “The Bay is not merely a park, It is a testament to our commitment to community development and is a symbol of our investment in the well being and happiness of the people who call Sarasota home for part of the year are all year. This park has the potential to be a driving force for a stronger sense of community.”

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n what can best be described as an ideal chamber of commerce morning, supporters of the Bay Park Conservancy gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the first phase of The Bay. From beneath the shade structure called The Nest, the view across the event lawn toward Sarasota Bay was clear and bright as a handful of speakers addressed the crowd about the collaborative public-private effort that is making possible the transformation of the 53-acre cityowned property into a landmark park.

“The Bay is our signature park for the city and the county,” said County Commissioner Mark Smith. “I’m

reminded of Frederick Law Olmsted, who was the landscape architect of Central Park in New York, who said every great city has a great park. We have a great city, and now we’ve got a great park to go along with it.”

With Phase 1 complete and open, planning is underway for the second phase of The Bay, a $65 million project that will incorporate the 10th Street boat launch property known as Centennial Park — the Canal District — the Cultural District along Tamiami Trail, the Sunset Pier and more landscaped resilient shoreline.

In all, The Bay is expected to cost $200 million to complete in multiple phases over 10 years, equally paid for by public and private sectors.

The city and county have created a tax increment financing district on redevelopment of property in the immediate downtown area sur-

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay are not owned, developed or sold by Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates (“Ritz-Carlton”). KT Sarasota South, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under a license from Ritz-Carlton, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein. Broker Participation Welcomed and Encouraged. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the state of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice. Images are artist’s renderings and may not represent the final building. Furnishings and fixtures are for display purposes and are not included with the residence. Actual improvements, including, recreational facilities and amenities, may vary from those shown and views may not be available from all units.

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Property information herein is derived from various sources including,but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. Source: BrokerMetrics®.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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SATURDAY, OCT. 14

UNWANTED ATTENTION 11 p.m., 200 block of South Links Avenue Dispute: An officer met a woman who said a male co-worker had followed her home from work and was driving aggressively. The complainant advised that she confronted the subject about his behavior and does not expect it to continue, but she did want to provide a written statement to document the incident.

YOU DON’T SPIT INTO THE WIND 7:17 p.m., 1800 block of 23rd Street Disturbance: Officers were flagged down for a report of a dispute between adolescents. An investigation revealed there were multiple adults and children in the area of the dispute, in which the primary complainant said her 15-year-old daughter was spit on by an 18-year-old female.

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THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

She said she did not witness the incident, and when officers attempted to get a statement from the alleged victim, she became uncooperative and kept walking away.

Officers did not observe “any markings on her clothing consistent with being spit on,” per the police report.

The spitting incident is alleged to have occurred while some younger juveniles were playing football and arguing. The complainant said it was very windy and the spit “went everywhere.”

When officers attempted to make contact with the alleged perpetrator at her home, her mother said the two girls do not like each other and have had several issues at school.

The subject denied spitting on her rival but was otherwise uncooperative.

Because the alleged victim was uncooperative, officers were unable to determine if the spitting incident actually occurred. Both parents agreed to keep their daughters inside their homes for the night.

TUESDAY, OCT. 17

SPAT IN PAYNE PARK 10:23 a.m., 2100 block of Adams Lane Disturbance: A city employee accompanied by an officer was verbally harassed and spat at by a transient while advising him to vacate Payne Park. The complainant advised that in the course of his duties he was harassed by an unidentified subject as he was informing him of a city ordinance related to lodging out of doors. He also advised the subject to clean up the area he was currently occupying of all debris and trash.

The subject then began shouting at the complainant and spat at him.

The spit did not make contact with the complainant. The subject was last seen near the tennis courts on the west side of Payne Park, leaving on foot.

THURSDAY, OCT. 12

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SITUATION DE-ESCALATION 1:07 p.m., 2700 block of Hidden Lake Boulevard Family dispute: A woman called law enforcement for fear that a verbal argument would escalate. An officer made contact with both parties who said they were in a heated debate, the complainant becoming increasingly upset when a man went to sit outside with their daughter in an attempt to remove himself from the tense situation.

As officers were leaving, the complainant’s sister arrived, claiming the woman called their mother and stated the man punched her in the mouth, resulting in a chipped tooth. However, the would-be victim said her mother must have misunderstood, and the officer confirmed there was no chipped tooth nor any other sign of physical contact. The woman continued to say there was no physical altercation and that she was fine. It was determined no crime had been committed.

MONDAY OCT. 16

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THURSDAY, OCT. 12

SWING AND A MISS 8:53 p.m., 3200 block of Fruitville Road Disturbance: An argument between two female employees in a senior living facility nearly escalated into a physical altercation. The complainant said a fellow worker closed the distance between the two and swung her arm in a punching motion, hitting nothing but air.

Out of fear, she then locked herself in an office as the would-be assailant allegedly followed and pounded on the door.

The subject advised it was the complainant who instigated the dispute by making comments such as, “You’ll never be as blonde as me.” The subject confirmed she did knock on the locked door “a few times” and added she’s been dealing with several health concerns that have caused her to have occasional emotional outbursts.

The officer advised the subject to de-escalate such future situations, to which she agreed and said she was “going to work on this to avoid multiple law enforcement contacts.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Honor roll Two Sarasota High students were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

S

arasota High School senior Hayden Wilding said even though National Merit Scholarship semifinalist status will not automatically result in a scholarship, its prestige helps students as they prepare for college.

In fact, he said he has already received offers from some colleges, including the University of Tulsa, to have his expenses fully reimbursed.

This year, Wilding and fellow Sarasota High School student Nathaniel Gruhl have ranked among Sarasota County’s 29 semifinalists.

Additional semifinalists include 23 students at Pine View School, a school for gifted students, as well as students at North Port High School and Venice High School.

Each year, from about 1.3 million program entrants, about 16,000 high scorers on the PSAT qualify as semifinalists and can advance to the competition for the National Merit Scholarship.

Requirements of the competition include maintaining a high academic performance and receiving an SAT score that confirms the student’s performance on the PSAT. Students who meet those requirements, expected to be about 95% of semifinalists, will become finalists, with the potential to be selected next spring for one of the 7,250 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $28 million combined.

HAYDEN WILDING

Ever since middle school, Sarasota High School senior Hayden Wilding has been giving his best effort.

“That was when I said to myself, ‘I need to get serious about schoolwork, because otherwise, I’m going to be closing a lot of doors for myself.’

SEMIFINALISTS IN SARASOTA COUNTY NORTH PORT HIGH SCHOOL Robert French Alexander Masucci Giovanni Patricio PINE VIEW SCHOOL Dorian Carter Andrea Ciccone Patrick Collins Claire Critchett Tian Jiao Doherty Samantha Fineman Lana Ghamra Devin Gulliver Amy Kim Cyrus Kuhn Sonia Legare Andrew Lo Sophia Lopez Adriana Maiotti Ava Pappas Ella Pappas Abigail Pereira Niklas Pinto Tristan Rans Hannah Schuh Kody Tran Ethan Wang Kathleen Wu VENICE HIGH SCHOOL Addyson Domian Visit NationalMerit.org.

And I did not want that to happen,” he said.

A member of the AICE college prep program at Sarasota High School, Wilding has taken many advanced classes, but said his most rigorous studying has been for standardized tests like the ACT and PSAT. Although he worked an eight-hour

Courtesy images

Nathaniel Gruhl

Hayden Wilding

shift on Sundays, Wilding would wake up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to take an entire SAT for practice, removing all distractions from the room and timing himself.

“To score really well, you need to be not only familiar with the concepts, but also a good test taker, and practice is going to make sure that you’re a good test taker,” he said.

Wilding is also involved in what he calls “a million different extracurricular activities.” He said although he often has to stay up late and get up earlier, his ability to balance different activities also comes down to time management skills he has gained.

Wilding said he is “incredibly proud” of an appointment at U.S. Military Academy West Point, although he is also applying to Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University and University of Florida.

He is also applying for a Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship, which would require him to serve in the armed forces for five to eight years, after which he would either stay in the military or pursue a career in government or business.

“Most of all, I want to serve my country,” he said. “And whether that’s best done in the mil-

itary, running for office, working for the State Department or working in a private company, I’m not 100% sure yet, but that’s the goal.”

NATHANIEL GRUHL

Whether in school or sports, Sarasota High School senior Nathaniel Gruhl said he has always wanted to work hard to achieve great things.

“When I realize I can achieve something, I want to make sure that I can have every opportunity that presents itself,” said Gruhl. “I want to say that’s what inspired me — just that (National Merit) is there, and that it’s achievable.”

He also said his Christian faith has been his major inspiration.

“The biggest thing for me, honestly, in terms of setting goals or setting careers has been faith,” he said.

Gruhl, who is a member of the AICE program, says the key to achieving what you set out to do is the habits that come from a routine.

“Building that in the first place can be difficult because it’s hard to get into those habits, but once you’re in them, then it just becomes natural,” he said.

It’s also important to him to stay focused when studying.

“I’m in my own room; I’m doing my own thing; no one’s bothering me; I’m not distracted by my phone. I know exactly what works for me, and I put that time in without delegating it to anything else.”

Gruhl has applied to a few colleges already, and hopes to attend a college in Florida.

After a summer civil engineering internship in Louisiana, he found he was interested in the field, but he is also interested in a pre-medical educational track or a combination of the two, such as biomedical engineering.

“I would love to do something that helps others out of injury or out of pain, and I enjoy solving problems, so I think I would enjoy coming up with solutions to new things, because engineering is all about, ‘There’s a problem. How can we fix it?’”

Although he’s proud of how far he’s come, the potential scholarship represents that there’s still further to go, he said.

“It means that I can really do anything I set my mind to, but at the same time, I’ve got to work hard to get to those things.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

15

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Cresswind Lakewood Ranch Offers an Active 55+ Lifestyle for New Home Buyers

Kolter Homes’ 55+ lifestyle creates an environment for the residents of Cresswind Lakewood Ranch to be as active as they want. The award-winning Set Yourself FREE lifestyle program and exclusive resident amenities create a dynamic and fulfilling living experience.

Club Cresswind features an exclusive SmartFIT Training Center powered by EGYM, a dedicated cardio studio, an art studio with a kiln, game rooms, and card rooms. Outdoor amenities include a resort-style pool and spa, resistance pool, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce courts, a dog park with large and small breed sections, outdoor social spaces, and an event plaza. Dog walkers, runners, and

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The resident-exclusive Club at Cresswind features multi-purpose event and social spaces where residents form their own clubs with those who have similar interests, including travel, cooking, and wine clubs.

OCTOBER 26, 2023

SPORTS

“I want to individually qualify for the state meet, that would be ideal. I’m also 28 seconds away from the school record right now. If I could get that, that would be cool.”

— Ben Skaggs, Riverview High cross-country. SEE PAGE 18

Fast

Break

Ryan Kohn

Rams junior DJ Johnson (8) and senior Braxton Thomas celebrate a touchdown run by Johnson.

R

iverview High football junior running back DJ Johnson ran for three touchdowns in the Rams’ 21-14 road win over Manatee High on Oct. 20. Johnson now has 988 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns through eight games. The Rams (4-4) will play Sarasota High (1-7) at 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 at home. … Sarasota Crew rowers Karen Wiegandt and Anne Marichal won a bronze medal in the Women’s Senior Master Doubles (50+) race at the 2023 Head of the Charles Regatta held Oct. 20-22 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The regatta has been held annually since 1965 and is the largest threeday regatta in the world. … Cardinal Mooney High volleyball junior Izzy Russell had seven kills and 11 digs in the Cougars’ 3-0 district title win over Bradenton Christian School on Oct. 19. The Cougars (20-7) are ranked fourth in Region 3 of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A entering the regional round of the postseason, and are ranked 37th in all classifications. … Cardinal Mooney High cross-country junior Addison Dempsey (18:24.30) won the 2023 Clearwater Central Catholic XC Invitational, held Oct. 21 in Clearwater. Dempsey won by approximately 43 seconds over second-place Avery Chatman of East Lake High. … The Sarasota Paradise pre-professional soccer team is looking to create an official fan club for its 2024 season.

In a release, the team said members of the club will “play drums, chant songs and, most importantly, keep the team’s momentum going strong throughout the game.” The club also said members will have a say in the game-day experience and fan engagement activities.

Those interested in leading or joining the fan club should email Felipe@SarasotaParadise.us.

NEXT LEVEL. PAGE 17

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Josh Phillips (center) is in his first year as the head coach at Sarasota High.

SAILORS

STILL AFLOAT Sarasota High wants to build on its first win under head coach Josh Phillips.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

I

t took longer than Sarasota High head coach Josh Phillips wanted or expected.

But the wait did not make the Gatorade bath he received feel any less sweet.

“It was colder than I ever dreamed,” Phillips said with a smile. “But it was a lot of fun. Being able to celebrate with my team and my coaching staff after what has been a hard season, it was a lot of joy.”

The celebration followed the Sailors’ 25-6 win over Southeast High (0-8) on Oct. 20. The victory brought Sarasota’s record to 1-7.

Sarasota High senior quarterback Johnny Squitieri threw for 245 yards and a touchdown against Southeast High.

The Sailors were tested early and often in 2023. According to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s strength of schedule rating system, Sarasota’s 2023 schedule carries a rating of 5.70, which is the third-toughest mark of any team in the Sailors’ Region 4 of Class 4S, trailing only Venice High (7.25) and Riverview High (6.28). For a program with a first-year head coach and which lost several key players from its playoff-bound 2022 team to graduation and to transfers, it is not surprising that the Sailors struggled early.

But the Sailors never quit on the season, something that fills Phillips with pride. They got better each

week in practice and managed to give teams with high hopes a scare.

The Sailors hung with Manatee High (6-2) to the tune of 27-14 on Sept. 1, and forced Palmetto High (4-3) to win a 49-31 shootout. There was nothing in the win column yet, but progress was being made.

“Some officials told us things like, ‘You’re the best 0-6 team I’ve ever seen,” Phillips said. “We got messages from other coaches every week about the way we competed. The public doesn’t see that stuff. The public only sees your record, not the X’s and O’s or how you’re competing or how much talent you have.”

Several Sailors players noted that there was a concerted effort from the team to stay mentally focused, despite the losing streak. If they were going to lose, they were going to go down fighting and playing their hardest. That’s the only way it would eventually change, they said.

The game against Southeast was the breakout game everyone needed. Senior quarterback Johnny Squitieri, a transfer from Manatee who won a quarterback competition over senior Michael Bendever, threw for 245 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown to senior receiver Jackson Mullet. Senior running back Joe Ziegler ran for two touchdowns, of three and four yards respectively.

The Sailors defense stopped Southeast four times on the one-yard line to prevent an early score and never looked back.

The celebration began with splashing Phillips and continued in the locker room, where senior receiver/safety Christopher Espinel played hip-hop music over the speakers and everyone let the stress of the last two months go.

“It always feels good to win, no matter what number it is,” Squitieri said. “We’re trying to get as many as possible now. We have a big game this week.”

The Sailors will travel to the Ram Bowl to play rival Riverview High (4-4) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Rams have won 11-straight meetings with the Sailors, including last year’s 14-0 victory, and are coming off a 21-14 road win over Manatee High (6-2).

Breaking the Riverview streak will take just as much effort as breaking 2023’s seven-game skid, but the Sailors believe they’re up to the task.

IF YOU GO

What: Sarasota High football (1-7) at Riverview High (4-4) When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Where: Riverview High Why: The Sailors want to make it two wins in a row after a 25-6 win over Southeast High last week, the first Sarasota win under head coach Josh Phillips.

The rival Rams, coming off a 21-14 win over Manatee High, stand in the way.

Sailors player to watch: Senior running back Joe Ziegler, who had two touchdown runs against Southeast High Rams player to watch: Junior linebacker Landon Marsters, who leads Riverview with 54 total tackles.

Squitieri said the Sailors have to stick to the basics and execute the game plan at a high level; Ziegler said all 11 players on the field have to work as a unit; senior linebacker Hayden McSwane said everyone individually has to do their jobs; senior safety Nick Wasowicz called the game a “dog fight” and predicted that whoever wants the victory more will come out on top. The common theme in all of those answers is the team acting like a team. It’s what Phillips has wanted the Sailors to be since he took over.

Now that one win has come, the Sailors are hungry for more — and they’re still playing for something, as unlikely as that sounds after an 0-7 start. The Sailors are ninth in Class 4S Region 4 in the latest FHSAA rankings, released Oct. 24.

The top eight teams in each region make the playoffs. Lakewood Ranch High, which currently occupies the eighth spot, has a 3-5 record.

If Lakewood Ranch loses out and Sarasota wins out, there’s a chance the Sailors could jump the Mustangs in the rankings: Lakewood Ranch’s strength of schedule, which is a factor in the rankings, is just 0.67.

For now, Phillips is happy with how his team has stuck to the plan and seen it pay dividends.

“Guys are fighting their guts out,” Phillips said. “They are putting in a lot of time and effort. You want them to have that reward for their hard work. We were so close against some good football teams. It feels good to finally get it.”

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN The Spartans have gone 2-5 in 2023, with zero Big Ten Conference wins. On Oct. 21, the program again found itself in hot water for asking a trivia question on its video board about Adolf Hitler during the team’s game against the University of Michigan — a game the Spartans would go on to lose 49-0.

Things could be going better is the point.

Yet through it all, area alumni have continued to perform. Glover, a Riverview High graduate, has 12 catches for 227 yards as a redshirt freshman receiver. That’s good for an average of 18.9 yards per catch, which would lead the Big Ten if he had enough catches to be eligible for such a distinction. Brantley, who started his career at Riverview before transferring to Venice High, suffered an upper-body injury that has limited him to three games played at defensive back, but he had 10 tackles (one tackle for loss) and a pass breakup in those games.

ANNA KLEMEYER, U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY VOLLEYBALL Courtesy image

Emma Weyant was recently named the SEC’s Co-Swimmer of the Week.

Alumni come alive in fall These athletes are representing Sarasota well on a variety of playing fields. to stand out. Here’s what six of our highest-profile alums are doing in 2023.

EMMA WEYANT, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SWIMMING

It’s a bit odd to think of Weyant, who swam for Riverview High and the Sarasota Sharks, as a college athlete after watching her win a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but there she is. The junior swimmer is back for another season with the Gators and has started as

dominant as ever.

On Oct. 17, Weyant was named the SEC’s Co-Swimmer of the Week alongside University of Arkansas swimmer Alessia Ferraguti. Weyant recorded the country’s fastest times in the 400 individual medley (4:07.51) and the 500 freestyle (3:39.22) at a meet against the University of Virginia.

JARON GLOVER AND CHARLES BRANTLEY, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The 2023 season has been a disaster for Michigan State. The team’s coach, Mel Tucker, was fired in September after coming under investigation for a sexual misconduct complaint.

Klemeyer, a key piece of the Cardinal Mooney High state championship volleyball team in 2019, is now a senior at Navy. She will end her career as one of the most efficient players in the program’s history. As of Oct. 20, Klemeyer was fifth alltime on Navy’s career hit percentage list (.294) and had recorded 309 kills and 225 blocks.

Klemeyer has also excelled in the classroom. Klemeyer was named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team in 2022 and has received academic honors from Navy in six semesters — three times reaching the Superintendent’s List. At a place like Navy, that means a lot.

USF last season, has just 40 carries for 182 yards at Auburn, to go with six catches for 41 yards. He has zero touchdowns this season after scoring eight in 2022.

From the outside, this does not appear to be a matter of Battie being challenged by a step up in talent level. Auburn’s entire offense has struggled under first-year head coach Hugh Freeze on the way to a 3-4 start, and Battie has actually fared slightly better than leading rusher Jarquez Hunter in terms of yards per rush (4.6 to 4.3), and Hunter only has 309 total rushing yards himself.

In my eyes, it would be wise for Freeze to get Battie more involved.

MARY TUCKER, WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY RIFLE

Like Weyant, it can be difficult to remember that Tucker, a former Sarasota Military Academy shooter, is a college athlete after all she has accomplished on the world stage, including a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Tucker did more of that international stuff recently: On Oct. 23, Tucker teamed with Ryan Kissell to take first place in the mixed team air rifle event at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, beating Mexico 16-10.

She’s still at West Virginia, though — a fifth-year senior — and the Mountaineers are doing well in their own right. It’s not a huge surprise when they have Tucker on the team. West Virginia is ranked No. 1 in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association poll as of Oct. 24. Tucker herself leads the nation in smallbore average (593) and is fourth in aggregate average (1189).

BRIAN BATTIE, AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

Battie, the former Sarasota High star, transferred to Auburn from the University of South Florida over the offseason for the chance to make his name in the Southeastern Conference. It may not be working out exactly how he thought it would: Battie, a junior, who was the starter and a 1,186-yard rusher at

all home.

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

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ctober is known to be the scariest month of the year.

Maybe that’s why the final stretch of the fall sports season always sneaks up on me, putting a jolt into my system.

I’m always sad to see the end coming — there’s about a month left of the college sports season, save for college football bowl games — but I do love updating everyone on how our area alumni are faring.

Even when things are not so rosy for their teams, area athletes find a way

17

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Ben Skaggs is a junior on the Riverview High boys cross-country and track and field teams. Skaggs finished third (16:15.90) at the 2023 Tri-County Championships held Oct. 21 at North Port High, and won (16:55.40) the 2023 Riverdale Invitational held Oct. 7 in Fort Myers.

When did you start running?

Well, I moved to Florida from Bowling Green, Kentucky, in eighth grade.

I was a soccer player, but the middle school I transferred to (Sarasota Middle) did not have a soccer program. So I thought, “What’s a different sport I can get into?” I was brand new and wanted to do something.

So I started in track and field and went from there.

Do you prefer cross-country or track and field?

I like the training part of crosscountry more. It’s a smaller group of people. You can get to know everyone. The meets don’t last long because it is just the one race. And I like the longer training sessions.

When I move into track and field season, I do miss doing all the extra mileage. But with track, I like being able to do so many different events and run with different people. It’s good to have both.

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How long did it take you to learn the sport?

My first meet, I got second place in the mile and won the 400-meter race. I thought, “Wow, I’m actually decent at this running thing.” I had never done it before except for soccer conditioning. But I was always the soccer kid who could just run and run. So I found it fun.

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(sophomore Killian Knowlton), he has his PR down to 17:37 now, but I paced him to break 20 minutes over the winter last year. That was a great moment. I love being able to do that for my teammates.

What are your goals for the stretch run of the season?

I’m working on tapering into the close of the season. I want to individually qualify for the state meet, that would be ideal. I’m also 28 seconds away from the school record right now. If I could get that, that would be cool. But the first smaller goal is qualifying (for regionals) at the district meet and hopefully breaking 16 minutes for the first time.

What is the best advice you have received?

When you start feeling pain, you’re not even halfway there. You have to keep pushing. It’s the only way. Your body is going to tell you to stop, but you can’t. You have to break that mental barrier and find your physical barrier.

Finish this sentence: “Ben Skaggs is …”

Fun. I like to try new things. I like interacting with people.

What is your favorite memory?

Honestly, any time I can pace people who are maybe a level below where I am and help them get faster, that’s where I get a lot of enjoyment. Our No. 3 runner

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OCTOBER 26, 2023

YOUR NEIGHBORS THE HAUNTINGS

OF SARASOTA IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

J

ust like people, ghosts come in all varieties, said Tammy Hauser, founder and CEO of Discover Sarasota Tours.

“Most of my ghosts are benign. Some are cranky. Some are perverts,” she said.

Likewise, Sarasota, with its multiple historic districts, has many locations with tales of supernatural happenings, like ghosts who sing and others who pour drinks.

Here are a few spots selected from the Haunted Sarasota Tour theatrical show by Discover Sarasota Tours.

1525 FOURTH ST.

The Mediterranean Revival building on 1525 Fourth St., where Nancy’s Bar-B-Q recently opened, has seen many occupants, said Hauser.

Located along what Hauser describes as a “creepy alley,” the building has housed several establishments, including Oasis Restaurant and Bar until this year, Catrinas Tacos and Tequila until 2019, Servandos until 2017, and Darwin’s on 4th until 2015.

On the rear interior staircase, a ghost known as The Gooser can be found, Hauser said. The fittingly named spirit is said to be observed by female guests.

“He’s real creepy. People feel him more than see him,” she said.

Another ghost called The Guard

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Although all tours are currently filled for October, tours resume in January and run through October 2024.

The experience offers a narrated theatrical show with a cast of two. It takes place entirely within the trolley and combines the stories with entertainment, while it also explores the nature of ghosts.

“We have a lot of humor on our tour, and then we have mystery,” Hauser says.

Tours depart from 1826 Fourth St. and are for ages 18 and up.

For information, visit DiscoverSarasotaTours.com.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Residents of the Frances Carlton Condominium have reported hearing the opera singing of ghosts, said Tammy Hauser.

reportedly watches over the area, she said, and is believed to be guarding a vault in the building, which was originally a bank.

A third ghost, Susan, must have been a child caretaker, she said, and has been reported watching over children in the building.

GOLDEN APPLE DINNER THEATRE

Growing up amid the liveliness of the theater was an idyllic experience, although it wasn’t without its oddities, said Kyle Turoff, the daughter of Robert Turoff, founder and owner of the former Golden Apple Dinner Theatre.

Three ghosts with different personalities have been reported in the building that currently houses Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, said Tammy Hauser.

“We’re a crazy bunch, us actors and singers,” she said. “A new person would come into our fold, and we’d say, ‘Just don’t be surprised if your (false) eyelashes are missing one day, or if the door is locked and you know that you were the last one here.’”

The establishment along North Pineapple Avenue, which opened in 1971 and closed its doors in 2012 before a brief revival, was known for two or three ghosts, including an attention-seeking spirit who would drop objects and act mischievously, said Hauser.

“All theaters attract ghosts,” said Hauser. “You’ve got the theatrical ghosts; you’ve got the prankster ghost that didn’t get the part that’s constantly causing problems.”

Although Turoff believed in the theater’s ghosts, she had never seen an apparition until one night in 1997.

Looking toward the audience while performing in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” she was startled by what she saw on a staircase.

“I think I just saw Bud,” she explained later to a friend.

Bud Welters was a character actor at the theater who had died a few years earlier.

Her friend pointed Turoff to the show’s musical director, who she said told her he had seen Welters that day as well, when he appeared on a staircase behind a drum player.

Other strange events Turoff described included a chicken wishbone appearing in an unoccupied dressing room and objects falling off shelves. She said others, including her husband, Trez Cole, heard a dog running about the theater.

According to Hauser, before the building was the Golden Apple, it was a car dealership, where a dog would guard cars before it returned to do so as a ghost.

If the Golden Apple was haunted, could its closure and subsequent

Tammy Hauser, founder and CEO of Discover Sarasota Tours.

remodel have driven the ghosts away? None of the current three tenants in the building said they had witnessed any unusual activity.

“I can tell you that everyone that comes in here says they experience a very positive vibe,” said AlexArt International Art Gallery owner Alexa Scanziani.

FRANCES CARLTON CONDOMINIUM

When Frances Carlton Condominium was established as an apartment complex in the early 1920s, Sarasota was a destination where New York residents suffering from “bad air” would come to recuperate.

Two German opera singers from the north stayed in the Mediterranean Revival style complex, but the wife died from tuberculosis, and the husband died of heartbreak, said Hauser. Residents of the complex at 1221-1227 N. Palm Ave. report hearing the singing of the two ghosts.

“They’re harmless. They just died in love, before their time,” Hauser said.

THE GATOR CLUB

Josh Hojnacki has been a manager of The Gator Club (1490 Main St.) for

more than 10 years, and some events there have been difficult to explain, he said.

Electronics and lights that he and others believe were turned off, turn out to be on, while cold breezes move through the interior in the middle of summer. Presences are often felt, including in the large leaded mirrors on the second floor.

Hojnacki said it’s difficult to find evidence that the presence belongs to any specific person.

Hauser said the establishment is known for multiple ghosts, including Mary Worth, the wife of William Worth, who owned Worth’s Grocery Store, the first business to occupy the space when it opened in 1912.

“She just seems to roam and wander as though she’s still working there,” she said, stating the ghost has reportedly poured free drinks for patrons.

The Gator Club has been many things besides a grocery store.

It was a brothel from the 1930s to the early ’50s, Hojnacki said. Prior to that, during Prohibition, it was split into two sections, one of which was an ice cream shop.

“Those were known covers for speakeasies during Prohibition,” he said.

A person’s respect for the building, a designated historic site, is an important determinant of whether they’ll encounter any issues with the presence there, Hojnacki said.

He recalls that one band who performed there had their equipment destroyed on a biweekly basis. As a result, they ceased playing at the venue.

“I know the world around me is a very small part about what we see,” he said. “To assume that we know everything going on around us that we can’t see, is just very presumptuous. Our senses are very limiting.”

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Theatrical specters, drinkpouring apparitions and a ghost dog are said to haunt these local spots.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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here was lots to do and see on Oct. 21 during The Sarasota Pride Festival: “LGBTQ+ A Lot More.”

Just a few of the offerings at the 32nd annual festival, which spanned a large section of Boulevard of the Arts, were a pride concert and other live performances, a market with many LGBTQ+-inspired products and a pet parade and costume contest.

“We are very excited to be able to host the 32nd annual Sarasota Pride, for the fact that at this moment in time, representation matters,” said Project Pride President Jason Champion, noting that the festival welcomes all individuals to participate.

He said this year, the festival introduced a new space for those with disabilities and also brought in sign language interpreters.

Some of the notable aspects of the event included speeches by Zander Moricz, founder and executive director of The Social Equity through Education Alliance, and city of Sarasota Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch.

The event also hosted many performers from outside Sarasota, including drag queen Thorgy Thor, who came to international attention on the TV series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

“It was one of the most amazing, fun events I’ve been to,” said Christine Wanat, part of the diversity chorus present at the event.

Champion estimated a turnout of 3,000 people throughout the day.

Antonio Moretta, MD

— IAN SWABY

Alicia and Shellsea Hudis-Coe and their dog, Minnie, take the stage during the pet costume contest.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Thorgy Thor offers a performance to close out the event.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Margot Newman, 2, and her father Ben Newman look over some Halloween candy.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Camila Eskew, 1, Lauren and Colby Eskew and Colby Eskew Jr. emerge from the tunnel atop the bridge.

D

uring their first visit to Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex on Oct. 20, the Baldo family got a complete Halloween experience.

They not only had a chance to experience the scenic half-mile walking trail but also found the journey filled with spooky decorations, including gravestones, spiders in trees and a tunnel atop the park bridge.

And of course there was plenty of candy, with 8-year-old Luca Baldo, and 5-year-old Della Baldo eagerly running from one vendor to another.

Event organizer Connor Bowers said the Arlington Park Haunted Trail Carnival, now in its fourth

Noah Shaffer, 9, dressed as a clown and Mila Shaffer, 5, dressed as Wednesday Addams.

year, aims to incorporate the park grounds into a Halloween event.

“We thought, why don’t we do a walking trail where they can go around and trick or treat like they’re in a neighborhood and see the decorations we put up all over the park?” he said.

The event is also important for highlighting the services of different vendors in the area, which visitors have the opportunity to hear about and observe, he said.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Lindsay Bartolomey, who represented Exit King Realty at the event. “I like meeting everyone and seeing all of the kids enjoying everything.”

Triplets ­Amelia, Eloise and Elijah Dennis, 2, enjoy riding in a wagon along the trail.

— IAN SWABY

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From cover to cover Music Compound students and instructors performed ‘The Dark Side of the Moon.’

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page about everything was a little bit of an obstacle, but everyone did such a good job learning everything so well, so it just flows perfectly,” said Sam Sugar, a bass performer.

Patrick Collins, a student and junior instructor, had to engineer a setup allowing him to play live radio through his guitar pedals for sound effects and also had the idea to use an electromagnetic device to play guitar strings.

The performers also were able to grow their range of experience.

“Pink Floyd has an interesting voice because there’s so much happening, but it sounds really good, so it’s a little hard to re-create,” said Sophia Rios, a 13-year-old student and vocal performer in the concert.

The concert was held for the benefit of the National Association of Mental Illness following a suggestion by instructor and performer Patrick Ensslin.

Ensslin’s uncle, Mark Talley, died on Oct. 16 and had dealt with schizophrenia for most of his life. Ensslin noted that Syd Barrett, who was the founder of Pink Floyd, had also suffered from severe mental illness.

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usic Compound student Kristina Rosenbaum didn’t hold back in her description of performing “The Dark Side of the Moon” from start to finish.

“It was one of the most fun things I’ve done in my life,” said the 46-year-old English teacher, who sang and played guitar in the tribute concert.

Held the night of Oct. 20 as part of the studio’s Rocktober Concert at its facility on Cattlemen Road, and in honor of the album’s 50th anniversary, the performance started with a big idea.

While instructors Iain Harris and Taylor Galford were bouncing ideas off one another for Rocktober, Harris pointed out that Galford was already suggesting about half the songs from “The Dark Side of the Moon.”

If they just learned the other half, they could perform the album in its entirety.

The project required 33 people — 11 instructors and 22 students — to learn the music for a 45-minute performance. Harris called it the most ambitious project the organization has attempted.

“It was just one of those ideas that sounded so ridiculously optimistic, like, we couldn’t do that, but as soon as you thought of it, you go, ‘We actually kind of have to now, because I thought of it,’” Harris said.

The pressure was on, because the album has sold 25 million copies, is often listed among the greatest of all time, and the sounds of each song flow seamlessly into the next.

Staging the performance posed unique challenges, such as when Galford and student/junior instructor Riley Cullather had to switch places on the drums without letting the music stop.

“Getting everyone on the same

23

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Shop our NEW FALL COLLECTIONS for Pool & Patio

Photos by Ian Swaby

Model Gerri Shea showcases an outfit.

The ‘bear’ necessities

T

he dining hall of the Sarasota Yacht Club was filled on Oct. 23 with attendees for the annual fundraising luncheon event for Baby Basics of Sarasota County Inc. “It means the world to me,” said President Sandy Slaminko of the fundraiser, noting that close to 250 people attended.

The event featured a fashion show along with a raffle and silent auction, and, of course, the presence of teddy bears representing the title and theme of this year’s luncheon, The “Bear” Necessities.

All funds raised during the event will benefit the all-volunteer organization, which provides diapers and wipes to low-income families who do not have governmental assistance; provides books through a partnership with the Library Foundation for Sarasota County; and also engages personally with the babies and families to offer kindness and enrichment.

“It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” said Marilyn Keyes. “I support this event every year. This organization does wonderful things.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

25

ADVERTISEMENT

Ronto Announces Approval for The Owen Golden Gate Point in Downtown Sarasota

Designed by MHK Architecture and Planning, The Owen Golden Gate Point’s contemporary design will be awash in the neutral tones of the shore with gentle curves suggestive of the building’s setting on the Point.

The site encompasses the southern tip of the Point, gracefully arcing from east to west while providing partial bay and marina views from the residences. Wide, lightfilled floor plans with full-height windows will feature Ronto’s signature luxury finishes and features. Sensitive to the comfort of each resident, The Owen Golden Gate Point’s concrete block walls and ample airspace between floors will make noise transmission nearly non-existent.

The building’s amenities and common areas are being designed by Riley Interior Design Principal Carrie L. Riley, ASID. The LRM Group at Douglas Elliman located at 1350 Main Street, Suite 2 in downtown Sarasota will provide brokerage services for the project.

Artist’s Rendering

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s flowing great room and dining areas opens to a spacious covered balcony with glass railings and a built-in stainless-steel Artisan Professional Series grill with a hood.

“Golden Gate Point is one of the hottest neighborhoods in downtown Sarasota,” said Amy Drake, Broker Associate with the LRM Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “It’s literally in the middle of everything, and offers easy access by foot, bike, car, or trolly to St. Armand’s Circle, the beaches, and the shopping, dining, and gallery venues in the Sarasota downtown district.

Even amidst all the downtown activity, The Owen will convey a sense of tranquility. Gorgeous flowers, towering palm trees, a meandering walking path on the site’s perimeter, a convenient dog park, and a stunning pavered entry will contribute to the relaxed setting. Taken in combination with its array of resort-style amenities, The Owen presents a remarkable opportunity to enjoy a remarkable life in downtown Sarasota.”

Artist’s Rendering

Owners and their guests will be greeted in a grand two-story rotunda lobby.

The rotunda’s architecture provided Carrie Riley, ASID, an opportunity to make a visual statement that will be one of the interior’s most enduring memory points.

Artist’s Rendering

The Owen Golden Gate Point’s kitchens will be equipped to satisfy even the most discriminating gourmet.

The popularity of downtown Sarasota is stronger than ever. With the growing number of high-end residences, the emergence of new restaurants, shops, galleries, workout facilities and spas, and the presence of world-renowned theater, opera, and ballet, as well as its location along a pristine bayfront, it is no surprise downtown Sarasota is often found on the nation’s “best places to live” lists. Ideally situated in one of downtown Sarasota’s most cherished historic locations, the 22-acre Golden Gate Point peninsula’s smart, relaxed personality is distinctive and perfectly suited to a luxury lifestyle.

With its tree-lined sidewalks, brick pavered streets, gas lighted entry, and bayfront backdrop, Golden Gate Point is a peaceful neighborhood that is insulated from the typical hubbub, density, and congestion found in various other downtown areas. Protected sidewalks extend for miles in all directions, creating opportunities for an invigorating run, a peaceful walk with the dog, a trip to the marina or yacht club for fishing, boating, or dining. Just across from the entry to the Golden Gate Point community are the Ritz Carlton & Westin Hotels, where one can indulge in a meal, a cocktail, a rooftop encounter, or a spa treatment.

Residents of Owen Golden Gate Point will enjoy a comprehensive array of on-property resort-style amenities. In addition to its priceless amenity that is wrapped in its enviable location, Owen Golden Gate Point’s interior amenities will include a lobby reception area, a spacious Club Room with a bar and comfortable seating, a Board Room, a work from home space and a Game Room outfitted with an assortment of table and arcade games. A Fitness Center will offer state-of-the-art equipment, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a massage suite that will allow residents to invite their favorite massage therapist or simply stretch and tone in the generous spaces, a steam room, and sauna. Residents may also invite personal trainers to work with them within the Fitness Center. Outside, an expansive landscaped pavered amenity deck will include billowing palm trees and tropical container gardens, a saltwater pool with an infinity edge, an outdoor grilling area, a bocce ball court, and a spa.

Ronto has made reservations for residences at Owen Golden Gate Point available now. For additional information about this extraordinary opportunity, contact the LRM Group at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, located at 1350 Main Street, Suite 2 in downtown Sarasota.

Call 941.210.0987.

www.owengoldengate.com

412038-1

The award-winning Ronto Group announced that the Sarasota Planning Board has approved The Owen Golden Gate Point. One of the last condominiums to be developed on Golden Gate Point, the gated, mid-rise boutique building will include just 29 residences on eight floors over two levels of parking. Situated on a 1.18acre site, the building’s design features four residences per floor plus one residence on the amenity level that will include an oversized terrace outfitted with planters and a fire pit and direct access to the community pool.

The residences, including four penthouses, will range from 2,263 to 3,076 square feet under air. Framed by Sarasota Bay, and with generous terraces included with each residence, the gated Owen Golden Gate Point will be the ideal spot to capture gentle bay breezes and the ever-changing colors of Southwest Florida’s glorious sunsets. As well as offering extensive finish selections, The Owen is the only new downtown Sarasota offering with residences that are fully customizable during the pre-construction phase. Secure parking under the building with two spaces per residence, private elevator foyer and secured bike storage are included. Preconstruction pricing starts from $2.2 million.

Artist’s Rendering

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

SIESTA KEY 5131 Jungle Plum Road 6 Beds 6/1 Baths 6,369 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer 941-465-1124 A4564288 $9,480,000

SIESTA KEY 3722 Flamingo Avenue 5 Beds 5/2 Baths 4,985 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4546740 $6,750,000

SARASOTA 1522 N Lake Shore Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,783 Sq. Ft. Karen Chandler 941-544-4919 A4585210 $5,499,999

SARASOTA 1924 Lincoln Drive 4 Beds 4/3 Baths 5,434 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4570095 $4,750,000

SIESTA KEY 3920 Roberts Point Road 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,070 Sq. Ft. Melissa Gissinger 941-404-2722 A4565405 $4,495,000

SARASOTA 1543 Eastbrook Drive 4 Beds 5/1 Baths 4,788 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4575859 $3,995,000

SARASOTA 1605 Palmetto Lane 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,306 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4582351 $3,500,000

SARASOTA 1919 Irving Street 6 Beds 5/1 Baths 4,956 Sq. Ft. Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4586034 $3,500,000

SARASOTA 1718 Bay View Drive 6 Beds 5/1 Baths 4,644 Sq. Ft. Mackenzie Longueuil & Pat Mudgett 941-961-4023 A4584663 $3,350,000

SARASOTA 2704 Bay Shore Road 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,900 Sq. Ft. Klaus Lang & Nora Johnson 941-320-1223 A4553534 $2,900,000

SARASOTA 5340 Hunt Club Way 9 Beds 7/1 Baths 7,563 Sq. Ft. Richard Devita 941-416-8905 A4584473 $2,785,000

SIESTA KEY 6937 Midnight Pass Road 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,941 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer & Bianca Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4582749 $2,400,000

SARASOTA 3769 Caledonia Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,990 Sq. Ft. Richard Hearn 941-313-1591 A4579920 $2,250,000

SIESTA KEY 361 Avenida Leona 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,614 Sq. Ft. Sherri Mills 941-350-7112 A4573754 $2,199,500

SARASOTA 7314 Westmoreland Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 2,921 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4578524 $2,100,000

SARASOTA 446 Burns Court 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,313 Sq. Ft. Susan Katanic 941-400-0601 A4567393 $1,500,000

SARASOTA 42 Audubon Place 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,763 Sq. Ft. Fred Sassen & Barbara May 404-408-5956 A4585211 $1,450,000

SARASOTA 9261 Tequila Sunrise Drive 5 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,835 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4575308 $1,292,000

SIESTA KEY 1335 Siesta Bayside Drive 1335-C 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,280 Sq. Ft. Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4584108 $1,100,000

SIESTA KEY 6300 Midnight Pass Road 4 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,253 Sq. Ft. Maurice Menager & Lin Dunn 941-238-8119 A4577626 $925,000

SARASOTA 2004 Misty Sunrise Trail 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,314 Sq. Ft. Lindsay Nock 941-735-7005 A4583116 $850,000

SARASOTA 4888 Sabal Lake Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,151 Sq. Ft. Jeffrey Hinrichs 941-456-1251 A4576913 $799,999

SARASOTA 4448 Sage Green Terrace 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,107 Sq. Ft. Bernadette Caswell 941-320-8265 A4572213 $749,000

SARASOTA 4908 Creekside Trail 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,700 Sq. Ft. Maureen Horn 941-539-3384 A4585398 $625,000

SARASOTA 6519 43rd Court E 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,942 Sq. Ft. Larry Cushing 941-228-9814 A4568639 $599,000

SARASOTA 1137 N Lake Shore Drive 6 Beds 6/1 Baths 6,462 Sq. Ft. Nora Johnson 941-809-1700 A4585703 $8,950,000

SIESTA KEY 8324 Sanderling Road 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,674 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4562963 $7,995,000

SARASOTA 1389 Tangier Way 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,310 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4579881 $7,250,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 411769-1

26

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

OCT. 9-13

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Avondale tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Christopher and Kimberly Keelin, of Sparta, New Jersey, sold their home at 1957 Lincoln Drive to Sean Downing, of Sarasota, for $2.75 million.

Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 2,284 square feet of living area.

It sold for $2,475,000 in 2022.

SARASOTA

MARK SARASOTA Jane Kelso, Personal Representative, of Kensington, Maryland, sold the Unit 1007 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Hollandia Property Group LLC for $1.9 million.

Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.15 million in 2020.

ONE HUNDRED CENTRAL Linda O’Brien, trustee, and Patrick O’Brien, of Sarasota, sold the Unit E-911 condominium at 100 Central Ave. to Lewis Solomon and Janet Stern Solomon, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.79 million. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and 2,173 square feet of living area. It sold for $989,000 in 2013.

HOUSE OF INDIAN BEACH Mark Zarb and Rebecca Hing, of Sarasota, sold their home at 612 Bellora Way to Donald Gallehue and Ronda Gallehue, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1,625,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half bathrooms, a pool and 2,749 square feet of living area. It sold for $950,000 in 2020.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL Ted and Sandra Stuckey, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 1010 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Peter Durette and Stephanie Shreves Durette, of Sarasota, for $1,125,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,165,000 in 2022.

GREENWICH Samuel Miller, of Middlebury, Indiana, and Arlen Eicher, of Goshen, Indiana, sold their home at 2235 Datura St. to Brian Beaudette, of Sarasota, for $920,000.

Built in 1955, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pool and 1,849 square feet of living area. It sold for $610,000 in 2022.

BUCCANEER BAY Albert Perry and Barbara Alfidi, of Dublin, Georgia, sold their home at 7305 Captain Kidd Circle to Kathleen Sweeney, of Sarasota, for $750,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a

REAL ESTATE

Avondale home tops sales at $2.75 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

27

SIESTA KEY: $1.6 MILLION

Sandy Cove Elizabeth Hathaway Siegfried sold her Unit 10-5E condominium at 22 Sandy Cove Road to Craig Arnold, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for $1.6 million.

Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and 1,876 square feet of living area.

It sold for $511,000 in 2012.

PALMER RANCH: $800,000

Image courtesy of Realtor Adnan Dedic

A home in Avondale recently sold for $2.75 million. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 2,284 square feet of living area.

pool and 2,476 square feet of living area. It sold for $262,500 in 1998.

RINGLING BOULEVARD Franklin Popper and Denise BlazonPopper sold their home at 90 S. Jefferson Ave. to Harry Beukelman and Kemberley Banks-Beukelman, of Sarasota, for $740,000. Built in 1963, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,894 square feet of living area. It sold for $100,000 in 2002.

to Natallia Dziatsel and Dmitry Shah, of Osprey, for $500,000.

Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pool and 1,378 square feet of living area. It sold for $281,000 in 2017.

ONLINE

PURTZ Airavlak LLC sold the home at 2105 Hyde Park Circle to Thomas Pham and Chau Phi Phan, of San Jose, California, for $697,000.

Built in 1963, it has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 1,912 square feet of living area. It sold for $124,000 in 1999.

GULF GATE EAST Kevin Kerndt, of Venice, sold his home at 3872 Kingston Blvd. to DD REI FL LLC for $690,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pool and 1,784 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2022.

GULF GATE WOODS Vladimir and Marina Litovchenko, of West Sacramento, California, sold their home at 7465 Biltmore Drive to Gary Matter and Shawn Foor, of Ft. Myers, for $589,000.

Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,543 square feet of living area. It sold for $338,500 in 2021.

OAK SHORES Ronald Lee Good and Nancy Sue Good, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3452 Bay St. to John and Barbara Stroltzfus, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for $550,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,210 square feet of living area.

It sold for $120,000 in 2012.

FLORA-VILLA Brian Cresanto, of St. Petersburg, Noble Cresanto and Margaret Bennett, of Queenstown, Maryland, sold their home at 4541 Cactus Ave.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Villagewalk Joel and Marcia Faber sold their home at 5805 Valente Place to Lynn Flaster Paul, trustee, of Westport, Connecticut, for $800,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a pool and 2,521 square feet of living area.

It sold for $455,000 in 2012.

NOKOMIS: $785,000

Calusa Lakes Lyall and Nancy Perley, of Nokomis, sold their home at 2095 Timucua Trail to David Belko and Stephanie Boccabella, of Nokomis, for $785,000.

Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pool and 2,223 square feet of living area. It sold for $285,000 in 2015.

In with the new NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Downtown St. Petersburg

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1MM’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com SOLD OUT

Longboat Key

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From $2.4MM to $10.9MM | Call for appointment | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com 1 FINAL OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota building permits issued for the week of Oct. 9-13, in order of dollar amounts.

Downtown Sarasota

CITY OF SARASOTA Permit

Applicant

Amount

835 Norsota Way

Windows

David Leland

$145,000

2135 Fourth St.

Pool/Deck

Timothy Craig

$124,012

1655 North Drive

Pool

Kenneth Meredith

$113,108

523 S. Palm Ave.

Windows/Doors

Jane Knapp

$108,246

3049 Bay Shore Road

Re-roof

Dale Asplund

$104,794

2557 Ringling Blvd.

Pool/Spa/Deck

Nicholas Markris

$79,000

1524 North Drive

Dock/Boat Lift

Jose De Castro

$50,416

1968 High Point Circle

Solar System

Christopher Bretz

$43,853

612 Indian Beach Lane

Dock/Boat Lift

Richard Clark

$36,577

800 Hudson Ave.

Windows

Michael Gibson

$35,247

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | thecollection1335.com

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

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

mscdeveloperservices.com | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of December 2022

Source: City of Sarasota

Licensed Real Estate Broker

411721-1

Address

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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YOUR CALENDAR

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TRICK OR TRIPLES 9 a.m. to noon at Payne Park Tennis Center, 2050 Adams Lane Free. Players from pros to beginners are invited to dress up in a costume and compete in a costume contest as well as games of tennis. For information, visit EventBrite.com.

SIESTA KEY SAFE TREATS 3-6 p.m. at South Village (at the

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY 8 p.m. to midnight at The Gator Club, 1490 Main St. Free. Advertised as the largest block party in Sarasota, this event features live music, costume contests and food trucks.

FIRST KIDS PUMPKIN FEST 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at First Sarasota – The Downtown Baptist Church, 1661 Main St. Free. While kids enjoy balloon artists, face painting and more, parents can hear from Christian psychologist Dr. Charles Lowery on mental wellness and balancing life’s demands. For information, visit FirstSarasota.org.

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT AT THE LIBRARY! 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. Kids in costume can visit each service desk in the library to obtain treats. A mini pumpkin-decorating craft and a green screen for taking photos will be featured in the Teen Center. For information visit SCGovLibrary.

LibraryMarket.com.

WINNER

SATURDAY, OCT. 28

SUNDAY, OCT. 29

TUESDAY, OCT. 31

heraldtribune.com

BEST BET

MAD SCIENCE HALLOWEEN 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Gulf Gate Library Meeting Room, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Free. Children will use science to reverse a witch’s spell on Count Eggbert in an event that involves potions, a dry ice cemetery and floating eyeballs, in this activity for ages 3-12. Costumes are welcome.

For information, visit SCGovLibrary.

LibraryMarket.com.

BUBBLE AND BREW ... A WITCHY HALLOWEEN JUST FOR YOU! 10 a.m. to noon at The Children’s Garden and Art Center, 1670 10th Way. Ages 13 and up, $10; ages 3 years and up, $6; infants and toddlers 2 and under free. Visit a garden that has been transformed into a witch’s garden with a Halloween nature scavenger hunt and a bubble and brew station. For information, visit Facebook.com/­ SarasotaChildrensGarden/

Voted One of

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

SATURDAY, OCT. 28

intersection of Stickney Point Road and Midnight Pass Road) and Siesta Key Village (along Ocean Boulevard).

Hosted by Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, this event allows kids to trick or treat with different businesses marked by festive balloons. For information, visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.

MOTE A-SCARE-IUM 2023 5-8 p.m. at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway. Free with admission and free for Mote members. Ages 13 and up, $26; ages 3-12, $19. Activities available will include trick-ortreating at stations throughout the aquarium, a scavenger hunt, the ability to view underwater pumpkin carving, live music, a photo booth, face painting, a bounce house, education stations, crafts and more. For information and to purchase tickets, visit Mote.org.

FRIGHT NIGHT IN THE CIRCLE From 6-8:30 p.m. at St. Armands Circle. Fright Night transforms St. Armands Circle into a Halloween experience. Storefronts will have spooky decor, ready for the wandering spirits of St. Armands. Frightening characters will abound as statues filled with Halloween spirit may cause a scare. Adults and children can trick or treat throughout the Circle.

Internal Medicine

WELCOMES

Philip Murphy, DO Board Certified, Internal Medicine Dr. Philip Murphy brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Hyde Park office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Internal Medicine.

Undergraduate:

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Medical School:

Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA

Residency:

Internal Medicine, Broward Health Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Certification:

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SANTA STOPS / Page 10 / Don’t miss your chance to see St. Nick before Christmas SHIPPING DEADLINES / Page 18 / Make sure your gift arrives on time TRAVEL TIPS / Page 37 / Ways to stay healthy and happy on the road

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941-278-5391 2001 Manatee Avenue E. Ste 104

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4900 Linton Blvd #3 (In between Poppies Restaurant and Kristi Cleaners)

11985 Southern Blvd (In between Publix and Sal’s)

(Bradenton Pain and Wellness Center)

SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE NUMBERS: HTP-1029, HTP-1024, HTP-1031, HTP-1023, HAS-0573, HAS-0642, HAS-0637, HAS0638, HAS-0633 SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE NUMBERS: HTP-1029, HTP-1024, HTP-1031, HTP-1023, HAS-0573, HAS-0642, HAS-0637, HAS0638, HAS-0633

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4739 N Congress Ave (In between Dollar Tree and Fon Shan Chinese)

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6725 West Indiantown Rd Bay 39 (In Jupiter West Plaza)

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412073-1

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30

YourObserver.com

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, OCT. 26

Submit your photos at YourObserver. com/contests.

All submissions will be entered for the 2023-24 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2024, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 87 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 5%

FRIDAY, OCT. 27 High: 88 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 7%

Thursday, Oct. 26

7:36a

6:51p

Friday, Oct. 27

7:37a

6:50p

Saturday, Oct. 28

7:38a

6:49p

Sunday, Oct. 29

7:38a

6:48p

Monday, Oct. 30

7:39a

6:48p

Tuesday, Oct. 31

7:40a

6:47p

Wednesday, Nov. 1

7:40a

6:46p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT. 28 High: 89 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 7%

Oct. 28 Full

Nov. 5 Last

Nov. 13 New

Nov. 20 First

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, OCT. 29 High: 88 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 10%

Monday, Oct. 16

0

Tuesday, Oct. 17

0

Wednesday, Oct. 18

0

Thursday, Oct. 19

0

Friday, Oct. 20

0

Saturday, Oct. 21

0

Sunday, Oct. 22

0.01

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Patty Flynn took this photo of a boat passing by Siesta Key at sunset.

YEAR TO DATE: 2023 22.84 in.

2022 49.02 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2023 0.70 in.

2022 1.78 in.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC Pur-fect for the Whole Family

celebrity cipher

©2023 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

33 PRIZE FLOWER SUC-

CUMBS TO HEAT! (Donna, 1 Japan’s continent Doris, Bill, Axl) 5 It’s a relief!

43 Speech fillers 8 Milan luxury label 13 “I’m just a soul ___ inten- 44 Actress Mendes 45 Actress Merman tions are good” 46 Round number?

18 Loot 19 Hemsworth of “The Duel” 47 It lifts the sole 49 “The Addams Family” 21 George Eliot’s “___ cousin Marner” 51 Dethrones 22 Lofty lodge 23 BESTSELLING MEMOIR 53 Stretched-out yarn?

ROILED BY CONTROVERSY! 54 VIRAL RUMOR PLUM(Patti, Tina, Jordin, Roberta) METS IPHONE SALES! (Keith, John, Bruno, Fiona) 27 Bete ___ 58 Grammy-winning 28 Ancestry.com offering Outkast hit 29 Poker giveaways 30 Australian airport code 59 “Victory is yours” 60 Word on a rap sheet 31 PC key 61 Provides personnel 32 Promethean gift

PILFERS SALVATION ARMY 64 Impassioned BUCKET! (Sheryl, Stevie, 66 Furry marsupial Billie, Johnny) 67 Show the ropes 70 “Stanley ___: Searching 96 Purina rival 97 Singer DiFranco for Italy” 98 Karaoke need 74 TEEN CRAFTS BREAD MASTERPIECE! (Neil, Anita, 99 Protein-building acid 101 Faux glow Harry, Meat) 105 Literally, “for this” 79 Reporter for “a great metropolitan newspaper” 108 GALLOPING GALAHAD GORES GRAIL! (Taylor, 80 Land south of Georgia 81 One-named “Chandelier” Gladys, Britney, Billy) 112 Start of a kid’s rhyme singer 113 “Be less curious about 82 The “A” in “MMA” people and more curious 83 Current kick 84 Network that was once about ___” (Marie Curie quote) PAX 114 Give out one’s address?

85 TV spot for good 115 Star’s closing act?

87 Green opening 116 Doctors, in a way 88 WINGED PIRATE

55 Soviet refusenik Sharansky 56 Ballet center?

57 Stout servings DOWN 62 Bit of marine life 1 Viper’s relative 63 Corduroy and duck 2 Wild trumpeter 64 Be in a cast 3 “I follow him to serve my 65 Matthew of “The Ameriturn upon him” speaker cans” 4 Boomer’s workplace 66 Decluttering guru Marie concern 67 Tithe portion, often 5 Duke’s colorful character 68 Cynthia of “Harriet” 6 Word before “space” or 69 Solid ___ rock “ball” 71 Empire and Fuji centers 7 Smoothed (down) 72 Corral 8 Secretive “Hey!” 73 “In that case ...”

9 Ready to drop, perhaps 74 Time for a revolution?

10 “Sorry to say ...”

75 Run ___ (rampage) 11 Pub projectile 76 Gets 12 Pose 77 Pop’s Dua 13 Mass consumption?

78 Pigeons 14 “Catch-22” author 79 Popeyes rival 15 Word of mouth?

86 They’re far from basic 16 Sets (on) 89 Nintendo “exergaming” 17 Comical squeal product 20 Gifted group 90 French site of a 1598 24 “I might be able to edict answer that” 91 “Didn’t hurt too bad” 25 Leaving a lot uncovered? 92 Pullup targets, briefly 26 Flap 93 Out of place 32 Was in a blue state 94 Patronize, as a cafe 33 Kipling’s ___ Khan 95 More than sore 34 Expiration date words 99 Amazed 35 Take on a starring role? 100 Car in “The Italian Job” 36 Takes an indirect route 101 Bona ___ 37 Rapper’s line?

102 James who wrote “Let 38 Ellington’s “Take ___ Us Now Praise Famous Train” Men” 39 Get an earful 103 Sal who started an 40 Iridescent gems academy 41 Rosemary relative 104 Artsy online site 42 Bold competitor?

106 Axe target 43 “Fuhgeddaboudit!”

107 Pirate’s hideout, 48 Details, as a scheme perhaps 50 Welcome letters for a 108 “Told you!” nine-to-fiver 109 Peeve 51 Card game call 110 Wong of “Beef” 52 Prime Day offering 111 Saul Goodman’s 53 Instrument useful for bailiwick flippers

“N’TT IXLXU JMNB ATGVNIF RSMIBUV ZMONR, SU GB TXGOB GREISPTXWFNIF NB, GTPGVO, GO BYX RSUIXUOBSIX SD PYGB N GZ.”

WPNFYB VSGEGZ

“E’Z TBIEJI FNN XFTIMDOBU DK GEUU DMOEB ZKDMOBU. ... LKT’BO JOCOB DKK IBKHJ-TV DK ZEUU FJX MTI MOB.” XBFGO

“VHCG XC M FNTVMCNCI KMUMIHXC, IPN XUNMC HR IPN XCJB VNGHUMIHXC. YHRPHCW VB UXCGHIHXC MHC’I NKNT WXCCM WX MYMB.”

SHVVB ELOONII

Puzzle Three Clue: E equals B

117 Minute 118 “___ a pity” 119 Cultivated

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Two Clue: H equals W

HEADLINE PERFORMERS by Sam Koperwas and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

Puzzle One Clue: L equals V

crossword

399844-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

10-26-23

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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

Adult Care Services

1BR/1BA 1350 Main St, in heart of Downtown Sarasota. Beautiful 3rd floor, turn key, furnished condo in upscale building overlooking main street.

Amenities include: concierge, reserved in-building parking, pool, fitness center, and more.

Available for seasonal rental starting May 1 through Nov. $3,500/mo. Includes all.

Call George: 516-220-1411.

WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577

CRATE ACOUSTIC amplifier.

Model # Ca110DG. Like new. $100. 941-928-7708 NFL jerseys, 6 for $99. GREAT DEAL. Call Joseph 941.780.9219 QUEEN HEADBOARD, dresser, bed frame/$100. 2 bar stools, 36 inch/$75. Dee: 913-645-6469

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

real estate GREAT OPPORTUNITY close to AMI, no flood insurance, 3 bed 2 bath 2 car/garage. Private pool. $699,900 2 Bed Condo Full Gulf Views$749,900 Looking for other homes with pools to buy/sell.

Looking for multi-unit properties.

Looking for sellers to hold note/mortgage. Seller financing, down payment and monthly payments. Avoid gain taxes.

Good, bad, ugly, We buy and sell houses fast.

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

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call 941-726-2677

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

OUR ONLINE TOOLS MAKE IT EASY TO PLACE YOUR AD

SYLVANA PORTABLE air conditioner - $100.

Call-864-602-1556

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

SELL STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

MOVING SALE Sat. Oct. 28th.

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Vintage Fiestaware and more!

2037 Champion St, Sarasota.

Merchandise Wanted SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Room for Rent

Help Wanted 7-11 1841 S. Tamiami Trl. store is hiring shift manager. $16/hr to start. Retail/management experience necessary. For details call 941-362-0232 INFORMATION SECURITY and Systems Manager sought by Planned Parenthood of SW and Central Florida in Sarasota, FL. Telecommuting permitted.

Secures the n/work-Acess control, Threat Protection, Detection, AV, Filtering, MFA, overall ensuring the adherence of the security policy.

Reqs: Bach deg in Comp Sci, Info Security, or a directly rel field or foreign equiv. 2 yrs exp in IT Operations or in a rel role. Send resume to Elyse Morgan at Elyse.Morgan@ppswcf.org (Subject: Info Security & Systems Manager)

POOL STUDIO, one room, completely furnished with private entrance/bath.

Non-smoker, no pets, clean & quiet.

Must call, no texts!

941-345-6762

You’re only cheating yourself.

HUGE GARAGE SALE Sat. Nov, 28th 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

3888 Shady Brook Ln, Sarasota.

Men’s XL shirts, women’s small, x-mas, watches, knives, antiques, books, airforce collectibles, bags, rugs, vinyl, scuba, and la corrida.

PalmCoastObserver.com/RedPages

peekers’ place

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

Visit the RED PAGES

jobs

48’X21’ BOAT SLIP P07, at Long Boat Key moorings FOR SALE! Slip runs north and south, and provides views of Sarasota Bay. Asking $250,000 and will consider respectful offers.

Slip does not require membership at the moorings.

PH: 941-724-9486 brent@diffley-wright.com

101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Homes for Sale

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

GARAGE SALE

As low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

Adult Care Services ADULT CARE AND SERVICES Amish raised Helping Hands LLC Need help with your loved one?

We are here to help. We provide 24/7 care. Cooking, shopping, dr. appts., personal care, etc.

13+ yrs exp. Have refs.

Call 941-400-9743

•Caregivers/Companions •Personal Care •CNA’s/HHA’s •Assistance with Daily Living Activities •Hourly 24/7 Care •Affordable Rates •Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

PERSONAL CARE GIVERPrivate care: Meal preparation, errands, shopping, and more.

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

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

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

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

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

Cleaning ARELIS CLEANING Services Inc. Residential & Commercial cleaning, powerwashing and interior/exterior painting.

Licensed, bonded & insured.

941-822-4114 BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 Landscaping/ Lawn AdvertiseServices your business or service in the Observer

Gardener

REDGal PAGES Florida plants for people, birds & butterflies.

CALL TODAY Landscape preservation.

941-955-4888 Formerly with Selby Botanical and Univ. of Florida Extension Service.

EUROPEAN CLEANING Service

by Kasia. Great work & experience. Please call for professional house cleaning.

(973)830-6283

Call or Text Lisa TODAY 941.271.1128

Health Services

We do everything the lawn guys don’t do!

NO MOWING

PRIVATE DUTY NURSE

Call 941-565-6523

•COMPASSIONATE, CUSTOMIZED CARE TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS •HIGHLY SKILLED & HOSPITAL TRAINED CALL TO DISCUSS A PLAN OF CARE FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE TODAY. KELLY (941) 350-2204

This week’s Crossword answers

WEED PULLING by Chris

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

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

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I’ll never quit playing country music, or at least acknowledging it, always, as the cornerstone of what I am.”

Dwight Yoakam Puzzle Two Solution: “I’m urging all daughters to kiss their mothers. ...

You’re never too grown-up to miss and hug her.”

Drake Puzzle Three Solution: “Mind on a permanent vacation, the ocean is the only medication. Wishing my condition ain’t ever gonna go away.”

Jimmy Buffett

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2023 Universal Uclick

©2023 NEA, Inc.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Autos Wanted

Visa/MC

home services

Items Under $200

auto

stuff

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

Paint the town RED! Paint the town RED!

Between

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Carpentry

Doors

McKnight Construction

Sliding Glass Door Repair

Remodel & Home Improvements

Is Your Computer Feeling Sick?

Divorce without Lawyers

Patio Furniture Repairs.com Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

Let Us Fix It!

Call A Geek

941-504-0903

Computer ServiCeS

Divorce is never fun, but it does not have to be nasty & hateful! Protect your family relationships and assets from expensive Court litigation. Consider Divorce Mediation, the peaceful alternative.

(941) 351-7260 call-a-geek.net

Call me for a free 30 minute consultation before you call a Divorce Lawyer!

Computer Repair & Service Virus & Malware Removal / Protection New System Set Up / Data Transfer Networking: Wired/Wireless Installation Data Recovery / Remote Support One-On-One Tutoring / Training

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

Over 19 yrs serving Manatee/Sarasota Counties

We have mediated divorces involving up to 10 million dollars of assets over past 27 years.

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

941-929-9095

SELL YOUR CAR! FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU 5-Star Rated

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

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

941-735-3362

411193

412024

FREE (941) 809-7311 ESTIMATES!

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Home Watch

RED PAGES

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

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Concrete

Michael Koch Concrete Inc.

Dave and Connie Grundy

All Phases of Flat Work & Stone Work

Free Estimates! • No Job Too Small

Please see attached images.

941-918-8587 Client would like similar layout as their business card.

NHWA logo should be at the bottom of the ad.

Doors

Miller’s Home Watch & Services Providing Peace Of Mind

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

Merlin & Lila Miller 941-685-6848 • Millershomewatch@gmail.com Thanks!

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Call us today! 941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

413203

Find anything in the RED PAGES

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999 Miller’s Home Watch & Services

Providing Peace Of Mind

MERLIN & LILA MILLER 941-685-6848

Millershomewatch@gmail.com

412630

411095

24 Hour Care • Full Service Home Health Care www.tlchomecaresrq.com • (941) 320-9678 Now Hiring HHA’s & CNA’s

411187

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

Made for where you live. Here!

412644

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

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Caregiver/Companion

941-955-4888

eRvice

Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America

Pegatronics.com

HoHoBuysCars.com

epaiR

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

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

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

ome

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

6968 Beneva Road

Auto Service

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S

Health

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

412046

Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator 677 N. Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236 SarasotaDivorceMediator.com 941-727-5555

Handyman

24/7 SERVICE

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

William J. Leininger, JD

412026

Furniture Repair

Computer

411184

Attorney

941.270.4400

941~400~6786

Sarasota County

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

412054

411189

YoderAluminum.com

Mike McKnight

Free Estimates

411280

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

412055

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Professional Craftmanship on Carpentry • Cabinets Plank Floors • All Trims and Moldings Pressure Cleaning Services

409535

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

412056

Aluminum

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

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613 Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

412956

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YourObserver.com

Landscaping & Lawn

Roofing

FIRST RESPONDER OWNED & OPERATED

ROCK & SHELL LANDSCAPING

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

WASHED SHELL, LIMESTONE

Building & Roofing Contractor

RIVER GRAVEL, GRAYSTONE

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

BOULDERS, BRICK PAVERS

YARDS INSTALLED DRIVEWAYS

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE SARASOTA NATIVE

www.shorelockhomewatch.com

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Movers

1/10/23, 10:25 AM

Wizard Moving SRQ For $149 per hour you get:

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE

A truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to

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make your moving day a pleasure.

411199

Pet Care by Melanie Gates

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Res./Com.

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

THE GRAB BAR GUY GLENN KROECKER

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

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

941-923-8140

Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

412037

*DRILLING CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR MARBLE, GRANITE OR PORCELAIN. COUPON REQUIRED.

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

20%

941-444-9187 | PurplePools.net

Licensed & Insured

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

ows

150

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Pools

OFF your first

3 months

413204

364556 412637

DRGRABBARS.COM

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

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing s a S u n n w r o i s n e k W Sun y ind erl

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General Plumbing Services Inc.

1/1

Windows

412057

(941) 966-2960

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

412638

Trees

412058

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10% off

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

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

941.966.0333

Airports, Concerts, Dinners & Cruises www.towncarservicebradenton.com 410036

412060

Pet Services

249 235

941-248-4734

412958

Licensed and insured #IMT708

* $ $235

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Transportation

Roofing

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

412030

412969

dan@shorelockhomewatch.com

DAVID

412027

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(941) 228-6479

412067

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$

33

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

412033

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

RED PAGES

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

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Gulf Gate RoofinG inc.

Made for where you live. Here!

Specializing in Re-Roofing & Repairs

RED PAGES

38 Years Experience

All Work Guaranteed

941-228-9850

Joe Murray, Owner

Fully Insured

State Licensed Contractor #CCC057066

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

412959

YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

OVER $141 MILLION SOLD AND PENDING IN 2023 OVER $199 MILLION SOLD AND PENDING IN 2022

JUST LISTED $1,370,000

226 GOLDEN GATE POINT #33 HARBOR HOUSE WEST – GOLDEN GATE POINT

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

$22,000,000

$2,750,000

3799 FLAMINGO AVENUE SIESTA KEY

128 GOLDEN GATE POINT #601B VISTA BAY POINT

$8,600,000

$949,000

3909 CASEY KEY ROAD CASEY KEY

393 NORTH POINT ROAD #602 MERIDIAN AT THE OAKS PRESERVE

NO. 1 SMALL TEAM by sales volume in Sarasota and Manatee counties

NO. 15 volume in Florida

Small team by sales

To find out more about our recordbreaking luxury sales and how we can work for you, scan the QR code.

Joel Schemmel, J.D., REALTOR® Joel.Schemmel@PremierSIR.com 941.587.4894 SCHEMMELSODAGROUP.COM With expert market knowledge and unparalleled team resources, we can provide the highest level of service throughout the buying and selling process for customers on the barrier islands, mainland neighborhoods, and in the area’s golf course and master-planned communities, including Lakewood Ranch and Palmer Ranch.

CONTACT US TODAY! Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources, including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate.

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