Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 3.21.24

WEEK OF MAR. 21, 2024

BY THE NUMBERS

“As projects come in and become successful, I think we’re going to develop serious momentum going forward.”

Sarasota Planning Director Steven Cover on affordable housing zoning text amendments. Read more on page 5A

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board of Directors has approved a $1 million grant to match $1 million in anonymous donations to benefit The Bay park. It marks the halfway point of a challenge match by the GCCF to raise $4 million for The Bay by Dec. 31, 2024. The funding will be used to support the design and development of a new resilient shoreline as part of Phase 2 of the city-owned, 53-acre park, as well as free park programming. The Bay is being developed and

operated under the stewardship of the Bay Park Conservancy.

Since opening in October 2022, more than 400,000 people have visited The Bay and more than 50,000 have participated in free events and programs offered in the park via programming partnerships.

“This important challenge match from Gulf Coast demonstrates the importance of The Bay and its growing positive impact on the environment and on people,” said Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley in the release. “Creating and

providing access to more sustainable green space and more high-quality free programming enables the park to continue to be a delightful place that is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community.” Extending the resilient shoreline as part of Phase 2 will build on the environmental restoration efforts throughout the park, treating millions of gallons of stormwater before entering Sarasota Bay.

Selby Gardens voted third best in the US

A new survey has rated Marie Selby Botanical Gardens among the best in the U.S. The gardens has placed third in the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the Best Botanical Garden category.

According to a news release, nominees were chosen by a panel of relevant experts including editors from USA Today and from 10Best. com. Selby Gardens was among 20 gardens nominated. Voting by the public between Feb. 5 and March 4 narrowed the list down to the top 10.

“We want to thank the Sarasota community and supporters of Selby Gardens for voting for us,” said Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki in the news release.

“Thanks to you, Selby Gardens is receiving national recognition and we can continue to broadly showcase our mission.”

Selby Gardens is composed of the 15-acre downtown Sarasota campus and the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey. The downtown campus recently completed the first of three phases of its master plan expansion and renovation.

Food rescue rebrands to reflect mission

In a strategic move to better reflect its mission and to facilitate broader community engagement, Transition Sarasota is rebranding as Community Harvest SRQ.

The organization is committed to reducing food waste, addressing food insecurity and fostering a resilient local food economy across Sarasota and Manatee counties.

With enhanced brand clarity, Community Harvest SRQ aims to expand its reach and services. It will continue to support local food recovery through the Suncoast Gleaning Project, Suncoast Fruit Rescue and a new Farmers Market Produce Recovery program. It will also present the annual Eat Local Week celebration and offer educational events throughout the year.

To learn more about these programs and how to get involved, visit CommunityHarvestSRQ.org/GetInvolved.

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s new report card goes beyond water quality with data on seagrass and other important indicators.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

Is water quality the only indicator of a healthy ecosystem? Not quite.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program recently published its 2023 Ecosystem Health Report Card, which showed that all bays in the area are in good standing with their ecosystem health. The chart also shows a larger trend of the bays, from a period of stability to a decline, then back to a recovery.

Dave Tomasko, executive director for SBEP, said that water quality is one factor in determining ecosystem health, but there’s more to consider.

“People use the words water quality and ecosystem health like they’re the same thing, and they’re not,” Tomasko said.

Water quality is like dipping a bottle into the bay and looking at what’s in it, he said. But looking at the full picture requires examining data on nitrogen, chlorophyll, seagrasses and macroalgae.

Macroalgae are the large seaweeds that commonly grow on the bottom of the bay or found floating. Those plants are valuable food sources for animals like manatees and sea turtles.

But when macroalgae blooms occur, it decreases the amount of oxygen in the water which is harmful for marine life.

“If we don’t collect this information, we’re going to miss one of the big problems,” Tomasko said.

Tomasko said the SBEP came up with the idea for the Ecosystem Health Report Card around 2021, and was able to use historical data to create the chart going back to 2006.

On the chart, there are three time periods that Tomasko pointed out.

From 2006 to 2012, the ecosystem health of the bay was good and stable. Then, in 2013, a period of decline started, which went until about 2019.

Since 2020, the bay has been recovering, leading to the 2023 report that shows a good bill of health.

Seagrass is another one of the ecosystem health components, and the data of seagrass coverage fortifies the time periods Tomasko outlined.

Before 2013, there was about a 28% increase in seagrass coverage, according to Tomasko. In the decline period from 2013-2019, there was

about a 30% loss in coverage. Then, a steady increase in the last couple years.

Now, the SBEP is waiting to get updated seagrass maps. Aerial images and surveys were recently completed, but the SBEP won’t get the results back until 2025.

Based on his own observations and hopes, Tomasko said he has a personal estimate of 800 acres of added seagrass in the survey.

“Seagrass is an indicator of a healthy system, and I think it’s going to be a big increase,” Tomasko said. “I think it’s going to be the biggest increase we’ve had in more than a decade.”

Nitrogen is also an ecosystem health indicator and, like macroalgae, there’s a fine line between “good” levels and too much. At stable levels, it’s an important nutrient for all marine life. But if there’s too much, algae blooms can occur.

Tomasko said the nitrogen levels have been good, and estimated the numbers are at the lowest in the past 15 years.

Stormwater and wastewater are common contributors to high nitrogen levels. Previous years’ yellow, or “concern,” reports were caused in part by wastewater. Tomasko said while some facilities were doing well with about 95% of wastewater, the 5% was enough to set the bay back in that period of decline.

“And that’s the thing with wastewater, it’s more damaging than stormwater,” Tomasko said.

Wastewater systems have been mostly fixed since then, he said.

In 2021, the Palma Sola Bay, Upper Bay and Roberts Bay all received an A grade on the report card. Little Sarasota Bay and Blackburn Bay got B’s, which are still good.

Then, in 2022, Little Sarasota Bay dropped to yellow, or a C grade. That indicates there’s an area of concern.

Tomasko said that dip was because of Hurricane Ian, and Little Sarasota Bay was one of the bays most impacted by the storm. Since then, Little Sarasota Bay has recovered to a B grade.

In 2023, Palma Sola Bay continued to be one of the healthiest, and maintained an A grade, indicated by the blue. All other bays were green, with a B grade.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS

The SBEP was also recently asked to join an organization called the Agency on Bay Management.

The ABM is a natural resources committee of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. The committee brings together other organizations to encourage conversations and collaborations between the stakeholders involved in the protection and use of the region’s waterways.

Tomasko said he received an invite to join the ABM about three weeks ago. The SBEP was never a part of the agency before.

The new partnership costs nothing for the SBEP, and allows the SBEP to collaborate more with other agencies in Tampa Bay. There’s also more opportunities for peer review on approaches to management.

Sharing the approaches and data is important, since some issues between Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay overlap.

For example, after the Piney Point incident in 2021, the SBEP collected macroalgae data in places further north like Holmes Beach — technically outside of its normal range.

Though the Piney Point spill happened in Tampa Bay, there were negative impacts further south.

“It’s kind of the opposite of Las Vegas, like ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’” Tomasko said. “What happens in Tampa Bay doesn’t stay in Tampa Bay.”

In the future, Tomasko hopes that, through this partnership, the SBEP can share its approaches and success stories with agencies in Tampa Bay, and vice versa.

He said this will be important in the coming years, as Sarasota County continues to try to reestablish a connection between Little Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In Tampa Bay, there have been several tidal restoration projects that Tomasko said he hopes to learn from.

“We get to talk to them about improving our water quality, and we get to learn from them a little bit about how they did the tidal restoration.”

“People use the words water quality and ecosystem health like they’re the same thing, and they’re not.”

— Dave Tomasko, executive director for SBEP

SARASOTA BAY ECOSYSTEM HEALTH REPORT CARD

Conflict of interest

Erik Arroyo’s role as registered agent should disqualify him from future City Island talks, says resident.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

ASarasota city commissioner has been accused of having a conflict of interest with regard to a privately initiated proposal to partner with the city to renovate Ken Thompson Park on City Island and to include a park golf course on a portion of the 25 acres there.

During the public comments portion of Monday’s City Commission meeting, Rob Grant said Commissioner Erik Arroyo is listed as the registered agent for Park Golf Entertainment — formerly Ride Entertainment — and Park Golf Entertainment Orlando. Park Golf Entertainment owners and brothers, Jeffrey and David Koffman, have proposed the public-private partnership to activate Ken Thompson Park.

Grant suggested commissioners reconsider their approval to allow an advisory board to vet the proposal and make a recommendation.

limited liability companies and corporations are required to designate a registered agent.

“For me and others that just learned about this there’s a real perception problem,” Grant said.

Arroyo told the Observer that he will defer to City Attorney Robert Fournier to advise him of any conflict of interest if there’s future consideration of the proposal. He did comment later in the meeting that, if a conflict exists, he will recuse himself from any votes regarding Park Golf Entertainment.

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“As we know a 3-2 vote with Commissioner Arroyo’s support advanced this proposal for consideration at the April 18 meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection advisory board,” Grant said.

According to state records, the listed contact for both park golf entities is Gregory Stoeckle with an address at 4500 Carmichael Ave. in Sarasota. That address is the warehouse for Florida Design Works, a kitchen and bath company owned by the Koffmans. Arroyo is listed as the registered agent for both park golf companies. A registered agent is an individual selected by a business to receive taxand legal-related communications from the state of incorporation. Both

“I want to make it clear that my role as registered agent for the marketing company and its Orlando branch is purely administrative,” Arroyo said. “Our office receives official mail and forwards it, something we routinely do for other companies. I have no operational or financial stake in these companies. I’ve since learned that Ride Entertainment may either change its name or do business with another entity that I’ve learned my law firm acts as a registered agent for.

“For clarity, there is no overlap of ownership between Ride Entertainment and the company that is proposing the partnership with them.”

During a previous interview, the Koffman brothers told the Observer that they are rebranding Ride Entertainment to Park Golf Entertainment. Articles of incorporation for Park Golf Entertainment were filed with the state on Jan. 27, 2023.

Courtesy image Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo.

The magic number

New residential projects that include an overall percentage of 11% affordable units are coming to downtown Sarasota.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Sarasota city commissioners are in unanimous agreement that the city is in an affordable housing crisis, but they’re divided on the formula for how to resolve it.

On March 2, commissioners narrowly approved on first reading a proposed text amendment to encourage private development of affordable housing outside the downtown zone districts by a 3-2 vote. The primary objection by dissenters Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and Commissioner Debbie Trice was that the ordinance requires too few affordable units for the density bonus allowed.

Although they didn’t call it a “developer giveaway” as portrayed by some detractors, they wanted to see a little more for the reward of a bonus of three times the base density along commercial corridors and in commercial centers.

In summary, the ZTA covers some 700 properties in 29 different existing zone districts with future land use identified as Urban Mixed-Use. The concept is to encourage mixeduse redevelopment where market rate and affordable housing renters can live close to where they work and multimodal transportation such as transit.

Including the incentives in a mixed-use development, staff said, can result in suburban sprawl being redeveloped into self-contained, complete communities.

The bonus density is available to developers that set aside 15% of those additional units and price them as affordable, defined as attainable for households earning 80% or less, 100% or less or 120% or less of the area median income.

AVERAGE RENT SKYROCKETS

The average rent for one-bedroom apartments in the city of Sarasota rose from $1,000 per month in 2018 to $1,250 per month in 2020 and to $2,150 per month in 2023, according to rental search website Zumper.

The affordable units must be divided equally among those three tiers, share common access and amenities, be spread out among the entire project and be identical to the market-rate units.

Ahearn-Koch in particular was displeased that the 15% of the bonus density comprises only 11% of the overall project, and although she couldn’t identify the tipping point, she said that number should be higher.

Planning Director Steven Cover told the Observer that the affordability ratio of the density bonus wasn’t selected at random, but was based on research of other programs, developer input and, locally, examples of what does and does not work.

The Rosemary District, for example, has for a decade offered bonus density of four times base density in exchange for 25% affordable units. That incentive has thus far produced zero results.

But a year in with the new bonus density of four times the base in exchange for 15% of that bonus being priced as affordable, the city is beginning to see results.

“It’s easy to say 25% or 30% will generate more attainable housing units,” Cover said. “The developers just won’t do it, and that’s why we’re in that 15% range. Now they are interested in doing it, and they’re already submitting projects.”

Cover said developers are taking a wait-and-see approach outside downtown on the final version of the amendment if approved on second reading — scheduled for April 1. But

the results in downtown already are proof that it’s the correct ratio. There are currently three planned residential rental developments in the Downtown Core zone that include 87 affordable units among a total of 799 apartments.

■ Artists Court: An application requesting administrative site plan and administrative adjustment approval for a 10-story, 242-residential unit building on the west side of South Washington Boulevard between Golf Street and Adams Lane. The project utilizes the attainable housing downtown density bonus and includes 26 attainable housing units.

■ 1718 Main Street: An application for administrative site plan approval for a 10-story, 226-unit residential building with a 5,575-square-foot ground-floor restaurant between Indian Place and Pine Place encompassing the entire block between Main Street and Bamboo Lane. The project utilizes the attainable housing downtown density bonus and includes 25 attainable housing units.

■ Park District: Approved is a mixed-use project of 331 apartment units and 7,828 square feet of retail space bounded to the north by Fruitville Road, to the south by Main Street, to the east by Audubon Place and to the west by North Washington Boulevard. The approved portion of the development will occur only between Fletcher and East avenues with future development to occur on the surrounding lots. The cur-

HOW 15% CAN EQUAL 11%

In a round numbers example, a base density is 50 units per acre. At three times bonus density, a developer can build 200 units per acre, of which 15% of the additional 150 must be attainable. That amounts to 22.5 units. Rounded up, that comes to 23 of the 200 — 11.5% — units priced as affordable housing, and must remain so for a minimum of 30 years.

rent phase of the project utilizes the attainable housing downtown density bonus and includes 36 attainable housing units.

“In the very beginning, when we proposed the attainable housing downtown, people wouldn’t believe that we could ever do it,” Cover said. “It’s happening, and that’s pretty encouraging, so for the commercial corridors and commercial sites, we’re using the same percentage because it is working.”

The most significant differences outside of downtown is the bonus density was reduced from four times to three times the base, and height restrictions of five stories, if providing affordable units. The program is voluntary and those sites can be developed under current zoning without affordable units.

BELOW MARKETRATE HOUSING STOCK

Numbers and types of units in the city according to Sarasota Housing Authority and Sarasota Housing Funding Corp. according to the city of Sarasota.

■ Public housing: 190 units, mostly for households below 30% of AMI, but can be up to 80% of AMI.

■ Project-based rental assistance (Section 8): 175, for households up to 80% of AMI.

■ Tenant-based rental assistance (Section 8 vouchers): 2,155, 75% of which must be at or below 30% of AMI.

■ Affordable apartments: 351, with income limits of 50%, 60% and 80% of AMI.

With a motion to dismiss on the docket, Kelly Franklin’s husband and commission candidate Ron Kashden provided a list of conditions to the city to avoid litigation.

Ters at the ribbon cutting of Corona Cigar Co. with the caption “Gorillas in the midst of being gorillas are on my mind.”

The co-owner of Corona Cigar Co., Tanya Borysiewicz, is a halfBlack woman.

Franklin said the caption and her identity, which was displayed during Battie’s presentation, were lifted by an unknown person from a 2022 Facebook post accompanied by multiple pictures of actual gorillas she took while on an African photo safari. A search of her account confirms that she published such a post.  Battie spoke at length about the printout. Whether such a post was actually ever published online has not been proven. He cited it as an example of racism in Sarasota and asked fellow commissioners to respond.

Franklin’s attorney, Richard Harrison, filed a five-count defamation suit against Battie in the 12th Judicial Circuit with a demand for jury trial.

In the interim Franklin’s hus -

depicting a photo of himself and oth-

Andrew Warfield

Removal of the outdoor seating at Corona Cigar Co. in downtown Sarasota is a condition for dropping litigation against City Commissioner Kyle Battie.

band, Ron Kashden — who is running against Mayor Liz Alpert for her District 2 commission seat — provided a list of conditions to the city that, according to City Manager Marlon Brown’s Feb. 28 email to city commissioners, detailed “items for city consideration that if done may cause any action against the city (and I believe Commissioner Battie) to cease (although too late).”

“As you read the document the first two items are pertinent/relevant to the current lawsuit against Commissioner Battie,” Brown wrote. “Item 3 is more administrative, and I can understand that request, however, I have been hard press (sic) to see how items 4, 5, and 6 has anything to do with the matter on hand and appears to bring in other nonrelevant issues that one or a few individuals may have.

The six-point list from Kashden suggested:

„ A statement from the city acknowledging that the fraudulent image and the exonerating evidence was in Battie’s possession as of Dec. 19. Given that fact set and timeline, no reasonable person would conclude that defamatory image came

from Kelly Franklin or had anything to do with CityPAC. Therefore, the city is initiating an investigation into the source of the falsely attributed image and the circumstances that lead to its publication and extends its sincere apologies to both Kelly Franklin and CityPAC.

„ The city initiate an SPD investigation behind the source of the altered image (which could be announced as part of the statement).

„ Alter the agenda request procedure for presentations by commissioners with an additional question if no backup was provided as to why there is no backup. If it is only verbal or the backup materials are not ready, the commissioner can state that.

„ (City Attorney) Bob Fournier review whether the rights for Corona Cigar change as a result of the recently approved bar, restaurant and nightclub zoning text amendment.

„ Corona Cigar be cited for a code violation and told to remove their outdoor seating since no valid permit exists for seating.

„ “Her-story” sign for Unconditional Surrender using text already agreed upon by Mayor Alpert,

which promotes dialog about messages and meanings.

With the list attached, Brown wrote to commissioners, “It appears to be a situation where, ‘while we are at it, let’s throw everything and the kitchen sink at the city that we have had problems with so that the city can further appease us.’”

Alpert told the Observer that she recalls signing off on the Unconditional Surrender companion sign verbiage, but “This was a few years ago. Ms. Franklin and another person worked on the wording; I finally agreed to a version of it to be placed on the agenda to see if the commission wanted to add an additional sign. I don’t recall what it said.”

In an email to Alpert explaining the list of conditions, Franklin wrote: “Ron’s outreach to the city was in response to your request at the Feb. 5, 2024 City Commission meeting that we seek resolution that would not involve litigation. Ignoring the antagonist and unprofessional tone of Marlon’s email, the document he sent you yesterday was provided to (Deputy City Manager) Pat (Robinson) when Ron met with him Feb. 6.

On Feb. 9, Pat told Ron that Kyle was blocking movement on the requests. The reason the sidewalk cafe permit and bar ZTA issues were raised is because they are pertinent to the defamatory attack which occurred Jan. 16, 2024.”

Regarding Unconditional Surrender, Franklin wrote in an email to the Observer, “Given the feigned performance Kyle staged in chambers Jan. 16, the time seemed ripe to make the point that imagery can trigger powerful PTSD reactions, as that statue has for multiple female veterans raped in service as well as for the child I mentored from Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. She confessed her rape to me upon seeing that statue.”

Franklin maintains the events of the Jan. 16 were a coordinated attack on her and, by extension, the city government activist organization CityPAC.

Her defamation suit claims Battie and Borysiewicz coordinated an attack on her character and were aware in mid-December that the alleged social media post was a hoax.

Goodrich told the Observer Kashden appears to be leveraging the con-

tinuation of legal action for political gain, citing the Unconditional Surrender companion sign and Corona Cigar code violation as irrelevant to the lawsuit.

“Mr. Kashden’s (list) demonstrates that he does not understand how city business operates,” Goodrich wrote in an email. “Even if the city was inclined to help settle Mr. Battie’s lawsuit, I do not believe it could simply barter a code violation against a third party in exchange for a dismissal of the lawsuit. Nor could the city simply direct the SPD to conduct an investigation on a noncriminal matter.”

City administration confirmed via Communications General Manager Jan Thornburg that the city cannot instruct the Sarasota Police Depart-

ment to investigate the origin of the alleged hoax post printout because it is not a criminal matter.

Criminal or not, Franklin maintains changes need to be made, starting with the list of conditions.

“In addition to seeking enforcement of the code violation, I was asking for changes and improvements to the city’s processes to ensure that no other innocent resident sitting at home could ever be framed and attacked like this again,” she told the Observer. “I have repeatedly called for positive measures and conciliation — yet the city maintains and adversarial posture. I am at a loss for what an innocent victim of someone else’s planned attack is supposed to do. My name matters to me, and I will continue to defend my reputation.”

Rule of laws: Always grow

To stop a few vacation rental bad actors, city commissioners adopted new ordinances that have spawned a new bureaucracy. This is America: Collectivist laws that snuff out individual liberty.

Well, that should do it!

Thanks to the policy making of the Sarasota City Commission, the city now has extensive registration regulations for vacation rental homes — all intended to help end rude and noisy vacation renters who bother the homeowners next door.

Ha. Look at the accompanying box — at the explosion of the registration process these regulations have spawned. Here is one of the sad parts of this: If you stepped back and viewed that list of requirements, in effect, you would be looking at lawmaking in America today.

Over the course of 250 years, this is how American government has evolved — from protecting individual rights and liberty in the beginning to becoming a gargantuan authoritarian State that puts the collective ahead of the individual.

It’s yet another everyday example of how lawmakers elected by a majority (which is just a collective group in greater numbers than other groups) wield their given authority and power. The late Milton Friedman described this process in the 1970s like this:

Lawmakers embrace the grievances of a vocal few (e.g. campaign contributors, etc.) and then give birth to laws to right the perceived wrongs. This, in turn, spawns more laws to correct the unaddressed or unintended consequences of the previous laws. So over time, there is a growing bible of codes — codes that an expanding authoritarian bureaucracy must enforce.

Ultimately, as this process progresses, the result is tyranny — of the elites against the powerless individual and the snuffing of liberty. That is America today.

This process, of course, always starts small — as is the case with vacation rentals in Sarasota.

To be sure, vacation rental nuisances are not new. Families and groups of friends have been renting vacation homes in resort locations for at least 100 years. But starting in 2007, the matter became a concern throughout much of Florida’s waterfront communities when the Airbnb-VRBO phenomenon mushroomed. By then, unlike the 1960s and 1970s, most of Florida’s waterfront communities were densely populated, often with affluent retirees who wanted to live in peace by the sea.

An immediate conflict arose when investors bought up old barrier-island bungalows and erected multistory McMansions. Ideal for party-hearty vacationers.

And as with everything good, there are always a few irresponsible ingrates who spoil things for the many. In the city of Sarasota, this mostly occurred on Lido and St. Armands keys. Drive the streets of their single-family neighborhoods, and you notice two things: The McMansions that were clearly erected to be vacation rentals and the yard signs that say “No more hotel houses.”

The complaints about these places have always revolved around three primary nuisances: noise (e.g. drunkenness and loud music), trash and parking (too many cars parked in the driveway and on the street).

To be sure, none of us wants any of that to disturb our ability to live in peace. So it began: Agitated homeowners complained to their town and city commissioners. Understandably, neighbors are reluctant to confront the scofflaws directly. In 2013, Siesta Key resident Joe Volpe told the Observer rowdy vacation renters beat him after he asked them to stop shooting fireworks over homes.

Instead, residents complained to their city officials.

What to do? In spite of aggressive enforcement of nuisance laws — which every city has — city commissioners and council members adopted more ordinances to erect barriers and make it increasingly burdensome to operate vacation rentals. Sarasota joined in.

In April 2021, the City Commission unanimously adopted an ordinance establishing an occupancy limit and registration requirements for barrier island vacation rentals.

Now, three years later and after the addition of more regulations and expanding the regulations to cover an estimated 700 vacation rental homes on the mainland (on top of the 140 on the barrier islands), we are witnessing what always happens with laws: They increase in scope and cost.

Earlier this month, the City Commission approved the creation of the Vacation Rental Compliance Division to handle the new workload. The division will create two new positions and reclassify another. The all-in cost of personnel from this year to next will increase 215%, from $69,716 to $219,890.

No doubt many Sarasota homeowners who despise the vacation rentals would argue the increased costs in city staff to enforce the new regulations and the cost of the regulations on the vacation-home owners are worth it.

But you can predict what is going to happen next: Inspectors will find new problems and items to be added to the inspections and the need for more inspections, driving up the fees more.

Over time, if the regulations become so burdensome as to force vacation rental owners to sell their McMansions to individual homeowners, while neighbors will be ecstatic, one of the consequences easily could be this: The city will have spent money to lose money.

Vacation rentals will shift to places where they are more welcome. The collection of tourist-development taxes and retail and restaurant sales taxes, which subsidize year-

In defense of capitalism

“Don’t say ‘capitalism,’” we were told once. “Say free enterprise. ‘Capitalism’ is a bad word.”

To the contrary, it’s actually the greatest economic and social “ism” in the world. And the data prove it. So it was heartwarming to read recently the speech that Javier Milei, new president of Argentina, delivered to the globalist, collectivist elites at the World Economic Forum. He defended capitalism and did so with factual evidence. Here are a few excerpts:

“Today I’m here to tell you that the Western world is in danger. And it is in danger because those who are supposed to defend the values

File image

THE BIRTHING OF BUREAUCRACY

In its effort to eliminate excessive noise, trash, partying and cars from Sarasota homes used for vacation rentals, the Sarasota City Commission adopted regulations requiring the owners of such homes to register with the city. This will allow the city to have a record of and help monitor the 700-plus vacation rental homes in the city.

As a result of this policy, city staff in turn created a process to carry out the commission’s direction. Here is what that will require:

■ $500 to register, which includes an initial safety inspection by the city, with an annual renewal fee of $350 and a re-inspection fee, should one be necessary, of $100.

■ Applicants will submit vacation rental certificate applications online and in-person.

Staff will provide guidance to property owners or their representatives throughout the application process.

■ Applications will be audited for completeness, and staff will correspond with applicants if any additional information is needed.

■ Payments will be processed and financial reconciliation will be completed daily as necessary.

■ Staff will coordinate inspection scheduling and will conduct all initial inspections and reinspections.

■ Upon time of inspection, staff will advise the applicant of the inspection results and will provide a report if any deficiencies are detected.

■ The vacation rental compliance specialist will be the primary

round residents’ infrastructure and other needs, will be less than what they otherwise would be.

During one of the City Commission meetings addressing this issue in 2021, Commissioner Erik Arroyo said: “If I had to write this ordinance, it would have just said, ‘Reduce the decibel requirements so there is an easier trigger to issue citations, and you have to park in a parking lot.’ I think that would have solved 95% of all the complaints.”

Let’s mark our calendars: Two years from now we should examine the intended and unintended consequences. Who benefited? Who

between the year zero and the year 1800, the per capita GDP growth rate remains stable at around 0.02% annually. So almost no growth.

of the West have been co-opted by a vision of the world that inexorably leads to socialism and thereby to poverty …

“Unfortunately, in recent decades, the main leaders of the Western world — some motivated by well-intentioned desires to help others, and others by the desire to belong to a privileged caste — have abandoned the model of freedom for different versions of what we call collectivism.

“We’re here to tell you that collectivist experiments are never the solution to the problems that afflict the citizens of the world. Rather, they are the root cause …

“Throughout the whole period

“Starting in the 19th century with the Industrial Revolution, the compound annual growth rate was 0.66%. And at that rate, to double per capita GDP, you would need some 107 years.

“Now, if you look at the period between the year 1900 and the year 1950, the growth rate accelerated to 1.66%. So, you no longer need 107 years to double per capita GDP— but 66. And if you take the period between 1950 and the year 2000, you will see that the growth rate was 2.1%, which would mean that, in only 33 years, we could double the world’s per capita GDP.

“This trend, far from stopping, remains alive and well today. If

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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inspector.

■ The inspector will provide results to the administrative staff, who will then complete the final review and issuance of the certificates.

■ Administrative staff will utilize the city’s Granicus software to proactively monitor compliance with all applicable ordinance standards once a property has been registered.

■ Code cases affiliated with noncompliance of registered properties will be initiated by staff as necessary.

■ Staff will complete the administrative tasks affiliated with these cases, including generating violation notices, tracking service, preparing postings, closing files and document retention.

■ The web-crawling Granicus software will proactively identify new vacation rentals as they appear.

■ Property owners of new vacation rentals will be notified of their requirement to register via the Granicus lettering module.

■ Staff will continue to collaborate with Granicus development team and support staff to ensure registration and compliance module efficiency.

■ Staff will generate weekly and monthly progress reports for management.

■ Administrative staff will continue to be trained in the foreclosure registration process.

■ Staff will assist the local business tax specialist as needed with processing new applications for vacation rentals.

was injured? Who won? Who lost? And how big will the bureaucracy have grown?

From all of this — the neverending expansion of the American government into every aspect of our lives, we are reminded of a line from Isabel Paterson, the 1940s pathbreaking writer, columnist, friend of Ayn Rand and author of “The God of the Machine”:

“It is a fundamental error to suppose that a law may do some good and cannot hurt anyone. Whether it does any good or not, a law enforced must hurt someone.”

we take the period between the years 2000 and 2023, the growth rate again accelerated to 3% a year, which means that we could double world per capita GDP in just 23 years …

“From the year 1800 through today, what you will see is that after the Industrial Revolution, global per capita GDP multiplied by more than 15 times, which meant a boom in growth that lifted 90% of the global population out of poverty …

“The conclusion is obvious. Far from being the cause of our problems, free-trade capitalism as an economic system is the only instrument we have to end hunger, poverty, and destitution across our planet. The empirical evidence is unquestionable.”

Teach that at the universities. It might help. — MW

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Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma B. Jolly, EJolly@YourObserver.com

Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com

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Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com

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President / Emily Walsh

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MATT WALSH

Rescue, rehab, release

HOW TO HELP

If you spot a stranded or dead sea turtle within Manatee or Sarasota counties, you can call the 24-hour line for Mote’s Strandings investigations Program at 888-345-2335.

Cat Lido Beach.

“Today was a great day,” said Gretchen Lovewell, stranding investigations program manager. “These are the days that we really live for.”  Clarice was found on Oct. 31, 2023, Halloween night, about three miles off the coast of the Venice Fishing

For sea turtles — or dolphins and whales — anywhere in state waters or outside those counties, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s hotline is 888-404FWCC (3922).

Pier. The turtle was lethargic, and weighed down by something called epibiota — a term for organisms living on other organisms, usually as parasites.

we’ll see more and more of that growth show up on the shell,” she said.

Clarice also had some propeller strikes, scars from previous injuries possibly from a boat. Those have since been resolved, according to Lovewell.

According to a press release from Mote, it appeared that Clarice suffered from debilitated turtle syndrome, which required immediate attention from the staff. The team put Clarice in a rehab pool and began care. She was fed a variety of organisms, from crabs to fish.

FROM THE PLUMBING PLACE

It’s like a small ecosystem on a turtle’s shell, Lovewell described.

“When they’re not feeling well,

Over a couple weeks, Clarice’s environment at Mote began to change incrementally. Staff adjusted the depth of water in her tank as she got stronger and more active, and continued to monitor her diet.

Other treatments, like antibiotics, iron and deworming, helped her gain strength.

Then, 136 days after her rescue, Clarice was ready to be released.

Before getting back in the ocean, though, staff equipped Clarice with a satellite tag. With those tags, researchers are able to follow her behavior after release, and also get insight into the habitat and migration of loggerhead sea turtles as a whole.

During an average year, Lovewell said the hospital could see an intake of about 100-120 turtles.

“It feels fantastic to see this after a long, hard journey of the rehab,” Lovewell said. “Whenever we can get this full circle and get the back out, it’s fantastic.”

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Sarasota

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Clarice the loggerhead sea turtle was found last Halloween and released on March 18 after care at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Photos by Carter Weinhofer

Clarice was recovered by Mote Marine Laboratory on Oct. 31, 2023.

Clarice was taken to the water on a cart.

Clarice needed a push in the right direction to get back into the water.

1766 Fiesta Dr, Sarasota WEST OF THE TRAIL GEM

Beautifully

MLS A4589639

5420 Myrtle Wood, Sarasota

MLS

MLS A4602110 $950,000

One Park West condo prices top out at $3M

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

The developer of One Park plans to offer an opportunity to buy a residence in The Quay for the bargain price of $3 million. Or less.

Property Markets Group and Sarasota-based MoneyShow are developing plans for One Park West, which will be built on Block 9, across Quay Commons from One Park, which is currently working its way through the city’s approval process.

Plans for One Park West have yet to be submitted, but PMG Managing Partner Dan Kaplan said that should occur in the coming weeks. Combined, the two buildings will replace the original One Park plan, which was proposed to be built across Quay Commons, joining both lots in a single building above a breezeway. That plan was abandoned when the 12th Judicial Circuit Court ruled PMG could not acquire the air rights above Quay Commons, the primary street through The Quay. One Park will offer 86 condominiums and One Park West 75 — combined that’s seven more units than the original One Park plan. In addition to separate buildings, the plan allows PMG to offer two different price structures.

“We are looking at a top price of about $3 million,” Kaplan said, adding that he expects both buildings to break ground this fall and be completed in about 18 months. Breaking with its normal business model, PMG is taking reservations for One Park West as it also goes to contract on One Park units.

“We want to be selling at the same time just because they offer different things to different people,” Kaplan said. “If someone comes in to look at One Park and they decided it’s more than they want to spend, we have another product offering. Or, if they want to go from a lesser expensive unit to a more grand unit with better views, we offer those as well. This allows us to diversify our prior product offering.”

Blocks 1 and 9 are currently being used as staging for construction of Cordelia by Lennar, a luxury rental apartment development on blocks 2 and 3 along U.S. 41.

The Quay is being developed in 10 blocks, with only Ritz-Carlton Residences on Block 6 and Bayso on Blocks 4 and 5 currently completed. Kolter Urban recently announced plans to build Ritz-Carlton Residences II on Blocks 7 and 8 and under construction is Ocean Prime restaurant on Block 10.

Little bit off the top

Slightly shorter and with more commercial space, Obsidian still faces opposition from Bay Plaza residents. Approval will also require zoning code adjustments by staff.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Arevised Obsidian is back before city staff, and that means residents opposed to the 14-unit, 18-story luxury condominium building at 1260 N. Palm Ave. are again speaking before the Sarasota City Commission.

Just in case.

That’s because the proposed tower could eventually come before commissioners for approval should it fail to receive administrative sign-off for adjustments that would allow the building to be constructed on about a quarter-acre on North Palm Avenue between the Art Ovation Hotel and adjacent city parking garage to the east and the Bay Plaza condominiums to the west.

Requested adjustments to the zoning code — which were denied by Director of Development Services Lucia Panica last fall — were rejected on appeal by the Planning Board by a 4-1 vote on Jan. 10. Rather than appeal that decision to the City Commission, developer Matt Kihnke and Hoyt Architects went back to the drawing board to address the primary objections of minimal retail frontage and excessive building height.

Still, trimming 15 feet off the top isn’t enough to satisfy opponents, primarily adjacent Bay Plaza residents, who attended Monday’s City Commission meeting.

“The building’s extreme height of 342 feet was the subject of much discussion in the initial applica -

tion,” said Ron Shapiro, speaking on behalf of Bay Plaza residents. “The new height is only 15 feet, or 4%, shorter than the original plan, but still 87 feet taller than the Epoch and more than 100 feet taller than both The Jewel and the Demarcay. This extreme height is achieved by the blatant abuse of interstitial space.

“The application says additional information to justify the 55 feet of interstitial space will be provided at the time of the building permit application. That’s too late. The justification for the interstitial space should be provided now.”

Interstitial space is the height between the ceiling and the floor above, primarily used for running utilities.

“In my 50 years of professional work, I’ve never seen a proposal to circumvent rules by adding so much interstitial space,” said Bay Plaza resident Jerome Apt. “There is no conceivable engineering reason for 55 feet of such space in the proposed building. If this building was approved at anywhere near the proposed 327 feet — equivalent to a 30-story building in any other city — I will actively discourage prospective investors from considering Sarasota because the city would have made the choice to completely change its character.”

The revised design, according to the developer’s submission, adds significantly to the ground floor and second floor retail square footage. Additionally, the new design incorporates upper-level step-backs to provide greater separation from Bay

The

Plaza. Although not required, the new plan proposes voluntary building separation and step-backs of 31 feet and 40 feet between Obsidian levels 7-14 and Bay Plaza.

Changes between the original and revised designs include:

■ Ground-floor retail increased from 640 square feet to 4,046 square feet.

■ Second-floor retail increased from zero square feet to 2,184 square feet.

■ Retail frontage at ground level increased from 66 feet to 97 square feet.

■ Ground-floor habitable space length increased from 81 feet to 100.9 feet.

■ Second-floor habitable space length increased from 134 feet to 1354.8 feet.

■ Height reduced from 342 feet to 327 feet.

Regardless of the changes, Shapiro said Obsidian’s scale is not compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

“It is not compatible with the 1260 lot, it is not compatible with this block of North Palm Avenue and it is not compatible with the surrounding buildings in the neighborhood,” he said. “To be clear, we’re supportive of both responsible development and positive change. However, this development is not responsible, and this change is not positive.”

The project will ultimately require approval of adjustments by Panica. If not, just as it did last year, Obsidian would have to survive an appearance before the Planning Board, and on appeal eventually perhaps the City Commission.

ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT

REQUESTS

The revised Obsidian plan will need administrative adjustments to accommodate requirements of the zoning code. They include:

■ A reduction of 19.9% of parallel facade coverage on the ground floor from 133.34 feet to 106.81 feet along Palm Avenue to provide FPL transformer access, a driveway and utility/ backflow access.

■ A reduction of 5.5% of habitable space on the ground floor from 106.81 linear feet to 100.9 linear feet to provide pedestrian access to the parking garage

■ A 7.4% reduction of habitable space on the second floor from 146.65 linear feet to 135.83 linear feet to provide a fire command center in a location approved by the fire marshal.

■ A 9.3% reduction in retail, service or office frontage on the ground level from 106.81 linear feet to 96.9 linear feet to accommodate required stairs to the second level and required garage entrance.

1325

Deep-water

Ahead of the storms

A hurricane season forecast event by the Climate Adaptation Center will reveal a multifaceted prediction of hurricane conditions on April 4.

IF YOU GO

CAC HURRICANE SEASON

FORECAST

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. April 4

that it could ultimately help others escape their impacts.

Ever since he experienced a strong hurricane as a child and his mother couldn’t keep him away from the windows, he knew what he was going to become — an atmospheric scientist.

Today, as the CEO and chairperson of the Climate Adaptation Center, established in 2019, he’s prepared to offer another hurricane forecast, a prediction he said is the earliest in the nation, this time through a new event — Hurricane Day.

Bunting’s decadeslong career took him largely between the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and he said his experience and passion helps inform his forecast.

He notes that while there are plenty of databases in the world, relying on them is not the same as working in the field, like when he was in Africa for three to four months flying through tropical systems in a C-138 airplane, as part of an experiment to understand the genesis of hurricanes in the 1970s.

The process isn’t strictly about the formulas but also draws from experience and pattern recognition.

“Intuition comes into it, experience comes into it, and all of these

Where: at Selby Auditorium, University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: $39

Info: TheClimateAdapationCenter.org

are what makes human beings better than artificial intelligence,” he said.

The forecast, now in its final stages of preparation, also relies on input from colleagues at the CAC, such as Chief Technology Officer Stuart Waterman and Senior Scientist Ric Kearbey.

Bunting thinks it will help the Climate Adaptation Center bridge the gap in knowledge between scientists and the public, allowing the public to make changes to be better prepared for the impacts of climate change.

“The science was really so advanced, but the public, for a lot of reasons, part of it because of all the disinformation that’s out there, was unsure, and so could not really focus on making changes,” he said, recalling what inspired him to found the organization.

Bunting said that last year, the CAC correctly offered a forecast of seven hurricanes and two or three major storms, one of which would affect the west coast of Florida and would be earlier than Hurricane Ian.

Although he can’t reveal yet what predictions are in store for this year, he promises the public won’t want to

miss out, as the conditions are coming together for a major hurricane season.

“Intuition comes into it, experience comes into it, and all of these are what makes human beings better than artificial intelligence”

File image

O’Leary’s picnic area at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park is flooded Aug. 30, 2023, after Hurricane Idalia.

— Bob Bunting, CEO and chairperson of the Climate Adaptation Center Ian Swaby Climate Adaptation CEO and Chair Bob Bunting speaks at the 2024 Climate Champions Awards event on Feb. 15.

“There’s a pattern that is going now for more than 20 years of stronger hurricanes, more of them, and more of them hitting the west coast of Florida,” he said.

Attendees can expect the forecast to predict a specific number of storms, the number of storms that will reach hurricane force and the number of those that will become super hurricanes of Category 3-5.

FORECAST FORMULA

In creating the forecast, Bunting considers a number of factors, not all of which are weighted equally, and which vary based on what part of the season is in consideration.

He begins the process in December, looking at sea surface temperatures, including anomalies, in the hurricane development area, which extends from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico.

Right now, he noted, temperatures are at record levels.

“The actual energy used by hurricanes is stored in that warm water,” he said.

The second factor he looks as it is the likely amount of wind shear.

When El Niño returned last year, there was an increased wind shear in the hurricane development area, something which suppresses hurricane activity, but El Niño is now fading.

This means that storms would generally develop more quickly and become vertically stacked into in a more stable system.

He also looks at moisture in the mid level of the atmosphere, as condensation causes a physical reaction that generates more kinetic energy for storms to develop.

He notes that a monsoon in Africa has the potential to increase this moisture, while strong trade winds bringing dust into the atmosphere from the Sahara Desert could help prevent storm intensification.

The event will feature presentations by multiple speakers, including one by Kearbey, titled “Southwest Florida and the EYE’s have it: Lessons from Irma, Ida & Idalia,” and multiple audience Q&A sessions.

“I don’t feel like it’s work,” Bunting said.

“To me, it’s part of what I do, and so it’s just part of my life, and it’s always been that way.”

TRIBUTES

August 21, 1931March 9, 2024

The Life and Times of Dr. Stanley Pastor

Dr. Stan Pastor, a resident of Sarasota, Florida and formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left his life in his words, “generally well-lived and with few regrets.” He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 21st, 1931 to the late Leon and Esther Pastor. Everyone who was fortunate enough to know him will remember him differently: a brilliant orthodontist, a talented photographer thanks to his mentor Mr. Billy Elkins, a loving husband to The Blonde, a wonderful father who loved his kids(“children” was too formal a term), unequivocally, an intrepid traveler, a collector of antique cars, admirer of a good joke and the necessity of laughter, an example of the benefit of kindness, and above all, a believer in the importance of love.

He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Jan, his dear sister Anita and her husband Dr. Murry Schonfeld, his eldest son, Dr. Scott Pastor, and an infant brother, Aaron. He is survived by his loving wife Stephanie(Shaw Pastor), or as he lovingly referred to her as The Blonde, his daughter Robin, aka, D.D.(darling daughter), her loving husband Steve, his son Andy and his wonderful wife La, and his daughter-in law

Molly Pastor. His pride and joy were his grandchildren:

Max, Eli, Hale, Lily, Andrew, Madelyn, Sam and Tommy. Stan was predestined to become an orthodontist as he had two uncles that were dentists and a family friend, an orthodontist who allowed him to work in his laboratory at a very young age. He completed his entire training at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He attained his BS, DDS and MSD degrees, then taught at the Dental School for a year before he was drafted into the Army Dental Corps. It was during this time Stan married Jan and the marriage resulted in his three wonderful children, Scott, Andy and Robin. After serving two years in the Dental Corps, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he practiced his specialty of Orthodontics for 40 years

He never lost touch with his roots and he was genuinely unpretentious and forever had an inquiring mind.

with Dr. Pat Shannon as his partner for most of that period. He loved his patients and their parents and kept up with their activities after his retirement. Even though he maintained an extremely busy practice, he managed to become President of the Tulsa County Orthodontic Society, Oklahoma Orthodontic Society, and the Southwest Orthodontic Society. He never lost touch with his roots and he was genuinely unpretentious and forever had an inquiring mind. His adventurous spirit took him to Israel the day after his retirement from his practice.

He participated in both land and underwater archeologic excavation for the following five summers searching for King Herod’s Palace, which his team located and documented this important site. Due to his love of travel and adventure, one of his close friends referred to him as the reincarnation of Indiana Jones. His many trips to Africa with his wife Stephanie was a source of constant happiness and vivid memories.

Stan’s interpretation of death begins at birth, but he was always aware that he was most fortunate to have been allowed to lead a long and productive life. His overwhelming desire was to not become “the old man in a rocking chair who requires constant care and attention.” He never wanted to go gently into the night. His license plate personified his philosophy, “4 EVR 50” and he tried to live that life to the fullest. His parting words were “if you want something that mellows with age, drink wine.”

Stephanie has shared the following charitable organizations: Sarasota Memorial Foundation: Designate Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute: https://smhf.org/donate/ Asolo Repertory Theatre: https://tickets.asolorep.org/ donate/q/65thanniversary Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue: https://crm. bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_d2607b67-e8ec-11ed9e40-02ec082f7523&WidgetId=129895425

Stanley “Stan” Pastor

Solid waste collection rates rise

Under new contracts, solid waste rates will increase an average of 24% in Sarasota County.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

Finalizing a process that began four years ago, the Sarasota County Commission voted to part ways with solid waste hauler Waste Management and replace it with two companies.

Dividing the county into two sections, commissioners approved a contract with Waste Pro of Florida for north county unincorporated customers and FCC Environmental Services in the south.

With a primary emphasis on customer service with an eye toward technology, automation and mitigating increasing prices, commissioners accepted the recommendations of Director of Solid Waste Brian Usher, albeit not unanimously.

Although all five agreed on Waste Pro, Commissioner Neil Rainford was the lone supporter of retaining Waste Management in the south.

“Of utmost importance to us throughout the solicitation process and in the final agreements was a focus on customer service, and we achieved that,” Usher said. “We know that there’s a much better overall customer experience if they’re able to pick up the phone and talk to someone local. We included that in our agreements.”

Usher said that while the market is seeing rate increases of between 40%

NEW RATES

Competitive monthly bids per

NORTH COUNTY

FCC: $13.76

Waste Pro: $12.32

Waste Management: $15.85

SOUTH COUNTY FCC: $13.97

Waste Pro: $17.65

Waste Management: $14.40

and 150%, the final rates countywide rose by an average of 24% under the new contracts.

For that, customers will receive direct contractor contact via the county’s 311 system, new rollout bins, real time service oversight by the county and new fleets of automated collection trucks for both garbage and recycling. Customers that generate more volume than the bins can hold — about 10 cubic yards — for the once-weekly collections can individually contract with the hauler for an additional fee.

The playing field with Waste Management was leveled, Usher said, because all bids required including new trucks.

“In having two service providers in two districts they significantly reduced their overall price while bringing additional collection resources to the table, which then provided the better value to both residential and commercial cus -

Courtesy

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

March 2024: Initial transition summary and timelines published.

October 2024: Education campaign formal kickoff.

November-December 2024: Residents select preferred size of garbage carts.

January 2025: Cart production begins.

February-March 2025: Cart delivery.

March 31, 2025: First day of service with new haulers.

tomers,” Usher said. “We worked with the firms to lower the number of household counts per route, which will provide a more reliable service as well as provide capacity and expansion ability of our agreements for future growth of the community.”

An invitation to negotiate was advertised in August 2023 and closed on Nov. 2, to which there were five respondents. An evaluation committee narrowed the list to three, then selected the top two firms for each district to enter into negotiations, which were led by Usher.

For south county, Rainford favored retaining the current service provider over the Spanish-owned FCC.

“They know what it takes to service the community, and so I will be moving forward a motion to approve Waste Management for the south

district,” he said. The motion failed to draw a second, and before casting his dissenting vote on FCC, he said, “I know that my motion didn’t carry forth, and it’s obviously disappointing. I think we have a local company here competing with a global company that is not based here, and I’m pretty adamant that we should do business here at home instead of sending our funds overseas. That’s my last word on that.”

Although domestic, Houstonbased Waste Management is not a local company. FCC operates in Florida markets such as Orange, Polk, Volusia and Hillsborough counties as well as West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie. Headquartered in Longwood, Waste Pro is the closest to a local company, maintaining

more than 265 municipal contracts and franchises.

The new contracts will go into effect March 31, 2025. In the interim, the county and the new haulers will integrate the technology, and the companies will begin acquiring their fleets of vehicles, the latter which Usher told Rainford under questioning that he was confident both will successfully accomplish.

There will be a public education campaign regarding the changes.

“There are going to be changes with these agreements,” Usher said. “We’re talking about changes in service days, changes in service providers, change in how garbage is collected and change in how bulk is collected, which is going to be a significant campaign on our part.”

A  multimedia education outreach campaign will begin in the second half of 2024 and will include a combination of print and digital advertising, broadcast and streaming radio, community events, newsletters, community partners, presentations, social media, press releases, media engagements and more to notify the community of the upcoming changes in collection services.

· Melampodium · Pentas · Periwinkle · Scarlet Sage

Torenia · Tropical Milkweed · Zinnia

that he was arrested in December had just been released that night and returned home. Still insisting the man abandoned the home, the woman was informed that the address was his established place of residency and he should be allowed to return.

She was advised if she wanted to have the man evicted, that it was a civil matter and that law enforcement could not have him removed.

SATURDAY, MARCH 10

HOOK-UP HARASSMENT

9:24 p.m. 1600 block of Laurel Street

Dispute: A man told an officer he was being harassed by a woman whom he had recently met. He said he met the woman on a dating app and paid to fly her here, after which a brief intimate relationship ensued. The man said he broke off the relationship five days prior.

Since then, he said the woman has been constantly calling and texting him, irate about how the relationship ended. Although he said he felt threatened, the woman had not made any threats nor had she been at the residence since the relationship ended.

While the officer was present, the woman called. The officer explained to her that the man wished to end the relationship and wanted her to stop contacting him. Both were advised to discontinue any contact and move on.

MONDAY, MARCH 11

SHE DID SAY ‘CALL THE POLICE!’

9:22 a.m., 2600 block of Cocoanut Bay Lane

Disturbance: A woman called law enforcement because she overhead another woman down the hall from her apartment yell “Call the police!”

As officers were speaking with the complainant, a man approached them and asked if they were responding to a disturbance emanating from his apartment.

The man advised he and his partner were hav-

ing an argument, and that whenever they argue she screams loudly. He said when he told her that the neighbors were going to call the police because of her screaming, she began yelling, “Call the police!” as overhead by the neighbor who did just that.

Officers spoke with the woman separately, who said she and the man were arguing over not having enough bottled water or clean laundry. With three children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years old, the woman said she feels overwhelmed from taking care of them, and regrets that her neighbors heard her yelling.

HOTEL HOSTILITY

1:37 p.m., 1100 block of Ritz-Carlton Drive

Disturbance: An officer was approached by hotel staff and asked to stand by for a possible dispute. The manager advised that an employee had made concerning comments earlier in the day and had planned to address the issue with her and human relations staff, and was concerned she would cause a disturbance during the meeting. The employee, hotel management said, had earlier made a comment to co-workers that she would “shoot the place up.” Once she was confronted in the meeting with the officer present, she was apologetic, admitted to using a poor choice of words and had made the remark out of anger over low wages.

She was ordered to leave the premises, told she would be placed on administrative leave until the company’s investigation was complete and may not return unless

notified. The officer escorted the woman off the property without incident.

ROOF RANGERS

1:30 a.m. 1500 block of Main Street

Trespassing: While on patrol, an officer was flagged down by staff of a restaurant because three males had climbed on top of the roof without permission. The officer located the three and ordered them down. They advised that they were bored and “wanted to have fun.”

The officer advised they were being issued a trespassing warning, explained to them the boundaries of the property and that if they returned would be subject to arrest.

MONDAY, MARCH 11 MYSTERY WOMAN

9:04 a.m., Fruitville Road near North Orange Avenue

Dispute: Officers spoke with a subject who stated an unknown

ating the dispute was verbal in nature, she added that she would never allow a man to hit her because she knows jiu-jitsu and would not hesitate to put a man in jail.

r, apparently, in traction. Officers observed no signs of a physical altercation, nor reported any demonstration that the woman was a martial artist. Both parties advised officers they needed nothing further from them.

advised the subject was standing outside a nearby store holding a “pipe,” tapping it into his hand while stating to no one in particular, “I’ll make you bleed.”

The complainant said he walked past the pipe-wielding subject who made no advance on him, but he did feel “assaulted” by him. The subject denied having any form of weapon, and a search of his person revealed no pipe or any other threatening object. He then left the area without incident. The alleged woman with red hair was not found, nor was it determined why it was relevant to the complaint.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

REQUEST GRANTED

11:30 p.m., 1900 block of Ringling

Boulevard

Disturbance: Officers met with a bartender about a man who was causing a disturbance in the outside seating area of a bar. The staff had been asked by customers to have the man removed because he was inebriated and screaming profanities. Officers asked the man to leave, but he refused. While standing nearby, they could smell the strong odor of alcohol.

woman with red hair told him to follow her. He said he did not follow her and left the area. Officers then

When approached by officers, the man continued to refuse to leave and told them to take him to jail. They obliged by taking him into custody and transporting him to

WILD FLORIDA

Prairie iris blooms herald spring’s arrival

Highly attractive to pollinators, these native wildflowers use toxic compounds to repel hungry animals.

With a stalk two to three feet tall, sword-like leaves and a showy purple flower three to four inches wide, the prairie iris is no shrinking violet.

Also known as the savanna iris (from Iris savannarum, its scientific name) this stunning wildflower typically blooms in the spring in wetlands, on the edge between dry land and shallow water.

Like other native plants, prairie iris play an important role in their ecosystems, where they’re a source of nectar for butterflies, pollen for bees and also have seeds that provide food to birds.

Prairie iris are rhizomatic, meaning they have a rhizome, or a system of roots, living and growing under the soil. Periodically, a rhizome sends shoots above soil, producing a clone of the parent plant.

Irises can also reproduce through seed propagation. In this case, it takes two plants to make the new one, with pollen from one plant fertilizing a female flower from another.

To assure seed propagation, as they obviously cannot move, many flowers have visual cues that attract pollinators, such as insects, to them.

Such cues include size, color, as well as showy petals and sepals (a flower’s outermost part). Some flowers, like prairie iris, even have nectar guides. These unique patterns direct pollinators to pollen, nectar or both.

Interestingly, in many bee-pollinated flowers, there is a region of low ultraviolet reflectance near the center of each petal. Though invisible to humans, bees can detect ultraviolet light and quickly home in on their target.

As plants cannot move to escape

Embark

predators, they’ve developed means of protecting themselves from herbivorous animals. Some plants have physical defenses, such as thorns, spines or prickles. But the most common form of protection is chemical, with plants producing a vast array of compounds to deter herbivores from consuming them. As they cause skin irritation or worse, many of these toxins help deter humans too.

The highest concentration of noxious compounds that help protect irises is found in their rhizomes, but the entire plant is toxic. So if you spot these native beauties in the wild, please enjoy them from afar. For your benefit, as well as that of our ecosystems.

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

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Miri Hardy

Skin contact with prairie iris causes a serious rash, and ingestion is harmful to humans and pets.

SPORTS

RSarasota High boys lacrosse senior Kyle Paolercio had eight goals and one assist in the Sailors’ 16-7 home win over Lakeland High on March 8. Paolercio leads the Sailors with 18 goals through nine games as of March 19.

… Sarasota

“Look

—

Cougars claw out the victories

The

Cougars believe

in their ability to win games, no matter the circumstances.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Call the Cardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse team the cardiac cats.

The Cougars (7-3) are winning games, and they play with the swagger that successful teams tend to have. But their two latest wins have caused their coaches, and fans, some stressful moments late in games.

First, Cardinal Mooney secured an 11-10 road win over Tampa Jesuit (5-3) in overtime on March 15. The win was the program’s second ever over the Tigers, perennially a state title contender in the sport. Then, on March 19, Mooney returned home for another 11-10 overtime win, this time over IMG Academy Varsity. It was Mooney’s first win over an IMG team.

The Cougars gained several twogoal leads throughout the game but allowed IMG to battle back. The Ascenders even took a 10-9 lead with 1:07 remaining before Mooney senior Gio Zanoni tied the game at 10 with 28.9 seconds remaining. In overtime, junior defenseman Jake Morales sent the Mooney crowd home happy with an around-the-back shot to the top left corner of the IMG net. The shot was only that fancy out of necessity, Morales said, but he was thrilled to pull it off.

“I saw an open lane in the middle and I sprinted (there) with my stick up,” Morales said. “I was not really thinking. It wasn’t how I usually shoot. It just felt like the best option, and it worked.”

Cardinal Mooney head coach Derek Wagner called the game “an ugly win” with a pretty finish. Wagner said he was happy the team got the victory, but in the future, the team needs to be sharper against oppo-

IF YOU GO

What: Cardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse (7-3) vs. Springboro High (1-0)

When: 5 p.m. March 25

Where: Cardinal Mooney High

Why: The game is one of two home games remaining on the Cougars’ schedule and a chance to see Mooney play a tough opponent from out-ofstate (Ohio).

Previous results: Cardinal Mooney beat Springboro 10-9 in 2023

nents the quality of Jesuit and IMG Academy. The game should not have gone to overtime, Wagner said; if the Cougars had brought their best effort, it would not have required such heart-stopping heroics, as thrilling as the goals from Zanoni and Morales were.

It’s the type of message a coach who believes in his team sends: good, but not good enough. Wagner, who has coached the program for 11 seasons, said this year’s team compares favorably to most of the Mooney teams he has coached in terms of pure talent. The results back him up: Not only does the team have wins over Jesuit and IMG Academy, but

“That’s the big thing with these kids, passing and catching. You think it’s so simple, but if you can pass and catch, it allows your skill to show itself. When we can move the ball, we can hang with some pretty good teams.”

— Derek Wagner, Cardinal Mooney head coach

two of the team’s three losses were by one goal — and were to strong teams in Plant High (9-0) and the Community School of Naples (6-4). The team’s other loss was a 14-4 defeat at the hands of Lake Mary High (101), the defending Florida High School Athletic Association state champion and one of the top programs in the country.

To reach its potential and compete with teams of Lake Mary’s ilk, Wagner said, the team needs to remember the basics.

“If we’re playing our best game, that’s fast-paced, highly skilled and solid in formation, offensively and defensively,” Wagner said. “But it is also when we do the fundamentals. That’s the big thing with these kids, passing and catching. You think it’s so simple, but if you can pass and catch, it allows your skill to show itself. When we can move the ball, we can hang with some pretty good teams.”

The Cougars play team-oriented lacrosse, but their stars have shined bright when it matters. Zanoni has 14 goals and 13 assists as of March 19, while junior Jamison McCusker has 16 goals and 11 assists. On defense, Wagner said, Morales has been one of the team’s best players since the beginning of the season and gets the assignment of shutting down the

opposition’s biggest scoring threat.

Morales, who serves as a team captain, said this year’s locker room is more unified than it has been in years past. Morales said he and his fellow captains have encouraged everyone on the roster to be 100% bought in to the team at all times. Against good teams, games get intense, Morales said, and the Cougars need the intensity to match it. That allin mentality has led to confidence, and that confidence is why the team never showed nerves against IMG Academy, even when the Ascenders had the upper hand late.

The Cougars will need to remain sharp. The team has five games left before district playoffs begin April 5, the next being a road game against Benjamin High (10-1) on March 22 — followed immediately by a road contest with Oxbridge Academy (8-3) on March 23.

While Wagner wants to see more from his team, the Cougars continue to win as they develop — and have proven adept at winning, even when not at their best, even when the odds appear against them.

It might give their coaches a scare, but the cardiac cats feel comfortable when the pressure is on.

“We’re scrappers,” Wagner said. “Through ups and downs, we’ll find a way to grind it out.”

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Cardinal Mooney senior Carter Westendorf celebrates with senior Gio Zanoni after a Zanoni goal against IMG Academy. The Cougars won 11-10 in overtime.

Cardinal Mooney High junior Jake Morales (16) watches his game-winning goal against IMG Academy hit the back of the net. The Cougars won 11-10 in overtime. It was the team’s second-straight overtime win.

Area baseball teams have chance for turnaround

They may be down, but they’re not out. Here’s what these teams can do to turn it all around this season.

Tpitch well, the pitchers have not received a lot of run support, like in a 2-1 loss to Cardinal Mooney High on March 18.

Other times, the bats do come alive, only to be let down by pitching and defense, like in the team’s 10-9 loss to Port Charlotte High in nine innings on March 14. It’s a pattern that can become frustrating for players and for coaches.  What can go right: Playing complementary baseball.

While no team wants to be as inconsistent as the Sailors have been, they have also shown that they have talent in both facets of the game.

If the team can put good offensive and pitching performances together instead of keeping them separate, they can string together wins.

At the plate, senior Juan Perez leads the way with a .500 batting

average. On the mound, junior Aidan Young holds a 2.14 ERA in 16.1 innings; sophomore Cesar Garmendia has a 1.91 ERA in 11 innings; and junior Luke Verwey has a 2.03 ERA in 10.1 innings.

All of that seems to say the Sailors can find success. They simply have to package it together.

RIVERVIEW HIGH (2-7)

What’s gone wrong: The Rams started the season with four strong offensive performances, scoring four or more runs in each game and going 2-2, but since then have been struggling at the plate: They have scored two runs or fewer in five straight games, all losses.

The Rams are hitting .206 as a

team and have yet to hit a home run, according to MaxPreps statistics. That makes it tough to win games at this level, especially when one defensive mistake can lead to a run or two on its own.

What can go right: All it takes is one game to break a team out of a slump.

If it is going to happen for Riverview, it will likely come from players reverting to their 2023 forms, as several Rams have shown heaps of talent at the plate. Junior Andrew Rhymestine is hitting .217 in 2024, but he hit .314 last season.

Junior Caden Sladek is hitting .211 in 2024, but hit .293 last season.

If these players (and others) can unlock their rhythm, and senior

Cooper Backman (.379 in 2024) continues to hit well, the Rams have a chance to make a run.

In the meantime, the Rams’ pitching can keep things close: Senior Will St. Onge (2.62 ERA) and junior Morgan Peggs (1.11 ERA) have been dealing on the mound.

CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH (4-5-1)

What’s gone wrong: Like Sarasota, the Cardinal Mooney baseball team has struggled with consistency, though instead of having good offense and good pitching taking turns, the Cougars’ inconsistency has been more general.

Take the team’s games on March 5 and 7 against Palmetto High (4-6) and Bradenton Christian School

(7-5): The Cougars lost 7-1 to Palmetto, then beat Bradenton Christian 8-1.

What can go right: When the Cougars play their best, they can hang with a lot of teams. The Cougars have six players hitting .280 or better, led by senior Joey Siefert at .323, and they have a 2.70 ERA as a team. One thing that could help shore up the team: better defense.

The Cougars have allowed 52 runs this season, but only 27 have been earned runs, according to MaxPreps statistics. That stems from 32 team errors, or 3.2 errors per game. Cut that number down, and the Cougars have the talent to win games.

BOOKER HIGH (1-5)

What’s gone wrong: While the Tornadoes have not hit particularly well, the biggest problem has been pitching.

Booker has allowed 71 runs in six games, including a 19-1 home loss to Tennessee-based Loudon High on March 11. It is difficult for any team to win when it has to score double-digit runs to compete.

What can go right: The Tornadoes are not without the ability to hit. In fact, the team’s season started with a 25-6 win over Gibbs High, so Booker has shown the ability to put big numbers on the board.

But it has not done so with regularity: The team has scored just seven runs in its last five games. If the Tornadoes can get back on the scoreboard, they can at least make games competitive.

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

PROSE

File photo

The Riverview High baseball program shows off their “rally caps” during a 2023 game. Area baseball teams will need to use their rally caps in the second half of the 2024 season after the teams’ slow starts.

Ibre Edwards ATHLETE

Ibre Edwards is a junior girls track and field athlete at Booker High. As of March 19, Edwards holds the fifth fastest 400-meter hurdles time in Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A (1:06.71) according to TFRRS Florida. Edwards set the mark March 7 at the 2024 Riverview Ram Invitational at Riverview High. Edwards also holds the No. 27 time in the 100-meter hurdles (17.00 seconds), set at the same meet.

When did you start track and field?

I started in sixth grade. I liked to run around at

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

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR YOUR CAREER?

I want to break my aunt’s (Tasha Phillips) school record in the 100-meter hurdles. She’s at a 14.24 or something like that; my PR is 14.90. I’ve got another year to go, so I will be breaking it. (Laughs.) I’d like to get a 14 flat.

What is your favorite subject?

I like reading and English class. We can write essays and talk about ourselves and what we have going on or about the world.

Which super power would you pick?

Invisibility. I would sneak around places.

What are your hobbies?

I’m trying to start my own clothing brand. I’m still working on the designs right now, but that’s mainly how I spend my free time.

Finish this sentence: “Ibre Edwards is …” … Determined.

It’s

What

What

Cows get into costume

When Ashton Stiegler, a seventh grader and a member of 4-H in Sarasota County, was walking through the grounds of the Sarasota County Fair, he happened to notice a robber mask for sale.

He decided it would be the base for a costume. He would wear a robber outfit, and his cow Molly would dress as a police car.

“It gives the kids a chance to be creative,” said Bill McClain, of the Sarasota County 4-H Foundation, regarding the cattle costume contest on March 17. “Every little bit of that was thought of by the kids.”

There was far more work on display than just the costumes themselves.

Along with the fair’s other livestock events, the contest was a chance for kids to showcase the work involved in caring for and bonding with the animals over a period of months A relationship with their animal was helpful when taking them into the arena, kids said, for getting a cow to walk, while wearing a costume in the heat, is no simple feat.

“She was a little feisty,” said Roko, a third grader, of his cow Milkshake.

When she gets that way, however, he’ll just tap her on the nose.

At the event, 4-H members could be seen wearing T-shirts in honor of former member Alexis Brotherton, of Sarasota, who died in 2023 at age 20.

Eighth grader Addy Porter said it meant a lot to her to showcase a St. Patrick’s Day costume created by Brotherton, with Porter’s cow Libby Dynamite Pinson.

“I had been with her for a while, and she had always been there to help,” she said.

The public can see more livestock shows, as well as auctions, throughout the duration of the fair, held until Sunday, March 24.

“I absolutely love it,” said Rilyn Stiegler, a tenth grader. “I can’t believe I have the opportunity to do this every year.”

— IAN SWABY

Participants take a trip around the arena, with eighth grader Alex Ultsch and Pumpkin in back.

Sophia Sandusky, fifth grade, and Mary Dazy

Willow and Audrey Florkewski, sixth grader, take a trip through the arena.

Seventh grader Kaleen Callahan walks with Juniper.

Photos by Ian Swaby

“This is the original home base of John Ringling North’s Ringling Bros.; then they moved to Bobby Jones (Golf Club)” he said after descending.

Indeed, the Sarasota County Fair has an extensive history, and this year is celebrating its 100th anniversary, having first been held in 1924.

Nock hopes the tradition won’t end. He and The Nerveless Nocks, including performer Siena Hartzell in the aerial hoop, helped keep audiences on the ground entertained and cheering

“Every county in America needs a county fair,” he said. “You’ve got to keep this tradition going.” He noted that county fairs are beneficial for agriculture activities and groups like 4-H. — IAN SWABY

Photos by Ian Swaby Haylee Palasz, 5, and McKaya Wolf, 8, go for a spin on the NASCAR ride.

Jack O’Reilly, 3, Benny O’Reilly, 6, Sarah O’Reilly, 3 and Lane O’Reilly, 12

Michelangelo Nock makes his way toward the sky during a circus performance.

Hammer and forge

Sometimes, instead of following his plans, the metal does what it wants to do, so he might have to change course halfway through and go with a different style.

to make the most of his life, delving even further into what he was passionate about.

“I realized I truly wanted to live my life, and be me, and find out who I was, and what my life meant to me, because it was very clear to me that day that life goes by very fast,” he said.

After that point, he emailed the person who had inspired his blacksmithing, Daniel Casey of the History Channel series “Iron & Fire,” and traveled to Romance, Arkansas, to take a three-day bladesmithing class with him.

“The way that he appears on that show, very calm and kind, is exactly the way he is. He was not acting,” he said.

When he returned home, he continued to practice what he’d learned, making 100 knives over the course of about two weeks.

“Every day, I came home and made knife after knife after knife, because I wanted to beat those instructions that I had learned that week into my head,” he said.

As Littrell works to carry on the craft, he notes that his method differs from Casey’s. For instance, Casey uses an old candle torch, but Littrell uses a propane torch.

“He’s a traditionalist, I’m not. I’m a semi-traditionalist but a modern bladesmith,” he said.

Yet he still looks to the past. Although he buys plenty of new steel, he is always in search of older steel, something he said is a superior product for blacksmithing.

Newer alloys, he said, are designed to be cut, not to withstand heat. Although they can withstand normal fire damage, the blacksmith’s forge will change their molecular structure.

Once items are completed, there’s a market for them today.

One example is the Sarasota Medieval Fair, although Casey also sells some merchandise online. He has been a member of the fair since 2018, when he ventured into acting and had the chance to portray various characters including Sir William Wallace.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

To many, blacksmithing may be the stuff of history, but Thomas Littrell, owner of Litt Forge, thinks its story is still being written.  “It’s going to last the ages. It’s too interesting. There’s something really cool about molding hot metal into

something else with a hammer,” he said.

Littrell said he sees many young people who are interested in the craft.

Meanwhile, he said every time he lights up the forge, it’s as though it’s the first time; he can’t wait to see what will become of the piece of metal he brings forth, which may be a railroad spike before being transformed into a pocketknife.

Littrell started in the craft eight years ago with only his enthusiasm and a makeshift forge created from a propane grill, some sheet metal, some refractory cement, coal he had bought online and a hair dryer for air conduction.

One of the first projects he ever made was a rose for his mother, Vonni Littrell, but he was not able to give it to her before she died of cancer in 2017. He keeps it beside her picture on his wall.

When he watched her take her last breath, he realized he wanted

Fortunately, Littrell said, blacksmithing is forgiving. If you’re trying to bend metal at a 90-degree angle, for instance, you must bend it farther than that initially.

That doesn’t mean that failures aren’t part of the experience, though. Sometimes he has put hours of work into a project, only to melt it when returning it to the furnace.

“It’s become a hobby that rewards me in many ways,” he said. “It humbles you. When you work all day on something and it’s ruined — you can ruin it after eight hours of working on something — it’s very humbling.”

He also performs as a blacksmith at the fair, and at the Venezia Renaissance Faire and the Myakka River Rendezvous at Crowley Nature Center.

When he’s not sharing his craft at the fairs, you’ll often find him teaching. He tends to keep classes small, with a maximum of two to three participants.

“Whether they want to do it or don’t want to do it, I love to share and give back,” he said. “I really think that’s what we’re here for, is to share our knowledge with the next generation.”

LAUGH, DANCE, DISCOVER AND SAVOR EVERY DAY

Thomas Littrell handcrafts metal items, teaches the blacksmith’s craft and shares his love for history at Renaissance fairs.

Knives made by Thomas Littrell are set out on display.

Photos by Ian Swaby Sarasota blacksmith Thomas Littrell at Litt Forge

AFTER EVEREST

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

Aman goes on a journey, and he comes back changed. It’s a story that’s been told over and over. Because we need to hear it again.

Sarasota real estate agent Robert Sherman is 63 years old. Fit. A year removed from his 95-mile trek to Everest Base Camp last May, he calculates he has eight, maybe 10 more

years in strong health.  Retirement is a consideration. He’s more reflective now since returning, better able to consider the big questions. He’s also planning for another big mountain trek.

“What does working until I’m 71 do for me?” Sherman said. “So I really wanted to start thinking about experiences with my wife and my kids. And not giving them material things but giving them experiences.”

Sherman has lived in Sarasota for

34 years. He trained as a minister before focusing on real estate where he’s done good business the past 24 years. The fields are not so different, he explained. A minister counsels and guides through life’s big milestones. A good real estate agent must do the same — especially in this market.

Sherman had no intention of summiting on his trip. He just wanted to see Everest before it changes further. That’s the same reason he went to

“I will tell you I take nothing for granted anymore. Nothing. I wake up and I’m like, I’m so happy that I’m healthy. That I have a wife who loves me. How lucky I am to even be able to go to a place like that, to have that experience.”

Robert Sherman

Machu Picchu two decades ago. It’s only a matter of time before the digital age claims every remote corner.

THE WAY

From the airport at Lukla in Nepal at 9,300 feet, the footpath to base camp climbs to an elevation of 17,598 feet. Now there’s cellphone service almost the entire way, said Sherman.

You can stay in Hyatt hotels as you go and steep yourself in five-star luxury. Sherman pursued a more authentic path. All-in his trip was less than $5,000.

“I’m never doing a big outfit group. I want it to be meaningful. Maybe that’s what I was looking for. … Where it was more than just get on a plane, come home, you know, go do it. And then check it off.”

Of course, there was still Wi-Fi throughout the villages and teahouses along the 35-mile route, even though what needs moving in the high Himalayas still moves on the shoulders of trekkers and porters, he said.

“You’ll see people carrying roofing, you know, metal roofing, because that’s how you get it up there.”

Someday, probably not too far in the future, the footpath will become a road, Sherman said. Even now no one returns from Everest without mentioning the litter.

“It killed me, absolutely killed me,” said Sherman. He trained for about six months beforehand, hiking and trekking in the Appalachians. Nothing too tech-

nical, because whether you’re going to the base camp or the top, Everest is more of an endurance test than a technical one.

With two hiking buddies, Sherman flew to Nepal. He’d never been apart from his wife and children for so long — 21 days.

That was hard, he said. There was some resistance to the trip at first.

And then there was the altitude.

The 35-mile distance between points becomes more than 90 due to the repeated acclimatization hikes that need to be taken up side trails along the way.

It took nine days for Sherman, his two hiking partners and their guide, Sherpa Pema Dorje, to reach base camp. There might have been 2,000 people up there. But only a fraction make it to the summit at 29,032 feet.

“It’s a sea of orange tents. That’s all it is. It’s just tent after tent after tent,” said Sherman.

The vistas were rare, spectacular, but it’s a cliché for reason: it wasn’t the destination that changed Sherman, it was the journey. And the company.

Along the way Pema Dorje showed them another way of living.

ANOTHER LIFE

They stopped in Sherpa-owned teahouses and ate vegetable stews and conversed over ginger tea. They stopped at one of the teahouses Dorje himself owns. His name opened doors and local families welcomed the group. Sherman said Dorje has summited Everest five times, starting in the early 1980s.

“I call him the mayor of Kathmandu. He knew every human being,” said Sherman.

During the trip, Sherman’s group passed a small group of trekkers from Seattle, Washington. Suddenly, a voice called out from the head of the Seattle group, “Pema! Pema!”

It was Pema Dorje’s niece. They hadn’t arranged to meet on the path, it was a happy accident.

Soon, Sherman followed Dorje’s lead. One of Sherman’s hiking partners called him the “friendliest man on the mountain.”

“I think everybody’s got some great stories to tell. And I just didn’t want to miss them,” Sherman said.  Sherman has several more of

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Courtesy image

Sherpa Pema Dorje and Robert Sherman in Nepal

Robert Sherman, 63, hiked 95 miles to Everest Base Camp, but it’s what happened along the way and the people he met that gave him new perspective.

his own now. About how much he learned from Dorje, starting with the most basic of human functions: how to breathe.

As Dorje led them up the path, he worked between his fingers a string of prayer beads held behind his back and chanted a steady rhythm. An active meditation.

“It helped me, it made such a difference,” Sherman said. “(His breathing) was more rhythmic. I would just follow right behind him. Like within a couple of feet, I would be behind him just in that same mode and that same cadence.”

Sherman was mostly unaffected by the altitude, even at the trip’s apex, despite limited high-mountain training.

“I didn’t feel like I was working as hard. And then all of a sudden, I’m blowing past my friends. Like not tired. Not winded, not anything.”

But the real lessons of the journey weren’t physical, although Sherman lost 10 pounds in as many days.

Through Dorje, Sherman saw up close a life in harmony. Dorje was full of love, for his family, for his job, for the hikers he was leading, Sherman said.

After a long day on the trail Dorje took joy in his charges’ laughter.

Their happiness and success genuinely brought Dorje joy, Sherman said. And there’s something to be

said for the wind, sun and stars in the high Himalayas.

So here maybe we run into another cliché. Something about finding a job you love and never having to work again.

“He hugged me every day,” said Sherman. “He embraced me every day. He loved on me every single day. Who does that? He didn’t treat it like a job. He treated it like he was opening my eyes to a whole ‘nother world.”

Which brings us back to this world, right here and now in Sarasota.

Life looks different to Robert Sherman. He looks out from the window of a downtown real estate office at the cars passing by. People in a hurry.

Some people get that look at 87, others find it at 22, while some never get it at all.

He still talks on the phone with Dorje every few weeks.

“I will tell you I take nothing for granted anymore. Nothing. I wake up and I’m like, I’m so happy that I’m healthy. That I have a wife who loves me. How lucky I am to even be able to go to a place like that, to have that experience.

“That was the biggest takeaway for me. And I will tell you, I love my wife more deeply. I love my kids more thoroughly. Wow. And I think part of that was my relationship that I built with Pema.”

File image

Everest Base Camp is about 35 miles from Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, Nepal, but acclimatization hikes can turn that into a 90-mile journey.

Music in the open air

The heat was strong at the Civic Green beside Sarasota Municipal Auditorium on March 17, not only when it came to the weather, but also because of the music.

Kicking off the Sarasota Jazz Festival held from March 17-23 by Jazz Club of Sarasota, Jazz in the Park was intended to offer the public an opportunity to experience the tradition of the genre, said club President Nik Walker.

With open-air kickoff events having been previously held at Nathan Benderson Park, most recently in 2022, the tradition, a ticketed event, moved this year to downtown Sarasota.

Attendee and club member Markus Summers said he appreciates the jazz club’s mission of keeping the tradition of jazz going in Sarasota, and “keeping the dream alive for younger folks.” The performances that day helped to do just that.

Kicking off the event was Fourcast, a band consisting of students from the Booker Visual and Performing Arts Center. The roster also included the Pete Barnbregge Band and the Synia Carroll Quintet.

“This is for everybody,” Walker said. “Jazz is people’s music, and this event is for everybody to attend and enjoy, and see acts like this one because I’m serious about our commitment to the youth, because they’re the ones that are going to be out there playing for the next generation.”

Tim Eaton, jazz director at Booker High School, said the event was a unique opportunity for the students as well.

— IAN SWABY

Lillia Jones offers a vocal performance with Fourcast.

Volunteers David Murphy and Louise Coogan watch the performance.

Photos by Ian Swaby Sharon Graham, Jazz Club President Nik Walker and Johnnie Barker

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Perry Corneau

Luxury Real Estate

(941) 650-4626

perry.corneau@compass.com

sarasotacondominiums.com

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, offers an elegant 3-bed, 3.5-bath retreat on the 9th sophisticated residence seamlessly fuses style with captivating waterfront views. through a private elevator, it features impeccable details, including Wolf and Subappliances, quartz countertops, and a spacious island. Enjoy panoramic views from the and a balcony with a grill. Luxurious touches include large-format porcelain floors, tray ceilings, and impact-rated windows and doors. Residents enjoy amenities like concierge, valet service, fitness center, lap pool, resort pool, club room, and game located, this residence offers proximity to cultural attractions, and dining options. yourself in an extraordinary lifestyle at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota.

401 Quay #902 Sarasota, FL 34236 $ 5,700,000

3 bedrooms

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, offers an elegant 3-bed, 3.5-bath retreat on the 9th floor. This sophisticated residence seamlessly fuses style with captivating waterfront views. Accessed through a private elevator, it features impeccable details, including Wolf and SubZero appliances, quartz countertops, and a spacious island. Enjoy panoramic views from the living space and a balcony with a grill. Luxurious touches include large-format porcelain floors, 11 ft ceilings, tray ceilings, and impact-rated windows and doors. Residents enjoy amenities like a 24-hour concierge, valet service, fitness center, lap pool, resort pool, club room, and game room. Ideally located, this residence offers proximity to cultural attractions, and dining options. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary lifestyle at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota.

3 full, 1 partial 3,095 SqFt.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, offers an elegant 3-bed, 3.5-bath retreat on the 9th floor. This sophisticated residence seamlessly fuses style with captivating waterfront views. Accessed through a private elevator, it features impeccable details, including Wolf and SubZero appliances, quartz countertops, and a spacious island. Enjoy panoramic views from the living space and a balcony with a grill. Luxurious touches include large-format porcelain floors, 11 ft ceilings, tray ceilings, and impact-rated windows and doors. Residents enjoy amenities like a 24-hour concierge, valet service, fitness center, lap pool, resort pool, club room, and game room. Ideally located, this residence offers proximity to cultural attractions, and dining options. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary lifestyle at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota.

Corneau

Perry Corneau

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, offers an elegant 3-bed, 3.5-bath retreat on the 9th floor. This sophisticated residence seamlessly fuses style with captivating waterfront views. Accessed through a private elevator, it features impeccable details, including Wolf and SubZero appliances, quartz countertops, and a spacious island. Enjoy panoramic views from the living space and a balcony with a grill. Luxurious touches include large-format porcelain floors, 11 ft ceilings, tray ceilings, and impact-rated windows and doors. Residents enjoy amenities like a 24-hour concierge, valet service, fitness center, lap pool, resort pool, club room, and game room. Ideally located, this residence offers proximity to cultural attractions, and dining options. Immerse yourself in an extraordinary lifestyle at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota.

Estate Agent

650-4626

Luxury Real Estate Agent

(941)

(941) 650-4626

YOUR RITZ-CARLTON

perry.corneau@compass.com

perry.corneau@compass.com

sarasotacondominiums.com

sarasotacondominiums.com

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota, offers an elegant 3-bed, 3.5-bath retreat on the 9th floor. This sophisticated residence seamlessly fuses style with captivating waterfront views. Accessed through a private elevator, it features impeccable details, including Wolf and Sub-

quartz countertops, and a spacious island. Enjoy panoramic views from the balcony with a grill. Luxurious touches include large-format porcelain floors, ceilings, and impact-rated windows and doors. Residents enjoy amenities like concierge, valet service, fitness center, lap pool, resort pool, club room, and game located, this residence offers proximity to cultural attractions, and dining options. in an extraordinary lifestyle at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota.

Residences, Sarasota

Corneau Estate Agent

perry.corneau@compass.com

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota

sarasotacondominiums.com

401 Quay #1101

Sarasota, FL 34236 $ 7,000,000

3 bedrooms

3 full, 1 partial3,798 SqFt.

3 bedrooms

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota

401 Quay #1101 Sarasota, FL 34236 $ 7,000,000

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota

3 full, 1 partial3,798 SqFt.

401 Quay #1101 Sarasota, FL 34236 $ 7,000,000

3 bedrooms

Experience upscale waterfront living at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota. This premier condominium community offers legendary services and a range of amenities. Step into a world of elegance with fine touches, designer accents, and upgraded features, including custom cabinetry. This 3-bedroom residence with over 3,700 square feet seamlessly blends open-concept living spaces with ensuite accommodations. Enjoy over 1,000 square feet of patios with stunning views of Sarasota Bay, the city lights, and the Gulf of Mexico. The kitchen features top-tier appliances, a spacious island, and a wet bar for entertaining. The master bedroom offers a tranquil retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom and access to the lanai. Resort-style amenities include a pool area, fitness center, club room, game room, and 24/7 valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations.

Experience upscale waterfront living at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota. This premier condominium community offers legendary services and a range of amenities. Step into a world of elegance with fine touches, designer accents, and upgraded features, including custom cabinetry. This 3-bedroom residence with over 3,700 square feet seamlessly blends open-concept living spaces with ensuite accommodations. Enjoy over 1,000 square feet of patios with stunning views of Sarasota Bay, the city lights, and the Gulf of Mexico. The kitchen features top-tier appliances, a spacious island, and a wet bar for entertaining. The master bedroom offers a tranquil retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom and access to the lanai. Resort-style amenities include a pool area, fitness center, club room, game room, and 24/7 valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations.

3 full, 1 partial3,798 SqFt.

Experience upscale waterfront living at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota. This premier condominium community offers legendary services and a range of amenities. Step into a world of elegance with fine touches, designer accents, and upgraded features, including custom cabinetry. This 3-bedroom residence with over 3,700 square feet seamlessly blends open-concept living spaces with ensuite accommodations. Enjoy over 1,000 square feet of patios with stunning views of Sarasota Bay, the city lights, and the Gulf of Mexico. The kitchen features top-tier appliances, a spacious island, and a wet bar for entertaining. The master bedroom offers a tranquil retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom and access to the lanai. Resort-style amenities include a pool area, fitness center, club room, game room, and 24/7 valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations.

Experience upscale waterfront living at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota. This premier condominium community offers legendary services and a range of amenities. Step into a world of elegance with fine touches, designer accents, and upgraded features, including custom cabinetry. This 3-bedroom residence with over 3,700 square feet seamlessly blends open-concept living spaces with ensuite accommodations. Enjoy over 1,000 square feet of patios with stunning views of Sarasota Bay, the city lights, and the Gulf of Mexico. The kitchen features top-tier appliances, a spacious island, and a wet bar for entertaining. The master bedroom offers a tranquil retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom and access to the lanai. Resort-style amenities include a pool area, fitness center, club room, game room, and 24/7 valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations.

CONNECTION

Perry Corneau

(941) 650-4626

Experience upscale waterfront living at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota. This premier condominium community offers legendary services and a range of amenities. Step into a world of elegance with fine touches, designer accents, and upgraded features, including custom cabinetry. This 3-bedroom residence with over 3,700 square feet seamlessly blends open-concept living spaces with ensuite accommodations. Enjoy over 1,000 square feet of patios with stunning views of Sarasota Bay, the city lights, and the Gulf of Mexico. The kitchen features top-tier appliances, a spacious island, and a wet bar for entertaining. The master bedroom offers a tranquil retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom and access to the lanai. Resort-style amenities include a pool area, fitness center, club room, game room, and 24/7 valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations.

perry.corneau@compass.com

sarasotacondominiums.com

On the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, many residents of Sarasota were feeling lucky to call Sarasota home.

“It’s so much fun downtown,” said Cindy Bowman, who said she has enjoyed living in the area since 1991.

The Block Party on March 16 at Gator Club invited the public to celebrate the holiday in downtown Sarasota.

Attendees, overwhelmingly dressed in green, packed the streets alongside the bar to enjoy some of the sights and sounds of the evening.

The event featured music by the band 22N, Johnny Diamond and DJ Kelly Crawford, as well as food by Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ, Fo’Cheezy Food Truck and Wings-N-Things.

Tents along the street also offered a plentiful supply of beer and other drinks.

“We’re looking forward to the band,” said Paige Haggbloom upon arriving at the event.

“We love it. We love to get the party started,” said Rita Mosor, expressing enthusiasm for the restaurants and beer garden.

—

SWABY

Photos by Ian Swaby Karen Mann and Susanna Stock

Attendees filled out the area around the stage.

Jerome Sousa with his long-haired German shepherds Tuska and Kaiser

Valerie Wood’s bird Taco (pictured with her brother, Parrish’s Pohlen Lyle) brought a touch of green to the scene.

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Cocoanut Bayou tops the week’s sales at $7.7 million. Rodney Robert Ayer, trustee, and Jean Ayer sold the home at 265 Cedar Park Circle to Jeffrey Jones and Robin Kneeshaw, of Sarasota, for $7.7 million. Built in 1959, it has five bedrooms, sixand-a-half baths, a pool and 6,455 square feet of living area. It sold for $5.35 million in 2020.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 811 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to KJB Properties III Stillpoint LLC for $930,000. Built in 2000, it has one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths and 1,170 square feet of living area. It sold for $710,000 in 2021.

PAVER PARK ESTATES

Wolfe Capital Investments LLC sold the home at 2538 E. Milmar Drive to Nicholas Thad Santucci and Hilary Espinosa, of Sarasota, for $770,000. Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,340 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2022.

PINE SHORES ESTATES

MARINA

Steven Rothbloom, of Naples, sold the Unit 803 condominium at 1233 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Alvin and Kathleen Neumann, of Sarasota, for $1.8 million. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,035 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.37 million in 2021.

MARK SARASOTA

Francesco Giannandrea, trustee, and Merike Koger, of Nokomis, sold the Unit 1020 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Randall Brown and Elizabeth Brown, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.67 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,498 square feet of living area. It sold for $934,000 in 2020.

INDIAN BEACH ESTATES

Gregory and Jane Shea, of Sarasota, sold their home at 614 Beverly Drive to Jeffrey Bilek, trustee, of Downers Grove, Illinois, for $1,395,000. Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,554 square feet of living area. It sold for $258,800 in 1998.

ESPLANADE BY SIESTA KEY

Joseph and Sandra Silvestri, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 2396 Vaccaro Drive to Ray Arndt, of Ontario, Canada, for $990,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,914 square feet of living area. It sold for $510,000 in 2014.

Christopher Richard Hatfield, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6123 Hollywood Blvd. to Egidio Pizzingrilli, of Quebec, Canada, for $725,000. Built in 1953, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,888 square feet of living area. It sold for $110,000 in 2014.

Valdir Barion and Carolina Siqueira sold their home at 6031 Hollywood Blvd. to Zota Investments LLC for $556,000. Built in 1952, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,376 square feet of living area. It sold for $770,000 in 2022.

PHILLIPPI HI

Joseph Blaise Boncha, of Sarasota, sold his home at 4006 Redbird Circle to Daniel and Andra Spurr, of Sarasota, for $689,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,989 square feet of living area. It sold for $549,500 in 2021.

BOULEVARD ADDITION TO SARASOTA

Kasey Rydel Raulerson and Anthony Raulerson sold their home at 1342 12th St. to Manuel Robert Zimiles and Donna Simonie, of Sarasota, for $650,000. Built in 1950, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,076 square feet of living area. It sold for $121,600 in 2012.

SOUTH GATE Staff & Palm LLC sold the home at 3200 Pinecrest St. to John and Rachel Byczek, of Sarasota, for $643,000. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,912 square feet of living area. It sold for $423,000 in 2023.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Jeremy Madden and Paola Mincarone-Madden, of Danville, Kentucky, sold their home at 3255 Lockwood Ridge Road to Marsha Ann Sutter and Nicholas James Sutter, of Sarasota, for $530,000. Built in 1970, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,576 square feet of living area. It sold for $381,000 in 2021.

Linda Jaskela her home at 3442 Fairview Drive to Patrick Hammen, of Sarasota, for $500,000. Built in 1965, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,589 square feet of living area. It sold for $185,000 in 2004.

ONLINE

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Other top sales by area

SARASOTA: $4,575,000

Bayso

Kevin Young sold his Unit 1907 condominium at 301 Quay Commons to Sean and Anne Madden, of Charlotte, North Carolina, for $4,575,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 3,196 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,403,900 in 2023.

PALMER RANCH: $995,000

Deer Creek

Matthew and Shannon Benjamin sold their home at 4472 Staghorn Lane to Stephen Tucker and Anne Malloy, of Sarasota, for $995,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,695 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in 2011.

NOKOMIS: $550,000

Mission Estates

Kenneth and M. LaOra Miles, of Frederika, Iowa, sold their home at 2342 Sonoma Drive to Warren and Sherry Koehl, of Nokomis, for $550,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,729 square feet of living area. It sold for $258,000 in 2003.

Courtesy of Bob Ruiz

WINNER

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS

YOUR CALENDAR

941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

MASS SCHEDULE

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Key, FL 34228 • 383-1255 • www.stmarylbk.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

MOON OVER MYAKKA FUNDRAISING CONCERT

7-9:30 p.m. at South Pavilion Lawn, Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Road 72. $25 (Discounted tickets for $20.) The one-man band Ben Prestage performs under the moon in Myakka River State Park. Big Blue Grilled Cheese Co., the gourmet grilled cheese food truck, will supply food, with vegan and vegetarian options available. Visit FriendsofMyakkaRiver.org.

ADULT CRAFT: SCRABBLE PENDANTS

1-2 p.m. at Meeting Room II, Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd. Free. Create your own personalized pendant from old scrabble tiles. All supplies provided. Registration required. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 GARDENS IN PARADISE

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts. Members, $40; nonmembers, $45. This event will offer an exclusive showcase of five private gardens located in Sarasota, featuring everything from stunning landscaping to rare plant collections. Registration required. Visit SarasotaGardenClub. org.

FAMILY SATURDAYS AT SELBY

10 a.m. to noon at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St. Free for members, included with general admission. The whole family is invited to enjoy art and nature activities in the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden at Selby Gardens. Participants create their own natureinspired art with materials including tempera paint, crayons, colored pencils, markers, color paper and more. Registration required. Visit Selby.org.

AQUA EGG HUNT AT ARLINGTON PARK & AQUATIC COMPLEX

1-2 p.m. at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St. $5 per child, free for adult chaperones. Meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs at Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex. Ages 3 years and younger (accompanied by adult) at 1 p.m.;

BEST BET

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

HOUNDS ON THE HUNT

5:30-6:30 p.m. at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St. $5 per dog. Dogs and their owners can hunt for eggs, win special prizes and take photos with the Easter Bunny. All participating dogs will receive a treat bag. For more info, visit LetsPlaySarasota.com.

4 to 5 years old (accompanied by adult) at 1:20 p.m., 6 to 8 years old (shallow) at 1:40 p.m. and 8 to 12 years old (deep) at 2 p.m. All children must arrive by 1:40 p.m. to complete a swim test if participating in the deep-water hunt. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 24

BALLROOM DANCE COMPETITION

4 p.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday at Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts. $45-$200. This competitive event features world-renowned artists and athletes as well as amateur performers, and also features a performance by Nick Cheremukhin and Victorija, and Gene and Elena Bersten. Visit SarasotaChallenge.com.

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