Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 5.2.24

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

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PAGE 9B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

VOLUME 20, NO. 23

YOUR TOWN

City, county divided on SPAC Commissioners don’t agree on funding for new performing arts center. SEE PAGE 4A

Courtesy photo

Pete Mohr, Gorilla Kleen field supervisor

Shipshape

The Unconditional Surrender statue is such a popular photo spot that during its annual cleaning April 25, the Gorilla Kleen crew had to set up a perimeter so team members could clean the statue without soaking onlookers.

The Gorilla Kleen team has donated its time to keep the statue looking pristine since it became a part of Sarasota’s public art collection four years ago, said John Cloud, Gorilla Kleen president.

His team also removed the graffiti that in 2019 defaced the statue.

So what’s the most challenging part of cleaning the statue — other than the height?

The woman’s shoe and leg gets the grimiest from people posing against the statue, said Cloud. There’s that, and its enduring popularity.

“Even when we’re cleaning it — there’s a nonstop stream of people,” said Cloud. “People had us take their pictures with the statue.”

TASTE OF SCIENCE An open house at Southside Elementary invites students to explore possibilities.

SEE PAGE 12A

Ian Swaby

Fourth grader Elijah Frederick watches a demonstration by Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream during Southside’s STEAM night.

Courtesy image

In sync

When tai chi instructor Marty Reichgut visited China during the 1980s, he was inspired to take up the gentle, meditative martial art after he saw thousands of people performing it in sync with one another.

While leading a group of about 20 seniors with Russ Odland on April 27 at the World Tai Chi Day workshop at Senior Friendship Centers, he was taken back to that experience.

Celebrated simultaneously in over 80 nations on the last Saturday of April, World Tai Chi & Qigong Day sees individuals gathering to practice at 10 a.m. in their respective time zones.

“I think that’s the kind of thing that people all over the world experience, and that’s why they do it, and the harmony of coming together all in one day is just an experience that’s hard to describe,” he said.

Some of the benefits of tai chi, he said, include increased strength and endurance, lower blood pressure and improved balance and a clearer mind.

A+E

Uncharted developments The city moves forward with plan to build affordable housing — and breaks a trail for Florida municipalities.

SEE PAGE 6A

Andrew Warfield

This building at the corner of Orange Avenue and First Street will be purchased by the city to make way for a city-owned, workforce-priced apartment development.

Parisian inspiration.

INSIDE

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

WEEK OF MAY 2, 2024

Budget town hall set

“I want to not spend $22 million on a project that may not go forward unless I know what I’m getting into ahead of time.”

City residents are invited to attend a town hall session to learn about Sarasota’s annual budget process from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in the SRQ Media Studio in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First St. The town hall will include a 30-minute presentation about the annual budget with an overview of the general fund and special funds, as well as spending restrictions.

The budget process begins annually in March with each department submitting a proposed budget, followed by individual department meetings with the administration to discuss budgetary needs. During workshops in July, the city manager presents a proposed budget to the Sarasota City Commission, after which adjustments may be made prior to the commission setting a tentative property millage rate.

Once the millage rate is set, two public hearings are held by the commission in September prior to adopting the next fiscal year’s budget.

County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger. Read more on Page 4A

BY THE NUMBERS 1,479

Maximum number of residential units to be built at MLK Jr. Way and North Tuttle Avenue, with 370 of them priced as affordable housing.

PAGE 9A

$6.4M

Funding gap that county staff is looking to close to include more elements in the first phase of a Regional Fire Training Academy.

PAGE 10A

Memorial Day Parade planned for May 27

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The Cardinal Mooney High School boys lacrosse team’s seed in the Class 1A region.

The No. 1 ranking is the first in the program’s history.

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CALENDAR n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, May 6, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota Planning Board

regular meeting — 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.

Courtesy image

A rendering of the Florida Studio Theater Arts Plaza.

FST receives $4M gift to help build Arts Plaza F

lorida Studio Theatre has received a challenge gift of $4 million from Ed and Susan Maier to provide funding to build the FST Arts Plaza, a mixed-use building that will include theater space, parking and apartments for short-term and long-term housing of actors.

The Maiers have proposed that their challenge gift be used as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to create a “circle of friends” to name the Arts Plaza in honor of Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy. All pledges toward the

­ cGillicuddy Circle of Friends M received after April 1 will be matched.

The challenge gift serves to help complete Phase 1 of the Arts Plaza project, which includes construction of the eight-story building, the parking garage and opening three stories of artist housing. The challenge grant will position Florida Studio Theatre to break ground in December 2024.

Arts Plaza features include: ■ A new Mainstage theater to allow for expansion of the Main-

stage and Stage III Series.

■ Two new cabaret theaters to accommodate growing audience demand for FST’s most popular program.

■ Extended-stay studio apartments for visiting guest artists.

■ Affordable housing for Sarasota’s year-round arts workers.

■ Secure and convenient parking spaces.

The Arts Plaza will be built on property currently owned

by Florida Studio Theatre near its current downtown facilities, which will remain.

In conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, the city of Sarasota will host the annual Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m.

Monday, May 27, in downtown.

The parade route begins at Main Street and Osprey Avenue and concludes at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park, located at Main Street and Gulfstream Avenue. There, a ceremony will begin at approximately 11 a.m.

This year’s keynote speaker will be West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran Michael Tollerton.

Graduating from West Point in 2011, Tollerton spent six years in the U.S. Army, earning the rank of field artillery captain. Following her military career, she joined U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s Military Academy Selection Committee in 2022 and Sarasota Military Academy’s board of directors in 2023.

The parade will include performances by the Sarasota Military Academy band and participation from local law enforcement, first responders, color guards, veterans’ groups and more.

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W HAT ’S HAPPENING

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Underwater COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Photos by Carter Weinhofer

Crews drop a deep-cover reef module into Sarasota Bay.

During the week of April 22, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program deployed 24 concrete artificial reefs as part of a $150,000 program aimed at providing habitat for fish.

CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER

T Staff Scientist Jay Leverone and Executive Director Dave Tomasko suit up to examine sone existing artificial reefs.

he Sarasota Bay Estuary Program recently deployed 24 artificial reefs across six sites in Sarasota Bay, the first project of its kind in about a decade.

The reef modules, called deepcover modules, are large, concrete structures that are about 4 feet wide.

Each site has four modules and will create an underwater ecosystem to support the growth of juvenile grouper, according to SBEP Executive Director Dave Tomasko.

Members of the SBEP went by boat

The deep-cover modules are about the size of a large circular table.

on April 23 to watch the first reefs deployed. Half were set in place the first day, and the remaining dozen would be installed the following day.

Reef Innovations, which has its plant in Sarasota, built the modules for the SBEP. Money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Sarasota Sportsmens Association provided the estuary program with the $150,000 necessary to carry out the project. Donations from the Sarasota Sportsmens Association to SBEP totaled about $50,000.

About $4.5 million of funds from the BIL allowed the SBEP to embark on a series of habitat restoration projects — something that was previously not possible within the SBEP’s standard funding. Other projects include the F.I.S.H. Preserve in Cortez and improvements to Bradenton’s G.T. Bray Park.

“We came up with the work plan a couple of years ago that said, we’ve got this opportunity to spend $4.5 million from the infrastructure law, and we’re not going to spend it on studies and reports. We’re going to spend it on restoration projects,” Tomasko said.

According to Tomasko, some artificial reef projects were completed

by Manatee and Sarasota counties in the past, and the SBEP did similar projects as well.

“It’s not like no one’s ever done this before, but it hasn’t been done in about 10 years,” Tomasko said.

UNDERWATER COMMUNITY

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Bayshore North

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Whale Key Reef

Bayshore South Reef

When choosing a type of artificial reef, SBEP took part in a yearlong monitoring process to pick the best one.

When Staff Scientist Jay Leverone saw about 40 gag grouper at one reef site with deep-cover modules, he knew that was the type to use.

The six sites in Sarasota Bay will be Bayshore North Reef, Whale Key

Reef, Bayshore South Reef, Walkers Reef, Harts Reef and Sportsmans Reef. These sites were previously permitted for artificial reefs, Tomasko said, which made the process easier.

The reef sites are also accessible by kayak. Once populated with fish, Tomasko said the hope is that the reef sites will give people the opportunity to experience fishing for grouper without needing a big boat and going offshore.

The four modules at each site will be spaced out, but not too far.

“The idea is to cluster them close enough to each other so that fish can swim from one to another,” Tomasko said. “And the idea also is that we don’t want to have these individual reefs scattered so far away that fish can’t go from one reef site to another.”

Creating a safe, interconnected habitat for juvenile fish to grow will hopefully help to stock the offshore fisheries.

“Fish have very high mortality and early life history stages,” Tomasko said. “So if you only focus on habitat for the adults, then you’re going to miss probably the most important thing, which is the habitat for the younger stages.”

After a couple weeks, there could be marine life like sponges growing on the reefs.

In about a year or two, the reefs will be “soaked,” according to Leverone. That means the artificial reefs will be fully immersed by then, and hopefully creating an underwater community.

Then, fish around the reefs could be tagged with the hope of becoming part of larger monitoring projects related to offshore fishing. That way, SBEP and other organizations can point to artificial reef programs like this as promoting the growth of juvenile fish that later go on to support offshore fisheries.

“The vast majority of the grouper you’re going to eat are not coming from Sarasota Bay, they’re probably coming from offshore,” Tomasko said. “But if you don’t have a Sarasota Bay, then you’re not going to be able to have a healthy offshore ­fishery.”

Walkers Reef Harts Reef

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ARTIFICIAL REEF LOCATIONS

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Sportsmans Reef

Larry Beggs, with Reef Innovations, helps guide the crew in deploying the deep-cover artificial reefs.

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

The conceptual drawing for The Bay master plan includes a site for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center, shaded in purple.

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County members of Bay Park Improvement Board say they won’t recommend support for TIF funds for performing arts center architect.

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t’s like 2017 all over again with city and county commissioners squarely on opposite sides of funding decisions for a dedicated district in downtown Sarasota.

That’s when a 30-year downtown community redevelopment agency expired — which can largely be credited for the transformation of downtown — with a 50% earmark of property tax dollars collected there used for that purpose.

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Park Conservancy Chief Operating Officer Bill Waddill draws a comparison when it comes to dedicating tax increment financing revenues to the development of The Bay Park, and within it a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

It’s also the year Waddill, AG Lafley and other leaders of the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, now the BPC, were fully immersed in their work to bring the city and county together again to fund half The Bay Park.

The TIF dedicates increased revenue from rising property values within a given boundary, in this case neighborhoods immediately north, south and east of the 53-acre city property. To get there required rebuilding trust between the city and county governments to agree to allocate TIF revenues to build out The Bay. It was evident during the April 24 meeting of the Bay Park Improve-

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

ment Board — consisting of city commissioners Debbie Trice and Mayor Liz Alpert, county commissioners Mark Smith and Ron Cutsinger, and at-large community member Jon Thaxton — that the lack of trust persists.

And it showed nothing had changed among the members since their March 29 meeting.

Although a motion to recommend approval of up to $44 million for a design agreement between the city and Italy-based architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop was passed, it was by a 3-2 margin with Cutsinger and Smith opposed.

That advances the request to the City Commission, where approval is expected, and the Sarasota County Commission, where it’s doubtful.

Under an agreement between the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, all capital expenditures for a new SPAC are to be divided equally among the public and private sectors. Of the $44 million, if that is indeed the spend for those services, $11 million would come each from city and county TIF revenues, and $22 million from the foundation.

But only if both governmental bodies agreed. Both Cutsinger and Smith said they need more details before they can support the architecture agreement.

“If I’m going to approve a project or look forward to approving a project that may be $250 million or $300 million, before I get into that I want a lot more information,” Cutsinger said. “I want to not spend $22 million on a project that may not go forward unless I know what I’m getting into ahead of time. This is not ready for me.”

City Manager Marlon Brown countered that the details Cutsinger wants will not be available until the architect is actually on board and can provide an estimate for the project, which will take several months.

“We’re not spending $22 million right out of the box. There are the five stopping points,” said Alpert.

“This is just basically to get the process started. But to have the funding in place, to know that it can be paid for if it keeps moving forward. It can be stopped if it’s determined that this is just going to be too much for whatever reason. Otherwise there’s no way to estimate this.”

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can build a consensus.”

“I think once Renzo’s contract is signed people are going to really rally behind the project,” said SPAF CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko. “I think people will get excited about it once we have designs to show once we can really start talking publicly about it. Right now we’re stuck in the dollars and so it’s difficult to talk about.”

DECISION TIME

The Ringling College Visual Arts Center was designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors of Sarasota.

ARCHITECT OF RECORD CHOSEN While city and county governments hash out funding for the SPAC, Renzo Piano Building Workshop has selected Sarasota-based Sweet Sparkman Architects from among 30 candidates.

In practice for 22 years, Sweet Sparkman has completed local cultural and community projects such as The Bay, Center for Asian Art at the Ringling Museum of Art, Ringling College of Art and Design: Basch Visual Arts Center, Asolo Repertory Theatre Koski Center

HISTORY REPEATS

Waddill has seen all this before.

He has since left the BPC in an official capacity but remains an active advocate of The Bay and SPAC. The population of the county is 10 times that of the city, therefore 10 times the number of constituents, he said. And if the TIF didn’t exist, the incremental tax revenue generated by new development and rising property values in The Quay, the Rosemary District and other properties surrounding The Bay would instead be spread across the entire

Campus, Venice Theatre and Siesta Key Park and Pavilion.

“We selected Sweet Sparkman not only for their proficiency and local knowledge of the construction industry, but for their spirit, and the team they put forth,” said a statement from Renzo Piano Building Workshop. “We see them as our partners in this adventure and we strongly believe their qualities, values and experience will be key to the project’s success.”

Sweet Sparkman Architecture

and Interiors is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in communityoriented projects. Established in 2002, its principals are Todd Sweet, Jerry Sparkman, John ­Bryant and Karl Bernhard, bringing a combined 100 years of experience in architecture and planning, including residential, civic and community projects.

Sweet Sparkman has 42 fulltime employees with offices in Sarasota and St. Petersburg.

county.

Regardless of political implications, that revenue, if spent, must occur within the taxing district either directly within the boundaries of The Bay or for improvements associated with access to the park such as streets, sidewalks and other enhancements.

Although the TIF funds can be spent to fund a portion of the SPAC, it is not a requirement. That’s where the county and the city are at loggerheads, at least for now.

Waddill said he isn’t surprised.

“They’re going to act in what they think the best interests of their constituents are, which are the whole county,” Waddill said. “It’s incumbent on us to do the hard work to make a case and to build a community consensus on what’s a wise investment for the next 75 or 100 years, and then make that case to the county commissioners. We’re not ready to do that yet.

“We’re at year 2017 in The Bay Park initiative, and so we’ve got hard work to do. But we know if we follow a similar trajectory, I’m confident we

Meanwhile, to keep the project on track and Renzo Piano at the table, decisions will need to be made about funding the architect contract without the county’s TIF dollars.

Although the total ask was up to $44 million, only about $8 million of that is needed at this time. Of that total, Renzo Piano will be responsible for hiring an architect of record (see box), engineering firms, etc., and then paying them.

The balance — the actual cost is typically 20% of the hard costs of the project, which as yet is unknown — may be approved in phases going forward by both the city and county boards.

In the interim that initial $8 million must come from the city’s TIF funds, capped at $4 million, and the other half from the SPAF, unless the city were to allocate some money from the general fund.

Going forward, should the county continue to not support the SPAC with TIF dollars, the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation could find themselves on the hook for the entire amount if it were to move forward.

How the county would choose to use the TIF funds, which can only be spent in the TIF district from which it is collected, would be a question.

Current projections are for the TIF district to raise more than $329 million by the time it expires in 2049.

That’s $229 million more than the projected $100 million in TIF funding earmarked for the rest of The Bay Park, which is estimated at $200 million to complete.

“My recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners is not to put money towards this,” Smith said regarding the architect contract.

“However, if the foundation and the City Commission want to pick up the tab, by all means.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

City housing plan faces potential legal hurdles Attorney warns of unknown circumstances as no Florida city has built its own workforce housing development.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

S

arasota City Manager Marlon Brown wants the city to get into the apartment business, and the discussion at their April 15 meeting indicates city commissioners agree.

The idea is to use a small city parking lot and purchase two other parcels across First Street from City Hall.

There, the city would spearhead the construction of two 10-story towers for 192 workforce and affordable housing apartments with groundfloor commercial space the city would sell to help offset some costs.

The city would own the building, perhaps in partnership with other companies and organizations that have an interest in making residences in the downtown area accessible to the workforce class.

As lawyers looking out for the best interests of their clients are prone to do, though, Deputy City Attorney Michael Connelly told commissioners: not so fast. There may be valid reasons no other municipality in the state has attempted such an ambitious endeavor.

Commissioner Erik Arroyo quizzed Connelly, who was filling in for City Attorney Robert Fournier at the meeting, about whether he knows of any government entity that has created a limited liability corporation to insulate itself from liabilities incurred in a specific project.

“Is it because government entities can’t do that, or it’s just because the government part of the public sector just doesn’t think about stuff like that?” Arroyo asked.

“It’s because I’ve never seen a governmental entity own and operate an apartment complex yet,” Connelly responded. “Under the Florida Constitution, local government, a city in particular, only has authority to operate for a municipal purpose. And so what is the municipal purpose? All

I NTRO D U CI N G

I can tell you is, to my knowledge, it has never happened.”

The city currently has the two properties under contract to purchase for $7.4 million. Brown estimated the total project cost to be $70 million to $80 million. Because the city is not in the business of making a profit, rents would be capped and the requisite number of affordable and attainable units will be offered per code.

Connelly cautioned commissioners that he had concerns about five of the 10 directives Brown was seeking, largely surrounding the finances and whether the city can offer organizations — such as the school system or Sarasota Memorial Hospital — reserved units for employees in exchange for contributions to the project without being deemed discriminatory.

The city will have to raise those funds from somewhere. The Barancik Foundation has committed $1.5 million to the project and Brown said he is in talks with Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for similar amounts.

Combined with the more than $4 million in the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the city still needs to raise nearly $1.9 million to buy the property. That gap may be filled by a request of $2 million in state money by State Rep. Fiona McFarland, which has been approved by both the State House and Senate and is waiting for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, Brown told commissioners.

Still, Connelly’s concerns include: ■ The foundation agreement: “I don’t know what the terms and conditions of that will be, and that it is certainly conceivable that there could be things that I would recommend to you that you may not want to agree to, so keep that in mind.”

■ Cash-to-close contingency: “What we recommended is that we

Courtesy image

“Under the Florida Constitution, local government, a city in particular, only has authority to operate for a municipal purpose.

And so what is the municipal purpose? All I can tell you is, to my knowledge, it has never happened.”

— Michael Connelly, deputy city attorney

would add to each of the two purchase and sale agreements a cash-to-close contingency so the city would have until 30 days before closing to be able to notify the seller that we don’t have the funds and then be able to terminate the contract and get our deposit back. That was rejected. If you don’t get $7.4 million by September, you still have to close and you’re going to have to find that money someplace.

You have a contractual obligation to close.”

■ Request for proposals for design/construction and for management/operations: “I want to protect the city from liability. When the city issues a request for proposal, the vendors go ahead and spend their time and money to put together a response to the request for proposal. If we end up withdrawing that request for proposal, we are

liable to pay them back the cost they have incurred at that point.”

■ Revenue bonds for construction costs: “Bond counsel had indicated that no other local government in the state of Florida has issued revenue bonds in order to own and operate an attainable or workforce housing project. They’re willing to try it, though. There has to be a public purpose. The question is whether the private benefit is paramount or the public benefit is paramount. I want you to be aware that there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to issue these bonds, and if the courts say you can issue the bonds, they may well be taxable bonds because of this private benefit that occurs to the 192 households. And if they’re taxable bonds, that means you have to pay a higher interest rate.”

■ Construction schedule: “Mr. Brown talked in his presentation that construction would start in 2025.

Again, we have the due diligence period. We’re going to have to get the leases for all of those there are tenants in there now. We don’t know for sure that we can get those tenants out without incurring liability between now and 2025, so we don’t really know what that construction schedule would be.”

With all that laid on the table, commissioners unanimously approved the property acquisition.

The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city’s credit union office, which will remain.

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8A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

That’s one heckuva wrap!

Of course, there was fashion, food and fun, but the amount of money donated this year tops the charts as a season standout.

Friedrich Hayek

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

EMILY WALSH

W

hen co-proprietor of Michael’s On East Michael Klauber took the stage as the auctioneer of his final paddle raise of the 2023-2024 social season Sunday at the Sarasota Ballet’s 2024 Gala at the Circus Arts Conservatory, he started the bids at $50,000.

One paddle shot up.

Calculating the math in our heads as Klauber asked for bids of $50,000, $25,000, $15,000, $10,000, down to $1,000, the total raised in support of the Sarasota Ballet’s performance, education and community programs was more than $550,000.

It appears that the generosity of Sarasota’s philanthropists and arts enthusiasts is at an all-time high.

And the Ballet Gala isn’t the only example. In early January, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation flashed names on a large LED screen when Hospital Gala-goers made their pledges during its paddle raise at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Total: $1.2 million. The entire evening brought in $1,445,000.

One of the greatest examples of generosity this season didn’t even happen at a gala. Sarasota Community Foundation’s 2024 Giving Challenge, augmented by a Patterson Foundation match, raised $17,244,298 — $1 million more than the Giving Challenge in 2022.

And Sarasota’s season of giving is not quite over yet. The last fundraising gala of the season, the 19th annual Dick Vitale Gala, benefiting the V Foundation, will be May 3 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Last year, that gala raised a record $12.4 million.

Jessica Rogers, vice president of philanthropy at Children First, said the past two seasons were the most successful to date in the organization’s history.

“We started to see the shift last year, with people really coming back in full force post-COVID,” Rogers said. “They were feeling more comfortable and philanthropic at events.”

This year, at its annual Fairytale Ball in early April at Michael’s On East Children First generated record-breaking revenue — $575,000 from the event.

Klauber also served as auctioneer of Children First’s live auction.

Rogers attributes the success to working with partners like Klauber and Phil Mancini of Michael’s On East and the Pachota family of Venice Pier Group, which hosts Children First’s fall fundraisers — Flip Flops & Fashion and Rockin’

“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.”

Harry Sayer

Michael Klauber served as auctioneer of Children First’s most successful live auction at its Fairytale Ball in April.

SAVE THE YEAR!

To place your fundraiser on the 2024-2025 Black Tie Social Calendar visit Bit.Ly/SubmitBT and fill out the form.

Lobster.

“Michael was willing to help amplify the great selection items that we had in the auction and highlight the challenge match,” said Rogers.

Challenge matches were also a trend this year. Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center used a $20,000 challenge match — $10,000 from ­NextArrow and $10,000 from the Doris Carter Family Foundation — at its “SPARCCLE on the Runway” Fashion Show in March. At Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s “Cause 4 Hope: Kaleidoscope,” an anonymous match came in at the last minute of the paddle raise, matching every $100 bid. Almost every paddle in the room went up.

With nearly 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, getting invitations in front of new people in the community was a goal for Renee Phinney, vice president of sales at Palm Printing. Phinney saw print quantities increase and acquiring new mailing lists as top trends this season. To help organizations target potential new clients, Phinney can create mailing lists based on ZIP codes, home values, new home purchases and other specific demographics.

Attracting new people was top of mind for Children First as well. All of its events were sellouts. So Rogers asked sponsors to donate back tickets or seats if they weren’t using them to be able to invite new people not familiar with the organization.

“A lot of people in the community really heeded the call when we asked them,” Rogers said.

Fundraisers weren’t the only events sold out this year.

“We had a great season,” said Michelle Bente, marketing director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. “‘Hamilton’ was sold out all two weeks, and we still have shows to go.”

She said that the Van Wezel’s entire Broadway series had a strong season because of the combination of programming and its appeal to a

wider audience. She also shared that the Van Wezel saw much bigger audiences than last year and that they are skewing younger.

Ringling College Library Association had similar success with its Town Hall Lecture Series, selling out two of its five lectures, which is the first time it had sold-out audiences since 2016.

Executive Director Lauren Kurnov said an influx of a younger audience radiated energy and enthusiasm. “Overall, the sales were up 30% over last year. That’s a really big jump,” said Kurnov.

One Longboat Key resident recently told me that after this year’s busy season, “I need to go home to rest from Florida.” However, there is no rest for others.

According to Molly Maginn, corporate partnership associate at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, this is the first time the Asolo is producing a show this late in the season with “Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical,” that will premiere May 8 and run through June 9.

Phinney, who is co-chairing Forty Carrots Family Center’s Wine, Women & Shoes for the second consecutive year, said no one is resting on her laurels. “We’re thinking about what we are going to do next,” she said, “We’re going to continue creating experiences that are mission driven and fun.”

In fact, the Black Tie social calendar for next season is already filling up. Klauber’s wife, Terri, reached out earlier this week to make sure that Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 15th annual “Cooking for Wishes” event was on the calendar for Feb. 21, 2025. (See box on how to save your fundraiser’s date on the calendar.)

While the monies reported in this column total nearly $20 million, that’s just a small portion of the total dollars raised from the hundreds of fundraisers hosted in the 2023-2024 season. All of it calls for celebration. Sarasota’s philanthropists are truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Renee Phinney of Palm Printing said that every organization tried to stay consistent in its marketing and brand and elevate the design of its invite to be theme based. Some were even interactive, like Neuro Challenge Foundation’s spinning wheel for “Cause 4 Hope: Kaleidoscope.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

9A

New homes for Newtown area County approves changes for developer to build nearly 1,500 multifamily homes, while also forming a charter boat task force.

CHARTER BOAT TASK FORCE

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

T

he developer of the Gracewater development has won unanimous approval of the Sarasota County Commission to build up to 1,479 residential apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial development off Martin Luther King Jr. Way, just outside the city limits.

At its April 23 meeting, county commissioners approved an ordinance regarding the Midtown SRQ Development of Critical Concern to correct the maximum dwelling number from 1,482 and a comprehensive plan amendment to rezone the site from Moderate Density Residential to High Density Residential.

No building plans have been submitted to the county at this time. The commission’s actions set the stage for site plan design and for the sale of the property to the developer.

Located at MLK Jr. Way and North Tuttle Avenue, Gracewater Midtown plans to build the project on 113.81 acres of currently county-owned land. The site was used as a repository for vegetative storm debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Commissioner Mark Smith motioned to approve the amendment, with a couple of requests to be included in the county’s capital improvement program.

“I just want to remind the board that with this development we need to look as a county to widening Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tuttle Avenue in our budget and CIP program,” Smith said.

“And, also see about getting into our CIP to enlarge and improve Newtown Estates Park as we’re adding 1,479 residential units and families

Image via SCGov.net

Higel Marine Park has one of Sarasota County’s 13 motorized boat launches.

Courtesy image

Gracewater Midtown is planning an up to 1,479-unit multifamily development on this Sarasota County-owned land near Newtown.

to a park facility that is not able to facilitate all the kids in the neighborhood right now.”

In December 2020, the County Commission declared the property as surplus, and in March 2021 issued an Invitation to Negotiate competitive process for affordable housing proposals for the property.

On March 29, 2022, the commission approved a contract with Gracewater Midtown LLC outlining the conditions for the purchase.

Those conditions include the requirement for a mixed-use development of up to 1,479 dwelling units and a minimum 4.5-acre parcel for commercial development. That parcel is on the northeast corner of the

property along North Tuttle Avenue and must include at least a pharmacy and grocery store.

The contract also requires 25% of the dwellings must be offered as affordable housing, being rented or sold to households at or below 80% average median income, with at least half of those units being sold or rented at or below 60% of AMI. That results in 370 units to be sold or rented to households at 80% AMI and 185 units of those to be sold or rented to households at 60% AMI. Just north of the site, the same developer is building Gracewater, a nearly 500-home single family and twin villa community with prices starting in the $500,000s.

In other county news, with only a two-month time frame to work with, commissioners seated a five-member task force formed to deliver a recommended solution to the long-standing dilemma of commercial charter boat operators illegally using Sarasota County boat launches and docks to operate fishing and sight-seeing tours.

Selected from a list of 22 applicants, the selected members are: ■ Jason Kobza and Brad Donahue, charter tour operator representatives ■ Sherman Baldwin and Mason Tush, water access/marina property owners or charter tour operators with a lease of land abutting the marine park district representatives ■ Tony Nakonetschny, community member at-large representative In August 2022, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources staff completed a commission assignment to research the development of a permit program for fishing charter and/or tour boats within the county water access parks that would legally allow the activity. That was in response to an increase in unauthorized commercial watercraft using parks

and amenities as the pick-up and drop-off location for guests of private charters resulting largely in concerns over limited parking, ramp and dock safety, liability and the use of public space for private enterprise.

Recommendations presented

by Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Nicole Rissler on Oct. 24, 2023, brought reactions by charter boat captains that prohibiting their activities would put multiple operators out of business, leave dozens of residents unemployed and harm tourism.

Limited water access, they said, requires them to use public facilities to operate.

At its Jan, 30, 2024, meeting, the commission requested that County Administrator Jonathan Lewis bring back guidance on the composition of a task force to investigate unauthorized commercial activity and on the delegation of authority for approval of penalty fees for unauthorized use of county parks.

With a time frame of June 1 to Aug. 1, the purpose of the task force is to determine a mechanism for lawful and legal operation of commercial water-based charter boat and tour excursion operators.

CO N G R AT U L AT E S Gary S. Brochin

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10A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

PROGRAM PRESENTERS

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STAFF WRITER

W

ith last week’s approval of two funding sources for the Sarasota County’s new Regional Fire Training Academy, staff has turned its attention to finding money to pay for three items not included in the first phase.

Without discussion, county commissioners unanimously approved two of the funding sources during their April 23 meeting — the issuance of $29 million in capital improvement revenue bonds and the appropriation of $13.6 million from the fiscal year 2024 capital improvement budget. The total Phase 1 budget is $53.7 million with funding provided by fire and EMS impact fees and state grants.

Sarasota County Schools is partnering with a $10 million contribution, which will provide access to the new training academy for Suncoast Technical College’s firefighter training. The college and Sarasota County Fire Department currently train at STC’s facilities on city-owned property off Circus Boulevard.

The new academy will be built on county-owned land near the county landfill on Knights Trail Road, east of I-75 near Nokomis.

During their March 20 budget

workshop, commissioners said they’d like to build the entire complex at once, but that means finding another $20.2 million. Emergency Services Director Rich Collins said he’d be satisfied if a few more items totaling about $6.4 million could be funded in the initial build.

At $3.3 million, the most expensive of those items is an equipment driver’s training pad. Currently, that training takes place in the Robarts Arena parking lot. Other items include a confined space training area and a high-angle rescue tower.

“If we could get back into the project somehow that would allow us to move forward with a comprehensive ability to train not just our firefighters but regionally hazardous material, high-angle rescue, drivers’ training, truck operations and so on,” Collins said.

Commissioners unanimously agreed, and instructed staff to scour the budget for the money. Should the additional three items be included in Phase 1, remaining to be funded are: an outdoor classroom, restroom and storage building; storage/decontamination building; hazmat/vehicle extraction; partially collapsed building/rubble pile; strip shopping mall prop; gas-fired prop; shipboard prop; fire behavior lab; and the balance of furniture and equipment.

The site of the new ­Sarasota County Regional Fire Training Academy

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

11A

Wild Blue

AT WAT E R S I D E

Grand Opening of 10 Models by the Area's Finest Builders

NOW INTRODUCING THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY. With new models to tour and tremendous sales activity, Wild Blue at Waterside is being hailed as a Sarasota standout. The new waterfront community by Stock Development boasts an enviable location in Lakewood Ranch, luxury single-family homes by the area’s finest builders, and incredible amenities. The extraordinary lifestyle includes a 13-acre sports complex, and a spectacular social clubhouse, with indoor and outdoor dining, two pools, a movie theater, fitness center, and a 9-hole premier putting course. It’s no wonder Wild Blue at Waterside is fast becoming one of the most sought-after communities in Sarasota.

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12A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Kindergartener JT Lannon and his cousin, pre-K student Ryan Ching, play with a robot.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Elena Bubnova and her daughter, second-grader Milana Bubnova, help Meily Fernandez perform a science experiment at the table of Sarasota High School’s MaST Research Institute.

Interdisciplinary school showcase

D

avin Hicks, a first grader who is interested in robotics, and Blake Wilson, a fourth grader who loves nature, both found something to enjoy at Southside STEAM Night on April 18.

“It was really cool, definitely an experience I have never seen,” said their mother Ashlynn Jones.

Held at Southside Elementary School, the event brought together a range of offerings that fall under the umbrella of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics), to showcase the offerings at Sarasota County Schools.

The event’s exhibitors included staff from Southside Elementary as well as others such as Sarasota High School’s MaST Research Institute, Brookside Middle School’s Marine Science Academy, UF/ IFAS Extension Sarasota County and local businesses.

The event also involved school staff from various disciplines, with offerings including activities such as a station for converting drawings to 3D digital images, and a performance by the jazz band of Southside Elementary.

— IAN SWABY

Noah Winter, a first grader, holds a sea urchin.

Second graders Lila Cigich and Valerie Wright control a VEX robot.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

O

13A

g n i z a m

Mother's Day Gift Guide

MCGRATH’S KITCHEN & COCKTAILS 8110 Lakewood Main Street Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-210-4398

Join us for Mother’s Day Buffet on May 12th from 10am - 3pm. Cheers to Mom! Celebrate with our bottomless Bloody Mary and Mimosa! Special brunch menu for everyone to enjoy.

Fun for the whole family!

LE MACARON

362 St Armands Cir • Sarasota, FL 34236 140 University Town Center Dr • Sarasota, FL 34243 941-552-8872 • www.LeMacaron-US.com Handcrafted by our team of French chefs, these classic pastries come in unique flavors like Sicilian Pistachio & Mango Jam. We use the finest glutenfree ingredients. Visit our pâtisserie to enjoy French Macarons, quality French gelato, classic French pastries, European-style beverages & homemade candies. Order your gift boxes now!

MOLLY MAID OF SARASOTA, MANATEE & CHARLOTTE COUNTIES

1461 Tallevast Rd • Sarasota, FL 34243 941-753-2220 • www.MollyMaid.com/gift-certificates

CAFE L’EUROPE

431 St Armands Circle • Sarasota, FL 34236 941-388-4415 • www.CafeLEurope.net/reservations

What does mom really want this Mother’s Day? A CLEAN home and TIME to herself! Give her a Molly Maid gift certificate so she can take some time off from housework and enjoy some me time! Gift certificates are easy to get and easy to give. To all moms Happy Mother’s Day from Molly Maid!

Join us at Café L’Europe this Mother’s Day for an unforgettable culinary celebration! Pamper her with exquisite dishes like Lobster Thermidor Quiche, Honey Curried Sea Bass, & our decadent Crème Brûlée Crepe Cheesecake. Visit our pop-up flower truck on St. Armands Circle to pick a stunning bouquet for Mom! Make it a day to remember & a meal to treasure at Café L’Europe.

BOCA BOUTIQUE

6969 S Tamiami Tr • Sarasota, FL 34231 941-529-1000 www.BocaBoutiqueSRQ.com We have a superb collection of gift items to make Mother’s Day extra special! Rare finds to surprise and delight: Jewelry, glassware, candles, wall art, decorative, table and kitchen wares, pillows, purses, clothing, beauty products, faith gifts and more. Join us Saturday, May 11, for a Mother & Daughter Shopping Day, 9:30am-5pm. The first 25 mothers will receive a gift!

DIAMOND BAY JEWELERS

Located in the Bay Street Village & Town Center 3976 Destination Dr, Unit 105 • Osprey, FL 34229 941-786-1013 • www.DiamondBayJewelers.com From classy adornments to engagement specialties, Diamond Bay Jewelers has what you need to create your style for any occasion. Come enjoy the exquisite experience of fine jewelry and expert watchmaking. Jewelry repair, custom design and redesign services available with over 30 years of experience. As seen on celebrities exclusive Gabriel & Co Retailer.

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The Perfect Gift for the Moms in your Life, a Gift Card from the #1 Luxury Spa, Salon & Med Spa. Featuring over 200+ services including Massages, Facials, Botox, Fillers, Permanent Make Up, Laser Hair Removal, CO2 Laser (Cool Peel), Morpheus8, IPL, Lash Services and More. Receive $15 Bonus card for every $100 Gift Card purchased through Mother’s Day! Happy Pampering!

Come in and find some thing as unique as you are! From Euro, chic, clothing, jewelry and accessories for Mother’s Day. To fine soaps and house warming gifts and enjoy our superb customer service. You won’t be disappointed!

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Your perfect Mother’s Day gifts can be found at Molly’s!

Named Best Gift Store in Sarasota for 5 years, you are sure to find something special to give or get for yourself. Beyond gifts, enjoy their large selection of quality shoes, jewelry, apparel and accessories too.

MCCARVER & MOSER

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

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FRIDAY, APRIL 19

NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE 2:10 p.m., 100 block of North Lemon Avenue Assault: Because a man was harassing customers as they were leaving a restaurant, the manager of said restaurant told an officer responding to a possible battery that he and an employee escorted the nuisance man off the property.

That’s when the situation escalated. The manager explained that he told the subject to cease and desist his behavior, but when the manager turned to go back inside, the subject grabbed his arm and threatened to beat him up.

The manager was then joined by an employee who physically removed the subject, and he fell to the ground. That’s when the manager called law enforcement.

The subject had left the scene by the time an officer arrived, but he was easy to find based on the manager’s detailed description ­— a white male, skinny, no shirt, wearing jeans and with the unique characteristic of a musical note and a star tattooed on his chest.

The man was indeed located a few blocks away, appeared to be intoxicated and had small abrasions on his shoulder and hand. He told the officer he was attacked for no reason, but he was unable to explain further. The subject was then issued a trespassing warning.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Connecting with your doctor when you need them most is crucial.

CHOOSING SIDES 12:42 p.m., 1400 block of Main Street Disturbance: It’s a story as old as the dissolution of marriage itself — servers at a local watering hole allegedly choosing sides in a divorce and spiking a drink in retribution.

Workers at a restaurant were accused by a man who said he was drugged while throwing back some liquid therapy. The reasons for the drugging incident were unexplained other than the bartenders must like his estranged wife more than they like him.

The complainant explained he and his would-be formerly betrothed were very loyal customers, and on this day he believes someone introduced a foreign substance into his drink because, inexplicably, when he

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SUNDAY, APRIL 21

TIMING IS KEY 6:19 p.m., 500 block of Signal Pointe Drive Disturbance: A case of missing rental car keys resulted in a police response to a family dispute. The complainant told an officer her on-again, off-again boyfriend took the keys and drove the vehicle to his residence, and then claimed to have misplaced them. The rental car was in the woman’s name.

The complainant said she didn’t want to press charges, but that she only wanted the keys returned.

Officers arrived at the man’s address at the time he exited the apartment with keys in hand and apologized for the miscue. The woman left with the rental car and the apparently now off-again boyfriend returned to his ­residence.

arrived at home afterward he began purging the libations in an unpleasant manner.

According to the incident report, he never lost consciousness, nor did he seek medical attention to confirm his suspicions. Contacted by officers outside the establishment, he continued to exhibit signs of agitation while being interviewed, then he left the area without following through on his complaint.

The restaurant manager informed a law enforcement officer that the embattled pair have been longtime patrons and are known to staff, adding the man’s behavior had become erratic since his impending divorce proceedings began.

The restaurant manager said he viewed video footage from the three hours the man was present and saw no evidence of a drink being spiked, and that multiple vodka tonics — which may explain the gastrointestinal response — were poured directly in front of him.

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a life-changing illness or injury is an important decision. When you choose our hospital for your rehabilitation, you receive compassionate care from an expert team that works together to help you meet your unique goals. Our clinicians combine innovative technologies and advanced therapies into a treatment plan that helps you achieve what’s important to you.

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MAY 2, 2024

SPORTS

“I’m hoping to break my own record in the 3,200. I’d like to get around 11 minutes flat. Maybe at the state meet I can do that.”

— AUBRI ANTCZAK, sophomore, Sarasota High track & field. SEE PAGE 17A

Fast

Break

Courtesy photo

Emma Weyant was ranked as the No. 5 most popular swimmer in the U.S. by SwimOutlet.

F

ormer Riverview High women’s swimmer Emma Weyant is the fifth-most popular swimmer in the U.S., according to an index study conducted by SwimOutlet and published April 22. SwimOutlet used search volume and data from Instagram to create its index. Weyant won a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the Tokyo Olympics and will compete at the 2024 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis in June for a spot at this year’s Paris Olympics. … Riverview High announced April 29 that boys basketball assistant coach Jeff Harris would assume the head coach role next season. Harris will take the role from Brandon Knecht, who coached the Rams for one season and went 17-10. … Sarasota High girls track and field sophomore Aubri Antczak won the 3,200-meter run (11:46.08) at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 4A District 8 meet, held April 25 at North Port High. Antczak also helped the school’s 4x800-meter relay team to a second-place finish (9:59.61) alongside junior Alexa Daverio, freshman Jasmine France and junior Indy Grajalez. The Sailors finished sixth as a team. … Also at the Class 4A District 8 meet, Riverview High girls track and field sophomore Kate St. Onge won the high jump (1.57 meters) and finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (13.17 seconds). St. Onge also helped the Rams to a third-place finish (51.18 seconds) in the 4x100meter relay alongside freshman Emma Morris, sophomore Sutton Odegard and senior Majestic van Ingen. The Rams finished second as a team.

SPRING ACTION. PAGE 16A

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Mooney senior Hunter Sheffield rips a shot for a goal against Barron Collier. Sheffield had two goals in the game.

THEY’RE NO. 1

Until the state tournament, all roads lead to Mooney and its rowdy home crowd.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

C

ardinal Mooney High boys lacrosse Head Coach Derek Wagner thought for a second, then shrugged.

“We advanced,” Wagner said.

“Against an opponent that you should beat by a decent margin, you want to make sure you do that. We did that. We advanced. Let’s get a win and move on.”

It was not the joyful response one might expect from a coach following his team’s 15-4 win over Barron Collier High in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A regional quarterfinals on April 24. So it goes when the Cougars are 14-5 and secured the No. 1 seed in its region for the first time in program history. Until the state tournament, all teams will have to go through Mooney at home, where the team has yet to lose a game this season.

Wagner has high expectations for his group. He knows that the Cougars will play tougher opponents down the line, and the team must prepare for that level of play now. It’s why he

“Any time you can create that kind of depth and have that support (it’s a positive). One guy isn’t having a good game, someone else can pick it up for him. We have some guys who are stepping up when we need them to step up here.”

— Derek Wagner, Cardinal Mooney coach

was apathetic about the 11-goal margin of victory against Barron Collier.

In Wagner’s mind, that was the bare minimum the team could have done.

In the future, when the pressure rises, more will be needed.

“We made a lot of mistakes defensively,” Wagner said. “We let in four goals. On clears, I would say we were 60%, 70%. Against a team like this, you should be able to execute at a high level, and if you don’t, there’s room to hold your kids accountable.”

Anything less than perfection at this time of year, Wagner said, can get you eliminated. If the team isn’t getting better every day, it’s getting worse, because other teams are improving.

If that sounds serious, it’s because it is. Wagner and Cardinal Mooney have had success before, but faltered come the middle rounds of the postseason. The program will not be content with the same fate in 2024.

These Cougars have state tournament potential and will not be content until that potential is fulfilled.

Against Barron Collier — despite Wagner’s criticisms — the team’s offense showed why it is so difficult to defend: Every player on the offensive side of the field can be a playmaker if given the opportunity.

Senior Gio Zanoni, junior Jamison McCusker and junior Logan Alexander all had hat tricks (three goals).

Seniors Hunter Sheffield and Carter Westendorf had two goals each. Having that many scoring threats makes the Cougars difficult to defend, for opposing teams cannot key on one or two players.

On April 16, Zanoni said the team’s biggest strength is its lacrosse IQ, and that IQ showed itself against Barron Collier. Mooney routinely made the right pass, or series of passes, to put players in open shooting positions, giving the opposing goaltender little chance. The Cougars could have scored even more

Mooney senior Gio Zanoni fires a shot on net against Barron Collier High. Zanoni had a hat trick in the game.

SCORING LEADERS

Cardinal Mooney boys lacrosse point total leaders (regular season) 1. Gio Zanoni, 41 points (21 goals, 20 assists) 2. Jamison McCusker, 40 points (25 goals, 15 assists) 3. James Frankauski, 37 points (27 goals, 10 assists) 4. Carter Westendorf, 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) 5. Hunter Sheffield, 26 points (20 goals, six assists)

on Baron Collier, but the team’s lead triggered a running clock prior to the fourth quarter, at which point, Wagner started substituting some bench players to get them experience.

“Any time you can create that kind of depth and have that support (it’s a positive),” Wagner said. “One guy isn’t having a good game, someone else can pick it up for him. We have some guys who are stepping up when we need them to step up here. That’s all we can ask for, is everyone giving 100% no matter what.”

The Cougars’ path to glory will not be easy.

If the team survives a May 1 game against Calvary Christian (14-1) in the regional semifinals, it will play either the Community School of Naples (164) or Tampa Jesuit High (14-4) in the regional finals on May 4.

Earlier in the season, Mooney beat Jesuit 11-10 in overtime but lost 9-8 to CSN. Both games were on the road. This time, the game would be at home, which is an advantage the team will take full advantage of.

While it does not make the games themselves any easier, Wagner said, it does allow the team to get a bit more rest and allows the coaches to focus solely on the games instead of travel and other logistics. It also gives the team the support of a raucous home crowd.

“It is not a thing we take for granted,” Wagner said. “This is what we work for all season. This is why we had the schedule we had. To put us in this position.

“We expected to be here. It’s just a matter of executing. You don’t want to squander this.”

16A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Spring poses big questions for Sarasota football teams Each of the area’s programs has intriguing storylines to follow before summer arrives.

H

igh school spring football begins this week, and with it comes hope that each area team’s fall slate will be packed with wins. But each program also faces big questions.

Can Cardinal Mooney repeat?

The biggest question goes to the program with the best finish in 2023. Cardinal Mooney High (12-2) won its first Florida High School Athletic Association state title in December, defeating Trinity Catholic 31-27 in Tallahassee to capture the Class 1S crown.

It was a dream season for the Cougars, whose only losses came against Class 4S Riverview High and Class 2S Bishop Verot High. It was what everyone involved with the school has wanted for decades, including Head Coach Jared Clark, a Cougars alum.

But get a taste of glory, and suddenly glory is all you want. The state championship win raised expectations for the program, but 2023 is in the rearview mirror. With the 2024 season arriving before you know it, there’s a single goal: Do it again.

Can they? The first step to answering that question will be taken this spring, as the coaches work to find good fits for the team’s returnees and newcomers alike after graduating a talented senior class. And there are plenty of newcomers, like offensive lineman Chase Polivchak, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound blocking machine who previously played at The Out-ofDoor Academy. The team is also adding wide receiver RJ Mosley, a 6-foot-3 pass-catcher from Pittsburg High in Pittsburg, California, who holds offers from the University of Nevada and the University of

bell, who was an assistant coach at Riverview High last season and played there as a high schooler, certainly knows the game. He played college football at Michigan State University as a defensive back before a neck injury suffered in a 1998 game against the University of Oregon ended his career. He’s also coached at the college level at Western Michigan University and Alabama State University among other stops.

What remains to be seen is how Campbell handles a program he can call his own. Fans will see what his plans for offense and defense look like when the Sailors play their spring game 7 p.m. May 16 on the road against Lakewood High.

Nevada-Las Vegas.

If there’s a biggest question mark this spring, it is likely the defense’s front seven. The team’s five leading tacklers from 2023 are gone. Who will fill those roles?

The Cougars will see how they fare in a spring game jamboree against Clearwater High and St. Petersburg High at 6:30 p.m. May 16 in St. Petersburg.

Can Riverview make the leap?

Since Josh Smithers took over the Rams program in 2017, he’s reestablished Riverview as a postseason player, even taking the team to the state semifinals in 2018 (where they lost 45-31 to Mandarin High and current University of Georgia quarterback/2024 Heisman contender Carson Beck). In more recent seasons, the Rams have continued the regular-season success, but have run into a Venice High-shaped wall in the postseason.

To accomplish any other goals the program has, it will have to overcome Venice at some point. Is 2024 the year that happens?

The Rams will likely turn to rising junior Anthony Miller at quarterback. Miller played wide receiver in 2023, catching 26 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns from senior quarterback Braxton Thomas, but Miller is a natural quarterback with a strong arm and the speed to be a dual threat. Miller threw nine passes last season, completing four for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Whether it’s Miller or someone else, the quarterback will have a returning two-headed monster at running back in rising senior DJ Johnson (1,660 yards, 23 touchdowns) and rising junior Isaiah Belt (1,094 yards, 14 touchdowns). On

Ryan Kohn

Riverview’s DJ Johnson rushed for 1,660 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

defense, the Rams return rising senior linebacker Landon Marsters (108 tackles, two interceptions), but will need others to step up alongside him to replicate the team’s stingy defense from the second half of 2023.

The Rams will play in their spring jamboree at 6:30 p.m. May 24 at Bishop Verot High.

What does Sarasota High look like under Amp Campbell?

The question says it all.

Anthony “Amp” Campbell will take over the program as head coach following the departure of Josh Phillips — who initially left to take an assistant coaching job at Wagner College in January, then accepted a defensive assistant position with the Las Vegas Raiders in February.

Phillips coached the Sailors for one season and went 1-9.

The Sailors need a reset after years of constant changes. Camp-

Will Booker continue to climb?

If year one under Head Coach Scottie Littles was about the building blocks of the program, year two was about ascension.

Booker High wasted no time in becoming a threat in FHSAA Class 2S. The Tornadoes went 9-5 in the 2023 regular season and saved their best for the playoffs, reaching the state semifinals before losing 41-3 to Cocoa High.

Based on Booker’s new additions, the Tornadoes have no plans for their rise to stop in 2024.

The Tornadoes added former Venice High running back Jamarice Wilder this offseason as a replacement for graduating senior Ahmad Hunter. Wilder, a rising senior, ran for 1,271 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2023. He’s not the only former Indian to join Booker: quarterback Ryan Downes will also don the team’s signature purple jerseys in the fall. Downes, a rising senior, got limited minutes behind Venice starter Jadyn Glasser, but still completed 13 of 25 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns while running 28 times for 200 yards and seven touchdowns.

Booker will need its new offensive players to mesh — and find

a replacement for wide receiver Josiah Booker, who is off to Central Michigan University — but they’ll be joined by rising junior defensive back Chauncey Kennon, a four-star recruit who played for Southeast High last season.

Is adding all that talent via transfer the formula for a state title in Class 2S? The public will get its first glance at the new-look Tornadoes at the school’s Purple and Gold Game scrimmage at 4 p.m. May 17 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.

How will Sarasota Christian School make the transition to 11-man football?

The Blazers started with an eightman football program in 2022 and found success right away, going 15-8 over two seasons.

How will Sarasota Christian’s key players, like rising junior quarterback Justin Brock, adjust to the 11-man game, where there is less space to maneuver and more emphasis on winning in the trenches?

Brock threw for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 563 yards and five touchdowns while splitting time with rising junior Ben Milliken. Are those numbers a result of lax defense, or does Brock have the ability to replicate it against tighter windows?

The same questions go for the rest of the Blazers. SCS will play its spring game jamboree at 10 a.m.

May 18 at The Out-of-Door Academy against ODA and Canterbury High.

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

Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate

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Being named to Forbes’ 2024 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State list is a testament to your experience, focus, and dedication to your clients’ financial future.

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CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S. 2023-2024 Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors) Source: Forbes.com ( 2023–2024). Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors & Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State ranking awarded in 2023–2024.

Each ranking was based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher). This evaluation process concluded in September of the previous year the award was issued having commenced in September of the year before that. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms.

Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. These rankings are not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com. © 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 6530729 04/24 CS 1111968-4365651 04/24

YourObserver.com

17A

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Aubri Antczak is a sophomore on the Sarasota High girls track and field team. Antczak is the school record-holder in the 3,200-meter run (11:04.22) and has the sixth-fastest time in the event in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 4A this season.

When did you start competitive running?

I started as a freshman. I play soccer for the school, and my soccer coach at the time told me I should try running. I never did any track and field things before then. I never expected to be at the level I am now, but when I started being disciplined about it and sticking with it, I saw things change.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the intensity of every race.

Getting to do multiple events, and work with a team for some events as well, is fun. It’s good competition.

What is your favorite event?

This year, my best event has been the 2-mile run (3,200 meters) but I like the mile (1,600 meters) better because it’s four laps instead of eight. (Laughs.)

Is it difficult to stay mentally focused during the 3,200-meter run?

It’s one of the harder races in that way, yeah. But in a competitive race, it goes by a lot faster. The intensity of the race helps.

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

What is your favorite food?

I like smoothies and fruit, like acai bowls.

What is your favorite book or book series?

I like the “Daevabad” series (by S. A. Chakraborty) a lot. The world of the books is exciting and the author does a good job of making each character stand out.

What is your favorite school subject?

I like math. I like that there is one solution, but there can be different ways to find it.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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How did it feel to set the school record in the 3,200 at the FSU Relays in March?

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What are your goals for the rest of the season?

I’m hoping to break my own record in the 3,200.

I’d like to get around 11 minutes flat. Maybe at the state meet I can do that.

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

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18A

Classifieds 15B Games 14B Real Estate 11B Weather 14B

MAY 2, 2024

YOUR NEIGHBORS HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR SUCCULENTS?

The group meets in Walter Sparkman’s home.

These resilient plants thrive in Sarasota as Walter Sparkman learned decades ago. Choose from the descriptions below to match the plant names (in bold) with their photos. Find the answers on Page 3B.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Photos by Ian Swaby

The (somewhat)

In a quiet, leafy corner of the city, the Sarasota Succulent Society has been raising hardy plants since 1950.

SECRET GARDEN IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

R

unning a large garden requires a community effort, but fortunately for the Sarasota Succulent Society, plants can be generous too.

Succulents have a tendency to multiply themselves, which results in more donations from the public, as well as new succulents to offer in return.

The staff of the volunteer-run, nonprofit garden said they hope that the result is that Sarasota’s community will discover something it hasn’t seen before — if they can find the garden tucked away in an unassuming spot off 38th Street.

“People see a lot of different varieties in here that maybe they can’t see at Home Depot or Walmart, and we try not to be outrageously expensive,” said member Jennifer Rodgers, stating the society can also avoid the higher prices of online markets.

A look through the Succulent Society’s grounds finds unusual sights, from thorny flowers to succulent vines, some available for pur-

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND SALE When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Info: The Sarasota Succulent Society will be hosting host one of its three annual sales open to the public. It will also feature an outdoor educational program offered on the north lawn at 10 a.m.

WORK DAY SALES When: The grounds are open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday, and on the third Saturday of every month (except for December) also 9 a.m. to noon.

Info: Sarasota Succulent Society, 1310 38th St. Visit SarasotaSucculentSociety.org.

chase and others for display.

Not only are there plants that aren’t your garden-variety items, but there is history as well, with a

tradition that stretches back to 1950 and begins with a historic home.

“I think this is one of the hidden gems in Sarasota. I really do,” said member Ben Balmer. “Because a lot of people don’t know about it, but yet we’ve been here, just quietly, for 74 years.”

CULTIVATING INTEREST

Succulents aren’t difficult to raise in Florida’s climate, as Walter Sparkman, a former printer, found when he came from the north to Sarasota in the 1930s, and began experimenting.

He started the Succulent Society out of his catalog-bought, Depression-era home located at the center of the garden.

Rodgers said the structure was honored with a historical designation and marker from the state of Florida and the city of Sarasota in 2004.

It isn’t known how Sparkman’s interest in succulents came about, but according to Rodgers, he might SEE SUCCULENTS, PAGE 2B

CHOICES Desert Rose: This poisonous flowering plant (Adenium obesum) boasts a large, swollen stem and is often used as a bonsai plant.

Dorstenia foetida: This unusual succulent, which varies in appearance, boasts a thick stem and a series of thick leaves, making it often similar in appearance to a small palm tree.

Ghost Cactus: (Euphorbia lactea). Known for its skeletal appearance and white coloration, although in fact not a cactus, this shrub is cactus-like in appearance.

Bromeliad: Like those of most bromeliads, the purplered flowers of Hohenbergia stellata are jagged and spiney.

Twisted Tim: Featuring purple flowers when in bloom, is a cross between Tillandsia intermedia and Tillandsia capitata. It is a type of air plant, or a plant which gathers nutrients from the air rather than soil.

Cycad: This popular cycad, Encephalartos ferox, derives its name from the Latin word “ferocious,” due to its spiny leaves.

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have taken after his father, a scientist.

“He was that kind of a mind: ‘I don’t just have one in my window. I want to learn everything I can about it,’” she said.

Sparkman began researching the plants and starting many gardens in his yard, finding out what grew and what did not in Sarasota.

He began heading out to local garden clubs, bringing his succulents with him, and by 1950, his enthusiasm had spread, with a group of individuals now working and studying alongside him.

Although Sparkman lived in the house until he died, the Succulent Society continued to maintain the gardens, and today uses the house as its clubhouse.

According to Balmer, succulents are well-suited to Florida as they grow best in humidity. They typically withstand the summer weather, even an extremely dry one like the one Sarasota experienced in summer 2023.

Although the plants may only need to be watered once or twice a week in summer, there is still plenty of work to do.

The society’s president, Susan Palmieri, said while the level of engagement has varied over the years, it remains strong today, although the society is always on the lookout for volunteers at a time when members tend to head north.

“It’s such wonderful cooperation. It’s not just having something to do, they really care about the garden,” Palmieri said. “It really is a nice community. Everybody enjoys each other’s company. We work well together, and we take pride in trying to preserve this property, which is quite historic.”

“It kind of stays with families and people who they’ve heard of that before, and their parents were here, that kind of thing,” Rodgers said.

“So, that kind of garden. It’s not one of the huge botanicals that runs on those $5 million projects.”

Some of the work involved

Photos by Ian Swaby

Judith Haver

includes propagating, potting and selling plants, and tending to plants.

Volunteers must ensure they use care when introducing new plants, that they do not carry any diseases. The group also raises funds to give out two $1,000 scholarships each year.

GARDEN OF KNOWLEDGE

Knowing a great deal about the plants comes in handy.

Although most members of the succulent society bring amateur knowledge, learning as they go, David Uguccioni is considered the group’s resident expert.

Having worked extensively in gardening, he also has had an interest in science for his whole life that started when he experimented with organic chemistry as a young boy.

“My mother got tired of the stinks and burning, so she brought me to Selby Gardens and introduced me to the orchids, and I saw something that I had never seen before,” he said.

As he walks about the Succulent Society’s property, for which he also has a fondness, he can effortlessly recall scientific names like “Hohenbergia stellata.”

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Walter Sparkman founded the Sarasota Succulent Society in 1950.

Volunteers say the Succulent Society’s mission is still going strong as it approaches its 75th birthday next year.

“To have a property that’s all volunteer-run for 74 years, is amazing.

It’s amazing,” Balmer said.

Rodgers said with the historic designation of the home, it became much easier to obtain what is needed to keep the society running.

That includes needs like grants and tax exemptions. In fact, the home was renovated in 2023 with a grant from Selby Gardens, which allowed rotten siding to be replaced.

Meanwhile, volunteers seem to find that there is something about succulents that continues to draw them to the place.

According to volunteer Judith

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Haver, it is the fact that they propagate easily and have many variations in the colors and textures; some look as though they have fur, while others have stripes.

“Even though I’m not formally educated in the subject, I’ve been working with succulents about 14 years now at home and have quite a collection, and I want to be able to work in the dirt and make things grow, keep this space alive and running for the future, and it just gives me a lot of personal joy to be able to do this,” she said.

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“I first snuck into this place when I was 9 years old,” he said. “I was super impressed with the idea of these plants that in many cases didn’t even seem to have chlorophyll in them and were blue or gray. That caught my interest.”

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abbi Michael Shefrin said the core of what Passover is about is for kids to ask questions, engage and find meaning in the story in the modern world.

That was why a special Passover Seder meal for young families on April 27 at Temple Emanu-El featured costumes, songs and games amid the holiday traditions.

“The kids learning and experiencing, and singing and dancing and having fun and playing creates memories that we hope that they will share with their kids as well, as that is the instruction of Passover, that everyone in every generation should hear themselves in the story,” Shefrin said.

Held on Saturday to allow children and their families to attend together in the absence of an upcoming school day, the event was a success, Shefrin said, with multiple generations represented at multiple tables, attendees making new friends and family members even attending from out

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The evening also saw some somber reflection with the acknowledgment of current world events. Shefrin said it was important for the event to include a chair dedicated to Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli American held captive in Gaza since Oct. 7, who has a close relationship to Sarasota’s community.

“The Haggadah itself instructs us that as we’re reciting, in particular, the 10 plagues, that we pour out a little bit of wine, that we remove some of the possibility of joy in life to honor and acknowledge the pain and suffering that exists,” Shefrin said.

“It’s very meaningful, very meaningful this year for us in particular, and I’m just grateful to be part of such a thriving community here,” said member Alyson Roy.

Zachary Friedman, 7, and Eloise Friedman, 11, joined their parents Jason and Shera and brother William, 5, in the lighting of the candles.

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FRIDAY, MAY 3

VIBE ON PALM 7-10 p.m. at Palm Ave., adjacent to the Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave. Free. In this month’s Fresh Fridays street party, enjoy bluesy rock by The Alan Grant Band, cool beverages and light bites. Visit ­DowntownSarasotaDID.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

BE FABULOUS MUSIC & ARTS PRIDE FEST Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court.

Free. Donations encouraged. Begun 14 years ago, this festival brings together a lineup of artists to support the LGBTQ+ community. This year features Gracie Cespedes, NowInColor, Brittany Zeff, Zeta The Babe, Summer Hoop and MeteorEYES. Also featured are Jay Moore as emcee and speaker Jules Rayne, a DJ, drag performances and vendors.

Visit FabAF.org.

PLAYTIME WITH THE WOMBATS! 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Common Ground, The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Join Zeke from the PBS Kids animated show “Work It Out Wombats!” for hands-on activities including the Treeborhood Cause and Effect Machine, the Everything Emporium Farm Stand, Ice Cream Delivery and Shape Cakes. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 TO SUNDAY, MAY 5

Looking for positive role models to listen and be supportive. Can you donate 1 hour per month through 2 mentor sessions?

ST. ARMANDS CRAFT FESTIVAL & SIDEWALK SALE 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at St. Armand’s Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. Free. Enjoy works from over 175 artisans and crafters at St. Armand’s Circle. Visit ­SarasotaFL.gov.

Change a child’s life today and become a mentor!

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94TH ANNUAL SARASOTA TARPON TOURNAMENT Northern Tip of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Southern Side of Stump Pass in Charlotte County. Entry fee $150. Put your angling skills to the test with tarpon, a game fish found off Sarasota’s beaches. Anglers compete for an overall winner title as well as weekly, junior, ladies, fly, most releases and

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CIRCO DE MAYO STREET FESTIVAL 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at Circo: a Taco & Bourbon Joint, 1435 Second St. Free.

VIP access: $35. Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with the Circo while enjoying live music, tacos, drinks and games. Visit ­EventBrite.com.

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his and her divisions winner. Visit ­SarasotaTarponTournament.net.

SUNDAY, MAY 5

BIG TIKI LOUNGE CINCO DE MAYO CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT 12-4 p.m. at Big Tiki Lounge, 5311 Ocean Blvd. $10. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at The Big Tiki Lounge with a cornhole tournament, as well as DJ Gigi and drink specials. Visit EventBrite.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

ANCIENT ANIMAL QIGONG 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Road. Free.

Join certified instructor Gail Petitt for an ancient mind and body practice that integrates slow gentle movements and breath and a relaxed state of mind. Visit ­SCGovLibrary.­LibraryMarket.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

THE Y: PRIMETIME 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at Sunset Deck, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts.

Free. This low-impact cardio class includes resistance training for active seniors and beginners. Using bodyweight exercises, it is designed to keep participants strong and safe while supporting posture and balance. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

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MIRI HARDY CONTRIBUTOR

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Widespread use of anticoagulant rodenticides is a growing threat to Florida’s birds of prey.

ith their keen eyesight, sharp talons and hooked beaks, birds of prey — or raptors — are adept at hunting.

The word “raptor” comes from the Latin word rapere, which means “to seize or take by force.

As they prey on a wide variety of species, including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish, carnivorous birds such as owls, hawks and eagles are important links in the animal food chain.

They play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of Florida’s ecosystems.

A primary concern for our region’s raptors is habitat loss. And though the state-protected lands of Myakka River State Park provide crucial habitat for numerous raptor species, human activities in the park can still pose threats.

For example, recreational activities, such as photography, hiking and boating, can disrupt nesting and foraging behaviors. As raptors are highly sensitive to disturbances, constant human presence in their habitats can lead to the abandonment of nesting sites and reduced reproductive success.

Encroaching development also poses a threat to Myakka’s raptors.

Increased traffic, in and outside of the park, results in higher collision risk for birds that forage at the same height as vehicles, such as owls. And rising use of anticoagulant rodenticides for pest control in our communities is having a deadly impact on our region’s birds of prey.

Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting and cause animals to bleed to death internally.

As these poisons don’t kill rodents

423136-1

M. Michelle Robles, Esq.

Raptors keep rodents in check

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Miri Hardy

Anticoagulant poisons in bait traps threaten native rodent hunters, like barred owls, who help keep pests in check.

immediately, but rather slowly weaken them, they become easier prey for raptors. Consuming poisoned rodents has disastrous consequences for raptors and their chicks.

Poison use in our environment exacerbates pest infestations, as it threatens native rodent-controllers who keep pests in check.

We can help protect animals in the wild, including raptors, by always giving them plenty of space. At home, we can research pest-control solutions to avoid using hazardous poisons.

Opting for preventative practices, such as rodent-proofing human structures, trimming foliage and tree limbs away from houses and reducing rodent attractants, such as trash, pet food, spilled birdseed and fallen fruit can effectively protect both our homes and our environment.

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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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

9B

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Held April 27 at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, the event brought together nonprofits serving the local community to present their services to pregnant women, new and expecting mothers and their families.

Vendors like First 1,000 Days Suncoast, Children First, Early Learning Coalition, Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center and others were present, with many bilingual representatives in attendance.

Some attendees even left with gifts they didn’t anticipate as each family was provided a ticket for the raffle, which featured gifts from participating organizations, with the grand prize gifts provided

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“I absolutely love this event,” said Shon Ewens, executive director of Healthy Start Coalition.

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

SARASOTA 33 S Palm Ave 1501 3 Beds 3/1 Baths Lisa Allen and Philip Pisano, III 312-848-1636 A4596347 $7,200,000

SARASOTA 139 N Blvd Of The Presidents 4 Beds 3 Baths 1,740 Sq. Ft. Bruce A Meyer, PA 941-266-8152 A4601025 $2,300,000

SARASOTA 4759 Pastel Court 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,163 Sq. Ft. Barbara May 404-822-9264 A4607314 $1,995,000

SARASOTA 4910 Vasca Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 4,067 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4606740 $1,700,000

SARASOTA 244 N Adams Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,472 Sq. Ft. Diana Kryszak 941-993-4078 A4607887 $1,695,000

SARASOTA 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive 91 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,389 Sq. Ft. Douglas Parks 941-400-9087 A4579667 $1,550,000

SARASOTA 3011 Ashton Road 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,002 Sq. Ft. Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4599053 $1,299,999

SIESTA KEY 5880 Midnight Pass Road 706 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,642 Sq. Ft. Linda Stowe 941-228-5685 A4607583 $1,250,000

SARASOTA 4524 Tuscana Drive 5 Beds 4 Baths 3,175 Sq. Ft. Amber Watson 229-392-8892 A4604504 $1,225,000

SARASOTA 2110 Benjamin Franklin Drive 404 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,248 Sq. Ft. Jackie Griese 941-718-0045 A4605580 $1,190,000

SARASOTA 1771 Ringling Boulevard 904 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,735 Sq. Ft. Elizabeth Van Riper 941-993-6842 A4606760 $1,100,000

SARASOTA 1684 6th Street 3 Beds 1/1 Baths 1,456 Sq. Ft. Valarie Wadsworth 941-780-3858 A4606395 $899,000

SIESTA KEY 8779 Midnight Pass Road 404H 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,303 Sq. Ft. Ryan Heers 941-726-1703 A4607920 $775,000

SIESTA KEY 8767 Midnight Pass Road 505F 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,421 Sq. Ft. Marlene Marshall 941-539-8850 A4607070 $700,000

SARASOTA 1709 N Tamiami Trail 212 1 Bed 1/1 Baths 855 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4591199 $629,900

SARASOTA 5570 Wilde Oak Way 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,873 Sq. Ft. David D'Angelo 941-587-7268 A4607261 $595,000

SARASOTA 3930 Glen Oaks Manor Drive 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,630 Sq. Ft. Jennifer Linehan 941-266-7555 A4607595 $549,000

SARASOTA 4555 Chandlers Forde 47 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,255 Sq. Ft. Jay Brock, III 941-218-3226 A4607522 $525,000

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10B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

APRIL 15-19

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Twin Beaches tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Jaclyn Kim Brunckhorst, of Siesta Key, sold the home at 2509 Casey Key Road to George Alberici, of Nokomis, for $5.39 million.

Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,637,500 in 2020.

SARASOTA

THE TOWER RESIDENCES Lewis Hanan, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 801 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive to Joseph and Carol Wolfer, of Longboat Key, for $3.4 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,751 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,405,000 in 2011.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 1113 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Thomas and Linda McDonald, of Sarasota, for $2.7 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,299 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,025,000 in 2013.

Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 110 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to Robert Hutchinson, of Sarasota, for $975,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,546 square feet of living area. It sold for $776,000 in 2022.

VISTA BAY POINT George Kozma and Sharon Eis, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 601 condominium at 128 Golden Gate Point to Steven and Deborah Grossman, of Nokomis, for $1.96 million. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,000 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2021.

ALINARI James Baker and Janice Germann Baker, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 301 condominium at 800 N. Tamiami Trail to Robin Lehman and Wayne Lehman, trustees, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for $1,935,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,830 square feet of living area.

It sold for $473,000 in 2013.

MARK SARASOTA Brian and Sheila Serino, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 506 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Matthew Bernstein and Jennifer Comparoni, of La Grange, Illinois, for $1.9 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,762 square feet of living area.

It sold for $1,000,300 in 2019.

REAL ESTATE

Twin Beaches home tops sales at $5.39M

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

11B

SARASOTA: $3.5M

The Phoenix Richard Higgs and Josellyn Yousef sold their Unit 102 condominium at 136 Golden Gate Point to Jon and Lisa Evans, of Sarasota, for $3.5 million.

Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,785 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.8 million in 2021.

SIESTA KEY: $1.6M Courtesy of Daria Fairchild

A home at at 2509 Casey Key Road in Twin Beaches recently sold for $5.39 million. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,528 square feet of living area.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL Mona Refay, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 1210 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Jonathan and Robin Baer, of Westborough, Massachusetts, for $1,895,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths and 2,288 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.38 million in 2020.

BURNS COURT VILLA Margaret Eldred, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 3 condominium at 1532 Selby Lane to Steven Kammerman and Gayle Kammerman, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1,526,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,052 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,575,000 in 2023.

two baths and 1,487 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1920 and has one bedroom, one bath and 595 square feet of living area. They sold for $586,000 in 2015.

PIER 550 Tullio Giacomazzi, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 7 condominium at 554 Golden Gate Point to WSR-550 LLC for $950,000. Built in 1958, it is one bedroom, one bath and 617 square feet. It sold for $75,500 in 1995.

ONLINE

ONE WATERGATE Frank Emmerling, of Sarasota, sold his Unit 10-F condominium at 1111 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Roy and Linda Kinnan, of Milford, Michigan, for $1,495,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,577 square feet of living area. It sold for $960,000 in 2021.

BAYVIEW Mark and Joan Urban, of Vero Beach, sold their home at 1614 Wisconsin Lane to Nickolas Woo Marcu, trustee, of San Diego, and Ligia Marcu, of Sarasota, for $1,435,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,430 square feet of living area.

THE CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY Kathryn Lenz, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 204 condominium at 888 Blvd. of the Arts to Arcangelo Michele Evangelista, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for $1,295,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,729 square feet of living area. It sold for $785,000 in 2018.

TOWN OF SARASOTA Edward and Robin Starr, of Richmond, Virginia, sold two properties at 1944 Morrill St. to Suzanne Barry, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,042,000. The first property was built in 1920 and has two bedrooms,

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Siesta Key Eugene Lutz, of Wilton, Connecticut, sold his home at 8430 Midnight Pass Road to Marc and Elana Rosenbaum, of Sarasota, for $1.6 million. Built in 1966, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,702 square feet of living area. It sold for $390,000 in 1989.

PALMER RANCH: $1.23M

Esplanade on Palmer Ranch Jason David Mattes and Monica Polito Mattes, of Punta Gorda, sold their home at 5448 Manchini St. to Anthony and Patricia Zangardi, of Sarasota, for $1,225,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,082 square feet of living area. It sold for $663,800 in 2018.

OSPREY: $2.24M

Oaks II John Pook and Jill King Pook, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 842 Mac Ewen Drive to Florida Dream House LLC for $2,235,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,263 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2012.

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LONGBOAT KEY

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

CITY OF SARASOTA Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

805 Norsota Way

Doors/Windows

Troy Eaden

$228,699

988 Blvd. of the Arts #315

Remodel

John Wolfe

$112,582

1447 Tangier Way

Energy Storage

Stephen Pollack,

$90,100

System

trustee

1350 Main St. #1502

Renovations

Wieslaw Bober

1372 Harbor Drive

Remodel

Edward Burke, trustee

$67,500

888 Blvd. of the Arts #1704

Alterations

Dephne Walker

$65,000

940 Blvd. of the Arts #21

Doors/Windows

Jonathan Kappes

$64,118

166 Golden Gate Point #41

Doors/Windows

Dennis Jensen, trustee

$49,581

1920 Laurel St.

Re-roof

Devin Rutkowski

$34,900

1465 Hillview Drive

Boatlifts

Jeffrey Rosenberg

$33,747

$90,000

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

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These are the largest city of Sarasota building permits issued for the week of April 15-19, in order of dollar amounts.

12B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Local literary undercurrent Book fair shines spotlight on the world of Sarasota-based authors.

STAFF WRITER

S

arasota may be widely known for its affinity for the arts, yet sometimes there are unseen creative ventures beneath the surface, as guests found at the Local Author Book Fair, held April 27 by Bookstore1Sarasota.

“This is like a full-time job times three,” said Alice Abyss, who wrote “Pharmakides,” a novel presenting an alternate version of the story of Medusa from the points of view of 27 birds.

Abyss’ book was published in 2023. She saw it through to completion, performing the editing, creating the cover and self-publishing the volume — yet she’s still drawn to the financial freedom writing offers.

“I like to live for myself and put work into my business,” she said.

Bryn Durgin, director of programming at the bookstore, said anytime events like the book fair are held, attendees are surprised at the number of local authors in the community.

Held twice a year, it showcased 16 authors on April 27. The authors’ work spanned many genres and included memoir, nonfiction, chil-

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Alice Abyss, author of “Pharmakides”

“Unless you’re Stephen King, unless you’re John Grisham, it’s really up to you to publicize your book,” he said.

The book is a fictionalized account of “Miss Belvedere,” the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that was sealed underground in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a 50-year time capsule unearthed in 2007.

The major steps in the project didn’t end there and included research, fact-checking and five trips to Tulsa to conduct about 60 interviews.

“It’s not like if you’re an artist, or you’re a dancer where, ‘Hey, come watch me. Come take a look at my paintings in a museum, or come

VOTED SARASOTA

watch my dance.’ No, writing is a singular thing,” Miles said.

Lisa Moody, who was formerly the head of digital marketing and digital strategies at Ringling College, was inspired by her proficiency with technology to create an educational children’s book using augmented reality titled “I am an Orangutan: An Interactive Learning Experience.”

“I love being able to sit with and hold a hardcover book, but then use technology to bring it to life,” she said.

Whatever the nature of their work, the authors were grateful to be involved in the book fair.

“I can’t imagine what happens in

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a world without bookstores,” said Shannon Spring, author of “Open Mic For Animals: Evidential Fairy Tails,” a book relating her experiences as a psychic medium for pets.

“We need them. We need to get off of the computer; we need to get into the hearts and minds of the stories that are being told.”

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dren’s books, poetry and more.

“Writing can be a lonely business, and giving local authors the chance to sit side by side with a slew of other local authors and to meet in person the people who are buying their books, is something that we look forward to doing every season,” Durgin said.

Kaileia Suvannamaccha, a 2022 Ringling College graduate, said it was inspiring to see the authors, who were mainly women, coming together to promote their work.

“It’s super empowering and inspiring, and it’s creating a ripple effect. It’s just starting. It’s going to gain momentum, and then there’s going to be a revolution.”

She wrote “in time I see,” a collection of poems arranged in a narrative arc, describing a quest for intimacy while exploring the meaning of the concept. She managed all aspects of the book herself, from the cover to its design.

Authors agreed that getting the word out about a book can be challenging.

For Sanford Miles, that aspect of publishing was so important that he bought a Plymouth Belvedere car to match the one that’s the subject of his book “The Buried Plymouth.”

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YourObserver.com

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

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Submit your photos at YourObserver. com/contests.

All submissions will be entered for the 2024-25.

Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2025, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 87 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 24%

FRIDAY, MAY 3 High: 87 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 15%

Thursday, May 2

6:49a

8:04p

Friday, May 3

6:48a

8:04p

Saturday, May 4

6:47a

8:05p

Sunday, May 5

6:47a

8:05p

Monday, May 6

6:46a

8:06p

Tuesday,May 7

6:45a

8:06p

Wednesday, May 8

6:44a

8:07p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 4 High: 86 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 15%

May 7 New

May 15 First

May 23 Full

May 30 Last

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, MAY 5 High: 86 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 24%

Monday, April 22

0.03

Tuesday, April 23

0

Wednesday, April 24

0

Thursday, April 25

0

Friday, April 26

0

Saturday, April 27

0

Sunday, April 28

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Deb Threw took this photo of a snowy egret on Siesta Key Beach.

YEAR TO DATE: 2024 9.67 in.

2023 5.39 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 0.00 in.

2023 0.00 in.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

The Grounded Feeling Everyone will Enjoy

crossword

celebrity cipher

BEAUTY TREATMENT by Adam Simpson, edited by Jeff Chen 123 Graceful curve

59 Classic arcade game set

124 Resting places for flyers

in space

125 Sticks around

65 “___ dokie!”

DOWN

67 Tush 69 Accountant’s task,

1 Caprese salad ingredient

perhaps

2 Cold deportment

71 Sounds of hesitation

3 Hooved creature of Greek

72 Elicit a purr, perhaps

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“AFHB W EAFXY, XCP NAEBXYUFV PAK JAF’X XYUFZ PAK’J TB VAAJ WX. PAK HWF RUFJ NKHY YWLLP NKCLCUNBN.” JUWFFW WVCAF

myth

73 Verne of the “Austin Pow4 What wool might do in the ers” films dryer 74 Show one’s appreciation 77 Gin rummy match

7 “I Have a Dream” Jan.

78 Meticulous

honoree

79 Online shop for hand-

8 Meteorologist’s tool

made goods

9 Burden

82 Marvel character who

10 Tic-___-toe

says “I am 82-Down”

“SP SN PLMX PGZP S GZTX GZJ GXZLPZKGX ZFJ PLZWXJU SF CU BSYX. ...

NMYYXLSFW SN PGX OLSKX IY DXSFW ZBSTX.”

maybe

12 Bring ___ halt

86 Pulitzer Prize winner ___

13 Lodge

B. Wells 14 Numbers studied in Vegas 87 Remote power sources 15 Chip with queso

89 “That’s a new ___”

16 Goes all out

91 Top left key, often

17 Went like the wind?

92 Feathery neckwear

18 High-end cameras (Abbr.) 93 Deal

©2023 Universal Uclick

1 Company that gets things lit?

4 Musubi ingredient 8 Tire task that equalizes wear 16 Abbr. at the gym

32 Villainous Disney feline

63 They can be tied in a

97 *Telenovelas

34 Took a load off

bouquet

101 Crew directive

37 Slip-___ (comfy shoes)

64 Hawaiian Disney girl

102 Newspaper team, in brief

38 *”Quit complaining and

66 It might be unruly

103 Door-to-door reveler

get things done!”

68 Skeptics have them

104 Take note, with “down”

40 “She-Hulk: Attorney ___” 70 *Sheryl Crow hit about

105 ___ Moines, Iowa

42 Range in Italy

optimism

106 Tuna type

76 ___ gin fizz

109 Osiris and Anubis

77 West of old Hollywood

110 Like some bourbon

80 Flawed protagonist

barrels

81 “Family Guy” daughter

113 ___-up (acrobatic

49 Half of a diameter

83 Omen

handspring)

52 What’s held in a hold

85 Baltic country whose

114 Near partner

capital is Tallinn

115 *Dish the dirt

88 Site line? (Abbr.)

118 League groupings

58 Chatted up on Insta

90 Australian tree huggers

120 Boo-boo

59 Teenage troubles

91 Flow opposite

121 Released (from)

60 “Give me a chew toy!”

94 A Jedi he is

122 Ultimate act ... and a hint

61 Pieces of candy?

95 Overly

to the transformation in the

62 Restaurant rating site

96 With tact

answers to the starred clues

19 One in a deck, sometimes 45 Sold-out show (Abbr.)

46 “The A-Team” actor 20 Yell at the moon 21 Jennifer Lopez horror flick 47 Digestion aid 48 Filly in the future 22 Unwell 23 Sloth, e.g.

24 Be a stinker

25 *Earthquake drill instruc- 53 Comedian Andre 54 *Lamb Chop, e.g. tion 27 TurboTax company 29 47-Across target 30 Small mammals with pointy snouts 31 Rimes of country music

26 Christmas cat toys,

98 Exhausted

maybe

99 Discontinued GM brand,

28 Pop the bottle

informally

29 Empty space

100 Annoy

32 Candy cane feature

104 Cracks jokes

33 Practical jokers

105 Lounge sofa

34 Unwavering

106 Years upon years

35 Frightened

107 Put on the rack

36 Citrus hybrids

108 Grp. of coin collectors?

39 “It’s my time”

110 Cookie with a Mega Stuf

40 Epitome of simplicity

variety

41 Raw material for a paper

111 Lines it up

mill

112 Held onto

43 Maker of colorful bows?

113 Fuzzy fruit

44 Religious spinoffs

114 French fashion brand

50 Month that starts with

115 Weep

practical jokes (Abbr.)

116 Org. that features Seth

51 Ominous invite to a one-

“Freakin” Rollins

on-one

117 Kitchen gadget brand

“KGJ YJXZFV YRV/OSZP JWWFYK KF WFURI FV OFBJV’I USVUJY GSI BA OGFZJGJSYKJH IRDDFYK SVH TYSKMKRHJ.”

HOSAVJ NFGVIFV

Puzzle Three Clue: M equals I

funny pages

EMJU KIBBSFN Puzzle Two Clue: O equals P

75 Nicktoon Jimmy

6 Wonderment

Puzzle One Clue: Z equals K

5 Amanda Gorman, e.g.

11 Expression of stress in the 84 Lies on a pool float,

ACROSS

417953-1

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

54 Taqueria option

118 ISP connection option 55 Group of stars with a belt 119 Opposite of 56 Note equivalent to B 57 General ___ chicken ©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

5-2-24

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

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

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

Merchandise Wanted

5 ACRES Lake Barn Near Fruitville I-75 Call for Price

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

Bradenton: Condo, 2 bed, 2 bath$229,900 Pet friendly 55+ Sarasota: 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car Garage House $359,000 Sarasota: Pool home, 4 bed. $649,900 Venice: 2/2 Condo Plantation Golf Club. Call for Price Bradenton: Pool Home, New windows, hvac, Completely Updated $689,900

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

VERTICAL BLINDS. 78" rail, panels 80"L, 3.5"W, light tan pvc. $25 (941) 966-6816

Antiques/ Collectibles THOMAS KINKADE Giclee's Framed and numbered Thomas Kinkade Lithographs with certificates from original Carmel, CA gallery. Purchased early 2000's. Several available. Call for pricing and info. Please Leave voicemail. All for $5,000.

(941) 323-9449

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale 48’ BOAT Slip for Sale or Lease: Longboat Key Moorings. No club membership. 941-812-3395.

Furnishings We’ve sold our home in 8 rooms of quality Stoneybrook...8 furniture for sale plus Yamaha baby grand piano. Very reasonable prices.

Call 941-966-7732

Health/Fitness/ Beauty THE EMERALD Medical Cannabis Clinic of Sarasota Medical Marijuana Doctor (941) 926-3100 emeraldmedicalgroup.com

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

RED PAGES AD RATES

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each add’l word ....... 50¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

SELL IT FAST! Place Your Ad Online YourObserver.com/RedPages

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

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

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

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage CALL 941-955-4888

Adult Care Services

Condos/Apts. for Sale LBK CONDO FOR SALE by motivated owner: updated 2 bd/2 bath, first floor Whitney Beach condo w/ great bayou view & steps to the Gulf. $665,000 781-405-7631

Screen Repair lanai repair, pool cage repair, gutter cleaning, pool cage cleaning, 16 years exp, licensed and insured.

(941) 299-9347

EPIC HOME CARE Personal Care-Respite Care Alzheimer’s Care Light Cleaning Med Administration Meal Prep Shopping, Errands & More Call for a FREE Evaluation!

941-536-6372 Epichomecareprovider@gmail Rosa Torres- Owner

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING HIGH-END INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

©2022 Universal Uclick

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Once a month, try something you don’t think you’d be good at. You can find such happy surprises.”

Dianna Agron

Puzzle Two Solution: “It is true that I have had heartache and tragedy in my life. ... Suffering is the price of being alive.”

Judy Collins Puzzle Three Solution: “The Revlon Run/Walk effort to focus on women’s cancer has my wholehearted support and gratitude.”

Dwayne Johnson

This week’s Sudoku answers

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

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

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

This week’s Crossword answers

You’re only cheating yourself.

TEDDY BEARS- collection of 20. only displayed. (859) 351-5492

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

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

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

MITCHELL HANDYMAN. Painting, Carpentry, Tile, Pressure Cleaning.

Home Improvements, Repairs.

Small and large! 941-284-8488.

peekers’ place

MUNDORFF, T.J. Hawaii Three Framed Botanical Prints .

16 1/2” x 21”. $50.

Bob- 941.914.1173

FREE RENT and utilties for part time work. References required. 941-685-9941.

Call from 9am - 8pm.

SMH HEALTH CARE, INC DBA SARASOTA MEMORIAL HOSP SEEKS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS TO WORK IN SARASOTA CTY., FL. PERFORM LAB TESTS IN A HOSP SETTING. 7 F/T PERM. POSITIONS. FLORIDA MED TECH LICENSE, 1 YEAR EXP., ASCP, AMT, NCA, OR EQUIV. CERTIF REQ’D. APPLY

BY EMAIL TO: JOHN-SHIRK@SMH.COM OR BY MAIL TO SARASOTA MEM. HOSP. ATTN: HR DEPT. 1700 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA, FL 34239.

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

HANDYMAN SERVICES. 30 Years Experience. Can do jobs from the floor to the ceiling and in between. Inside the house and outside the house. No job is too small or too large.

Rick Whaley | 941-650-6696.

Painting

home services

HAND CARVED BROOM w/ tree spirit carved into handle. $75 941-468-7066

Autos Wanted

CHAUFFEUR DRIVER/ PERSONAL ASSISTANT Needed.

Responsibilities include maintaining a personal and professional schedule, coordinating meetings and events.

Must be reliable and arrive at appointments on time. The ideal candidate must have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and must be incredibly organized with a strong work ethic. Send resume and cover letter to (Lsummers909@gmail.com ) for details.

real estate

DESK CHAIR, black, durable fabric, sturdy nylon base w/ rollers. Like New! $50 Ladies golf clubs w/ bag. $50 941-228-9467

Help Wanted

auto

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Handyman Services

Visa/MC

Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

Items Under $200

www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

Between

jobs

stuff

WANTED TO BUY Vintage/Old Costume Jewelry, Vintage Pottery & Glass. 941-356-1568

Cleaning

Brooke O’Malley | Club Realty Call 941-726-2677

GOLD, SILVER BUYING w/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Antiques. Free House Calls.

Discrete/ Confidential. Call David 813-439-2694 SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Homes for Sale

Paint the town RED!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages

©2022 NEA, Inc.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Carpentry

Handyman

McKnight Construction

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Remodel & Home Improvements

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS & ANYTHING FROM THE GROUND UP

422793

TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772 KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

422798

YoderAluminum.com

Free Estimates Sarasota County

Attorney

Mike McKnight

941~400~6786

Health

GG1 Cleaning Services

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

Indoor • Residential • Commercial Windows, Pressure Washing, Gutters

Call Today for FREE Estimate

423.251.2368 / 863.473.1069

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

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Computer

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

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

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

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

We have mediated divorces involving up to 15 million dollars of assets over past 30 years.

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

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

William J. Leininger, JD

423804

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

941-929-9095

423793

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

SELL YOUR CAR! FAST • EASY • SAFE

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

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

Home Watch

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

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

422799

WE COME TO YOU 5-Star Rated

Concrete 423794

HoHoBuysCars.com

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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

Auto Service

941.270.4400

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

6968 Beneva Road

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

Dave and Connie Grundy

Michael Koch Concrete Inc.

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999

All Phases of Flat Work & Stone Work

Caregiver/Companion

Free Estimates! • No Job Too Small

422781

941-918-8587

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

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

Doors

Sliding Glass Door Repair

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Find anything in the RED PAGES

941-955-4888

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

423795

422791

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

eRvice

FREE (941) 809-7311 ESTIMATES!

24/7 SERVICE

Cleaning

Divorce without Lawyers

epaiR

422782

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

423527

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

ome

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

423791

Dustin Yoder

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S

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423887

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422783

16B

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

422801

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941-955-4888

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Call us today! 941.628.8579

Renovation, Construction and Remodeling Specialist

SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN & BATHROOM REPAIRS & REMODELS.

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

- FREE ESTIMATES 423604

423813

www.ezslider.com

941-243-0995 • jsancorporation@gmail.com jsancorporation.com Lic#CBC1265920

YourObserver.com

1/10/23, 10:25 AM

Painting

423798

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

Pet Services

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

Pet Care by Melanie Gates

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Find business and service professionals in the Red Pages.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Plumbing

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

General Plumbing Services Inc.

422802

Landscaping & Lawn

Driveways | Yards | Dirt Work | Light Demo

Complete Plumbing Services & Repairs Residential, New Construction and Commercial Serving the area since 1993 No Job Too BIG or Too SMALL. We DO IT ALL! Veteran Owned & Operated • Third Generation Master Plumber All Major Credit Cards Accepted Generalplumbingsarasota.com

941-923-8140

Rich Briandi | 941-356-5616 Lic./ Insured

Ask about Community Discounts!

Knowledgeable & Uniformed | Trained & Certified | Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005 Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

• Drain & Sewer Cleaning • Backflows Installation • Natural Gas Installations - Appliance Hook ups • Power Flush & Comfort Height Toilets • All Water Heaters - Tankless - Gas - Solar • All Major Plumbing Fixtures Repaired or Replaced • Garbage Disposals • New Water & Sewer Services • Dishwashers Installed • Wells & Pump Repairs Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

Roofing

Movers

422784

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

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

CALL 941-955-4888

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

UP TO

150

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

SPECIAL 00

Building & Roofing Contractor

For $149 per hour you get:

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

INCLUDING SCREENS, TR ACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Wizard Moving SRQ

Licensed and insured #IMT708

941-504-9787

NEED HELP?

Call John 941.377.2940

make your moving day a pleasure.

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(941) 966-2960

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

Shell Work & Landscape Stone

Residential & Commercial Cleans

423805

DRGRABBARS.COM

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

1/1

Crystal Clear Windows in Southwest Florida Since 2023

423806

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Cleaner Than Clean Window Company

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5

$

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

423797

941.966.0333

Pet Sitting (cats & sm/md dogs) Dog Walking (sm/md) Over 30 years experience Excellent references Administering medication

364556 423819

249 235

* $ $235

Trees

Windows

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

INCLUDES22MOEN MOEN STAINLESS INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL STEELANTI ANTISLIP SLIP CONCEALED PEEN CONCEALED SCREW SCREW GRAB GRAB BARS (16”BARS & 24”)(16” & 24”)

10% off

422775

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS

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

423807

CALL OR TEXT 941-900-9398 TODAY! OWNER: DON HUBIAK

423818

Licensed & Insured

941-248-4734

424336

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

423803

Luxury for Less

High End Interior & Exterior Painting Services

GLENN KROECKER

RED PAGES

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING, LLC

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

423800

THE GRAB BAR GUY

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Transportation

410036

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

$

17B

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota 401 401 Quay Quay Commons Commons #1101 #1101 Sarasota, Sarasota, FL FL 34236 34236 33 bedrooms bedrooms

3 full, 1 partial 3 full, 1 partial

$$ 6,500,000 6,500,000

3,798 SqFt. 3,798 SqFt.

Experience upscale waterfront living at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota. This premier 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 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 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 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 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 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 Mexico. The kitchen features top-tier appliances, a spacious island, and a wet bar for 401 QuayThe Commons #1101offers Sarasota, 34236 entertaining. master bedroom a tranquilFL retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom entertaining.

The master bedroom offers a tranquil retreat with a designer-tiled bathroom Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota 401 Quay Commons #1101 Sarasota, FL 34236 and access to the lanai. Resort-style amenities include a pool area, fitness center, club and access to the#1101 Resort-style amenities include a |pool 3lanai. bedrooms | 3 full, 1 partial bathrooms 3,798area, SqFt.fitness center, club Quay Commons 34236 $ 6,500,000 room,401 game room, andSarasota, 24/7 FL valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations. room, game room, and 24/7 valet service, providing a luxury lifestyle beyond expectations.

3 bedrooms 3 full, 1 partial 3,798 SqFt. 3 bedrooms 3 full, 1 partial 3,798 SqFt. 3 bedrooms 3 full, 1 partial 3,798 SqFt.

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota $$ 6,500,000 6,500,000

Perry Perry Corneau Corneau

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