Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 9.19.24

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Observer

Calling in a new year.

PAGE 6B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

VOLUME 20, NO. 32

YOUR TOWN

Can the Colson be saved?

Community partners work to find a way to preserve historic Black hotel. SEE PAGE 3A

Ian Swaby

Harriett Hritz, of Hritz Designs, greets Kinsey Robb.

Gallery goodbyes

On Sept. 17, Art Center Sarasota was filled with visitors, but their eyes weren’t on the art.

They were on Executive Director Kinsey Robb, who offered her goodbyes as she leaves for a new role in the visual arts nonprofit sector in New York City.

Art Center Sarasota board member Barbara Banks said Robb, who has served in the role since 2021, transformed the space and its operations during her time with the organization, a nonprofit which allows the public to view the work of regional artists free of charge.

“The people who came out tonight are a reflection of what the Art Center is about at its core and its community, and it’s really one of the most amazing and magical communities,” Robb said.

Fountain of joy City hosts long overdue celebration for the Mermaid Fountain. SEE PAGE 12A

Courtesy image

Caylie Fredericks has her hand painted by Rosie Tarr in an activity with the Children’s Museum.

Museum prepares to go mobile Things are rolling along at the Sarasota Children’s Museum since it gained 501(c)3 status about a year ago, said its founder, Christina Fredericks.

Thanks to a recent grant of $175,000 from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the museum has secured a 24foot, fully solar-powered trailer, which will serve as a “museum on wheels.”

Fredericks says the space will allow the museum to travel to schools, community events and neighborhoods to offer interactive experiences focused on STEAM concepts.

These may range from building simple robots, to arts and crafts.

The trailer is expected to be complete by spring 2025.

Ian Swaby

Artist Nancy Goodheart Matthews celebrates the Mermaid Fountain’s honor with the help of city of Sarasota Public Art Lead Mary Davis Wallace.

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Carrying the torch.

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LET IT FLOW Courtesy image

Midnight Pass, which used to separate Casey and Siesta keys, has been closed for 41 years. New efforts have risen to open it again in hopes of improving water quality in Little Sarasota Bay.

From a slate of options, Sarasota County commissioners pursue a legislative push to reopen Midnight Pass. SEE PAGE 7A

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

WEEK OF SEPT. 19, 2024

Paint with a cop

“I’m interested in reestablishing that historical tidal connection that benefits water quality, period ... and I do appreciate the alternative options.”

The Sarasota Police Department is offering Painting With Police in four monthly sessions which began Sept.

18. The program is billed as an opportunity for a team building activity for organizations and businesses, or for individuals.

Sessions are held 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St. in Sarasota. They provide an opportunity to create artwork while connecting with local law enforcement in a relaxed setting.

Novice and seasoned artists are encouraged to attend the guided sessions at a cost of $10 each, which includes all supplies needed to leave with your own creation. To reserve a spot, call 941-263-6732.

County Commissioner Joe Neunder. Read more on page 7A

BY THE NUMBERS 98

Years since the Colson Hotel for African Americans was built at 1425 Eighth St. PAGE 3A

41

Years since Midnight Pass between Siesta and Casey keys was closed.

PAGE 7A

Visit Sarasota County adds board members

48.5

Points per game the Booker High School football team has averaged in its first four games.

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CALENDAR

n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance). n Sarasota City

Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 7, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.

File photo

Main Street in downtown Sarasota is the center of dining, shopping and entertainment activity.

Main Street reimagining process begins T

he redesign of Main Street from Gulfstream Avenue to School Avenue is now officially underway. On Monday, the Sarasota City Commission approved a contract in the amount of $2.27 million with consultant KimleyHorn to study and provide preliminary design for the complete street project.

The deadline for 60% final design is September 2025.

As a complete street, the emphasis is on multimodal transportation, accommodating pedestrian and bicycle as well

as vehicle traffic. It won’t come without some measure of controversy, however, as downtown businesses have expressed concerns over how on-street parking might be affected.

Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch wondered if the timing is premature because the Downtown Master Plan update process is set to begin by the end of the year.

“I don’t see this actually happening until probably four or five years from now, and it would probably be done in phases because that’s a huge project,” said

City Manager Marlon Brown. “We will do this in concert with the Downtown Master Plan.”

As part of its scope of work, Kimley-Horn will facilitate meetings with stakeholder groups that include land owners, tenants and merchants and the existing stakeholder group from the prior visioning session. It will also facilitate two public progress meetings at the 30% schematic design and 60% draft design sessions. Any feedback may be incorporated into the 60% final draft design.

Visit Sarasota County has named new members to its board of directors.

Joining the board for two-year terms are Stacey Corley, president of Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation; Jason Samson, general manager of Aloft Sarasota; and Heather Van Wie, president and CEO of The Cottages On The Key. Rotating off the board are Ann Frescura, executive director of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce; and Rick Konsavage, managing director of The Resort at Longboat Key Club.

Other members of the board include County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger; Mark Gordon, managing editor of the Business Observer; Kara Morgan, CEO of Venice Main Street; Mike Quillen, president of Gecko’s Hospitality Group; Wes Santos, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Sarasota; and Susie Bowie, president and CEO of The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.

Members the 2025 Executive Committee are Richard Russell, general director of Sarasota Opera; Nick Mavrikas, area general manager of Spark by Hilton; John LaCivita, president and CEO of Willis Smith Construction; and Tim Self, senior vice president investments, Gulfside Wealth.

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W HAT ’S HAPPENING

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

THE COLSON HOTEL’S SIGNIFICANCE ■ The Florida Master Site File lists the 1926 structure’s style as Mediterranean Revival.

■ The hotel is constructed with hollow clay tile blocks topped by a flat built-up roof.

■ The building is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and local historic designation.

■ First hotel built in Sarasota for AfricanAmericans during the period of Jim Crow segregation.

■ Built by Edwin Burns and named for The Rev. Lewis Colson, a former slave who helped plat the city of Sarasota.

■ Selected In 2024 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of its “Eleven to Save.”

Courtesy image

The Colson Hotel has stood derelict for years, but now efforts are underway to save it from demolition.

History nearly forgotten ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

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lthough standing vacant and boarded up for years, the former Colson Hotel in the Rosemary District has become the center of controversy over whether it may be razed to make way for residential development.

At 1428 Eighth St., the Colson was built in 1925 by Owen Burns as the first hotel in Sarasota, and one of the few in Florida where African Americans could find lodging in the Jim Crow era. That stands as the historical significance of the building and why the city’s Historic Preservation Board on April 9 unanimously voted to deny the demolition request by JDMAX Developments.

The Planning Department also recommended to the City Commission that it deny the demolition request.

Appealing the denial, the matter came before the City Commission by JDMAX on Sept. 3, but with a caveat developed in collaboration with DreamLarge, which is leading the effort to save the building while still accommodating the planned surrounding development.

DreamLarge is a public benefit corporation, which are businesses that focus on charitable causes and the betterment of society or the environment.

Maximilian Vollmer of JDMAX told commissioners every effort was made to repurpose the Colson within its development, but studies on engineering and restoration costs rendered it unfeasible. The structure is too large and unstable to be moved and too costly to be restored. So, unless the city can allow some functional adjustments and transfer of development rights for more height and density to develop on the vacant land, JDMAX will continue to place the demolition decision at the feet of the City Commission.

“There is no exemplary architecture or nothing to salvage within the building itself, and the only significance of the building, obviously, is its history, which is significant, but it cannot really be repurposed to that use,” Vollmer said. “A historic marker could preserve the history if you would decide to demolish the building. If the demolition gets approved, we will be willing to look into various ways to mitigate that loss.”

Vollmer produced two bids to restore the structure, which were $1.96 million and $2.25 million, and said other contractors declined to

bid because of the complexity of the project.

A structural analysis by engineering Bliss & Nyitray of Tampa determined: ■ Structure has degraded excessively and is beyond the possibility of repair.

■ To renovate building, all interior framing would need to be removed, leaving only the exterior walls.

■ Exterior walls would need to be braced to replace interior framing.

■ All exterior masonry needs to be strengthened.

■ Foundation needs to be enlarged.

■ Building is unfit for renovation and should be demolished.

■ Building is currently unsafe and not suitable for occupancy.

■ Possible renovation would be an economic burden and beyond reasonable assumption.

As an alternative, the developer is willing to sell the building to a group led by DreamLarge — the negotiated price is $700,000 — with the intent to ultimately convey the Colson to Black ownership for a repurposed use, perhaps a jazz club or museum.

Prior to receiving its unfavorable cost-benefit analysis, JDMAX had initially planned to renovate the building for an alternative use such as retail, office or residential. Adjacent to the Colson, it had planned 27 three-story townhomes as a companion to another project it is currently planning on Ninth Street, priced as alternatives to the premium downtown condominium costs.

If it can transfer ownership of the Colson to DreamLarge, the development may more closely resemble height and density allowances of the Rosemary Residential Overlay District, which allows up to 100 units per acre and seven stories.

Even without the overlay, the property is zoned Downtown Edge, which allows for 25 units per acre and fivestory buildings.

The site stands across Cohen Way from the Sarasota Housing Authority’s Lofts on Lemon.

DREAMING LARGE

Since the Historic Preservation Board’s demolition denial, DreamLarge CEO Anand Pallegar has assembled a group of stakeholders in an effort to preserve The Colson while allowing JDMAX to achieve its objective of bringing more workforce housing to the neighborhood.

Rather than standing in opposition to JDMAX before the commission, Pallegar presented alongside JDMAX, advocating for the adjustments needed to make the project

The Colson Hotel stood vacant and decaying until it potentially faced demolition. Now, efforts are being made to work with a developer to save a piece of Black history.

work and save the building.

“What’s happened through this process is that a group of stakeholders have come together and various different organizations — Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and ourselves — to try to figure out a way to do this,” Pallegar said. “We think there is a way that we can restore the Colson into

something that would be remarkable for the community if we could find a way to get the site.”

That requires staff signing off, or the commission eventually approving, adjustments sought by JDMAX. Otherwise, the developer will resurrect its request to demolish the building when the public hearing is eventually continued. The commissions voted unanimously to keep the hearing open while JDMAX works with city staff on securing the requested adjustments to the site plan.

Approval of demolition will require the commission determining whether JDMAX has made all reasonable efforts to save the building, and whether the costs associated with requiring the building to be preserved are not reasonable.

Meanwhile, Vollmer said, time is money.

“We can expedite a review of this in terms of meeting with them, making sure we understand what their new plans are, and then sharing with them what the process needs,” City Manager Marlon Brown told commissioners. “We will do everything in our ability to get this moving forward as quickly as possible.”

Commissioner Kyle Battie lamented that the Colson was permitted to languish for so long, rather than the community being proactive, that demolition, instead of preservation, even became an option.

“We’re going through this with a number of historic structures in the city, and I’d like to see the community jump on these things initially before developers come in and start wanting to demo them,” Battie said.

Andrew Warfield

The Colson Hotel was the first hotel that permitted African Americans to lodge and was built for that purpose.

The proposed “pink box” site would separate the Colson Hotel from the proposed JDMAX Developments site at the corner of eighth Street and Cohen Way if approved by the city.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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James Griffith, Coral Pleas and Terry McKee will participate in the first event in the Sarasota Speakers Series on Sept. 23.

New speaker series debuts in Sarasota ‘Disruption, Innovation & Opportunity’ set for Sept. 23

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new speaker series in Sarasota aims to inspire upcoming entrepreneurs by bringing local experts together to share their knowledge.

Called the Sarasota Speakers Series, the organizer, financial consultant Lynn Kitchen, said participants at the first event, set for 5-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the Aloft Hotel in downtown Sarasota, will come away with stories, strategies and secrets they can use to grow their own businesses.

“Business building is now more complicated and needs collaboration, cooperation and mentorship,” Kitchen said. “We do believe that they can take home with them some ideas for positive disruption for their own businesses and their own lives.”

The first event features three successful local beauty salon owners: Terry McKee, of Nuovo Salon Group, Coral Pleas, of Cutting Loose Salons, and James Griffith, of James Griffith Salons.

The event will be co-hosted by Kitchen, along with branding consultant and TEDxSarasota founder Judy Winslow.

The title of the first talk, “Disruption, Innovation & Opportunity,” will focus on the speakers’ success

SARASOTA SPEAKERS SERIES When: Monday, Sept. 23, 5-7 p.m.

Where: Aloft Hotel, 1401 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota 5 p.m.: Panel discussion of local legacy business owners n James Griffith — Owner, James Griffith Salons n Coral Pleas — Owner, Cutting Loose Salons n Terry McKee — Owner, Nuovo Salon Group 6:30 p.m.: “Meet n Greet” in the lobby.

Light bites and a cash bar. Meet the speakers and mingle with business leaders.

Tickets: For more information and to purchase tickets, and for 10% off, go to SarasotaSpeakerSeries.EventBrite.com.

with growing their businesses in a spirit of cooperation.

Kitchen says future panel discussions are planned with notable local restaurateurs and media entrepreneurs.

“I think it’ll be a conversation that will be uplifting and inspiring,” Kitchen said. “How many times do we get to see three leaders in a particular industry group talk about what worked, what didn’t, and how they see the future?”

Kitchen said she and Winslow have a long-term goal of creating a leadership program “that can help mentor new, upcoming entrepreneurs,” that will inspire a legacy project.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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Planning Board does an about-face on Fruitville Road development Sent back to the board by the Sarasota City Commission after changes, a previously rejected residential project between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street wins approval.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

F

irst rejected and then sent back by the Sarasota City Commission to the Planning Board after changes were proffered in the interim, a rezoning request for multiple parcels fronting Fruitville Road and Fourth Street near U.S. 41 has now secured unanimous support for approval.

The rezoning request by applicant Fourth & Trail Developments doesn’t actually change the Downtown Core zone, but rather would permit the by-right development of the site to a maximum 50 units per acre and 10 stories which, if approved, unbinds the site from restrictions agreed to by a prior applicant for the same parcels.

The owner and developer of the property is Palsar Developments of Lakewood Ranch.

The 1.01-acre site wraps around the low-rise Encore condominiums at the east end of the block. With three other projects on that block between Cocoanut Avenue and U.S. 41 in various stages of planning, the primary concern among Encore residents was parking for its residents and vehicle volume using the only current access point — an alley at Cocoanut Avenue.

That alley would become the only driveway into any developments on the block, which includes the 1274 Fourth Street Residences at the southwest corner of Fourth and Cocoanut, which was previously denied an entrance off Fourth Street by the Planning Board and must use the alley.

All that could change if the City Commission agrees.

Following the initial Planning Board rejection on Feb. 14, Philip DiMaria of Kimley-Horn recruited colleague Bill Waddill to facilitate collaboration with Encore resi-

dents, the other developers on the block, Rosemary District leaders and Downtown Sarasota Condominium President David Lough to craft a “win-win-win” solution.

That includes providing five dedicated parking spaces for Encore, 25 public parking spaces for the city and an enhanced streetscape that exceeds city code with ample shade trees and landscaped buffers on both sides of the sidewalk between the street and the buildings. Not just on the project’s frontages, but Waddill is working with the other developers to provide the pedestrian experience around the entire block.

Waddill and DiMaria pointed to absence of affected parties to speak to the Planning Board as evidence of the success of the seven-month diplomacy effort. Representing the Encore Condo Association was its vice president, Michael Gasper.

“We did have some intense discussions, but in a good way. They were very productive, very forward thinking,” Gasper said. “We worked things out that address the Encore Association’s short-term and long-term concerns and that, in conjunction with all the benefits that the Rosemary District and neighborhood will get out of this, we are here not to oppose the application, but rather to support approval of the application.”

In exchange, the development would get a curb cut off Fourth Street as a second access point — which is not permitted on a city-designated primary street — and possibly additional density should it take advantage of the city’s downtown affordable housing incentives program. Whether or not it will include affordable housing has not yet been determined.

Still a sticking point is the location of a water line beneath the sidewalk on Fourth Street, which lies in the way of the enhanced streetscape plans. DiMaria and Waddill contend

issue in order to achieve the desired streetscape.

As for the development itself, it would be consistent with the 10-story maximum height of buildings that surround the site. The rezone ordinance amendment, the applicant contends, is consistent with the current land use patterns and conditions within the surrounding areas that have occurred over the past two decades.

“This three-block area in the southwest corner of the Rosemary District is undergoing substantial change, and probably about twothirds of it is going to change for the next 100 years in this next year,” Waddill said. “Because of that, it’s a perfect opportunity for us to see if we can get some pedestrian improvements and neighborhood improvements while the getting is good.”

Courtesy image

Outlined in red, the unnamed Fruitville Road/Fourth Street development would include driveway access off Fourth Street, which is currently prohibited by code.

the city should have moved the line to beneath the street anyway, and if the developer is required to expand the capacity of the line, it should be a public-private venture. The water line is 50 years old as it is and would have to be replaced eventually, which would otherwise be a city expense.

Proffered is a 20-foot pedestrian area that would include, depending on location, a seven- to 10-foot sidewalk and an eight- to 12-foot planting strip “so we can have meaningful canopy trees important to the neighborhood,” Waddill said. There would also be a landscaped strip between the sidewalk and the buildings.

“Where we want street trees you have got water lines that the utility department says you can’t plant a canopy tree there and you need a 20-foot easement, which works fine

in Lakewood Ranch maybe but it’s ridiculous in the downtown environment,” Waddill said. “Certainly if the developer needs to upsize the water line for the development, to dig up two lanes of the street to move it over (is what) the city should have done that with its $20 million of enterprise fund money. I’d say some sort of a public-private partnership is what would be appropriate to accomplish what the city wants.”

That means the developer would pay for the expansion part but the city should pay for moving the line in order for any development to conform to code there.

In addition to approving the rezoning request, the Planning Board unanimously recommended the City Commission coordinate with the developer over the water line

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

EVENT SPACE SEATING CAPACITIES

File photo

Among the topics of discussion by the Purple Ribbon Committee is converting the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall into convention and event space.

An unconventional approach Visit Sarasota County CEO says a hybrid convention center and performance space is an option to consider for the Van Wezel.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

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mong the possibilities for repurposing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is convention space, one large enough to attract meetings too large for the assorted hotel ballrooms and other venues scattered around Sarasota County and points nearby.

That’s why the city’s Purple Ribbon Committee invited Visit Sarasota President and CEO Erin Duggan to make a presentation and answer questions at its Sept. 10 meeting. Her response to queries about whether the city needs space potentially to attract larger conventions here was

a definite maybe.

More likely, she said, would be a multipurpose facility that could also host performances and other events that seek more space than is currently available. To be successful, though, it would have to compete with the under construction Bradenton Area Convention Center — which can host up to 4,000 for a reception, 576 in a banquet setting and 752 as a theater.

Also, to the south is the recently opened Sunseeker Resort in Port Charlotte, which can accommodate 1,500, 1,000 and 1,500, respectively.

Sarasota County has nothing close to the Sunseeker numbers, the largest venue being the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which can accommodate 1,200 for reception, 800 for banquet and 1,150 for theater. What neither of those have, though, is convenient access to downtown Sarasota.

The second-largest venue in the downtown area, the Hyatt Regency, is set for demolition perhaps sometime in 2025 as that site is slated for redevelopment. The Hyatt can host

1,000 for receptions and 600 for banquets in its 10,000-square-foot ballroom space. A new Thompson Hotel that will be built there will have a ballroom, but it is planned at 7,000 square feet.

Just outside the city limits is The Ora, which recently opened on McIntosh Road near Fruitville Road.

It can host 1,000 for receptions and 700 for banquets.

None of those is big enough to host large conventions, Duggan said, which isn’t necessarily Sarasota’s forté anyway.

“I think our sweet spot in Sarasota County has always been kind of that small meeting. In fact, I would even say one of the sweet spots for us has been incentive trips, and during the pandemic, we really shined because of that,” Duggan said.

Conventioneers, though, tend to want to arrive at their meeting hotel and stay there, but also want walkability when not in session. Excluding the Hyatt Regency, the largest hotels in downtown — Ritz-Carlton,

SARASOTA COUNTY Venue Ritz-Carlton Sarasota Hyatt Regency Sarasota Art Ovation Municipal Auditorium The Ora Longboat Key Club Lido Beach Resort St. Regis Longboat Key Westin Sarasota Selby Botanical Gardens Circus Conservancy Sarasota Embassy Suites Sarasota Sarasota Art Museum Carlisle Inn Conference Center Casey Key Resort The Sarasota Modern Hotel Aloft Sarasota Hotel Venezia Venice Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Reception 1,200 1,000 600 1,000 1,000 295 305 600 450 450 400 300 170 500 200 32 120 120 350

MANATEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES Bradenton Area 4,000 Convention Center* Marriott Palmetto 960 Legacy Hotel Bradenton 515 Zota Resort Longboat Key 275 Sunseeker Resort Port Charlotte 1,500 *Under construction

The Westin and Embassy Suites, are all within a short walk of the Van Wezel.

During its March 2024 meeting, Van Wezel Executive Director Mary Bensel introduced the concept of a rotating floor, which can be flipped to allow seating on one side and a flat surface for event space on the other.

That squares with Duggan’s thoughts about a hybrid events/performance venue that could accommodate the size of convention that fits somewhere between smaller meetings and major conventions that travel to cities such as Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas or Las Vegas and require thousands of hotel rooms.

It also would provide a larger space for local events that squeeze into hotel ballrooms or shy away from the rates hotels must charge.

“I think something that would be

Dining 800 600 560 600 700 245 253 400 400 300 N/A 200 140 N/A N/A 32 32 96 N/A

Theater 1,150 N/A N/A N/A N/A 327 338 600 520 N/A N/A 215 N/A N/A N/A 40 50 206 N/A

576

752

600 371 229 1,000

936 422 305 1,500

multiuse would be best,” Duggan said of the Van Wezel when asked if a convention hall is a needed amenity. “We get a lot of complaints from locals who can’t believe how much it’s costing to have an event at the Ritz-Carlton or at the Hyatt. I sympathize with the hotels because those spaces are there to sell the rooms ... In a perfect world, hotels want their event space to be utilized by the people staying in their rooms.”

That left the committee with food for thought as it awaits the first update from Karins Engineering, which was commissioned to take a deeper dive into the building and its prospects for repurposing, one that goes beyond its 2021 structuralfocused report.

That update is on the agenda for the next meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at City Hall.

FOR CITY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 VOTELIZALPERT.COM

Liz Alpert is listening to our community and supporting our arts and culture.

Arts and culture are what make Sarasota

Liz Alpert is supporting our arts and cultural community by:

Our arts organizations make important

Supporting a new performing arts center that will be a $150 million economic driver

unique and not just another beach town. contributions to our city’s economy

providing local jobs and offering vibrant

cultural experiences for local and visiting families.

Supporting adaptive reuse of Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Working to bring The Sarasota Players back to the city Supporting Selby Gardens renovations

TODAY’S LEADER FOR SARASOTA’S FUTURE Paid for and Approved by Liz Alpert for Sarasota City Commission, District 2

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ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 5 | EARLY VOTING: OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 3

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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Passing on inlet alternative County Commission eschews sea water pumping option in favor of pursuing legislative solution to reopening Midnight Pass.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

inlet that was closed by human, rather than natural, intervention.

Because the primary issue is water quality in Little Sarasota Bay, Jenkins said the options for the commission to consider include: Option A: Pursue studies for reopening Midnight Pass.

Option B: Consider something less intensive, and allowable in Florida, to exchange Gulf and bay water such as a system to pump water in and naturally exchange the water through inlets both north and south of Little Sarasota Bay. The commission unanimously chose option C, which is: If current legislation doesn’t allow reopening of Midnight Pass, work to change the law.

Jenkins and his company were contracted to develop plans for initiatives to improve the water quality in Little Sarasota Bay after the county received approval for a $500,000 legislative appropriation to fund initial design and permitting efforts to reestablish a tidal connection between Little Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

“The primary concern with that is, in good conscience, we cannot recommend something knowing that under the current rules, it would not be allowed, and you would spend considerable effort to reach that conclusion,” Jenkins told commissioners. “If that is indeed your intent, we would just recommend a more fundamental approach, start-

“Right now, the tidal prism that Midnight Pass used to have has been taken up by the adjacent inlets. If you establish a new inlet, it would be taking that prism back from either Venice or big Sarasota (Bay).”

— Michael Jenkins, an engineer with Applied Technology and Management

Midnight Pass before and after closure.

ing with a legislative solution.”

Instead, Jenkins pitched the concept of pumping water from the Gulf into the bay at strategic locations to dilute pollutants and, functioning as Intracoastal waterways do, the mixture would naturally flow back into the Gulf via inlets both north and south. That approach would pass legal muster as such pumping is already permitted for purposes including exchanging water with aquariums, cooling nuclear power stations and desalination plants.

He also provided a crash course in how inlets interact with and impact each other.

“Inlets rely on the difference in water levels to drive currents that keep the pass open, and you have to have enough water going through that inlet on any given day to keep that pass open. If you don’t, it’ll close,” Jenkins said. “Inlets require sufficient velocity of water, a tidal

prism, to stay open and inlets also compete for that.

“Right now, the tidal prism that Midnight Pass used to have has been taken up by the adjacent inlets. If you establish a new inlet, it would be taking that prism back from either Venice or big Sarasota (Bay).”

Costs to implement the concept compared to reopening the pass may be negligible in that an inlet as narrow as Midnight Pass would require occasional dredging to remain open, as it will naturally want to close, Jenkins said. Inlets also will borrow sand from adjacent beach areas, which are already subject to erosion, in addition to other environmental factors.

A lengthy technical discussion on the pumping option brought the commissioners back to their primary preference — reopening Midnight Pass as it was originally.

“Not speaking for anybody else, but my intent was a tidal connection,” said Commissioner Neil Rain-

ford, who represents South County.

Added Joe Neunder, whose district includes the southern portion of Siesta Key and Casey Key, “I’m interested in reestablishing that historical tidal connection that benefits water quality, period. That’s what it is for me, and I do appreciate the alternative options.”

At that, commissioners voted unanimously to instruct staff to work with the county’s lobbyist, the community and the state delegation to draft an amendment to amend the Florida statute to allow for restoration of the tidal connection to Little Sarasota Bay. “I just think that it’s important that we recognize that the legislature in this past session provided Sarasota County with $500,000 to reestablish the tidal connection,” Rainford said.

“Along with our governor’s signature, I think we have the political capital to continue that effort.”

426388-1

S

arasota county commissioners have taken the first step in resolving the longstanding controversy over the closing of Midnight Pass between the Gulf of Mexico and Little Sarasota Bay. The inlet that separated Casey Key and Siesta Key, once critical to the water quality of Little Sarasota Bay, was closed in 1983 when the Army Corps of Engineers deepened Little Sarasota Bay as the Intracoastal Waterway and deposited dredged material at the inlet, which eventually was filled by two property owners.

As a result, the lack of free exchange of tidal waters has resulted in poor conditions in Little Sarasota Bay. How to mitigate the situation is now more a matter of state legislative policy as commissioners heard at their Sept. 10 meeting that the likelihood of state and federal environmental agency approval to reopen the inlet is practically nil.

That news was delivered by Michael Jenkins, an engineer with Applied Technology and Management based in West Palm Beach.

“I’m fully aware of the history of Midnight Pass,” Jenkins said. “It is well known within coastal engineering circles in Florida. It is a wellknown discussion that’s gone on for many decades.”

However, Jenkins told commissioners he could not in good conscience recommend pursuing an opening of Midnight Pass when legal precedent in Florida all but prohibits the creation of new inlets although, arguably, Midnight Pass is an old

Courtesy images

Midnight Pass was an open passageway for decades before a pair of homeowners had it bulldozed in 1983.

8A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Observer recommends …

This week begins the Observer’s general election recommendations for a few races and the state amendments.

MATT WALSH

O

ver the next five weeks, we’ll be devoting much of this page to our recommendations for the Nov. 5 general election.

Our focus will be on a few specific races and ballot questions pertinent to voters in Sarasota and Manatee counties; the statewide constitutional amendments; Florida Supreme Court justices and Second District Court of Appeal judges; and the national elections.

This week’s installment is on the offices of Sarasota County tax collector and Sarasota County Public Hospital Board.

SARASOTA TAX COLLECTOR

Barbara Ford-Coates, Democrat, incumbent; Mike Moran, Republican Far too often, voters are faced with the dilemma of which of the two candidates is the least worst.

Fortunately for Sarasota County voters, the contest for tax collector is not one of those races. Barbara Ford-Coates and Mike Moran are accomplished individuals and competent candidates.

But let’s cut to the quick. We have a simple litmus test: If the incumbent candidate has been doing a good job, vote for that candidate; keep that person in office.

In this instance, that means reelect Ford-Coates. No questions asked, no doubts about it.

(As an aside, in all of our recommendations over the past three decades, Ford-Coates is the only Democrat the Observer has recommended — and repeatedly. And that’s for a simple reason: She has done and does a great job.)

Indeed, it’s worth reprinting excerpts from our June 27 tax collector recommendations for the Republican primary: “For many longtime Sarasotans, in particular those who live in the northern part of the county, the idea of challenging incumbent Barbara Ford-Coates for the county tax collector position is close to ludicrous.

“Ford-Coates has been Sarasota County tax collector for 40 years, elected 10 times. And anyone who has experienced the process of registering a vehicle in another state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or in another Florida county is likely to

Ford-Coates

Moran

attest his or her customer experience in Sarasota is Best of Class.

Ford-Coates’ staff defies the reputation of surly bureaucrats; they’re pleasant, efficient and helpful. And that starts at the top.

“Ford-Coates’ reputation among her peers is tops. Every year since 2011, the Florida Tax Collector Association has bestowed FordCoates and her office with the Excellence in Finance Operations and the Legacy Award. In 2008, the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers & Finance Officers named her Outstanding Tax Collector in the U.S. “Timothy Qualls, longtime general counsel for the Florida Tax Collector’s Association, says: ‘Barbara is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.’”

The accolades and “firsts” go on: n First tax collector to offer driver license services n First tax collector boating safety program n First county to use automated clearing house system n First tax collector to email tax bill information n First tax collector to email business tax notices n Piloted a public-private partnership for car dealers to electronically register customers’ vehicles In addition to being a leader nationally and statewide among tax collectors, Ford-Coates has held numerous community leadership positions: n President, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, 1992 n Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, 1991-present n Chair, Manatee Community College Institute of Government Steering Committee, 1990-92 n Florida Constitution Revision Commission, 1998 n Treasurer, League of Women Voters of Sarasota County n Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Grants Committee 2006 n Chair, Non-Profit Resource Center Advisory Board, 2006 All of that is worth noting because it further buttresses the irrefutable case that Ford-Coates deserves reelection.

Is she perfect? No one is. Then, what is the case, if there is one, against Ford-Coates and for Moran?

Two things against: n 1) Ford-Coates has been in office 40 years.

But that does not matter if the performance hasn’t waned. n 2) She is 74. Donald Trump is 78. In Sarasota County, where 40% of the population is over age 65, the number of residents in their 70s who are active, agile and mentally and physically alert is remarkable.

Competence matters; age and tenure don’t.

Moran, by contrast, is 20 years younger than Ford-Coates. So there is no denying that because of

TAX COLLECTOR’S EXCESS FEES Florida’s 67 county tax collectors handle property, tourist and business taxes; motor vehicle, vessel and manufactured home titles and registration; drivers’ licenses; disabled parking permits; and hunting and fishing licenses.

The fees charged for these services are set by the Florida Department of Revenue.

At the end of each fiscal year, the tax collectors must complete an annual financial report and return excess fees to all taxing districts and to their Boards of County Commissioners. Those funds then go into the taxing districts’ general funds.

The excess fees — revenues minus operating expenses — are contingent on how efficient the tax collector’s office operates. In the case of Sarasota County, the operating costs per capita are “the lowest of all Florida tax collectors,” according to the Sarasota tax collector’s office.

Here are the Sarasota tax collector’s excess fees sent to Sarasota County and other county taxing districts for the past five fiscal years:

Taxing Sarasota Co. Districts Total FY 2019 $11,785,213 $1,046,364 $12,831,577 FY 2020 $11,613,661 $1,074,303 $12,687,964 FY 2021 $12,317,691 $1,134,505 $13,452,196 FY 2022 $12,860,381 $1,212,075 $14,072,456 FY 2023 $16,290,880 $1,481,079 $17,771,959

age, Moran is likely to have more stamina than Ford-Coates over the next four years.

You can also make the case that with Moran’s experience as a payroll and insurance company owner in Michigan and his public service — eight years on the County Commission, including terms as chair; a member of the Southwest Florida Water Management Board of Governors; former vice chair of Sarasota County Planning Commission member — on paper, he has the chops to lead the tax collector’s office.

What’s more, his colleagues on these public boards will tell you Moran works hard. A former Sarasota County commissioner told us Moran was always well versed and prepared on whatever subjects and issues came before the board.

But here is the “but” — two “buts” — and they’re big for us: n 1) Moran is a politician. He says he is “not a career politician.”

But he has been heading that way: president of the Sarasota Republic Club; member of the Republican Executive Committee; appointed

by Gov. Rick Scott to the SWFMD board; planning commission; two terms as county commissioner. He is embedded in Sarasota County politics.

We don’t need that in the tax collector’s office.

To Ford-Coates’ credit, she has focused her 40 years in office on doing the job, not becoming a public political poohbah. n 2) Style matters. It especially matters at the local levels of politics, where elected officials often encounter their constituents face to face, unlike the Washington swamp rats who hide in D.C.’s congressional tunnels.

On style, Moran hasn’t earned the tax collector’s job. We addressed this in this space in June. (YourObserver.com/News/2024/Jun/26/ Opinion-For-Sarasota-Tax-Collector/) While you can give Moran credit for his pursuit of “making government accountable to the taxpayers” and of “as little governmental intrusion as possible,” he has used his County Commission position as a bully. We recounted three highprofile instances of this in our June editorial.

Moran’s pattern has been not to collaborate or engage constituents.

Instead, his style has been emblematic of what has happened throughout every level of government. Once in office, rather than act as public servants and engage and discuss issues with affected parties, so many politicians relish and exert their power like monarchical rulers.

Their way or be damned.

For 40 years, Sarasota voters have set aside partisanship and overwhelmingly approved of the job that Ford-Coates has done as Sarasota County tax collector. This is no time to change. Ford-Coates has earned her position for another four years.

We recommend: Barbara FordCoates

SARASOTA PUBLIC HOSPITAL BOARD At-Large, Seat 1: Sharon Wetzler DePeters, Republican, incumbent; Alan Jerome Sprintz, Democrat; Ethan Garrett, Suzanne Hatatah, Jennifer Lee Zambrano, Write-ins At-Large, Seat 2: Dale Anderson, Democrat; Kevin Cooper, Republican At-Large, Seat 3: George Davis, Democrat; Pam Beitlich, Republican; Curt Erlandson and Emilio Carlesimo, Write-ins Central District, Seat 1: Sarah Lodge, Republican, incumbent; Vicki Lynn Nighswander, Democrat; Barbara Miller Vaughn, Write-in

If you conducted man (woman)on-the-street interviews and asked passersby to name any of the elected Sarasota Public Hospital Board members, likely you would get a blank look 99% of the time.

The job draws attention on rare occasions, far less attention than most elected offices. But it is one of the most important elected offices in the region when you consider the magnitude and scope of what it does.

The hospital board members are the governing body for a $1.6 billion (annual revenues) healthcare enterprise that treats more than 1.5

million people a year; has 900 beds; has more than 570 physicians and more than 10,000 employees (the most of any employer in Sarasota County).

On top of that, this health care system has been on its largest and most successful expansion track in the hospital system’s history over the past five years. In 2021, for instance, amid the chaos from the pandemic, Sarasota Memorial opened its new 110-bed Venice hospital. Demand for that grew so fast, SMH will complete the doubling of its size this year.

Next up: a new hospital in North Port.

SMH’s financial statements detail that $722 million is being invested for the following projects: n $239.2 million to double the Venice facility; $220 million to complete an outpatient cancer center; $71.1 million for a new behavioral health pavilion; $79.7 million for the SMH Research & Education Institute, including a parking garage; $28.2 million for a freestanding emergency care center in Lakewood Ranch.

And just to add to all that, throughout the past four years, Sarasota Memorial Hospital consistently has been awarded and ranked among the best of its peers nationally and in Florida.

We enumerate all of the above to make the unequivocal case (once again) that the incumbent hospital board members running for reelection pass the litmus test: If they’re performing well, reelect them — Sharon Wetzler DePeters and Sarah Lodge. Keep going.

But there also are two open seats with no incumbents. In those races, the choices are clear — we recommended two of those candidates in the August primary: Kevin Cooper, At-Large, Seat 2; and Pam Beitlich, At-Large, Seat 3.

Cooper is a well-regarded civic and business leader in Sarasota.

Currently a vice president at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Cooper previously served as executive director and CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and has been involved as a board member for numerous not-forprofit organizations in his 20-plus years in Sarasota.

Cooper’s opponent, Democrat Dale P. Anderson is a retired physician. Little known in Sarasota, Anderson has expressed views that hospital board members should be proponents of public health issues, including advocating for expanding Medicare statewide and for improved gun safety.

For At-Large, Seat 3, Beitlich also faces a retired physician, Democrat George Davis, and two unserious write-in candidates, Curt Erlandson and Emilio Carlesimo.

Here is the defining difference between Beitlich and Davis: Beitlich, 66, knows SMH intimately; for Davis, 77, it would be new.

Beitlich recently retired as Sarasota Memorial’s executive director of Women and Children’s Services after a 40-year career there. She oversaw high-risk labor and delivery and mother baby departments — more than 4,500 births at SMH last year. And she oversaw SMH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the only Level III unit between St. Petersburg and Fort Myers, for the most critical babies.

Beitlich has a doctorate in healthcare systems leadership, a master’s in nursing and is an advanced practice registered nurse. As she says: “I understand the clinical side of running a healthcare system, as well as the day-to-day operations.”

With her 40 years at SMH, Beitlich knows well the hospital system’s strengths, weaknesses and needs. Davis, on the other hand, could bring the perspective of a physician who practiced 35 years.

But if SMH were your business, whose institutional knowledge and wisdom would you rather have on the board? We’ll take Beitlich’s.

We recommend: Sharon Wetzler DePeters, Kevin Cooper, Pam Beitlich and Sarah Lodge

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

The Economic Development Corp. surprised SarasotaBradenton International Airport’s Rick Piccolo with the Clyde Nixon Leadership Award.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

L

ast week’s Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County’s 2024 annual meeting at The Ora in Sarasota was a celebration of the organization’s accomplishments over the past year.

It was also a double celebration of sorts for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo, who was surprised with organization’s top honor, the Clyde Nixon Leadership Award.

In introducing the award at the Sept. 12 event, Sean Pagan, interim president and CEO of award sponsor Helios Technologies, traced Piccolo’s 53-year career in airport operations, beginning in 1970 as a janitor at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Following a military stint, he returned to the aviation industry with a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo and began climbing the boarding stairs of airport administration.

He has served as president and CEO of SRQ for 28 years.

“He has expertly navigated the RIDA’S FINEST airport through multiple expansions, economic downturns, postSHOWROOM 9/11, travel changes and the challenges of COVID-19,” Pagan said of Piccolo. “Under his leadership, SRQ has flourished, becoming one of the nation’s fastest growing airports with a 300% increase in passenger traffic in the last few years.

M THE PLUMBING PLACEextends beyond SRQ, His influence making a significant impact on the ce aviation industry at state, national and global levels, all while deeply ur engaging with Sarasota and Bra-

Andrew Warfield

denton communities.”

In addition to celebrating his award, Piccolo also announced that, the next day, he and his wife, Sally, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

“I thought I was just coming here for lunch,” Piccolo said. “First of all, I want to thank the EDC and board for this wonderful honor. I know this isn’t possible, though, without the support of a lot of people. I have a tremendous board that’s very supportive of what we do. I have a wonderful staff. This is the fourth airport that I’ve worked at, but this is the best staff I’ve ever seen.”

After thanking Sally for her support, as well, he offered a piece of marital longevity advice.

“I know this will sound a bit oldfashioned and misogynist, but I told Sally that I will make all the big decisions and you can make all the small decisions, and I expect you to support me in all the big decisions,” Piccolo said. “I’m pleased to say that after 50 years of marriage, I have never had to make a big decision.”

Rick Piccolo speaks to the attendees at the 2024 Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County meeting.

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itchen & Bath Fixtures • Sinks & Tubs

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As reported in your Sept. 9 article, I missed the Tiger Bay panel on Sept. 5 due to my husband’s emergency surgery.

I am thankful to my Chief Deputy Sherri Smith for her responses concerning the inaccurate assertions made by Mr. Moran.

Regarding the claim that I paid an employee a salary of $400,000 — that is simply incorrect. A few of my staff members had to take on additional responsibilities during the last few years as we experienced staffing shortages from significantly higher turnover.

During the period that has come to be known across the U.S. as the “Great Resignation,” we had employees leave to care for family members, pursue other opportunities or higher education, move to other regions, etc.

Throughout 2023, one employee worked 75-80 hours per week, the equivalent of two jobs, and I paid them for actual administrative time worked.

Concerning Mr. Moran’s comment that the Sarasota County Tax Collector is overcharging our taxpayers, if Mr. Moran had done his homework and read Florida Statute 192.091, he would understand that all fees and commissions this office collects are set and required by Florida law — they are neither decided nor set by me, and they are not optional.

This office follows the law in carrying out the duties and responsibilities assigned, and my budget is approved by the Florida Department of Revenue.

As my chief deputy explained, we receive a fee for every driver’s license we issue and every registration we process. Further, we receive a commission from each taxing district for the collection of ad valorem and non ad valorem property taxes. At the end of the fiscal year, we give back to the districts the fees that were not spent on our budget. Therefore, the lower our expenses, the more we can give back.

Since we have the lowest cost

per capita in all of Florida, we return to the districts more than any other Tax Collector in Florida.

This efficiency is due to the competency and professionalism of my exceptional staff.

In response to Mr. Moran’s complaint about my budget presentation, I am proud to share this information with the commissioners annually. I do so even though there is no requirement that I present my budget to them and welcome their questions.

Mr. Moran’s explanation of how the Tax Collector’s Office operates shows that he has a misunderstanding of the statutes and rules that govern our operations. If there are any questions about our budget, operations, or the services we provide, I hope your readers will contact me. I always welcome the opportunity to talk about what we do and our operational efficiencies.

LETTERS

EDC awards SRQ chief its highest honor

Incumbent tax collector addresses budget claims

9A

BARBARA FORD-COATES CAMPAIGN FOR SARASOTA COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR

SEND US YOUR LETTERS Have something to tell us? Send your letters to Michael Harris at MHarris@ YourObserver.com.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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School board addresses rise in school threats, approves temporary staffing contracts The school board discussed efforts to keep students safe, as well as issues with filling vacancies.

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s the Sarasota County School Board convened Sept. 17, it addressed a variety of topics, which included its response to a recent surge in school threats in the state, contracts for temporary staffing, and its final millage and budget.

SCHOOL THREATS ADDRESSED

In response to a recent rise in threats to schools across the state, the school board reviewed its efforts to keep students safe. The discussion came on the heels of a video statement Superintendent Terry Connor sent to families Sept. 12.

Connor said as of July 1, the school district had received 109 alerts through FortifyFL, an app that allows people to report suspicious activity, many of which were “false or not credible.”

He said the district has made three arrests and is continuing to investigate a few other incidents, saying there could be additional arrests.

“The impetus for that video is to really send the message that we’re not joking about this, and that if there is a credible threat, obviously, we want to make sure that our resources are readily available to act when needed, and when we’re clogging the system with false reports, it is taking time and resources away for when something really happens, and that is unacceptable,” Connor said.

In the video, Connor had emphasized that any students who make such threats will be disciplined to the fullest extent of the law and the

MILLAGE AND BUDGET APPROVED The board voted unanimously to adopt its final 2024-2025 budget and property tax rates.

The budget of $1.77 billion is an increase over last year’s $1.5 billion, while the total millage of 6.131 mills is a slight decrease from the 6.18 levied last year.

Student Code of Conduct.

Board member Bridget Ziegler weighed in.

“Unfortunately, the social media era that we live in, I think there’s a lot of younger people that don’t necessarily have a concept of true consequences, and this will completely devastate their lives, but it needs to be taken seriously, and I hope that message rings loud and true.”

She praised the work of the district, stating, “I love that Sarasota is a leader in this space.”

Board member Tom Edwards called the discussion of security only half of the problem.

“The No. 1 killer of children is guns, and I can’t sit here quiet any longer and only work on half of the problem,” he said.

“Florida leads the nation by leaps and bounds when it comes to school safety, security, mental health, but it’s still not enough,” added Vice Chair Tim Enos.

Enos called for vigilance and for parents to monitor their children’s social media activities. Enos, a former school chief of police in the district, replied to Edwards’ comment by noting the state’s red flag laws, which allow the seizure of firearms.

“I appreciate your no-nonsense approach about safety, school safety for all ... ” said commenter Elizabeth Bornstein to the board, calling the

R N

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

11A

Ian Swaby

TEMPORARY STAFFING CONTRACTS APPROVED

The school board approved two temporary staffing contracts.

Positive Behavior Support Corp. was contracted to fill the roles of ESE Program Specialist, board certified behavior analyst preferred, and behavior technician from Sept. 12 to Oct. 3, at an amount not to exceed $170,000.

AB Staffing was also contracted to fulfill 13 positions vacant since May 2024, until an unspecified date, including counselor, psychologist and nursing roles, for no more than $750,000.

The meeting agenda stated the positions had been difficult to fill.

Julie Forestier, of SEE Alliance, was among five speakers to comment, and she requested the contracts be removed from the consent agenda for board discussion.

“Temporary solutions create a revolving door of staff and educators, disrupting the continuity and stability that our students, particu-

larly those with exceptional needs, require,” she said.

“We know some of the reasons for these shortages: low wages relative to the cost of living here ... also, culture war laws and attacks, which make it stressful to teach in Florida,” said Carol Lerner.

Connor said Sarasota was not immune to issues of staff shortages, calling the topic a multilayered issue and saying he wanted to assure the community that the contracts were not a permanent fix.

“This is something, in the meantime, we don’t want these positions to go unfilled while we still continue to search for a permanent position,” he said.

He also said the district is in the midst of collective bargaining with Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association and that he was “very optimistic” about the results it would bring.

Board member Robyn Marinelli said years ago, when the board supported those seeking behavior analyst certifications, it had demonstrated the difficulty of obtaining needed services.

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situation “disheartening.”

“We need our schools to be ready, and we need our resources to be available,” she said.

The board also approved a job description for the manager of safety and security technology.

Connor said the district had deployed many security enhancements involving technology and that this position would provide someone to support and manage their implementation.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Mermaid fountain an amazing feat The city of Sarasota celebrated the induction of the Mermaid Fountain into the Smithsonian Institution’s inventory of public art sculptures.

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park, and architect Russell Moore had been commissioned to build it.

Designed with Bas-Relief imagery, the fountain takes its name from its south-facing panel, a depiction of a mermaid with arms outstretched, bordered by two dolphins.

The north-facing side portrays the tree of life as well as Florida’s native flora and fauna.

The fountain also boasts other ceramic images including 30 panels, and images in the pool basins and on the surrounding sidewalks.

During the event, Matthews took the opportunity to recount the creation of the artwork. It took her about nine months in her studio to produce the panels, each of which had to be fired three times.

Because clay shrinks as it dries, the initial sculptures had to be 5% larger than the end result, which still had to fit the fountain’s 12 waterspouts.

Matthews transported the carvings to Sarasota in the trunk of her car and stored them nearby, after which she installed them over a period of three months.

She said she has many memories of

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t was three decades ago when Sarasota’s iconic Mermaid Fountain was inducted into the Smithsonian Institution’s Registry of Public Art Sculptures.

Obviously, a lot of people thought a celebration was overdue.

On Sept. 13, Paul N. Thorpe J. Park, at the intersection of Pineapple and Lemon avenues, was filled with those who wanted to be part of the ceremony hosted by the city to honor the fountain and its artist, Nancy Goodheart Matthews of Bradenton.

Mary Davis Wallace, the public art manager for the city of Sarasota, called the turnout “incredible.”

“It turns out very few cities are mentioned as part of the Smithsonian’s collection of public art,” Matthews told attendees. “It put Sarasota in a rarefied company.”

The fountain was added in 1995.

The ceremony was attended by Mayor Liz Alpert, Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and Commissioner Debbie Trice.

“Through restorations, renovations, storms and the inevitable changes that occur over the span of three decades, this fountain, with all of its magical creatures, is a beloved landmark of our city, a true testament to Sarasota’s dedication to the arts and to the city’s public spaces,” Alpert said.

A new plaque now acknowledges the Smithsonian Institution’s actions.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

13A

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

ABOUT NANCY GOODHEART MATTHEWS ■ Grew up in the Virgin Islands and says that the cultures and spirituality of the Caribbean have influenced her work, as has her study of psychiatrist Carl Jung’s work on the unconscious ■ Attended the New York School of Visual Arts from 1969 to 1971 and the Art Institute of San Francisco from 1973 to 1975 ■ Has been most often commissioned for architectural carvings, but has also created works in fabric sculpture ■ Started in commission work with a piece for renowned Sarasota School architect Carl Abbott ■ Has shown her work at the Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art Gallery, Marie Selby Museum, The Ringling, Bishop Museum, and the Florida Craftsman Gallery in St. Petersburg.

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resulted in the fountain being saved.

It received an extensive restoration, paving the way for the celebration.

“I never dreamed it could happen like this,” Matthews said. “It’s amazing. It’s quite an honor to have the Smithsonian involved.”

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the installation, including passersby bring her water and iced coffee.

“On my first day, two kids on bicycles threw rocks at my head when I was up on a ladder,” she said. “A homeless man saw this, and from then on, he and his friends kept guard while I worked. There were no more incidents.”

She also recounted an incident where a woman told her the fountain gave her “much joy” and that she wanted to offer something in return.

“Her face grew solemn, and she began to sing to me,” Matthews said.

“She was a Russian contralto, such a voice. I couldn’t believe what was happening. In moments, I was moved to tears. It was so very beautiful.”

Since the fountain’s completion, it has continued to be appreciated, Matthews said, stating she has received a stream of letters and postcards from tourists in the area.

However, there were still times when its future had been in question.

In 2003, the park was bisected by a road. However, sidewalk vignettes in the path of construction were removed and then were auctioned off in support of the fountain’s maintenance by the late Allyn Gallup of Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art Gallery, while the fountain was also supported through a donation by developer Sam Hamad in 2005.

In 2018, the City Commission discussed removing the park entirely, to make way for a 10-story commercial building.

However, she said an outpouring of support, including the advocacy of downtown resident Barbara Campo,

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WRONG ROOF 10:19 a.m., 1500 block of 22nd Street Property damage: Coming home to find a work crew removing shingles from the roof of her rental home, a woman called her landlord who was just as surprised as she was about that turn of events. She confronted the workers, who spoke no English, and because of the language gap, called law enforcement for assistance.

While officers were on the scene, a representative from the roofing company arrived and advised the crew they were supposed to be repairing a roof a few houses down the street. The representative apologized for the mistake and said the roof will be repaired.

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VACATION ALTERCATION 11:32 a.m., 500 block of South Polk Drive Dispute: The housekeeper of a vacation rental home reported a physical altercation between a couple in the driveway. She indicated they checked into the property two days earlier and have been arguing constantly until they checked out that morning.

The complainant said she witnessed the man grab his female companion by the arm and force her into his vehicle before driving away.

The problematic pair were located later on Palm Avenue in reference to a separate incident of an unspecified nature.

The male subject stated they got into a verbal argument because she refused to leave, but it never became physical. The female subject refused to cooperate with law enforcement, did not want to provide any information and stated that she was fine.

No physical injuries were noted, and because of a lack of cooperation by both subjects, it could not be determined if a crime occurred.

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SLEEPING IT OFF 7:05 a.m., 1700 block of 23rd Street Dispute: A woman noted a Dodge Charger that did not belong to either occupant of a home at that address was parked on the property. She approached the driver of the vehicle and told him to leave, which he did.

There are several individuals who show residency at the address.

Familiar to law enforcement, the woman who made the report has been advised several times that any of the individuals who show residency can invite people onto the property, which is usually the case.

This time, though, she said she argued with one of the other residents about the car, and she said that man punched her in the face.

The accused confirmed that they were arguing, but he denied making physical contact.

During the call, officers found the same Charger parked nearby, blocking the property. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana in the center console, and the man was issued a marijuana civil citation.

MONDAY, SEPT. 2

WIFE STALKING WIFE 7:34 p.m., SPD headquarters Domestic stalking: A woman who was accompanied by her new girlfriend arrived at SPD headquarters, complaining that her “legal wife” came to her residence and saw her illicit paramour there. Attempting to avoid a conflict, the two left and went to the police station, followed by the jilted wife, who admitted she was wrong for following them but that she was upset because of her betrothed’s extramarital dalliances.

The married couple were educated about circuit court and how to go about filing for a divorce, since that course of action appeared inevitable.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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Venice Theatre celebrates its 75th anniversary as it seeks to repair Hurricane Ian damage.

Courtesy images

Venice Theatre’s first show, a 1950 production of “The Torch Bearers.”

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

D

uring the early and mid-20th century, a movement swept the country. This was before the crazes for Elvis, coonskin caps and Hula-Hoops. Even before TikTok, Americans were subject to fads and manias. Seventyfive years ago, it seems every town wanted its own community theater.

Exactly when and why the Little Theatre Movement started is a subject of extensive debate and scholarship. But the local theater push appears to have been inspired by the European model. It also developed as a form of pushback against the rise of cinema, which was supplanting live theater in the U.S., and later, TV. It was this desire to have live local theater that led to the founding of the Venice Theatre 75 years ago, according to Benny Sato Ambush, the theater’s artistic director.

The first meeting of the theater’s organizers was on Nov. 23, 1950.

Founders Muriel Olds-Dundas and Sonia Terry took out an ad in The Venice Gondolier that read, “Active memberships, which will cost $5, will be available to those who want to act, usher, take tickets, clean out the place or whatnot.” Participants were incentivized to attend with the promise of a picnic lunch.

Flash forward to present day.

Today, the Venice Theatre is considered the second-largest community theater among the more than 10,000 such institutions in the U.S. Its first production was George Kelly’s “The Torch Bearers,” a 1922 character-driven comedy about a community staging a play. To celebrate its diamond anniversary, in the

“Our community has responded beautifully. Many small donors have come through. The need is for a big one.”

— Benny Sato Ambush, Venice Theatre’s artistic director

Venice Theatre has revived its first show, “The Torch Bearers,” to open its 75th anniversary season.

2024-25 season, Venice Theatre has revived the play within a play. “It’s our origin story,” Ambush says.

The new version of “The Torch Bearers” runs at the Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center from Sept. 20-Oct. 13.

Normally, a big anniversary is cause for rejoicing and unabashed fundraising for a nonprofit cultural institution. That’s certainly the case with the Venice Theatre. However, the fundraising part took on a new urgency after the theater missed out on a $6 million federal grant earlier this year.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT THINS

The Sarasota County Commission essentially snubbed the Venice Theatre in May when it decided how to spend more than $200 million in federal funds to help communities recover from Hurricane Ian and prepare for future storms.

The theater was counting on some of that funding to help rebuild its mainstage Jervey Theatre. The Jervey’s fly tower for storing stage equipment and its back wall were destroyed by Hurricane Ian in September 2022.

To add insult to injury, in June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unexpectedly vetoed $32 million in arts grants for fiscal year 2025. The previous year, the state cultural grants program delivered $70,500 to the Venice Theatre.

All told, the cost of rebuilding the 432-seat Jervey Theatre is $25 million, of which $9 million has been raised, including a $1 million donation from Jim and Donna Boldt. That still leaves a $16 million gap.

In the face of such a massive shortfall, Ambush is remarkably upbeat.

Clearly, the theater’s trouper men-

tality is deeply ingrained in Ambush, a veteran arts educator and administrator who holds an MFA from the University of California at San Diego and a BA in theater and literature from Brown University.

Commenting on the theater’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ian, Ambush says, “Our community has responded beautifully. Many small donors have come through.

The need is for a big one.”

LIFE HAD OTHER PLANS

Ambush first came to Venice in 2010 as an adjudicator for WorldFest, an event featuring theater companies from around the globe sponsored by the American Association of Community Theatre hosted by the Venice Theatre.

After serving as a WorldFest adjudicator (theater-speak for judge) again in 2014, Ambush returned to Venice full time in July 2021 as artistic director. He originally thought he would be staying for a year to help the company get back on its feet after Covid.

“They invited me to come down for a year only,” Ambush said in a telephone interview. “They asked me to help them plan the next 25 years and upgrade the acting quality.”

Ambush was recruited by Producing Executive Director Murray Chase to replace Alan Kollar, who died in August 2020. Shortly after Ambush helped the Venice Theatre reopen in 2022, Hurricane Ian struck and destroyed much of the structure that once was the winter home of the Kentucky Military Institute.

“There was no rebar,” Ambush says, referring to steel rods that reinforce concrete structures. “It was just cinder blocks and mortar.

It just crumbled. Once it crumbled,

all that rain and wind came inside.

There was a great deal of damage to the roof.”

Ian’s arrival extended Ambush’s run at the Venice Theatre as Chase turned his attention to fundraising and Kristopher Geddie was named executive director in August 2023.

Geddie was previously director of diversity at Venice Theatre.

Following the destruction inflicted

by Ian, the Venice Theatre was able to transform its arts and education building, which was undergoing renovations, into the Raymond Center, which has 130 seats. It also performs in its existing black-box Pinkerton Theatre, which has 90 seats.

Concerts have been taking place in the Venice Performing Arts Center and the Venice Community Center and will continue to do so until the Jervey is rebuilt, Ambush says.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

But until that day, the Venice Theatre has 300 fewer tickets to sell to its plays. That creates a deeper financial hole as production costs are spread over fewer seats than before.

Still, the show must go on, and it will with great fanfare during the Venice Theatre’s 75th season.

The diamond anniversary season schedule has a total of 15 productions, Ambush says. Besides “The Torch Bearers,” other upcoming revivals from the theater’s long history are “Agnes of God,” “My Fair Lady” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

The 75th season also features Venice Theatre’s traditional annual productions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” its Pinky’s Players shows for thespians with mental SEE ROOF PAGE 16A

IF YOU GO ‘THE TORCH BEARERS’ When: Sept. 20-Oct. 13 Where: Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice Tickets: $15-$35 Info: Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

16A

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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Courtesy photo

Hurricane Ian destroyed the Venice Theatre main stage, the 432-seat Jervey Theatre, in September 2022.

CHURCH OF THE PALMS

ROOF FROM PAGE 15A

The Stephen Lynerd Group combines with Key Chorale for a celebration of Gospel music with a little jazz too!

Featuring:

Jamal Sarikoki

Purchase your tickets today at:

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KeyChorale.org or 941.552.8768

and physical disabilities and its Silver Foxes offerings by senior players.

For those who want something new, the Venice Theatre is producing three musicals, including “9 to 5,” based on the 1980 film about frustrated clerical staffers who want to get back at their boss. The film’s theme was written and recorded by Dolly Parton.

The other musicals are “The Lightning Thief,” about a youth who learns he has supernatural abilities, and “Don’t Touch That Dial,” which uses TV theme songs to encourage audience participation in a trivia contest.

Also making their debut this season are “The Learned Ladies,” a husband-hunting comedy written by the 17th-century French playwright Moliere, and “Syncopation,” which follows a meatpacker’s effort to find a suitable partner to help him launch a career as a ballroom dancer.

WorldFest is on hold until the Jervey is rebuilt, Ambush says, but other programs central to its mission are ongoing. “Our extensive educational and community engagement programs have continued without a hitch,” he adds. “Those programs will grow once we get back to our

plan of renovating our arts and education center.”

SPREADING THE WORD

In addition to looking for big donors to help rebuild the Jervey, Ambush and his team have to spend a lot of time educating the public about why they need so much money.

Some patrons and donors have the misconception that insurance covers all the costs of rebuilding after a storm. Also helping drive up costs are inflation and the need for repairs to satisfy modern building codes, Ambush notes.

The Jervey Theatre roof, installed for $225,000 in 2016, costs $861,000 to replace today.

One silver lining is that an architectural and construction team was in place to renovate the arts center when Ian struck. That helped the theater pivot to fashioning the Raymond Center and beginning repairs.

As the hunt for big checks continues, does Ambush have a message for the community on the occasion of the Venice Theatre’s 75th anniversary? Yes, he does.

“We appreciate all the love and support we’ve gotten from our volunteers,” he says. “And we wouldn’t be here after 75 years without our audiences. Thank you!”

JESS T. DUGAN

I want you to know my story NEXT WEEK!

THROUGH FEB 23

TUE-WED • SEP 24-25 7:30PM

ringling.org

Sponsored by Lexus of Sarasota and ABC7 This exhibition is part of the Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Photography and Media Arts Program at The Ringling.

Prices, dates and times subject to change without notice.

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Also open two hours prior to showtimes

CONVERSATION with Jess T. Dugan and Christopher Jones FRI, OCT 4, 10:30 AM, $10 / $5 for Members

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Jess T. Dugan (American, born 1986), Self-portrait (blue room) (detail), 2021. Archival inkjet print.

Courtesy of the artist. © Jess T. Dugan

BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10-6 • Sat 10-4 (941) 263-6799 • VanWezel.ORG

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

THIS WEEK

17A

$85 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

Come out and sample bites from area restaurants such as Jack Dusty, Mattison’s, Michael’s On East, Rose & Ivy and Selva Grill to support Sarasota Youth Opera, which will perform at 2 p.m. There will also be raffle drawings.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER SERENADE 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St. $43-$63 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Sponsored by Artist Series Concerts, “September Serenade” features violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, clarinetist Bharat Chandra and pianist Natalie Nedvetsky playing trios by Mozart, Bruch and Robert Schumann, and an arrangement of Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” for viola and piano.

BIG NIGHT OUT 8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $10-$18 Visit WSLR.org.

Celebrate Sunday Funday with Big Night Out, a seven-piece tropicalstyle dance band with a powerful horn section, grooving conga and Joni Adno’s commanding vocals.

OUR PICK

APRIL MACIE April Macie taps into her rough-andtumble upbringing to deliver explicit material, running the gamut from dysfunctional family drama to a history lesson on the first vibrator. Macie makes her way to the McCurdy’s stage fresh from appearances in Las Vegas.

Come learn why her latest album is called “Shame.” Runs through Sept. 22.

MONDAY

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 Where: McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

Tickets: $28 Info: Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

EnsembleNewSRQ, the contemporary classic ensemble led

by George Nickson and Samantha Bennett, returns to the Sarasota Opera House for the first show of its ninth season. The program, “Night, Reflected,” contemplates the cosmos with chamber music works.

‘SEUSSICAL’ 7:30 p.m. at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130 $13-$30 Visit ThePlayers.org.

‘SHREK THE MUSICAL’ 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $45-$95 Visit VanWezel.org.

The Sarasota Players presents “Seussical,” a musical based on the many children’s books by Dr. Seuss.

Runs through Sept. 22.

With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David LindsayAbaire, “Shrek the Musical” invites you to “fall in love all ogre again.”

The green monster, who became a sensation in the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film, clearly has “legs,” as they say in the theater world. The unlikely hero gets an assist in his odyssey from a sarcastic donkey and a rebellious princess. Runs through Sept. 25.

SARASOTA OPERA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 1 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 63 N. Pineapple Ave.

DON’T MISS

FRIDAY FEST: K-LUV & THE UNITED FUNK FOUNDATION When: 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 Where: Van Wezel Lawn, 777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: Free Info: Visit VanWezel.org.

Say goodbye to summer by partying on the lawn of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with K-Luv & the United Funk Foundation as Friday Fest returns after its hot-weather hiatus.

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‘NIGHT, REFLECTED’ 7:30 p.m. First Congregational Church, 1031 S. Euclid Ave. $30 Visit ENSRQ.org.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Strike up the Stiletto Brass!

Bradenton trumpeter Vince DiMartino joins the all-female band for a Sarasota performance.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

W

hen some people see the word “stiletto,” they imagine knives.

Trumpeter Amy Gilreath thinks of high-heeled shoes.

That’s why she chose the name Stiletto Brass when she and tuba player Velvet Brown formed the all-female quintet back in 2010.

It’s not just a marketing shtick.

Members of Stiletto Brass really do enjoy shoe shopping together in the spare time. They also like to kick up their heels, mostly on stage.

Sarasota music fans will get to see Stiletto Brass strut their stuff on Friday, Sept. 27, when they play at Holley Hall under the auspices of The Pops Orchestra.

The Stiletto Brass last performed in Sarasota as the featured guest at the Pops Orchestra’s “Jersey Boys, California Girls” concert in February 2018. When Pops conductor Robyn Bell heard that Stiletto Brass was planning to tour Florida again, “I jumped at the chance for the Pops to host them,” she says.

Adds Bell, “We are thrilled to bring this recital to our Cultural Coast, with the support of Pops board member Amy Schachter, for all to enjoy. Audience members will be amazed at the power, sound and versatility of this brass quintet. They are show-stoppers.”

Talk about a ringing endorsement.

The Stiletto Brass definitely has some big shoes to fill. Make that tall shoes. After all, they do wear red high heels for their performances.

All members of the Stiletto Brass — Gilreath, trumpeter Susan Rider, horn player Stacie Mickens, tuba player Brown and trombonist Natalie Mannix — have “day jobs,” mostly as

music professors.

But their colleges — the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana for Gilreath and Penn State for Brown — let them take some time off for professional development, experiences that they pass along to their students when they return to the classroom.

Given the packed schedule of the band’s members, Stiletto Brass sometimes performs with guest players. In Sarasota, Megan Boutin will play trombone while Chicago musician and teacher Bethany Vaughan will serve as the band’s second trumpeter.

For members of Stiletto Brass, it wasn’t always an easy decision to play a brass instrument when they were growing up.

In a telephone interview, Gilreath said, “Velvet Brown, our tuba player, and myself came through the public school system when young ladies didn’t play brass instruments. It’s been kind of a hard road.”

One inspiration was Marie Speziale, the first female trumpet player to play in a major orchestra. Speziale retired from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in November 1996.

Today, Gilreath calls Speziale a “dear friend of mine and Velvet’s.”

For their Sarasota recital, Stiletto Brass will play a program called “Struttin’ with the Stiletto Brass.” It will feature selections in tune with the “struttin’” theme. These include a piece by trumpeter and composer Jens Lindemann about dodging taxi cabs in London called “When a Body Meets a Body,” “Central Park in the Morning” by David Chesky and “Struttin’ with Some BBQ” by composer Kenneth Abeling.

Other selections include an arrangement of George Gershwin’s “Summertime” and Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

Stiletto Brass consists of (from left) Susan Rider on trumpet, Stacie Mickens on horn, Velvet Brown on tuba, Natalie Mannix on trombone and Amy Gilreath on trumpet.

Rounding out the program will be a piece called “Scarpa” (shoe in Italian) that was commissioned for Stiletto Brass.

Adding some masculine energy to the show is the celebrated trumpet player Vince DiMartino, who was once Gilreath’s music teacher and now is a friend and collaborator.

DiMartino and his wife, Patti, moved to the Sarasota area three years ago so Patti could pursue treatment for a rare type of cancer at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

They still maintain a house in Kentucky, where DiMartino is the spokesman for Pickett Brass and Blackburn Trumpets in Lexington.

A native of Long Island, DiMartino says he has been playing music for as long as he can remember. “I’ve loved music forever,” he said in a telephone interview. “I played in the marching band, the concert band, the jazz band. I would volunteer to play ‘Taps’ at funerals.”

DiMartino’s list of credits spans the academic, classical and popular

music worlds. He began teaching at the University of Kentucky when he was just 23 and has been an artistfaculty member of the Skidmore Jazz Institute since its inception in 1988.

Classical music fans will be familiar with DiMartino’s work as a soloist with such symphony orchestras as Buffalo, New York, Sante Fe, New Mexico, Orlando, Rochester, New York, and Cincinnati.

Cincinnati was where DiMartino met Speziale. “She is one of the greatest people I know,” he says.

“She’s from Tampa. She took me to West Tampa Sandwich Shop for the first time. It’s got the best Cuban anywhere.”

Despite his affiliation with many elite organizations, DiMartino believes in getting involved in music at the local level. Since arriving in Florida three years ago, he’s played at Latin Quarters on Beneva Road and with the Lakewood Ranch Woodwind Ensemble. “The most important thing you can do is play in your community,” DiMartino says.

Courtesy images

Trumpet virtuoso Vince DiMartino

IF YOU GO

‘STRUTTIN’ WITH THE STILETTO BRASS’ When: 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 27 Where: Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail.

Tickets: $35 and up Info: Visit ThePops Orchestra.org.

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

19A

Vascular Surgery

WELCOMES

Gaby Ghobrial, PharmD/MD

Kay Mathers, Gilda Dennis, Jen Maglio, Scott Dennis and Altom Maglio

Totally Tailgate

Vascular Surgery

Sept. 7 at Michael’s On East Benefiting Girls Inc., Sarasota

Dr. Gaby Ghobrial brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Cattleridge office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Vascular Surgery.

G

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Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Graduate School:

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Residency:

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Even for guests who didn’t know the difference between a Fiesta Bowl and a Siesta Bowl, event planners made sure every detail was perfect to ensure a true tailgate experience. Event chairs were Renee Phinney and Glen Rieth, Melissa and Scott Perrin and Danny and Fondren Watts.

With 53 chance-drawing donors contributing exciting gift bags, there was a constant stream of guests who had to decide which bag to place their ticket in for the best shot at winning.

Guests donned T-shirts emblazoned with their favorite team names. An informal count declares the University of Florida the winner with the biggest fan base, while FSU and USF vied for second place.

Also spotted: Florida Atlantic, University of Miami and College of the Holy Cross.

www.intercoastalmedical.com Medicare and most insurances accepted

Suzanne Meister volunteers with her friend, Cynthia Sweeney, operations manager at Girls Inc.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

5151 JUNGLE PLUM HIDDEN HARBOR – SIESTA KEY

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PRICE IMPROVEMENT $5,995,000

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SIESTA KEY

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PENDING $3,199,000

NO. 1 TEAM for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Sarasota

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With expert market knowledge and unparalleled team resources, I can provide the highest level of service throughout the buying and selling process for customers on the barrier islands, mainland neighborhoods, and in the area’s golf course and master-planned communities, including Lakewood Ranch and Palmer Ranch.

CONTACT ME TODAY TO SCHEDULE A PRIVATE, COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT MARKET AND YOUR REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources, including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate. Source: Stellar MLS; RealTrends Verified 2024.

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Classifieds 15B Games 14B Real Estate 9B Sports 11B Weather 14B

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

YOUR NEIGHBORS Jackhammer of Springfield, Illinois, with Reese Langheim and Julian Maldonado, goes head to head with Hammerheads / Fly SRQ of Bradenton.

Photos by Ian Swaby

FULL THROTTLE RACING T

his year’s Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix by P1 Offshore marked the event’s 40th year, and the race, held Sept. 14-15, showcased some dedicated participants.

Steve Kildahl, of Sarasota, has been in all 40 races, while his 33-year-old son Stephen Kildahl, has been racing since age 16.

Although Stephen Kildahl now lives in Fort Myers, the father and son still enjoy racing together through their family-operated team, Scott Free Racing.

“It’s just been a part of my life forever, and we do it as a family. Our whole crew is a family, and it’s just an exciting sport,” Stephen Kildahl said Sept. 16.

“You’re going fast on the water; it’s thrilling, and the competition’s tough. I’m a big motor sports fan, so I enjoy doing it.”

With about 60 competitors coming from Florida and beyond, the race is the second longest-running U.S. powerboat race after the Key West Championship.

On Sept. 15, boaters were dealing with conditions Stephen Kildahl said were challenging and “pretty bumpy” compared to what is typical in Sarasota.

Their Boatfloater.com Mod V boat also saw its carburetor flood, although they were able to get it restarted.

Amid the challenges of racing, the team’s family dynamic keeps them working together.

“Being a father and son, we have that trust factor,” Stephen Kildahl said. “So there’s a lot of times we don’t need to communicate. We just know what each other needs to do.”

A helicopter makes a pass overhead.

Monster Energy / M CON of Wathena, Kansas, with Myrick Coil and Tyler Miller, speeds along the course as a helicopter makes a pass.

YabbaDabbaDoo of Reddick, with JD Ivines and Steve Adams, makes a leap from the water.

651 Ivey Racing / Dees Nuts / Fl Yacht Support of Stuart, with George Ivey and Mike Sadlon, makes its way along the course.

— IAN SWABY A P1 offshore staff member heads across the waves.

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Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 Kelly’s legendary Roast Beef Sandwiches and Fresh New England Seafood.

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The pokè bowls trend finds its way to Siesta Key.

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okè bowls have been rising in popularity across the United States in recent years, with several options now found in Sarasota.

However, a restaurant focused on the dish hadn’t made its way to Siesta Key, until the Aug. 30 opening of Siesta Pokè, a restaurant by Above the Bar Hospitality Group, in Siesta Key Village.

The Hawaiian dish, which is rooted in Japanese cuisine, ties in with the island environment, for the bowls are known for featuring tropical produce, sashimi and seaweed.

Restaurant Manager Katie Spelman said the establishment, which also offers acaí bowls, was seeking a bright and fun atmosphere with its branding.

The surfaces of its tables, all of

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Advertising healthy and fresh offerings, Siesta Pokè features the ingredients the public has come to expect from pokè bowls, with some unique features as well.

“I think we’re filling a niche for fresh items, where people can customize things however they want to,” Spelman said.

Guests can choose from bases including white rice, brown rice, quinoa or spring mix, and proteins including tuna, salmon, shrimp, chicken, red beans and tofu, and additions such as avocado, wakame and kimchi.

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which are outdoors, come from Zap Skimboards in Venice.

Spelman visited the warehouse of the business to pick out 10 different skimboards, with restaurant staff drilling holes in the boards and attaching table stands.

“The theming behind the concept is surf, skate, swim; very beachy, because we are so close to the beach, and it plays well off the idea of custom pokè bowls,” Spelman said.

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Siesta Pokè is a new addition to Siesta Key Village.

New Boats, Exhibits & More.

Tampa Bay's Largest Boat Show!

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The expo halls and grounds are filled with boats and exhibits.

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Some other restaurants the company owns in Siesta Key are The Hub Baja Grill; a Latin American restaurant, The Cottage Siesta Key, an eclectic restaurant themed around Old Florida; and The Beach Club nightclub.

Most ingredients are prepared each day in the other restaurants, then brought over to Siesta Pokè.

“None of our restaurants are the same concept,” Spelman said.

“They’re all individual, so we love experimenting with new concepts.

We’ve been in the Siesta Key for so long, over 20 years, since the Beach Club was the first one, so we know what works out here and what doesn’t, and we thought that this would be a great addition to it.”

Florida State Fairgrounds 4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610

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Spelman said the island does not have many restaurants that stray outside the traditional, sit-down format.

The restaurant also differentiates itself with its 10 sauces, all of which are made in-house.

Options range from a traditional sweet pokè sauce, to a volcano pokè sauce which Spelman said has a “nice little kick to it, but still a sweetness,” to a jalapeño cream sauce with a bright green color.

“You could get the protein, you could get all of these things anywhere, but the sauce is what really kicks it up a notch, so I definitely think that is an edge that we have, for sure,” Spelman said.

Opening at 10 a.m. for breakfast, the restaurant also has another major offering: açaí bowls.

Spelman calls acaí bowls “a great healthy option for breakfast.” The restaurant offers ingredients, some of which include fresh fruits, artisanal granola, peanut butter, Nutella, organic honey and fresh coconut.

At the counter, visitors can also find chips, snack bars and other assorted items.

Spelman said so far, the favorite items of the public appear to be the açaí bowls, as well as the tuna pokè bowls.

The company which owns the restaurant, Above the Bar Hospitality Group, tries to differentiate each new restaurant it establishes, Spelman said.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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YOUR CALENDAR

TUESDAY, SEPT. 24

BEST BET SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

SARASOTA OPERA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 1-6 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $75 per person if tickets purchased in advance; $85 per person at the door. The Sarasota Opera’s annual festival brings together a fine food and wine selection, featuring restaurants from both Sarasota and Manatee counties, in support of the Sarasota Youth Opera. Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

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SIESTA KEY DRUM CIRCLE About an hour before sunset (sunset time 7:33 p.m.) at Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road. Free. Dance to the beat of drummers in one of the nation’s largest drum circles. Inside the circle, you may find belly dancers, hula hoop dancers, and more. Visit Facebook.com.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

Sponsored by Plymouth Harbor/Produced by The Playworks Group

Voices of the Harbors Winnie S. Downes

Carl P. Denney

Lynne Woodman

Bob Lifeso

KEEP SARASOTA COUNTY BEAUTIFUL INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY 8-10 a.m. at various locations. The International Coastal Cleanup will take place in locations throughout Sarasota County. Commemorative T-shirts will be offered to the first 350 volunteers. For more information and to register, visit SCGov.net.

George Gross

Ella Gross

Barbara Kelly

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22

Cheryl Mooney

CHABAD WOMEN’S CIRCLE PRE-ROSH HASHANAH CHALLAH BAKE 7 p.m. at Chabad of Sarasota, 7700 Beneva Road. Free for Rebbetzin Circle Members; Women’s Circle members $10; nonmembers $20.

Participants gather to bake round challah bread and honey biscotti in this pre-Rosh Hashanah event. Visit Facebook.com.

SIESTA KEY FARMER’S MARKET 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5211 Ocean Blvd.

Free. The weekly Siesta Key Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, tacos, coffee and more. Visit Facebook.com.

Robert Wilk

Michael Fox

SURVIVING THE STORMS — HURRICANES, HUMANS AND WILDLIFE 2-3 p.m. at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Free. This in-depth history of hurricanes in Southwest Florida extends from 1873, to the present. Presenter Charles Sobczak of Sanibel Island explores increasing risks posed by climate change, including rapid intensification, the impacts of storms on insurance, and how communities can build structures capable of withstanding storms. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

CINE SELBY: ‘THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE’ (‘LE CHARME DISCRET DE LA BOURGEOISIE’) 5-7 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. This pick in a series of award-winning international films is a 1972 French-language surrealist black comedy film from Spanish director Luis Buñuel. The film focuses on a group of bourgeoisie people who are trying to have dinner, but are delayed by several bizarre incidents. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

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Sarasota Premiere 2024

SARASOTA SCHOOLS COLLEGE NIGHT 6-8 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Free. Students from grades 9-12 and their families are invited to learn from representatives of colleges and universities about admission requirements, financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Visit SarasotaCountySchools.net.

A live stage-and-film production with people whose life stories show how history was made.

Oct. 25, 26 at 7pm | Oct. 27 at 2pm Tickets: $20 www.PlayworksOnline.org

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

A sweet start with Tot Shabbat A s a turnout of around 20 families arrived for Sweet New Year Tot Shabbat on Sept. 14, Rabbi Michael Shefrin called the gathering at Temple Emanu-El a promising start to the New Year.

During the session of the monthly Tot Shabbat event, kids and their families explored the meaning and traditions of Rosh Hashanah.

The holiday, which will fall on Oct. 2-4, marks the start of the New Year, in this case, the year 5,785, in the Hebrew calendar.

“Rosh Hashanah literally means the head of the year,” Shefrin said.

“It’s the celebration of the beginning of the year, one of the many calendar beginnings for the Jewish people. In particular, it celebrates the birthday of the world, the beginning of time since creation.”

Attendees started out on the playground, participated in songs, prayers, a lesson and the blowing of the shofar by Shefrin and his mother Rabbi Mimi Weisel in the sanctuary. Then the families enjoyed crafts, snacks and the chance to celebrate together.

“Generally, it is a time of sweetness, of new beginnings, on our

Photos by Ian Swaby

Natalie Yader and her daughter, Evie Yader, 4

calendar,” Shefrin said. “It’s a part of the holiest season that we have, a time of reflection and introspection to try to fix what we did wrong in the year before, to set goals of what we hope to accomplish in the year to come.”

He said the event was an opportunity for kids to understand their Jewish identity, as well as the joy of the holiday.

— IAN SWABY

Aitan Weiman, 4, watches as Rabbi Michael Shefrin blows the shofar.

Zachary Azerad, 1, enjoys time on the playground with his grandfather, Isaac Azerad.

Yana Kevlin and her children, Lenny Kevlin, 3, and Ava Kevlin, 2, decided to step inside the photo booth under the “Shana Tova” sign.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

SARASOTA 7614 Peninsular Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,748 Sq. Ft. Tracy DeRamo 941-650-4988 A4609710 $2,949,000

SARASOTA 326 Arthur Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,332 Sq. Ft. Ann Martin & Joanna Benante 941-356-7717 A4613806 $2,100,000

SARASOTA 2385 Fiesta Drive 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,627 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4613057 $1,795,000

SARASOTA 523 S Palm Avenue 7 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,919 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard PA 941-685-0422 A4609920 $1,295,000

SIESTA KEY 4637 Ocean Boulevard 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,065 Sq. Ft. Olivia Marciniak 941-400-1623 A4613846 $1,199,000

SARASOTA 5585 Long Shore Loop 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,489 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4622266 $1,100,000

SIESTA KEY 5780 Midnight Pass Road 710 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,361 Sq. Ft. Carol Thomas 941-302-8157 A4606231 $1,090,000

SARASOTA 2030 Florinda Street 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,407 Sq. Ft. Jeffrey Hinrichs 941-456-1251 A4615454 $1,049,000

SIESTA KEY 1260 Dolphin Bay Way 303 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,915 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty 941-993-3159 A4599536 $990,000

SIESTA KEY 1201 E Peppertree Drive 234 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,686 Sq. Ft. Heidi Lusk 941-681-5227 A4622300 $859,000

SARASOTA 2633 Marlette Street 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,700 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4617174 $695,000

SARASOTA 2208 Midnight Pearl Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,377 Sq. Ft. Blair Schrock 970-666-1240 A4613228 $635,000

SARASOTA 5808 Lakeside Woods Circle 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,218 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4622643 $625,000

SARASOTA 2301 Cass Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,780 Sq. Ft. Tammy Kitt 941-284-7274 N6133652 $624,000

SARASOTA 3333 Yonge Avenue 13 4 Beds 2 Baths 2,067 Sq. Ft. Stephen Weeks 941-504-3689 A4616915 $525,000

SARASOTA 1749 Burgos Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,672 Sq. Ft. Susan Noah 941-468-9286 A4602252 $475,000

SARASOTA 5228 Landings Boulevard 202 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,365 Sq. Ft. Tara Lamb 941-266-4873 A4608155 $450,000

SARASOTA 5520 Hampstead Heath 4 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,348 Sq. Ft. Dave Hall 646-256-6524 A4620369 $439,000

SARASOTA 3921 Wilshire Circle 180 2 Beds 2 Baths 2,024 Sq. Ft. Stacy Liljeberg 941-544-6103 A4618695 $435,000

SARASOTA 4951 Lakescene Place 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,461 Sq. Ft. Judy Nimz 941-374-0196 A4619878 $429,000

SIESTA KEY 8911 Midnight Pass Road 511 1 Bed 1 Baths 726 Sq. Ft. Sarah Galloway 616-540-7774 A4613477 $420,000

SARASOTA 5956 Clubside Drive 7651 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,380 Sq. Ft. Connie Lyke Brown 941-302-1214 A4604873 $352,200

SARASOTA 318 Chartley Court N 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,150 Sq. Ft. Elisa Gersman 941-735-0595 A4611536 $345,000

SARASOTA 2016 Riverbluff Parkway V328 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,312 Sq. Ft. Peggy Wellman & Robert Moffatt 941-374-0811 A4611285 $320,000

SARASOTA 5230 Marsh Field Lane 9 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,127 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4620418 $269,000

SIESTA KEY 5112 Jungle Plum Road 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,074 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4590859 $2,495,000

SARASOTA 1217 Blue Shell Loop 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,754 Sq. Ft. Izzy Pollack 941-404-0403 A4622188 $2,400,000

SIESTA KEY 100 Columbus Boulevard C2 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,959 Sq. Ft. Mark McCann 941-685-7624 A4617179 $2,395,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 427615-1

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

SEPT. 2-6

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Prestancia tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Robert and Woomee Yu, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4021 Las Palmas Way to Valerie Nelson, trustee, of Bradenton, for $2,445,000.

Built in 1989, it has five bedrooms, seven baths, a pool and 6,444 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2014.

SARASOTA HARBOR HOUSE SOUTH Marjorie Lavendar, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 53 condominium at 400 Golden Gate Point to David Samuels, of Longboat Key, for $890,000. Built in 1965, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,245 square feet of living area. It sold for $168,000 in 1995.

SAPPHIRE HEIGHTS Mary Jaye Liset-Lynch, of South Portland, Maine, sold her home at 4844 Winchester Drive to David Collins and Debra Ashby, of Sarasota, for $879,900. Built in 1951, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,645 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,000 in 2020.

INDIAN BEACH COURT Allen and Patricia Shipes, of Sarasota, sold their home at 741 Indian Beach Lane to William and Maria DiMenna, of Sarasota, for $835,000.

Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,610 square feet of living area. It sold for $591,200 in 2021.

CORAL COVE Shawn Carroll and Diana Bregman, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1820 Caribbean Drive to Richard Bayles and Christine Palomaa, of Sarasota, for $790,000. Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,784 square feet of living area.

It sold for $550,000 in 2021.

SUNSET TOWERS Roger and Phyllis Barry, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 404 condominium at 11 Sunset Drive to Joellyn Nelson, of Sarasota, for $775,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,433 square feet of living area. It sold for $327,000 in 2004.

THE STRAND OF SARASOTA Irena Horbaczewski, of Sarasota, sold her Unit A512 condominium at 1709 N. Tamiami Trail to Ian Hartten, of Perrysburg, Ohio, for $745,000. Built in 2022, it has one bedroom, two baths and 858 square feet of living area. It sold for $393,100 in 2022.

PINE SHORES ESTATES Patrick Leo Burke sold the home at 1633 Birchwood St. to Nicholas Paul Caporossi and Maura Kathleen Keenan, of Sarasota, for $705,000.

Built in 1963, it has three bedrooms,

REAL ESTATE

Prestancia home tops sales at $2,445,000

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

9B

SARASOTA: $975,000

Florence Reinhold and Victoria Klein, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1780 Southwood St. to Matthew and Victoria McKenzie, of Sarasota, for $975,000.

Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,925 square feet of living area.

Ian Swaby

The home at 1780 Southwood St. was built in 2020 and has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,925 square feet of living area.

two-and-a-half baths and 1,923 square feet of living area. It sold for $225,000 in 2015.

SOUTH GATE Barbara Kirkpatrick, of Sarasota, sold her home at 3318 Fair Oaks Place to Christopher and Trisha Sanders, of Sarasota, for $650,000.

Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,481 square feet of living area. It sold for $165,000 in 1999.

PAVER PARK ESTATES Rachel Simone Cafferty and Daniel Patrick Cafferty, of Lakewood Ranch, sold two properties at 2751 Nancy St. to Jessica Steigner, of Sarasota, for $605,000. The first property was built in 1955 and has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,580 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1980 and has one bath and 287 square feet of living area. They sold for $400,000 in 2022.

Sunny Sea Key LLC sold the Unit 202C condominium at 6732 Sarasea Circle to BGC Properties LLC for $654,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 744 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2021.

PALMER RANCH SILVER OAK Ann Fusco, of Watertown, New York, sold the home at 9031 Wildlife Loop to Patrick O’Malley and Kristin Beverage O’Malley, of Sarasota, for $979,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,612 square feet of living area. It sold for $679,900 in 2015.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Payne Park Village Aaron Steven Parsons and Emily Van Der Walde Parsons, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 2237 Muesel St. to William Reidinger and Lynn Wright, of Elmhurst, Illinois, for $975,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 2,700 square feet of living area. It sold for $649,800 in 2022.

SIESTA KEY: $1,525,000

Siesta Isles James and Patricia Hillier, of Sarasota, sold their home at 730 Edgemere Lane to Noelle Haft and Kevin McKiou, of Sarasota, for $1,525,000. Built in 1962, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,520 square feet of living area. It sold for $226,000 in 1997.

OSPREY: $875,000

Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club Lauren and Kenneth Doyle, of Osprey, sold their home at 1251 Windward Drive to Samantha Govoni and Adam Roderick, of Osprey, for $875,000.

Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,975 square feet of living area. It sold for $610,200 in 2021.

SIESTA KEY CASARINA Kathleen Rudolph, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 804 condominium at 5880 Midnight Pass Road to Bridget and Scott Smith, of London, Kentucky, for $1.3 million. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,498 square feet of living area. It sold for $900,000 in 2017.

GULF AND BAY CLUB BAYSIDE Benjamin Kenner and Elizabeth Ashlee Kenner, trustees, of Middletown, Ohio, sold the Unit 1245-B condominium at 1245 Siesta Bayside Drive to Steven Creech and Karen Ruth Creech, of Lebanon, Ohio, for $1.1 million. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,495 square feet of living area. It sold for $530,000 in 2019.

SIESTA’S BAYSIDE Linda Stickler and Rachael Carrico, trustees, of Charleston, West Virginia, sold the home at 735 Birdsong Lane to EN2 Birdsong LLC for $975,000. Built in 1975, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,840 square feet of living area.

It sold for $520,000 in 2016.

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

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GOLDEN GATE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY

BEACH CLUB Eliot Pecoraro, of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, sold his Unit 206B condominium at 1020 Sun N Sea Drive to BGC Properties LLC for $657,000. Built in 2009, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 800 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2021.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota building permits issued for the week of Sept. 2-6, in order of dollar amounts.

En Pointe | 941.685.1598 | enpointesarasota.com | From $2,775,000

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

CITY OF SARASOTA Permit

Applicant

Amount

1742 North Drive

Windows/Doors

Martin Schlosberg, trustee

$34,300

1747 Arlington St.

Demolition

Theodore Niedermayer

$25,000

943 Patterson Drive

Re-roof

William Omahoney Jr.

$22,800

813 Hudson Ave.

Re-roof

Angela Johnston

$10,999

1229 Rhodes Ave.

Re-roof

Ann Ihrig

$10,722

2475 Wood St.

Re-roof

Mary Ann Miller

$9,700

988 Boulevard of the Arts #1009 Mechanical

Barbara Howton

$9,570

975 Whitakers Lane

Mechanical

Travis Brown

$9,013

3015 Irving St.

Plumbing

Kortnee Gonzalez, trustee $7,200

1708 Cherokee Drive

Mechanical

Gregory Yull

$7,049

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

SPORTS

“... I don’t think there is another sport that has the same competition that football brings.”

— Ben Milliken, junior quarterback,Sarasota Christian football.

SEE PAGE 13B

Fast

Break

BOOKER L L A B T O FO

S T H G LI E S U F THE

Courtesy image

Former Cardinal Mooney High volleyball player Skye Ekes, a senior at Mercer University, was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16.

F

ormer Cardinal Mooney High volleyball player Skye Ekes, a senior outside hitter at Mercer University, was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 16. Ekes had 43 kills, four blocks and five service aces across five matches at the MU Invitational, held Sept. 13-14 at Mercer. The Bears, coached by former Cardinal Mooney head coach Chad Sutton, are 9-1 as of Sept. 16. ... Sarasota junior tennis player Jagger Leach, son of tennis legend Lindsay Davenport, played in the U.S. Open Juniors tournament held Sept. 1-7 in New York.

Leach defeated Denis Patek (6-3, 6-4) in the round of 64, but lost to Thomas Faurel (6-3, 4-6, 6-3) in the round of 32. Leach is ranked as the No. 1 national recruit in the class of 2025 by the Tennis Recruiting Network. ... Sarasota Christian School volleyball senior Ellie Miller had nine kills in the Blazers’ 3-0 road win over Lakewood Ranch Prep Academy on Sept. 12. The Blazers are 6-3 as of Sept. 16. ... The Sarasota High and Cardinal Mooney High boys golf teams tied at nine over par (135) in a team stroke play event held Sept. 10 at Longboat Key Club. Sailors junior Jake MacDonald and Cougars senior Stephen Peloquin tied for medalist honors at one under par (35). ... Sarasota High football junior running back Eli Litteral had two rushing touchdowns in the Sailors’ 34-6 home win over Gibbs High on Sept. 6. The Sailors (2-2) will next host Ida Baker High (04) at 7 p.m. on Sept. 20.

SEASON-HALF STANDOUTS PAGE 12B

Booker junior wide receiver Tyren Wortham celebrates catching a 60-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Joel Morris against Carrollwood Day.

The Tornadoes have showcased explosive talent in the first half of the 2024 season.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

H

ow does a team defend all of Booker High football’s offensive weapons?

It is a question that, so far, has gone unanswered.

The Tornadoes have scored 194 points through four games, an average of 48.5 points per game. The points have come a variety of ways and through a variety of players: senior running backs Rashawn Peterson and DJ Johnson, who transferred from Riverview High on Sept.

6; senior receiver Ryan Simmons; junior receivers Chauncey Kennon — a four-star recruit on the defensive side of the ball at cornerback — Tyren Wortham and Dylan Wester; and freshman receiver Tyree Mannings Jr., whom head coach Scottie Littles said may be the best of all of them despite his relative inexperience.

Even at quarterback, the Tornadoes are not content in using just one player, as senior Ryan Downes and junior Joel Morris have split reps, with both finding success.

It was all on display in the team’s Sept. 13 home game against Carrollwood Day School. Booker (3-1) used big plays to take a 37-7 lead on the Patriots (1-3) in the second quarter.

Some blown defensive assignments before the end of the first half would allow Carrollwood Day to get back into the game, but Booker would comfortably win the game 70-43.

Wortham, Johnson, Peterson and Mannings Jr. all had multiple touchdowns in the win, most of them starting a long way from the goal line.

Mannings Jr. made perhaps the most difficult play of all, taking a Carrollwood Day kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, snaking into, and then out of, the arms of several defenders along his way.

Even the team’s reserve players have the ability to make big plays.

Against Carrollwood Day, the Tornadoes’ one-two backfield punch of Peterson and Johnson were both cramping in the fourth quarter, Littles said. Both players had run for more than 140 yards. The Tornadoes sent in junior Jacobey Mobley to get a

IF YOU GO

BOOKER HIGH FOOTBALL (31) VS. RIVERVIEW HIGH (1-3) When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 Where: Riverview High At stake: Booker looks to extend its winning streak to three games, while Riverview hopes to stop a two-game skid.

Booker player to watch: Freshman wide receiver Tyree Mannings Jr., who returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against Carrollwood Day School on Sept. 13.

Riverview player to watch: Freshman wide receiver Toryeon James, who has 10 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns through four games.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

few carries, and Mobley immediately ripped a 20-yard touchdown run.

Littles complimented the unit’s offensive line with giving its skill position players time to make plays.

Senior Alex Diaz, a former quarterback, has come into his own as a guard, Littles said, and junior Khmarious Phelps has been “an anchor” at tackle. Even senior Jordan Radkey, a standout defensive lineman for the Tornadoes, has been spending time on the offensive side, using his frame to open extra holes in the defense.

Despite the team’s breadth of talent, Littles believes the unit still has a ways to go to unlock its highest potential.

“We need to lock in even deeper,” Littles said. “We have to be efficient in everything we do. We like the explosive plays, that’s part of the game. But we want to hone on the little things and make it about us and nobody else. I tell the kids all the time, ‘It’s Booker versus Booker.’”

In practice, that means eliminating mistakes in key situations. In the team’s Sept. 6 game against Sarasota High, Booker had four touchdowns called back due to penalties.

The Tornadoes won 57-0 anyway, but Littles knows that those missed points will matter against the teams Booker will see in the postseason.

So too will mental lapses. Though Littles credits Carrollwood Day with making plays to get itself back in the game, he also said Booker had to “reset” itself at halftime to put the Patriots away, which it did.

The defense will also have to con-

Booker High senior quarterback Ryan Downes launches a pass against Carrollwood Day.

tinue doing its part. Booker has 17.8 points per game in 2024, a number that is buoyed by two shutouts against Sarasota and Lely High.

Teams like Carrollwood Day, which Littles said has three NCAA Division I-caliber receivers and a quarterback, senior Jordan Magwood, committed to Florida Atlantic University, will give the defense more of a stress test. The Tornadoes will need players like Radkey and Kennon, the No. 87 player in the class of 2026 according to the 247Sports Composite, to be at their best.

It’s all part of what the Tornadoes call “Sota Dame,” a nod to the University of Notre Dame football program.

The Irish play with discipline, consistency and intensity, attributes Littles wants Booker to have.

Offensive production like the Tornadoes have in 2024 is a step in that direction.

Booker senior wide receiver Ryan Simmons breaks away from a Carrollwood Day defender after catching a pass from senior quarterback Ryan Downes.

12B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

High school athletes put themselves on the radar These less-well-known competitors have been on top of their sports in 2024.

T

he high school fall sports season is halfway complete.

In that half-season, several athletes have begun to make a name for themselves in their respective sports, from freshman cross-country runners to sophomore golfers to senior volleyball liberos — and, of course, a few football players.

The names on this list are not the ones that always get the most attention, but the ones who deserve it now. Here are five athletes who have performed when the lights are bright.

MADIE MULLER, RIVERVIEW HIGH CROSS-COUNTRY

Muller, a freshman, could not have started her high school career any better. The Rams runner won her first varsity event, the 2024 Lemon Bay Invitational, on Aug. 24, crossing the finish line in 19:12.7.

Even if that was her best result of the season, it would be a success for the freshman and a sign of bigger things to come. But Muller has not slowed her progress. On Aug. 31, Muller won the 2024 Lakewood Ranch XC Invitational at Lakewood Ranch High (19:06.1), besting her first time by approximately six seconds. Then, on Sept. 14, Muller competed at the Venice Invitational and saw her time plummet even further, winning the 5K race in 18:29.6, approximately 36 seconds faster than her second win.

To put Muller’s time at the Venice Invitational in perspective, it would have placed her second in Class 4A at the 2023 Florida High School Athletic Association state meet, behind Creekside High’s Alyson Johnson (18:22.0). These are not one-to-one comparisons, as the

state meet is held at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, a track notorious for its hill called “The Wall” that can slow down even the best runners. But the state meet also has greater competition than the Venice Invitational, and runners typically perform better when they have other runners to hold off or chase.

Regardless, Muller’s time makes it clear that she’s a legitimate medal contender, and she should only get faster as she gets more experience.

LARON DUES, CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH FOOTBALL

Dues, a junior cornerback, stands at 5-foot-10 according to his MaxPreps profile, but plays bigger than that. A transfer from Hurricane High in West Virginia, Dues has made an immediate impact on the Cardinal Mooney High secondary.

In four games, Dues has two interceptions returned for 35 yards, five passes defended and 13 tackles (10 solo) playing across from senior Chris McCorkle, a University of Kansas commit. The Cougars have allowed just six points per game thus far. The team’s biggest test of the season, at least so far, will come on Sept. 20, as the team takes on rival Bishop Verot High (3-1). The Cougars will need Dues and his teammates in the secondary to continue their strong play, as Bishop Verot senior quarterback Carter Smith, a University of Michigan commit, is capable of putting up a lot of points.

JUSTIN BROCK, SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FOOTBALL

The Blazers are 3-2 as of Sept. 17 in their first season of Sunshine State Athletic Association 11-on-11 football, and they like to spread the ball on offense. Brock, a 5-foot-8 junior receiver, leads the team in all-purpose yards among skill position players with 601, or 120.2 yards per game.

Justin Brock, a junior, is a touchdown threat for the Sarasota Christian School football team’s offense.

JACOB MENARD, SARASOTA HIGH GOLF

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Katie Powers, a senior, is a top-end libero on the Cardinal Mooney High indoor volleyball team when not playing beach volleyball.

About half of those yards (302) have been receiving yards; Brock has 22 catches and six touchdowns.

He also is the team’s main kick and punt returner, where the other half of his yards have come. Brock has 176 punt return yards and 112 kick return yards.

Brock’s quickness makes him a threat to score every time he gets the ball in his hands, making him one of the elite weapons in the SSAA. KATIE POWERS, CARDINAL MOONEY HIGH VOLLEYBALL

In volleyball, defensive-minded

liberos don’t often get the attention of their outside hitter counterparts.

“Kills” are a more eye-caching name for a stat than “digs,” after all.

But a good libero is crucial to the success of top teams, and Powers is as good as liberos get at the high school level.

Through 13 matches, Powers has 156 digs and 196 serve receptions, both of which lead the Cougars. She also ranks third on the team with 26 assists and has 11 serving aces.

Powers keeps the play alive for the Cougars’ offense to go to work, and work it has: The team is 11-2 as of Sept. 17.

The Sailors have been one of the surprises of the 2024 high school golf season thus far. Guided by firstyear head coach Barry Cheesman, Sarasota is ranked ninth in Class 3A by scoring average by iWanamaker, and seventh by iWanamaker’s rating system.

Menard, a sophomore, has been leading the team’s resurgence.

Menard is ranked 18th in the class by iWR and is tied for 25th by scoring average (35.5). A top-15 finish at the state tournament is not out of the question if Menard’s and the team’s trajectory continues.

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

Take it Easy. Take

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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.

Ben Milliken is a junior quarterback on the Sarasota Christian School football team. Through five games, Milliken has completed 59.6% of his passes for 1,090 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Milliken threw for 379 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions Sept. 13 in the Blazers’ 42-32 home win over Cambridge Christian.

When did you start playing football?

I had a ball in my hand when I was 4 years old. I got thrown into flag football, and I have loved it ever since. I made the transition to tackle football my freshman year.

What is the appeal to you?

It is definitely the team aspect of the game and the competitiveness.

I don’t think there is another sport that has the same competition that football brings.

What is your best skill?

My accuracy. I think I can put the ball anywhere on the field, whenever we need it, to anyone on our team.

What have you been working to improve?

My mobility. I blew out my knee last year. Recovering from that, the process was difficult. I was trying to get more mobile and trying to get my knee to a place where I felt comfortable on the field. I feel good now.

football been like this season?

I think we have settled into it. The only difference is on the lines. As a quarterback, I get a bigger pocket and more time (to throw). It’s actually easier for us as quarterbacks and receivers. (SCS is 3-2 as of Sept. 17.)

What is your favorite school subject?

Math. It comes naturally to me.

Numbers just make sense in my mind.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ben Milliken

13B

What are your hobbies?

I like to play pickleball or hang with my friends. I just want to be doing something active.

What is the best advice you have received?

You cannot let the last play affect your future. The most important play is the next play. I’ve grown up my whole life hearing that from my dad (Chuck Milliken).

Finish this sentence: “Ben Milliken is ... ” ... Blessed. I think God has given me a lot of gifts, and I think I have used them well.

What is your favorite memory?

My freshman season, we were playing Lakeside Christian in Tampa in a playoff game. We won on the last play, a goal-line stand (47-46). That was a surreal moment.

432219-1

What has the transition to 11-on-11 football from 8-on-8

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WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, SEPT. 19

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 87 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 56%

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20 High: 90 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 18%

Thursday, Sept. 19

7:17a

7:29p

Friday, Sept. 20

7:18a

7:28p

Saturday, Sept. 21

7:18a

7:27p

Sunday, Sept. 22

7:19a

7:26p

Monday, Sept. 23

7:19a

7:25p

Tuesday, Sept. 24

7:20a

7:23p

Wednesday, Sept. 25

7:20a

7:22p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 High: 90 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 15%

Sept. 24 Last

Oct. 2 New

Oct. 10 First

Oct. 17 Full

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 High: 91 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 21% Gordon Silver took this photo of a little blue heron posing for a close up at Celery Fields in Sarasota.

Monday, Sept. 9

0

Tuesday, Sept. 10

0

Wednesday, Sept. 11

0

Thursday, Sept. 12

0

Friday, Sept. 13

0

Saturday, Sept. 14

0.22

Sunday, Sept. 15

0.07

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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.

YEAR TO DATE: 2024 60.06 in.

2023 21.22 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 3.05 in.

2023 0.96 in.

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Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

MIGRATION PATTERNS by Amick Klawitter, edited by Jeff Chen 127 Rear-___ (traffic mishap) honoree 65 “The Voice” network

129 Makeup of many Seurats 66 “Guh!”

DOWN 1 “Fame” singer Irene 2 Wide-eyed 3 Shoulder, as a burden 4 Most atypical 5 Taboos 6 EMT destinations 7 Brief status report 8 Window stick-on 9 Opening bars 10 Formed a union 11 Site with the Minotaur 12 RR stopover 13 Prepare to capture 14 Spa amenity 15 Is unsettled?

17 “Africa” band 18 Harbor vessel 19 Shut out, in sports slang 21 Former sporty Toyota 22 Letter on Los Angeles Angels caps 26 Jazz combo instrument 28 Accord creator 30 Director Spike ©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Baja resort area, for short 5 Platform for Mario Bros.

8 Hockey pucks, e.g.

13 ___-Magnon 16 Like some wine and cheese 17 Actress Spelling 18 Lodger 19 Slothlike

35 Soft moccasin material

72 Benicio ___ Toro

sins

37 Cousin of a puffin

73 Sights along a marina

105 Showy NBA play ending

38 Crunch’s title on a box

76 Carnation container

in a dunk

41 Goes against

79 Great divide

108 Creature clucking about

44 Collar

82 Ward off

not being in today’s theme

46 Snowy race route

86 Olympic and WWE wres-

(it doesn’t contain an R, O, A

50 Churn up

tler Angle

or D, though)

51 Rolling in the dough

87 Rock blasters?

111 Staff symbol

52 Home to about one

88 Manhattan locale syn-

113 Featured musician

percent of Yellowstone

onymous with advertising

115 Surgical asst.

91 “No more, pls!”

119 Granola grains

92 Pampered

120 Conservation construc-

58 Set off

96 Instagram’s parent

tion seen six times in this

60 Spot for withdrawals

company

puzzle

(Abbr.)

97 Recipe amt.

122 Reddit Q&A sessions

62 Grilled, on a taco truck

98 How a speeder might be

123 Like some single-person

menu

caught

shows

64 Does some serious job

100 Building manager,

124 Blueprint deet

searching

slangily

125 Vaping device

71 Big shot

103 One of the seven deadly 126 Chop (off)

20 Summer traffic headache 53 TV’s Pyle from Mayberry 57 Part of SRO 23 Lakers legend Bryant 24 Go along with 25 Letter signoff 26 Lineup at a school 27 Moved irregularly, as water in a pail 29 Daily Planet journalist 31 Italian vino hub 33 October birthstone

31 Tax-time worry 32 Winter headgear 34 Mauna ___ 36 Ace 37 Snooty affectations 39 Cards on scoreboards 40 Group of porpoises 42 One who wants it all 43 Middle East grp.

45 Journalist Nellie 47 Seats for Targaryens and Lannisters 48 Not this 49 Type of IRA 50 “The Lost Colony” 54 NBA’s Doncic or Irving 55 Linguistic suffix 56 Hit hard 59 Dolphins QB Tagovailoa 61 Rx 63 Coming-out party

67 Agcy. assisting entrepreneurs 68 Mani-___ (salon treatment) 69 Brewery products

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“CKJ’I TKZJI KSI EKSG NVLBM, XDFLSMD IOD BKGVC ZM JKI LM MEYTLIODIZF LJC JSGISGZJP LM EKS IOZJH.” WDJJZNDG IZVVE

70 Insults 74 Have absolute faith in 75 Bit on a Fitbit 76 Distiller’s tank 77 Paintballer’s stockpile 78 Rob Reiner’s mock rockers 80 T-shirt size letters

“BMUI J VFMU, NGNC ML SPF’EN IJGMCH J CNEGPFV YENJXOPBC, SPF VUMAA APPX AMXN SPF’EN MC KIJEHN.” OMENKUPE WJFA LNMH

81 Novelist Rita ___ Brown 83 Marisa of “She Came to Me” 84 WSW’s opposite 85 Double-crosser 89 Dentist’s degree (Abbr.)

90 Ritchie of “La Bamba” 92 Chunk detached from an iceberg 93 Dedicated poem

“DY’M NIPF DAHJPYLWY YJ HPDJPDYDBI. D GWJX, UJP AI, AF ULADKF OJAIM UDPMY. YZLY ALGIM INIPF CIODMDJW NIPF ILMF.”

94 Econo Lodge alternative 95 Made use of a bib 99 Like non-oyster months, traditionally 101 Bay Area medical sch.

102 Acidity assessor 104 Still in the box 106 Pre-makeover persona

RLCL HDWGIYY MADYZ

Puzzle Three Clue: K equals B

128 Attempt

celebrity cipher

Puzzle Two Clue: Y equals B

crossword

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sudoku

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

107 Word with “ice cap” or “vortex” 109 Harrison nicknamed “Big Hoss” on “Pawn Stars” 110 Keaton’s role in “The Founder” 111 Soccer announcer’s prolonged cry 112 Military pattern 114 “There’s no ___ team!”

116 Puerto ___ 117 Grumpy mood 118 Ingredients dropped into some Chinese soups 120 Sad state 121 EMT’s skill

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INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST!!!

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Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

Homes for Sale

Sarasota: Pool home, 4 bed. $649,900 Venice: 2/2 Condo Plantation Golf Club. Call for Price

This week’s Crossword answers

Bradenton: Pool Home, New windows, hvac, Completely Updated $689,900 Longboat Key: 4 pools, beach access. $465,000 Gulf Beachfront Home coming soon: 6.9 million Brooke O’Malley | Club Realty Call 941-726-2677

Real Estate Wanted LOOKING FOR an off-market waterfront property in either Siesta Key, Casey Key or Longboat Key. Distressed property is ok. I’m a cash buyer and can close quickly. Call Jeff at 941-202-6957.

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals WEEKLY MONTHLY Beachfront, Bayfront and In

Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

CALL 941-955-4888

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

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

GARAGE SALE

YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

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

Well-maintained, clean, and perfect for families. Enjoy a fenced-in backyard, washer/dryer, and a short walk to Siesta Key Beach. $5,000/month, annual lease.

Contact us for details!

941-350-4122

SEASONAL RATES Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577 Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F

Condos/Apts. for Rent

Ask about our special rates!

2BR/2BA SARASOTA This condo is a 2/2 ground floor, end unit overlooking the pool and views of the creek. Appliances including washer/ dryer. Siesta Key beach 3 mi away, close to shopping and restaurants.

(941) 685-0054

www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Wagner Realty Since 1939

©2022 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

Motor Homes/ RVs

peekers’ place

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages

home services

RED PAGES

RED PAGES AD RATES

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Don’t point out your flaws, because the world is not as sympathetic and nurturing as you think.”

Jennifer Tilly

Puzzle Two Solution: “With a suit, even if you’re having a nervous breakdown, you still look like you’re in charge.”

Director Paul Feig Puzzle Three Solution: “It’s very important to prioritize. I know, for me, my family comes first. That makes every decision very easy.”

Jada Pinkett Smith

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2022 NEA, Inc.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

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Dave and Connie Grundy

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PALMER RANCH HOMEWATCHERS®

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6968 Beneva Road 941-929-9095

CGC1507540

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KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

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TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772 KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

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DON’T let your

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432185

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430023

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Professional Contractors Network, Inc.

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ome

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430024

Dustin Yoder

Handyman

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

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

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

Computer

430982

Aluminum

431261

16B

YourObserver.com

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS

Painting

Screening

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC

SCREEN MASTER

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

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

Interior / Exterior / Cabinets.

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

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

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

SERVICES WE OFFER

Pet Services

Pet Care by Melanie Gates

Renovation, Construction and Remodeling Specialist

Dog Walking (sm/md)

431009

30+ years Exp. & Excellent References

(941) 966-2960

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!

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

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

941-923-8140

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431010

Remodel & Home Improvements

NEED HELP?

430025

make your moving day a pleasure.

Licensed and insured #IMT708

Painting

Find business and service professionals in the Red Pages.

To advertise: 941-955-4888

SUN - FULL COLOR 09-06-23 rf $ OFF 175642 Professional Craftmanship on Carpentry • Cabinets HONES-T 5002x2

PAINTING

Plank Floors • All Trims and Moldings Pressure Cleaning Services • Painting

941~400~6786

Call Today for FREE Estimates in Sarasota County

Windows

Roofing

Sarasota’s 1st Choice Painters for Over 25 Years 430026

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows UP TO

SAFE, NO PRESSURE CLEANING

941-587-5007 | BensonsSoftRoofWash.com

INCLUDING SCREENS, TR ACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

Made for where you live. Here.

RED PAGES YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

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senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

YOUR HOME found here.

5

$ 431000

Carpentry Drywall Find Us @ Call 941.320.5068 Powerwashing for FREE Estimates $1500 job or more (labor only) one time use • one per customer

430994

Introductory Sale $150 OFF

160

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

Owner Operated - 20 yrs. Experience

Licensed & Insured

(Interior/Exterior)

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

430530

Residential & Commercial • Interior & Exterior • Custom • Offering Cabinet Painting...

Give Your Kitchen a Facelift!

DIRTY ROOF? Painting

Trees

Mastercraft Construction

For $149 per hour you get:

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CALL TODAY and inquire about our 15% community discount!

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Remodeling/Home Improvement

Wizard Moving SRQ

hones-tpainting.com htpaintingfla@gmail.com

941 - 248 - 4734 430999

General Plumbing Services Inc.

Driveways | Yards | Dirt Work | Light Demo

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

Plumbing

430993

Shell Work & Landscape Stone

941. 879 . 6732

Transportation

431008

430992

LOCAL - FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

Administering medication

Landscaping & Lawn

OFF

CALL US FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 941.625.7673

Cat sitting & Cat/Kitten Introductions

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

500

NEW POOL CAGE INSTALLATION

Dog Sitting (sm/md)

- FREE ESTIMATES -

on complete Interior or Exterior Painting

OFF

POOL CAGE RE-SCREEN

$

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

SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN & BATHROOM REPAIRS & REMODELS.

10 %

• INSTALL POOL ENCLOSURES • CARPORTS, FRONT ENTRY• CUSTOM SCREEN DOORS WAYS, & LANAI’S • RE-SCREENING • SCREW REPLACEMENT • PICTURE WINDOW INSTALL / • GARAGE SLIDERS PANORAMIC VIEW • PET & PRIVACY SCREENS

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249 235

* $ $235

$

17B

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

MATTER BROTHERS FURNITURE INTRODUCES OUR STORE WITHIN A STORE!

Located inside our massive Matter Brothers Furniture showroom on Clark Road in Sarasota.

Save

Up

To

80% OFF This is where you’ll discover unbelievably discounted prices on designer quality furnishings for every room in your home. Enjoy the thrill of the find! Our inventory is always on the move, so visit us weekly to explore new deals and shop often!

Select from these famous name brands and more:

Attention Rental Property Owners, Home Stagers & Builders!

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EVERYONE LOVES A

deal!

4675 Clark Road Sarasota FL 34233 | www.matterbrothersfurniture.com

432128-1

18B