Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 10.3.24

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

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T H E O B S E R V E R ’S G

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AND SOCIETY

INSIDE MUSIC DANCE ART THEATER BLACK TIE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

VOLUME 20, NO. 34

YOUR TOWN

A sign from Mother Nature?

Closed by property owners, Midnight Pass is temporarily reopened by Helene. PAGE 5A

Ian Swaby

Wyatt Preissler, 8, helps with weed removal on Sept. 21.

Volunteers spruce up Celery Fields Since the flooding caused by Hurricane Debby in August, weeds and invasive plants started growing through the mulch surface of the trails outside the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center at Celery Fields.

However, a dedicated group of volunteers has been turning out each week to keep the trail maintained with methods such as plucking, cutting and raking,.

“I’m weird. I like pulling weeds, and there’s plenty of them here,” said volunteer Marti Ramos on Sept. 21.

The cleanups have included two hosted after Hurricane Debby, as well as the regular Sunday cleanups preceding the season.

Surge & Sand Helene blankets Siesta Key with feet of storm surge and sand, leaving businesses and residents with a long cleanup ahead.

SEE PAGE 3A

Andrew Warfield

Blind Pass Road at Turtle Beach is lined with feet of sand on both sides Wednesday morning. The beaches remain closed as cleanup efforts continue.

Ian Swaby

A group including Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch, Mayor Liz Alpert, and commissioners Debbie Trice and Kyle Battie cut the ribbon.

A new park and a proud heritage

A+E

Despite the high speed at which it is growing, the Rosemary District had been without a neighborhood park, although a “civic square” was envisioned in the city’s master plan.

However, the neighborhood’s community came together to create the space, as speakers attested during the ribbon cutting for Overtown Square on Oct. 2.

The pocket park pays homage to the city’s past as well, being named after Overtown, Sarasota’s original Black community, which once occupied the area. $1.00

Ordinary but extraordinary.

PAGE 17A

The plan to save Mira Mar Developer proposes idea to restore historic building.

SEE PAGE 6A Andrew Warfield

Mira Mar has stood on South Palm Avenue since 1923.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

WEEK OF OCT. 3, 2024

Vacation rental deadline approaching

“Since we last talked, there’s been some discussion and willingness for an internal director who would be willing to take an interim role for the city manager.”

Owners of vacation rentals within the Sarasota city limits are reminded to register their properties by Oct. 31 to avoid late fees. The registration period began on July 1.

The final registration deadline is Dec. 31. As of Jan. 1, 2025, operating a vacation rental without a certificate will violate city code. It is estimated that more than 600 vacation rentals on the mainland have not yet been registered.

Owner-occupied vacation rentals, condominiums, cooperatives or properties rented for 30 days or more are exempt.

Applications may be submitted online via the city’s website or in-person at 1575 Second St., Third Floor. Questions about whether registration is required should be directed to VacationRentals@SarasotaFL.gov or by calling 941-263-6623.

Sarasota HR Director Stacie Mason. Read more on page 12A

BY THE NUMBERS $29M

Estimated cost to preserve the Mira Mar building on South Palm Avenue.

PAGE 6A

539,432

Projected attendance across all facilities of the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center beginning in the third full year of operation.

PAGE 10A

Master Gardener plant sale Oct. 5

3.30 MILS

The countywide ad valorem tax rate for 2025, which is a four-decade low.

PAGE 14A

CALENDAR n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 7, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota Planning Board

regular meeting — 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.

Courtesy photo

City Manager Marlon Brown (left) and police chief Rex Troche (right) flank the seven new officers sworn in on Sept. 19.

SPD welcomes seven new sworn officers

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even new officers have been sworn in by the Sarasota Police Department. On Sept. 19, the department welcomed the new officers during a ceremony held at SPD headquarters at 2099 Adams Lane.

Delivering the keynote address was Ed Brodsky, state attorney for the 12th Circuit Judicial Court.

“You should be very proud of your accomplishments, but much will be expected of you,” he said. “You’re going to be required to wear many hats. You’re going

to be a social worker. You’re going to be a conflict mediator.

You’re going to be a traffic director. You’re going to be a mental health counselor. You’re going to be a detailed report writer, a neighborhood patroller, a medic, a fireman; and you’ll be a crime fighter.”

Those who have joined the department as second class probation officers are Macy Clontz, Matthew Friedrich, Kaitlyn Marston, Tim Malak, Michal Banasiak, Maria Quinones and Brian Slaughter Jr.

Police Chief Rex Troche reminded the new officers of why they were selected for the job, their emotional IQ and ability to apply it to all the roles they will play while working in the community.

“When you’re going out to those calls for service, remember your purpose,” Troche said.

“Remember that this is probably the first time they’ve contacted a police officer. This may be your 30th contact of the day with someone, but this is their first, so make it meaningful for them.”

The 17th annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and Extension EdFest by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County services is set for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road.

Shoppers can choose from among hundreds of shrubs, trees, palms, annuals, herbs and other plant varieties identified as Florida-friendly by the University of Florida. As a bonus, they can receive gardening and landscaping advice from master gardener volunteers.

Admission is free and proceeds from sales support Sarasota County Master Gardener Volunteer program efforts by funding demonstration gardens, school garden projects and other community initiatives.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program is led by the University of Florida and operated through county-level UF/IFAS Extension offices. In Sarasota County, the program supports demonstration landscapes and educational outreach projects.

For more information visit Sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/plantsale.

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W HAT ’S HAPPENING

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Photos by Ian Swaby

Cara and Todd Carter clean up outside The Beach Club restaurant.

Counting their losses Helene’s historic storm surge covered nearly all of Siesta Key and damaged much of the island’s businesses.

Owners began the hard work of restoring their spaces and replacing ruined equipment.

IAN SWABY | STAFF WRITER

S

torms have often just been part of a year’s work for businesses in Siesta Key Village.

“I feel like we’re pros at this now,” Jacque Slayton, manager

Village Cafe employees David Martinas and Felipe Carrera help fix the restaurant.

of The Hub Baja Grill, said Sept. 25, as she put out sandbags and performed the needed precautions the day before the storm.

Yet the scene the day after the storm was far more severe than business owners and residents had anticipated.

The storm surge, which was described by County Commissioner Mark Smith as 3 feet in height in the area, left many businesses working to clean up, with repairs and renovations ahead.

On Monday, many business owners and staff were still at work in the attempt to restore their spaces, as well as damaged equipment and materials.

Todd Morton, owner of Morton’s Siesta Market and its sister stores, summarized the situation.

“I’ve been here my entire life,” he said. “I’ve never seen the Key get flooded like this. You say storm surge; we know that’s going to happen, but covering the entire Key, never we would have thought, in a million years, that would happen.”

A HISTORIC STORM

Katie Spelman, a manager for Above the Bar Hospitality Group, which owns The Hub, described a scene of “devastating loss.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this.

It’s pretty much as bad as it gets,” she said.

The company also owns several other restaurants in Siesta Key, including The Cottage just next door, which shares a kitchen with The Hub, and The Beach Club across the street.

On Monday morning, The Hub and The Cottage were discarding what Spelman said probably totaled $50,000 in damaged kitchen equip-

ment.

She also said that with power now restored, new issues were arising, including an exploding AC unit on the site.

“There’s shorts all over the place, little electrical fires all over the place,” she said, noting an electrician had been present throughout the day.

Initially, the lack of power had posed a struggle for businesses.

Spelman, like Morton, said on Sept. 27 the situation had made it difficult to assess damages, for the team was not able to tell what equipment was operational.

Spelman said restaurant interiors had taken on as much as 5 feet of water, and equipment in kitchens was found to have tipped over.

“We’re missing five picnic tables still,” she said, stating she believed the tables, which belonged to The Hub, to be somewhere to the north, carried away by the waves.

However, there was some hopeful news in regards to some of the restaurants.

As of Oct. 1, Siesta Poke is open, Summer House is open for lunch and dinner and My Village Pub is open with a limited menu.

The company is now hosting a gift card drive for their staff to request supplies including gloves, cleaning solution and more from vendors such as Boar’s Head.

“We want to get (staff) back to the work, so that’s what we’re here for,”

Nick Esposito, Lillie Esposito, 15, Beth Dilley, Tristen Szalbirak and Lauren Werfalman clean up in the office of Ascendia Group.

she said.

Among the locations impacted by the storm was Village Cafe, an establishment that has been in business for 29 years in Siesta Key Village.

“We’re trying to find a replacement now that everybody’s trying to find replacements or new machines,” said Tom Kouvatsos, who co-owns SEE HURRICAN HELENE, PAGE 4A

A water line is visible on the wall at Mojo Risin’ Coffee in Siesta Key Village.

“My husband and I are longtime residents of Sarasota, and we’ve never seen anything like this.”

— Beth Dilley, president of the Ascendia Group

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Photos by Ian Swaby

Debris was placed into a pile outside The Hub Baja Grill.

Hurricane Helene FROM PAGE 3A

the restaurant with his wife, Kay Kouvatsos. “For a restaurant that has nine or 10 refrigeration units, good luck. It’s really tough.”

He said friends, family and community members have expressed interest in seeing the restaurant operational again, although it is difficult to find ways they can help.

“There’s really nothing you can do unless you are a refrigeration SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S FINEST guy, contractor, roofer, one of these KITCHEN & BATH SHOWROOM things,” he said. “We appreciate the sentiment that everybody’s reaching TRUST. KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE. Todd Morton, Mike Shepler and Andy Bocchario at Morton’s Siesta Market. out with.”

For over 30 years The Plumbing Place He noted that with his and Kay’s has worked hard to earn the trust of our home surviving the storm, he was customers and contractors. And with over thankful they had fared better than Beth Dilley, president of the com- flooded with at least 2 feet of water, 150 years of combined experience, our many residents of the island. pany, who co-founded it with her and not all of which were located friendly and knowledgeable staff delivers FROM near THEthePLUMBING PLACE Ascendia Group, a rental home husband Andy Olwert. water. exceptional customer care. company, found damage to its propThat sheThe andPlumbing the company’s For over 30 day, years Place “We saw washing machines and erties across the island. staff traveled through Siesta Key to dryers turned upside down within “My husband and I are longtime assess damage. has worked hard to earn the trust of our the home, we saw furniture moved residents of Sarasota, and we’ve They visited about 15-20 proper- from one room to another, so when Kitchen & Bath Fixtures • Sinks & Tubs never seen anything like this,” said ties, she all of which been customers andsaid, contractors.

Andhad with over people are trying to understand the

force of a storm surge, we got to witness it firsthand today,” she said.

The cost of repairs is still being assessed, including new flooring, drywall, paint and furniture, and cleaning and mold remediation, with work starting tomorrow.

In one respect, Morton’s Siesta Market fared better than might have been expected.

When Hurricane Irma hit in 2017, it took down all three of the store’s locations, said Morton.

“Luckily, this time, our main store stayed operational,” Morton said on Sept. 27. “We didn’t lose power there, so we were able to save a lot of lot of perishables, but at the same time, there’s a lot of cleanup to do.”

However, business owners said the community has been pitching into help.

For instance, at The Hub, Russo’s Restaurant Equipment & Supply delivered supplies, while Gold Coast Eagle Distributing brought water and hydrating drinks for those helping clean up the site.

“Seeing people helping each other has been pretty uplifting,” said Nick Eposito, maintenance manager at Ascendia Group. “You’re driving around and people are asking if you need help, or vice versa.”

Rhett Morton cleans up at Morton’s Siesta Market.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Helene reopened Midnight Pass, but for how long?

Volunteers with shovels are trying to reshape the inlet closed 40 years ago in an effort to continue the tidal exchange of water, which was restored by the hurricane.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

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ometimes Mother Nature stitches a silver lining in a blanket of devastation, and she eventually always takes back what belongs to her.

And now a group of volunteers armed with shovels are trying to help her keep it.

Only weeks after the Sarasota County Commission instructed staff to investigate a legislative solution to permit the reopening of Midnight Pass, nature took care of the job.

At least temporarily.

Raging storm surge whipped up

by Hurricane Helene cut a swath through the former inlet between Siesta and Casey keys, closed under considerable controversy in 1983 when two property owners filled it in, cutting off the exchange of water between the Gulf of Mexico and the inland waterway resulting in decades of poor water quality in Little Sarasota Bay. “Nature does whatever it wants, especially when a storm is that powerful,” said Siesta Key resident Mike Evanoff. “It pushed it back open, but for the pass to stay open will also be up to Mother Nature.”

Evanoff said although the pass was opened, it may need assistance to remain that way. To maintain the flow through the inlet, channels to the north and south of Little Sarasota Bay must flow freely and may need to be dredged as well.

Volunteers organically organized on social media and arrived at Midnight Pass with shovels to do just that, not so much dredging but working to gradually remove a mound that formed over the decades, sand deposited both by beach renourishment efforts and natural current, according to Midnight Pass advocate Diggy Breiling, who hosts a Facebook

By Monday morning, Midnight Pass had mostly closed again.

Midnight Pass before it closed in 1983.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Hammer

page called “I Dig Midnight Pass.”

The diggers have also created a narrow channel in hopes of facilitating water exchange between the bay and the gulf.

Breiling isn’t the organizer of the shovel brigade, but the diggers have communicated their efforts on his social media page (and yes, Diggy is his real name).

“I’ve been advocating that we lower that mound of sand to more natural levels where it should be brought much closer to the high tide line as opposed to having it 20 feet above the high tide line, which is, I believe, about how high it was before the storm,” Breiling said.

That may be enough, he said, to help restore the natural hydraulic exchange of water between the Gulf of Mexico and Little Sarasota Bay, at least during high tides and other tidal events to achieve the objective of improving the water quality in the

Courtesy image

bay. What Breiling does not support is deeply and widely dredging the inlet for recreational purposes.

“All the shovels that we can muster are not going to open Midnight Pass,” Breiling said. “That’s reality. I love that people are out there. I think it’s an improvement because when we do have storm events it will facilitate some of the transfer of water into and out of the bay. That mound being lowered in will facilitate some transfer.”

In an email sent to city and county officials, environmental organizations and others, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko offered a “very rough and preliminary” calculation of what is required to effectively open Midnight Pass — perhaps permanently — based on the status of the inlet on Friday.

As a former Southwest Florida Water Management District

employee, Tomasko wrote that he has experience in such analyses.

“With a 60-foot cross-section (20 feet wide by 3 feet deep) and a current of 1 foot per second, this comes out to an estimated flow rate of 60 cubic feet per second,” Tomasko wrote.

“Upon conversion, this translates to about 32 million gallons per day. This does not mean that 32 million gallons of water leaves and/or enters Little Sarasota Bay via this new channel each day because this very rough estimate was made at only one point in time. But it does suggest that the inlet is large enough to move water at a rate that approximated 30 million gallons per day, at least during an outgoing tide.”

That kind of dredging can’t be done by hand, and it is unknown if Sarasota County has an argument that the state’s moratorium against creating new inlets is invalid as Midnight Pass was reopened by a natu-

ral event, if only temporarily, literally holds water.

“So now, the big question is how long will this stay open? And the answer is, we’ll find out,” Tomasko wrote. “Maybe this will stay open for several days, weeks, or months. Or maybe it’s already closed as I write this email. … But it’s also true that it’s not necessarily true that such inlets are doomed to close.”

Evanoff had an up close and personal view of the Midnight Pass both before and after Helene. Just north of the inlet, his beachfront home was in the water on Friday, and he calls it a total loss. He had moved out of the house to another home on Siesta Key and planned to make the beachfront house a rental.

“But hey, we got good fresh water in there, so that’s a good thing,” Evanoff said on Friday. “We lost everything there, but at least the pass is open.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

The plan to save Mira Mar Developer reveals proposal to combine $29 million restoration with twin condo towers.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

H

istoric preservation isn’t for the feint of heart, especially for those paying for it.

Having been denied permission to demolish the Mira Mar building at 49 S. Palm Ave. in 2022, Seaward Development still purchased the centuryold building in 2023 as it set about an 18-month effort to determine how it could save the Mira Mar and still redevelop the property.

That endeavor led to partnering with East Coast architects Rick Gonzalez and Igor Reyes to devise a plan to restore the Mira Mar to its 1923 origins and pay the bill by building two 18-story residential towers behind it. Gonzalez, of REG Architects of West Palm Beach, has 40 years of expertise in historic building restoration. Reyes, of Nichols Architects of Coral Gables, specializes in designing projects that help monetize such efforts.

The cost to restore the Mira Mar is estimated at $29 million. The money to cover that would come from a portion of the proceeds of sales from 70 condominiums to be built between the rear of the historic building and Mira Mar Court.

It’s a proposal for a mixed-use development that will require a rezoning from Downtown Bayfront to Downtown Core, effectively returning the site to its pre-2005 zoning, preceded by a Comprehensive Plan change of the site’s future land use category.

That would permit Seaward to build the variable-height towers rather than the 10 stories the current zoning allows, but with 1 million fewer cubic feet than is currently

permitted there by right.

A Sept. 17 community workshop hosted by Seaward Development introduced the concept to the public in preparation for a forthcoming rezoning application for the site.

Rather than an 18-story flat wall, the design of the towers peaks at 18 stories in the center, terracing down to 17 then 15 stories toward the edges.

Seaward Development owner Patrick DiPinto told the community workshop audience the demolition denial by the city’s Historic Preservation Board was the start of an education in preservation.

“Looking back, I think we made a mistake,” DiPinto said of Seaward’s original plan. “We probably moved a little too quick. We made some quick decisions, and after the education that we received over the last year and a half, I think at this point that’s a good thing.”

Mira Mar presents the rare restoration challenge. It’s long, 400-foot span along Palm Avenue was built of wood on a non-compressed beach.

What opened as an apartment building after two months of construction floats on the ground, neither stabilized on concrete piers nor strapped from the roof to the ground. A significant part of the restoration cost lies in that work alone.

The building has shown signs of structural weakness. Although maintained by Seaward, which has office space in Mira Mar, portions of the building are not safely accessible.

Additions and modifications over the decades are planned to be removed and the original appearance restored. The second-floor, glass-enclosed pedestrian connector between the buildings will be removed and the open vista restored toward a center courtyard between

I NTRO D U CI N G

A restored Mira Mar would remove the overhead glass enclosed walkway between the two buildings fronting South Palm Avenue.

Courtesy image

CURRENT MIRA MAR CONDITIONS Multiple tenant spaces cannot be occupied because of required structural steel shoring posts to support building from further settlement.

Existing structure is comprised of wood joist roof and floor systems that are supported by load-bearing, wood-framed walls.

Deteriorated wood from water and insect damage has been identified throughout structure.

Water intrusion issues persist from the glass roof domes added in the 1980s.

Existing exterior wall studs

the residential towers.

“The building has had significant changes, and we’re like surgeons,” Gonzalez said. “First, we’re detectives. We come in, we measure everything, we look at the (historical) photographs and then we’re going to work like surgeons. We’re going to remove portions that are not appropriate, that are not original, and then we’re going to reconstruct it to match the historic 1923 look. That’s what the $29 million budget gives us, and that’s what we’re going to do as we move forward with the project.”

must be exposed and evaluated to determine deterioration for potential replacement. A significant amount of the exterior wall framing will need to be replaced.

No foundations exist. Retrofitting is proposed using micropile underpinning.

Foundation improvements are required at north side of the building where signs of settlement are evident.

The building has crack monitors throughout that are required to be monitored monthly by a structural engineer.

THE FINANCIAL ENGINE

None of that happens without the revenue generated by the new residential construction and the comparatively minimal design of separate, tiered condominium towers.

Otherwise, without the rezoning, the next best option to foot the bill is a 10-story lot line to lot line concrete and glass rectangle with 270 rental apartments.

The residential buildings plan includes: Two 18-story towers with setbacks far greater than zoning requires to maximize light and air for

neighboring properties and preservation of view corridors.

Volume of proposed buildings is less than a single, zero-lot line, 10-story building with 1 million fewer cubic feet than currently zoned.

Complementary architecture to the Mira Mar building.

Central access at Palm Avenue and a large central courtyard providing quasi-public open space.

Additional commercial space on the rear of the property along Mira Mar Court, filling a current gap in the pedestrian experience.

No additional density.

“The towers are what is going to help pay for the $29 million it’s going to take to restore this project,” Gonzalez said.

“If you can’t get the towers built, then there’s not an economic engine to save the structures.

“The structures are in very, very, very bad shape. The Mira Mar is under threat.”

That threat will not end soon. Seaward now must pursue a Comprehensive Plan amendment to change the future land use classification of the property, followed by a rezoning.

A Comprehensive Plan amendment must be approved by a supermajority of the City Commission and endorsed by the state before rezoning can occur.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Nov. 5: Road to Serfdom or the Road to Liberty?

Democracy leads to the lousy getting on top; subsidizing and producing more bad behavior; and economic fascism. The November election won’t stop all that, but the right choice can be a start.

ELECTION ’24

MATT WALSH

Editor’s note: In case you missed the Election 2024 installment last week — “The republic that’s failing” — here is a summary: We recounted how American culture from 1776 to the mid-1960s, was rooted in the early Roman culture. Both shared the virtuous traits of a nuclear family that was self-sufficient, hardworking, honest, courageous, friendly, patriotic and pious.

And when our Founding Fathers began forming the Constitution, the Roman traits and the failure of the Greeks’ democracy led the Founders to reject a democracy.

They knew it would lead to tyranny.

Instead, they chose a democratic republic and a government whose powers were limited and whose foremost purpose was to protect individual rights.

But over 248 years, in spite of warnings, democratic, majority rule has replaced the Founders’ vision of a limited government. Here are the consequences:

T

yranny is upon us. Just as the Founders feared.

That is not an exaggeration.

The long, creeping shift to majority-rule democracy and the unabated expansion of our federal government has rendered devastating consequences to your individual liberty and to the United States.

Take this one example: how the value and purchasing power of your dollar has declined. Take a look at the graphic above. You should be outraged.

Unfortunately, while most Americans feel the shrunken value of their dollars, they do not realize this decline is taxation at its worst and that they do it to themselves.

They elect people to Congress who have no moral qualms about taking and spending other people’s money.

In this week’s installment, we will show how American democracy predictably and inevitably has led to, in the words of the late F.A. Hayek, “how the worst get on top” in public office; how governmentsanctioned redistribution of wealth increases and speeds up economic and social destruction; how democratic rule has brought on economic fascism; and how the choices voters make in this year’s presidential and congressional candidates can take us further and faster down Hayek’s

“Road to Serfdom.”

Oy. What a downer. Who wants to read about all that negativity?

But as the first step of Alcoholics Anonymous states, if you want to fix the problem, you must first see and admit it. Americans must see how and admit that the evils of democracy have taken over.

You are not in control of your life the way our Founders envisioned.

Americans are slaves — slaves to their government.

HOW INFLATION TAX $100 today was … n $54.70 in 2000 (-45.3% loss of HAS DESTROYED value) AMERICANS’ WEALTH n $15.66 in 1974 (-84.3%)

WHY THE WORST GET ON TOP

In Hayek’s 1944 classic, “The Road to Serfdom,” he devoted Chapter 11 to “Why the Worst Get on Top.” While his focus was on totalitarian states in the 1940s, Hayek’s analysis is just as applicable today in the United States — particularly in relation to our presidential elections.

Hayek provided three main reasons why the best elements of society are not elected. And he wrote that the principles on which the worst and “least worst” are often selected “will be almost entirely negative.”

It starts with “the lowest common denominator which unites the largest number of people.”

“In general,” Hayek said, “the higher the education and intelligence of individuals become, the more their views and tastes are differentiated and the less likely they are to agree on a particular hierarchy. It is a corollary of this that to find a high degree of uniformity and similarity of outlook, we have to descend to the regions of lower moral and intellectual standards. This does not mean that the majority of people have low moral standards; it merely means that the largest group of people whose values are very similar are the people with low standards.”

Hayek’s second negative principle is the candidate’s skill of demagoguery. “He will be able to obtain the support of all the docile and gullible, who have no strong convictions … those whose vague and imperfectly formed ideas are easily swayed and whose passions and emotions are readily aroused.”

Rush Limbaugh called these groups “low-information voters” — sheep led to the cliff.

Hayek called his third reason for why the lesser elements of society are often elected the most important. “It is almost a law of human nature that it is easier for people to agree on a negative program — on the hatred of an enemy, on the envy of those better off — than on any positive task.

“The contrast between the ‘we’ and the ‘they,’ the common fight against those outside the group, seems to be an essential ingredient in any creed which will solidly knit together a group for common action. It is consequently always

n $7.66 in 1950 (-92.3%) n $5.43 in 1924 (-94.67%)

employed by those who seek, not merely support of a policy, but the unreserved allegiance of huge masses,” Hayek wrote.

POWER IS THE GOAL

Surely this sounds familiar. It’s the playbook of all Republican and Democrat candidates for the presidency, governorships and Congress — the hatred of an enemy.

The late H.L. Mencken was much more succinct on why we get what we get. As he put it: “Votes are collared under democracy, not by talking sense, but by talking nonsense … The winner will be whoever promises the most…” Or, also, the one who promises not to take away people’s free stuff (welfare, subsidies and redistribution).

Austrian economist HansHermann Hoppe has a much more harsh, cynical view of why we get who we get: “Popular elections make it practically impossible that any good or harmless person could ever rise to the top. Prime ministers and presidents are selected for their proven efficiency as morally uninhibited demagogues.”

You have to admit, Hayek, Mencken and Hoppe have it right.

Of course, there are exceptions.

There are some good, moral politicians. But they are a small minority.

Otherwise, the national debt — a moral tragedy and just one example — would not be what it is.

There is one more factor Hayek cited that leads to the wrong people being on top. No one ever confesses to it, but it’s the one that often becomes an addiction: Power.

“It is a goal in itself,” Hayek wrote. “The desire to organize social life according to a unitary plan springs largely from a desire for power. … In order to achieve their ends, collectivists must create power — power over men wielded by other men — of a magnitude never before known …”

As noted before, Hayek was speaking of totalitarians. But as all Americans have seen, the lust to hold onto power has consumed the Democratic Party elites ever since Donald Trump came down the

MENCKEN ON POLITICIANS: WHOEVER PROMISES THE MOST The following excerpt on politicians is from “A Mencken Chrestomathy — His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing,” 1982: Politicians seldom if ever get there [into public office] by merit alone, at least in democratic states.

Sometimes, to be sure, it happens, but only by a kind of miracle.

They are chosen normally for H.L. Mencken quite different reasons, the chief of which is simply their power to impress and enchant the intellectually underprivileged.…

Will any of them venture to tell

the plain truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the situation of the country, foreign or domestic?

Will any of them refrain from promises that he knows he can’t fulfill — that no human being could fulfill?

Will any of them utter a word, however obvious, that will alarm and alienate any of the huge pack of morons who cluster at the public trough, wallowing in the pap that grows thinner and thinner, hoping against hope?

Answer: Maybe for a few weeks at the start … But not after the issue is fairly joined, and the struggle is on in earnest. …

They will all promise every man, woman and child in the country whatever he, she or it wants.

They’ll all be roving the land look-

ing for chances to make the rich poor, to remedy the irremediable, to succor the unsuccorable, to unscramble the unscrambleable …

They will all be paying off the national debt with money that no one will have to earn.

In brief, they will divest themselves from their character as sensible, candid and truthful men, and become simply candidates for office, bent only on collecting votes. …

They will all know by then … that votes are collared under democracy, not by talking sense but by talking nonsense, and they will apply themselves to the job with a hearty yo-heave-ho. … The winner will be whoever promises the most with the least probability of delivering anything.”

TAX PLANS & PLATFORMS See what Kamala Harris and Donald Trump say they will do if elected.

Also: The Tax Foundation’s analysis of whose tax plans would be better.

Go to: YourObserver.com/ Opinion

Trump Tower escalator in 2015.

REDISTRIBUTION DESTROYS

Once the wrong people get into power — and you can say this goes for the right people, too — rather than performing their chief constitutional duty of protecting individual rights, they immediately succumb to the mobs.

In Milton Friedman’s “Free to Choose,” he noted that when it comes seeking favors from the government, business is always first in line. We constantly see industries seeking a subsidy or protection at someone else’s expense. And this leads to Friedman’s Law of Laws.

An aggrieved group goes to the Capitol and pleads for relief.

Lawmakers write a law with the good intention of correcting the aggravation, only to come back the next year to address the unintended consequences. That goes on and on.

This is how our democracy has come to be a machinery for the redistribution of wealth — and ultimately the deterioration of society.

As economist Hoppe notes, it’s a fundamental principle of economics that you will get more of whatever you subsidize.

Subsidizing and redistribution are the taking, or confiscation, from the producers and the “haves” and giving an unearned benefit to the “have-nots.” This lowers the incentive to be a producer, and raises the incentive to be a non-producer.

“Accordingly,” Hoppe writes, “as a result of subsidizing individuals because they are poor, there will be more poverty. By subsidizing people because they are unemployed, more unemployment will result.”

With Social Security, “in subsidizing retirees out of taxes imposed on current income earners, the institution of the family — the intergenerational bond between parents, grandparents and children — is systematically weakened.”

Hoppe concludes: As a result of “subsidizing the malingerers, the careless, the alcoholics, the drug addicts, there will be more illness, malingering, alcoholism, drug addiction.” And this: “By forcing non-criminals, including the victims of crime, to pay for the imprisonment of criminals (rather than making criminals compensate their victims and pay the full cost of their apprehension and incarceration) crime will increase.”

All of that has occurred and continues. Consider this data point: From 2020 to 2025, the mandatory spending for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rose 41% to $1.7 trillion, while HHS’ discretionary spending rose

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

Friedrich Hayek

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

‘I believe in the collective’; ‘My values have not changed’ To the Independent and Never Trump Voters who are contemplating voting for Kamala Harris: Do not fall for the classic bait and switch.

And that is exactly what Vice President Harris is doing. The same thing Joe Biden did in 2020: Lie through his teeth that he was a unifier and a moderate.

The two Harris quotes printed above say it all.

She made the first this summer in front union workers in Detroit.

In that moment, by those words, essentially she explicitly declared she believes in communism. That is the “collective.”

She went public with this belief in communism previously in a November 2020 video. Here is the text of that video: “Equality suggests everyone should get the same amount.

“The problem with that is not everybody is starting out from the same place.

“So if we’re all getting the same amount, but you started out back there, and I started out over here — you could get the same amount, but you’re still going to be that far back behind me.

“It’s about giving people the resources and support they need so that everyone can be on equal footing and then compete on equal footing.

“Equitable treatment means we all end up at the same place.”

That is communism.

When she said and says “My values have not changed,” presumably, then, all of her flip-flops are

not true. When she says she no longer favors socialized medicine — 100% Medicare for all, she’s lying. When she says she is not opposed to fracking, she is lying.

Note how she has not explained her sudden conversions. But Bernie Sanders explained them on a recent episode of “Meet the Press.”

He said Harris has toned down her progressivism because she is “doing what she thinks is right in order to win the election.”

Bait and switch.

What are other values that haven’t changed? She told some of them to Oprah: abortion; gun control; “access to the ballot box” (presumably no voter ID); and “to be who you are and love who you love openly and with pride.”

But if indeed her values have not changed, then her positions she embraced in 2019 and 2020 have not changed. Here are some of them: n She said the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds for abortions, must be repealed. In other words, pay for abortions with federal tax dollars. n Require states to obtain permission from the Department of Justice before implementing new abortion laws. n Require insurance companies provide “full reproductive healthcare services.” n “[P]olicies ensuring that federal prisoners and detainees are able to obtain medically necessary care for gender transition, including surgical care, while incarcerated or detained. … I will direct all

50%, to $130.7 billion. Meanwhile, the combined rates of inflation and population growth in that same period was 22.7% — half the growth of welfare spending.

controlled by government fiat.

The employer is forced to collect and pay his employees’ income tax and a portion of their Social Security and Medicare. An employer is forced to pay a prescribed wage.

Farmers are ordered how to grow their crops. Importers pay tariffs and must acquiesce to quotas.

Landlords’ rental rates are capped.

And now, one presidential candidate wants to mandate the end of gas-powered cars. And on and on.

No one describes the consequences of our mongrel mixed economy better than Ayn Rand did in 1965: “A mixed economy has no principles … to limit the power of government. The only principle of a mixed economy is that no one’s interests are safe, everyone’s interests are on a public auction block, and anything goes for anyone who can get away with it.

ECONOMIC FASCISM

As redistribution and subsidizing are destructive socially, so they are economically. These policies and practices have turned our so-called capitalist economy into economic fascism. That is, lawmakers leave ownership in the hands of private individuals, but the leviathan laws and regulations coerce private individuals to cede control of their property to the government.

The United States has never been a pure laissez-faire capitalist economy. It was much closer in the beginning, but now it is a mixed mongrel of part free-market capitalism and a much larger part

federal agencies responsible for providing essential medical care to deliver transition treatment.” n Give middle-class households “basic income” — a monthly cash payment as much as $3,000 per year for single people and $6,000 per year for married couples; and unemployed and underemployed workers up to $8,000 for job training programs. Her proposal was estimated to cost taxpayers about $200 billion in the first year or $2 trillion over 10 years.

Harris recently proposed giving first-time homebuyers up to $25,000, with more going to firstgeneration homeowners. n Reduce funding for the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ICE detention centers. n Gun buybacks.

Finally, when Harris says her values have not changed, that should give you great concern.

Stated another way, she has not embraced the value of telling the truth. For three years, she told the American people Joe Biden was better than fine.

“Joe Biden is extraordinarily strong. That cannot be debated,” she told TV anchor Anderson Cooper after the June debate.

That, too, was a lie.

— Matt Walsh

“Such a system — or, more precisely, anti-system — breaks up a country into an ever-growing number of enemy camps, into economic groups fighting one another for self-preservation in an indeterminate mixture of defense and offense, as the nature of such a jungle demands.

“A mixed economy is rule by pressure groups. It is an amoral, institutionalized civil war of special interests and lobbies, all fighting to seize a momentary control of the legislative machinery, to extort some special privilege at one another’s expense by an act of government — i.e. by force.”

This is economic fascism.

LESSER OF TWO EVILS

So let’s put all this together: The U.S. — with its cultural roots in early Roman virtues, and once the

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On the basis of performance and competence in office, this goes to the litmus test we apply in all elections. It’s simple: If the candidate did a good job as incumbent, reelect him or her. If he or she did a lousy job, no. envy of the world as a limitedgovernment, democratic republic — has transmogrified over the past 248 years into a mob-ruled democracy that no longer places individual rights before the collective.

As shown, the destructive effects of this are pervasive, spreading and relegating Americans to being slaves of their government.

This is the Road to Serfdom, or the Fall of the American Empire.

But it can be stopped and reversed. And that is clearly the choice for Americans with the November elections.

To be sure, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are flawed in so many ways — proof of Hayek, Mencken and Hoppe’s explanations of why we get who we get.

We’ll add one more: “When the worst get on top, it is because there are enough of the worst among us to put them there” — from the late Leonard Read, founder of the Foundation for Economic Education.

Yes, we put them there.

And once again, as it so often is said, voters in the 2024 presidential election are faced with making a choice of the lesser of two evils.

However, if American voters actually assessed these two choices, they might go through this checklist of questions: n Which of the two is more likely to be honest and truthful to you, and trustworthy to do the right thing the right way for the right reasons? n Which of the two is more likely to be the more competent leader and executive carrying out the duties of the presidency? n Which one is likely to be better

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for the protection of your personal liberty and property? n Which one is most likely to lead to improvements in your standard of living? n Which one is less likely to confiscate more of your property and redistribute it in ways that lead to further cultural and economic destruction? n Which one is less likely to use the force of government to interfere in your daily life choices? n Which one is less likely to keep you enslaved?

Two ways to reach a conclusion on these questions would be to assess their platforms — what they say they will do — and assess their performance in office.

A comparison of the Harris and Trump platforms are posted online (YourObserver.com/Opinion). The differences are vivid.

Harris’ platform is all about the usual Democrat Party approach — government force and spending.

She would punish success with higher taxes on individuals (the standard “fair share” drivel); establish a police state that punishes businesses; and create laws forcing all taxpayers to foot the cost of higher minimum wages and giving more unearned benefits to millions of Americans by forgiving loans and downpayments on homes. In other words, expand the Welfare State.

She says nothing about immigration, foreign policy, the wars, military or energy.

Trump’s platform isn’t exactly a conservative manifesto. He proposes to use the government to address the issues that have occupied the public square the past three years: to bring down inflation; stop the immigration; ensure freedom of speech and religion; stop the wars in Ukraine and Israel; stop the destructiveness of gender ideology; and address two issues he harps on: pump more energy and retool the military.

Of course, neither platform says one word about reducing the national debt; nor does either provide the “how” to their litany of promises. But we know how: More government intervention.

Nevertheless, the question for voters is, if adopted, which approach would cost you less and improve your life more?

To that: Past is prelude.

On the basis of performance and competence in office, this goes to the litmus test we apply in all elections. It’s simple: If the candidate did a good job as incumbent, re-elect him or her. If he or she did a lousy job, no.

Which of the two did better?

This is the heart of the election. The answer on this and the other questions in the checklist is unequivocal: Donald Trump.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

SPAC talk

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE Schematic design: May 2025 Design development: February 2026 Construction documents: May 2027 Public procurement/ negotiation: August 2027 Construction: August 2029 Move-in: October 2029

Following a rousing concept reveal last week, city commissioners dig into the details for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

T

wo hours wasn’t enough time for the Sarasota City Commission to pose all their questions about the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center during Monday’s workshop.

Representatives of the project were joined on Zoom by two architects from Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s Genoa, Italy offices as they briefed commissioners on the project’s four-building design concept and business plan.

With a noon hard stop looming, City Manager Marlon Brown proposed that commissioners continue discussions individually to help craft the implementation agreement between the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, the next key step in continuing to develop a plan for the new facility. A discussion about that agreement will come up on the commission’s Oct. 21 meeting agenda.

The deadline to sign the agreement, which will include cost estimates, is Nov. 30.

The implementation agreement is a required step for the design process to continue. It lays out the details for the buildings to be owned by the city but operated by the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.

Last week the design team of Renzo Piano and Sarasota-based SweetSparkman Architects revealed a

Courtesy image

A massing model presented by Renzo Piano Building Workshop shows the four Sarasota Performing Arts Center buildings along North Tamiami Trail.

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES The numbers of performances and events anticipated by the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation bringing an estimated 511,870 paid attendees and ticket buyers.

Large theater: 179 Medium theater: 87 Multipurpose room: 69 Event lawn: 27 Education lab: 48 Rooftop terrace: 6 Total: 416

preliminary concept for the SPAC to a largely receptive audience. On Monday, things got real as promoters of the project were pressed on hard details such as parking availability, whether the up to 800-seat medium-size theater is even needed in addition to a 2,500- to 2,700-seat main theater, profit-and-loss pro-

jections, and more.

The workshop provided commissioners their first opportunity to discuss the public-private project proposed to be funded up to 50% by tax increment financing revenues generated by improvement of properties around The Bay park, the other 50% from philanthropy.

Among the concerns is a projection the SPAC would operate at a deficit of about $4 million per year, a point pressed by Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch.

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko said she felt the gap can be made up via philanthropy.

“I do feel confident,” Castroverde Moskalenko said. “We have been ranging between $1 million and $2 million a year, so while I understand that this is double that, I think that the vision is so compelling that our patron base and our prospects would be inspired to contribute to this vision.”

According to its financial projections, the Sarasota Performing Arts Center is expected to generate $38.5

million in revenue in its opening year, and $39.8 million as operations stabilize in year three. This compares to an operating budget of $44.7 million in year one and $44.1 million in year three, leaving a need for $4.3 million in annual operating support.

Accordiing to the SPAF, that fiscal gap is similar in scale to many performing arts centers in similar markets in Florida and across the country, and making up the difference is anticipated as a combination of annual fundraising and earnings from an endowment.

The model projects program numbers over the first three years of operation and growth in both the artistic and corporate rental programs. As operations stabilize by year three, performances and events are projected to grow to 455, bringing in an estimated 539,432 people.

Performance and event types at the new SPAC include: ■ Broadway and special presentations.

■ Touring concerts, comedy, variety and family shows.

■ Presentations of national and

international music, theater, dance and speakers ■ Regional and local presentations an co-presentations.

■ Festivals and outdoor events.

■ Educational performances.

■ Artist residencies and events that engage community in the process and creation of art.

■ Corporate, private and artistic or nonprofit rentals.

This workshop included a presentation of the project concept design and implementation plan, which will be incorporated into the implementation agreement.

On April 18, 2022, the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation entered into a partnership agreement outlining the process to plan, co-fund, design and construct the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

That pact requires the SPAF to develop and submit to the City Commission for approval an implementation agreement to address: ■ Project concept and preliminary site plan.

■ Any required approvals from city and other governmental agencies and preferred means to secure such approvals.

■ A preliminary permitting and construction schedule.

■ Intended design and construction experts needed to facilitate the development.

■ A proposed project scope and total budget, recognizing that changes in the development timeline may affect ultimate costs.

■ An outline of the plan for cofunding for the total project cost.

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discussion on the interim manager to the Oct. 7 commission meeting agenda, leaving time for individual meetings in the interim.

“I look at this as sort of an A-B conversation,” Robinson said. “We need to get that A decision made, and then we can move on to the B decision, which gives us some time, so we will be bringing back on (Oct. 7) the internal candidate as well as other options for you.”

Robinson said he has discussed with the candidate the need to schedule meetings with commissioners prior to the Oct. 7 meeting, and that he will be reaching out to them directly.

Once the decision about the interim is made, Mason said she is working on a parallel track to present options for a search firm to start the the search for a new city manger by the end of October or early November. How long the search takes will depend on parameters set by the commission, ideally no longer than six months.

Robinson reminded commissioners they are in charge.

“You’ll give us the framework and then we will tell them what we want out of that process. You will be in the driver’s seat from step one through the final selection process,” he said.

“They’ll facilitate everything. I just want to make sure that you understand that there will be no directing the commission on how it goes. You will be in the driver’s seat.”

Marlon Brown (left) will retire as Sarasota city manager on Oct. 15.

Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson (right) has expressed no interest in replacing him.

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CAT CARE CLINIC

y mid-October, Sarasota will have an interim city manager, and by all indications it will be a senior member of the city staff.

During Monday’s workshop, city commissioners heard options presented by Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson and Human Resources Director Stacie Mason to fill the position on a temporary basis following the scheduled Oct. 15 retirement of Marlon Brown.

Robinson removed himself from consideration shortly after Brown announced his retirement.

Although naming a “member in transition” of the Florida League of Cities remains a possibility, Mason and Robinson said a senior member of the staff has stepped forward to fill the role as part of a two-step process first to name a temporary city manager and then embark on a national search, which could take from four to six months.

The staff member was not named — references to the individual were limited to “he” and “him” — and Robinson said meetings with individual commissioners can be scheduled to discuss the city government’s top temp job.

“Since we last talked, there’s been some discussion and willingness for an internal director who would be willing to take an interim role for the city manager,” Mason said. “We do have a senior level director that would be willing to take an interim position. I have reached out to a number of (members in transition).

Some have been placed in positions, and others are willing to engage in the process with us.”

Robinson said Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch asked him to add a

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024 Designer Roller Shades in French Gray Operating Systems: PowerView® Automation, PowerView® Motorization

County approves $2 billion budget Sarasota County commissioners officially set the fiscal year 2025 budget at a reduced countywide millage rate of 3.30%.

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“PEOPLE MAKE SPECIAL PLACES”

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$4.4 million, about $800,000 more than the final budget indicates.

Funding for the state-mandated constitutional officers’ departments — Sheriff’s Office, Tax Collector, Clerk of Circuit Court, Supervisor of Elections and more — remain unchanged despite being asked nicely.

“It wouldn’t disappoint me if any of the constitutionals decided to help a little bit in this process and join us in our efforts,” Commissioner Ron Cutsinger said at the time.

It all adds up to a $2 billion budget including operations, personnel, capital improvement and acquisitions, special taxing districts, fees and other taxes.

General fund spending for fiscal year 2025 is set at $462.3 million, nearly $32 million, or about 7.5%, more than the current fiscal year.

That includes $265.3 million for constitutional offices and other agencies outside the commission’s spending control.

As is typically the case, the budget increase year-over-year is rooted in personnel expenses and new hires to keep pace with service demands of a growing population.

At 43.03 new full-time equivalents, employment for constitutional offices will increase 3.1% over this year, led by the Sheriff’s Office with 39, for a total of 1,447.5 employees.

Meanwhile, BCC-controlled department full-time equivalents will grow by 59.90, or 2.4%, for a total of 2,541.

Sarasota County commissioners approved the budget Sept.

26.

R N

KASHDEN For Sarasota City Commission - District 2

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aving been delayed by several days because of Hurricane Helene, the Sarasota County Commission officially adopted the county’s fiscal year 2025 budget during its final budget public hearing Monday evening.

Originally scheduled for Sept. 26, the commission approved the $2.07 billion spending plan in usual fashion at this stage in the process, with only a formal reading of the ordinances and no discussion. County resident and frequent city and county commission public speaker Martin Hyde provided the lone public comment, admonishing the commissioners for continually growing the budget rather than ordering departments to tighten their belts.

The budget lowers the countywide ad valorem tax rate from 3.35 mils to a nearly four-decade low of 3.30 mils.

That doesn’t mean property owners will pay lower taxes. The millage rate still projects $25.1 million more in property tax revenue for the coming fiscal year.

Beginning in March, the budget process included introduction of the strategic plan, followed by five workshops and two public hearings.

“In addition to meeting all your contractual obligations in the forthcoming year, the board was able to do a reduction in the countywide millage rate, about a $3.6 million reduction from what we had presented in the early budgets on the county side,” said County Administrator Jonathan Lewis.

The “county side” is spending under control of the commission.

During the early budget workshop sessions, commissioners instructed Lewis to trim that spending plan by

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

FRIDAY, SEPT. 20

SINGING IT LOUD 12:30 a.m., 2700 block of North Osprey Avenue Noise disturbance: Loud music from a nearby business brought officers to a residence whose occupant complained about ongoing late-night noise levels that were disruptive to the neighborhood.

Officers approached the nearby restaurant’s property line with a sound level meter.

There, they were met by the irate business owner who insisted officers step off of his property. He then proceed to yell at officers while shining his cell phone flashlight in their faces. He eventually agreed to turn down the music volume and requested to speak with a supervisor. A sergeant responded and, while the man received his reality check, the sound check continued and decibel readings exceeded noise ordinance limits.

An investigation into the business license indicated the establishment was a permanent food service takeout with no liquor license, although numerous alcoholic beverages were observed. Police said it is reasonable to believe the

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

DOCK DISPUTE 6:26 p.m., 3100 block of Bay Shore Road Disturbance: Upon returning home from a boating trip on the bay, a complainant said he was on his dock with his family when a neighbor began yelling and cursing at them.

The complainant produced a video confirming his claim and requested the officer speak with the neighbor.

The officer contacted the subject who stated he was yelling because he was upset at the complainant because he built a dock that partially blocked his view. The officer explained that the behavior was inappropriate and was told to cease any contact with the family.

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DOMINO EFFECT 7:05 a.m., unknown block of 29th Street Disturbance: Following a late-night game of dominos, one guest refused n n n n to leave the host’s house and is suspected of eventually causing n n n n damage on his front porch.

The complainant advised that all parties had left his home but one n n n n woman, whom he was eventually able to get out of the house, continued to attempt to re-enter, knocking on windows and pulling on doors. Finally, he heard a loud crash and breaking glass, which turned out to be a glass-topped table and vase, both shattered and lying on the porch. He added he observed a n n n n cinderblock amid the broken glass.

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AIRING HIS GRIEVANCE 3:23 p.m., 300 block of St. Armands Circle Dispute: A frustrated visitor to St. Armands Circle let the air out of a tire on a vehicle whose driver he claimed stole his coveted parking spot. The subject admitted deflating the tire after the driver of another vehicle snuck into a parking spot that he was waiting to back into in order to properly parallel park. After the two engaged in a brief argument, the subject was off to find another space.

Officers located an air compressor and inflated the tire and the car owner did not wish to pursue the matter further.

business is serving and/or allowing alcohol on site. The music was emanating from a karaoke machine in the rear of the business where officers observed multiple subjects singing into microphones.

This was the 22nd call for service to the business since June. The business consistently has large gatherings on Thursday evenings for karaoke night, and it is not uncommon for there to be a large gathering of people and vehicles spilling into neighboring business parking lots. The report made no mention regarding any continuing investigation.

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R N

KASHDEN For Sarasota City Commission - District 2

HERE COMES THE SUN In 2024, city residents can elect to grow responsibly & prioritize livability

Ron’s equation for civic sunshine 1. Give residents a seat at the table = listen to public input 2. Support local business = foster walkable shopping & dining 3. Preserve Sarasota’s charm = save what makes our city special 4. Promote law & order = enforce noise & public safety ordinances

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Annual Leather Sale

One Park marks the start of construction In addition to a ceremonial groundbreaking, the developer of the final Quay project throws a party to mark the start of construction.

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ith little fanfare, no sweaty hardhats, no golden shovels and no conspicuously located pile of dirt, the developer of One Park held a party to celebrate the start of construction across the street from its site at the Sarasota Garden Club.

Instead there were mimosas, strolling hors d’oeuvre servers, a jazz combo and brief comments by leaders of the project’s development team.

The formerly controversial condominium tower was first proposed on blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay, spanning Quay Commons in the process. A robust legal challenge over the air rights above Quay Commons mounted by residents of The RitzCarlton Residences, which stands on Block 6, prompted developer Property Markets Group of Miami and its local partner, MoneyShow, to go back to the drawing board and separate One Park into two.

Now, One Park will stand on Block 1 at the corner of Boulevard of the Arts and Quay Commons. Still in planning is One Park West, which will occupy Block 9 on the west side of Quay Commons.

Despite the prior complications, Tuesday was a day of celebration for the 18-story, 86-unit tower ranging in prices from $3.5 million to penthouses at $12.5 million.

Property Markets Group CEO and Founder Kevin Maloney told the gathering of unit buyers and local dignitaries that the project had no problem finding interested lenders.

“We had a great deal of interest, unlike Miami or in other locations

Courtesy image

that we’re building where we typically have one lender,” Maloney said.

“We had four lenders bidding on this project. There is a lot of interest in the West Coast, specifically in Sarasota, so we’re very excited and we’re off to the races.”

Designed by Hoyt Architects of Sarasota, One Park will feature three-bedroom residences equipped with 12-foot ceilings, and floor-toceiling windows with views of Sarasota Bay, the downtown skyline, and of The Bay Park. Highlights include outdoor terraces with glass railing and summer kitchens, a midnight bar in primary bedrooms and smart home technology.

“Developing a luxury condominium is a true art form,” said MoneyShow CEO Kim Githler. “PMG is known for their passion to deliver the most exclusive residents in the United States, and we are grateful they are now here in Sarasota.”

One Park will soon be joined in construction by its sister tower, One Park West, whose 69 condominiums will be offered at a lower price point starting in the low $1 million to $3 million range.

Property Markets Group’s current multibillion dollar portfolio includes assets across pre-development, construction, lease-up and sell-out, totaling more than 8,500 residential units and more than 16 million square feet of development.

This rendering by Imerza shows the 18-story One Park residential tower on Block 1 of The Quay.

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OCTOBER 3, 2024

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

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From dramas to comedies, don’t miss these extraordinary plays and musicals about ordinary lives. They’re coming soon to a theater near you.

‘The Curious Savage’

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

T

he pandemic often felt like the end of the world. Contemporary playwrights noticed — and caught the apocalyptic vibe.

Theaters had gone dark, but they didn’t stop writing. Their unproduced scripts often felt like “Twilight Zone” episodes. Or fever dreams.

When live theater turned the lights back on, hungry ghosts, plagues and devil dogs filled the stage. But reports of impending apocalypse proved greatly exaggerated. The world didn’t end. Life still goes on.

Contemporary playwrights noticed that, too. You can see it in many of their recent plays. The focus has shifted away from dangerous visions of life’s end. Life itself is the new focus — as it unfolds in the daily lives of everyday people, particularly women.

The five plays I’ve selected for fall 2024 share that quotidian focus.

Their characters all seem ordinary.

A few hit the big time; most don’t.

After you get to know them, you’ll see how extraordinary they really are.

When: Oct. 29-Nov. 4 Where: FSU/Asolo Conservatory, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Info: Visit AsoloRep.org/conservatory.

Mrs. Ethel Savage, a recent widow, is the “savage” in question. Mr. Savage, her late husband, has just received his heavenly reward. As a result, Mrs. Savage just inherited her earthly reward — her late husband’s vast fortune. (She can’t recall the exact figure, but it’s in the ballpark of $10 million.)

This noble Savage plans to use it for good causes. To her greedy stepchildren, such charity is proof of insanity. They plan to grab their stepmom’s wealth.

To get her out of the way, these rotters commit the kindly old widow to a secluded sanitorium called “The Cloisters.” Scary name, but it’s not such a bad place.

Once inside, Mrs. Savage makes friends with a few quirky and kindhearted inmates. Unlike the smiling villains in her family, their loyalty isn’t an act. These so-called “loonies” really are on the widow’s side.

And they’re not as dumb as they look. It may sound crazy, but they

‘Waitress: The Musical’

When: Nov. 8-Dec. 29 Where: FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. Info: Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

This Broadway hit is adapted from Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 film. It adds new lyrics and compositions by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, and a script by Jessie Nelson.

But it tells the same tale — the story of Jenna, a waitress trapped in a loveless marriage. In the game of love, she fumbles and gets bruised and penalized.

When it comes to the art of pie making, Jenna is an Einstein with an oven. A baking contest

hatch a clever scheme to set things right. John Patrick’s lighthearted comedy, directed by Marcus Johnson, mocks the cut-throat logic of hypocrisy, greed and social climbing.

The Cloisters’ logic is far gentler.

This nuthouse is more like a sane asylum. It’s the world outside it that’s mad.

(with a big cash prize) gives her a chance to reinvent her life. Spoiler alert: Jenna wins the prize — and finds friendship, romance and the courage to pursue her dreams.

Sound a bit too sugary? The taste of this musical, directed by Kate Alexander, is often sweet.

But it’s not all sweetness and light. The show balances humor and engaging relationships with darker notes of domestic abuse and infidelity.

But relax. There’s a happy ending. That’s baked into Shelly’s original rom-com. Bareilles and Nelson don’t mess with her warmhearted recipe.

SEE 5 FOR FALL, PAGE 18A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

5 FOR FALL

‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ When: Nov. 13-Jan. 5 Where: Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Info: Visit AsoloRep.org

FROM PAGE 17A

‘Little Women: The Musical’ When: Dec. 5-15 Where: The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130 Info: Visit The Players.org.

Amanda Heisey makes her directorial debut with this 2005 song-and-dance adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1868 novel — a coming-of-age story set during America’s Civil War. Brooding male teenage geniuses were the standard protagonists of such tales back then. Young men came of age; young ladies (or their maids) did the dishes.

Alcott’s story had a rare female focus. She put the magnifying glass on the creative growth of four gifted young women — namely the March sisters (Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy) guided by their mother and aunt while their doctor father is at war.

“Little Women” isn’t just a complicated story — it’s more than one story.

Composer Jason Howland and lyricist Mindi Dickstein wisely narrow it down to Jo’s story. She’s the second-oldest sister and an aspiring writer and Alcott’s alter ego. Back in 1868, it was damned hard to become a writer if you were a member of the gentler sex. Jo is surrounded by hostility and indifference and filled with self-doubt. Must she renounce love to pursue her dreams?

Howland’s powerful score and Dickstein’s soaring lyrics put you inside her frustrated, ambitious skin. You feel what Jo feels and see through her eyes.

It’s a joyful, triumphant experience. Try not to miss it.

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Trezure B. Coles, Ned Averill-Snell, Summer Dawn Wallace and Suzanne Grodner star in Urbanite Theatre’s “Jennifer, Who Is Leaving.”

‘Jennifer, Who is Leaving’ When: Oct. 18-Dec. 1 Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. Info: Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

Playwrights find humor in unlikely places. In “Jennifer, Who is Leaving,” Morgan Gould found comedy in a shabby Massachusetts donut shop.

His peculiar play is a character study of three overworked women who’d rather be someplace else.

But they’re all in the wrong place — and at the wrong time, too. Here and now. At the donut shop. During the graveyard shift. Behind the counter, Nan is slinging donuts and dealing with incessant cell phone calls from her high-maintenance, retired husband.

Lili’s cramming for her high-stakes

SAT exam tomorrow morning. If Lili’s test score is high, she might escape her dead-end life. But Lili’s father spits on her college dreams — and forces her go to work on the night before the test.

On the customer side, Jennifer’s having an unhappy meal with Joey, her impatient elderly patient. She’s a stressed-out caregiver, and he’s working her last nerve.

Nan, Lili and Jennifer have one thing in common: Taking care of other people is their job — even when they don’t get paid.

These caregivers are all women — and second-class citizens, too. That’s the way it is in the USA. Why? Gould’s play considers the physical, mental and emotional weight such nurturing women carry. Who cares for these caregivers? After seeing Gould’s poignant comedy directed by Celine Rosenthal, you will.

Douglas McGrath’s Broadway blockbuster sings bring the story of the legendary Carole King to the Asolo Rep stage, where she will be played by Julia Knitel, reprising her Broadway role.

Calling King a “legend” isn’t hype.

The singer/songwriter’s hits include “You’ve Got a Friend,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Jazzman” and many more. If James Brown was the hardest working man in show biz, Carole King was (and is) the hardest working woman.

McGrath’s high-energy, jukebox musical delivers King’s chart-topping anthems — along with some cool biographical liner notes. Turns out King married her songwriter partner, Gerry Goffin, had her first child at 18 and moved to the New Jersey burbs.

When did King first decide to create beautiful music? Turns out, she’d wanted to be a songwriter since high school. Her mother told her, “It’s not practical! Girls don’t write music.”

While King loved her mom, she didn’t take her advice. Before her 18th birthday, she’d written hits for Aretha Franklin and The Drifters. After a few more birthdays, King started singing her own songs.

She always sang from the heart — and became the voice of the 1960s generation by her 30th birthday. King’s voice still speaks to the generations that followed. In this musical love letter directed by Rob Melrose, it rings out loud and clear. And beautifully.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

THIS WEEK

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goes out of style. With “The Four C Notes,” Florida Studio Theatre continues its tradition of presenting Four Seasons tribute shows inspired by “Jersey Boys” and starring performers from the Broadway smash hit’s touring production.

Runs through Oct. 13.

RINGLING UNDERGROUND 8 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road $15; Students free Visit Ringling.org.

THURSDAY

‘AGNES OF GOD’ 7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice $15-$35 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

When a nun is accused of murdering her newborn, the mother superior of the convent tries to prevent the novice from meeting with a court-appointed psychiatrist. The production is one of Venice Theatre’s revivals during its 75th anniversary season. Runs through Oct. 20.

‘THE TORCH BEARERS’ 7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice $15-$35 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

The Venice Theatre celebrates its 75th anniversary by reviving its first show. Written by George Kelly in 1922, “The Torch Bearers” is a play within a play about a community theater. The Venice Theatre’s “origin story” features an ensemble cast including Kevin Fewell, Paul Hutchison, Tan Selby, Nancy Denton, Colette Wheeler and other local thespians. Runs through Oct. 13.

‘THE FOUR C NOTES’ 8 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

For fans of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, the doo-wop sound never

Enjoy live music, art and ambiance in the Museum of Art Courtyard during Ringling Underground, which features an eclectic mix of local and regional music. The headliner is Pinc Louds, the musical project of Puerto Rican artist Claudi. Also on the bill are Tampa pop-rock group Peace Cult, and Now in Color, a rock band from Sarasota.

FRIDAY ‘MUSIC BEHIND BARS’ Noon at Selby Library’s Geldbart Auditorium, 1331 First St. Free with registration Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Sarasota Music Archive hosts a program highlighting a century of struggle to achieve recognition for Catalan symphonic music. A recital features Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody in A minor for Violin and Piano” with Gabrielle Chou on piano and Max Tan on violin. Tian Yi Li will play piano and Lukas Stepp violin on” Three Romances for Violin and Piano” by Marc Migó Cortes, who will also deliver a lecture.

‘OFF THE CHARTS’ 7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $18-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

The creative team behind Florida Studio Theatre’s popular cabaret series is at again with “Off the Charts.” Richard and Rebecca Hopkins and Sarah Durham take the audience on a tour of 20th-century pop music with arrangements

by Jim Prosser. Take a stroll (or a cruise) down Memory Lane with hits that ruled the Billboard Top 100 rankings, which debuted in 1958.

Runs through Feb. 9.

OUR PICK

SATURDAY

TUESDAY

“Many Voices, One Community,” is the theme of WSLR’s 20th anniversary party and Fogartyville’s annual fall open house. The free evening includes performances by Los Rumberos, flamenco dancer Cristina Gutierrez and The Barker Project. Manning the turntable will be DJ Milo, DJ Nomad and DJ Mondaze. The open house will also include tours of the radio station, food trucks, CD sales and celebration cake.

It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere — sorry, that’s Alan Jackson, not Jimmy Buffett. Still, that ethos rings true for the Parrothead faithful who flock to Jimmy Buffett tributes.

Don’t cruise on back home from your stay in Margaritaville without getting a taste of the Caribbean Chillers.

WSLR 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY 5 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court Free Visit WSLR.org.

SUNDAY ‘JUNIE B. JONES: THE MUSICAL’ 10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $12 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org Who says musical theater is just for old folks? There’s plenty of song and dance on stage for kids at Florida Studio Theatre. FST’s new production, “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” features book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler and music

by Zina Goldrich. Follow the heroine as she embarks upon a new school year, recording all her adventures in her Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal. Runs weekends through Oct. 26.

THE CARIBBEAN CHILLERS: JIMMY BUFFETT TRIBUTE 2 and 7 p.m. at Stone Hall, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton $40 Visit FloridaCulturalGroup.org.

FRENCH CONNECTION 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $43-$63 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Artist Series Concerts presents French-born violinist Arnaud Sussmann and pianist Michael Stephen Brown, playing a program of French music that includes sonatas by Debussy and SaintSaens. Sussmann and Brown have performed in recitals and with major orchestras across Europe, Israel and the U.S., and have been featured on PBS Live broadcasts as Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center artists.

‘SOUL CROONERS: SOLID GOLD EDITION’ Created and directed by Nate Jacobs, “The Soul Crooners” returns to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s main stage for the first time since its 2009 premiere.

The opening show of WBTT’s 25th anniversary season celebrates the soul music of the 1970s.

The “Solid Gold Edition” was a hit at this summer’s International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Runs through Nov. 17.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 Where: Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe main stage Tickets: $22-$52 Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

“Agnes of God” at the Venice Theatre

MONDAY DISCOVERIES 1 — GERSHWIN’S AMERICAN DREAM Sarasota Orchestra guest Conductor David Alan Miller leads the celebration of George Gershwin’s impact on many genres of American music, including jazz, blues and dance songs. The program features

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pianist Kevin Cole, considered by many to be one of the greatest interpreters of Gershwin.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets: $35-$79 Info: Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

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SCF COMMUNITY PIANO RECITAL 7 p.m. at 5840 26th St. W., Building 11A, Bradenton Free Visit SCF.edu.

This popular event provides students of all experience levels and ages with a chance to perform. Come see what the community’s future musicians are working on.

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DON’T MISS

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Soundbox Ventures gives musicians a new place to play

Temple Beth Sholom Sarasota’s Only Conservative Synagogue invites you to our High Holiday services and to join our warm and embracing community.

Chag Sameach

Violinist Max Tan’s music think tank launches the first Suncoast Composer Festival Oct. 4-7.

ַ‫שמֵ ח‬ ָׂ ‫חַ ג‬

Special Offer!

IF YOU GO SUNCOAST COMPOSER FESTIVAL When: Oct. 4-7 Where: Various locations in Sarasota Tickets: Free to $85 Info: Visit SoundboxVentures.org.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

If you or your spouse are 40 OR UNDER, YOUR WHOLE FAMILY CAN JOIN THE SYNAGOGUE FOR JUST $118, this includes High Holiday tickets.

W

ho is Max Tan? If you don’t know already, you will by the time the first Suncoast Composer Festival wraps on Oct. 7.

Tan wears many musical hats.

He’s an alum of the Perlman Music Program and has been coming to Sarasota to study and perform since 2007. He’s a violinist with Sarasota Orchestra who is the founder and artistic director of Soundbox Ventures, a music “think tank.”

In 2022, Soundbox founded the Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program to partner emerging composers with mentors and performers.

This year, Soundbox is taking Suncoast public by launching the inaugural Suncoast Composer Festival.

With a lineup of ticketed and free lectures and performances, the festival promises to be a worthy addition to Sarasota’s vibrant classical music scene.

Tan and his associates at Suncoast have given a lot of thought to the state of classical music t o d a y , including

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October 17 Luncheon with guest speaker

Dr. Joseph Holt, Choral Artists of Sarasota 11 am-1 pm Sarasota Yacht Club

Hear what it was like for Sarasota’s professional choral ensemble to perform at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.

Courtesy image

Sarasota Orchestra violinist Max Tan

October 22 Art Talk

Truman Adams Murals and More

4-6 pm Arts Advocates Gallery An artist whose work cannot be easily characterized, Truman creates work in multiple mediums and styles. His 3D dance murals can be seen at Rosemary Square, and Church of the Redeemer’s exterior is adorned with a massive mosaic of his. Nanette Crist will interview Truman about his work, his mystical influences, and more.

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how to attract a new generation of fans who may have a more casual or even interactive approach to enjoying music.

“I’m interested in people’s relationship to music and in other existential questions,” Tan says. “How do we attract an audience, especially after Covid?”

In putting together the first Suncoast Composer Festival, Tan has relied on such partners as Sarasota Music Archive, housed in Selby Library, contemporary classical music group ensembleNewSRQ and classical music radio station WSMR. Suncoast fellows will take part in free public seminars hosted by the Sarasota Music Archive. Their compositions will be featured on Tyler Kline’s “Modern Notebook,” airing in November on WSMR. Tan will speak on Friday, Oct. 4, at Selby Library in a presentation entitled “How Recordings Redefined Music: From Brahms to Today.” That program will include a performance of “Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115.”

But that’s just part one of the double header. The second is focused on the 100-year struggle to achieve recognition for Catalan classical music. That program will be led by Suncoast composer faculty member Marc Migó Cortes.

The festival will culminate in the “Composer Fellows Concert,” presented in collaboration with ensembleNewSRQ on Monday, Oct. 7, at First Congregational Church.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024

Being Somebody

8 a.m. at Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota NAMIWalks.org/SarasotaAndManatee

Growing up Brooklyn, a Father/Daughter Tale

by Dr. Howard Mase and Marla Mase

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October 19 & 20

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Visiting Mr. Green

WHY WE WALK

by Jeff Baron, directed by Gus Kaikkonen

To promote awareness of mental health and reduce stigma.

January 29-February 9

To raise funds for NAMI’s free, top-rated mental health programs.

The Catskills

To build community and let people know they are not alone.

Screening and discussion of documentary film by Lex Gillespie

The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt

February 3

Lost in Yonkers

by Neil Simon, directed by Carole Kleinberg

March 19-30

Bad Jews

by Joshua Harmon, directed by Gus Kaikkonen

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NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) supports the 1 in 5 who live with mental health conditions and the 5 in 5 who are affected by them. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Mental health is not for some. MENTAL HEALTH IS FOR ALL!

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April 30-May 11

SarasotaJewishTheatre.org Tickets: ThePlayers.org or 941-365-2494

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

TIE

Barbara and Joe Justiz with Pam Biladeau

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Food & Wine Festival

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100% DEDICATION TO YOUR SATISFACTION THE HOME SERVICE PROS WHO CARE

Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Sarasota Opera House Benefiting Sarasota Youth Opera

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he historic Sarasota Opera House provided the backdrop for its annual Food & Wine Festival on Sept. 21, where Sarasota and Manatee restaurants served up their finest fare. Supporting the Sarasota Youth Opera, the proceeds are used for education and programming for one of the nation’s top youth opera programs.

About 450 tickets were purchased for an afternoon of sampling delicious food, wine, coffee and libations. Socializing was the main activity, and the youth opera delighted guests with two performances.

“This event is a signature kickoff to our season and introduces people to the opera who might not otherwise know about our youth program,” said longtime supporter Peter Kretzmer.

Under the direction of General Manager Richard Russell, the Sarasota Opera aims to produce impassioned opera performances true to the vision of the composer, to entertain, enrich, educate and inspire a lifelong love of opera in our diverse and growing communities.

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WHERE THE STARS COME OUT!

SUN, OCT 20 • 7PM SPONSOR: Herald Tribune Media Group

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

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YOUR NEIGHBORS Sarasota High School students, fifth grader Jasmine Wizenberg, seniors Charity and Caleb Overholt and freshman Illiana Tice, who are all students in the Circus Magnet Program, complete a student performance as the event begins.

Hugh Yancy accepts his award from Sarasota High School students and presenters Parker Mayforth and Harley Renner.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Historic accomplishments The annual Sarasota High School Hall of Fame ceremony honored the school’s past and celebrated its present.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

S

herri Tierney Reynolds may have lectured nationally, but there was one experience for which she was nervous.

At the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame awards on Sept. 29, her speech wasn’t about health and wellness.

“Coming here, it’s talking about yourself and what you did, so it was very humbling,” she said.

During the ceremony, Sarasota High School honored Tierney Reynolds as well as five other graduates — Hugh Yancy, David Daniels, Paul Piuorowski, Adrian Garrett and Dr. Bob Windom — as well as the 1973 State Champion Baseball Team.

ACCOMPLISHED ALUMNI

Harley Renner and Parker Mayforth look at an image of the 1973 State Champion Baseball Team.

The event marked the first time the ceremony was held at Circus Arts Conservatory, which offered current Sarasota High School students a chance to showcase their skills.

“The mission of the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame is to preserve and promote the history of what it means to be a Sailor,” said Jeana Schmidt, who organizes the event alongside fellow graduate Matt Drews, who led its creation.

“Matt and I wanted to find a way

to bridge the gap between the stories of the past and the stories of the students today, and this event does that,” she said. “It is also a place that allows for forgiveness and a renewal of friendship.”

Inductees included a mix of athletes and nonathletes: n Hugh Yancy, a 1968 graduate, was a standout infielder for the school’s baseball team. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1968, appearing in seven games across three Major League Baseball seasons between 1972 and 1976, and also played for the Cincinnati Reds and then-Cleveland Indians minor league teams. n Dr. Bob Windom, who graduated in 1948, honored in-memoriam, was U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health, nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Duke University and served Sarasota’s community in roles that included chief of staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Sarasota Doctors Hospital and president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. n David Daniels (1988) was an all-state wide receiver and defensive back for Sarasota High School in 1987, who played for Penn State

Keith Ebersole, Brad Clark, Carmen Sloan, Phil Ebersole, Chip Bifano and AJ Schulz represent the 1973 State Championship Baseball Team. They are flanked

by Sarasota High students and presenters Harley Renner and Parker Mayforth.

University and the Seattle Seahawks.

Later, in Sarasota, he founded Devine Designs Landscape & Lawn Maintenance and served as area manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County from 1994 to 2004. n Sherri Tierney Reynolds, 1971 graduate, worked for more than 45 years in health education across Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as at the state and national levels. She served as supervisor of pupil support services for Sarasota County Schools. n Adrian Garrett, who graduated in 1961, honored in-memoriam, served as homecoming king and was voted “most athletic.” He was an amateur free agent for the Milwaukee Braves and played in 163 games in Major League Baseball between 1966 and 1976 for the Atlanta Braves,

Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics and California Angels. While he was playing for Hiroshima Toyo Carp, the team won the Japan Series in 1979. n Paul Piuorowski, a member of the class of 1976, was one of the most highly regarded linebackers at Florida State University, the fourth leading tackler on the team in 1978. He also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets of the NFL and the Tampa Bay Bandits and Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL. n The 1973 State Champion Baseball Team was the first team to be inducted. While approaching the playoffs, the team lost four of six games, but during the playoffs, won 4-2 against North Miami Senior High School in the semifinal game and 1-0 against Pensacola High School in the State Championships.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Take steps to enjoy nature

First Physicians Group Welcomes

John Trickett, Jr., MD

Author Lucy Tobias describes the joys of slowing down and appreciating one’s surroundings.

BOOKS BY LUCY TOBIAS

We are pleased to welcome a new Allergy and Immunology

IAN SWABY

specialist to the First Physicians Group network. Dr. Trickett tests

STAFF WRITER

and treats adult and pediatric patients for environmental, food, medication, and insect allergies. He specializes in providing

rom the moment Lucy Tobias first drove over the John Ringling Causeway while visiting Sarasota for a travel writers’ meeting, she knew it was the place she wanted to call home.

“The windows were down, and the salt air was coming in, and I said out loud, ‘This is where I’m supposed to be,’” she recalled.

Tobias decided to speak with her pastor, who told her she was being called.

“Called to do what?” she asked.

“You’ll figure it out when you get there,” he said.

Within three months, she had relocated from Ocala, and for the past 13 years, from her home in Sarasota, has been continuing her mission to encourage people to “walk slow and meander.”

The author of books including “50 Great Walks in Florida” and “The Zen of Florida Gardening,” along with the blog “Wednesday Notes,” Tobias released a new book, “Floating in Florida: Discover 21 Amazing Adventures on Florida’s Hidden Waters” on Sept. 4.

There were many steps that led her to those waters.

■ “Floating in Florida: Discover 21 Amazing Adventures on Florida’s Hidden Waters” (2024) ■ “The Zen of Florida Gardening” (2020) ■ “Circle the Center: Labyrinths in Florida” (2018) ■ “Mary Margaret la Manati” (“Mary Margaret Manatee,” Spanish Edition) (2016) ■ “Florida Gardens Gone Wild(er)” (2015) ■ “Mary Margaret Manatee: The Adventures of a Young Florida Manatee” (2013) ■ “10 Florida Great Walks Around Gainesville and Ocala” (Amazon Kindle, 2012) ■ “50 Great Walks in Florida” (2008)

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Tobias always has enjoyed the natural world, having long practiced watercolor and acrylic art, and later, photography.

She began walking in Ocala, but Suzi, her dog at the time, wasn’t as enthused about it.

When the newspaper where she worked as a reporter, the Ocala StarBanner, began reporting on “a year of fitness activities,” she began sharing her knowledge of walking.

“I’m really not all that bright — like if you were to ask me every single tree

For more information, visit LucyTobias. com. To read “Wednesday Notes,” visit LucyTobias.Substack.com.

and flower — I don’t know that. So I quickly started getting people to come along (on her walks), and they would talk about all this stuff, and I would just be the celebrity walker who would show up,” she said.

In 2008, she published “50 Great Walks in Florida,” a book based on her research walking throughout the state.

Eventually, her publisher asked her, to define a “Great Walk.” She took a week and settled on “a short but significant jaunt where you get some exercise and you’re done in time for lunch.”

As far as she has traveled, she said there is plenty to enjoy close to home in Sarasota, if people take the time to slow down. She noted that Sarasota has changed during her time here, with what appears to be the doubling of traffic.

“What’s the antidote (for traffic and stress)? The antidote is to go walk along the bay, go to Oscar Scherer State Park, just to go walk a lot. But we’re going to have to intentionally put it on the calendar, put

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

3B

THIS Weekend!

Venice Home Show

Ian Swaby

Lucy Tobias just published “Floating in Florida: Discover 21 Amazing Adventures on Florida’s Hidden Waters.”

on the walking shoes and make ourselves do it, because our stress levels are going up even without us noticing,” she said.

She’s even created a small walk in her own backyard, a place which was featured in a 2022 tour of private gardens by the Sarasota County Butterfly Club.

Thirteen years ago, she planted firebrush, and the garden took off from there.

It currently includes two goldfish ponds. There were once four, although nature ended up gaining the upper hand. A heron tore up the lining of one pond that she dug herself on a whim.

One of Tobias’ favorite local walks is the loop at Bayfront Park.

She said walkers should be sure to go to the “wonderful” dolphin fountain, where they will often find plein air sketchers and can see “incredible views” of the Ringling Causeway.

“The thing about walking is it changes your horizon, and that walk will do it for you,” she said. “You might feel all confined if you’re in the house all day, and you go out there and you go, ‘There’s the bay, and beyond this, the Intracoastal.’

It’s just a whole different view.”

Over the years, she’s taken to new terrain, which has included labyrinths, or spiral paths in the ground.

“They’re for healing and destressing and banishing chaos, because it’s only one path in, one

path out; you can’t get lost, and so that’s what makes it a sacred space,” she said.

They are the subject of her 2018 book “Circle the Center: Labyrinths in Florida,” which features 95 of the 130 labyrinths she walked.

However, the number of labyrinths has grown so much since the book’s publication, she decided to stop printing the book.

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To write her latest book, “Floating in Florida,” Tobias spent 10 months wandering the state and taking tours on pontoon boats.

She enjoyed experiences from a captain singing original songs on the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, to glass bottom boats and a houseboat in the Florida Keys.

“I was so surprised at how different all the environments were, and the captains were a real joy, because most of the captains are locals; they’ve grown up there and they tell you stories that you would never hear otherwise,” Tobias said.

Her favorite experience was the “wonderful” De León Springs State Park near DeLand, including its old sugar mill with griddles in the tables for making pancakes, and its eco boat tour.

One experience in Sarasota she also found not-to-miss was the Ecotours at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Jim DeLa

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Susan Garrett is all smiles at Marina Jack’s in Sarasota after seeing her sailboat, the Adamerica, survived Hurricane Helene.

At least two sailboats suffered major damage when they were ripped from their moorings overnight.

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hortly after daylight Friday, dog walkers and joggers around Bayfront Park got their first look at exactly what Hurricane Helene had left in its path.

Susan Garrett was there, celebrating the fact her sailboat, the Adamerica, had survived Helene’s huge storm surge and was still safely tied up in its slip.

“I can’t believe my boat’s safe,” she said. “I can’t believe it’s still there, as high as this water got. She is strong,” she said, punching her fist in the air.

Not everything survived, she said, as she walked around the area. “My dock box is gone.” So to were the steps she uses to get onto her boat.

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good. “It looks fine. It’s floating at the right waterline. Bilges must be working fine,” she said. She noticed her winch cover had blown away.

“There may be a ding or two in the hull,” where the boat hit a piling overnight.

Other boat owners were not as fortunate.

One unlucky sailboat had been pushed against the dock at O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill, heavily damaging the dock and leaving the vessel at a precarious angle.

Another large sailboat was washed up onto the island, near the jogging track on the back side of the park.

Debris was scattered throughout.

A single ice skate. Shoes, cushions, chairs and trash; and a mariachi garden gnome, seemingly guarding metal barricades that had been tossed about by winds and high water.

Garrett said she was relieved the Adamerica didn’t break loose and cause other damage. “A boat’s a boat.

I worried about damage to other people’ boats,” she said.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

SUNDAY, OCT. 6

FRIDAY, OCT. 4

A SUNCOAST COMPOSER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM / SARASOTA MUSIC ARCHIVE SPECIAL EVENT 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. This music and lecture event will feature two talks by the Suncoast Composer Fellowship Program: “How Recordings Redefined Music: From Brahms to Today” by artistic director Max Tan, and “Music Behind Bars: 100 Years of Struggle for the Validation of the Catalan Symphonic Repertoire” by composer mentor-in-residence Marc Migó, with related performances that include “Clarinet Quintet in B minor” by Johannes Brahms, and “Melody in A minor for violin and piano” by Myroslav Skoryk. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 5

REPTICON 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sahib Shrine Center, 600 N. Beneva Road. Adults, $10; ages 5-12, $5; ages 4 and younger, free. See live reptiles up close, learn about their lifestyles, browse reptile care products and possibly bring home a new pet. Visit Repticon.com.

28TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN SARASOTA CRAFT FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 Central Ave. Free admission. A variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing and much more will be on display, ranging from $15

File image

Blaze Belligan, with Sarasota County Fire Station 11, prepped sample cups of their sweet chili.

to $3,000. Along with the handmade crafts all made in America, there will be an expansive green market with plants, orchids, exotic flora, handmade soaps, gourmet spices and freshly popped kettle corn. Visit ArtFestival.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 5 TO SUNDAY, OCT. 6

36TH ANNUAL FRUITVILLE GROVE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fruitville Grove Farmer’s Market, 7410 Fruitville Road. Free admission. Parking $5.

Celebrate the Halloween season each weekend in October with the annual Pumpkin Festival featuring experiences including a haunted house and a farmers market, and daily activities such as a food truck rally, craft show, live music, mini train ride, hay ride and butterfly garden. Visit FruitvilleGroveFarm.com.

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Come one, come all for a brew-tiful fall day at Nathan Benderson Park. Catch th Come one, allFall for a brew-tiful fall at Nathan Benderson Park.

Catch the Kickcome off the Season theday whole family at the FirstRegatta Annual action of the Benderson Chase, awith rowing extravaganza, around Island wh action of the Benderson Chase, a rowing extravaganza, around Regatta Island while Oktoberfest, presented by Nathan Benderson Park and enjoying cold beer, authentic food, and live German music by Polka Cola all enjoying cold beer, authentic food, and live German music by Polka Cola all Sarasota Crew! Catchand the action of the Benderson Chase, a for everyon afternoon With Biergartens Biergartens kinder-zone, there is something afternoon long. long. With and aakinder-zone, there is something for everyone! rowing extravaganza, while enjoying cold beer,atauthentic food, Sarasot off the fall season the first annual Bring family and friends out to kick Bring family and friends out to kick off the fall season at the first annual Sarasota and live German by music

by Polka Cola all afternoon long.

Oktoberfest, presented Nathan Benderson Park & Sarasota Crew.

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Come one, come all for a brew-tiful fall day at Nathan Benderson Park. Catch the action of the Benderson Chase, a rowing extravaganza, around Regatta Island while enjoying cold beer, authentic food, and live German music by Polka Cola all afternoon long. With Biergartens and a kinder-zone, there is something for everyone!

Bring family and friends out to kick off the fall season at the first annual Sarasota Oktoberfest, presented by Nathan Benderson Park & Sarasota Crew.

SATURDAY SATURDAY OCTOBER OCTOBER

SUNDAY, OCT. 6

PARK-TOBERFEST AT THE BAY 5-7 p.m. at the Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Bay. The DeLeon Family Band returns to perform traditional “oompah” style music, with events that include the “Chicken Dance” tradition and a stein-hoisting contest. The Nest Café will be offering German-inspired and locally crafted brews, and brats and soft pretzel sticks with beer cheese, with Oktoberfest beer on tap by Sun King Brewery. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Cool vibes and calm spaces The Ridge Teen Center, a repurposed Bee Ridge Park building, offers a relaxing after-school spot.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

T

ucked away in an unassuming white building in Bee Ridge Park is a homier environment than one might expect.

Program specialist Dana Zolla said some visitors from earlier times have taken to the newer setup of the facility, which, as of September 2023, has been The Ridge Teen Center.

The former multiuse recreation center had previously been used to host summer camps, and also served as a dance studio.

“There’s some people that we’ve had that came in from when they were here in the ’90s, and they were a camper then, and they were like, ‘What is this place now?’” she said.

“It’s a complete shock, and then some of them are actually bringing their kids here to experience what they had.”

The building’s entirely white interior was painted calming colors including grey and dark blue, with decorations added, and with a variety of fun activities for teens placed throughout its interior.

The center, which serves kids ages 11 to 17, is the first teen center Sarasota County has officially owned and operated.

Zolla said the county established

The Ridge because it saw a lack of opportunities for teenagers in the immediate area.

For instance, while there are Little League opportunities for younger kids, she said, there are few activities for middle school kids and teens.

“There’s this big gap of fun, free opportunities for kids in a safe environment,” she said.

The center is not just for kids, but also allows parents to ensure their kids are safe while they complete activities such as grocery shopping.

However, Zolla said, after a year, the major focus of staff right now is still helping the public to find the location.

A major improvement has still taken place, she said, as the center went from almost no registrants on its first day a year ago, and has now reached about five kids a day.

She said kids will find a “multitude” of entertainment activities that include video game tournaments, pool tournaments and movies, and sometimes food opportunities including pizza and snacks.

The facility is lined with features that include arcade games, including classic titles such as Ms. Pac Man and others; board games; a foosball table; a pool table; a basketball toss game and an arts and crafts center.

She said inside the teen center, a

IF YOU GO

What: The Ridge Teen Center. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday at Bee Ridge Park, 4430 S. Lockwood Ridge Road.

Ages: 11-17 Visit: SarasotaCountyParks. com.

community is growing, with many kids forming friend groups.

“We see them continuously coming in, and when one of them doesn’t show up for a while, the others ask, ‘Have you seen so and so?’ I think that’s great there. They care about each other, even if they met just a couple of months ago.”

Since the county recently lowered the minimum age to 11, The Ridge saw a significant rise in the number of kids in attendance due to the nearby Wilkinson Elementary.

“We have kids that ride their bikes here, that do scooters here, skateboard here, just from that one school, because we lowered our age range to 11,” she said.

Although she hopes that teens have fun in the facility, she also hopes that the color scheme and atmosphere emphasizes calm.

“Teenagers prefer that calmness; they want an escape from school and the chores and all the other responsibilities that they are having, getting older,” she said. “Here, they can just be a kid again.”

Photos by Ian Swaby

Visitors to The Ridge play Mortal Kombat II.

Visitors to The Ridge can play several arcade games.

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To our Clients and the Sarasota Community, In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our thoughts are with everyone affected. Sarasota is our home, and we have witnessed the resilience and unity of our community in challenging times. As we transition into recovery, we are here to support you in any way we can, and we are confident that Sarasota will emerge stronger than ever from this.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need assistance, advice on rebuilding, or help navigating any property-related challenges. We are committed to being a resource for you during this recovery time. Stay safe and take care of one another.

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

7B

The Most Wildly Successful New Waterfront Community 16 Designer-Decorated Models Open

Wild Blue at Waterside has captivated homeowners with

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

BIRD KEY 340 W Royal Flamingo Drive 4 Beds 6/1 Baths 6,067 Sq. Ft. Barbara May 404-822-9264 A4601285 $8,300,000

SARASOTA 3525 Founders Club Drive 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,451 Sq. Ft. Douglas Parks 941-400-9087 A4623406 $2,875,000

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

SIESTA KEY 5531 Contento Drive 5 Beds 4 Baths 3,653 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4617570 $2,450,000

SIESTA KEY 5400 Ocean Boulevard 11-3 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,187 Sq. Ft. Mickey Kiernan 941-402-9115 A4603317 $1,800,000

SARASOTA 111 S Pineapple Avenue 1009 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,591 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941-228-8580 A4623862 $1,795,000

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

SARASOTA 1660 Pine Harrier Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,708 Sq. Ft. Dana Westmark 941-356-5091 A4611614 $1,100,000

SIESTA KEY 19 Whispering Sands Drive 302 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,464 Sq. Ft. Josie Cline 941-266-6661 A4621337 $1,100,000

SARASOTA 5233 Far Oak Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,837 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 617-840-1181 A4599907 $1,099,900

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 $995,000

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

SARASOTA 5901 Mariposa Lane 5 Beds 4 Baths 2,521 Sq. Ft. Elisa Gersman 941-735-0595 A4615521 $819,999

SARASOTA 5770 Long Shore Loop 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,098 Sq. Ft. Susie Pelton 941-321-1007 A4606537 $727,500

SARASOTA 3877 Surrey Court 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,176 Sq. Ft. Connie Lyke Brown 941-302-1214 A4622442 $699,999

SARASOTA 101 S Gulfstream Avenue 8G 1 Bed 2 Baths 965 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4610034 $699,000

VENICE 556 Fallbrook Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,690 Sq. Ft. Josie Cline 941-266-6661 A4603613 $550,000

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

SARASOTA 2916 Edgewood Lane 4 Beds 2 Baths 1,550 Sq. Ft. Mary Pat Phillips Radford 941-587-9905 A4622990 $425,000

SARASOTA 4939 79th Avenue Drive E 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,661 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer & Bianca Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4623907 $425,000

SARASOTA 3541 Wilkinson Woods Drive 40 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,548 Sq. Ft. Elisa Gersman 941-735-0595 A4622688 $365,000

SARASOTA 3673 Longmeadow 18 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,023 Sq. Ft. Stephen Weeks 941-504-3689 A4586843 $340,000

SARASOTA 5630 Golf Pointe Drive 207 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,620 Sq. Ft. Dan Desoto, Jr 941-567-8006 A4622374 $295,000

SARASOTA 377 Oak Hill Drive 6 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,354 Sq. Ft. Beth Ann Boyer 941-780-6606 A4622177 $290,000

SIESTA KEY 8440 Sanderling Road 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,302 Sq. Ft. Jeffrey Hinrichs 941-456-1251 A4621267 $6,700,000

SIESTA KEY 7314 Point Of Rocks Road 4 Beds 4 Baths 2,977 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Abrams 941-232-2868 A4586498 $4,890,000

SIESTA KEY 5300 Avenida Del Mare 4 Beds 4/3 Baths 3,234 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4616199 $4,400,000

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

SEPT. 9-13

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Hidden Harbor tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

James and Lori Gabbert, of Mancos, Colorado, sold their home at 1250 Hidden Harbor Way to James and Heather Riley, of Sarasota, for $7.25 million. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 7,134 square feet of living area. It sold for $5.6 million in 2005.

SARASOTA: $1,895,000 Kanaya Robert and Laurel Dove, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 903 condominium at 505 S. Orange Ave. to Lowell Arthur Fulkerson and Sandra Fulkerson, of Sarasota, for $1,895,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,003 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2015.

PALMER RANCH: $899,000

Ian Swaby

SARASOTA

NICHOLS Lido Acquisitions LLC sold the home at 1701 Hillview St. to Kimberly and Nathaniel Ide, of Sarasota, for $1.7 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,545 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,325,000 in 2021.

SARASOTA BAY CLUB Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 107 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail to George and Charlotte Hawley, of Sarasota, for $1.2 million.

Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,546 square feet of living area. It sold for $769,000 in 2018.

ESPLANADE BY SIESTA KEY Mark and Lynne Powell, of Sarasota, sold their home at 8125 Gabanna Drive to Robert McElroy and Elizabeth McElroy, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.15 million. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,300 square feet of living area. It sold for $673,400 in 2015.

RIVER FOREST First Fiduciary Corp., trustee, sold the home at 5324 Carmilfra Way to Garrison Hoyt, of Sarasota, for $1.05 million. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,953 square feet of living area.

It sold for $455,000 in 2014.

Q Guy and Cynthia Peterson, of Cashiers, North Carolina, sold their home at 251 Cosmopolitan Court to Michael Chokr, of Sarasota, for $880,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,697 square feet of living area.

It sold for $615,000 in 2020.

FOREST LAKES COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES Craig and Amanda Georgiades, of Sarasota, sold their home at 3173 Espanola Drive to Aaron Steven Parsons and Emily Vander Walde Parsons, of Sarasota, for $875,000.

Built in 1969, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,452 square feet of living area. It sold for $394,900 in 2014.

REAL ESTATE

Hidden Harbor tops sales at $7.25 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

9B

The Unit 903 condominium at the Kanaya condominium in downtown Sarasota recently sold for $1,895,000.

SAN MARCO Charles Bubeck, trustee, sold the Unit 505 condominium at 1188 N. Tamiami Trail to Eileen Halbrook, of Sarasota, for $805,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,411 square feet of living area. It sold for $619,900 in 2006.

ORANGE CREST PARK Staff and Palm 2 LLC sold the home at 2141 Fiesta Drive to Rodolfo Juan Reyes Farran and Ibis Perez, of Sarasota, for $790,000. Built in 1977, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,304 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in February.

bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,316 square feet of living area.

It sold for $385,000 in 2020.

HUNTINGTON POINTE Joanne Tichy, trustee, of Palmetto, sold the home at 9006 Ashbourne Court to Edwin Hoffman, trustee, of Sarasota, for $630,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,350 square feet of living area. It sold for $45,000 in 1994.

1350 MAIN RESIDENTIAL Richard Grimes, trustees, sold the Unit 708 condominium at 1350 Main St. to Kenneth Wayne Bauer and Patricia Ann Gonzalez, trustees, of Sarasota, for $789,900. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It sold for $435,000 in 2011.

PALM PLACE Elaine Cindy Valentine, of Westfield, Massachusetts, sold her Unit 503 condominium at 755 S. Palm Ave. to Jeffrey Alan Barker and John Victor Moore, of Sarasota, for $730,000. Built in 1983, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,421 square feet of living area. It sold for $355,000 in 2003.

ALHAMBRA COURT Radian Investment Group LLC sold the home at 2781 Hatton St. to Jason Johnson, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, for $690,000. Built in 1962, it has two bedrooms, one bath, a pool and 1,818 square feet of living area.

It sold for $335,000 in 2023.

PAYNE PARK VILLAGE David Thomas Liebert and Tabatha Ann Liebert, of Lutz, sold their home at 2305 Lindstrom St. to Raymond David Mays and Debbie Beatrice Mays, of Sarasota, for $635,000. Built in 2020, it has two

Villagewalk Isaac and Judith Koziol, trustees, of University Place, sold the home at 5808 Valente Place to Diane Fonte, trustee, of Naperville, Illinois, for $899,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,521 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,900 in 2018.

NOKOMIS: $2.25 MILLION

Bayshore Road HMT Nokomis Holdings LLC sold the two properties at 1573 Bayshore Road to John and Andrea Christy, of Winter Park, for $2.25 million. The first property was built in 1949 and has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,833 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1985 and has one bedroom, one bath and 672 square feet of living area. They sold for $1,145,000 in 2007.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 10B

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

GOLDEN GATE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota building permits issued for the week of Sept. 16-20, in order of dollar amounts.

CITY OF SARASOTA Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

1449 Hillview Drive

Windows/Doors

Bradley Burdsall

$150,300

687 Freeling Drive

Re-roof

Lee-Ann Frost

$112,746

2921 Maple Ave.

Renovations

Wayne Ivey

$105,000

3109 Alta Vista St.

Repairs

Gerald Miller

$100,000

1741 Alta Vista St.

Alterations

Michael Resnick

$77,420

1535 Tangier Way

Re-roof

Greg Towsley

$70,852

1479 Tangier Way

Dock/Boat Lift

Lance McGrath

$70,570

3550 Bayou Louise Lane

Alterations

Stephen Miller, trustee

$67,320

1145 47th St.

Solar System

Alen Suggs

$34,863

1648 Cunliff Lane

Re-roof

Janice Hutchison

$32,500

734 Indian Beach Circle

Re-roof

James Hodges

$30,000

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

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

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

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

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of November 2023

427643-1

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

American

MARKETS

Real estate FROM PAGE 9B

Fri: Oct 11 + Sat: Oct 12 433354-1

Robarts Arena | Sarasota Fairgrounds

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Sarasota Premiere 2024

Sponsored by Plymouth Harbor/Produced by The Playworks Group

SOUTH GATE Christie and Christopher Outlaw, of Little Rock, Arkansas, sold their home at 3316 Key Ave. to Kendragon LLC for $540,000. Built in 1960, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,467 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2020.

Voices of the Harbors Winnie S. Downes

Carl P. Denney

Lynne Woodman

Bob Lifeso

George Gross

Catherine Burt, of Graham, Washington, sold her home at 2203 River Ridge Drive to Austin and Carolyn Massee, of Sarasota, for $507,000.

Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,990 square feet of living area. It sold for $147,000 in 1997.

Ella Gross

Barbara Kelly

Cheryl Mooney

SIESTA KEY

Robert Wilk

Michael Fox

GULF GATE WOODS Janet Dean and William Dean, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 2834 Hardee Drive to Joseph Penge, of Sarasota, for $559,000.

Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,684 square feet of living area. It sold for $103,500 in 1984.

SAPPHIRE SHORES Caroline Strickland, Kumar Mahadevan and Alice Bowman, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 4700 Bay Shore Road to Nicholas Whitney and Robin Barber, of Sarasota, for $550,000. Built in 1942, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,807 square feet of living area.

TEN35 Glory Days-Siesta Key Edition LLC sold the Unit 308 condominium at 1035 Seaside Drive to Jonson Family Properties Florida1 LLC for $2.3 million. Built in 2023, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,646 square feet of living area.

It sold for $1.29 million in 2023.

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half baths and 2,041 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,346,500 in 2021.

GULF AND BAY CLUB Barbara Gloady, trustee, of Dayton, Ohio, sold the Unit 607 condominium at 5750 Midnight Pass Road to Jeffrey and Katherine Reid, of Vandalia, Ohio, for $1,275,000. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,335 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2013.

SARASOTA BEACH Sergio and Christine Vazquez sold their home at 437 Island Circle to Jonathan and Laura Magri, of Wantagh, New York, for $780,000.

Built in 1970, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,440 square feet of living area. It sold for $560,000 in 2019.

EBB TIDE JZIII LLC sold the Unit 11 condominium at 6610 Midnight Pass Road to Ebb Tide 11 LLC for $569,000. Built in 1956, it has one bedroom, one bath and 600 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2020.

PALMER RANCH TURTLE ROCK Dante and Patricia Rotondo, of Royal Oak, Michigan, sold their home at 5133 Treesdale Court to Alana Tsonas, of Sarasota, for $615,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,987 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2015.

SANDHILL PRESERVE Maria Fiume, of Sarasota, sold her home at 5942 Caspian Tern Drive to Roger Becerra and Karen Maupins, of Sarasota, for $550,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,675 square feet of living area. It sold for $399,400 in 2016.

THE SHELLS ON SIESTA KEY Mark Defreitas, of Ontario, Canada, sold his Unit 312 condominium at 312 Beach Road to 5319 Calle LLC for $1.36 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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10B

OCTOBER 3, 2024

SPORTS Whistle while you work The growth in school sports programs is outpacing the number of officials willing to answer the call.

JIM DELA STAFF WRITER

I

t’s not a job that garners a lot of recognition.

In fact, it is said that if you do the job well, no one will remember you were there.

Dozens of high school sports officials are on fields and in gyms this school year alongside the players and coaches. They show up early and often stay late, not for the cheering crowds but simply for the love of the game.

“It’s the hobby of it,” said Dave Riedel, who is starting his 25th season as a football official. He was at Riverview High School before the season started with about 30 other officials, getting some preseason work during a scrimmage between the Rams and Manatee High.

Five- and seven-man crews shuffled in and out during the scrimmage, “to work on positioning and philosophy and whatnot,” said Dave Hall, vice president of the Gulf Coast Football Officials Association, which supplies officials for most of the high school and middle school games in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

On any given Friday night, there are anywhere between eight and 10 football games for Hall’s officials to cover. Many games work with fiveman crews, while some schools pay to have a seven-man crew on the field.

“This year, we actually have one week where we have 11 games,” Hall said.

Not only are officials on the field, Hall also must provide clock operators for both the game clock and play clock.

“So you know, if you have a 10-game night, you’ve got 70 guys who are out there,” Hall said.

Hall said so far, his association will have the area’s games covered. But he said the pool of officials might be thinning.

“We’ve got older guys who are getting up there in years,” he said. “I probably have another 10 years left before my body will not be able to take it.”

It’s a statewide problem in all sports, said Justin Harrison, the associate executive director of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

While there are enough registered officials to cover games, “when you factor potential injuries, family commitment conflicts, work conflicts … a shortage is created,” he said.

Photos by Jim Dela

Football officials listen to Dave Hall, vice president of the Gulf Coast Football Officials Association, during a break in a preseason scrimmage Aug. 10.

“We have seen fewer associations in baseball over the last few years in the Panhandle. This has led to the remaining associations attempting to cover more schools, which thins out their numbers.”

In sports like lacrosse, “both girls and boys, the growth and interest in the sport with the student-athletes in Florida is outgrowing the interest of those wishing to officiate,” Harrison said. “Both are growing but just not at the same pace.”

RECRUITMENT IS KEY

Both Hall and Harrison are working to recruit the next generation of officials.

After talking with coaches and athletic directors, Hall will be attending local schools’ end-of-year athletic banquets.

“We’d love to come in, spend five minutes just talking with players, talking with parents, players that are graduating,” he said. “They might not be playing (anymore), but they still want to be involved in it.”

“I mean, if you can get to five or six schools and get one person out of that, that’s a crew,” he said.

“We’re all there for the kids, and that’s what I try to preach to our officials and to the coaches.”

— Dave Hall, the vice president of the Gulf Coast Football Officials Association

On a statewide level, the FHSAA has partnered with Ref Reps, an online training program that school districts can offer to their high school students, Harrison said.

“We also offer a registration discount for first-year officials to help encourage new people to try it out.”

PREPARATION AND TRAINING

Being an official for any sport means study and preparation. Officials must attend clinics and pass tests on rules. In football, Hall said officiating crews study weekly game film provided by the high schools to improve their performance.

Hall said most officials wishing

Football official John Powers lines up behind the defensive line during a preseason scrimmage Aug. 10 at Riverview High School in Sarasota.

to do high school games and beyond start in youth leagues and work their way up.

“You can’t just go on a field on a Friday night and do it,” Hall said.

“When I first started, I didn’t see a Friday night game for probably four years, and then I wasn’t on a regular crew.”

Hall said youth rec leagues are a great way for new officials to get experience.

“There’s plenty of youth ball leagues in this area,” Hall said. “We have guys in our association who have connections with groups like that, so they can get games.”

At the recent scrimmage at Riverview High, Ron Varsalone was standing in the middle of the group of officials, watching and listening.

He recently relocated to Sarasota from New Jersey and wants to give it a shot.

“I love the game. My kids are grown, my oldest is going to college next week, and I want to give back and stay involved in the game.”

Varsalone said there’s a lot to absorb.

“It’s a little overwhelming,” he said. “It’s a big difference from being a player on the field, as opposed to looking at it from an official’s perspective.”

But he’s been made to feel welcome and is encouraged going forward. “These guys have been great. I think I’m going to start out doing the clock and continue training to work toward getting on the field.”

For veterans like Riedel, it’s a familiar story. He, too, got involved in the game when his sons played.

After they graduated, “it left a hole,” he recalled.

Riedel said officiating helps him deal with his full-time day job.

“It’s a good escape from work,” he said, because you have to focus.

“Your full focus is on the game.”

Hall said, fans, parents and coaches are pretty well behaved here, despite the occasional lapse in civility.

“You have to have thick skin,” Hall said. “You probably have to have a little bit of a sense of humor because of some of the things that are said, whether right in your face or from a distance. I hear it all the time. I deal with the coaches, and they get intense and you know, you let them bark for a bit. But then you say, ‘OK, coach, let’s focus and get back to the game.’”

At the end of the day, the goals are the same.

“We’re all there for the kids, and that’s what I try to preach to our officials and to the coaches,” Hall said.

“I’m officiating the game as best as I can. And you know, we can agree to disagree on certain plays and certain outcomes of things, but at the end of the day, I will shake your hand.”

Anyone interested in learning more about officiating football can visit the local officials’ association website.

To learn more about officiating other sports, visit the FHSAA website.

A lineman watches at the line of scrimmage as a play begins during a preseason scrimmage Aug. 10 at Riverview High School in Sarasota.

12B

YourObserver.com

WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, OCT. 3

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 90 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 61%

FRIDAY, OCT. 4 High: 89 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 57%

Thursday, Oct. 3

7:24a

7:13p

Friday, Oct. 4

7:24a

7:12p

Saturday, Oct. 5

7:25a

7:11p

Sunday, Oct. 6

7:25a

7:09p

Monday, Oct. 7

7:26a

7:09p

Tuesday, Oct. 8

7:26a

7:08p

Wednesday, Oct. 9

7:27a

7:07p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT. 5 High: 87 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 50%

Oct. 10 First

Oct. 17 Full

Oct.24 Last

Nov. 1 New

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, OCT. 6 High: 81 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 92% Gordon Silver captured this photo of a blue-winged teal at Celery Fields in Sarasota.

Monday, Sept. 23

0

Tuesday, Sept. 24

0

Wednesday, Sept. 25

0

Thursday, Sept. 26

0.74

Friday, Sept. 27

1.93

Saturday, Sept. 28

0.41

Sunday, Sept. 29

0

*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 66.06 in.

2023 22.14 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 0.89 in.

2023 0.00 in.

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

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

SEA, THE SIGHTS by Michele Govier, edited by Jeff Chen 125 Contradict

54 Home security co.

126 Taiwan’s continent

55 Great Leap Forward

127 Mimics

leader

128 Poet whose name

56 Emotionally shaken up

doesn’t rhyme with Keats,

58 Tutankhamun or

confusingly

Akhenaten

129 Acts as an usher

59 Sci-fi computer villain

130 Restaurant review app

60 Uncouth

DOWN

62 Hair loss

2 Bubble-making device 3 “Count me in!”

4 Audiophile’s collection (Abbr.)

5 Stadium cries 6 Adjust one’s laces 7 Poli-___ 8 Uterus 9 Irate 10 Seasonal McDonald’s sandwich 11 Manny from “Ice Age,” for one 12 Nights before 13 Merlot or Shiraz 14 Katey who played Peg Bundy 15 Atop

©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

letters

11 “___ Moon” (manga series) 36 Cartoon still

7 One who’s learned to crawl 37 “Come as you ___” 38 Neither here ___ there 14 New wave fan?

20 Place of worship 21 Bowl-shaped 22 Place with a lot of buzz?

23 It may include brushes and paints 24 Heist declaration 25 Kid in a classic 1980s movie 26 Cheerleader’s cry 27 ___ card (phone insert) 29 Features of fedoras 30 Levy of “Schitt’s Creek” 31 “Proof” K-pop band 32 Suffix with “meteor” 33 NYC summer hours 35 Blood classification

director Louis

a drain

16 Olympic host city in 2016

70 Mane characters?

95 Lithium-___ battery

17 Lady Gaga’s Little Mon-

71 *This long-tailed one is

96 *This rarely seen one is

sters, e.g.

named for a piece of farm

named for its large jaw

18 Ethiopia neighbor

39 Fussy sort

equipment

100 *This slow-moving

19 Purchase for a grain

41 Pre-1917 autocrat

75 *This distinctively colored one can live to be over 400

farmer, perhaps

43 “Told ya!”

one can do spinning jumps

years old

28 Degrees combining

44 *This fearsome one can

when it hunts its prey

104 “Mamma ___!”

research and clinical work

have over 300 serrated teeth 79 Not against

105 More, in Madrid

(Abbr.)

48 *This oddly shaped one

108 Regret

30 Skin layer

can use its head as a weapon Carvey

109 Dangerous area for

34 Threesome

52 Eye makeup

82 Put on TV

those in the top row of this

36 Paintball garb

53 “Haven’t a clue”

84 Bleating sounds

puzzle, and a hint to the

40 “I’m guilty”

54 Entertaining sorts

85 North pole worker

words under the six black

42 Seabed-dwelling fish

57 Garden pest

88 ___ Dhabi

fins in the grid

45 “Therefore ...”

61 Metros

89 Traffic update heard in

119 In a few

46 Shakespeare nickname

65 River through Vienna

a car

120 They might report on

47 Suffix with “hard” or

66 Fracking target

92 Baby’s noise

high school sports

“soft”

67 Fossil fuel freighter

93 Swanson of “Parks and

121 Romances

49 PTA’s concern

68 Puccini opera

Recreation”

123 “___ Don’t Preach”

50 Fastens anew

69 “My Dinner With Andre”

94 Recovered, as a ring from 124 Make into law

81 “Wayne’s World” co-star

51 Place for a lei over?

“STB RKO’F WFTM FNA KEYOE MCTRAWW. FNACA’W TOZS WT XBRN TYZ STB RKO MBF TO STBC ITUS.” KOEYA UYRVYOWTO

63 Kyoto currency 64 Former jrs.

72 Corn unit 73 Major screw-up 74 Lost all patience 76 Love, in Lausanne 77 A la ___ 78 Kit ___ bar 79 Where you reap what

“BNO EMBU ZMYCRO LVABVMOU; BNOH’MO RWWC JWM BNO OLWFWKH, EFC BNOH’MO RWWC JWM JWUBOMYFR OKDEBNH EFC COLOFLH.” PVAYO EFCMOXU

you sow 80 Double-reeded instrument 83 Fury 86 Bird on a Canadian dollar

“TR CUXBUV SVAWETPVS OV CA C MVUTFA T KBFHS HCFMN. T NCDV OX

coin 87 Like some memories 90 Kinda 91 Collectible disk of the 1990s 97 Certain appliances 98 Russian for “peace” 99 Big name in sunglasses 101 Removes 102 Aficionado 103 Wiggle room

OBOVUZA – T YFAZ NCDV ZB YBTU ZNVO ZBMVZNVE.” © 2024 NEA, Inc.

AZTUM

Puzzle Three Clue: A equals S

contest

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Two Clue: D equals P

1 Engaging in a certain

celebrity cipher

Puzzle One Clue: I equals B

crossword

Flooring Made for Your Family

426213-1

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

sudoku

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

105 Defrosts 106 Nile serpent 107 Wild guesses 109 Ivory or Coast 110 Cape of Good ___ 111 Actress Skye 112 College sports org.

113 True statement 114 Fencing weapon 115 Creme ___ creme 116

Court order

117 Scented bloom 118 Dirt 119 Place for a “me day” 122 Syrup source ©2024 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

10-3-24

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

13B

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14B

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15B

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

HEAR THE DIFFERENCE, FEEL THE CONFIDENCE. INTRODUCTORY OFFER

$750 OFF Receive $750 off a pair of Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio¹ Offer expires 10/31/24

FREE

HEARING EXAM! No Cost, No Obligation!

5 reasons to upgrade to Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio today: Exceptional speech clarity • Noise is no longer a barrier Market-leading connectivity • Water resistant • Feel less fatigue

OVER 50 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE

OPEN NOW: SARASOTA (941) 491-9304

BRADENTON (941) 491-9302

DELRAY BEACH (561) 728-1436

2807 University Pkwy In Publix Plaza at University Walk

2001 Manatee Avenue E. Ste 104 (Bradenton Pain and Wellness Center)

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

BOYNTON BEACH (561) 728-1438 4739 N Congress Ave (In between Dollar Tree and Fon Shan Chinese)

JUPITER (561) 728-1442 6725 West Indiantown Rd Bay 39 (In Jupiter West Plaza)

NUMBERS: HADS000995, HADS000996, HADS001001, HADS001003 *Speech Enhancer reduces listening effort by 29% of soft and distance speech leading to 21% less fatigue. Latzel, M, GEORGIA Heeren,LICENSE J and Lesimple, C. (2024) “Speech Enhancer reduces listening effort and fatigue.” ¹Receive $750 discount towards the purchase of a pair of Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio technology. This limited-time offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. New orders only.

Private pay only (not combinable with insurance or network). Offer valid until 10/31/24.

SOUTH CAROLINA LICENSE NUMBERS: HTP-1029, HTP-1024, HTP-1031, HTP-1023, HAS-0573, HAS-0642, HAS-0637, HAS- 0638, HAS-0633

431434-1

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Tuesday at Noon

WEEKLY MONTHLY

Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Autos Wanted

GOLD, SILVER BUYING w/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Watches & Pocket Watches.

Free House Calls.

Discrete/ Confidential. Call David 813-439-2694

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

Motor Homes/ RVs

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

I BUY RVS Paying Cash. Will come to you to view. Vince 941-301-9946

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

CHAIR MAT for low pile carpet.

46x60, as new, pic online. In Nokomis. $20 (941) 966-6816 FOLDING PET CARRIER. 27"Lx19.5"Wx19.5"H. Plastic. Pic online, can email. $80 (941) 966-6816 TV STAND, wood, 2 drawers.

L 48”, H 30”, W 18”. $200 OBO 941-321-2694

Boats I BUY BOATS Paying Cash. Will come to you to view. Vince 941-301-9946

Autos Service SRQ MOBILE MARINE SERVICES - Mobile services for your boat from the comfort of your lift or trailer! We service all major brands including Mercury, Yamaha, and Suzuki. Regular maintenance & engine diag / full repair. Wiring and electronics installs, canvas repair, vinyl letters, detailing and maintenance washes, and more!

Call today to schedule!

(941)320-4746 srqmobilemarine.com

SEARCH the

RED PAGES for great deals.

Visit

YourObserver.com/RedPages

ST ARMANDS 4374 sq. ft. You could rent the entire complete building that has 10,000 square feet NNN call me for more details. "This property offers outstanding potential for a variety of businesses, thanks to its versatile layout and prime location. Ideal for a spacious restaurant, 4COP license, bank branch, pharmacy, corporate headquarters, luxury apartments, and more. This prime real estate is situated on the prestigious St. Armands Circle, known as the jewel of Florida's west coast."

IMPORTANT Turnkey $120,000 (561) 931-9727

jobs

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

Homes for Sale

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR New Life Lutheran Church Hours: Mon - Thurs, 9a - 2p.

Salary: $15 - $20 / hr Seeking candidate to manage church office with confidentiality/good people skills.

Experience in computer software, accounts payable/ receivable. Create weekly bulletins, newsletters. Answer phones/mail,etc.

Send cover letter, resume, names/ contact info of three references to: New Life Lutheran Church Attention: Dianne Utsinger 8010 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34240 www.newlifesarasota.org 941-378-0885

You’re only cheating yourself.

AREPA PALM TREES- 7 avail.

5 -5.5 ft. Beautiful, provides privacy & shade. May deliver. $25 ea. 941-879-7105 (No texts)

Commercial Property for Rent

Condos/Apts. for Rent

Help Wanted

PLACE YOUR AD:

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite

Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

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

M-F Ask about our special rates!

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

peekers’ place

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

auto

Items Under $200

Reservations 941-383-5577

Between

Bradenton: Condo, 2 bed, 2 bath$199,900 Pet friendly 55+ Sarasota: 2 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car Garage House $350,000 Sarasota: Pool home, 4 bed. $649,900 Venice: 2/2 Condo Plantation Golf Club. Call for Price Bradenton: Pool Home, New windows, hvac, Completely Updated $689,900 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

Wagner Realty Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

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

FIND IT IN THE RED PAGES 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Adult Care Services CARING/COMPASSIONATE LICENSED CNA 10+ yrs experience. Home health, transportation, appointments, shopping, laundry, travel, & more.

References available.

Niurka Labrada. 305-607-3502 CNA - 20 yrs+ exp. 20 yr.

Sarasota resident. References on req. Will work weekends, nights, holidays. 941-402-6148

LUCKY FINDS HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Crossword answers

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

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

Home Improvements, Repairs.

Small and large! 941-284-8488.

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

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

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

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

ES HANDYMAN & REMODELING. Hardwood flooring, kitchens, drywall, painting and electrical.

Honest and best prices.

30+ years exp. Fully ins/lic.

716-474-8492.

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “You can’t stop the aging process. There’s only so much oil you can put on your body.”

Angie Dickinson Puzzle Two Solution: “The arts bridge cultures; they’re good for the economy, and they’re good for fostering empathy and decency.”

Julie Andrews Puzzle Three Solution: “If anyone described me as a genius I would laugh.

I have my moments – I just have to join them together.”

Sting

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2024 Universal Uclick

stuff

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

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

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

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

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

Houses or Condos

Beachfront, Bayfront and In

home services

Merchandise Wanted

First 15 words ................. $ 15.00 per week Each add’l word .......25¢

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

SEASONAL RATES

real estate

The Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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

RED PAGES AD RATES

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

©2024 NEA, Inc.

Made for where you live. Here!

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Computer

General Contractors

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

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

Professional Contractors Network, Inc.

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772 KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

eRvice

Health

DON’T let your

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

431001

epaiR

FREE (941) 809-7311 ESTIMATES!

24/7 SERVICE

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

FREE

Auto Service

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

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

SELL YOUR CAR!

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Call us today!

FAST • EASY • SAFE

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

941.628.8579

WE COME TO YOU

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

www.ezslider.com

5-Star Rated

431002

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

Sliding Glass Door Repair

Computer

Home Watch

FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE IT

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

PALMER RANCH HOMEWATCHERS®

Open Your Doors Smoothly With Expertly Installed Rollers Call Nick 928-2263

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

433185

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

HoHoBuysCars.com

Watching your home while you’re away

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

FREE 50 OFF ESTIMATES a 199 service.

$

$

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

proslidingglassdoorrepair.com 431006

6968 Beneva Road 941-929-9095

ome

Doors

William J. Leininger, JD

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S • No JoB Too SmaLL • ScReeN RepaiRS • paiNTiNG/DRY WaLL • TiLe RepaiRS • & mUcH moRe!

Email Project Information: PCNestimating@gmail.com 941-527-9414

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

433219

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS & ANYTHING FROM THE GROUND UP

431610

433188

433189

Handyman

Construction Estimating • Custom Homes • Design Build We Prepare Estimates to Challenge Insurance Companies *Hurricane/Flood/Fire

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

CGC1507540

FloridaPermitExpert.com - 689.286.1509

Let our Network Handle All your Building Needs

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

941.270.4400

Lic. in FL since 2004

Investor & Property Management Company Assistance Resolving Stop Work Orders Engineer/Architect Referrals

Contractor

Attorney

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

SPECIALTIES:

941-735-3362

YoderAluminum.com

Divorce without Lawyers

All Industrial/Commercial Projects Residential Jobs Over $50,000.

Pegatronics.com

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

Full Service General Contractor

CREATE BUZZ!

431602

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

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

431622

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

FLORIDA PERMIT EXPERTS

431611

Aluminum

Advertise your business in the Red Pages. Call 941-955-4888

YOUR HOME

found here.

Find a place where you can visit listings, not just imagine them.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

431623

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YourObserver.com

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Home Watch

Painting

Building & Roofing Contractor

Painting

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

Licensed & Insured

Introductory Sale $150 OFF

(Interior/Exterior)

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

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC

431000

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999

431007

Dave and Connie Grundy

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

433194

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

Roofing

Screening

SCREEN MASTER

Interior / Exterior / Cabinets.

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

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

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

$

Dog Sitting (sm/md)

LOCAL - FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

431009

364556 431615

30+ years Exp. & Excellent References

(941) 966-2960

DRGRABBARS.COM

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

Transportation

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

Plumbing

SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN & BATHROOM REPAIRS & REMODELS.

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

941-923-8140

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

Trees

Remodeling/Home Improvement

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

Mastercraft Construction Remodel & Home Improvements

431010

433192

- FREE ESTIMATES -

Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

941 - 248 - 4734 430999

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!

Renovation, Construction and Remodeling Specialist

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

431008

General Plumbing Services Inc.

OFF

CALL US FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 941.625.7673

Administering medication LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGEAREA: AREA:LAKEWOOD PARRISH TO NORTHPORT COVERAGE RANCH TO S. VENICE

500

NEW POOL CAGE INSTALLATION

Dog Walking (sm/md) Cat sitting & Cat/Kitten Introductions

941.966.0333

OFF

POOL CAGE RE-SCREEN

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Call John 941.377.2940

Windows

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

Landscaping & Lawn

941~400~6786

433193

Shell Work & Landscape Stone

Call Today for FREE Estimates in Sarasota County

RED PAGES

Driveways | Yards | Dirt Work | Light Demo

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

Movers

TIME TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE RED PAGES Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services each week in the Red Pages.

431624

CALL 941-955-4888 Wizard Moving SRQ For $149 per hour you get: SUN -AFULL COLOR 2x2 175642 09-06-23 rf truck, 2 men with equipment, experience and a great attitude to Roofing make your moving day a pleasure.

Licensed and insured #IMT708

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

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

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

431625

432185

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

DIRTY ROOF?

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows UP TO

160

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

INCLUDING SCREENS, TR ACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

SAFE, NO PRESSURE CLEANING

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Owner Operated - 20 yrs. Experience

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

941-587-5007 | BensonsSoftRoofWash.com

TREASURES FOUND HERE!

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT YOUROBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

431598

249 235

* $ $235

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

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

Pet Care by Melanie Gates

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS $

SERVICES WE OFFER

Pet Services

430104

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

410036

433191

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

431608

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

20B

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024

Winner of Over 430 Awards for design excellence including Best New Showroom in the USA!

Premier luxury destination for residential, commercial and hospitality design services.

Perfect Solution Discover the Splendor of Indoor/Outdoor Living!

■ Total Home Creation

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■ Immediate Delivery and much more!

AWARD-WINNING | INTERIOR DESIGN | FINE FURNISHINGS Going east on Fruitville Rd. make a U-Turn at light (Lakewood Ranch Blvd.), then make a right on to Coburn Rd. Go around the circle to Fruitville Commons Blvd., pass Cooper’s Hawk and you will see Clive Daniel Home on the right.

■ SARASOTA, FL SHOWROOM 3055 FRUITVILLE COMMONS BLVD. 941.900.HOME (4663)

MON-SAT: 10am-6pm SUNDAY: 12pm-5pm

Financing is now available.

IB26001785

WWW.CLIVEDANIEL.COM

S A R A S O TA

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F O R T

M Y E R S

■

N A P L E S

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B O C A

R AT O N 432884-1

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