Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 10.10.24

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Observer

Slaying the dragon boats

PAGE 12B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

VOLUME 20, NO. 35

YOUR TOWN

Siesta Key businesses feel the fatigue Owners face the task of trying to clean up after Helene while preparing for Milton. SEE PAGE 3A

Ian Swaby

Alison Dragash and Alicia Radefeld

Southside hosts Go Gold Day Southside Elementary recently hosted its annual Go Gold Day, which raises awareness and funds to fight pediatric cancer, in an effort for kids to bring awareness, and a way they can embrace and understand that.

Their individual efforts added up to a lot as a sea of gold shirts and attire was seen underneath the large cabana on Oct. 4, during a pep rally.

Go Gold Day was started in 2017 at Southside Elementary after the school lost two students, Benjamin Gilkey and Avery Rann, to cancer earlier that year, and supports The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research.

FIREHOUSE FIXIN’S Despite rain and threat of Hurricane Milton, the annual Firefighters Chili Cook-off goes on. SEE PAGE 6B

Ian Swaby

Store manager Steven Knott, and assistant store manager Justin Eichler

Ian Swaby

Keith Misja, Mike Matheis, Stephen Dickmann and Kaleb Smith of Station 12, prepare a pot of chili.

Rolling in the freezers On the morning of Oct. 8, the grocery bags of shoppers eager to gather some last-minute supplies weren’t the only thing leaving the door of Sprouts Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota.

Employees could also be seen wheeling boxes from the supermarket’s inventory into refrigerated trailers in the parking lot for safe keeping.

Store manager Steve Knott said the trailers will help ensure the store’s products remain suitable for sale, even if it loses power during Hurricane Milton.

He said the store wanted to take all of the needed precautions for the storm.

“We’re as prepared as we can be,” he said. $1.00

A+E Stormy future for Hermitage.

PAGE 15A

St. Armands digs out City responds to merchants’ pleas for debris removal.

SEE PAGE 4A Andrew Warfield

Hurricane Helene debris awaits removal at St. Armands Circle. Because commercial debris is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement to the city and county, the removal is the responsibility of the merchants.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

WEEK OF OCT. 10, 2024

“We’re trying to protect the land from the water, and we’re trying to improve the water quality as it goes through the land.”

Elections office views poll sites for damage The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office is inspecting several polling places on barrier islands Friday to determine if they will be able to be operational by Election Day, officials said.

Paul Donnelly, director of communications and voter outreach, says his office has been in contact or visited with all 84 election day polling locations and the 10 early voting sites to determine if any sustained damage would prevent them from being used.

Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered relaxation of rules and suspending deadlines on moving polling places and early voting sites in 13 counties, including Sarasota and Manatee.

DeSantis also approved allowing mail-in ballots to be mailed to addresses other than a voters’ official address to allow for people displaced by the storm to receive ballots.

Voters affected concerned about receiving their vote-by-mail ballot or voting early or on Election Day may contact the elections office at 941861-8618.

Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley. Read more on page 5A

BY THE NUMBERS $351.7M

Total projected revenue from The Bay park area tax increment financing district.

PAGE 5A

54

Luxury condominiums planned for Pier 550 on Golden Gate Point.

PAGE 7A

3,305

The amount of square footage planned for the future Whataburger.

PAGE 10A

CALENDAR

n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 3 p.m., Tuesday Oct. 15, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance).

Courtesy photo

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce was named the Florida Chamber of the Year for 2024.

Sarasota Chamber named Florida’s best T

he Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce was named the state Chamber of the Year by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals in the category of chambers with budgets of more than $1 million.

Chambers were nominated then evaluated by three FACP judges, President of the FACP Tammy Bracewell said in an email.

Chambers were assessed over a three-year period across areas ranging from financial stability to special events to membership

recruitment and retention.

Among the Sarasota Chamber’s accomplishments were that it paid off its mortgage, positioning it for zero long-term debt, Bracewell said. It also helped fund a tiny home through its CareerEdge program in a partnership with Suncoast Technical College, providing hands-on opportunities for students in various trade programs.

In addition, the Sarasota Chamber was a top three finalist for national chamber of the year in the 2024 competition

sponsored by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

“We are truly honored,” Sarasota Chamber President and CEO Heather Kasten said in a statement. “These awards not only highlight the success of our programs and initiatives but also reflect the strength and engagement of our vibrant business community.”

The Sarasota chamber received the award at the FACP’s annual conference in late September in Boca Raton.

Relief available for affected F&B workers To provide immediate relief to food and beverage workers who live or work in local impacted areas of Hurricane Helene, Gulf Coast Community Foundation is partnering with Houston-based Southern Smoke Foundation to raise funds to deploy a rapid response.

Food and beverage workers who are temporarily unemployed while their employers recover from storm damage may receive up to $1,000, and families may be eligible for up to $1,200.

Southern Smoke provides a simple application at SouthernSmoke.org. It outlines requirements for funding, assigning all applicants to a case manager for support.

Those interested in donating to Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund can do so online at GulfCoastCF. org/RapidResponseFund.

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TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

Siesta Key businesses prepare for Milton Just two weeks after the previous devastating storm surge, business owners braced for a hurricane impact once again.

Thierry Raynal, owner of Bonjour French Cafe, fastens a covering to a window at Bonjour French Cafe.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

O

n Oct. 7, many businesses in Siesta Key Village had yet to reopen following the devasta-

tion wrought by the storm surge of Hurricane Helene.

Piles of discarded materials lined the roadsides as workers continued to add to them.

Yet, with the approaching Hurricane Milton, there was new cause for concern.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Business owners began to feel a new sense of fatigue as they undertook many of the preparations they had taken just two weeks earlier.

“Three storms in one summer.

Hopefully we can get a couple years off after this,” said Marc Grimaud, owner of Cafe Gabbiano. “This is just getting ridiculous.”

PREPARING FOR THE STORM

Some businesses had only recently reopened before receiving the news of Milton’s approach.

Morton’s Siesta Market had made a substantial recovery, despite some blown compressors.

“We got cleaned up real fast,” said owner Todd Morton on Oct. 5. “We’re able to partially get open, and now we’re going close it again tomorrow to get ready for the next one.”

When Thierry Raynal reopened Bonjour French Cafe on Oct. 6, he found a hopeful result, with about 20 people coming by the area just to support the restaurant.

However, it was the next day that he received the news that he would have to close the doors and shutter the windows.

He describes the experience as “exasperating.”

He said the restaurant being closed has resulted in the loss of many employees in immediate need of an income, while at the same time, the season has been difficult for many area businesses.

“All of the business have a very low cash flow, because the season was hard, and now we have to fix everything and to pay for everything,” he said, also noting the cost of special insurance for storms.

He said it’s the first time he will be dealing with two storms at the same time, noting the discard piles that could still be found throughout the streets on Oct. 7, and the threat of resultant debris.

Rick and Todd Lizotte of Comfort Shoes Siesta Key

He said by that time, he had anticipated the removal of the debris, noting that although some had been picked up from the front of the restaurant, others had remained on the road behind it.

Some businesses were still in the midst of repairs. Since Helene, work had been underway at The Hub Baja Grill.

“It’s a little disheartening, but right now, we’re just trying to minimize any further damage,” said manager Jacque Slayton.

However, she said management did learn some lessons from Helene.

“Knowing the way the water came in, I think moving forward we would definitely plan a little differently in securing the buildings, especially The Hub being street level,” she said.

The restaurant is owned by Above the Bar Hospitality Group, which also owns several other area restaurants.

She noted the team plans to use Flex Tape on doors, and to secure outdoor objects more thoroughly.

She said they have sandbags placed,

“We’re going to need help from the locals, but they’re all going to be busy cleaning up their own mess.”

— Rick Lizotte

and more on the way, and have tried to remove as many of the materials from the streets as possible to avoid creating other issues.

“It’s very mentally taxing. We just do the best we can. And when we look at it, it’s property, it’s things that can be replaced. So we just want everybody to stay safe,” she said.

Cafe Gabbiano, which is elevated slightly above the ground, fared relatively well during Helene with little flood impacts, but even so, Grimaud was concerned for Milton.

JR Rodriguez, of T. Fyffe Construction Services, helps board up a window at Bean Coffeehouse.

“Every storm is different, and it just seems like every one gets a little worse,” he said. “So we’re preparing and just kind of seeing how it goes.”

He said while normally the team would board up 48 hours before a storm, preparations were underway earlier for Milton, for the evacuation of Siesta Key had already been announced.

He finds it concerning that shortages of supplies are making preparations difficult.

“Sandbags have been hard to hard to get, so I don’t know that we’ll be sandbagging, but I’m going to move everything inside that could blow around and potentially damage anything and do what we can with what we’ve got,” he said.

In the same elevated plaza, Rick Lizotte and his son, Todd Lizotte, owners of Comfort Shoes Siesta Key since 1987, are also not taking the storm lightly.

“I think this is one they’ve been worried about here for the last 100 years,” said Todd Lizotte.

However, like Grimaud, they’re also finding themselves short on materials. They are currently in need of plywood, tape and sandbags.

“We’re really nervous about this one, and that’s what we’re trying to figure out, because there’s a lot of stuff you can’t get right now,” said Rick Lizotte.

Their only option is to remove as many products as they can from the store.

“Our inventory is peaked for the holidays, so it’s high, high inventory,” Rick Lizotte said.

However, they anticipate serious impacts afterwards.

“We’re going to need help from the locals, but they’re all going to be busy cleaning up their own mess,” Rick Lizotte said.

Although owners are not sure what to expect, they’re putting their hopes in the idea that this will be the last storm to befall Siesta Key this hurricane season.

“I’m ready to not be stressed out for a little bit,” said Caitlin Bray, manager at Olaf’s Siesta Village. “It’s been a lot.”

Maukess Armstrong and Aher Mullen place items from inside a nearby strip of businesses into a discard pile on Oct. 7.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

Photos by Andrew Warfield

Storm debris outside multiple stores at St. Armands Circle. Most stores have been gutted, some to the studs.

Troubles pile up on St. Armands City responds to merchants’ pleas for streetside debris removal as they struggle to recover.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

It’s just heartbreaking to know how much money we put into them to then have to put them in a dumpster.”

Rachel Burns said as they consider equipment replacement inside the pub, cost and quality will be a factor.

“Do you really want to pay those prices again for something that could be destroyed in just a couple of months?” she said. “We lost a mainframe computer during the last flood, and we just got that replaced, and then this time we lost 90% of our kitchen equipment. Every time we think we found a way to make it better and less impactful for the next time, Mother Nature has a way of telling us that we were wrong.”

A few doors down at Carihola, an insurance adjuster had arrived to survey the damage. The store was completely emptied, Snell stating that about 80% of the inventory was lost. He estimated the damage and loss of inventory at about $100,000.

“Everybody sandbagged; everybody prepped. The water came exploding up through our flooring,” Snell said. “That’s how the water came in, so there was no stopping it.”

Snell said he is hoping to be fully recovered and his store open sometime in November, in time for season. “Everybody’s shooting for that right now,” he said, The potential insult to injury of Hurricane Milton, on its way Wednesday morning, unfortunately, may have an impact on that ambitious goal.

Debris from Crab & Fin, including the piano, is piled up along St. Armands Circle.

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I

n the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, it took only a few days for some businesses on St. Armands Circle to reopen, most of them fortunate enough to be on the second level with critical equipment, such as a kitchen, out of the reach of the storm surge that inundated the key.

Almost all others, though, are starting over almost from scratch, the waist-high water line evident on most of the buildings around the circle.

On Friday, the Circle was abuzz with contractors working to restore properties and city and county workers addressing critical infrastructure. Piled up along sidewalks and streets was ruined inventory,

fixtures, display cases, dining tables, even a piano, waiting to be collected.

During overnight hours, looters had been sorting through debris looking for anything of value, scattering items that had to be piled up again by the merchants.

It was the saturated debris beginning to smell of rancid seawater and mold that concerned merchants as they attempted to address the widespread damage inside their storefronts. At issue is that FEMA only reimburses local government entities for removal of residential debris, not commercial.

As of the morning of Oct. 4, the merchants had been on their own.

“The biggest problem we’re having now is the city saying it’s up to all the stores because FEMA is not going to reimburse commercial proper-

ties,” said Jeff Snell, owner of the Carihola store. “We have looters all over. It was piled up nicely until the looters got in, and this is going to get worse unless they (the city) help out.”

By that night, it appeared relief may be on the way, particularly with the high probability of Hurricane Milton lashing the Gulf Coast again with hurricane-force winds, creating dangerous flying debris conditions.

On the evening of Oct. 4, Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson sent an email to staff imploring them to “think outside the box” and find funds to cover the debris removal cost.

“I know the exception becomes the rule, but I have never seen this level of damage in 24 years; it is not normal,” Robinson wrote. “And I will take it to the commission for a budget amendment without hesitation.

It is the right thing to do.”

That solves just one of the problems facing St. Armands Circle

merchants. On Friday, jackhammers were working on the patio area of an emptied Columbia Restaurant.

Many stores had fans blowing in an attempt to dry the space as owners sorted through damaged goods.

Retailers filled with inventory only days prior were dark and empty, many with sheetrock removed up to three feet.

Landscaping was ravaged, the grass dead and the scene surreal. But there were glimmers of hope.

Restaurants were open or on the verge, including Shore, Daiquiri Deck, Venezia and Cilantro Grill.

Inside Lynches Pub defied the reality just outside its door. The small Irish pub’s floors were cleaned, walls scrubbed and furniture largely intact, thanks to owner Jason Burns’ strategy of using resilient materials.

However, most of the kitchen equipment was lost, leaving only the grill to prepare a limited menu of burgers, chips, “and Guinness on tap,” according to Rachel Burns, Jason’s wife and director of communications for the St. Armands Circle Association.

“There are empty spots where we had to throw things out. We knew some equipment wasn’t even something that was going to be able to be repaired, so that all got disposed of already,” Rachel Burns said. “There are a couple other pieces that we’re still waiting on technicians to come in because maybe we can just get the compressors or the computer chips or something replaced because they’re newer pieces of equipment.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

5A

The Bay pledges no Phase 2 overspending Despite rising costs, Founding CEO AG Lafley told the Bay Park Improvement Board it will not overspend the $48 million public portion of construction.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

U

nlike its previous meeting, whether Sarasota County would be amenable to funding construction of a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center wasn’t brought up as a point of contention at last week’s meeting of the Bay Park Improvement Board.

Rather, there was a related topic of how the Canal District portion of the underway Phase 2 construction at the north end of The Bay park would compliment plans for the new SPAC, conceptualized across four buildings along Tamiami Trail from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking entrance across the 10th Street canal and onto the Centennial Park parking area.

Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley assured the board — comprised of two county commissioners, two city commissioners and one at-large community member — that efforts between his organization, the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and architect Renzo

Piano Building Workshop are being coordinated.

“Moving into Phase 2, we have to be incredibly adaptable, agile, flexible and be able to pivot as the Purple Ribbon Committee evaluates the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and as Renzo Piano begins their conceptual design,” Lafley said. “So we do that, but as we pivot, we stay firmly connected to our guiding principles and our master plan.”

Much of the conversation focused on plans for The Bay Phase 2, which includes the Cultural District along Tamiami Trail, the Canal District and the resilient shoreline efforts.

That phase has a budget of $65 million, $48 million of that bonded by the city. Since the budget was set, the costs have risen, but Lafley said the conservancy is committed to not spending more TIF tax dollars there.

“We’re not going to overspend the $48 million that the city bonded to support Phase 2,” Lafley said. “That covers about 75% to 80% of the project cost. The rest is covered by private money or government grants.”

The Canal District will expand

THE BAY TAX INCREMENT FINANCE DISTRICT PROJECTED REVENUE FISCAL YEAR

COUNTY TIF

CITY TIF

TOTAL

2025

$2,624,483

$2,624,483

$5,248,965

2030

$4,402,043

$4,402,043

$8,804,086

2035

$5,880,061

$5,880,061

$11,761,722

2040

$7,680,069

$7,680,069

$15,360,138

2045

$9,869,080

$9,869,080

$19,738,161

2049*

$11,957,115

$11,957,115

$23,914,230

Total#

$175,867,021

$175,867,021

$351,734,041

* = Final year of TIF District

# = Since fiscal year 2021

Estimates assume increases in values and the city and county payments are both based on 3.0 mils (the city’s current millage rate).

Courtesy image

A rendering of the resilient shoreline portion of The Bay park Phase 2.

boaters’ use of the 10th Street boat ramp at what is now known as Centennial Park but will be folded into The Bay. Two more boat launch ramps will be added and plans include floating day docks. The city is in discussions with Florida Power & Light for use of a portion of its adjacent land for additional parking.

Suspended for now are plans for a food truck pavilion on the south side of the canal for logistical reasons.

Instead, the conservancy has refocused on the three identified restaurant buildings overlooking Sarasota Bay at the east end of the current boat ramp parking lot.

“We’ve started a preliminary investigation of feasibility,” Lafley said. “How would it be designed and engineered to be resilient? What would it cost? It has to be within a 5,000-square-foot shell, whether it would be one food and beverage offering or whether it would be two or three or four. We would like to get some experience with food and beverage in that area because that was intended to be a food and beverage district as part of the master plan.”

The entire The Bay park project is planned to be funded with 50% public dollars and 50% private phi-

lanthropy, with a total price tag of $200 million, not including the new performing arts venue. The public funding comes from revenue generated by a tax increment financing district in areas surrounding the bay. That revenue is based on the improved value of property — which includes The Quay — within the district benchmarked against 2022 appraisals.

Currently, the TIF district is projected to generate a total of $351.7 million in revenue by 2049, the expiration of the program. During the board’s May meeting, Ron Cutsinger and Mark Smith, the County Commission appointees to the Bay Park Improvement Board, balked at TIF funds dedicated to construction of the performing arts hall. That led to the foundation contributing to what would have been the county’s $9.9 million share of the $39.6 million design agreement with Renzo Piano.

Lafley reminded Cutsinger and Smith that The Bay is beyond a cityowned park, attracting visitors from across Sarasota County and beyond.

Through September, he reported nearly 600,000 visits to the park since Phase 1 opened two years ago, as captured by three counters at park

The entire The Bay park project is planned to be funded with 50% public dollars and 50% private philanthropy, with a total price tag of $200 million, not including the new performing arts venue. entrances.

“We draw a lot of parkgoers from the county, but we also draw from the region,” Lafley said. “We draw from Collier County; we draw from DeSoto County; we draw from Manatee County. It depends on the activity, it depends on the day, it depends on the event.”

One core principle of The Bay is the treatment of stormwater runoff as it moves through the park on its way to Sarasota Bay. “Before we’re done, it will be close to 300 million gallons of stormwater (per year),” Lafley said. “We’re trying to protect the land from the water, and we’re trying to improve the water quality as it goes through the land.”

The next meeting of the Bay Park Improvement Board will be in March 2025.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

Pier 550 makes DRC progress, but questions remain

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Pier 550, the latest Golden Gate Point luxury condo project, faces additional scrutiny by the Development Review Committee.

Three other residential projects win partial or full sign-off.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A

new condominium development on Golden Gate Point will remain before the Development Review Committee for at least one more submittal.

Pier 550 is planned to be built upon several addresses along the east side of Golden Gate Point, bringing 54 high-end condos across two eightstory buildings with a connecting amenity and pool area above structured parking in between. Multiple existing residential structures at 550, 554, 590, 616 and 632 Golden Gate Point will be demolished to make way for the new development.

A handful of comments made by staff still need to be addressed by developer The Ronto Group of Naples. The developer is currently developing The Owen on Golden Gate Point and Rosewood Residences on Lido Beach.

A rendering shows the two buildings with large curved balconies and multiple boat slips along the bay for unit owners. The towers will have a maximum height of 90 feet measured from 15 feet above grade. The north building will have 31 units and the south building the remaining 23.

The project will require a resubmittal to the DRC before partial or full sign-off can be granted.

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Three projects that include some 225 affordable and attainable residential units have received partial or full sign-off from the DRC. Receiving partial sign-off on Oct. 2 was Bayside North, a companion development at the corner of 10th Street and Florida Avenue to Bayside, an adjacent 274-unit apartment building currently under construction. Bayside North will add another 96 rental apartments, including 15 units priced as affordable and attainable housing.

In addition to the 96 apartments, Bayside North proposes a 2,995-square-foot commercial space on the ground floor currently planned for a casual restaurant of up to 100 seats.

Also receiving partial sign-off is a request for right of way and utility easement vacation for Sara-

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Courtesy image

sota Station, a long-planned and often-evolving affordable housing and townhome community at 300 Audubon Place. The right of way is an unimproved alley that sits in the middle of the planned redevelopment of a largely vacant industrial property, which is also the site of Bob’s Train. The diner will be relocated to another portion of the property.

The co-applicants are One Stop Housing and Blumark Miller, a luxury townhome developer. The project will include 202 workforce housing apartments, 110 of them priced as affordable, plus the 72 market rate townhomes.

The project is taking advantage of the Florida Live Local Act, which requires a municipality to authorize multifamily and mixed-use residential as allowable uses in any area zoned for commercial, industrial or mixed-use providing that at least 40% of the residential units are rental apartments that are priced as affordable for a period of no fewer than 30 years.

Announced as receiving full DRC sign-off was Lofts on Lemon II, which will include 100 affordableand attainable-priced apartments.

The Sarasota Housing Authority project is planned to be built across the parking lot from the first phase of Lofts on Lemon, located along Cohen Way between Boulevard of the Arts and Ninth Street.

Three levels of structured parking will be beneath five stories of residences. The second phase will bring the total number of units at Lofts on Lemon to 220. The Lofts on Lemon site covers the northern half of the block between Cohen Way and Lemon Avenue, bounded by Ninth Street to the north.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

The six amendments ELECTION ’24

MATT WALSH

E

very four years, Florida voters face a flurry of proposed amendments to the state constitution. This year, six amendments are on the ballot.

The Legislature proposed four of the amendments; citizen initiatives were behind the abortion and marijuana amendments. Each amendment requires 60% or more approval to be adopted.

We have made a practice of trying to help voters understand some of the rationales, nuances and special interests behind the amendments.

And in a similar vein, we have made a practice of recommending a yes or no vote. We take into consideration the context and the motivations for the amendments.

But to a great extent, we make our recommendations on the basis of a simple litmus test: Will it increase or decrease individual liberty? Will it protect your individual liberty or give more power to the government to restrict your liberty?

Here is our analysis of Amendments 3 and 4 (see box).

Amendment 3

Adult personal use of marijuana This may be the truest statement about legalizing recreational marijuana use: Almost nothing good results from it.

Yes, people who smoke weed or eat marijuana-laced gummies and cookies will have more freedom to use it; they will be happy. The people who grow and sell it will be happy. And governments will have more tax money to spend or to shift the tax burden from one group onto the potheads (less freedom).

But overall, here are questions to consider: What is the benefit of recreational marijuana for individuals and for society? How does it make life better for the vast majority of people?

Of course, there is a good libertarian case for legalizing marijuana and drugs. Milton Friedman, the U.S. king of libertarian economic thinking, consistently advocated for legalizing all drugs. He made a convincing argument in a 1991 interview (watch: Ukcia.org/Research/ Argue/Milton.htm).

“I have estimated statistically that the prohibition of drugs produces, on the average, 10,000 homicides a year,” Friedman said.

“It’s a moral problem that the government is going around killing 10,000 people. It’s a moral problem that the government is making into criminals people who may be doing something you and I don’t approve of, but who are doing something that hurts nobody else.”

He also said there are many more (innocent) victims from the prohibition on drugs than the 10,000 homicides. “You’ve got the people whose purses are stolen, who are bashed over the head by people trying to get enough money for their next fix. You’ve got the people killed in the random drug wars.

You’ve got the corruption of the legal establishment. You’ve got the innocent victims who are taxpayers who have to pay for more and more prisons, and more and more prisoners and more and more police.

So far, 24 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana; seven more have decriminalized it. Next month, voters in Florida, North and South Dakota will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana.

With so many already legalizing it, how has it worked out?

In 2021, the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank, conducted its second widespread study of the effects in the states that legalized it. Its conclusions were the same in both: inconclusive.

“We found that the strong claims made by advocates and critics are substantially overstated and

in some cases entirely without support; mainly, state legalizations have had minor effects.” Its assessment, CATO said, “remains tentative because of limitation in the data.”

Even so, in a 535-page report for the Florida secretary of state examining possible consequences of recreational marijuana use, among the data, statistics and estimates, here are a few noteworthy citations: ■ The Florida Sheriffs Association: “(T)he lessons learned from other states suggest that there are some common trends — potency increases in marijuana available for use; upticks in homelessness; emergence of illegal markets and criminal cartels; impaired driving and traffic fatality increases; and hospitalization as a result of marijuana use …

“According to a recent National Survey of Drug Use and Health, the number of Americans who heavily use marijuana (at least 300 times a year) has risen from 3 million in 2006 to 8 million in 2017, coming close to the alcohol abuse numbers.”

The sheriffs also cited statistics from Colorado and Washington, both of which legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, and from California, which legalized it in 2016: ■ Colorado: From 2013 to 2019, marijuana related traffic deaths increased 140%.

■ Washington: In 2017, fatal crashes involving drivers who tested THC positive doubled before marijuana legalization.

■ California: 80% of the marijuana sold came from the illegal black market.

The sheriffs concluded: “Based on the experience of other states, we know that law enforcement resources, as well as public health and other governmental services, will be taxed with new call volume due to the nature of marijuana impairment and its relationship to criminality (including victimization) as well as mental health.”

Here’s another cost: A whole new bureaucracy of regulators.

The Florida Department of Health estimates it will need 100 full-time employees at a cost of about $9.25 million a year; startup equipment cost of $3.24 million; $2.5 million in litigation expenses; $720,000 for automobiles; and $360,000 for office rent. All of which will grow as the usage and sales grow.

This is not an issue that is as simple as lighting a joint. But as legislators often do, rather than address this matter as they should with thoughtful legislation, they take the politically safe route. They let impatient special interests force the issue with a voter-initiated constitutional amendment.

This is what we have argued on this page the past two weeks: The matter is now in the hands of the democratic majority mob, so that the lowest common denominator will make a decision that will have lasting consequences on Florida’s social and economic core. And they will be deciding this without lawmakers having conducted intelligent and educational discussions across the state with voters.

Had lawmakers done their job, they would be handling this issue the way it should be: Legalizing marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol and cigarettes. As Friedman noted in 1991: “I would

OBSERVER RECOMMENDS Amendment 1 — Partisan election of school board members. Vote yes Amendment 2 — Right to hunt and fish. Vote yes Amendment 5 — Annual adjustments to the value of homestead exemptions.

Vote no Amendment 6 — Repeal of public campaign financing.

Vote yes ■ To read the full text of each amendment and Matt Walsh’s unabridged analysis of all six amendments, go to: YourObserver.com/OpinionAmendments

legalize drugs by subjecting them to exactly the same rules that alcohol and cigarettes are subjected to now.

If only legislators would do their job. But on this, it’s probably too late. Even though the potheads will enjoy more freedom, this is another issue that should not be engraved in the constitution. It should be handled statutorily.

We recommend: No

Amendment 4

Limit government interference with abortion This amendment is as deceitful, diabolical and extreme as one could be on this subject.

“If this thing passes, then Florida will become a mecca for abortion,” said Matt Walsh Aug. 30. Walsh is the podcaster on the Daily Wire (and no relation to this Matt Walsh).

“You’ll have abortion tourism.

Abortion rates will skyrocket by like a 1,000% … It is a pro-infanticide measure.”

Walsh is known in the podcast world as uncompromisingly prolife. His assessment, nevertheless, is plausible — and likely.

But rather than engage first in the debate over a woman’s alleged “right” to determine the outcome of her pregnancy, let’s first focus on the egregious flaws in this amendment: its wording. Even moderate defenders of abortion should agree the authors who crafted this amendment deviantly worded it to sound moderate.

Start with “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability…” (italics added) What is viability? Who decides what is viable? What are the criteria to determine viability?

In standard legislation, lawmakers define every important term to avoid ambiguity. The authors of this obviously and deceptively avoided defining viability. Vagueness is akin to no fence around the cow pen.

But even worse than the vagueness is what comes after “before viability”: No law to prohibit before viability “or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” (italics added) This is an open invitation. Again: What defines “necessary”? What defines “patient’s health”? That could be anything — physical, mental, emotional, financial. Prior to this, most legislation was worded to “protect the life” of the mother, not just “health.”

What’s more, what and who is a health care provider? Your cousin,

84,052 ABORTIONS IN FLORIDA ■ Florida reported 84,052 abor-

tions were performed in 2023, +2% over 2022.

■ 46,635 (55%) drug-induced, +3 over 2022.

■ Abortion rate: Estimated at 20.8 per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44, +2% over 2022.

■ 1,344 abortions at 15 weeks or later, -33% from 2022.

■ 91% performed on state residents; 9% on women from other states.

■ 7% of Florida abortions performed on girls under age of 20; 27% on women 20 to 24; 28% on women ages 25 to 29; 34% on women in their 30s; 4% on

women ages 40 and older.

■ Florida’s Black abortion rate was 36.8 per 1,000 women of childbearing age; 14.3 per 1,000 on white women.

■ 62% of Florida abortion were on non-Hispanic women; 31% on Hispanic women; 7% on unknown ethnicity.

■ 74% were performed on unmarried women; 16% on women whose marital status not reported; 10% on married women.

■ 58% reported zero prior abortions; 23% reported one prior; 18% more than one.

Source: Charlotte Lozier Institute

the dentist? Your psychic health tarot-card reader?

Finally, and this is just so deceitful and despicable, there is the confusing vagueness of the final sentence in the amendment: “This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”

Various interpretations of that sentence say the amendment would abolish current law that requires parental consent beforehand.

It just says the Legislature could still pass a law requiring that parents be notified before their minor daughter undergoes the abortion.

Surely, rational, responsible parents and grandparents of young girls see this proposed amendment as yet another step of taking away parental control and responsibilities and putting them in the hands of the State.

To be sure, this amendment is being sold to enshrine in Florida a woman’s right to choose what happens to the life of the child in her womb — with no restrictions at any time all the way up until birth.

While we repeatedly have stated our litmus test is whether a proposed amendment increases or decreases individual liberty — and certainly this would allow untethered freedom for any woman, this measure totally negates any moral considerations. It is extreme.

And yet, most Americans are not morally or immorally extreme.

Pew Research repeatedly has found that while 61% of Americans it polled say abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances, 56% of those respondents “say the timing of an abortion (i.e., how far along the pregnancy is) should be a factor in determining its legality.”

But the sponsors of this amendment are counting on the lowest common denominator of voters not to think and just reflexively approve this vaguely worded measure.

That is democratic, majority mob rule at its worst.

Given the emotional nature and importance of this issue — human life — this subject requires much more careful consideration than a deceptive, 50-word proposal.

Heretofore in the U.S., that has been almost totally absent. The focus is always on the two extremes, rarely an alternative or an acceptable in between. Indeed, in the Western World, the United States’ treatment of abortion has long been the most radical.

In her amazing 1987 book, “Abortion and Divorce in Western Law,” Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon authored an extensive comparison of how European countries address abortion. We don’t have the space to show the details of each country’s rational approach, but Glendon summarizes: “West European laws, while permitting abortion on a wide variety ground, communicate that fetal life is an important interest of the society and that abortion is not a substitute for birth control.”

And, she astutely concludes: “Over time, I would say to my pro-life friend, compromise legislation may aid your cause, because it is what goes on in people’s hearts and minds that you really care about. The mores, not the law, are the best protection of the weak and dependent.

“A law which communicates that abortion is a serious moral issue and that the fetus is entitled to protection will have a more beneficial influence on behavior and opinions, even though it permits abortion under some — even many — circumstances, than a law which holds fetal life to be of little or no value and abortion to be a fundamental right …

“In a similar vein, I would say to my pro-choice friend: Please consider what a set of legal arrangements that places individual liberty or mere life over innocent life says about, and may do to, the people and the society that produces them.

“In the long run, the way in which we name things and imagine them may be decisive for the way we feel and act with respect to them, and for the kind of people we ourselves become.”

This amendment is not how this matter of life should be decided.

We recommend: No

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Michael Harris, MHarris@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Ian Swaby, ISwaby@ YourObserver.com; Andrew Warfield, AWarfield@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Digital Content Producer / Jim DeLa, JDeLa@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com Editorial Designer / Jenn Edwards, JEdwards@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com Chief Revenue Officer / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Regional Sales Director / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal McGuinness, RMcGuinness@ YourObserver.com; Lexi Huelsman, Lexi@ YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@ YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Anna Reich, AReich@YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator/Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com Advertising/Marketing Coordinator / Caitlin Ellis, CEllis@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma B. Jolly, EJolly@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Specialist / Melanie Melone, MMelone@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Information Technology Manager / Homer Gallego, HGallego@YourObserver. com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon @YourObserver.com

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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A busy few weeks so far In his first three weeks as managing editor of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, the area has had two hurricanes.

MICHAEL HARRIS MANAGING EDITOR

M

an, my first three weeks with the Observer Media Group and I have had to spend it dealing with not one, but TWO hurricanes.

I originally wrote a column that, well, matches my personality. It was full of lame jokes and something to lighten the mood we had experienced with Helene.

But, now a second hurricane.

Milton.

We are all battle tested from these hurricanes, and as I write this on the Monday before Milton’s arrival on Wednesday, I hope all of our community stays safe and we all get through this.

For the record, I’ve been living in Florida most of my life. Since I was kid in the 1970s. Technically, the first hurricane I had been through was Irma in 2017.

I know, right, it’s a long time.

Seven years ago, I was the digital editor for The News-Press in Fort Myers when I spent a couple nights sleeping on the newsroom floor and eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch out of the box for breakfast.

The shower, if you will, was a pipe in one of the bathrooms about head-high with icy cold water running out of it.

Irma hit on a Sunday, and we were locked in the office with metal barriers on the windows. Most of the newsroom had the TVs on with storm coverage. Meanwhile, I sat away from the TVs doing updates and posting online while watching my beloved Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks on my phone.

The real heavy winds from Irma started around 4:30 p.m., right at kickoff. By the time the game ended, it was 7:15 p.m., and the winds were dying down.

Good times.

After it had ended, the next day, there was the usual damage around the area, traffic lights dangling on the wire, power out everywhere, trees down, we know the drill.

We will have worse here.

We continued to work and put a paper out that following week at the News-Press. Our engagement editor, Cory O’Donnell, and myself would run to Publix every afternoon to get frozen family sized dinners of meatloaf and lasagna to feed the newsroom via a microwave as we reported the news.

That was my last week at the News-Press.

I had accepted a position two weeks prior to Irma to go to Aiken, South Carolina, to become the managing editor of The Aiken Standard.

A year later, Hurricane Michael hit the Florida panhandle and passed over Aiken as a tropical storm. I was standing at my gym at 6 in the morning doing a Facebook Live report for our community.

Later that morning, a reporter and I drove around Aiken and North Augusta doing another Facebook Live surveying the damage.

Hurricanes are worse now, whether you blame it on global warming or cyclical, we’re in a rough patch lately and it’s getting tiring.

I’ve handled coverage for hurricanes before and of all the “immediate” news coverage I’ve coordinated, organized, managed throughout my career, clearly this is

the worst subject.

But, in the news world, we run on a different frequency. As reporters and editors, we jump at covering hurricanes. We want to inform you, let you know what is happening, and provide the most up-to-date information we can.

We jump at this simply because of our upbringing in journalism.

For myself, it started on better deadline subjects. I started as a sportswriter after college working in the Broward bureau of The Miami Herald.

First, for several years covering Friday Night Football and other sports for Miami and then Bradenton, to moving up to covering and organizing sports coverage for the Citrus County Chronicle and then the Leesburg Daily Commercial.

In 2000, that changed to just organizing coverage as an assistant sports editor at The Tampa Tribune. That immediate coverage was better, not easier, than organizing hurricane coverage.

For 11 weeks out of the year, we staffed and covered 45 high school football games, all pouring into the desk of three copy editors and a designer starting at 10:30 p.m. and all games had to be read, edited, on the pages, and out the door by midnight.

But I will tell you, I did love those nights. They were brutal and you’re exhausted by the end, but it was satisfying knowing you had all the games in and people got to read the coverage the next day.

In 2003, our sports editor, and my mentor, Richard “Duke” Maas, came up to me the Monday after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC Championship to go to the Super Bowl.

“What are you doing today?” he asked.

“Oh I have a few things to organize, but nothing major,” I responded.

“Would you mind taking care of the Bucs section today?”

“Sure.”

Carter Weinhofer

Ventura’s in Whitney Plaza was boarded up Oct. 7 before Hurricane Milton. It is the second storm to welcome our new managing editor since he started Sept. 19.

That was about 10:30 or 11 in the morning, and we had a daily special section of 16 pages just on the Bucs. We had it planned every day of Super Bowl week and a 32-page special section the day of the game.

We had about 30 reporters from sports, business, features, photographers and editors in San Diego for the game.

We had as many as 25 in Tampa writing Bucs-related local stories.

So we can fit everything in the sections, with plenty of stories left over. Then the 4 p.m. editors meeting came.

Managing Editor Donna Reed says “Duke, what we got going in the Bucs section?”

And Duke casually responds “Well, Katherine has a story on this, Roy on this ... ” He stops. Then says “I’m gonna let Mike Harris talk about it. In fact, Mike Harris is going to be the liaison the entire week for the Bucs section; he’ll decide what goes there, what goes in A Section, Metro, Features, Sports.”

As many as 40 editors turn to me as Duke just handed the entire set of keys to a 289,000 circulation paper to me.

But we did it. It was 14-hour days, but it was great. News happens, we have to respond.

The last few years, I’ve bounced around as a copywriter with flighty tech companies that promise a bunch but deliver nothing.

The truth is, covering news and managing a great staff is what I love to do. And I want to do my best and deliver fair and quality content for the Sarasota and Longboat communities.

I look forward to meeting everyone I can, and hopefully, I’ll have a positive impact.

I would love to meet as many in the community as I can, but we muscled through Helene, and now we must muscle through Milton.

While Helene was marching toward us (and now Milton) and we were scrambling to put out the papers, I told Executive Editor Kat Wingert: “A lot of people will say this is not what I signed up for.” And they may be right.

Not me.

“This is EXACTLY what I signed up for.”

Please, everyone, be safe. We’ll see you on the other side.

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he first Whataburger location in the Sarasota region made its initial appearance before the city’s Development Review Committee on Oct. 2, a pre-application meeting for its planned prototype restaurant at 4001 S. Tamiami Trail.

That’s the location of the former Café Baci restaurant, which closed in May 2022 after 30 years when the owner retired, according to a report in sister publication the Business Observer.

Whataburger plans to lease the site and build a 3,305-square-foot restaurant with 35 parking spaces and a double-barrel drive-thru. The 1.02acre site is at the corner of South Tamiami Trail and Roselawn Street.

Proposed are ingress and egress points off both roadways.

“Whataburger offers a drivethrough and dine-in food service operation that utilizes a double barrel drive-through system to process and fulfill orders at a faster pace, which alleviates traffic congestion and vehicle stacking on-site,” wrote Project Manager Stephanie Piegzik

in a cover letter to the DRC. A description of the building in the narrative read: “A combination of brick veneer and metal finishes will accentuate the overall exterior of the building, while downward-facing wall light fixtures will illuminate the perimeter of the building.”

In March 2023, Benderson Development purchased the property for $2.8 million. At the time, the executive director of leasing for the Manatee County developer said the goal was to “reimagine the property,” the Business Observer reported.

The property is zoned Commercial General District, which would allow for the drive-thru, according to the proposal. The Business Observer reported the cost for construction is estimated at $1.8 million.

The first Whataburger opened in August 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Its headquarters is in San Antonio. With the majority share of the company owned by BDT Capital Partners of Chicago, the family of founder Harmon Dobson still owns a minority stake.

With more than 1,000 locations in Texas and the Southwest, Whataburger is making a push into Florida, with plans to open some two dozen stores in the next few years. With 14 locations clustered around the Jacksonville area, the company is pushing southward through the Orlando and Tampa markets.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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CITY COMMISSION RACE: DISTRICT 3

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irst-term commissioner and former Mayor Erik Arroyo says he has some unfinished business on the Sarasota City Commission, and that’s why he is running for re-election in District 3. He is being challenged for his seat by former Planning Board member Kathy Kelley Ohlrich.

The Observer surveyed all six candidates for the three district seats on the City Commission, selecting questions for print. Ohlrich’s full survey answers may be viewed online at YourObserver.com.

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Over the past years, I’ve worked to ensure that we lower taxes and fees, to provide record investment in public safety, which has yielded a record low in most crime statistics, and to address cost of living and quality of life matters.

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Private use of city properties such as parks and city-owned buildings has been a major topic of discussion. Recent examples are The Players and Payne Park Auditorium and Ride Entertainment’s proposal for Ken Thompson Park.

How do you view such public/private partnerships with regard to city assets?

There are two kinds of commercial activity in parks: public and private.

Public/private partnerships can be very beneficial to activating a park and providing amenities to further the city resident’s enjoyment of the park. I am in favor of enhancing and activating parks for the public. Commercialization of parks or public spaces for private purposes should not occur.

Conversely, I’m in favor of more public uses adjacent to parks, such as the skating rink and Café in the Park (Payne), the tennis courts,

Age: 34 Occupation: Attorney Resident of Sarasota: 18 years

and the leases pertaining to concessions, to name a few, as these vendors benefit the general public and enhance an area despite being a commercial use. Sometimes the question lies in our perspective on the “activation” of a park.

The city commission is creating an ad-hoc committee to provide recommendations for a downtown master plan update. Please cite some specific changes you think need to be made to the plan.

The Downtown Master Plan was adopted with the mandate of being updated every few years. This did not happen, and now we are still operating under the “Downtown 2020 Plan” that was adopted in the early 2000s. Overall, it’s been successful in cultivating a more pedestrianfriendly, modern downtown experience than when I grew up here.

Some specific changes I would like to see our community consider: n Allow for the use of roof space on downtown buildings. n Wider sidewalks that are pedestrian-friendly. n Beautification of streets and sidewalks and improvement and functional use of safe alleys for residents. n Allow for “missing middle” housing and the conversion of vacant commercial spaces to residential to provide for attainable housing. n A pedestrian boardwalk overpass from Main Street over Tamiami Trail onto the bayfront.

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n both Ohio and Sarasota, Kathy Kelley Ohlrich has been involved in city government in a variety of capacities, most recently serving on the Sarasota Planning Commission until her term expired in 2023.

She is challenging Commissioner Erik Arroyo for the District 3 seat.

The Observer surveyed all six candidates for the three district seats on the City Commission, selecting questions for print. Ohlrich’s full survey answers may be viewed online at YourObserver.com.

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That’s why in Sarasota I’ve been president of my homeowners’ association, two-term chair of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations, and why I served six years on our city’s Planning Board.

Now I’m running for City Commission because I want to make a positive difference in Sarasota.

Private use of city properties such as parks and city-owned buildings has been a major topic of discussion. Recent examples are The Sarasota Players and Payne Park Certification: Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, Vascular Surgery Auditorium and Ride Entertainment’s proposal for Ken ThompA Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations son Park. How do you view such Hospital Affiliations: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center; Doctors Hospital; public/private partnerships with Sarasota Memorial Hospital regard to city assets?

In 2019 the city commissioned a Parks Master Plan. The City Commission subsequently accepted that A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations master plan. The city also has downtown green space policies approved by the City Commission in February Cattleridge Medical Building I 2011.

Any activity proposed for any 3333 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 park should first be reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the www.intercoastalmedical.com approved master plan.

Medicare and most insurances accepted If that park is downtown, any 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1 8/26/21 3:27 PM proposed activity should also be 8.26.21_IMG-Kassover-LWRII-18x24poster.indd 1

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reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the approved downtown green space policies.

People tell me they want our parks protected so they are for the use of all people. People tell me they want explicit limitations on the commercialization of parks for private gain.

I agree.

The city commission is creating an ad-hoc committee to provide recommendations for a downtown master plan update. Please cite some specific changes you think need to be made to the plan.

Master plans are built on previous master plans and are designed knowing they will be revised in the future.

The current master plan is ready to be replaced by a new plan. A new plan should prioritize connectivity to the bayfront and walkability.

It should incentivize preservation of our historic buildings, so we keep the charm of our downtown and the downtown neighborhoods of Rosemary, Gillespie and Park East.

It should incentivize mixed uses of buildings so residents and visitors can walk to hardware stores, drug stores as well as to hair salons, banks, restaurants and nightclubs.

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OCTOBER 10, 2024

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Sand dunes rise to nearly the top of the first floor at one of the Hermitage Retreat’s historic buildings following Hurricane Helene.

Courtesy images

NO REFUGE

FROM THE STORM

Hermitage Artist Retreat CEO Andy Sandberg vows to rebuild after being hit by a hurricane twice in two years.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

A

s the waves leisurely lapped the shore of Manasota Beach on a late Friday in August, Daniel and Patrick Lazour sang songs from their show, “We Live in Cairo,” which opens this week Off Broadway in New York City.

Members of the audience at the Hermitage Artist Retreat watched the Massachusetts-bred brothers play guitar and sing songs inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings of the 2010s as they lounged in beach chairs and sipped wine. Stage right, the last rays of the day’s sun danced off the clouds over the water.

Just an hour earlier, it seemed as if a storm was heading toward the area.

Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg had to decide whether to cancel the evening’s performance. But at the last minute, the showers moved elsewhere and Sandberg gave the show the green light.

The Hermitage was lucky on Aug. 23. It wasn’t as fortunate Sept. 26, when Hurricane Helene thrashed the beaches of Sarasota’s barrier islands, dumping tons of sand onto the Hermitage’s grounds and parking lot.

It was the second time in as many years the Hermitage was hit by a devastating storm. In 2022, high winds from Hurricane Ian pummeled its roof, which cost nearly $1 million to repair.

As this article is being written, Hurricane Milton is heading for Tampa Bay. Batten down the hatches, folks.

Speaking by telephone on Oct. 4, Sandberg said it was impossible to

estimate the cost of removing the sand that has engulfed the Hermitage’s buildings because it cannot simply be dumped back on the beach. Having said that, he expects the price tag will be higher than it was for the Hurricane Ian cleanup.

As in other places in the Sarasota area, sand moved by the storm first must be remediated.

“We have to figure out what to do with the sand,” Sandberg said.

“We’re waiting on guidance from Sarasota County and the state of Florida.”

THE ARTFUL LOBSTER IS ON

Wearing his development hat, Sandberg wants everybody to know the Hermitage’s annual Artful Lobster fundraiser will take place this year on Nov. 9 at a location that will soon be revealed.

Sitting on the Hermitage beach in August, listening to the Lazours, the word that came to mind was “magical.”

But “magical thinking” can be dangerous. The late Joan Didion popularized the term when she wrote “The Year of Magical Thinking.”

In the medical trade, “magical thinking” is defined as: “when a person believes that specific words, thoughts, emotions or rituals can

“The Hermitage needs to exist.

It is a magic, unique, inspirational location that we are committed to rebuilding.”

Andy Sandberg, Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO

Image courtesy of Barbara Banks

influence the external world.”

Is it magical thinking to believe the Hermitage Artist Retreat can withstand the storms that buffet its Manasota Key campus with seemingly greater frequency?

According to Sandberg, the answer is no. “The Hermitage needs to exist.

It is a magic, unique, inspirational location that we are committed to rebuilding,” he says.

He adds: “Weather is impacting the entire world. Look what happened to the arts district in Asheville. This campus and buildings have withstood a century.”

Sandberg and the Hermitage’s board of trustees are hoping it will be around on its current premises for at least another 30 years. In July, the Hermitage announced that the Sarasota County Commission unanimously approved an extension to its lease through 2045.

The agreement also included an option to extend the lease through 2055 upon the completion of planned improvements to the Hermitage facilities. The amendment also “confirmed” the Hermitage providing greater access to parking for the retreat’s community programs, according to a statement at the time.

The Hermitage Retreat, which Sandberg likes to call an “incubator,” hosts nearly 100 artists in various disciplines whose diverse works end up in concert halls, theaters, muse-

ums and galleries, both locally and around the world.

DON’T CALL IT A ‘RETREAT’

“Even though it’s part of our name, I don’t really like the word ‘retreat,’” Sandberg says. “The biggest misrepresentation about the Hermitage is that it’s like a beach vacation for retired artists. But our fellows always say they get more work done here in their time than anywhere else.”

In New York alone, this past season saw performances and works

by Hermitage alums such as Craig Lucas (“Days of Wine and Roses”), Lynn Nottage (“MJ: The Musical”), Jeanine Tesori (“Kimberly Akimbo”), Dennis O’Hare (“Merrily We Roll Along”) and Joshua Harmon (“Prayer for the French Republic”).

Closer to home, a collaboration between the Hermitage and Sarasota Art Museum brought “Impact,” a cutting-edge show of 10 world-class artists to SAM, an arm of Ringling College of Art and Design housed in the old Sarasota High School.

Unlike some other fellowship programs, the Hermitage has no work requirement. But its fellows are required to interact with the community in a program of some kind.

The Hermitage hosts some 50 of these events a year, on its beach and SEE HERMITAGE PAGE 16A

The Hermitage Artist Retreat in Manasota Key brings worldclass artists to Sarasota to develop their work and to interact with local audiences.

16A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

SARASOTA ARTS VENUES PLAY IT SAFE

Courtesy image

The Hermitage Artist Retreat hosted “Stealing the Show: Broadway, Beach and Beyond” with Hermitage Fellow Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer on June 26.

HERMITAGE FROM PAGE 15A

at Sarasota cultural institutions such as Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Following Hurricane Helene, the Oct. 18 program, “Zeniba Now: The Heartsong and Other Experiments” has been moved to the roof of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

Hurricane Milton notwithstanding, all systems are go for the Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens program, “Let the Music Set You Free,” on Oct. 17 with Britton Smith, the leader of the alternative soul band Britton and the Sting.

PROGRAMS ARE FREE WITH $5 FEE

The cost to attend a Hermitage program is nearly free. The only requirement is that attendees register on the Hermitage website and pay a $5 fee.

No one disputes the high caliber of arts performance in Sarasota, but one thing that makes Hermitage shows stand out is they present new work on its way to major stages.

But after hunkering down in a Hermitage bungalow and working out a block on their latest project, not every artist is in the mood to dance and sing. Sandberg, who recently starred in the World War II drama “Operation Epsilon” in London, understands.

When Tesori told him that she didn’t want to spend her time at the Hermitage worrying about her performance, he gave her the OK to do a casual Q&A with the audience, replete with a glass of wine.

“The audience just loved it,” Sand-

berg says. “Because as cool as it is to hear new work from Jeanine Tesori, it’s even cooler to hear about her perspective sitting in an editing booth with Sondheim working on the ‘West Side Story’ movie while trying to launch her opera that started here.”

That opera, “Grounded,” just premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

FINDING THE RIGHT FELLOWS

But it’s not just the perfect setting that makes the alchemy happen. The other ingredient is the artist. Here’s where Sandberg gets really excited telling a visitor the Hermitage story.

Just like with the MacDowell Genius Award, artists can’t apply for a Hermitage fellowship: They have to be nominated. But it’s not Sandberg or the board of trustees that do the honors. The Hermitage’s National Curatorial Council of 14 superstars in their respective creative fields, nominates prospective fellows, who must be unanimously approved.

In addition to fellowships, each year, the Hermitage hands out its Greenfield Prize, a $35,000 cash stipend awarded across disciplines, in concert with the Greenfield Foundation of Philadelphia. This year’s Greenfield Prize winner is Deepa Purohit, who made her Off-Broadway debut last season with her play “Elyria” in New York.

Another thing that arouses Sandberg’s childlike enthusiasm is talking about what happens when you put four or five Hermitage Fellows of differing creative backgrounds around a barbecue or firepit.

One local manifestation of that cross-cultural collaboration at the Hermitage was the recent SAM exhibit, “The Truth of the Night Sky.” The show was the creative offspring of multimedia artist Anne Patterson and composer Patrick Harlin, who met at the Hermitage in 2014.

KEEPING A FOOT IN THEATER

One reason why Sandberg is happy to be surrounded by artists is that he’s one himself. A Yale graduate, Sandberg joined the Hermitage in December 2019 after directing such off-Broadway shows as “The Last Smoker in America,” “Shida” and “Straight.”

When Sandberg took the job at the Hermitage, it was with the understanding that his freelance theatrical work could continue.

But his main role is serving as ambassador for Hermitage. “When I came here from New York and asked people what they knew about the Hermitage, people had so many specific or limited views. ‘Oh, you do a poetry reading once a year. Oh, you do a gala in Sarasota once a year with a commission for visual art. Oh, you do a few cute beach programs,’” he recalls.

Well, let’s set the record straight then: What is the Hermitage Artist Retreat, anyway?

Sandberg doesn’t hold back. “I think we are perhaps the most innovative and exciting arts and cultural organization in the state of Florida and one of the top in the country. We need to exist.”

Hurricane Helene had wreaked havoc on Sarasota’s barrier islands the day before, but all seemed in order on Friday, Sept.

27, at Holley Hall, where the Stiletto Brass was scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m.

However, at 6:30 p.m., ticket holders received an unexpected email: The much-anticipated concert of the female quintet, which was to be accompanied by Bradenton virtuoso trumpeter Vince DiMartino, was canceled.

The email from Robyn Bell, music director of the Pops Orchestra, the show’s sponsor, explained the power had gone out at Holley Hall. “Your Pops Orchestra Team is waiting at Holley Hall just in case you didn’t get this email,” the missive read. “We love you all and are so sorry we didn’t get to relax with wonderful music tonight.”

For Sarasota arts organizations and their patrons, Hurricane Helene brought mostly disappointment, not devastation.

The exceptions were those cultural venues with waterfront exposure, such as Marie Selby Gardens Botanical Gardens downtown and Selby’s Spanish Point campus in Osprey, and John Ringling’s historic C’a d’Zan on the grounds of The Ringling at 5401 Bay Shore Road.

The 36,000-square-foot mansion, built by the circus magnate in 1926, sustained flooding to its basement and damage to tiles on its waterside terrace. Owned by Florida State University after being left to the state’s citizens in Ringling’s will, the chateau is closed to the public and all tours are suspended until repairs can be made.

The rest of the Ringling complex, including the John and Mable Art Museum and the Tibbals Learning Center and Circus Museum, remained open to the public last week.

Parts of Selby Gardens’ downtown campus near its waterfront mangroves were cordoned off after Hurricane Helene, but the facility was able to open its 2024 Orchid Show, titled “Purple!” to the public on Saturday, Oct. 4.

At Spanish Point, a seawall collapsed and a small bridge was damaged. Its annual “Lights at Spooky Point” exhibition, originally set to open Oct. 9, is now scheduled to go live on Oct. 12. That is, if Hurricane Milton doesn’t get in the way.

By the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 6, some Sarasota arts groups were playing it safe and announcing closures ahead of the hurricane heading toward the Tampa Bay area.

The Sarasota Art Museum will close from Monday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 11, out of “an abundance of caution for the approaching tropical storm.”

The Sarasota Ballet announced plans to reschedule the 100th anniversary tour of the Martha Graham Dance Company scheduled for Oct. 11-13 at FSU Performing Arts Center.

More closures and cancellations are sure to follow as the track and force of the storm becomes apparent.

Even if you don’t receive emails or texts with cancellation or closure notices, arts patrons are still advised to check websites or telephone to find out whether their destination or performance is still happening.

It goes without saying that ticket holders should stay home if they have to travel through dangerous conditions to reach a performance or an exhibition. The arts bring joy, but they are not worth risking one’s life for.

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17A

THIS WEEK THURSDAY

OPENING RECEPTION FOR FALL EXHIBITIONS 5 p.m. at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail Free Visit ArtCenterSarasota.org.

Raise a toast to the four new shows opening at Art Center Sarasota. They include Gabriel Ramos’ “Echoes of Belonging,” Amy Sanders’ “Pouring, storing and ore-ing,” David Fithian’s “Faces & Places” and the juried show, “Euphoria!” Runs through Nov. 16.

CREATIVE LIBERTIES ARTISTS OPENING RECEPTION 5 p.m. at 901B Apricot Ave. and 927 N. Lime Ave. Free Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

Meet artists whose work is on view and available for purchase while noshing on light bites and sipping refreshments. Artists at Creative Liberties’ 901B Apricot Ave. location include Carol Hartley-Pinter, Cindy Barbenera-Wedel, Barbara Benjamin, Steve Blumenthal and Eileen Saunders. Artists showcased at 927 N. Lime Ave. include Jess Nagy, Judy Levine, Rick Cardoza, Paula Colman, Lynn Cooke and Ronnique Hawkins.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: ‘HAMLET’ 6:30 p.m. at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road $10-$20 Visit Ringling.org.

Live from the Barbican in London, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the title role in Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Cumberbatch is a star of stage and screen best known for his role in TV’s “Sherlock” and his Oscar-nomi-

DON’T MISS

Courtesy images

“Purple! The 2024 Orchid Show” runs at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens through Dec. 5.

nated performance in “The Power of the Dog.” Runs through Oct. 11.

Lynne Doyle as the mother superior.

Runs through Oct. 20.

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

‘SOUL CROONERS: SOLID GOLD EDITION’ 7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $22-$52 Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.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 hum) down Memory Lane with hits that ruled the Billboard Top 100 ranking, which debuted in 1958. Runs through Feb. 9.

‘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 dead baby is found in the room of a young nun at a convent, all hell breaks loose. One of Venice Theatre’s revivals for its 75th season, “Agnes of God” features riveting performances by Shannon Maloney as the novice Agnes, Vera Samuels as a court-appointed psychiatrist and

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 new and improved “Solid Gold Edition” was a hit at this summer’s International Black Theatre Festival in WinstonSalem, North Carolina. Runs through Nov. 17.

FRIDAY ‘NINETEEN’ 7:30 p.m. at Tree Fort Productions, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail $40 Visit TreeFortProductionsProjects. com.

Move over, “Suffs.” Sarasota’s got its own musical about women’s suffrage. With her musical “Nineteen,” multitalented Katherine Michelle Tanner celebrates the road to the 19th century. Runs through Oct. 27.

IF YOU GO When: Runs through Dec. 5.

Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Tickets: $28 Info: Visit Selby.org.

‘A SYMPHONIC SPOOKTACULAR’ 7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Art Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice $38-$70 Visit TheVeniceSymphony.org.

For some people, pumpkin spice latte and donuts usher in the Halloween season. For others, it’s spooky music. If you’re a fan of the latter, grab your broomstick and fly down to Venice for a “A Symphonic Spooktacular.” Troy Quinn leads the Venice Symphony as it performs Bernard Hermann’s “Psycho: A Short Suite for String Orchestra,” the theme from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and more. Runs through Oct. 12.

SATURDAY

OUR PICK

‘THE ORCHESTRA GAMES’ When was the last time you attended a concert inside the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for free?

For most people, the answer is “never.” Grab grandma and round up the cousins for this gratis concert featuring “The Orchestra Games” by Gregory Smith, a lighthearted, symphonic competition conducted by Rei Hotoda. No strings attached — except the ones on the instruments.

‘JUNIE B. JONES: THE MUSICAL’ Noon 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 for kids at Florida Studio Theatre. FST’s new production, “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” follows our heroine as she starts a new school year, recording her adventures in her Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal. Runs weekends through Oct. 26.

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 Where: Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, 777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: Free Info: Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

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SEE CALENDAR PAGE 18A

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‘PURPLE! THE 2024 ORCHID SHOW’ It’s the most wonderful time of year — when Marie Selby Botanical Gardens unveils its latest orchid show. The theme of this year’s show, presented by Better Gro, is “Purple!”

Don’t be a shrinking violet; Come see an astonishing display of purple orchids in the Tropical Conservatory along with an exhibition of books, prints, photographs and other materials in the Museum of Botany & The Arts. Stop by the Green Orchid, the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant, for a tasty lunch presented

by Michael’s On East.

18A

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

EATING WITH EMMA

CALENDAR FROM PAGE 17A

SUNDAY

Give ’em pumpkin to talk about

CHAMBER SOIRÉE 2 — MENDELSSOHN AND MASLANKA 4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $42-$52 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Here’s where to get into the fall spirit, even when it’s 90 degrees outside.

Sarasota Orchestra presents a chamber music program pairing the music of 18th-century wunderkind Felix Mendelsohn with 20th-century master David Maslanka, whose fourth wind quintet was composed expressly for the Sarasota Wind Quartet. Opening the program is a selection of celebratory music for brass quintet.

EMMA BURKE JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR

I

t’s that time of year when I contemplate deleting all social media platforms. Even though I moved to Florida nearly nine years ago, it still happens.

Come September and early October, I battle seasonal depression.

While the heat prevents me from escaping into the outside world, my thumb works overtime skimming social media.

I lose endless hours of my life following friends on Facebook to see their babies’ milestones, eyeballing Instagram to see how people spend their time in low-humidity environs and perusing Pinterest for ideas about what my Halloween costume might be if it wasn’t hotter than Hades outside.

Then the first fall photo pops up, and I sink into my couch harder than before.

Apple-picking families at the orchard, leaves changing into stunning autumn hues and pumpkinflavored confections consumed in colorful settings make my Connecticut-born-and-bred heart shatter.

But I can’t let go of that fall feeling completely, so I sip and smash pumpkin-flavored staples in the sweltering Sarasota sun. Here are the local spots where I choose to embrace the change of seasons, sans turtleneck and boots.

THE CLEVER CUP COFFEE SHOP

6530 Gateway Ave., Sarasota; 941284-5503; TheCleverCup.com.

Hello Gourd-geous: As seasons come and go (in most places), so do seasonal flavors at this Gulf Gate coffee shop. Still, their fall flavors are here for a while — at least until the temperature breaks 80. Treat yourself to a pumpkin spice latte ($5.25 and up), perfect for any WFH employee looking to change up the morning routine, or to a pumpkin caramel latte — available both iced and hot. Here’s to toasting (not roasting) to fall.

Feeling Pump-ed: While I normally would be sure to apprehend an almond croissant for being dangerously delicious, we are here

TUESDAY ‘FROM BACH TO BLUEGRASS’ 5:30 p.m. at Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice $78 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Courtesy image

We can live like Jack and Sally if we want, with Pumpkin Stiltskin ale, at 8.9% ABV.

for the pumpkin. Be sure to order a pumpkin cheesecake muffin ($5) to pair perfectly with your pumpkin coffee. It’s gluten-free and vegan, so all-almond moms can cool it on the breakfast-time guilt.

smashed cauliflower and topped with fried corn tortillas — I can already hear myself singing, “Bear Down, Chicago Bears!”

BIG TOP BREWING CO.

3434 Bahia Vista St.; 941-955-7771; YodersRestaurant.com.

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Hello Gourd-geous: Ask the Addams Family to come or beg Beetlejuice to join — but just once, not three times — because this beer is one of the best pumpkin adult beverages in Sarasota. Pumpkin Stiltskin ale, at 8.9% ABV, blasts your palate with baked pumpkin, cinnamon, roasted honey, brown sugar and fresh vanilla beans. With one, you’ll be feeling fine. After two, you’ll be walking like Frankenstein.

Feeling Pump-ed: For a pleasing plate packed with flavor for football Sundays, order the chicken chili ($16). I know, there is no pumpkin here, but this dish that delivers fall vibes had to creep into a gourddriven piece. White meat chicken, white beans, roasted green chiles, with all the fixings, served over

Too hungry for dinner to attend an early evening concert? Artist Series Concerts solves the problem for you with this tempting recital and dinner.

First on the menu is a performance

by Kayla Williams, who crosses genres effortlessly on viola and vocals. She will be joined by jazz pianist Chris McCarthy. Feast on black and bleu salad, steak medallions with caramelized onions, roasted red potatoes and green beans, followed by chocolate mousse cake. (Insert chef’s kiss emoji here.)

BILLY OCEAN 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $48-$88 Visit VanWezel.org.

YODER’S RESTAURANT & AMISH VILLAGE

Hello Gourd-geous: It’s the most wonderful time of the year because the pumpkin cream pie (whole pie, $20.95) is back in town.

Yoder’s famous pies are baked from scratch, of course, every morning.

Like they say, “No meal at Yoder’s is ever complete without a piece of homemade pie.” So save some room for this pie that will transform your tastebuds. Not feeling the fluffiness? I might not agree with you, but the classic pumpkin baked pie (slice, $7.95 or 10-inch pie to take home, $28.95) is also an option at the Amish Village eatery.

Feeling Pump-ed: Not a pie fan?

Don’t tell anyone, but neither is my mom. When she flies down to Sarasota for Thanksgiving, I’m taking her to Yoder’s for her pumpkin fix in the morning. We’ll order pumpkinstuffed French toast ($8.95) and pumpkin pancakes (one, $6.95 or two, $7.95). See? There really is pumpkin for everyone.

If you’re familiar with Billy Ocean’s 1984 hit, “Caribbean Queen,” you know how infectious the music of

Kayla Williams

Billy Ocean

this Trinidadian-British performer is.

Ocean is still at it 40 years after his pulsating ditty climbed to the top of the Billboard 100. Come see why he has sold more than 30 million records in a career that has included a Grammy and a role in the 1984 Live Aid concert.

WEDNESDAY GREAT ESCAPES 1 — REEL INTRIGUE 5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail $46-$63 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

It’s the time to revel in the spooky season, whether your choice of holiday is Halloween, Samhain or Day of the Dead. Matthew Troy conducts the Sarasota Orchestra in a program of thrilling and chilling music from movies such as “Chicago,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Vertigo” and more.

October 18-20, 2024 All concerts & Biergarten take place at Church of the Redeemer, Downtown Sarasota

Baroque and Beer – a perfect combination!

Four amazing concerts featuring a star-studded cast of performers, chamber orchestra, and concluding with an authentic Biergarten Experience with German food, beers from Calusa Brewing, and dancing to the Bill Miner’s Oompah Band.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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Rosé for Reproductive Rights Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Arts & Central Benefiting Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida

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Get friendly with some flamingos. Take your picture with a parrot.

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YOUR NEIGHBORS cool.”

She said most of her films are focused on conveying a message that makes a difference, such as “Do You Believe in Magic,” which would have addressed the topic of social anxiety.

“I’m really excited to, in the future, work on things like make short films here because now I actually have a school that I can do that with,” she said.

The school’s studios are equipped with 20 state-of-the-art Wacom Cintiq and Mac Pro work stations, while students will receive equipment including Sony and Canon cameras, dollies, stabilizers and a crane, plus funds and editing stations.

The experience of the instructors is a major help.

Before arriving at Booker High in 2017, Timpe taught in the Communication Department at the University of North Florida and produced an Emmy-winning documentary for the Tampa Bay Times. He has also studied under experimental film director Stan Brakhage.

Burton, a Sarasota native, earned her degrees from the Ringling College of Art and Design and the University of Florida, and served as a freelance illustrator for companies including Coca-Cola and Simon & Schuster.

Senior Dale Burgess works on an animation project.

ANIMATING THE FUTURE

GETTING THINGS IN MOTION

Photos by Ian Swaby

Lori Burton and John Timpe

Booker High School’s Film & Animation program provides students with professional-level features.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

A HYBRID DEPARTMENT

According to Burton, the quality of a film begins with students’ storytelling ability.

“They they give you a lot of opportunity to express yourself and come up with your own stories, and then they help kind of guide it into a certain path, and to have storylines and climax, resolution,” said 12th Grader Ethan Reed.

Students constructed this stop-motion set for a story involving a church, the devil and a priest.

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W

hen they were in the fifth grade, ninth graders Audrey Phillippi and Nya Chambless had an idea for a short film.

Titled “Do You Believe in Magic,” the film would have involved a character with a magic pencil (“We were in the fifth grade” explains Phillippi) that brings an animated friend to life.

It would be a live-action and hybrid animated film, similar to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

As students in Booker High School’s Film & Animation magnet program, they now hope to realize the idea.

According to instructor John Timpe, the program is a rarity in how it brings together film and animation, two disciplines that are uncommon in high schools.

Yet the program, like many other aspects of Booker’s Visual and Performing Arts magnet program, is not

your typical high school offering.

According to Lori Burton, department head, Sarasota County is the only county to teach film the way it is taught at Booker: with equipment and technology she describes as “Ringling-level.”

She said the program’s students have enjoyed repeated success at film festivals.

For instance, on Oct. 18-20, three student films will be shown at All American High School Film Festival, which Timpe calls “the big film festival, maybe the biggest for high school students on the planet.”

Class activities for students include watching great films, listening to guest speakers and taking field trips to professional sets.

Starting with their sophomore year, students can choose to focus on just animation and motion design, film or both.

“Some want to go to go to film school and be directors or cinematographers,” Timpe said. “Many want to be screenwriters, want to get into writing and storytelling, and then we’ll have a few who have the understanding and the foresight to say they want to be a producer.”

About 65% of students go on to major in film-related topics, Timpe said, and seniors establish portfolio projects to help them secure admission and scholarships to top schools.

Chambless, who plans to pursue acting in college, started acting at 4 and became interested in filmmaking at 6. She said coming from being homeschooled, she enjoyed the chance to have friends who share her interest in film.

“I used to ask my friends, ‘Hey, have you seen this?’ ‘No, who is that?’ What is that? I don’t know what that is.’ And now, they’re actually people that do, which is really

Burton said students hoping to enter into the animation side of the program had best come prepared.

“This program is extremely unique, and we are always looking for kids with that passion and with that stamina, because it’s not for the faint of heart, meaning, it’s frameby-frame,” Burton said.

The program focuses on traditional 2D animation, with students being taught the 12 principles of animation, which originated with Disney and include ideas like “squash and stretch” and “follow through.”

They first have to learn the foundations, such as traditional drawing, solid drawing and lighting and shadows.

Senior Dale Burgess, creator of “Balloon Girl,” one of the films being shown in the festival, is currently working on an untitled animated

project.

The story concerns a boy who is greedy and jealous of characters he sees in his books, and as a result, walks out his door to undertake a long trek.

“When you don’t get something right, and you spend hours and hours trying to get it right, it can be very disheartening ... ” he said. “But once you get through it and get through the rough patch, you’ll end up looking at it and you’ll be like, ‘Oh, wow, I did that. That’s cool.’”

Burton said students learn quickly, however.

“It starts at the story, the fundamentals of art, then the 2D animation, and from there, they can do amazing stuff, and they catch on really quickly. It’s awesome, it’s crazy, very fun,” she said.

After learning the fundamentals, students can also bring their own unique styles.

There’s even room for students who want to experiment with a whole other animation form: stop-motion, a technique popularized in films such as the “Wallace & Gromit” franchise and “Coraline,” which involves animating through incremental images of posable puppets or clay figures.

The stop-motion lab is complete with an arch rigging and pocket dolly for a camera, and a program called Dragonframe from controlling the camera and combining the images.

By the time students graduate, the goal is for them to be college and career ready.

However, Timpe said the program is useful beyond just the filmmaking skills students can take away and that students will be prepared “whether it’s organization, analytical thinking, the ability to tell a story.”

Some other skills include time management, and auditioning, working with and directing adult actors, or cold calling companies about needed supplies.

The school is working on a partnership with the Creative Empowerment Program by Caring for Children Charities for 3D animation, a master class with New York-based studio Semkhor concerning the 3D computer graphics software tool Blender and an Adobe After Effects boot camp.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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here is one place that Ilonka Ambros and her mother, Zdenka Ambros, both originally from the Czech Republic, say they can find Polka music: Oktoberfest celebrations.

“We just like to listen to the music. It reminds us of home,” Ilonka Ambros said.

They were eager to attend Park-toberfest at The Bay on Oct. 6 for a second time, taking to the floor repeatedly to dance and perform the “Chicken Dance” Oktoberfest tradition.

Held indoors at the Sarasota Garden Club for the second year in a row due to rainy weather, the event marked the first signature event of The Bay Second Anniversary Community Celebration planned for the entire month of October.

It offered a chance to enjoy the food and music of Oktoberfest, as well as a stein-hoisting competition in which Sherri Schambach emerged as the winner.

Director of Park Guest Experience Diana Shaheen said as a result of people canceling plans due to Hurricane Milton, turnout was far below what was expected.

“We had 300 last year. We’re lucky if we had 40 or 50 this year ... ” she said. “That part’s sad, but I understand that people are trying to figure out what they’re going to do in the hurricane.”

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Members of the congregation sing “The People Israel Lives.”

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efore moving to the United States, Liat Alon, who is chief learning and engagement officer at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, taught at Israeli educational institutions.

Among the people she worked with was a department administrator whose husband, Omri Miran, was one of the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

With many people still hostages, she said, the war is nonstop, which makes it important for the commu-

nity to join together to find hope.

On Oct. 7, the federation hosted the Be the Light: Memorial Candle Lighting at its events venue The Ora. The previous day, Temple EmanuEl hosted Yisrael Chai: A Day of Hope, which featured prayer and musical performances and welcomed Maya Platek as its keynote speaker.

The event drew a mostly full sanctuary and many community and religious leaders, including Chaplain Tom Pfaff, president of the Sarasota Ministerial Association, although Chief of Police Rex Troche was unable to attend as planned due to the approaching Hurricane Milton.

A Columbia University student and a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson unit, Platek was elected as the university’s student body president for the 2024-2025 school year, with her speech introducing herself as president gaining over 1.4 million views online.

She said after previously serving as an interim president, she was persuaded to run after many students asked her to do so. Her policies have included advocating against the elimination of the Tel Aviv University and Columbia University dual degree program, a demand she said protestors have put forward.

“I think that after October 7, I’ve seen a complete transformation amongst the Jewish community worldwide. I think it’s brought many people back to their roots, made us realize how important our community is and how important our history is,” she said.

At The Ora, more than 900 candles represented all who died on Oct. 7, as well as Israeli soldiers who have since died.

A tradition in Judaism, the candles each burn from the length of time from sundown to sundown, the interval of the Jewish day.

Because the event had to be held indoors due to the weather, all of candles were not lit, but visitors were able to take candles home and send the federation images of the lightings to create a collage.

“I light the candle and then the light twinkles throughout the day, and every time you look at it, you think about that person. It’s almost like inviting them back into your life in a way that’s very physical and like you can feel it,” Alon said.

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SeahavenTM.com | NaplesOnline@taylormorrison.com | 941.789.5126 ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS NEWSPAPER AD AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. SKETCHES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE ARTIST’S RENDERINGS. DETAILS AND FIELD VARIATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE, AND ALL FLOOR PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THERE ARE VARIOUS METHODS FOR CALCULATING THE TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE OF A CONDOMINIUM UNIT, AND DEPENDING ON THE METHOD OF CALCULATION, THE QUOTED SQUARE FOOTAGE OF A CONDOMINIUM UNIT MAY VARY BY MORE THAN A NOMINAL AMOUNT. THE DIMENSIONS STATED IN THIS NEWSPAPER AD ARE MEASURED TO THE EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES OF THE EXTERIOR WALLS AND THE CENTERLINE OF INTERIOR DEMISING WALLS AND, IN FACT, ARE LARGER THAN THE DIMENSIONS OF THE “UNIT” AS DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION OF SEAHAVEN OF PUNTA GORDA CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., WHICH IS MEASURED USING INTERIOR MEASUREMENTS. All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, school assignments and ratings, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments, and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings, tax rates and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change, or delay without notice. Price(s) shown may not reflect lot premiums, upgrades and options depending on stage of construction. All homes are subject to prior sale. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager for details and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional state and community specific disclaimers, licensing information and other details (as applicable). © October 2024, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc. CBC1263209. All rights reserved. 10/03/24 8849

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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Englewood firefighters Mason Adkins and James Farley prepare cups of chili.

The cook-off before the storm T

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odd Morton, owner of Morton’s Gourmet Market, said the question arose of whether the Firehouse Chili Cook-Off could take place this year.

Yet, despite the drizzle and upcoming Hurricane Milton, members of the public still turned out for the event, which was held outside the store, benefiting the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

“I’ve been questioning myself all week. Should we cancel?

Should we cancel?” Morton said.

“And we didn’t, and thank God we didn’t, because the (firefighters) love it, and the public loves it. We need that little break in between storms.”

The event featured teams of firefighters making their own takes on chili amid themed booths. An expert panel of judges delivered verdicts on the best chili offerings, all while live music entertained guests and chili chefs alike.

Darren Lally of Station 5 stirs a pot of chili.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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From a Simple Refresh to a

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Morton’s employees Kailey Goodman, Ricardo Morales, Keyshawn Williams, Nicole Greathouse and Kjerstan Chamberlain help out at the event.

Morton said although the event is loved by the public, it’s also important to the firefighters.

“We don’t know who’s going to show up today, but half of what we do here, really is for the camaraderie of the firefighters to get together and have that convivial time, and they love it,” he said.

“They look forward to this every year.”

Firefighter and paramedic Miriam Troyer of Station 12 said the cook-off has always been an opportunity for staff at the fire department to have fun working as a team.

“This is one of my favorite things that the Benevolent Fund does,” she said, noting that the team came together to make chili despite the hurricane keeping them from carrying out plans for their elaborate booth this year.

She also noted the presence of the police department and various fire departments. “People from other departments come together,” she said.

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WINNERS OF FIREHOUSE CHILI COOK-OFF JUDGE’S AWARDS First place: Stations 6 and 9 (Margaritaville Chili) Second place: Sarasota Police Department, and People’s Choice recipient Third place: Station 11 (Make Chili Great Again)

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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Editor’s note: Hurricane Milton may affect some of these events.

FRIDAY, OCT. 11

FREE FAMILY CONCERT: ORCHESTRA GAMES PRESENTED

BY SARASOTA ORCHESTRA — THE BAY SARASOTA 7-8 p.m. at Van Wezel, 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Free. Sarasota Orchestra offers an encore of its “hilarious” Young Person’s Concert. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

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SATURDAY, OCT. 12

BARK-TOBERFEST AT THE BAY 10:30 a.m. to noon at The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free.

Dress up your dog for this celebration presented by Terry Cook of Top Dog Training and other community partners. Events will include a dog costume contest, “Ask a Vet,” staff from Satchel’s Last Resort Rescue who can discuss how to adopt and more. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

AMERICAN VINTAGE MARKETS 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd. General admission $8; two for $12; four for $20.

Browse vintage items from vendors who include pickers, collectors, creators, and artisans. Visit SarasotaFair.com.

SUNDAYS AT THE BAY FEATURING THE BRI RIVERA BAND 6-7 p.m. at The Bay Park, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. In this free concert series, enjoy music by a local band, which sometimes offers a Latin twist and includes vocalist and guitarist Bri Rivera, originally from Puerto Rico; Randy Bordon, originally from Cuba, and Adam Sahhar, originally from New York. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

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people, while First 1,000 Days Suncoast will also offer fun handouts and activities. Visit TheBaySarasota. org.

DOGTOBERFEST 2024 3-6 p.m. at Boos Ice House & Dog Bar, 1314 10th St., Sarasota. Admission with membership (Daily pass is $8 for first dog; $5 for each additional dog). Enjoy seasonal brews, brats and pretzels, live music, pumpkin painting, cornhole, giant beer pong, as well as dog baths and nail trims. Visit EventBrite.com.

TIME SIFTERS PRESENTS: ‘ANTHROPOLOGY OF VAMPIRES AND ZOMBIES’ ARCHAEOLOGY LECTURE 5:45-7 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. This archaeological lecture is presented by Maranda Kles, president of Archaeological Consultants Inc. Visit SCGovLibrary.

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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

THURSDAY, OCT. 17

TWO TERRIFIC YEARS AT THE BAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION PARTY 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. The Bay celebrates all things two including “twins, couples, babies who turn two in 2024, and everything else” with a champagne toast. Scratchbaked goods will be offered by The Breakfast Company for the first 222

CINEMA AT THE BAY: GREASE — THE BAY SARASOTA 7-8:45 p.m. at 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Enjoy this classic musical, the story of Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) and their summer romance in 1958 California. Other 1950s-themed fun will also be on offer. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE & ONLINE GIFT GUIDE 2024

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

SARASOTA 1400 Quail Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,781 Sq. Ft. Denise Mei 941-685-3198 A4621548 $4,900,000

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 335 Island Circle 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,662 Sq. Ft. Carol Thomas 941-302-8157 A4602092 $2,199,000

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

SARASOTA 1255 N Gulfstream Avenue 1003 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,565 Sq. Ft. Deborah Beacham 941-376-2688 A4624160 $1,400,000

SIESTA KEY 6300 Midnight Pass Road 810 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,271 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4605709 $1,190,000

SARASOTA 9064 Bernini Place 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,567 Sq. Ft. Kathy Barrie 941-757-7872 A4623166 $1,175,000

SIESTA KEY 5309 Siesta Court 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,291 Sq. Ft. Dana Westmark 941-356-5091 A4613435 $1,149,000

SARASOTA 7192 N Serenoa Drive 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,728 Sq. Ft. Mina Johnson 941-404-9347 A4612281 $1,099,000

SARASOTA 875 Indian Beach Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,861 Sq. Ft. Kelley Callaway 941-928-0642 A4622362 $1,075,000

SARASOTA 1771 Ringling Boulevard 604 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,735 Sq. Ft. Bibi-Ann Allard PA, Kelley Callaway 941-685-0422 A4603447 $1,000,000

SARASOTA 2030 Florinda Street 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,407 Sq. Ft. Jeffrey Hinrichs 941-456-1251 A4615454 $995,000

SARASOTA 1701 Starling Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,003 Sq. Ft. Tara Lamb 941-266-4873 A4612635 $915,000

SIESTA KEY 6236 Midnight Pass Road 304 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,150 Sq. Ft. Jennifer Linehan 941-266-7555 A4611665 $850,000

SARASOTA 1709 N Tamiami Trail 502A 1 Bed 2 Baths 1,050 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman 941-356-9642 A4593941 $735,000

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

SARASOTA 1736 Starling Drive 202 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,899 Sq. Ft. Mary Pat Phillips Radford 941-587-9905 A4623267 $640,000

SARASOTA 2128 Waweep Court 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,700 Sq. Ft. Denise Gagne 941-400-6358 A4623874 $595,000

SARASOTA 7528 Biltmore Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,830 Sq. Ft. Kristina Rain 941-320-2639 A4611252 $495,000

SARASOTA 7741 Fairway Woods Drive 1001 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,956 Sq. Ft. Janis Collier 941-313-1212 A4621128 $475,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6251 Cassia Street 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,434 Sq. Ft. Blair Schrock 970-666-1240 A4611633 $437,900

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

SARASOTA 2751 71st Drive E 2 Beds 1/1 Baths 868 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4624481 $325,000

SARASOTA 2329 Canalbluff Place V299 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,104 Sq. Ft. Peggy Wellman & Robert Moffatt 941-374-0811 A4624016 $299,900

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

SARASOTA 509 Golden Gate Point 2 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,439 Sq. Ft. Brittany Perrone 941-685-1598 A4598042 $2,995,000

SARASOTA 1912 Wisteria Street 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,547 Sq. Ft. Rudy Dudon 941-234-3991 A4563784 $2,750,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

SEPT. 23-27

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in The Tower Residences tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Stephen Timothy Clark, trustee, of Wilmington, North Carolina, sold the Unit 1205 condominium at 35 Watergate Drive to Eric and Marcia Kaplan, of New York City, for $4 million.

Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,659 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,226,500 in 2015.

REAL ESTATE

The Tower Residences tops sales at $4 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

11B

SIESTA KEY: $2,075,000

Siesta Isles Adrian Brown, of Fortville, Indiana, sold the home at 5613 Cape Leyte Drive to Cape Leyte Drive LLC for $2,075,000.

Built in 1967, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,752 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.05 million in 2022.

PALMER RANCH: $1.25 MILLION

Arbor Lakes on Palmer Ranch Eric Polinsky and Gabriela Lodeiro Polinsky, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5868 Palmer Ranch Parkway to Christopher and Marissa Munton, of Sarasota, for $1.25 million. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2017.

OSPREY: $1.3 MILLION

SARASOTA

THE LANDINGS Mark and Kristin Bower, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4812 Peregrine Point Circle to Andrew and Beth Gilmore, of Sarasota, for $1.7 million. Built in 1984, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,579 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2015.

BAY PLAZA Donald Warren Vose Jr. and Anne Vose, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 305 condominium at 1255 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Jordan Derrick Simpson, of Sarasota, for $1.03 million. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,656 square feet of living area. It sold for $852,000 in 2022.

PHILLIPPI COVE Opendoor Property Trust I sold the home at 2508 Jamaica St. to Levan Chubinishvili and Melanie Merse, of Sarasota, for $579,600. Built in 1975, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,049 square feet of living area. It sold for $583,100 in 2023.

HYDE PARK HEIGHTS Susan Stearns and Jay Rudo, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2632 Hawthorne St. to Bayfrontbilds LLC for $570,000. Built in 1047, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 625 square feet of living area. It sold for $90,000 in 2009.

CASTEL DEL MARE Robert Surabian, trustee, of Winchester, Massachusetts, sold the Unit 404 condominium at 1602 Stickney Point Road to Lisa Hernandez, of Oviedo, of $565,000.

Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,128 square feet of living area. It sold for $326,000 in 2015.

HIGH ACRES Auctus LLC sold the home at 2051 Couver Drive to Sergey Aleynikov and Natalia Markhotskaya, of Little Falls, New Jersey, for $517,500. Built in 1956, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 1,903 square feet of living area. It sold for $130,000 in 2013.

Courtesy image

The condominium in The Tower Residences was built in 2003 and has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,659 square feet of living area.

HARBOR OAKS Pink Sapphire Properties LLC sold the home at 2121 Oak Terrace to Robert Kunz and Kristen Tucciarone, of Hermosa Beach, California, for $515,000. Built in 1952, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,051 square feet of living area. It sold for $349,000 in 2021.

and 2,119 square feet of living area.

It sold for $178,500 in 1998.

ONLINE

PROMENADE ESTATES Patrick and Jennifer Dempsey, of Miami, sold their home at 12532 Night View Drive to Hoda Dehmeshki, of Ontario, Canada, for $725,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,631 square feet of living area. It sold for $570,000 in 2022.

WELLINGTON CHASE Nancy Tsekou, trustee, of Nokomis, sold the home at 6307 Sturbridge Court to Kim Cuc Huynh, of Sarasota, for $525,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,644 square feet of living area. It sold for $254,000 in 2010.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club Susan Ann Hines sold her home at 322 Yacht Harbor Drive to Jason Harper and Kristi Harper, trustees, of Osprey, for $1.3 million. Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,916 square feet of living area. It sold for $790,000 in 2018.

NOKOMIS: $680,000

Bryan Benjamin and Lauren Brannon, of Venice, sold their home at 925 Dartmoor Circle to Hans Martin Hanken and Margaret Hanken, of Nokomis, for $680,000. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,919 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2019.

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

OSPREY BAYSIDE James and Kathleen Tragakis, trustees, of Moseley, Virginia sold the home at 3933 Waypoint Ave. to Jill Corey Brinckerhoff, of Osprey, for $1.21 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,391 square feet of living area.

It sold for $690,000 in 2020.

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA SOTA Residences & Hotel | 941.462.3900 | From $1.8M | Visit the Main Street Gallery | thesota.com

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG 400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $900,000s | Call for an appointment | Residences400central.com

NOKOMIS LAUREL WOODLANDS Rodney and Shirley Farmer, of Venice, sold their home at 1067 Eisenhower Drive to Christopher and Martina Griffin, of Nokomis, for $512,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool

MOVE-IN SPRING 2024

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

GOLDEN GATE POINT

LONGBOAT KEY

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

CITY OF SARASOTA Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

1520 S. Lodge Drive

Re-roof

Kenneth Slavin

$230,000

3120 Bellevue St.

Repairs

Katie Schlabach

$150,000

3110 Courtland St.

Repairs

Donald Gilliland

$125,000

3500 Bayou Louise Lane

Re-roof

Jerald Kamiel

$115,136

1858 Datura St.

Windows/Doors

William Buckland

$101,244

1739 Hyde Park St.

Alterations

Steven Bovio

$90,000

3139 Bay Shore Road

Alterations

John Szabo

$81,927

1914 Hyde Park St.

Windows/Doors

Jason Mashke

$70,697

2200 Novus St.

Pool/Deck

Tim Little

$69,141

1905 Alta Vista St.

Re-roof

Bruce Peterson

$66,900

835 Osprey Ave. #313

Windows/Doors

Michele Chilson

$48,942

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

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

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OCTOBER 10, 2024

SPORTS NBP unleashes dragon in Italy Sarasota- and Lakewood Ranch-area paddlers thrive on competition, friendships.

JIM DELA STAFF WRITER

A

n elite group of dragon boat paddlers from the Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton areas made their mark on the international scene, winning six medals, including two gold medals, at the International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships in Ravenna, Italy, in September.

Five Nathan Benderson Park teams — made up of 73 paddlers, all over 50 years old — made the trip to Italy to compete with 162 other teams in various age groups from 30 countries.

For the paddlers themselves, it’s a lifestyle that allows them to travel the world.

“You’re able to do something at a fairly elite level, go to places that you probably would not be able to do otherwise,” said Don Bickel, who was captain of the Senior B Mixed team.

“I was with Team USA in Thailand … This year, Italy. Next year, we’re going to Germany, where the 1936 Olympics was.”

“This is an incredible experience,” said Mandy Boyers, a member of the Senior B Mixed team and captain of the Senior B Women’s team. “It’s been a great way to get to travel, to do something fun and to stay fit.”

Mandy Boyers, a member of the Senior B dragon boat team that competed last month in Ravenna, Italy, prepares to go out on a training run at Nathan Benderson Park.

Courtesy images

“We will always like to be recognized as far as how well we did. But we’ve all become very close as friends, and not only that, so has our club. We’ve got 150 members in our club now.”

COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Paula Murray, a member of the Breast Cancer Survivors team that won gold in the 200-meter race, said when they arrived in Ravenna, teams were sizing each other up before the races even started. “You’re looking around and trying to figure out who’s really good,” she said.

“You’re competitive, and, you know, I want to beat these guys,” Bickel said. “And then after a race, you know that you worked as hard as you could, and they beat you by six-tenths of a second. And you’re like, oh, man, there’s that fire to compete.”

Besides winning the Breast Cancer Survivors 200 meters, Nathan Benderson Park also brought home gold in the All Cancer Survivors 500 meters.

Angela Long, the coach of Nathan Benderson Park’s dragon boat program, said the Canadian teams still hold the edge on the world level.

“The Canadians are tough. They are born with a paddle in their hands,” Long said. “It’s a bigger part of their culture.”

Long said because the Canadians are only on the water half of the year due to weather, they spend more time in the gym getting stronger.

Even so, Long said Nathan Benderson Park teams performed well in all their events.

“We were the best from the U.S.,” she said. “It was our first world championship traveling as a full program and we were very competitive in our divisions.”

The fact that the Nathan Benderson Park paddlers are competing against the best in the world as seniors is not lost on the athletes.

“I’ve played all kinds of sports,” said Tim DiMenna, who was captain of the Senior C Mixed team. “I never thought I’d be competing in a sport at such a high level at this point in my life.”

Bickel agreed.

“At this age, you start to respect and appreciate the competition and our health,” he said. “I’m 58 years old. I’m able to get out here and I’m able to do this … and be active and train and have the strength and have the endurance and everything that we put into it.”

There’s more competition on the horizon.

Several members of the Nathan Benderson Park group will be trying out for Team USA, competing for

— Don Bickel

Dragon boat paddlers lower an outrigger canoe into the water at Nathan Benderson Park in preparation for a training run.

spots in the over-40, over-50 and over-60 teams.

After the competition in Italy, many team members had the chance to spend additional time in the country. For Boyers, it was her first time there.

“Italy was awesome,” she said. “I did a week after, just for fun. I got to see Tuscany and Florence, and it was lovely. Can’t wait to go back.”

The best thing about Italy? “The gelato,” she said. “Oh, my God, I loved it.”

“All the food was good,” Murray said.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Bickel says while the teams strive for gold medals, the hard work and training has made them a tight-knit community.

“We will always like to be recognized as far as how well we did,” he said. “But we’ve all become very close as friends, and not only that, so has our club. We’ve got 150 members in our club now.”

He said they do things together outside Nathan Benderson.

“If something happens like a hurricane, we’re all helping each other.

You know, it’s just our own little church, almost. You know, we’re committed to helping each other. It’s a very positive energy group.”

As the teams gathered for a recent practice, storms in the distance convinced some to decide not to get on the water. As the storms drifted away, a small group decided to put a six-person outrigger canoe in the water for a short workout.

It was all just a reflection of their commitment to training as a team, Boyers said. “To find a cohort of people that are like minded, and as crazy as us,” she said, “to get to do early morning practices and all the stuff that it takes to make it happen.”

Dragon boat paddlers from Nathan Benderson Park show their patriotism in Ravenna, Italy, during the world championships.

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Sarasota pickleballer reflects on first year on the pro circuit DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

K

risti Dorman is a 55-year-old rookie, finishing her first season as a professional pickleball player.

She was drafted in May by the Indianapolis Drivers, one of 12 teams in the National Pickleball League for players 49 and older.

After the 2024 season came to a close in September, she’s about to perform on one of the sport’s biggest stages, the Professional Pickleball League’s Championship Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio.

She says the pro circuit has been amazing. “Oh, gosh, it’s been a great experience,” she said. “I can’t believe we’ve already completed five months, and going into our sixth month, it’s been a kind of a whirlwind, but it’s been great.”

A former NCAA Division I tennis player at Ball State University, she says the team aspect of competition has been a big adjustment. “If you’re not playing, you’re cheering on your fellow teammates. And so I think that team aspect, for me, has been really great and something special to be a part of, because in tournament play, you know, it’s just you and your partner out there.”

After she was drafted by the Drivers, she says she wasn’t sure she could measure up to other professionals.

“I don’t think I had much confidence in myself,” Dorman said. “I wasn’t quite sure how I could stack up with a field of 150 pro players. I had only played in two pro tourna-

Courtesy images

Kristi Dorman of Sarasota, has completed her first season as a professional with the Indianapolis Drivers of the National Pickleball league.

“I wasn’t quite sure how I could stack up with a field of 150 pro players. I had only played in two pro tournaments prior to the draft, so I feel like it’s definitely been eye-opening.”

Kristi Dorman

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ADJUSTING TO THE PRO GAME

Dorman says she’s had to change her game at the professional level. “I think the higher you go up in competitive play, you can’t just rely on your athleticism,” she said. “You’re playing against players that can really hit any shot.”

Dorman says she has to be more strategic with what she does with the ball, “as opposed to just going out and hitting. You can’t just bang with the better players. You can’t.

You have to be very strategic. So I’m hoping I get better with that.”

Dorman says the mental game is more important at the pro level.

“I’m doing some visualization work and trying to work more on strategy,” she said.

As the championship weekend approaches Oct. 17-20 in Cincinnati, she’s focusing less on matches and more on drills. “I probably am drilling a lot more than I did, and I’m reading more about the game and studying the game more,” she said.

Because all the league’s matches are streamed online, “I can go back and watch my play, which is something I had never done before.”

The transition from tennis to pickleball was a challenge, Dorman said.

“You have to kind of tighten up your tennis game,” she explained. “Pickleball is very compact, so once you figure that out, that you can’t just bang all day.”

Doman says she’s looking forward to championship weekend. “Actually, I’m quite hopeful. We beat Columbus, and then they’re ranked No. 2 going into the championship.

So we’ve had some really good wins, and hopefully we will have our full team in Cincinnati. I think we can hopefully surprise some people.”

Dorman says she’s grateful for the opportunity to be in a competitive atmosphere. “Had you told me I would be competing at age 55 at a high level in any sport, I would not have believed it,” she said.

She said it’s changed her life. “I’ve met so many amazing people along the way. It’s a game that is accessible to so many ... it’s a lot of fun.”

She says she’s looking forward to the offseason, to get back to teaching pickleball. “I really enjoy teaching. I love introducing the sport to beginners.”

Where she’ll be playing next season is uncertain. Teams in the National Pickleball League redraft their rosters every year, “to maintain a lot of parity throughout the league,” Dorman explained. The league also plans to expand up to four new teams in 2025.

“I’m just very grateful that I’ve had this opportunity and really look forward to the championships,” she said, “and would encourage everyone to get out on the pickleball court and play pickleball.”

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ments prior to the draft, so I feel like it’s definitely been eye-opening.”

“I’ve lost some pretty close matches this year to some of the best women and mixed teams in the league. So it’s definitely challenging, which I love. I feel like we, as a team, our confidence is getting better and better each month.”

And although the Drivers have had a tough season, at 6-14, she’s optimistic. “My confidence has improved, and I feel like I can play with the best of them,” she said.

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WEATHER

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, OCT. 10

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 79 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 81%

FRIDAY, OCT. 11 High: 83 Low: 67 Chance of rain: 15%

Thursday, Oct. 10

7:27a

7:05p

Friday, Oct. 11

7:27a

7:04p

Saturday, Oct. 12

7:28a

7:03p

Sunday, Oct. 13

7:28a

7:02p

Monday, Oct. 14

7:28a

7:01p

Tuesday, Oct. 15

7:30a

7:00p

Wednesday, Oct. 6

7:30a

6:59p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT. 12 High: 84 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 12%

Oct. 17 Full

Nov. 1 New

Nov. 8 First

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, OCT. 13 High: 86 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 13%

John Sims captured this photo of a male wood duck in Urfer Family Park in Sarasota.

Oct. 24 Last

Monday, Sept. 30

0

Tuesday, Oct. 1

1.29

Wednesday, Oct. 2

0

Thursday, Oct. 3

0

Friday, Oct. 4

2.42

Saturday, Oct. 5

0

Sunday, Oct. 6

0.43

*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 69.34 in.

2023 22.14 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 4.83 in.

2023 0 in.

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Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

OUT WITH IT! by Michael Schlossberg, edited by Jeff Chen 3 Oklahoma oil city

63 Half of many a marriage

4 “___ with my little eye ...”

64 “The door’s open!”

5 Green-haired “pet”

65 Fair way to be promoted

6 Greed or lust

66 Five-card or seven-card

7 See (to)

poker variety

8 Richie Valens’ “La Bamba,” 67 Heavy book vis-a-vis “Donna”

68 “SportsCenter” airer

9 Swedish money

72 Firework sound

10 College URL ender

73 “You make a good point”

11 Symbol before 10-Down

74 Moistens

12 In a jaunty manner

76 Enticing pre-launch

13 From a keg

marketing

14 Banded rock

77 Drill sergeant’s call

15 ___ voce

78 Pressures felt in F-16

16 Yale of Yale University

cockpits

17 “Be silent,” musically

79 Wild blue yonder

19 Wading bird

81 State flower of Utah

20 Roll of greenbacks

82 Longtime record label

23 Half-demon role played

83 “Bingo!”

by Ron Perlman in 2004

85 Islamabad’s land (Abbr.)

27 It ended on 11/11/1918

88 Channel with many

(Abbr.)

black-and-white films

29 Held affectionately

90 Word in two American

31 Ugly trumpet sound

states’ names

32 ___ Kippur

91 Maker of Civics and

33 Stick around a pool hall? Odysseys

©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 The science of light 7 Gave a judgy cluck 12 Complete 15 squats, say 18 Icee alternative 20 Odd duck 21 Its capital is Luanda 22 *Pamphlet on portion control?

24 Radio crackle 25 Cushy class 26 Ripen, as a tomato 27 Astonished cry that tails off 28 Girl’s name hidden in “salsa dancer” 29 Cartoon frame

36 Butcher shop choice

61 “Eww!”

91 *Chic grocery scanner?

37 Storage that Siri can

62 *Statement like “That

98 Foldable bed

access

opinion stinks, Your Honor”? 99 Lawyers’ org.

41 Traffic backup caused by

66 Navigate

102 Underhand’s opposite,

a grizzly, in slang

69 Weep

in pitching

44 Leave the band, like Gwen 70 Pull a heist or bank job

103 ___ solstice (June event)

Stefani or Michael Jackson

106 “Jeez!”

71 Quaint lodging

50 *Crow’s nest with a shiny 72 “Oh, also ...” in a text

108 Mr. Khrushchev

new coating?

75 Tortilla chip brand

109 *Olympic gold medalist

52 Hand-warming garment

77 That fellow

in freestyle snowboarding?

with a hybrid name

78 Glam rock?

112 Considered

53 Teeth erupt from them

79 Achy

113 Produces flowers

54 Myrna of “The Thin Man” 80 A jillion 55 Take the cake?

81 *Tantrum thrown by Clark fedora

56 Vegan coffee order

Kent?

115 Evaluate

57 “You betcha!”

84 “Gracias” reply

116 Scents

58 Big ___ (London land-

85 Mountain Dew maker

117 Stays nearby

86 Bat, cat and rat 30 *Toddler’s accident when mark) 87 Male deer 59 Good name for a nuclear learning to walk?

33 Breaded piece of meat

114 Item for hanging a

engineer?

89 Land in a C.S. Lewis

60 Fleeting craze

series

34 Fair-hiring inits.

92 Creeping plants

35 Hire

93 Some Beijing dogs, for

37 Punk rocker ___ Pop

short

38 Game with Colonel

94 Misdemeanor or felony

Mustard

95 More than dislikes

39 Genie’s vessel

96 “So are we!”

40 Lb. parts

97 House of Henry VIII

42 Holidays taken in station 99 Love, to Leonardo wagons, perhaps

100 Eddie ___ (apparel

43 Stick (out)

brand)

45 Lubricant-spraying

101 Tosses in one’s chips in

garage tool

Las Vegas?

46 Begin

104 May honorees

47 Eight, in Italian

105 Some British sports

48 “Sure, why not!”

cars

49 Small bills

106 Not fooled by

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“IPN MPZ’E FP BZEP JZIEVBZF XPZELCWOJEBZF AJBONSL, DLXJNTL BA IPN MBM, IPN RPNOMZ’E CJHL BE.” TBCPZ XPRLOO

“XD XT HLJ WBHHV HV F CHHG JGEZFDXHL FLG HV DBEJ BJVXLJUJLD HV VJJRXLC, DH BJTWJZD FLDXOEXDP.” TXCHEBLJP YJFAJB

“SUO EHJK SUVHY V’I ROMSDVH EX VW SUDS BHROMSDVHSK VW SUO UDMTOWS SUVHY VH JVXO SE OHTBMO.” XVJIIDGOM YBVJJOMIE TOJ SEME © 2024 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

51 Patient scammer’s game 107 Device with 1080p 52 More devout

resolution, perhaps

56 Mule of a folk song

109 “Game of Thrones”

58 Like some ledes or

network

hatchets

110 Long in the tooth

59 King of Leon

111 “This is a great mas-

1 Milo of “Barbarella”

60 “Groovy!”

sage!”

2 Beg

62 Small Volkswagen

DOWN

celebrity cipher

Puzzle Three Clue: T equals D

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: Y equals W

426191-1

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This week’s Crossword answers

©2022 Universal Uclick

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “You don’t go into anything contemplating failure, because if you did, you wouldn’t make it.”

Simon Cowell

Puzzle Two Solution: “It is one proof of a good education and of true refinement of feeling, to respect antiquity.”

Sigourney Weaver Puzzle Three Solution: “The only thing I’m certain of is that uncertainty is the hardest thing in life to endure.” Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro

This week’s Sudoku answers

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