Laurel Park resident Jolie McInnis admits she and other homeowners in the unique section of Sarasota take pride in how their local park looks.
And although the city of Sarasota did some cleaning up after the hurricanes, it wasn’t completely clear. But McInnis and other residents were happy to help the city and finish the duties by raking and picking up smaller debris on Nov. 30.
The group lined up yard bags to be picked up and placed a Christmas tree in the park’s gazebo and decorated the park. This included the gates outside the park that was closed after Milton and didn’t reopen until the middle of
Ian Swaby
Michael Harris Laurel Park resident Jackie Haywood hangs an ornament on the tree in the gazebo on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Ian Swaby
Scooter Maloney and Teresa Taft
WEEK OF DEC. 5, 2024
BY THE NUMBERS
8 Months remaining for the Purple Ribbon Committee to prepare a report on repurposing of the Van Wezel. PAGE 9A
$30.8M
Budgeted cost for renovation and expansion of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office headquarters. PAGE 10A
99 As in 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop. The craft beer establishment hosted a Black Friday Block Party. PAGE 6B
CALENDAR
n Sarasota Planning Board regular meeting — 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St.
n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance).
n Sarasota County Commission planning retreat — 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 13, Finish Tower, Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle.
“We weren’t in our right mind at the time? I knew what I was voting on. We knew what we were doing.”
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert, on the Cross Street Vacation.
Circus Ring of Fame awards postponed
Storm surge from Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged more than landscaping and businesses around St. Armands Circle. The Circus Ring of Fame was also a casualty of the salt water, afflicting the 160-plus bronze plaques that surround Circle Park.
As a result, the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation has postponed the 2025 Circus Ring of Fame Awards event until 2026.
The foundation has completed pressure washing all the plaques to prevent further degradation. The next step is to assess the
state of each plaque and begin the restoration process. This will take place over the remainder of 2024 and well into 2025, according to a news release.
Restoration involves removing the bronze wheels and biographies from the concrete bases and transporting them to a facility where they will be stripped down and recoated by a skilled restoration expert.
When the next induction ceremony is held, it will honor Elvin Bale, Franco Dragone, and the Vazquez Family, in addition to Lu Yi as Circus Arts Coach of the
Year and introducing the new-
est Generation NeXt winners. The foundation is accepting donations toward the restoration effort at CircusRingOfFame.org/ Donate.
Additionally, the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation was recently featured on the New York-based Debbie Nigro Show to discuss the state of the circus industry and the impact of the this year’s hurricanes on the organization. The show may be viewed at DebbieNigro.com.
Real estate market continues to cool
All signs point toward a more balanced real estate market in the Sarasota market. According to the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, key trends show fewer closed sales, more inventory and longer time on the market in October compared to the same period in 2023.
In Sarasota County there were 515 single-family home sales in October, a 4.3% decrease from last year. The median sale price remained stable at $490,000 compared to September 2023, but decreased 5.8% year-over-year. Inventory is significantly higher than a year ago, with 2,952 active listings, a 21.8% increase over October 2023. Inventory supply has remained relatively stable compared to last month at 4.7 months. The median time to contract in October was 49 days, a 69% increase from a year ago, and the median time to sale increased 34.3% to 94 days. Declining sales, extended time frames, and rising inventory levels point to changing dynamics influenced by broader economic trends and the aftermath of recent hurricanes, according to RASM.
Sarasota optometrist retires after 40 years
A longtime optometrist has retired in Sarasota. Dr. Frederick Soto Jr. retired Nov. 21 after serving patients for 40 years.
He is the son of former Sarasota mayor Fred Soto Sr., who owned nine optical shops across Florida’s west coast. After earning his degree, Soto acquired one of his father’s optical centers for his own practice. The former Soto Eye Center was purchased in 2020 by the Center for Sight, which Soto worked under for the last four years. Now that Soto has retired at age 70, the building at 2650 S. Tamiami Trail will be vacated, and his patients will be transferred to other doctors within the Center for Sight network. His brother, Ron Soto, continues to own and operate Soto Optical Boutique on Main Street.
Courtesy photo
The Circus Ring of Fame plaques at St, Armands Circle was damaged by hurricane storm surges.
Mote overcomes challenges to reopen
Mote staff reopened the City Island facility to the community on Nov. 22 and introduced a new resident manatee, Lou.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium reopened its doors to the public on Nov. 22 after a two-month-long closure from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
It was eight “long weeks” of challenging situations for Mote’s staff, said Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby.
“This really is a story of resiliency not only of Mote but this entire community that was hit so hard with a one-two punch of hurricanes,” Crosby said. “And all of us that live in this community have been impacted one way or the other, but our staff really came together.”
The staff was in the process of recovering from Helene when Milton’s track eyed Sarasota with a direct hit and estimates of up to 15 feet of storm surge. Before landfall, Milton’s track shifted and weakened, but the staff made preparations for
the worst-case scenario ahead of Milton’s arrival.
Preparing an aquarium and all of its resident marine animals is no small task.
Crosby said the team went into “full prep mode” for both storms, but more extreme for Milton due to the expected direct impacts.
During preparations for Milton, the facility’s air-breathing animals had to be transported inland to Mote’s Aquaculture Research Park on Fruitville Road. This includes the facility’s birds, sea turtles and reptiles.
Mote’s manatees, Buffett and the newest addition, Lou, were moved to a sister institution also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“It’s also a very traumatic thing, so you have to have specialized staff, specialized vehicles to move them with,” Crosby said. “It takes a lot of time and attention and care to try to maintain the transport of these animals in a manner that is least disruptive to the animals.”
Staff also had to prepare the Ken Thompson Parkway campus by disconnecting pumps and moving them to higher ground, and ensuring generators were on standby.
After both storms, Crosby said a team of Mote first responders were sent by boat to evaluate the facility.
What they found was identical to what others in the community found: Helene did more water damage, and Milton dealt wind damage.
From Helene, City Island received about two to four feet of storm surge, according to Crosby.
Crosby estimated that the recovery effort cost over $10 million, with at least $3 million for the cleanup alone.
In addition, while being closed for
about two months, the Mote aquarium likely lost around $2 million in revenue.
Mote staff were able to restart the facility’s research enterprises quickly, most of which is done in the field, according to Crosby. This includes Mote’s ongoing red tide research project.
The first priority was the health and safety of both Mote’s animals and its staff. The second priority was to reopen for the community.
Now, Crosby and more than 300 staff are ready to do that.
“I came away from this with a really renewed love for the Mote family here, and what this special culture that we have here at Mote is all about,” Crosby said. “I feel confident that we are coming back stronger, better, more resilient and it’s because of the people that make up Mote and the people that make up this community.”
MEET LOU THE MANATEE
When Mote reopened on Nov. 22, guests met the newest member of Mote’s aquatic family: a manatee named Lou.
“Lou’s story is one that I think is very profound,” Crosby said. “Not
“This really is a story of resiliency not only of Mote but this entire community that was hit so hard with a one-two punch of hurricanes.”
Michael Crosby, Mote President and CEO
NEW LOCATION ON THE HORIZON
The Mote Science Education Aquarium, located near Nathan Benderson Park, will be the organization’s latest addition. Due to its state-of-the-art design, the Mote SEA building is resilient to weather, so Helene and Milton had no impact on the structure, according to Crosby.
But because of the storms, the construction team for Mote SEA lost a few weeks of construction, which will delay the grand opening of the facility, Crosby said.
The original opening target was early first quarter in 2025, but Crosby said this will likely be pushed back, though sometime in 2025 is still the expected time frame.
Mote hopes to have the certificate of occupancy by the end of 2024, then staff will start filling tanks with water and acclimating the water and animals in the new facility, which will be a complicated process.
“We’re looking forward to Mote SEA opening,” Crosby said. “And then after Mote SEA, then we’re looking for the evolution of this campus into an international marine science technology and innovation park.”
This evolution of the Ken Thompson Parkway campus will include an additional 60,000 square feet of research infrastructure.
Near term, though, Crosby said the staff is looking forward to welcoming the community to the existing Sarasota campus.
“We want our community to come back, have a smile on their face and enjoy themselves at this refurbished, reopened Mote aquarium here on City Island and meet Lou the manatee, as well.”
many people gave Lou much of a chance of surviving.”
It’s estimated that Lou was born in the 1990s and rescued in December 2000 after a severe boat strike on the east coast of Florida. This incident led Lou to lose most of his tail.
This injury forces Lou to use mostly his front flippers to swim and deems him unreleasable.
Boat strikes on manatees are a common occurrence, with only 4% of adult manatees lacking boatrelated scars, according to a release from Mote.
Lou spent time in other rehabilitation facilities and is under long-term care supervised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Buffett was born in 1987 and arrived at Mote in 1996 after spending time at ZooTampa.
Before Lou was Buffett’s brother, Hugh. Hugh died last year, and Buffett has been alone since then.
According to Mote, it’s been the plan since then to get Buffett another companion since manatees are social marine mammals that require companionship.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified Lou as a potential tank companion to Buffett, Mote’s longtime manatee resident.
Lou arrived at Mote on Sept. 11, and the staff had to work carefully to introduce the two large mammals. A large adult male, Lou weighs around 2,100 pounds. Buffett weighs around 1,800 pounds.
“We started the introduction in a very controlled method that everybody has reviewed and approved so that we have the animals meeting each other very slowly, very carefully, under intense monitoring around the clock,” Crosby said.
Shortly after Lou arrived, the Mote facility was forced to start preparing for what would be back-to-back hurricanes.
“They were getting along famously, wonderfully,” Crosby said. “Then Mother Nature sent us Helene.”
During Hurricane Milton, Lou and Buffett were a part of the crew that had to be evacuated from the campus on Ken Thompson Parkway.
After the pair were reintroduced, though, Mote staff said the two continued to be compatible so far.
For the foreseeable future, neither Lou nor Buffett will be released, and both will continue to receive expert care at Mote’s facility.
The pair of manatees also help Mote staff and the public learn and understand the importance of avoiding harmful contact with these animals in the wild, Crosby said.
Today, Buffett and Lou are at Mote’s aquarium. Buffett enjoys kale, and Lou enjoys sweet potatoes more. Lou’s stumpy backside also makes him easily distinguishable from his tank mate Buffett.
Lou, Mote’s newest manatee, enjoys some greens in his enclosure where he cohabitates with Buffet.
Mote President and CEO Michael Crosby speaks to the media about the facility’s challenges after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Photos by Carter Weinhofer
Property issue near Celery Fields not over
Sarasota Commission will consider rezoning request to develop land near recognized bird sanctuary.
hile supporters of the internationally recognized bird sanctuary at Sarasota’s Celery Fields are celebrating a preliminary victory against a developer’s plans for a nearby property, they realize the issue is far from settled.
The Sarasota Planning Commission on Nov. 21 voted 4-3 to not recommend a rezoning request for a 50-acre piece of land nestled next to the bird sanctuary known as the Smith farm.
However, the Planning Commission’s recommendation is not the final word. The Sarasota County Commission will take up the request early next year and does not have to abide by the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
Smith Properties is asking the county to change its zoning from “open use rural,” which allows for one unit every 10 acres, to “residential single family,” which would allow three-and-a-half homes per acre.
If the rezoning is approved, Arlington, Texas-based D.R. Horton, one of the largest homebuilders in the country, is poised to buy the property and build 170 single-family homes.
“What it means to me is that we had a small victory by one vote … and this fight is not over,” said Sara Reisinger, the president of the Sarasota Audubon Society.
“We still have to keep the momentum going and get everyone charged up for the county commissioners’ meeting, because that’s really where it’s important.”
SMITH PROPERTY
The Smith Farm sits along Raymond Road, south of Palmer Boulevard, bordering the eastern edge of the bird sanctuary.
Right now, a single home sits on the Smith property, along with some sheds and a few dozen cattle.
Opponents of the plan have said the density of homes is not compatible with the surrounding area, and the mostly two-lane roads around the property will not be able to handle the added traffic.
They also say light from the development will disturb the birds in the sanctuary and spoil Celery Fields as a location for stargazers and local astronomy clubs who routinely use the area because of its remote location.
The Sarasota Audubon Society has helped manage Celery Fields, a 400-acre site owned by the county. In addition to the birding areas, there are walking and biking trails, and lakes for fishing and kayaking.
The county and the local Audubon Society have restored more than 100 acres of Celery Fields into a wetland area. The county also built two boardwalks that extend over lakes to
DEVELOPMENT IS WITHIN
CURRENT CODES
Kelley Klepper, an attorney representing D.R. Horton at the Planning Commission hearing, said their plan is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, complies with all codes, and argued the 170 homes will be compatible with the surrounding development.
Klepper told the Planning Commission Nov. 21 the developer is doing more than they are legally required to do to go ahead with the housing project, including providing open space, buffers in the form of trees, landscaping and berms, and increasing building setbacks.
He also reminded commissioners the county has expected the property to eventually be developed. “This is listed on the county’s future land use map as moderate density residential,” he said at the hearing.
Klepper said they’ve tried to negotiate with the Audubon but neither side will budge. “We did have discussions with the Audubon leadership,” Klepper said. “Again, we’re going to agree to disagree.”
Kelley, along with land use attorney Charlie Bailey, said this is not a unique situation, pointing to other development projects in recent years that have been reviewed and approved, “consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, the land development code and, more importantly, the standards that have been adopted by the county,” Klepper said.
Bailey pointed to projects next to ecological areas that were successfully rezoned for homes, including Palermo, a development next to Oscar Scherer State Park, and development around Red Bug Slough, south of Clark Road; and Urfer Family Park at Bee Ridge Road and Honore Avenue.
Reisinger disagrees, saying 170 homes just won’t work on the Smith land. “Unfortunately, there is no way to mitigate yourself out of this situation like this,” she said. “There’s too many issues to overcome, too many things to fix. It’s just not compatible with that piece of property to be a development.”
NEW FLOODING CONCERNS
The recent hurricanes also exposed another red flag, opponents say.
Attorneys for D.R. Horton say their construction plan goes beyond county requirements of 10 inches of rain in 24 hours (a 100-year storm event), saying this development will be designed to handle up to 11.8 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.
Opponents say recent history proves that’s not good enough.
“Unfortunately, in the last six months, we’ve had two storms that have exceeded that,” Reisinger said.
“And the real issue, to me, on some of those stormwater related issues, is that we really as a community, need to ask for a change in the standard.”
Susan Schoettle, a member of a citizens group called the Sarasota Citizen Action Network, says there is documented evidence that suggests those criteria need to be revised.
“The 100-year storm has more rain in it now than it used to,” she said.
“It’s more like 12 or 13 inches instead of 10 inches.”
Schoettle noted the Smith farm was nearly underwater during Hurricane Milton. “The way the county is letting people develop in flood plains means that the house may or may not be high enough to not be flooded, but the roads will certainly flood, the yards will certainly flood.”
I think it’s going to be a ring of houses built up on fill. So it’s going to look pretty funky, I think.”
Before the Planning Commission voted Nov. 21, commissioner Donna Carter sided with the Audubon Society. “We have a lot of reasons, whether it is schools, the stormwater, the flooding,” she said.
“I don’t think that is a buildable property and I hope the county does find a way to buy that property and just add it to the Celery Fields,” she said.
Commissioner Colin Pember later cast what was to be the deciding vote. “This is a unique property, a unique place, and I just don’t think this is the right place for this project. I can’t support 170 units on this property.”
PREPARING FOR NEXT BATTLE
Both Schoettle and Reisinger say they’ll use information from the Planning Commission hearing to refine their arguments before the
County Commission.
“I’m certainly going to listen very carefully to everything the applicant said and glean any additional information from that,” Schoettle said.
Reisinger said she was buoyed by the fact the planning commissioners asked good questions. “I do think they read the emails that came into them,” she said. “They do listen and they are trying to understand the issue.”
“I’m going to shorten my speech up. I’m going to get my points in,” she added.
But will county commissioners heed the Planning Commission’s recommendation?
“I really don’t know, but I do know they often will not do what the Planning Commission says,” Reisinger said.
“It is a completely different set of decision makers,” Schoettle observed. “They may take into consideration some of the concerns the
planning commission expressed and the fact that the Planning Commission recommended denial, but they’re not bound to that.”
Reisinger said she was interested in how the new county commissioners will vote. “I think there’s a lot of assumptions out there about how certain people are going to vote one way or the other. And that’s not always the case,” she said. “I hope that the county commission is just as engaged and thoughtful about the process.”
The fight continues, Reisinger said. “We have to continue on in January and see it through to the end to make sure that this rezone gets denied. It’s not a time to rest on our laurels.
“It’s a time to regroup, hone our arguments from the information that we learned last night, and come back again strong … whenever the Board of County Commissioners meeting is.”
Courtesy image
The 50-acre Smith farm property is nestled in the southeast corner of the Celery Fields, adjacent to a renowned bird sanctuary.
CELERY FIELDS
SMITH FARM
PALMER BLVD. PALMER BLVD.
RAYMOND RD.
Cross Street remains vacated by the city
Jen Ahearn-Koch motioned, and was the only vote in favor of rescinding the City Commission’s Nov. 4 approval to vacate right of way to the developer.
WARFIELD
iting community-wide PTSD in the aftermath of the impact of three tropical weather systems and unfortunate timing, Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch mounted an unsuccessful bid to rescind the commission’s Nov. 4 approval to vacate the Cross Street right of way.
Developer Orange Pineapple LLC secured the vacation of the oneblock one-way street just south of Ringing Boulevard, which is not owned by the city.
Ahearn-Koch had been on the short end of the 3-2 vote to vacate, but a turnover at the dais in Kathy Kelley Ohlrich replacing Erik Arroyo potentially left the door open for a reversal.
After hearing of the potential legal ramifications from attorney Bill Merrill, who represents the developer, and City Attorney Robert Fournier, Ahearn-Koch’s motion failed 4-1 with former ally Vice Mayor Debbie Trice this time voting with the majority.
“To say that we were shocked and surprised about this when we first learned about it, is an understatement,” Merrill said. “My clients are very upset and very concerned about this.”
As for the post-hurricane PTSD rationale, Merrill said, “I’m not suggesting there wasn’t (PTSD) in our community. I don’t think that the City Commission had that and it was never raised at that time. Why would you raise it afterwards when you didn’t raise it at the hearing itself? There was nothing about the hurricane during that time, so I just failed to believe that is a justifiable explanation of reason.”
Mayor Liz Alpert added to Merrill’s statement.
“We didn’t have our right mind at the time? I knew what I was voting on. I knew what we were doing, and I was absolutely for it. I didn’t need more details. And the other justifications are just basically a rehash of the same argument of the merits of the case.”
In his remarks to the commission, Merrill said the developer had already begun executing processes prescribed in the street vacation ordinance, including granting four easements to private parties that have been recorded and cannot be reversed.
Making the case about the 16-month process leading up to the Cross Street vacation, Merrill said, “I think you’d have equitable estoppel and detrimental reliance claims against the city, and this is hundreds of millions of dollars we’re talking about here … The clients have relied on that. They have property rights, and to reverse that now is going to be very detrimental to the city as well as my clients.”
Had the motion to rescind been successful, it would not have reversed the decision at this time, but rather would render moot the 3-2 approval on second reading.
That would have required another public hearing early next year and another vote to affirm or invalidate the first reading approval.
It would have also given the community, Ahearn-Koch argued, which was distracted by hurricane damage at the time, a greater opportunity for input.
Commissioner Kyle Battle countered rescinding an approved agreement with a major developer would establish a precedent detrimental to the city, and that there many in attendance at that meeting to provide input on other agenda matters.
File photo
Cross Street is a one-block, one-way street between South Pineapple and South Orange avenues.
Insanity: St. Armands floods
Given St. Armands Circle’s economic importance, it makes sense to explore preventing annual flooding.
When Duff Rubin, Southeast president for Coldwell Banker, was on site to reopen the company’s St. Armands Circle office last month, he commented this was the third consecutive year the company had to deal with a flooded office.
This time, after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Duff said the company was not going to engage in the past practice of insanity — repairing and replacing everything just as it was and expect a different result. This time, the company installed flood-resistant flooring and walls.
For Coldwell Banker, the investment is well worth the risk and hassle. The company sells millions and millions of dollars worth of real estate out of that office.
But as noted in the Nov. 21 Observer (see “A flood of emotions), the Circle is pocked with boarded storefronts, “closed” signs and restaurateurs and retailers giving up.
These are the worst post-storm conditions on St. Armands Circle in more than 30 years.
Somehow, this insanity needs a cure. Here’s why: To an extent, St. Armands Circle is to Sarasota what the Empire State Building is to New York — a main draw.
The visitors who come to Sarasota know they can hassle with the typical mall traffic and crowds at
University Town Center. They can do that anywhere. But there has always been a certain elan to St. Armands Circle that is magnetic.
Visitors can stroll the sidewalks and venture in and out of the stores and restaurants at a vacationer’s pace.
The beach is just down the block.
Indeed, this jewel of the city and region is crucial to the economic vitality and attraction of Greater Sarasota. It makes economic sense to explore what is the best, most rational protection and mitigation.
To do otherwise carries economic risk. And that risk could go far beyond St. Armands Circle’s businesses and property owners.
If storefronts remain vacant, that easily could be the start of a hardto-stop spread of blight. And we all know how difficult it is to turn around decaying shopping centers.
But whether to erect flood protection infrastructure raises obvious questions: What should be done, if anything? How much will it cost? Who should pay?
What should be done?
“Hire good engineers,” an observer told us. That would be step one from the public perspective — that of addressing the public infrastructure of streets and drainage. Part of that exercise certainly would include knowing the financial toll of the Helene and Milton
Advice to Vivek and Elon: Don’t Create the DOGE!
The following appeared on American Thinker Nov. 19.
Ivividly recall walking through the corridors of Saddam Hussein’s palace in the Green Zone in Baghdad in 2006. I was there as part of a team helping to develop a strategy to reinvigorate Iraqi businesses that had been decimated by war and the dysfunction of Iraq’s state-run economy.
The palace had been occupied and renamed the temporary U.S. Embassy in Iraq. U.S. government employees and military personnel occupied the wide corridors and ornate offices.
As I walked down one of the corridors, I came across a startling sight. Adorning the wall outside an office door was an official photograph of a U.S. State Department official. Above the photo was this inscription: “Welcome to U.S. Embassy Baghdad, our new Embassy Diversity Officer.”
The incongruence of what was happening outside the Green Zone with what was happening inside it was depressing — insurgents were attacking and killing U.S. service members and civilian aid workers on a daily basis — yet enlightening. In that moment, I thought, we may fail to bring peace and stability to Iraq, but we haven’t failed in planting our bloated bureaucracy right in the heart of it. Recently, the appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead something named the “Department of Government Efficiency” has buoyed many people. The name immediately recalls the Monty Python sketch about “The Ministry of Silly Walks.” The promise of an empowered set of fresh eyes taking a hard look at waste and inefficiency in our federal government is certainly something we should all cheer.
But as a two-time veteran of such efforts during the Bush 43 and Trump 45 administrations, I offer this unsolicited advice to Messrs. Musk and Ramaswamy: Don’t cre-
flooding on St. Armands Circle businesses and the residential areas adjacent to the Circle. It also would include researching other places around the world that have addressed similar problems.
The Netherlands is a good place to start. It has been fighting flooding for 1,000 years and has some of the world’s best water engineers. What works there? Are their methods feasible here?
To be sure, some St. Armands Circle property owners and business owners have already taken steps to minimize the damage from future floods. In addition to Coldwell Banker, Columbia Restaurant installed flood-proof floors and walls and raised kitchen equipment, or at least made it easier to remove prior to a storm. Other retailers are converting to more mobile racks and shelving. And others are still assessing whether to renovate or sell their properties, or reopen or give up their businesses.
What will it cost?
That is always the dilemma for the property owner and retailer. In commercial real estate, the value of the building hinges on the tenant. A vacant St. Armands store is worth far less than one with a thriving retailer. It then behooves the single-building owner economically to renovate and flood-proof the property to the greatest extent possible. Tearing down and building a slightly elevated structure may make more sense for a long-term operator such as Benderson De-
mandate for change. Eventually, the people who counted stop caring, and the new people stop counting.
velopment, which could afford the interruption in rental income while redeveloping.
But while each property owner, restaurateur and retailer is assessing how best to prepare for the next flood, the Circle’s property owners, retailers, adjacent residential owners, city of Sarasota and Sarasota County can and should explore the feasibility and cost of installing better flood protection.
What, for instance, is the feasibility of installing a system of levees around the St. Armands Key? And what would be the cost-benefit?
Who pays?
That’s a billion-dollar question. But there is little point discussing that, at least not until anyone knows what can and should be done and how much it would cost.
So let’s not get ahead of the story. Hurricane Milton hit almost two months ago, and recovery is going to continue through 2025, at least.
Nevertheless, by the end of February, at the height of snowbird season, we likely will see the resilience of, or lack thereof, from St. Armands Circle property owners and businesses. Most of the owners want and need the rental cash flow.
But if in February and March the closed storefronts are still as prominent as they are today, that clearly will be a sign that improved floor protection is a concern to be addressed.
We know this for sure: St. Armands Circle is going to flood again. It would be nice to end the insanity.
“If
ate the DOGE!
Creating a new federal government agency to facilitate this effort is a waste of time and will be counterproductive to the mission that must be performed.
All that is needed is a small team of highly motivated and smart people who are used to doing things at the pace at which the world is changing — not the pace at which government moves.
No offices, no H.R. department, no financial management system or ERP, no department logo, no invitations to Cabinet meetings, no Senate advice and consent requirements, no department coffee mugs or ID card lanyards, no federal advisory commission rules and no diversity officers.
Please take the advice of someone who has tried this before: Creating a new federal agency to cut bureaucracy is itself a bureaucratic exercise that will only frustrate, delay and ultimately stymie the effort. It is best not to do it. Otherwise, the organization itself will become mired in the rules, laws, regulations and inefficiencies governing such entities that it has been tasked with eliminating.
As has been proven over and over in the private sector, a small team with tight, uncompromising time lines is the best bet for success with this endeavor. Frankly, finding inefficiencies and waste in the federal government will be the easiest part of the task.
Without an ounce of sarcasm or flippancy, I can tell you that finding the bulk of any potential savings should take this team about 24 hours, including coffee breaks. My confidence is based on the fact that the entire government, and its concomitant spending, is not designed to be efficient or cost-effective. They are designed to meet political objectives, which in most cases are neither.
Finding waste and inefficiency will be easy if judged against private sector standards, but that’s where the easy part ends. The real challenge will be in realizing those potential savings — and that could take a lifetime. The obstacles are fierce, unyielding, and deeply entrenched.
The bureaucracy these gentlemen intend to tackle has proven over and over to be adept at waiting out the
As most highly effective CEOs understand, the most important part of any CEO’s job, beyond establishing a clear vision, is moving the biggest impedimental “rocks” out of the way so that their people can unleash their full potential. In government, these rocks are big, and in most cases they are rolling downhill with a lot of momentum.
Allow me to offer my opinion on the five biggest ones (in ascending order of importance) that this team will encounter in this quest. I trust that sufficient effort will be focused on altering their paths before they crush the people who will be responsible for implementation. It would be wise to find the savings quickly and then focus the creative energies of leadership on saving the true believers on the team, and those who follow them, from being crushed.
5. Employment protections provided to the civil service and the senior executive service.
Ultimately, the government is a service business with the citizens as its customers. No service business worth its salt can thrive without the ability, to quote Michael Hammer, to “put the right people on the right seats on the bus,” or to hire or fire them to meet standards and performance objectives.
Civil service rules that govern H.R. policies for government employees severely restrict the ability to reduce or increase the workforce as required for efficient and effective operations. It will be impossible to make lasting improvements to efficiency and cost without significant reforms to these rules.
4. The budgeting process.
The federal budget process is a multi-year marathon of inputs and analysis that produces sub-optimized outputs that satisfy competing constituencies. It is not a rational process seeking to increase a bottom-line financial return to investors. It is a rationalization process that seeks to assuage interests.
Asking this process to deliver efficient outcomes is reminiscent of the comedic description of a camel as a “horse designed by a committee.” No serious efficiency and cost reduction effort can be achieved without a serious change in this process.
3. Entitlements.
This one should be obvious. A large portion of the federal budget is locked into entitlements and wealth transfers.
Cracking the costs and ineffi-
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ciencies in these line items carries tremendous political risk. It will be important to tread lightly in this area as the congressional majority in the House is slim, and suggested reforms to these programs are politically radioactive.
Suggested cost reductions and efficiencies here are easily vilified and could jeopardize the viability of the entire effort with the public.
2. Turnover.
Successful private-sector realignments and restructurings have one thing in common: consistent and persistent senior-level engagement and continuity. To accomplish this in our government will require no less.
My question is: Who is the person or team willing to stick to this effort for 10 years or more? How can there be such a person, given our political volatility and high politically driven turnover? This must be addressed.
The “Efficiency Czar” needs a mandate of a long tenure with corresponding authority.
1. Congress.
This will be the biggest rock, with the most mass and velocity. Every dollar cut from the federal budget has implications for someone’s congressional district and political contributors. Most have implications for his political party’s agenda and priorities.
Much lip service has been and will be paid to the virtue of creating a more efficient and cost-effective government. However, budget dollars equal power, and the biggest job will be convincing members of Congress otherwise.
As most experienced leaders understand, proclaiming an inspiring vision like “we are going to Mars” is the easy part. Making it happen is what takes senior-level engagement, imagination, grit, determination, freedom of action and most important, time. Driving inefficiencies and waste out of our federal government is perhaps as noble and critical to our survival as exploring space, but it is probably much harder to do. I guarantee that it will be a lot less fun.
I wish Elon and Vivek well, but I respectfully ask that they heed this advice: “Don’t add to the bureaucracy in order to cut it. Don’t DOGE. Just DO.”
Thomas Modly, a resident of Siesta Key, is the former under and acting secretary of the Navy and the former co-director of the Defense Business Transformation Agency. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Georgetown’s Graduate School of Government, and Harvard Business School. He is the bestselling author of “Vectors: Heroes, Villains, and Heartbreak on the Bridge of the U.S. Navy.”
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Sunset looms over Van Wezel panel
As its chair resigns, the city’s Purple Ribbon Committee has eight more months to complete its task.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
For the past 14 months, the city’s Purple Ribbon Committee has been listening to pitches for ideas regarding the future use of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Shifting to discussion mode at its Nov. 25 meeting, the panel discovered is that it has much to talk about.
The committee has until July 2025 to submit a report to the City Commission on its recommendations for repurposing the city’s primary performance venue should it be replaced by the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Hall, a joint venture of the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. It’s an ambitious schedule compounded by the loss of a month’s work because of Hurricane Milton, and now the loss of its chairperson, Lee-En Chung, who told the committee the Dec. 5 meeting will be her last.
“I have submitted my resignation as of last Friday to the city, and it is with sadness,” Chung said. “I have some personal and family concerns, issues and commitments coming up due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, and I must meet those responsibilities. These are unexpected conditions, and I have communicated with the city how proud I am to have served on this committee.”
Chung, who brought an engineer’s expertise to the committee, was scheduled to pass the gavel to the committee’s next chair on Dec. 5, and whether her seat on the panel will be filled for its duration was not determined. Jim Shirley, city-appointed facilitator, reminded the panel that, regardless of this new development,
the committee has only a few more months to complete its task before it is sunsetted in July 2025.
“Our goal over the next three months, really four months at most, is going to be to get enough information to start coming up with potential solutions and figuring out what we need to know about those solutions, and then writing a report and presenting to the City Commission,”
Shirley said. “We need to be ready to do that by June 30, so we’ve got a job in front of us.”
The purpose of the most recent meeting, Shirley said, was for the committee to request any additional information and sources it may need to begin to develop its suggestions on how to repurpose the Van Wezel. That ignited a banter between members over what precisely their mission entails — whether it should consider how the building could work in tandem with a new performing arts hall should one be built, how weatherproofing the Van Wezel can be coordinated with the continued development of the surrounding The Bay park, parking solutions and more.
Perhaps most vexing is whether it should consider short-term vs. long-term use of the Van Wezel as it is not certain at this time whether the city will move forward with the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
“One thing that we have not talked about at all is the business of what goes on in the Van Wezel,” said the committee’s Charles Cosler. “We’ve not talked about what it costs to run the Van Wezel, occupied and unoccupied. And I think we need to know that in order to be able to adjudicate whether groups can use it or not.”
Robert Bunting followed up Cosler’s remarks that making a rec-
ommendation without financial data will be difficult. Shirley replied the committee’s task is to provide the City Commission with ideas about how the Van Wezel can be repurposed, and that making a business plan to support that is beyond its scope of work.
“Your charge has not been to develop a business case, but it has been to look at as many facets as we can about the facts of the building today and looking to the future, and
The orchestra pit at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was flooded by storm surge from Hurricane Milton.
exploring what’s happening around the country and marketplaces,” Shirley said. “We’re not charged with writing a business plan.”
Now at top of mind for committee members is the flooding of the Van Wezel brought by Hurricane Milton, which forced cancellation of the first half of its performance season with plans to complete restoration in time to resume shows on Jan. 2, 2025. Chung told them that, in her opinion as an engineer, flood-proofing
the building will be cost prohibitive, especially for short-term use.
David Rovine, who brings expertise in the financial management of performing arts halls to the committee, said the bottom line is the Van Wezel will have to be fortified to some degree to continue operating as is, short-term or long-term, in order for Sarasota to remain competitive in the marketplace.
“You can’t get out of the routing because once you’re out, you’re out,” Rovine said. “You might get back in after several years, but it’s very expensive to run a performing arts center that’s empty. You need to have events, shows, concerts, comedians and Broadway shows all the time.” And if the SPAC is built, Rovine added, the future use of the Van Wezel should be something other than a performance venue. “Assuming the new theater is going to open, I think it’s going to absorb and take care of all the arts entities that exist in this community,” Rovine said.
File photos
The Purple Ribbon Committee has until June 30, 2025, to submit its report on suggestions for repurposing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
HUNGER STOPPER
Don’t Miss the 28th Anniversary of the DOWNTOWN SARASOTA
DON’T MISS THE 25th SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF
Dec. 4 | 7pm
New space on the way for Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
The Sarasota County Commission approved $35 million for headquarters expansion and a new helicopter hangar.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has received approval for funding nearly $35 million in capital improvements.
At its Nov. 19 meeting, the Sarasota County Commission, with no discussion, unanimously appropriated allocations for additions and renovations to its headquarters at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. and for a new hangar for its aviation operations at Venice Municipal Airport.
Saturday, Dec. 4 | 7pm
Come Start Your Holiday Season With Us!
ParadeHoliday
Saturday, Dec. 7 | 7 P.M.
Lighted floats, carolers, dancers, local high school marching bands, area churches, nonprofits, local businesses, and last, but certainly not least, Santa and Mrs. Claus! Bring the whole family to this treasured community tradition. Arrive early, bring your lawn chairs and get ready for a festive evening.
The meeting was the first for new county commissioners Teresa Mast of District 1 and Tom Knight of District 3. It was also the first meeting chaired by Joe Neunder of District 4, receiving the gavel from the outgoing Mike Moran of District 1, who reached his term limit after eight years.
struction is $25.5 million for a total cost of $30.8 million. Funding for the headquarters project will come from the county’s Law Enforcement Impact Fee and a Surtax 4 revenue bond.
Lighted floats, carolers, dancers, local high school marching bands, area churches, nonprofits, local businesses, and last, but certainly not least, Santa! Bring the whole family to this treasured community tradition.
Arrive early, bring your lawn chairs and get ready for a festive evening.
Start: Main St. & Washington Blvd. | End: Gulfstream Ave.
Come Start Your Holiday Season With Us! SPONSORS
The Sheriff’s Office headquarters design and construction will include up to 84,200 square feet of new construction and reorganization of uses within its existing 73,000-squarefoot office facility. The office has worked to close out leases, consolidate storage and renovate existing spaces because of limited room at the headquarters, according to a staff report. Justification of the project is the necessity to meet demands of the growing county population.
The investment at Venice Municipal Airport will add a 10,000-squarefoot hangar adjacent to the existing 7,000-square-foot facility that will include a maintenance bay plus additional office and storage space. The current hangar houses the agency’s Bell 407GX helicopter and will house its newly purchased Bell 429. The new aircraft is larger and requires more space.
It will include a larger concrete pad area to allow for safer departures and arrivals, and additional office space will accommodate future growth and climate-controlled storage areas to ensure components are not affected by heat, humidity and salt.
Start: Main St. & Washington Blvd. End: Gulfstream Ave.
Located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. between Cattlemen Road and I-75, work at the headquarters includes the existing building and two adjoining county-owned parcels that are currently vacant. The cost for design and engineering is $5.3 million and con-
Funding for the new $4 million hangar will come from $3 million in Justice Facilities Impact Fees and $1 million in Law Enforcement Impact Fees.
Emerson Lakes,℠ the distinctive new retirement community by Erickson Senior Living,® is now accepting reservations!
Our first phase of construction is now underway. It includes the beautiful Coral Ridge Clubhouse and three residence buildings: Sandhill Point, anticipated to open in the fall of 2026, followed by Laguna Springs and Mangrove Run, opening in the first half of 2027.
Here are just a few resort-style amenities you can expect when you live at Emerson Lakes:
• Multiple dining venues
• An outdoor pool with a walk-up bar
• A state-of-the-art fitness center • Pickleball and bocce ball courts • Outdoor fitness center with meditation garden • Fire pits
Cattlemen Road
Courtesy image
The location of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and expansion are outlined in red, near the intersection of Cattlemen Road and Webber Road.
Sarasota County tourism ‘normalizing’ post-pandemic, optimistic for 2025
After a pandemic-era travel boom, Sarasota is seeing a return to normal, market researchers say, with indications of an uptick in some segments of travelers.
ELIZABETH KING BUSINESS OBSERVER
While the number of overall travelers to Sarasota County dropped in fiscal year 2024 compared with the previous year, tourism officials say they are optimistic about 2025 due to a number of factors. The list includes Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport expansion, the return of business travelers, European tourists and sporting events. Nearly 2.9 million people visited Sarasota County in FY 2024, according to Downs & St. Germain Researchers, which was contracted by Visit Sarasota County to evaluate its data. That was a 5.6% decrease year-over-year, the researchers say. Downs & St. Germain executives were among a group of speakers at VSC’s Indicators & Insights Summit held Nov. 19 at The Ora in Sarasota. The event provided a review of 2024 data and a forecast for 2025.
“Right after the pandemic, there was a really big boom of visitors ... spending as much as they possibly could, visiting as much as they could,” said Erin Dinkel, director of research for Tallahassee-based Downs & St. Germain Research. “But what we’re seeing right now across many destinations, especially Florida destinations, is that this trend of visitation is normalizing a little bit, where people are coming back to their normal trends of visitation, and it’s not that high.”
The decrease in visitors in 2024 had a far-reaching impact, Downs & St. Germain Research shows. That includes:
Data from Downs & St. Ger-
main Research on the impact of tourism in Sarasota County includes:
n Tourism supported 24,100 local jobs and $937.76 million in salaries.
n Each household saves $746 in local taxes each year thanks to Sarasota County visitors.
n Visitor spending generated a total economic impact of $4.03 billion, a decrease of 5.9%.
n Visitors spent about $2.55 billion on accommodations, restaurants, groceries, transportations, attractions, entertainment and shopping, a decrease of 2%.
n There were 3.28 million room nights in paid accommodations, a decrease of 6.8%.
n The tourism development tax,
paid through accommodations and vacation rentals by visitors, generated $48.1 million, a decrease of 4.6%.
NEXT YEAR
The outlook is stable for 2025, with costs rising but at a less dramatic rate, according to Joseph St. Germain, president and partner of Downs & St. Germain Research.
“As we look at domestic travel, one of the things that we do continue to see is that people plan on taking trips,” St. Germain said. “People have decided they’re going to still travel, but they might not have as much money to do it.”
One key boost for the area is the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which is expanding with a new terminal and with more flights.
“Many of you are aware of all of the phenomenal growth at the SarasotaBradenton International Airport,” CEO and VSC President and CEO Erin Duggan told the audience. “The airport’s growth has been ‘monumental’ not only for tourists but also for locals,” she adds.
“It’s made it a lot easier to fly plac-
HOME RUN
In addition to domestic, global and business travel, another Visit Sarasota County focus is sports.
“We had a really good 2024,” Pete Harvey, director of sports for Visit Sarasota County said at the Indicators & Insights Summit held Nov. 19
In June, Nathan Benderson Park hosted the USRowing Association Youth Nationals, which set a record for over 10,000 attendees, according to Harvey. The park also held the USRowing Olympic trials for Paris 2024.
“We have a lot of great things coming up just this week,” Harvey told the audience at the event. The International Canoe Federation is holding its Stand-Up Paddling
es direct and affordably.” On the day of the event Allegiant announced it was adding eight direct flights to SRQ starting in February, enabling SRQ to serve 67 destinations.
BUSINESS TRAVEL TO INCREASE
A bright spot in the forecast is business travel, St. Germain says, with an increase of 7% in business travel expected for 2025. Since about 30% of business travel does “involve a leisure component,” St. Germain says, there is an opportunity for Sarasota County to promote its beaches, shopping and restaurants. Sarasota County had a successful run in early 2024 as far as business meetings. Booked meeting groups in the first quarter of 2024 topped $2 million, according to Visit Sarasota County Group Sales Manager Shantel Norman.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RISING
International travel is “slightly behind pre-pandemic levels, but it’s coming back,” St. Germain said. Higher costs of flights and accommodations made travel “a little less appealing” in the last year; however, he said in 2025, he anticipates
World Championship at Nathan Benderson Park from Nov. 19-24. Meanwhile, the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association is holding its Presidents Cup from Nov. 22-24 in Bradenton and Tampa. “It is the largest women’s lacrosse tournament in the country,” Harvey said of the event, which has sold out, according to the website. Visit Sarasota County is a partner putting on the tournament. In June 2025, Sarasota will host the 30th anniversary of the USRowing Youth Nationals in June at Nathan Benderson Park. Also, “we submitted and won the bids for 2027 and 2028 for the NCAA rowing championship,” Harvey said.
“continued growth of international travel.”
To promote Sarasota among Europeans, Visit Sarasota County has account managers handling both the UK and German markets. Each had positive trends to report.
Research shows 42% of adults in the UK are expected to take a holiday abroad in the next year, with 32% planning an overseas beach holiday, according to Muna Abanour, UK trade account manager for GoshPR. UK arrivals in the United States are forecast to be four-and-a-half million for 2024, up from three-and-ahalf million in 2022.
German visitors to the United States will top two million in 2024 and are expected to reach the level of 2018 and 2019 with 2.06 million arrivals, according to Ilona Arnold, German trade account manager for Lieb Management. Since many UK and German travelers use travel agents, Abanour and Arnold have been spreading awareness among agents and tour operators about Sarasota.
File image
Morgan Rudloff looks at “Peace Within” after the sculpture’s head collapsed, and the artists finished it off with a crown during November’s Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpting.
$8,950,000
$3,195,000
From Survival to Success: The Story Behind Shipwrecked Bar & Grill
Benjamin Kaye, an experienced scuba diver from South Venice, never imagined that a routine trip would end in a desperate fight for survival. While diving seven miles off the coast of Manasota Key to retrieve an anchor, he surfaced to find that his boat had drifted further than expected, and was now out of reach. As a stiff wind was pushing him north, realizing his companions never saw him surface, Benjamin knew even a slight change in wind direction, he would be swept out to sea, lost forever.
Having previously served in combat with an Army special operations unit, survival during harrowing situations was not completely new. Thoughts of his children drove Benjamin to swim for over six hours, battling 2-foot waves that constantly crashed over him. Finally, a Coast Guard rescue helicopter, part of a multi-agency rescue effort spotted him 3 miles from shore.
Just four months later, Benjamin along with his son, Curtis, embarked on a new project-a different kind of nautical rescue, this time in Osprey. “Curtis and I are really close and he wanted to take on a father/son construction together,” Benjamin explained. The property they found was an old restaurant located in a multi-use condo complex at Casey Key Marina and full of potential. Curtis teamed up with his father to rip out
old hardwood floors, jackhammer the tile, and install new flooring. They replaced the lighting, air conditioning, furniture, and kitchen equipment.
In April 2024, Shipwrecked Bar & Grill opened for business! The decor features colonial hardwood moldings, woodgrain floors, columns, ironbound wooden seats, vintage nautical maps, taxidermied game fish, and even a sailboat suspended from the ceiling.
Downstairs, a 25-seat full liquor bar has begun attracting locals, while the 100-seat upstairs dining room, offering views of Casey Key Marina and a personally crafted menu offering a mix of seafood, steaks, pasta, salads, and handhelds-each with a Shipwrecked twist.
Standout dishes include Shrimp and Scallops served with butternut squash ravioli in tarragon sherry cream sauce and the signature Trippple Bypass sandwich, piled high with braised pulled pork, cherrywood-smoked ham, melted provolone, garlic-herb aioli, and Carolina slaw on Tuscan Schiacciata bread.
The appetizers alone are a reason for repeat visits, featuring several house made options such as Smoked Fish Dip, Blood Orange Ceviche and Mini Crabcakes.
Benjamin & Curtis have the determination to stay afloat, and with time and attention, Shipwrecked Bar & Grill is well on its way to sailing toward success.
County denies variance for Siesta Key beachfront home
The owner of a beachfront lot on Siesta Key was denied a variance that would have also allowed use of a pedestrian access as a driveway.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
The owner of a Siesta Key beachfront property has been denied approval by the Sarasota County Commission of a coastal setback variance that would allow construction of a two-unit multifamily project. With little discussion at its Nov. 19 meeting, commissioners first denied a continuance and by a second vote denied the variance at 564 Beach Road.
Both votes were unanimous.
The petitioner, Saba Sands II LLC, had petitioned the county to build the structure west of Tenacity Lane, an alley that runs behind homes that front Beach Road. Among the primary objections expressed by the more than 20 residents who spoke in opposition was the variance would also have included by-right approval of approximately 4,000 square feet of driveway within Beach Access 10.
The structure was proposed to have a combined total of 6,350 square feet of habitable space and a building footprint of 3,400 square feet. Associated accessory structures included a swimming pool and pool deck, paver driveway and eightfoot breakaway privacy walls on the side lot lines.
Saba Sands principal William Saba acquired the site on Nov. 2, 2012, and in November 2015 received Circuit Court final judgment confirming ownership of accreted lands that extended 37,203 square feet to the shoreline. In 2017, Saba applied for a coastal setback variance to construct a smaller two-unit residential structure extending 209 feet seaward. At that time, the parcel size was noted as 39,370 square feet on the submitted survey, growth of more than 2,000 square feet as the coastline receded.
That 2017 application was deactivated because the petitioner failed to respond timely to requests for additional information.
“There’s an art to this, and we appreciate how difficult it is for you to make these decisions,” said consultant Martin Black representing the petitioner. “We’re trying to be a good neighbor, but we also want to ensure that the property owner is able to reasonably use the property that is zoned for multifamily purposes.”
A 2015 lawsuit settlement with the county granted Saba access to the lot with no plans at the time on how to apply that access. The question wasn’t whether he could use the Beach Access 10, but rather disruption of the dune system. Commissioner Mark Smith summarized the commission’s issues.
“It’s not compliant with the comprehensive plan, doesn’t have consistency with environmental policy ... and we’re building 100% on dune habitat,” Smith said. “The buyer knew the history, bought it anyway, rolled the dice, and here we are today. I also don’t feel comfortable with turning over essentially a public beach access to private use.”
Courtesy image
Siesta Beach Access 10 is a pedestrianonly path.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13
TRESPASSING SKATEBOARDERS
9:23 p.m., 1800 block of Main Street
Trespassing: Skateboarders riding on private property on Main Street prompted a complaint from a witness who pointed out to a responding officer they were entering their vehicles and leaving the area. The complainant advised the sidewalk surfers were wheeling around on her property and wanted them trespassed.
An officer contacted the skaters to advise them of the complaint; all but one of them admitting to skateboarding on the property. They said they understood the warning and would not return. One of the group said he did not enter the property because he had been trespassed from there earlier in the year, and that he was on the public sidewalk instead. There was no video evidence to determine whether or not the would-be repeat offender had violated the trespass warning.
All of the skateboarders were advised they were free to go.
THURSDAY, NOV. 14 A CELEBRATION INTERRUPTED 6:45 p.m., 1200 block of North Palm Avenue
Property damage: A birthday dinner celebration was disrupted when a woman who had parked her vehicle in the Palm Avenue Garage found it vandalized. The victim advised she had met with friends at approximately 4 p.m. with plans to later take a car service to St. Petersburg. She discovered the damage when she returned to her car at approximately 6:40 p.m.
An officer observed the driver’s side front tire had a small kitchen knife protruding from the sidewall and was completely deflated. Additionally, there was a long scratch across the left rear quarter panel. Damage to the tire and paint is estimated at approximately $600. According to the incident report, the vehicle was very dirty and covered in dust and water spots. Other than where she admitted touching the rear door in an attempt to buff out scratch, there were no visible fingerprints on the surfaces of the car, nor were there any visible prints on the handle of the knife.
A small tennis bracelet was found on the ground next to the damaged tire, but the metal surface also did not appear to have any visible prints, and whether the bracelet was related to the incident is uncertain.
The officer contacted the parking garage staff to inquire about surveillance footage, but because of damage from the recent hurricanes the cameras on the second floor of the garage were inoperable.
FRIDAY, NOV. 15 A BAD DAY MADE WORSE
8:11 a.m. 100 block of Indian Place
Family disturbance: Having lost his job that morning after previously learning of being evicted from an apartment, a man lashed out in frustration, resulting in an argument with his wife. When an officer responded to a call for service, the woman explained that the altercation never become physical. After speaking with the woman, the officer located the subject sitting on the kitchen floor. He explained he received word that morning that he had lost his job and, compounded by the news that they were being evicted, he knocked a glass vase off a table in frustration. His wife, he said, overreacted by calling 911.
As if that were not enough, the call for law enforcement made the man’s day even worse. During the investigation, the officer learned he had two active arrest warrants in Manatee County and was subsequently transported to Sarasota County Jail.
“It’s going to be a difficult road ahead schedule-wise, but I have faith that we can work together to win.”
Fast Break
The Riverview boys varsity basketball team brought its record up to 3-3 when it edged out Tampa Carrollwood Day (1-3) 68-62 on Nov. 30. Junior guard Josh Harris led the Rams in scoring with 28 points and senior guard Rhys Gamble poured on 19 points and 5 rebounds in the victory.
... The Cardinal Mooney boys varsity soccer team boosted its record to 3-3-2 when it defeated Tampa Patel High School (5-3) 2-1 on Dec. 2. Senior midfielder Mark Yencik and junior forward Samuel Shamsey both scored. On the girls’ side, the Cougars (2-3-1) staved off a loss when they tied Englewood Lemon Bay (6-21) 1-1 on Nov. 26.
... The Booker High girls varsity basketball team improved its record to 3-1 when it defeated Tampa Bay Christian Academy (0-2) 20-16 on Nov. 30.
... The Cardinal Mooney boys varsity basketball team got its season on the right track when it defeated the Imagine School at North Port 67-44 on Nov. 26. Junior guard Malakai Cuffy and sophomore guard Jamaal George both led the Cougars in scoring with 17 points. The Cougars’ big men cleaned up on the glass — senior center Browning Collison had a team-high 15 rebounds and junior power forward Sam Reindel had 10 rebounds.
... The Cardinal Mooney girls varsity basketball team evened its record to 2-2 when it defeated Jacksonville Providence School (3-1) 71-54 on Nov. 26. Leading the charge for the Cougars was sophomore small forward Madi Mignery who scored 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Senior guard Kali Barrett also posted a double-double, scoring 18 and racking up 10 rebounds.
IZZY RUSSELL IS A
Cardinal Mooney, Booker High crowned regional champions
The Cougars and Tornadoes reach the final four of their respective state championship tournaments.
DYLAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER
At this time just over two years ago, Jared Clark didn’t have any more football games to coach. Clark, an alum of Cardinal Mooney Catholic High, had taken the head coaching position at his high school in 2020. That season, the Cougars went 2-7. In 2022, Cardinal Mooney went just 4-7. By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, the team’s season was long over.
This year, Clark and his staff have much to be thankful for. On the night after Thanksgiving, Cardinal Mooney welcomed Fort Myers Bishop Verot to its home field for the Class 2A-Region 3 championship to determine which team would reach the final four of the state championship tournament.
For Cardinal Mooney, the contest was more coronation than battle.
Despite a sluggish start that saw the team’s leading rusher, sophomore running back Connail Jackson leave the game with an injury in the first quarter, Cardinal Mooney defeated Bishop Verot handily, winning 35-14.
How Cardinal Mooney won, however, illuminated a path forward for the Cougars as they prepared to face Cocoa High in the state semifinal game on Dec. 6. Cardinal Mooney’s offense this season has been fueled by the emergence of two young stars — junior QB Devin Mignery and sophomore running back Jackson. A run-heavy offense, Cardinal Mooney uses the speed of both Mignery and Jackson to wear down opponents, while the team’s receivers keep defenders honest with the occasional deep ball from Mignery.
When Jackson went down in the first quarter, however, it raised concern — without its leading rusher, against a defense that had allowed an average of 13.3 points per game, would Cardinal Mooney be able to win at the line of scrimmage consistently and progress down the field?
The answer was a resounding yes. Sophomore running back Ashton Kelly filled in just fine for Jackson, with 119 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The Cougars’ ground game was not a pretty one — they failed to rip off the big yardage rushes against Verot that they have against everyone else — but it was effective. Drive after drive, Cardinal Mooney marched methodically down the field with a steady diet of quarterback draws, speed sweeps and triple-option runs.
Cardinal Mooney’s rushing attack was made possible by its massive offensive line, featuring 6-foot-5, 300-pound left tackle Da’Ron Parks. Parks, a three-star recruit with an offer from Alabama, worked alongside fellow road graters Chase and Max Polivchak, Ethan Salata and Jake Boydston to control the line of scrimmage.
While Cardinal Mooney didn’t always rip off big yardage on the ground, there were only a handful of times that a Vikings defender ended up in Mooney’s backfield.
The offensive line’s excellence was on display in the fourth quarter against Verot, when the Cougars, up 35-14 with 6:06 left on the clock, took over on their own 32-yard line.
“When there are games like this where it’s six minutes left on the clock and we’ve got to get three or four first downs to win the game, that’s the stuff they live for,” said Clark. “That’s a huge deal to be able to do that and that’s all on them.”
Guiding the ship, as always, was Mignery who rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown of his own on Friday night. While not spectacular,
Booker High senior quarterback Ryan Downes
Mignery’s rushing was effective — it allowed Cardinal Mooney to control the pace of the game after taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter — and displayed the toughness and tenacity that has made him the Cougars leader.
TORNADOES ROLL
When Booker High head coach Scottie Littles called for the team to practice on Thanksgiving morning, he knew that his program was on the right track.
For some, having to practice on a holiday might have been a cause of frustration. For Littles and his team, however, it was a sign.
Booker was preparing to play Boca Ciega in the Class 3A-Region 3 championship game the next night. A second straight regional title and a trip to the final four of the state championship tournament was on the line. The Tornadoes were not going to take the challenge lightly.
“We had a run through on Thanksgiving morning, we invited the community to come out and have coffee and donuts while they watched,” said Littles. “We were getting after it. It’s what it takes to build a championship program and we want to continue in that direction.”
Booker took another step in the right direction on Friday night, when it demolished Boca Ciega 42-6.
In its three regional playoff games, Booker has outscored its opponents 143-19. On the year, Booker is averaging a hair over 50 points per game.
Booker’s meal ticket has been in its red-hot offense, fueled by the likes of senior quarterback Ryan Downes, senior running backs DJ Johnson and
THE ROAD AHEAD
Rashawn Peterson and a plethora of talent at wide receiver. Against Boca Ciega, the 6-foot4 Downes threw four touchdown passes. Littles credits Downes’ progression as a quarterback after transferring to Booker over the summer as one of the driving forces behind the team’s success.
Downes, who suffered a severe compound fracture of his leg while playing for Venice High on Oct. 23, 2023, has had to learn how to trust not only in his new teammates, but in the stability of his leg as well.
“Each week he’s gained more confidence in his recovery and in his ability,” said Littles. “We need to remind people that Ryan Downes was a national recruit at quarterback before he broke his leg. He’s an uberly talented young man. We’re just excited that he’s continuing to lead us and at this point, he’s got a chemistry with the receivers that can’t be replaced.”
On Dec. 6, Booker will travel to Jacksonville to face Raines High (120) in the state semifinal game. Raines, the No. 1 seed in Class 3A-Region 1, is sure to be the toughest test Booker will face all year. The Vikings feature a stingy defense that has allowed just 13.7 points per game on the season and an offense that’s equally effective in both pass and the run — Raines averages 231.2 passing yards per game to 166.3 rushing yards.
It’s a challenge, however, that Littles and his team embrace with open arms. “These players understand what the mission is,” said Littles. “They understand that it’s not going to be easy, but they’re not looking for easy. They’re looking to do what people say they can’t do.”
Cardinal Mooney and Booker face stiff competition in their quests for a state title. Here are the details.
CARDINAL MOONEY VS. COCOA HIGH SCHOOL
Where: Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
When: Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
Things to watch: 9-3 Cocoa has surrendered just 3.0 points per game in their last five contests, all of which have been at home. Can the Tigers keep up the defense on the road against Cardinal Mooney’s powerful offense?
BOOKER VS. RAINES HIGH SCHOOL
Where: Raines High School, Jacksonville, Florida
When: Friday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Things to watch: Booker has had home field advantage for the entirety of the playoffs leading up to the state semifinal game, where it lost to Cocoa a year ago. Can the Tornadoes take their program to the next level on the road against the best team they’ve faced all season?
— Ava Noto, sophomore, Riverview High basketball.
PAGE 19A
File image
Cardinal Mooney High senior Kali Barrett is averaging 16 points per game in 2024.
Cardinal Mooney sophomore middle linebacker Austin Butler leads his team prior to Cardinal Mooney’s regional final game with Bishop Verot.
Ace in the Hole
Cardinal Mooney senior Izzy Russell committed to play beach volleyball at Austin Peay State University just five years after taking up the sport.
It took Cardinal Mooney High indoor volleyball head coach Allan Knight just one practice with his new team to name his captains for the year. It was early August and Knight, who’d been named the Cougars’ coach in June, was just getting acclimated to the program. It didn’t take long for senior outside hitter Izzy Russell to stand out to him.
“I saw her focus on the court and her complete game along with her maturity and her leadership with the younger players right away,” said Knight. “She made an immediate impression on me.”
Knight didn’t know that Russell, who also stars on Cardinal Mooney’s beach volleyball team, had been a captain the year before. He didn’t know much about Russell at all, outside of meeting her earlier in the summer at an open gym and watching her that day at indoor volleyball tryouts. He just knew, from his 25 years spent coaching at the high school and collegiate levels, what a leader looked like.
Russell fit the image.
Knight’s confidence in Russell was well rewarded. Russell helped power Cardinal Mooney to a 22-5 record and a Class 3A-District 11 championship, leading the team in kills and serving aces.
Russell, who committed to play beach volleyball at Austin Peay State University in September, is nearing the end of an incredibly successful high school volleyball career, with just Cardinal Mooney’s beach volleyball season standing between her and graduation.
It’s a journey that has coincided with Russell’s growth into adulthood — volleyball has been the center of the senior’s life since she started playing the sport at 13 years old.
When Russell went to her first
volleyball camp, she was the last person to expect that five years later she would be signing a commitment to play the sport at a Division I university. Russell had just dropped out of tennis and was looking for a new sport to join.
A friend persuaded her to attend a volleyball camp at her school, a decision Russell immediately regretted.
“I absolutely hated it. I cried the entire time and was just stressed out, because not only was learning the new sport difficult, but all the girls already knew each other and I didn’t know anybody,” said Russell.
Russell, however, came back the next day and the day after that. What she found was a sport that rewarded effort and teamwork, where every point offered the chance to wipe the slate clean from the previous play.
Russell quickly emerged as an elite outside hitter on both the indoor court and on the beach, playing for Cardinal Mooney’s varsity teams during the school seasons and on club teams throughout the year.
Russell’s game, interestingly enough, is defined by what she is not — which is tall. At 5-foot-10, Russell is decidedly undersized for the prototypical outside hitter on an indoor volleyball team. Without the height or wingspan of taller girls, Russell has been forced to make an impact with her tenacity and unyielding motor.
While Russell brings a complete game to the indoor court as an excellent passer and hitter, said Knight, her defense is where she makes her biggest impact during matches.
“Her defense won so many matches for us this year because
she’s the kind of player that will just sacrifice her body to make sure that nothing hits the floor. She kept us in rallies that normally our opponents would win,” said Knight. “I think it’s the characteristic of somebody really special that has taken it upon themselves to give everything to their team. It’s a never-say-die leadership quality that young volleyball players should emulate.”
As Russell fell more in love with the game, playing at the collegiate level became a priority. College recruiting for Russell began at the end of her sophomore year — while colleges weren’t allowed to contact Russell until the end of her junior year, she was allowed to email schools from across the country that interested her with the hopes of having them attend one of the countless camps and showcases she was playing.
“I used to send hundreds of emails every weekend and you get
answers for maybe two of them. One is, ‘sorry you’re too short’ and the other is asking you to come to a camp that’s really just a moneygrab for the schools,” said Russell. “Now that I’m committed, I’m looking back and seeing how much I gave up for those first three years of high school. I didn’t do any extracurricular activities. I wasn’t social at all, I had one friend who was also on the volleyball team. I trained every day, worked out every day before practice and sent emails on the weekends.”
The recruiting process, which Russell calls the most stressful experience of her entire life, is hardly as glamorous as the internet and social media have made it out to be. It’s a delicate dance between player and prospective coach — is the player the right fit for the program? Does the school fit the player’s needs, academically and socially?
“There’s this process that the girls go through of just constantly communicating with these coaches and gauging their interest levels. As a player, you don’t know if the coach has moved on to somebody else and as a coach, you wonder the same thing,” Knight said. “There’s a lot of stress involved in figuring all of this out. Collegiate and professional athletes all have agents doing this for them. For high school athletes, it’s just them and their parents managing all of this.”
Russell’s fortune started to turn over the summer leading up to her senior year. While initially harboring dreams of playing indoor volleyball, her shorter stature made it difficult for Russell to get the attention she wanted from indoor coaches.
In the sand, however, Russell’s height didn’t matter and her unyielding effort paid dividends while playing alongside a partner. Russell began attracting attention from colleges following her junior beach volleyball season, in which the Cougars went 19-3. Over the summer, Russell doubled down on contacting collegiate beach volleyball coaches, with the hopes of getting a look prior to her senior year.
Even still, she wasn’t receiving interest from the schools she was looking to play for.
“I sent out my last beach volleyball email at the start of the summer and didn’t hear back, so I figured this was a sign that I was going to be finished with beach,” said Russell. “Three months later, I got a text from my coach at Austin Peay State explaining that his emails hadn’t been sending and that he’d love to have me up for a visit. We really clicked and a little over a month later, I committed.”
File image
Cardinal Mooney indoor volleyball senior Izzy Russell said the Cougars have responded well to head coach Allan Knight’s style of play.
Dylan
Ava Noto
Ava Noto leads by example. The 5-foot-8 sophomore point guard helped lead Riverview to a 22-5 record last season as a freshman. This year, Noto leads the Rams in points per game, averaging 16.
When did you start playing basketball and why?
I can’t exactly remember when I started playing, but I know that I was super young, maybe 5 or 6 years old. I’ve had so many great coaches along the way that have helped me and made me fall in love with the game. Coach Gerald (Perry) encourages me when I’m on the court. I feel confident when I play basketball and that makes me want to continue to play as I grow older.
What’s the appeal?
The way it makes me feel. I feel confident when I play basketball and that makes me want to continue to play as I grow older.
What’s your best skill on the court?
I’m best at driving to the basket and finishing around the rim. I’m better at that than shooting from distance or working as a big down low in the paint.
Are there any players that you try to emulate?
I’m a big fan of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and all of those top college players.
What have you been working on to improve?
I need to be able to score more this year, because some of the girls that scored a lot for us last year aren’t here anymore. I’ve been working a lot on my ball handling, staying low while I dribble as well as on my shooting and my on-ball defense.
What’s your favorite basketball memory? Coming onto the team last season as a freshman. It was a lot of fun, because it changed my view on basketball — it taught me what high school basketball is all about and what a real team actually looks like.
If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Dylan Campbell at DCampbell@ YourObserver.com.
What’s going right for Riverview this season?
Our team is completely different from last year’s team. We don’t have as much chemistry right now as that team did, but I’m confident that we can make our own. It’s going to be a difficult road ahead schedule-wise, but I have faith that we can work together to win.
What’s your favorite food?
I’m a big fan of sushi and Chick-fil-A.
What’s your favorite school subject?
I’d probably say history or English Language Arts. History is interesting to learn about and in terms of ELA, it’s just always come easier to me than say math or science
What’s your favorite movie or television show?
I love basketball movies like “Coach Carter” or “Like Mike.” I just finished the most recent season of “Outer Banks” on Netflix.
What are your hobbies?
Outside of hanging out with my friends and going to the beach, I don’t do much besides play basketball. I practice as much as I can. I go to the gym, workout and do schoolwork. Not much else.
Finish this sentence: Ava Noto is ... Motivated. I want to work to be the best player and person that I can be, on and off the court.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
YOUR NEIGHBORS
HOLIDAYS AFTER THE HURRICANES
Siesta Key welcomes the holidays with its parade amidst hurricane recovery.
IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER
The final day of Hurricane Season, Nov. 30, ushered in a new season in Siesta Key: the holiday season.
It was the day of Santa Claus’ arrival in the Siesta Key Holiday Parade, which was preceded by a meet-and-greet with Santa at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.
Ann Frescura, executive director of the chamber, which manages the parade, said it had at least 20 entrants this year, which she called “exactly where we need to be.”
“It’s a nice family tradition that we’re very proud to continue here in the village to support the local tourism base, and obviously, the local businesses as well,” Frescura said. After the challenges islanders and businesses have endured, are they ready to embrace the holiday spirit?
LOOKING TO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
While the shops of Siesta Key Village have opened their doors, some residents whose homes can be repaired, still await the chance to return to them.
Christina Chartrand is currently living in a condominium on the island, following stays at multiple locations, and hopes to move back into her home, which had to be “completely gutted,” at the end of December.
“I’m not feeling quite the spirit this year,” she said. “I mean we’re not living in our house, we don’t have a
tree, our decorations are in a pod … so I’m feeling a little less festive this year.”
She’s glad to be back on the Key, at least.
“Were there days that we were like, ‘Should we leave or think of another place?’ But we love it here,” she said.
Her friend Christina Chartrand, with whom she co-owns the small jewelry business Bijoux, did not see flood damage at her home.
“We had a lot of people over for Thanksgiving, and it felt good because we could do it, but at the same time, you feel a little bad, because we know so many people that have had damage and are displaced,” said Chartrand.
“We’re ready,” said Becky Seiner, regarding the holiday season, as her family prepared to head out as participants in the parade.
She and her husband, Henry Seiner, moved back into their home in time to welcome their daughter, Bailey Seiner, and her significant other, Mick Woolerton, during Thanksgiving.
Becky Seiner said the community’s helping hand pulled them through the repairs, which involved fixing drywall and floors.
“Our faith in humanity has been so restored by the people that have reached out to help us, and they’ve lost everything themselves … It’s just amazing. Amazing,” she said.
At Siesta Key Chapel, 15 households suffered significant damage, said Senior Pastor Ruth Smalt.
She can relate to their situation, as her own condominium beside Patriot Pier was entirely washed out.
Smalt is currently receiving accommodations from the generosity of community members.
At the church itself, whose campus has since reopened, the surge
of Helene brought water and farreaching mold and mildew to the lower level and its storeroom — yet one box unexpectedly survived.
“By some miracle,” she described how new and old beaded Chrismons, Christian symbols, were put away carefully in a sealed plastic bin.
The Chrismons were first made by the women of the chapel 50 years ago, and today’s members continue to contribute to the collection.
“I was surprised and delighted, not because of the stuff, but because of the history of the people who have gone before us, many who have passed and the new folks who … have stepped in and become part of those who created something,” she said.
Members placed them on the tree during the Dec. 1 service.
“Whether we name it God, Jesus, a Creator, there’s something that says, ‘We get to be together and turn our eyes upward and be grateful for coming through. Hope, faith and love,’” she said.
“Our faith in humanity has been so restored by the people that have reached out to help us, and they’ve lost everything themselves … It’s just amazing. Amazing.”
Becky Seiner, Siesta Key resident
just sprung back open,” said Kelly Leissler, manager of Meaney’s Mini Donuts, who said he is “for sure” excited for the season.
“We weren’t as busy as we normally are, but you can tell that a lot of people are excited to get out and that we were open again,” said Gus Escalera, owner of Ripfire Pizza & BBQ, on Dec. 2, calling himself “totally ready” for the holidays.
Bryce Horn, of Siesta Key Fudge Factory, which opened its doors in time for Thanksgiving, said business may be a little slow right now, but he is looking ahead.
He said there is a great demand for candy during the holidays, such as the shop’s popular exotic items like Kit-Kat flavors and Pocky Sticks from Japan.
He said the offering of housemade fudges is more selective than before — at the moment.
“We wanted to open by Thanksgiving, but we want to be full swing, have everything made, everything situated, all of our fudge on display for Christmas, so that’s kind of our goal right now,” he said. “Stay open and start to make things for Christmas.”
Fittingly, he’s feeling the holiday vibes.
“It’s never cold in Florida, so now that it’s a little bit chilly, you start to get that goosebump feeling and get that holiday jump,” he said.
Star Thai and Sushi Siesta Key may have been one of the last restaurants to reopen, but it had also taken the storm damage as an opportunity for a major remodel.
The sushi bar moved out of its private space and integrated with the restaurant, and a stage for karaoke sessions added.
A NEW SEASON FOR BUSINESS
Business owners said they are glad to have reopened, even though the number of visitors has yet to return to previous levels.
“It’s definitely slower than normal, but everybody got everything rebuilt so quickly, and it’s cool to see all these businesses and how they
Manager Patikarn “Golf” Pengthong said both sides of the restaurant can now feed off of each other’s energy.
“I’m really excited to get this place back up and running at its full capacity and see how this new layout works out when it’s peak time for the high season,” he said.
Senior Pastor Ruth Smalt of Siesta Key Chapel
Photos by Ian Swaby
Bryce Horn of Siesta Key Fudge Factory
Mick Woolerton, Bailey Seiner, and her parents, Becky and Henry Seiner ride in the parade as a family.
Jason Harless, who co-owns the local branch of Pink’s Window Services, walks with his son, Tristan Harless, 5. His daughter, Isla Harless, 3, was also in the parade.
Celebrate the holidays around Sarasota
Here are events to help you enjoy a merry holiday season.
The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes lots to do in the community.
Kicking off the roster of events is young talent, with a Sarasota High School performance of “A Christmas Carol, the Musical” by composer Alan Menken.
Students manage roles across the production, including Lili Bazell as director and Dovelyn Watkins as choreographer. Lily Mancini, who graduated in 2020 and earned a vocal performance degree at the University of Florida, is vocal coach.
“I think the best sign that student leadership works is when former students come back and join the staff,” said program director Lacey Knispel, in a media release. “This year we are so lucky to have Lily Mancini join us as vocal coach. It is a full-circle moment for me as a teacher to have one of our alumni here coaching and training our current students.”
Yet there is also more to see, from a singing Christmas tree to the fireworks spectacular bringing the month of December to a close.
EVENTS
THURSDAY, DEC. 5 TO SATURDAY, DEC. 7
SARASOTA HIGH THEATRE PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL
7 p.m. nightly, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, at Sarasota High School, 2155 Bahia Vista St. (Theater parking lot is on Tami Sola Street) $15, adults; $10 students A classic story receives a spectacular treatment in this student performance of the Broadway musical by composer Alan Menken. Visit SarasotaCountySchools.net.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5 TO SUNDAY, DEC. 8
SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE SPECTACULAR AT FIRST
SARASOTA
7-8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, and 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday at First Sarasota, 1661 Main St.
$10-$20
The annual singing Christmas tree celebrates its 50th anniversary. The First Sarasota Choir and Orchestra sing a combination of Christmas classics, with Broadway performer J. Mark McVey (“Les Misérables”), lending his voice. Also, watch the Nativity scene come to life with real animals, including camels. Visit FirstSarasota.org.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5 AND THURSDAY, DEC. 12
HOLIDAY SPLENDOR AT THE RINGLING
5 p.m. at John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with unwrapped toy donation; $15 per adult without toy donation; $5 per child without toy donation. Celebrate the season in the Museum of Art Courtyard at the Ringling Museum, while also supporting the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Enjoy musical entertainment by local schools, including Booker, Southside and Philippi Shores elementary schools. Visit Ringling.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
FRESH FRIDAYS: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
7-10 p.m. Selby Five Points Park, 100 N. Pineapple Ave.
Free Fresh Fridays offers its holiday edition. Enjoy live music by The Rockefellers and also celebrate the Downtown Improvement District’s with a tree lighting ceremony. Visit DowntownSarasotaDID.com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6 TO WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1
LIGHTS IN BLOOM Friday, Dec. 6 to Jan. 1, 2025. Early entry, 5:30-9 p.m.; general entry,
6:30-9 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St.
Regular admission $19 to $44 (Free for children 0-4); All-inclusive admission $75 to $225; (Free for children 0-4)
More than 2 million lights will decorate Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota Campus in this display. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Visit Selby.org.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
SARASOTA HOLIDAY PARADE
7 p.m. at Main Street
Free
This signature annual event downtown brings together 4,000 participants and features lighted floats, high school marching bands, and Santa Claus. Sarasota Holiday Celebration Inc., a nonprofit organization, presents the parade. Visit SarasotaHolidayParade.com.
TUESDAY, DEC. 10
KWANZAA COMMUNITY
CELEBRATION
5-7:30 p.m. at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd. Free
This celebration of Kwanzaa offers poetry readings, joyous dancing, and singing, with a traditional Kwanzaa meal. The seven-day Candle Lighting Ceremony and Celebration follows it, held at various times and locations in Sarasota from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Visit BettyJJohnsonFriends.org.
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
SANDY CLAWS BEACH RUN
8 a.m. at Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road
$25 to $40
The Sandy Claws Beach Run welcomes runners, walkers and joggers dressed in holiday gear, and includes a chip-timed 5K race and a one-mile fun run. Music, food and raffle prizes will be available after the race. Visit RunSignUp.com.
WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE ROBERT L. TAYLOR COMMUNITY COMPLEX
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St. Free
Enjoy arts and crafts, cookie decorating, a toy giveaway, pizza for kids, and a visit from Santa Claus. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
HOLIDAYS AT THE BAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
4-7:30 p.m. at Common Ground, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts
Free
Celebrate with a free family photo with Santa Claus, a holiday craft project by Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, a “Sounds of the Season” story reading, music by DJ Rick Levine, a family showing of “Toy Story 4.” Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE OF
LIGHTS
6-9 p.m. at Island Park 5, Bayfront
Drive
Free Watch boats beautifully decorated on Sarasota Bay, in an event presented by Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack. Admission is free and the best viewing is from Bayfront Park and Marina Jack. Reservations are required for Marina Jack, and fill up quickly. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or book which will be distributed by Suncoast Charities for Children to The Florida Center for Early Childhood, The Haven, and Children First. Visit SuncoastCharitiesforChildren. org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
BRUNCH WITH SANTA 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Arts & Central. 611 Central Ave. RSVP required Price based on menu items Santa will be making a visit to Arts & Central on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with elves serving a special brunch menu. Enjoy photos with Santa Claus. Visit ArtsAndCentral.com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
BREAKFAST WITH THE GRINCH!
7:30-9:30 a.m. at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St.
$10 per plate
Enjoy a festive breakfast with the Grinch, which includes offerings of pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, apple juice and coffee. Create a Grinch-inspired ornament, play games, watch a holiday movie, and have your photo taken with the Grinch. Call 941-263-6732 for reservations. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
SHABBAT HANUKKAH DINNER
5:45 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, beginning at 5:45 p.m. at
File photo
The parade helped usher in the holiday season.
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FAITHFUL FRIENDS
Unity of Sarasota has been offering its annual pet blessing for about 14 years, said Spiritual Care Minister the Rev. Amy Zehe, who manages the event.
However, while typically held around St. Francis Day in October, this year, it joined the holiday season when it was held Dec. 1 as the Holiday Pet Blessing.
“December is a festive time of year and the weather might be a little bit cooler than in October ... so we’ve decided to bring it here,” Zehe said.
The event has prayer chaplains at the church bless attendees’ pets, celebrating the joy they bring to people.
“I try to do this every year,” said Chris Deluna, who brought her Chihuahua Dixie. “She’s getting older and having some health issues, so it never hurts to do a little bit of extra blessing.”
Zehe said attendees also have the chance to show off their pets and socialize, while a service offers them a chance to share what is special about their pets.
“I just like the atmosphere, and the chaplains are just amazing,” Deluna said. “Amy has just been so sweet. I like the presentation and the care that they give to all the animals.”
Zehe noted the church also offers Bentley’s House, a support group for pet loss, held via Zoom, and that the campus has a memory tree where visitors can plant a feather for a pet they have lost.
— IAN SWABY
Photos by Ian Swaby
Piper Lyons brought the event’s only noncanine animal, her rabbit, Zen.
Mary Lou Davidson’s dog Lyra is blessed by Prayer Chaplain Jacqueline Fitzgerald.
Wendy Clutter has Bentley blessed by Prayer Chaplain Stephen Butler.
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Black Friday on the block
t a time that many were heading to stores on Black Friday, Nov. 29, others were heading downtown to 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop for its first Black Friday Block Party.
“It’s a good alternative to shopping,” said Cassie Louise. “They should keep doing it.”
Featuring the release of the Goose Island 2024 Bourbon County Brand Stout, the event also included vendors Clean Plate Club SRQ and Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza, live music by three bands, a cornhole tournament by SoCo Club Sports and more.
Our intention was to celebrate the one of the kings of craft beer — that is Goose Island Brewery out of Chicago, Illinois, and we wanted to give a fun outdoor community event for everybody that is in town to celebrate Thanksgiving and looking for something to do the day after,” said “ 99 Bottles Owner Mark Tuchman.
While the event was underway, he said turnout had been excellent, with a little rain from 5 to 6 p.m., but with everyone ready to have “a lot of fun” until 9 p.m.
Exclusive Dinner, Wine for Four at the famous Maison Blanche
Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks Thursday, Jan. 16 | 5 to 7 p.m. at The Resort at Longboat Key Spike ‘n’ Tees, Islandside
Friday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 19
Longboat Key Public Tennis Center NEW FORMAT! OPEN TO
Four Players per Team at Comparable Levels (2 women, 2 men)
Two doubles pro sets (men vs. men; women vs. women)
Two mixed doubles matches; tie breaker if necessary
$60 ENTRY FEE PER PLAYER
Pre-tournament reception: $40/person for non-players
Photos by Ian Swaby
Sarah Guerino, Hugo, Adam Guerino and Aldo Guerino
Jason Chupp with Steve Arsenault, owner of SoCo Club Sport, which provided the cornhole games, play a round of cornhole.
Alyssa Saggese, Justin Fiedler and Cameron Dempsey
Mark Tuchman and former City Manager Marlon Brown
Fiddlers Bayou home tops sales at $6.45 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Fiddlers Bayou tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Rebecca Geyer, trustee, of Zionsville, Indiana, sold the home at 4242 Higel Ave. to David Peace, trustee, of Myakka City, for $6.45 million. Built in 1956, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,326 square feet of living area. It sold for $5.6 million in 2019.
SARASOTA
GRANADA
Paul Cieslik sold the home at 3714 Flores Ave. to Debra Griffith, of Sarasota, for $2.3 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,046 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2019.
MARK SARASOTA
George and Charlotte Hawley, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 1205 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Elizabeth Juliano, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2,175,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,358 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,688,300 in 2020.
KANAYA
Constance Kayser, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the Unit 1101 condominium at 505 S. Orange Ave. to Travis and Kathleen Brown, of Sarasota, for $1,995,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,003 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,035,000 in 2013.
MARINA TOWER
Claude Leeman Buckles and Diane Hauck Buckles sold their Unit 802 condominium at 1233 N. Gulfstream Ave. to Vickie Cotterman, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,745,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,780 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,175,000 in 2021.
HARBOR ACRES
Martin and Debra Benson sold their home at 1535 Harbor Drive to HB Land Holdings LLC for $1.25 million. Built in 1949, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,805 square feet of living area. It sold for $146,000 in 1993.
THE CONDOMINIUM ON THE BAY
Iris Nahemow sold the Unit 816 condominium at 988 Boulevard of the Arts to Lynne Harrison, of Verona, New Jersey, for $1.1 million. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,555 square feet of living area. It sold for $415,000 in 2012.
AVONDALE
Mark Johnson, trustee, of Sara-
sota, sold two properties at 1917 Bahia Vista St. to Ryan and Julianne Reichelt, of Sarasota, for $950,000. The first property was built in 1941 and has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,160 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1941 and has one bath and 200 square feet of living area. They sold for $75,000 in 1981.
CORAL COVE
Beth Lukens Gilmore and Andrew Gilmore, of Sarasota, sold their home at 1849 Cockleshell Drive to Patrick John Perrelli and Veronica Rae Perrelli, of Sarasota, for $855,000. Built in 1958, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,054 square feet of living area. It sold for $475,000 in 2020.
Joseph and Leslie Panzarella, of Fletcher, North Carolina, sold their home at 1816 Coquina Drive to Ronald and Maryann Trachtenberg, of Sarasota, for $800,000. Built in 1954, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,105 square feet of living area. It sold for $65,600 in 1985.
SIESTA KEY
SARASOTA BEACH
Christopher and Cheryl Goss, of Siesta Key, sold two properties at 5408 Plaza Des Las Palmas to 5408 Plaza De Las Palmas LLC for $1.55 million. The first property was built in 1953 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,749 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1945 and has two bedrooms, two baths and 940 square feet of living area. They sold for $1 million in 2013.
CRYSTAL SANDS
Dennis Kern and Brian Sullivan, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 603 condominium at 6300 Midnight Pass Road to Brian Degustino, trustee, of Osprey, for $1,475,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,240 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2022.
SIESTA BEACH
Darrel Reece, of Sarasota, sold his
home at 4939 Commonwealth Drive to William Stanley, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, for $1.15 million. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,896 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2020.
Other top sales by area
SARASOTA: $4 MILLION
The Boulevard of Sarasota Lawrence and Tracey Welk, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1401 condominium at 540 N. Tamiami Trail to Kevin Thad Reach and Cori Patricia Reach, of Ellaville, Georgia, for $4 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, four-and-ahalf baths and 3,698 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.8 million in 2021.
PALMER RANCH: $2.75 MILLION
Legacy Estates on Palmer Ranch
Gregory Arov and Jean Margolina, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5388 Greenbrook Drive to Ian Prukner, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2.75 million. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,041 square feet of living area.
OSPREY: $975,000
Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club
Simon and Vicki Beemsterboer, of Osprey, sold their home at 206 Four Knot Lane to Leighton Allenby and Michele De Luce, of Osprey, for $975,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,411 square feet of living area. It sold for $665,000 in 2019.
NOKOMIS: $600,000
Sorrento East
John and Rosemary Gustave, trustees, of W. Chester, Pennsylvania, sold the home at 432 N. Rossetti Drive to Wilson Mattos and Christiana Lynn Anderson Mattos, trustees, of Nokomis, for $600,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,911 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 2018.
Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota
Ian Swaby
The Unit 1401 condominium at.540 N. Tamiami Trail has three bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths and 3,698 square feet of living area.
YOUR CALENDAR
FRIDAY,
2:30-3:30 p.m. at Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Road. Free. The Arts Alliance Play Readers present a dramatic reading of an
by Betty Robinson, “On the Way to a Christmas Party.” Hear the story of two wise persons lost in the desert on the way to Bethlehem and find out the true meaning of Christmas. The event will feature a hamster in a tea cozy and a Christmas fiesta with a pot of soup. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket. com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6 TO SATURDAY, DEC. 7
AMERICAN VINTAGE MARKETS
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Robarts Arena, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd. General admission, $8; (Group discounts are available.); kids under 18 free. Find vintage items from vendors who are “pickers, makers, collectors, creators, and artisans.” Visit AmericanVintageMarkets.com.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
NAMASTE AT THE BAY WITH KARA SAUNDERS
BEST BET
FRIDAY, DEC. 6 AND SATURDAY, DEC. 7
BALLOON GLOW & LASER SHOW
5-10 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Adults $20; ($5.78 fee); Kids $10 ($4.15 fee). Enjoy hot air balloons and a kids’ zone, games, rides, food vendors and more. Each night after dusk, at about 9 p.m., a laser show will be performed. Tethered hot air balloon rides will be offered for $35. Visit SarasotaFair.com.
9-10 a.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Kara Saunders, a motivating wellness coach and yoga instructor who encourages education, healthy eating, exercise and deep breathing, leads this session of Namaste at The Bay. Advance registration requested. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
LEGO CLUB | SARASOTA COUNTY LIBRARIES
2-3:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. Ages 5 and up. Build your own LEGO creations or work as a team. Creations will be on display in the youth area for one week. LEGO pieces are provided by The Friends of Selby Public Library and other donors. Pick up a ticket starting 30 minutes before the program. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket. com.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
SUNDAYS AT THE BAY FEATURING
EMILY & MAUREIK
4:30-5:30 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts Free. In this
session of the free music concert series offered every Sunday afternoon, enjoy the talents of Sarasota native Emily Frost, who is known for her acoustic style of folk music that has been compared to singers such as Sarah McLachlan, with percussionist Maureik Robison playing the cajon and other instruments. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
MUSIC IN THE GARDENS
6-8 p.m. at Sarasota Garden Club, 1131 Boulevard of the Arts. Tickets $35. Gather together with friends to enjoy an evening of live music, tasty appetizers and drinks. Big Poppa & Friends will be performing live. Visit SarasotaGardenClub.org.
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
CINEMA AT THE BAY: ‘WEST SIDE STORY’
7-9:33 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Enjoy an outdoor screening of “West Side Story” (1961), a modern musical reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet centered on rival New York City gangs. The movie is shown in recognition of Rita Moreno’s 93rd birthday on Dec. 11. The Nest Café will serve concessions. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
CLUE ME IN! by Kathy Bloomer and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
Offers expire 12/29/24
AudioNova offers the latest hearing aid technology including the NEW Phonak
The Sarasota and Siesta Key Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.
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