Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer 1.2.25

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

Observer

SEASON WINTER 2025

T H E O B S E R V E R ’S G

U I D E TO T H E A R TS

AND SOCIETY

INSIDE MUSIC DANCE ART THEATER BLACK TIE

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

VOLUME 20, NO. 47

YOUR TOWN

Tower squabble continues Bay Plaza owners granted status to appeal Obsidian condo. SEE PAGE 5

Ian Swaby

Wyatt Preissner, 8

For the birds

At a time when many people are tying holiday gifts, visitors to the Sarasota Audubon Society were making something for their feathered friends.

During the Kids’ Art Day on Dec. 14, the attendees, including about 20 kids, left with nesting mobiles to hang in their yards.

The mobiles strung together materials like hurricane debris from the gardens at The Celery Fields, native plants and Spanish moss, across a framework of large twigs and held together with cotton muslin.

“We definitely want to do it again...” said Audubon Society President Sara Reisinger. “The feedback was really, really good, and it was so educational.”

She said people can also create their own nesting mobiles using natural materials such as lawn clippings.

Cheers to the fun ahead A tasty sampling of what events are in store. SEE PAGE 18

Ian Swaby

IB consultant Paul Gallagher, Fayth Jenkins and board member Mariah Piper

First fundraiser

As Principal Fayth Jenkins stepped out to speak at the inaugural Suncoast School for Innovative Studies Annual Luncheon, she said she didn’t think she’d ever seen so many people gathered to hear her discuss the school.

Celebrating the school’s 25 years, the event, held Dec. 14 at Michael’s On East, was its first fundraiser.

It also celebrated its candidacy for the International Baccalaureate organization’s Primary Years Program for the 2024-2025 school year.

“The 25th anniversary is huge, because we’ve been on a long journey of really trying to make sure we clean up our mission and our vision and make the biggest impact we can on the community,” said Jenkins. $1.00

Lori Sax

Laurie Schoreder and Kait Poepperling sample food and wine at the 2024 Forks & Corks event at The Ringling.

A+E

New year, new changes in the city Retirements and what to do with Van Wezel highlight 2025.

SEE PAGE 3

Shows not to be missed.

INSIDE Andrew Warfield

Rick Piccolo has spent 30 of his 53-year airport career at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

WEEK OF JAN. 2, 2025

St. Armands, Lido paid parking resumes

“If we aren’t an aggrieved party, nobody is an aggrieved party.”

Attorney Morgan Bentley on the Bay Plaza Residents Association.

Read more on page 5

BY THE NUMBERS 3

The number of jurisdictions occupied by SarasotaManatee International Airport.

PAGE 6

$65 MILLION

The cost for the first phase of the 17th Street Regional Park, which begins construction in early 2025.

PAGE 9

11

The number of years for Brick Universe, the annual Lego show at the Robarts Arena.

PAGE 22

CALENDAR

n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 6, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County School Board regular meeting — 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, Board Chambers, Landings Administration Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd. (black awning entrance).

Courtesy rendering

The field will be at the corner of U.S. 41 and University Parkway

Homebuilder donates $1M to New College P

rominent Manatee and Sarasota homebuilder and philanthropist Carlos Beruff has donated $1 million to New College of Florida for the school’s baseball field and complex.

The gift, from Carlos and wife Janelle Beruff, will go toward what will be called the Beruff Family Field of Dreams, according to a statement from New College. The field will be at the corner of U.S. 41 and University Parkway.

The release states the field will be one “of the most visible

athletic landmarks in the area.”

“Carlos Beruff has long been a champion for the people of Sarasota and Manatee counties, and his belief in the transformative power of education and athletics aligns perfectly with the mission of New College,” New College President Richard Corcoran says in the release.

Beruff has held several visible roles in the SarasotaBradeton community, including several from gubernatorial appointments.

He was on the boards of State College of Florida in Bradenton,

the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

In 2017, then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott appointed Beruff to chair the Florida Constitution Revision Commission.

The Beruff Family Field of Dreams will provide a permanent home for the team. Architectural designs for the ballpark are currently in progress. A construction timeline will be announced in 2025.

The city of Sarasota has announced that parking enforcement will resume on Jan. 2.

Paid parking on the barrier islands was suspended beginning in late September following Hurricane Helene and, 13 days later, Hurricane Milton. The infrastructure for the paid parking program was damaged and inoperable, including electronics at the St. Armands Garage and onstreet and surface lot parking kiosks.

“We’ve been in communication with the St. Armands businesses and residential community for the past several weeks about resuming paid parking,” said Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey in a news release. “With the parking equipment repaired, paid parking needs to start back up so we’re in compliance and able to make payments for the St. Armands Garage.”

Paid parking at the John Ringling Boulevard terminus and Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key also will resume Jan. 2.

Rates are: ■ St. Armands Circle on-street: $1.50 per hour.

■ St. Armands Garage: First hour free, then $1 per hour.

■ Fillmore Lot: $1 per hour.

■ Benjamin Franklin Drive/John Ringling Boulevard terminus: $1 per hour.

The Waffle Stop closes after 74 years A sign in The Waffle Stop restaurant at 660 S. Washington Blvd., just south of Main Street downtown, said the last day of business was Dec. 31.

Owner/waitress Dolly Hollinger said she will be retiring. For the last week it was open, a sign-in book sat on the counter by the cash register, encouraging diners to write goodbye notes.

Hollinger, who says she has worked at The Waffle Stop since 1991, said the closure was for several reasons — one relatively familiar in hospitality: finding and retaining employees.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Virginia via Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, Great Smoky Mountains National Park/Knoxville, Tennessee via McGhee Tyson Airport, and Lexington, Kentucky via Blue Grass Airport.

RICK PICCOLO RETIRING AFTER 30 YEARS AT SRQ

File photos

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

TOP STORIES TO WATCH IN SARASOTA IN 2025

From high-level retirements to what to do about the Van Wezel, 2025 will be a busy year in the city of Sarasota.

ANDREW WARFIELD | STAFF WRITER

W

ith turnover at the top of the city management and the

NEW SARASOTA CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY

local international airport,

news about what may be the future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall assuming it gets replaced as the city’s primary performance venue by a new facility, significant developments in the downtown area and more, it appears 2025 will be a busy year to come.

Sarasota will not only get a new city manager in the wake of Marlon Brown’s retirement, but a new city attorney as well, albeit one not unfamiliar with the operations of the local government.

Meanwhile, Rick Piccolo will be leaving his position of 30 years as president and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport after leading it through a period of unprecedented operational and physical growth.

Also, residents can expect a flurry of development in downtown with new condo towers approved or in the planning stages, and some hard decisions will need to be made about the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

All told, 2025 looks like to be an eventful 365 days. Here are some of the top stories to watch.

MORE CRANES IN THE QUAY

Now that site plans for all the blocks within The Quay have been approved, look for more cranes, perhaps upward of three of them, swinging around in the sky above the 14-acre master planned development.

In 2024, site plans for the final four blocks of the 10-block project received approval by the Sarasota Planning Board. Construction has

Speaking of Rick Piccolo, 2025 will be his last year of running the airport and as the top executive of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. Piccolo has announced he will step down as president and CEO on June 30. He will remain at the airport until Dec. 31, when he will retire after three decades at the helm.

Piccolo arrived at SRQ 30 years ago when its oft-contentious board of directors was composed of publicly elected members, four each from Sarasota and Manatee counties, with a debt of $115 million. The airport’s upward trajectory changed in 2001 when the board composition was reconstituted via public referendum approval by both counties, with six business leaders, rather than eight elected politicians, appointed by the governor’s office.

Now one of the fastest-growing airports in the country in passenger count, SRQ has also diversified its revenue base beyond commercial airlines with a growing aviation industry ecosystem from magnet school classroom to manufacturing.

Expect to see development in the “north quad” of the airfield where construction is already underway for fixed-based operator Sheltair and, next door, site work begins for Switzerland-based aircraft manufacturer Pilatus. Meanwhile, along 15th Street on the east side of the airfield, French aircraft maker Elixer and Manatee Technical College’s airframe and power plant program will be building out their spaces.

A national search firm has been selected to guide the selection of the next president and CEO, the successful candidate inheriting a far better airport than Piccolo found three decades ago.

A rendering of the interior of the new ground-based boarding concourse at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

begun on Kolter Urban’s Ritz-Carlton Residences II on Blocks 7 and 8 along the marina, and foundation work has been completed on Block 1 for one of two One Park towers to be built by Miami-based Property Markets Group in association with local partner MoneyShow principal Kim Githler. That’s at the corner of Boulevard of the Arts and U.S. 41. That construction may be joined this year across Quay Commons by One Park West, also by PMG and MoneyShow, on Block 9.

When all three projects are finished, it will complete the luxury condo mixed-use enclave that began in 2016 when Jacksonvillebased GreenPointe Developments acquired the site and entered into an general development agreement with the city. Standing in the center of the development is the historic Belle Haven building, which remains under the ownership of GreenPointe.

SRQ WILL OPEN CONCOURSE A IN JANUARY

With the completion of Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will come additional capacity for the growing passenger count, which was estimated to approach 4.3 million in 2023.

Allegiant Airways is leasing all five of the ground boarding gates — where passengers board planes via outside stairs rather than jet bridges — relocating from its three gates in Concourse B, and by mid-February will have finished adding eight new routes to and from SRQ. That move will allow other airlines serving the airport to grow into Allegiant’s former gates.

The opening of Concourse A in mid-January will bring the airport to 18 gates with a long-range master plan build out of 39 gates.

Rick Piccolo, the president and CEO of the airport, told the Observer he anticipates the new gates adding a capacity of 2.2 million passengers per year. Long-range plans show an additional nine gates for Concourse A, including five more ground board-

ing gates plus four elevated gates on a corridor that will connect the two concourses.

“The FAA forecast says that we will hit just under 3 million enplanements in 2050, so I can make a cogent argument right now that when we finish the Terminal A extension, we will have enough gate capacity to go another 25 years before we would even need to build Phase 2 of this terminal,” Piccolo said. “Theoretically, this will be enough without adding Concourse C until 2050.”

An enplanement means a passenger boarding a flight at SRQ. The 3 million emplanements is doubled to account for arrivals, assuming most are round trips.

Allegiant’s new routes, most starting in mid-February, include Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, Moline, Illinois via Quad Cities International Airport, Albany, New York via Albany International Airport, Elmira/Corning, New York via Elmira Corning Regional Airport, Omaha, Nebraska via Eppley Airfield, Roanoke,

The city of Sarasota will join the airport with new leadership as a new city manager will be named to replace Marlon Brown, who retired on Oct. 21, and when City Attorney Robert Fournier and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly retire in spring 2025.

While a national search is underway for Brown’s replacement, Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat is filling in as the interim city manager.

Meanwhile, the City Attorney’s Office is being filled by the remaining partners in Fournier’s and Connolly’s firm — Joseph Polzak, John Shamsey and Joseph Mladinich.

Polzak will assume the role of city attorney and Shamsey and Mladinich co-deputy city attorneys. Still to be determined by the City Commission is whether the City Attorney’s Office will be brought in-house or remain outsourced. The three attorneys have stated they are amenable to either option.

The turnover comes at a busy time for the city as the commission faces a number of significant decisions in the coming year, including: ■ What to do with the coming recommendation from the Purple Ribbon Committee for repurposing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

■ Whether to enter into an implementation agreement with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

■ What is certain to be an appeal to the commission by either the developer or opponents of the controver-

Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier will retire in the first half of 2025.

SEE CITY STORIES, PAGE 4

3

4

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

VAN WEZEL AND SPAC DECISIONS WILL COME DUE

CITY STORIES, FROM PAGE 3

In the summer, the city’s Purple Ribbon Committee is due to release its report on recommendations for repurposing of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The committee has been in the information gathering mode with discussions regarding repurposing about to get underway.

It’s too soon to tell in what direction the committee may lean — one re-use suggestion or a ranked list — but members have heard presentations ranging from an extreme sports venue to a multi-use facility with a flippable floor to convert from performance hall to dance hall.

And, of course, cost will be a factor, especially if the City Commission decides to move forward with an implementation agreement with the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation to build the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Hall. That decision is scheduled to come no later than March 31, 2025 thanks to an extension secured by the SPAF for the next step in development of the SPAC. At that time, the SPAF will have benefited from at least one more appearance at a City Commission workshop and further refinement of architect Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s concept plan and the cost, which will provide further enlightenment of the financial feasibility for both capital costs and the operational balance sheet.

“An extension will allow us to strengthen the implementation agreement by answering additional questions from the commission,” said SPAF CEO Tonia Castroverde Moskalenko during a Nov. 18 commission meeting. “We request a workshop with the commission so that we can take a deeper dive in the questions that you have and update the commission on changes to the design concept based on the feedback that we have received from the community since our town hall meetings.”

The new deadline for the implementation agreement is flexible.

Commissioners agreed if it takes longer for the SPAF to develop a solid plan, it should request another extension.

sial Obsidian condominium tower once the Planning Board renders its decision on the opposition’s appeal of its administrative approval.

It will be up to the new city manager and legal counsel to guide the commissioners through those issues.

OBSIDIAN IS FINALLY GOING BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION

For nearly two years red shirt-wearing residents of Bay Plaza and some allies have attended City Commission meetings warning the elected officials that, sooner or later, they were going to have to deal with their objection to the 342-foot tall Obsidian condominium project proposed for 1260 N. Palm Ave. At nearly 100 feet taller than any other downtown building, they have argued the 18-story, 14-unit tower, is not only out of scale but out of character for the neighborhood, and poses a danger both during and after construction to Bay Plaza residents.

Developer Matt Kihnke has pressed onward, and in November won three administrative adjustments — all related to street-level matters — meaning the project was approved. Height was not a factor in the approval in that, at the time of its application, the zoning code had no restrictions placed on the interstitial space between floors as it does now.

The project opponents have appealed the adjustments approval to the Planning Board, which can decide whether the project may go forward. This is where the City Commission will get involved.

Whoever is on the short end of the Planning Board’s decision will probably appeal it to the commission, and whatever it decides, Obsidian’s fate will probably rest in an appeal to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court.

THE PLAN TO SAVE THE HISTORIC MIRA MAR

Another downtown residential proposal — one that has not generated any opposition — is the plan by Seaward Development to spend $25 million to preserve the Mira Mar building and capitalize on the opportunity by building twin, 18-story condominium towers behind the historic structure containing 70 residential

File photo

A rendering by SB Architects of the west (right) and east towers proposed to replace the Hyatt Regency hotel adjacent to The Quay.

units.

It’s a mixed-use development proposal that would preserve in entirety the 1926-built Mira Mar, save for non-historic additions to the original structure in the 1980s. To make that happen, Seaward needs to have the site rezoned from Downtown Core to Downtown Bayfront, which will allow for the additional height.

The Downtown Core zone limits buildings to 10 stories. As for scale, the Mira Mar site is immediately adjacent to the 18-story DeMarcay.

Step one in the process is to stabilize and restore the Mira Mar, which attorney Brenda Patten told members of the city’s Development Review Committee in a November pre-development conference. That meeting came weeks after a community workshop before a generally receptive audience.

“The second step is the engine that’s going to make the rehabilitation financially feasible,” Patten said. “Where are you going to get $25 million to rehabilitate the Mira Mar? It’s going to come from build-

ing two condominium towers behind the historic structures with 70 units between the two.”

Seaward has engaged architectural expertise in the preservation of historic buildings and in designing companion developments that make such preservation feasible. It will require an amendment to the city’s Comprehensive Plan and, if approved, the rezoning process can get underway.

Seagate proposes to preserve the entire depth of the Mira Mar — which in 1926 was built atop a wood foundation lying on sand — and offers it as a commercial space for retail, restaurants and office.

Look for applications for amending the Comprehensive Plan and rezoning to work through the city in 2025.

HYATT REDEVELOPMENT PLANNING CONTINUES

Meanwhile, adjacent to Blocks 8 and 9, but not within the metes and bounds of The Quay, is the Hyatt Regency hotel, which at some point

— perhaps not this year — will be razed to make way for Kolter Urban’s plans for a mixed-use luxury condominium and hotel project.

The developer is currently working its way through the city’s Development Review Committee for administrative approval, and may eventually come before the Planning Board for an adjustment or two.

The plan is for two towers that will include a 166-room luxury hotel and 224 condominiums, both using a common motor court entrance, plus 4,700 square feet of retail.

The condominiums are planned as an extension of Kolter Urban’s Ritz-Carlton Residences project.

The hotel, which will also have a 7,000-square-foot ballroom, some 3,000 square feet smaller than the Hyatt’s event space, will be a Hyattbranded Thompson Hotel.

With Kolter Urban ready to get underway with final planning and minor conflicts with city code remaining, look for an approval in 2025 and, shortly thereafter, yet another crane in the skyline.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

5

Bay Plaza granted aggrieved party status The Planning Board decision means the owners association may proceed with an appeal of the administrative approval of Obsidian.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

D

efining aggrieved party status under Florida law and local ordinance requires interpretation of multiple shades of gray.

And usually, that meaning depends on which side of the issue is arguing the point.

The Sarasota Planning Board grappled with that definition during its Dec. 11 meeting, its members attempting to pin down whether the Bay Plaza Owners Association held legally recognized aggrieved party status in its attempt to appeal the administrative approval of the neighboring Obsidian condo tower project.

The purpose of the hearing was not to debase the merits of the controversial 342-foot tower developer Matt Kihnke intends to build on the 1200 block of North Palm Avenue but whether the residents of Bay Plaza, represented at the hearing by attorney Morgan Bentley, had legal standing to appeal the decision before the Planning Board.

Obsidian received administrative approval of three adjustments in October.

So conflated can become the debate between what is an affected party and an aggrieved party that the Planning Board was sharply divided, eventually granting it status by a 3-2 vote with Daniel DeLeo, Daniel Clermont and Shane Lamay in support following a 90-minute argument, some of it among the board members themselves.

Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly attempted to offer clarity with the legal definition of an aggrieved party at the onset of the discussion.

According to the city’s zoning code, Connolly said, such a party is “Any person or entity which will suffer to a greater degree than the general public an adverse effect to a

legally recognized interest, protected or furthered by the land development regulations or the comprehensive plan.”

The rub lies in the words “legally recognized interest.”

Bentley argued that Bay Plaza, simply by its proximity to the Obsidian — it effectively wraps around three sides of the quarter-acre site — is an aggrieved party to a building that will tower above it by manipulating a zoning code loophole regarding interstitial space between floors and will therefore have an unreasonable impact on its residents beyond any on the general public.

Lincoln countered that the definition of legally recognized interest cannot include what “might” happen because of a neighboring development, but what Bay Plaza can prove “will” happen — conditions such as blocking vehicle or pedestrian access, etc. Simply not liking a building that passed zoning code muster according to staff isn’t enough.

Both arguments struck a chord with Planning Board members, resulting in the split decision. As a result, a public hearing will be scheduled for early 2025, and simply because Bay Plaza was granted standing does not mean Obsidian’s administrative adjustments, which are restricted to the first and second levels, won’t get upheld by the board.

Regardless of its decision, though, the unsuccessful party will surely appeal to the City Commission where the exercise will begin anew.

And, regardless of its decision, either Kihnke or Bay Plaza seems likely to appeal that to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, which would have to rule not only on the aggrieved party status, but also whether Obsidian conformed to the zoning code as it existed at the time.

THE SPACE BETWEEN

The basis of Bay Plaza’s appeal are

three adjustments granted by the city’s Development Services Department.

They include: ■ Parallel facade coverage: To reduce the parallel façade coverage by 20.8%, from the 133.61 feet required to 105.87 feet proposed. The lot has 148.45 feet of total frontage.

■ Habitable space: To reduce the 20-foot habitable space by 6.5% on the ground floor, from 105.87 feet to 99.02 feet, and by 8.6% on the second floor, from 148.45 feet to 135.7 feet.

■ Retail frontage: To reduce the required retail frontage by 9.4%, to 95.89 feet of frontage where 105.87 feet would be required.

The interstitial space between floors did not require an adjustment because, at the time, the zoning code placed no restrictions on height between ceiling and floor above. That didn’t prevent the matter from being part of the Planning Board’s discussion, as some members objected to the interstitial space as a loophole to achieve a building height nearly 100 feet taller than any other 18-story building in downtown.

“I worked in interstitial space,” said Clermont, an architect. “There was a time in my life I rolled around in interstitial space, preparing fans for air handling and putting in duct work and all that. I know it’s a tight space and I wish I had been granted a 5-foot space for my time in there.

“Why did that happen in this case?

Isn’t this just basically a workaround to make the building tall?”

Lincoln countered that now was not the time to discuss the interstitial space dispute as it had no bearing on the recognition of aggrieved party status. George Scarf of building designer Hoyt Architects joined him in discussing why additional space was uniquely needed for ventilation and utilities infrastructure, and that all of that would have to be approved as the building undergoes

Andrew Warfield

The Bay Plaza Owners Association has been granted aggrieved party status, allowing its appeal of the approval of Obsidian to go forward.

the permitting process.

Whether germane to matter at hand or not, Clermont was joined by board member Shane Lamay in his disdain for the height of the building in such proximity to the 14-story Bay Plaza nearly half its height at only four fewer floors. They were joined

by DeLeo who said Bay Plaza’s legal status was obvious and the definition not as simple as Lincoln contends.

“These people are next door.

They’re on three sides. More importantly, they have specific issues,” DeLeo said. “In my mind, the most significant is interstitial space, but not the only one. The point of standing is to be a legal gatekeeper so not everybody can get into the courthouse door, and I think to argue the way Mr. Lincoln does — to accept that proposition — it closes the courthouse door to everyone, and that’s wrong.”

CONFORMITY VS. INTENT

On the opposite side of the legal question were Planning Board Chairman Michael Halflants and board member Terrill Salem. The latter contending fault lies with the zoning code rather than the developer.

“It’s very clear that this applicant has designed this building in accordance with the zoning code. They followed all of the processes that

have been laid out before them, and they designed the building,” Salem said. “Is it their fault that they followed the rules? We say, well they stretched, but did they cross the line when they stretched? No, they adhered to the zoning code, and now we want to penalize them for adhering to the zoning code.”

As if aggrieved party status weren’t gray enough, Lamay then ventured down the rabbit hole of intent — that although Obsidian may conform to the letter of the zoning code, it does not meet the intent of the code and of the city’s Comprehensive Plan or Downtown Master Plan. Height in the Downtown Bayfront Zone District, after all, is limited to 18 stories, and to date no buildings there had been proposed with 14-foot floorto-ceiling heights such as Obsidian, which contributes to the overall height of the building.

“The problem I have with it is that we have a code here at 18 stories, with a general understanding of what an 18-story building is,” Clermont said. “Think this one pushes beyond that to something that just does not look like what we expect an 18-story building to look like, and that’s why I can support the status because they’re living very close to something I think goes beyond what our intent is.”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Plan a Field Trip

SRQ seeks independent permitting for construction projects

Everyone will LOVE!

Sarasota-Bradenton International lies in three jurisdictions, complicating the construction permitting process.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

A

mong the goals Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo has set before retiring in 2025 is securing an independent permitting process for capital projects.

Piccolo appeared before the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation during its annual meeting Monday in the County Commission’s Ringling Boulevard meeting chamber, requesting its members consider sponsoring a bill that would allow the airport to bypass permitting processes of local governments.

The problem, Piccolo explained, isn’t a lack of cooperation, but rather the fact that the airport lies in three jurisdictions.

“As you enter the parking lot, you’re in the city of Sarasota. As you cross the street into the terminal, you’re in Sarasota County, and as you go down the concourse, you’re now in Manatee County,” Piccolo said. “When you take off from one end of the runway, you’re in Sarasota County, and as you lift off at the other end, you’re in Manatee County.

“You can imagine that it wasn’t much of a problem permitting and building when we weren’t growing very much, but we’re growing tremendously, and it creates some tremendous problems.”

Piccolo said the airport is building infrastructure as quickly as possible to accommodate its growth needs, but dealing with permitting that sometimes involves multiple jurisdictions is problematic. He told the delegation he is seeking status simi-

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File photo

lar to the school systems’ ability to permit their own capital projects, subject to compliance with Florida building codes and fire codes.

“We’re not saying that we should be just be able to do anything we want,” Piccolo said. “We’re just saying that we can handle this in-house ourselves and move these projects along quicker so that we can build the infrastructure that’s necessary to serve the community.”

Representative Fiona McFarland, who is chair of the delegation for the coming legislative year, assigned herself as the sponsor of the airport’s bill. With that, relief could come in 2025.

“We all recognize the problem.

You can’t build half a baggage claim and then wait for the other half because the permitting schedule is off,” McFarland said. “I want to propose to the delegation today is that we vote on the commitment to move forward with this as a local bill. We’re still finalizing the language, but if we could take a vote on pursuing this as a local bill this session, is there anyone opposed?”

Seeing no dissent, the bill will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

OPINION / OUR VIEW

SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

The Word for 2025: ‘Elon’ Elon Musk is flawed. We all are. Nonetheless, Musk is emblematic of the mood of Americans. He symbolizes the can-do, pioneering spirit that made the United States. Forget the moon; shoot for Mars.

MATT WALSH

Y

ep. “Elon” as in Musk.

That name, that word, should be emblazoned on billboards throughout the U.S. interstate highway system.

That name, that guy, is the metaphoric emblem of what we Americans should be all about.

Go back to and renew our national pioneering, optimistic, can-do, reach-for-the-stars, kick-ass roots and go for it. Dream — Big. Try. Fail. Adjust. Try again … and again.

Keep going. Never give up.

That is the formula for everyone.

Elon.

That is our Word to live by in 2025; to keep in mind every day; and to be a reminder to strive to be the best version of ourselves every day.

Longtime readers know this routine. In the first edition each year, we have a tradition of publishing a word, the Word — one word to live by, to guide our direction and actions in the new year, to inspire us year-round, to serve as a guidepost for what we do and want to accomplish in the new year.

The challenge is to think of a symbolic word that captures the mood of Americans, and make it a word that inspires us to go forward and do better in the New Year.

How does “Elon” capture the mood of Americans?

OK, no doubt there are plenty who will sneer or recoil at the mention of Elon Musk. Especially after he has gone all-in with President-elect Donald Trump.

And those who have followed Musk’s flamboyant career know that some of his behavioral traits would never qualify him as a model Vatican altar boy or as an icon of personal virtue. Uh, three wives, 10 children?

He is nowhere close to the model CEO for whom you would like to have as a boss, especially if you prefer a work life of consistency and modest amounts of work drama.

That certainly is crystal clear in author Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk. Isaacson autopsied Musk’s complex personality after two years

of shadowing Musk’s every move.

After reading Isaacson’s 615-page opus, to conclude that Musk as a person is complex and mercurial is a gaping understatement.

Early in the book, Isaacson wrote that Musk “didn’t have the emotional receptors that produce everyday kindness and warmth and a desire to be liked. He was not hardwired to have empathy. Or, to put it in less technical terms, he could be an asshole.”

Since his childhood with an unlikable father, Musk “developed a siege mentality that included an attraction, sometimes a craving for storm and drama, both at work and in the romantic relationships he struggled and failed to maintain.

“When he faced tortuous challenges, the strain would often keep him awake at night and make him vomit,” wrote Isaacson. He quoted Musk’s brother, Kimbal: “He is a drama magnet. That’s his compulsion, the theme of his life.”

Perhaps one of Isaacson’s best

summaries of Musk is at the end when he recounts the launch of Space X’s Starship in April 2023 (see sidebar).

“The explosion of Starship was emblematic of Musk, a fitting metaphor for his compulsion to aim high, act impulsively, take wild risks and accomplish amazing things — but to also blow things up and leave smoldering debris in his wake while cackling maniacally.

“His life had long been an admixture of historically transforming achievements along with wild flameouts, broken promises and arrogant impulses. Both his accomplishments and his failures were epic.”

How then, could “Elon” — a word symbolizing someone with flaws that most of us would want to avoid possibly capture the mood of Americans, or be the symbol for Americans to aspire?

Hey, we are all flawed. And throughout history we see that with every hero and icon — be it record-breaking athletes, business leaders, inventors, scientists, musicians, artists. Tiger Woods.

Donald Trump. Alexander Graham Bell. Albert Einstein. Elvis Presley.

Salvador Dali. The list is endless.

Their personal lives are messy.

Focus on the good.

You can make the case that the word “Elon” is emblematic of the mood of Americans. Based on the national election results in November, Americans said: “No more.” We want what Musk wants. We want “DOGE.” We want to go to Mars.

At least head in that direction again.

We want to blow up the ossified government Leviathan and

to approve the flight test did not share Musk’s love of it. The engineers briefed him on all the safety reviews and requirements they had endured.” One of the engineers described obtaining the license as “existentially soul-sucking.”

Musk, holding his head, responded: “My [expletive] brain is hurting.

I’m trying to figure out how we get humanity to Mars with all this B.S.” Musk continued: “This is how civilizations decline. They quit taking risks. And when they quit taking risks, their arteries harden. Every year there are more referees and fewer doers.”

That’s what the United States has become — a massive blob of soulsucking regulations and regulators.

But now “Elon” and his partner, Vivek Ramaswamy are determined to flip that narrative — to far more doers and far, far fewer referees.

For once in the history of this republic, almost all non-federal government employed Americans would love to see that federal, ossified bureaucratic monster choked and deflated, if not slain altogether.

It’s a monumental task, to be sure, like “trying to get humanity to Mars.” But at least, for the first time in our lifetimes, it appears that three people — Musk, Ramaswamy and Trump — against all odds, are going to try. Which is more than anyone else has ever done.

The word “Elon” symbolizes the idea that we can and will do better. To reach higher.

To shoot for Mars.

When you see or say the word “Elon,” think of achieving or of accomplishing more or doing better. “Elon” can be the reminder telling us not to accept the status quo and to take the steps in 2025 to be better, to be the best versions of ourselves.

In our own shop at the Observer Media Group, we PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY don’t talk about going to Mars. But we have a similar vision that we frequently clean up the debris of the past four repeat as a reminder of where we years. Americans want us to act want to go. It is borrowed from the again the way we did for 200 years British Royal Air Force. Its motto: when Americans made this republic “Per ardua ad astra” — “By struggle the world’s beacon of pioneering, to the stars.” risk-taking achievers. Orville and In spite of what Iasaacson Wilbur Wright. Henry Ford. Amelia described as Musk’s swings through Earhart. And on and on. “light and dark, intense and goofy, Before Musk’s Space X Stardetached and emotional, with ship launch in April 2023, Isaacson occasional plunges to what those described a pep talk Musk gave around him dreaded as ‘demon to his team: “It’s worth keeping mode,’” Elon Musk is what he is in mind as you go through all the because he believes wholeheartedly tribulations that the thing you’re that he and all of us can be better working on is the coolest [expletive] and can make ourselves better than thing on Earth. By a lot …” what we are.

Isaacson: “The talk then turned That’s what the Word “Elon” to the topic of risk. The dozen or means for 2025. so regulatory agencies that had

How to be the best version of yourself If the word “Elon” is symbolic of reaching for Mars or doing better in 2025, it’s another thing to actually do it. How do you make yourself be the best version of yourself, to go for it with the passion of Elon Musk?

In midDecember, the monthly breakfast of the Gulf Alan Stein Jr. Coast CEO Forum featured Alan Stein Jr., an acclaimed basketball performance coach and speaker who has worked with such NBA luminaries Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. He also is the author of “Raise Your Game: High-Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best.”

His message to the attending CEOs focused on how they could improve their performance and impact as leaders. His message and formula, however, could apply to

everyone and fits with “Elon,” our Word for 2025 (see above).

Stein ingrained in the CEOs the simple concept of the importance of constantly working on “the basics.”

He told of being invited to work with the late Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Arriving around 5 a.m. at the gym where Bryant conducted his daily workout routines, Stein said when he arrived, he learned that Bryant already had been at the gym since 3:30 a.m. — working on the fundamentals of basketball.

“The basics work,” Stein said.

“They always have and always will.”

Stein says start your week hyping the fundamentals that you need to muster to become the best version of yourself.

Stein’s tips to get there: n Perspective: “Choose to see the world through this lens: “It’s not about me; it’s about you.”

Do that with everyone you meet, he says. You’re not the center of attention, the person in front of you is. “When you shift from what you want from people to what you want

for people, you will become the most magnetic person in the room,” Stein said. n Core values: What do you stand for, and what do you believe are uncompromising values?

“If what you say is not in alignment with what you believe, then take a pause and course correct,” Stein says. “If you say something that doesn’t align with your values, you immediately destroy your credibility.” n Purpose: “What is the why behind what you do? When you lead toward your purpose, you become inspirational.” n Habits: “Ask yourself: How many of your habits are taking you where you want to go?”

Stein recommends drawing a vertical line down the middle of a notebook paper. On the left side list “the things that you love doing and that warm your heart.” On the right side, write how you spend the bookends of your day — the first and last hour of each day.

Then ask yourself: “Are you doing what you know you need to do?”

Are the items on the left side showing up in your day?

Do you have a performance gap — “what we know we should do on the left side of the page and what we know we’re not doing on the right side. Sprinkle the items on the left side of paper into the right side.” n Mindset: That’s how we choose to view the world.

Stein recommends waking up each day and reminding yourself “to do the best you can with what you have wherever you are.

“If you do that, you automatically eliminate a trilogy of behaviors: blaming, complaining and making excuses.” n Focus: “WIN — What’s important now? Ask yourself that every minute. Be where your feet are, then your head and heart will be there, too. Focus on the controllables: your effort and your attitude. With attitude, we can always control our responses.” n Focus on the process: “You can have crystal clear goals, but focus on the process. If you’re building a brick wall, focus on the bricks.

When you focus on the process, the scoreboard takes care of itself.”

— MW

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

Friedrich Hayek

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

17TH STREET REGIONAL PARK TIMELINE

17th Street Park work set to begin

2016 The Parks, Preserves and Recreation Strategic Master Plan was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) in 2016.

Athletic fields were among the priority needs identified in the plan.

Developing the county’s role as a regional park provider was one of the plan’s strategies.

2021 The North County Athletic Facilities Master Plan was approved by the County Commission in April 2021.

The 17th Street Regional Park was one of the four parks included in this plan.

2022 The 17th Street Regional Park project was identified as a BCC Policy Item in the 2022 Strategic Plan.

2022 The 17th Street Regional Park plan was approved by the County Commission on Oct, 26, 2022.

9

Phase 1 athletic fields complex is scheduled for late 2026 completion.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

F

ollowing delays resulting from unexpected permitting requirements associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sarasota County is set to begin redevelopment of the 17th Street Regional Park in the spring.

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Director Nicole Rissler provided that update during a virtual meeting on Dec. 11 while unveiling the final plans for the nearly 200-acre site. The first phase — the athletic fields portion of the site — is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

Building the first phase will come at a cost of $65 million. The second phase toward the west abutting the city-owned Bobby Jones Golf Club and Nature Park and county-owned Circus Hammock nature preserve is neither funded nor scheduled at this time. The popular dog park on that portion of the site will remain and will be enhanced in as part of future phases, Rissler told the online audience.

The athletic complex at the park is fully designed and funded and will feature three new adult softball fields with the supporting amenities such as restrooms, concessions, dugouts and more, at the entrance off 17th Street. South of the adult fields is and an eight-field youth softball complex for Miss Sarasota Softball and other league uses designed to host large tournaments.

There is even a championship field oriented toward the northeast for optimum sunlight positioning with an outfield berm for spectator seating. The fields are divided into two quads, each with a center plaza for pedestrian movement wide enough to accommodate portable restroom

Courtesy image

The championship field at Sarasota County’s 17th Street Park youth softball complex will feature a center field berm for spectators.

The field is oriented toward the northeast to avoid direct sun toward home plate.

facilities for large events and areas for food trucks.

“This will be unique in the Southeast United States as they will feature the 220-foot outfield fence lines, which college and pro softball went to,” Rissler said of all eight fields.

The original layout of the park positioned adult softball fields in their current location in the southwest corner of the site and scheduled them in the second phase.

“The adult softball complex was supposed to be part of a future phase of the athletic complex, and in 2023 the Board of County Commissioners requested that staff look at the ability to bring additional funding into the project to make sure that the adult softball complex was able to be complete with the Phase 1,” Rissler said.

On the east side of the first phase are several multi-use fields that can be configured for soccer, lacrosse,

football and other uses. An area on the north end of those fields will remain open space as further assessment of community needs and additional funding are considered. The multi-use fields will be artificial turf.

“For those of you who have kids who play or you play, you’ll know the benefits will be more play on those fields with less rest, and the ability to play very quickly after our afternoon rains because of the drainage,” Rissler said. “Right now, when we have afternoon rain, most of the time practices are canceled because the fields are too wet to play on.”

The youth softball fields and the potential for drawing tournaments, though, stand out as the featured attraction, each quad with its own batting cage and other dedicated features.

“We really worked diligently in the year and a half of planning and design with many of our youth soft-

ball participants and partners on what was really needed in terms of warm-up space to make this a premier destination in youth softball,” Rissler said.

Rissler showed renderings of the community park side of the property — the unfunded second phase — which because it is not designed will undergo extensive community involvement in the planning.

Conceptually it includes a dog park facelift, a restroom facility, passive open space, and access to the Circus Hammock. The entire park will include a trail system connecting the Bobby Jones Nature Park trail to a future trail into Nathan Benderson Park. To the south, the future trail link the existing Circus Trail to the Legacy Trail crossing at Beneva Road across Fruitville Road, providing a trail network stretching from Venice to the University Town Center area.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

LOOKING AHEAD

Top Sarasota County news in 2025

The new 120,000-square-foot Sarasota County Administration Center will feature a glassenclosed stairwell at the center of the building.

New county buildings, mall redevelopment planning and Siesta Key hotel discussions are on tap this year.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

FRUITVILLE ROAD INTERCHANGE CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN

Not far removed to the west of the county administration construction sites is the interchange of Fruitville Road and Interstate 75, where the Florida Department of Transportation will embark on a five-year project to convert the interchange into a diverging diamond.

Construction of the $168 million project is scheduled to begin in early 2025. When complete in early 2030, the interchange will resemble those north and south of it at University Parkway and Clark Road.

The design includes reconstruction of the interchange, shifting eastbound traffic to the left to allow for improved access to northbound I-75 and westbound traffic to the left to allow for improved access to southbound I-75. This approach reduces the number of phases for the signals and improves delay times.

In addition, the project will widen about two miles of I-75 from Palmer Boulevard to north of Fruitville Road, to a six-lane highway with three through lanes in each direction. The existing bridges over Fruitville Road will also be replaced. The project also includes widening of about 1.6 miles of Fruitville Road from Honore Avenue to east of Coburn Road.

SIESTA KEY HOTEL SKIRMISH

In November 2023, Benderson Development appeared to be in something of a hurry to push a privately initiated, out of cycle comprehensive plan amendment that would allow it to build a 210-room hotel in the heart of Siesta Village, just three

months after the 12th Judicial Circuit Court struck down plans to build a hotel there.

One month later, the County Commission approved moving forward on a study of a comprehensive plan change that would allow highintensity hotels on the island.

One year later, Benderson’s proposal has not reached the public realm, but is reportedly under staff review as Siesta Key residents and the organization Save Siesta Key have maintained a wary eye on this and other repeated attempts to bring high-rise hotels to the island, and will continue to do so in 2025.

And they have good reason.

In October, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Hunter Carroll ruled that a planned hotel near Stickney Point Road at the former Wells Fargo site may proceed, determining that prior challenges to the project were not filed in a timely fashion per state statute. Carroll’s ruling, though, prohibits future large hotels unless they comply with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

An amendment to the plan, as Benderson is proposing, may change that should it be considered in 2025.

MALL REDEVELOPMENTS WILL ANCHOR SOUTH SARASOTA

No site plans have been filed yet with the county, but at the very least Illinois-based Torburn Partners will work toward a site plan for its planned redevelopment of the former Sarasota Square Mall.

In April 2024, Torburn won Sarasota County Commission approval to convert the mainly vacant 93-acre site into a town center-style mix of retailers, restaurants, offices and apartments, bringing an upscale

FRUITVILLE RD.

Courtesy images

The Florida Department of Transportation will convert the interchange of Fruitville Road and I-75 into a diverging diamond.

Image courtesy of Sarasota County Government

lifestyle experience to the site just south of the city near Palmer Ranch.

With the AMC 12 theater closing in November, the only remaining tenants at the otherwise abandoned mall are Costco and JC Penney, both part of the redevelopment plan.

Torburn is planning a project that includes up to 1,200 residential units, 692,500 square feet of nonresidential uses and 10.4 acres of open space.

A few miles to the north on South Tamiami Trail, Benderson Development is expected to continue formulating its plans for the former Southgate Mall, now named The Crossings at Siesta Key. Benderson plans to redevelop the 35-acre property into a mixed-use lifestyle village, having won a Comprehensive Plan amendment from the Sarasota City Commission in November. The developer is planning a mix of commercial, retail and restaurant uses with a possible 848 residential units.

Whenever actual construction begins, both mall redevelopment projects envision multiyear horizons, with work likely continuing well into the late 2030s.

GOVERNMENT MOVING EAST

By the end of 2025, Sarasota County government will complete its relocation from the county’s long-time headquarters on Ringling Boulevard in downtown to its new facilities in Fruitville Commons.

Benderson Development acquired the current admin building in 2021 for $25 million, the county leasing from its new owner through the end of this year. The shell of the 120,000-square-foot building has risen above surrounding developing in the growing Fruitville Commons area as the county continues consolidating many of its facilities to locations along I-75, making them more accessible to south county.

Construction began in fall 2023 with completion of the approximately $90 million project sched-

A rendering of the Sarasota County One Stop Shop for planning and development services.

uled for fall 2025. Benderson has already begun planning for a multiuse development for the downtown site, including surrounding parking lots.

Downsized from its downtown building, the new center will include County Commission offices and meeting chambers, County Administration, County Attorney, Clerk and Comptroller, Communications, Human Resources, Libraries and Historical Resources and Office of Financial Management. Other facilities will include a press room, Access Sarasota television studio, conference rooms, break rooms and a wellness center.

The move to east of the city into incorporated Sarasota County was in part driven by economics and creating an opportunity for the best use of the downtown property.

“It was going to cost about $49 million in improvements over the next 20 years, so this is a good decision,” said County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger at the groundbreaking ceremony. “As we move out of that facility and as it is redeveloped in the heart of downtown Sarasota, that’s going to create an economic engine.

The redevelopment is going to be so exciting down there.”

MORE COUNTY OFFICES IN FRUITVILLE COMMONS

A mile or so away from the new administration building at the corner of Palmer Boulevard and Apex

Road, construction continues on Sarasota County’s new Planning and Development One Stop Administration Building, which broke ground in spring 2024.

The 55,600-square-foot building is being built on 6.5 acres next to Sarasota County Fire Station No. 8. This facility will centralize most departments that encompass the review and permitting of projects in North Sarasota County, incorporating Planning and Zoning, Environmental Protection, Building and Code Enforcement departments.

Spaces will include general office, customer service, conference rooms, training rooms and more. Construction of the approximately $46.5 million project is scheduled for fall 2025 completion.

This comes at a time of rapid development in unincorporated Sarasota County. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Planning and Development Services Director Matt Osterhoudt said the last half-decade has seen his department facilitate more than 4,000 multifamily and more than 10,000 single-family residences.

“The building development services department is a major component of the Sarasota County government,” said former Sarasota County Commissioner Mike Moran at the groundbreaking. “For the last five years combined, they’ve issued more than 220,000 permits. This building will better the permitting process for our staff and community members.”

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STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT 3:58 a.m., Greenway Drive Fight: Consumption of alcohol was a contributing factor to an earlymorning melee at an apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers observed one man with a cut on his jaw, who advised he was at his apartment drinking with his friend, when he said they were done drinking for the night as he had church in the morning. At that point, the friend became angry as he wanted to continue drinking, which led to a verbal dispute and the eventual multiple punches to the church-goer’s jaw.

Prior to arrival, the subject had left the apartment and was later found walking along Fruitville Road where he was observed with a swollen forehead, a scraped knee and blood on his shorts. Providing a contradictory account of the scuffle, the subject said the complainant arrived home already intoxicated and began an argument over an incident that occurred in Nicaragua “a long time ago,” according to the incident report.

Unable to provide details of the altercation, the subject said that instead it was he who was attacked. He claimed he had been living in the apartment with his co-combatant for six months, but was unable to provide proof of residency.

He said he was walking to his cousin’s home in order to defuse the situation.

Arriving at the “cousin’s” apartment, a woman occupant, who based on her statements had earlier been at the scene of the altercation, told the officer that not only does the subject not live at the complainant’s apartment, nobody knew him. Based on discrepancies in the subject’s statements, it was determined probable cause exists to charge him with simple battery, although the complainant did not wish to press charges.

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A HEAVY SLEEPER 10 a.m., 1400 block of First Street Suspicious incident: Claiming she was drugged and beaten the prior night near the Palm Avenue Garage, a woman told an officer she did not

SATURDAY, NOV. 30

OPEN AND SHUT CASE 7:48 p.m., 1500 block of Tarpon Avenue Dispute: A complainant told an officer his male roommate had taken his suitcase containing important documents. He advised he had been renting a room shared by multiple individuals and, while working a construction job out of town two weeks prior left his suitcase that contained his Nicaraguan identification, immigration paperwork and some clothing.

Upon returning, he noticed the suitcase, and its contents were missing.

The roommate in question stated he believed the man was not returning and the suitcase had been abandoned, so, naturally, he sent it to his mother in Texas. He added he had looked through the suitcase before sending it, noting no documents inside.

The roommate called his mother, who told the officer she would send back the suitcase and all of its contents immediately, confirming her son’s contention that it contained no sensitive documents. The complainant was advised to contact immigration in order to obtain copies of the lost papers and was advised of the process to obtain a Florida ID card. The roommate said he had no intent to deprive the complainant of his belongs and both parties agreed it was a misunderstanding.

witness her own attack because she was asleep. There were no marks or other indications of trauma on her body, there was no evidence she was beaten and “there were no witnesses to the event, including herself,” according to the incident report.

The woman refused any medical treatment, and it was discovered she has an extensive case history with SPD of reporting the same situation at different locations. The officer concluded the woman did not meet the criteria for a Baker Act.

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SPORTS Fast

Break

Courtesy image

Sarasota High alum Benjamin Aguilar will compete for the United States Military Academy men’s gymnastics team this season.

B

enjamin Aguilar, a freshman gymnast at the United States Military Academy, is looking to make a statement in his first taste of collegiate action at the West Point Open on Jan. 10. Aguilar, a 2024 graduate of Sarasota High, trained with EVO Athletics as a junior, finding success on the national level. At the 2024 Men’s Development Program National Championships in Daytona Beach, he competed in the Junior Elite Level 18-year-olds division, finishing sixth on the pommel horse (25.050) and eighth in the floor routine (26.350). ... Michigan State University cornerback Charles Brantley has entered the transfer portal for the third time in his career. Brantley, a redshirt junior, who attended Riverview High before graduating from Venice in 2021, had a career year with the Spartans (5-7), leading the team with three interceptions across nine games, along with seven passes defended and 19 solo tackles. ...Brantley missed the final three games of the season because of a lower-body injury he suffered in Michigan State’s 47-10 loss to Indiana on Nov. 2. Brantley has one year of eligibility remaining. ... The Riverview High boys varsity basketball team, 5-5 through Dec. 17, will square off with two crosstown rivals in the new year. First, the Rams will head to Venice on Jan 7. at 7 p.m., before making their way to Sarasota High to battle the defending Class 7A-District 12 champions on Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Riverview defeated Sarasota 58-54 in the regional quarterfinals of the Class 7A state tournament in 2024. ... George Washington University sophomore golfer Askel Moe could see a bigger role when the Revolutionaries return to winter action on Feb. 16 at the Loyola Intercollegiate in Goodyear, Az. Moe, a Riverview alum, stepped up big at the RedHawk Intercollegiate on Oct. 15. Filling in for the team’s top contributor Manuel Barbachano, Moe shot a 66 in the final round of the tournament, contributing to George Washington’s team score of 275 in the final round, the program’s lowest in the fall season and third-lowest in team history.

— Brianna Behn, senior, Booker High girls basketball. SEE PAGE 15

TOP Sarasota athletes to watch DYLAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER

1

DEVIN MIGNERY, CARDINAL MOONEY FOOTBALL Cardinal Mooney football Head Coach Jared Clark spoke to Devin Mignery’s toughness so often throughout the season, that one would think the junior quarterback was part of some kind of underground boxing ring.

Mignery earned Clark’s praise with a standout junior season, which had him lead Cardinal Mooney to a 12-1 record and the brink of a Class 2A state championship game before falling to Cocoa 31-21 in the state semifinal.

After filling in for senior quarterback Michael Valentino — and splitting time with him upon Valentino’s return in 2023 — Mignery took the starting quarterback job by the reins and never let go.

He was outstanding on the ground, averaging 92.3 rushing yards per game in the regular season, tallying up nine touchdowns. He was just as strong through the air, throwing 22 touchdowns, including a 78-yard bomb to junior wide receiver Kymistrii Young in the semifinal loss to Cocoa.

With another year in Clark’s system under his belt and an offense set to return its top players in Young and running back Connail Jackson next season, the sky is the limit for Mignery and the Cougars in 2025.

2

YVETTE BROWN, BOOKER GIRLS BASKETBALL In the wake of 2023-24 leading scorer Jakai Peterson’s graduation, Booker junior guard Yvette Brown has done more than her share to fill the scoring gap.

Brown, whom Head Coach Ty Bryant has characterized as a special talent, has stuffed the stat sheets this season for Booker, 5-1 through Dec. 12, The 5-foot-4 guard is averaging 17 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Tornadoes this season, good for first and second on the team, respectively.

Brown got the job done on the defensive end, averaging 3.2 steals a game as part of a backcourt of seniors Jsiyah Taylor and Brianna Behn, who all average over three steals a game.

They give Booker reason to believe it could return to the final four of the Class 4A FHSAA state championship tournament for the third time since 2020.

3

LOOKING FORWARD TO SPRING SPORTS PAGE 14

“We’re learning to work together and our ball movement has improved, leading to better scoring opportunities.”

RACHEL PAULE, RIVERVIEW GIRLS SOCCER Rachel Paule has been a dominant presence on the Riverview High girls soccer team since she stepped into the fold as a freshman three years ago.

The senior striker has led the team in goals for the past two seasons, scoring nine in 11 games as a sophomore and 15 in 18 games as a junior.

As Paule has matured as a player, so too has Riverview grown as a program. In 2024, the Rams beat

These 10 athletes are poised to have special seasons in the new year.

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North Port High 2-1 in the 7A District 8 championship game, the team’s first district title in 18 years.

Paule and the Rams are off to a hot start in her senior season.

Through Dec. 17, Paule is second on Riverview (7-1-1) in goals with five and leads the team in assists with six. Paule’s maturation as a player has coincided with the emergence of players such as junior Olivia Shkorupa (four goals) and sophomore Emily Simone (four goals).

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IZZY RUSSELL, CARDINAL MOONEY BEACH VOLLEYBALL The secret was out when the Cardinal Mooney indoor volleyball team squared off against powerhouse Berkeley Prep on Oct. 1.

Berkeley Prep Head Coach Sarah Kirkwood Reiss had warned her team to look out for senior outside hitter Izzy Russell, noting Russell’s mentality as a beach player could give her the edge on the court.

Russell, who committed to play beach volleyball at Austin Peay State this fall, has brought a tenacity to both the court and the sand that has helped make Cardinal Mooney a force in both sports.

“There’s a willingness to put her body on the line for her team, which makes her equally good in the front row and in the back,” said Cougars indoor coach Allan Knight.

Russell, who helped propel the Cougars to a 19-3 record last spring, leads a roster with legitimate FHSAA state championship aspirations in 2025.

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ALLISON COLE, RIVERVIEW SOFTBALL The Riverview Rams won 16 games in 2024. Fourteen of those wins came with Allison Cole on the mound.

Cole, a senior pitcher, was dominant in her first year on the varsity softball team, posting a 14-5 record over 124.2 innings pitched, striking out 232 batters and holding hitters to a .137 batting average.

Cole’s excellence on the mound, however, wasn’t the only thing that helped Riverview improve its record to 16-7 up from 4-18 in 2023. Cole, who recently committed to play at SCF-Manatee in 2026, led the team in batting average (.492), on-base percentage (.558) and slugging percentage (.584) last season.

Look for Cole to be a big reason why Riverview High is a legitimate 7A contender come this spring.

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OLIVIA LOCKHART, CARDINAL MOONEY SOFTBALL Cardinal Mooney softball Head Coach Lizz Chappell knew she had something special on her hands when she met with then eighthgrader Olivia Lockhart and her parents, the year before Lockhart enrolled in Cardinal Mooney.

Lockhart, who had been playing baseball up through eighth grade, wasn’t convinced she wanted to join the softball team at Cardinal Mooney, instead thinking about possibly playing baseball for the Cougars.

Chappell is glad Lockhart joined her team instead. In 2024, the speedy freshman shortstop batted lead off for the Cougars, helping to propel them to a 15-5 record, a marked improvement from 4-8 the year prior.

In 19 games, Lockhart posted a slash line of .721/.743.1.525 with 10

JOSH HARRIS, RIVERVIEW BASKETBALL Opponents beware: Number 0 is a problem.

Riverview junior Josh Harris has officially cast his ballot as one of the area’s top players in 2025. Through 10 games this season, the 6-foot4 guard leads Riverview (5-5) in scoring, averaging a whopping 20.2 points per game.

Harris, who plays a loose, fluid style of basketball, has been an efficient bucket-getter for the Rams this season. The junior is shooting 55% from the floor and a team-high 43% from 3-point range, up from his marks of 46% and 38% as a sophomore.

Harris has scored 25 or more points three times this season, including a 32-point game in a 95-75 win over Southeast High.

His father and first-year Coach Jeff Harris said his son can score from all three levels and his growth into becoming a complete player — defending and leading his teammates — is what will take both Josh and Riverview to the next level.

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TYREN WORTHAM, BOOKER FOOTBALL Of all the stars on Booker High football’s electric offense in 2024, Tyren Wortham burned the brightest.

The 6-foot-2 junior wide receiver paired with senior transfer quarterback Ryan Downes to ignite a Booker offense that averaged just over 48 points a game. It was a connection that powered Booker (10-4) to a second consecutive regional championship, before falling to Jacksonville Raines in the 3A state semifinal on Dec. 12.

Wortham hauled in 65 receptions for 1,250 yards in 2024, to pair with 18 total touchdowns on the season.

Next season, Wortham, who holds offers from Michigan State University, Florida Atlantic, UNLV and more, will look to build a similar connection with senior quarterback Joel Morris and bring Booker back to the final four for the third year in a row.

home runs and 52 RBIs. Lockhart’s speed became her calling card — she stole 10 bases on the year and all 10 of her home runs were insidethe-park homers.

JOHNNY LACKAFF, SARASOTA BASKETBALL Perhaps somewhat understated in the hype surrounding Sarasota’s 7A District title win last season is the fact the Sailors did so on the shoulders of a freshman.

Yet, that’s exactly what happened. Lackaff, a 6-foot-2 guard, led the Sailors in scoring last season, averaging 13 points per game, while shooting 51% from the field and 42% from 3-point range.

This season, Lackaff is back for Sarasota, 8-1 through Dec 16. and bigger than ever. He is actually litterally bigger, having gained 10-15 pounds of muscle over the off-season due to an intense weightlifting regimen.

His improvements, however, have been more than just physical, noted coach BJ Ivey.

“He’s matured a lot as a vocal leader, understanding when to encourage his teammates, but also when to hold them accountable,” said Ivey.

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10 Top to bottom: Devin Mignery, Yvette Brown, Rachel Paule, Izzy Russell, Tyren Wortham, Olivia Lockhart, Josh Harris, Allison Cole, Johnny Lackaff, and Madie Muller,

MADIE MULLER, RIVERVIEW CROSS COUNTRY Madie Muller quickly rose to the top of the area’s cross country scene this fall.

Muller won the first three meets of her high school career, finishing first at the Lemon Bay Invite (Aug. 24), Lakewood Ranch XC Invite 2024 (Aug.31) and the Venice Invitational on Sep. 14.

Most notable is how Muller got better as the year went on. She ran a personal best 17:33.2 at the FHSAA Region 4A-3 meet and followed up her win with a second place finish (17:54.2) to MacKenzie Roy (17:19.5) of Port Orange’s Spruce Creek High in the Class 4A state championships in Tallahassee.

There’s no telling what Muller might accomplish in 2025.

14

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

CAMPBELL’S CORNER

DYLAN CAMPBELL

What our Sarasota sports columnist can’t wait to cover in 2025 On the water and on the land, Sarasota is set for a big sports year in 2025.

I

BALTIMORE ORIOLES SPRING TRAINING

It’s not often that a professional sports franchise graduates from generational futility to championship contender in just a couple of years. And yet, the Baltimore Orioles have done just that, rattling off a 91-71 season in 2024 after establishing themselves as a bona fide powerhouse with 101-win season in 2023.

While the O’s fell to the Kansas City Royals in the American League Wild Card this postseason, Baltimore will still carry a roster full of some of the most exciting young players in all of baseball when it comes to Ed Smith stadium in February for Spring Training.

Infielder Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman were both named to the AL All-Star team in 2024. Former number one overall pick Jackson Holliday, a true five-tool middle infielder, looks to establish himself as a full-time Major Leaguer in 2025. O’s top prospect third-baseman Coby Mayo, who got a taste of big league baseball in August, will try to crack the roster when playing this spring in Sarasota.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

I’m excited to cover more high school basketball. On the boys’ side, Sarasota looks to repeat as district champions after posting a 24-3

Ryan Kohn

Sarasota Crew freshman Jenna Khalil (second from left) was in the stroke seat in the Sarasota Crew girls U16 8+ boat at the US Rowing Youth National Championships, between coxswain Sophia Karanjai and rowers Claire Xia and Annalise Naylor. The boat finished seventh in the A Final (7:32.17).

record in the 2023-24 season. Cardinal Mooney also won its district in 2024, before bowing out to First Baptist Academy in the first round of the state tournament. Sarasota, Cardinal Mooney, Riverview and Booker will all be ready this season.

On the girls’ side, Cardinal Mooney will finally look to get over the state championship hump — for the last four years, the Cougars have made it to the state final game without winning. Will this be the year the Cougars can achieve state immortality?

The Booker High girls’ varsity team is also a group to keep an eye on. Led by Cardinal Mooney transfer senior Brianna Behn, the Tornadoes look to build off a season following a regional finals appearance of the Class 4A state championship tournament in 2024.

PROFESSIONAL GOLF

The LPGA Founders Cup will touch down at the Bradenton Country Club on Feb. 6-9. Bradenton native and world No. 1 Nelly Korda will probably be in the mix and will look to impress in front of her home fans.

Later in the spring, the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM Suncoast Classic will come to the Lakewood Ranch Country Club from April 16-19.

ON THE WATER

The US Rowing Youth National Championships will return to Nathan Benderson Park from June 12-15, 2025. The event, which celebrates its 30th year, is the culmination of the rowing season and has grown in attendance every single year. The chance to watch some of the best rowers in the country in Sarasota’s backyard is unique — clubs from every corner of the country send their best for a chance to win gold. In 2024, local club Sarasota Crew represented the area well, with its U15 men’s 4+ finishing second in the event’s B final with a time of 07:34.95.

Also coming to Nathan Benderson are the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships and the Sunshine State Invitational from March 28-30.

The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, will return this fall on Oct. 10-12. Last year, over 50 teams competed across two days of racing for the 2024 ABPA National and UIM World Championships. The Sarasota Powerboat P1, which takes place off Lido Key, is the second-longest running US powerboat race after the Key West championship. The course is tech-

ZIP into 2025 and SAVE!

nical, according to race organizers, with several right turns and a dogleg left on the backstretch. Boats in the Class 1 race can reach speeds upwards of 160 mph — in 2024, Team Defalco took home first place in the Class 1 race.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Both Cardinal Mooney and Booker High fell in the semifinals of their respective state tournaments this season. With Cardinal Mooney, which won its first state championship since 1972 in 2023, a new standard has been set for the program, said Head Coach Jared Clark. Since the Cougars’ run of dominance has begun, Cardinal Mooney has become a destination for transfer talent.

Departing Mooney’s roster in 2025 are several key seniors, including three-star cornerback Chris McCorkle, middle linebacker Greg Robinson and offensive lineman Chase Polivchak, Jake Boydston and Brady Smith. I’m interested to see who will step up in Mooney’s offensive line, which is led by its massive junior left tackle Da’Ron Parks. Will Chase’s brother Max, a junior, and fellow junior Ethan Salata step into full-time starting roles?

What will quarterback Devin

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’ll admit it, I’m a newbie. I’ve only been on the Sarasota sports beat for a little over a month, but in that time I’ve gotten a taste of what the area’s sports scene has to offer and I’m hungry for more. Here are some things that I’m looking forward to covering in 2025.

Mignery, a junior in 2024, look like for the Cougars next season? Mignery is a tough-as-nails competitor who fuels Cardinal Mooney’s offense with his legs just as much as with his arm. Will we see Mignery take another step as a passer in 2025? What will the Cougars’ offense look like with another year of Mignery paired with sophomore running back Connail Jackson? All exciting questions.

As for Booker High, the Tornadoes seem to have more questions than answers. It was a flagship year in 2024 for the team. In 14 games, Booker went 10-4, averaging just over 48 points a game. Although the Tornadoes fell to Jacksonville’s Raines High 28-23 in the semifinal game, one that saw Head Coach Scottie Littles ejected in the second half, Booker was dominant in nearly every game it played in 2024.

What remains to be seen, however, is if that dominance will carry over into 2025. Many of Booker’s top skill position players this season were senior transfers, including starting quarterback Ryan Downes and running back DJ Johnson.

Defensively, Booker will be losing senior lineman Jordan Radkey, who totaled 10 sacks on the year and outside linebacker Dajien Walton who trailed Radkey with 9 sacks.

What will Booker look like in 2025?

With Littles’ penchant for building a program that is attractive to those outside the school’s district, there might be a lot of new faces on Booker’s sideline next season.

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

What’s the appeal?

It’s just fun. It takes my mind off things, and it’s rewarding to see improvement when you put in the work. Plus, it’s always more fun to do something when you’re good at it.

What’s your best skill on the court?

My vision. I can see a lot of stuff that other people can’t see.

What’s your favorite television show?

Definitely “All-American.”

What’s your favorite school subject?

Government. It helps me learn about what’s going on in the real world.

What are your hobbies?

I like to play Fortnite. Other than that, I like to fish.

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To just be myself and to not be afraid to shine.

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What are you working on to improve?

My confidence. I’m trying to shoot more and not be as passive, because there are a lot of times where I pass up an open look and it results in a missed shot or a turnover.

What’s your favorite basketball memory?

Beating Sarasota Middle to win the middle school basketball championships in eighth grade.

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What went right for your team this season?

We’re learning to work together and our ball movement has improved, leading to better scoring opportunities.

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When did you start playing basketball and why?

I was around 5 years old. I can’t remember why. What I do remember is that when I was in fifth grade, I started playing for the Booker Middle School boys team and that improved my game a lot.

What’s your favorite food?

Pasta. Spaghetti, lasagna, dishes with red sauce.

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Brianna Behn is a senior point guard for the Booker High girls basketball team. Behn, who transferred from Cardinal Mooney prior to the school year, ranks second on the team in points per game (14.0), first in rebounds (7.8) and first in assists (4.5) leading up to the Tampa Bay Invitational Dec. 27.

WEST FLORIDA’S PREMIER POOL BUILDER

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Brianna Behn

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.

15

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16

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Sotheby’s Sotheby’s ® ® * * International International Realty Realty Affiliate Affiliate Worldwide Worldwide

SAPPHIRE SAPPHIRE SHORES SHORES 320 320 South South Shore Shore Drive Drive Mike Mike Warm Warm

Scan Scan below below forfor a full a full listlist ofof Open Open Houses, Houses, property property details, details, driving driving directions directions and and more more

$5,250,000 $5,250,000 941.525.2740 941.525.2740

VILLA VILLA BALLADA BALLADA 430430 Kumquat Kumquat Court Court #408 #408 Frank Frank Lambert Lambert & Anita & Anita Lambert Lambert

$1,166,000 $1,166,000 941.920.1500 941.920.1500

SARASOTA SARASOTA

HARBOR HARBOR ACRES ACRES

11111111 North North Gulfstream Gulfstream Avenue Avenue #6B#6B$1,120,000 $1,120,0001340 1340 Harbor Harbor Drive Drive TomTom Hedge Hedge 941.587.6660 941.587.6660Peter Peter Laughlin Laughlin

VILLA VILLA BALLADA BALLADA 430430 Kumquat Kumquat Court Court #208 #208 Frank Frank Lambert Lambert & Anita & Anita Lambert Lambert

SARASOTA SARASOTA 1990 1990 Main Main Street Street #15#15 Thomas Thomas Netzel Netzel

$798,000 $798,0004 Dominica 4 Dominica Drive Drive 941.539.0633 941.539.0633BobBob Linthicum Linthicum

GULF GULF GATE GATE 71737173 Antigua Antigua Place Place Crystal Crystal Cosby Cosby

VENICE VENICE

$759,900 $759,9001330 1330 StillStill River River Drive Drive 941.228.9206 941.228.9206Jackie Jackie Kleppinger Kleppinger

SAWGRASS SAWGRASS

$750,000 $750,000232232 Hidden Hidden BayBay Drive Drive #504 #504 941.320.0049 941.320.0049Helena Helena & Per & Per Nordstrom Nordstrom

PUNTA PUNTA GORDA GORDA $634,000 $634,0003924 3924 SanSan Rocco Rocco Drive Drive #112 #112 941.882.0070 941.882.0070Nikki Nikki Taylor Taylor

PALMERO PALMERO

$629,000 $629,00015317 15317 Isla Isla Palma Palma Lane Lane 941.587.9060 941.587.9060Rebecca Rebecca Simmons Simmons

$739,000 $739,000 941.228.7356 941.228.7356

INDIGO INDIGO $699,500 $699,5003817 3817 Azurite Azurite WayWay $689,000 $689,000 941.587.1776 941.587.1776JudyJudy Heuerman Heuerman & Valerie & Valerie Esposito Esposito941.356.5260 941.356.5260

VENICE VENICE ACRES ACRES

$675,000 $675,000333333 Cipriani Cipriani WayWay $649,950 $649,9502418 2418 Hermitage Hermitage Boulevard Boulevard 941.374.4015 941.374.4015Audrey Audrey Peabody Peabody & Pat & Pat Guenther Guenther 941.780.6695 941.780.6695JodyJody Callan Callan & Megan & Megan George George

$849,000 $849,000 941.266.4003 941.266.4003

BAYPOINTE BAYPOINTE VISTA VISTA

RIVENDELL RIVENDELL

VENETIAN VENETIAN GOLF GOLF & RIVER & RIVER CLUB CLUB

LAUREL LAUREL LANDINGS LANDINGS ESTATES ESTATES

$985,000 $985,0001607 1607 Landfall Landfall Drive Drive 941.323.1700 941.323.1700Liz Arme Liz Arme & Christopher & Christopher Bush Bush

$704,900 $704,900310310 Marsh Marsh Creek Creek Road Road $699,900 $699,9001109 1109 Scherer Scherer WayWay 941.726.1998 941.726.1998Martha Martha PikePike & Denise & Denise Mattmuller Mattmuller 941.716.4392 941.716.4392Tamara Tamara & Todd & Todd Currey Currey

LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB 7615 7615 Windward Windward Cove Cove Christine Christine Mazur Mazur

COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB EAST EAST $995,000 $995,00014622 14622 Castle Castle ParkPark Terrace Terrace 941.920.1500 941.920.1500Nancy Nancy Endara Endara

BOCA BOCA ROYALE ROYALE

GOLDEN GOLDEN BEACH BEACH 505505 Villas Villas Drive Drive Megan Megan George George

SARASOTA SARASOTA

$1,099,000 $1,099,0001469 1469 5th 5th Street Street #102 #102 941.920.1500 941.920.1500Frank Frank Lambert Lambert

$4,975,000 $4,975,000 941.356.8428 941.356.8428

VENETIA VENETIA

$649,000 $649,0004245 4245 Via Via Del Del Villetti Villetti Drive Drive 941.525.8707 941.525.8707Frank Frank Wheeler Wheeler

$649,000 $649,000 941.928.3850 941.928.3850

LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB $629,000 $629,0007074 7074 Woodmore Woodmore Terrace Terrace 248.766.0872 248.766.0872Gloria Gloria Bracciano Bracciano

Sotheby’s Sotheby’s International International Realty® Realty® and the and Sotheby’s the Sotheby’s International International RealtyRealty logo are logo registered are registered serviceservice marksmarks used with usedpermission. with permission.

Each office Each is office independently is independently ownedowned and operated. and operated.

Equal Housing Equal Housing Opportunity.

Opportunity.

Property Property information information hereinherein is derived is derived from various from various resources, resources, including, including, but notbut limited not limited to, to, countycounty records records and multiple and multiple listing listing services, services, and may andinclude may include approximations. approximations. *Peerage *Peerage GroupGroup Sotheby’s Sotheby’s International International Realty.Realty.

All information All information is deemed is deemed accurate. accurate.

Source:Source: BrokerMetrics® BrokerMetrics®

$599,000 $599,000 941.229.4000 941.229.4000

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

SOUTH SOUTH CREEK CREEK 1862 1862 Island Island Way Way Nancy Nancy Endara Endara

THE THE MANGROVES MANGROVES $2,425,000 $2,425,000 1214 1214 Sea Sea Plume Plume Way Way 941.323.1700 941.323.1700 LoriLori Carey Carey & Leslie & Leslie DuFresne DuFresne

PREMIER PREMIER ONON MAIN MAIN 62 62 Audubon Audubon Place Place Andrew Andrew Tanner Tanner

LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB

$2,395,000 $2,395,000 7531 7531 Greystone Greystone Street Street Gloria Bracciano Bracciano 941.780.3427 941.780.3427 Gloria

LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB

$1,795,000 $1,795,000 7041 7041 Beechmont Beechmont Terrace Terrace 941.539.0998 941.539.0998 Laura Laura Stavola Stavola

17

$1,875,000 $1,875,000 941.229.4000 941.229.4000

HIDDEN HIDDEN LAGOON LAGOON

$1,694,000 $1,694,000 901901 30th 30th Court Court East East Nathan Mathers Mathers & Shellie & Shellie Young Young 941.447.4875 941.447.4875 Nathan

$1,199,000 $1,199,000 941.720.0408 941.720.0408

THE THE GULF GULF COAST COAST LUXURY LUXURY LEADER LEADER

SIESTA SIESTA TOWERS TOWERS 4822 4822 Ocean Ocean Boulevard Boulevard #10E #10E Darren Darren Beddoe Beddoe

PALMA PALMA SOLA SOLA BAYBAY CLUB CLUB

$599,000 $599,0003450 3450 77th77th Street Street West West #102 #102 407.353.8810 407.353.8810Frank Frank Lambert Lambert & Anita & Anita Lambert Lambert

SHELL SHELL BEACH BEACH 902902 31st31st Avenue Avenue West West Jessica Jessica Bell Bell

$599,000 $599,000 941.920.1500 941.920.1500

INDIGO INDIGO

$575,000 $575,00012657 12657 Coastal Coastal Breeze Breeze WayWay 850.509.5512 850.509.5512Corinne Corinne Fallacaro Fallacaro

BAYBAY ISLAND ISLAND SHORES SHORES $559,000 $559,000508508 Siesta Siesta Drive Drive 941.685.9579 941.685.9579Kevin Kevin Milner Milner

$3,200,000 $3,200,000 941.539.3287 941.539.3287

BRADENTON BRADENTON

NOKOMIS NOKOMIS

4415 4415 102nd 102nd Street Street West West Robert Robert Sherman Sherman

CEDAR CEDAR GROVE GROVE

L’ELEGANCE L’ELEGANCE ON ON LIDO LIDO BEACH BEACH 1800 1800 Benjamin Benjamin Franklin Franklin Drive Drive #A304 #A304 Sharon Sharon Meier Meier & Thomas & Thomas Netzel Netzel

COUNTRY COUNTRY CLUB CLUB VILLAGE VILLAGE 7038 7038 FourFour Seasons Seasons Circle Circle Christine Christine Mazur Mazur

$555,000 $555,000225225 Daylily Daylily Boulevard Boulevard 941.313.1301 941.313.1301Denise Denise Mattmuller Mattmuller

$2,800,000 $2,800,0002585 2585 Hobblebrush Hobblebrush Drive Drive 407.927.5669 407.927.5669Crystal Crystal Cosby Cosby

TURNBERRY TURNBERRY PLACE PLACE

MIRA MIRA LAGO LAGO

$545,000 $545,0003924 3924 Alamanda Alamanda Drive Drive 941.882.0070 941.882.0070Cindy Cindy Taliaferro Taliaferro

VENETIAN VENETIAN GOLF GOLF & RIVER & RIVER CLUB CLUB

$535,000 $535,0001420 1420 Turnberry Turnberry Drive Drive $499,000 $499,000205205 Mestre Mestre Place Place 941.374.4015 941.374.4015Carolyn Carolyn Collins Collins & Roberta & Roberta Tengerdy Tengerdy941.320.0722 941.320.0722Patricia Patricia Guenther Guenther

$550,000 $550,000 941.232.8055 941.232.8055

$545,000 $545,000 941.894.7269 941.894.7269

ESPLANADE ESPLANADE LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH

$495,000 $495,00013732 13732 Messina Messina Loop Loop #102 #102 941.961.3570 941.961.3570Laura Laura Stavola Stavola

$485,000 $485,000 941.447.4875 941.447.4875

Now Now Under Under Construction Construction

The The Next Next Evolution Evolution ofof Waterfront Waterfront Luxury Luxury 78 78 Grand Grand Bayfront Bayfront Residences Residences from from $3.7 $3.7 Million Million

Presentation Presentation Gallery Gallery NowNow Open Open at The at The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Sarasota Hotel Hotel 1111 Ritz-Carlton 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Drive, Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida Florida 34236 34236 941.499.8704 941.499.8704 | TheResidencesSarasotaBay.com | TheResidencesSarasotaBay.com ORAL REPRESENTATIONS ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT CANNOT BE RELIEDBE UPON RELIEDASUPON CORRECTLY AS CORRECTLY STATING STATING REPRESENTATIONS REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. OF THE FOR SELLER. CORRECT FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS TO THIS BROCHUREBROCHURE AND TO AND THE DOCUMENTS TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIREDREQUIRED

BY SECTION

BY SECTION 718.503, 718.503, FLORIDA FLORIDA STATUTES,STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED TO BE FURNISHED

BY A SELLER

BY A TOSELLER A BUYER TO AORBUYER LESSEE. OR The LESSEE. renderings, The renderings, terms, terms, conditions, conditions, and statements and statements containedcontained in these inmaterials these materials are proposed are proposed only, andonly, the and Developer the Developer reserves reserves the rightthe to right modify, to or modify, withdraw or withdraw any or allanyof orsame all ofin same its solein its sole discretiondiscretion and without and without prior notice. prior The notice.

Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Residences, Sarasota Sarasota Bay are Bay not are owned, not developed owned, developed or sold by or sold Marriott

by Marriott International, International, Inc. or itsInc.affiliates or its affiliates (“Ritz-Carlton”). (“Ritz-Carlton”).

KT Sarasota KT Sarasota South, LLCSouth, uses LLC Theuses Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton marks under marksa license under afrom license Ritz-Carlton, from Ritz-Carlton, which haswhich not confirmed has not confirmed the accuracy the accuracy of any ofofthe anystatements of the statements or representations or representations made herein. made herein.

Sotheby’sSotheby’s International International Realty® and Realty the® and Sotheby’s the Sotheby’s International International Realty logo Realty arelogo registered are registered service marks serviceused marks withused permission. with permission.

Each office Eachis office independently is independently owned and owned operated. and operated.

BECAUSE BECAUSE EVERY EVERY HOME HOME IS IS UNIQUE. UNIQUE. JUST JUST LIKE LIKE YOU. YOU. JUST JUST LIKE LIKE US. US.

SARASOTA SARASOTA - DOWNTOWN - DOWNTOWN | 941.364.4000 | 941.364.4000 VENICE VENICE | 941.412.3323 | 941.412.3323 LAKEWOOD LAKEWOOD RANCH RANCH | 941.907.9541 | 941.907.9541 LONGBOAT LONGBOAT KEYKEY | 941.383.2500 | 941.383.2500 RENTALS RENTALS | 941.203.3433 | 941.203.3433

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JANUARY 2, 2025

YOUR NEIGHBORS Save the dates IAN SWABY | STAFF WRITER

2

024 has been a wild ride of a year, from the impacts of three major hurricanes to events where the

community came together and showcased its resilient spirit.

As we hope for smoother sailing in 2025, there is plenty to look forward to in the local event scene. Sarasota may be a small community, but it still has an array of experiences to offer.

The year ahead holds something for everyone, from foodies to reptile enthusiasts. Popular events return, while another that was canceled in 2024 looks to make its comeback.

SARASOTA NATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION Jan. 17-19 at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Visit SarasotaStampClub.com.

If you’re looking to take up a new hobby this year, in January you can explore stamp collecting, more accurately called “philately.” The Sarasota Philatelic Club, which has been in operation since 1952 holds the event, and is a World Series of Philately show. The event will feature 10 stamp collecting societies, 31 stamp dealers and 200 frames of informative exhibits.

REPTIDAY Jan. 18 at Sahib Shrine Center, 600 N. Beneva Road. Visit Repticon.com.

ReptiDay is a showcase and sale involving exotic and unusual reptiles, with some other creepy-crawly critters included as well. Across this menagerie, you may even find a new pet to take home with you. Held on the hour every day are live animal encounters and seminars.

FORKS & CORKS Jan. 23-27 at various locations. Visit EatLikeALocal.com.

This five-day event is ideal for those looking to explore the possibilities of local fine dining. It serves as a fundraisier for the SarasotaManatee Originals, a group of local, independently owned restaurants that promotes unique flavors. The event starts with an online auction featuring rare wines, continues with wine dinners and retail tastings, and concludes in The Grand Tasting on Sunday, Jan. 26, in the courtyard of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. 2025 SARASOTA SHELL SHOW Feb. 7-8 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds in the Potter building, 2896 Ringling Blvd. Visit SarasotaShellClub.com.

Whether your interest in seashells is artistic or scientific, you’ll find something to enjoy at this annual shell show. Attendees can learn about seashells and the creatures that inhabit them through scientific displays, and explore shell art by shell club members.

SARASOTA JAZZ FESTIVAL March 17-22 at various locations.

Visit SarasotaJazzFestival.com.

The Sarasota Jazz Festival is devoted to keeping the music of jazz alive, through lineups of high-profile performers. This year’s event welcome artists including Marcus Miller, a two-time Grammy winner; Tony Monaco, who was ranked among the top 5 jazz organists for the years

File photos

Greg Dickinson and Deborah Freed at Forks & Corks

2005-2011 by the Down Beat International Critics Poll; and Mauricio J. Rodriguez, one of Cuba’s most influential bass players. The three main concerts will be held at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, while a Jazz Trolley Pub Crawl will take place at venues around downtown Sarasota.

SIESTA CON May 10 at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd. Visit SiestaCon.com.

Sarasota’s first locally operated, large-scale comic con event returns for its second year. The event features the opportunity to meet comic artists, voice actors and game artists, and showcases the original Batmobile from the Adam West “Batman” TV series. There is sure to be plenty of cosplaying, with a costume contest being held at the event.

BAYFRONT FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR July 4, Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive. Visit SuncoastCharitiesforChildren.org.

Each year, as summer arrives, Sarasota heads to Bayfront Park to celebrate July 4, while also supporting a good cause. Suncoast Charities for Children has hosted the fireworks display in partnership with Marina Jack for more than 10 years.

DOG-A-WEEN Late October, Sarasota Farmer’s Market, N. Lemon Ave. Visit SarasotaFamersMarket.org.

Attendee Russell Kasper reunites Scooby Doo with his old nemesis, Frankenstein, at Siesta Con.

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy Halloween with your precious pup, look no further than Dog-A-Ween at the Sarasota Farmer’s Market in late October. Each year, dogs and their owners come together in costumes,

for a contest that sees a panel of judges ranking the most creative costumes.

SIESTA KEY CRYSTAL CLASSIC November, Siesta Key Beach, 948 Beach Road. Visit SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com.

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic invites professional sand sculptors from around the world to the sands of Siesta Key Beach, to see who can create the best sand sculptures. The event also helping support the business community of Siesta Key, as the signature event of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce.

ATOMIC HOLIDAY BAZAAR Second week of December, Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Visit AtomicHolidayBazaar.com.

The Atomic Holiday Bazaar has been a popular destination for those who prefer to make their holiday shopping out of the ordinary, as well as those looking to shop locally and support small businesses. Hurricane Milton canceled the event in 2024, but it will return in 2025.

PINECRAFT CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE Dec. 25, Pinecraft, 3713 Bahia Vista St. Sarasota’s signature parade is held in Downtown Sarasota, but the area also offers another annual parade on Christmas Day. This event repeatedly draws over 1,000 spectators as it makes its way through Pinecraft, Sarasota’s predominantly Amish and Mennonite community. The experience includes farm vehicles, festive costumes and more.

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE.

20

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Resolution for Cultural Impact CreArte Latino Cultural Center, which serves as a creative hub for the Hispanic/Latino community, held the grand opening for its space Dec. 9.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

C

reArte Latino Cultural Center started as a Spanish-language theater troupe in 2012, gaining its first space and becoming a nonprofit in late 2017.

Its growth led to the grand opening of a new space, at Northgate Boulevard, on Dec. 9, and founder and Artistic Director Carolina Franco said the organization is poised to move into the new year.

“It was a very interesting year, obviously, lots of challenges, and we were, let’s say, on a pause when it comes to a space, so having a space, being able to open it to everybody, and seeing everyone who’s been so important for our mission and our growth, it’s just priceless,” she said of the grand opening.

The only area organization offering arts in Spanish, CreArte Latino Cultural Center is intended to serve as a bilingual cultural exchange channel between the Latino and Hispanic

community, and the community at large, through the arts, service and education.

“There are tens of thousands of native Spanish speakers in this community, and then there are many thousands of people who admire the Latino community, are curious and want to learn more, love the cultural aspects, whether it’s the food or the theater or the music,” Franco said.

A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH

A major advantage of the new space, which is positioned near the border of Sarasota county, is “definitely” visibility, Franco said.

The previous location had been in southern Manatee County, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

CreArte President Clara Villanueva said in that space, the nonprofit had not been able to come to an agreement with the county regarding fire codes, which limited occupancy to 50 people.

“This location is wonderful,” she said. “First of all, from a fire code

Photos by Ian Swaby

Carolina Franco cuts the ribbon at the opening.

IF YOU GO

Paola Oporto and Eddy Ossa perform for attendees at the grand opening.

standpoint, we can have over double the people that we could have before.”

Franco notes the space is highly convertible, preferring curtains over walls to accommodate different functions.

“It is a bit smaller than our previous space, but again, it’s giving us more opportunities, but we also have a feeling we’re going to outgrow it kind of quick, which is a good problem,” she said.

The programming on offer includes theater productions, book clubs, classes, workshops and collaborations with artists, with “as many as possible” in Spanish, but with English subtitles.

Three weeks prior to the grand opening, the center launched its offerings with “Voces de inmigracion,” a testimonial theater performance involving local Latino people sharing their experiences with immigration.

“Sometimes we have it set up for theater,” Franco said. “Sometimes we have it set up for a family event or a painting event, and we are super happy because we’re still very close to the to the boundary line, so we’re still able to serve Manatee and Sarasota County because that was always very important for us not to go too

south or too north.”

She notes the art on display reflects many aspects of the Latino community.

“We represent so many cultures,” Franco said. “It’s not one country, right? It’s not Colombia, Mexico, it’s all of South America, Spain. We cover a lot. Lots of flavors. Lots of colors.”

Eddy Ossa, who studied arts in Colombia and whose career has involved street theater and dancing performances, has found a home at CreArte.

“It’s the best place for me because it’s my life,” he said.

Franco said one example of what such a space can accomplish is helping offer kids a sense of pride in their heritage.

“Kids from Hispanic families, some of them, at times, feel ashamed, and they’re not proud of saying, I speak English, I’m Hispanic,” she said.

She said she been in situations where kids have told her they do not speak Spanish, only for her to see them translating for their parents.

“We want to make sure... that they know they’re being bilingual.

We always say it’s a superpower, and that they’re proud and connected to their roots,” she said.

Sarasota Memorial Presents

CREARTE LATINO Where: 1913 Northgate Blvd.

Info: Visit CreArteLatino.org.

Franco said the organization tries to look out for the interests it sees in the community.

For instance, it began offering lessons to team members who did not speak English, and also offering lessons to the community at large after seeing that it was interested in learning Spanish.

Over time, the largely volunteerbased organization has grown in its impact in other ways than just the space.

A recent grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation allowed Franco to receive a salary, which Villanueva said “frees her up to be able to do many other things that only she can do for us.”

Its latest activity is resource sharing, which involves sharing resources from other nonprofits in Spanish, with the Latino community.

Franco said she’s looking forward to the future, with more events planned for 2025 than 2024.

“New year, new start,” she said.

“As I said, this year was weird, and because of that, we didn’t have a lot of events planned because we were not sure what was going to happen, so definitely, starting the year is when we’re going to be back in action.”

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ngela Beights founded BrickUniverse because of the inspiration she saw Lego products offering her children.

However, she emphasizes the Lego fan expo, which will make its debut at Robarts Arena from Jan. 4-5, isn’t just for kids.

“When we have people come to the door, young and old, they just cannot believe that you can make something like that with Lego,” she said.

Since its beginning in 2014, the family-owned event, which is advertised as “everyone’s favorite Lego brick art exhibition,” has found its way around the country, from the east coast of California to northern states like New York, to multiple Florida cities.

She said the family, who live in Virginia, thought of Sarasota due to the season, for they always try to hold events in the South during the winter months.

“We hope to come back year after year,” she said.

While the family doesn’t have any relationship with The Lego Group, which manufactures the toys, the expo nonetheless will bring some widely recognized figures within the world of Lego art.

Featured artists will include Paul Hetherington of Canada, known for his imaginative creations, Lia Chan of Dallas, Texas, inspired by the legacy of NASA and depict vehicles and space exploration, and Ethen Teeters of Orlando, who creates large mosaics.

“There were other events, but there weren’t events that actually highlighted Lego as art, and that’s what our family set out to do,” Beights said.

The creations that will be on display range from intricate works on a microscale to others reaching three to five feet.

Artists will be on site to talk with attendees and discuss their creative process.

One creation Beights thinks attendees will be excited to view is

Courtesy image

IF YOU GO 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd.

General admission $12.99+ $1.32 fee (Valid for a half day.)

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Attendees get busy in a Lego building zone.

Hetherington’s “It’s a Small World,” inspired by the Disney theme park ride of the same name and on display for the first time in Florida.

However, there are different ways attendees can be inspired, and the event also welcomes local hobbyists.

Beights said it is one of the few events in the country that does not charge hobbyists to display their creations, and as a result, she said, some have gone on to become Lego artists.

Attendees can also visit building zones, where they can make their own creations after being inspired by what they’ve seen.

Beights hopes that from the experience, what people will take away is inspiration.

“That’s the main thing that we love. We love getting people inspired to go home and build something, just be creative,” she said.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Hit the reset button this year Health is more than being sick or not, it’s about balance and can lead to a smoother lifestyle.

MIRABAI HOLLAND CONTRIBUTOR

I

’m a health coach and exercise physiologist working with government employees in every imaginable job description.

Their health needs and personal goals are as varied as their occupations. But every year about this time, a lot of my clients make a similar request for advice on how to make their New Year’s resolutions permanent.

It’s human nature to make promises to ourselves during the New Year. It is a chance to press the reset button on our lives, a chance to get it right this time.

Mindfulness is the first step toward positive change. And the start of a New Year is a perfect reminder to take mindful stock in ourselves, where we are now and where we want to go.

The formula I’m about to suggest can be applied to making any set of positive changes permanent.

The first thing we have to realize is that we can’t just lose weight and be healthy and happy. No change is an island. Lifestyle is

Environmental

Spiritual

Physical

YOU

Emotional

Mental

Social

called lifestyle because it’s all about everything. Health is more than not being sick. It’s all about balance. It’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental well-being.

This pie chart is sort of like the wheel of life. When the wheel is in balance, life rolls smoothly. When even one spoke gets out of whack, the wheel wobbles. If enough spokes are out, life becomes a hot mess. Everything affects everything else, but you don’t have to fix it all at once. In fact, trying to make too many changes at once is an express ticket to quitsville.

Let’s take a quick look at these pie pieces one by one. It’ll help you come up with a way to balance them that works for YOU. Start with one healthy change you’ve been meaning to make and EASE into that. Make that first one something that you know you can accomplish.

Something sustainable, like “I’m going to take a half-hour walk twice a week” or “I’m going to try whole grain breads till I find one I like and switch to that.”

Take as much time as you need.

When it becomes permanent, start another one the same way.

Eventually you’ll never want to go back to your old ways.

Use this as a template. Set one goal at a time. Remember, you’re going for balance, and there are a lot of big and small aspects to the spokes in this wheel. Let’s take a look at the basics.

MOVE

Fitness equals longevity. The results of a 40-year-old study still hold true. Moderate fitness, 30 minutes of moderate cardio exercise five days a week, can reduce your risk of premature death by a whopping 50%. Combining that with moderate weight training

three times a week every other day, and stretching the muscles you worked, can make a huge difference in how you feel, how you look and probably how long you live.

EAT HEALTHY

The processed food industry has appealed to our love of fat, salt and sugar. They’ve got a lot of us addicted to stuff they call food that’s really little more than good tasting, nutritionally bankrupt junk.

Gradually replace old favorite junk foods with healthy foods you actually enjoy eating. The Mediterranean food plan is mostly plant based, with veggies, fruits, whole grains and some lean meats, poultry and fish. It’s considered the healthiest and most delicious food plan on the planet. And there is enough variety to build your own personal cuisine, one you’ll prefer to any old junk food.

SLEEP

One in three Americans is sleep deprived according to the CDC. It’s one of the most ignored aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Getting less than seven hours of sleep increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and yes, obesity. Sleep deprived people tend to overeat. We keep busy schedules, but we’ve got to stop stealing sleep time from ourselves. This is a tough one. It’s going to take a lot of putting away devices and relaxation. But it’s a bad habit worth breaking.

STRESS

It’s everywhere. It’s a big contributor to sleep deprivation and bad for your longevity. Stress adversely affects all your bodily functions. Chronic stress can kill you. Here again, mindfulness can help. If you realize you’re stressed and what you’re stressed about, you’ll have an easier time putting it in perspective and not letting it eat at you.

NEUROAESTHETICS

It’s the study of how our brains react to experiencing art. It’s a fabulous stress reducer and so much more. Music, visual art, crafts, playing an instrument, dancing, singing to the radio, whatever, influences our brain’s cognition, promotes mental health and helps balance the wheel. It stimulates our insight to explore our innermost selves and universal feelings that connect us all to the world. Decorating your home or workplace to make it a comfortable and pleasing place to be is environmental art.

I hope I’ve given you food for thought, perhaps inspiration for change, and maybe the beginnings

of a formula you can use to move you toward that new you in the New Year.

Mirabai Holland is CEO of NuVue LLC, a health education and video production company. She is a certified health coach, exercise physiologist and wellness consultant for Manatee County government employees and has a private practice. Her wellness programs are implemented in hospitals, fitness facilities, resorts and corporations worldwide. She is also an artist who believes creativity enhances health. Visit MirabaiHolland.com or contact her at AskMirabai@ movingfree.com

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What Would the Founding Fathers Think of America Today?

It would be nearly impossible to overestimate the reverence afforded America’s celebrated founding fathers. They were real men whose brilliance launched our country, and they vigorously discussed and debated the important political issues of their time.

By focusing on key writings and speeches of founders such as Washington, Jefferson, Adams and others we can certainly speculate what they’d think about the issues of today. That’s the fascinating and unique idea behind the Observer’s upcoming event in Sarasota on February 6th. It will be presented by renowned Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, Chair of the Department of Political Science.

Here’s an example. The partisan hostility of our two major parties

has certainly frustrated nearly everyone. It turns out that the “Father of our Country” and our very first President was concerned about that very issue. In George Washington’s words from his famous farewell address in 1796, “There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and keep alive the spirit of liberty. But then he went on to assert “the constant danger of excess” and ended by referring to a political party as “ a fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance topresent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume” Another subject area that was discussed thoroughly at the start of our country and continues to be a major focus today is the role of religion. While many believe

that the Founders felt that religion should be kept entirely outside political life, that’s really not what most of them felt. James Madison wrote that all men are “equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience”. In actuality the founders were less concerned about religious influences on government than they were with any effort to exclude some religions and favor others. That is what they had experienced as citizens of England and was what they were primarily concerned with.

One more example would be concerns about economic and wealth inequality. Many think of this as an area of concern only in recent times, e– launched in large part by the now well known “occupy Wall Street” movement in 2011. In fact, it was a subject ad-

issue for as long as our country has been in existence. It was Thomas Jefferson who wrote “That same prudence which in private life would forbid paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public monies” Sounds a lot like something you hear every day on TV!

vanced by many founders, and some of their thinking was quite advanced. Thomas Paine wrote of the need to “make some provisions for people become poor and wretched not only at the time they become so. Would it not, even a matter of economy, be far better to devise means to prevent their becoming poor?”

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

ADAM HUGHES

Other top sales by area

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Cocoanut Bayou topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Carol Mueller, trustee, of Avon Lake, Ohio, sold the home at 241 Cedar Park Circle to Ronald and Rebecca Bizick, of Delray Beach, for $10,350,000. Built in 1998, it has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,838 square feet of living area. It sold for $9,175,000 in 2022.

SARASOTA: $3.4 MILLION

Paradise Shores Kenneth and Patricia Elder, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 1555 Sandpiper Lane to James Defoe, trustee, of Sarasota, for $3.4 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,569 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,189,000 in 2020.

PALMER RANCH: $950,000 Ian Swaby

SARASOTA

THE SAVOY ON PALM Margaret Ellin, trustee, and Leon Ellin, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 502 condominium at 401 S. Palm Ave. to Erika Ivanyi and Michael Matthias Schubnell, of Sarasota, for $3 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,600 square feet of living area.

It sold for $1.6 million in 2009.

TESSERA Alexis Romano, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 81 condominium at 500 S. Palm Ave. to James and Shannon Olson, of Sarasota, for $2,925,000.

Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,830 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,875,000 in 2023.

MARK SARASOTA Lowell Arthur Fulkerson and Sandra Kay Fulkerson, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 614 condominium at 111 S. Pineapple Ave. to Palm Holdings LLC for $2 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths and 2,035 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,037,600 in 2019.

BAYSO TS Replacement LLC sold the Unit 610 condominium at 301 Quay Commons to Michael Charles Eden and Paige Emily Joslin, of Sarasota, for $1,635,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,184 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,467,400 in 2023.

PLAZA AT FIVE POINTS RESIDENCES Wolfgang and Dolores Walcker, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 15A condominium at 50 Central Ave. to Thomas Kruse and Cynthia Kruse, trustees, of Machipongo, Virginia, for $1.26 million. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,595 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2015.

ALINARI Robertson and Patricia Bennett, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, sold their Unit 1215 condominium at 800 N. Tamiami Trail to Ellen Hutcheson, trustee, of Williamsville, New York, for $1.1 million. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,323 square feet of living area. It sold for $570,000 in 2019.

DEC. 9-13

REAL ESTATE

Cocoanut Bayou home sells for $10.35 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

27

The home at 1555 Sandpiper Lane sold for $3.4 million. It was built in 2020 and has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,569 square feet of living area.

PAYNE PARK VILLAGE Nathaniel Carter and Jennifer Carter, trustees, sold the home at 433 Gowdy Road to Robert and Leslie Ferraro, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, for $1.05 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area. It sold for $634,100 in 2020.

BAYWINDS ESTATES Alison Ann Blair, of Sarasota, sold the home at 1647 Baywinds Lane to Anthony Jon Pascone, of Asheville, North Carolina, for $710,000. Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,196 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2004.

SOUTH GATE Michael and Debra Griffith and Reagan Brock Griffith sold their home at 2814 Tangelo Drive to Victoria Ann Maddocks, of Sarasota, for $610,000. Built in 1957, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,934 square feet of living area. It sold for $605,000 in 2022.

ONLINE

GULF GATE EAST Christopher Hicklin, trustee, and Vicki Scheider, of Sarasota sold the home at 6511 Waterford Circle to Gary Fisher and Amanda Starr, of Sarasota, for $670,000. Built in 1981, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,653 square feet of living area. It sold for $193,000 in 2012.

THOMPSON Christopher Mark Lail and Lauren Hughey sold their home at 2375 Datura St. to Ryan McKeehan, trustee, of Sarasota, for $645,000.

Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,859 square feet of living area. It sold for $315,000 in 2019.

JACKSON COURT Alice Williams, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 2107 S. Jefferson Ave. to APEX Properties LLC for $627,500. Built in 1978, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,551 square feet of living area.

RIDGEWOOD Joseph Price and Angelic Nicole Price, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4342 Riverwood Ave. to Mayerling Martinez, of Sarasota, for $625,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,761 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 2016.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Cobblestone on Palmer Ranch Larry Jones, trustee, of Los Angeles, sold the home at 4057 Cascina Way to Michael and Leslie Latouf, of Rochester, Michigan for $950,000.

Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,391 square feet of living area.

It sold for $799,000 in 2021.

OSPREY: $1,275,000

Meridian at the Oaks Preserve Bruce and Elizabeth Widas sold their Unit 701 condominium at 401 N. Point Road to Theodore and Sandra Broome, of Osprey, for $1,275,000.

Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,594 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2020.

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

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

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest city of Sarasota building permits issued for the week of Dec. 9-13, in order of dollar amounts.

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

CITY OF SARASOTA Permit

Applicant

3508 Tangier Terrace

Alterations

Charles Shugg

$248,000

3139 Bay Shore Road

Seawall

John Szabo Jr.

$145,000

1240 Hillview Drive

Wall

Thomas Hall

$118,500

852 Freeling Drive

Dock/Boat Lift

Patrick Burnam

$111,988

943 Pomelo Place

Pool/Spa

Thomas Wiegand

$110,553

2045 Goldenrod St.

Pool/Spa

George Aoude

$85,597

862 Freeling Drive

Storm Repairs

Adam Hartman

$82,293

1188 N. Tamiami Trail #502

Windows/Doors

Eileen Halbrook, trustee $80,385

3438 Anglin Drive

Remodel-Pool/Spa Jeffrey Martin

$65,000

775 Freeling Drive

Demolition

$56,000

James Westman

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

Amount

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

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

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

Source: Sarasota County, city of Sarasota

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

YOUR CALENDAR

REGISTER TODAY!

th 25

ANNIVERSARY

CHALLENGE

SATURDAY, JAN. 4

BEST BET

THE Y: BOOTCAMP 8-8:45 a.m. at The Oval, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts. Free. This 45-minute workout improves strength and conditioning through body-weight exercises and intervals, and helps you build muscle strength, reduce body fat, increase cardiovascular fitness and maximize calorie burn through circuits. Bring a mat or towel, and your own water bottle.

Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 4 TO SUNDAY, JAN. 5

BRICKUNIVERSE LEGO FAN EXPO 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd.

General admission $12.99+ $1.32 fee (Valid for a half day. Online purchase of tickets is encouraged.) Explore creations by major Lego artists including Paul Hetherington of Canada, Lia Chan of Dallas, Texas, and Ethen Teeters of Orlando; make your own creations in a building zone, and view rare minifigures, discontinued sets, custom accessories, and more. Visit EventBrite.com.

STORY TRAIL 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd. Free. Enjoy a different book the first Saturday of every month as you stroll through the Reading Garden with your little one and become a storyteller. In case of rain, Story Trail will take place in the Kids’ Zone. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 4 TO SUNDAY, JAN. 5

ORCHID DELIRIUM: SARASOTA ORCHID SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium $5. Over 20 vendors will fill the auditorium with thousands of blooming orchid plants and displays, judged by accredited American Orchid Society judges.

Also, enjoy educational orchid culture classes, accessories, growing supplies for sale, raffles, and experts on-site to answer questions. Visit SarasotaOrchidSociety.org.

TUESDAY, JAN. 7

PRESCHOOL MUSIC WITH DAVE MORAN 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Road. Free. Enjoy a storytime with simple stories and nursery rhymes, for infants to 5-yearolds, attending with a caregiver. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

THE SARASOTA MUSIC ARCHIVE PRESENTS THE JOHN GOODMAN PERFORMANCE AND LECTURE SERIES 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 1st St. Free. The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture

Courtesy image

Series. This session is “La Musica Chamber Music, Season Preview Performance.” La Musica International Chamber Music Festival is an event that takes place annually at Sarasota Opera House. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

AMISH CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES WITH JB MILLER 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Road. Free. Experience an overview of the Amish, including their customs and practices.

This event will include a historical overview, current customs and practices, as well as the expansion of settlements, population trends and why Pinecraft is a popular vacation spot for the Amish. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.

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YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

File photos

The upcoming L.L. Bean at UTC will be the first in Florida.

remarks. Overall, he says, traffic at the mall is up 4% this year. Other notable developments around UTC: n While retail is the “core of what we are” at Benderson, the company is also developing 450,000 square feet of office space designed by New York City architecture firm Pei Cobb Freed. “We expect national interest in the next two years,” Chait says. n The next phase of development for the company will be east of the mall and Interstate 75, with a waterfront district near the new Mote Marine facility. n Nathan Benderson Park is in the process of getting bids for drawings for a boathouse and indoor facility featuring 100,000 square feet of hardwood flooring, along with concessions, according to Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy COO Bruce Patneaude.

HL Asian Market opens on US 41 A new Asian grocery store is now open in Sarasota near Gulf Gate.

HL Asian Market officially opened along US 41 south of Stickney Point Road on Dec. 15, according to staff.

Housed in a building that spans tens of thousands of square feet, the business sells everything from meats to cookware.

Fish tanks feature live crabs, eel and other sea life next to the seafood counter, which also provides fish cleaning service.

Several aisles in one section of

Pickleball club, including debut location, shutters A Sarasota company that at as recently as 2022 said it planned to invest $180 million into opening 15 high-end pickleball centers across Florida has closed.

The company, The Pickleball Club, announced the decision in a LinkedIn post. The closure means the two locations already open, in Lakewood Ranch and Port St. Lucie, are shut down as of Tuesday. The parking lot at the 33,000-square-foot, 12-court Lakewood Ranch location, at 1300 Sarasota Center Blvd., was empty Tuesday afternoon. A sign on the door said it was closed — though as recently as Dec. 16, an Instagram post promoted a six-week elite pickleball player league starting Jan. 9.

The Pickleball Club Founder and CEO Brian McCarthy didn’t return calls or texts for comment Tuesday afternoon. Calls to the Lakewood Ranch location, with a still-active

customer service line, went to voicemail.

“It is with great sadness that we must announce that we have closed the company,” the LinkedIn post states. “We did not have sufficient financial resources to continue operations. We have started the process of liquidating the company assets, including our two club locations in Lakewood Ranch and Port St. Lucie.”

The statement also says the company “has several other locations that are fully permitted and ready for development. Interested parties should email matt.gordon@ thepickleballclub.com.”

Matt Gordon, according to McCarthy and previous Business Observer, sister publication of the Sarasota Observer, stories, is a New York investment banker and partner with the company.

A 30-year United States Navy veteran with a background in engineering, McCarthy founded the The Pickleball Club in 2019. Construction of the debut facility, the Lakewood Ranch location — it’s between Fruitville Road and University Parkway, east of Interstate 75 — began in September 2021.

Over the next two years, the company made multiple press announcements of land purchases

and pending new clubs. That includes St. Lucie West and Village Park Center, serving the Villages, in addition to sites under development in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Pinellas Park, Orlando and Venice.

Purchases it either closed on or was under contract for include a 5.5-acre parcel for $2.8 million in Venice and a $1.75 million parcel in Pinellas Park.

Speaking to the Business Observer a month prior to opening the Lakewood Ranch location, McCarthy said demand was high. He said some 2,000 people expressed interest in the debut club and 300 or so signed up for early memberships. (Memberships were $1,000 to join in a pre-opening phase, plus a $100 month in dues.)

McCarthy said at that time the cost of each club to build was between $10 million and $12 million. That’s why, he said, he and his investment partner, Gordon, sought $180 million to open the 15 clubs. The company said it would target private investors, with funding starting at $100,000, to capitalize on the pickleball craze, in addition to debt financing from banks to cover real estate development costs.

The Pickleball Club, here under construction in 2021, has closed.

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*The Beverages in the Street program allows patrons to walk around with alcoholic beverages purchased from participating vendors within the town center.

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L.L. Bean will be opening a new store in 2025 at University Town Center, one of several developments coming up in the New Year, according to Mark Chait, executive director of leasing for Benderson Development, which owns UTC. The store will mark the first for L.L. Bean in Florida and the Southeast as a whole, Chait says.

It will be in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond space at 111 N. Cattlemen Road.

“We’re thrilled to have them,” Chait says, speaking at a Dec. 13 event hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance about what’s in store at UTC. Like L.L. Bean, he says, successful retailers there have blended brick-and-mortar stores with online sales.

Also coming to UTC in 2025 is City Furniture, under construction near Tesla, which Chait says started in the mall and grew to a two-story facility this spring. Spanning 120,000 square feet, City Furniture aims to open by summer 2025.

“There’s a lot more stores in the works,” Chait says, adding he can’t disclose names since the deals are not finalized. He notes the openair shopping districts at UTC and the mall have become a “regional destination,” drawing 20 million visitors a year and more than $1.25 billion in annual sales.

One area of growth in particular is The Mall at UTC. Ten stores will be built at the mall in 2025, according to Jose Ayala, general manager of the Mall at University Town Center. He says 10 more stores will be renovated.

“There’s nothing but growth” ahead for the mall, Ayala says, noting it opened nine stores in 2024 and renovated three, including an expansion. “We’re still growing.”

Every other week, he says, he meets with Benderson representatives to discuss what they are doing to attract best-in-class retailers and visitors to the mall.

On Black Friday, the mall had the busiest day in its 10 years of operation, according to Ayala. All 4,000 parking spots at the shopping center were filled by 9 a.m., he

the store are stocked with noodles and rice, while another aisle is dedicated entirely to tea.

Asian chips, candies and sauces are also available. In addition, freezers are filled with everything from dumplings to vegetables.

An alcohol section near the entryway offers sake and beer, among other items. Woks, chopsticks, dishes and teapots featuring Asian designs are also for sale.

Before its mid-December opening, the building was under construction for months. Previously, the location on Tamiami Trail was home to event venue The Devyn.

In March 2023, All Event Rental LLC sold the 2.2-acre property to Xiong Di Group LLC for more than $4.7 million, according to Sarasota County property records.

The Xiong Di Group LLC is based in Spring Hill at an address that belongs to another HL Asian Market. Management was not available to speak on a Dec. 19 visit to the Sarasota store.

HL Asian Market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 7113 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

L.L. Bean store to open at UTC

29

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YourObserver.com

NATURE’S BEAUTY

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Jenelle Alber captured this photo of the sunrise over Bishop’s Bayou on Longboat Key.

ONLINE Submit your photos at

YourObserver.com

Catherine Goranson took this photo of the sunset coming through the clouds over Siesta Key Beach.

A year of sunsets I

n 2024, you captured photos of stunning sunsets, colorful skylines and Mother Nature at her finest.

We can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2025 for our weather and nature photo contest.

Lisa Kaplan took this photo of palm trees along Bayfront Park at sunrise.

Rick Waller took this photo of a paddle boarder at sunset near Siesta Key.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword 106 Fix, in a way

38 ER drips

107 Tough HS English course 41 Actress Turner 109 MLB catcher Carlton

43 “As if”

Fisk’s nickname

46 NYPD rank

111 Gangster’s gun

49 “___ seeing things?”

112 Ocean current where

52 Cable network

“school” teachers train fish

53 In a fog

to be on the alert for fishing

55 Vaclav who was the Czech

lines?

Republic’s first president

118 Big-name celeb

56 Deeply regret

119 Beethoven dedicatee

57 Greiner of “Shark Tank”

120 Bone attached to the

58 Little bit of matter

sternum

59 Sneakers with a cat logo

121 Like some old bargain

60 Lacked options

stores

61 Big gobblers

122 Alternative to heels

62 Catch a glimpse of

123 “The rumor is ... “

65 Crime-fighting film

DOWN

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22 “Feliz ___ Nuevo!” (“Happy New Year!”)

23 No-goodnik 24 Oolong or Assam 25 Japanese cartoon art 26 Alkaline liquid 27 Mechanical part on a shaft

28 Idris of “Luther: The

a fencer

1 Jacob and Esau’s mother

70 Drive

2 Produce an egg

73 Poet Stephen who wrote

3 Angler’s equipment also

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known as a “split cane”

74 Magical symbol

4 Persian, perhaps

75 Filled

they drop a line

78 Place for a pair of peas

6 Bugs Bunny cartoon that

81 Bled, in the wash

parodies Wagner’s Ring

82 Cusses out

Cycle

83 Deed that might be

7 AL West team, on score-

purchased at an auction

boards

84 Villainous smile

77 “Beowulf” or “Gilgamesh”

8 “Don’t play me for a sap”

87 Gives rise to 88 Japan’s region

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54 Some popular TVs

79 ___ voce (softly)

30 DOJ arm

55 Arm bones

80 Tombstone lawman

around?

89 Goes past rapidly

32 John Lennon’s love

57 Prepares the sting

82 Court reporter, briefly

10 Weapon makers

91 Rhode Island resort

85 Cedar Rapids college

11 “Get it?”

93 Larvae that can provide

ing

63 ___ vez (again, in Span-

86 Preferences

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34 Cut back

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90 Sent home from third

tion

96 Game with greens

13 New Age singer from

97 Org. providing humanitar-

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64 Shade of bleu

92 Bobby of hockey fame

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66 Sitar master Shankar

36 What some Teslas can do 67 Baseball All-Star

93 Centerpiece for Hanukkah County Donegal 14 Athletic supporter?

94 Door sign

39 Hollywood favorite

Slaughter

95 Boost

15 Crunchy Hawaiian treat

100 Fashion pioneer

40 Castaway’s site

68 Aussie critter

98 High-end violin, infor-

with a buttery flavor

Gernreich

mally

16 Hot, in Vegas

107 “Absolutely!”

101 Soup at a Japanese

17 Big citrus fruits

108 Crossing cost 109 “Check this out!”

42 Choice at a roulette wheel 69 Dealer’s wheels 43 Author Calvino

71 Official at home

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sudoku

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

99 Breaks from fighting

44 Pajama-clad exec

72 Website for film buffs

restaurant

45 Cleopatra’s killer

(Abbr.)

102 Pt. of NATO

Deaf (Abbr.)

110 100 cents

47 Takes off

74 Plastic items that have

103 Came in first

31 G-man

113 PC key

48 Boxer’s quick punch

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104 Persian, for one

33 Madison ___ (NY loca-

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105 “Little” car of song

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115 Actress Vardalos

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©2025 Universal Uclick

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Three Clue: M equals F

END OF THE LINE by Paul Coulter, edited by Jeff Chen

celebrity cipher

Puzzle Two Clue: V equals B

crossword

437912-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

The Grounded Feeling Everyone will Enjoy

Puzzle One Clue: E equals B

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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

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

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Small and large! 941-284-8488.

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Crossword answers

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

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

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398 CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

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

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Take life step by step, pace by pace, slowly slowly, and leave the competition to others.”

Eddie Redmayne Puzzle Two Solution: “Now I’m happy I did ‘Gone With the Wind.’

I wasn’t when I was 28, but it’s part of Black history.”

Butterfly McQueen Puzzle Three Solution: “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”

Stephen Hawking

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2024 Universal Uclick

COMPLETE SET of Cleveland golf clubs, incl. bag. $125. New golf balls in boxes, $5/ dz.

941-266-9445

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

We have a wide range of homes FOR SALE New Homes starting in the low $200’s Brokered Homes starting in the low $100’s

You’re only cheating yourself.

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Autos Wanted

**NEW & BROKERED HOMES FOR SALE**

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

real estate

stuff

The Premier Golf & Marina Manufactured Home Community 55+ Active Lifestyle

RED PAGES. MADE FOR WHERE YOU LIVE. HERE! TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT YOUROBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

©2024 NEA, Inc.

Real Estate Wanted

MOW OVEROVER the competition!

MOW the competition!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com •yourobserver.com/redpages

home services

RED PAGES

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Doors

Home Watch

DON’T let your

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

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

FREE

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

436725

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

Dave and Connie Grundy

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

SELL YOUR CAR!

CALL PINNACLE TODAY! 941-306-1999 Kitchen/Bath Remodeling CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS

Call us today!

941.628.8579

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

www.ezslider.com

FAST • EASY • SAFE

5-Star Rated

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

DRGRABBARS.COM

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

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

941-735-3362

GROW

YOUR BUSINESS Advertise as low as $85 per week.

436731

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

436700

438034

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

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

Shell Work & Landscape Stone

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

Driveways | Yards | Dirt Work | Light Demo

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

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Movers

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

Wizard SRQ 09-06-23 AMI SUN - FULL COLORMoving 2x2 175642 For $149 per hour you get:

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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

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

make your moving day a pleasure.

Licensed and insured #IMT708

436715

Pegatronics.com

Health

436721

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

- FREE ESTIMATES -

436713

FREE (941) 809-7311 ESTIMATES!

24/7 SERVICE

6968 Beneva Road

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

SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN & BATHROOM REPAIRS & REMODELS.

STEVE PANEBIANCO H R S

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

941-929-9095

Renovation, Construction and Remodeling Specialist

436732

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

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

(Next to Beneva Flowers)

438021

TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772

COMPUTER REPAIR SALES & SERVICE

Painting

Home Watch

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

Bob & Carol Guthrie 941.993.6613

Painting

Licensed & Insured

(Interior/Exterior)

Serving the Palmer Ranch Area Since 2007 Licensed & Insured

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

www.PalmerRanchHomewatchers.com PalmerRanchHomewatchers@comcast.net

YOUR HOME found here.

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

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

436714

436723

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

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS & ANYTHING FROM THE GROUND UP

Computer

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

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

941.966.0333

Handyman 438027

HoHoBuysCars.com

249 235

* $ $235

$

WE COME TO YOU

941.270.4400

438035

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

364556 436701

Aluminum

Introductory Sale $150 OFF

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

437686

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YourObserver.com

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SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

Remodeling/Home Improvement

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC

CUSTOM HOME CONSTRUCTION

Windows

AFFORDABLE WINDOW CARE

by John Larson

REMODELING • CONDO RENOVATIONS

Exterior / Interior / Cabinets

Residential specialist for window cleaning & tinting

941-544-1152

FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

436694

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

438028

DCCoastalLLC@gmail.com www.DCCoastalLLC.com CBC1265487

on US CAPITAL, SENATE & LIBRARY of CONGRESS buildings after 9/11.

CALL (941) 955.4607

30+YEARS LOCAL EXPERIENCE.

Cut Your Energy Bill by Tinting Your Home or Business!

Tax benefits! FPL rebates!

affordablewindowcare.com affordablewindowcare@gmail.com

Mastercraft Construction

Pet Services

TRUSTED SECURITY FILM INSTALLER

438285

Painting

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Remodel & Home Improvements

Pet Care by Melanie Gates Serving South Sarasota Only including: Palmer Ranch – Osprey – Nokomis

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Dog Sitting (sm/md) Professional Craftmanship on Carpentry • Cabinets Plank Floors • All Trims and Moldings Pressure Cleaning Services • Painting

Administering medication

941~400~6786

438036

30+ years Exp. & Excellent References

Call Today for FREE Estimates in Sarasota County

(941) 966-2960

Roofing

Plumbing

941-923-8140

Licensed & Insured State Lic CFC056748

Real Estate

Transportation

Sarasota Cash Home Buyers

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

WE ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT, COST EFFECTIVE, HASSLE FREE WAY TO SELL YOUR HOUSE FOR CA$H TODAY!

Your Local Home Buyers

You Pay NO Realtor Commissions or Fees!

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

• We are Local Cash Buyers • We Buy In “As Is Condition” • We Provide The Flexibility You Want • No Need For Repairs • Any Situation, Any Price Range • Water Damaged Houses are OK • Fair Cash Offers • Close When You Want

www.SarasotaCashHomeBuyers.com

438039

RED PAGES

Sarasota Cash Home Buyers Your Local Home Buyers

436703

941-202-6957

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

CALL 941-955-4888

STUFF

found here.

The Red Pages is the perfect store to buy and sell locally! You’ll find a wide selection from antiques to furniture to condos!

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

Advertise your business, starting at only $85 per month.

• We Also Buy Land and Condos Call us FIRST at

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

ON TARGET

Trees

WE ALWAYS PAY CASH

senior citizen discount.

RIGHT

941 - 248 - 4734 438030

We Pay All Closing Costs!

SOLD

5

$

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Sarasota Cash Home Buyers

• No More Uncertainty

SPECIAL 00

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

438029

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

160

25 $

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Building & Roofing Contractor

410036

Complete Plumbing Services & Repairs Residential, New Construction and Commercial Serving the area since 1993 No Job Too BIG or Too SMALL. We DO IT ALL!

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

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

438037

General Plumbing Services Inc.

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

OBSERVER RED PAGES Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad YourObserver.com/RedPages

438031

Cat sitting & Cat/Kitten Introductions

436716

Dog Walking (sm/md)

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

3799 FLAMINGO AVENUE $19,950,000

SIESTA KEY oin

OVER $162 MILLION SOLD AND PENDING IN 2024

JUST LISTED $25,000,000

TWO LIDO SHORES LOTS AVAILABLE LIDO SHORES

GULF FRONT LOT $11,500,000

5965 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE LONGBOAT KEY

$11,900,000

7159 MANASOTA KEY ROAD MANASOTA KEY

1003 WESTWAY DRIVE $6,100,000 1051 WESTWAY DRIVE $3,600,000

JUST LISTED $1,765,000

75 OSPREY POINT DRIVE THE OAKS BAYSIDE – OSPREY

1215 WESTWAY DRIVE LIDO SHORES

415 L AMBIANCE DRIVE #C403 L’AMBIANCE – LONGBOAT KEY

$4,150,000

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

$1,145,000

NO. 2 SMALL TEAM

NO. 19 SMALL TEAM

by sales volume in Sarasota

by sales volume in Florida

TOP 100 in sales volume by Sotheby’s International Realty® 2021 – 2023

7738 CALLE FACIL PRESTANCIA

To find out more about our recordbreaking luxury sales and how we can work for you, scan the QR code.

Joel Schemmel, J.D., REALTOR® Joel.Schemmel@PremierSIR.com 941.587.4894 SCHEMMELSODAGROUP.COM

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

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

438483-1

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