It wasn’t a car carrier spotted in the Village, but rather a house.
During a Wednesday afternoon drive through Longboat Key, this delivery stood out above all others. When making a right down Broadway Street toward the Village, this house delivery took up about half of the road. It’s not clear where the house was heading, and no truck was attached, so what vacant lot this house was heading to remains a mystery.
St. Regis hosts job fair
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is hosting a job fair on Jan. 23 at the Astor Ballroom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The roles available include positions in administrative and operational functions, spread across the property’s various experiences.
Opportunities include front office and butler services, food, beverage, banquets, events, security, engineering, housekeeping, culinary, stewarding, spa and recreation. With roles tailored to different passions and skill sets, there’s a role suited for every candidate.
The St. Regis opened in fall 2024 and continues to expand its reach since it began with 300 employees. For those attending complimentary valet parking will be available.
Carter Weinhofer
WEEK OF JAN. 23, 2025
BY THE NUMBERS
2 Candidates running for one of the town’s at-large commission seats.
44 Years of police experience for Interim Chief of Police Frank Rubino.
25 Years that Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer has coordinated the annual Observer Challenge. PAGE 2B CALENDAR
n Town Commission Meeting — 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road
n Let’s Talk Longboat —
3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 11, Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive
n Special Magistrate Hearing — 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road
“Going
forward,
we’re
going to stay the course.
There are a few programs that we might look to enhance.”
Interim Chief of Police Frank Rubino on the transition in the department Read more on page 5A
Tourism agencies collaborate for Allegiant design
Parked outside the expansive walls of glass during the Jan. 14 grand opening ceremony of the new Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was an Allegiant Air Airbus A320 sporting a custom marine life-themed wrap promoting the Sarasota-Bradenton area as a tourism destination.
The design of the aircraft, which is scheduled to be based at SRQ, showcases the area’s marine life from starfish and seashells to splashes of col-
ors emblematic of Florida’s coastal environment. During his remarks prior to snipping the ribbon to celebrate the five new gates, SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo said it was the first time in the airline’s history a plane had been emblazoned by a travel destination marketing effort.
The $63,231 cost of the design was divided between the Visit Sarasota County and the Bradenton Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau.
In 2017, Visit Sarasota County, Bradenton Area Conventions & Visitors Bureau and the airport created the Airline Marketing Program to incentivize airlines to bring new routes into the area. As the airport and carriers secure routes, both tourism bureaus provide marketing dollars to promote Florida’s West Coast in those target markets.
Since its inception, the joint marketing effort has highlighted Sarasota and Manatee counties in more than 40 destinations.
Hazardous waste collection this week
On Saturday, Jan. 25, there will be an annual collection of household hazardous waste and e-scrap for the islands.
The collection will give Longboat Key residents the opportunity to drop off waste that is generally not accepted for curbside garbage disposal.
These items include things like aerosols, automotive fluids, rechargeable batteries, pool chemicals and propane tanks.
Residents are advised not to bring appliances, metal scrap, biohazardous waste, medicine, needles, lithium electric vehicle batteries, electronic cigarettes, tires or gasoline-powered tools.
This event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 25 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.
Cortez Road construction continues
The next phase of construction for the Cortez Road utility relocation began the week of Jan. 13 and is expected to continue through late March.
This construction includes watermain pipe installation on the north side of Cortez Road, or east of the Cortez Bridge.
The shoulder on this side of the road and bridge will be closed within the work area to allow for construction equipment to proceed.
Construction is expected to occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. During that time, passersby should expect construction vehicles operating and construction noises. For more information, visit AMIProjects.io or call 941-306-4660.
A custom wrap with Sarasota emblazoned on one side and Bradenton on the other is the first in Allegiant Air’s history.
New heights for docks & lifts
The ordinance heads to the Town Commission for final approval, which could allow homeowners to raise boats higher for storm surge protection.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
The town of Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board approved an ordinance to amend the town’s maximum allowable height for boat docks and lifts to prevent future damages and losses of residents’ boats.
At the board’s Jan. 17 meeting, members voted 6-1 in favor of passing the ordinance through to the Longboat Key Town Commission, where the ordinance will need to pass two public hearings before being adopted into the town’s code. Those two hearings could both happen in February.
In the proposed amendment, dock heights can not exceed five feet above the mean high water line, and lift pilings can not exceed 11 feet from the mean high water line.
The changes were first discussed at a town commission workshop in November 2024 following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, during which residents experienced displaced, damaged or missing boats due to the high surge.
This led to some residents raising concerns and wanting the height restrictions of boat docks and lifts to be raised.
RAISING THE REGULATIONS
Chapter 158 of the town’s code outlines current regulations for dock and lift heights, which are different depending on whether the property has a seawall.
Current boat dock standards state that the highest walking surface of a dock should not exceed the top of the seawall cap. For properties without a seawall, the highest walking surface should not be higher than five feet above the mean high water line.
The ordinance change is to make the regulation uniform so, with or without a seawall, the highest walking surface of the dock cannot exceed five feet from the mean high water line.
“The board’s recommendation was to just have a uniform, consistent maximum allowable height,” Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons said at the Jan. 17 meeting. “The maximum allowable does not mandate that someone constructs a dock to that height, but that’s the maximum allowable height.”
The current standards for boat lifts state that lifts can’t be higher than five feet above the highest walking surface of the dock. If a property does not have a dock and is adjacent to a seawall, the lift can’t be higher than five feet above the seawall.
This measurement includes all parts of the lift, including pilings, guides, beams and motors.
New standards proposed by the Planning & Zoning Board would make it so the maximum height of the lift pilings cannot exceed 11 feet above the mean high water line.
Again, this change makes the maximum allowable height uniform among properties with or without seawalls and measured from the mean high water line.
“The recommendation of the board then was to have a uniform standard that would tie the maximum height to the maximum height of the boat lift pilings, that height being 11 feet,” Parsons said.
The 11 feet maximum height excludes the guides and motors, which are typically placed above the main lift structure. This means the boat lift pilings could be 11 feet tall, and the motors and guides could be above that, which is typical in most boat lift designs.
DEBATE AMONG THE BOARD
Having already had a workshop about the ordinance, most of the board was in favor of the ordinance to amend the town’s code.
Board member Jay Plager, though, voiced his opposition to the new maximum allowable heights.
“If you’re concerned about Longboat Key tradition and if you’re concerned about heights of boats on the canals and the visual appearance ... we really need to think about what we’re doing,” Plager said.
One of Plager’s concerns is some larger boats may tower over properties if, for example, the boat is 10-15 feet tall and then raised possibly 9-10 feet out of the water with the new lift heights.
“People with money will do almost anything,” Plager said. “And one of the things they will do is they’ll get bigger and bigger boats, and they’ll float them up higher and higher because that’s what they like to do.”
At the meeting, Parsons also recommended a rewrite of the code.
With the proposed amendments, the numerous strikethroughs and phrase additions made the code clunky, according to Parsons.
“I think the language that’s been
provided here is awkward; I think it could be easily misinterpreted,” Parsons said.
This was another point of contention for Plager, who said the board should have more time to review the new language.
“Let me be clear, I will not vote on the fly for a rewrite here in front of us without having spent some time working through it, looking at it, comparing it with existing documents and giving it some thought,” Plager said. “I simply will not work on the fly like that. I think it’s a mistake.”
However, residents who attended the meeting, such as Sleepy Lagoon resident John Hodgson, were in favor of the new maximum allowable heights.
“I’m very supportive of this change in regulation, which ties the height of your lift to the water,” Hodgson said. “(During the hurricanes) my motors were underwater, my controllers were underwater, as were those of my neighbors. So this
regulation would allow us to raise the lift and the equipment to the water, not to our property.”
Plager, though, continued to be the dissenting board member, citing that much of Longboat Key’s development has centered around keeping a lower profile.
“We did away with those high condominiums for the very reason that we want to look like a small, low community,” Plager said. “We really need to rethink where we are on this.”
Plager attempted two motions, one to strike the language that exempts motors and guides from the height allowance and one to reduce the maximum allowable height to seven feet. Both motions failed to garner a second.
The ordinance amendments for maximum allowable heights for boat docks and lifts passed 6-1, with Plager being the dissenting vote.
WHAT’S NEXT?
With the Longboat Key Planning & Zoning Board’s approval, the ordinance will go before the town commission for a first public hearing on Feb. 3. Depending on the outcome, the second hearing could be expedited to Feb. 18. Both of those meetings are open to the public. The first public hearing will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3 at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
Carter Weinhofer
Planning and Zoning Board Chair David Lapovsky (left) guided the discussion about dock and boat lift heights. Jay Plager was the dissenting vote against the ordinance.
Courtesy image
One of the boats that was moved from its lift was near Land’s End on the north end.
Meet the candidates
The Town Commission’s vacant at-large seat has two candidates, with Deborah Murphy and Steve Branham set to face off in March.
CARTER WEINHOFER
STAFF WRITER
Longboat Key voters will see a contested Town Commission race in March — the first since 2018.
Deborah Murphy and Steve Branham will vie for one of the commission’s at-large seats currently held by Vice Mayor Mike Haycock, who will reach his term limit. Here is more about the two candidates who want to join the Longboat Key Town Commission.
DEBORAH MURPHY
Murphy will be one of the candidates seeking election to one of the town’s at-large seats. She said that one of the main reasons she’s running is to ensure the commission has more north-end representation.
“My crux for this whole thing is, with all these north-end projects going on, there’s really too much for only two (north-end) commissioners,” Murphy said. “I really believe we need one at-large commissioner representing the Manatee County side.”
Murphy is no stranger to the town commission, though.
She previously served on the commission from March 2023 to December 2023, after taking over Maureen Merrigan’s seat in District 5.
However, Murphy resigned at the end of 2023 amid the state’s Form 6 financial disclosure requirement. At the time, Murphy said the new requirement was “intrusive” and did not want to complete the form due to personal reasons. That led Sarah Karon to be appointed to Murphy’s seat and,
since then, the Form 6 requirement has been removed.
Murphy previously owned a business in Maryland, which was a multigenerational family business. She said her business experience helps her see that perspective with town issues.
“I think it’s important to be able to relate to business and economic things that are affecting the people that live here,” Murphy said.
Looking forward, Murphy said the town will have to keep environmental resiliency in mind.
“It’s about getting the public to be aware of their part in the whole equation and trying to look at what’s going on with maintaining their property,” Murphy said. “It’s also about the town and its strategic planning.”
Being on the north end, another issue that Murphy is keyed into is the traffic concerns shared by many residents on the island.
Specifically, she feels like the traffic issues when leaving through the north end should be talked about with neighboring leaders in Manatee County.
“I think it’s working with management,” Murphy said. “Whatever we can do to make traffic flow as best as we possibly can.”
Along with the natural beauty of the island, Murphy said what makes Longboat Key unique is the home feel of the community.
“I really think that what makes Longboat Longboat is just the nature of the fact that it’s very much a residential community and there’s so many generations of people that pass their home to their children and their grandchildren,” Murphy said.
STEVE BRANHAM
From chief financial officer for the Coast Guard to serving on Longboat Key’s Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees, Branham believes his background in finance and planning will suit him well for a spot on the town commission.
Branham served as CFO for the Coast Guard for three years, during which he managed the organization’s budget of about $10 billion.
Through other experience in the Coast Guard, he helped review planning proposals.
Both of these experiences, he said, will translate well to what the town commission does.
In addition to that, Branham has been on the town’s Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees since 2014 and has been the chair since his appointment to the board.
“I’ve been deeply immersed in town issues just being the chair of the pension board,” Branham said.
When looking at the issues that Longboat Key is facing, Branham said one of the most important is getting the canal dredging program operating in a manner fair for all residents.
“I think we need to determine what’s equitable for those people that may benefit from it,” Branham said.
Additionally, Branham said the town’s subaqueous force main replacement will be a major, necessary infrastructure project that will be faced this year. Ensuring the town’s infrastructure is resilient and can withstand future storms is another key issue for Branham.
Branham currently is a board member of the Longboat Key Foundation, which has been the key player in raising additional funds for the ongoing library project fostered by Sarasota County.
This is another project he would look forward to helping with if elected to the commission, and he sees positive potential in the library.
“It’ll officially be called a library, but it’ll have functionality that will help our citizens in the form of meeting space and other areas that can be used for more traditional library capabilities in a place that’s convenient to citizens and really make it capable of fostering social interaction,” Branham said.
Branham has been a resident of Longboat Key for about 13 years and has realized that what makes Longboat Longboat is the beauty of the island and its ability to foster financial growth — a peaceful place free of many high-rises and development.
“We don’t want to change our current strategic view of maintaining the island and its beauty, and to foster financial growth both for our citizens and for the town,” Branham said. “I think we need to maintain the feel out here ... it’s a very attractive and scenic place without too many tall buildings.”
File photo
Deborah Murphy
Courtesy image Steve Branham
Rubino takes over as interim police chief
Rubino looks forward to keeping the Longboat Key Police Department up to accreditation standards and boosting community relations.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
Deputy Chief Frank Rubino officially started his tenure as interim chief of police for the Longboat Key Police Department on Jan. 11.
The temporary promotion comes after former Chief of Police George Turner informed police department personnel in December 2024 that he would be stepping down due to Town Manager Howard Tipton’s desire to move the department in a new direction.
Turner said in his correspondences with police department personnel he felt confident leaving the department in Rubino’s hands, and Tipton shared a similar sentiment.
Rubino brings 44 years of police experience to the department and started with the Longboat Key Police Department in 2013.
According to Rubino, the police department personnel are handling the transition with fortitude.
“It’s definitely a big change for the guys here,” Rubino said. “But they’re doing the best they can and looking to move forward.”
One of the things Rubino feels most confident about is the current strength of the department, which he said is fully staffed.
The sworn officers in Longboat Key’s department bring a diversity in backgrounds both in years and types of experience with previous departments.
“That’s really a balance that every agency wants,” Rubino said. “We’re fortunate in Longboat Key to have that level of experience in our officers.”
The department also received its first accreditation in department
history in February 2024 under the guidance of Turner. Rubino said this, along with the strong staffing, helped put the department in a good place.
“The accreditation was a big thing for Longboat Key,” Rubino said. “And we’re going to continue that accreditation.”
Rubino was the deputy chief and previously worked closely on the department’s budget and some department operations.
Now, he assumes all chief duties, including all operations from patrol to investigations. Having worked on the budget previously, he’s confident in leading that effort during the upcoming budget cycle.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Rubino said the department is in a good place, and credited much of that to Turner’s guidance in things like the accreditation. But there are always ways to improve, he said.
“Going forward, we’re going to stay the course. There are a few
programs that we might look to enhance,” Rubino said.
This includes a bicyclist and pedestrian safety outreach program the department is working on, which will include community outreach soon.
Community policing is also a keystone for the Longboat Key Police Department, Rubino said, and he will seek to strengthen those community relations going forward.
Rubino hopes to meet with more homeowner and condominium associations to further those relationships and offer educational courses like scam prevention programs.
Rubino also said there are lessons learned from every hurricane, and he will work with the town and fire rescue department to see what could be done to enhance hurricane procedures.
He also hopes to conduct joint training operations with the fire rescue department moving forward, potentially for things like active shooter training.
Department in 2013.
Rubino will be “very involved” with the transition in the police department, which will include conversations with other town department directors and his personnel.
In an email from Tipton to town commissioners on Jan. 10, Tipton further outlined Rubino’s next steps in the transition.
“I have asked Chief Rubino to meet with key town department directors and managers with the goal of improving relationships and establishing better lines of communications,” Tipton said in the email. “The police department is part of a larger team and improving our teamwork is critical to our success.”
Tipton’s email also said town public safety communications will be changed moving forward.
Current Fire Administration Manager and Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Tina Adams will be the town’s new PIO for all public safety and will work closely with Rubino, per Tipton’s email.
RUBINO’S RESUME
After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Rubino’s 44 years of police experience began in South Florida.
“It’s been a very long and rewarding career for me,” Rubino said. He served three years with the Tamarac Police Department before moving to the Plantation Police Department for almost 21 years. Rubino worked up the ranks from patrol officer to detective sergeant and, eventually, commander of investigations for that department.
As commander of investigations, he managed teams that handled homicides, robberies, shootings, home invasions and child abuse cases.
Then, Rubino started at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, where he was a special agent for integrity investigations, major drugs, violent crimes, economic crimes and dignity protection.
From 2009 to 2012, Rubino worked in the special operations unit for Glades County Sheriff’s Office on a multiagency money laundering task force that collaborated with the FBI, DEA, New York Police Department and other agencies.
During his time with the FDLE, he worked with former Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming. When Cumming started his tenure as chief of the LBKPD about 12 years ago, Rubino joined him as the deputy police chief.
Deputy Chief Frank Rubino started with the Longboat Key Police
Lawn Party canceled, will resume in December
One of Longboat Key’s biggest events was originally postponed due to the hurricanes, but is now canceled and will resume on its regularly scheduled day.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
The Kiwanis Club of Longboat
Key recently announced that its annual Lawn Party, which had been delayed due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, is canceled.
The proposed plan was to delay the event until February or March of this year. On Thursday, Kiwanis President Michael Garey delivered the news the Lawn Party would have to be delayed again.
“This decision was not made lightly, but various challenges — including the recent hurricanes, preparation delays, and restaurant availability — have made it clear that postponing until December is in the best interest of the event’s long-term success,” Garey said in a statement.
The Lawn Party is the biggest event of the year for the Kiwanis Club and one of the biggest events on Longboat. It has been a key event
for the club for over 30 years.
The event features prominent local restaurants including Cafe on St. Armands (formerly Cafe L’Europe), Columbia, Harry’s Continental Kitchen and Lazy Lobster, which Garey owns.
All funds raised go to the Children’s Guardian Fund, and in 2023, the event, raffles and ticket sales brought in $102,150.
“The extra time will allow us to rebuild momentum, secure sponsorships and ensure another memorable experience for our guests and beneficiaries,” Garey said.
The event will go on at its traditional time of Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
According to previous reporting, many of the event’s biggest sponsors — such as Cafe on St. Armands and Harry’s Continental Kitchen — dealt with significant flooding from the two hurricanes this past season.
Kiwanis Club President Chris
Sachs said in a previous Longboat Observer article the club felt the restaurants needed more time to recover before sponsoring a big event like the Lawn Party.
“Having done this already for so many years, we already have most of it planned,” said Sachs previously. “It is really the yearly logistics, such as confirming with the restaurants and the location, which would happen in September. But that is when the hurricanes started, so that is why we decided to pull the plug now and postpone. We know the restaurants won’t be ready for December. So, it’s better to let them get their bearings in order.”
Typically, the restaurants are featured in a lineup around the main tent of the Lawn Party. With the price of admission, guests can go around to the restaurants’ individual tables with a tray to pick up samples of the restaurants’ featured dishes.
In 2023, admission was $75, or a table could be purchased for up to 10 people for $650.
2023 DONATION BY THE NUMBERS
The last time the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key hosted the Lawn Party, it raised $102,150 to donate to the Children’s Guardian Fund, an organization that helps the lives of children in foster and state care. Here’s a breakdown of how the Lawn Party raised those funds from the event:
Total donation from Kiwanis Club: $102,150 n Total proceeds from the event: $80,000 from event, raffle and ticket sales
n Doris M. Carter Family Foundation: $15,000 match from raffle ticket proceeds n Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust: $1,850 match n Michael Saunders Community Foundation: $750 n Lawn Party donations: $4,550
Guests dine under a tent in Ken Thompson Park for the Lawn Party during the 2022 event.
Michael Garey updates the raffle prize money count at the 2021 Kiwanis Lawn Party. File images
The Gulf of America: Yes!
Given what Mexico has done to the United States, Mexico doesn’t deserve to have that wonderful body of water named after it.
There was so much to like in Donald Trump’s inauguration speech. But from our vantage point down here, the part to like best was his vow to change the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
That immediately sparked chatter, speculation and hope around Longboat Key that Longboat’s “Main Street” — Gulf of Mexico Drive — would undergo the same name change.
Assuming Trump will get what he wants, it would be awkward for us to be driving on a road named for a body of water that no longer exists and with the name of country that isn’t one that has treated us like dirt. Perhaps there will be many who think it arrogant in this part of the United States of America to want to change the name of that (mostly beautiful) body of water.
But considering what Mexico has done to the U.S., especially in the past 20 years (e.g. central hub and launch pad of an invasion of illegal immigrants and central distribution hub for one of our nation’s biggest killers — fentanyl), that country is not deserving to have a major body of water named in its honor.
So we’re going to assume Trump will prevail in this name war. And we’ll assume our state legislators will go along with the name change as well — especially given Gulf of Mexico Drive is a state highway.
Who knows how or how long this can and will take. But our 47th president certainly has sent strong messages this name change is high on his priority list.
With that, we hope the Florida Department of Transportation and the Longboat Key Public Works staff have already begun lining up the street sign makers.
Meantime …
There is much for the pundits to unpack from Trump’s inauguration address. That was quite the long to-do list. It would be worthwhile to compile the list and keep score — put boxes next to each item and cross them off as he proceeds.
As is typical Trump was blunt and clearly in tune with the way Americans feel — sick to their stomachs and wallets with what his predecessor and his puppet masters did to the U.S. the previous four years.
Indeed, it was rich to sit and watch the Bidens, Harrises, Obamas and Clintons scowl as Trump called out each one of their catastrophes.
They deserved to be shamed for what they inflicted on American families.
Perhaps one line captured how absurd the state of the country became over the past four years when Trump — the president of our government and leader of the free world — felt compelled to have to declare “that henceforth it will be the official policy of the United States government that there will be only two genders — male female.”
Never in the history of the world has that been an issue.
Can you imagine George Washington or Abraham Lincoln making such a pronouncement. It’s a testament to how far down we’ve gone.
As is his way, Trump made his hyperbolized pronouncements of how great America is to become. But give him credit. We need a leader in the Oval Office who has big visions and also a track record of getting things done.
Our favorite phrases and lines:
■ “The Golden Age of America begins right now.”
■ “Proud, prosperous and free”
■ “The revolution of common sense”
■ “We will forge a society that is color blind and merit based.”
FAUCI’S PARDON
Of all the Biden pardons, the most sickening was that of Anthony Fauci, liar in chief about COVID.
Millions of Americans died unnecessarily because of Fauci’s hands-on, direct roles in the pandemic — from the origins of the virus; to his blatant undermining of the effectiveness of ivermectin; to his coverups (with Pfizer and others) that the so-called “vaccines” were safe and effective — even though he and Pfizer knew they were not and have proven disastrous.
Fauci has millions of dead Americans’ blood on his hands. And yet he walks free. The pardon of Fauci (and his family members) reveals the true character of Joe Biden. And amazingly and obviously, none of this bothers him in the least. — MW
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Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, spoke
Celery Fields is for both people and the environment
In the Jan. 9 Observer, Jon Thaxton presented the rationale related to county’s Comprehensive Plan for denying the change in zoning for the Smith Farm, adjacent to Celery Fields, for high density housing by the behemoth developer, D. R. Horton. It was in response to a previous Observer column by Matt Walsh, who laid out his premise that a recommendation to deny the zoning change was favoring the birds over the people, or more aptly, over the developers who reap the profits.
The Sarasota Planning Commission voted to deny the zoning change, but the final decision will be made in February by a vote of the Sarasota County commissioners. Presented here is an additional justification for denying the zoning change.
Walsh invoked the rights of the people for housing and stated that the objections by the environmentalists to the zoning change were “laughable.” What is well “laughable” is his suggestion that the “Stargazers” and the Sarasota Audubon Society buy the property.
The Suncoast Stargazers are a
club serving Sarasota and Manatee Counties operating only on donations with no membership fees!
Funding of the Sarasota Audubon is through minimal dues and private donations, and it took many years to raise the $1.3 million in private funds to build the Nature Center at the Celery Fields.
Apparently, an offer was made to the Smith Family via the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program to purchase the property at assessed value, but ostensibly a higher offer was provided by D.R. Horton.
The ESLPP is a Sarasota County voter-approved program designed to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands. The criteria are rarity, quality, connectivity, manageability and water quality, benefits all apropos to the Celery Fields location.
Now for how Celery Fields is “for the people” as well as the environment, birds and other wildlife.
The Sarasota Audubon Society has a 60-year history of volunteerism by many hundreds of local and seasonal residents and recently chronicled in the book “Sarasota Audubon Society: An Historical Perspective*.”
The primary focus of the Sarasota Audubon Society has been
at Celery Fields since the late 1990s and volunteers have offered numerous environmental programs for hundreds of both area youth and adults. The programs and projects were greatly expanded in 2015 with the opening of the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center. Celery Fields, including “Mount Celery” (the observation hill at the location), are also regularly utilized by people with a wide range of interests, from endurance training to access to a quiet and peaceful environment. The list includes walks, jogging (individuals and high school track teams), endurance training on the hill (fire department), nature education for youth and adults, yoga groups, plein air art classes, and sighting and recording of birds and other wildlife.
A high-density housing development on the adjacent Smith Farm property would directly impact many of these programs and activities.
Two boardwalks were constructed out into the wetlands of Celery Fields, one of which is adjacent to the Smith Farm at
Raymond Road. Over 120,000 visitors from around the world come to Celery Fields each year and many use the boardwalks for better viewing.
Over the past several years, 900 area school children and teachers have been bussed and dropped off at the Raymond Road boardwalk to learn about water quality and the importance of different habitats to animals and plants through a program offered by the Sarasota Audubon Society.
Both the safety of the children and their outdoor experience would be negatively impacted with the proposed housing development. Many of the other programs and activities listed above would also be disrupted with the increased traffic, noise and potential flooding. The necessary increased lighting would also be detrimental to the bird habitat.
There is no scarcity of new housing developments in Sarasota and Manatee counties, just look at Lakewood Ranch or Wellen Park in Venice with 10,00 residents and plans to accommodate 50,000 residents in 22,500 homes.
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The protection of the Celery Fields environment is very beneficial to thousands of local residents as well as to the plethora of visitors to the region. The fields and facilities are for everyone, now and in generations to come, to learn about and appreciate nature in quiet, peaceful surroundings. Why should we allow a behemoth developer to reap more profits and diminish one of the best accessible natural areas in the entire region? Choose people and nature over a high density housing development.
RAYMOND A. YOUNG EMERITUS PROFESSOR AND SARASOTA RESIDENT
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Martin Espinosa Ginic, MD, FACC
Dilip Mathew, MD, FACC, FHRS
Robert Eckart, DO, FACC, FHRS
Antonio Moretta, MD, FHRS
Brian P. Betensky, MD, FACC, FHRS
Courtesy image
A plan to build 170 homes on a 50-acre piece of land adjacent to Celery Fields did not win the recommendation of the Sarasota Planning Commission last month.
PALMER BLVD.
PALMER BLVD.
CELERY FIELDS RAYMOND RD. SMITH FARMS
Celery Fields is a popular
Turn lane project to start
Construction on left turn at Country Club Shores will begin in February.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
The town of Longboat Key will soon embark on a mile-long construction project along Gulf of Mexico Drive near the Country Club Shores neighborhoods with peak season closing in.
Club Shores residents turning into the neighborhoods should have no problem doing so.
“The contractor is tasked with not precluding access to anybody within the project limits,” Brownman said.
DETAILS OF DELAYS
Construction for this project was delayed due to various reasons, one of which was funding.
FDOT originally agreed to a reimbursement of $1.4 million, but construction bids came in around $2.6 million.
The town then negotiated with FDOT and the department agreed to fully fund the project along GMD, which is a state-owned road.
Getting that funding agreement in place prior to construction was a major step.
“Without that (agreement), we wouldn’t have been able to start construction, and that took a little longer,” Brownman said. “Then, of course, we had the three storms, and that really backed things up.”
Further back, a redesign of the project caused the first delays.
In 2017, the original design for the project cost the town around $200,000. At that time, the idea was to create a mile-long center turn lane for motorists to sit in and then turn into the neighborhoods.
This idea was turned down by FDOT, mainly due to operational and procedural concerns.
QUESTIONS?
Residents
Brownman said the project team is targeting a February start date. A few signatures and finalizing contracts are still needed before construction can start, according to Brownman.
The original plan was to avoid construction during peak season, said Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman. However, Brownman assured residents the contractor has developed a plan to maintain two lanes throughout construction.
The main contractor, Superior Asphalt Inc., will manage the traffic while using a traffic plan approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Assuming the construction starts in February, Brownman said the contractor should be done with roadway construction in May and close out the project in June after landscaping and finishing touches are completed.
Maintaining two lanes of traffic was important to the town and project team, especially when starting in season.
“The traffic plan actually maintains traffic in each direction through the duration of the project,” Brownman said. “It will just be that motorists will need to use due care traveling through the construction zone ... but the traffic plan maintains two full directions of traffic during the duration.”
Brownman also said Country
“It becomes a safety issue,” Brownman said. “They don’t generally approve those anymore without breaking it up in some fashion.”
That’s what led to the new concept — 12 individual turn lanes, five of which have raised curved medians.
Brownman said that recently there have been concerns about the medians.
“The concern some people are having is the ability to make a left and kind of stage in the middle and wait for a gap,” Brownman said.
With the current design, there is likely only room for one car to stage and wait for the ability to turn, according to Brownman.
He said before getting too far into construction, the project team would evaluate if there are options to extend that and make it possible for more cars to wait in the lane.
The center turn lane would benefit drivers entering Country Club Shores.
An example from the design plans for the Country Club Shores turn lane project.
Courtesy images
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
SUSPICIOUS POWER
RESTORATION
12:03 a.m., 500 block of Yawl Lane
Suspicious Vehicle: A resident reported a suspicious, large truck parked and running with its lights on in the middle of the night. Upon arrival at the scene, the responding officer observed the vehicle in question, which was marked as a Florida Power & Light vehicle. The officer spoke with someone in the truck who said they were there to restore power to a house on that street. The officer observed nothing suspicious; it was just an FPL crew doing its job.
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
NO LICENSE TO DRIVE
7:32 a.m., 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Vehicle Stop: An officer on patrol noticed a truck with one inoperable front headlight and stopped the vehicle. The officer explained to the driver why he was stopped and, upon asking the driver for identification, the driver said he did not have a driver’s license. The driver offered a Brazilian passport, but the officer issued the driver a criminal citation for driving a vehicle without ever having been issued a license. The officer advised the driver that he must leave the vehicle parked where it was and call someone with a valid license to pick up the vehicle.
MINOR MAILBOX MISHAP
7:55 a.m., 400 block of Firehouse Court
Citizen Assist: Dispatch sent an officer to the scene of a citizen assist call after a delivery driver accidentally backed up into a mailbox. The mailbox was broken off of the pole, and the delivery driver said she wanted police present when she reported the damage to the homeowner. The officer stood by as the driver spoke with the homeowner and explained what happened. The homeowner said it was not a big deal and that he would fix the mailbox without any need for a property damage report or other police involvement.
THURSDAY, JAN. 16
HAVING A SMOKE ON THE SIDEWALK
3:43 p.m., 300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Citizen Assist: A Longboat Key officer was dispatched to a report of a suspicious person lying down on the side of the road and smoking a cigarette. At the scene, the officer found the smoker lying on the sidewalk. He said he did not need medical assistance and was just resting after a long walk.
TUESDAY, JAN. 14
LOCKED OUT WHILE LIFTING
8:24 p.m., 600 block of Cedars Court
Suspicious Person: A citizen contacted dispatch to report a suspicious man knocking on his front door. Upon arrival, the responding officer found the man walking around the clubhouse area who matched the description given by the caller — a white tank top and a New York Yankees hat. The suspicious Yankees fan said he was working out in the complex’s exercise room and left to use the restroom, but was then locked out of the exercise room. That’s when he started knocking on doors to find someone with a key fob to let him back into the exercise room, he said. The officer helped him find another door to the exercise room so he could retrieve his items.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
IMPATIENT BOATER
2 p.m., Lois Avenue
Disturbance: Officers were dispatched to a reported verbal dispute at the town boat ramp. The officers were met by a man who described the dispute. According to him, two men argued over the use of the boat ramp — one was operating a barge that was hauling hurricane debris from Jewfish Key, and the other was upset because it was taking too long. The barge was preparing to leave as the officers arrived at the scene, so the situation was resolved.
Wireless upgrades gain first approval
The ordinance will now go before the Longboat Key Town Commission in February for public hearings.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
At its Jan. 17 meeting, Longboat Key’s Planning & Zoning Board approved an ordinance to allow Verizon to extend the height of its nine existing poles on the island to boost wireless coverage.
The ordinance passed 7-0 by the Planning & Zoning Board and will next go to the Longboat Key Town Commission for a first public hearing on Feb. 3.
As a part of the town’s project to bury utilities, one of the priorities was to find ways to improve wireless coverage on the island. Verizon installed the nine poles in early 2023 with that goal in mind.
Now, the wireless cellular and internet service company is asking to change the ancillary equipment and extend the height of the poles.
The change would be from 36 feet to 37 feet for the seven poles along Gulf of Mexico Drive, and from 25 feet to 30 feet for the two poles in the neighborhoods.
According to the memo provided by staff, the additional equipment and height will enhance the 4G wireless coverage on the island and will also introduce 5G service.
Verizon’s website states the “G” stands for “generation,” and 5G coverage offers the latest generation of speed and coverage for wireless customers. This means faster processing speeds compared to 4G or 3G.
This will also enable the potential for alternative internet services through Verizon.
“I only see positives with this
proposal,” Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said at the meeting when asked about any negatives.
The board members agreed the positives of better wireless coverage outweighed any possible negatives of allowing extra feet.
“I think this is a good thing,” board member Eddie Abrams said. “I think it obviously enhances our communications ability on the island and I think makes the island more attractive for folks to come here and live here.”
When the poles were installed, they were designed to match the appearance of the new streetlights that were installed with the undergrounding project, along with deliberate placement with tree coverage to try to decrease visibility.
In April 2024, town commissioners approved an ordinance allowing AT&T to install wireless service upgrades on the town’s new streetlights, as well as a ground-mounted unit next to the box. This new equipment provided similar upgrades to AT&T’s wireless coverage on the island.
“The
- Angela Rizzi, Naples, FL
- Neha Ketkar,
Popularity of bridge takes Longboat by storm
The popularity of bridge clubs on Longboat Key has soared, nearly topping out capacity at the Paradise Center in recent weeks.
Pevery Thursday, laying out the same set of cards for each table. She thoughtfully matches the tablemates, basing some of her decisions on their accumulated “masterpoints.”
For serious bridge players, this figure represents their lifelong commitment to mastering the game. A player may earn a handful of points per session, which Mayer carefully tracks then reports to the American Contract Bridge League.
More than one player in the group has exceeded 1,000 masterpoints, moving their way through the official ranks.
Despite the expert skill of many players, many of the regular attendees say they enjoy this particular bridge club most for its social aspects.
Temple St. Clair declared the Paradise Center’s bridge gathering to be “the best game in town.”
“Patty runs it so beautifully,” she said. “It’s a real treat.”
To keep everyone on track, Patty tracks the matches through her laptop, running a tight ship when it comes to the seven-minute rounds.
Attendees praised her tight organization skills and welcoming personality.
While members said they like participating in the Paradise Center’s variety of community games, including mahjong and canasta, there is just something special about bridge.
Mayer, who has been directing the game for three years, said the event is nearly at capacity, with 11 of its dozen tables filled. But the center is happy to accommodate as many players as is safely possible.
“I’ve been playing bridge for my entire life, since I was a teenager,” she said.
Mayer is an officially trained director, and she noted that bridge is an intricate game. She recommends players have at least a baseline understanding of the game before joining an official club. But she said the center is considering offering
some beginner-friendly events.
Over Thanksgiving, she attended a national seminar in Las Vegas to become a bridge teacher, and she looks forward to sharing her skills.
She spoke of the importance of having such social events available to the public, especially with the ebb and flow of the population throughout the seasons.
Mayer predicts the club will stay busy through May, and she looks forward to coordinating the matches this winter.
Asked what makes bridge quite so popular, she responded, “You’re always learning. Lifelong learning keeps people mentally sharp and social. It’s a very, very good game, and it’s very intellectual.”
Though space is limited, those interested in registering can email PattySarasota33@gmail.com or call 215-2566.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
atty Mayer is the mind behind the “Bridge in Paradise” gathering, and putting together the matches is no small feat. She prepares extensively for the meetings that take place 1-4 p.m.
Patty Mayer, organizer of the weekly Thursday bridge club at the Paradise Center, lends a hand to players.
Eleanor Maxim plays a hand of bridge.
Photos by Dana Kampa
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Garden club views flora and fauna of St. Regis
The Longboat Garden Key Club enjoyed a personalized view of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort on Jan. 14.
As one of the Key’s most prominent arms of the local hospitality industry, the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort plays an important role in shaping visitors’ view of this unique slice of Florida life.
The hotel has found intriguing ways of incorporating the area’s flora and fauna into its decor and amenities, as Director of Sales and Marketing Lorna Kirwan detailed during the Longboat Key Garden Club’s recent visit.
Club members were delighted with a glimpse into the resort the evening of Jan. 14.
Joining Kirwan were Director of Engineering Christopher Jenkins and Dan Conklin, curator of the resort’s Florida wildlife-filled lagoon.
Kirwan offered a slideshow presentation detailing the resort’s amenities, particularly highlighting the mural that Florida artist William Savarese created specially for the
The mural towers over the bar inside the hotel, featuring light wisps of native wildflowers and other flora.
“We decided that instead of handing a mural within the lounge or bar, we would incorporate it into the roof of our bar,” she said.
Of particular interest to club members was the resort’s lagoon, which Conklin went on to describe.
The three-part tank is home to more than 3,000 fish and rays native to Florida. Conklin shared the harrowing story of how the staff sought to protect the animals in its care amid Hurricane Helene, succeeding in protecting their lives — though a few rays did attempt an escape.
Following a brief question-andanswer segment with club members,
who were interested in learning more ways of integrating the resort and the community, attendees shared in the tradition of an evening champagne sabrage, where one opens a bottle using a sabre.
Melody Arndt of Bay Isles made her first appearance at the garden club meeting that night, and boldly stepped up to give it a try. After one trial attempt, she succeeded in popping the bottle, leading to a social hour.
She became fast friends with fellow member Nancy Gruber, and both agreed the best aspect of joining club such as this was getting to meet new people in the community.
For a full list of upcoming events, visit LBKGardenClub.org/Events.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
A mural central to The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort bar depicts local wildflowers.
The Longboat Key Garden Club meeting was well attended.
Dan Conklin, curator of the Florida fauna lagoon at the St. Regis, shares a glimpse of his work with the Longboat Key Garden Club.
Melody Arndt from Bay Isles successfully attempts a champagne sabrage during her first Longboat Key Garden Club meeting at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.
Photos by Dana Kampa
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25th Observer Challenge format labeled success
Participants in the 25th annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament widely praised the new format, which eliminated singles matches.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
With a shift in the format of the Observer Challenge tennis tournament on its 25th anniversary, all that mattered was who could get to six points first.
A few teams took early leads, but as Saturday afternoon wound down, several teams were in tight races to the finish. Walking down the series of courts at the Longboat Key Pubic Tennis Center, viewers could see more than one scoreboard with a set score of 5-4.
But eventually, the winners rose to the top, with the results as follows.
RESULTS
In the first division, the top title went to Troy Lowrie, Steve Schwartz, Felice Marcus and Pam Mogul. The runners up were Tom Ramsey, Audra Ramsey, Jim Diao and Sue Campbell.
The division two winners were Mike Langlois, Irene Langlois, Dobs Gibbins and Jackie Gibbins. Runners up were Ted Prospect, Lindsey Prospect, Don Zimmerman and Ellen Zimmerman.
For division three, the winners included Michael David, Tom Flannigan, Karen Beaumont and Ann Ruden. Mike Brodie, James Devincenti, Kristy Owens and Laura McLean were runners up.
In the open division, Andre Herke, Alan Amero, Hailey English and Colleen Sims won over Steve Nicolai, Kate Rhodes, Doug Eden and Tatiana Ayeroglu.
WINNING THE OPEN
Amero said the team showed up early on Saturday to warm up and prepare for the match, especially considering they had overcast skies and wet court conditions with which to contend earlier in the morning.
“We stayed very focused,” he said.
“We got ahead, and we stayed ahead.”
Herke, who was off the court for the past nine months because of an injury, celebrated their win by having his young son, Thomas, pose for photos with a trophy nearly as tall as himself.
Amero commended his teammate, saying, “He played fantastically.”
He and English played in the mixed matches, and she joked that her teammate wouldn’t play with her any longer if she didn’t step up her game.
“She used to run from the net years ago, and now she’s attacking it,” he said.
Amero said one of the most fundamental yet hardest parts of the game
is keeping the ball in the court, which he said was one of the main contributors to their success this year.
FORMAT APPROVAL
The most significant change to the format was eliminating singles matches. Rather, the matches started with women’s and men’s teams playing one another, then pitted the winners against one another in mixed matches.
Participants broadly voiced their approval of the change, saying it made the tournament less taxing, more entertaining and provided more opportunities to socialize.
Laura McLean and Kristy Owens competed against Karen Beaumont and Ann Ruden in the women’s bracket, and for all but Owens, it was their first time competing in the Observer Challenge.
Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer, who received recognition for managing the tournament for the past 25 years, said she was pleased with the response to the changes and plans to keep them in place next year.
Photos by Dana Kampa Irene Langlois races to the ball during her match.
The division two winners were Mike Langlois, Irene Langlois, Dobs Gibbins and Jackie Gibbins.
Andre Herke, Alan Amero, Hailey English and Colleen Sims win the open division.
Kristy Owens
Michelle Coates serves up the ball.
Observer Challenge celebrates 25 years
Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer has coordinated the annual Observer Challenge tennis tournament since it began 25 years ago.
oordinating
nis tournament for 25 years is no small task, but Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer has been stepping up to serve every year since its inception. Participants took the opportunity to share their appreciation for her efforts at the kickoff of this year’s tournament on Thursday at the Spike ’n’ Tees restaurant at the Resort at Longboat Key Club.
Matt Walsh, CEO of the Observer Media Group, offered his commendation of her efforts with an award, customized bracelet and subscription to a craft beer service.
The tournament took place Friday and Saturday, modified to avoid potentially stormy weather on Sunday.
As Thayer delved into the details of this year’s updated tournament format, attendees cheered at no longer needing to compete in singles matches, made possible by playing mixed doubles after the first round of matches.
But even more boisterous applause went to Thayer.
“People don’t realize what it takes to put on an event like this,” Walsh said. “But she’s done a great job, all 25 years, and I thought it was appropriate for all of us to recognize the job that she has done.”
He also fondly recalled the tournament’s origins, a form of an “olive branch” between Walsh and tennis enthusiasts who established the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center after he wrote editorials arguing against its creation. John Mrachek and Dick Schlorf offered the inspi-
ration.
Walsh joked that although he’s only won his division once in the 25 years he’s played, the tournament is always a great time.
The Friends of Tennis Inc. Director Rich McGrath said Thayer “has done a magnificent job of running the Tennis Center.”
McGrath said this year marked the highest fundraising in the tournament’s history.
TAKING TOP PRIZE
Teams vied for the ultimate prize of having their names inscribed on the tournament trophy, which is housed year round at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center.
But the division winners also had the opportunity to enter a drawing for dinner for four at Maison Blanche, lauded as one of the top restaurants on the Key that specializes in modern French cuisine.
The prize ultimately went to the Division Two winners of Mike Langlois, Irene Langlois, Dobs Gibbins and Jackie Gibbins.
Rich McGrath and Observer Media Group CEO Matt Walsh thank Kay Thayer for coordinating the Observer Challenge tennis tournament for the past 25 years.
Longboat Key Public Tennis Center Manager Kay Thayer receives praise for 25 years of running the Observer Challenge tennis tournament.
Observer Challenge tennis tournament participants hear details of the new format for the tournament this year.
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Longevity expert says to think like a heron
The Paradise Center’s latest speaker highlights importance of long-term health practices.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
The heron is more than a beloved icon of local wildlife — it is a perfect guide for one way of preserving one’s longterm health, according to Dr. Daniel Deems. The head and neck specialist offered advice on best practices for preventative care at any age during a Jan. 15 seminar at The Paradise Center.
Deems said a significant starting point for assessing balance skills is to practice standing on one foot, keeping track of the time and height that is comfortable to maintain. He encouraged all attendees to give it a try, monitoring their progress over the course of a few weeks, aiming to reach at least 20 seconds consistently.
The one-leg stand is only one of the suggestions he offered for staying active, improving balance and preserving brain function. Deems also lauded the benefits of simply reading a physical book or journal, giving a deep belly laugh, or dancing in the kitchen while cooking.
Speaking of the patients he’s treated, Deems shared the story of a 105-year-old man who wished to improve his movement abilities.
“He couldn’t ambulate without a walker,” he said. “But he had a younger wife — she was only 99 — and he wanted to dance with her. I remember the first time they danced together, and we all cried. They danced to ‘Spanish Eyes.’ There is no age beyond which you can’t engage with activities to make your brain grow.”
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Documentation is an essential starting point for taking an active role in one’s health care, he added. He encouraged anyone who uses Medicare to utilize the free annual wellness visit to which they are entitled. Having that knowledge of any potential health risks helps patients secure any necessary referrals and creates a path to taking an active role in protecting their long-term health.
“You need to help your doc help you,” he said.
Along with movement, Deems advised senior community members to build healthy habits for nutrition, sleep, hydration and social engagement to invest in their lifelong health. He also encouraged attendees to seek out up-to-date health information, like the Healthy Aging publication by Mayo Clinic, while being critical of the source.
The Tidewell Foundation plans to hold another seminar with Deems on Feb. 24. For a full calendar of The Paradise Center’s upcoming events, visit TheParadiseCenter.org/Ongoing-Classes.
2 North Tamiami Trail, Ste 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236
Left to Right: Rylan Lanham, Adrienne Lambers, Mike Osterman, Tom Bardwell, Susan Wilson, Susan Knight, Amanda Lewis
Dana Kampa
Joseph Hochadel, an attendee at the Paradise Center’s latest health seminar, receives a prize from Dr. Dan Deems.
Hurricane-delayed Sharktoberfest returns
Hurricanes Milton and Helene have disrupted many area events, but attendees certainly didn’t leave Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium high and dry at its rescheduled “Sharktoberfest” on Saturday evening.
Attendees packed the aquarium courtyard, where costumed stiltwalkers milled about, underwater divers waved their steins at onlookers while surrounded by moseying sharks, and of course, most of the craft beer vendors offered samples of the available brews.
Veronica Perrelli, Mote’s director of events and guest experience, said the center was grateful to all 625 ticket holders for adapting and continuing to support its conservation efforts, completely selling out the event.
“For us, it’s all about educating the public,” she said. “We see this is a different group from those visiting the aquarium day to day, who want to come out for a night event. Educating but also having fun.”
The third annual Sharktoberfest offers community members a unique after-hours view of the center’s inhabitants, particularly those housed in the 135,000-gallon shark tank.
Mark Miller, an attendee who dressed for the occasion in his lederhosen, said he enjoyed the Oktoberfest spirit and appreciated having a “It brings the community together and helps people understand how important the estuaries are,” he
The aquarium is home to sharks and rays of all sizes, from the diminutive bonnethead sharks to the gentle giant nurse
Visitors had the opportunity to see the Shark Zone tank from above, chattering with delight as a speedy sandbar shark made its rounds at the water’s
— DANA KAMPA
Mark Miller sports his lederhosen.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Above: Cirque Vertigo performers milled among the attendees.
Right: Troy Schneeberger, Sarah Harnden and Sunny Dingman
Big Top Brewing Co. features its special brew supporting Mote. Blair Morrow, of Meg Goddess Designs, showcases one of her fossilized shark teeth at her booth.
Julie Mastropierro gives the mechanical shark a spin.
How to stick to fitness goals for the New Year
Local fitness professionals offer advice on retaining your desire to stay fit throughout the year.
SMALL STEPS
YMCA personal trainer Tom Cahalan said he doesn’t place the emphasis on the New Year that others might.
“It definitely has impact where people think, ‘OK, let me look at my life and see how I’m doing, and where should I go from here,’” he said. “A lot of times, it has to do with weight. Sometimes, it has to do with doctors’ recommendations. Sometimes they jump in too much.”
Cahalan and other fitness professionals shared how to pursue fitness goals and achieve positive results.
Mirabai Holland, a certified health coach on Longboat Key, said exercise can begin with 5-, 10-, 15- or 20-minute sessions and a frequency of two or three times a week.
“The number one thing is to ease in,” she said, noting people must avoid leaping into exercise, causing issues or aggravating existing ones.
She also said introducing variety into the type of exercise is helpful.
“I think it has a lot to do with your mindset, and even people that have been doing it for a while now, they like to not just do the same old thing, but also have some variety, and I think that’s important for someone just starting out as well,” she said.
Two activities, she said, can bring a great amount of joy, are walking and moving in the water.
“Walking is one of those wonderful things, particularly here in Florida, that you can do pretty much yearround, even when it’s pretty warm,” she said. “You just pick when you go. You don’t go at noon, and you wear a hat if you’re worried about the sun or skin cancer.”
She noted people who are beginners or disabled can use a peddler, which is inexpensive.
Meanwhile, she also highlighted the alternative of exercise in the water.
“Aquacize and water exercise is fantastic because it takes the weight off your joints,” she said, noting that some options are pushing against the water resistance with one’s hands, carrying weights in the water or simply walking in it.
She said before beginning exercise, people who aren’t agile or haven’t been exercising may want to take a stretch class and increase their motion and mobility.
What about when people find themselves lacking motivation?
“You see all these workouts, and you see people working out, and the words even, ‘working out,’ or exer-
cise, in some ways, should be banned because it sounds like work, because it looks like work, so you want to tell these lovely individuals that there are others ways to go, and the main thing is to find a place where they feel they can actually be successful and it feels good to them,” Holland said.
Gillian da Silva, owner of the fitness community Rise Fitness, doesn’t believe in the idea of “motivation,” but encourages people to look to the future instead.
She says weight loss is “probably at the very bottom” of exercise’s myriad benefits, stating that people should set goals that are realistic for the short term, such as a certain amount of exercise per day, rather than goals of losing weight.
FINDING A FIT
Instructors emphasized the importance of finding an environment to suit a person’s needs.
Da Silva said people should hire a professional, for it’s difficult to recommend any specific type of exercise without knowing a person’s situation.
“We go to professionals in various areas and a lot of different things in our life, whether it’s for our teeth, or our body, our hair, our skin, sometimes we go to professionals for food, and I think that our fitness should be treated the same way,” she said.
Cahalan said finding the right opportunities is key, whether that comes down to people, instructors, the type of class and environment or the location.
He said with his programs, he hopes to prevent the mindset of excess, stating, “Instead, if you make it fun, they go out of here going, ‘Boy, I’m glad I came, and I better not miss that next time.’”
Holland encouraged people to consider the numerous options available.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be just going on a treadmill,” she said.
“It can be, but it can be taking a class. It can be learning how to do pickleball. There’s many ways to start moving, but it’s got to be something that you think you might like and that you would like to try, and that you think as you do it, that you’re able to continue doing it.”
IF YOU GO
PUMPING
THE PRIME (LED BY MIRABAI HOLLAND)
10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Bayfront Park, Longboat Key, 3970 Royal Road. Email AskMirabai@Moving.com or call 941-340-6250.
THE Y: PRIMETIME + (LED BY TOM CAHALAN)
7:30-8:15 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
Attendees including Oscar Rodriguez (center) exercise at The Y: Primetime +.
File image Mirabai Holland leads a fitness class.
Ian Swaby
MLK Jr.’s legacy inspires Shabbat service
Walter Gilbert offered his interpretation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘How Long? Not Long’ speech at a Friday Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel.
DANA
KAMPA STAFF WRITER
“I
Have a Dream” may be Martin Luther King Jr.’s most widely recognized speech, but historian Walter Gilbert focused on another of his iconic sermons for a special Shabbat service on Friday at Temple Beth Israel.
King delivered his “How Long? Not Long” speech on March 25, 1965, sharing his belief that the prejudice and violence that plagued that era would soon come to an end.
Gilbert quoted, “Somebody’s asking, ‘How long will prejudice blind the visions of men, darken their understanding and drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne?’
Somebody’s asking, ‘When will wounded justice, lying prostrate on the streets of Selma and Birmingham and communities all over the South, be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men?’”
King later concluded, “Not long.”
MULTIFACETED MAN
Gilbert, past president of the Sarasota County NAACP and current vice president for diversity and inclusion at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, said this speech illuminates who he
was as a man, a religious leader and a civil rights leader. “He was pouring his heart out,” he added.
King delivered the speech in front of the Alabama state capitol after marching from Selma. He described the physical toll the march took on participants, as the fierce sun burned their skin and driving rain left many soaked or covered in mud. Though their feet may be tired, he said, their souls were well rested.
“They told us we wouldn’t get here,” King declared. “And there were those who said that we would get here only over their dead bodies, but all the world knows that we are here and we are standing before the forces of power in the state of Alabama, saying, ‘We ain’t goin’ let nobody turn us around.’”
Gilbert recounted the series of marches that drew attention to the dire state of civil rights for Black Americans at the time and how the movement continued to grow.
“It gave a look into the mentality of people that didn’t want people to have equal civil rights in that part of the country,” Gilbert said. “It changed a lot of things. It changed the perspective that the entire nation
had — to put in their minds, ‘Why are we like this, and what can we do to change it?’”
MUSICAL TRIBUTE
Rabbi Stephen Sniderman led the Shabbat service, which began with a selection of traditional spirituals and a candle blessing by Anne Lieberman and Deborah Nyman.
Choir soloist Kei Sulhi, who will be honored at the temple’s upcoming annual gala, also offered a musical tribute to King with her performance of “The King of Love is Dead,” sung by Nina Simone.
Simone first sang the original song three days after King’s assassination in 1968, mourning the loss of the activist but reaffirming that the movement he inspired would live on.
SHARED HISTORY
Gilbert said this was the first Jewish service he had ever attended, and he was honored to speak. He was inspired to center his
remarks on this particular speech because it speaks to the prevailing nature of justice, even in challenging times — a message he said is still relevant today. He noted people of Jewish faith and Black Americans have often shared a podium, with several rabbis accompanying King on his iconic march from Selma.
“I long knew of the history between these two groups,” he said. “To get a chance to speak to something along these lines really got my antennas up.”
Elaine Kaufman noted in her introduction of Gilbert that the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism played a significant role in the drafting of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. She also recognized Kivie Kaplan, who was Jewish and served as president of the national NAACP from 1966 to 1975.
“He marched and was jailed with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on many occasions, including at the Edmund Pettus Bridge crossing,” she added.
“It changed a lot of things. It changed the perspective that the entire nation had — to put in their minds, ‘Why are we like this, and what can we do to change it?’”
Guest speaker Walter Gilbert extols the perseverance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Friday Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel.
Rabbi Stephen Sniderman leads the Friday Shabbat service.
Photos by Dana Kampa Bassist Johnnie Barker accompanies the choir at Friday’s Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel.
— Walter Gilbert, historian
Bay Isles home tops week’s
ADAM
HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
home in Bay Isles tops this week’s real estate. C. Martin Cooper, trustee, and Ursual Cooper, of Sarasota, sold the home at 3140 Bayou Sound to BFB Capital LLC for $1,402,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 3,312 square feet of living area. It sold for $405,100 in 1986.
Terri Noyes, trustee, of Bradenton,
YOUR CALENDAR
BEST BET FRIDAY, JAN. 25
TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL
46TH GALA
5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd. Help honor Music Director and Organist Ann Stephenson-Moe and choir soloist Kei Sulhi while enjoying an elegant evening. Tickets are $250 and include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and entertainment. Call 3833428 or visit LongboatKeyTemple.org/Gala.
THURSDAY, JAN. 23
FINDING OUR STRENGTHS TOGETHER
2-4 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 564 Bay Isles Road. Learn about the six stages of disaster and share personal experiences with recent hurricanes. Facilitated by SRQ Strong. Free and open to the public. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for registration and refreshments. Register in advance on Eventbrite or call 425-883-8905 with questions.
FRIDAY, JAN. 25
ANNUAL HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive. Longboat Key residents can drop off household hazardous waste and e-scrap for free. Items include paints, automotive fluids, certain batteries and bulbs, pool and lawn chemicals and fuel.
THURSDAY, JAN. 30
MAKING FLORAL POTTERY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum Pottery Studio, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail. The Longboat Key Garden Club invites community members to join a ceramics class focusing on floral print trays and hand-built pottery. Registration is limited. Cost is $50 for members; $60 for nonmembers. Visit LBKGardenClub.org/Events.
RECURRING EVENTS
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS
LONGBOAT LIBRARY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-6493.
PUMPING THE PRIME
MONDAYS STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN
10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. The focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS
PILATES SCULPT
9-9:50 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Pilates Sculpt is a combination class mixing traditional Pilates exercises into a fun, challenging workout to upbeat music. It will make you sweat, encourage your body to burn calories, and make you stronger and more flexible. This class is for all levels. Cost is $20. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.
YOGA 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debby Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $20. Call 383-6493.
10 a.m. at Bayfront Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Led by Mirabai Holland, classes focus on low-impact cardio and muscletoning strength exercises. Recommended that participants can readily lower to and rise from the floor. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Email Mirabai@MovingFree. com or call 201-956-1466.
Petra Rivera
Temple Beth Israel Music Director and organist Ann Stephenson-Moe and choir soloist Kei Sulhi
Jules Mackie | Tracey Stetler | Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan | Patrick DiPinto | Rene DiPinto | Steven Moore | Janet Coughlin
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-
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?”
And finally, apparently federal spending has been a hot button
Dive into the past with our exciting speaker series, featuring renowned scholars from top universities. Each lecture brings history to life with fresh insights and captivating stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
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!
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
FORECAST
FRIDAY, JAN. 24
SUNRISE /
SATURDAY, JAN. 25
Jan. 29 7:17a 6:09p
MOON PHASES
TIDES
By Luis Campos
Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. “WUCY CY WUN LPLYLMT WUCPI MZVLW PVPACVTNPXN – PVZVFH CY FNBNMWNF, NANDHZVFH YUMDNY WUN ACXWVDH.” OMDWCP TLWUND GCPI ED.
“IN MSN DSMZCZCH FZXP DR AMTN HNCXNS GZMP MHMZCPD HZSUP, DANSNERSN IANC JRY MSN MC MXYUD ... IN DAZCF ZD’P CRSKMU.” HNNCM XMTZP
“MPFIK ZSF ZRXZJK ZYFZO PE IYDWTK DW Z GFSIZDW XZJ, IYFDS KFWKF PE RZWTVZTF ZWO IYFDS LDKDPW.” KGSFFWXSDIFS CDB CZSBVKGY
DOUBLE FRONT FLIPS by Michael David & Jeff Chen, edited by Jared Goudsmit
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