Temple Beth Israel and Miracle on the Key will host a public forum for candidates of the contested Longboat Key Town Commission seat on Feb. 9.
The forum will allow the public to meet the two candidates, Deborah Murphy and Steve Branham, vying for the at-large commission seat in the March election.
Town Manager Howard Tipton will also be at the forum to speak to attendees about the referendum and charter amendments that voters will see on the upcoming ballot. Miracle on the Key is a group of members from the Republican Club of Longboat Key and the Longboat Key Democratic Club. A breakfast will take place at 9:30 a.m. prior to the event for $18 per person. The forum will then follow at 10:30 a.m., both of which will be at the Temple Beth Israel Social Hall, 567 Bay Isles Road. For more information or to register, call 941-383-3428 or email Shana@LongboatKeyTemple.org.
Library expands hours
Anyone looking to keep up with their New Year’s resolution to read more will be glad to hear the Longboat Library is expanding its hours for the busy season.
The library is typically open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, but it is adding Thursdays in February. Then in March, the facility will be open all five weekdays. It will, however, be closed on Feb. 17 for Presidents Day. For information, visit LongboatLibrary.org.
Bay Isles sued over assessments
Dana Kampa
Aquarists Yvanna Paez Mendez and Tammy Nguyen feed the southern stingrays at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s Under the Sea Lagoon.
File image
Barb Torrence and Susan Walters, Longboat Library volunteers
OF FEB. 6, 2025
BY THE NUMBERS
“There is no one single silver bullet that is going to solve a red tide bloom. It’s going to take a toolbox.”
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Open House returns March 8
The town of Longboat Key’s annual Community Open House will be back on March 8.
According to a release from the town, this year’s open house is shaping up to be bigger and better than last year’s event.
The open house will include live music, food trucks, vendors and complimentary products from Gold Coast Eagle Distributing. Local organizations and busi-
nesses are invited to join the open house to set up tables and tents along the Town Center Green for the event.
Also at the event will be town departments, religious organizations, nonprofits, a Sarasota County HazMat drivethru dropoff and the Sarasota County Pop-Up Library.
“This was such a fun day for everyone last year, and this year we’ll expand to include even more of our community busi-
nesses and all groups that build our wonderful community,” Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips said in a press release.
The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Town Center Green (600 Bay Isles Road).
For more information or to reserve space for a display at the event, contact Phillips at SPhillips@LongboatKey.org.
Damage notification sent to properties
The town of Longboat Key announced via social media that it would be sending out notification letters to about 3,000 property owners.
These property owners were identified as having damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton through the town staff’s preliminary damage assessment.
The notification letter is a requirement for the town to continue its participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and the Community Rating System. The latter includes several benchmarks that, when met, result in discounted flood insurance rates.
Property owners do not need to do anything in response to the notification letters.
For more information or information about permitting, contact the Planning, Zoning and Building Department at 941-316-1966.
Bishop appointed to Small Cities Council
At-large Commissioner BJ Bishop was recently appointed to the National League of Cities’ 2025 Small Cities Council.
Bishop was elected to serve a one-year term to the national council that develops programs and resources for local elected officials.
“As a member of NLC’s Small Cities Council, Bishop will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration, networking and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics, size or location that can be replicated across the country,” a press release stated.
The National League of Cities is an organization that brings together local elected officials to advocate for cities and towns through federal policy advocacy and local leadership.
Carter Weinhofer The Rev. David Marshall blesses Spike the bearded dragon at the 2024 Community Open House.
FIGHTING RED TIDE
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
Solutions to eliminate red tide are here.
Staff from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and other Mote consultants displayed an array of new technologies the team developed to fight red tide blooms at a Jan. 29 event for media representatives.
Mote Marine Laboratory President & CEO Michael Crosby said this event marked significant progress for the organization’s long-standing efforts to mitigate red tide.
It’s something he was tasked with from his first day at Mote in 2010.
“We now have nearly two dozen that are ready to be deployed once we get through the permitting,” Crosby said. “Every single one of these developed technologies is a huge advancement in our ability to use science, to use advanced technology to solve problems, to restore ecosystems, to fight these harmful algal blooms. And the impacts are far beyond Florida red tide.” Red tide is a harmful algal bloom caused by an abundance of the bacteria, karenia brevis. Large red tide blooms have been known to cause respiratory issues and lead to widespread fish kills, which impact the health of marine ecosystems.
At the Jan. 29 event, Crosby and the team at Mote unveiled three red
tide-fighting chemicals and a plethora of ways to deploy them.
Each of the three — Clear, Xtreme and Ozonix — is different in how they work and how they are deployed. Some can be deployed as a liquid and sprayed on the surface of the water. Others can come in small particles belatedly onto the surface or anywhere in the water column.
Crosby said until recently, most grant funding for red tide was focused on studying the algae and its impacts. Thanks to support from state officials and federal funds, Mote was able to take things a step forward and develop these technologies.
“Without our legislators and our governor really embracing this vision and believing in us, none of this would happen,” Crosby said.
Crosby tasked his team of scientists with developing these biocides and technologies, which took about four years of research, trial and error.
“We have looked at over 300 different approaches and methodologies. We’ve narrowed it down, we have nearly two dozen diverse approaches,” Crosby said.
Crosby said it’s not difficult to kill the red tide algae. But the trick is finding a solution that kills the red tide without harming the surrounding environment.
“Our mantra is, with all of these technologies, none of them will do any greater harm to the environment than red tide is already doing,”
Crosby said.
RED TIDE TOOLBOX
The different products and deployment methods would likely work together through a deployment strategy developed by Mote and its partners.
“There is no one single silver bullet that is going to solve a red tide bloom. It’s going to take a toolbox,” Crosby said.
Dana Wetzel was one of the Mote staff who oversaw the research.
Wetzel is the senior scientist and program manager for Mote’s Environmental Lab for Forensics.
Wetzel’s team developed Clear, which is one of the main biocides in
The new methods and deployment strategies required years of research and collaboration from Mote and its partners, marking a milestone in red tide mitigation.
Mote’s red tide toolbox.
Her team went through a tiered process of experimentation to evaluate different chemical compounds at varying scales. They utilized a unique red tide testing facility, which Crosby said is the only one like it in the world.
This facility includes mesocosm tanks, which allow the scientists to simulate an environment like a red tide bloom on a larger scale.
It was important to test almost 50 different natural compounds to find the right one, Wetzel said.
“We wanted to make sure that whatever we were proposing to use as a biocide was safe,” Wetzel said. “That was our priority.”
Finally, the team selected the one that showed the most promise, which is now trademarked as Clear.
Clear has all necessary approvals through state and federal organizations, such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
With these approvals, Wetzel’s team proved that Clear is safe to use and won’t have negative impacts on the environment.
“We can use this product in areas where there would be fish in, in shellfish harvest areas. It’s a safe product,” Wetzel said.
The product comes in different forms, including a liquid form that can be inserted into a remoteoperated device that disperses Clear throughout the water column. Clear can also be utilized as small, engineered particles that could be distributed by drones or a backpack blower.
When Clear is dispersed, the compound starts to degrade algal blooms. In the mesocosm testing areas, Clear showed its quick effectiveness.
“What we were seeing in the mesocosms in the laboratory was total mortality in less than 15 minutes,” Wetzel said.
Another one of the chemicals in
the red tide toolbox is Xtreme, a nontoxic treatment developed by Heartland Energy Group that is already used for blue-green algae, the freshwater equivalent of red tide. Through laboratory testing, the team proved Xtreme’s effectiveness in a marine environment with red tide.
David Spiers, senior global product manager for Heartland Energy Group, said Xtreme is liquid, biodegradable and can be sprayed on the water by plane, crop duster, boat or drones.
Heartland Energy Group has 150,000 gallons in its Melbourne, Florida, warehouse and Spiers said they have enough raw materials to make 1 million gallons.
“That product is ready to deploy tomorrow,” Spiers said.
The third is Ozonix, which uses decades-old technology, which Prescott Clean Water will apply to red tide treatment.
Ozonix is chemical-free and uses hydrodynamic cavitation, which uses pressure to create bubbles and break apart substances like red tide blooms. The treatment can also use ozone injection and acoustic cavitation, the latter of which uses sound waves to create substance-breaking bubbles.
“As said, this is not a silver bullet. Coordination with the other technologies is probably going to be the only way to get this done,” said Steve McKenzie, lead technician with Prescott Clean Water.
With these new technologies and strategies in hand, Mote is ready to act on a red tide bloom. Crosby said combating red tide not only helps the environment, but also the economy by stopping the fish kills that can deter tourists.
“If we had a red tide today, these are all deployable. They’re all approved,” Crosby said. “It’s good science to restore the environment but also to grow the economy.”
“Every single one of these developed technologies is a huge advancement in our ability to use science, to use advanced technology to solve problems, to restore ecosystems, to fight these harmful algal blooms. And the impacts are far beyond Florida red tide.”
A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure could deploy a sprayer from a vessel to spray the red tide fighting chemicals on the ocean surface.
Rich Pierce (left) and Dana Wetzel (right) were two of the senior scientists tasked by Michael Crosby (center) and Mote to develop red tide biocides.
Drones would be used to deploy Clear onto the surface of the water to fight red tide blooms.
Photos by Carter Weinhofer
— Michael Crosby
Bay Isles Association faces suit
A group of nine residents began the lawsuit in 2023, which questions how the association is assessing properties for dues.
When a group of Bay Isles Harbor residents took a closer look at their association fees in 2022, disparities in how their properties were assessed stirred up concern.
That led to a civil suit filed in late 2023, and litigation for the trial is still ongoing. A group of nine residents in Bay Isles Harbor, a subassociation of the Bay Isles Association, claims the BIA has been assessing property owners using homestead exemptions in contrast to what is allowed on its master declaration.
Now, the facts have been presented by both sides and the trial is waiting to be seen by a judge to decide on a verdict, according to Mike Taylor, one of the plaintiffs.
AT ISSUE
When the BIA collects annual association fees to maintain its budget, the association uses the assessed value of a property rather than evenly dividing the fees among all residents.
Taylor has been a homeowner in Bay Isles Harbor since 2017, and the other plaintiffs in the suit have owned property in the association for varying years, but all for about 10
years or less, according to Taylor.
When the group of residents examined its property assessments in December 2022, Taylor said the residents realized a disparity. They first tried to talk with the BIA, before the suit, but Taylor said the answers they received were “not that satisfactory.”
“Pretty quickly, we came to the conclusion that they were allocating assessments based on just assessed value, not fair market value,” Taylor said.
The BIA’s “Master Declaration,” or association code, was recorded in 1976, according to court documents.
At that time, the “assessed value” of property was the “just market value,” and did not include the homestead exemption or Save Our Homes cap, since neither would be enacted until the 1990s and early 2000s.
According to Taylor, the BIA Master Declaration prohibits the use of homestead exemptions and other exemptions for seniors, widowers, disabled veterans and blind persons, for example.
However, the association uses the assessed value of a property. This assessed value could include things like the Save Our Homes cap, which
is a 3% cap in valuation for homesteaded properties per year and a 10% cap for non-homesteaded properties.
“Over time, these disparities become very large,” Taylor said. “In essence, the long-time, homesteaded residents are being subsidized by nonhomesteaded residents and newer owners.”
The crux of the suit claims that the BIA is improperly applying these exemptions.
Further, the Master Declaration does not include Kaufman language, the suit claims. Kaufman language is used by adding phrases like “as
HOMESTEAD COMPARISON
amended from time to time” to allow documents like the Master Declaration to be amended with new statutes like the homestead exemption and the Save Our Homes cap.
Despite this, the lawsuit claims the BIA has been applying both the Save Our Homes and 10% tax assessment limitations to the market value of properties in Bay Isles in violation of the Master Declaration “and resulting in assessments that favor longterm residents over new residents and homesteaded owners over nonhomesteaded owners,” court documents state.
Another part of the suit claims the BIA previously failed to provide owners with information as required by Article 14 of the Master Declaration, including data like the assessed value of individual property, the total assessed value of the association and the association’s annual budget. Taylor said, to his knowledge, the BIA never sent out that information until December 2024, after the suit was filed.
According to Joseph Reiser, president of the BIA, the association’s 2025 budget is about $2.8 million, which he said is higher than in 2024
Harbor Cove Circle is one of the areas in Bay Isles Harbor, a subassociation of the Bay Isles Association.
mostly due to the impact of the hurricanes. Resider declined to comment on the lawsuit given the active status of the litigation.
DESIRE FOR EQUITY
When the plaintiffs first discovered the disparities, Taylor said they went to other subassociations within the BIA.
“We presented all this data, and I got a pretty good response from the subassociation presidents,” he said. “But, what happens is, there are going to be winners and losers … it would be very difficult for a subassociation to join in this suit because not everybody in their association benefits.”
While some residents were “losing” by paying more than what the plaintiffs believed to be fair, Taylor said others were “winning” by paying less.
It’s because of this that Taylor said it was difficult to get an association on board.
Thus, the nine plaintiffs are represented in the suit as residents, not on behalf of their subassociation.
“There were a number of us who felt very strongly about the principles involved,” Taylor said. “And, to be clear, it’s not about the money … we were really upset about the lack of fairness.”
Two years of litigation is not cheap, Taylor said.
“We’re spending the money on behalf of everybody so we can get
back to what should be a fair process,” he added.
According to Taylor, the majority of homeowners in Bay Isles, which has 1,267 units, won’t be impacted significantly if the plaintiffs win the suit and the BIA has to change the way it assesses the properties.
Taylor thinks of it as a bell curve.
The majority of homeowners are in the middle and will be impacted by paying maybe $30 more or less, for example.
But at the ends of the bell curves are where the larger disparities are and where Taylor and the plaintiffs noticed the differences.
“For most people, this is not going to be a big deal. It’s really just getting rid of these inequalities at the ends of the distribution,” Taylor said.
SUM IT UP
When asked to sum up the suit and what the plaintiffs hope to achieve, Taylor said:
“Everyone should be treated the same in allocating these assessments. Everybody needs to be treated the same and under the current system, they’re not being treated the same. There are many people who are paying more than they should, and that subsidizes people who should be paying their fair share and are not. Our intent is to eliminate those inequalities so that we go back to the pre-1994 status, where everybody has their homes valued by the county assessor and those values are used to allocate the assessments.”
Cold kids receive warm care
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s rehabilitation facility took in the cold-stunned juvenile turtles for care from the east coast of Florida.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s rehabilitation center opened a couple of days early to house a group of cold-stunned sea turtles.
The 22 juvenile green sea turtles are receiving care at Mote’s Sarasota rehab facility after being rescued from St. Johns and Flagler counties on the east coast of Florida.
According to Rehabilitation & Medical Care Manager Lynne Byrd, the facility takes in cold-stunned sea turtles, called “cold stuns,” whenever they can.
“We’re happy to help and be back open,” Byrd said.
According to Byrd, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission called Mote to see if they would take in the turtles from The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience in St. Augustine. The turtles arrived at Mote in two groups, some on Jan. 25 and others on Jan. 27.
Usually, cold stuns come from northern areas like Massachusetts. Sometimes, though, the temperature in some parts of Florida drops low enough and causes sea turtles to become stunned.
This typically happens when temperatures drop to the low 50s, according to Byrd. Sea turtles generally prefer environmental temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sea turtles are reptiles and cannot internally regulate their body temperatures.
When the external temperatures drop too low, the turtles can’t warm themselves, become lethargic and have a slower heart rate.
SPECIALIZED CARE
When the turtles are rescued, a rescue facility begins the process by slowly warming the turtles. It’s important to gradually warm them up and not immediately increase the temperatures, Byrd said.
After a couple of days of preliminary care and increasing the temperatures by about 3 to 4 degrees per day, the turtles can be transported to a secondary care facility like Mote.
The more severe turtles are “dry docked,” meaning they are not alert enough to be placed in tanks on their own yet. The rehab team will allow the turtles to take short swims and gradually introduce them to the larger tanks.
The temperatures in the turtles’ tanks will go through a gradual increase.
After a couple of days at Mote, the tanks were in the low 60s but could get as warm as 73 degrees.
Mote will rehab the turtles for as long as needed, but if another large batch needs a place to go, Byrd said the facility might release the strongest turtles to make room for others.
It’s unlikely that a cold-stunned sea turtle would be found in Sarasota Bay, but Byrd said when a coldstunned turtle is found, don’t assume it’s dead just because it’s floating on the surface.
Byrd said to call the FWC immediately.
Carter Weinhofer
The juvenile green sea turtles are housed in large, green tanks in small groups of two or three.
Harbor Point Road is in the Bay Isles Harbor community.
Boat lift ordinance receives first approval
The new ordinance would change the way boat lift height is measured, and give boat owners a couple more feet to make lifts more resilient.
Longboat Key town commissioners unanimously voted in favor of a new ordinance raising the maximum allowable height of boat lifts and docks at their Feb. 3 meeting.
The ordinance not only standardizes the measurement of dock and lift height but also raises the allowable height of both structures in response to residents’ experiences of losing or having boats damaged in Hurricane Helene. With the new ordinance, dock
heights cannot be higher than 5 feet above the mean high water line, and boat lift pilings cannot be higher than 11 feet above the mean high water line, excluding lift mechanics like guides, motors and beams.
In December 2024, the town commission urged staff to draft the ordinance along with the Planning and Zoning Board in an expedited manner.
“The reason that we have undertaken this on an expedited basis is because people who lost their docks, people who lost their boats, people who lost both are interested and some of them are ready to go rebuild,” Mayor Ken Schneier said at
the Feb. 3 meeting. “While they have their contractor in hand, they would like to get the ball rolling on this, so we’re trying to accommodate that.”
The Planning and Zoning Board workshopped the ordinance and then approved it on Jan. 17, which put it in front of the Town Commission.
The expedited ordinance will go before the commission for a second hearing on Feb. 18 in a special meeting. If approved, that would be the final hearing for the ordinance.
Chapter 158 of the town’s code states the highest walking surface of a dock should not exceed the top of a seawall cap. If a property does not have a seawall, the highest walking surface of the dock should be no higher than 5 feet above the mean high water line.
For boat lifts, the current code states that lifts cannot exceed 5 feet above the highest walking surface of
the dock. If the property does not have a dock but is adjacent to a seawall, the dock cannot be higher than 5 feet above the seawall.
Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons said the Planning and Zoning Board attempted to create a uniform measurement method and increase the allowable heights in this ordinance.
The new ordinance standardizes the measurement method so all height maximums are measured from the mean high water line.
In the proposed ordinance, the highest walking surface of a dock cannot exceed 5 feet above the mean high water line, and the top of the boat lift cannot exceed 11 feet above the mean high water line.
According to Parsons, the mean high water line is a commonly accepted measurement that is a long-term average of the high water line in an area. Over time, that measurement may change and, if so, the ordinance would adhere to new measurements.
Town commissioners and Parsons clarified that this new ordinance gives homeowners about 1 to 3 feet of additional height to boat lifts.
If a dock is built 5 feet above the mean high water line and a new lift is built 11 feet above, that would put the lift at about 6 feet above the walking surface of the dock. That’s about a 1-foot difference compared to what’s currently allowed.
Vice Mayor Mike Haycock, who is also an avid boater, added that most
“The reason that we have undertaken this on an expedited basis is because people who lost their docks, people who lost their boats, people who lost both are interested and some of them are ready to go rebuild.”
— Mayor Ken Schneier
boaters would not have their boats raised to the top of the lift on an everyday basis.
“We want to make sure the boat is up high enough to be higher than the high tides … but we don’t raise it all the way up to the top until hurricanes come in,” Haycock said. “I don’t think people will be raising these to the top.”
Haycock agreed with Schneier’s sentiment that an expedited review of the ordinance was in the residents’ best interest.
“I’m very much in favor of these changes and I’m really in favor of doing it now as we have so many docks that are damaged and need to be replaced,” Haycock said.
Some residents showed up to the Feb. 3 meeting to voice their opinions, including Kip and Cathy Becker, who said the town should remain cognizant of others’ enjoyment of waterfront views.
Kip Becker also said he was wary of the commission moving forward with the ordinance’s exception of the lift motors and guides as part of the height maximum.
“I’d like to caution you about putting mechanics in a waiver of height requirements,” Kip Becker said. “I’d like to see some sort of restrictions put on those mechanics.”
Other residents came to show support for the ordinance, including some from the island’s lowest-lying areas of Sleepy Lagoon and the Village.
Resident Jim Haft’s boat was dislodged and damaged during Helene. He spoke in favor of the ordinance and said the waterfront views would not be impacted for many others except for the boat owners themselves.
“I’m fully supportive of the ordinance as it’s been proposed,” Haft said. “You’re being asked to make a tradeoff, I guess, between protecting boats and the impact on views. And the incremental impact on views here is pretty negligible and, for the most part, it’s going to be limited to the property owner who’s got the boat.”
The commission voted 5-0 in favor of moving the ordinance to the Feb. 18 meeting. District 5 Commissioner Sarah Karon and Commission-AtLarge BJ Bishop were absent.
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Moratorium madness
‘Overdevelopment’ is not the problem in Manatee, and a moratorium is certainly not the answer.
ll
Awould have taken was one phone call to Sam Staley. Building moratoria, he told us, “are really bad ideas.”
Staley knows this well. He is the director of the DeVoe Moore Center in the College of Social Science and Public Policy at Florida State University. He is widely known nationally and in Florida for his expertise on economic development, land use and regulation, urban policy, economic development, public-private partnerships, growth management, transportation and regulatory reform.
When we informed Staley of Manatee County commissioners Robert McCann and Carol Felts pursuing a building moratorium in their districts, Staley responded: “They are a sledgehammer trying to pound a finishing nail — more likely to destroy the nail than drive it in for its intended purpose.”
Twenty years ago, Staley penned a commentary on moratoria for the Reason Foundation, where he was a senior fellow. The headline and subheadline tell it all.
Headline: “Moratoria on growth signal failure of planning.”
Subheadline: “Moratoria are bold evidence of poor political leadership.”
Staley’s commentary went on to say: “Sound infrastructure planning also isn’t a short-term fix. It’s a long-term process that requires diligence, commitment and professionalism. This is why growth moratoria are unsuited to solving a community’s infrastructure problems.
“Moratoria have to be short to avoid becoming a government ‘taking’ — a seizure of private property requiring compensation to private landowners. They typically span a year or less. That’s not enough time for a long-term planning process to correct past wrongs.
“Moreover, moratoria may add to local problems if they put communities at risk to lawsuits or investment falls dramatically because developers scoot off to more hospitable (and usually greener) pastures.
“When does a growth moratorium make sense? Rarely, and only as a last resort.”
Commissioners McCann and Felts repeatedly make the claim “my constituents want a moratorium.” They don’t really know that to be true. McCann says the 41,700 people who voted for him is proof.
Sure, there are many who say they want a moratorium. But if they thought through the consequences, they probably would ask what McCann and Felts should be asking:
1) Is there really a lack of infrastructure for what exists and to accommodate additional homebuilding?
2) What are the consequences of a moratorium? And, 3) What are options beside a moratorium?
■ #1: Lack of infrastructure.
McCann cites the flooding that occurred after Hurricane Debby, making it sound as if flooding is a constant problem in Lakewood Ranch. Debby was a once-in-500years occurrence. What’s more, we quoted 25- and 30-year residents of Lakewood Ranch who said Debby was the one and only time they have seen floods in Lakewood Ranch.
And, if McCann had ventured to visit with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen and his staff, he would learn that Lakewood Ranch has gone far beyond what is required with its roads, drainage and sewers. Flooding is not a major issue.
■ #2: The consequences of a moratorium.
First, can anyone think of the upside benefits to a construction moratorium? Sure, residents
One tyrant for another?
There’s a saying about American elections. After the votes are counted, all we have done is swapped one set of tyrants for another. That comes to mind after seeing how the pendulum has swung on the Manatee County Commission. Oh, the poor taxpayers. It’s going to be another long four years. When the 2024 votes were counted, Manatee taxpayers ousted the aggressive, arch-conservative, limited-government, pro-business, sometimes tyrannical Kevin Van Ostenbridge from District 3, and in exchange, chose an unknown populist, Robert McCann from District 5. Granted, it’s early to put McCann in a behavioral box. But after observing his presentations at the past two commission meetings, you get the sense he sees himself as the “I’m pretty smart” Big Shot legislator. It’s like watching on C-Span a puffed-up U.S. senator bloviating at a Senate confirmation hearing. Watch the video of his 20-minute ramblings at the Jan. 28 County Commission meeting (YouTube. com/Watch?V=V6WLSoOqYjc).
Take note of attitude and tone.
This was McCann’s big moment. He was to explain his calling for a residential building moratorium in his district, which encompasses all of the Manatee portion of Lakewood Ranch.
“That’s my district,” McCann began, pounding his stack of papers on his desktop, as a map was projected on the commission monitors. Throughout his remarks, he
repeatedly pounds his papers. It’s either a tick or an attempt to send the Al Haig message that he is in power and the smartest and cleverest person in the room — or, at least on the dais.
“Get comfortable,” he began.
“Bring your boat. We got a guy who can help you park it.” What? A pause, and then he goes on.
“Everybody knows that I am humble, lovable and gun shy.” (Was that a joke? Not from the look on his face.) “I need to start speaking up.
Don’t get much press, so I’ll start writing my own Substack. Because I want to be twice as good as anybody else who is out there, I think I’ll call it ‘For lack of a fourth.’”
What is McCann talking about?
His glib quips fell flat. No one laughed. Then more …
“I’m going to answer questions today: Why? Can I get support? What is a moratorium? I’ll get there in a roundabout way. OK, if you don’t want a roundabout, all you gotta do is call Rex Jensen and the red shirts, and they’ll change it to
who have their homes and don’t want any more near them would be thrilled to stop construction. But watch out what you wish for.
They would quickly learn the consequences of a moratorium affect everyone — negatively.
No construction equals loss of jobs (contractors, trades, building suppliers; every place where all those workers and their families spend their weekly earnings).
No residential construction means higher housing prices. Limit supply in the face of growing demand, that’s Econ 101. There already is a shortage of workforce housing; stopping construction would make a bad situation worse.
Home prices would rise not only in Lakewood Ranch. They would increase all over. Contracting supply always drives up prices.
What’s more, if McCann thinks there are too many cars on the roads now, what does he think will happen when the employees of Lakewood Ranch businesses can find affordable housing only in Parrish, Duette or Wauchula? They’ll crowd the roads even more.
This defies logic as well: to shut off Manatee County government’s taxpaying money tree. Take a look at the accompanying box summarizing the fiscal impact of Lakewood Ranch. It makes no sense to halt success.
Halting success is also damaging to future success. Capital flows where it is welcome. When politicians impose moratoria and more restrictions and regulations that interfere with a market-driven economy, investors, business owners, corporations and developers go elsewhere. It takes years to wipe away a bad, anti-growth reputation. Just ask the founders of the Argus Foundation in Sarasota County.
Argus came about in 1982 to defeat a referendum in Sarasota County calling for a construction moratorium. Business leaders and owners coalesced and educated voters on the damage a moratorium would cause. Voters rejected
a street light for you.” (Pounds his papers.) “But these roundabouts are now going to go up. We’ve got 16 of them coming up. That’s great.”
No laughs.
Later: “Lakewood Ranch. I don’t know much about that, but looking at the name. After Debby, I found the lake. After Milton, I found the wood. I still can’t find the ranch.” …
“SMR has won many awards for development, but no awards for flooded homes, traffic congestion, bankrupt individuals or ruined dreams.”
And on and on. It was as painful as watching a young comedian bomb on his debut.
More than halfway into his riff, McCann gets around to the subject of moratorium.
“The builders want to build houses. They want to put those houses in before we have roads, before we have stormwater drains, before we even have the river cleaned out.
“Rex Jensen said, ‘I would really like to avoid a moratorium.’ If he is serious about coming to the table and working out what we can do together, I am going to send him an engraved invitation. He knows where the office is; so does Pat Neal; so does Carlos Beruff.
“I’d like to see all of them. I’d like to start this dialogue. They had this dialogue in Palm Beach, and they avoided a moratorium.”
By the end of his lecture, McCann issued another snarky invitation:
“I hope Rex Jensen is listening. I would like you to come to my office. I’ll have my aide contact you. And if we can actually get a good dialogue, that would be fantastic. If you want to trade insults, we can do that too.”
We are recounting all of this to illustrate the opening point — trading one tyrant for another and what
$23,772,321
Source: Fishkind & Associates
the moratorium. But for 20 years thereafter, Sarasota County had a widespread reputation as one of the worst places in Florida to deal with county government on development issues and business climate.
In that vein, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and Manatee Chamber of Commerce should speak forcefully against any moratoria. While their message may sound self-serving and selfish, surely the other five county commissioners recognize the importance of a vibrant local economy and how population growth fuels a healthy economy.
What’s done is done. Call it poor political leadership in the past. So learn from it. The charge for the new Manatee County Commission is to determine the best path forward and not halt success.
That path is not a moratorium. And it’s not demonizing Lakewood Ranch or the region’s homebuilders.
There are better options. Commissioner George Kruse voiced a few options at the Jan. 28 meeting — full impact fees; a supermajority vote for any comprehensive land changes. Likewise, Pat Neal, CEO/ owner of Neal Communities, is ready to present multiple options that are far from the destructiveness of a moratorium — privatepublic road partnerships, half-cent sales tax and state appropriations.
In spite of the accusation, Manatee County is not suffering from “overdevelopment.” It’s growing, and that’s wonderful. Population growth is essential to the flourishing of prosperity.
What’s more, population growth will not stop. This is Florida, a growth state for 100 years. So prepare for it, commissioners. Your job is like that of the owners of a fastgrowing business whose demand for your products is outstripping your ability to supply them.
Raise the capital you need; charge rational prices for your goods and services and speed up production. Growth is good. Moratoria are bad.
happens when people impressed with themselves get power. Who is the servant here? Who is serving whom?
McCann repeatedly says he ran a “people-first” campaign. He makes the claim — unsubstantiated with proven data — that the 41,700 people who voted for him all want a building moratorium.
But with his remarks, McCann clearly distinguished and established a we-they confrontation when he said Jensen, Neal and Beruff know where his office is and wants them to come to his office.
And, what is this? “If you want to trade insults, we can do that too.”
What a great way to set the stage. If McCann sees himself as a public servant for the people, he owes everyone equal respect. Jensen, Neal and Beruff are no different than any of the other District 5 voters and constituents.
Rather than immediately cast them as enemies, create confrontation and grandstand on the commission dais with a jerk attitude, McCann could have ingratiated himself with all voters and with Jensen, Neal and Beruff by being a learner. Before dropping his moratorium grenade in early January, McCann could have and should have been the one to go to them.
Be the public servant who goes to constituents to learn and understand their perspectives and possible alternatives; talk to economists and others to understand the potential consequences of a moratorium.
Power always corrupts. Instead, an effective public servant works to collaborate … To bring people together, not tear them apart. An effective public servant is an exemplar of humility.
“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944
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MATT WALSH
File photo Commissioner Robert McCann
Hurricane costs drain emergency fund
While the costs of recovery may continue to grow, staff will pursue insurance and federal claims to be reimbursed for them.
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
As the town of Longboat Key continues to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, town finance staff required commissioners to approve some budget amendments related to hurricane response.
At the Longboat Key Town Commission’s Feb. 3 meeting, commissioners approved the budget amendments and received a hurricane-related financial update from Finance Director Sue Smith.
Overall, the total impact on the town’s various funds totals $5,327,978, which includes $1,887,522 in open purchase orders.
The full cost of debris removal is still to be determined, but current estimates are around $2.6 million. Most of the town’s $1.8 million in open purchase orders are for debris removal, with invoices from Hurricane Milton still to come.
Some expenses are still to be determined, such as repairing damages to the town’s parks and recreation facilities.
“The parks and properties in our open spaces, specifically our boardwalk systems, took a lot of damage,” Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said. “The $2 million (estimate) is looking like a very real order of magnitude.”
To address emergency expenditures in the event of hurricanes, the town has a contingency budget and a natural disaster reserve.
The contingency budget, which started at $250,000, was left with $115,086 after the Feb. 3 budget amendments.
Then there’s the disaster reserve, which town staff aims to have saved up to 60 days’ worth of expenses, or
about $3,738,000.
After a budget amendment in December 2024 to account for hurricane expenditures, $2,961,000 was depleted from the emergency fund balance.
Now, after the recent budget amendment for $300,000, the emergency reserves are left with $477,000, or about eight days of expenditures.
The town still has two other emergency reserves, one for unassigned
“The parks and properties in our open spaces, specifically our boardwalk systems, took a lot of damage.”
— Isaac Brownman, Assistant Town Manager
purposes and another for economic uncertainty, each about $3.7 million.
These budget amendments allow the town’s finance department to move funds from reserves or other funds to be used to pay the purchase orders or expenditures related to the hurricanes.
The town can then apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Category A and B claims, which cover debris removal and emergency protective measures, respectively. Category G claims for parks, recreation and other facilities could help with the beach and parks.
“We’re not taking into consideration any insurance that might come in and the FEMA reimbursements, because we just don’t know when that will happen,” Smith said.
Depending on the category of the claim and when it is declared, the town could receive between 75% to 100% reimbursement for some of the hurricane-related expenditures mentioned in these budget lines.
BY THE NUMBERS
A breakdown of some of the key numbers to date:
$5.3 MILLION
Estimated total fund impact of hurricanes on the town’s budget, including to the General Fund, Tennis Fund, Streets Capital Fund, Beach Capital Fund, Building Fund and Utility Capital Fund.
$2.6 MILLION
Spent on debris removal so far. Of that total, $1.2 million has already been billed, but invoices related to Milton were delayed. The total expense of islandwide debris removal is still to be determined.
$2 MILLION
In damages quoted for town parks and recreation facilities. According to town staff, none of the repairs requires immediate response. The quoted damage includes repairs or replacements for Public Works infrastructure such as boardwalks, beach access areas, fencing, town docks and boat lifts.
$764,000
Requested to address the town’s lift station electrical panels, including replacing the electrical panels at some of the lift stations, cleaning, debris removal and replacing other components of the lift stations.
$498,320
Requested to be moved from the Building Fund to account for overtime wages, professional services and other equipment used by the Planning, Zoning and Building Department for hurricane response. This includes the need to hire supplemental staffing and about $175,000 in overtime wages.
$100,000
For repairs or adjustments to 41 streetlights along Gulf of Mexico Drive and 76 in the neighborhoods that Public Works identified after the hurricanes.
UP TO $20 MILLION
In lost sand as a result of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. The town will pursue Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance in future beach nourishment projects to replenish the lost sand.
Photos by Carter Weinhofer
Following the hurricanes, a lot near Jungle Queen Way was used as a collection site for the town’s debris contractors.
Big changes on tap for SRQ Concourse B
The new Concourse A at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport offers enhanced options for passenger comfort, but big upgrades are also underway for the original gate areas.
ith Patrick’s, Anna Maria Oyster Bar and Peet’s Coffee located in the new Concourse A, SarasotaBradenton International Airport provides passengers an upgraded culinary experience as they await their departures.
That’s great, but what about Concourse B where, for decades, the food and beverage offerings could be described as pedestrian at best? By the end of the year, all that will change. SRQ is in the midst of wholesale upgrades aimed at bringing a variety of local favorites and new flavors. New vendors in Concourse B will be Mattison’s restaurant, a Motorworks Brewing bar, a renovated Starbucks, a Wahlburgers restaurant and Salty Key Bar.
The Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, which SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo confirms is the highestgrossing location in the country, will remain.
All the work is scheduled to be completed, in phases, by the next high season. It can’t happen all at once, Piccolo said, as prudence dictates a graduated approach to maintain a level of service that the flying public demands.
“There will be some inconvenience for passengers for a while as areas get closed off, get redone and then reopen,” Piccolo said. “The goal, though, is at the end, you’ll
have a lot more choices, a lot more variety and we’ll be able to serve our customers much better because we realized, as we grew so fast, we just didn’t have enough concessions and people are waiting in line and taking a long time.”
Taking a tour of Concourse B from the security checkpoint, already completed is Seaside Market, a graband-go space that replaces the CNBC Shop, where buildout is underway for Mattison’s. That is expected to be completed in about 18 weeks. Across from Seaside Market is a temporary bar in the center of the concourse, which will be replaced by Motorworks between gates B4 and B6.
Continuing down the concourse, the Starbucks location is boarded up while it is renovated, and for now has moved to a kiosk in the center walkway nearby. Next to Starbucks, the new Wahlburgers will replace what is now the Tap and Pour restaurant and bar. Across the walkway, Huey Magoo’s Chicken will replace the Kona Bar. Finally, at the end of the concourse where gates B9-B14 are located, will be the Salty Key bar, replacing the Dunkin’ kiosk and a grab-and-go kiosk.
Some of the new establishments will encroach on space currently used for gate seating, but Piccolo said with a million annual passengers now using Concourse A, which is fully leased by Allegiant Air, it will ease crowding in the gate areas. And with the new bars and restaurants, there will be some better places to sit and wait for boarding.
“All of this will be done over the next six or seven months,” Piccolo said. “By the time we get to the heavy season of next winter, this should all be in place, functioning very well, and people will have a lot more choices, a lot more convenience, and that should make things much better for our passengers.”
By 2026, Piccolo said, SRQ anticipates surpassing five million passen-
gers, having served just more than four million in 2024. Gate seats lost to the new additions will be eventually be regained by “bump-outs,” which will expand the gate areas.
Changes also are coming to the main terminal area. The Dewar’s Clubhouse restaurant and bar has been downsized, and work on a new Suncoast Bar in a portion of that space has begun. The remainder of that area wrapping around the fountain will be reconfigured into smaller shops.
Because the current airport facilities were built prior to the installation of TSA checkpoints, the prior location of the larger restaurant space, most recently the Dewar’s Clubhouse, was placed at the terminal at the time when passengers were permitted to move freely between the gate and terminal areas.
“It’s oversized pre-security and undersized post-security because when the terminal was built, that security stuff didn’t exist,” Piccolo
said. “That’s part of what we need to correct, to make it smaller pre-security, because there’s not that level of demand there, and more robust post-security because that’s where the demand is.”
MASTER CONCESSIONAIRES PAY
TAB
THE
The total investment in the changes in Concourse B and the main terminal will be $15 million to $16 million, but not at the expense of the airport. Those costs are borne by the master concessionaires, who bid for the right to do business at the airport. They take all the financial risks, contract with the restaurants, bars and retailers and pay the airport a negotiated portion of the revenues.
Host Marriott was the previous master concessionaire serving the airport; that contract is expiring. The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority selected two new concessionaires, SSP America and Paradies Lagardére, to operate there for the
next dozen years.
“It just so happened that as we are going through this massive expansion, the contracts with our master concessionaires were expiring, so we put out a request for proposals for new agreements,” Piccolo said.
“The reason we go to master concessionaires is then we have one entity to deal with, and in this case, we have two. If there’s an issue, we only deal with the master concessionaire, not with every little entity, so it’s much more efficient for us from that standpoint.”
The caveat, Piccolo added, was that the new concessionaires focus on bringing in local purveyors of food and drink rather than offering the generic operations typical of the past.
“We wanted to be sure to bring some local businesses with recognizable names for our customers to enjoy, and then maybe they will go visit them while they are staying here,” he added.
Andrew Warfield
The Kona Bar in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will be replaced by Huey Magoo’s Chicken.
Make A Plan.
It Makes a Difference.
Taking a few moments now can make a significant difference for your loved ones down the road. From removing the stress and financial burdens to fulfilling your exact wishes for your celebration of life, pre-planning is the best gift you can give your family.
We’re here to help. Give us a call today to start the conversation.
Citizens Survey coming soon
The annual survey allows residents to provide input about town priorities and guide the commission’s next strategic planning cycle.
The town of Longboat Key’s annual Citizens Survey is starting soon. Residents can expect letters about the survey popping into mailboxes around Feb. 6-8. On the letters will be a link to the online survey with an individual access code.
The online survey will be available for residents to complete from Feb. 10-28. The responses to the survey are entirely confidential, and the survey should take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
“The survey is a major contributor of ideas of priorities from the residents,” Mayor Ken Schneier said.
In the survey are a variety of questions about town issues in different formats like multiple choice, checkboxes and open-ended.
The open-ended questions in particular typically generate good discussion and ideas. Schneier said all the commissioners read the sur-
vey results to some degree, and he makes it a point to take a careful look through the open-ended responses.
Schneier said the results of the survey sometimes show that one person’s voice can make a difference.
“You don’t need 30 people to say something for it to become a good idea. There may be one or three people … and it rings a bell, and it leads to some action,” Schneier said.
The results of the survey are then compiled in a report and made publicly available on April 2 before the Town Commission discusses them at the April 7 meeting.
On April 7, the commission will also hold a goals and objectives workshop prior to the regular meeting. The workshop gives citizens and stakeholder groups an opportunity to present what they feel are town priorities to the commission.
All of this data is collected and then discussed by the commissioners at the annual strategic planning retreat on April 21.
The survey results and discussions from the goals and objectives workshop help to guide the commission’s discussion at the planning retreat, Schneier said.
The priorities laid out by commissioners from the retreat are then incorporated into the upcoming fiscal year budget.
File Photo
An online survey will be available for residents to complete from Feb. 10-28.
A Century of Care, A Future of Hope
In 1925, the people of Sarasota County came together to open a new hospital — their only hospital. With just 32 beds, it was named simply Sarasota Hospital.
One hundred years later, we have grown into something extraordinary: a healthcare system with two full-service hospitals, a Level II Trauma Center, a renowned cancer institute, comprehensive rehabilitation services, a dedicated behavioral health pavilion, and a vast network of outpatient and physician services. Today, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System stands as an award-winning symbol of excellence, recognized nationwide and respected worldwide.
While our name and reach have expanded, our mission remains steadfast. The promise endures: to safeguard our community’s health, to be there for our neighbors in times of need, and to carry forward the trust that has defined us for a century.
Because at our core, we are still a community hospital. And some things will never change.
Big Z Band is the first act set to perform in a three-part concert series for the public.
Three-part Chamber concert series planned for spring
Big Z Band kicks off Savor the Sounds concert series March 1 at the Town Center Green.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
or those seeking a break from the business of a new year, Longboat Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kim Verreault has just the ticket.
The three-part concert series begins March 1 with a performance by Big Z Band. The Dr. Dave Band then plays on March 15, and Easy Street Band is slated to take the stage on April 19.
Big Z Band bills itself as able to tackle nearly every genre of music, from country to jazz to reggae to classic rock and beyond. The Dr. Dave Band says it specializes in “kick-grass country rock.”
“All of this music is good dance music,” Verreault said.
She said the chamber wanted to work with presenting sponsor Bank of America to bring community members several evenings of relax-
TO
ation and fun.
Individual general admission tickets are $25, or up to eight guests can enjoy a sophisticated VIP table together for $250. Those wanting a table must register in advance and should note that a limited number of VIP spots are available.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs, snacks, picnic baskets and beverages, though food trucks will be selling food nearby.
Verreault said she hopes concertgoers enjoy “the opportunity to get together in a casual, fun setting, where people have the opportunity to be with one another in a joyous social setting.”
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. at the Town Center Green Karon Family Pavilion, and the performances run from 5:30-8 p.m. each night. Verreault encourages attendees to get there early to enjoy surprise opening performances by artists yet to be announced. She noted that refunds will not be available if there is poor weather. Contact the chamber online, at 383-2466 or in person at the office to register or ask questions.
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LOOK!
FRIDAY, JAN. 24
HEADS UP
5:30 p.m., 600 block of Bay Isles Parkway
Property Damage: Officers responded to a citizen assist call after a cyclist allegedly ran into a gate pole. At the scene, officers met with a security guard who said a cyclist was not paying attention and ran into the downed gate arm. The security guard said the man was not injured and had since left the scene, but provided the officer with the name of the cyclist. There was no damage to the gate, but the security guard said he needed the incident documented by the police.
over six months, and let him off with warnings for the other information he failed to produce. A passenger in the car took control of the vehicle because the driver legally had not been allowed to drive since 2006.
PANTS PROBLEM
3:30 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles
Parkway
vehicle but also admitted his out-of-state license expired last year and he did not have his wallet on him. He was also unable to provide any insurance or registration information.
The officer checked the driver’s information in the database, which showed his driver’s license had expired in 2006 and he had a possible warrant. The database also stated the man should be considered armed and dangerous with violent tendencies, so the officer requested backup.
Backup arrived, and officers received notification from dispatch that the warrant was in-state only.
The officers issued the driver a criminal citation with a court date for driving with an expired license
Disturbance: Longboat Key officers were dispatched to a reported verbal disturbance. The officers met with the manager of a dry cleaning service who said a man started a verbal argument about two pairs of pants that were allegedly lost. According to the manager, he gave the man a check for one pair of pants, but the second pair was found and returned to the man. The business policy, though, states they are not responsible for lost articles of clothing. The owner of the pants became irate, according to the report, and demanded they pay for his second pair of pants or he would refuse to leave. The man also said the second pair of pants the business found were not his original pair. The officers reminded the owner of the pants of the business’ policy and ad-
vised
this was a civil matter, not criminal. The man was also advised it was in his best interest to leave the business to avoid further incident. He left with two pairs of pants and the check to buy a new pair.
TUESDAY, JAN. 28
MUSIC MUTED
9:22 p.m., 600 block of St. Judes
Drive Noise Disturbance: Dispatch sent an officer to investigate a noise complaint in the area. The complainant said he heard loud music coming from a specific address, but the responding officer was unable to hear music from the mentioned residence. The officer spoke to the complainant, who said the music was loud, but he could no longer hear the music and he no longer found it annoying. Before leaving the scene, the officer spoke with the musical resident and advised him to keep the music down, an order with which he complied.
THURSDAY, JAN. 30
PROFANE PLUMBERS
9:47 a.m., 700 block of Bayport Way Civil Disturbance: dispatched to the scene of a civil disturbance between a plumber and a resident who refused to pay an invoice. According to the plumber, the company previously provided a diagnosis of a cracked pipe to the resident and he was on scene to repair the pipe in the morning. But when he arrived, there was a different plumbing company completing the work, and the resident said he no longer needed assistance from the original plumber. When the plumber told the
resident he still had a $524 invoice to be paid, the resident refused to pay it. The responding officer told the plumber he could pursue this in small claims court, but the plumber was unsatisfied with the answer. The plumber’s supervisor called and spoke to the officer, became agitated and said the resident should be arrested if he did not pay the invoice. A Longboat Key sergeant then arrived on the scene and spoke to the supervisor over the phone. The plumbing supervisor proceeded to call the officer a profane name and said the officers were not doing their jobs. It was again relayed to the plumbers that the matter would have to go through small claims court. The resident said he never heard back from the plumbing service
ELECT
STEVE BRANHAM
Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired) For Longboat Key Town Commission At Large – Seat 1
Community members joined a large-scale volunteer effort to clean Gulf of Mexico Drive from remaining storm debris.
DANA
KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Alexandra Lowe-Mains, one of the organizers behind the weekend’s community cleanup of Gulf of Mexico Drive, said the Herculean effort was meant not only to clear the physical debris left behind by recent hurricanes but also to get rid of the reminders of the damage wrought by the storms.
“People are just eager to get the island back to what it was prior to the storms,” she said. “Obviously, storm recovery takes a lot of time, but trash never stops.”
Lowe-Mains, co-owner of SeaMonkey Apparel, said the approximately 100 citizen volunteers collected just shy of 500 bags in a matter of hours, nearly filling a 40-yard dumpster. It was an all-hands-on-deck
effort, with Longboat Key Public Works taking on the task of picking up garbage bags along the way.
She and Vilia Johnson, who originally approached the town with the idea for the cleanup, were overjoyed with a turnout that exceeded all their expectations.
“This has evolved into not just a storm debris cleanup effort, but a ‘let’s put the island back and beautify it’,” Lowe-Mains added. “There’s never a bad time for a cleanup.”
Volunteers included year-round residents and part-timers aiming to give back to their community.
Also joining the town’s effort were Rotary Club of Longboat Key, Suncoast Aqua Ventures, AMI Cabanas, SRQ Strong, Florida Department of Transportation and Keep Manatee Beautiful.
They all met at Longboat Island Chapel at 9 a.m. to gather their safety vests and trash grabbers, then
divided into seven work zones, starting at the end of North Shore Road and ending at Overlook Park.
New Public Works Director Charlie Mopps, who did his part driving a mini dumpster to various groups, said three of his staff members volunteered their time to help that day.
“We’re part of the community,” he said. “This is our working family and the town that we support.”
He shared that the department has heard the praises community members have offered clean-up crews that were out right after the trio of storms passed and appreciated their support.
Volunteers Belinda Bauer and Pete Haselhorst said they were especially glad to help reduce the amount of glass shards along the road, considering they routinely walk their dog nearby.
Many attendees said they were simply happy to help Longboat Key continue on its healing journey. Though not all the debris could be cleared in a single afternoon, they worked diligently to delicately detangle trash from mangroves, rake the roadside patches of earth and uncover some interesting items— including an abandoned miniature cart, a fishing pole, clothing hangers, a computer mouse and a photo album.
Students Lina Whyte and Hayden Dolan were the ones who found the album and turned it over to LoweMains in the hopes it could be returned to the owner.
They said the afternoon was a winwin, for it earned them community service hours for school and provided a meaningful way to give back.
Jennifer Hoffman, executive director of Keep Manatee Beautiful, said their members knew it was just as important to support Longboat Key residents as anywhere else in Manatee County, and they were glad
WORSHIP directory
to come out in full force to support the recovery.
The highly acclaimed Astralis Chamber Ensemble presents over sixty recitals each season at venues across the eastern United States. The husband and wife duo, Angela Massey (flute) and Kris Marshall (trumpet), have been performing together for over a decade and are one of the most active ensembles for this pairing worldwide. Caroline Owen will be joining them on piano to present a brilliant program of Romantic works for Valentine’s Day.
The concert, “Fantaisie d’Amour,” will include an audience favorite written for the ensemble by Andrey Rubtsov, a French Suite by Widor, and an exciting trio by Jim Stephenson. Please join us for what will be a memorable afternoon of music enchantment.
“There is something called hurricane fatigue, where it brings down everybody’s souls because it takes so long,” she said. “You get a lot of energy in the beginning and you’re going out and doing things, but then the longer it lasts, the more you feel it. One of the low-hanging fruits is going out and picking up the trash along the roads so that when you’re driving back and forth, it is just the beautiful area that you’re used to. It helps bring people’s spirits back up.”
The group holds regular cleanups on the first Saturdays and Tuesdays of the month, with the next scheduled for March 1 at Taylor Park, 308 Seventh St. W., Palmetto. For the full calendar, visit ManateeBeautiful.com.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Lina Whyte and Hayden Dolan, two young volunteers in the community cleanup, found a picture album among the roadside debris.
Chris Moneuse works among the mangroves to carefully remove storm debris.
Mike Smith, Alexandra Lowe-Mains, Anthony Moreno, Vilia Johnson and Jennifer Hoffman celebrate a successful cleanup.
Dive into St. Regis’ lagoon
The lagoon at St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is home to more than 3,000 Florida marine animals, which survived recent hurricanes.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Dan Conklin, curator of St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s wildlife lagoon, held up a gloved hand to a crevasse in one of the tank’s reefs. Cautiously, a spotted drum, with its black-and-white striped body, dotted fins and regal, curved dorsal fin, came out. It grew bolder, dancing around Conklin’s hand, before darting back into its hiding hole.
Conklin, a professional aquarist of 30 years, is responsible for leading the care of the nearly 3,000 Floridian marine animals housed in the Under the Sea Lagoon since it opened in August. The lagoon offers an interactive experience for guests to learn about the area’s unique wildlife. All guests can stroll by the tank’s viewing window and get a close-up look at a sunny school of grunts or the multitude of parrotfish, angelfish, squirrelfish and more.
The most adventurous visitors get the opportunity to hand-feed the rays. The half-million-gallon lagoon is home to a multitude of fish commonly seen at tropical snorkeling
sites in the wild. But it also houses two species of rays, the larger southern stingray and the smaller cownose ray, so named for its rounded snout. “They’re very friendly, and people can actually get in and interact with the rays and feed them,” he said.
The southern stingray are the largest animals in the enclosure, and
aquarists Yvanna Paez Mendez and Tammy Nguyen know them well. Sarafina likes to shoot water spouts at visitors. Forest has the darkest coloration and a noticeably shorter tail out of the bunch. And they all have personal preferences when it
Photos by Dana Kampa
Aquarist Tammy Nguyen show the Sutton family how to feed the cownose rays.
Southern stingray gliding in the tank.
SEE LAGOON, PAGE 2B
Lagoon
comes to their favorite foods, with some being particularly picky about shell-on shrimp and other treats.
While lagoon staff handle feeding the larger rays to keep a close eye on their diet of shrimp, silverside and squid, guests get to directly feed cownose rays some tasty fish.
The Sutton family took part one recent afternoon, nervous at first to extend the food to the rays but giggling as the animals vacuumed up the treats and splashed about.
Guests Amanda Monin and Jaylin Jones said the experience was unlike any other they’ve had.
“It was awesome,” Monin said. “I loved snorkeling with the fish and stingrays, getting to see them right below you. It was so colorful.”
After feeding the smaller rays, the group could snorkel among the fish and wave through the side panel at other family members.
Conklin said the lagoon is the perfect venue for sharing some of the best of Florida’s natural resources in a way that is accessible and fun for anyone 8 years old and up.
He said the most rewarding part of maintaining this special exhibit is “seeing how excited people are to see the marine life, get up close and learn about it.”
Another unique draw resides in a pen just across from the tank—a pair of Aldabra giant tortoises.
Rose and Jack are about 20 years old and already weigh well over 200 pounds. The species, native to Madagascar and the West Indian Ocean, can grow to 500 pounds and live to about 120.
“They’re a young adult pair, and maybe we’ll have some offspring one day,” Conklin said.
THE STORM
NAVIGATING
During a recent visit from the Longboat Key Garden Club, Conklin and St Regis Director of Engineering Christopher Jenkins recounted how team members worked before, during and after the recent hurricanes to ensure the animals’ safety.
“Dan and I were a bit concerned about the storm surge with the
lagoon,” Jenkins told club members.
“We talked about it ahead of time, how to prepare and take care of the people, and how to take care of the resident animals.”
As the threatening weather began rolling in, the resort took preventative measures to protect its facilities, draining the lazy river and adultsonly pool to avoid getting any chlorine in the lagoon.
Staff’s primary concern was that flooding ocean waters would overwhelm the tanks, perhaps drawing the animals out to sea. Though they hoped to avoid it, Jenkins noted that at least all the fish were sourced from the Keys and would ideally survive even in that worst-case scenario.
“Around the edge of the lagoon is rockwork that goes up about 18 inches above the top of the lagoon. At the peak of Hurricane Helene, the storm surge was about 2 inches from going over the rockwork,” Jenkins said, met with gasps from club members.
While waves did lap at the walls of the lagoon, staff said the previously emptied pools luckily provided somewhat of a barrier to the rest of the resort’s buildings. Though cleaning all the sand, mulch and other debris was no small undertaking, they were glad to avoid any more serious damage.
Jenkins told the club the resort’s main building is built to withstand 145 mph winds and is fairly elevated on the Key. But regardless of the resort’s ability to combat storms such as Hurricane Helene, he hopes they won’t be dealing with such storms too frequently.
Conklin said the most challenging aspect of getting through the storm was “the worry about what was going to happen, the uncertainty.”
“We did have high water here, but most of the animals stayed in the
“We talked about it ahead of time, how to prepare and take care of the people, and how to take care of the resident animals.”
— Christopher Jenkins, St Regis Director of Engineering
lagoon, and it was fine,” he added.
There were a few close calls, but staff stood nearby with nets to prevent escape attempts.
“Dan and I were out there in calfdeep water with nets,” Jenkins added. “There were a few rays that tried to make their way out, but we were able to get ahold of them and get them back to a safe area.”
As for Rose and Jack, they took refuge in the resort parking lot farther away, ready to retreat further if necessary.
Even after the storm passed, the danger hadn’t fully abated. Lagoon experts feared that ocean-borne pathogens could affect the animals in the days after the flooding. But luckily, the animals didn’t seem to suffer any side effects, Conklin said, and they are back to representing Florida’s fauna to tourists.
One question Conklin frequently gets is if he has a favorite animal at the lagoon. While the queen angelfish takes the cake with its fluorescent teal and yellow coloration, and the trio of porcupine pufferfish — Simon, Alvin and Theodore — draw
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plenty of attention because of their unique build, he said the hogfish are some of the most playful and interesting to train.
Knowing the animals’ habits, likes and dislikes is an important part of maintaining such a large ecosystem, and Conklin appreciates playing a central role in getting the tanks running, even with the storms and other challenges thrown at the resort since its opening. Other resorts may offer luxury services akin to the St. Regis, but none have this exact experience, he said.
As part of its youth outreach, the resort started a “Reef Rangers” program. Kids get to learn all about identifying the 40 different species of fish, feeding the tortoises and other outdoor activities.
Access to the lagoon is currently geared toward guests, according to Lorna Kirwan, director of sales and marketing, with day passes not yet available. However, memberships for outdoor activities are available.
Full details about the experience are available on StRegisLongboatKeyResort.ipoolside.com.
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Among other activities kicking off the year, the Women’s Guild welcomed dozens of new members.
The St. Mary, Star of the Sea Women’s Guild
running this year, welcoming 25 new members at its newcomers event on Jan. 30 and making plans to give back to students, among other activities.
President Kay Kochenderfer was proud to announce the group is starting a scholarship fund, an ongoing project she hopes will benefit young community members for years to come.
“It’s designed to be a legacy endowment for the guild,” she said. “We have something that we’ve created that will go on to future generations.”
The scholarship is intended for students attending a Catholic school within the diocese. But other than that requirement, Kochenderfer said they wanted to leave the criteria fairly wide open to students of various fields and ages.
“We intentionally wanted to give as much flexibility as possible so it will go to people who actually need it the most,” she said.
The guild plans to distribute the scholarships on an annual basis,
contributing an initial $10,000. She said an anonymous donor also plans to match up to $5,000 for funds donated before the end of May. Checks can be made to the name of the scholarship fund and either put in the offertory basket at regular Mass or brought to the parish office.
Questions can be directed to KKochenderfer@mac.com or 862-1540.
ART SHOW UPCOMING
Attendees also made plans for the upcoming “Art for the Heart” showcase, where members may enjoy the art of guild church members — and potentially take some home through the raffle.
New this year, the showcase takes place 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at Father Edward Pick Parish Hall.
Art Avenue Sarasota President Paul Sykes is scheduled to speak, providing insight into artist Frank Hopper and the mural he painted for the church.
RSVP to Linda Olsen by email at Pistol57@gmail.com or text 941544-6938.
Kochenderfer said plenty more is to come from the guild, including a service day, fashion show and rummage sale.
She said she was delighted to see so many people turn out for the meeting.
“Every year, we keep getting more and more people,” she said. “There’s a real fellowship that develops.”
The full calendar of events is available at StMaryLBK.org/WomensGuild.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Susan Gilmore-Clarke catches up with fellow Women’s Guild members.
Mary Del Pup, Kay Kochenderfer and Lyn Kennelly
Father Michael Guarino shares memories of his mother’s participation in the Women’s Guild.
Lord’s Warehouse reopens to community acclaim
Start the year with a financial review.
Start the year with a financial review.
Start the year with a financial review.
The Lord’s Warehouse, badly damaged by last year’s hurricanes, fully reopened for the season this weekend.
Key Chapel, and proceeds go toward supporting community members in need of assistance.
Organizers were thrilled to have a line out the door.
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“We expected a big crowd, and it met our expectations for sure,” Val Evanko said. “This is a hot spot of Longboat Key, and we’ve been closed for months, and we’re so happy to be back.”
devastation remained. The high-end thrift store has several rooms filled with donated art, glassware, clothing and more, with even more racks of clothes outside when the weather allows. The shop is run by the Longboat
Community members can drop off donations on the front porch to be sorted, Monday through Friday at the northeast corner of the chapel in the marked storage area.
Dana Kampa
Val Evanko, Joyce Mazurek and Dona Petruccelli run the counter at the Lord’s Warehouse reopening.
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5th annual fundraising art sale kicks off strong
Community members turned out in droves for first day of All Angels by the Sea ‘New to You’ art sale.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Treasure hunters exceeded expectations for the first day of the “New to You” art sale hosted by All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, event runners said.
Nancy Boyd, who aided the last few community members with their final purchases Monday evening, said the kickoff was a roaring success.
“It was wonderful,” she said.
Community members took an interest in all manner of art and decor, but particularly the Florida nature-themed paintings.
Boyd said one shopper was excited to take home a painting of an egret as a soon-to-be birthday present, but she was careful not to disclose any details to avoid spoiling the surprise.
The fundraising focus this year is Turning Points, which provides support for Manatee County families and individuals facing homelessness.
Boyd attributed part of the success to All Angels’ ever-growing relationship with its next-door neighbor, Temple Beth Israel. Besides contributing donated art for the sale, members volunteered to help staff the sale tables. Boyd thanked everyone in the community for their support and offered a reminder that new donations come in every day, meaning freshly replenished tables and exciting new treasures to find.
This sale continues through Feb. 27.
The gallery is open at the church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays. It will also be open for special hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 22 and noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 23. For inquiries about the sale or how to donate, call 941-383-8161.
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Wendy Peck examines a necklace at the end of the first day of the New to You art sale.
Kiwanis welcomes new members
Kiwanis Club members held their first monthly meeting of 2025, making plans for pancake socials and more.
As a longtime restaurateur, Longboat Key Kiwanis Club
President Michael Garey was particularly excited about the location of the first monthly meeting of the year.
Café on St. Armands recently held its official reopening on Jan. 21, and Garey commended the owners for the work they put into the remodel, despite the hurdles caused by Hurricane Helene. He also shared stories of his own time at the restaurant, formerly known as Café L’Europe. He offered a brief history of the 100-year-old building, which formerly served as John Ringling’s real estate office. Just by happenstance,
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he met someone who was walking their dog one evening 20 years ago, and the man shared the building’s unknown tidbit of history.
After he and then-owner Titus Letschert did some digging and discovered two aerial photos of St. Armands Circle from the 1920s that helped prove it true.
The building also had a history as an inn, a grocery store and, eventually, the beloved restaurant.
“There are so many stories to tell,” Garey added.
The meeting also offered an opportunity for the club to welcome its five newest official members.
Garey noted the club has also had a strong history of retaining members.
Members will certainly be busy this year, especially as they make plans for its popular pancake fundraiser.
Steve Branham, candidate for an at-large seat with the Longboat Key Town Commission, also introduced himself to club members, touting his own experience as a past Kiwanis president.
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
New official Kiwanis Club members are Mike Frashier, Jeff Hawks, Bo Fuller, Danielle Gladding and Nick Gladding.
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Sarasota’s
Highwaymen event comes to Longboat
The Education Center is hosting a special showing of works by the 22 famous Highwaymen artists this week.
The now-celebrated Highwaymen artists are known for their vibrant, brash and evocative depictions of Florida’s key waterways in the 1950s to 1990s, and the public will have an opportunity to see those works free in person at a temporary showing.
The Education Center is showing the works of 22 artists from Feb. 10-16 as a tribute to Black History Month.
The featured artists include Al Black, Alfred Hair, Charles “Chico” Wheeler, Curtis Arnett, Ellis Buckner, George Buckner, Harold Newton, Hezekiah Baker, Issac Knight, James Gibson, John Maynor, Johnny Daniels, Lemuel Newton, Livingston “Castro” Roberts, Mary Ann Carroll, Roy McLendon, Robert Lewis, Rodney Demps, Sam Newton, Sylvester Wells, Willie Daniels and Horace Foster.
While the Highwaymen artists mostly include men, the showing is set to feature the works of a female artist, Carroll.
As Education Center Program Director Susan Goldfarb explained, the artists garnered their title because they famously sold their
paintings from their cars at the roadside at the peak of the nation’s segregation of Black Americans.
She said the artists, “are now regarded as having contributed significantly in the history of art.”
The center is also hosting a lecture by Kevin Costello, who will speak about the unique features of the paintings, particularly those by Hair and Newton. His talk runs 3-4:30 p.m. and costs $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers.
This showing is made possible through the generosity of an anonymous collector.
The free exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
File photo
Wanda Renee Mills poses in front of a painting by her mother, Mary Ann Carroll, known as the First Lady of the Florida Highwaymen painters.
Florida Highwaymen painter Harold Newton’s “Cows on the River Bank” is on display at Selby Gardens through Sept. 15. Courtesy image
Jules Mackie | Tracey Stetler | Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan | Patrick DiPinto | Rene DiPinto | Steven Moore | Janet Coughlin
PET PICS
VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE
BOCA BOUTIQUE
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941-529-1000
www.BocaBoutiqueSRQ.com
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift? Stop in and explore our amazing collection. From chic and unique home decor to gifts, wellness and beauty, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Local Artists, apparel, jewelry, pet products, indoor & outdoor furniture and so much more. Open daily: 10-5, Thursday till 6 and Sunday, 12 to 4.
ANNA MARIA OYSTER BAR
Find a location near you • www.OysterBar.net/locations
Oysters are for lovers, but lobster and crab are for romantics! Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Anna Maria Oyster Bar with a special seafood experience. At the Pier, enjoy a Snow Crab Boil for two, featuring snow crab, lobster tails, mussels, shrimp, and more. At all other locations, savor Twin Lobster Tails with two sides. A simple, elegant way to celebrate.
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McCarver & Moser Jewelers has sophisticated design collections from around the world. We provide customer service that exceeds expectations with our knowledge, hand crafted designs and a personal concierge team that represents over 115 years of experience. Making our customers happy and beautiful is our passion.
Bartlett Jewelers, your trusted local jeweler for 52 years, offers a stunning selection of engagement rings, wedding bands, and designer fashion jewelry. With an experienced team to guide you, discover the brilliance of lab-created diamonds, identical to mined diamonds but at a more affordable price. Celebrate your love with the perfect piece for your sweetheart.
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Come in and find some thing as unique as you are! From Euro, chic, clothing, jewelry and accessories. To fine soaps and house warming gifts and enjoy our superb customer service. You won’t be disappointed! Open Mon 12-5, Tues-Thur 11-5 & Fri-Sat 10-6.
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Two Bird Key homes on Meadow Lark Drive and S. Owl Drive top the week’s sales. John Michael Holland and Katherine Holland, of Lake Forest, Illinois, sold their home at 410 Meadow Lark Drive to Bradley and Allison Crate, of Sarasota, for $3.55 million. Built in 1973, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,257 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.4 million in 2024. Mark and Moira Hintsa, of Sarasota, sold their home at 526 S. Owl Drive to Mark and Nancy Logan, of Sarasota, for $3.55 million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,783 square feet of living area.
COREY’S LANDING
Christopher and Pattiann Curtin, trustees, of Longboat Key, sold the home at 3542 Mistletoe Lane to John and Kristin Fette, of Longboat Key, for $2.8 million. Built in 1991,
SANDS POINT
it has four bedrooms, three baths and 3,216 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.45 million in 2016.
EMERALD HARBOR
Old Compass Inc. sold the home at 710 Old Compass Road to Wesley and Maya Beck, of Lakeland, for $1.45 million. Built in 1968, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,821 square feet of living area. It sold for $307,000 in 1993.
TOP BUILDING PERMITS
in order of dollar amounts.
Brian Donahue, of Collierville, Tennessee, sold his Unit 220 condominium at 100 Sands Point Road to Stephen King, trustee, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, for $1,075,000. Built in 1966, it has one bedroom, one-and-a-half baths and 1,492 square feet of living area. It sold for $760,000 in 2023.
WINDING OAKS
Edward Webler, trustee, of Evanston, Illinois, sold the Unit 27 condominium at 3453 Winding Oaks Drive to Jeffrey William Hall, of Longboat Key, for $1.05 million. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,608 square feet of living area. It sold for $619,500 in 2013.
HARBOUR OAKS AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB
Victor Cuco and Melissa Rodocker, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 305 condominium at 2211 Harbourside Drive to Mark and April Stratton, of Longboat Key, for $1.04 million. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,219 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,036,100 in 2024.
FIRST LONGBOAT HARBOUR
Anthony and Kristy Holland, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 108 condominium at 4350 Chatham Drive to Render and Laura Freeman, of Anna Maria, for $705,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,316 square feet of living area. It sold for $719,000 in 2022.
Source: Town of Longboat Key
Dana Kampa
The home at Meadow Lark Drive, which tied for top listing, sold for $3.55 million.
YOUR CALENDAR
MONDAY, FEB. 10
BIW FASHION SHOW
Noon to 2:30 p.m. at Michaels On East Sarasota, 12 Shevat 5785. Temple Beth Israel is holding its annual Beth Israel Women Fashion Show. Call 383-3428 for further details.
TUESDAY, FEB. 11
HIGHWAYMEN LECTURE
3-4:30 p.m. at The Education Center, 567 Bay Isles Road. As part of The Education Center’s public display of the Highwaymen artists, guest lecturer Kevin Costello will speak about the unique features of the paintings, particularly those by Alfred Hair and Harold Newton, with a Q&A to follow. The cost is $20 for members; $25 for nonmembers.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12
KALEIDOSCOPE MUSIC RETURNS
3 p.m. at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. The church is hosting its second “kaleidoscope” music evening, featuring “The Peace that Follows” by Dr. R. Michael Daugherty and Tasha Robinson on the harp. Admission is by free-will offering.
RECURRING EVENTS
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS LONGBOAT LIBRARY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. The library has expanded its hours for the season, adding Thursdays throughout February. It will be open all five weekdays starting in March. Call 383-6493.
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS PUMPING THE PRIME
10 a.m. at Bayfront Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Led by Mirabai Holland, classes focus on low-impact cardio and muscle-toning 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 956-1466.
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 fit-
BEST BET
MONDAY, FEB. 10
HIGHWAYMEN WORKS ON DISPLAY
9 a.m. at The Education Center, 567 Bay Isles Road. The center is hosting a free public display of the works of 22 of the iconic Highwaymen artists who depicted landscapes of Florida’s waterways in the 1950s to 1990s. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The final day of the exhibit is Feb. 16.
ness levels. The focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $20. 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.
Courtesy image
Visitors viewing the Florida Highwaymen exhibit in Sarasota in the summer of 2024.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
FORECAST
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
MOON PHASES
TIDES
Thursday, Feb.
“UIV UDGAC OIZXZ KZ M CZFOYBMOYDB
UIZB AYLZ YOFZAL YF M WDGXBZV? VDG TD BDO OD TZO OIZXZ KGO OD KZ OIZXZ.” BYPPY TYDJMBBY “M’Z EUA
KXEIA OAEOPA KXSK KXMURI KXMULI XSOOAU WEF S FASIEU, SUY CED GDIK XSHA KE PEER WEF KXA FASIEU.” TPMUK NPSTR
