Longboat Observer 10.16.25

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award for his years of service to the community.

Kiwanians recognize Garey

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key had a special surprise for former president Michael Garey at their Oct. 9 meeting. Garey recently stepped down from the role, making way for new president Danielle Gladding.

He admitted he had an inkling something was afoot when his wife, Catherine, joined him for the monthly meeting at their restaurant, the Lazy Lobster. But he was delighted with the commendation and turned the spotlight to his wife, thanking her for the ongoing support while he worked to bolster club participation.

Members also heard from guest speaker and mayor Ken Schneier, who has reached his term limit and will be leaving the position in March. He offered updates on the town’s budget and hurricane recovery efforts.

cancer research.

Sip to support awareness

Café on St. Armands is supporting breast cancer research through the month of October.

The restaurant on St. Armands Circle is donating part of the proceeds from sales of its strawberry basil martinis to My Breast Friends 941 and the American Cancer Society.

For a full list of activities the local organization is holding for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, visit MyBreastFriend941.org/causes.

To learn more about donating directly to the American Cancer Society, visit Cancer. org.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16,

addresses, bills all need updates if GMD is renamed.

Dana Kampa
New Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key president Danielle Gladding presents former president Michael Garey, accompanied by his wife, Catherine, with an
Dana Kampa
Eleni Sokos and Jared Fairley of Café on St. Armands, which is raising funds toward breast
Dana Kampa

WEEK OF OCT. 16, 2025

1

“I’ve

been trying to get

out on Longboat Key since I first got here 13 years ago.”

Goodwill

Work nears completion for town-owned docks

Two town-owned docks on Sarasota Bay that were damaged by 2024 hurricanes are nearly repaired.

Longboat Key Public Works Project Manager David Kushnir said rising water levels from Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged the docks on Broadway Street and Lois Avenue/Linley Street.

“Both docks were damaged due to uplifting, which means as the tide rose above the dock level, wood wants to float, so it pulled the pylons out of the

ground and made it so it was no longer safe, pulling boards apart,” Kushnir said.

Kushnir said Parks Manager Mark Richardson has done a great job of getting the project on track and underway. According to Kushnir, work began on both docks Aug. 4, and work has gone according to schedule with work set to be complete by Nov. 4. The same contractor is working on both docks, which are just a couple blocks away from each other bordering the Shore Longboat Key and Mar Vista Dockside

restaurants.

According to the contracts, the Lois Avenue/Linley Street dock repairs will cost $123,449, and the Broadway Street dock repairs will cost $87,644.

The Broadway Street dock includes a boat lift used by the Longboat Key Police Department and is also open to the public for fishing. The Lois Avenue/Linley Street dock includes a boat ramp open to the public. Residents can also tie their boat to the dock temporarily.

Barancik Foundation names new CEO

John Brothers has been named the next CEO and president of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, effective Dec. 1, according to a statement.

Charles “Chuck” and Margery “Margie” Barancik started the foundation in 2014. The couple lived on Longboat Key for decades until their death in 2019.

Brothers will succeed Teri Hansen, who is retiring from the Barancik Foundation after more than 10 years as its startup CEO.

Under her leadership, the foundation has grown, awarding more than $30 million in grants annually with a focus on education, humanitarian causes, arts and culture, the environment and medical research.

Before working for T. Rowe Price from 2015 until February, Brothers founded an international consulting firm that specialized in nonprofit, philanthropic and government sectors.

Community cleanup scheduled

Waste Management and the town of Longboat Key are collaborating to host a community cleanup.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, Town Hall (501 Bay Isles Road) will act as a drop-off location for the responsible collection of household hazardous waste such as paint, batteries, pool chemicals, fertilizers and other hazardous items.

Lithium ion batteries, computers, keyboards and other electronic waste will also be accepted.

Paperwork to be shredded can also be dropped off during the community cleanup drop-off event, which will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.

Bulk items will also be collected from Waste Management Oct. 25 with curbside pickup. Those in multifamily residences like apartments and condominiums can drop their bulk items off at Town Hall in the morning.

What needs to change to change a name?

Gulf of Mexico Drive renaming would require homework for residents and businesses.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s removal of street signs on Longboat Key’s main road has led to an avalanche of opinions from residents — and questions.

Not a diverse range of opinions, for they can be broken down into two categories: change the name or keep it the same. Initial tallying of input from town staff shows the latter is much preferred.

Town mayor Ken Schneier said Friday that resident sentiment remains about five to one in favor of keeping the name of the road Gulf of Mexico Drive, and that recent discussions with FDOT have confirmed to him that the decision on what to name the road is a town decision.

“They can decide what the body of water is called, and they have, but they can’t decide what our road is called, and they haven’t,” Schneier said.

A change of address would certainly require a lift from residents. Documents, identification cards, banking statements, mortgages and insurance policies all have addresses on them.

Residents may wonder what documents they need to change, who to contact and what to do if their address were to change.

Audrey Bear, a 17-year resident of Longboat Key, said she is concerned about older residents on the Key having to navigate those questions alone. Though she doesn’t live on the road, she has been vocal in her opposition to the idea of renaming Gulf of Mexico Drive, which she calls a vanity project by the state.

“Who knows how long it’ll take?” she said. “People who are 80 or above, when they worked, they didn’t use internet.”

According to Census Data, 20% of Longboat Key’s population is 80 or above, and 34% are in their 70s.

Schneier said the hassle of an address change for older residents is something the Town Commission will consider when it holds a workshop to discuss the topic on Oct. 20.

“We have an older population here, and I know from personal experience, meaning my own, that we’re not as all tech savvy as the younger crowd,” Schneier said. “So if the name of the road is changed, and there is whatever you would consider a material amount of work and/or cost involved in a name change, it adds to the cons of considering a name change.”

Bear said those receiving Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security benefits would likely have trouble navigating the website or reaching the correct line by telephone.

Going to an office in person also poses challenges for some older residents.

“Just because the Gulf has changed, why does that mean the street signs have to change? It’s a part of our history.”

Medicare is run by Social Security, and federal cuts to the department could cause additional headaches, Bear said.

Financially, the impacts to residents will likely be minimal. But the time and effort could overwhelm residents, Bear said.

“Time when you’re old can become emotional,” she said. “I worry that some residents will have to hire people to help them. I think it’s a royal, royal pain.”

WHAT WOULD IT COST RESIDENTS?

Replacing a driver’s license is not free.

But residents wouldn’t need to shell out any money if the road they are living on changes its name, unlike a change of address due to moving.

“When an address change is Post Office directed, there is no fee to replace a driver’s license or identi-

BUSYWORK FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, MANAGERS

An address change for businesses on Longboat Key would require notifying many vendors and agencies of a name change. The following can be used as a loose checklist of what may be required following a road name change.

fication card for an address change only,” said Sarasota County Tax Collector Director of Customer Offices Wendy Montgomery in an email. “However, to process this transaction at no cost, the current driver’s license or identification card must be surrendered at time of service and a letter from the Post Office or local jurisdiction directing the address change is required.”

United States Postal Office spokesperson Carol Hunt said the Post Office plays no role in assigning or designating street names. Counties or municipalities make determinations on what to name streets, roads or highways, and the Post Office updates its databases when it is notified of said changes.

“There is no need for customers to submit a change-of-address request form and there is no cost incurred as it relates to the Postal Service or to mail delivery service,” Hunt said in an email.

“However, we do encourage customers to update their personal contacts and records to reflect their new address.”

When a county notifies the USPS of an address change, USPS forwards mail from the old address to the new address for 12 months from the county’s notification, giving a year for changes to be made with vendors.

To help residents navigate address changes, Sarasota County put together an “address change resource guide” which explains what residents do and don’t need to do when the county changes the name of a road they live on.

According to the guide, Sarasota County sends memos to eight county departments (Emergency Services, Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, GIS, Property Appraiser, County Utilities, Waste Management and Voter Registration), USPS, FPL and Verizon notifying them of the address change.

“Although these agencies receive official notification from Sarasota County regarding address changes, it is recommended that the property owner also contact these agencies to make sure the changes have been made,” the guide reads.

Property deeds would not need to be changed as the legal description would remain the same, and the address listed on the deed “only

serves as additional information,” according to the guide.

Wills, too, would not need updating, said attorney Roger Lutz of the lawfirm Lutz, Bobo & Telfair. He said it’s common for wills to be written 10 or 15 years before a person dies, and addresses listed on wills are commonly out of date and irrelevant to the content of the will. If there were a challenge due to the address, which Lutz said is unlikely, then the legal principle known as judicial notice would come into play.

“If someone said ‘hey that’s not a real will he lived on Gulf of America not Gulf of Mexico,’ then the judge would say I give judicial notice that the name of the road changed,” Lutz said. “It’s for things that are abundantly clear beyond dispute. Like that it’s hot in Florida in the summer time.”

‘A HEADACHE’ FOR BUSINESSES Gulf of Mexico Drive is the main road on Longboat Key. The only way on and only way off the island by car. Strategically, it’s a smart place to locate a business.

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill general manager Wil Stutzman said a road name change would be “a huge headache” for his restaurant.

Stutzman said it’s hard to even quantify the amount of work or the cost it would have.

“I mean, think about it. You have your mortgage. You have all your electric, all your bills, all your purveyors. Your banking, financial. Every aspect of everything has to be changed out,” Stutzman said. “Is it a pretty big job? Yeah, it is. It’s not just a matter of ordering new business cards. We have to change our address with every single company we do business with. That’s a pretty large job for us.”

Stutzman is against changing the name of Gulf of Mexico Drive, calling it an unnecessary hassle for businesses on the Key.

“Just because the Gulf has changed, why does that mean the street signs have to change? It’s a part of our history,” Stutzman asked.

“It’s affecting every single person that has businesses or residents that have businesses on Longboat Key. It’s impacting a huge portion, if not 90% of the residents that live out here.”

ROAD NAME CHANGE CHECKLIST FOR RESIDENTS

If the name of the road a resident lives on changes, the following can serve as a standard checklist of agencies and companies to con-

Photos by S.T. Cardinal
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill General Manager Wil Stutzman said changing the address on every relevant document as a result of the potential renaming of Gulf of Mexico Drive would take plenty of work.
Longboat Key resident Audrey Bear is adamantly against changing the name of Gulf of Mexico Drive, calling it a “vanity project” that would cause a major hassle for older residents who live on the road.

Longboat discussed for possible ferry stop

Town leaders see a benefit, but there’s no suitable spot to dock.

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

The Gulf Islands Ferry is all the rage, with 39,000 hopping aboard already this year, and Manatee leaders are looking at ways to expand.

Manatee County has discussed bringing a Gulf Islands Ferry stop to Longboat Key, though those discussions are far from concrete plans.

Mayor Ken Schneier said he sees benefits in bringing a stop to Longboat, mainly as a method of traffic alleviation.

“When we do our citizen surveys every year, the No. 1 concern is always traffic. We’re always looking for solutions to that. There aren’t a lot that are obvious. There’s been talk about another bridge, but that’s not going to happen. So one of the things is the water taxi idea,” Schneier said. The main hangup, though, is finding a suitable location that residents would be agreeable to.

The ferry can only stop at public piers or docks because it is a publicly funded service, said Elliot Falcione, director of Manatee County’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Falcione advocated for the formation of the ferry and now runs the system while the county works to transition operations to Manatee County Area Transit in the future.

Schneier said finding a public location is easier said than done.

“Wherever we were to do that, we would have concerns of the local residents to having a dock because you don’t just need to have a dock where people get on and off the boat, but then you need ways to then transfer them wherever they want to go,” Schenier said. “So you need parking lots if there are people coming from the island who want to go downtown. You need transit for people coming to the island and want to go

to a restaurant or want to go to the beach. All of that infrastructure has to be considered whenever you consider bringing a ferry here.”

Ridership has seen a 44% increase from 2024, according to county figures.

“That means we have taken about 18,000 to 19,000 cars off of our roads.

And that’s running two 49-passen-

ger catamarans,” said Falcione.

Falcione said the town has not signaled it wants the ferry on the island, “but Manatee County stands ready.”

Schneier said the town doesn’t want to say no, but wants to work to find a solution that would work for its residents. City Island could be a possible landing spot if Sarasota were to launch a similar program, he said. A Sarasota County spokesperson and the county commissioner who oversees the City Island portion of the county did not provide a comment on the possibility of a ferry system in Sarasota County.

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“I don’t know where (Sarasota County) stand(s) on it, but if there were to be a program with Sarasota County, an obvious landing point could be Ken Thompson Park or City Island where Mote is just south, right across the bridge from us,” Schneier said. “There’s a lot of space there. You’d still have to deal with transferring people and parking, but there is space where you could do it.” Operations for the service are fully funded from the Tourism Development Tax and fares. In addition, Manatee County is spending $3 million to expand its ferry fleet. He said the addition of a 92-seat, air-conditioned ferry will be added to complement the two 48-seat pontoons currently in service.

Falcione sees the ferry system not just as a method of transportation, but as a tourist attraction.

“The visitor can enjoy the beautiful Gulf Coast shorelines, and that

IF YOU RIDE

Gulf Islands Ferry has two stops and two boats, with trips lasting about 50 minutes each way.

When: The ferry system operates from from Wednesday to Sunday, weather permitting. The first ferry leaves the downtown Bradenton Riverwalk at 7:30 a.m., and the last ferry leaves the Bridge Street Pier at 9 p.m.

Price: One-way tickets are $6 with round-trip $10• Tickets for children 4-18 and seniors 60+ are $4 one-way and $6 round-trip Seniors 80+ and kids 0-3 ride free

How to book: Tickets can be purchased online at BradentonGulfIslands.com/gulfislands-ferry or can be purchased on site, though online booking is recommended.

FERRY STOPS

„ Downtown Bradenton Riverwalk: 452 3rd Ave W., Bradenton, FL 34205 „ Bridge Street Pier: 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

40-minute commute is very enjoyable,” he said.

As the county adds to the fleet, it’s also working to add ferry stops. Right now, the ferry goes from the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier to the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. Repairs are being made to the Anna Maria Island City Pier to bring back the third stop of the ferry service, and Falcione said the ferry will add another stop to the Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp. The Coquina Beach location, just across the bridge from Longboat Key, is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

“Once we add that we will have a hopper system,” Falcione said.

ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY CODE OF ORDINANCES, TITLE 3, ADMINISTRATION; AMENDING CHAPTER 33, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AMENDING SECTION 33.08, ADMINISTRATIVE FINES AND LIEN; TITLE 15, LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; AMENDING CHAPTER 157, SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS; AMENDING SECTION 157.25, SUBMISSION OF PLAT REQUIRED; RIGHT TO APPEAL; AMENDING SECTION 157.28, DEDICATION OF STREETS AND EASEMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 157.30, PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL; AMENDING SECTION 157.31, FINAL PLAT APPROVAL; AMENDING SECTION 157.32 BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT, LOT SPLIT, OR LOT CONSOLIDATION; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board on proposed Ordinance 2025-12 will be held on October 21, 2025, at 9:15 a.m., or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in the Town Commission Chambers at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Florida.

All interested persons may appear and be heard with respect to proposed Ordinance 2025-12 Copies of Ordinance 2025-12 and related material associated with the amendment may be viewed at the Planning, Zoning & Building Department, 501 Bay Isles Road, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays prior to the hearing. Questions may be directed to the Planning, Zoning & Building Department at 941-316-1966. The proposed amendment will affect property within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Longboat Key as shown on the map appearing at the bottom of this advertisement. No verbatim record by a certified court reporter is made of these proceedings. Accordingly, any person who may seek to appeal any decision involving the matters noticed herein will be responsible for making a verbatim record of the testimony and evidence at these proceedings upon which any appeal is to be based (see Section 286.0105, Fla. Stat.). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, F.S., persons needing a reasonable accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Town Clerk’s office at 941-316-1999 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of this proceeding. If you are hearing impaired or require an alternative means of communication, utilize Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 (TTY) or one of the following toll-free numbers: 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), 1-800-955-1339

Courtesy images
The Gulf Islands Ferry launched in 2023 and has experienced growing ridership and increased investment from Manatee County.
The Gulf Islands Ferry launched in 2023 and has experienced growing ridership and increased investment from Manatee County.

Commercial complex nears completion

Brista Commons will feature everything a resident needs to build a home.

t Brista Commons, the newest shopping center on Longboat Key, customers will soon be able to design a house and then go next door for just about everything else.

Windows, doors, cabinets, flooring and furniture will all be available to view in showrooms next door to Brista Homes’ new location at 3120 Gulf of Mexico Drive beginning in December.

Owner Mark Ursini will work alongside his wife, Gina Ursini, who runs a boutique real estate brokerage, Brista Realty.

The tenants picked to occupy the 8,000 square feet of commercial space was an intentional decision, Mark said.

“For our clients and our tenants’ clients to have that type of presence from all of those sources in the construction industry is a benefit, especially during season where people don’t want to travel all the way to Sarasota,” Ursini said. “They can come here, make selections and even buy furniture now.”

Brista Homes works with the potential homeowner, designers and architects to create custom-built homes, offers pre-built spec homes and condos, and takes on major renovation projects.

Mark said 80% of his business is on Longboat Key, so opening a brickand-mortar location on the island would be convenient for him and his clients.

“Over the last 15 years, we’ve really grown to be more predominantly in

Longboat Key. We built dozens of homes in Country Club Shores, Triton Bend and all the remodels we do,” Mark said.

For a decade, Brista has worked with the tenants that will fill out the rest of the commercial space, Mark said.

“We’ve established great relationships with them and our clients, and we thought it’d be a benefit to have everyone so close,” he said.

Next door to Brista Homes and Brista Realty’s corner office space will be anchor tenant Couch Longboat Key showcasing furniture, lighting and home decor. Noel Ladd and Ken Rushing own three furniture and interior design stores in Oklahoma and planned annual trips to Florida for Noel’s birthday, a different city each time. One year, they picked Sarasota blindly off the map and fell in love.

Then, they found Longboat Key and decided they wanted to buy a house on the barrier island. That’s where they met Gina to help them reach that goal, and the Ursinis and Ladd and Rushing became friends.

When Rushing’s interior design expertise was utilized to outfit Gina’s

BRISTA COMMONS TENANTS

Brista Commons is located at 3120 Gulf of Mexico Drive and will be open by December, according to developer and owner Mark Ursini. The following tenants will occupy the commercial complex:

„ Brista Homes

„ Brista Realty

„ Couch Longboat Key, Cuccini Ricci Imported Italian Kitchens (within Couch showroom)

„ Your Flooring Warehouse „ ClearView Windows & Doors

sister’s Montana home, the Ursinis decided they wanted Ladd and Rushing to be the anchor tenant for their Longboat Key commercial complex.

“They saw the work (Rushing) did and just loved it,” Ladd said.

Couch will display and offer “anything that has to do with furniture” including rugs, lamps, lighting fixtures, bedding, window treatments and, you guessed it, couches.

While there will be top-of-theline options available, there will be many price points for customers “to fit anyone’s budget,” Ladd said.

Rushing will provide interior design consultation, and Couch will also provide upholstery thanks to a partnership with a local long-standing business.

Within the Couch showroom is a fully functional satellite kitchen showcase by Cuccine Ricci Imported Italian Kitchens. Then there’s Your Flooring Warehouse for hardwood, laminate, carpeting, tile and other flooring needs.

Capping the strip off is ClearView Windows & Doors. John Harding Jr. started the business in 2002 at the age of 50.

His son, John Harding III, returned home from college to work for the

family business and recently took over as president as his father shifted to a consulting role. ClearView’s Longboat location will be an expansion as the Bradenton-area base will remain.

With many customers coming from Sarasota and Longboat Key, Harding III said the Longboat Key showroom will provide added convenience to customers. ClearView’s Longboat showroom will include “impressive displays” of all the company offers: hurricane-resistant windows and doors sourced from Venice-based PGT Industries.

The impact-resistant products offer many benefits including security, noise reduction, wind and impact resistance, and energy savings, Harding III said.

“Some people do it for peace of mind, some do it for hurricane protection, some do it for energy efficiency,” Harding III said. “There’s a lot of benefits to it.”

Ursini said Brista Commons will soon be open to the public, with tenants expected to begin moving in during November and everyone expecting to open in December.

“We’ve established great relationships with them and our clients, and we thought it’d be a benefit to have everyone so close.”

Brista Commons owner and developer Mark Ursini stands in the lobby of his new office for Brista Homes Oct. 8, which sits

Goodwill to open on Longboat Key

Longboat Key will have its first Goodwill location by the end of the year. It’s been a long time coming.

“I’ve been trying to get out on Longboat Key since I first got here 13 years ago,” Goodwill Manasota President & CEO Donn Githens said.

The outparcel of the newly built Brista Commons shopping center will be home to a Goodwill bookstore and donation drop-off center at 3150 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

With 3,442 square feet of space, the store is in two sections, with the rear fit to serve as a donation dropoff location and the street-facing portion an open-to-the-public bookstore. The shelves will be updated often, Githens said.

“We’ll be dropping off fresh books probably about three to five times per week at a minimum,” he said.

The bookstore and donation center will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The location is expected to open in mid-December.

Githens said the decision to open a bookstore rather than a retail store was largely due to the difficulty in finding a large space on the Key.

“Retail space is very limited on Longboat Key. So when we had the opportunity to grab this space for the donation center and bookstore, we grabbed it,” Githens said. “Our traditional model in Goodwill Manasota is a larger box store. We want to have that larger footprint because it allows us to hire more team members and provide more meaningful job training experiences.”

The Longboat Key store will be Goodwill Manasota’s fourth bookstore in the region. The store will employ seven to eight, and they won’t be minimum wage, Githens

The other locations are at the following addresses:

„ Albee Farm Bookstore, 400 U.S. 41 Bypass, Venice, FL 34285

„ Clark Bookstore, 5831 Derek Ave., Sarasota, FL 34238

„ Tara Bookstore, 7200 55th Ave., Bradenton, FL 34203

„ Longboat Key Bookstore (opening soon), 3150 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228

said. Goodwill Manasota has several programs to help employ “people with disabilities and other barriers to employment” through job skills training and employment opportunities, according to its website.

“Our mission is changing lives through the power of work,” he said. “We meet each team member where they are… We also have a pursuit of education program where we have about 18 team members who are going to college getting either an associate, a bachelor’s or a master’s degree paid for by Goodwill. That helps with the upskilling of people in the community, who then grow with our organization or become a valuable employee for one of our business partners in the community.”

There are several organizations on the Key that benefit from donations, and Githens said he hopes to work together with those groups to benefit the island collaboratively.

“Goodwill Manasota has a long history of partnering with other nonprofits in our community,” Githens said. “We have a model that is 123 years old for the collection, production and sale of donated goods to fund our mission programs, and some of those mission programs are to help other nonprofits in the community, and we’re always looking for new partners.”

Meet the morning crew at the park

Have you ever passed by Georgie Girl’s Green Bayfront Dog Park and wondered who are among its frequent visitors?

Several social groups meet throughout the day, but the largest cohort tends to come in the mornings in October to beat the heat.

The park, created through the support of Irene Hess, is the only public area in the town of Longboat Key that allows dogs to legally be off leash.

With his wagging tail at the ready, Jager the 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier is happy to be part of the welcome wagon.

“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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Farrah Fawcett, the 8-year-old English cream-colored golden retriever, is a local celebrity at the park. Her owners said she’d pick food over a favorite toy any day.
Bayfront Dog Park visitor Coco is a Havanese turning 5 years old this month. Any sort of squeaky toy is their favorite.
Tilly, a mix who is in her teens, is a regular at Bayfront Dog Park. While she doesn’t have much interest in toys, her favorite companion is a cat named Cheech. Rose, a 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel, lounges on the green. Sticks of all sizes are her favorite chew toys.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Seger — named after singer-songwriter Bob Seger — is one of the tallest members of the morning crew at Bayfront Dog Park. But the Leonberger can’t always be bothered to stand up while getting a drink of water. Owners Tim and Karen Haney said his favorite toy is a fuzzy ball.

It’s Time to Give Your MEDICARE COVERAGE

A CHECKUP

To help people with Medicare make informed decisions for the coming year, Sarasota Memorial offers this information about Medicare Open Enrollment, now taking place through December 7.

This year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage, including:

 returning to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare)

 joining a Medicare Advantage Plan or switching from one plan to another

 joining or changing prescription drug plans

Health and prescription drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during Open Enrollment to ensure it meets your needs. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2026.

ORIGINAL MEDICARE (“Traditional”)

Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group (FPG) always accept all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap Traditional supplemental plans.

Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) IN-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2026.

Aetna

Florida Blue*

Florida Blue HMO*

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) OUT-OF-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2026.

American Health Advantage

Devoted Health

Gold Kidney Health

Healthspring

Humana

Longevity Health Plan

Ultimate Health

If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2025.

Starbucks has yet to start

Leasing director says the project is ‘on hold right now.’

The Starbucks-logo-emblazoned banner that says “Coming soon. We can’t wait to see you” still sits in the windows of the storefront at 3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive, but “soon” is being used loosely.

It’s evident from the outside that not much work, if any at all, has been done on the 1,800-square-foot space since news broke in February that Starbucks would occupy the space.

Tom Johnson, director of leasing with Casto Southeast Realty Services, said the Starbucks “is on hold right now” when asked about the status of the project. William Hamilton Arthur IV, principal architect for WHAA, said “we are ready to proceed with permitting, however, I am not sure the building owner’s intentions to comply with traffic requirements.”

The building is owned by Judy Johnson LLC. Johnson owns the Swim City, which is attached to the Starbucks parcel and a 1,400-squarefoot retail space, which is yet to be leased.

Johnson did not respond to an email requesting comment regarding the status of the Starbucks project. Franchisee Greg Sausaman said in an email he had nothing to share.

The project requires a special exception permit because of the zoning of the parcel, and Longboat Key Planning, Zoning and Building Department Director Allen Parsons said the application submitted for

FRANCHISES ON LONGBOAT KEY

While not prohibited by the town, chain stores on Longboat Key are rare. There are only three franchises that have opened on the island.

■ Publix Super Market, 525 Bay Isles Pkwy, Longboat Key, FL 34228

■ CVS, 505 Bay Isles Pkwy, Longboat Key, FL 34228

■ J. McLaughlin, 515 Bay Isles Pkwy, Longboat Key, FL 34228

the exception is incomplete. The special exception application was notarized on Aug. 5.

A Starbucks spokesperson did not have news to share about the status of the Longboat Key location.

“Starbucks is always looking for great locations to better meet the needs of our customers. At this time, we remain focused on serving customers at our existing stores in Sarasota and have no store-opening plans to announce,” the spokesperson said in an email.

WORSHIP directory

MONDAY, OCT. 6

LAPTOP DOWN

11:57 a.m., 6695 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Lost/found property: A man was driving north on Gulf of Mexico Drive when he noticed a handbag in the middle of the road. The man got out of his vehicle and retrieved the bag in hopes of identifying to whom the bag belonged. He found a silver MacBook, but no identifying information. Police inventoried the bag, finding jewelry and an envelope from a nearby resort with a last name written on it. Also in the bag was an airline ticket to Las Vegas, a flight already in the air. Police contacted the resort, which provided the number to the outbound guest. Police left multiple voicemail messages, entered the purse with its contents

TUESDAY, OCT. 7 NOT THE GOVERNMENT-ISSUED

LAPTOP!

9:23 a.m., 5100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A man called police after leaving his backpack in an Uber with some important things inside. The man told officers that he ordered an Uber from the airport the night before because his license was suspended, and while unloading his luggage and bicycle, forgot to grab his backpack. Inside were his government-issued laptop and credentials. He was unable to reach the Uber driver, so he called the police for assistance. When police arrived, the Uber driver returned and gave the backpack back to the man, all important belongings intact. The case was closed.

THURSDAY, OCT. 9

WALKING AROUND IN A SUSPICIOUS NATURE

3:13 p.m., Bayou Sound

Suspicious person:The owner of a house in a gated community called the police when they saw two young men walking around on a property while the homeowners were out of town. The caller stated that two men in their late 20s or 30s could be seen walking around on security cameras, with one holding a tree trimmer in their hand. The caller said there was no work scheduled and requested police check the

premises “due to the suspicious nature of the subjects’ presence,” according to the police report. When police arrived, they saw a yard maintenance crew conducting work in the vicinity, checked the residence in question for signs of forced entry, saw none, saw no suspicious persons on the property, determined there was no need for law enforcement and closed the case.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4

BOOTLEG PARASAILING

3:04 p.m., 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious person: Cops were called to a public park on Sarasota Bay after an anonymous caller told dispatchers they saw a surfer holding a rope being pulled by an electric bike. Not quite parasailing, the of-

Attached to Swim City is retail space where a Starbucks franchise was expected to open, but work is yet to start on the interior of the building eight months after the new coffee shop location was first reported.
Photos by S.T. Cardinal

YOUR NEIGHBORS

& MELDING MUSIC SCIENCE

New musical to debut on Mote’s ‘Shark Lady.’

Two things brought together Christina Meiping Chen and Eugenie Clark. They shared a love for learning about Florida’s marvelous marine life and, specifically, the sharks that call its waters home.

They both also were motivated to share that passion with the wider public.

Clark founded Mote Marine and ardently advocated for marine protection in the Sarasota community. Her work reached worldwide audiences as visitors traveled to see marine life up close at the City Island-based aquarium, which recently moved to the University Town Center area.

She died in February 2025 at the age of 92, but her legacy only continues to grow, as evidenced by Chen’s new tribute to her work.

Chen, a student at Florida State University, wrote a musical show about Clark’s life and work. She said she was inspired to help spread the word about Clark’s fascinating life for many reasons. But she found it particularly inspiring to tell the story of someone she could relate to, considering they both worked in marine research as women of Asian descent.

Clark worked hard to make her way into the “boys club” of the marine science field during her career, Chen explained.

“I did some research and learned she was Japanese-American,” she said. “Most people don’t know that. She didn’t necessarily have to hide it growing up, but a lot of people didn’t know. She was raised in New York City in the ’20s and ’30s, right before Pearl Harbor happened.”

The story tracks her childhood, her entry into college and her following career in science.

“On top of being a Japanese person in that era, she was a woman, and a lot of women weren’t yet working as

much in the scientific field,” she said.

The musical is Chen’s major project she has undertaken in pursuit of her master’s degree in theater performance and research.

Chen moved to the Sarasota area in summer 2023 for graduate school. Her family has traveled extensively, including to Beijing, and Chen often took summer breaks on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

“My grandparents had a house there, and I would spend my summers there, always out in the water,” she said. “My mother was obsessed with sharks her whole life, and that just rubbed off on me.”

Chen said she often attended animal-centric camps over those summers, particularly those at Bergen County Zoo, where her aunt worked. She simultaneously discovered a passion for chemistry while exploring a pre-med track. But she kept searching for a specific scientific focus.

It was Florida’s rich marine ecosystem that inspired her to delve into shark research.

She credits Minorities in Shark Sciences with playing an integral role in making the musical a reality, but also for inspiring a greater passion for ichthyology.

The Sarasota-based nonprofit celebrated its fifth anniversary this summer. It aims to create more opportunities for those interested in research, particularly by break-

SUPPORTING THE PROJECT

Christina Meiping Chen, author of the musical “The Shark Lady,” is seeking support for the production of her new play. Visit SharkLadyMusical.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets for the Dec. 7 reading.

ing down financial barriers. Chen’s mother is a supporter of the group, and she passed along the notice that there was a summer internship opening with the group.

CEO Jasmin Graham, now a friend and supporter of Chen’s work, loved her idea of creating a musical.

“I didn’t know who Genie was until last summer, when I was doing my internship,” she said. “Jasmin told me about her and explained how she is well known in the ichthyology community. She has a whole wall dedicated to her work at the new Mote SEA. But, she’s not taught as much in a typical science classroom.”

Chen said no live performance is ever truly finished until it debuts before an audience. But she has been hard at work writing the script while friend and co-writer Grace Strickert has been busy composing, arranging and writing parts as well.

She said the show will be in the style of a new play workshop with a cast of about 10.

They plan to premiere the show on Dec. 7 at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. This initial showing will be a straight reading, but Chen said she looks to grow it into a full production after gaining feedback from audiences.

“After we get the missing character, which is the audience members, we’ll evaluate, see what landed and what didn’t,” she said. “Then Grace and I will take a deep dive, go back into the script, and then hopefully have a full Sarasota premiere in 2026-2027.”

She said it’s difficult to make a direct comparison to the musical stylings of a particular Broadwaystyle considering the show spans multiple decades, but Stephen Sondheim was a source of inspiration.

“The goal, through the music, is

for you to feel like you’re in the ocean with her, at times,” she said. Chen said it has been fascinating to learn more about such a prominent figure in the community and how Clark fought to establish herself in a field that wasn’t always welcoming. Clark opened the original Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Placida in 1955 as a one-woman operation. The research center grew, expanding to City Island as Mote Marine Laboratory in 1978.

Clark went on to become a research assistant at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, at the New York Zoological Society, and at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. She also received three honorary doctor of science degrees and awards from groups including the National Geographic Society.

Chen thanked Clark’s family members and all the other supporters who gave her glimpses into her life and legacy.

It will be an especially busy time as she is slated to finish her degree in December, but she says it will be exciting to see everything finally come together.

For information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit SharkLadyMusical.com.

Courtesy images
Christina Meiping Chen, pictured above on a shark research excursion, recently brought together her love for science and creative writing to pen a musical about Mote’s founder Eugenie Clark, pictured below.
Eugenie Clark, “The Shark Lady”

A classic Italian dish served again

The redecorated La Norma shares a personal story.

Arestaurant that stands the test of time is built on solid financial planning, as La Norma owners Daniela and Giuseppe Fornieri explained.

However, there is room for the occasional decision fueled by compassion, and when a 90-year-old patron falls in love with a particular gnocchi dish that otherwise isn’t as popular as other menu items, keeping it on as a secret item can be one of those exceptions.

The couple brought their experience in the world of finance to bear when they took over the restaurant several years ago. They recently reopened after a brief redecoration, during which they incorporated homey design elements.

“It used to be quite dark, with a lot of brown,” she said. “We changed up the color and decor, and we gave it a personal touch.”

Now hanging on the walls are black-and-white photographs with scenes from Catania, Italy dating back to the 1920s.

“These have been hanging in our house for a long, long time,” Giuseppe said. “The idea is that La Norma should feel a bit like home.”

Some of Daniela’s favorite decorations include a set of hand-painted plates from Italy and the sunny lemons evocative of the quality ingredient-based style of Italian cooking.

Giuseppe said they have worked hard to curate a menu that offers “The Classics,” with favorite Italian-American dishes like chicken parmesan. But they also feature a “Signature Dishes” section, which includes dishes more specifically tied to the region of Italy they know and love.

Their flagship “Rigatoni La Norma” features ciliegino sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata and fresh basil.

IF YOU GO

La Norma is open from 5 to 9 p.m. daily at 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Building 104. Indoor seating is limited, reservations are recommended during high season. Visit LaNormaRestaurant.com or call 941-383-6262.

They have been glad to offer fun events for community members to enjoy as well, from wine-tasting classes led by an expert sommelier to sourdough bread-making with artisan baker Carolyn Presutti. The two met while working highlevel finance jobs in London, and afterward, they opted to travel the world while building their family. Eventually, they moved to the area to work with Giuseppe’s sister in the restaurant business. While a passion for food is important for running a business, he said having a solid understanding of financial planning is absolutely

essential.

He said they do their best to use that financial sense to benefit their hardworking staff, which has helped the owners retain a committed team built to last in the long term. Their planning has also helped them navi-

gate curveballs like last year’s hurricanes.

Currently, only indoor seating is available, but the restaurant plans to reopen its patio seating soon as it welcomes back seasonal residents to see its new look.

Photos by Dana Kampa
Giuseppe Fornieri, coowner of La Norma, points out Mount Etna in the background of a historical picture, one of the new decorations at the redesigned restaurant.
La Norma owners Daniela and Giuseppe Fornieri.

ADOPT DON’T SHOP

Hawk finds a new home on City Island

The rescue took in a small bird of prey when it was found near Orlando.

oving day can be stressful for anyone. But Save Our Seabirds’ newest inhabitant, with a belly full of her favorite treats, handled the threehour journey from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland to City Island with unruffled feathers.

The facility welcomed a new redshouldered hawk on Oct. 9. Rescuers took in the bird as a fledgling when they found it hanging around a residential area for an extended period.

Handlers eventually deemed the bird unfit to return to the wild after it imprinted on people. However, trainers Cheryl Merz and Maggie Haynes invested in teaching her skills to thrive in captivity.

Save Our Seabirds Director of Outreach and Education Lisa Wood and the facility’s

Merz is an eagle watch coordinator with the society, and Haynes is a co-coordinator with the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey rescue team. They facilitated the move to Save Our Seabirds, where Director of Outreach and Education Lisa Wood and fellow teammates greeted the newest addition to the flock.

The red-shouldered hawk is smaller than the more well-known red-tailed hawk, which famously often lends its screech to bald eagles depicted in Hollywood. Red-shouldered hawks can be found in forested areas throughout Florida.

Residents can nominate changemakers in the community to be the namesake of new birds at the facility. After the soon-to-be-named hawk settles into her new enclosure, reworked by Save Our Seabird’s Leo Kissling, the facility plans to introduce a new daily raptor feeding demonstration with her and fellow birds of prey at City Island who are glove trained.

While welcoming the new hawk, Save Our Seabirds launched a new community naming project called “Uplift.”

Brian Walton, the facility’s executive director, invites visitors to check out the new enclosure, which features new mesh walls that are easier to see through. Visit SaveOurSeabirds.org for opening hours and more. Entry is free, though donations support rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Photos by Dana Kampa

HONOR Me and Retire a Flag

Join us as we honor our oldest living veterans with a special ceremony of gratitude and reflection.

Sunday, November 2 • 3:00 PM St. Armands Room, Palms Memorial Park 170 Honore Ave. Sarasota 34232

This heartfelt tribute celebrates the lives and service of our veterans who have bravely served our country.

In cooperation with the Squires of the Knights of Columbus in Sarasota and Manatee counties, we are collecting retired U.S. flags throughout the month of October. These flags will be presented to the Squires for a proper retirement ceremony on November 2.

Please join us in honoring those who have served and in giving our nation’s flags the respect they deserve.

Robin Gupta, owner of Guppy’s Longboat Key, said he’s most proud of the way the restaurant has brought together people over lively conversation and hot cheesesteaks in its first year of operation.

Guppy’s Longboat Key turns 1

Storms couldn’t keep this Philly-themed pub down.

Guppy’s Longboat Key originally had plans to open the first week of October 2024. Hurricanes Helene and Milton had different plans for that timeline.

“I was pretty blindsided by it,” owner Robin Gupta said. “I was busy running around, getting the place ready to open, and the next thing you know, I was filling up sandbags.”

However, the team behind the restaurant weathered the back-to-back storms and still managed to open later that month. On Oct. 17 of this year, they will be throwing the island’s best Philly-themed shindig to celebrate one year since the opening. Entertainment is set to include The High Rollers Full Band, and the menu features specials on, of course, cheesesteaks.

IF YOU GO

Guppy’s Longboat Key is located at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. It is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Visit GuppysLBK.com or call 941383-8033.

coincidentally faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gupta said when he opened the restaurant he saw a need for a Phillywatering hole here, considering how many Longboat Key residents have ties to the city. Looking back on the past year, he stands by that. He said the aspect of the business he’s most proud of is how it has helped bring customers together, especially at a time when they needed a bit of levity.

(941) 371-4962

The original Guppy’s Good Times started in the suburbs of Philadelphia 20 years ago. At this year’s Super Bowl, the pub became the place to flock for Eagles fans looking to show their team spirit as Philly

“I’ve made a lot of genuine friendships here,” he said. As the season gets underway, Guppy’s is welcoming returning guests with live music by Sean Patrick Walsh and other artists. Check the Guppy’s Facebook page for updates.

The Jellison Cancer Institute stands as a beacon of hope for cancer patients and their families. Today, as our population grows, so does the need for cancer care. The new outpatient Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion will expand critical patient programs and services. Many are fully supported through philanthropy.

You can play a vital role in ensuring that families continue to find the hope and healing they deserve.

Learn how you can make an impact, call 941.917.1286 or visit smhf.org

DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Dana Kampa

New Pool Equipment?

Scary Good

Scary Good Savin WhyOverpay? OurWaterHeaterpricing willknockyoudead!

Scary Good

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Scary Good

WhyOverpay? OurWaterHeaterpricing willknockyoudead!

BEST BET

SATURDAY, OCT. 18

ST. ARMANDS FINE ART FESTIVAL

Scary Good Savings

Scary Good Savin WhyOverpay? OurWaterHeaterpricing willknockyoudead!

WhyOverpay? OurWaterHeaterpricing willknockyoudead!

YOUR CALENDAR

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18-19 at St. Armands Circle, 300 Madison Drive. Artists are set to display their works in a variety of media, including photography prints, metalwork, fiber, painting, sculpture, jewelry, woodworking and more. For more information, including descriptions of some of the artists scheduled to share their work at the festival, visit ParagonFestivals. com.

RECURRING EVENTS

MONDAYS

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN

beginning at 10:30 a.m. and other services available from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

10-11 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This Paradise Center class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. The focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Bring light hand weights if desired. Fee is $20 for drop-ins or a membership through the end of the year; new class pass option for 10 classes for $175. Walk-ins welcome. Call 941383-6493.

MEDIATION

11:15-11:45 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. No experience is needed for The Paradise Center’s free guided meditation. Participants can enjoy stress relief, a quieter mind and a refreshing feeling. Call 941-383-6493.

TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS LONGBOAT LIBRARY

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-6493.

TUESDAYS POP-UP LIBRARY

10 a.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. The Sarasota County Pop-Up Library hosts services on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with story-time

MAHJONG

1-3 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Seasoned mahjong players can join a weekly, prearranged game at The Paradise Center with a noncompetitive atmosphere. RSVP required. Email amy@theparadisecenter.org or call 941-383-6493.

THURSDAYS JUST DANCE!

10-11 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Instructor Debbie White from The Paradise Center leads an easy-tofollow, cardio-focused dance class. Fee is $20 for drop-ins or a membership through the end of the year; new class pass option for 10 classes for $175. Call 941-383-6493.

SATURDAYS RUN CLUB

7 a.m. at Sips coffee shop, 6830 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Join this newly formed community running club for a morning jog at your own pace. The group is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.

File image
Pinellas Park artist Rasa Saldaitis, who works primarily with acrylic and oil paints, said her large-scale canvases turn heads at shows like the St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.

A Century Old Story

A story that began over 100 years ago and is still being written today. Once a beloved landmark, now an enduring icon reborn. Mira Mar is the future of luxury living in Sarasota, grounded in the grandeur of its past, and offering an unparalleled residential experience in the heart of downtown.

One of Sarasota’s few remaining flagships of the great Florida Land Boom of the 1920’s, it is with great pride that we restore the Mira Mar to its rightful place as a gleaming icon of Sarasota.

Rising elegantly above South Palm Avenue, the revived and resplendent Mira Mar presents a limited collection of 70 estate-style residences across two 18-story towers. Each home is designed to the highest standards, with sweeping views, refined interiors, and private access to best-in-class amenities.

Mira Mar is more than a residence — it’s a return to grace.

St. Armands home tops the week’s sales at $2.5 million

ADAM HUGHES

Edward and Mary Rossi, trustees, sold the home at 121 N. Blvd. of the Presidents to Phase2events LLC for $2.5 million. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,491 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.7 million in 2020.

BAILEY DOBSON

James Coady, of Paw Paw, Michigan, sold the home at 540 Gulf Bay Road to Geoanna Bluebird Bolduc and Michael Bolduc, of Longboat Key, for $1.85 million. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,880 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,375,000 in 2022.

SEA GATE CLUB

Corey and Sarah Conner, of High Springs, sold their Unit 3-E condominium at 2425 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Edwin and Patricia Poling, of Longboat Key, for $1,735,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,470 square feet of living area. It sold for $900,000 in 2021.

ST. ARMANDS TOWERS

Phyllis Sanzaro Gigante, Susan Sanzaro McGovern and Lori Sanzaro, of Rye, New York, sold their Unit 71 condominium at 101 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Michael Hassan, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,125,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,275 square feet of living area. It sold for $155,000 in 1989.

29-OCT. 2

LONGBOAT HARBOUR TOWERS Donna Maddox, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 907 condominium at 4401 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Matsails LLC for $1.02 million. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,314 square feet of living area. It sold for $749,000 in 2005.

SEAPLACE Eric Larsen, Daniel Larsen and Kimberly Spies, of Lutz, sold their Unit M1-302-F condominium at 2045 Gulf of Mexico Drive to John and Debra Peters, of Winola, Pennsylvania, for $485,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two

and 928 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2011.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

Mark Whitcomb, of Melbourne Beach, sold his Unit 116 condominium at 594 Spanish Drive S. to Erik Callagy, of Bradenton, for $253,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,427 square feet of living area. It sold for $386,000 in 2021.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com.

Dana Kampa
The home at 121 N. Blvd. of the Presidents was built in 1998 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,491 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.5 million. ONLINE

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

FRIDAY, OCT. 17

SUNRISE

Oct. 22 7:34a 6:54p

TIDES

MIXED DRINKS by Kareem Ayas, edited by Taylor Johnson
Luis Campos

3BR/2BA LONGBOAT Key For Rent: Three-bedroom/Two-bathroom Atrium Unit on Harborside Drive, Unit 623. View of Sarasota Bay. Available January 2026 to April 2026. $9,000/month. Call 414.943.4849. LBK BEAUTIFUL 8th oor

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