03/21/2024 ISSUE 12

‘MY LIFE’S PURPOSE’ ARTISTIC SPIRIT GUIDES AND GALVANIZES VERO’S EMILY TREMML

ARTS & THEATRE 52 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Whenever Emily Tremml was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was always quick and quite clear: “I want to be an artist!” It’s a resolve that has never wavered. “It is my life’s purpose, my way of living. I believe in living each day as a work of art,” says Tremml, who finds joy and passion in the creative process. Tremml was raised in Vero Beach, where four generations have lived since 1965. Her father, Dr. Ernest H. Reeves Jr., was one of the founders of the former Doctor’s Clinic. She earned a bachelor of science in business administration at Clemson University in South Carolina, and also attended Fordham University in New York City. She notes that she is grateful to have been supported artistically throughout her life, from the teachers at Saint Edward’s School, the Art Students League in New York City, and the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado, to longtime mentors and art partners Barbara Tiffany and Rick Kelly. Returning to Florida after college, she worked at SunTrust Bank in Orlando for more than 10 years as a vice president of commercial lending and private banking. She was there when the company was designing and furnishing its new building and participated in the process of determining where some of its extraordinary paintings would be hung. “We were there when the Rauschenberg was delivered, the Frank Stella, it was crazy. We had a Hockney on our floor, along with the largest collection (then) of Biedermeier furniture in the world,” says Tremml, adding that the corporate dining room had a Motherwell and a collection of Frank Lloyd Wright paintings. “It was an unbelievable collection. I got to see the installation of the most amazing work. It was so exciting,” says Tremml, astonished at the amount of money that was spent. Among the works was a triptych of three large paintings by Bruce Marsh BY DEBBIE TIMMERMANN CORRESPONDENT Artistic spirit guides and galvanizes Vero’s Emily Tremml

ARTS & THEATRE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 53 that she would pass by each day as she went to work. About a year and a half ago she happened to see one of the paintings for sale at an auction house, made a bid, and got it. Thrilled that she now owned one of the three, she inquired about the two companion pieces. They had those also and accepted her bid on those as well. Like many of her childhood classmates, who left to live elsewhere before returning to Vero Beach to raise their families, she returned in 2004 and founded the Palm House Gallery & Studio on Ocean Drive, located in one of the family properties she owns and manages. Tremml shares the working studio and gallery with five award-winning artists, “working, creating, sharing, laughing, and expanding our artistic horizons. I am grateful that so many people come into my life to encourage and teach viewpoints and skills from their own experiences.” Loving the Vero lifestyle, and its vast artistic community, she says, “It’s a little like living in ‘Mayberry RFD.’” Tremml, who prefers painting in oils, says she likes to combine new CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

ARTS & THEATRE 54 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ and traditional styles in her works, which range from contemporary realism and abstracts to what she calls “prompts,” an idea or word that prompts you to start a painting, and says she strives to relay to the viewer “the power, peace and a place that feels like home.” She is currently working on three landscapes that capture the views from her riverfront home. It’s one she fondly remembers from childhood: the house she grew up in is just four houses away. M o u n t a i n o u s clouds, visible against a vast expanse of sky, are captured in all their glory, the warmth of the sun occasionally poking out in an array of pinks, yellows, grays and muted blues, casting calmingly colorful shadows on the water. “When I am working on a painting, I can see it in my mind, and I try to keep up with my brush. People always kid me that I paint really, really fast. I’m so worried I’m going to lose the thought. I call it the ‘chill bump factor’ you feel when you are on it. To me that’s joy, that you have touched into joy in some valuable way, whether it’s with your child or your art, or finance,” says Tremml. She advises that while every day isn’t going to be perfect, you should live life by enjoying what you’re doing. “There is joy in everything. You just have to enjoy the process. Maybe that’s why I like switching out how I paint, or what I paint,” she says, it enables her to approach the easel with a fresh vision. Tremml and her husband, P. Glenn Tremml, MD, have a long history of giving back to the community, and over the years the Palm House Gallery & Studio has supported more than 23 local charities through art shows and donations. Additionally, Tremml has been a member of, and has served on the committees and boards of, numerous organizations, including Saint Edward’s School, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach Art Club, Quail Valley Charities, Riverside Children’s Theatre, Environmental Learning Center, Friends of Contemporary Art, McKee Botanical Gardens, Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College, Maitland Art Center, and Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. Tremml is a member of the Portrait Society of America, the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Florida, and the Artist’s Registry of Florida. Her paintings are in corporate and private collections in the United States and abroad, and can be found at the Palm House Gallery and Studio on Ocean Drive. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53 Emily Tremml. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS

ARTS & THEATRE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 55 Sink into the passion of Spanish opera when the Vero Beach Opera presents “Scenes from Zarzuelas” at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. The program includes nine works performed by four singers and six chorus members. There will also be a dozen dancers from the Segovia Ballet Español and six musicians. The program features tenor Martin Nusspaumer, who was Rodolfo in VBO’s “La Boheme”; mezzo-soprano Maria Antúnez, who was Carmen in VBO’s 2021 production; soprano Eglise Gutiérrez, who has performed world-wide; and baritone Nelson Martinez, who was in VBO’s “Il Tabarro.” Tickets are $15 to $100. The VBHS Performing Arts Center is at 1707 16th St. Call 772-569-6993 or 772-564-5537, or visit VeroBeachOpera.org. The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will present “American Idol” performer John Stevens in “Sinatra, Martin & More” at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Emerson Center. Stevens came in sixth place in the third season of the hit TV show “American Idol.” He was 16 years old at the time. Now, 20 years later, he is a performer specializing in the “Great American Songbook” performing favorite works, especially those of Frank Sinatra. On Sunday, he will also perform works by Ira and George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill and Dean Martin. Sinatra hits include “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” He will perform with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and members of the group’s Jazz Orchestra. “These are iconic songs that everyone knows and loves,” says conductor Aaron T. Collins. “John has a very smooth voice ... It’s going to be an extraordinary performance.” Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Concertgoers 18 years and younger, or those with a college ID, are admitted free. The Emerson Center is at 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. For more information, call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org. A few days later, the Emerson Center will be hopping again when Live from Vero Beach presents “Beginnings: The Ultimate Chicago Tribute Band.” The show begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28. Beginnings formed 22 years ago in New York City and since then has performed all over the country. They take pride in creating accurate versions of Chicago’s greatest hits and more. Tickets are $45 to $100. If you enter the code EMERSON in the discount space provided on the website, the charitable organization will receive a donation worth 25 percent of the ticket price. For more information, call 800-595-4849 or 772-234-4412 or visit MusicWorksConcerts.com. BY PAM HARBAUGH Correspondent 1 Vero Beach Opera soars with ‘Scenes from Zarzuelas’ 2 COMING UP! 3

POST-CANCER CHALLENGES Cancer Survivor Clinic focuses on healing process

HEALTH 58 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ You’ve survived cancer. You’re in remission and you are cleared to go on with your life. But that’s easier said than done in most cases. You still lack energy. You still have pain from the treatment. You aren’t thinking clearly. You may be drowning in medical bills and living in fear that the cancer will come back. Recognizing these difficulties, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital just opened the Cancer Survivor Clinic to help survivors deal with the challenges they face. “This is a relatively new area in medical oncology which is intended to look after patients that are cancer-free and to address the issues that may have developed as a result of their treatments,” explained Dr. James Lasker, Hematologist/Oncologist and director of infusion center and the survivorship clinic at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. “Our clinic is for patients to enroll in after they’ve completed their therapy. Technically, survivorship in cancer starts at the time of diagnosis, but we’re not going to take the ones that are undergoing active treatment. They see their oncologist and their radiation therapist at that time. “When you are diagnosed with cancer, there are three forms of therapy. There’s surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They can be used individually or all of them together. “If we get the patient in remission, there are frequently side effects and what we describe as toxicities from these therapies that are long-lasting. Some of the chemotherapy drugs cause nerve damage in the hands and feet, some of them cause cardiac damage, some of them cause cognitive disabilities and that sort of thing. Radiation therapy is the same. They can get skin changes, burns, they can get cognitive deficits, that sort of thing. So as a patient in remission is going through life, we wish to address those issues and look after them and attend to them. And that’s what the survivorship clinics are for. “The most common cancers are breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer, and all of them are treated with different types of drugs,” Dr. Lasker continued. “When we first meet with the patient we inquire about if they’re having any difficulties with long-acting side effects from their therapies. “For instance, does the patient have numbness in their feet or in their hands? Do they have any shortness of breath or chest pain? Have they had any blood clots recently? Are they still having difficulty with abdominal discomfort or nausea from the medicines that they got when they had their colon cancer? Those are the sorts of questions we ask. Then we can look into them and address those problems.” The cancer survivorship center offers survivorship sessions where patients can talk with others who had similar diagnoses and treatments along with a staff of trained professionals who can help them sort out some of the emotional effects. For those with cognitive or conCancer Survivor Clinic helps with post-treatment challenges BY KERRY FIRTH Correspondent

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 59 centration issues, often called chemo brain, the patient will be referred to a neurologist to see if there is anything that can be treated. Psychosocial problems like fractured relationships with family and friends that can result from these illnesses and treatments are addressed by social workers. Some people have trouble eating after cancer treatments and the healthcare providers at the center can help them establish a healthy diet. “A new patient will generally meet with me individually for follow-up care. We might meet once every few months initially and less frequently after that. It depends on the type of cancer and treatment you had. “Dr. Lasker explained. “If during my interactions we determine that the patient’s relapsed or developed a new cancer, we’ll send them back to their oncologist for treatment. If the patient is having psychosocial issues, we refer them to a psychologist who would meet with them individually and then graduate them to group sessions. We welcome spouses or significant others to join in the group therapies because they often volunteer very useful information and can help the patients through recovery.” Thanks to early detection and newer treatments, more people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis, which has created a much greater need for cancer survivorship support. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are over 18 million people in the United States who are cancer survivors, meaning they have or had cancer. An estimated 8 million people are living 10 or more years after diagnosis. Breast cancer and prostate cancer survivors represent the highest survival rates with more than 98 percent of men and 84 percent of women still alive 10 years after diagnosis. Tenyear survival rates for other cancer types range from more than 50 percent for people with colorectal cancer and gynecologic cancers to more than 70 percent for people with melanoma. Over the next 10 years experts anticipate a 24 percent increase in the number of people living with cancer. Cancer inevitably changes the lives of the people it touches. Cancer survivorship treatment helps people live with those life changes and regain a good quality of life. The staff at Cleveland Clinic’s cancer survivor clinic creates a cancer survivorship plan tailored to each patient’s specific needs and supports the patient through the healing process. Dr. James Lasker completed his medical education at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, followed by his internship and residencies in Internal Medicine and Neurology at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. He engaged in fellowships in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals and a fellowship in Bone Marrow Transplantation at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. To learn more about the Cancer Survivorship Clinic at the ScullyWelsh Cancer Center located on the campus of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, call 772-563-4673. Dr. James Lasker. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS

HEALTH 60 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The average woman spends the equivalent of between six to 13 years during her lifetime dieting, according to multiple studies, but are women – and men – who want to lose weight looking for answers in the right places? Both internal and external factors may be standing in the way of achieving weight loss goals. It’s really not just calories in, calories out. Dr. Kenneth Tieu, one of the leaders of NewFit, a nationally accredited surgical weight loss program connected to Health First, which operates Palm Bay Hospital and Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, says your gut health (microbiome) may be interfering with weight loss. “People don’t think about it on a daily basis, but more and more, data indicates it plays a big role in obesity.” The microbiome is the community of microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria and viruses, that exists in a particular environment. In humans, the term is often used to describe the microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract. These groups of microorganisms are dynamic and change in response to a host of environmental factors, such as exercise, diet, emotional state and medication. Dr. Tieu says that although there’s no pill you can take to change your GI tract, you can elicit positive results by eating a diverse diet. Zoe, a health science company that runs the world’s largest in-depth nutrition study, says that consuming a gutfriendly diet that contains plenty of fiber, prebiotics and fermented foods rich in probiotics can help the beneficial bacteria in your gut to thrive. Their data shows that eating for your unique microbiome and metabolism can lead to weight loss without counting calories or restricting how much you eat. Although no one likes to hear it, genetics is a part of the weight loss puzzle that you can’t control, according to Harvard Medical School’s newsletter. Genes contribute to the causes of obesity in many ways, by affecting appetite, satiety (the sense of fullness), metabolism, food cravings, Multidimensional weight loss: More than calories in, calories out BY JACKIE HOLFELDER Correspondent

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 61 body-fat distribution, and the tendency to use eating as a way of coping with stress. Dr. Tieu says that the Human Genome Project (which took place between 1990-2003) identified some 500 genes that affect weight gain. Changes that come with aging are inevitable, too, and women’s loss of estrogen when they hit menopause can have a major impact. Getting older brings physiological changes that can affect weight. Chief among them is muscle loss. Starting in middle age, we lose about 1 percent of muscle mass per year, which affects strength and metabolism (how fast we burn calories). Smaller muscles use fewer calories. “If your diet doesn’t change, you’ll consume more calories than you need. The excess is stored as fat,” says Dr. Caroline Apovian, an obesity medicine specialist and co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Wendy Fiumano, APRN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner working at Health First Medical Group. She says it’s important to incorporate strength training into your cardio workouts to help replace vanishing muscle mass. “Get up and move. Being sedentary helps you pack on the pounds,” she advises. Underestimating portion sizes is a culprit whether you’re eating out or at home. Packages often have misleading and unrealistically small portion sizes listed, making it difficult to estimate the number of calories you’re consuming. Dr. Tieu says serving sizes at fastfood restaurants have ballooned. “People eat what’s put in front of them, whether they’re hungry or not. And although burgers, fries and soda came in one size when most chains started, now everything is much bigger and easily available.” Fiumano suggests you stop partway through your meal or snack and see if you’re full; if you are, stop eating. Could your medicine cabinet be to blame? The University of Rochester Medical Center in New York says that CONTINUED ON PAGE 62 "Don’t get mad at yourself if you want to indulge for a day. It’s important to have balance in your life.” – Kenneth Tieu, MD, FACS, FASMBS Kenneth Tieu, MD, FACS, FASMBS. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

HEALTH 62 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ insulin to treat diabetes, certain antipsychotics or antidepressants, some epilepsy therapies, steroids, and blood-pressure-lowering meds like beta blockers may cause weight gain because they affect your metabolism or increase your appetite while treating your health issue. Dr. Tieu cautions against going off needed medications, but suggests you check with your healthcare provider to see if there’s a substitute medication available or if a smaller dose may work for you. Snacking while you’re in a daze watching TV or on your phone can become almost automatic, causing you to lose track of what you’ve eaten. If you aren’t mindful of what’s going into your mouth, chances are you don’t process that information, which means it won’t be stored in your memory bank and you are more likely to eat again sooner. Mindful eating includes noticing the colors, flavors, smells and textures of your food. It also means getting rid of distractions and concentrating on what’s going into your mouth. If your dieting strategy includes skipping meals to save calories, you’re setting yourself up to fail. If you restrict yourself all day, your body’s protective mechanisms will kick in – the ones that drive you to get food. As a result, you’re likely to binge on a bag of cookies or bowl of ice cream to fight the feeling of deprivation. Fiumano has developed several other strategies during her experience working with cardiac patients. “Unhealthy lifestyles encourage you to have unhealthy eating habits. Eating too much and drinking too much are offshoots of too much stress, too little sleep and not enough self-care. People tend to overlook their beverage intake while counting calories. Coffee with sugar and cream, cocktails, sugary juices … those calories add up, too,” Fiumano says. “Get a good app, like MYFITNESSPAL, to help you track your daily calorie intake.” It is important, too, to keep a sense of proportion and relax in some sense even as you pursue a weight-loss goal. “Don’t get mad at yourself if you want to indulge for a day. It’s important to have balance in your life,” Fiumano says. Kenneth Tieu, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is a leader of NewFit, Brevard County’s only nationally accredited surgical weight loss program. Dr. Tieu specializes in robotic-assisted general surgery and bariatric surgery. He received his M.D. degree at Pennsylvania State University and completed his residency in surgery and fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He is board-certified in surgery by American Board of Surgery. His office is located at Health First Medical Group-Viera Medical Plaza, 8725 North Wickham Road, Suite 200, Melbourne. Phone: 321-434-9230. Wendy Fiumano, APRN, FNP-C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She got her degree at Northern Arizona University and is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She works as an Interventional Cardiology NP at Health First Medical Group, 699 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Suite 503, Cocoa Beach. Phone: 321-434-6650. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61 Wendy Fiumano, ARNP, FNP-C. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 63

HEALTH 64 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration delayed regulatory action on an experimental Alzheimer’s drug that was widely expected to be approved this month, citing a need for more review to establish its safety and effectiveness, drugmaker Eli Lilly said last Friday. The FDA plans to hold an advisory committee meeting to further scrutinize donanemab, one of the few treatments developed for Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating and incurable affliction that affects some 6 million Americans. The agency’s action reflects a cautious approach, experts said. The FDA drew criticism in 2021 after approving a different Alzheimer’s drug that showed conflicting results about its effectiveness. And it comes as public pressure mounts for therapies to fend off the memory-robbing disease, after decades of research have produced only a handful of drugs that aim to slow Alzheimer’s progression or treat its symptoms. The call for additional scrutiny surprised Eli Lilly executives, who said it is unusual for such a review to occur after the FDA has given an anticipated date to make a decision on approval. “We are confident in donanemab’s potential to offer very meaningful benefits to people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease,” Anne White, an executive vice president at Lilly, said in a statement. The company noted that the FDA held similar reviews for the two other amyloidtargeting drugs it previously approved. The two approved drugs, known by their brand names as Aduhelm and Leqembi, drew heightened attention because of complications such as bleeding in the brain, with particular risk for patients who have a certain genetic variation and those taking blood thinners. Cambridge, Mass.-based Biogen, which developed the two drugs with Japan’s Eisai, said in January it would cease marketing Aduhelm, a controversial drug that sputtered commercially after Medicare declined to broadly reimburse for it. The FDA had approved Aduhelm despite an advisory committee rejection of the drug. “The FDA was burned pretty badly with Aduhelm,” said Brian Balin, a professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine who studies Alzheimer’s disease. Donanemab’s side effects could put patients with mild cognitive impairment at risk, he said, adding of the FDA’s action Friday, “I think it’s a wise decision.” Jason Karlawish, associate director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, said Eli Lilly’s clinical trials were well designed. “This is not Aduhelm part two,” Karlawish said. “It’s fair to say that this decision is a surprise, but it’s not a cause for worry. The data shows [donanemab] is effective.” The FDA does not comment on drugs that are pending approval. The agency forms advisory committees of independent experts to offer scientific counsel on drugs and medical devices before making a decision on whether to approve them. The committees, which meet in public hearings, vote to recommend approval of a drug or device, although the agency is not bound by the vote. The committee on donanemab is expected to meet later this year. Donanemab is designed to attack a sticky substance in the brain known as amyloid beta, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s. Clinical trials have shown that donanemab slows cognitive decline of people in the early stages of the disease. But the promise of amyloid-targeting drugs remains divisive within the field. Those drugs don’t reverse the effects of the disease, said Marwan Sabbagh, a behavioral neurologist at the Barrow Neurological Institute who served on the advisory committee for Leqembi. “The reality is these patients are less worse,” Sabbagh said of those taking amyloid-targeting drugs. “They do not actually get better on In surprise, FDA delays Alzheimer’s drug for further review BY DANIEL GILBERT AND DAVID OVALLE The Washington Post

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 65 these drugs, but we slow the rate of decline.” Matthew Schrag, a neurologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, continues to be skeptical of the focus on amyloid to treat Alzheimer’s. “The absolute magnitude of the benefit is very small,” he said. “I think it is entirely appropriate that the FDA thoroughly vets donanemab and avoids the perception that the approval process is rushed.” Donanemab, which is administered once a month by infusion, showed in clinical trials that it slowed the mental decline of participants by 35 percent, as measured by cognitive tests and activities such as driving and managing finances. But it also aroused safety concerns, with trial investigators attributing the deaths of two participants to a complication from the drug. That complication, known as ARIA, usually involves swelling or bleeding in the brain, and has dogged Aduhelm and Leqembi as well. In a clinical trial for donanemab, 24 percent of patients experienced a form of ARIA, with 6 percent having symptoms of it. Those rates of ARIA are higher for Lilly’s donanemab than Leqembi, according to Myles Minter, an analyst at William Blair. “Although we believe donanemab will ultimately be approved, the increased ARIA risk remains a concern,” he wrote in a research note last Friday. This isn’t the first signal that the FDA is taking a cautious approach in its review of donanemab. The agency denied Lilly’s application for accelerated approval in January 2023, focusing in on the trial’s unique design that allowed participants to stop taking the experimental drug after scans showed a certain level of amyloid had been cleared from the brain. Many patients in the trial discontinued the drug as early as six months; the FDA requested data on at least 100 patients who had received 12 months of continuous treatment. “While the decision is a surprise at this stage in the review process, the safety and appropriate administration of treatments is paramount,” the Alzheimer’s Association said in a statement. “On behalf of everyone who could benefit from this treatment, we strongly urge the FDA to move swiftly in this next stage of its review.” Because donanemab is administered intravenously, only certain medical centers can perform the procedure. Given logistical constraints, Lilly has said that it expects the initial launch of the drug to reach a limited number of patients and contribute only modestly to its earnings once approved. In a sign of the headwinds that donanemab may face if approved, the rollout of Leqembi has gone more slowly than its makers had envisioned. There were about 2,000 patients receiving the drug as of January, a far cry from the 10,000 that Eisai had once forecast by the end of this month. Its partner Biogen reported collecting just $10 million for the drug last year. “Most clinicians are pleased to have Leqembi for patients,” Jay Olson, an Oppenheimer analyst, wrote CONTINUED ON PAGE 66 Eli Lilly had expected donanemab to be approved this month, but regulators will hold an advisory committee meeting to scrutinize the drug’s safety and effectiveness.

HEALTH 66 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Spring is in full bloom, setting off an orchestra of coughing, sneezing and wheezing. The symptoms are all too familiar for chronic allergy sufferers. But amid a persistent coronavirus pandemic and the tail end of influenza season, how do you know whether that congestion is simply allergies or something more? And what should you do about it? The Washington Post spoke to allergists and immunologists for answers. According to them, it can be tricky to tell, but there are some key differences between allergies and viruses. Seasonal allergies, for instance, typically plague people who are prone to them and may include congestion, sneezing, a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. Fever, chills or body aches are more indicative of viruses such as COVID and flu. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have created a chart to help people assess their symptoms. The challenge with viruses – including covid, flu and those that cause cold-like symptoms such as seasonal coronaviruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV – is that it is “nearly impossible to distinguish among these various viruses in individual patients,” said William Schaffner, a former medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “It’s hard to say one patient has flu, the next one has RSV, the next one has human metapneumovirus, unless there happens to be a big outbreak in your community at that time,” he said last year. What other clues can help distinguish between a virus and allergies? Pay attention to symptoms and potential exposure to illnesses. “If you tell us, ‘I’ve never had allergies before, but I went to a dinner party last week and I found out that three people tested positive for covid, and now I’m getting symptoms that I have not experienced – congestion, stuffy nose, feeling a little bit tired,’ that’s very different than someone that tells you the same sort of symptoms with no new exposure, but in fact, a long history of allergies,” said Jody Tversky, an allergy expert and associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. When in doubt, contact a primary care doctor or go to an urgent care center to get tested, said Monica Gandhi, an infectious-disease expert at the University of California at San Francisco. And don’t overreact. “All of these viruses are really mild in the majority of individuals,” Gandhi said last year. Can a test tell me what kind of virus I have? Most respiratory viruses present in similar ways – fever, chills, body aches, coughing, sneezing, congestion, sore throats, hoarseness, headaches and, sometimes, middle-ear infections, experts said. Particularly for those at higher risk for complications, it may be important to know whether it is covid or flu, for HOW TO KNOW WHETHER YOU HAVE ALLERGIES OR A VIRUS BY LINDSEY BEVER AND ALLYSON CHIU The Washington Post in a note to clients in February, adding that “some doctors remain skeptical.” Drugmakers are also looking beyond therapies that seek to remove amyloid beta and exploring other potential causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen and Johnson and Johnson are also developing drugs that target tau, a protein that looks like tangles in the brain and is linked to the disease. In January, Biogen chief executive Christopher Viehbacher called the company’s tau candidate a “crown jewel” in its pipeline of experimental drugs. Novo Nordisk is investigating the potential benefits that semaglutide – the active ingredient in the blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic — has on people with early Alzheimer’s, with results from a late-stage trial expected in late 2025. The FDA’s advisory committee for donanemab could offer clues that shape the prospects of other Alzheimer’s therapies, including a next-generation, amyloid-targeting drug also made by Eli Lilly, according to David Risinger, a senior analyst at Leerink Partners. “It remains to be seen what FDA is most concerned about,” he said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 65

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 67 example, as these two viruses can be treated with antiviral medications. Nasal swab tests at a primary care physician’s office or urgent care center can detect COVID and flu. A combined flu-covid test for use at home was approved last year. And although not typically necessary, Gandhi said last year that a respiratory panel can differentiate among many viruses that cause the common cold. Does having allergies increase my risk of contracting COVID? A large-scale international study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that higher airborne pollen levels appeared to be associated with an increase in coronavirus infection rates. But experts emphasized that correlation does not necessarily mean causation and urged people to not jump to conclusions about their risk levels based on those findings. Tversky noted that for people with allergies, wearing masks may serve “double duty” on a high-pollen-count day. “This may prevent not only virus particles from being inhaled, but it may prevent pollen particles from being inhaled,” he said last year. What is human metapneumovirus? Some social media posts have been discussing human metapneumovirus. The virus – along with parainfluenza, RSV, measles and mumps – is a paramyxovirus, which can cause a wide range of infections. “This one usually causes a cold – not a big deal in most individuals,” Gandhi said last year. But, she said, it can have more serious consequences for vulnerable people, including some young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. The virus, which makes its appearance in the winter and spring, affects most commonly the upper respiratory tract, causing nasal congestion, cough and shortness of breath, as well as fever. It typically lasts three to seven days. In some cases, however, it can progress to the lower respiratory tract, leading to a more severe illness such as bronchiolitis, which causes swelling, irritation and mucus buildup in the lungs, or pneumonia. Human metapneumovirus, discovered in 2001, is spread similarly to other viruses though coughing or sneezing or handling contaminated objects and then touching the eyes, mouth or nose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gandhi said it’s important to note that the virus can spread even when people are asymptomatic. In one study, asymptomatic human metapneumovirus infections accounted for at least 38 percent of infections. Unlike COVID, there is no vaccine for human metapneumovirus, and treatment is limited to supportive care. “We try to make you feel better and make sure that your breathing is OK while your body fights off the virus,” Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University, said last year. Will Paxlovid, Tamiflu or other treatments help? COVID can be treated with Pfizer’s antiviral Paxlovid. For flu, antivirals such as Tamiflu are used to treat influenza. For other viruses, including ones that cause the common cold, overthe-counter antihistamines, decongestants and fever-reducers, as well as drinking plenty of fluids may help. For seasonal allergy sufferers, a number of over-the-counter medications are available. Consult a doctor or pharmacist about the best treatment. What precautions should I take? Viruses are most commonly transmitted when people who are infected cough or sneeze, spreading disease. “So, stay away from people who are symptomatic,” Gandhi said last year. Practice good hygiene – cough or sneeze into a tissue or upper sleeve, wash hands frequently, even consider masking, particularly around people who are at higher risk for complications. But, most important, stay home. Before the pandemic, Gandhi said, many people used to push through, going to work or attending school while they were sick with colds and flu. She said a key lesson people learned from COVID is to isolate while contagious. “The best thing we can do in the world, which we didn’t really do before 2019, is stay home when we’re sick,” Gandhi said.

HEALTH 68 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ As I walk around my neighborhood, listening to podcasts, I am bombarded by ads hailing the virtues of online mental health services: “Are you stressed, anxious? See a therapist! Everyone could use therapy!” But this is not true. Mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and loneliness are a rising concern in America, especially for children and teens. In fact, loneliness has been declared an epidemic. But, while psychological suffering can signal a need for reflection and change, it does not always require therapy. There are many resources that can help alleviate stress, anxiety and loneliness without turning to a therapist. What therapy is and what it isn’t Therapy is a science-backed treatment addressing mental health symptoms that cause significant problems in daily functioning. Examples include mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy for anxiety or cognitive processing therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Sessions focus on setting goals for change, developing and practicing skills that improve psychological health, and an ongoing evaluation of progress toward goals and continued treatment needs. Therapy involves developing trust and rapport because the therapist-patient relationship is proven as the most essential predictor of positive change. But building this trust and rapport in therapy is not the same as chatting online about a symptom such as stress for an hour. Therapy skeptics declare, “I’m not paying to talk to a friend.” They are correct. Therapists are not patients’ friends, in part because it is one-sided sharing. Therapists have specialized trainCoping through anxiety: Why not everyone needs therapy BY EMILY EDLYNN The Washington Post Stress, anxiety and loneliness can signal a time for reflection and change, and do not necessarily require therapy.

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 69 ing. They have an ethical responsibility to help patients develop insight and build skills. Therapy is not about venting. It’s about change. Who needs therapy and who does not People need therapy when their mental health symptoms are causing serious impairments in their daily functioning – in close relationships, work performance, sleep or social activities. For instance, if a person’s work stress overwhelms them to the point that they miss work and are subsequently at risk of losing their job. They don’t need therapy when they are able to manage their symptoms well – if they feel stressed about their work but continue to perform well, have a supportive network of family and friends, engage in meaningful activities outside work and do not have significant levels of depression and anxiety. As Tracy Dennis-Tiwary writes in her book, “Future Tense: Why Anxiety Is Good For You (Even Though It Feels Bad),” we have become a “fragile people” when it comes to feeling uncomfortable. But we don’t need to schedule a therapy appointment when we feel bad. We need to learn how to feel the emotions and cope. “Most of the time, anxiety is a healthy human emotion,” Dennis-Tiwary wrote in an email. “And the only way to learn to cope is to build skills in experiencing and working through anxiety.” What can become more problematic than the anxiety itself is the “meta-anxiety,” or the anxiety about our feelings of anxiety, she said. How to build coping skills Therapy offers tools and support, which can be helpful and make us feel good, but when we are not suffering from “clinical” symptoms – those causing significant impairment in daily functioning – those tools and support are available outside the therapist’s office. Here are some ways to build coping skills: Check out workbooks related to your concern. There are many sciencebacked interventions (the most popular being cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy) that experts have packaged into a workbook format for people to do independently. Read memoirs of people who have experienced similar challenges. Connecting with another’s experience can reduce feelings of separateness and provide a model for how to cope. Use mental health and meditation apps to access many of the basic coping tools that therapists teach, such as meditation (Calm, Insight Timer) and labeling emotions (How We Feel). Listen to psychology-focused podcasts such as “The Psychology Podcast” and “All in the Mind,” and search for episode topics or experts in your area of interest, such as anxiety over a relationship or stress about work. Consider a coach who specializes in the area where you want to make a change, such as your career or parenting. Therapists can coach, but coaches don’t need to be therapists. There are important differences between coaching and therapy. Identify community groups. Support from others enduring a similar struggle can, in many cases, have a greater effect than talking in one-onone therapy. Examples include groups that focus on addiction, grief or meditation. If you have tried these strategies and do not feel better, or if people close to you have expressed concern about changes in your behaviors such as being more withdrawn or irritable, your symptoms may need professional support. The clearest sign of needing mental health treatment immediately is any safety concern such as considering suicide or engaging in self-harm. Making changes to improve your life is like gardening – you have to dig into the soil, plant seeds of change, tend to the fragile new plants and flowers to make sure they survive, give them water and nutrients, and remove weeds. A therapist can help when mental health symptoms make it hard to grab the shovel to start, but most people can be their own gardeners. Emily Edlynn, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and director of pediatric behavioral medicine at Oak Park Behavioral Medicine in Oak Park, Ill. She is the author of “Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children” and the co-host of the “Psychologists Off the Clock” podcast.

70 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style While fashion houses have pivoted away from real animal pelts, off the runway the politics of fur wearing are undergoing a surprising shift. From giant plush honey monster coats at Acne Studios and furry puffball coats at Celine to shaggy, ombre-dyed faux-fur jackets at Emporio Armani, not to mention the surprise return of the tippet at Prada (mood: A Touch of Fake Mink), all things tactile, shaggy, and (fake) furry are big news on the catwalks for winter 2024. Many luxury brands have pivoted away from using real animal fur in recent years, of course, (LFW stopped showing animal fur in 2018, formalizing the ban last year). Though at Fendi, where real animal pelts are still used, a PETA protester made their feelings known at the beginning of Milan Fashion Week, taking to the runway with a sign that read: “Animals are NOT clothing.” “The history of fashion’s appropriation of animal skins, prints, and symbolism is also a history of society’s changing attitudes and ambivalences toward human-animal relations …” wrote super curator Andrew Bolton in his introduction to “WILD: Fashion Untamed,” an exhibition all about fur, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005, getting under the skin of the issue as per … I actually attended the opening gala of that show at the MET and can remember seeing a buyer for one of New York’s swishiest department stores dressed in a full-length strapless real fur gown. It’s hard to imagine even the most attention-hogging of today’s red carpet habitués making such a confronting frock choice today; however, the politics – and wardrobe economics – of fur wearing are undergoing a shift. THE FAUX VS. REAL FUR DEBATE HAS BEEN REIGNITED BY SARA BAILEY The Telegraph

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 71 Style Surprisingly, we are actually seeing a return to vintage real fur being worn, particularly by Gen Zs and the trend isn’t purely a fashion FROW phenomenon. I recently spotted a vintage fox fur bolero wearer among a gaggle of fellow sixth formers (otherwise dressed in de facto teen uniform of puffers and jeans), quite a standout on Hampstead High Street. The current #mobwife trend on social media can be held at least partly responsible for driving the desire to wear old-school trophy furs, vintage, real, or not. (It is not without irony that actress Edie Falco, the actress who played Carmela Soprano, the ultimate #mobwife moodboard muse, is currently PETA’s Honorary Director campaigning against animal cruelty. And indeed there’s an argument that glorifying the whole #mobwife aesthetic allows the fur trade a free pass back to the mainstream and our stores). However, for many new-gen vintagefur wearers, the motivations are often more rooted in sustainability and a weariness with fashion brands’ greenwashing than mafia molls cosplay. “Unpopular Opinion: Vintage fur is more sustainable than faux fur” reads the caption on @collectivegoodshop (a Vintage Curator & Wardrobe Stylist Instagram account), one of many feeds that call out the environmental impact of faux fur, which tends to be derived from fossil fuels. And, then there are the fiscal considerations that lie beneath the “new faux versus vintage real” debate (perhaps less blogged about, but an issue nonetheless): A slick faux fur bomber from YSL could put you back $9,000 (composition 59 percent acrylic, 32 percent modacrylic, 9 percent polyester); whereas a cursory search on Vinted throws up a vintage 1950s real fur evening jacket, not as chic perhaps, but passable Grace Kelly vibes for a cool $100 (and more biodegradable to boot). Iso Neville (26) is a second-hand stylist, whose look is more ’60s French starlet than mob wife (think vintage shearling ‘mini’-length car coat, worn with bare legs and tomboy boots, with Birkin-esque aplomb). “Anything in circulation is more sustainable than creating garments from new materials, whether those are faux or whether those are animal-based,” says Neville. “Obviously, it’s a very complex issue, because of potentially questionable practices around how that fur has been farmed … But actually faux fur is plastic and it doesn’t biodegrade, so I think it’s really greenwashing talking about faux fur as a sustainable alternative to real fur.” Fashion journalist and thrift advisor Joséphine Giachero (24) tells me that she and several of her friends and peers wear vintage real fur “because they either inherited it as a hand-me-down, or they have managed to get one really nice piece”; but she is sensitive about the context and would not wear it around friends who have strong feelings against fur. “I would never show up in a vintage fur coat if I’m seeing them because I’m mindful that I have so many other things in my wardrobe.” Interestingly, the one fabric that Giachero tells me she would never wear – vintage or new – is faux. “It’s just so synthetic, it just gives me the ick … It has a lot to do with the sensorial experience not wanting to have that on my skin.” The aesthetics and associations of fur (carnal or cruel) can provoke a powerful reaction, whether or not a pelt is real. I speak to Ruby Cohen (28), founder of life and death-style brand Café Mortel, who has spent years in and out of the vegan movement, who reminds me that Daniel Rosenberg’s faux taxidermy animal heads for Schiaparelli couture last year caused a media firestorm “and it was all fake, but people still were confronted and conflicted by it.” I got in touch with plant-centric chef Bettina Campolucci Bordi (40, whose personal style I admire, as much as her delicious veggie food) to see how the idea of vintage fur sits with her sensibilities. Like many environmentally minded dressers, she is keenly focused on circularity and building a wardrobe of pieces that will last. “I would not wear vintage fur, I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing it, however, I do have leather jackets. I’ve CONTINUED ON PAGE 72

72 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style CONTINUED FROM PAGE 77 kept them and some of them are 20 years old, and I would like to hand those down to my daughter.” For another stylish vegetarian friend (30) the choices are absolutely clear.” I wouldn’t wear fur, even if it was vintage, under any circumstance because it goes against everything I believe in. Even if it was given to me/handed down, I wouldn’t accept it because I love animals and I think they should be alive and happy, not used for fashion when there are so many great faux fur alternatives and other ways to keep warm!” “Whether faux or real, I think it’s clear from recent collections that the fashion industry isn’t ready to let go of the aesthetic of fur, and what that brings to a look,” says sustainable fashion expert Chekii Harling (@trash4gold), 28. “My immediate reaction to seeing tons of faux fur on the runway is the same as when I’m looking at any designer’s collection that doesn’t feature the most sustainable materials possible. “It could be an aesthetically beautiful collection with an amazing story behind it, but if they aren’t working with recycled, responsible, or innovative materials I don’t find it new or interesting … I’m fascinated by all the ways designers can work with waste and biomaterials; they are the fashion industry’s new innovators.” “To halt climate change we need to both move away from fossil fuels and stop intensively farming cattle,” Harling continues, “I think what people shop is down to where their values lie.” Personally speaking, I would find it hard to give up the luster, the swagger and the larger-than-life silhouettes of the faux fur coats in my wardrobe. And, frankly, I always try to invest in faux for life: I have a particularly beloved electric blue Shrimps number that I bought in 2014 and have absolutely no intention of retiring any time soon. Another interesting case in point is my vintage 1960s Royal Blizzard raincoat in a snow leopard print, which creates an optical illusion that, believe it or not, looks like fur (its beautiful embroidered label tells me it is made from Tergal: a wrinkle-resistant polyester that was popular in the ’60s and ’70s). This is a piece that I have relined at my local dry cleaners and it still garners compliments in what must be its seventh decade of use. So what are the resilient and climate-conscious fur alternatives of the future? Nina Marenzi is the founder and director of The Sustainable Angle and Future Fabrics Expo (the environmentally friendly materials showcase coming to London, June 25-26). ‘‘There is much hope for next-gen materials where untapped waste streams from agricultural residues for example will be an important new feedstock for materials for fashion and packaging,” Marenzi tells me. Marenzi’s names to look for include a flax material from CQ Studios, a London-based innovation studio, as well as BioFluff, the company responsible for Savian; an animal-free, plastic-free material used by Stella McCartney to create the non-fur fur coat that she presented at Cop28 (using 50 percent agricultural waste streams no less). Harling also points me in the direction of German-based producer Steiff Schulte “making fur-like materials using a blend of mohair & organic cotton and linen & organic cotton” (yes, that would be Steiff of the classic, old-fashioned toy bears … and a ray of hope that could bring a whole new level of meaning to the teddy bear coat!). “In an ideal future, faux leather and faux fur would come from regenerative, plant-based sources, but the current reality is that many of these solutions aren’t being scaled,” admits Harling. “For this to happen there needs to be more demand and more investment from the industry at large into these brilliant innovations.” For now, the faux versus real fur debate will certainly continue to rumble. Brash and superficial though it may seem, the #mobwife trend has certainly some brought some oxygen to the conversation, one that seems a little more nuanced and less polarized than perhaps it was in the ‘I’d rather go naked than wear fur’ ’90s campaign era. After all, neither taboos nor greenwashing will save fashion, or the planet. “Although I don’t support the production of new fur, I think vintage fur should be enjoyed. Wearing vintage fur that’s purchased locally is better for the planet than buying a new alternative, so I don’t think there should be so much shame around it,” says Harling. “Shockingly, I discovered a few years ago that certain charity shops incinerate real fur that’s donated to them, so it’s worth checking what items charities do and don’t accept, and it could be better to donate unwanted items to local dealers or sell it online to make sure it finds a new home. I think incinerating fur is a step too far – it’s a disgrace to the animal that died for it.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 71

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 73 Style Forget the fuss of outfit planning and stick to a combination that works this spring. The “jeans and a nice top” formula is simple yet effective – it’s an ageless style favorite with truly universal appeal. So why do so many of us treat it as a sartorial fall back option, so often landing on this pairing in a frenzy to get a nice outfit together and leave the house all within 10 minutes? The look that was once a back-up is now taking center stage. The French singer and model Vanessa Paradis wore blue slim jeans and a statement sequined floral top as she sat on the front row at the Chanel show this month. Cate Blanchett reworked a teal velvet top she had previously worn at the Oscars, this time wearing it with leather trousers instead of the formal skirt. Blanchett’s stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, rightly claimed it was “too good to not wear again.” That’s the thing about a “nice top” – you really can redo it over and over again. With wide leg jeans, or leather cigarette trousers, cargo pants or cord flares, the effect can feel different every time. “I love embracing the ‘relaxed glamor’ trend and styling a sequin fringed cape top simply with a pair of denim jeans,” says the fashion influencer Grece Ghanem, explaining how you can really experiment with clashing pieces that are supposed to be smart or casual. “So fabulous.” So, you’ve got the jeans, but which nice top to buy? Here are three styles to perfect the formula. The draped jersey Directional draping was a hit on the catwalk at Givenchy and Christian Dior, and was used to create romantic, ethereal silhouettes or defined body-con tops. Paired with jeans, it’s a technique that makes any casual outfit look elevated. You can opt for a bold patterned or colorplay piece, or simply let the structure of the top speak for itself. Victoria Beckham has several flattering styles in her spring collection. The floral blouse What would a spring wardrobe be without its staple floral pieces? Whether it’s printed, embellished or embroidered, there are myriad ways to make this fashion perennial feel fresh. Small and busy prints are out, and larger, bolder motifs are trending now – as seen in the latest, flower-infused Loewe show. Kitri’s new illustrated leaf print comes on a flowing blouse top and matching skirt, should you wish to dress it up for a wedding, then down with jeans the next day. The vest The versatile yet understated vest is back – now best worn as a top. Layered under another jacket and with the matching trousers, it can form a new suiting look – but when paired with jeans it changes the feel completely. Rag & Bone’s pinstripe style nods to a smart aesthetic, while COS and Mint Velvet have more experimental cuts, which could be layered over a silk camisole, or dress up a T-shirt underneath. This simple yet effective style formula works at any age BY HANSVEN DAVE The Telegraph

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PETS 78 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Bonz says playful and pleasant Chico is the man! Chico Cook found his Furever Home because of a Fur-nuh-chur Upgrade. Here’s his Tail. Soon as the door opened, Chico zipped over for the Wag-an-Sniff. He’s an extremely neat-an-tidy Chi-waawaa/Terrier mixture, black-an-cream, expressive ears, sincere brown eyes, egg-sellent poss-chur. “Good afternoon, Mr. Bonzo. Welcome! Come in an meet my Dad an Best Fren, Josh! We’ll sit in the living room, where it’s nice an peaceful.” “A pleasure, Chico. Call me Bonz,” I said, lookin’ about. “Cool Kibbles place you have. So restful.” Through wide windows, the woodsy back yard looked like the Best Place Ever for a pooch to hang out an play, grab a liddle snooze, observe squirrels. “It is indeed,” Chico replied, trotting hopefully over to my assistant who had produced a couple of snacks from The Satchel, which he accepted puh-litely. “I love it here. I’m a Very For-chu-nut Pooch!” “I’m eager to hear your story,” I told him. Chico hopped onto his Dad’s lap. “Well, Bonz, I’m about 14 now, gettin’ Up There, ya know. So, I was livin’ with this nice famly when, outta The Bloo, they decided to get Really Nice New Fur-nuh-chur. WELL, me bein’ a DOG an all, I’ve come to buh-leeve they musta felt I’d chew it or scratch it or jump on it or nap on it or engage in other activities that’d be det-truh-MEN-tal to the Really Nice New Fur-nuh-chur. So they sought a new home for me.” “Seriously? That seems a liddle xTREEM,” I blurted, thinkin’ about all the things dogs can do that even Really Nice New Fur-nuh-chur can’t. Like Fetch, Play Ball, Go On Walks, Snuggle, an be a Troo Fren Furever No Matter What. An more. “I KNOW! Right?” Chico replied. “But it ackshully turned out GREAT cuz a Very Nice Lady, Sadie, who’s now my SIS-ter, an her HUZ-bun AJ, an their son Skye took me in, like a foster pooch. They were SO Cool Kibbles! Me an Skye have been BFFs for EVER. We napped together in my dog bed when we were liddle. He still does but he hangs over the edges now.” “So, how’d you get here?” “Well, Sadie is my Dad Josh’s daughter, an we’d all get together a lot, an me an My (future) Dad Josh just had this con-NECK-shun. Then, a few years later, 2020 I buh-leeve it was, Sadie was seein’ how much we really got uhLONG. So she brought me to his house an said I should o-fish-shully be HIS doggo. Well, he thought about it for, like, a nano second, an I was like YESSS!” “That’s PAW-some!” I exclaimed. “Turns out, I’m a Great Watch Dog an, as Dad always says, ‘A Very Good Boy.’ I’m always checkin’ to see what he wants me to do next. He calls me an Old Gentleman cuz I’m getting’ Up There.” “I hear ya,’” I said. “I, too, have found myself Up There! There’s a lot to be said for slowin’ down a bit.” “So troo,” he agreed. “I love the sun! I go out on the patio, catch some rays, work on my tan, next to the sittin’ pool. (Not IN it, tho.) I’m NOT a fan of water (’cept in my bowl). Not a pool. Not the ocean. Not the river. (However, I do like walkin’ with Dad NEX to the river.) “Also, Not BATHS. But I get one anyway. Once as week. In the shower. I sit outside it an Dad has to pick me up an place me in it. But gettin’ all nice an dry out in the sun with a fluffy towel is Tray Pleasant. “An we have this roo-TEEN in the morning: Dad always gets up WAY EARLY. I mean, it’s DARK still. He comes out here an fixes his Coffee an stuff. Ten or 20 minutes later, I drag myself in, an plop down on my comfy nap pad by the window to finish sleepin’. Then, when it’s not SO Woofin’ Early, me an Dad take our Morning Walk around the block, an say HEY to neighbor pooches. Then we have breakfast, an I’ll maybe check the yard an flush out any random cats who might disturb (or eat) the various cree-churs who hang out here. (No offense to cats.)” Chico leaned in, lowering his voice. “Don’t let it get around, but I sorta have a sorta grrrlfren. Oreo, the new pupper in town. She’s a pretty liddle Boston Terrier and we play together. Once I even escaped the yard an visited her. But it’s one of those May-December things. She’s young an full of energy. I Don’t know WHAT I was thinkin’. I fear I’m too old.” He sighed. I nodded. “Any other pals?” “Sure. Rusty, around the corner. He’s a Shihtzu. An Old Gentleman like us. An, I have The Cool-Kibblest Human Famly. We have these pawsome picnic get-togethers. There’s my sis Sadie, AJ, Skye (he’s 13 now. Still my BFF!); Gramma Sandy an Grampa Jeff an Black Labs Champ an Largo. “But, I mostly just wanna be wherever my Dad is. I sleep with him an he SAYS I snore, but he doesn’t mind. Sometimes he leaves me at home, which I don’t like One Bit, so I do this Howly, Whiny thing, but he leaves anyway. So, what I do is: I have this Pawsome Shiney Red Ball, which me an Dad both like a LOT. So, when he FINALLY gets home, I bring it to him, but I don’t ackshully give it to him, even though I’m SURE he wants it. I just show it off an then walk away, several times, to make sure he knows I didn’t like him ABANDONING ME like that!” I stuffed my nose into my paw, trying not to laff. “Any fave foodstuffs?” “Kibbles, of course, but also what Dad eats when appropriate. Plus, we have duh-lishus grass in the back yard. I consider it an Herbal Supplement. An YO-gert for a speshull treat.” Heading home, I thinkin’ what a pleasant time I had with Chico, just a coupla Old Gentlemen enjoyin’ the day, an sharin’ a fondness for YO-gert. The Bonz Hi Dog Buddies! Don’t Be Shy We are always looking for pets with interesting stories. To set up an interview, email [email protected]. Chico PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ CALENDAR Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 79 ONGOING Check with organizations directly for updates/cancellations. Riverside Theatre presents the thriller “Yankee Tavern” on the Waxlax Stage through April 7; Fri. and Sat. Live in the Loop concerts. 772- 231-6990 or RiversideTheatre.com Vero Beach Theatre Guild: “9 to 5: The Musical,” through March 24. VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com or 772-562-8300 Vero Beach Museum of Art: Ancient Egypt & the Napoleonic Era: Masterworks from the Dahesh Museum of Art through April 28. VBMuseum.org or 772-231-0707 MARCH 20|21 31st annual Red White & Blue Concert featuring VBHS Jazz & Symphonic Bands, 7 p.m. at Vero Beach High School PAC and livestreamed. $5 to $15. 772-564-5537 21 VBMA Concerts in the Park presents Mike Telesmanick, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Vero Beach Museum of Art. BYO chair. Refreshments available. $10 and $12; cash/check. VBMuseum.org 21 Live from Vero Beach presents the Beatles vs the Stones, 7 p.m. at the Emerson Center. $45-$95. MusicWorksConcerts. com or 800-595-4849 21 Atlantic Classical Orchestra Masterworks III concert, Latin Passions with Siwoo Kim, 7:30 p.m. at Community Church of VB. AtlanticClassicalOrchestra.com 22 Veterans Cup, featuring 12 accomplished tennis stars, presented by the Boulevard Charities, 5 p.m. at the Boulevard Tennis Club to benefit the Boot Campaign, #DoYouGiveARuck?, and Community Health Coalition. $100 and $150. BoulevardTennis.com 22 Concerts in the Park presented by Sebastian Chamber of Commerce, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverview Park featuring Reckless Shots. Free; BYO chair. SebastianChamber.com State Certified Electrical Contractor Tom G. Walton Serving the Treasure Coast since 1984 772-569-1547 • [email protected] Residential • Commercial • Industrial L. Walton Electric, Inc. EC13003596 Althea Powell, Board Certified Pedorthist State Licensed • Custom Molded Orthotics • Custom Molded Shoes • Diabetic Shoes • Elevation 2686 U.S. HWY 1 • VERO BEACH, FL www.powellshoes.com • 772.562.9045 POWELL SHOES PEDORTHIC FACILITY Time to Clean Your Carpets/Furniture? Maxfield Carpet Cleaning • 772-538-0213 5300 N. A1A, Vero Beach • SINCE 1979 Three Reasons to Call Mitch Maxfield: QUALITY: My “2-step system” removes even tough ground-in dirt. All work guaranteed. SERVICE: I, personally, will clean your carpets and furniture. PRICE: Two (2) Rooms (any size)...$77, 6’ Sofa or 2 Chairs...$66 Sudoku Page 44 Sudoku Page 45 Crossword Page 44 Solutions from Games Pages in March 14th, 2024 Edition Crossword Page 45 (Rank Humor) Advertising Vero Beach Services | If you would like your business to appear in our directory, please call 772-633-0753 VERO BEACH 32963 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

AMBIANCE APLENTY Beautiful new Old Riomar home on one of island’s ‘prettiest streets’ 855 Sandfly Lane in Riomar: 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 3,592-square-foot, two-story home offered for $4,995,000 by AMAC Alex MacWilliam broker associates Maria Caldarone and Charlotte Terry: 772-538-2388

REAL ESTATE 82 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Dorinda Dodge came to Vero Beach 30 years ago after friends told her about the area, and she loved it instantly. After living in John’s Island for 20 years, Dodge says the ambiance of Old Riomar drew her to buy a house on Sandfly Lane. The historic neighborhood is known for its quint, sandy lanes and mature oak canopies. “It’s so natural and jungly. You feel like you’re in another world,” Dodge says, noting that you would never know Ocean Drive is just a few minutes away. Even before she bought her first house on Sandfly Lane, Dodge admits she would drive to Riomar to walk her dog. “I love the sand streets. It’s so quiet, and you can hear the birds sing. I used to say, ‘Oh, I wish I could live down here.’” AMAC Alex MacWilliam listing agents Charlotte Terry and Maria Caldarone note that Sandfly Lane is “one of the prettiest streets on the island because of the big trees,” one of which is estimated to be 400 years old. When the home at 855 Sandfly Lane across the street from Dodge’s home came on the market, she purchased it for several reasons. She wanted to ensure that whatever replaced the existing house honored the Riomar legacy – and she loves a good project. “I wanted to look across the street at something pretty,” adds Dodge. Working with architect Peter Moor to design a home that would blend with the grand oak trees on the oversized lot, Dodge came up with a house with windows on both sides that “lends itself very much to Florida and the warm climate so you can let cross ventilation come through.” Hidden behind a lushly vegetated island, the circle drive spans the width of the property, with a carpark area on the east end near the side entry and a detached two-car garage. A small gate opens into the courtyard with a covered walkway that defines two distinct areas – one centered around a fire pit and the other around an outdoor dining area near the kitchen. The courtyard is an inviting enclave that transitions seamlessly with the home’s open floorplan to create fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces, a feature that carries through to the sunroom at the rear of the house. “This is a gorgeous piece of property. There’s plenty of room for a pool or a guest cottage,” says Terry, taking in Beautiful new Old Riomar home in unique island setting BY STEPHANIE LABAFF Staff Writer

REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 83 the expansive backyard with its dense, leafy wall of palms, ferns, oaks and bamboo that invoke a hidden refuge. From the center of the courtyard, you can access the main house. With an entry or sports closet on one side and a built-in bench on the other, the foyer is Florida’s version of a mudroom. A central hallway runs perpendicular to the foyer, providing access to the common areas of the house. To the left, the hallway opens into the main living room and an intimate dining area with a two-story, beamed ceiling. Natural light filters through the glass doors and the clerestory and full-length windows on three sides of the room. The dominant wall in the room features built-ins, window seats and a vented gas fireplace. “If you’re standing near the fireplace and looking through to the kitchen and sunroom, the view is dramatic because you’re looking right through to the backyard,” says Terry. Terry notes that the Chinese ChipCONTINUED ON PAGE 85

REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 85 pendale balustrade, board and batten wall details, and Juliet balcony overlooking the living room are just a few of the fine details incorporated by Barth Construction. As you head toward the rear of the house, the primary suite, powder room and laundry room are located opposite the foyer, making it convenient for first-floor living. The primary suite encompasses the western wing, providing privacy for the owners when guests are staying over. The spacious bedroom, walk-in closet and elegant bathroom with a shower, water closet and dual sinks enjoy verdant garden views. One interesting feature, Terry points out, is that the bathroom sinks have windows instead of mirrors, further expanding the feeling of being outside. VITAL STATISTICS Neighborhood: Riomar Year built: 2023 Construction: Concrete block Builder: Barth Construction Architect: Peter Moor Lot size: 150 feet by 192 feet Home size: 3,592 square feet Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 full baths and 1 half-bath View: Garden Additional features: Courtyard; white oak and tile floors; custom cabinets and trim; vented gas fireplace; built-ins; clerestory windows; beamed, two-story ceiling; high-end appliances; sunroom; Juliet balcony; impact windows and doors; storm shutters and a detached, two-car garage. Listing agency: AMAC Alex MacWilliam Inc. Listing agents: Broker associates Charlotte Terry and Maria Caldarone; 772-538-2388 or 772-713-7139 Listing price: $4,995,000 855 SANDFLY LANE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 83

REAL ESTATE 86 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Commercial real estate prices have bottomed and there’s a great opportunity to move fast and buy assets at beaten-down prices, according to Blackstone Inc. President Jon Gray. “The perception is so negative and yet the value decline has occurred, so when you get into this bottoming period that’s when you want to move,” Gray told Bloomberg Television’s Francine Lacqua in an interview in Rome, where he is attending the Bank of America Global Investor Summit conference. Competition to buy discounted assets hasn’t been great so far, he said, adding that there will be a strong need for new capital as financial institutions begin realizing losses from loans that were made when borrowing costs were much lower. While Gray sees a wave of buying opportunities as some banks and even insurance funds may have to sell at discounts, the scale won’t be as bad as it was during the financial crisis, he said. “There will be tons of headlines of market transactions that were made in a different world that have run aground now,” Gray said. “But on the ground we’re seeing the cost of capital start to come down, spreads are starting to tighten, and new construction is coming down dramatically.” Blackstone has already been stepping in to finance multibillion dollar real estate deals, and there may be more that emerge similar to the Clean lines and a white palette complement the contrasting green accents that connect the home’s interior with the outdoors. Hazel House staged the first floor, adding touches of tropical elegance that embrace the natural surroundings. The kitchen emits a homey warmth with high-end appliances, a tropical backsplash, a built-in desk and a custom-built kitchen table that begs for everyone to gather around for dinner. Glass doors open to the courtyard for al fresco dinners. The kitchen extends down into the sunroom, where guests can sit and chat while you prepare dinner. With windows and doors on three sides, you have a view of the backyard with its dense, leafy wall of palms, ferns, oaks and bamboo. Upstairs, three bedrooms and two bathrooms surround the second-story landing, an excellent spot for reading or a playroom. Guests can spread out without disturbing the owner downstairs. As a neighborhood resident, Dodge can attest to the wonder of living on the “beautiful, sand-shell street with canopied oaks where you can walk to town and the ocean.” Old Riomar is situated between the bridges and has easy access to beachside and mainland locations. It’s just a short walk, bike or golf cart ride to Quail Valley River Club, Riomar Country Club, Riomar Beach access, the City Marina, Riverside Park, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach Dog Park, and shopping and dining on Ocean Drive. BLACKSTONE SAYS IT’S TIME TO BUY COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AS PRICES AT BOTTOM “The perception is so negative and yet the value decline has occurred, so when you get into this bottoming period that’s when you want to move.” – Blackstone Inc. President Jon Gray BY PRASHANT GOPAL Bloomberg

REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 87 $17 billion portfolio sale of Signature Bank debt, Gray said. In November, the world’s biggest alternative asset manager bid for the portfolio of commercial-property loans from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s sale of Signature Bank debt. The collapsed lender was seized by regulators in March last year. “As investors, sometimes, one of the risks is that you miss it by being overly cautious and I think now is probably a good time before rates come down,” Gray said. Blackstone has grown into a powerhouse that touches all aspects of the economy, lending to businesses and financing infrastructure projects. Its assets hit $1 trillion in July 2023, making it the world’s largest publicly traded alternative asset manager. Its shares surged 83 percent last year, including reinvested dividends, beating its biggest peers as well as the S&P 500, which returned about 25 percent. Blackstone became a member of the stock gauge in 2023. BlackCONTINUED ON PAGE 94

REAL ESTATE 88 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Real estate agents in the Hamptons, the Long Island beach towns popular with Wall Street elites and vacationers alike, are having a brisk sales season. Homeowners on the East End are listing their properties for sale in greater numbers than they were a year ago, and would-be buyers are pouncing. On a recent warm Sunday afternoon, “every open house had people coming through,” said Todd Bourgard, chief executive officer for Long Island at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “All the cafes and the sidewalks, everything was full. It just had that real good feeling to it.” Agents say they’ve only gotten busier since then, preparing new listings and negotiating deals as people who had been circling the market for a while are jumping in. “Everyone was waiting for something,” Bourgard said. “The buyers were waiting to see if prices would come down, and prices not only held steady, they crept up. And homeowners are realizing that we are in a very, very good market for sellers.” Deals in the Hamptons typically pick up in the spring, but this season is expected to be especially lively relative to the last couple of years, when a lack of inventory, rising mortgage rates and worries about the economy froze purchases. Buyer confidence started picking up toward the end of 2023 as borrowing costs ticked down and financial markets were on a roll. Sellers, in turn, see opportunities to cash in on rising demand and prices that have hit record highs. “In 2023, there was a lot of talk about a looming recession,” said Tal Alexander, co-founder of brokerage Official, which specializes in luxury sales. “It never came, and I think a lot of that fear is gone now.” Adam Neumann’s real estate startup Flow is planning $300 million in Miami developments in an area that was known as tent city just a decade ago. The plans include rental apartments, retail space and small offices, all within walking distance of each other in the city’s downtown area, according to a preliminary document filed March 11 on MuniOS, an online repository for municipal offerings. A spokeswoman for Flow confirmed that the company owns and is building the projects. They are part of the Miami Worldcenter, an urban redevelopment venture that spans more than 20 acres, multiple city blocks and several developers. The Miami venture provides a glimpse into Neumann’s plans as he explores a joint bid with other investors for WeWork, the company he built into a $47 billion real estate giant before he was ousted and it fell into bankruptcy. Flow, which Neumann founded after his exit from WeWork, raised $350 million from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz in August 2022 at a $1 billion valuation. The office and retail space is expected to be completed by next year and the developer is “in the process of submitting an application to obtain site plan approval for its current development plan,” the municipal offering document says. Miami Worldcenter is raising about $240 million through a municipal bond sale. The almost 800- page memorandum for the deal says that 166 2nd Financial Services, the family office of Neumann and his wife, is developing the projects. A spokesman for the Miami Worldcenter said the document would be updated to reflect Flow’s ownership of the projects. The deal is expected to price March 26, according to the investor roadshow document. The involvement of firms linked to Neumann in Miami Worldcenter dates back to at least 2021, according to the document, with the purchase of a 44-story residential tower called the Caoba. As of December, 95 percent of units in the building were occupied. Flow and developers of the original Caoba tower – Florida-based Falcone Group and Merrimac Ventures – are building another 41-story apartment tower next door. The building is expected to be completed this year, the document says. Across the street, Flow is also planning 19,000 square feet (1,765 square meters) of retail space and 40,000 square feet of office space by 2025. The buildings could be worth about $300 million, according to an estimate by Concord Group, a real estate consulting firm, which was included in the document. Neumann is worth $1.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Adam Neumann’s startup Flow plans apartments, offices in downtown Miami BY FELIPE MARQUES AND DANIELLE MORAN Bloomberg Owners brought 116 single-family homes to the market last month, 51 percent more than in the previous February, data from Elliman and appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. show. That was on the heels of a 16 percent annual increase in new listings in January. With more fresh offerings available, the number of buyer contracts also climbed. Deals were up 9 percent from a year earlier in January and 44 percent in February. One listing that hit last month is 171 Great Hill Road in Southampton, a 5,261-square-foot (489-square-meter) modern house on 2.39 acres (.97 hectares) of land, priced at $6.995 million. The Corcoran Group is marketing the property, which has a swimming pool and a tennis court and abuts a nature preserve. That home contributed to a 136 percent annual leap last month in new Hamptons listings priced from $5 million to $9.99 million, according to Elliman and Miller Samuel. Three homes with asking prices of $20 million or more reached the market in February, up from one last year. Elliman has the $21.95 million listing for 134 Herrick Road in Southampton. The newly built, 7,570-square-foot house on an .85-acre lot is just a few BY JENNIFER EPSTEIN Bloomberg Buyers, sellers jump into the market as recession fears ebb. Contracts and new listings climb but inventory is still tight Packed Open Houses signal robust Hamptons sales season

REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 89 blocks from shops and restaurants, as well as less than a mile from the beach. Inventory has far to go before it can be considered normal by historic standards. At the end of last year, 996 single-family homes were on the market in the Hamptons, the firms said. That was 15 percent more than a year earlier, but well below the 1,831 houses that were available at the end of 2019. Options that are move-in ready, or close to it, are especially in short supply, as are listings “south of the highway,” or between the major Hamptons thoroughfare Route 27 and the Atlantic Ocean, according to Alexander of Official. “Inventory is still very scarce,” he said. “There’s definitely more buyers out there than there are real sellers.” People paying cash, or those willing to borrow at mortgage rates currently hovering around 6.9 percent, are getting in now, before the market gets even more cutthroat, said Pam Liebman, CEO of the Corcoran Group. “Buyers that were sitting on the CONTINUED ON PAGE 91

REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 91 sidelines are starting to get nervous that if interest rates do start to come down, there’ll be more competition in the market and prices may even go up further,” Liebman said. The median price for a single-family home in the Hamptons reached a record $1.85 million in the fourth quarter, up 45 percent from a year earlier, according to Elliman and Miller Samuel. For luxury homes – the top 10 percent of the market – the median price was $12.6 million, an 87 percent jump from the fourth quarter of 2022. A growing pool of homes on the market may encourage even more owners to list theirs. People feel more comfortable about selling when they see other places that they’d like to buy for themselves, according to Elliman’s Bourgard. “Most people that are selling are staying out here,” Bourgard said. “They want to upgrade or to downsize. But when inventory was low, they’d say ‘I want to sell but we have nowhere to go.’ Now, they’re beginning to see inventory to move into.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 89

REAL ESTATE 92 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Real Estate Sales on the Barrier Island: March 8 to March 14 The barrier island real estate market had a strong mid-March week with 11 sales, including four for more than $3 million. Our featured sale this week was of a West Indies inspired riverfront home in Seagrove West. The residence at 385 Riverway Court was placed on the market last August 23 for $5.847 million. The asking price more recently was $5.685 million. The sale closed on March 12 for $4.95 million. The seller in the transaction was represented by Phil Sunkel and Candice Kennedy of Alex MacWilliam, Inc. The purchaser was represented by Collier Procter of The Moorings Realty Sales Co. SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS SUBDIVISION ADDRESS LISTED ORIGINAL MOST RECENT SOLD SELLING ASKING PRICE ASKING PRICE PRICE SANDPOINTE 100 SEAWAY CT 1/10/2023 $29,500,000 $19,900,000 3/13/2024 $11,000,000 SEAGROVE WEST 385 RIVERWAY CT 8/23/2023 $5,847,000 $5,847,000 3/12/2024 $4,950,000 CASTAWAY COVE 905 WINDING RIVER RD 3/3/2023 $3,450,000 $3,250,000 3/14/2024 $2,750,000 ORANGE PARK ESTATES 736 IRIS LN 1/9/2024 $1,650,000 $1,650,000 3/14/2024 $1,395,000 PELICAN COVE 537 E CAUSEWAY BLVD 5/5/2023 $1,450,000 $1,395,000 3/12/2024 $1,100,000 VERO BEACH 3805 MOCKINGBIRD DR 2/13/2024 $850,000 $850,000 3/14/2024 $800,000 ORCHID ISLAND 80 BEACHSIDE DR, #301 10/5/2023 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 3/14/2024 $3,100,000 OCEAN CHATEAU OF VER 4049 OCEAN DR, #402 1/26/2024 $779,000 $779,000 3/13/2024 $760,000 SOUTH PASSAGE 1106 SPYGLASS LN, #1106 12/18/2023 $740,000 $730,000 3/14/2024 $690,000 SEA OAKS 1195 WINDING OAKS CIR E, #308 1/4/2024 $550,000 $550,000 3/8/2024 $550,000 TOWNHOMES, VILLAS, CONDOS, MULTIFAMILY AND INVESTMENT

REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 93 Here are some of the top recent barrier island sales. Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: 10/5/2023 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 3/14/2024 $3,100,000 David Decker & Mike McCauley Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Heidi Levy Orchid Island Realty Subdivision: Orchid Island, Address: 80 Beachside Dr, #301 1/10/2023 $29,500,000 $19,900,000 3/13/2024 $11,000,000 Cindy O’Dare ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Michelle Moss Compass Florida LLC Subdivision: Sandpointe, Address: 100 Seaway Ct 3/3/2023 $3,450,000 $3,250,000 3/14/2024 $2,750,000 Cindy O’Dare & Kristin Dobson ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Alex MacWilliam IV Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Subdivision: Castaway Cove, Address: 905 Winding River Rd 1/9/2024 $1,650,000 $1,650,000 3/14/2024 $1,395,000 Elizabeth Sorensen Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. David Decker & Mike McCauley Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Subdivision: Orange Park Estates, Address: 736 Iris Ln

REAL ESTATE 94 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ stone’s shares have gained 8.3 percent this year. The firm’s $60 billion real estate trust for wealthy individuals, the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, allowed investors to draw cash in full in February. It marked the first time in a month that the fund fulfilled all redemption requests since November 2022. The milestone is a sign that investor pressure for cash back has eased. “As the real estate market bottoms, as rates start to come down and the Fed at some point starts to cut, as well as the lack of new supply – that should be more constructive for commercial real estate and we think that will be a positive for BREIT,” Gray said. The environment for fundraising is getting better compared to about six months ago, though it’s a bit slower on the institutional side, he said. Investors are more enthused about private credit, or secondaries, and insurance clients are increasingly realizing the benefits, he added. Here are some of the top recent barrier island sales. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 87 Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Recent Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: 1/26/2024 $779,000 $779,000 3/13/2024 $760,000 Michelle Clarke Berkshire Hathaway Florida Charlotte Terry Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Subdivision: Ocean Chateau of Ver, Address: 4049 Ocean Dr, #402 5/5/2023 $1,450,000 $1,395,000 3/12/2024 $1,100,000 Holly Gorman ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty John Chuter Redfin Corporation Subdivision: Pelican Cove, Address: 537 E Causeway Blvd

The Vero Beach Barrier Island Newspaper www.vb32963online.com March 21, 2024 Volume 17, Issue 12 Newsstand Price $1.00