Issuu

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 18 No. 17

February 7, 2018

Lessig resigns from Center leadership In a surprise move, Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig announced her resignation on the heels of the nonprofit’s first steps into financial positivity. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

Pier pleasure ANNA MARIE HAYDEN | SUBMITTED

Strollers enjoy a beautiful evening on the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s board of directors is beginning the search for a new executive director after the resignation of Kristen Lessig. Lessig, who has served as executive director of the nonprofit since Lessig December 2014, said she would be leaving Feb. 19 to pursue an opportunity as executive director of youth development, a newly created position with the Sarasota YMCA. She said working with the YMCA has long been a dream of hers and the position “was too good to pass up.” Though she is leaving the Center, Lessig feels that she’s leaving it on a high note, in a good position, and in good hands with the current staff and board. “It really has been a team effort,” she said. “I’m extremely happy for where we are. I really think we’re set for great things.” “The Y cast a big net nationally and had more than 200 resumes submitted for the executive director position,” Sarasota YMCA Vice President Keith Quick said in a Feb. 2 press release. “After phone interviews and personal interviews, it was very clear that the perfect leader was actually right SEE LESSIG, PAGE 41

Duncan named Manatee Chamber chair Darcie Duncan is the first Anna Maria Island resident to chair the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com

MANATEE COUNTY –Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan is the new chair of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The honor was bestowed on the

INSIDE NEWS 4 OPINION 6 SUN SURVEY 7 SEAN MURPHY 19 OUTDOORS 26-27 REAL ESTATE 36-41 SPORTS 42-43 CLASSIFIEDS 45-47

Anna Maria businesswoman during a Chamber event at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto on Wednesday, Jan. 31. “It’s an honor to be the first islander to be appointed as the chairman of the board. I’m ready to put my flip-flops on and go to work. I’m proud to be representing Anna Maria Island and serving the entire county,” Duncan said the following day. “I’m very excited to serve as chairman of the board of the

QUINN assists

with city pier fund raising. 3

Anna Maria Island, Florida

Chamber. It truly is an incredible organization. As a small business owner, it’s nice that the Chamber recognizes that our small businesses are big business, because we make up the majority of the Chamber. We’re made up mostly of businesses with less than five employees, which is amazing,” she added. “I’m basically the face of the Chamber this year. I’ll be out with SEE DUNCAN, PAGE 41

MANATEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | SUBMITTED

Darcie Duncan, left, will work closely with Chamber President and CEO Jacki Dezelski.

THE CENTER plans spring events. 13 SUPER FANS enjoy Sunday’s

Super Bowl. 20 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com

THE SUN

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

Quinn assisting with pier fund raising A GoFundMe page has been created to assist with the funding of a new Anna Maria City Pier. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Resident Sissy Quinn is trying to raise $100,000 or more to help build a new city pier. Quinn has set up a GoFundMe page that is affiliated with her Anna Maria Island Preservation Trust, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that enables folks to make tax deductible donations to the pier replacement efforts. To be constructed of composite or concrete pilings, and wood or composite decking, Mayor Dan Murphy has estimated it will cost approximately $3.2 million to build a new pier structure and walkway. Approximately $1.3 million in additional funds will be needed to construct the new restaurant and bait shop spaces at the pier’s T-end. Murphy, the City Commission and the city are seeking $750,000 in state appropriation funds from the Florida Legislature and up to $1.5 million in

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Anna Maria resident Sissy Quinn is leading a grassroots fund-raising effort for the Anna Maria City Pier. county resort tax funds through the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and the Board of County Commissioners. The city will also pursue $330,000 in surplus beach concession revenues. These anticipated state and county funding sources total $2.58 million. Murphy has had preliminary discussions with pier tenant Mario Schoen-

felder about his potential contributions and corporate sponsorship may also be pursued.

QUINN THE FUND-RAISER

Quinn is trying to help fill some of the anticipated remaining funding gap. She discussed these efforts last week while sitting near the entrance to the aging pier that was closed due to hur-

ricane damage in September. Quinn has lived in Anna Maria for 27 years. She started the GoFundMe page a couple months ago, but just recently begun promoting the fund-raising effort. “The page is active and the easiest way to find it is go to the GoFundMe website and search for the Anna Maria City Pier. Our goal is $100,000. We really think we can get up to $100,000 and it would be nice if we could get up to $200,000. It would take some pressure off the city,” she said. “I think everybody that has come to visit the Island or lives here has some kind of attachment to the pier. I know I do. There are lots of people that are going to come visit this year and be really upset that they can’t go out on the pier. If they can contribute something to bring it back quicker, I think they’ll do it. "The pier is iconic. For years it’s been said it was the top tourism attraction to Anna Maria Island. If everybody just throws in $5 it’s going to help. I’m looking for the little people like me who really care about the pier. I do feel SEE PIER, PAGE 40

THE SUN

ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Bridge maintenance continues Construction crews will be working on the Longboat Pass Bridge. Expect nighttime/overnight north and southbound lane closures from 9 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. each morning, Sunday, Feb. 11, through Thursday, Feb. 15, and again Sunday, Feb. 18, and Monday, Feb. 19. Use caution and expect possible delays

Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Compromise sought on competing rental bills

State Senators are trying to find common ground on who regulates vacation rentals. BY JOE HENDRICKS

Pier meeting on Valentine’s Day

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com

The Anna Maria City Commission will conduct a special meeting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, to continue its discussions on the replacement of the Anna Maria City Pier. The meeting will be a follow-up to the Jan. 29 meeting at which the commission voted 4-1 in favor of the pier being built on composite or concrete pilings instead of wood pilings. The commission has yet to decide if the pier walkway will feature wood or composite decking.

TALLAHASSEE – An amended version of a vacation rental bill filed by Sen. Greg Steube (R-Sarasota) passed through its first Senate committee mi- Steube nus the amendments Sen. David Simmons (R-Longwood) proposed to retain some regulatory control for local governments. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Community Affairs Simmons Committee produced and ruled favorable by 4-2 margin a committee substitute bill, CS/SB 1400. The bill amends Steube’s original bill, SB 1400. The substitute bill does not yet incorporate the cityfriendly legislative elements contained in Simmons’ SB 1640. Steube’s wants to preempt all licensing and regulation of vacation rentals to the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Simmons’ bill also seeks to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state, but it would preserve local governments’ ability to regulate non-owner-occupied, detached single-family homes. Simmons also proposes local governments retain the right to inspect vacation rentals for compliance with building, fire and life safety codes. He does not believe DBPR has the resources to do this. Last week’s committee substitute bill was the Senate’s attempt to create a single vacation rental bill that can be forwarded to the Regulated Industries and Appropriations committees. If supported there, the legislation could advance to the Senate floor for a final vote.

Deadline looms for Holmes Beach tree house Time will soon be up for the two-story tree house suspended in the branches of an Australian pine on the Gulf side of the Angelinos Sea Lodge. After the U. S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case in January, Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen have until Feb. 9 to apply for a demolition permit for the structure. If a permit is not applied for by the deadline, Johnson said the city will seek to enforce a court-order to remove the tree house. As of press time for The Sun, the owners had not appied for a demolition permit.

Formula retail ordinance on agenda The Anna Maria City Commission will continue its discussions on the creation of a formula retail (franchise) ordinance at its Thursday, Feb. 8 meeting. The commission also will discuss the vacancy voting procedure for the commission appointment of a replacement for Commissioner Nancy Yetter, who is leaving the Island before her two-year term expires in November. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

HBPD receives safety grant The Holmes Beach Police Department received a first-quarter safety grant award from Florida Municipal Insurance Trust. Chief Bill Tokajer said the grant funds will be used to upgrade the security camera system at the city’s skate park, once the park is refurbished and reopened to the public. The new camera system will allow officers to view events at the skate park in real time and remotely allow entrance to the park using a video identification verification function.

COMPETING BILLS

Steube and Simmons’ bills contain many similarities and

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The Florida Legislature is debating who should regulate vacation rental homes. some significant differences. Both would require all vacation rental advertisements include the owner or agent’s state-issued license number. This would apply to print advertising and online advertising conducted by individuals, rental companies and home sharing platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway. Failure to include licensing information could result in the suspension or revocation of a state-issued rental license. Steube said his legislation is an attempt to ensure regulatory continuity across the state, and the committee adopted an amendment he proposed that would require twice-yearly state inspections for those who own more than five short-term rentals. Steube said local governments could still preserve the integrity of neighborhoods by passing ordinances that address noise, trash, parking or other behavioral issues on a city-wide level, regardless of how a property is used. He also said all short-term rentals would remain subject to existing state or local taxes. Steube’s original bill sought to eliminate existing grandfathering provisions, but the committee adopted an amendment committee chair Tom Lee (R-Brandon) pro-

posed to protect rental regulations and restrictions adopted before June 2011 – when the state made it illegal to prohibit short-term rentals. The committee also adopted an amendment proposed by Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez (D-Miami) that would cap maximum occupancy at the lesser of six persons per bedroom or one person per 150 square feet of livable space. Holmes Beach lobbyist Cari Roth and Florida League of Cities Executive Director Casey Cook were among the public speakers who expressed a preference for Simmons’ legislation and opposition to Steube’s.

LOCAL IMPACT

If adopted as amended, Steube’s legislation would eliminate local rental regulations adopted in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach after June 2011. This would include recently implemented occupancy limits and registration and inspection programs. Adopted before 2011, Holmes Beach’s rental-related zoning designations would remain intact. The R-1 zoning prohibits rentals for less than 30 consecutive days and the R-2 zoning prohibits rentals for less than seven consecutive days. SEE BILLS, PAGE 40

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

Bike and pedestrian improvements questioned The Avenue C bike and pedestrian path discussions will continue at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

cyclists on the other. Before opening the meeting up for public comment, Mayor John Chappie stressed that no final decisions have been made or would be made that night and additional discussion was already scheduled for the Tuesday, Feb 6, work meeting at 1 p.m.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City Engineer Lynn Burnett’s proposed bike and pedestrian path improvements for Avenue C were met with resistance from residents last week. During the Thursday, Feb. 1, City Commission work meeting, Burnett presented four options for consideration as possible Avenue C improvements. She said the goal is to get bicyclists and pedestrians off of Gulf Drive on the north end of town and onto the safer side street that runs from 22nd Street North to 26th Street North, near the Bradenton Beach/Holmes Beach boundary. Burnett thinks it would be more efficient to do this work before the city right of ways being disturbed by county work crews are fully restored. The city already has plans to do right of way stormwater improvements in

PUBLIC RESISTANCE

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Bradenton Beach resident Stephanie Rycerz opposes the proposed Avenue C bike and pedestrian improvements. 2019, in addition to any potential bike and pedestrian improvements along Avenue C. Burnett said the simplest option, which she did not favor, would be to simply restore the existing landscape and right of way features and extend the short section of 5-foot sidewalk near 22nd Street all the way to 26th Street. The second option calls for a 6-foot-

wide sidewalk on the east side of Avenue C, reducing vehicular travel lanes from 20 feet to 18 feet and using striping and signage to create a single roadside bike lane. The third option calls for narrowed vehicle lanes and 8-foot-wide multi-use paths on both sides of the street. The fourth option called for an 8-foot multiuse path on one side of the street and a buffered bike lane for higher speed

Mike Saunders has owned property on Avenue C for 29 ½ years and he and his wife, Denise, have lived there for almost nine years. After commenting about the county work already underway, he said, “This is a solution looking for a problem. I do not see one serious cyclist that will get off Gulf Drive and use any facility we provide. The people that do bicycle on avenues A, B and C are usually in the middle of the road and when a car comes they move off to the side as the approaching car slows and passes by. To me, this is way, way too much.” Avenue B resident John Burns said he would like to see topical overlay of the plans that provide more details regarding the impact on existing driveSEE BIKE PATH, PAGE 40

THE SUN

OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

GUEST COLUMN Center director bids farewell BY KRISTEN LESSIG SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Dear Center Community, It is a bittersweet feeling that I write to you all to let you know from me, personally, that I have accepted a position as executive director of youth development for the Sarasota YMCA. Though I am extremely excited to have been offered this amazing opportunity to grown in my professional career, I know it would not have been possible to accept it without all that I have learned over the past three years serving the Anna Maria Island community in my role as managing director and then as the Center’s executive director. I vividly recall relocating to the island and my first experiences in enrolling my daughter, Madeline, into summer camp prior to beginning kindergarten at our precious Anna Maria Elementary School. I quickly saw that the Center would play a major role in our lives. I was very eager to put my nonprofit experience to work upon hearing about the Center’s financial struggles, initially just as a volunteer working with special events. Volunteering quickly lead to being fortunate enough to join the team. I honestly had no idea what lay ahead, but do not regret my experience at all. Everything that has transpired during the past three years has helped me to grow both personally and professionally. I know where the Center stood upon my arrival, and I am so very proud of where it is today. I cannot overstate enough that the Center’s success and improvements would not have been impossible without the enormous support, collaboration and teamwork from the Center’s dedicated staff and current and former members of the board. (These true supporters know who you are:) The staff specifically has been equally as passionate about, and committed to the Center of Anna Maria Island

as I have been, and continue to be passionate and committed. I hope that they will each continue to grow in their roles through continued support from their community. They work hard to serve you and I can attest that a little smile or thank you goes a long way! I am grateful and lucky to have worked with such a dedicated and talented team. I am thrilled to be able to take on an exciting, new opportunity with the Sarasota YMCA, while continuing to be a part of this special community as a member. My transition began a few weeks ago when I met with each individual staff and board member, followed by public notification at last week's board meeting. I will be working very closely with them throughout the next few weeks of this transition. At that meeting, the board accepted my resignation and a detailed plan for the transition period and beyond. Next steps include forming a search committee to fill the executive director position, which will include key members of the community, and hiring an HR professional to lead the process. In addition, after strong recommendations, the Center will explore utilizing resources within Manatee Community Foundation for the placement of an interim Executive Director and whatever additional assistance can be provided to ensure the Center’s staff remains supported while the best candidate is selected for the organization in its current stage its life cycle. I will look forward to celebrating this next new chapter for the Center at our Murder Mystery event, Feb. 16 and 17. This is truly an exciting time for the Center, having finally turned the corner thanks to the everyone coming together and stepping up to support our community’s gathering place – a true jewel on this island! Cheers!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bikes stolen

What if …

My wife and I have been wintering on AMI for several years. Our time here was always joyous, and we have learned to love Island life. To enhance the enjoyment, I purchased two bikes from Goodwill. With a lot of elbow grease and oil, I got them in good working order. The old rusty bikes of little monetary value were kept under our house, out of direct public view. Upon coming out Monday morning, I found them stolen! A little of our joy left the Island.

What if you were a refugee from Vietnam during the end of the Vietnam war? What if you were evacuated from Vietnam on board a US Hercules C-130 not knowing your future? What if you eventually settled on our beautiful island at the beach? What if you wanted to build a treehouse in an Australian pine seaward of your home? What if, before building the treehouse, you asked the city if it was okay to construct the structure? What if the city said, “OK?" What, if the same city, decided later that it was not okay? What if the city then subsequently ordered treehouse demolition? What if the treehouse owners fought the city’s demolition order all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court? What if the city decides to do what is right and accepts its responsibility in this matter? Dan Diggins Holmes Beach

Dennis and Linda Breuring

Your thoughts? Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to e-mail The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, Island Sun Plaza, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Or you can hand-deliver a letter to our office in Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

ON THE AGENDA

THE SUN SURVEY

PREVIOUS QUESTION: What size bridge would you prefer to replace the Cortez Bridge?

34%

A tall, 65-foot, fixed-span bridge.

Anna Maria 10005 Gulf Drive Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m. – Farewell reception for Commissioner Nancy Yetter Feb. 8, 6 p.m. – City Commission special meeting Feb. 13, 4 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting Feb. 16, 10:30 a.m. – City Commission special meeting For information, call 7086130

BRADENTON BEACH 107 GULF DRIVE N.

Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m. – CRA meeting Feb. 7, 11 a.m. – Pier team meeting Feb. 8, 1 p.m. – Department head meeting Feb. 15, noon – City Commission meeting For information, call 7781005

66%

NOTE: EVENTS ARE FREE UNLESS INDICATED.

WEDNESDAY

THE SUN SURVEY IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC POLL AND IS USED FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

FEBRUARY 7

THIS WEEK’S SURVEY How do you feel about Anna Maria allowing A frame signs for a year or until

• It’s a bad decision because they are an eyesore. • It’s a great idea and much needed by the businesses on Pine Avenue. • It’s a ploy by the businesses to get the signs.

the pier opens?

To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone. LIKE us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun View The Sun’s online edition at www.issuu.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun The Anna Maria Island Sun staff

Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Tom Vaught Joe Hendricks

HOLMES BEACH 5801 MARINA DRIVE

Feb. 7, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification committee meeting Feb. 7, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Feb. 14, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification committee meeting Feb. 15, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting with workshop to follow For information, call 7085800

ISLAND-WIDE

Feb. 12, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Anna Maria City Hall. Feb. 14, 1 p.m. – Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

A 37-foot drawbridge, similar to the one that's there now.

Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field

Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Ad director Chantelle Lewin Ad assistants Chris Boniberger Diane Martin

Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz

Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Sean Murphy Monica Simpson

Kayaking for first timers, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Reserve to 941-742-5757 ext. 7. Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Memoir Writing, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $20. Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431. AMI Chamber networking luncheon, enRich Bistro, 5629 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m., $15 per member or $25 per prospective member. Reserve to 941-778-1541 or info@ amichamber.org. Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon. Tortoise talks, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 12:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-742-5923 ext. 6044. Gulf Coast Writers, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 12:45 p.m. Shanty Singers, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th

St. W., Cortez, 2 to 4 p.m. Family movie in the park, Anna Maria City Pier Park, across from the Anna Maria City Pier, 100 S. Bay Blvd., 7 p.m.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8

Veteran services information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m. Pine Cone Quilting, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $105, threepart series. Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 10 a.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Meet the Author with Joe Zuniga, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m. ACBL open pairs duplicate bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 1 p.m., $11 per game with coffee and snacks provided. Reserve to 941-216-9600 or sjbrill@aol.com. Making Sense of the Census lecture by Ray Maki, Friends Lecture and Travel Series, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 30

THE SUN

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

36th ANNUAL

CORTEZ I AL C R E M M Co

FISHING FESTIVAL FEB. 17&18 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission $4

Proceeds benefit F.I.S.H. Preserve

Kids 12 & under FREE

The festival is located at the East end of town adjacent to the Florida Maritime Museum on 119th St. W. to the Bay. Off site FREE parking is available at: • G.T. Bray Park (with $3.00 round trip shuttle to Cortez) 5502 33rd Ave Dr W., 34209 -- turn east off 59th St onto 33rd Ave Dr • Coquina Beach (with $3.00 round trip shuttle to Cortez) • One block east of the village, off Cortez Road (5-minute walk)

GREAT FOOD AND LIVE MUSIC COMMUNITY DISPLAYS EXPANDED KIDS AREA LARGER PARKING AREA NAUTICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ART

FOR INFORMATION CALL 941-254-4972 WWW.CORTEZ-FISH.ORG

Member FDIC

THE SUN

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

Chamber distributes trolley money Fourteen nonprofit agencies shared $54,000 that was raised by advertisements on the trolleys. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH ¬ – The Island trolley system provides more than free rides for residents and visitors. It also provides financial help for some worthy not-for-profits, A total of $54,000 went to the recipients at a celebration Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the new Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club. A diverse group of people attended the event, from county commissioners to Anna Maria Island Privateers. Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker talked about the time the county nearly charged a fee to ride the trolleys. “I met with Carol Whitmore and David Teitelbaum and was about to announce we would have to charge for rides,” Hunzeker said. “They huddled together and found a way to keep it free.” Teitelbaum proposed selling ad space on both the inside and outside of the trolleys and the idea became so successful, the county had money left over. The chamber and county decided to share it with non-profits. The project is a collaboration between Manatee County and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

From left to right: Chamber past president Karen LaPensee, resort owner David Teitelbaum County Administrator Ed Hunzeker and Manatee County Public Works Director Ron Schulhofer at the event.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

From left to right: Barbara and Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, Island restaurateur Ed Chiles and Anna Maria City Commissioner Doug Copeland visit before awards were presented .

THE FOLLOWING: ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE $54,000 TROLLEY GRANT AWARDS.

•All Island Denominations; •Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra; •Anna Maria Island Elementary PTO; •Anna Maria Island Historical Society; •Anna Maria Island Privateers; •Artists Guild of Anna Maria Island; •Cultural Connections of AMI; •Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria; • Roser Aid Food Pantry; •Roser Memorial Community Church; •Rotary Club of Anna Maria; •The Center of Anna Maria Island; •West Bradenton Crime Watch; • Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

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5346 gulf drive holmes Beach 941.778.5788 hurricanehanks.com

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Trolley money recipients are all smiiles as they gather for a group photo.

Sunday Brunch 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $10.00 brunch menu 2 for 1 Mimosa & Sangria

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THE SUN

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Center board celebrates good financial news At the end of the first half of the fiscal year, The Center of Anna Maria Island is operating in the black, something board members hope to continue. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s finances are in a place board members and leadership have been working toward for more than three years – in the black. “A bunch of things all went right,” Treasurer Jim Froeschle said, “it wasn’t just a single thing.” Some of the things that went right for the nonprofit include the receipt of $185,000 in donations,

increases in program revenue of 18 percent over the previous year and lowering costs 21 percent over the previous year. Froeschle said he feels the current state of operations and financial positivity is sustainable with community support and continued dedication from the organization’s staff. At the end of December, the Center’s financial statement shows $206,156 in program revenue and $163,689 in program costs resulting in $42,467 in overall program income. Administrative and general expenses topped out at $275,007, a number largely offset by the $238,563 of fund raising income after $41,846 indirect costs. The Center ended the first six months of the fiscal year Dec. 31, 2017 with a positive net income of $6,023, well above a budgeted loss of $13,458.

New board treasurer Christine Hicks offered some projects for the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year, stating she expects the Center to end the year $75,000 in the black, allowing the nonprofit to boost its reserves and endowment fund. Hicks said her projections will be updated as the fiscal year continues. Froeschle officially handed over the reins of the treasurer position to Hicks, completing his retirement from the Center’s board. Though he’ll no longer be serving in an official capacity, he said he still plans to remain active in the nonprofit and will be checking on the board’s progress from time to time. “I’m really happy to go out on a high note,” he said. “Don’t screw it up,” he advised Hicks.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Cell tower repaired Using a crane and bucket, new exterior panels were installed on the Bradenton Beach cell tower on Monday. Featuring additional mounting brackets for extra security, the new panels replaced the panels blown off the tower during Hurricane Irma in September. Most of the missing panels on the Anna Maria cell tower were recently replaced, but there still remains at least one missing panel.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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Spring events come to Center Upcoming events at The Center of Anna Maria Island include the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, Tour of Homes, and bingo. BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – Spring is on the way and so are two major events for The Center of Anna Maria Island. First up is the annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. This year’s theme is ‘Viva Las Vegas’ featuring Elvis, mobsters and a who-dun-it at the Hard Rock Anna Maria Hotel and Casino. In its 10th year, Executive Director Kristen Lessig said the two-night event has quickly taken the place of the discontinued gala Affair as the Center’s signature event. Lessig said both title sponsors for the event, Air and Energy and the Hagen family, are interested in committing to a multi-year sponsorship for the dinner theater. Former board member Erik Abrahamson stepped up as bar sponsor for the event. Though tickets are still available at $45 each, Lessig said they’re selling out quickly. This year’s murder mystery will be solved Friday and Saturday nights, Feb. 16 and 17, at the Center. Another event Center leadership hopes will sell out is the 25th Annual Tour of Homes. Lessig said four homes have now been confirmed for the Tour with a fifth being considered for inclusion. A new stop on the Tour route

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Joan Pettigrew, of the Eyeland Needlers, and new Center board member John Munn display this year’s Tour of Homes quilt for board members. The quilt will be on display at the Center until it’s raffled off during the event. this year is the Center campus in Anna Maria which will be home to the Tropical Treasures Boutique, sponsored by Duncan Real Estate. This year’s Tour quilt, the 18th one designed and created for the event by the Eyeland Needlers, will be on display at the boutique and raffled off near the end of the one-day event. Also at the Center will be food and refreshment vendors. Tours of the facility also will be available throughout the day. Tickets for the quilt raffle are available at the Center for $1 each or six for $5. Tickets for the Tour also are available for $25 each.

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This year’s Tour of Homes takes place March 17. A new event continuing through the spring is bingo, a bi-weekly event taking place the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Lessig and board chair David Zaccagnino praised the event for bringing community members of all ages to the Center. Attendees do not need to be members of the Center to play. For more information on the Center or any events taking place at the nonprofit visit www.centerami.org. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Musicians honor Island pioneer Robert Herman died unexpectedly Dec. 19 leaving his partner, Casey Hoffman, to carry on his work. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

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About 60 people gathered at The Center on Sunday, Jan. 28, to celebrate the life of Robert Herman, who founded AMI Radio and used it as a showcase for local music. WAMI was initially a low-powered radio station, but its reach was hampered by the lack of a high antenna, so Herman switched to fulltime streaming on the internet. which gave locals clear reception and snowbirds an opportunity to keep up with the Island when they are back up North. According to Casey Hoffman, it was Herman’s intention to give air-

time to local musicians, and he gave them more than that. “Robert knew how to inspire,” Hoffman said at the celebration. “He always said don’t stifle inspiration.” AMI Radio’s slogan is “You can’t control cool,” and Herman added, “If you’ve got it, you’ve got it,” according to Hoffman. “He was very supportive of musicians like me,” said singer-songwriter Dawn Mathison. “He inspired me to do my best.” Mathison said he was a “rock star.” “Guitar” Gary Drouin , of the group The Memphis Rub, called Herman a visionary. “He tried to help everybody.” Drouin said. “All the while he tried to promote the music.” Hoffman said she would carry on with Herman’s work, so musicians and singers would still have a venue on which to be heard.

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Clockwise above, Guitar Gary, of The Memphis Rub, called Herman a visionary. Singer, song writer Dawn Mathison said Herman was a “rock star.” The Fun Guys, as they are known, played Kingston Trio music.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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Elvis Presley’s personal nurse writes book Letetia Henley Kirk described Elvis as polite, generous and loyal. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH - The lady who was a close personal friend and nurse to rock and roll legend Elvis Presley has shed some light on “The King of Rock and Roll’s” lifestyle up to his death on Aug. 16, 1977. Letetia Henley Kirk’s appearance on Thursday, Feb. 1, as part of the Friends of the Island Branch Library's Travel and Lecture Series filled the Walker-Swift Meeting Room with people, some who had contact with Presley or his family. She wrote a book about her experience called, “Taking Care of Elvis,” which she said was something she always wanted to do. “I stayed in the closet for 38 years before I wrote it,” she said. “After he died I was hounded by the press and people who wanted to write the book for me” “They wanted to know more about the drugs and sex,” she added. “I wanted to write about the positive side of Elvis.” Henley Kirk was only Presley’s nurse. She said she was never a part of his widely

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Letetia Henley Kirk was Elvis Presley's personal nurse up to his death. Her girls played with his daughter, Lisa Marie. She wore a ring (upper right) that he gave her. storied love life. In fact, Presley moved her and her family to Graceland and her daughters played with Lisa Marie. She said Presley loved to give. “If there was a car broken down, he would stop.” She said. “Elvis always traveled with hundred dollar bills in his wallet, and if he could take them to a repair shop he would. If he couldn’t, he would give

them $100 to cover a tow and repairs.” She said the staff around Graceland learned to not show interest in a car that they admired. “If you talked about a car, you might find him handing them the keys to that model car,” she said. Heneley Kirk said Elvis was uncomfortable when someone wanted to give to

him. She also said he gave her a ring with diamonds and other gems and she showed it on her finger to the audience. She said he was very intelligent. He amazed her when he sat at a dinner with Arab sheiks. “He read all the time,” she said. “He only had a high school education.” As time passed and he gained weight, his disposition changed. “He became an unhappy person,” she said. “He became a prisoner in this world that he made. “If he wanted to go shopping, they would have to close the mall to the public so he wouldn't be interrupted,” she said. “He couldn’t do his hair. The barber had to come to Graceland.” Presley did not like the movies he made. “He wasn’t making the movies he wanted to make,” she said. “That was up to the Colonel (manager "Colonel" Tom Parker), who we saw little of but Elvis did what the Colonel told him.” During a question and answer session after the lecture, several people, who had some contact with Presley in the past, asked her about members of Presley’s circle of friends and family.

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Another retirement at the library BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

Library Services is interviewing candidates to replace her.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Lee retires from post office Wednesday, Jan. 31, was Pam Lee’s last day at the Anna Maria Post Office. Lee spent the past 10 years of her 29-year postal service career in Anna Maria. She began her career in Lansing, Mich. She will now go to work for Sue Carlson in the rental department at Coastal Cottages. When asked what she’ll miss most about the post office, Lee said, “The customers. I’m thankful for the time I’ve had here. It’s been very rewarding. I’ve been blessed to be part of the Anna Maria community, and I look forward to what I’m moving onto.”

Shortly after Island Branch Children’s specialist Trudy Hillbell’s announcement of her retirement, the head Librarian, Inez Tamanaha, made public her intention to retire last week. The Friends of the Island Library, employees and customers held a going away party for her. There was a cake that looked like a book, flowers, ukulele music from volunteer Jon Perry and Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson read a proclamation about her six and a half years here. Her predecessor, Ava Ehde, Head of the Manatee County Library Services Department and interim director of Manatee County Neighborhood Services, attended the party. She said she worked with Tama-

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Manatee County Library Services Manager Eva Ehdie talks about Island Branch Librarian Inez Tamanaha. naha before she came to the Island Branch and Ehde appointed her to head the Island Branch when she was promoted. Friends President Ginny Upshaw praised Tamanaha for her calm manner, even when things weren’t calm.

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St Paddy’s Day parade – Judy the elephant BY SEAN MURPHY SPECIAL TO THE SUN

he best thing about having a parade is watching the kids watching the parade. At the Bistro St Paddy’s parade, their faces are bright with glee and green with face paint and sparkles. Judy, the parade elephant, was the heart of the parade and inspired much delight in all those little faces. We all miss Judy. She was a true parade elephant. Judy and her keeper, Mr Bones, paraded together for over 40 years. Mr Bones is not a Chatty Kathy. He spoke with me of his relationship with Judy only once. “Yup. Been with Judy 40 years. Forty years. Three wives. One elephant.” Judy loved the parade. She danced north from the parade’s beginning with a lightness to her step and a musical sway to her massive hips.

There was joy in her gait. We always walked Judy back from the end of the parade. Her post-parade gait was more of a saunter. She would stop to pluck at leaves on trees, squeeze the bejeezuz out of a Coke can, check out a chocolate bar wrapper. There was elephant sighing. Elephant ennui. The marching bands and the cheering and the happy faces were a closed chapter for another year. People ask why we do not get another elephant. Aside from the emotional answer that there is no other elephant and could be no other elephant, the other elephants I have met scared the poop out of me. One year Mr Bones had some family business, and we weren’t sure they could make it on time. We got an insurance elephant just in case. I never did catch the name of the insurance elephant. She was just Other Elephant. She was bigger and hairier and smellier than our Judy. Judy did arrive on time and stepped out proudly to lead the parade. Ten minutes later Other Elephant was nowhere to be found.

I turned to Fred. “I can’t find the other elephant.” Fred, wryly, “You don’t get to say that every day.” The keeper finally showed up with Other Elephant. He explained that she was getting a little anxious with the noise and crowds so he took her for a stroll. Other Elephant was now rocking back and forth from one huge foot to the other, and shaking her massive head. And she was snorting – not snorting like a pig or a horse, but snorting like three tons of elephant. I looked at the keeper. “Do you think we should let her get started.” He responded darkly. “Yup. Starting would be good. “ I watched with some apprehension as the beast lurched off into the parade. The lady from PETA wrote to me about Judy. She is the same lady that writes me about foie gras. I love foie gras. I have written on our menu that I will stop serving foie gras when they peel my cold dead fingers from my fork. One time the PETA lady wrote me that I should be aware that the mortality rates

on duck farms that produced foie gras was much higher than the mortality rates on duck farms that did not produce foie gras. I wrote her back that I suspected that the mortality rates on duck farms approached 100 percent whether they produced foie gras or not. When she wrote me to complain about Judi, I assured her that we were not going to eat Judy, that she was just marching in the parade. Every year the Beach Bistro St Patrick’s Day Parade is celebrated on the Sunday closest to St Patrick’s Day. This year that is Sunday, March 18. We will miss Judy again this year but her two buddies, the camels Omar and Nasser, will parade in her memory. Camels are truly mystical beasts for the Irish. It is said that they can go for weeks without drinking. Sean Murphy is the head coach of the incredibly talented team that runs the Beach Bistro, its little sister Eat Here, and their new craft cocktail bar, The Doctor's Office. Some of his articles can be found on the Bistro’s website, www.beachbistro.com. Parade information can be found on the website or by calling 941-778-6444.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Sunday was a ‘Super’ day on the Island Solo’s Pizza in Holmes Beach, the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach and Slim’s Place in Anna Maria were among the Island establishments that hosted Super Bowl parties on Sunday. Solo’s owner Shawn Waters said they had about a 5050 mix of Eagles and Patriots fans. By Monday afternoon, Slim’s owner Chris Smargisso was in Philadelphia awaiting Thursday’s victory parade and the arrival of his son P.J., who said no Patriots, fans were allowed in Slim’s during Sunday’s party.

SUBMITTED

Clockwise from above: Solo’s Pizza patrons Wendy and Nita enjoyed the game together, even through Nita’s New England Patriots lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 41-33. Lifelong Eagles fan Courtney McGough celebrated her home team’s first Super Bowl victory while tending bar at the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach. Solo’s Pizza staff member Stephanie Stroud sported an Eagles’ jersey during Sunday’s big game.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

AMOB sign compliance questioned The Anna Mayor Oyster Bar’s sign will be discussed as an agenda item at the City Commission’s Thursday, Feb. 15 meeting. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Located at the foot of the historic Bridge Street Pier, the sign shared by the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Paradise Boat Tours, A Room with a Hue & Tide and Moon, Bradenton Beach Parasailing and FISH AMI fishing charters is coming under scrutiny again. During general public input at the Feb. 1 City Commission meeting, Scenic WAVES member Fidencia Pla expressed her concerns about the signage. During his mayor’s report later in the meeting, Mayor John Chappie also expressed concerns. Pla told the commission the sign erected in early 2017 is non-compliant with city code because it is approximately 16.6 feet tall, and city code allows for a maximum of 12 feet for a freestanding standing sign. She said the conditional use sign application AMOB submitted in late 2016 was for a 13-foot, non-illuminated sign. Pla said the illuminated sign blocks the view of the historic

clock tower. Pla said the additional business signs later added to the AMOB sign were never permitted by the commission. She also referenced the wooden sign that previously stood in that location and expressed her desire that the current sign better maintain the “historic Old Florida Charm” of its predecessor. Chappie raised concerns about the sign in May 2017 when serving as vice mayor, and he addressed those concerns again during last week’s meeting when he mentioned the sign’s height and the additional businesses represented on it. “There are some irregularities, as stated earlier, and I will be putting it on the agenda for our next commission meeting to go over the conditional use permit and what was presented,” Chappie said. The commission’s next regular meeting will be at noon on Thursday, Feb. 15. “We really need to address it and hopefully make some changes and corrections,” Chappie said, noting that he and AMOB owner John Horne have had previous discussions about the sign. Horne was not present at last JOE HENDRICKS | SUN week’s meeting. The AMOB sign that also provides advertising space for other nearby businesses is again facing public and City Commission scrutiny. This wooden sign (left) previously stood where the AMOB sign now stands.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Miner supports more support for schools The issue of another mill for education in Manatee County goes to the voters in a special election on March 20. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island past President Dave Miner spoke at the Kiwanis meeting recently on a cause dear to him – education. Miner, an attorney, is also a member of the Manatee County Board of Education. He said he thinks Manatee County needs to pay its teachers more money to keep them from going elsewhere. “The School Board is the largest employer in the county and we have the best trade school in the country. but the county can’t keep teachers, cafeteria employees, bus drivers and support staff,” he said. “Eighty teachers did not

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Manatee County School Board member Dave Miner talks about the school tax. vote. return this school year because of low pay and many new ones can’t make a living and pay off their student loans.” Miner said many of the new teachers get a job at Manatee County School System and then take a job in the Sarasota or Tampa Bay education systems for higher pay.

“It takes money to train new teachers and when they leave for higher paychecks, that money is wasted,” he said. “We had the top principal in the nation leave for Sarasota recently. He said the Manatee County school system can’t continue to be a training facility for Sarasota or school districts in the Tampa Bay area. Miner said an extra mill would cost the owner of a $225,000 home an extra $200 per year or $17 per month. He said the average annual pay for a teacher in Manatee County is $45,800 and in Pinellas County it is $47,800. Sarasota teachers get an average of $54,500. The average annual pay for principals is $83,200 in Manatee County, $102,600 in Pinellas County and $103,900 in Sarasota County. “We’re becoming a farm club for other districts. because they decided to pay more,” Miner said. “In March, we’re going to let voters decide if they want to do the same.”

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Chassahowitzka a delight for anglers Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

nglers who are fortunate enough to fish the waters surrounding Anna Maria have a wealth of opportunities all four seasons of the year. Whether your quarry is snook, grouper, redfish, tarpon or just the ubiquitous speckled trout, our Gulf and bays are productive in all but the most extreme weather. While local waters are prolific, it’s always fun to explore other areas to reap different nuanced experiences. We are lucky to have some varied and interesting habitats just a short distance to the north and the south. One of my favorite destinations is the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Located just two hours to our north, "the Chass," as its referred to by locals, is rich in habitat and wildlife that are sure to delight anglers, kayakers and a wide range of nature lovers. The refuge covers over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, estuaries and brackish marshes around the mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. It was established in 1941 to protect waterfowl habitat and is home to 250 species of birds, a wide array of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, including the endangered West Indian Manatee.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

Anglers will find an abundance of fish year-round at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Anglers will find a plethora of willing targets here during all months of the year. There is year-round world class fishing for redfish, trout and most of Florida’s inshore species. In the spring and early summer tarpon prowl these waters in legendary numbers. While the region and its resources are sure to enchant anglers, everyone who visits will feel they have stepped back to an earlier time in Florida. What makes the area a superior fishery habitat is its mix of natural flowing springs, vast marshlands, acres of exposed limestone and

fertile oyster reefs. Homosassa Springs and the Homosassa River are just eight miles to the north, and a bit further north you’ll find Crystal River and its springs. Getting to Chassahowitzka is easy via the Sunshine Skyway to Tampa and then the Suncoast Scenic Parkway. The Parkway connects with Route 98 just east of US 19. After crossing 19, it is less than two miles to the Chassahowitzka River Campground and its launch ramp. The campground is situated right on the largest of the Chas-

sahowitzka Springs – one of a dozen springs that form the headwaters of the river. From the campground, the river flows 5.6 miles from the headsprings to the Gulf of Mexico at Chassahowitzka Bay. A note of caution, due to the hard bottom habitat boaters should take care not to stray from the marked channel that leads from the springs to the Gulf. While there are possibilities with a number of freshwater species along the way, the best fishing is found along the edges of the main channel leading

into the Gulf as well as the vast marshes, oyster bars and limestone ledges that define this unique habitat. On low tides, basins can concentrate fish and are always worth exploring. While there are a few snook in the area seasonally, redfish and trout are the most sought after species. There is also a good chance you’ll come across flounder and black drum. Eight to 10-pound spinning tackle and seven to nine weight fly tackle are sufficient for the majority of the fishing. Jigs are perhaps the best all round lures but top water plugs and gold spoons are also effective producers. Flies like the Clouser are best when exploring the deep edges and basins and Seaducers and Lefty’s Deceivers produce good results in shallower water where there’s the possibility of encountering tailing redfish. The waters of the Gulf are shallow for miles and have extensive grass flats. This is a great area to target trout and seasonally there will be migrations of tarpon, cobia and other pelagic species that pass through these waters. At the end of the day, on the return to the boat ramp, anglers can take a refreshing dip in the springs and have a good chance of swimming with the manatees that populate the river and springs (touching is not allowed). Need a change of pace? The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge will appeal to the most ardent angler and the whole family.

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Flat waters good for fishing CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

We’ve had good fishing for our wintertime species around Anna Maria Island. There have been a few very flat days lately and we here at Anna Maria Charters have taken full advantage. A great offshore option for fishing trips in our area is hogfish. These tasty critters can be found occupying our ledges and reefs anywhere from three to 20 miles out. I typically fish in around 50 feet of water. Using live shrimp on a knocker rig is the ticket. You get a lot of other good eating fish in the process – grunts, porgies and mangrove snapper to name a few. Pompano can be found along the deeper grass flats and in the passes. A Doc’s Goofy Jig bounced on the bottom is the go to rig for these hard fighters. Lastly, Sheepshead have taken over the area. Fishing structure is key and dock pylons, bridges and rock piles hold good numbers of these fish. They are finicky nibblers, so I try to use light weight and smaller hooks. Good luck out there!

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

Fly anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action catching and releasing trout and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay and snook in the ICW during the past week. The best action was with big trout in skinny water in Sarasota Bay and snook in the ICW at night.

CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE | SUBMITTED

Dan Suzor, of Holmes Beach, caught this with hogfish with Captain David White. Nick Reding, from Longboat Key and Mike Perez, from Sarasota, waded a couple of shallow flats in Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. A front was pushing through and fish turned on. They had good action catching and releasing a dozen or more trout up to 22” on Grassett Flats Minnow and Clouser Minnow flies. Frank Zaffino, from Rochester, N.Y., fished lighted docks in the

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED

David Coffey, from Toronto, Canada, caught this Spanish mackerel while fishing with Captain Rick Grassett last week

ICW with me on Tuesday evening and had good action catching and releasing snook. Snook gorged themselves on glass minnows and also ate my Grassett Snook Minnow, a glass minnow fly pattern. Alan Sugar, from Michigan, fished deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with me on Wednesday afternoon and had some action catching and releasing trout on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. David Coffey, from Toronto, Canada, also fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday and had good action catching and releasing more than a dozen trout and several Spanish mackerel on the same fly pattern. When fishing docks and deep grass flats in the winter, fish are more likely to be deep in the water column so a clear intermediate sink tip fly line and a weighted fly works well to get the fly down in the water column. Also there may be more toothy fish, such as Spanish mackerel and blues in the mix, so synthetic material flies are more durable. Fish the windows of stable weather between fronts for the best action. Sunny afternoons and evenings with some protection from the wind should fish better this time of year due to warmer water. There should be good action with trout, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano and more on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Fishing shallow water for big trout should also be a good option.

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Students paint environmental watercolors for a good cause

Roser ConcertSeries 4:00 PM SUNDAY FFEBRUARY 18 THE TODDS, Paul & Paul Jr., are

TheTodds

AME students are working to help bring awareness and raise money to two area environmental projects.

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A NON DENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CHURCH • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria [near Pier]

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Elementary School students are picking up their paint brushes to help support a nonprofit and protect the local environment. In conjunction with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, students spent a few days with Executive Director Suzi Fox and artist Lucinda Hathaway working on original notecard sized watercolor paintings. Once completed, several of the paintings will be chosen to be made into notecards to be sold at the school, benefitting AMITW. Designs that are not chosen as notecards will be used to decorate dune information signs to be placed on beaches around the Island. Hathaway, an artist and instructor from Longboat Key, did a detailed demonstration for students before guiding them through developing and painting their own creations. Watercolor paintings feature local wildlife including sea turtles and the Islands several species of shorebirds. While funding for the notecard project is already set by AMITW, Fox said the nonprofit is still seek-

2018

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Fifth-graders at Anna Maria Elementary spend some time in the library creating watercolor artwork to be used on notecards and to decorate signs for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring’s dune project.

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM

IN THE SANCTUARY 10:00 AM Nursery & Church School 8:30 AM Early Bird Sunday School • 8:45 AM Adult Bible Study 941-778-0414 • www.RoserChurch.com • www.facebook.com/RoserChurch

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Students in Mrs. Constanzo’s fifth-grade class work on designs for their watercolor artwork. ing funding for the dune sign project. She said while the project to replace the standardized signs located near some Island dunes has been approved by Manatee County, no government funding is currently approved for the project. As funding is found, Fox said new signs outlining the dos and don’ts of interacting with dunes featuring the students’ artwork will be printed to replace the outdated signs. “All of these cards are winners,” Fox said.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

Lynch named planning board chair Jim Lynch is the planning board’s second most senior member. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Jim Lynch has been selected by his peers to chair the Planning and Zoning Board. Lynch will serve as chair for one year and succeed former chair John Burns, who will now serve as the board’s vice-chair. Burns and Lynch are the board’s two senior members. The board also consists of newer members Fred Bartizal, Ken McDonough, Andrew Mincieli and Bill Morrow, and there remains one more opening on the seven-member volunteer board. Interested applicants can contact the City Clerk’s office for more information. Having recently been appointed to serve another term on the board, Lynch was appointed chair at the board’s Wednesday, Jan 24, meeting. When opening the nominations, Burns said, “My personal feelings on chairmanships is they should be rotated. Everybody

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Jim Lynch, left, is the new chair of the Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board and John Burns, right, will serve as vice-chair. deserves a chance in the seat. It is a growth experience, and for that reason I would recommend someone other than myself. My recommendation would be Mr. Lynch, since he has the seniority on the board over the other members.” Burns has chaired the planning board since former chair Dan DeBaun stepped down in mid-2016. McDonough agreed with Burns’ recom-

mendation and nominated Lynch. There were no other nominations. Lynch accepted the nomination and then accepted the gavel from Burns after the unanimous vote took place. “My first act as chair is to thank John for his chairmanship, his leadership, his expertise. I want to publicly recognize you for your service as the chair, and I’d like to emulate the opportunity to make

sure that everyone on our board has a say and has an opportunity to have questions answered. I want to thank you for voting for me for chair, and I’ll commit to do the best I can to make sure that our proceedings are fairly and objectively taken care of,” Lynch said. City Attorney Ricinda Perry then spent an hour or so with the board going over their roles, responsibilities and legal obligations. She stressed the importance of adhering to the Florida Sunshine Law and the strict quasi-judicial guidelines that pertain to project-specific applications. She also discussed the less restrictive legislative proceedings that allow board members more leeway when discussing potential amendments to the city’s land development code or comprehensive plan. “Please do not start any of your own committees and meet off campus. Ask the commission to create that committee and do what’s right within the law,” Perry said in hopes of avoiding a situation similar to the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach meetings that resulted in a Sunshine Law lawsuit and the resignation of four planning board members last summer.

City awaiting word on funding requests The city of Bradenton Beach is seeking $3.2 million in state funds. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amsun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners are still waiting for two state appropriations requests to be discussed by the Florida Legislature. House Bill 2543 seeks $2.7 million for alternative transportation projects in Bradenton Beach. HB 2657 seeks $500,000 for seagrass mitigation in shoreline waterways south of the Bridge Street Pier. Last week. Commissioner Ralph Cole emailed Sen. Bill Galvano (R-Braden-

ton) and Rep. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) seeking their support. “Both of these projects are shovelready with a long planning and permitting history and a significant amount of local funding has already been invested to get these projects to this point. They will be a great benefit to the Tampa Bay region and asset for tourism,” Cole wrote. Cole’s email said the seagrass mitigation funds would allow the city and the CRA to expand its day docking facilities and provide 30 to 40 first-come, first serve boat slips, giving visitors from Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay the ability to arrive via boat instead of car. “This will help us clean up our

waterfront on Sarasota Bay by creating a living shoreline and adding reef balls under the Historical Bridge Street Pier for a fish habitat. The channel will provide better access to the public boat ramp. Boats would not be able to anchor in this channel forcing the derelict vessels further away from the pier and shoreline,” Cole wrote. He also referenced flooding problems and inadequate lighting along Gulf Drive/SR 789. “We need funds to upgrade our infrastructure and create safe pathways to and from Bridge Street for the tourists we invite into our community, as well as for the residents who live here. Golf carts and other electric powered

vehicles are becoming more and more popular on the Island as an alternative mode of transportation. Anything we can do to ease emissions and traffic congestion is a step in right direction,” Cole wrote. “I understand that funding is tight this session given the costs from our past storm season. Tourism is a large part of generating funds for our state and these two projects are focused on improving tourism for the Tampa Bay region,” Cole’s letter to the legislators concluded. The city’s contracted lobbyist, the Ramba Consulting Group, is assisting the city in its efforts to obtain the state funds.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FROM PAGE 7 Jam in the Sand, Anna Maria Island Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m. Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, 6 to 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 9

Reiki II, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $10 per class. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-3836493. Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m. Sailor Valentine, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $35. Forty Carrots, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy Lecture Series, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10:30 to noon, $55 for four lecture series or $15 per lecture. Reserve to www.rclla.org or 941-309-5111. Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies. Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Alzheimer’s caregiver support group, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Sunset drum circle, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m. Wildlife 101: Finding Romance in Nature, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 6 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501 ext. 6039. Holmes Beach Art Walk, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd.; Steam Designs, 5343 Gulf Drive; Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive; Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, 5414 Marina Drive; Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club, 5325 Marina Drive; Holmes Beach, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bingo, The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 6 to 8 p.m., $10 for 10 cards.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10

AMI Privateers Thieves Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pancake breakfast, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., $6 each, children under age 5 free. Cast net making demonstration and throwing class, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 9 a.m., $35. Origami, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Cuba Cooks, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $35. Healing meditation, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. ACBL open pairs duplicate bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 1 p.m., $11 per game with coffee and snacks provided. Reserve to 941-2169600 or sjbrill@aol.com. Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 2 p.m.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11

Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 12

Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon.

SUBMITTED

Cruisin’ for fun The AMI group recently enjoyed a cruise the Norwegian Escape out of Miami to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel Mexico and Grand Stirrup Cay Bahamas. From top: Rick Bristow, Gene Samsel, Debbie Basilius, Karen Perl, Anita Dotterwich, Bridget Bristow, Dwayne Martin, Tom Perl and Dianne Martin.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13

Preschool storytime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, 10 a.m. Italian desserts class, The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, 10 a.m., $35. Anna Maria Island Historical Society annual luncheon, The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, noon. Mahjong for beginners, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., $10, snacks are provided. ACBL open pairs duplicate bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 1 p.m., $11 per game with coffee and snacks provided. Reserve to 941-2169600 or sjbrill@aol.com. Bioluminescence, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Tech help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Sunset Tai Chi, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton, 5 p.m., $5. Reserve to 941-742-5923 ext. 6039.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431. Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon. Valentine’s Day Afternoon Tea with The Closet Whisperer, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 2 p.m., $15. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493. Family movie in the park, Anna Maria City Pier Park, across from the Anna Maria City Pier, 100 S. Bay Blvd., 7 p.m.

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

WRITING

FAMILY FUN

Writers meet at library

Friday is play time

The Gulf Coast Writers will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. The group welcomes writers, aspiring writers and the general public. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

The Island Branch Library, at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, hosts Forty Carrots, Partners in Play on Friday, Feb. 9. From 10 to 11 a.m. Forty Carrots is a program where parents and their infant to preschool age children learn to play together in an educational setting. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

EDUCATION

Paper folding magic

Busy Thursday at library Thursday, Feb 8, will be busy at the Island Branch Library, at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The veteran’s services specialist will be there from 9 to 22 a.m. to help those who served. Author Joe Zuniga will be in the lobby from 1 to 3 p.m. to talk about his biography on a notorious school teacher and to sign copies. At 2 p.m., Ray Maki presents “Making Sense of the Census” as part of the Friends of the Island Library’s Travel and Lecture program. For more information, call the library at 941-7786341.

Seniors hear cremation options Senior Adventures, the group that brings active seniors together for fun and learning, will host a free lunch and lecture on cremation options at the Annie Silvers Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 9. This event is also open to non-members. Call Kaye Bell at 941-538-0945 for information.

GAMES Bingo played here The Annie Silvers Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, hosts bingo on Thursdays, starting at 7 p.m. through March 29.There also willbe a dinner on Friday, Feb. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy. Cole slaw, cranberry sauce, desserts and drinks. A vegetarian chili will also be offered. Contact Linda Yarger, 941-778-3580 or lyargerl@aol.com for more information.

Judy Pruett holds her monthly origami session at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon. Origami is an ancient art of folding paper to make decorations. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Fun for pre-schoolers The Island Branch Library, at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is a popular place for pre-school kids and their parents on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. There will be a surprise reader. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Let the fashions begin Registration has begun for Manatee County Public Libraries’ Teen Recycled Dreams Fashion Show be held on Saturday, April 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton. The popular award-winning event, in collaboration with The Friends of the Library and Keep Manatee Beautiful, gives teens a chance to live a day in the life of a fashion designer and/or model. Contestants make their own original fashion using recycled or repurposed materials and present their creation on the runway in front of a live audience where a panel of judges select a winner based on creativity, presentation and use of recycled materials. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place, along with two honorable mentions. Designers are able to register as an individual or part of a team. Each designer can model the design or choose a model. While designers must be between the ages of 13 and 19, models can be any age.Makeup and hair stylists are available to the designers and models at the Central Library the day of the show. Judges are from outside the library system. The Teen Recycled Fashion Show is the 2016 recipient of the Florida Library Association’s Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award, which recognizes innovative or outstanding youth programs, and a 2015

recipient of a Recycling Award from Keep Manatee Beautiful, a non-profit organization committed to making Manatee County a cleaner and more beautiful environment. Online registration can be accessed via Manatee Libraries’ website at mymanatee. org/library, its Facebook page @manalibraries or by going directly to http://bit.ly/ recycledfash

Volunteer at The Center The Center needs volunteers to help on many levels such as coaching, tutoring, administrative work and more. The Center holds volunteer orientations on the first Thursday of every month. For more information, call Amy Talucci, director of first impressions at 941-778-1908 or visit The Center at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

THE SUN

School of Design in 1998 with a BFA degree in painting. In addition to being an art instructor and studio painter, she has had an accomplished 25-year career as a muralist, specializing in the tromp l’oiel technique. In 2011, Wright discovered her passion for painting outdoors en plein air during a workshop in Italy. Since 2013 she has been represented by The Studio at Gulf & Pine Art Gallery on Anna Maria Island and her paintings are now held in numerous national and international private collections. These days, the Holmes Beach resident can most often be found outdoors at her easel or in her art studio in historic Palmetto.

FOOD

Tracing your roots

Flapjack breakfast at Roser

The Manatee Genealogical Society meeting will be held on March 6, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton. Drew Smith, acclaimed genealogy consultant, speaker and co-host of “Genealogy Guys Podcast” will present "Using FamilySearch.org to Find Genealogical Records.” Following the presentation there will be a Q & A period with the speaker and then a moderated open discussion period. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions relative to their issues or brick walls and get help from MGS members and meeting attendees. A help desk will be staffed with experienced MGS members who can answer questions relative to your genealogical pursuits or suggest sources to address your question. For Society information, go to Facebook: www.facebook.com/ManateeGenealogicalSociety. Email questions to mgs.society@ gmail.com.

Eveybody’s welcome to enjoy a Roser style pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Roser Memorial Community Church Fellowship Hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For $6, enjoy pancakes, sausage, syrup and/or melted butter, applesauce, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee or tea. There is no charge for children under the age of 5. Proceeds will go toward upgrading the kitchen equipment. After breakfast stroll across the street and browse the bargains in the Guild Thrift Shop 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flippers, mixers, runners, sausage servers, syrup servers, and more are needed forthe pancake breakfast on Saturday. The church needs 16 people for each shift and five people for the cleanup crew. Shifts are 7:30-9:30, 9:30-11:30 and the 10:45 cleanup crew. Sign-up online at www.roserchurch. com/pancake-breakfast or call the church at 941-778-0414.

ART

BUSINESS

Art at Waterline

Networking lunch set

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, at 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, hosts the artwork of island resident and awardwinning plein air artist Cory Wright during Holmes Beach’s art district walk around, artsWALK in Friday, Feb. 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wright will be making an appearance at the resort, where guests and visitors will have the opportunity to meet her as she demonstrates her art. The sole artist featured at Waterline, Wright’s work is on display in the resort’s lobby and public areas. All works are available for purchase. Wright graduated from the Rhode Island

The February S.W.A.T. (Successful Women Aligning Together)--Anna Maria Island Chapter--Networking Meeting and Lunch will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 11:45 a.m. 1:15 p.m.at Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Attendees should bring business cards for this popular event, so they can mingle with other like-minded professional women. Guests are always welcome. To R.S.V.P. for the AMI Chapter networking meeting and for more information about S.W.A.T., contact Janice Teeter, SWAT AMI Director at SWATAMI@gmail.com or www.swatnetworking.com.

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OBITUARIES Ralph Lazzara Ralph Lazzara, an extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life, passed away suddenly on Jan. 16, 2018, at his home on Anna Maria Island, Fla. He was born on Aug. 14, 1934, in Tampa, Fla., to Bennie and Lily Lazzara, first generation offspring of immigrants from the small mountain village of Santo Stefano, Sicily. They raised him in a continuously joyous and loving home with his sister, Rosalie, and his brother, Bennie, Jr., and many, many aunts, uncles, cousins and childhood friends. Always a deep and original thinker, he graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1952. In a chance meeting 40 years later, his chemistry teacher recalled him fondly as the smartest student she ever taught, a view echoed repeatedly over the years by those who taught and studied with him. Always a gifted athlete, he was a standout two-way end on Hillsborough’s football team. As a sophomore in the Turkey Bowl Classic against Plant – a tradition dating to the 1920s and a major event in Tampa city culture, with families planning their Thanksgiving meal around the game, thousands in attendance, and teenagers wearing corsages on special dates – he electrified the crowd by intercepting a lateral and scampering 65 yards for a touchdown. His skills drew visits from Florida Gators recruiters, but he chose a different direction. Upon graduation, he enrolled at the University of Chicago, charting a path as the first in the Lazzara clan to attend college. After taking the entrance exams, he was exempted from two years of study and jumped forward to junior-level classes. He worked hard, but kept his taste for adventure. He once, just for the thrill, hitchhiked home from Chicago for the Christmas holidays in a blizzard. In 1959 he married his Hillsborough classmate, Barbara Jolly. They were married for 58 years, when Barbara passed in July of 2017. They traveled the world together, from Europe to Asia, India to Israel, and scores of places in between. They once got separated while crossing the Straits of Messina, Barbara embarked on the train-ferry for Sicily and Ralph waving from the dock, luggage in hand. Together they had three children: a son, Ralph Bernardo, who predeceased them, and two daughters, Melissa and Rosalie; a grandson Captain Jerry Mayer; and two granddaughters, Melissa and Samantha D’Innella. Ralph relished life’s pleasures. He loved the beach and the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico, spending the summers of his boyhood watching

sunsets on Pass-a-Grille and hitting baseballs into the Australian pines that lined Stingray Stadium; in adulthood, blue crabbing at night along the shores of Manasota Key; and later at his beloved home overlooking Tampa Bay, next door to the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria. He loved the mountains and was an avid and accomplished skier. He was a boastful and worthy tennis opponent. He loved to make his legendary salads and to grill steaks, using his famous and secret olive oil, basil and garlic sauce. He loved art and the great art museums of the world; the gelatos shops all over Italy; college football, especially his adopted team the Oklahoma Sooners; Marlon Brando movies; traditional dishes from his Ybor City upbringing; and exotic foods from all over the globe. He loved his wines and a well-made cocktail. He loved to read, often becoming so engrossed that it was hard to get back his attention. Most of all he loved celebrations, holidays and just good times passed with his family and the multitude of friends he collected throughout life. He possessed an infectious and selfdeprecating sense of humor that he often infused with his sharp intellect and comical facial expressions to make light of life’s vexations and troubles. Fittingly, Ralph became an expert in the human heart. He began his medical studies at the Tulane University School of Medicine, forming a lifelong love affair with New Orleans and starting on a professional path that would lead him to become iconic in the scientific and academic worlds of cardiac electrophysiology. As Dr. Lazzara, he specialized in the heart and its rhythms: the mechanisms governing the proper cardiac cycle, the processes and conditions that can spark perilous disturbances – arrhythmia is the leading cause of death in the western world – and methods to detect and treat heart rhythm abnormalities. His work path wound around the country and the globe. He left New Orleans for New York, where he refined his focus on cardiac electrophysiology. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Army, treating patients at the Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver and skiing the Rocky Mountains, as he would for decades after. Returning after Colorado to his native Florida, he became professor of medicine at the University of Miami, depleted the local crab supply and lived in a home surrounded by citrus and mango trees and pulsing with warmth and the laughter of his family and friends. He spent a year-long sabbatical in Milan, Italy, continuing his research and providing his family with a year in the country of his heritage. For most of his adult life, though, home was Oklahoma City. There his career reached its pinnacle. For nearly four decades, beginning in 1978, Ralph

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

was professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He was chief of cardiology until 1998, when he co-founded and became medical director of the Oklahoma University College of Medicine’s Heart Rhythm Institute. HRI’s group has treated thousands of cardiac patients from across the country and around the world. In the spirit of teamwork tracing to pickup baseball at Pass-aGrille and the football field at Hillsborough High, the HRI group also has shared its sophisticated knowledge and methods with countless professionals at other institutions who could use this expertise in their own turn to improve heart health. In a career that spanned more than 60 years, Ralph prized research, learning, and sharing his intellectual wealth. He authored over 300 scientific manuscripts, 66 book chapters and three books. He gave hundreds of lectures around the world. He served for several years as president of the Washington D.C.-based Heart Rhythm Society, an international non-profit organization promoting education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients. He was showered with awards, though you wouldn’t know if from him. As towering as his professional achievements were, they were best summed up in more human terms. One of his patients, on learning of his death, marveled at “how many people are alive and well, watching their children and grandchildren grow, enjoying a bright sky and a fine glass of wine because of Ralph’s work, his commitment, his values and his capacity for a great big deep belly laugh.” Even in the last week he lived, Dr. Lazzara was reading electrocardiograms on his iPad at his Anna Maria home, studying the heart rhythms of patients a land away and in need of a physician’s wisdom. The long, rich life of Ralph Lazzara was celebrated in a ceremony at 1:30 on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at Shannon Funeral Home, 5610 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, Fla. Those who wish to can donate in his honor to the Heart Rhythm Society. At my.hrsonline.org, click “donate” and select the Lazzara Lectureship Award in the dropdown box under “please apply my donation toward.” Ralph was a master spirit, a compassionate soul, a kind and gentle person, and a great mentor and friend to many. We will all miss him deeply. There was a gathering of family and friends at the Shannon Funeral Home Westview Chapel on Feb. 3, 2018.

Terry Allen Rader Terry Allen Rader 58, of Holmes Beach, was a wonderful son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018,

surrounded by his family after a brave battle with cancer. He was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 21, 1959, the day Hawaii became a state. He graduated from Antilles High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1977 after also living in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. He was an electrician. He was predeceased by his father, Edgar (Jack) Rader. He is survived by his mother, Beverly, and step-father, Bernard Chouinard; his sister, Tammy (Mark) Crawford; brother, Troy (Marie) Rader; Valerie and Mike Chouinard, nieces, Addy Beetle, and Katie Rader and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He loved to fish, bowl, the Bucs, Rays, and to play guitar. Loved by everyone, good friend, brother, and son. A celebration of life will be held at Bradenton Moose Lodge #1223, at 310 44th Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203, on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Manatee County Humane Society. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com

John Price Rankin Jr. John Price Rankin Jr., 77 of Cortez, Florida passed away Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, at Blake Memorial Hospital, after a valiant 20-year battle against chronic lymphocytic leukemia that had morphed into myelodysplastic syndrome last summer. Born Feb. 6, 1940, in Ft. Lauderdale to John Price and Elizabeth Devenney Rankin, John graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduating from the University of Miami. John was an avid boater and a licensed U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton master sea captain. He worked for Merrill Lynch for 13 years, in marketing and consulting in the marine industry, captained water-based film crews in Hawaii and Thailand and co-owned the A-Team Marine photo boat until his retirement. In 1989, John met Nanette on a blind date at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, and the rest is history. They married in 1992 and filled the next 25 years of their life with family and friends, sailing on their Native Spirit, and enjoying cruises and travels. During a 2010 bucket list tour of Ireland for John’s 70th birthday, they were delighted to spend time with some of his mother’s extended family in Northern Ireland. John loved playing and watching tennis and cheering on his Tar Heels and Hurricanes college basketball and football teams and his NFL Bucs, aka “the helmets.” He served as a Manatee County guardian ad litem and was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, the UNC Rams Club and United Tennis SEE OBITUARIES, PAGE 37

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

THE SUN

Kids show their science skills BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

Anna Maria Elementary School held its annual STEM Night on Tuesday, Jan. 23. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math and there was plenty of each at the classroom projects, demonstrations in the front lobby and kids’ science projects in the auditorium. The Holmes Beach Police Grill Team provided the hamburgers with fixin’s in the cafeteria. Rusty Moore and Will Corr provided the live music in the hallway.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Tommy Baugher won second place for his battery comparison.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Dalton Baugher was all smiles after placing first with his display about paper airplanes.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

The Manatee County Mosquito Control display got lots of attention from the kids.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Above, the Holmes Beach Police Grill Team: Chief Bill Tokajer, AME Resource Officer Josh Fleischer, Sgt. Vern McGowan and Detective Sgt. Brian Hall. Left, kids look at dead mosquitoes floating on the water. TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Ashton Ghouda with his Naked Egg Drop experiment.

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THE SUN

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Night at the Museum sequel this week’s movie The third try was a winner for the city of Anna Maria’s Classic Movies in the Park. After two weather related cancellations, last week’s free outdoor screening of Dolphin Tale was attended by approximately 30 people. The weekly movie screenings will continue at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, with “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson and others. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs, blankets, drinks and snacks. City Pier Park is located at the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard, across from the Anna Maria City Pier.

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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BEACH BEAT HOLMES BEACH

1/27, DUI, 4500 Gulf Drive. The officer stopped the driver for a traffic violation. She agreed to a breath-a-lizer test, and the officer placed her under arrest. 1/27, noise code violation, 620 Gladstone Lane. The officer was called to the home on a noise complaint. He observed a loud party with cars parked up and down the street. He met with the homeowner and explained the noise ordinance. The owner was given a violation citation and sent the guests home. 1/29, theft, 2800 Avenue E. A men’s English racer bike was taken.

1/29, driving with no valid license, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer ran a computer check on the suspect’s car, and it showed no license assigned to the registration. He stopped the man who had a US Employment Authorization card, but no license. He was ticketed, and his car was towed. 1/30, driving with no valid license, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer ran a computer check on the suspect and it showed no license. He stopped the driver and gave him a summons. 1/30, driving with no valid license, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer ran the suspect car’s license number through the computer, and it showed the driver had no license. The officer stopped him and gave him a summons.

Catch diseases early with health screening at The Center Be alerted to possible stroke or other health problems by taking Prevention Plus Stroke and Vascular Screening offered on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The screenings are being offered at reduced prices. They include stroke/ carotid ultrasound for $40, abdominal aortic aneurysm for $40, arterial disease

test for $40, thyroid ultrasound for $40, abdominal ultrasound for $95 and heart scan-echocardiogram for $95 or all six tests for only $179. Blood tests, liver, cholesterol, PSA and TSH tests are also available. To register, call 888-667-7587.

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REAL ESTATE

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

The changing face of Cortez H

ouse styles are not that much different than fashion styles. What’s in fashion for housing may not change every year, but it does change frequently enough that buyers need to keep their antennas up. This year Cortez is in line for a substantial change, one that the developers hope will preserve the integrity of the historic fishing village. But first let’s talk about what’s happened in the over $1 million range during October, November and December of last year. Cortez did not have any over $1 million sales during these three months. During the previous three months it had one sale. The city of Anna Maria had 9 sales ranging from $4,500,000 to $1,100,000. During the previous three months, there were 14 sales. The combined towns of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach had 11 $1 million or over sales ranging from $2,299,000 to $1,025,000. For the previous three months analyzed, there were 13.

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER As of this writing, the $1 million and over available properties and a few pending are as follows: Cortez has five properties from $1,795,000 to $1,195,000. During the previous three months there were six. The city of Anna Maria has 42 properties ranging from $4,595,000 to $1,049,000 with five of these over $3 million. During the previous three months there were 36. Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach have a combined 47 properties, ranging from a large complex listed at $9,500,000 to $1,048,000. One of these is just under $5 million, and there are two over $3 million.

During the last three month period analyzed there were 56 properties. Closed properties are from the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, and the available properties are from the realtor. com website, generally reflecting the properties on the multiple listing service. Now for the changes in Cortez. The Hunter's Point Resort and Marina has been approved by Manatee County commissioners, who voted unanimously in favor. The new community fronts Cortez Road just east of the Cortez Bridge across from the historic fishing village. It will have water access via canals out to the Intracoastal and the Gulf and will be comprised of 86 single-story, cottage-style homes, 62 hotel rooms, and 48 boat slips, a marina, bistro, clubhouse and retail space. What’s interesting about this innovative community is the size of the homes. The energy efficient cottages are built to zero energy standards, with each home capable

of producing as much if not more energy than it consumes. In addition, the cottages are only 500 square feet of air-conditioned interior space with multiple decks, including roof decks and driveways. The developer says these are not tiny houses, rather single-family homes designed with upscale interiors for buyers who are interested in downsizing and boating. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median size of an existing single-family home purchased in 2017 was 1,930 square feet, which was actually down from 2016 by 20 square feet. Maybe this is the latest trend in housing and Hunter's Point is on to something. Whether you’re buying a new dress or a new house, the important thing to remember is what actually fits your style and your lifestyle, and it doesn’t have to cost a million. I’ll be back again in three months with another $1 million and over report.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

OBITUARIES From Page 32

Club. John never knew a stranger, had a fantastic sense of humor, and wasted none of his time complaining about the medical procedures and hospitalizations he endured over the past 25 years. John is survived by loving wife, best friend and first mate, Nanette, of Cortez; son, John Price Rankin III (friend Brandy), of St. Petersburg; stepdaughters, Sara Lomasz Flesch (Erik), of Mineral Point, Wis., and Rachel Lomasz, of Chicago; grandchildren, Eli and Audrey Rankin and Caroline and Grayson Lomasz; brother, Robert Rankin (Jean) of Lutz; nieces and nephews; the small army of sisters- and brothers-in-law and their children who became part of his family in 1992; and a tremendous group of some of the best friends a man can have. Funeral services will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 6311 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton, with a celebration of life immediately following at the United Tennis Club, 4511 Bay Club Dr., Bradenton. John's family will honor his wish to

have his ashes scattered at sea at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Wolfgang Schulz Wolfgang Schulz, 66 of Holmes Beach, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, after a long struggle with cancer. Wolfgang was born in Germany and was the son of the late Charlotte and Rudolph Schulz. He studied mechanical engineering and helped build and race Formula 2 cars as a young man in Germany. “Wolf” as he was affectionately called by many moved to Arlington, Va., when he was in his 20s with his wife, Connie, where their daughter, Virginia, was born. Later in life Wolfgang married Gayle Simpson in Alexandria, Va., and he studied and became a United States citizen. Wolf ran the service departments as a service director of two large car dealerships in Maryland and Washington, D.C., for many years until moving from Alexandria, Va., in 1998 with Gayle Schulz to Holmes Beach. Wolf with all of his passion for engines and mechanical knowledge opened his own boat engine and repair shop

HOLMES BEACH: 5201 Gulf Drive • ELLENTON: 945 25th Drive East, Suite 10

called Wolfgang Schulz Marine Engine Services in Holmes Beach where Keyes Marina is located and operated that business until he retired a few years ago. Wolf enjoyed boating in the area and in the Caribbean on vacations and watching all Formula 1 and other car races as some of his hobbies. His latest love was his RV that he was enjoying taking trips in to various places such as Key West and Ft. Desoto and other beautiful parks in Florida. Wolfgang is survived by his two brothers, Erich and Helmut, and his son, Sascha Schulz in Germany, his daughter, Virginia, and son in law, Tobias Zimmermann, his grandson, Christopher Zimmermann, of Bradenton, Fla., stepsons Eric and Matthew Funkhouser, and his significant other Gayle Simpson Schulz. Wolfgang with his wonderful voice, accent and handsome smiling face will be deeply missed by his family and many friends who were blessed to know him and loved him so. There will be a celebration of life held in the home of Gayle and Wolfgang in Holmes Beach to honor Wolf’s life at a later date in March to be announced.

THE SUN

Carolyn D. Wurzel Carolyn D. Wurzel, 83, of Holmes Beach, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Jan. 28, 2018. She was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in Napoleon, Ohio. Carolyn attended Bowling Green University and later began her career as an X-Ray technician, where she met her future husband, Robert Wurzel. They were married on July 1, 1956, in Napoleon, Ohio. Carolyn and her husband moved to Holmes Beach in 2005, where her family owns and operates Island Garden Villas. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Bradenton. She is predeceased by her parents, William and Gladys (Butchbach) Puehler and her son, Scott; survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Robert; her son, Geoffrey; her daughters, Lisa and Christy; her sisters, Marilyn, Nancy and Norma; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 26th St. W., Bradenton. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Tidewell Hospice or Trinity Lutheran Church.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Pools declared impervious surfaces The ordinance also requires all rooms to be labeled on building plans and slightly decreases residential parking requirements. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Swimming pools, hot tubs and pool decks will now be considered impervious surfaces when calculating 40 percent maximum lot coverage. In the past, pools were considered pervious in terms of providing surfaces that allowed for groundwater drainage. The City Commission made the change by a 3-2 vote on Thursday, Feb. 1, when adopting the land development code (LDC) amendments contained in Ordinance 17-495. Now in effect, the ordinance also requires the proposed use for all rooms be labeled on building plans during the permitting process. The ordinance also slightly decreases residential parking requirements. The amended code still requires two parking spaces for

the first 1,000 square feet of habitable space but now requires an additional parking space for each additional 500 feet of habitable space instead of each additional 450 square feet. City Planner Alan Garrett told the commission that Building Official Steve Gilbert estimated the impervious designation could result in the loss of approximately 600 square feet of habitable space. Garrett said it was hard to provide an exact estimate because there are so many design variables that could come into play. When contacted Monday, Gilbert said one of the variables would be how much of the pool is located underneath the main structure, where it would not be counted as an additional impervious surface. Gilbert said a typical 300 square foot pool with a typical deck could decrease living space by 150 to 250 square feet for each of the two allowed living levels. He said a larger pool could create a loss of 300 square feet per living level. The ordinance says pools, hot tubs and spas permitted before Feb. 1, 2018, will not be counted as lot coverage, nor

will pools already located within the building footprint.

COMMISSIONERS’ VIEWS

“It’s a lot of these little things that we do that help minimize the negative impact of the party houses and how it’s destroying our R-1 and R-2 neighborhoods. Pools are a big part of the noise that’s created because of these large party homes,” Mayor John Chappie said, echoing comments he made during the commission’s previous discussion on increasing pool setbacks. Commissioners Ralph Cole and Jake Spooner voted against the impervious pool designation. Cole said he could not support the change because the commission did not know the exact amount of developable space developers and property owners would be losing. As he did when opposing the increased pool setbacks, Spooner opposed the impervious pool designation. He questioned whether the loss of livable space would lead developers and property owners to build two levels of livable space above ground-level parking instead of one larger single

living level above parking. He again expressed concerns that the changes being made to reduce living space and restrict swimming pools could discourage larger families from moving to the Island. Spooner suggested putting off the decision until the commission had more information on the impact the proposed changes would have. Commissioner Randy White said he kind of agreed with that request, but he later made the motion to approve the ordinance. “I don’t understand why everyone has to have a pool,” Vice Mayor Marilyn Maro said after noting that most advertisements she sees promote the Island’s beaches and natural beauty, not its swimming pools. Spooner and Cole said they wished the LDC amendments had been addressed individually instead of in a single ordinance. They supported the other changes, but could not support an ordinance that contained the impervious pool designation.

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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Pool setbacks increased City commissioners are trying to minimize the impact vacation rental swimming pools have on neighboring properties. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Building a swimming pool is once again going to require 10-foot setbacks. City Commissioners recently voted 4-1 in favor of requiring swimming pools to be built at least 10 feet from all property lines. This change reverts back to the setback requirements contained in the land development code before it was changed to three feet in the R-1 and R-2 residential zones in 2016. With the adoption of Ordinance 17-483 on Jan. 23, all three residential zones again require 10-foot pool setbacks. Commissioner Jake Spooner cast the only opposition vote to the setback increase. Spooner’s concern was that developers could adapt to the larger setbacks when designing new homes, but residents with existing homes and smaller backyards, especially on the

north side of town, may now find it more difficult to add a pool. When adopting the ordinance, the commission also prohibited the future construction or addition of pool slides, diving boards, waterfalls or fountain features; and permits will no longer be issued for the replacement or repair of these existing features. At the suggestion of Mayor John Chappie, the commission reached preliminary 4-1 consensus to remove from the ordinance a proposed landscape buffering requirement that would have required hedges three-feet wide at planting and at least six feet high after two years of growth. Commissioner Randy White wanted to keep the landscaping requirement because he felt it would provide additional soundproofing. Chappie said the landscaping would be difficult for property owners to maintain and difficult for the city to enforce. Vice Mayor Marilyn Maro agreed with Chappie regarding the increased setbacks and the removal of the proposed landscaping requirements. The commission actions are an attempt to lessen the impact of vacation rental pool noise on neighboring properties.

I think we need to take every opportunity we have to try to minimize the impact of the transient rentals in our R-1 and R-2 areas.” John Chappie, Mayor

We’re trying to attract families to live out here. Now we have all these rules in place that we never had before, and they’re stuck dealing with all these new regulations.” JAKE SPOONER,

City Commissioner “I think we need to take every opportunity we have to try to minimize the impact of the transient rentals in our R-1 and R-2 areas. It’s a lot of the little things that we do that help to minimize it,” Chappie said. Countering that position, Spooner

said the construction of vacation rentals seems to be slowing down and he’s concerned that making it harder to build a swimming pool might discourage families from moving to Bradenton Beach.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

PIER: Quinn assists with fund raising FROM PAGE 3

they’re out there. It’s a good cause and a historic cause,” Quinn said. “The mayor and I met before Christmas, and I told him I would be willing as a non-profit to start the GoFundMe page, and he thought that would be a good idea. GoFundMe has a PayPal giving page, so it’s all legitimate. All of the money that comes into me will be reported to the city. I also have a pier account here in the city if anyone wants to give me a check.

LeAnne (the city clerk) and I will be working together to assure that the money we say is there is there, and there’s checks and balances between me and the city,” Quinn said. When asked about Quinn’s efforts, Murphy said, “I’m very pleased she’s doing it. It’s noble effort, and I commend Sissy’s efforts in trying to help the city with the pier.” “The pier has always been one of my causes since I started the

Preservation Trust nine years ago. The Trust bought the marker that tells the history of the pier. That was presented to the city on the pier’s 100-year anniversary in 2011,” Quinn said. Quinn said the trust also played a significant role in getting the angler’s cottage moved to the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum property. She invites those with questions to call her at 941-778-5120. 1-5 BEDROOMS * &21'26 ຺ +20(6 * :((./< ຺ 0217+/< )$0,/< ຺ 3(7 )5,(1'/<

BILLS: Compromise sought FROM PAGE 4

If incorporated into CS/SB 1400, Simmons’ proposed amendments would allow local governments to continue regulating non-owner occupied single-family dwellings and inspect rentals for compliance with building, fire and life safety codes. Simmons said his intent is to prevent residential neighborhoods from being destroyed by homes used solely as full-time vacation rentals. He said vacation rental owners have property rights, but so do neighboring residents. His legislation would

not apply to single-family homes leased through Airbnb and other advertising platforms if the owner remains onsite, but would apply if the owner’s not there. Filed after Steube’s amendments, Simmons proposed amendments to the substitute bill were discussed last week, but time ran out and the meeting ended before they were voted on. Simmons’ next opportunity to present his amendments will be before the Regulated Industries Committee.

HOUSE COMPANION

At week's end, House Bill 773 filed by Rep. Mike La Rosa (R-St. Cloud) had not yet been discussed by a House committee. His legislation attempts to make any local regulations applicable to vacation rentals equally applicable to nonrentals, including occupancy limits and registration programs. A House bill mirroring the Senate’s committee substitute has not yet been introduced. The adoption of Senate legislation requires adoption of similar House legislation.

BIKE PATH: Improvements questioned FROM PAGE 5

ways and right of way parking areas that would have to be kept clear to accommodate the proposed sidewalks or paths. “The intended purpose of the commission in years past is to preserve the neighborhoods. Now we’re looking at channeling traffic through the neighborhoods that you’re trying to maintain a quiet residential atmosphere in,” Burns said. Denise Saunders said, “This will affect us greatly. Our entire

driveway is pavers and we have somewhat of an elevation. Without doing some major landscaping, we could not park a car on our existing driveway.” Stephanie Rycerz and her husband own two properties in the area. One is used as the family home for them and their two children and the other is an annual rental. “I don’t think the children are going to use the bike path. I don’t think the children are going to use the sidewalk. I don’t think the seri-

ous bikers will use our street. This looks like Miami to me. These images do not look like my wonderful little Island neighborhood where we have over 20 kids living there,” Rycerz said. Jim Hassett was the only resident to express support. “I totally approve of this plan. This is a very positive plan,” he said. Hassett said he favors the installation of sidewalks or multi-use paths and thinks they would be used.

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C O A S TA L C OT TA G E S A M I . C O M

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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LESSIG: Resigns from Center FROM PAGE 1

down the road on Anna Maria Island. We are so thankful and feel extremely fortunate to have Kristen Lessig as our new executive director of youth development for the Sarasota Y.” “We’re sad to see her go but happy for her,” board chair David Zaccagnino said of Lessig. “She stuck it out for us.” “What’s been done here is just phenomenal,” retiring board treasurer Jim Froeschle said. “Now it’s up to this board to make it last.” “Thank you for everything you’ve done,” Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said to Lessig. “The whole Island is going to miss you. You’ve done an amazing job and it’s not easy to do what you’ve done. It’s a big job and I thank you for that.” Though Lessig is leaving her position at the Center, she said she isn’t moving and will continue to remain a part of the nonprofit through volunteerism, including serving as a committee member for this year’s Tour of Homes. While no candidate has yet been identified to take Lessig’s place at the

Center, the soon-to-be former executive director isn’t leaving the nonprofit without some guidance for the future. As part of a departure timeline accepted by board members, Lessig suggested a search committee be created to work with an outside human resources consultant to identify and interview potential candidates. She also recommended the hiring of former grant consultant Heather Darling as the Center’s new development and marketing director. Lessig plans to formally hand over her responsibilities during a Feb. 19 board meeting to either a new or interim executive director. Froeschle said he hopes the community will rally around whoever succeeds Lessig, offering support as the new person comes onboard with the Center. “We will miss Kristen and wish her well in her new endeavor,” former board member Mike Thrasher said in a Feb. 2 press release. “Kristen has always put herself last, as she is all about other people and the community first. She has indeed made the Center great again.”

DUNCAN: Named Manatee Chamber chair FROM PAGE 1

Chamber President and CEO Jacki Dezelski getting into the community and working on the issues the businesses have. One of my main focuses is we started a task force on obtainable housing that we are rolling out this month. There are issues with finding obtainable housing. Employers are having a hard time finding employees and getting obtainable housing,” Duncan said. “I’ll be visiting businesses throughout the county and the community to hear what’s going on. We’re talking a lot about transportation and the issues we have with congestion and transportation, so that’s also at the forefront this year. And we’ll be moving into the new parking garage building in downtown Bradenton, so that’s exciting,” Duncan said. Duncan has served on the Chamber board and/or the smaller executive board for the past eight years. Her new duties will include chairing board and executive board meetings. “Everything goes to our main board for decisions, but the executive board oversees the committees and things like that,” she said. Karen LaPensee, Stewart Moon Jr. and Sean Murphy also represent the Is-

It’s an honor to be the first islander to be appointed as the chairman of the board.” Darcie Duncan, Manatee Chamber chair

land on the Chamber board of directors. Duncan was asked how her involvement with the Chamber benefits her as the owner of Duncan Real Estate. “I make so many connections and meet so many new people, creating relationships with other businesses that are helping my business grow. The Chamber has a lot of educational workshops that help small businesses – on marketing, using social media, employee retention, health benefits and those kinds of things. There are also a lot of networking opportunities to get out and meet people and meet your peers. My business is all about relationships,” Duncan said.

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SPORTS

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

Blue Lagoon ekes out the semi-final victory BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

Playoff fever hit the gridiron at the north end of Anna Maria Island as the youth flag football league starts to wind down for the season. The secondranked Blue Lagoon faced the third-ranked Tyler’s Ice Cream last Wednesday night. Last week’s semi-final games were an exciting lead-up to this week’s match ups for all three of the age group leagues. With his female dominated team, Coach Rob Alderson, owner of Tyler’s Ice Cream, led his team to the first touchdown of the game on their second offense possession of the game. After huge yardage gains by Cash Carter and defensive flag pulls by Sam Leister and Kale Petrin for Team Blue Lagoon, quarterback Ava Alderson hit Carter on a long pass with a strong run after to put him in the end zone. A. Alderson found Caleb O’Connor for the extra point moving the score to 7-0 for Team Tyler’s Ice Cream. Strong on offense as the QB, Alderson A. Alderson also brought her A-Game to the defensive side of the game with a flag pull on the first down play to John Holbrook. The ladies of Tyler’s Ice Cream played a critical part of the season, including a critical second down play flag pull by Torri Fidler. On third down, what would appear to be a touchdown by Jiles Kirkland III was negated due to an impeding the rusher call on the Blue Lagoon center, giving the football back to Alderson’s team. Blue Lagoon’s Matt Speidel pulled the flag on the first down snap. A sneak play resulted in a four-yard gain by Reese Riley leading to another A. Alderson-Carter connection short of the first down. After an incomplete pass, Speidel made a nice reception short of the first down, with a flag pull by Fidler. Fidler soon found her hands on the ball with a beautiful interception cause by the tipped pass.

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Cash Carter, for Tyler’s Ice Cream, carries for big yardage in the nail biter semi-final game against Blue Lagoon last week. While in scoring range, A. Alderson threw a scoring pass to O’Connor for another six points. With the score 13-0, resulting from the missed point after, the one minute warning for the first half was called by the official. A. Alderson’s younger sister, Josie Alderson put the quick pressure on Blue Lagoon’s David Patterson, but Patterson threw a first down pass. Holbrook caught the next pass, but lost his footing before he could gain additional yardage as the scoreboard clock only showed seconds left. J. Alderson’s speed got the best of the Blue Lagoon QB. Blue Lagoon coach Jeff Holbrook called for the first timeout after J. Alderson’s sack. Lining up with two wideouts, Holbrook used his height as a receiver to his advantage catching the football in traffic, snagging it out of the air in the end zone. Another J. Alderson sack kept the score at 13-6 to end

the first half of semi-final action play. The second half of the game put Tyler’s Ice Cream on offense. Riley, Carter and A. Alderson continued to play strong football moving the ball down the field. On an miraculous pass by A. Alderson, Carter found his way into the end giving his team a 13-point lead with the score 19-6 Matt Speidel sped down the sideline on the first play of Blue Lagoon’s possession. Carter made a flying, diving flag pull to prevent the touchdown. A. Alderson stopped the first down carry by Kirkland. Despite the strong pressure by rusher A. Alderson and the near sack, Holbrook hit his receiver for a Blue Lagoon TD. Speidel scored the point after changing the score once again to 19-13. With the help of Tres Maddox on defense, Patterson pulled the flag of Carter on the Tyler’s Ice Cream first down play. On third down, A. Alder-

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Tyler’s Ice Cream’s Reese Riley puts the pressure on David Patterson for Blue Lagoon in the semi-final game last week. son fired the ball, but Kirkland intercepted the catch and ran it back for a score tying the ballgame 19-19. After the pick-six, and with the game’s momentum swinging their way, Blue Lagoon worked to prevent another Tyler’s Ice Cream touchdown. Carter’s ability to catch the ball on the run helped to put another six points on the board.

Leading again by six points, Tyler’s Ice Cream went on the defensive with Nicholas Yatros on the field. Riley stopped field advancement twice with great flag pulls. In the pass-only zone, on third down, Speidel gained the first with a run past midfield to within five yards from the end zone. SEE SPORTS, PAGE 43

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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SPORTS: Blue Lagoon on to the final FROM PAGE 42

Yatros’ flag pull prevented the score initially, but on first and goal Petrin threw the ball to Holbrook to once again tie the game. On the point after, from the five yard line, the quarterback hit Patterson in the hands for the go ahead point advancing the score to 25-26. In the last minutes of the game, Tyler’s Ice Cream worked hard and never gave up, with an impressive run by A. Alderson. With lost yardage due to a flag guarding call on the run, the Blue Lagoon defense stepped up preventing the catch by J. Alderson. The first down catch by Carter kept the hope alive. A flagrant foul call on Blue Lagoon put Tyler’s Ice Cream in position to take the win. Maddox made important flag pull stopping Carter before the score. The tough rush by Maddox forced A. Alderson to throw the football on second down with nobody near the ball. In a perfect play, A. Alderson fooled the rusher evading the sack. A. Alderson’s pass was on the money, but Riley just could not make the winning catch in a heartbreaking loss for Tyler’s Ice Cream. The championship game will be won by Blue Lagoon or Planet Stone to finish out the 11-to 13-year-old flag football league.

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 8-TO 10-YEAR OLD LEAGUE 5:30 p.m. 3rd place game: Beach Bums vs Truly Nolen 6:30 p.m. championship game: Bins Be Clean vs Cortez Pump

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH 11-TO 13-YEAR OLD LEAGUE

5:30 p.m. 3rd place game: Tyler’s Ice Cream vs USA Fence 6:30 p.m. championship game: Planet Stone vs Blue Lagoon

14-TO 17-YEAR OLD LEAGUE

7:30 p.m. semi-final game: Blalock Walters vs Salty Printing 8:30 p.m. championship game: Slim’s Place vs winner of 7:30 p.m. game

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN

Reaching to stop the catch one of Tyler's Ice Cream's ace players Ava Alderson defends against Jiles Kirkland III for Blue Lagoon last Wednesday night.

SUN SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JANUARY 29 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL 8-TO 10-YEAR OLD LEAGUE Island Charms Bins Be Clean

20 28

Cortez Pump Progressive Cabinetry

25 19

Cloud Pest Control Truly Nolen

0 25

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL 8-TO 10-YEAR OLD LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL GAMES Bins Be Clean Truly Nolen

14 0

Cortez Pump Beach Bums

26 14

11-TO 13-YEAR OLD LEAGUE Tyler’s Ice Cream Planet Stone

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball Bins Be Clean Signarama

19 13 25 25 13 11

Slim’s Place Bins Be Clean

25 25 14 11

Slim’s Place Signarama

25 25 16 4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL 11-TO 13-YEAR OLD LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL GAMES USA Fence Planet Stone

6 19

Tyler’s Ice Cream Blue Lagoon

25 26

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL 14-TO 17-YEAR OLD LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL GAME Slim’s Place Signarama

ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL

42 20

Beach Bums CABB Cleaning

26 20

Beach House Real Estate Lancaster Design

26 25

Bins Be Clean Moss Builders

49 6

Horseshoe sharpshooters prevail Four teams battled in out in a playoff after each went 3 and 0 during pool play on Jan. 31. Bob Lee and Neil Hennessey put away Jay Disbrow and Ken Dyk 21 to 0, while John Crawford moved into the final with a 21 to 11 win over

Tim Sofran and Gene Bobeldyk. Lee and Henessey held on with a 22 to 18 victory over Crawford to earn the days bragging rights. Three teams went 3 and 0 and moved into the knockout round on Feb. 3.. Hennessey and Bill Fox

drew the bye and watched as Bob Mason and Hank Huyghe took out Sam Samuels and Rod Bussey 22 to 15. Mason and Huyghe took a trip to the winners circle after a 23 to 15 win over Hennessey and Fox.

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FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Fancy parties 6 [This is gonna be really bad!] 10 OutKast rapper Big __ 13 Hi in Hawaii 14 Senior golfer Aoki 15 Lends support to 16 Likely to speak out 17 *Vodka cocktail often served with a sugared rim 19 Text update from an Uber driver: Abbr. 20 Trippy '60s drug 22 Milked for all it's worth 23 Mai __: rum drinks 25 Post-CrossFit woes 26 With 49-Across, it keeps repeating itself ... and, based on the first and last letters, an apt description of each answer to a starred clue 28 "__-ching!" 29 Down with the flu 32 NFLer again in 2016 33 Early American furniture style 36 Casino cash source 37 Oft-injured knee part, for short 40 Bit of texting tact 41 Sine __ non 42 Interest-arousing promo 45 More accurate 47 Mud bath offerer 48 Night before 49 See 26-Across 50 Burton of "Star Trek: TNG" 52 Wild swine 53 Win out

56 Tiny drink 57 Go wrong 60 *Largely bygone penal colony 62 "Paper Moon" girl 64 Notable times 65 Mideast dignitary 66 Brownish gray 67 Susan of "L.A. Law" 68 Fix, as a feline 69 Promoted heavily Down 1 Conceded, with "up" 2 Tons 3 *Store website feature 4 "I thought so!" 5 Education financing company, familiarly 6 Coat, as jewelry 7 Put in the game 8 *Shari Lewis puppet 9 Place for a break? 10 Dove or robin 11 Campfire attraction 12 Kids' game for car trips 15 Includes 18 Maiden name intro 21 Nine-digit ID

Answers to 01-31-18 Crossword Puzzle.

24 Wanted poster letters 25 Duke's conf. 26 Cry from a sheep 27 Motel postings 30 *Totally drunk 31 "Today" co-host Matt 34 Manipulative health care practitioner 35 Pie crust fat 38 Mountain climber's piton spots 39 *Light source with hypnotic bubbles 43 Artillery bursts 44 Essen article 46 Electronics giant 49 Hitter's stat 51 Sound-detecting organ 53 Claimed in court 54 Hard to find 55 "Buy It Now" site 56 Agile 58 Like orange or red persimmons 59 Marsh plant 61 Athletes for Hope cofounder Hamm 63 Calendar square

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THOMPSON CLEANING SERVICE CommercialResidential-Marine. Island Based Company. Seasonal Deep Cleaning-Weekly-Occasional. Call for Free Estimate. 941-281-4951

BEACH YOGA ON Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www. thriveyogafit.com THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, Walgreen's and The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper (corner of Gulf and Palm).

BABY SITTER RED CROSS CERTIFIED baby sitter. Honor student. Call or text Isabel 941-5457995

BOATS: SALES & RENTALS BOATS ARE SELLING Right Now. Season’s in Full Swing. Let’s Talk about Your Boat. “Business On A Hand Shake”. I also Buy Boats. Dave 941-2283489

AUTHORITY ONE SERVICES. Residential/Commercial/Vacation Rentals & Construction Cleaning. Also Power Washing, Windows, Paver Sealing & Roof Cleaning. Ask about your Senior Citizens Discount Call 941-251-5948 or 941565-3931

COMMERCIAL SALES

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 4-sale Resorts Bradenton Bch *5 units $1,048,800 *13 units $4,999,000 *9300 Sq. Ft. Ware-house, Machine Shop heavy duty elect or Car Storage, So Many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport $595,000 Island Real Estate Ask Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424

EMPLOYMENT

2004 Yamaha FX Model Jet Ski & 2004 Yamaha FX Cruiser Jet Ski. Selling pair for $4000. Fully functional, recently serviced Water Tested machines being sold as is. Low hour’s usage. Call 410-365-9028

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

CLEANING SERVICE TOTAL HOME SERVICE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570

Call us today! 941-778-3986

BAR BACK NEEDED 3 or 4 nights per week. Apply at Bortell's 10002 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria After 1pm. LINE COOKS NEEDED immediately For High Volume, Fast Paced Beachside Café. FT/PT. Apply In Person ONLY at AMI Beach Café, Manatee County Beach DELIVER PHONE BOOKS Work Your Own Hours, Have Insured Vehicle, Must be at Least 18 yrs old, Valid DL. No Experience Necessary. 1-800-518-1333 Ext 224. www.deliverthephonebook.com

FISHING CHARTERS CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS FURNITURE FOR SALE including Large Mahogany Desk (old style) $50, Skan Design teak dining room table (extends to 9') with 8 chairs, Hutch & Display cabinet $1200 OBO, Large pull out couch (queen size bed) with 3" topper. $500 OBO. Call 941-778-1340 SOFA & LOVESEAT. LEATHER, Forest Green $500. Call 941-792-0014

GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP Open 9:30am-2pm, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. 10am1pm Saturday Donations preferred 9am-11am Wednesdays. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Phone 941-779-2733 HOLMES BEACH KEY ROYALE NEIGHBORHOOD: 7th ANNUAL GARAGE sale event! Saturday Feb 10, 9 AM to 1 PM - Follow Key Royale Drive to multiple canal homes with top notch goods! GARAGE SALE 5309 Sunrise Lane, Holmes Beach. Friday thru Sunday 8am2pm. Furniture, bedding, lamps, household goods and more!

HAULING SITE CLEAN-UP to trash outs we can handle it all. Call us for your dumpsters/ trash needs today 941-7538772

HOME IMPROVEMENTS TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

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KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. License # CRC1327296. Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com WALY PRECISION PAINTING: painting, drywall, stucco, and remodeling, commercial/residential, licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-4656324 www.WalyPrecisionPainting.us DECKOUT MASTER CARPENTER Everything Patio & Dock Decking Work Repair, Replace, Maintenance Work, Cleaning, Treatments, New Decks. Also Handyman/Painting work to home or office. Call RICHARD Bespoke Service 941-448-3571 Island Resident. STORM DAMAGE? Prompt Response. Tree work, Carpentry, Painting, Roof/ Fence Repair, Etc. Medium and Small Jobs Accepted. See ORANGE AD in Painting Section. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822. FENCING, CAN'T GET ANYBODY? Wood, Vinyl. New or Repair. Call Richard. Free Estimates. 941-4483571 Bespoke Services.

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 SHELL DELIVERED AND spread $55/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 02/28/2018, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids. 1N9TBAC62SC084059 1995 EL DORADO MFG., LTD

LOST & FOUND WATCH TURNED IN to the police department which was found on the beach. Turned in on Jan. 7th. Call Detective Brian Hall 941708-5800 ext 243. LOST 18" DIAMOND CHAIN NECKLACE with my grand mother's diamond in center – REWARD Call 267454-0725 FOUND WEDDING RING October 2 in Holmes Beach. To Rayburn with love Kathy. Call 941-9008226 LOST ENGAGEMENT RING. Solitaire white gold. Lost on 10/22/2017. Call 770712-8819 FOUND NECKLACE PENDANT near Anna Maria Post office. Call 941-7733182 LOST GOLD BRACELET with toggle clasp & charm with 50th anniversary engraved. Sentimental value. Lost in vicinity of Palm Ave. in Anna Maria. Call 407-8730078. LOST MY GRANDMOTHER'S gold wedding band (initials inside and date) at Coquina Beach area. Reward. Call 407-579-1621

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777. TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Meticulous, Thorough, Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 BAYSIDE COMMERCIAL PAINTING. David Padyani Call 941-565-9446 or Larry Zimmer 941-2248123 Licensed & Insured DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE. AMI & West Bradenton. Certified Pool Operator. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

PRINTING CUSTOM DIGITAL PRINTING "Your printing dream to reality" Specializing in Dye sublimation Printing. Graphic Design. Performance Active ware. Logo Design. Call Rhonda 330-550-4847

THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE & WINDOW WASHING AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction and Vacation Rentals . Also available Power Washing, Roof Cleaning and Windows. Call 941-251-5948

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

FROM THE LOW $300’s. Only minutes from the beach, this new active adult community is perfectly located just south of Manatee Ave, off Village Green Pkwy. Perfectly designed, open 2BR or 3BR/2BA plus den & 2CG floor plans. Luxurious amenities, pool, spa, gym, pickle ball and fenced-in dog park. HOA only $209/ month. Models open daily. Contact us 941254-3330 www.MirabellaFlorida.com 113 BEACH AVE 3BR/3BA Pool Home. Great location West of Gulf Drive with Direct beach access! $1,055,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941228-6086 CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Bch - Key Royale GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, La Casa L’Plage, Waters Edge & MORE. Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 26 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 SLIGHTLY OFF THE ISLAND. 3BR/2BA completely renovated lake house, five miles from the beach. No Condo/HOA Fees, No Deed Restrictions, No Traffic, Huge Boat/RV Storage Area, No Flood Insurance. $319,500. www.690932nd.com. For Sale By Owner. 941-795-5225

Call us today! 941-778-3986

FOR SALE ADORABLE half duplex Anna Maria. ! Walk to Beach eating shopping. . Brenda Boyd May Boyd Realty . 941-730-8589 $399,000 . $359,000 THE PERFECT HOUSE 3BR/2BA pool beautiful yard !!! Two blocks to the causeway! Bike to the island!! Great VRBO neighborhood! Call soon. Scott May 941-2388377 Boyd Realty PERICO BAY TOTAL remodel of 2BR/2BA, tiled throughout, gorgeous kitchen and bath, updated plumbing and electric, vacant $229,000 Call 551-427-0248

REAL ESTATE: LOT FOR SALE BAY VIEW LOT ! Across from Anna Maria Park. $440,000 Brenda Boyd May broker 941-730-8589

REAL ESTATE: OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY Feb. 11 from 1 to 3PM 4255 Gulf Dr. Unit 228. Condo 2BR/2BA. A Paradise Realty $349,900.

RENTALS: ANNUAL

ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee. Call today for details. Ask for Ed DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www.teamduncan.com ANNUAL RENTAL and CONDOMINIUM Association management serviced by (2) offices open 7 days a week! Contact junew@ islandreal.com – 941-3451295 - Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc. ANNUAL RENTAL HOLMES BEACH 2BR/1.5BA, carport, storage, W/D hookups $1,450/mo, Non-Smoking. Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307. 2BR/2BA TOWNHOUSE with a 1 car garage at Palma Sola Trace. Available immediately. Call A Paradise at 941-778-4800 Coming soon a 3BR/2BA and a 1B NEW email R/1BA. Call for information

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

FEBRUARY 7, 2018

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$800/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-704-7525 or 941-7781915 2018 SEASONAL RENTALS Available: 2BR/1BA Gulf front from $3,850 per month, 2BR with sleeping loft from $3,850 per month. Three month minimum. Horizon Realty of Anna Maria 941-778-0426 kringco@tampabay.rr.com GREAT RATES! Weekly, Monthly. 3BR/2BA NW Bradenton. Call Grace 941-201-2190 MARCH 2018. 878 N Shore near Rod & Reel Pier. 3BR/2BA fully equipped. remodeled cottage. $4200/March + taxes & security. Call 863-4128198 HOLMES BEACH LOVELY 2BR/1.5BA 1/2 Duplex. Short walk to Beach. Beautiful private back yard. Fully equipped. March $3500 April $2500. Call 845-2063930 NW BRADENTON Open Living Room, Kitchen 1BR/1BA W/D in unit. No pets/Smoking. Available March 11. One week minimum $450/wk or $1700/ mo. All utilities included. Call 941-792-0258 or 941761-4483.

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $165. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all airports, appointments, casino, cruises, etc. Tampa $60. Sarasota $30. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018

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Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 MOVERS

HAULING

PAINTING

HOME IMPROVEMENT

TRANSPORTATION HOME SITTING / PET SITTING

THE SUN

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FEBRUARY 7, 2018