Anna Maria Island Sun October 28, 2020

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 21 No. 3

October 28, 2020

Tourism remains down in pandemic Though visitor numbers are off due to COVID-19, a major baseball event in the works for next September promises to draw thousands.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The coronavirus pandemic continues to keep out-of-state and international tourists away from Manatee County, but Floridians are still coming, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council learned at its Oct. 19 meeting.

During the 11 months ending in August, 35.9% more Floridians visited the county compared to the same period in 2018-19, said Anne Wittine, of Research Data Services, Manatee County’s tourism consultant.

However, she added, Florida visitors stay for a shorter time, typically weekends, and spend less money than out-of-state or international visitors.

Those markets have contracted during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

While August visitation was up 12% over last year, “this doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods,” Wittine said.

Due to the pandemic, “We still don’t have an international market,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors CINDY LANE | SUN

A new tourism marketing campaign aimed at couples and families is designed to calm apprehension about traveling during a pandemic.

Time running out to get vote-by-mail ballots in Almost 2,300 Anna Maria Island voters received vote-bymail ballots.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – If you received a vote-by-mail ballot, you must return it in time for it to be received by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office by Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., regardless of the postmarked date.

About 45% of Manatee County’s registered voters received vote-bymail ballots, according to elections office figures. As of Monday, Oct. 19, 124,130 vote-by-mail ballots were sent out, Elections Office Chief Deputy

INSIDE NEWS

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OUTDOORS

17-18

REAL ESTATE

22-26

RESTAURANTS

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Vote-by-mail ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Sharon Stief said. As of Saturday, Oct. 24 - the deadline to apply for mail-in ballots - Manatee County had 274,344 registered voters, including 118,799 SEE BALLOTS, PAGE 25

IT’S BEGINNING to look a lot like pumpkins in Food & Wine. 21

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SEE TOURISM, PAGE 25

Cast your vote on election day

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | KSWAIN@AMISUN.COM

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Election day is coming up Nov. 3. If you aren’t voting by mail, you have the opportunity to vote in person on election day or participate in early voting.

Early voting takes place daily 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1. Manatee County voters can cast their ballot at any early voting location. Locations include the Florida Department of Transportation office at 14000 SR 64 E. in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch Town Hall at 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. in Lakewood Ranch, the Manatee County Utilities Administration office at 4410 66th St. W. in Bradenton, Palmetto Library at 923 Sixth St. W. in Palmetto, the Rocky Bluff Library at 6750 US Hwy 301 in Ellenton and the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office at 600 301 Blvd. W. in

Bradenton. Vote by mail ballots can also be dropped off at any early voting location.

On election day, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anna Maria voters will go to Roser Memorial Community Church at 512 Pine Ave. to cast their ballots. Holmes Beach voters can go to St. Bernard Catholic SEE VOTE, PAGE 25

SOLUTIONS ELUSIVE in

possible murder-suicide case. 5 PET Evacuation Guide reveals where

to take Fido in a storm. 19-20

SPORTS 28

Anna Maria Island, Florida

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

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Bradenton Beach enacting 'micromobile' leasing moratorium The proposed action won't prevent street legal, three-wheeled auto cycles from traveling within Bradenton Beach.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach City Commission is in the process of enacting a temporary 180-day moratorium on the leasing of micromobility devices that include three-wheeled autocycles and motorized scooters and bicycles.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the city commission unanimously supported Ordinance 25-24 as presented on first reading. If adopted on second and final reading in early November, the six-month moratorium will take effect retroactively back to Sept. 1.

City Attorney Ricinda Perry said the moratorium is not an attempt to prohibit rented autocycles or other street-legal devices from traveling from other points of the Island into Bradenton Beach.

“We don’t care about them driving on the streets, because that’s something I

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

The proposed moratorium will not prevent autocycles leased in Anna Maria from traveling into Bradenton Beach. can’t prohibit under the state statute.

But what I can do is prevent the businesses from setting up and creating a point of sale within the city. That is what we’re targeting. We don’t want them stored here. We’re finding these companies are storing their stuff on vacant land or on city property and coming around and collecting it whenever

they want. We’re targeting that behavior,” Perry told The Sun on Monday.

With the capability to travel at speeds greater than 20 mph, three-wheeled autocycles are considered street legal in Florida. The state requires autocycles to be licensed, insured and operated by someone who is at least 16 years old and has a valid driver’s license.

During Thursday’s meeting, Mayor John Chappie said he asked Perry to prepare a moratorium ordinance for commission consideration.

Perry then read aloud the title section of the requested ordinance: “An ordinance declaring, establishing and imposing a temporary moratorium on the issuance of any authorizations, permits or franchises pertaining to micromobility hubs, the use of, or the offering for hire of, micromobility devices including but not limited to motorized scooters, motorized bicycles and scoot coupes (auto cycles) within the incorporated area of the city of Bradenton Beach for a period of 180 days in order to allow an opportunity for the city to develop regulations for such uses in the city.”

The ordinance notes Florida Statute 316.003(38) defines a micromobility device as “Any motorized transportation made available for private use by reservation through an online application, website, or software for point-topoint trips and which is not capable of traveling at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground.”

SEE MORATORIUM, PAGE 18

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ISLAND NEWS

IN BRIEF

Two apply for Anna Maria Commission seat Anna Maria residents Doris Sebring and Sharon Wisniewski have applied to be appointed to fill the city commission seat vacated by former commissioner Amy Tripp, according to Mayor Dan Murphy. After the Nov. 3 general election results are certified, sitting commissioners Carol Carter, Jon Crane, Joe Muscatello and Mark Short will appoint a new commissioner to serve Tripp’s two-year commission term Tripp. The commissioner was running unopposed and would have won the seat had she not resigned and moved to North Carolina. Applications will be accepted through the close of business on Monday, Nov. 16. Applications can be downloaded at the city website, www.cityofannamaria.com, or obtained directly from the city clerk’s office at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Applicants must be registered to vote in Anna Maria and must have lived in Anna Maria for at least the past two years. Completed applications and the requested supporting documents are to be submitted by mail using the city hall mailing address: P.O. Box 779, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

Beach market returns to Coquina The Beach Market is coming back to Coquina Beach. Starting Nov. 1, each Sunday dozens of vendors will line the multi-use path at Coquina from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2650 Gulf Drive S. in Bradenton Beach. Items for sale range from local artwork to jewelry, clothing, baked goods, gifts and much more. Wednesday markets will begin on Dec. 2. All markets are subject to cancelation due to inclimate weather. For more information, call 941-518-4431.

Stakeholder workshop at city field Holmes Beach Code Compliance officers are holding a stakeholder workshop outside at the pavilion at city field. The workshop, which takes place at 9 a.m. on Oct. 28, also can be attended via Zoom. Topics for the workshop include parking and noise, the vacation rental certificate program and application, how officers use software to find illegal vacation rentals and proper trash can placement. Representatives from the city as well as Waste Pro will be on-hand to answer any questions. To attend via Zoom, call in at 1-929-205-6099, meeting ID 938 6034 6381 or visit https://zoom. us/j/93860346381. All in-person attendees are asked to practice social distancing during the workshop.

Visit our website, www.amisun.com.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

Beach renourishment staging area concerns addressed

While most appreciate the wider beaches on Anna Maria Island, the beach renourishment project ending this month has raised some questions about the methods used.

BY JOE HENDRICKS AND CINDY LANE SUN STAFF | jhendricks@amisun.com, clane@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Gulf View condominium residents and rental owners Yvette and Harry Abrahamson say they appreciate the beach renourishment efforts, but they had been concerned about a staging area that was finally relocated on Friday.

The Abrahamsons own two condos in the Gulf View condominium building at 104 Gulf Drive S. They live in one unit and use the other as a vacation rental. According to Yvette, a staging area containing several unused pipes had been sitting on the beach in front of their condos since Oct. 5.

Until Friday, the pipes, staging area and temporary plastic fencing impeded beach access for Gulf View residents and rental guests. The Abrahamsons said this resulted in recent rental guests requesting and receiving partial refunds.

The Abrahamsons recently emailed the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and Manatee County in hopes of getting the staging area located to a less impactful area. They also emailed their concerns to Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie.

The $17 million beach renourishment project is being conducted by the Corps of Engineers with an anticipated completion date the first week of November. Construction began on July 8 at 78th Street in Holmes Beach and continues to move toward Longboat Pass in Bradenton Beach. Along the way, the threat of hurricanes stalled the project more than once, causing impacts to property owners, including the Abrahamsons.

In mid-October, the couple asked the Corps to move the pipes that blocked beach access for their renters.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Shown here on Thursday, Gulf View condo owners Harry and Yvette Abrahamson are pleased the beach renourishment staging area was relocated to the south the following day.

When contacted by The Sun on Oct. 19, Corps spokesman David Ruderman said the pipes remained longer in one place than planned because the work was slowed by the three erosion control groins near the Abrahamsons’ condos.

“Once they get past the groins they will move more rapidly and shrink the staging area for the pipe sections more quickly,” Ruderman wrote.

Ruderman noted the project contractor, Marinex Construction Inc., was trying to help impacted residents and installed a sand ramp over the pipes near the Beach House restaurant to accommodate a wedding ceremony.

“Despite the delays and other obstacles, the beach construction is still tracking to be complete by the first week of November, possibly a bit earlier,” Ruderman said.

On Oct. 19, Harry Abrahamson asked Ruderman to install a sand walkover bridge across the pipeline in front of the Gulf View condos.

“I feel our LLC business should be afforded the same kindness of consideration as the Beach House business,” Abrahamson noted in his email.

The requested sand walkoverwas installed last week.

MAYOR’S ASSISTANCE SOUGHT

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Abrahamsons attended a special city commission meeting and asked the mayor and commission for assistance.

They were joined at Thursday’s meeting by Joel Werginz and his wife, Denise Taylor. Werginz and Taylor own a condo in the Sandcastle condominiums to the south. Werginz said their condo is primarily used as a vacation rental but they sometimes stay there when it’s not rented, which was the case last week.

Yvette Abrahamson addressed the commission first.

“I would like to say how great the beach renourishment looks and I appreciate the hard work involved by all. That said, I do have a complaint. Our building has had the beach blocked for 21 days. We were informed before the project started that it would take about three days in each location.

We also understood that Hurricane Delta caused the work to be paused for four days in front of our condos,” she said.

SEE RENOURISH, PAGE 10

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Solutions elusive in possible murder-suicide probe The ongoing investigation has not yet produced any final findings or conclusions regarding the incident that resulted in two violent deaths.

I’ll try to put something together, but it’s going to be speculation because there’s

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – As of Monday, no additional details had been provided on the possible murder-suicide discovered at 2514 Ave. C in Bradenton Beach on Saturday, Oct. 17.

When contacted Monday, lead investigating officer Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz from the Bradenton Beach Police Department, said he was still unable to provide any new details on the incident that resulted in the violent deaths of Sabrina Dumdei, 37, and Zachary Winton, 34.

Diaz attended the autopsies conducted Monday, Oct. 19 and a week later was still awaiting the results. Police Chief Sam Speciale said the department is also awaiting toxicology report results.

The morning after the deaths were first discovered, Diaz said, “A possible murder-suicide is what it appears to be at this time, but the investigation will be

no witnesses and nobody saw anything.”

Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz, Bradenton Beach Police Department

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

A memorial for Sabrina Dumdei was created outside the Avenue C triplex where she recently lived and died. going on for quite a while. Going through the crime scene and photos, I’ll try to put something together, but it’s going to be speculation because there’s no witnesses and nobody saw anything.”

In the wake of her sister’s tragic death, Crystal Dumdei helped create a Sabrina Dumdei GoFundMe online fundraising

page that as of early Monday afternoon had raised $12,205 from 109 donors.

“We are starting this GoFundMe to help her family in this time of need with funeral costs and all other expenses.

Sabrina was a kind, beautiful, funny, loving, caring, smart woman with a heart of gold. This is an extremely difficult time

for her loved ones, and every little thing helps. Thank you for all of your support and love, God bless,” the GoFundMe page says.

Sabrina Dumdei was a well-known hairdresser who had many clients and friends on and around Anna Maria Island.

Prior to their deaths, Dumdei and Winton were involved in three recently documented domestic incidents dating back to July that resulted in responses from the Bradenton Police Department or the Bradenton Beach Police Department.

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OPINION

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper 3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

Beach renourishment: Absolutely necessary

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other nature never intended barrier islands like Anna Maria Island to be populated.

The sands gradually shift from the Gulfside to the bayside and back again in natural cycles that may take years. During that time, those of us who live on or visit the Island watch the Gulf of Mexico creep ever closer to our homes and rentals – sometimes, especially during hurricane season, way too close.

That’s why there’s beach renourishment.

But each time there’s a beach renourishment project, there are complaints.

Tourists and residents are inconvenienced by the 24/7 noise from backup alarms on construction equipment.

The bright lights at night make you close your blinds and keep you from seeing the stars.

Sand walkovers over the pipeline are spaced some distance from each other, making for uphill hikes carrying coolers and chairs and umbrellas and kids.

And this year, net fences were installed, designating paths to access the beach that added more steps to the journey.

The new beach covers up nearshore reefs with sand, limiting snorkeling and diving and fishing and crabbing opportunities. Without reefs, the surf doesn’t break, reducing good days for surfers.

Seashells are removed from the new sand, limiting beachcombers’ chances of making a find.

It’s a long, long hike to the water with your tent in the places where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed its work.

But without beach renourishment, here’s what could happen.

Beachfront residents eventually would not have their homes, as floodwaters would undermine their foundations.

Vacation rental property owners would not have the income from their rentals.

Real estate companies would not be earning commissions from selling vacation rentals and homes.

Tourists would not be coming to Anna Maria Island in droves.

Restaurants and businesses would not have those customers.

Workers would not have jobs at those businesses.

Hurricane evacuation routes would be limited, with parts of Gulf Drive underwater.

Shorebirds and sea turtles would have tiny strips of sand on which to nest, instead of the renourished wide expanses that increase their chances of survival.

On balance, the beach renourishment project is not only a good thing, it’s absolutely necessary, and is one of the very few things in life that support both the economy and the environment simultaneously.

The project will be ending in a few days. So, to the Army and its contractor, so long, and thanks for all the sand.

See Letters to the Editor on Page 15.

Voters can make a big impact on clean water and flood protection

GUEST EDITORIAL

By Lee Amos Staff biologist for Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast

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e are the last generation that can save Manatee County’s water and land. Truly, over the next 10 or 20 years, the remaining open spaces – be they farms, fields or forests, one acre or 1,000 acres – will be developed. With that development, we will lose those irreplaceable lands that currently provide the community with clean water, scenic roadways, food and farms, forests and fields. Green will give way to grey. The outcome will be disastrous, unless we achieve balance, unless we make smart decisions today.

Thankfully, Manatee County voters will have that option Nov. 3, with a citizen-led referendum on their ballot entitled, “Water Quality Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Preservation, and Park Ad Valorem Tax and Bonds.” A vote “FOR” the referendum will provide funding to save irreplaceable parts of beautiful Manatee

County, forever. Manatee County voters may never have a better chance to make a bigger impact on clean water, flood protection, the economy, the environment, and overall community well-being than with this single vote.

What sort of land will be saved?

The answer may be as diverse and beautiful as Manatee County itself.

Everything from small vacant lots to large ranches are eligible, as long as they accomplish the ballot purpose to “…protect drinking water sources and water quality, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, prevent stormwater runoff pollution, and provide parks…” Imagine a 5-acre beachfront parcel on Anna Maria Island, and a 500-acre cattle ranch on the Manatee River.

Both places offer the public something special, and both places would be eligible. ountywide, this means preserving a network of rivers, working farmlands, wildlife management areas, parks, trails, and preserves that all serve the common good. So regardless of what your interest is, this program will benefit you. Whether you love to fish the waters, or just drink them; whether you’re crazy for hiking,

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or prefer to cruise a scenic road; whether you work the soil with your hands, or just enjoy eating its produce; whether you want to lose yourself on a trail, or find yourself a trophy deer; whether you visit the park every day, or barbecue once a year with family, this ballot measure will preserve special places for you to enjoy.

How will the preservation program work? After passage, funding will finance the acquisition, improvement, and management of essential lands. The program will rely upon objective property evaluation criteria, a citizen oversight committee, preliminary and final Manatee County Commission approval of all transactions, and an annual audit of finances.

Manatee County is the only county on Florida’s southwest coast that doesn’t have a dedicated funding source for land preservation.

How does saving land help water? The answer is simple: clean land makes clean water.

Manatee County’s drinking water comes from two major sources – a reservoir on the Braden River and a reservoir on the Manatee SEE EDITORIAL, PAGE 7

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

ON THE AGENDA ANNA MARIA

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information.

Oct. 29, 9 a.m. – Special Magistrate hearing Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Election Day. Voting open at Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave. Nov. 9, 2 p.m. – Planning and Zoning board meeting Nov. 12, 2 p.m. – City Commission special meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

THE SUN

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EDITORIAL: Make an impact FROM PAGE 6

River – and all that water comes from rainfall, which gathers on fields and forests, and then into creeks and rivers. If those fields and forests become roads, sidewalks, yards, and roofs, we will see significant pollution,and a massive cost to taxpayers to clean the water for drinking. The same will happen to our bays and beaches. The cheapest and most enjoyable way to have clean water is to preserve multiple-use, multiple-benefit green spaces.

What will this cost you? The average homeowner in Manatee County will pay $29 per year, based on

an average residential taxable value in Manatee County of $193,378. That’s just $2.40 per month.

Would you pay $2.40 a month to keep the beach clean and swimmable, to keep drinking water safe to drink, to prevent destructive floods, to provide parks and preserves for your everyday use and enjoyment, to save land for fish and game and other wildlife? If yes, then you must vote “FOR” the water and land referendum. Otherwise, you are likely to lose much of what makes Manatee County great.

Please, visit www.voteforwaterandland.org to learn more, and please vote on Nov. 3.

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.

Oct. 29, 9:15 a.m. – City Commission emergency meeting Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Election Day. Voting open at the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall, 201 Second St. N. Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Nov. 4, 2 p.m. – Scenic WAVES meeting Nov. 5, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Nov. 12, 1 p.m. – Department Head meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800

City hall is open to the public with limited capacity and safety protocols in place. Please visit www.holmesbeachfl. org or contact city hall for more information.

Oct. 28, 9 a.m. – Code Compliance stakeholder workshop, city field pavilion Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Election Day. Voting open at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive.

Nov. 4, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Nov. 4, 1:30 p.m. – Code Compliance Special Magistrate hearing Nov. 4, 6 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Nov. 11, all day – City offices closed for Veterans Day

MARKYOUR CALENDAR THURSDAY OCT. 29

AMI Chamber October Business Card Exchange, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 5 to 7 p.m., $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. CDC guidelines will be followed and participation is capped at a 50-person maximum. Reservations required to info@amichamber.org or 941-778-1541.

Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

SATURDAY OCT. 31

Happy Halloween!

Saturday mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon. Face masks required.

SUNDAY NOV. 1

Beach market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rise and Shine Power Flow Yoga, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., $10 fee payable online or by cash at the door. Bring your own yoga mat. Register at https://parks.mymanatee.org/ wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?primarycode=110006 or call 941-742-5923 ext. 6042 for more information.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

No seashells by the seashore?

While most enjoy the wider beaches on Anna Maria Island, the beach renourishment project that is wrapping up has raised some questions.

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Why are seashells being removed from a beach where tourists – and residents – enjoy shelling?

Debbie Carboni raised the question as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works toward finishing its $17 million beach renourishment project by the first week of November, unless Tropical Storm Zeta changes the plans.

Construction began on July 8 at 78th Street in Holmes Beach

and is moving toward Longboat Pass in Bradenton Beach.

The shells would delight beachgoers, some of whom travel long distances looking forward to combing the beach for shells, Carboni said.

Seashells are being removed to meet the contractual agreement between Manatee County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the texture of the sand, Corps spokesman David Ruderman said.

“There are just too many to leave them on site,” he wrote in an email to The Sun. “As they dredge the placement material from the borrow areas, they hit sections that have varying consistencies of shell versus sand, and have to meet prescribed size tolerances for the placement material. Occasionally they stop dredging one section

and move to the next to get a better quality (finer composition) of material. Quality of material has been excellent overall throughout the construction, and removing the larger size elements is in keeping with their monitoring the quality.”

The shells, picked up offshore, are mixed with rock and other debris, and are slated to be used in county preserve projects. Many shells that make it to the beach are broken as bulldozers push sand and shell out into the water to create a larger beach.

“I understand the beauty and surprise of finding amazing shells on the beach,” Ruderman said. “I think we can all count on mother nature to whip up some weather down the road to deposit more along the shore in the old-fashioned way.”

DEBBIE CARBONI | SUBMITTED

Seashells mixed with rock and debris are being removed from the new sand placed on AMI’s beaches.

TRICK-OR-TREATING MAY BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, BUT WE'RE READY TO MAKE IT AN UN-BOO-LIEVABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDDOS!

Penny-an-Inch EXTENDED through HALLOWEEN WEEKEND! All children will receive a trick-or-treat bag with purchase of meal on day of Halloween, 10/31/20.

Children 10 years and under dine for 1¢ per inch of height.

LANDSIDE

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1525 51st Avenue East 941.721.7773

BRIDGE ST. PIER Bradenton Beach 941.778.AMOB (2662)

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

OWN A PRIVATE ISLAND RETREAT.

THE SUN

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Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. One Particular Harbour and the One Particular Harbour logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. 2020. CGC 1519880.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

RENOURISH: Staging area concerns addressed FROM PAGE 4

“The issue is that when they completed the work in this area, they decided to make it a staging area. Pipes have been sitting there blocking access to the walkover for two weeks now. The Beach House was able to get their requested walkover for weddings, but our building has lost revenue for three weeks’ worth of guests. Our next arrival is Friday and I can’t believe we’ll be headed into a fourth partial refund,” she said.

“I’ll look into it. I promise. It’s a county project. I will see what I can find out and get back with you.” Chappie responded.

“We’ve called everyone and all we’re asking for is one section in front of Gulf View to be moved to the south,” Harry Abrahamson told the mayor and commission.

Werginz said the Sandcastle condos were not as impacted as those at Gulf View, but guests and residents still had to walk around the pipes to access the beach.

“Earlier this week, they put those berms over the long pipe, which we understand is needed, but why can’t these guys move these pipes 100 yards further south where there would be no financial impact?” Werginz asked.

Werginz noted the staging area was negatively impacting vacation rental owners whose taxes help fund beach renourishment. He also expressed concern about rental guests having a bad vacation experience.

SITUATION RESOLVED

On Friday afternoon, the Abrahamsons told The Sun the staging area and temporary fencing had been removed and all that remained was the main pipe still in use.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

A sand walkover now provides Gulf View guests and residents with easier access to the beach and water.

“We thank everybody, including Mayor Chappie, who helped get the staging area relocated. If we hadn’t gone to the commission, I don’t think this would have happened,” Yvette said. Werginz sent a similar text expressing similar appreciation for the relocation efforts.

When contacted Sunday, Chappie explained that in response to the condo owners’ concerns he asked Lt. John Cosby from the Bradenton Beach Police Department to speak directly to the renourishment crew.

“I didn’t have to go any further than that,” Chappie said. “They realized there was a problem when we approached them directly and they didn’t have a problem moving the staging area. I’m pleased with the cooperative effort. It’s always nice to start at the local level first. That’s why we’re here.”

Chappie said he also reached out to the condo owners to let them know the staging area would be relocated.

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Florida Fishing Fleet snags Chamber golf tournament win The annual tournament proceeds help fund scholarships for local students.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON – The foursome of golfers representing the Cortez-based Florida Fishing Fleet won the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual golf tournament.

The tournament was held Friday at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton.

The winning foursome consisted of Florida Fishing Fleet co-owner Lance Plowman and his teammates Will Osborne, Donny Johnson and Ryan Young.

Playing a best-ball tournament format, the Florida Fishing Fleet foursome needed only 54 strokes to complete 18 holes.

Each of the winning golfers received a $100 gift certificate from the Ugly Grouper restaurant in Holmes Beach.

Representing AAA Payroll Services, Mike Southwick, Mark Ball, Randy Clark and Kevin Laugh finished second by shooting a 55. The second-place golfers each earned a $50 gift certificate from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Southwick is a Chamber board member.

“It’s an awesome tournament. I wish we could have had the full field of players but under the circumstances I think we scratched out a nice tournament,” he said, noting the tournament was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proceeds from the annual tournament help fund scholarships given to local students.

“We get 15 to 20 applications from local high school kids. They’re all amazing. They all deserve a scholarship and there’s usually two or three that just rise above the masses,” Southwick said.

The scholarships can be used for

CATHY PIZZO | SUBMITTED

Above,Rick Boston, center, won the long-distance putting contest. Left, Chamber President Terri Kinder, center, rewarded Will Osborne, Lance Plowman, Ryan Young and Donny Johnson for their championship efforts. college, technical school or any other educational pursuit.

“The money goes directly to them and they can spend it as they see fit,” Southwick said, noting the caliber of applicants continually gives him hope for the future.

Representing North River Errands, David Berube, Perry Schunz, Greg Crocker and Mike Fields finished third by shooting a combined score of 56. For this, each team member earned a $25 gift certificate from the Bonefish Grill.

Representing team Pizza Villa, Rick Boston won the long-distance putting contest on the practice putting green near the first hole. Boston’s long-distance putt came within 5 inches of the cup and for that, he and his teammates each won

a $25 gift certificate to the Anna Maria Island Beach Café in Holmes Beach.

AMI Chamber Vice President Cathy Pizzo measured the putts that came close enough to the pin to be considered contenders. Many came close, but none of the golfers sank their long-distance putt on the single attempt they were given.

After teeing off at the second hole, Chamber member Pat Evans said, “It’s a great day and it’s a good charity.”

His foursome included Jim Connelly, Steve Sweney and Dan Hoversten; they shot a combined score of 77.

Tyler’s Gourmet Ice Cream was represented by Dan and Sandy Alderson, their son Rob and Rob’s wife Laura.

“I love the tournament. I love the

Chamber and I love our area,” Dan Alderson said while making his way from the putting green to the first hole. The Aldersons shot a combined score of 66.

On the third hole, each of the 74 participating golfers had the chance to shoot a hole-in-one to win the free two-year lease of a 2020 Cadillac CT5 courtesy of Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton. Despite their best efforts, none of the tournament golfers were able to shoot a hole-in-one on the par 3 hole that measured 165 yards from the men’s tee and 150 yards from the women’s tee.

“It was an awesome event. Everybody had a great time. We had fun, the weather was great and it was a great atmosphere for a great cause,” Pizzo said of this year’s tournament.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

ELECT RICK HURST for Holmes Beach Commissioner

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

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Watch a movie under the stars

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

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ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Movie theaters may be temporarily closed but that doesn’t mean families can’t enjoy a cinematic experience. A free, family-friendly movie under the stars will be presented at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at Holmes Beach city field.

The event, featuring the film “Dolphin Tale”, is one of four outdoor movie events taking place that evening across Manatee County, courtesy of the Florida Cultural Group and Bradenton Area Arts and Culture.

Attendees at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch will be treated to the film “Pele: Birth of a Legend” while moviegoers at Palmetto on the Manatee River can enjoy “Peanut Butter Falcon.” Over at the Manatee Performing Arts Center families can view the classic “Swiss Family Robinson” on the big screen.

Social distancing will be practiced in each venue and attendees are invited to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs to view the show.

At Premier Sports Campus attendees are required to reserve tickets and the use of face masks is encouraged outside of your personal viewing area. At Palmetto on the Manatee River, the film will be projected onto the Palmetto Pier, allowing for viewing from boats or from the ground. No reservations are required. At Manatee Performing Arts Center reservations are required and viewing is allowed from outside or inside your vehicle.

For moviegoers at Holmes Beach city field, the fun starts long before the 7:30 p.m. showtime.

Prior to viewing “Dolphin Tale”, The Center of Anna Maria Island invites everyone out to the launch of the Go Green Two Speaker Series at city field. Beginning at 5 p.m. the educational team from the Clearwater Marina Aquarium Research Institute will tell the actual tale of Winter the dolphin’s prosthetic tail.

At 5:30 p.m. Jim McDaniel of The Center will start the introductions followed by a Zoom interview with explorer and philanthropist Philippe Cousteau Jr. Cous-

SUBMITTED | THE CENTER OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Enjoy a free movie night under the stars Nov. 14 courtesy of the Florida Cultural Group, Bradenton Area Arts and Culture and The Center of Anna Maria Island. teau will be interviewed by Anna Maria Elementary fourth grade student Addy Du Toit who was so inspired by his talk at The Center last year that she started her own initiative to keep plastics out of the water by encouraging everyone to switch from plastic to bamboo toothbrushes. You can follow her initiative at www. kidssaveearth.com.

At 6 p.m., Cousteau passes the microphone to Dr. Buddy Powell and Dr. Anmari Alvarez who will give presentations on the birthing of Right Whales off the coast of Florida and the migration of manatees between Cuba and the southwest Florida coast.

All of The Center’s speaker events are free to the public with space on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are required, however, reservations are required to view “Dolphin Tale” at city field.

For more information about The Center’s Go Green Campaign, visit www. centerami.org.

To reserve tickets to a starlight movie, visit www. tickets.flculturalgroup. org or call 941-748-5875.

Face masks are required to be worn outside of your personal viewing area at Holmes Beach city field during all of the evening’s events.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Christenson for commissioner Jayne Christenson is the best choice for commissioner if you are a citizen of Holmes Beach. I served on the Congestion Committee in 2014-16 in Holmes Beach in which Jayne was chairperson.

She is an advocate and a leader for all of us, the residents that make up the character of Holmes Beach. She is prepared for the dynamic growth in Manatee County and how it will be affecting us. Manatee County is growing by 10,000 people every single year.

They all want to come here to “The Islands of Bradenton” as the olde maps used to identify Anna Maria Island. We need Jayne to look out for the interest and protection of the people that reside in residential neighborhoods.

If we lose more locals, Holmes Beach will become another Florida city of vacation rentals. Jayne has a vision for the future of our community. Protect the residential neighborhoods, bring balance to Holmes Beach and consider voting for preservation of the character of our town, Holmes Beach.

Richard Brown Holmes Beach FL

Someone Who Cares

Vote for land plan

It’s really nice to have one of our involved citizens who really cares about our community to step up and run for the Holmes Beach Commission.

Jayne Christenson has found that right balance of caring about our residents, businesses and visitors with her vision of enhancing Holmes Beach as a beautiful place to live, work and play.

She has devoted the time to personally meet as many residents as possible, sharing her vision and seeking their input (and leaving a nice little bottle of hand sanitizer). She brings the perspective of a mother with a teenage son (Anna Maria Elementary and now the Island Publix), a wife, productivity and teamwork from her on-going professional career, and the ability to weather unfair criticism. Her fresh ideas will enhance our Commission, replacing the staleness of one candidate and the neglect of another to mention his direct financial interest in maximizing weekly rentals and parking.

As a second-generation Floridian married to a fifth-generation Floridian, past county commissioner of District #3 and 44-year resident of the Village of Cortez, I will be voting YES on the Manatee County “Water Quality Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Preservation and Park Ad Valorem Tax and Bond” referendum on November 3rd. Outside of having lived in Florida my whole life and having witnessed the changes in the town where I was born (Orlando) and in Manatee County, the place I call home, I would like to tell you why I support this tax. I take a very generalist view of why I will be voting YES, not focusing on specifics of water, or air or special environments, on which I could write pages, but here is a simple, straightforward reason I believe we should all vote YES on this referendum.

First, I want to say for me this is not a Democratic or Republican party issue, this is a community issue, a quality of life issue, not just for us but for future generations of residents bound to live in this beautiful county.

We are so different from those counties which surround us. We are unique and we must protect that which makes us unique. For me that uniqueness comes from what I call our low profile. We

David Cheshire Holmes Beach

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don't have any 20-story buildings clustered tightly together. We have low-rise buildings, trees and open space around us. Despite our growth, we have a welcoming, friendly, old Florida feel.

Now there can be no denying that this county is growing and it has grown exponentially over the past 40 years, with a population increase of 300%.

Manatee County's population when we first returned in 1975 was 132,000 people; now it is 410,000. So, if for no other reason than our rate of growth, we need to protect open space, our water resources and provide parks and OUTDOOR recreation for our present populace and those who will inevitably join us here in paradise.

If we have learned anything from this horrific year and the pandemic, it has shown us that we need open space, clean air and water to survive and live HEALTHY lives. We are blessed to live in paradise – let’s protect it. I will be voting YES on the “Water Quality Protection......Ad Valorem Tax and Bond,” won't you join me? Vote YES to protect our community, our health and our future.

Jane von Hahmann Cortez

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In the SANCTUARY and ONLINE Go to www.RoserChurch.com Click WORSHIP-SIGNUP , WATCH LIVE or WATCH LATER Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin.

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer & meditation.

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SUBMITTED | ANNA MARIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Local business celebrates school staff Kelly Gitt, above left, of The Gitt Team and also a parent of a student, and Joey Dale, owner of The Feast Restaurant in Holmes Beach, surprised the staff at Anna Maria Elementary School on Oct. 16 with lunch for the staff. The surprise lunch was a gift as thanks for the hard work that Principal Jackie Featherston, far right, the teachers and the entire staff have put in during the first quarter of the new school year.

OCTOBER 28, 2020

OUTDOORS

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Enlightened self-interest Reel Time RUSTY CHINNIS

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ith just over a week until election day, regular readers of this column can probably guess how this writer will be voting.

I’ve said it more than once, but this bears repeating: I don’t consider myself a Republican or a Democrat, I vote environment.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, I will be casting my vote based on research I’ve done on how the candidates have voted in the past. I consult the League of Conservation Voters, lcv.org, a nonpartisan organization that scores politicians on their voting record on environmental issues. It seems a no-brainer that we would vote for candidates who place a priority on the health and welfare of their constituents, not to mention the long-term health of the economy.

Unfortunately, we have a trick played on us. Politicians are quick to paint themselves as pro-environment and will promise to protect the planet.

Anything to get the vote. Once elected they all too often fall under the influence of the special interests that helped bankroll their campaigns. Then it’s

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN

payback time and votes get cast that don’t represent the common good.

It doesn’t have to be this way if we do our homework, and it’s important that we do. Special interests are just that and often sway politicians to vote in ways that ultimately don’t even serve them. This has never been truer, from local politics to the national stage.

Consider this question on the ballot in Manatee County: The water quality protection and land conservation referendum, when approved, will authorize Manatee County to purchase natural areas and parklands to protect drinking

water sources and water quality. I was surprised when large signs appeared encouraging voters to reject this referendum. The reasoning? No new taxes, the only message the sign conveys. Even more disturbing, but not a surprise given the politics of this election cycle, this was an initiative backed by the Republican Party as well as a prominent local developer. While I was quick to condemn Republicans in general, I was encouraged by the fact that some of the most ardent supporters of this referendum are Republican.

There are a lot of voters from local politics to the national

stage from both parties that understand the importance of protecting the planet for future generations. This is not a new awareness but one that is increasingly relevant. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist, lecturer, philosopher and poet may have said it best: “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

That’s why who we elect and what we vote for are so important. The only way for us to protect the natural places and the health of our water and air is to cast a vote for the environment, our children, and future generations.

Like so many things in life, there really is no black and white. I worked as an island contractor for close to 35 years and saw the connection between the health of the local environment and the local economy. A vote to protect the environment is a vote for a strong economy both locally and nationally.

The group promoting the local referendum sums it up on their website, voteforwaterandland. org: “WATER is Life… Nothing is more important than keeping our water clean and free of pollution. Purchasing and preserving natural areas to improve water quality is crucial to preserve the quality of life in Manatee County.”

This proposal will protect our drinking water sources, prevent polluted stormwater runoff from flowing into bays, rivers and creeks and provide natural floodwater storage.

That’s good policy locally and nationally.

When you go to the polls or mail your ballot, make sure you’ve properly vetted the politicians you cast your vote for.

We owe future generations the promise of a sustainable future, one that taxes us to take responsibility for fixing faulty infrastructure, protecting natural lands, and transitioning to energy sources that protect water, air and biodiversity, locally and nationally. Think of it as enlightened self-interest.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

Storm coming, fish jumping CAPTAIN DAVE WHITE

The fishing has been good this past week! "Pelagics" seems to be the name of the game right now. As we trend into fall, the Spanish mackerel, kingfish and bonita are covering the beaches.

Using live pilchards on long-shanked hooks, expect flurries of fast fish smashing baits behind the boat. Always fun to see.

We were fortunate enough to get offshore on Sunday, the only day the wind really laid down. The yellowtail were practically jumping in the boat. I think they feel the storm is coming and it’s probably close to migration time for them so they were gorging.

We also got mangroves up to 25 inches. These fish are in the 8 pound range. A red grouper here and there capped off the trip.

I’m anxious to see what will happen in the next week or so. Hopefully, we can still keep at it with the approaching storm. Good luck out there!

CAPTAIN RICK GRASSETT

A fly fishing school is scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, 1249 Stickney Point Road in Sarasota. The Orvis-endorsed course, designed for beginer and intermediate fly casters, will focus on basic fly casting principles, improving casting skills and correcting faults. Instructor Capt. Rick Grassett will also cover saltwater fly fishing techniques, leader construction and fly selection. The cost for the class is $195 per person and includes the use of Orvis fly tackle, workbook and lunch. Optional instructional, guided fly fishing trips are also available for an additional fee. Contact CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at 941-349-4400 or email info@cbsoutfitters.com to make reservations.

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Olga Marchetti, of Baltimore, shows off a light tackle bonita caught with Captain David White of Anna Maria Charters.

MORATORIUM: on micromobility leasing FROM PAGE 3

A clause contained in the ordinance states, “Shared use programs result in micromobility devices being left unattended and parked or leaned on walls or sidewalks, thereby creating a hazard and impediment to accessibility for pedestrians and persons with mobility challenges.”

Another clause says, “The city commission finds and declares a need to temporarily prohibit the offering for hire of motorized scooters and micromobility devices within the city in order to allow for the development of regulations for such uses.”

According to the ordinance, “During the period of this moratorium, the city shall not process or issue any authorizations, permits or franchises, nor shall it process any applications, concerning micromobility hubs/kiosks or the offering for hire of motorized scooters or micromobility devices within the city.”

Perry told the commission the moratorium would prevent the city from issuing a business tax receipt license or allowing someone to seek city approval to open a micromobility leasing business while the moratorium remains in effect.

“We essentially have six months to figure out the regulations and how we want to do this. A lot of jurisdictions have been going through this in the last six to 12 months, including the city of Bradenton. Anna Maria has adopted a moratorium. Holmes Beach is adopting a moratorium. There’s a lot of regulations coming out on this particular topic,” Perry told the commission.

“I’m fine with all this right now. We need to get a handle on it,” Chappie said.

“I agree,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

FOOD & WINE

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It’s beginning to look a lot like pumpkins Brian Mathae

Pumpkin Bisque Bisque Ingredients

4 slices of bacon, chopped 1/2 sweet onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika 1/4 tsp. brown sugar 1/4 tsp. cumin 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/8 tsp. nutmeg 15 oz. of organic pumpkin puree 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock 1/2 cup heavy cream 3 tbs. chopped chives

HURRICANE HANKS

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hile most Americans get to experience all the sensations that come with the changing of seasons, we Floridians only experience small changes in humidity and hurricane forecasts. Elsewhere, fall provides some of the most beautiful vibrant colors, cooler night temperatures, and allows one to enjoy the comfort of flannel jackets and favorite jeans. Here in Florida the only sign fall is here is when all the grocery stores start selling pumpkins! Don’t get me wrong, we moved here for the beach and the sun.

But it’s been a long, hot summer and we are still waiting for the opportunity to open the windows at night and enjoy a cool, peaceful night as fresh air comforts our slumber. I’m so ready for it. It will come soon enough and we will probably be complaining how cold it is when temperatures drop into the 60s. After all, I didn’t say I wanted to freeze my butt off!

Until then, I’ll embrace the pumpkin and all that it has to offer. It’s a fruit (a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants), that has many uses. It’s a comforting flavor found in lattes, pies, salads, soups and snacks. It also happens to be a requirement for any Halloween display! For those of you who have visited Hanks recently, I’m sure you have noticed more than a few pumpkins adorning every nook and cranny.

Pumpkins were one of the first crops grown for human consumption in North America. Due to the thick, hard flesh, they were ideal for longterm storage without spoilage and were an important nutrient source. To this day, pumpkin remains a great food source, offering dense nutrition, significant antioxidants and vitamins all in a low-calorie food. Some of you may recall from previous columns that my parents are from Austria. My father is from the province of Steiermark. Pumpkin seed oil is a unique product of the area. It takes some 3,035 pumpkins to make 1 liter of pumpkin seed oil. It has an obvious green color and the scent of roasted nuts. As a highly concentrated oil, the nutritional components are exponential. The oil is intended to be used in dressings or as a flavor enhancement to various pasta, vegetable or even fish dishes. Heating it to use in cooking is

Bisque Directions

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not recommended as heat will destroy some of the positive characteristics of it. You may be able to find it in some local specialty shops or order it online, but be careful to find 100% virgin pumpkin seed oil. While not necessary, a small drizzle of it as a finishing touch to today’s recipe would elevate this great dish even further.

Today we are offering you a heartwarming soup recipe, Pumpkin Bisque with Cheese, Honey and Orange Croutons.

Full of flavor and contrasting textures, it’s sure to be a hit for everyone at your dinner table. Because of the forward flavor of the Romano cheese and the sweetness of the honey and orange, we think a Chardonnay would make the appropriate pairing. It serves six.

www.TheFeastRestaurantAMI.com

In a pot over medium heat cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel to drain. Add onion, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper and nutmeg and stir until the onions are well cooked and golden brown. Add the pumpkin puree and vegetable stock to the pot and stir well. Transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return it to the pot and once boiling, re-duce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the cream and adjust with additional salt and pepper if so desired.

Portion the soup into individual bowls and top with the bacon, chives and cheese croutons. If you have pumpkin seed oil, lightly drizzle oil on the top of the soup and croutons.

Croutons Ingredients

1 baguette cut into 1/2 thick slices 2 tbs. olive oil 1/2 lb. grated Romano cheese 3 tbs honey Zest of 1 orange

Croutons Directions

Preheat oven to 400F. Brush one side of each crouton with a small amount of olive oil. Arrange as a single layer of bread on a baking sheet. Sprinkle cheese over each slice. Place in oven and heat until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and drizzle honey over the cheese and top with orange zest. Place croutons in the soup just prior to serving.

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REAL ESTATE

OCTOBER 28, 2020

Ghosts, goblins and COVID

alloween is in a couple of days, the first holiday since COVID struck that wearing a mask is not only encouraged, but welcome. Because of our beautiful fall weather, all of the little ghosts and goblins will be able to walk up and down the streets looking for treats, hopefully safely masked. Undoubtedly the scariest thing this Halloween won’t be the Mummy or Dracula but the thing we can’t see - COVID droplets.

The second most scary thing is what our financial situation will be after this is all behind us. As far as the real estate market, it is proving to be very durable with appreciation expanding and houses being eaten up as soon as they hit the market. Buyers are so ready to fight their way into homeownership that a large percentage aren’t even leaving their homes to do so.

According to realtor.com, 24% of 1,300 consumers surveyed said they would be willing to buy without seeing a property in person. This was back in April, so it’s likely

Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER that a more up-to-date survey would provide a larger percentage. Another survey dating to 2018 indicates that 20% of potential buyers made an offer on a property without seeing it in person. In a similar survey after COVID, this number has moved up to 45% so far this year, and it’s looking like this is not just a passing trend.

Not all real estate markets are experiencing the same movement. In New York City, which has been the hardest-hit major city in the country, sales in Manhattan were down 46.4% in the third quarter of the year compared to last year per the real estate company Douglas Elliman. In addition, Manhattan currently has more than 20

months’ supply of properties available. San Francisco is experiencing a similar market with properties lingering for months without buyers.

Manatee County continues to be a hot market with several new construction properties on the drawing board. In Cortez, the Hunters Point community is getting close to breaking ground with 86 single-family homes, 47 available boat slips as well as resort and hotel units. Parrish in Manatee County’s northwestern area is exploding with new communities being built on what was previously farmland.

To say the September sales report for Manatee County reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee is good would be grossly understated - it’s great. The only problem is we can’t add new listings fast enough.

Single-family homes closed 31.4% more in September than last September. The median sale price for this year was $350,000, an 11.1% increase over last September,

and the average sale price was $478,964, a 25.5% increase. The median time to contract was 23 days, 46.5% less than last year, and the pending inventory has increased 59.5%. The month’s supply of properties is only 1.9 months, a 42.4% drop from last year.

Condos closed 73.5% more properties compared to September of last year. The median sale price was $220,000, up 10.6%, and the average sale price was $300,971, up 23.1% from last September. The median time to contract was 40 days, 44.4% fewer days than last year, and the pending inventory was up 45.8%. The month’s supply of properties was down 23.7% to 2.9 months.

The September update continues the trend of a rise in the number of sales, higher prices and fewer available listings compared to September of last year.

Enjoy Halloween with all of your masked friends and remember, if your house is haunted, it’s just between you and Casper no one else has to know. Stay safe.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

WMFR updates fire prevention code Fire district residents have until the WMFR board’s Nov. 17 meeting to review and comment on the updates to the district’s fire prevention code before it goes for a final vote.

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

BRADENTON – West Manatee Fire Rescue’s board of commissioners had a busy meeting Oct. 20, discussing updates to the district’s fire prevention code and the progress on the new administration building construction and hearing a complaint from a district resident and business owner.

First on the agenda was the proposed updates to the fire prevention code. The code governs the district staff’s stance on what fire prevention measures, such as alarms, sprinkler systems and fire suppression systems, are required in different types of building depending on size and use.

Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said that the project updates the code

and makes it easier to read while also correcting some issues in the previous language. Commissioner George Harris said he equates the regular updating of the fire prevention code to “housekeeping” for the district.

Members of the public can view the proposed updates to the fire prevention code online at www.wmfr.org and have until commissioners meet again on Nov. 17 to comment on the changes before they’re up for a final vote by commissioners.

Chief Ben Rigney gave an update on the progress made with the new administration building. He said that the site plan has been approved and work on the site, located behind the Fountain Court Shopping Center, has already begun. A building permit is expected to be received in the coming days to allow work on the structure to begin as soon as the site work is completed.

BELL FISH CO. DISPUTE

Cortez business owner and resident Karen Bell appeared before commissioners to discuss what has become a SEE WMFR, PAGE 26

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WMFR says goodbye to Commissioner Cooper

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

BRADENTON – Commissioner Randy Cooper said goodbye to his fellow West Manatee Fire Rescue district board members during an Oct. 20 meeting, marking the Cooper end of 12 years of service to the district.

To mark the occasion, Cooper was presented with the 2020 Chairman’s plaque by his fellow commissioners, along with Chief Ben Rigney and Administrative Battalion Chief Jay Johnson thanking Cooper for his years of service to the fire district.

Rigney recognized some of Cooper’s accomplishments over the years, including helping with the remodel and replacement of fire stations, overseeing and planning the district’s Citizen’s Fire Academy, launching WMFR’s rip tide awareness program at Anna Maria Island beaches and assisting with the district’s community open house programs,

among other things.

“Twelve years of dedicated service,” Rigney said. “Thank you for that.”

Cooper said it’s bittersweet to be leaving the district, but he feels that it’s the right time. He complimented his fellow commissioners and the district’s staff on their hard work and dedication over the years.

“Thank you very much for your years of service,” Commissioner George Harris said to Cooper.

“Thank you for your years of service,” Commissioner Larry Jennis said. “You’ve taught me a lot.”

“I appreciate your 12 years,” Commissioner Al Robinson said.

Commissioner David Bishop also thanked Cooper for his years of service, presenting him with the Chairman’s plaque for the year and settling for a fist bump instead of a hug due to social distancing.

“Thank you, everybody,” Cooper said. “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege.”

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OBITUARIES David “Dave� Steger David “Dave� Steger died at home in Myakka, Florida on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. He grew up in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. In 1968 at the age of 13, Dave, his mom, dad and sister traveled from Perrysburg, Ohio. Dave loved shark fishing and boating with his buddies... you know who you are! At the age of 17, Dave met the love of his life, Michele Messina, who was also an island girl. They married five years later and lived in Bradenton Beach for 20 years.

He and his father, Fred, built Trade Winds Apartments on Bradenton Beach. Dave acquired many long-lasting friendships and hosted many fun-filled poker games... you know who you are!

Dave was survived by his wife of 43 years, Michele Steger; son, Garrett; daughter, Shauna; his beloved grandsons, Bryce, age 13, and Landon, age 7; step-granddaughter,

Kaylie, age 15; and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Minnie Steger, and sister, Jean Jones. Our beloved Dave will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Eva Louise ("Eve") Coletta Pringle Eva Louise ("Eve") Coletta Pringle, 97, passed away peacefully at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL on Oct. 20, 2020 with her son, Gray, at her side. While she slowly grew increasingly frail, she was in reasonably good health until a stroke last month left her with a swallowing disorder that caused rapid weight loss and decline. Previous ministrokes had caused memory loss, and for the last five years, she spent weekdays enjoying a variety of activities at Altrusa House, where she made many friends. Gray is grateful for the staff's loving care. Her photo is currently the one on their home page.

Prior to moving to Gainesville nine years ago, she lived for more than 60 years in Manatee County, first, in Cortez, the historic fishing village on Sarasota Bay where her late husband Wisie "Moon" Pringle's parents, Lem and Bessie, had

OCTOBER 28, 2020

moved in the early 1920s, along with many other fishermen from Carteret County, NC, and then in nearby San Remo Shores, where they bought a new house on Palma Sola Bay in 1962.

She was a volunteer for the Cortez Village Historical Society and the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH), and a member of Saints Peter and Paul The Apostles Catholic Church.

She and Moon met in her birthplace, Muskegon, Mich. A union dredge operator, he would dredge out sediment from Lake Michigan ports each spring. Later, she and Gray would join him each year. She would pack the car with household items for their temporary home, along with meals for the trip, including her wonderful fried chicken.

She was born on Jan. 7, 1923, to Charles and Flavien Bourdo Coletta, the third of 11 children. She was proud of her Italian and FrenchCanadian heritage. She was hardworking, organized, self-confident and feisty. She worked as a waitress well into her 70s at restaurants including the Elks Club, Pete Reynard's, and Cafe on the Beach. She would tell others, "Get off your dead ass and get to work." She managed the family's finances. She was an

avid gardener, and working beside her led Gray to a career in horticulture. She believed that she could do anything. She did body work on her car and single-handedly painted the exterior of the house multiple times.

She was still mowing her own lawn in her 80s. She drank coffee constantly, and servers at her favorite restaurants knew it always had to be hot but not "too potent." She voted only for Democrats.

Survivors in addition to Gray include siblings Alice Asselmeier, Angela Moore, Frank (Mary Jane) Coletta, Marian Drier, Maxwell (Shirley) Coletta, and Velma Moore.

Pictures may be viewed at https:// photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMxJtoLufyVjibjCidE7NvUd4QjsmtpAjqMuF6rdsJ2_SX4EBS0zivxJDWn2L40mA?k ey=WTFMWEJ3QVczUmRKckRtWEZs TUJPU2o0RWVtUUZn Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Fogartyville Cemetery in Bradenton, Florida. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

TOURISM: Down in pandemic FROM PAGE 1

Bureau (CVB) Director Elliott Falcione told the TDC. Potential visitors were starting to show more comfort with traveling until October, according to a traveler sentiment survey, Wittine said; a survey between Sept. 28 and Oct. 11 shows that people are losing confidence in the safety of traveling.

“This may have been a blip or the beginning of a concerning downward trend,” she said, adding that those surveyed said it is too difficult to find out the COVID-19 rules in the destinations they are considering.

To combat fears of traveling during the pandemic, the CVB plans to launch a new digital tourism marketing campaign, “Unwind with Peace of Mind.” The slogan

replaces May’s “Make a Break For it” campaign, Falcione said.

The campaign is aimed at baby boomer couples and families with annual incomes of at least $100,000 from Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina, among other places.

In other business, TDC members unanimously voted to recommend that the Manatee County Commission allocate up to $425,000 in tourist tax funds to promote the Under 18 Baseball World Cup championship next September, traditionally a down month for tourism.

VOTE: Nov. 3 BALLOTS: Time running out FROM PAGE 1

FROM PAGE 1

Church at 248 S. Harbor Drive. In Bradenton Beach, ballots can be cast at the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall at 201 Second St. N. Voters will need to bring a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or state-issued identification card in order to vote.

Vote by mail ballots will not be accepted at any polling location on election day. Vote by mail ballots can be taken to the Supervisor of Elections Office. All mail-in ballots must be received at the Supervisor of Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Any ballots received after that time will not be counted.

For more information on how to cast your vote or check to make sure that your mail-in ballot has been received by the Supervisor of Elections Office, visit www. votemanatee.com.

registered Republicans, 83,815 registered Democrats and 71,730 voters registered as having no party affiliation.

According to Stief, 480 vote-by-mail ballots were sent to voters in Anna Maria, 374 ballots were sent to Bradenton Beach voters and 1,441 ballots were sent to Holmes Beach voters.

Returning a ballot by mail requires 70 cents postage, or two Forever stamps. The use of

BEACH BEAT BRADENTON BEACH

10/15, 1:05 p.m., indecent exposure, Bridge Street anchorage. The victim called police to report a male urinated in the water from his boat in front of her on her boat. The officer took a complaint.

10/17, 10:45 p.m., grand theft, Gulf Drive Café, 900 Gulf Drive N. Two locked and chained bicycles were stolen.

10/18, 9:33 a.m., resisting a law enforce-

one Forever stamp will result in the ballot being returned to sender for lack of adequate postage.

You can track your vote-by-mail ballot at VoteManatee.com.

Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned in person at several drop off locations throughout Manatee County. Ballots can be dropped off 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the drop box located at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 600 301 Blvd. W., Suite 108 in ment officer without violence, 2200 Gulf Drive N. The officer was dispatched to the site of a hit-and-run accident. The victim, a bicyclist, was on the ground screaming with pain. He was taken to Blake Medical Center. Witnesses talked with the officer about the accident and had cell phone photos and videos. According to the witnesses, after being hit, the victim got tangled under the car.

The driver backed up and the victim was freed, but the driver’s car got stuck in the sand. With help from the crowd,

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Young baseball players from 12 countries would play at LECOM Park and Pirate City in Manatee County and Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota County.

With appearances by baseball stars including this year’s World Series Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the event is expected to produce an economic impact of $6 million, primarily to mainland businesses, Falcione said.

“It’s so important that we stay on the pedal with these kind of events,” he said.

Bradenton.

Ballots can also be returned to the following early voting drop box locations from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 1: • Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch; • Palmetto Library, 923 Sixth St. W., Palmetto; • Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. Hwy. 301 N., Ellenton; • Florida DOT Administration Office, 14000 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton; • Manatee County Utilities Administration Office, 4410 66th St. W., Bradenton. the driver got out of the sand and he sped away. The officer got an ID of the driver from the license plate number. It belonged to a Longboat Key man. The officer contacted the suspect’s parents and left a message to contact him, but the suspect never did. Later, the officer talked with the suspect, who refused to cooperate and said he was getting a lawyer.

SEE BEACH BEAT, PAGE 28

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THE SUN

OCTOBER 28, 2020

WMFR: Updates fire prevention code FROM PAGE 23

long-contested issue between herself and the fire district thanks to delays due to COVID-19.

Bell said that after one of the docks at her business, A.P. Bell Fish Co., was damaged in Hurricane Irma three years ago and was finally replaced this year, she was informed by district staff that she would have to also replace a standpipe used by firefighters to have water access on the docks in case of an emergency. The first

estimate that she said she received for the job was around $20,000 with a second coming in from the fire district estimated at about $15,000.

Bell said that she would appreciate more time for her attorney to look into the issue and to appeal it with the Manatee County Board of Appeals. Starting the day of the meeting, Oct. 20, Bell said that she would be fined for noncompliance by the fire district.

Commissioner Randy Cooper

said that the board can’t overrule the fire code or the Fire Marshal’s orders, however he hopes that some resolution can be reached on the issue. He offered to have the district’s leadership work with Bell to find a solution. Commissioner Al Robinson offered to be the board’s liaison, if necessary.

Commissioners next meet at the district’s temporary administration offices at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

REAL ESTATE ~ 507 “C” PINE AVENUE, ANNA MARIA Located in the Historic Green Village (Behind Hometown Desserts)

OCTOBER 28, 2020

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THE SUN

27

CINDY LANE | SUN

Sprucing up Bradenton artist Jeff Riggan and the Gulf Coast Art & Mural Co. crew worked on this nautical mural on Saturday at The Beach Shop, 11904 Cortez Road W. The piece is part of an area revitalization project to bring some modern flair to the historic fishing village of Cortez.

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THE SUN

SPORTS

OCTOBER 28, 2020

Baugher and Eurice bring home the win

BY MONICA SIMPSON SPECIAL TO THE SUN

The first game of the night last Tuesday started the action off with a zerozero regular playtime score. The 8- to 10-year-old co-ed soccer league at The Center is winding down to a close with plenty of energy and enthusiasm.

With a tied score and no time left on the clock, team Moss Builders and team Beach Bums put their best legs to the test in the shootout. Only one team would be victorious.

The scoreless ballgame was not for the lack of trying. Moss Builders’ goalkeeper Xane Flores made five saves in the game, while counterpart Cyrus Ryan had nine stops as the goalie for Beach Bums.

On the penalty kick mark for Beach Bums, Julie Baugher started off the shootout with a goal. Moss Builders’ Mason Moss led off the kicking for his team. His miss was followed by fellow teammates Dylan Sato and Liam McGinnis.

The early scoring start by Beach Bums was short-lived. Teammates Cyrus Ryan, Jackson Rosas and Tomas Bartos could not find the goal as they took their shots alternating with Moss Builders.

Austin Guess took the line, hoping to match the point scored by Baugher.

Guess’ shot did not give Moss Builders the goal they needed to tie the single Beach Bums point.

Beach Bums’ Hayden Eurice sealed the deal for his team with a nice shot that was not stopped by the Moss Builders’ goalie to end the game, giving

THE CENTER | SUBMITTED

In the matchup of the night, Beach Bums' offense challenged Moss Builders' defense through regulation play to take the game to a shootout to determine a winner. Off the boots of Julie Laugher and Hayden Eurice, Beach Bums came out on top to take the win.

Beach Bums another win.

Ugly Grouper Gulf Drive Café

SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 YOUTH CO-ED SOCCER 8- TO 10-YEAR- OLD LEAGUE

Beach Bums Winners in Shootout 0 Moss Builders 0 Progressive Cabinetry HSH

YOUTH CO-ED SOCCER 11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Slim’s Place Tidy MD

6 1

0 3

BEACH BEAT

to Centerstone Behavioral and Addiction Center.

FROM PAGE 25 10/20, 3:47 a.m., Baker Act, Cortez Beach, 600 Gulf Drive S. Officers were dispatched to the scene on a report of a woman with a firearm. They found her on the beach and she admitted she was thinking of committing suicide. She was taken to a treatment facility.

10/21, 10:53 p.m., Marchman Act, Drift In, 120 Bridge St. A customer got too drunk and appeared to be unable to take care for himself so he was taken

10/14, driving with a suspended license, driving with no insurance, attached tag not assigned to registration, 5600 Marina Drive. The license plate reader alerted police to the situation and an officer ticketed him and took the tag.

10/15, warrant arrest, 5358 Gulf Drive.

While questioning two homeless males with backpacks headed for the beach, the officer found out one had a warrant and was arrested.

10/15, lost property, Manatee Beach, 4000

HOLMES BEACH

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK #5

0 3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL WEEK #6 Slim’s Place Sandbar

(4-2) 37 (4-2) 20

Slim’s Place Skinny’s Place

(4-0-1) 8 (0-5) 2

Solid Rock Construction Ugly Grouper

(5-1) 40 (2-3) 21

Blalock Walters Solid Rock Construction

(3-1-1) 8 (1-4) 2

Moss Builders Progressive Cabinetry

(3-3) 28 (2-4) 25

Sato Real Estate Ugly Grouper Signature Granite Progressive Cabinetry

(4-1) 10 (2-3) 5

Beach Bums (3-3) 30 Gulfview Windows and Doors (0-5) 12

(3-0-2) 11 (1-4) 2

Gulf Drive. A beachgoer with his son lost his wallet with his license and credit cards.

10/15, driving with a suspended license, no proof of insurance, 600 Manatee Ave. The license plate reader alerted the officer to the situation. The driver said his license was probably suspended when he let his insurance lapse but he has insurance now. When the officer asked him for proof, he could not provide it.

10/16, noise violation, 134 49th St. The officer responded to a complaint, found the vacationers were too noisy and issued the renter of record a code violation citation.

10/17, 1:40 a.m. DUI, possession of cocaine, 4000 Gulf Drive. The officer stopped the suspect for careless driving and he displayed signs of impairment. He failed the field sobriety test and was arrested. During a search, the officer found cocaine.

10/17, 2:27 p.m., theft, Peach’s Restaurant, 3240 East Bay Drive. Employees found money from a tip jar was taken. They watched security recordings showing a waitress took the money.

10/18, 10:36 p.m., code violations, 67th Street beach. A group of visitors found out bonfires and drinking are not allowed on the Island’s beaches.

OCTOBER 28, 2020

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Followed 10 Charlie Parker genre 15 Carpenter's accessory 16 Not in the dark 17 "Perhaps" 18 Convene again 19 Wild 20 More than a little 21 Language class subject 22 Changed by time 24 Took in slowly 26 Volatile letters 27 Sports artist Neiman 29 Comics socks 30 Start to fill?

31 Green 33 Diner's grazing spot 35 Checked out 39 Bass product 40 Southwestern state Answers to 10-21-20 Crossword Puzzle.

symbol 42 It sells in advertising 43 11-time Gold Glovewinning shortstop Vizquel 44 Bring (out) 46 Instrument with an end pin 50 Noir sleuth 51 Frequent fliers 53 Be overly sweet 54 Did some course work 56 Release 58 Shuttle __ 59 Douze mois 60 Now 62 What a hitchhiker aspires to be 63 Enclosure for dangerous underwater cinematography 64 Clothes closers

THE SUN

65 One who won't give Down 1 __ shelter 2 Crash or crush 3 Get in the way of 4 "Don't Bring Me Down" gp.

5 "Aw, nuts!"

6 Japanese electronics giant 7 Devise 8 Capa wavers 9 Gender-neutral pronoun 10 Revealed 11 Bremner of "Black Hawk Down" 12 Low-pitched wind 13 Avenue after Reading Railroad 14 Seller of Lab supplies 21 Model 3 autos 23 "Conspiracy Theory" director Richard 25 Trade 28 Aches 30 Commercial bigwig 32 Soaked 34 Co-star of Meryl in "It's Complicated" 35 Toys that run on tracks 36 "Door's open" 37 Amazon predator 38 Projectile with a flight

41 Nile home of a historic stone 45 State of mind 47 New England retailer since 1912 48 Room for leisure

activity 49 Bed occupant 51 Shows disapproval, in a way 52 Ready to pack it in 55 Stay fresh

57 Snitch 60 Shade of gray 61 It may be natural: Abbr.

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THE SUN

CLASSIFIED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EMPLOYMENT

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

SOLO’S PIZZA LOOKING for part time evening cook.

Call 941-778-8118.

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food, PAPER & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, and Walgreen’s.

BOATS BOATS ARE STILL SELLING Very Well. No Listing Agreements.

No Time Constraints, Just Easy 20 years, Excellent Reputation, Hundreds of Boats Sold. Islandboatsales. net 941-228-3489

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 THC CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Rentals, VRBO. Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570

COMMERCIAL SALES, RENT & LEASE 13 UNIT RESORT: $3,999,900 Bradenton Beach on Gulf Dr. WAREHOUSE: 9300 sq ft possible Machine Shop w/ Heavy Duty Elect. Or Car Storage. So many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport. $595,000. Island Real Estate call 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

AMISUN.COM

Call us today! 941-778-3986

JESSIE’S ISLAND STORE has immediate openings for full and part time cashiers for both day and night shifts. 2 to 3 shifts per week apply in person at 5424 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach or call 941778-6903 HOTEL ON ANNA MARIA seeking Housekeeper Full time, Part time. Must have two years experience. We drug test.

Must speak English. If no Answer, leave message.

813-735-4373.

TWO SCOOPS – Anna Maria Island’s Favorite IceCream... is now hiring full and part-time associates.

Varied shifts available must be able to work nights and weekends. A great place to work and have a little fun…looking for a few friendly people to join our team. Food prep or server experience preferred. Great Pay! Apply today…Two Scoops 101 S. Bay Blvd.

Anna Maria.

THE AWARD-WINNING ANNA MARIA ISLAND SUN, a weekly newspaper on Florida’s Gulf Coast, (https://amisun. com; www.facebook. com/AnnaMariaIslandSun), is looking for a freelance reporter/ photographer to cover events on this tourismdriven island. The ideal candidate will have reporting and photography experience at a community newspaper and have some experience writing for a news website. Local residents or those with previous local knowledge and willing to relocate here a plus. Resumes and cover letters may be emailed to news@amisun.com or

by U.S. Postal Service to The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216, attention: Mike Field, publisher.

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING

PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates.

Neil 941-726-3077

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941

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

AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941565-3931.

“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CBC 1261150.

Call Mike Kern 941-7781115 GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194 JSAN CORPORATION Renovations Construction & Handyman Services 941-243-0995 Lic# CRC1332505 jsancorporation@gmail. com Flooring, Drywall, Painting, Repairs, Kitchen and Bathrooms, Trim & Doors.

Free Estimates. Credit Cards Accepted.

ISLE TILE EXPERT INSTALLATION}of floors, custom showers, backsplash, deck/lanai.

Licensed and insured.

References available.

Call Chris at 941-3028759 please visit website: isletileservices.com

HAMMERED HOMES (Saving Homes since 1984) All Handyman services & building consulting. Free Estimates & Advice. Call before making decision, save money. 941-778-3206

HOME SERVICES THE HARDWOOD STOP Flooring installation services; Laminate, hardwood, vinyl and tile. Bathroom and shower. Virtually dustless FLOOR REMOVAL License and insured FREE ESTIMATES 941-227-0041 www.thehardwoodstop. com

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067 ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal.

Sweeping, blowing, weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing: driveways, walkways, fences, pool decks/ cages. Call Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 11/04/2020, 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.

1G1FH3D75L0117680 2020 Chevrolet 2HGFA165X9H521852 2009 Honda JTDBL40E499084819 2009 Toyota NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 11/11/2020, 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.

1G4HR52K1XH484868 1999 Buick 1N4AL2AP2BC145504 2011 Nissan 4F2CZ06104KM02887 2004 Mazda

MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident.

Quality Workmanship.

Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 CUSTOM PAINTING, Residential-Commercial, Interior/Exterior Professional quality work for over 40 years. Free estimates.

Call Larry at 941-400-8754.

References available.

DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 10 + Years Experience.

Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Beach – GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, L’Plage, Vista Grande, SPW, 5400 – DUPLEXES & MORE Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941232-2216 IMMACULATE WATERFRONT HOME 520 Kumquat Dr. 4BD/5BA 3928sf Coastal Beauty! Prime location on AMI. $2,750,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941-228-6086 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 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589

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 Paige DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-7790304.

ANNUAL 2BR/1BA STEPS to Beach. Tile floors, dining area, deck with Gulf View, carport, storage room, washer/dryer. $1800/ mo. + utilities. First, Last & security deposit. Call 941778-3427 ANNUAL HOLMES BEACH 209A 83rd Ave. Cute 1BR efficiency. Washer/dryer hookup. No dogs $950/ mo. First, last & security.

Credit check required.

Available November 1. Call 941-809-2488

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

THE SUN

Call today to place your ad: 941-778-3986 HOME SITTING / PET SITTING

PAINTING

TRANSPORTATION HOME SERVICES

RENTALS: ANNUAL COZY COTTAGE SANDPIPER 55+ Resort. 1 ½ minute walk to Beach or Bay. 1BR/1BA. Washer/ dryer For Sale or Rent. Call 941251-4767. Leave number on machine.

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION ANNUAL/SEASONAL RENTAL- Perico Bay Club LUXURY CONDO/ water view, fully furnished, firstfloor unit. Quiet/Updated.

2BR/2BA washer/dryer, large screen TVs, WiFi, new kitchen. Sleeps 4 Covered parking space Pool/ Hot Tub. Available December 2020. Text/call Michele: 952 818 4685 TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates.

Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $700/$800/$900 a wk. redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525 AVAILABLE JANUARY 1, 2021 thru March 31. 1BR Condo. One block to Beach. Free WIFI, large pool. $9750 for 3 months.

Call 941-447-3071 RENTAL-HOLMES BEACH One room Condo with large bathroom, kitchen, bed alcove. Private parking, patio. Available December 15 thru April 15, 2021. No pets. $1800/mo. Call 908914-1182

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $195. Call 941-447-8372 or 941-447-8376. amitaxi4u@ gmail.com, www.amitaxi. com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa $70.

Sarasota $35. Pets welcome. Very dependable.

Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095 AIRPORT RIDES- Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota. Mask & gloves provided. Reasonable rates! Call or text Anna 941-932-1600

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OCTOBER 28, 2020

the Team Duncan Difference!

✔ Local-Area Expertise ✔ Outstanding Customer Service ✔ Experienced Professionals ✔ Proven Performance

310 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216

TeamDuncan.com

941.779.0304