The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, April. 17, 2024

YEARS AGO

2 cities dig into mangrove regulations

By ryan paice islander reporter

Earth Day is on the horizon and the cities of Anna Maria and Holmes Beach are exploring possibilities for better protecting an essential part of the island’s ecosystem: mangroves.

One possibility, voiced by both Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Holmes Beach City Commissioner Terry Schaefer over the week of April 8, could involve intercity or islandwide collaboration on enforcing mangrove regulations.

Mangroves provide environmental benefits, such as a unique ecosystem for marine life, protection from land erosion and improving nearshore water quality.

The 1996 Florida Department of Environmental Protection Mangrove Trimming

and Preservation Act establishes regulations to protect coastal vegetation.

The law sets standards for trimming mangroves and some alterations require DEP permitting and a licensed landscape contractor.

A discussion about those regulations and their enforcement was sparked last December, when Bradenton-based Mason Martin construction company removed more than 100 feet of shoreline mangrove fringe at 111 Gull Drive, Anna Maria.

The work was exempted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection because it was not a natural shoreline, but had not yet been permitted by the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The situation inspired the cities to explore potential changes to further pro-

The will of the people

tect mangroves, to reclaim the authority to enforce mangrove regulations from the DEP.

City offi cials, such as Schaefer, have argued the municipalities could better mangroves are essential to coastal habitats.

protesters against a county parking garage and a state study to consolidate or dissolve the island cities line the sand April 13 at manatee public Beach for a Hands Across the Sand demonstration. rally organizers said more than 300 people attended. more, page 5. islander photo: robert Anderson

Island recycling cycles toward 3rd decade

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Anna Maria Island communities are protecting paradise one bottle at a time.

More than two decades ago, the city of Anna Maria took steps to address resident concerns over sustainability, implementing the first curbside recycling project on Anna Maria Island.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of the recycling program, which helped foster similar programs in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Over the years, higher numbers of shortterm rentals prompted the need for a widescale recycling solution on the island.

Bradenton Beach launched its program 20 years ago this spring. The city-administered program ended in 2011, when they contracted those services from Waste Pro, a national waste removal and recycling corporation.

Holmes Beach started a recycling program in 2010 and moved under contract in 2015 with Waste Management and then Waste Pro.

Anna Maria started the first island program in 1997 and is under contract with Waste Management.

“Out here on the island, our people are more active about recycling and removing generational plastics from the beach,” Holmes Beach code compliance supervisor

JT Thomas told The Islander April 11. He said success of the recycling pro-

islander file photo

enforce mangrove regulations since they have localized resources, allowing them to more closely oversee trimming and removal activities.

“We can do a better job. More comprehensive. We have the eyes and ears of our own faculties and personnel,” Schaefer told The Islander April 10.

Only seven governments across Florida have been delegated authority, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, as well as the town of Juniper Island and the city of Sanibel.

Neither Anna Maria nor Holmes Beach have fully tackled the question of whether or not to request that authority, but Murphy and Schaefer have both expressed desire to do so.

Murphy said during an April 11 city commission meeting that he believed the “ultimate position” would be to handle the enforcement of mangrove regulations on a county or islandwide basis.

“I think we’re probably overdue to get ourselves in a position to do something about it,” Murphy said.

Schaefer said he wanted to continue learning more about what claiming such authority would entail for the island cities, but was hopeful they could get it done.

“I continue to favor going forward with it unless there are compelling reasons to leave it as is,” Schaefer

said. “I think we’re going to have to. We’re not going to get any help. … The enforcement side of it has really been so lacking.”

He added that he also hoped to coordinate with Anna Maria about the matter.

“I would like to meet with Anna Maria to determine where they are so our efforts could be coordinated and more or less in lockstep,” Schaefer said.

However, Holmes Beach planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor told The Islander April 11 that if the cities could enforce mangrove regulations, they could still be hamstrung by weak legislation.

Minor said the cities would only be able to enforce the state’s regulations, so they would be unable to prevent the exempt removal of mangroves at 111 Gull Drive.

“A lot of research still needs to be done if we really want to take over this mangrove responsibility,” Minor said.

He said he has requested DEP staff visit the city to educate officials about the enforcement of mangrove regulations.

In the meantime, the cities have separately pursued additional efforts, such as the city of Holmes Beach’s mapping of mangroves throughout the municipality.

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“To me, it showed that we have an awful lot to be protective of,” Schaefer said.

Murphy told The Islander April 11 that the city has not mapped mangroves throughout the municipality, due to the large the amount of vegetation.

Nevertheless, he said that such a task could be essential to the city’s efforts to better enforce mangrove protections.

“If we’re going to regulate it, it has to be done,” Murphy said.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie did not respond to an April 12 call from The Islander.

MAngROVeS continued from pAge 1

A bird perches in 2012 atop a trimmed mangrove tree on a public right of way in Holmes Beach. islander

file photo

red X’s mark mangroves in Holmes Beach from a staff search in february. islander graphic: courtesy Holmes Beach

Dousing flames in the dunes West manatee fire and rescue district firefighters work to extinguish a fire April 8 in the dunes near lifeguard station no. 7 at manatee county’s coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

Wmfr said the fire started in the sea oats after a beachgoer disposed of cooking coals in the dunes rather than in a coal disposal bin. islander

Recycling continued from pAge 1

grams has been reliant on community engagement and education.

Thomas said the future of recycling in Holmes Beach involves the start of an E-scrap program. Compliance administrator Kim Charron and code compliance clerk Cristin Carter soon will hold a stakeholder meeting about the proposed project.

Global generation of electronic scrap is rising five times faster than documented e-scrap recycling, according to data from the United Nation’s Global E-waste Monitor.

Bob ten Haaf, division vice president of the Bradenton-Sarasota district for Waste Pro, spoke to The Islander April 11 about recycling, saying what began as a small community effort is now measured in tons.

“Last year, 184 tons of recycling came out of Bradenton Beach. Holmes Beach was 522 tons,” ten Hoff said. Roughly half of those numbers were generated from businesses.

Ten Haaf said tonnage removed from Bradenton and Holmes Beach is transported to Waste Pro’s recycling center in Sarasota.

“We process it, sort it, bail it and we ship it out,” he said. “We process around 3,000 tons a month through that plant.”

He also spoke to rumors that local recycling is disposed of in other locations.

“This particular plant, when we did export, cardboard was the only thing we exported. Plastics have always been used and reused in the United States. Once it gets in our process, we are better than 90% effective in getting plastic water bottles out,” he said.

And ten Haaf said Waste Pro has seen a steady increase in the number of residents taking their blue bins to the curb.

“We’ve definitely seen participation go up,” he said. “As the younger generation grows up and they’ve been raised on recycling, it’s just become more of a natural thing to do.”

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

the earth day 2024 theme is “planet vs. plastics.” What simple consumer steps do you take to reduce plastic use?

8%. Carry a reusable water bottle.

11%. Bring reusable bags to stores.

0%. Refuse plastic containers and straws.

66%. All or some of the above.

14%. None of the above.

This week’s question

What’s your favorite season on Ami?

A. Tourist season.

B. Off-season

C. Sea turtle nesting season.

D. Every season.

To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

He also credited municipal governments with ongoing public education to ensure people know about the programs.

“The two cities we deal with, they are very focused on it,” ten haaf said of the island. “They communicate a lot.”

Ten Haaf also said Waste Pro works through partnerships with groups like Keep Manatee Beautiful that specialize in collecting litter, including recyclable items from AMI beaches.

“As we educate, people get better at it. The two cities, they communicate a lot. Both cities have done a lot of education and have done a really good job of helping us keeping it cleaned up. I think the future is bright. It continues every year to get a little bit better,” he said.

photo: robert Anderson

Manatee County eligible to raise tourist tax

By lisa neff islander editor

Local tourism offi cials on Tax Day were set to discuss whether to recommend a raise in the bed tax.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council was to meet April 15, as The Islander went to press, at the county administration building in Bradenton. The council’s eight-item agenda included a discussion and possible vote on increasing the tourist development tax levy — from 5 cents to 6 cents.

The tax — also known as the bed tax or resort tax — is collected on overnight accommodations of six months or less. Manatee County enacted the tax in 1980.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, was to present the proposal at the meeting, as well as review a letter from the Florida Department of Revenue’s Office of Tax Research.

The state letter indicated that based on the county’s 2023 tourist tax revenues, Manatee meets criteria to be a high tourism-impact county and the board of county commissioners could consider levying an additional 1% tourist tax.

Florida counties can collect a sixth cent of tourist tax once they pass the threshold of $30 million a year in such taxes.

Manatee collected $30,090,618 in tourist tax revenues in the calendar year of 2023. Also, according to the BACVB, the county generated $625,890,749 in taxable rental revenues.

“Currently, Manatee County collects 5% tourism tax on all short-term rentals (six months or less), while Hillsborough, Pinellas and Sarasota counties levy 6%, allowing them to invest in tourism-related capital improvement projects, as well as market their destinations to prospective tourists,” a BACVB memo on the “tourism tax opportunity” states.

Casting for a catch

palmetto resident derek fantom throws a cast net April 10 while fishing from the walkway of the Anna maria city pier. tourist development tax revenue helped build the pier after the historic pier was destroyed in a hurricane. islander photo: ryan paice

A penny increase in the tax would generate another $6 million a year.

The memo reads, “This tourism tax would help support the development of assets that appeal to visitors but would also be utilized by residents, at the cost of the tourism tax.”

Tourist tax revenues must be used for touristrelated programs and projects. The BACVB said the sixth penny could be allocated for special events facilities, sports venues, arts and culture amenities, piers and docks, public transit and airline partnerships.

The next TDC meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 10, at the Center of Anna Maria Island,

Meetings

By lisa neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

April 24, 9 a.m., planning and zoning.

April 25, 6 p.m., commission.

City hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria. com.

BRADENTON BEACH

April 17, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

April 18, noon, commission.

City hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

HOLMES BEACH

April 23, 2 p.m., commission.

City hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl. org.

MANATEE COUNTY

April 18, 9 a.m., commission, land use.

April 23, 9 a.m., commission.

April 30, 1:30 p.m.., commission joint meeting with Longboat Key. Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Know your TDCs

The tourist development council recommends to county commissioners how to spend the tourist development tax — the 5% tax collected on overnight rentals of six months or less.

TDT spending must boost and develop tourism. TDC members, as of April 12, included County Commissioner James Satcher, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Bryant, hoteliers Jiten Patel, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns and Rahul Patel and interested citizens Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.

Coquina Beach Market

Wednesday, April 17th

Friday, April 19th

Sunday, April 21st 10AM - 4PM

Follow us on Face Book and receive daily vendor roster, weather cancellations or marked closure days.

www.coquinabeachmarket.org

941 -840-0789

https://www.facebook.com/CoquinaBeachMarket

Sea turtle nesting season returns soon

Music 11AM - 2PM

Wed (Mike Sales)

Fri (Chuck Davis)

falcione

Maria Island

AM mayor speaks on state’s rental preemption bill progress

By ryan paice islander reporter

Senate Bill 280 cruised through the Florida Legislature.

But are cracks in the bill beginning to show before its presentation to Gov. Ron DeSantis?

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said April 11 that the city’s lobbyist, Tallahassee-based Corcoran Partners, signaled to him the governor’s staff might recommend against DeSantis signing the bill.

“It would appear — if you trust what we hear — that staff is going to be recommending against a signature,” he said.

SB 280 was filed last November by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, and an amended version passed through the state legislature by the time session ended March 8.

The bill would preempt to the state vacation rental regulations adopted before June 1, 2011.

The measure would establish statewide maximum overnight occupancy limits, limit the number of

inspections at each property and cap fines for rental violations to $500.

As of April 12, the bill had yet to be presented to the governor, who will have 15 days following its presentation to sign or veto the legislation.

The legislation will automatically pass if DeSantis takes no action before then. So his veto is needed to kill the bill.

Murphy spoke with DeSantis’ acting chief of staff, Alex, Kelly, in March about his concerns for the bill, such as how its changes to occupancy limits would inflate population in Anna Maria and other coastal cities past the point their infrastructures could handle.

The municipality also provided the governor’s staff with city attorney Becky Vose’s legal opinion on the bill, which establishes several criticisms of the legislation.

“Per our lobbyist, our legal opinion has resonated well with the governor’s staff,” Murphy said. “That point about population … as well as the point that Flagler County was exempted, are the two points that they plan on presenting to the governor for his consideration prior to signing.”

In the meantime, Murphy said the city was preparing another email campaign using its website, homerulefl.com, to oppose SB 280.

Protest puts emphasis on no parking garage, no consolidation

“Keep your hands off our island cities.” Barbara ehren, director of an April 13 Hands Across the Sand rally, leads participants in a protest against a county parking garage proposed for the manatee public Beach and the possible dissolution of the island cities. “We’re going to be very vocal about keeping the identity of our island cities,” ehren said. “We want to let legislators know that we know what’s going on and we are not going to have it.”

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murphy deSantis

carolyn orshak of the Anna maria island Historical Society displays her “Ami - three unique cities, one island paradise” t-shirt during the April 13 hands across the sand event at manatee public Beach. orshak said people who want to have their own shirt protesting the proposed dissolution of the three island cities can purchase one at the Anna maria Historical Society, 402 pine Ave., Anna maria.

Holmes Beach resident Barabara Saywell fills out a letter of protest April 13 during a Hands Across the Sand protest at manatee public Beach. islander photos: robert Anderson

Recycle now?

It seems like long ago, but not so much really in terms of the rapid advance of climate change and the significant losses to our environmental world.

But there was a time when we had telephone books. Big thick books with every local “home” phone number listed by the homeowner’s name in the white pages and a huge section with advertising for businesses on yellow paper. Hence, the yellow pages.

Depending on the size of your community, it could be a very large volume. Sometimes it was divided into two books. In the 1990s on Anna Maria Island, there was a big book that included all the county numbers and a “wee” AMI book, small in size and listings.

Back then, the phone book renewed every year and when new volume was delivered to homes and businesses, the old volume went in the trash — until, that is, we sought to recycle it.

It started with people reaching out to us at the newspaper and we in turn pleaded our case to Holmes Beach Commissioner Don Maloney — our liaison to the city’s contracted waste collection company.

In a leap of faith, we had island residents piling their phone books in stacks outside our door and, soon after, Commissioner Maloney managed delivery of a dumpster at city field just for phone book recycling.

Within a couple of years, Waste Management agreed to allow the phone books in our curbside blue bins and it was no longer a “recycle hassle.”

Then cellphones made land lines and phone books obsolete and the phone tomes disappeared.

But we do have to manage other waste that is not appropriate for the normal recycle stream: cellphones and electronics with lithium batteries, printers and ink cartridges, computers and their components, digital storage devices, televisions and other household appliances and rechargeable devices of all sorts.

Due to our disconnect with the mainland, these items are recycled once a year on AMI at a hazardous waste collection event where we get in line in our vehicles and wait our turn to unload.

We’re hoping the city of HB will again take the lead on providing more frequent and accessible solutions for collecting the hazardous, toxic waste we accumulate before it hits the landfill.

Because easier can produce better results.

And let’s make recycling easier and less expensive for apartment and condo dwellers, too.

Kudos for big steps to a better environment.

And, please, bag and collect your trash on the beach and on the waterways. It’s the least you can do.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Dump KVO

Five Republican politicians are pushing OPPAGA to eliminate the three island cities or consolidate them into one or, worse yet, merge them into Bradenton.

So much for home rule.

Skimming online

Website: islander.org

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It is apparent state Rep. Will Robinson Jr. — the instigator — state Sen. Jim Boyd and our own island county commissioner, Kevin Van Ostenbridge, and others are taking an aggressive stand to ruin AMI.

It is rather obvious they want to destroy just for money the three cities we have known and loved. Sad and pathetic!

Obviously, to them, investors and developers with their money are more important than their constituents.

It is time for AMI residents to unite and fight. Let’s start by dumping Van Ostenbridge, who is up for reelection in November.

Ruth Cawein, Anna Maria

Light pollution on AMI

I would like to say something about light pollution.

We arrived home to 82nd Street in Holmes Beach to find our house lit up like a movie scene.

Low and behold, FPL had installed a high intensity streetlight across the street. Despite shutters, our bedroom is now in forever daylight. We don’t need any lamps. We can read The Islander from the beam of the light directed at us.

For years, we were without streetlights and all of us on 82nd Street were happy to enjoy the starry sky on our walks.

I called the city public works department and they seemed quite helpful to call FPL to request shields on the fixture.

But the shields never happened.

Human brains need to rest in darkness to produce melatonin and induce a restful sleep. Nocturnal creatures need darkness to hunt for their prey. Sea turtles need darkness to hatch and survive.

So why do we all keep porch lights on and must our neighborhood be seen from space?

I want the starry sky and my sleep back.

Adrienne Tittle, Holmes Beach

Meeting the challenge

A heartfelt thank-you to each and every donor who contributed to our Giving Challenge.

Your generosity and support have not only helped us meet our final fundraising goal of $100,815 but have also touched the lives of countless individuals in our community.

Your kindness has made a lasting impact and we are incredibly grateful for your dedication to our cause.

Let’s continue spreading hope and positivity together!

Center of Anna Maria Island staff, Anna Maria

Past market days

A view of the islanders market on gulf drive in Anna maria in 1999. the grocery opened in 1946, when it was owned and operated by the cagnina family and known as the Anna maria igA foodliner. frank Albano began operating the store in 1994. the market closed in 1999. in 2000, the space was converted into an antique mall and art gallery. the location is now ginny’s and Jane e’s cafe and coastal Store. islander photos: courtesy manatee county public library Services

Looking back

10, 20, 30 years ago

From the April 14, 1994, issue

• The owner of the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria said he negotiated a contract — pending city approval — to film a movie based on “Doc,” a John Steinbeck book, that would feature Clint Eastwood and Holly Hunter. “I have Clint Eastwood’s private phone number,” owner Gus Wacker said.

• A community meeting took place in response to a video made by an island teen who detailed drug use and sexual activity among peers, including teens getting high with parents and trading sex for drugs.

in 1974 and served for many years as the primary grocery on the island. in 1997, the grocery closed and the building was demolished. in 1999, a publix

Check The Islander archives

Some years ago, The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. We donated the collection of newspapers beginning with the first issue in 1992. Look for The Islander in the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

We’d love to mail you the news!

We mail The Islander weekly for a nominal $54 per year. We also offer online e-edition subscriptions — a page-by-page view of the weekly news for only $36 per year, but you must sign up online. It’s the best way to stay in touch with what’s happening on Anna Maria Island.

We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on Anna Maria Island.”

If you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by snail mail for yourself or someone else. Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!

From the April 14, 2004, issue

• Anna Maria commissioners returned to the blueprints rather than approve a remodel of city hall. Commissioners said more inspections and planning were needed.

• Holmes Beach commissioners rejected a draft ordinance to update lighting requirements for beachfront structures during sea turtle nesting season. Commissioner Roger Lutz said the proposal went overboard.

From the April 16, 2014, issue

• High winds and waves caused a tug-towed barge to break loose and crash against a groin at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. A second barge broke loose and drifted ashore on Longboat Key.

• Police arrested a man for allegedly stealing an $85,000 diamond ring and selling the stone to a Bradenton Beach jeweler.

• Anna Maria commissioners discussed creating a paid-parking system, with exemptions for some areas such as Pine Avenue, the city pier and Bayfront Park.

— lisa neff

A view in 1997 of the exterior of island foods in Holmes Beach. the grocery store opened

Super market was built at the location.

South Palma Sola Bay passes testing, north bay under scrutiny

By robert Anderson islander reporter

It depends how and where one looks at the waters of Palma Sola Bay when determining its health.

Water testing for enterococcus bacteria on the south side of the bay indicates good or moderate quality while testing on the north side of the bay frequently indicates poor or unhealthy water quality.

Palma Sola Bay is an embayment in west Manatee that flows into Anna Maria Sound and provides sanctuary for manatees, dolphins, wading birds, fish and other wildlife, as well as serving as a recreation area for people.

Suncoast Waterkeeper has been collecting water quality data from the north side of the bay — north of Manatee Avenue at the Palma Sola Causeway just before the humpback bridge nearest the mainland.

The group’s results have shown levels of enterococcus bacteria consistently exceed those on the south side, which is monitored by the Manatee County Department of Health.

Enterococcus bacteria, associated with fecal contamination, can pose health risks to people, including gastrointestinal issues and skin infections.

Test results for the north side have indicated contamination levels that typically warrant public safety warnings and the group is working to identify the biological origin of the excess bacteria.

For reference, a report of 0-35 cells per 100 milliliters of marine water is considered good, 36-70 cells is moderate and 71 or greater is poor.

The group’s April 1 report showed 199 cells per 100 milliliters. An April 8 report showed 75 cells per 100 milliliters.

By comparison, the health department’s April 2 report for south Palma Sola showed less than 35.4 cells per 100 milliliters. An April 8 report showed less than 35.4 cells per 100 milliliters. The DOH testing site on the south shore of the bay is east of the humpback bridge.

“We have collected sediment and water samples that are at the lab now,” Tyrna told The Islander April 11. “We hope to get results in the next couple of weeks.”

Tyrna said the group’s initial efforts for DNA

people avail themselves of personal watercraft rentals and sunbathe April 12 on the causeway beach on the south side of manatee Avenue on palma Sola Bay. islander photo: robert Anderson

marker testing were thwarted by inclement weather, resulting in increased expenses and the need to pursue a grant for further testing.

While Suncoast Waterkeeper focuses mainly on harmful bacteria levels, the SBEP uses data collected by the health department to assess the wellbeing of the estuary.

“We’ve developed a report card we’ve been using to let our partners and the public know the status and the health of the bay,” Jay Leverone, program scientist at SBEP, said April 11.

He said the health reports are based on total nitrogen, chlorophyll, seagrass acreage and macro algae.

Leverone said the group has been tracking such data since 2006.

He recognized the bacteria issue being tracked by Suncoast Waterkeeper but said overall Palma Sola shows the markers of a healthy body of water.

“Palma Sola, of all the bay segments, has, year in and year out, shown the best overall health according to the metrics that we measure,” Leverone said.

With nitrogen, chlorophyll, and macro algae numbers consistently within healthy margins, he said the bay annually maintains about 1,100 acres of seagrass.

“It’s kind of a unique system,” Leverone said, referring to the bay’s ability to maintain its seagrass.

Leverone said monitoring will look at stormwater runoff from both existing neighborhoods and future development.

Suncoast Waterkeeper reports its findings weekly at suncoastwaterkeeper.org/safetoswim.

The SBEP report card can be found online at sarasotabay.org/our-estuaries/report-card/.

About fecal pollution

Enterococci are enteric bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. The presence of the bacteria in water can indicate fecal pollution, which might come from stormwater runoff, animals and human sewage.

If present in high concentrations, the bacteria can be ingested or enter the skin through a cut or sore, causing human disease, infections or rashes.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency says enterococci have a greater correlation with swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness in marine and fresh waters than other bacterial indicator organisms and are less likely to die off in saltwater.

— lisa neff

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are leading the way to their favorite shops and boutiques for a spring fling. T&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.

You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters and anyone seeking antiques and unique decor. You don’t want to miss this collection.

We’ll definitely make a stop next door at Blue Flamingo , home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.

We promise you will find treasures aplenty.

Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting, you’ll want to pull up a chair

— with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.

Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

The

1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.

And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the

Anna Maria officials — again — disappointed by Pine Ave. bid

By ryan paice islander reporter

Another request for proposals to improve Pine Avenue in Anna Maria has again resulted in only one bid and plenty of disappointment.

Mayor Dan Murphy said April 11 that he could not currently recommend Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc.’s $1.4 million bid to improve Pine Avenue from south of Gulf Drive to Pine’s intersection with North Shore Drive.

The city budgeted $3,349,634.46 in fiscal 2023-24 to improve Pine, Magnolia and Spring avenues, including $2,698,440 in state appropriations and $283,412.96

HB

from the U.S. American Rescue Plan Act.

The city has issued three requests for proposals to take on the improvement work along Pine and, each time, C-Squared has been the only bidder.

Without competitive bids, city officials passed up on the offers and decided to pursue prototype crosswalk and sidewalk improvements along the proposed stretch of Pine Avenue.

However, C-Squared again was the only contractor to respond to the RFP — and its proposed $1.4 million price tag dwarfs the $450,000 projected cost.

Murphy said he and staff reviewed the bid, which does not line up with the Florida Department of Trans-

approves $1.7M sewer contract

By ryan paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach’s stormwater infrastructure is set for some extensive repairs.

City commissioners unanimously voted April 9 to approve a $1,733,541.03 contract with Tampa-based Sun Civil LLC, to complete maintenance and a storm sewer upgrade project.

Commissioners Pat Morton and Carol Soustek were absent with excuse.

City engineer and public works superintendent Sage Kamiya told The Islander April 10 that about 50% of the city’s stormwater infrastructure needed to be repaired and/or replaced.

“This is old infrastructure from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, that has not been touched or replaced and is failing,” Kamiya said. “We need to replace it before there is a catastrophic failure.”

He said such failures could include the collapse of an underground structure, which can lead to sinkholes.

Some of the old piping and attached structures are made of asbestos cement and removal requires a specialized process.

Kamiya said the previous city center improvement project set the foundation for the municipality to upgrade the remainder of its infrastructure and would allow new pipelines to connect into a healthy framework.

He told city commissioners April 9 that the project will begin with about $1 million in work, to which the

city will apply its remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and stormwater assessment money.

Those funds would cover the repair and replacement of about half of what the city hopes to complete, according to Kamiya.

After that, any additional funds will be doled out among work assignments approved by the city commission.

Commissioner Dan Diggins questioned contractor Sun Civil’s ability to complete the described work by December — the city-set deadline by which the contractor must complete the first $1 million of work.

Kamiya said he would contact Sun Civil shortly after the contract’s approval with a notice to proceed and arrange to meet and determine how the project will be tackled.

“I want to see how they’re going to do it, too, because if they can’t do it, they won’t get paid,” Kamiya said.

Commission Chair Terry Schaefer asked if the proposed work would impact Holmes Boulevard, which has been the site of Manatee County’s force main replacement project for two-plus years.

The sewer upgrade project will not impact Holmes Boulevard or Marina Drive, according to Kamiya. Diggins moved to approve the contract.

Commissioner Greg Kerchner seconded the motion, which passed.

The city commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

A livestream of the meeting can be found on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

AM discusses allowing dogs at city park

By ryan paice islander reporter

Leashed dogs soon may be allowed at City Pier Park in Anna Maria.

An ordinance to establish the proposal passed a first reading April 11 and will head back to city commissioners for a second — and potentially final — reading and vote.

City code currently prohibits dogs and other domestic animals in city parks and some public spaces.

The city has been working since last October on potential changes to allow leashed dogs in City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., after the planning and zoning board requested the commission explore such an allowance.

The proposed ordinance would allow people to walk leashed dogs at the park, except during the

city’s Veterans Day and Memorial Day events, which regularly draw more than 1,000 attendees.

Mayor Dan Murphy said allowing people to bring dogs to such large events would increase the risk of potential issues.

Commissioners voiced support for the proposed ordinance, but Chair Mark Short argued the exceptions for the two events were unfair.

During public comment, resident Alan Ward cautioned the commission from opening up the park.

“If you open it up for dogs, they are going to be there all the time, no matter what the event is,” Ward said.

The city commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

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portation’s cost estimates.

“In the back of my mind, I had an idea of what this would cost us. And it was not $1.4 million. … $1.4 million was originally the cost of the entire street,” he said. “Quite frankly, I cannot with a clear conscious recommend you a $1.4 million project for one block.”

“I’d highly recommend against that. … Can you imagine what it would cost us to do the whole street?” he added.

Murphy said he met with C-Squared to discuss disparities in their proposed price tag and projected costs. He asked the contractor to review its bid, bring down whatever prices it could and to justify the remaining costs.

“It’s disappointing to me to be where we are,” Murphy said. “I was hoping at this point I’d be asking you for permission to negotiate a contract. But I can’t at this point.”

“It’s disappointing to say the least,” Commission Chair Mark Short agreed.

Commissioner Jonathan Crane also expressed hesitancy in hiring C-Squared due to its alleged involvement in a May 12, 2023, pedestrian accident that resulted in the death of Miriam Trotter.

A motorist struck Trotter, a visitor to Holmes Beach staying with her daughter, Deborah, who was in a crosswalk with her, after both he and Trotter received signals to proceed through the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives in Holmes Beach.

Deborah Trotter has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the motorist and C-Squared that argues the contractor was negligent in failing to coordinate new traffic lights with crosswalk signals at the intersection.

C-Squared’s bid will be exempt from public records until the city posts a notice of award for the contract or until 30 days after the April 1 bid opening.

There was no public comment.

The city commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

Anna maria mayor dan murphy speaks April 11 about the $1.4 million bid from Sarasota-based c-Squared cgc inc. in response to the city’s request for proposals to improve a stretch of pine Avenue. islander photo: ryan paice

Kamiya

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout April, Kathy Lee Patterson exhibit, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786694.

OFF AMI

Thursday, April 18

6 p.m. — Manatee Music Series concert with Trevor Bystrom and Zion Albert, G.T. Bray Park, 2811 51st St. W., Bradenton.

Friday, April 19

6-8 p.m. — Music in the Park concert with Monkey Finger, Riverwalk Pavilion at Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton, Bradenton. Information: 941-301-8445.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Throughout April, “Venues Remembered” exhibit by Marg Williamson, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.

Through April 28, “Dali and the Impressionists,” the Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 727-823-3767.

Through April 28, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s “Bird Photographer of the Year,” 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Through June 23, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390.

Through June 30, “Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe,” Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.

First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.

Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., art demos, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648, islandgalleryandstudios.org.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

SAVE THE DATES

On display

“marsh” by Kathy lee patterson, the April featured artist at the Artists’ guild gallery, 5414 marina drive. for more information, call AgAmi at 941-778-6694. islander courtesy photo

May 3, Theater in the Park, Bradenton.

May 10, Theater in the Park, Bradenton.

May 16, Manatee Music Series concert with Paul Fournier, Bradenton.

MARKETS & SALES

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Coquina Beach Market, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941840-0789, coquinabeachmarket.org.

Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard. Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays through May 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-301-8445.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

Friday, April 19

10 a.m. — 40 Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

6-8 p.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island Family Night, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

Tuesday, April 23

10 a.m. — Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

May 2-12, Island Players’ “The Woman in Black,” Anna Maria.

SAVE THE DATES

April 27, De Soto Heritage Festival Grand Parade, Bradenton.

May 4, Center of Anna Maria Island’s Crawfish Boil, Anna Maria.

May 18, Bradentown’s Birthday Bash at the Market, Bradenton.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, April 18

10:15 a.m. — Island Morning Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-7781383.

Second Mondays, 2 p.m., Center of Anna Maria Island Adult Book Club, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

Most Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-718-5583.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., through April, Manatee Audubon Society meetings, First United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. W., Palmetto. Information: manateeaudubon@gmail.com, 941-729-2222.

SAVE THE DATES

May 4, Center of Anna Maria Island Beach Cleanup, Anna Maria.

May 4, Keep Manatee Beautiful Love It Like a Local Cleanup, Bradenton Beach.

May 28, Keep Manatee Beautiful/Holmes Beach Beach Cleanup, Holmes Beach.

June 4, Keep Manatee Beautiful Palma Sola Causeway Park Cleanup, Bradenton.

ONGOING OFF AMI

First Wednesdays, SOAR in 4 family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Second Saturdays, Quest for Kids, the Bishop Museum, 201

Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

SPORTS & GAMES

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Fridays, noon, bridge, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 314-324-5921.

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.

Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Sept. 1, Bradenton Marauders home games, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee apples. Information: 941-7473031.

OUTDOORS & NATURE ON AMI

Thursday, April 18

9 a.m. — Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach South, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-748-4501.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

CALENDAR NOTES

KEEP THE DATES

April 22, Earth Day.

April 22, Passover.

April 26, National Arbor Day.

May 1-Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out!

May 1, May Day.

May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

May 12, Mother’s Day.

May 27, Memorial Day.

June 1-Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared! GET LISTED!

Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Wearable T-shirt art by local artist Connie Wolgast. Scan here shop!

happenings

Players prepare season finale

The Island Players’ presentation of “The Woman in Black” will open Thursday, May 2, and continue through Sunday, May 12.

Kelly Wynn Woodland is directing the island production, with a cast that includes Tom Horton, Mark Woodland and Tahlia Chinault.

The theater group described “The Woman in Black,” written by Stephen Mallatratt and Susan Hill, based on Hill’s novel, as a gothic story.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. The theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, is dark Mondays.

The box office, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, will open Monday, April 22, for in-person and telephone ticket sales. Hours will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday and an hour before showtime.

The production, coproduced by Bortell’s Lounge, will close out the Island Players’ 75th season. Tickets also can be purchased at theislandplayers. org.

For more information, call the box office at 941778-5755.

Center to boost reef effort

Tickets are on sale for the Fish Fry Soiree, set for noon-5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

The event — just prior to Earth Day — will benefit Full Send Reef Habitat Inc.

The organization, according to its website at fullsendreefhabitat.org, was established “to create more habitats offshore and inshore to support sustainable fisheries for Florida’s ever-growing population.

To create this artificial reef habitat, the Full Send Reef Habitat Inc. uses repurposed materials to create more safe places for our fish to inhabit, providing additional fishing opportunities and taking pressure off overfished spots.”

The benefit will include speakers’ remarks, food and live music.

For more information, including ticket details, contact the center at 941-778-1908.

Center previews camp plans

The Center of Anna Maria Island will launch a series of summer camps June 3.

The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., plans three categories of camps: Summer My Way Camp, Adventure Time Teen Camp and Specialty Camps.

Summer My Way will be for kids as young as kindergarten up to the fifth-grade, with enrollment in a sports-themed or discovery program.

The teen camp will be for grades sixth-ninth and feature “center fun” and Tuesday and Thursday trips.

Specialty camps will focus on babysitting, tennis, tumbling, soccer, photography, Lego building, archery, lacrosse, baking, fishing and crafts such as tie-dye and sun printing.

Registration for summer camps is not yet open.

For more, call the community center at 941-7781908.

For friends

Sandy Haas-martens, left, secretary-treasurer of the Kiwanis of Anna maria island foundation, joins island library supervisor Aaron drake, friends of the island library president debbie Wartschlager, foundation president lynn Kruse and foundation vice president darrel Shinn for a check presentation April 6 at Bradenton Beach city Hall. the foundation presented the library group with $500. the Kiwanis club meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at city hall, 107 gulf drive n. islander courtesy photo

De Soto Heritage Fest parade to roll April 27

Cheer for beads or stay off Manatee Avenue. Manatee County’s annual spring celebration, the De Soto Heritage Festival, concludes with a grand parade at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27, on Manatee Avenue in Bradenton.

An estimated 100,000 people will line Manatee Avenue to watch more than 150 entries parade past them.

For celebrants, the parade can be a good time.

For motorists, the parade can be a hassle, requiring detours from Manatee Avenue, as some roads for the parade will close as early as 1 p.m.

Organizers, online at desotohq.com, said the 2024 parade “is getting a major overhaul … as the event has outgrown its traditional route thanks to an increasing number of entries, more spectators and bigger floats.”

Changes include staging on Manatee Avenue between First Street West and Ninth Street West, with the nine-block section of Manatee Avenue closing at 1 p.m. and westbound Manatee traffic rerouted to Ninth Avenue West.

The remainder of Manatee Avenue from Ninth Street West to 43rd Street West will close at 5 p.m.

Also, southbound lanes on the Green Bridge across the Manatee River will close about an hour before the parade starts.

For more details about the events, including the parade route, go online to desotohq.com or call 941-747-1998.

Solar sensation Island happenings

After closing April 8 at ginny’s and Jane e’s cafe and coastal Store in Anna maria, crew member Alicia darling looks up to observe the partial solar eclipse. Wondering what to do with the eclipse viewing glasses? Stow them away for the next event or donate them to an educational group, such as Astronomers without Borders at astronomerswithoutborders.org. islander photo: connie Wolgast

dave and elizabeth Boyers of Sarasota view the April 8 solar eclipse from their beach chairs on north longboat Key. umbraphiles on the island were able to view a 65% eclipse of the sun 1:42-4:15 p.m. islander photos: robert Anderson

emma gallick, 7, helps her sister, Aubrey, 5, look through a pair of eclipse viewing glasses at the Anna maria city pier, 100 n. Bay Blvd., Anna maria. the gallick family was on vacation April 8 from ohio when the solar eclipse occurred.

Earth Day doings

Earth Day — the 54th annual — will be observed Monday, April 22. On and around AMI, most events related to the holiday will be in the week prior, including:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

• Manatee County Earth Day Happening, 11 a.m., G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave Drive W., Bradenton. Plans include presentations on coastal conservation from Suncoast Waterkeepers, sea turtle conservation from Longboat Key Turtle Watch and a film series on coastal ecology and sustainability.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

• Florida Maritime Museum Hands-On Habits, 10 a.m.-noon, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Plans include outdoor learning activities. Information: 941-708-6120.

• Cortez Village Historical Society Earth Day celebration, 10 a.m.-noon, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Plans include games, prizes and exploration of the FISH Preserve. Information: cvhs2016@aol.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

• Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Earth Day celebration, 9 a.m., Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Plans include worship, music and singalongs and a potluck picnic. Information: 585-406-9260.

• Center of Anna Maria Island Fish Fry Soiree, noon-5 p.m., 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The center, in partnership with Full Send Reef Habitat Inc. and Jah Movement, will host a celebration with food, music and speakers to benefit Artificial Reef. Information: 941-778-1908.

— lisa neff

Shell collectors to stroll shore at Coquina Beach

Calling beachcombers.

The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department will host a “Seashell Shore Walk” at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 18, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

A notice from the county invited people to join “a relaxing walk on the beach to search for seashells and learn to identify them.”

Participants also will learn about ethical seashell-collecting methods.

Reservations are required.

Look

For more information, contact Elena Burke at elena.burke@mymanatee.org and 941-742-5923, ext. 6036.

Schooled on Earth Day at AME

By robyn murrell islander reporter

The Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science at Anna Maria Elementary School partnered with the Cortez Village Historical Society for an Earth Day celebration and poster contest.

Eco-Adventurer’s Day will be 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 20 at CVHS’s Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez.

The center sits on the FISH Preserve, an environmentally sensitive area maintained by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage.

During the Earth Day celebration, winners of AME’s poster contest will be revealed and awarded prizes. Fourth- and fifth-grade students submitted 30 posters, which will be displayed at the event.

The contest theme, “schooling,” in a fish sense, refl ects the academy’s third-quarter curriculum on mangroves, plastic pollution, as well as the significance of adaptation for species survival.

Students collaborated in groups to craft poster advertisements persuading people about the importance of schooling.

Three judges selected 10 posters, which will be further evaluated by three other judges using a “Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation Schooling Rubric” — academic vocabulary, quality graphics, an explanation of three benefits of schooling and a clear presentation of ideas.

Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and thirdplace winners, who will be invited to introduce themselves and describe their work at Eco-Adventurer’s Day.

The event also will feature learning activities and the first 50 children to complete a scavenger hunt will

AME

AME students delve into water quality, marine litter issues

Anna Maria Elementary students will receive a lesson on reducing marine litter as part of the Holmes Beach Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign.

Islanders 4 Clean Water sheds light on water quality issues and, each month, the city provides AME with learning materials, including videos on topics related to area waterways.

In March, students learned about protecting mangroves and received Islanders 4 Clean Water bracelets.

This month, in observance of Earth Day April 22, students will learn about reducing marine litter, cutting down on single-use plastics and the impact of plastics on the environment.

Students will receive Islanders 4 Clean Water Earth Day T-shirts.

The global Earth Day theme for 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics.”

For more information, contact the school at 941708-5525.

— robyn murrell

Saylor firestone’s poster for earth day 2023. Ame students also created posters for earth day 2024. they will be displayed Saturday, April 20, at a cortez event. islander file photo

receive prizes.

Additionally, there will be an unveiling of a diorama highlighting historic fishing practices.

“People have fished for their livelihood here for thousands of years because the mangroves and seagrasses are incredible nurseries for fish and other sea life, providing other amazing benefi ts, including storm protection and reducing greenhouse gases that can contribute to climate change,” said, Cynthia Rodgers, president of the CVHS board.

She continued, “Teaching children to become good stewards of the land and water will help to

AME Calendar

• Thursday, April 18, 3:45 p.m., school advisory council meeting, guy Harvey room.

• Saturday, April 27, 6-10 p.m., PTO spring gala, the center of Anna maria island, 407 magnolia Ave., Anna maria. fee applies.

• Friday, May 17, field day.

• Monday, May 20, fifth-grade luncheon, Beach House Waterfront restaurant, 200 gulf drive n., Bradenton Beach.

• Tuesday, May 21, fifth-grade graduation.

• May 22-23, 1:50 p.m., early dismissal.

• Friday, May 24, 1:50 p.m., last day for students.

• Tuesday, May 28, last day for staff.

• Monday, Aug. 12, first day of 2024-25 school year.

Anna maria elementary is at 4700 gulf drive, Holmes Beach. for more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

protect our precious resources for generations. What better school to partner with than Anna Maria Elementary.”

For more information, contact the school at 941708-5525.

About the AME academy

The first Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Sciences was established at Anna Maria Elementary in 2023 and is now in its second academic year.

The academy integrates art, math and science lessons into a program about protecting oceans and marine life.

Show and create

teacher laura redeker holds eclipse-themed art third-grade students made April 8 at Anna maria elementary School in Holmes Beach. the students also watched a live-stream of the total solar eclipse on a nASA website. the School district of manatee county required students in kindergarten to eighth-grade to remain indoors 1:40-4:15 p.m. that day for safety reasons. islander photo: courtesy Ame/mike masiello

On the water

chris Seman of perico island caught sight of two American white pelicans on the water near a dock on Key royale in Holmes Beach in late march and caught this photo. the “snowbird” species is a common sight around Anna maria island during the winter months.

FRee ...

The Islander newspaper is FRee at Publix Holmes Beach. Just stop by the customer service desk, hold out your hand and say, “Islander, please!” And maybe remind staff you’d like the serve-yourself community newsrack returned to the lobby.

An islander 4 clean Water t-shirt. islander courtesy image

By lisa neff

St. Bernard sets blood drive

St. Bernard Catholic Church will hold a blood drive in partnership with OneBlood 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, April 21.

Donors at the church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, will receive $20 gift cards for online shopping, an insulated tote bag and a wellness checkup.

For more information or to book an appointment, go online to oneblood/donate-now and use the sponsor code 14317.

Chapel hosts luncheon

The Longboat Island Chapel will hold the Bon Voyage Luncheon to “say goodbye to those who head back at the end of the season and share a delicious meal.”

The lunch will be at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, April 21, in the chapel’s Snook Fellowship Hall, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

For more information, call 941-383-6491.

Passover Seder planned

Temple Beth Israel will hold its community Passover Seder at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 22.

Michaels on East of Sarasota will cater the event, which costs $90 per person for those 13 and older.

Temple Beth Israel is at 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key.

Fr more information, call 941-383-3428.

Sunday, April 21

9 a.m. — Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Earth Day celebration, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 585406-9260.

8 a.m.-1 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church blood drive, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: oneblood.org/donatenow.

11:15 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel Bon Voyage Luncheon celebrating seasonal residents, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491.

Monday, April 22

5:30 p.m. — Temple Beth Israel Community Family Passover Seder, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-3833428.

SAVE THE DATES

May 5, St. Bernard first Communion Mass.

June 3-7, Roser Church vacation Bible school, Anna Maria. June 17-21, CrossPointe Fellowship vacation Bible school, Holmes Beach.

ONGOING ON AMI

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays through May 15, 6 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast supper and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

Earth Day worship, celebration planned at Coquina

Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship members will gather 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach for worship, a potluck picnic and activities promoting environmental awareness.

The event, with the theme “Our beloved community, our beloved Earth,” commemorates Earth Day, which is April 22.

MUUF, 322 15th St. W., Bradenton, describes itself as “a welcoming community supporting religious freedom and spiritual growth while working for social justice with compassion and love.”

For more information, go online to manateeuuf. org or call 941-746-0067.

At your service

JOY meeting

Betty dimmick shows her AKc champion canines during a 2017 meeting of JoY at roser memorial community church. dimmick will address JoY at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the church, 512 pine Ave., Anna maria. She’ll talk about living with multiple sclerosis. for more about the brown-bag lunch meeting, call 941-778-0414. islander courtesy photo

Gayle Adema

Gayle Adema, 82, of Bradenton and formerly of Holmes Beach, died March 10.

She was born Gayle Maischoss Aug. 22, 1941, and was raised in Buffalo, New York.

She married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Adema, and they raised their two children in Williamsville, New York.

She vacationed on Anna Maria Island for years and made Holmes Beach her home upon retirement. The couple enjoyed spending their summers in Cedar Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Mrs. Adena was a longtime member of Roser Memorial Community Church and attended Island Players theater.

A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 18, at Water’s Edge of Bradenton, 2015 32nd Ave. W., Bradenton. Memorials may be made to Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Mrs. Adema is survived by her loving husband, Bob; son Robert H. Jr. and wife Susan; daughter Vicki and partner Scott Walker; and an extended loving family and friends.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast; Mondays, 1 p.m., book club.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship.

Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.

Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

Gathering is the religion section. Please, send announcements, calendar listings and photos to calendar@islander.org.

Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., RoserRobics; Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study; first and third Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Just Older Youth group; select Wednesdays through May 22, 9:30 a.m., Mom’s Cafe; Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Holy Yoga. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.

Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.; Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoflbk.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., women’s Bible study; Mondays, 9 a.m., men’s Bible study; Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m., bridge club. Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays, 4 p.m., choir practice.

Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-3428.

Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.

Please, send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Adema

GoodDeeds

By lisa neff

Assistance sought on AMI

• Save the date: The annual Letter Carriers

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday, May 12, when U.S. Postal Service employees collect nonperishables for food banks at post offices, as well as from residents’ mailboxes.

Info: nalc.org.

• The Islander seeks donations on behalf of Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton, injured when struck by a truck while walking to his workplace. Information: “Please help — Unexpected Medical and Care Costs” on gofundme.com.

• Wildlife Inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured and sick animals. Info: 941-778-6342.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-941 778-5755.

• The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteer docents. Info: 941-778-0492, amihs.org.

• The Friends of the Island Library welcomes members to support the island branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, friendsoftheislandlibrary.org.

• Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry supported by All Island Denominations. Info: 941-778-0414.

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live, work or attend school on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

• AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.

— lisa neff

Get listed To list services on Anna Maria Island or a call for help, email lisa@islander.org with details.

Raising awareness

palmetto police department Sgt. micah

mathews, left, Holmes Beach police det. Josh

fleischer and ppd det.

James carr, right, visit April 10 while attending tennessee-based centerstone’s no Voice unheard event to raise awareness about sexual abuse at the 13th Avenue dream center, 922 24th St. e., Bradenton. April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. for help or more information, go online to www.nsvrc.org/survivors.

EcoDeeds: Environmental groups at work on AMI

April 22 marks the 54th year of Earth Day and the birth of the modern environmental movement.

The massive support for the first Earth Day moved the public on environmental issues and moved Congress to action, resulting in lasting environmental legislation.

What might be the results of support for Earth Day 2024?

GoodDeed-doers seeking to celebrate and join local environmental organizations on and around AMI might want to connect with the following:

• All Clams on Deck, allclamsondeck.org. Their mission is restoring seagrass and high-density clam sites.

• Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, islandturtlewatch.com. Their mission is to coordinate and conserve sea turtles and their habitat.

• Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES, cityofbradentonbeach.com. The mission is to advise on beautification, landscaping and scenic highway improvements.

• Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, fi shcortez.org. Their mission is the promotion, education and preservation of Cortez and its maritime culture.

• Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee, holmesbeachfl.org. The mission is to advise on parks, beautification and other improvements.

• Holmes Beach Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee and Islanders 4 Clean Water, islanders4cleanwater. com. Their missions are to bring attention to issues that contribute to the quality of local waters.

• Keep Manatee Beautiful, manateebeautiful.com. The mission is to bring together volunteers to stop littering and promote beautification.

• Manasota-88, manasota88.org. The mission is to protect “the public’s health and preservation of the environment.”

• Manatee-Sarasota chapter of the Sierra Club, sierraclub.org/florida/manatee-sarasota. The mission is to enjoy and protect natural places.

• Manatee County Audubon, manateeaudubon.org. Their mission is to protect, preserve and restore the natural environment.

• Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, mote. org. Their vision is to lead in research programs that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.

• Sarasota Bay Watch, sarasotabaywatch.org. Their mission is to “assure the sustainability of Sarasota Bay.”

• Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, sarasotabay.org. Their mission is to improve the health of Sarasota Bay.

There also is a Tampa Bay Estuary Program at tbep. org.

• Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter, suncoast.surfrider.org. Their mission is the “protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans.”

• Suncoast Waterkeeper, suncoastwaterkeeper.org. Their mission is to “protect and restore the Florida Suncoast’s waterways.”

• Wildlife Inc., wildlifeinc.org. Their mission is to rescue and rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife.

The Center of Anna Maria Island — centerami.org — also runs a green initiative and the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department — mymanatee.org — conducts many volunteer programs.

The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge —mooselodge2188.com — and Anna Maria Island Privateers — amiprivateers.wildapricot.org — also lead cleanups on AMI.

— lisa neff

Called to clean up

Volunteers check in to a 2023 beach cleanup organized by the Anna maria island moose lodge #2188 in Bradenton Beach. the next cleanup will be 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, may 4, beginning at the lodge, 110 gulf drive S., Bradenton Beach. for more information, call the moose at 941-778-4110.

Wildlife inc. volunteer pat porter holds a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk in preparation for its release earlier this year. islander file photo: courtesy michael porter

islander photo: courtesy Jt thomas

Fence blocking disputed HB beach path to come down

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The blockade of a disputed beach access path at the west end of 78th Street in Holmes Beach is headed for change.

Planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor wrote in an April 5 email to The Islander that part of an illegally built fence on Travis Resmondo’s property at 99 78th St. and 101 78th St. was to be removed April 8, after press time for The Islander.

It has been two years since Resmondo first blocked what used to be a beach access path frequented by neighbors along the north side of his property with ropes, bollards, plants and signage, claiming it as private property.

The blockade has faced legal scrutiny since May 2022, when some nearby property owners teamed up to file a lawsuit, but there have been no developments in the case since June 2023.

Riverview woman arrested for DUI in Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach police April 2 arrested Bridget Hyatt, 44, of Riverview, on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence.

The arrest occurred at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, after an officer responded to a call about a reckless driver.

The officer found Hyatt sleeping in the driver’s seat with a Nutri beverage between her legs, according to an HBPD report. She also was parked illegally, as the public beach was closed.

A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy conducted field sobriety exercises, which Hyatt failed to complete, according to the report. She also refused to fully perform breath tests.

A vehicle search produced an open pack of alcoholic beverages, two empty cans and a handgun.

Hyatt was taken to the Manatee County jail, where she was released April 3 after posting $500 bond.

If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

— ryan Paice

During the downtime, Resmondo installed a pool and travertine deck in his backyard, as well as a fence built along the northern and southern property lines and westward onto his beachside lot at 99 78th St.

The fencing encloses several dozen feet of a walkway easement where the beach access path had been located, further blocking its entrance from the roadway.

City staff inspected the property in February and found the fence was built in violation of an approved permit, and issued a notice of violation.

Resmondo’s contractor, Bradenton-based Tom

Sanger Pool and Spa, has applied with the city for a permit revision but needs approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to finalize a new location for the fence.

In the meantime, they asked the city to let the fence remain during the permitting process, especially during spring tourist season. The city approved the request.

However, Minor wrote April 5 that DEP approval was taking “longer than expected,” so the contractor was set to remove the fence from the walkway easement and place a temporary fence to meet pool safety requirements.

Streetlife By robert Anderson and ryan Paice Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

No new reports.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

April 1, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, burglary to vehicle. A woman reported her vehicle burglarized and items missing. She had a GPS tracker in one of her items, which she used to track down a man at a hotel in Bradenton. The woman provided a description to police and a list of missing items.

April 2, 100 block of 71st Street, noise complaint/ alcohol. Holmes Beach police officers responded to reports of loud parties on the beach and found 50-100 people partying. Upon sight of the officers, the people ran away. Still, police detained multiple people, including juveniles drinking alcohol. The officers called the juveniles’ parents to pick them up. The officers also broke up another gathering near 65th Street and detained another juvenile.

April 4, 100 block of 53rd Street, alcohol/trespass/ resisting officer. Two HBPD officers responded to reports of a loud party on the beach and found a noisy group of around 100 people who began running away upon seeing police. One officer detained a pair of juveniles, including a juvenile with an alcoholic beverage in her possession. Police filed juvenile referrals against them for resisting without violence, trespassing and underage alcohol possession. An officer contacted the juveniles’ parents and released them to their custody.

April 6, Publix Super Market, 3900 E. Bay Drive, shoplifting. An officer saw a man in Bradenton who matched the description of a man who stole items from Publix in March. He was taking a westbound bus to the island. Police stopped the man in Holmes Beach, confirmed his identity and found more recently stolen goods on searching him. A manager wanted to press charges. An officer issued the man court summons and released him from police custody.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

April 3, D.Coy Ducks Bar & Grille, battery. An HBPD officer responded to reports of a fight at the bar and found a half-naked man on the ground with what appeared to be a serious head injury. He said he had gotten into an argument with another man which escalated into a physical altercation. The officer called for Manatee County Emergency Medical Services, which transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. Meanwhile, Manatee County sheriff’s deputies located the other man involved in the fight based on witness information. The other man, who had visible injuries, said the hospitalized man instigated the fight. Another witness also said the hospitalized man, who wanted to press charges, was the primary aggressor. The officer provided both parties with case cards but made no arrests.

AM mulls grandfathering CBD sales

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The city of Anna Maria’s best solution to allowing cannabis sales might be its simplest.

City commissioners April 11 discussed a draft ordinance that would grandfather preexisting sales of CBD and hemp products despite the municipality’s cannabis prohibition.

City code currently prohibits the growing, processing, distribution and sale of any plants or products derived from the genus cannabis, which includes marijuana and hemp.

The city has been working on potential code changes since February, following denial of a mobile CBD vendor to sell at an arts and crafts show and issuance of violations to a pair of local businesses for selling CBD and/or hemp products.

City commissioners had been discussing a draft ordinance that would prohibit medical marijuana dispensing facilities and retail establishments with more than 10% of their inventories consisting of cannabis products.

However, city attorney Becky Vose and Mayor Dan Murphy presented an entirely new draft ordinance at the April 11 meeting.

The new ordinance would make businesses with a location within the city — not including mobile sales — eligible to receive grandfather status to continue sales of regularly sold products “that would otherwise have been prohibited” under the municipality’s cannabis ban as of April 1.

Grandfathered businesses would not be allowed to increase their volume of sales.

The proposed ordinance also has a new subsection: “Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to allow the sale of any product, the sale of which is otherwise prohibited by Florida law as then applicable.”

Vose said the new subsection would prevent the sale of synthetic cannabis products, which are detailed

down to chemical makeup in state law.

Murphy said the city also would create a resolution establishing a process for businesses in the municipality to apply for grandfather status under the ordinance.

Otherwise, city code would remain the same as it is currently written.

Vose added that the proposed ordinance would not be impacted if the state adopted recreational marijuana laws, since such laws often provide carve-outs for cities and counties to opt out and maintain their own regulations.

Commissioner Gary McMullen, who has expressed opposition to the city’s cannabis prohibition, said he did not like the new ordinance since it did not address CBD sales. He said it did not make sense to prohibit CBD when it was legal almost everywhere else.

However, other commissioners, including Jonathan Crane and Chair Mark Short, spoke in support of the new proposal.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions about this and they’ve all given me a headache,” Crane said. “And I think this compromise ordinance … is quite good.”

Janalee Gallagher, owner of AMI Beach & Dog Supply Co., 313c Pine Ave., Anna Maria, spoke during public comment about her business’ use of CBD products for veterinary purposes.

Gallagher wanted to make sure such canine-grade products would be included in the city’s allowances.

Murphy said Gallagher’s business could be grandfathered under the proposed ordinance.

The city commission will meet next at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

RoadWatch

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is working on sewer lines off Gulf Drive South. Motorists can expect the closures of some side streets. Construction has begun on Seventh Street South and is expected to continue through late April. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s work on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets continues. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

— lisa Neff

islander Photo: robert Anderson

County takes over causeway, concerns raised over trash

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Manatee County is now in charge of the Palma Sola Causeway — both sides of the roadway.

An interlocal agreement transferring maintenance of the causeway from the city of Bradenton to the county was finalized March 27 with the signature of Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown.

The agreement makes the county responsible for ongoing maintenance, including beach raking, bollards, changing station, landscaping and signage, as

well as trash receptacles and waste removal.

In return, the city agreed to pay the county the annual cost of one parks maintenance technician salary, or $61,692.

The deal allows the city to maintain jurisdiction over waterway activities along the causeway and to participate in joint beautification improvement projects for the stretch beach/roadway.

Either party can terminate the agreement “for convenience” upon providing 90 days written notice to the other party.

However, members of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Committee Corridor Management Entity are concerned about changes to the causeway’s trash receptacles.

The entity is a committee of Bradenton, Manatee County, Holmes Beach and nonprofit representatives

that monitors, protects, beautifies and promotes the scenic highway along Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 from 75th Street West in Bradenton to East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach.

CME member Craig Keys, Bradenton’s public works section manager, said the county was set to replace the causeway’s existing trash receptacles with bins that are about half the size.

Keys said the county would replace trash receptacles within about two months but added that he is concerned reducing the volume the receptacles can hold could lead to waste overfl ow issues along the beach/waterway where crews already face challenges with overflow on busy days.

The CME’s next meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Bradenton’s public works department building, 1411 Ninth St. W.

five years before leaving in 2022 to work for Bradenton. “it’s good to be home,” said Jones. As manager, Jones will oversee the building official and inspectors, the city planner and an administrative assistant. islander

Andre’s Famous Gumbo Made-Fresh Daily Breakfast & Lunch Sandwiches & Salads Pressed Cubans . Chicken Salad . Soup du Jour Dog food, household items, cold beverages, beer, wine, cigs.

Look for the BLUE market at the light 51st & Manatee 5104 Manatee Ave W . Bradenton . 941.896.6245

Seated at city hall, again

Anna Maria building department manager Dean Jones, left, attends an April 11 commission meeting alongside code enforcement manager David DeZutter, who was hired last November. During the meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy re-introduced Jones, who had been public works manager for

Photo: ryan Paice

People take a guided horseback ride April 12 through the waters of north Palma Sola Bay. A second group is riding across the bay in the background. islander Photo: robert Anderson

Anna Maria sets site on 3rd wind sculpture

A third wind sculpture is set to add some flair to the Anna Maria City Pier entrance.

City commissioners reached consensus April 11 for staff to install a sculpture along the streetside of the pier entrance, near the northernmost corner of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard.

The commission agreed to the purchase and installation of a third wind sculpture for $6,500.

The first two sculptures, a pair of copper Star Dancer sculptures created by Utah-based artist Lyman

‘Social’ call

Michelle McSweeney, owner of the Anna Maria island Coffee Shack, 5500 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, holds a certificate of appreciation from the city in March alongside her son, Max, left, her husband Steve and city code compliance officer Jayson Clayton, right. The city gave the business a certificate of appreciation for contributing to the 2023 Sleigh Bell Social. “We love giving to the community and it was a great experience,” McSweeney told The islander April 12. islander Photo: Courtesy Holmes Beach

Whitaker, were installed near the flagpole at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., last March.

The sculptures cost $18,000, with the Anna Maria Island Garden Club contributing $6,000.

Commission Chair Mark Short proposed the approved location.

He said landscaping around the site would need to be altered to make the sculpture more of a focal point but would otherwise require few changes.

— ryan Paice

Pitching at city hall

Gene Bobeldyke of Zeeland, Michigan, tosses a horseshoe April 10 while competing in the pits outside Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. islander

ryan Paice

Photo:

Soccer kicks for kids, adults are back at community center

By Kevin P. Cassidy islander reporter

After two weeks of action in the 8-10 division of the youth soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Solid Rock Construction is on top of the standings with a 2-0 record, just ahead of 1-0-1 Emily Moss Designs. The Intuitive Foundation holds down third place at 1-1, just ahead of fourth place Isola Bella Italian Eatery at 0-0-2. Am I Coconuts is alone in fifth place with an 0-1-1 record, while Shady Lady Horticultural Services is in search of a win.

The 11-14 division is a week behind and has HSH Designs and Moss Builders in first place with 1-0 records. Solid Rock Construction and Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control are both 0-1, while the Gitt Team has yet to play a game in the five-team division.

Action for the 11-14s last week kicked off with Moss Builders earning a 3-1 victory over Westfall’s Lawn Care behind two goals and an assist from Renan Kesten and a goal and an assist from Miles Moss.

Westfall’s Lawn Care was led by Callin Westfall, who scored their lone goal on an assist from Ryk Kesten. Austin Guess finished with eight saves in the loss.

Beau Canup scored a second-half goal on an assist from Jesse Zaccagnino to lift HSH Design to a 1-0 win over Solid Rock Construction. Jack Zaccagnino helped keep HSH in the game with 12 saves in the victory.

Goalie Charlie Serra led Solid Rock Contruction with 10 saves in the loss.

Action in the 8-10 division got started April 9 with Solid Rock Construction earning a 3-1 victory over the Intuitive Foundation behind a balanced attack that saw three different players score. Everly Chaplinksky, Aidan Guess and Samuel Raulerson each scored a goal for Solid Rock in the victory.

Silas Whitehead notched the lone goal for the Intuitive Foundation, while Sawyer Leibfried made six saves in the loss.

Emily Moss Design edged Shady Lady Horticultural Services 4-3 behind goals from Wesley Bekkerus, Miles Moss, Titus Moss and Jordy Perez in the second game of the evening. Bekkerus, Miles Moss and Nathan Moss combined for 10 saves to help preserve the victory.

Joseph Caballero’s hat trick paced Shady Lady, which also received 12 saves from Simon Messinger.

Isola Bella Italian Eatery and Am I Coconuts battled to a 2-2 tie in the third match of the night. Louis Bacon scored both goals for Isola Bella, which also received five saves from Carson Long and an assist from Asher Patel in the draw.

Grayson Hinckle and Andre Harwood had a goal each and Harwood finished with five saves for Am I Coconuts in the tie.

Adult soccer action

After three weeks of action in the adult soccer league at the community center, there is no team chasing perfection. Pool America, at 2-0-1, is the only team without a loss and is in first place by one point over a trio of teams.

Progressive Cabinetry, Salty Printing and Sato Real Estate are tied for second place with 2-1 records, a point above third place Ross Built at 1-0-2. Moss Builders follows with a 1-1-1 record, just ahead of Beach House Restaurant and Language Services Associates at 1-2. Solid Rock Construction at 0-1-2 and 0-3 Diamond Turf complete the standings.

Ross Built defeated Beach House 5-2 to open the April 11 action. Dean Hinterstoisser and Helio Gomez scored two goals each and Eliza Faillace added a goal to lead Ross Built in the victory.

Beach House received a goal each from James Rodriguez and Matthew Staggs in the loss.

Goals from Timothy Robertson and Riley Godfry lifted Moss Builders to a 2-1 victory over Solid Rock Construction in the second game of the night. Ryan Moss helped preserve the victory with 11 saves.

Lorenzo Llorente notched the lone goal for Solid Rock on an assist from Timo Vechio, while Mark Long made 11 saves in the loss.

Salty Printing outscored Sato 5-3 behind two goals each from Tyler Brewer and Kevin Roman in the third match of the night. Javier Rivera added a goal and Tuna McCracken made 14 saves in the victory.

Zacharieah Anabtawi, Oisin Crean and Alex Landy each had a goal for Sato, which also received eight saves from Josh Sato in the loss.

Nate Welch scored a pair of goals to help Pool America outlast Progressive Cabinetry 4-3 in the fourth game of the evening. Hakan Toka and Brandon Rolland chipped in with a goal each, while Jessica Reukberg made eight saves in the victory.

Progressive Cabinetry received a goal each from Leo Gonzalez, Keith Mahoney and Junior Martines in the loss.

Language Services exploded for nine goals in a 9-4 route of Diamond Turf behind four goals from Murat Akay and three goals from Daniel Hampton. Austin Nutting added a pair of goals and Ethan Hampton made 11 saves in the victory.

Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos scored two goals and Samuel Romero and Stephen Adair each added one for Diamond Turf in the loss.

Key Royale golf news

It was “A Diamond in the Rough” themed golf day April 9 as the club held its annual Doe Day event at Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach. Fifty-five women participated in the two-person handicap scramble.

First flight winners were Sharon Tarras and Lori Waggoner on a 29.25, just ahead of second-place finishers Debbie DuVernay and Barb Rinckey, who finished with a 30.35.

Roxanne Koche and Connie Livanos took fi rst place in the second flight on a 31.05 with second place going to Janet Razze and Terry Westby. Third flight winners were Marty Clark and Susan VanOrsdel with a 32.35, while Judy Menchek and Billie Jean Pinson took second place.

DuVernay won the longest-drive contest, while Alice Kristensen won the closest-to-the-pin challenge on the third hole. Also, Jenny Huibers took the prize for the closest-to-the-line contest on the fifth hole.

Regular golf action April 4 saw Kurt Snouffer card a plus-5 to win the men’s modified-Stableford system match. Tom Erdle, Cliff Lanning and John Soler were all a point back in second place, while Bob Paine was alone in third at plus-3.

Horseshoe news

Horseshoe action at the Anna Maria pits April 10 saw three teams advance from pool play to settle things in the playoffs. Tim Sofran and Bob Lee drew the bye and watched as Tom Farrington and Tom Skoloda advanced with a 21-15 victory over Bob Heiger and Dom Livedoti.

In the final, Farrington and Skoloda jumped out to an early lead and rolled to a 22-10 victory over Sofran and Lee.

The April 13 games saw Rod Bussey and Gary Howcroft post the lone 3-0 record in pool play as the day’s outright champs.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Cassidy

Key royale Club participants in the annual Doe Day event April 9 pose on the putting green following their event. islander Photo: Courtesy KrC

Spring weather, fishing action heating up in mid-April

By Capt. Danny Stasny islander reporter

With hopes that constant winds and cold fronts will subside, Anna Maria Island fishers anticipate a good bite for the second half of April and the second month of spring.

As water temperatures rise, we should see an influx of fish — especially snook — filtering out of the Manatee River and onto the flats of Anna Maria Sound southward to Sarasota Bay.

Spotted seatrout and redfish should become more apparent in the weeks to come, while reaching toward their full potential in May.

With the slightly prolonged winter weather we’ve experienced, many fish we expect to see in April remained in their wintertime haunts, but they can only wait so long.

Large quantities of bait arriving in Tampa Bay will sustain the fish as they reach the flats, which should hold them for a while, making them targetable.

Speaking of large quantities of bait, don’t forget migratory species — macks, jacks, kingfish and sharks — can be found near the bait schools. These highspeed predators are on patrol along the Gulf beaches and in Tampa Bay, monitoring the bait as they feed along the edges of the schools.

Spanish mackerel and kingfish are worthy adversaries on medium-heavy spinning gear and, pound for pound, can be quite sporty on the hook. And, if you run across a school of large jacks in the 10- to 15-pound range, be ready for a fight. These tackle busters can test the stamina of a seasoned angler.

With less wind also comes calmer seas, making it more comfortable for boaters to venture offshore. Red grouper and mangrove snapper can be had over hard bottom areas and ledges. Cobia, kingfish and amberjack, as well as apex predators — barracuda and sharks — will be found around the reefs and wrecks.

So although the late season has made April angling tougher than normal, have faith that fishing is going to get better.

Just a reminder, you might want to add the Full Send Reef Habitat Fish Fry Soiree at the Center of

Proceeds from the soiree will go toward the SolMan reef and future reefs.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m seeing numerous spotted seatrout being reeled to the boat by my clients. Fishing over deep grass flats with free-lined shiners is luring many trout to the hook, as well as a variety of other species, including jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish.

On shallower flats, snook are the main target and, with the addition of live shiners as bait, we are catching quite a few. While targeting the snook, I’m also seeing an occasional redfish on the hook.

Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters is finding great action on the inshore bite while working the flats of Sarasota Bay north to Tampa Bay. Redfish are being caught frequently, with catches reaching 35 inches. Mattay says casting live shiners or pinfish against mangrove shorelines is drawing the most attention from the reds.

Snook are being caught in similar fashion, with most catches 22-26 inches, although slot fish, 28-33 inches, are mixed in on this bite.

On the deeper flats, spotted seatrout are being caught. Free-lined live shiners in depths of 3-6 feet are being devoured. Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Mattay is fishing nearshore structure and hard bottom. In these areas, kingfish and mackerel are prominent, as well as numerous sharks. And some of the mackerel being reeled in are chomped in half before they can be boated.

Anna Maria Island to your calendar.

The soiree is taking place noon-5 p.m. Sunday, April 21, and there will be plenty to do for the whole family, including live music, food and speakers on the positive impacts of creating artificial reefs in our local waters.

Full Send is working with Manatee County to place an artificial reef off Anna Maria Island that would be named for the late Michael “Sol-Man” Steach, who died in November 2020. Steach loved fishing, surfing and his Anna Maria Island lifestyle.

Organizer Jason Stock posted on the Full Send website, “I know Sol-Man would be stoked to have his ashes in a reef offshore, holding a variety of marine life and ecosystem for generations to come.”

Perico tennis coach takes player to Sarasota Open

Stefan Kozlov of Fort Lauderdale received a wildcard into the recent Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open ATP Challenger tennis tournament and found success.

With Perico Island’s Mark Malinowski as his coach, Kozlov won four matches to reach the April 12 quarterfinals. Kozlov defeated Arthur Gea of France 64-76 and Gabi Adrian Boiton of Romania 63-76 to qualify for the main draw, where he beat Denis Kudla (USA) 62-46-62 and Ethan Quinn (USA) 62-57-64. Kozlov then fell to Tennys Sandgren (USA) 16-46.

Kozlov and younger brother Boris also won a round in doubles against the fourth-seed team of Scott Duncan and Federico Gomez, but were defeated in the quarterfinal by Sandgren and Quinn 62-57-9-11.

“Stefan played some sensational and multidimensional tennis and, in my opinion, was one of the most dynamic players in the whole tournament,” said Malinowski, who also will coach Kozlov at the ATP

Challenger in Tallahassee.

Kozlov, 26, was ranked as high as 103 in the ATP World Tour in 2022. He’s currently ranked 594.

— Mark Malinowski

Editor’s note:Malinowski has published 12 books on tennis, including “Facing Novak Djokovic.”

Also, moving offshore in depths of 100 feet or more is yielding Mattay and his clients an assortment of red grouper, mangrove and lane snappers. Catchand-release action on amberjack and red snapper is good, too.

Capt. Todd Romaine of Backcountry sportfishing charters says he’s finding a good bite in the inshore waters on the days prior to cold fronts.

On the south winds, a couple of days before the fronts, Romaine is catching snook, redfish and trout while fishing mangrove shorelines and spoil islands.

On the day of the front and several days after, Romaine warns trout fishing becomes challenging due to a drop in water temperatures and strong north winds.

On calmer days when the Gulf of Mexico is accessible, Romaine is targeting macks around areas where hard bottom exists. Numerous spotted seatrout are being caught in these areas. For the macks, free-lined live shiners work well. As for the trout, the addition of a split-shot to the rig is proving to be effective.

Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is finding action for his clients along the Gulf beaches for a variety of species. Macks and kingfish are being caught frequently, although an abundance of sharks is making it hard to get these fish to the boat. Free-lined live shiners combined with a long shank hook works well for the macks.

As for kingfish, the addition of hardwire is required to guard against their razon-sharp teeth.

Moving offshore, White says red grouper is responding well to offerings of live pinfish and frozen sardines. Mangrove snapper also are being caught while offshore, although they prefer to the live shiner as bait.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Stasny

Gregory Horn, 12, visiting Anna Maria island from Eagle Point, Oregon, shows off a big smile and a nice red grouper he caught April 7 about 30 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico with Capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria Charters.

Boris Kozlov, Mark Malinowski and Stefan Kozlov. islander Photo: Courtesy Steve Gareleck

Nesting notes

By Masha Dolgoff

Looking back

More than a century ago, the U.S. Fisheries Commission recommended a ban in Florida on sea turtle egg harvest to prevent their “extermination,” according to a history from the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Since then, an understanding of sea turtles and how to protect them in Florida, including Anna Maria Island, has continued to evolve.

During nesting season, which is May 1-Oct. 31, female sea turtles come to the shores of Anna Maria Island to dig their deep nests in the sand and deposit their eggs. The eggs incubate in the sand and then hatchlings — 100 or so at a time — make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Public information campaigns usually focus on what people can do to promote the turtles’ survival but what else do we know about sea turtles? And what have conservation efforts looked like in the past?

The Islander spoke April 10 to Dr. Jake Lasala, head of the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Team at Mote Marine Laboratory, to learn more about them.

“Sea turtles are a charismatic megafauna. People really like them but we don’t know a whole lot about them,” Lasala said.

Loggerheads and greens, two frequenters of the Anna Maria Island shoreline, get their names from their dietary preferences. Sea turtles can range from vegetarian to voracious carnivore.

“Loggerheads are called ‘loggerheads’ because their heads are big, and the reason why their heads are big is because they need to have the jaw force to crunch down on crustaceans and mollusks and things like that,” Lasala said. “Green sea turtles are called greens because their body fat is green.”

Compared to loggerheads, greens are more likely to eat algae and seagrass.

Meanwhile, leatherbacks, a more elusive species to the area, prefer gelatinous prey, such as jellyfish.

This is a reason why it is important to prevent plastic litter: “Not only sea turtles but other animals can see it as … food,” Lasala said.

Lasala, who studies sea turtle populations through the lens of paternity, also identified reproductive and nesting behavior as a most engaging part of his work.

Many people are probably familiar with genotypic

the road,” Lasala said. “And one of the conversations we’re having about leatherbacks in particular is that their population has started to decline, and we’re seeing blooms of jellyfish in different parts of the ocean, and that is possibly connected to each other.”

On Anna Maria Island, the history of sea turtle preservation efforts goes back at least to 1982, when a turtle watch program began to evolve.

For some time, turtle watch occupied what once was the city “ice house,” now the Anna Maria Island Historical Society building in Anna Maria, before the society received permission from the city in 1992 to renovate the “Turtle House,” as it was called, according to a BeachComber story by the late Pat Copeland, one of the historical society founders and a journalist who also worked for various newspapers.

During its early history, turtle watch members would raise hatchlings in vats of water, according to archival material by Carolyne Norwood, also a founder of AMIHS.

Sea turtle biology was less understood then and people had the misconception that removing hatchlings from their nests into a controlled environment was the best way to protect them.

In the early 1990s, a group of sea turtle helpers maintained two hatcheries, one on the beach near Willow Avenue in Anna Maria and one at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

The team of volunteers removed nests from the location on the beach where they were laid to the screened-in hatchery for protection.

As the nests showed signs of hatching, the team would alert friends and others via a “coconut telegraph” and people would appear at the appointed location to watch the release of sometimes multiple nests.

sex determination, which is when chromosomes determine gender, like in humans.

However, for sea turtles, sex depends on environment.

“At a certain temperature of incubation, individuals become male or female,” Lasala said. “For loggerheads, this temperature is 29 degrees Celsius.”

As temperatures grow due to global warming, there is a risk of declining male sea turtle populations and lower hatchling survival rates in general, as nests overheat.

Since Mote began collecting data in 1982, indications have shown that sea turtle populations have increased in Sarasota County.

“That’s not to say we have a skyrocketing population globally,” Lasala said. “If you talk to someone down in Costa Rica, they are going to tell you a very different story.”

Protecting the sea turtle species in Florida and elsewhere is essential, he said, because they are keystone species.

“A keystone species, if they disappeared, would have a drastic impact on the ecosystem further down

HB water committee pushes for increased involvement

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The Holmes Beach Clean Water Committee wants more of a say in the city’s pursuit of grant funding.

Members unanimously voted April 10 to ask the city commission to allow the committee to meet with grant writers — such as Steve Suau, watershed manager at the Sarasota-based Progressive Water Resources — to identify and work on grant funding opportunities.

CWC member Jeffrey Drinkard was absent with excuse.

The CWC was established in 2021 to advise the city commission and focus on community activity, philanthropy and government action to improve water quality in the area, such as the impaired waters of Anna Maria Sound.

Since its creation, the board has made several recommendations involving water quality projects and pushed for the city to pursue grant opportunities to fund them.

However, most of the city’s efforts along those lines have fallen short, and the board wants a chance to take the reins.

CWC Chair Ron Huibers said city staff handles the grant request process but is busy with other responsibilities. He said the committee’s current involvement only goes as far as its recommendations, as they are no longer a part of the process after the work has been sent to staff.

“I feel we’re disconnected to the city,” Huibers said. “Once it goes to them, we have no input.”

He said the committee could instead work with grant writers to better pursue funding opportunities for the city.

CWC members agreed with Huibers’ suggestion and moved for a vote to approve it, which passed.

In related matters, city engineer and public works superintendent Sage Kamiya announced April 10 that the city received two bids in response to its request for proposals for a marine debris skimmer vessel to clean local waterways.

He was not at the time ready to present a staff recommendation on how to proceed.

Kamiya said one bid was from Wisconsin-based Aquarius Systems but did not reveal the name of the other bidder.

The bids will be exempt from public records until the city posts a notice of award on the contract or 30 days after the bid opening. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

The CWC will meet next at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

The meeting will be open to the public.

The state put a halt to the hatcheries and denied the group their permit, but by 1997, turtle watch was renewed and became a nonprofit.

The data on nesting numbers goes back to 1982, according to Kristen Mazzarella, its current director.

That year — 12 years after the first Earth Day — the group recorded 23 nests.

Currently, that number has increased to between 400 and 500 a season, Mazzarella said.

Looking back at the progress, we can see our understanding and protection of sea turtles and their habitat grow with each Earth Day celebration.

Pedaling the path

Cyclists ride April 10 on the Cortez Beach section of Manatee County’s multiuse trail in Bradenton Beach. renovations to the trail from the south Coquina Beach parking lot to 1342 Gulf Drive S. are complete but the Cortez Beach portion still needs improvement. Manatee County public information officer Bill logan told The islander April 12 the county halted construction on the trail in anticipation of spring break and the Easter holiday. logan said construction is scheduled to resume soon and the project will be completed by the end of April. The trail path, about 8-feet wide, runs from the south end of Coquina Beach northward 1.5 miles, ending near Fifth Street South. The county is spending $1.3 million on the improvements. islander Photo: robert Anderson

Kamiya

People oversee a hatchling release in a photo found at the Anna Maria island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Before the mid-1990s, an early turtle watch group relocated nests to hatcheries and planned releases of hatchlings that brought a crowd of onlookers to the beach after dark. islander Photo: Anna Maria island Historical Society

By Lisa Neff

Earth Day pride, adventures

Out on the road the other day, I saw an ecology flag on an all-electric Nissan LEAF.

I admired the motorist’s pride, as well as felt an immediate allegiance with her, a sense of community.

I’ve been paying a lot of attention to what’s on our roads because, for the better part of a year or maybe more, my wife and I have casually looked for an affordable electric vehicle.

Connie and I got serious this month, pulled the plug on our apprehension and bought a 2020 Chevy Bolt — used but super clean, covered with warranties and under our budget.

Beep! Beep!

We collected congratulations all around as we parked here and there, but we also heard a good many concerns about the area’s need for more public charging stations and questions about an EV’s battery life.

I’ll admit to a touch of range anxiety, but I’m thrilled to be starting a green auto adventure just as I’m thinking about the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, which arrives April 22.

I’m also starting a green academic adventure, as I’ve landed a scholarship in the Climate Change: Learning for Action Fellowship, a 12-week bootcamp taught by Terra.do, which has a mission to get 100 million people working on climate this decade.

The online program begins with an orientation, labs, workshops and a keynote address as my cohort

studies the greenhouse effect and the drivers of climate change.

My first assignment arrived via email April 12: To write about a better world in 2040 and my role in helping get there.

Later in the course, I’ll learn about the global carbon cycle, warming potential, methane gases, emissions accounting, tipping points, economics of climate change, carbon markets, policy options, challenges facing the global food system, green finance, lessons in leading a sustainable business, the Green New Deal and much more.

I’m eager to get started, but I don’t know if I would have accepted the invitation to participate if it hadn’t arrived in April, with Earth Day on my mind.

Earth Day was pioneered by a Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin, the late Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to turn attention in the United States to the environment.

More than a plunge: Business owners dive into clean water

By robyn Murrell islander reporter

Some AMI business owners dived right in.

They’re backing the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign the city of Holmes Beach debuted on Earth Day 2023 with the other island cities as partners.

The campaign — with a strong social media push — aims to promote clean water, reduce single-use plastics usage and inspire others to get involved in environmental efforts.

But the campaign is more about likes than action.

About 15 businesses have donated to the cause, among them Ben Webb of Anna Maria, who has operated Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours in Holmes Beach for 13 years.

The boat tour company offers dolphin-watching, snorkeling and sandbar trips.

Webb has been a supporter of the campaign from the start.

He said Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth’s call-out video last spring solidified his support.

“We are very much in tune with the environment and, if we don’t watch out for it, what we have will

eventually go away,” Webb told The Islander April 4.

The AMI Dolphin Tours team picks up trash and encourages others to do the same, hosting an annual cleanup on Egmont Key.

Webb said they also support “different organizations that are helping to protect the waters.”

Tanner Enoch also is an islander for clean water and a supporter of the campaign.

Enoch’s family has operated the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach Cafe in Bradenton Beach for the county going on more than a decade.

He told The Islander April 2, “We’ve always been interested in supporting city programs and being a part of the community with our locations being on the water, it made a lot of sense to support Islanders 4 Clean Water.”

Both cafes are signed on as donors and Friends of I4CW.

Who else supports the cause?

The Hagen Family Foundation, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Shoreline Builders, Fun & More Rentals, Anna Maria Life Real Estate Sales, Waste Pro and more.

He pushed for an annual observance to encourage people to protect species and spaces by recycling, reusing and, perhaps most importantly, reducing.

In 1970, the year the first Earth Day took place — with an estimated 20 million people engaged in sitins, marches and cleanups — Americans were burning leaded gas in massive V8 engines. Factories belched smoke and sludge. Air pollution signaled prosperity.

But with the work of politicians such as Nelson, scientists such as Rachel Carson and a growing network of activists, there was an emerging consciousness about caring for the environment.

The movement grew and grew. Today, the children of the first Earth Day marchers are leading green energy companies and their grandchildren are making environmental studies a fast-growing college program.

Living green is becoming a way of life.

Earth Day, of course, remains an important holiday to observe, a time to get together and celebrate the planet and an opportunity to recalibrate, reenergize, recommit to act for the betterment of individuals, communities, nations, the world.

Happy Earth Day!

Did you know?

The ecology flag dates to the first Earth Day in April 1970 and its origin is credited to journalists.

The ecology symbol in the upper left of the flag was created by political cartoonist Ron Cobb in October 1969 for the Los Angeles Free Press. The symbol is formed from taking the letters “e” for environment and “o” for organism.

A year later, Look Magazine editor Jack Shepherd designed the ecology flag for Earth Day, incorporating Cobb’s symbol and using 13 stripes alternating in green — for unspoiled land — and white — for clean air.

•

•

•

•

• Properly dispose of hazardous items;

• Reduce stormwater runoff;

• Reduce use of single-use plastics;

• Be informed;

• Work,

About Islanders 4 Clean Water

For more information about the campaign, call city hall at 941-932-5696 or go online at islanders4cleanwater.com.

Neff

Connie Wolgast settles into an all-electric 2020 Chevy Bolt, purchased in mid-April by Wolgast and islander editor lisa Neff. islander Photo: lisa Neff

ITEMS FOR SALE

NEEDlE ArT BOOKS: Nice variety. 18 for $20. 941-782-8381, after noon.

CE r AM i C BOW l AND pitcher: 14 by 12 inches, $45, peacock painting on silk, nice frame, $50. 570-704-8486.

lOVElY KiNG QUilT, $25, bookcase, new, 28 by 12 inches, $30. 570-704-8486.

WOOD-HiNGED STOrAGE bin, $25. Vintage DaVinci lady’s wristwatch, cuff-style, $25. Bill, 724-986-0314.

BOSU HOME GYM, $35, exercise ball, $25, side tables, round, glass top, 2/$19, black chairs, soft leather 2/$20. 941-920-2494.

ANTiQUE PArTNEr DESK: All wood, $500. Ca;; 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. F r EE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander. org. (limited time offer). Paradise

941.792.5600

TRANSPORTATION

GO l F CA rT r ENTA l S: Fun for residents and tourists! 212-941-2402. www.GolfCartrentalAMi.com.

2006 ClUB CAr street-legal golf cart. Sixpassenger, red and white, upgraded, $2,550. 612-790-0960.

ElECTriC BiKE, DAYMAK Wildgoose fattire bike. 2018 model, used very little, battery range down to about six miles. $500. Text or call, 616-490-3814.

BOATS & BOATING

HAVE A BOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

SUNCOAST BOTTOM PA i NT i NG: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

CAPTAiN FOr HirE and boat caretaker services: i f you need help with your boat on or off the water, call Captain Dan. USCG, retired. 772-486-8085.

HELP WANTED.

PA r T-T i ME DOCKMASTE r position available. 8-10 hours per week. Dock On The Bay Marina. Contact 941-3136496.

NOW HiriNG HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

r EPO rTE r WANTED: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE

KiDS FOr HirE ads are FrEE for up to three weeks for island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

SERVICES

iS YOUr HOME or office in need of some cleaning? Well, i’m your girl! local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

ClEANiNG: VACATiON, CONSTrUCTiON, residential, commercial and windows. licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

P r ESSU r E WASH i NG, PAVE r sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. l icensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BiCYClE rEPAirS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

APi’S DrYWAll rEPAir: i look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

C l EAN TECH MOB il E Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, rVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

SERVICES Continued

PC O r TECH issues? Not sure where to start? With years of experience, i’ll come to you with reliable solutions. Contact Gavin at 928-587-1309. www.gse.codes.

PAiNTiNG: iNTEriOr/EXTEriOr: Sarasota interior painting. Call or text Don, 941-9009398. We are the best high-end painting! Just ask our AMi clients! i’m the owner and the painter. Free estimates. Fully insured licensed business.

U PlUS ME llC: Provides quality coatings for pool decks, driveways, garage floors, patios. Don’t miss out on our pro polishing services, concrete, terrazzo, travertine. 727623-5050.

PriVATE CArEGiVEr: DO You need help with groceries, doctors’ appointments, cleaning, care for pet, care for elderly or companion. i am looking for a part-time job. i have references and very experienced. i have integrity and i can help you and your loved ones with anything! Sparkles, 941-704-9948.

AFFOrDABlE PrESSUrE WASHiNG and vacation cleaning service. 941-356-1456.

GO rill A D rYWA ll r EPA ir ll C. l et’s solve your drywall problems together. Give us a call at 941-286-0607.

riDEEASY 247 YOUr professional, reliable and courteous car service to airports and events since 2015. You can reach us via text 941-447-7737 or email to mrfort5001@gmail. com We are available 24/7.

SHEll DEliVErED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call larry at 941-795-7775, or “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

WiND MiTiGATiON and four-point inspection package. licensed, insured, references available. Call 941-518-6329.

BUS i NESS-TO-BUS i NESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. i make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BEACH SE r V i CE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the i sland since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-720-7411. CAC184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNiE’S lANDSCAPiNG iNC. residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! insured. 941-778-5294.

COlliNS lANDSCAPE liGHTiNG: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

VAN-GO PAiNTiNG residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpa

FrEE!

HOME IMPROVEMENT

GriFFiN’S HOME iMPrOVEMENTS inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

iSlAND HANDYMAN: i live here, work here, value your referral. refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. licensed/insured. references. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

SCrEENiNG SErViCES: replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call lane, 941-705-5293.

lOOKiNG FOr ANY home improvement?

JrCC Home improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.

BMF iNTEriOrS: HOME repairs and more, no job too small. 786-318-8585.

TilE-TilE-TilE: lVT vinyl flooring, all variations of porcelain and ceramic tile supplied and installed. Total bathroom remodels. Many Mt. Vernon references. licensed and insured. Operations manager, 941-2269671.

CAll HYDrO ClEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing, too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

RENTALS

ANNA MAriA GUlF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

PEriCO iSlAND PATiO home for rent. 3Br/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMi. Now leasing May through December, 2024. Call or text, 859771-6423. http://pericoislandrental.com/

AVAilABlE NOW AND season: 1Br/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. com. Special rates are available. 941-8071405.

HOlMES BEACH 2Br/2BA island home. Vaulted ceilings, walkable to beach, restaurants, dog park. Boat slip, furnished. Six-plus months minimum. Call Paige, 513-382-1992, Duncan real Estate.

lOOKiNG FOr ANNUAl rental. Minimum 3Br with a pool and on the water with a lift. Austin, 863-581-3685.

ANNUAl rENTAl. 2/Br1BA duplex. Near Cortez village. Nice quiet area across from bay. Two miles to beach. Full kitchen, in-unit laundry room. Shed. Patio. $1,850/month includes water and Wi-Fi tv. 941-773-1552.

ANNUAl rENTAl: VillA home in Perico Bay Club, Bradenton. Gated and 24-hour security. 2Br/2BA, updated. Updated kitchen, screened deck and two-car garage. Unfurnished. Text 908-875-0299 for information.

2025 SEASONAl rENTAl: Just one block from the beach, Single-story 2Br/2BA, screened patio, private backyard. No smoking/no pets. Three-month minimum. Holmes Beach. Call 813-833-4926.

ArCHiVE. UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

RENTALS Continued

SEASONAl Or ANNUAl rental: 55-plus, friendly community, bottom floor. Sleeps four, 1.5BA. Beach access. $3,400/month. 847-769-9080.

MONTHlY rENTAl AVAilABlE June 11 through December. furnished, all utilities. Off Cortez road, 2 miles from beach, across from bay. Quiet, friendly neighborhood. $2,400/month. 941-773-1552. locally owned.

FOr rENT: MAY to December. Anna Maria island condo. Great value, beautiful upgraded 2Br/2Br. incredible water view. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent rental terms. Owner/ renter. Call/email for pictures, 570-239-0431. marketreps@aol.com

ANNUAl rENTAl: JUST 10 minutes to Anna Maria island. 3Br/1.5BA. $2,300 a month. Two-car garage. No pets/smoking. Text to 941-773-6544.

ANNUAl: HOlMES BEACH. 3Br/2BA, large balcony, washer/dryer, storage shed, parking for two. Call 603-969-6840.

ANNUAl rENTAl: JUST minutes to Anna Maria island. 3Br/1.5BA. $2,300 a month. Two-car garage. No pets/smoking. 104 55th St., W. Bradenton. Text to 941-773-6544.

ANNA MAriA 3Br/1BA historic cottage, half block to Gulf beach and one block to Pine Avenue shopping and restaurants. Available due to cancellation: May 2024, $2,800/ month. 941-778- 8456, terryaposporos@ gmail.com

REAL ESTATE

WiNNiE MCHAlE, rEAlTOr, 941-5046146. rosebay international realty inc. You need an aggressive and experienced realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

WEST BrADENTON CONDO: resort lifestyle, ground-floor 2Br//2BA. Garage. 6.5 miles, 14 minutes from Gulf beaches. $264,900. Call or text, 941-7254374.

BrADENTON WAlK-A-BOUT downtown at the west end of the riverwalk. Main Street shoppes, art, restaurants, entertainment and events. 2/Br/2BA, balcony and carport. Eight miles direct drive to Gulf beaches. Geri Kenyon, 941-725-4374. Florida Suncoast real Estate.

COASTAl lUXUrY: 4Br/4.5BA, pool, sold turnkey furnished for immediate move-in. Meticulously maintained, never rented, includes golf cart and electric beach wagon for island exploration! An absolute must-see! Call 941-685-6850 or email Team@HuntBrothersrealty.com for more info.

HOlMES BEACH HOUSE: Beach lifestyle, 3Br/2BA. Enjoy a chef’s kitchen, fenced yard, pool and screened porch complete the beach lifestyle. Oversized garage. Minutes from Gulf beaches. $1,599,900. Beth Beckert Call or text, 941-720-3676. Sarasota Global realty.

2Br/2BA HOME for sale. 3,000 sfur. 1,100 sf garage. Steps to beach. $1,449,000. 941518-6329.

Full-time at the office

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce welcomed Christina Fisher of Bradenton to its fulltime staff in March.

Fisher began working for the chamber temporarily in November 2023.

She now is a full-time member services associate who assists visitors, offers support to members and assists on projects and events.

Fisher lived on the Pacific Coast for 15 years, where she taught writing at New College in San Francisco and earned a master’s degree in poetics. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Florida State University.

She said she has an interest in community-building through commerce, networking and fun, which makes her a great fit at the chamber.

Fisher also worked in the building and construction industries, learning the importance of teamwork

Tand dedication.

Chamber president Terri Kinder told The Islander April 4 that Fisher is “already building relationships in our member community.”

For more information, contact the chamber at 941778-1541.

Island real estate

301 Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, vacant lot on a 6,268 sq ft lot sold 3/15/2024 by Wilson AMI LLC to SVI Ventures LLC for $1,700,000, list price $1,700,000.

611 Gulf Drive N., #B16, Bradenton Beach, a 664 sq ft 1BR/1BA Imperial House condo built in 1969 sold 3/19/2024 by Zirkle to 611-B16 Gulf Drive LLC for $366,000, list price $382,500.

106 Fifth St. S., Bradenton Beach, a 3,421 sq ft 8BR/8BA pool home on a 5,685 sq ft lot built in 2024 sold 3/14/2024 by 106 5th St LLC to Vareh Ent. LLC for $4.1 million, list price $4,395,000.

6250 Holmes Blvd. #42, Holmes Beach, a 1,206 sq ft 3BR/2BA North Beach Village condo built in 1992 sold 3/15/2024 by Wright Trust to Medina Trust for $715,000, list price $799,000.

324 64th St., Holmes Beach, a 1,262 sq ft 3BR/2BA Plum Tree Cottage condo built in 1969 sold 3/19/2024 by Kalinyak to Swafford for $825,000, list price $899,900.

5608 Gulf Drive, #204, Holmes Beach, a 1,092 sq ft 2BR/2BA Sun Plaza West condo built in 1981 sold 3/11/2024 by Priebe to Mansel Prop LLC for $835,000, list price $849,900.

534 68th St., Holmes Beach, a 1,409 sq ft 3BR/3BA pool home on a 10,170 sq ft lot built in 1971 sold 3/15/2024 by Dart Trust to Kalinyak for $1,299,000, list price $1,299,000.

3011 Ave. E, Holmes Beach, a 3,604 sq ft 7BR/5BA pool home on a 7,578 sq ft lot built in 1982 sold 3/15/2024 by Wood LLC to Bellexi Corp for $1,550,000, list price $1,650,000.

401 77th St., Holmes Beach, a 3,200 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 8,076 sq ft lot built in 2024 sold 3/12/2024 by 401 77th St LLC to Annabella by the Sea LLC for $3,900,000, list price $3,900,000.

Compiled

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A perfectly curated waterfront pool home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths a 50-foot dock with a Golden boat lift capacity of 14,000 lbs. and a swingstopper. No bridges to open water. Generator and solar panels plus elevator to all floors.

Built of solid block with solid concrete foundation pillars that are buried well into the ground below, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath home is merely 100 feet from the beach access. The oversized garage can park at least four vehicles. Zoned for weekly rentals and no street-side parking.

Impeccably maintained from the landscaping to the roof, which is new as of November 2022. A list of upgrades, all completed in the past few years, is available upon request. Mid-island home in Holmes Beach with two bedrooms, a den and bath with room for a pool and a beautiful garden to enjoy the tranquility.

Duplex weekly rental property, each unit having its own entire floor with front balconies to take in the seaside sites and glorious sunsets, as well as balconies on the back. Five bedrooms and four baths and an oversized owner’s area on the ground floor is a must-see.