The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Oct. 04, 2023

astheworldterns 6

Q&A 100423 3

‘fantastic’ shares. 3 county chair builds war chest. 4

HB explores charter options. 5

Vote 2024. 5

Opinions 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

HB adopts tax hike. 8

Meetings 8

Save the date. 10

AMI Happenings

What’s up on amI? 11 School report. 12 get in the game. 13

AmE NEWS Gathering. 14

Obituaries 14

GoodDeeds 15

Streetlife 16

RoadWatch 16

BB planners dig into pavers. 17

Programming begins at Pier-mote center. 18 artist lends work to clean water calendar. 19

Soccer standings take shape. 20 testing for Skyway fishing. 21

NESTING NOTES 22 market days ahead.

for the record book. 23

NYT puzzle 23

CLASSIFIEDS. 24-25

Isl Biz: 26

PropertyWatch. 27

New Pines Park owners order rent increase

By robert anderson Islander reporter

Residents of the Pines Trailer Park — once besieged with worries over the sale of their home sites — now may worry if they can afford to stay in their homes under the park’s new ownership.

‘Hoop for Hope’

Island Yoga Space in anna maria welcomes beachgoers near magnolia avenue Sept. 29 for an “evening of positivity” during “Hoop for Hope,” a public event to observe Suicide Prevention awareness month. With organizer Paige Phelps of Island Yoga, participants practiced yoga, meditated, drummed and Hula-Hooped. Phelps partnered with the florida Suicide Prevention coalition and local businesswomen. Suicide Prevention awareness month is intended to encourage people to talk about issues related to suicide, as well as spread information about help. People dealing with a crisis can call or text the national “lifeline” at 988 24/7. People also can access the lifeline at 988lifeline.org. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff

rIgHt: Laurie Lancaster keeps the beat on the beach for “Hoop for Hope” Sept. 29 in anna maria.

Pines Park Investors LLC announced its purchase of the mobile home park, 103 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, Sept. 12 from longtime owners Jackson Partnership for $16,250,000, including all park-owned land, buildings and mobile homes, vehicles, equipment and materials.

On Sept. 29, 17 days after the announcement, residents received a 90-day notice from PPI announcing an increase in base lot rent throughout the park.

Currently, residents have a base rent of $625 a month.

The new rates, effective Jan. 1, 2024, increase the rents for mobile home owners in the 87-unit park by $575-$850 per month.

The notice lists Jan. 1 monthly lot rates with the following changes:

Base rent, standard lot — $1,200; Base rent, water-view lot— $1,350;

Base rent, waterfront lot — $1,475;

The notice said special use fees will be assessed in a manner consistent with tenant rental agreements, including the incorporated prospectus and rules and regulations.

The notice also said base rent allows two persons and a fee for any “additional occupant” will be assessed to defray additional utilities and services costs.

As of Oct. 1, The Islander had not received responses from park residents about the lot rent increases.

Hearings set for proposed Bridge Street resort

By Lisa Neff Islander editor

There are three early bookings for the future Bridge Street Hotel.

The city of Bradenton Beach is scheduling public hearings in November and December on a development project that would transform the corners of Bridge Street at the roundabout and Third Street South at Gulf Drive.

The project involves creating a 106-unit resort and 60-seat restaurant, along with 2,485 square feet of retail and 99 parking spaces.

A late 2022 request for a demolition permit for 219 Gulf Drive S., the location for the shuttered Joe’s Eats and Sweets ice cream parlor, brought initial attention to the development plans.

Then came details of the project, with conceptual designs showing a three-story resort encompassing multiple parcels, including:

• 101 Bridge St., 105 Bridge St., 101 Third St. S., and 219 Gulf Drive S. — all either owned or leased by developer Shawn Kaleta and unnamed partners, including Louis Najmy of Najmy Thompson PL.

a rendering filed with the Bradenton Beach building and permitting office shows the front elevation of the proposed Bridge Street Hotel. Islander file Image

• 108 Third St. S., 110 Third St. S. Unit W, 112 Third St. S. and 117 Bridge St., all registered to Bridge Street Bazaar Inc., owned by Jake Spooner, a Bridge Street business owner and a city commissioner.

In early August, city building offi cial Steve Gilbert met with the project development team and later told The Islander a park-

ing study had been completed.

Gilbert also said the development team proposed a planned development overlay, which requires reviews, public hearings and an ordinance adoption at the municipal level.

The planned unit development process is

HB spurs ’60s neighborhood changes

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

Potential code changes for rebuilding nonconforming structures in a unique Holmes Beach neighborhood are a vote away from adoption.

City commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 26 to approve a first reading for an ordinance that would allow the reconstruction of existing nonconforming townhomes in Seaside Gardens, within the city’s R-4 zoning district.

The Seaside Gardens community — a cluster of 110 individually owned ground-level duplexes — was established in the 1960s by John E. Holmes Sr., the city’s namesake.

The neighborhood is located within the city’s R-4 zoning district, a medium-density residential zone intended to provide a mix of single-family, two-family and multifamily residential dwellings.

Talk of potential changes began in April, when a Seaside Gardens owner inquired at city hall about elevating their unit — one of three units with common walls in a triplex.

That request was opposed by some Seaside Gardens residents and property owners, who voiced concern about the impact of elevating one of the three units.

However, there are significant benefits to elevating homes, such as protecting the structures against flooding and becoming compliant with Florida Emergency Management Agency standards.

The neighborhood’s ground-level structures are currently noncompliant by FEMA standards and elevating them would bring them into compliance without the need for other changes, such as rezoning.

Since the structures are currently FEMA noncompliant, they are subject to the agency’s 50% improvement rule, which prohibits property owners from improvements that exceed more than 50% of their structure’s value.

An elevated structure that complies with FEMA standards would not be subject to the same limita-

tion.

The proposed ordinance acknowledges that, “Currently, there is not a viable or clear path for property owners regarding the reconstruction of these nonconforming units.”

The proposed ordinance would allow owners of existing nonconforming properties that were damaged by 50% or more of their market value to reconstruct their homes among certain conditions.

Those conditions include:

• The reconstruction of townhouse units must meet or exceed the elevation requirements in place at the time of reconstruction;

• The entire ground fl oor must be converted to non-habitable space and used only for the parking of vehicles and storage;

• The number of existing bedrooms, lot coverage, or habitable floor area shall not be increased;

• A structural engineer must determine the proposed improvements to be safe and have no harmful effect on the structure or any adjoining dwelling;

• The reconstruction of adjacent units and all improvements shall be made in accordance with applicable part wall agreements;

• The reconstruction shall not create any new incident of nonconformity, nor increase the degree or extent of any existing nonconformity;

• The burden is on the applicant to establish a structure’s blueprint as it existed before it was damaged.

There was no commission discussion or public comment on the item at the meeting.

Seaside Gardens resident David Barstow wrote in a Sept. 28 email to The Islander that the proposed changes were “clearly a significant step forward” and neighbors seemed to be mostly satisfied with them.

“At first review, we’re happy with what the city has written,” Barstow wrote.

He added that community members have “questions” dealing with common walls but did not detail

those inquiries.

In other matters…

City commissioners also:

• Unanimously voted to appoint William “Bill” Romberger to the city’s clean water committee;

• Unanimously adopted a resolution “supporting a right to clean and healthy waters;”

• Unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Oct. 16-22 as Florida City Government Week;

• Reached consensus to hire California-based Deckard Technologies as a new “rentalscape” platform software provider due to shortfalls with the city’s previous platform, Harmari.

The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

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

a large corner post marks the entry to Seaside gardens at the corner of 62nd Street and marina Drive in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: ryan Paice

available for projects in which a developer seeks something more than what a land development code provides for as a standard project. Usually, the process involves reduced setbacks or an increase in either density or intensity of use.

“An ordinance is required because the planned unit development does not change the underlying zoning or land use but it does convey additional development rights above those which are tied to the normal underlying zoning or land use,” Gilbert told The Islander Sept. 28. “The PUD is an overlay on the existing maps. It’s not a rezoning but it does need to be on the zoning map to indicate to future ‘heirs and assigns’ that the development was deemed to be conforming to the extent that the city approved it.”

Now, according to a city notice, there are dates for hearings at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.:

• 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, for the planning and zoning board;

• Noon Thursday, Nov. 16, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, for the city commission.

At the hearings, the P&Z and commission are expected to consider a draft ordinance to:

• Amend the city’s zoning atlas for 1.61 acres of property at 101, 105 and 117 Bridge Street and 106, 108, 110 and 112 Third Street S.;

• Establish a planned development overlay district within the Commercial-1 and Commercial-2 zoning districts.

The draft ordinance, as well as project plans, are filed at city hall for public review.

The adoption of an ordinance for the overlay district needs to take place before the city can issue building permits, according to Gilbert.

In addition to city approval, the project will require permitting from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection because some property lies seaward of the coastal construction control line.

Kaleta, via a text message Sept. 26, said he would comment but had not done so as of The Islander’s press time.

‘Fantastic’ shares

the BacVB’s Instagram account gets some love, likes and shares on a post celebrating an amI visit earlier this year by the stars of “fantastic friends,”

who were taping episode 5 in the tV series. Details for the episode’s streaming in the United States were not announced.

Q&A 100423

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

the Bradenton area convention and Visitors Bureau Sept. 27 celebrates a celebrity visit to anna maria Island from earlier this year via its social media accounts, including visit_bradenton on Instagram. the BacVB shared photos of Oliver and James Phelps — the twin actors of “Harry Potter” fame — and friend alfie allen, who were visiting amI to tape episode 5 in the second season of the tV reality series “fantastic friends.” Islander Screenshots

By Lisa Neff

My favorite time to fish is …

22%. Fall

3%. Winter

10%. Summer

20%. Spring

45%. I don’t fish

This week’s question

Best social media app for seeing AMI imagery?

A. Facebook

B. Instagram

C. TikTok

D. X

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

District 3 incumbent amasses $170K war chest

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

Election funding can be key to winning.

And two challengers to Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s hold on Manatee County’s District 3 commission seat entered the race knowing they face an uphill battle.

Van Ostenbridge is leading the field in dollars against challengers Diana Shoemaker and Tal Siddique with $170,000 in donations through Sept. 29, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

District 3 covers the western side of the county, including all of Anna Maria Island and part of Longboat Key.

Van Ostenbridge, a Republican, is a lifelong resident of Manatee County, a real estate agent at Bradenton-based Boyd Realty, as well as founder of Be Easy Tours, a local excursion company.

He was elected in 2020 on 23,213 votes, or 58.37% of votes cast, against opponent Matt Bower. He has been named commission chairman every year since.

Van Ostenbridge’s four-year term will expire in November 2024.

The incumbent filed to run for reelection in June and was required to report his finances by July 10.

Over that time, Van Ostenbridge reported raising $170,000 from 173 contributions of $1,000, three of which were refunded.

The refunded contributions went back to Sarasotabased Durable Investment Group and Myakka City residents Ana and Curtis Houston, who each donated $1,000 to Van Ostenbridge’s campaign.

The other 170 donors comprise political committees, companies and residents.

Political committees that have contributed to Van Ostenbridge’s campaign include Tampa-based Investing in Florida’s Future and Tallahassee-based Fighting for Florida’s Future, Focused on Florida’s Future, Keep Florida Moving Forward, Voters for Economic Growth and Citizens for Principled Leader.

Some notable company contributions include $1,000 donations from the Washington, D.C.-based CREI Global Properties LLC, as well as Texas-based Boykin Land Company LLC, Crawford & Crawford Inc., Orla Drilling Company LLC and Stout Group Ventures Inc.

Florida-based companies that contributed to the incumbent include Benderson Development Co., LWR Development, Manatee Memorial Hospital and Woodruff & Sons Inc.

Van Ostenbridge wrote in a Sept. 29 email to The Islander that he has no fundraising events planned.

“I’m both proud and humbled by the wave of strong support for our campaign. The contributions we have received in this short span reflect the trust and backing I have earned during my tenure as your conservative county commissioner,” Van Ostenbridge wrote.

Shoemaker and Siddique filed to run for the District 3 county commission seat in September and have yet to file financial statements.

The next fi nancial reporting date is Oct. 10, at which point candidates must disclose campaign revenue and spending from July 1-Sept. 30.

In the meantime, both challengers expressed confidence in their ability to compete with Van Ostenbridge, despite his financial head start.

Shoemaker, a Democrat, told The Islander Sept. 29 that she had raised about $6,600 a week after announcing her run and hopes to maintain that pace moving forward on a grassroots campaign.

She was the president and chief executive officer of Manatee Habitat for Humanity for 12 years before becoming executive director of the Elders Action Network, a nonprofit organization that works to improve social and environmental justice.

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Shoemaker said the amount of contributions to Van Ostenbridge’s campaign from commercial and political sources should further the electorate’s concerns about outside influences.

“We’re already struggling as a community to really have a sense of trust and transparency,” she said. “I think this current strategy that my opponent is taking is really doing nothing to lessen that fear.”

Shoemaker said she would counter Van Ostenbridge’s commercial support by running a grassroots campaign focused on going door-to-door to drum up popular support.

“We’re knocking on doors, we’re meeting people in their neighborhoods,” she said. “That’s our approach, to gain the trust and appreciation from our residents and voters who will support me and believe I am the candidate who represents their interests in the best way.”

As a Democrat, Shoemaker may be at a disadvantage in the Republican-leaning county, but she stressed that local issues — such as a parking garage in Holmes Beach — are nonpartisan.

“The issues important to our residents are not partisan issues,” she said. “We’ll talk about these issues for what they are — not the political side of these conversations. I think these issues affect all of us, and party lines dissolve when our security and safety and health and wellbeing are at stake.”

“It’s my job to build relationships with residents no matter the party,” she added. “The county commission position reflects the needs of all residents, not a select few.”

She added that she will speak at the Anna Maria Island Democrats Oct. 16 meeting at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Siddique, a Republican, has worked for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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Holmes Beach explores charter review options

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

There might not be another charter review in Holmes Beach until 2025.

Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander Sept. 29 that city attorney Erica Augello was exploring options for changes to the charter review process following a failure to attract candidates for the electorate to choose a board.

The charter currently requires a review every five years by a board of five elected members.

A new charter review board was supposed to be elected in November but only one person — William Romberger — qualified with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office to run for a seat on the board.

Augello determined the remaining four seats could not be filled by appointment because they hadn’t been filled or vacated.

She also determined that the board cannot convene without five members. So there will be no charter review this year.

Now, Augello is exploring changes to the charter review process, such as extending the time between

and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. He also is founder and president of activist group Speak Out Manatee.

He told The Islander Sept. 28 that he believes Van Ostenbridge’s early surge of contributions is due to his contributors’ fear of competition in the 2024 election.

“I think what motivated that is fear,” Siddique said. “There’s no amount of money he can spend, and I’m more than happy to have him waste all of his special interest dollars coming after me if it means I’m standing between the special interests and the residents.”

Siddique said he is “already courting a healthy amount of money” but did not disclose how much money his campaign had raised so far.

He said he plans to run his campaign as fiscally conservative as possible and seek contributions from community members, regardless of amount.

“You will see a stark contrast between where my money comes from, which is the community and small-dollar donations, and where my opponent’s comes from, which is very clear,” Siddique said. “For me, it’s not a question of outraising him. It’s a question of raising enough to get that positive vision communicated to voters.”

“My campaign offers a clear alternative to his time on the commission, which has been full of controversy, ethics lapses, criminal cases, lack of transparency, vindictiveness and generally just a disrespect for the voters of Manatee County,” he added.

Next year’s polling for the general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

reviews and determining members by a method other than election, according to Titsworth.

The cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach have unelected charter review boards appointed by the mayors and approved by commissioners every five years.

Titsworth said she believes the city would have no problem finding candidates for the charter review board if the positions weren’t determined via election.

“It’s hard to get five people that are willing to run for office for a four- to six-week job,” she said. “A lot of people don’t even know what a charter is. And when you put that out there and then people have to go to the supervisor of elections and they got to put their name out there. … People are shy. A lot of them don’t want to do that.”

Titsworth also said she would support extending the time between charter reviews from five years to seven years.

“How often does a charter really need to be reviewed?” she asked. “They did it with a fine-toothed comb last time. So I was really surprised when it was coming up again so quickly. It was like, ‘Where are they even going to find something to do on it?’”

Such solutions would require the commission approval of an ordinance that would add a referendum for a charter amendment to city ballots in the 2024 general election.

Titsworth said the city would prepare such an ordinance for commission consideration “in the next couple of months.”

For now, the city charter will remain untouched.

The city commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

People can view a livestream video of the meeting on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

Island Dems to host county commission candidate

The Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

The program will include remarks by Diana Shoemaker, who in September announced her candidacy for the District 3 county commission seat held by Republican Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

The district includes Anna Maria Island, north Longboat Key and parts of west Bradenton.

A notice from the club read, “We are thrilled to have our candidate for county commission in District 3 coming to talk with us about her priority issues and actions we can take to ensure her election.”

The general election will be in November 2024. Van Ostenbridge will fi rst face a challenger — Talha “Tal” Siddique — in the August 2024 Republican primary.

Membership in the club costs $25.

For more, email Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail.com or call the headquarters at 941301-4336.

— Lisa Neff

The Islander Wedding Directory

Potpourri

The dictionary says potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or small sack to add scent to a room or clothing — which sounds good on the heels of a super harvest moon with fall’s arrival. It is, after all, the start of October.

Of course, the change in the weather will barely be perceptible. We’re already seeing slightly cooler temps overnight but daytime? Well, expect high 80s, reaching 90 most days, and barely a drop of rain.

Meanwhile, a potpourri of bad news has poured out on the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach.

It was, of course, inevitable. The small mobile home park on the waterfront adjacent to the Historic Bridge Street Pier has hardly seen a change since the first trailers were moved into place decades ago.

The Jackson family ownership kept the park’s valuation, taxes and lot rents low.

Lot owners and residents must have heard the other shoe drop when they opened their mailboxes to find a substantial rent increase.

Pines Park Investors, the new owners, may clear out the park faster than a fi re sale — and possibly sooner than the terms of a five-year hold on a change of use or change in zoning that was put on the sale.

Meanwhile, a potpourri can also be a mixture of things, IE a musical or literary medley.

Well, there’s no singing here, except for maybe the woman at the end of the opera.

But we are — after nearly 32 years of publishing and railing on behalf of causes and preserving the environment — sad to see 96 Australian pine trees hacked away from a multiuse trail at Coquina Beach where many pines have already been removed.

And I, for one, am concerned that the Holmes Beach clean water committee members are pursuing a “skimmer” boat. My experience is that operation of such a boat has the potential to remove important nutrients and small marine life from our waters — and that can’t be a good thing.

Some years ago, the use of a “harvester” was halted during a red tide outbreak on Longboat Key.

And the same can be said of the tractor that scours the shoreline, removing the wrack line from Bradenton Beach to Holmes Beach. Meanwhile, Anna Maria’s beach remains pristine, wrack line and all.

And all the polethylene turf grass? Where will that go when it starts to deteriorate and crumble?

I read where some areas are limiting the use of “fake turf” to preempt the potpourri of plastic from washing into waterways and contaminating marine life.

—

Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Engaged over the environment

My name is Brice Claypoole. I’m 15 years old and live in Manatee County.

I’m engaged in environmental politics and follow actions of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners.

I have been working with a group of kids to oppose the commission’s attempt to gut wetland protections.

We have written an open letter to county commissioners, urging them to preserve our wetlands. Our letter has garnered more than 70 signatures from youths.

▼ Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

▼ Editorial editor Lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org

robert anderson, robert@islander.org

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist

Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org

Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com

Brook morrison, brook@islander.org

ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

▼ Contributors

Karen riley-Love

Jacob merrifield

capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org

Nicole Quigley

▼ Advertising Director toni Lyon, toni@islander.org

▼ Webmaster Wayne ansell

▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org

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Urbane Bouchet ross roberts

Judy Loden Wasco (All others: news@islander.org)

I am submitting it as a letter to the editor to raise awareness of this issue and amplify the voices of the young people advocating for our environment.

To Manatee County commissioners:

We are kids who live in Manatee County and the surrounding areas.

We love our community and our environment.

We are sunset watchers.

We are kayakers of mangrove swamps, snorkelers of seagrass beds and sailors of our beautiful bay.

These are the things we love, the experiences that have shaped us.

That’s why we are distressed to see our wetlands disappearing and our waters becoming increasingly dirty.

We are concerned that we are losing what we love, that the reckless destruction of our environment being committed today will leave us nothing for tomorrow.

We are shocked and saddened that you are considering removing our already inadequate wetland protections.

If our wetlands are destroyed, we stand to lose everything we love about our home forever.

Decisions like this will define your legacy.

Skimming online

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Letters to the editor We welcome opinion letters. Submit comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number for verification to news@islander.org.

Please, do not eliminate the county’s increased wetland buffer requirements.

Brice C., 15; Coco C., 13; Sophia W., 17; Makai M., 13; Kaitlyn C., 16; Colin S., 11; Addison R., 13; Lark R., 14; Bliss R., 12; Jamie T., 17; Jillian D., 12; Noa L., 10; Liam D., 9; Byron S., 12; Anna H., 16; Windsor M., 14; Stella M., 15; Kylie V., 16; Libby K., 17; Sophia M., 16; Mary L., 16; Lillie E., 14; Oliver W., 14; William H., 11; Lauren M., 14; Jessa W., 13; Kiara M., 15; Cash D., 14; Dylan P., 13; Cormac P., 11; Kadin M., 12; Roxy H., 12; Ray H., 12; Micaelyn C., 12; Olivia N., 13; Gabrielle B., 15; Julia E., 15; Ella G., 13; Anderson L., 13; Claire K., 17; Kiersta A., 13; Sarena M., 13; Sophie S., 13; Avery S., 15; Olivia S., 13; Leilani A., 13; Hayley M., 17; Levi D., 16; Julia E., 15; Bri F., 18; Isabella O., 15; Alyson F., 11; Dylan L., 14; Matthew R., 16; Isabella C., 15; Gwendolyn .W, 15; Kate S., 15; Jade C., 16; Millie .F, 16; Natalie H., 15; Cole W., 16; Emma L., 13; Samantha R., 17; Addisen .P, 17; Anna V., 17; Callie D., 14; Riley C., 14; Abigail P., 16; Genevieve L., 16; Ryan M., 16; and Jon S., 17

Hot pot fresh off the boat, raw stone crabs are prepared for diners at moore’s Stone crab restaurant on Longboat Key in October 1976. the 2023-24 season for stone crab will open Oct. 15 but not at moore’s, which closed in 2015 after 48 years. Shore restaurant now operates at the site, 800 Broadway St.

10&20 years ago

From the Oct. 1, 2003, issue

• The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office reported voter registration in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach declined for two years. Bradenton Beach had 898 registered voters, down from the 1,030 voters for the 2002 elections. Anna Maria had 1,430 voters, a drop from the 1,615 registered in February 2001.

• A new school project team planned a meeting with the Anna Maria Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization to update the PTO on building plans and to discuss what to cut from the construction budget.

• Manatee County commissioners voted 5-2 to increase the tourist development tax from 3% to 4%. A survey by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce of accommodations members found 99% opposed the increase.

In the archives

Check The Islander archives 24/7

a dish of stone crab at moore’s Stone crab restaurant on Longboat Key in 1999. the restaurant closed in 2015 and now is the site of Shore restaurant. florida’s stone crab season runs Oct. 15-may 1.

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 edition in 1992. It took some time but it’s all maintained on the library site. Look for The Islander in the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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From the Oct. 2, 2013, issue

• Holmes Beach commissioners agreed to move a citizen’s initiative ordinance regarding an unpermitted beachfront treehouse to a first reading.

• A 39-year-old former Holmes Beach man faced 87 months in prison, plus fines and a sizable restitution demand for allegedly committing health care fraud and filing a false tax return.

• Holmes Beach commissioners hurried to craft an ordinance changing the requirement for elected officials to serve on the canvassing board after learning city offi cials had unintentionally disqualified themselves from such service.

— Lisa Neff

Holmes Beach adopts tax hike to reach $25 million budget

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

Fiscal 2023-24 is here and the city of Holmes Beach’s financial ducks are in a row.

City commissioners unanimously voted Sept. 26 to adopt a $25,121,957 budget and 2.05 millage rate during a second public hearing on the spending plan for the new fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

The motion to adopt the budget included one change: to move $152,587 from the municipality’s restricted reserves into its unrestricted reserves to maintain financial flexibility and a safety net in case of catastrophic storms.

The adopted 2.05 millage rate is a reduction from the city’s previous 2.07 rate in fiscal 2022-23 and the 2.0677 rate initially proposed for this year. It matches the city of Anna Maria’s millage rate as the lowest on the island.

But the decrease in percentage is a tax hike for property owners, who have seen their property values increase.

In order to avoid a tax increase, the commission had to adopt a 1.8273 rollback rate, which would have raised the same ad valorem income as the city collected last year.

The millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate property taxes. The owner of a property appraised at $500,000 with a 2.05 millage rate will pay $1,025 in property taxes.

If the city adopted its previous 2.07 rate, the owner of a property appraised at $500,000 would have paid $1,035 in ad valorem taxes.

Meetings

By Lisa Neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

Oct. 19, 6 p.m., commission.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-7086130, cityofannamaria.com.

BRADENTON BEACH

Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m., CRA.

Oct. 4, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

Oct. 5, 6 p.m., commission.

Oct. 18, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

Oct. 19, noon, commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

Oct. 4, 10 a.m., parks and beautification.

Oct. 4, 5 p.m., planning commission.

Oct. 10, 2 p.m., commission.

Oct. 11, 9 a.m., clean water.

Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-noon, city hall open house.

Oct. 24, 5 p.m., commission.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

Oct. 17, 6 p.m., commission.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W.,

While this year’s millage rate is lower than last year’s, the city will generate $697,087 more in ad valorem revenue than it did last year due to a $398,848,826 increase in total taxable property value.

The owner of a property appraised at $500,000 would have paid $913.65 under the rollback rate — 10.86% less than the adopted rate.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said the city has nevertheless reduced the millage rate twice over the past two years, dropping it from 2.15 to 2.07 last year and 2.07 to 2.05 this year.

Commissioner Dan Diggins moved to adopt the 2.05 millage rate for fiscal 2023-24.

Schaefer seconded the motion, which passed. No one spoke during public comment on the millage rate.

Spending plan

The adopted 2023-24 budget is $314,285 smaller than last year’s $25,436,242 spending plan. The decrease is due to small drops in projected building permit revenue, vacation rental certification revenue and Manatee County concession income.

The biggest decrease is a $2,128,977 drop in capital outlay expenses, which were inflated last year due

Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

MANATEE COUNTY

Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m., commission (land use).

Oct. 6, 9 a.m., commission (land use continued).

Oct. 10, 9 a.m., commission.

Oct. 17, 9 a.m., commission (work session).

Oct. 16, 9 a.m., tourist development council.

Oct. 18, 6 p.m., Commissioner James Bearden town hall, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Oct. 24, 9 a.m., commission.

Oct. 16, 9 a.m., tourist development council.

Oct. 26, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m., commission (with Longboat Key).

County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST

Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Manatee County Legislative Delegation annual meeting and hearing, Bradenton City Hall, 101 Old Main St. W., Bradenton.

Oct. 9, Columbus Day, a federal holiday.

Nov. 10, Veterans Day, a federal holiday. Most government offices will be closed. Send notices to calendar@islander.org.

SARASOTA GEM

We have been a new and used GEM dealer for 20 years. We welcome our long-time friends and encourage new patrons from Anna Maria Island to shop here!

to the municipality’s $3,001,460.85 roadway improvement project.

The city also will spend $472,085 less on the Holmes Beach Police Department this year, down to $4,633,257, due to a drop in capital outlay expenses.

Another savings is the removal of a $100,000 algae skimmer vessel proposed by the city’s clean water committee to mitigate algae blooms in municipal canals in waterways.

Ron Huibers, chair of the committee, spoke during public comment to request that funding be added back into the budget.

He questioned why the city was funding the $195,000 purchase of a street sweeper instead of an algae skimmer vessel that costs less than $90,000.

Schaefer, the commission’s liaison to the CWC, told Huibers that the city could use still allocate unrestricted reserves to purchase an algae skimmer vessel.

Nevertheless, he said the city still needed to identify and test equipment to find the right fit, as well as seek potential grant funding, before making a purchase.

“I don’t think there’s any disagreement that we need to address it,” Schaefer said. “We’re looking for the most expeditious and fair way to test it and to pay for it. Ultimately, if we have to pay for it, we can move reserves to do so.”

Mayor Judy Titsworth added that the street sweeper would help the city meet requirements for funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

City treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer recommended they approve the budget with one change: moving $152,587 from the city’s restricted reserves to its unrestricted reserves.

Dunham-Tozer said the change will bring the city’s unrestricted reserves to $4,127,348, which meets the state standard for having at least 25% of the city’s operating budget available in unrestricted reserves.

The city will still have $3 million in restricted reserves for fiscal 2023-24.

Commissioner Pat Morton moved to adopt the budget, with the recommended change.

Commissioner Greg Kerchner seconded the motion, which passed.

City officials thanked Dunham-Tozer for her work on the municipal budget and the millage reduction. The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

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

Holmes Beach numbers… 2022-23 adopted budget

taxable property value: $2,770,184,718

ad valorem revenue: $5,475,606

Budget: $25,436,242

fund carryover and reserves: $12,695,699 2023-24 adopted budget

taxable property value: $3,169,033,544

ad valorem revenue: $6,172,693

Budget: $25,121,957

fund carryover and reserves: $10,960,076

HOLMES BEACH

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

Anna Maria planners recommend A-frame business signs

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

A-frame signs soon may be a legal marketing tool for businesses in Anna Maria.

The city’s planning and zoning board unanimously voted Sept. 27 to recommend approval of revisions to an ordinance that would allow one A-frame, or sandwich board, sign per commercial use.

A resolution passed in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017 allowed the signs for a limited time in an effort to stimulate struggling businesses.

While a deadline for the resolution was extended multiple times — during the closure of the city pier and the coronavirus pandemic — it has since expired.

However, the city withheld enforcement on sandwich signs, saying it was a low-priority and time-consuming issue, according to Mayor Dan Murphy.

Instead, Murphy presented commissioners with a proposal to remove A-frame signs from a list of prohibited signage and allow each commercial address one such sign up to 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall.

An address with multiple commercial uses would be limited to one A-frame sign.

The signs would not be allowed in rights of way, to impede pedestrian traffic or motorist visibility triangles.

The signs would be allowed only during a commercial use’s business hours and would be required to be removed during inclement weather.

The proposed ordinance passed a first reading and was sent to the municipality’s P&Z board for review.

P&Z member Dusty Crane said she believed sandwich board signs to be “a bit of a problem” and expressed concerns about how the city would enforce the code change.

“I’m somewhat not supportive of them, only because Pine (Avenue) is so narrow and sidewalks are so limited,” Crane said. “I’ll support it if that’s what the board wants to do but, again, I’d like to see none of them, to tell you the truth.”

Crane added that she didn’t think limiting the use of the signs was fair to businesses that share a building with others.

P&Z member David Haddox said the ordinance could be revised so that units at an address would qualify as individual businesses and every commercial use could have a sandwich board sign.

City planner Ashley Austin said she could review sign applications so, if businesses begin splitting addresses to add signage, she could deny them based on sign congestion.

Austin said denied permit applications would go before the P&Z for consideration.

Haddox said he was concerned the proposed 24-by-36-inch signa are too little. He recommended using those dimensions for a sign’s graphic area and allow frames that are up to 27-by-45-inches.

P&Z chair Jose Erbella said he supported the proposed ordinance with Crane and Haddox’s recommended changes.

Haddox moved to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance with changes.

Crane seconded the motion, which passed. There was no public comment.

The proposed ordinance will go before city commissioners for a public hearing and final reading at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

The P&Z will meet next at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

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

Coast Guard suspends oil spill investigation

The U.S. Coast Guard Sept. 26 suspended its investigation into a Sept. 1 oil spill at SeaPort Manatee on Tampa Bay.

The cleanup cost more than $1 million and Manatee County commissioners said they would take action against the parties responsible for the spill.

However, the Coast Guard, which began investigating the spill Labor Day weekend, did not identify any responsible parties in its Sept. 29 news release.

The release read, “The Coast Guard federal onscene coordinator suspended the investigation into the source and responsible party for the oil spill at SeaPort Manatee Tuesday pending new information.”

No other information was available.

— Lisa Neff

Outdoor a-frame sandwich board signs are posted Sept. 28 at anna maria rocks, 9908 gulf Drive, and Bortell’s Lounge, 10002 gulf Drive, in anna maria. Islander Photo: ryan Paice

compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Wednesday, Oct. 11

6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club meeting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Oct. 15, “Lorna Bieber: Natural World” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through October, “Walk on the Wild Side” paintings by Jody Goldman, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.

Oct. 14-Jan. 7, “Guercino’s Friar with a Gold Earring: Fra Bonaventura Bisi, Painter and Art Dealer” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through June 23, 2024, “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, ringling.org.

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.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 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 DATE

Oct. 14, Mote Marine’s Sharktoberfest, Sarasota.

Nov. 2-12, Island Players’ “Later Life,” Anna Maria.

Nov. 3-4, Village of the Arts’ Dia de los Muertos, Bradenton.

Nov. 4, Bash at the Bishop: A Celestial Affair, Bradenton.

Nov. 5, Island Players’ “The Mousetrap” auditions, Anna Maria.

Nov. 8, Island Library’s Island Time Book Club discusses Curtis Sittenfeld’s “Romantic Comedy,” Holmes Beach.

Nov. 11-12, Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival, Cortez.

Nov. 11, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Symphony on the Sand at Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach.

Nov. 18-April 28, 2024, the Dali Museum’s “Dali & the Impressionists: Monet, Degas, Renoir and More,” St. Petersburg.

In the gallery

Island gallery and Studios, 456 Old main St., Bradenton, will feature work by oil painter Jody goldman in October. the gallery, formerly in Holmes Beach, is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. tuesday-Saturday. for more information, call 941-778-6648. Islander courtesy Photo

Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Festival, Bradenton.

Dec. 9, Jan. 14, Jan. 26, April 6, Center of Anna Maria Island/ Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau concert, Anna Maria.

MARKETS & SALES

ONGOING ON AMI

Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 10, 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.

OFF AMI

Seasonal call for listings

Get listed early and reach The Islander’s audience weekly.

Please, send notices for the 2023-24 seasonal calendar to Lisa Neff at calendar@islander.org.

Be sure to include a contact name, as well as a phone number for publication in the calendar and announcements.

Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Select Thursdays — Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Dec. 14 — Shark Pups and Grownups preschool program, Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: mote.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

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

Second Saturdays, Quest for kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 13, Manatee County’s Goblin Gathering, Bradenton.

Oct. 21, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Saturday, Oct. 7

8 a.m.-noon — Nautical Flea Market, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: 941-708-6120.

8 a.m.-1 p.m. — Arts and Crafts Sale, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road, Cortez, on the FISH Preserve. Information: cvhs2016@aol.com, 941-840-0590.

9 a.m.-noon — Master Gardner Volunteer Plant Sale, Barbara Davis Educational Gardens, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto. Information: 941-772-4524.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 22, Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Fall Plants and More Sale, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

ON AMI

Friday, Oct. 6 10 a.m. — Forty Carrots program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Tuesday, Oct. 10 10 a.m. — Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive,

Dec. 2, Center of Anna Maria Island Lester Family Fun Day, Anna Maria.

Dec. 9, Winter Wonderland Celebration, Bradenton.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

ON AMI

Thursday, Oct. 5

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

ONGOING ON AMI

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.

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

OFF AMI

Wednesday, Oct. 11

11:45 a.m. — Off Stage Ladies luncheon and meeting, Modern Chop Restaurant, 1830 59th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-932-2798.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., October-April, Manatee Audubon

“Anna Maria Island,” a signed pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 from the Islander. Visit islander. org or call 941-7787978. $20 plus postage, if applicable.

Island happenings

Library book club to meet

The Island Time Book Club will discuss Glennon Doyle’s memoir, “Untamed,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The New York Times’ bestseller is described by its publisher as a wake-up call — “the story of how one woman learned that a

Marine items, art, crafts for sale in Cortez Oct. 7

The people who celebrate fi shers, captains and sailors hope to net a crowd for two big sales.

The Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Culture Center collaborated to create a sale day Saturday, Oct. 7, in Cortez.

Off Stage Ladies to lunch

The Off Stage Ladies, an auxiliary of the Island Players, will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Modern Chop, 1830 59th St. W., Bradenton.

The program will feature remarks by Island Players board president Cathy Hansel-Edgerton.

The group meets the second Wednesday of the month through May.

The cost to join the group is $20.

People interested in joining Off Stage Ladies can contact Roe Duncan at 941-932-2798.

fully live.”

The club’s Nov. 11 discussion will be on Curtis Sittenfeld’s novel, “Romantic Comedy,” another bestseller.

The library is at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the branch at 941-7786341.

Society meetings, First United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. W., Palmetto. Information: manateeaudubon@gmail.com, 941-729-2222.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 28, Annie Silver Community Center Book Sale and Potluck Lunch, Bradenton Beach.

Nov. 3, FISH Preserve ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cortez.

SPORTS & FITNESS

ONGOING ON AMI

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

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.

LESSONS & LEARNING

Wednesday, Oct. 4

ON AMI

11 a.m. — DeSoto National Memorial’s Indigenous People of Florida program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Friday, Oct. 7

10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Ask a Master Gardner program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

An arts and crafts sale, with vendors offering handcrafted jewelry, art, baked goods, books and more, will be 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the center on the FISH Preserve, 11655 Cortez Road.

Also, the 25th annual Cortez Nautical Flea Market will be 8 a.m.-noon. The event will feature sale items, educational outreach and activities spread across the grounds at the museum.

The museum is at 4415 119th St. W., Cortez.

For more information, call the FMM at 941-7086120.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 20, Nov. 15, Island Library/Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee Holocaust Speaker Series, Holmes Beach.

OUTDOORS & NATURE

Thursday, Oct. 5

Paradise Center presents Veterans’ Canteen

The Longboat Key Paradise Center will host the Veterans’ Canteen — a welcome space for U.S. veterans to connect — 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.

The center also will host a Parkinson’s Support Group at 1 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, as well as place a team in the Oct. 21 Make Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Longboat Key.

The center is at 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key.

For more information, call the center at 941383-6493.

ON AMI

8 a.m. — Trail Team Thursday with Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, Leffis Key Preserve, Gulf Drive South, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-742-5923, ext. 6035.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 12, Oyster Habitat Restoration with the Manatee County Democratic Environmental Caucus and Oyster River Ecology, Zoom.

CALENDAR NOTES

KEEP THE DATES

Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out.

Oct. 31, Halloween.

Nov. 5, daylight saving time ends.

Nov. 7, Election Day.

Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving.

Master gardener sale Oct. 7

Manatee County’s master gardeners will be selling plants during their volunteer sale Saturday, Oct. 7, in Palmetto.

The sale will be 9 a.m.-noon at the county extension service site, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto.

Shoppers will find houseplants, orchids, wildflowers, trees, shrubs and more — “All priced to sell,” according to a news release.

Online registration is recommended and ADA access also is available.

For more information, call the extension service at 941-722-4524, ext. 1815.

A

responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children but one who shows them how to

Rockin’ Rocktober at AME

Anna Maria Elementary students will receive lessons during fire safety week Oct. 2-5 from firefighters stationed with the West Manatee Fire Rescue.

Looking ahead, AME will get in the Halloween spirit with the Fall Festival 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

The AME-PTO is in planning mode for a fun, family-friendly event with rides and booths, prizes

and games.

The next PTO board meeting to discuss opportunities to volunteer and Fall Festival progress will be 3:45 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9, in the Guy Harvey classroom at AME.

— Brook morrison

AME Calendar

• Oct. 4-5, fire safety week.

• Monday, Oct. 9, 3:45 p.m., PTO board meeting.

• Thursday, Oct. 12, end of first quarter.

• Friday, Oct. 13, record day, no school.

• Saturday, Oct. 28, Fall Festival, Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

• Sunday, Nov. 12, 3-5 p.m., PTO Family Social book swap, city field, Holmes Beach.

• Thursday, Nov. 16, 5 p.m., PTO dinner in the cafeteria, 6:30 p.m., fourth-grade play in the auditorium.

• Nov. 20-24, Thanksgiving break, no school.

• Thursday, Nov. 30, 3:45 p.m., SAC meeting.

• Dec. 4-7, scholastic book fair.

• Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m., STEM night.

• Sunday, Dec. 10, 3-5 p.m., PTO Family Social, gingerbread house making, Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

— Brook Morrison

Tending the plants

anna maria elementary fourth-grader colton Deberry smiles Sept. 12 while tending to tomato plants in an edible garden at the school. the fourthgrade garden is sponsored by the Doctor’s Office, a craft bar, restaurant and dining garden owned by Susan timmins and husband Sean murphy, who sponsor a meal using ingredients from the garden and host a session on restaurant dining etiquette. Islander Photos: courtesy ame

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are heating up their shopping plans, taking an early fall day or two to make a round of visits to the coolest shops.

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

And next door to Blue Flamingo, they will explore Cat’s Meow’s 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Tiki and Kitty love their puuuurfect treasures! And coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, mid-century modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums. You may want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

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 invites you to visit its many vendors at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301, where a portion of your purchase benefits Moonracer No Kill Pet Rescue — our favorite pet rescue.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

The Vintage Vine Market offers fine vintage

ame fourth-graders gunnar maize, left, and Brandon Sato plant peppers Sept. 12 in an edible garden on the campus. the plants will be harvested in late fall for students to enjoy a lunch prepared and served by the Doctor’s Office garden.

wares and more with a whimsical twist in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.

Join Vintage Vine Oct. 8 for an indoor pop-up market and Oct. 15 for the “Friendly City Flea” at Oscura Cafe.

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

ame fourth-grader Zofia Hendrickson plants pole beans Sept. 12 with the help of master gardeners.

Gathering

By Lisa Neff

Lunch group returns to Roser

Roser Memorial Community Church invites people to share.

The church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, again is hosting the Just Older Youth group, which will meet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, for socializing, sandwiches and shared dishes.

An announcement from the church for the Oct. 4 gathering said, “JOY is the happiest place to be. Let’s get reacquainted and plan for the year! If there is something you think the group would like to do, please, bring your ideas to share. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided — please, bring a side dish. Everyone is invited to enJOY a fun time together in the Fellowship Hall!”

Throughout the season, the group will meet most first and third Wednesdays of each month.

At the regular meetings, joiners are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch, with the church providing beverages and treats.

For more information, call Roser at 941-7780414.

Obituaries

Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Butler

Kenneth “Kenny” Butler, 66, of Bradenton and formerly of Anna Maria Island, died Sept. 19. He was born Oct. 4, 1956, and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, the “home of golf,” where he learned to play early on.

Tidings

compiled by Lisa

Neff

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

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

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

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

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

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast.

Also: Oct. 8, potluck brunch following worship; Nov. 5, potluck brunch following worship; Dec. 2, breakfast with St. Nick.

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.

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

Ongoing: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., RoserRobics.

Also: Dec. 17, Christmas cantata.

emy, giving lessons to Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush.

He was the golf pro at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach 2020-21.

He met the love of his life, Kari Mohr-Hurst, 20 years ago, and they began dating seven years later. They enjoyed the pleasure of each other’s company and their lives together in Bradenton.

Time spent on Anna Maria Island was special to them, boating, fishing and enjoying the beach.

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.

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.

Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

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

Gathering is the religion page for The Islander. Please, send notices to calendar@ islander.org.

Christine McDonald; brother John Butler; and the Mohr-Hurst family, parents Jim and Sue Mohr; sister Lynn Mohr; niece Hilary and husband Scott Suring; niece Sarah and husband Jarred Bunker and their children, Nolan and Mila; and his “brothers,” Kevin Jones and Allan Welch.

Barbara Carol Harrold

Barbara Carol (Wolfe) Harrold, 77, a winter resident of Anna Maria Island, died Sept. 27.

Butler

Mr. Butler moved to the United States in 1984. In 1992, he became certified as a USGTF teaching professional and then gained his Master Golf Teaching Professional certification, eventually becoming part of the USGTF and WGTF examining staff. He was nominated as a Golf magazine Top 100 Teacher and was inducted into the USGTF Hall of Fame in 2004.

He was a director for the Tony Jacklin Golf Acad-

He became spoiled by Kari’s cooking, often posting pictures on social media. He could light up a room with his smile, blue eyes, wit and Scottish accent.

Following a round of golf, he enjoyed a good laugh and a pint with his buddies. His insatiable sense of humor and his kind and loving manner will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Private family services are planned and he will be laid to rest in Cambria Cemetery.

He is survived by his loving companion, Kari; daughter Georgia Stella Elizabeth B. Soutar; sister

S INGERS I NVITED F OR M ESSIAH

On Sunday, December 10th at 10:00 AM Christ Church of LBK (Presbyterian USA) will Present The Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah with Professional Soloists and Orchestra.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS JOYOUS EVENT. LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED CHORAL SINGERS. ALL VOICES

Growing in Jesus’ Name

She was born Dec. 27, 1945, in Detroit, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (LeFebvre) Wolfe. She graduated from St. Francis Cabrini High School in 1964 and Mercy School of Nursing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967.

She married Ronald W. Harrold Aug. 16, 1968. She was a nurse for more than 30 years, retiring from St. Joseph Hospital in Flint, Michigan.

Harrold

The Harrolds cofounded Harrold Developments, a residential building company. While she held her builder’s license, her forte was interior design and she enjoyed working with clients. They established three subdivisions in the Linden area and built more than 200 homes.

She held a strong belief in the value of serving her community.

Worship With Us At Our Church Sunday Ser vice 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Nor man Pritchard

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00

Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10: 00 AM Ser vice Live: www bit ly/cclbksermons or www christchurchof lbk org (follow YouTube link)

SUNDAY WORSHIP

your

8:30 AM in the Chapel 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Sign up to receive the eBulletin at RoserChurch.com/contact-us

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

100s celebrate baptism at Anna Maria beach

It was a special day at the beach for some.

First Baptist Church of Palmetto hosted a Beach Baptism Sept. 24 at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria.

Twenty-six people were baptized.

Attendance was in the hundreds and a picnic celebration followed the baptisms.

“It was a great time of fellowship that could not be dampened by a rain shower,” Cheryl Rickly, church secretary, wrote in an email to The Islander.

FBC has hosted an annual baptism since 2015, with about 20 baptisms per year.

In 2020 and 2021, the events were not held due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Rickly, it has been 131 years since a

small group of believers living in Palmetto, dreamed of having a Baptist church in their community.

Their dreams became reality Jan. 5, 1892, when Palmetto Baptist Church was organized.

“Our mission statement is to develop missionaries who will share the love of Christ with our community and beyond. In accordance with this mission, we are hosting the Spanish Christian Church led by Pastor Luis Lozada on our campus as they seek to grow and one day have a meeting place of their own.”

Of the 26 who were baptized, six are members of the Spanish Christian Church.

Read more online at islander.org.

— Bonner Joy

GoodDeeds

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers to help organize the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17 in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824.

• The Anna Maria Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization seeks sponsors for the 2023-24 academic year. Info: 941-708-5525.

• The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island welcomes members to support the gallery, 5414 Marina

obituaries frOm Page 14

Anna Maria Island and volunteered at Blake Medical Center and Anna Maria Elementary School. She was an active member for many years of the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.

She will be remembered as an incredibly loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend.

Memorial gifts may be made to a nursing education fund at the University of Michigan, Office of

Drive, Holmes Beach, and the nonprofit’s educational mission. Info: 941-778-6694.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers — onstage and off — for the 75th season of shows. Info: 941-778-5755.

• The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteers to become docents and, beginning this fall, bake bread. Info: 941778-0492.

• The Friends of the Island Library welcomes

University Development, Gift and Records, 3003 S. State St., Suite 9000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288 with a memo or note “In memory of Mrs. Barbara Harrold.”

Mrs. Harrold is survived by her children, Heather and Jeff and wife Mary; grandchildren Jason, Megan, Charlie, Sarah and Lauren; twin brother Tom Wolfe and wife Sharon; sister Mary Pearce and husband Dane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

members to support the Holmes Beach branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

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

• 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.

— Lisa Neff

Wendy roland and roland Horn. Pastor Kenny tibbetts baptizes Donna morejon. Pastor todd Poppell baptizes caleb theisen.

the rev. Luis Lozada of first Baptist baptizes alfredo Downs medina.

Islander Photos: courtesy first Baptist church of Palmetto

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

Sept. 20, Circle K, 103 Gulf Drive S., theft. An officer from the Bradenton Beach Police Department responded in reference to a bicycle they found that two complainants believed was stolen from them two years ago, although they could not provide documentation of ownership. An officer returned to the Circle K later the same day, after the bike’s owner reported it missing. The man told police he purchased the bike at a local shop, which an officer confirmed. The officer contacted the earlier complainants, who had taken the bike but agreed to return it, as well as purchase a new lock for its owner. The bike owner declined to press charges.

Sept. 21, 2600 block of Gulf Drive South, theft. An officer responded to a report of a wallet that went missing at the beach. The complainant told police he left his wallet unattended while he was in the water for about 20 minutes. He said he did not see anyone take it and searched the area to no avail. The officer issued the man a case number.

Sept. 22, 2300 block of Avenue B, assisting fire department. An officer responded to reports of a possible fire and arrived to find an extension cord on fire on the property’s back porch. The fire had spread to the porch and a potted plant. The officer put out the “main part” of the fire with an extinguisher before West Manatee Fire Rescue arrived to finish the job. The officer issued the property owner a case number.

Sept. 25, 2600 block of Gulf Drive South, missing/ recovered person. Manatee County Beach Patrol called the BBPD about a man who wanted to report his adult brother missing. An officer spoke with the complainant, who told police his brother went missing after their family visited Coquina Beach the day before. He said his brother was supposed to take the bus home, but

had not returned. He added that his brother has medical issues. A couple of days later, an officer rechecked with local hospitals and learned that the Holmes Beach Police Department had detained the missing man under the Baker Act and he had been admitted to Centerstone Behavioral Hospital in Bradenton. An officer contacted the complainant and advised him of his brother’s location.

BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

Sept. 19, 500 block of 70th Street, larceny. An offi cer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to reports of theft. The officer found the complainant, who said two vehicles had empty gas tanks despite being recently filled. There was no video footage of the theft. An officer provided the complainant a case number.

Sept. 19, 600 block of Ambassador Lane, civil complaint. An officer responded to reports of a civil complaint and found three business partners who renovate homes. They told police they hired a contractor to complete work at two properties but the contractor made a series of errors, lied to them about work hours and failed to meet building codes. They fired the contractor and requested their deposit back but he hadn’t returned the money. The officer provided the business partners a case number and forwarded a report to the detective division.

Sept. 23, 7700 block of Palm Drive, Baker Act. An officer saw a man holding a burning Styrofoam cup and approached. The man offered a nonsensical explanation for holding the cup and was uncooperative, refusing to identify himself. The officer handcuffed the man and detained him under the Baker Act after determining he was a risk to himself and/or others. The officer transported the man to Centerstone Behavioral Hospital in Bradenton.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue: Single-lane closures can be expected 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Go to swflroads.com.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Work on the city’s project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives continues. Traffic patterns can change. Check the city’s page on Facebook. Also, Manatee County’s force main project continues and traffic patterns can change.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating sewer lines along Gulf Drive South and travel on Gulf Drive South is limited to one lane, at times. Go to amiprojects.io.

— Lisa Neff

Island watch

In an emergency, call 911. To report info, call the MCSO Anna Maria, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

Sept. 24, 200 block of 72nd Street, fraud/arrest warrant/obstruction without violence. Two offi cers responded to reports of potential credit card fraud involving a payment to rent a vacation unit. The vacation rental company told police they received notification that the credit card was declined after the renters were given access to the property. The company provided officers access to the property, where they found multiple people. The officers cleared the property, detained the renters and found one man hiding on the roof. The man, who had an arrest warrant out of Sarasota County for theft, eventually surrendered. A Manatee County sheriff’s transport unit took the man to the Manatee County jail.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

Bradenton Beach planners dig into permeable pavers

Bradenton Beach planners are going beyond the surface as they work to update city code on stormwater infiltration and lot coverage.

The planning and zoning board will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at city hall to discuss a draft ordinance dealing with changes to the land development code related to stormwater drainage.

The board this past year has considered recommending changes to the LDC to address development and how added impervious surface areas can negatively impact stormwater runoff, causing flooding.

The proposed changes going before the P&Z Oct. 4 deal with definitions in the LDC for green space, impervious surface, open space and trees, as well as new provisions on landscaping at single-family and two-family developments or redevelopments.

“Green space,” in the proposed ordinance, is defined as “land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs or other vegetation, but not including structures.”

Getting closure

“Impervious surface” is redefined to include “shell of any size, rock and other landscaping materials not installed over infiltration systems, compacted sand, manufactured or natural stepping stones, as well as conventionally surfaced streets, roofs, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots.”

The definition of “tree” includes some dimensions — a tree is a single stem or trunk at least 3 inches in diameter at 4 1/2 feet above the ground or a tree is multiple stems with an aggregate diameter of at least 3 inches. A palm, in the definition, is a tree, but bamboo is not.

As for proposed requirements in landscaping single-family or two-family developments or redevelopments, the draft ordinance includes:

• A minimum of 20% of the parcel must be a landscaped area of grass or other living cover maintained at no more than 3 feet in height;

• At least one shade tree or three palms per 2,500 square feet of lot area at the time of the develop -

ment;

• A landscaping strip of at least 2 feet in depth must be created along the front property line, except for areas for vehicle and pedestrian access and stormwater or utility easements.

City hall is at 107 Gulf Drive N. — Lisa Neff

Cut and cleared

a compartment area at the defunct Piney Point phosphate operation in east manatee. the florida Department of environmental Protection Sept. 21 announced the closure of the OgS-South compartment area, describing it as “a major milestone toward the permanent closure of the Piney Point facility.” closure of another compartment is next for Piney Point, where in 2021 more than 215 million gallons of nutrient-rich wastewater spilled into tampa Bay. Islander courtesy Photo

Beachgoers Sept. 29 cross a multipurpose path at coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to reach the sand. to prepare for a remodel of the path, manatee county contracted for the removal of 96 australian pine trees, to be followed by the removal of the existing path, placement of a root barrier and installation of a new path. On Sept. 25, terry’s tree Service of Southwest florida got to work clearing trees, leaving patches of red sawdust. the contractor posted on its facebook page, “Brought out 3 cranes and 20 team members to knock this project out in one day.” the multipurpose path project is budgeted at $1.3 million. Islander Photo: Lisa

Neff

Programming begins at Mote’s city pier outreach center

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is bringing education and fun to Anna Maria.

Mote public programs manager Dana Henderson told The Islander Sept. 21 that the Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on the Anna Maria City Pier is hosting educational programs.

The outreach center opened May 5 at the pier, featuring interactive and live exhibits, such as an invertebrate touch tank where people can touch urchins, sea stars and horseshoe crabs.

The facility is open to the public 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Mote began programming at the outreach center in August, including:

• Seashore SEAfari, a guided walking tour to explore Anna Maria Island’s beach ecosystem and learn about the history of the city pier.

The program is offered on select Wednesdays 9 a.m.-10 a.m., including Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 6.

• Shark Pups & Grownups, an early childhood STEM program that encourages families to learn about the ocean together.

The program is offered on select Thursdays 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., including Oct. 26, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14.

Seashore SEAfari is for all ages and is a tour from the outreach center to the landside and up the beach and back, according to Henderson.

She said the Sharks Pups & Grownups program is primarily for children ages 2-5 and their parents to learn about the ocean by playing games, making arts and crafts, storytelling and roleplaying.

Themes will include “Sea of Costumes, Rock on like a Guitarfish,” “Aquatic Appetites, Mote Munchies” and “Mote Around the World, Keys for Corals.”

Mote cancelled its September Seashore SEAfari due to a lack of registrants.

The programs require 15 registrants.

Nevertheless, Henderson expressed excitement with the programs offered at the outreach center and the response of attendees.

“So far, it’s been a lot of fun,” Henderson said. “Interaction has been great. The folks who have come out have been really excited and engaged.”

“We’re hoping that, as season picks up and people visit the area more, attendance will increase a bit,” she added.

For adults and “lifelong learners,” Henderson said Mote has a science talk about marine mammals scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the outreach center.

Mote also plans to celebrate Halloween by hosting A-SCARE-ium, where trick-or-treaters will be wel-

comed and costumes encouraged during regular hours Oct. 28-Oct. 31, according to Henderson.

Mote will then host a member appreciation event at the pier, “Science at Sunrise,” 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, where members will be treated to a continental breakfast and an educational talk about sharks.

Other potential programs include partnering with Anna Maria Elementary and the Center of Anna Maria Island for fi eld trips and camp activities, hosting a series of educational films about scientists and marine life, as well as yoga at sunrise and beach cleanups, according to Henderson.

People can learn more about and register for Mote’s programs at mote.org/annamaria.

‘Side’ work

Dallas Valdez of Bradenton has the skills to catch his own bait as he casts a net

Sept. 21 from the anna maria city Pier walkway while angling at the pier with friends. Islander Photo: ryan Paice

Artist, native islander steps up for clean water calendar

By ryan Paice Islander reporter

The Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign hooked a real catch of an artist for its 2024 educational calendar.

Artist and Anna Maria Island native Jean Blackburn spoke with The Islander Sept. 27 about the inclusion of her art in the calendar, which will promote awareness about water stewardship.

The Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign is a combined effort between the three island municipalities to improve and preserve local water quality, as well as promote water stewardship.

The calendar is the campaign’s most recent promotion effort and was designed by city digital/media strategist Matt McDonough.

The calendar will include monthly educational tips about ways people can improve water quality during their daily lives and feature art from Blackburn’s series of oil paintings, “Water.”

Blackburn grew up on the island, since she was born in 1951 to when she left to attend college. She said she spent a lot of her time in the island waters with her parents, who were sailors.

“We really used to live off of the water,” Blackburn said. “We’d go crabbing every summer and have tubs full of crabs, and stone crabbing in the winter, and clamming.”

Blackburn’s experiences on the water reconvened after she finished school and began sailing around the Bahamas, Caribbean and Central America, painting throughout.

She began the “Water” series while living in a cabin along the Myakka River, which she photographed and began painting with oils.

Blackburn has based each of her paintings in the series on photography she took of water along the river, around the island and across the world.

“Wherever I travel, I love to see what’s going on with the water, and that usually leads to another painting,” she said.

The series includes more than a hundred paintings of water, with about 130 based on photos taken of the Myakka River.

Blackburn currently lives in Myakka and operates a wildlife rehabilitation center at her home, but also maintains a cottage on Longboat Key.

She said she misses the island but called the current state of its water “heartbreaking,” saying the abundance of marine life she came to know during her time on the island is now missing.

“We used to see sawfish. There were various, just exciting and interesting things that we would see on a regular basis and we took for granted,” she said. “They’re not here anymore. We just don’t have so many of the treasures that we used to have.”

“I don’t spend that much time in or on the water like I used to. Partly because of where we live but partly because it’s lost some of its appeal,” she added.

Blackburn said she is “thrilled” about her artwork’s inclusion in the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign calendar.

“I want my work to promote awareness of our

“Spoonbill,” an oil painting by Jean Blackburn, an anna maria Island native whose art will be featured in the Islanders 4 clean Water campaign’s 2024 calendar. Islander Photo: courtesy Jean Blackburn

environmental issues,” she said.

Mayor Judy Titsworth announced Sept. 26 that the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign calendar would be sent out for printing by the end of the week and become available within the next two weeks.

AMI generosity extends to East Coast surf contest

Anna Maria Island again will be represented at the NKF Rich Salick Pro Am Surf Festival.

The event was pushed to Oct. 7-9 after a Labor Day weekend storm threatened the East Coast.

Now the 38th annual NKF Rich Salick Surf Fest is returning to its roots and will be held Columbus Day weekend at the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

The Ron Jons Mens Pro, the main surfing event, brings surfers from as far as Costa Rica to compete for prize money and trophies created by renowned artists. The Womens Pro and other competitions promise epic surfing viewing for the weekend. Pro and amateur surfers — as young as 4 years old — will compete Oct. 7 for a spot in the finals.

The festival’s Taste of Brevard and Silent Auction will take place Oct. 8. The “Tropical Party of the Year” will include live music, along with patient and surfing legend testimonials.

Restaurants from the Space Coast will donate signature dishes in hopes to take home the “Best Taste Title.”

Auction items include hand-painted surfboards, art from the Wyland Galleries, beach cruisers, surf packs and a vacation package for Anna Maria Island.

The Islander newspaper again is sending the vacation package, which includes accommodations arranged by Matt Lyndon of Anna Maria Life vacations, dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant with thanks to owner Jason Suzor, a six-person private dolphin boat tour from Ben Webb of AMI Dolphin Tours and a half-day inshore fishing trip guided by legendary snook-hunter Capt. Scott Moore.

Proceeds will go to the National Kidney Foundation of Florida to increase awareness and prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health of individuals and families affected by the diseases and increase the availability of organs for transplantation.

Tickets to the Taste of Brevard can be purchased online at nkfsurf.org or at the door.

The festival honors the cofounder, the late Richard Salick, who died July 2, 2012.

Salick, a lifelong sufferer of kidney disease, was an advocate for kidney patients. He was a three-time kidney recipient who, with his twin Phil, grew up surfing the waves on Anna Maria Island and became champion surfers through much of the late 1960s and ’70s.

For more information, call the foundation at 321784-5661.

— Bonner Joy

896 6245

BeLOW: Jean Blackburn. Islander file Photo: Lisa Neff

Soccer standings take shape at community center

By Kevin P. cassidy Islander reporter

After three weeks of action in the youth soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Moss Builders is alone at 2-0 in its pursuit of a perfect record in the 8-10 division.

Isola Bella Italian Eatery holds down second at 1-0-2, closely followed by Adrian Griffin Interiors and La Creperie, which are 1-1-1. Solid Rock Construction is in fifth at 1-1, while Am I Coconuts at 0-2-1 and the Porch Restaurant at 0-1-1 complete the standings.

aidan guess of the gitt team and Sterling Holiday of HSH Designs converge on the ball Sept. 26 during 11-14 division soccer action at the center of anna maria Island.

cassidy

Cheesecake Cutie leads the 11-14 teams with a 2-0-1, just ahead of the Gitt Team, which boasts a 2-1 record. Solid Rock Construction holds down third place at 1-2, while HSH Designs completes the 11-14 standings with an 0-2-1 record.

Action Sept. 26 kicked off with Moss Builders earning a 3-1 victory over Am I Coconuts behind two goals from Gunnar Maize and a goal and an assist from Parker Svoboda. Miles Moss helped preserve the victory with six saves in goal.

Beau Canup notched the lone goal for Am I Coconuts, which also received nine saves from Kason Price in the loss.

Isola Bella Italian Eatery cruised to a 3-0 victory over Adrian Griffin Interiors behind a goal each from Chandler LaPensee, Owen Mahoney and Asher Patel. Trinity Miller helped to preserve the shutout with four saves in goal.

Andre Harwood made five saves for Adrian Griffin Interiors in the loss.

The last 8-10 match of the night saw La Creperie earn a 3-1 victory over the Porch, thanks to a Silas Whitehead hat trick. Louis Bacon chipped in an assist, while Sawyer Leibfried made one save in the victory.

Luke Willing scored the lone goal for the Porch, which also received 10 saves from Santiago Cantero.

Action in the 11-14 division Sept. 26 got started with the Gitt Team cruising to a 7-2 victory over HSH Designs behind four goals from Renan Kesten and two goals from Callin Westfall. Ryk Kesten chipped in with a goal and two assists and Austin Guess made fi ve saves in the victory.

Cecelia Kroth scored a pair of goals for HSH Designs, which also received five saves from Cyrus Ryan in the loss.

The last match of the evening saw Cheesecake Cutie ease past Solid Rock Construction by a 4-3 score. Kegan McGlade paced Cheesecake Cutie with two goal while Preston LaPensee added a goal and an assist. Theo Aupelle added one goal and Thomas Holly finished with five saves in the victory.

Luke Dellenger scored two goals for Solid Rock, which also received a goal from Jesse Zaccagnino and six saves from brother Jack Zaccagnino.

Adult soccer action at center pitch

Moss Builders is off to a 4-0 start in the adult soccer league at the community center. Ross Built and Sato Real Estate are on their heels with matching 3-1 records. Gulf Drive Cafe is alone in third place at 2-1-1 while Sandbar Restaurant is in fourth place at 1-2-1 record. Gulf View Windows & Doors holds down fifth place at 1-3, while Pool America and Slim’s Place are tied for last with 0-3-1 records.

Action Sept. 28 stumbled at the start when Sato failed to field a team, giving Ross a forfeit victory.

The second match of the night saw Sandbar slip past Pool America by a 4-3 score. Jacek Czajkowski, Jake Parsons, Matthew Staggs and Alex Villanueva each scored goals and Robb Marshall made seven saves to preserve the victory.

Murat Akay scored two goals for Pool America, which also received a goal and an assist from Luca Vecchio. Chris Klotz helped keep Pool America in the game with 11 saves in the loss.

Gulf Drive Cafe held on for a 4-3 victory over Gulf View Windows & Doors behind a pair of goals from Eliza Faillace and a goal and three assists from Kevin Roman. Tyler Brewer added a goal and Tuna McCracken made 12 saves in the victory.

Leo Gonzalez, Keith Mahoney and Eric Pullen

each scored goals and Raul Loera made eight saves.

The last match of the evening saw Moss Builders cruise to a 5-2 victory over Slim’s Place behind two goals from Dean Hinterstoisser and a goal and an assist from Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos. James Lynch and Sam Parker each added goals and Ryan Moss made eight saves in the win.

Chris Klotz and Lindsey Styka each scored for Slim’s Place, which also received eight saves from Steve Oelfke in the loss.

Key Royale golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started Sept. 25 with the men’s modified-Stableford match. Terry Schaefer earned clubhouse bragging rights with a plus-4, one point ahead of second-place finisher Ken Kari. Bruce Christenson, Ron Huibers, Larry Pippel and Blake Ress tied for third at plus-2.

Helen Pollock fired a 3-under-par 29 Sept. 26 to grab first place in the women’s individual lownet match. Jackie Gorski was alone in second with a 1-under-par 31, just ahead of Jenny Huibers whose even-par round included a birdie on the second hole.

A nine-hole scramble Sept. 28 wrapped up the week’s challenges with the team of Mike Cusato, Ed Harrel and Larry Pippel combining on a 3-under-par 29 for the win. The team of Dan Doreste, Deb Richardson and Jenny and Ron Huibers were one stroke back in second place.

News from Anna Maria pits

Tim Sofran and Gary Howcroft teamed up to be the day’s outright champs. Sept. 27 at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.

The Sept. 30 games saw three teams advance to the knockout stage. Tom Farrington and Bob Baker drew the lucky bye into the finals and watched as Sofran and Stu Lindberg advanced with a 21-11 victory over Bob Heiger and Howcroft. The championship match was a close affair until Baker threw a game-winning double ringer to put an exclamation point on a 24-15 victory.

Islander Photo: Kevin P. cassidy

Education first: Take online course before fishing Skyway piers

By capt. Danny Stasny Islander reporter

People wishing to visit the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park to cast a line must take an online course designed to minimize entanglement of seabirds in fishing lines and gear.

If you don’t know, the original Skyway Bridge partially collapsed in 1980. When the bridge was replaced and traffic was rerouted, the approaches of the old bridge were left standing — transformed to a state park and earning the honor as the longest fishing piers in the world.

Stasny

The interaction of seabirds and anglers is extensive on the pier and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission determined, after hearings, there would be a required course for anglers. The 30-minute tutorial educates anglers on preventative measures to avoid bird entanglements, as well as pier regulations pertaining to acceptable gear usage. A video demonstrates how to release an entangled bird, followed by a 10-question test that the angler must ace in order to receive an emailed certificate to be presented upon arrival at the pier.

As of Oct. 1, all anglers 16 years old and up must carry the certificate, including anglers over 65 years old who are not required to have a fishing license. The course must be completed once a year and, although it’s free, it requires some time to complete.

I have the privilege of fishing from a boat and, while I probably won’t be fishing at the Skyway piers, I was curious about the requirement. So I completed the course.

Being an avid fisherman for more than 40 years, I’m well-versed when it comes to interactions with seabirds. So the course contained information I knew and have put into practice while on the water. But if you’re not a skilled angler, the course contains plenty of helpful information.

It’s probably best to take the course at home prior to going to the pier so you’re not sitting in your car for a half an hour or longer, testing on your phone and waiting to gain access to the pier.

And, if you don’t pass on the first try, don’t fret: You can take it as many times as needed to score 100%. Although, keep in mind that every time you take it, different questions may be asked.

After completion of the course, I can see the legiti-

aiden coleman of Sarasota shows off a nice over-slot 34-inch snook he caught and released at the rod & reel Pier on tampa Bay at the northernmost end of anna maria Island. Islander

macy of educating anglers on how to react, handle and release seabirds in a safe manner. Although a question comes to mind: How will anglers handle the situation when they think nobody is watching?

I’ve witnessed all sorts of incompetency on the water when it comes to anglers and birds. And for those who aren’t really outdoorspeople, do you really think they are going to take the time to reel in the bird, gently handle it while risking a bite and patiently, carefully remove the hook or tangled line?

I wondered if the course and the required certification was a step in the right direction? And the answer is yes, I think so, especially in a controlled environment such as the Skyway piers, where attendants are present to observe and aid anglers.

Hopefully the pier anglers will carry their new knowledge on all their fishing adventures.

For me, it all boils down to personal ethics as an outdoorsperson.

This brings up another question: How long will it be before the island piers adopt the same policies as the Skyway piers? With the volume of tourists visiting the island’s three piers, you can bet it’s coming.

On another note, don’t forget flounder will be closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30. Starting Dec. 1, harvest will resume for fish measuring 14 inches or longer with a bag limit of five fish per day per angler.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m surprised to see the vast numbers of spotted seatrout being reeled in. On just about every deep grass flat I’ve visited, I’m seeing an abundant number of trout. Mixed in are ladyfish,

jacks and Spanish mackerel.

Lexi Parks, visiting anna maria Island from columbus, Ohio, shows off a keeper redfish caught Sept. 28 on a guided morning fishing trip with her family and capt. David White. the redfish — and many more — ate a live shiner. Parks’ catch and those of her family were cooked and served at a late lunch at the Waterfront restaurant in anna maria.

On the shallower flats, especially along the mangrove edges, I’m catching decent numbers of snook, with a few redfish mixed in.

Capt. David White says he spending most days fi shing the inland waters of Tampa Bay southward to Sarasota Bay, where he reports live shiners as bait are working well on the deeper grass flats. Free-lined baits in these areas are getting attention from spotted seatrout, as well as ladyfish and jack crevalle and an occasional mack.

On the shallower grass flats, snook and redfish are being found. White says casting baits up close to the mangrove edges during high tides is resulting in good action on both species.

Lastly, fi shing structure in Tampa Bay, such as reefs and wrecks, is yielding a mack bite. Chumming with live shiners is helping to get the macks worked up, which is leading to great action on medium-light spinning gear.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing a variety of fish being caught during the morning hours.

Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are hooking into redfish and black drum, and casting under the pier with a bottom rig is working best. The reds are falling within the slot of 18-27 inches with some larger fish mixed in. The same applies for the black drum, which need to be 14-24 inches.

Snook are being caught at the pier, although most catches are short of the 28-33 inch slot. Some catches are even too big, which results in a release.

Another species being caught at the R&R is sheepshead, although not yet abundant around the pier pilings. Anglers using live shrimp as bait are reeling up a few here and there.

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

Photo: capt. Scott moore

Nesting notes

By Lisa Neff

Market days ahead

On Tuesdays in October, a marketgoer might be more likely than a beachgoer to connect with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

Volunteers still will survey the beach for sea-turtle activity but the nesting-hatching season reaches a conclusion later this month.

Meanwhile, market season on AMI is getting underway and AMITW again will have a presence at the popular farmers market held 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays in Anna Maria’s City Pier Park, at the corner of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard.

The Islander: So market days are ahead, with the Anna Maria Farmers Market opening this month. I know AMITW has a presence at the market. What’s the goal?

KM: Our main goal is education. We set up a display of sea turtle props that we use to educate the public and answer questions about sea turtles and shorebirds.

We have a preserved sea turtle shell and skull, as well as a side view of a mock nest. This way people get answers to their questions and can learn sea turtle facts using items they can touch and see up-close.

We also like to hand out stickers, turtle tattoos and educational brochures that people can take with them to learn more at home.

The Islander: Will AMITW do other markets or events in the 2023-24 season? I recall they’ve had tables at Springfest and Bayfest.

KM: Currently we are only scheduled for the Anna Maria market dates.

However, we are working on identifying other events where we can be present.

The Islander: I know AMITW focuses on education at the markets but merchandise also is available.

What’s offered?

KM: We offer clothing — T-shirts, hoodies and caps in a variety of colors.

We also offer cooling towels, books, ornaments, shopping bags and stickers.

The Islander: What’s the most popular offering?

KM: All our clothing options are popular, as people like to have souvenirs that they can use.

Tracking Suzi the sea turtle

a map shows where Suzi, a loggerhead outfitted June 27 in Bradenton Beach with a tracking device, traveled through Sept. 29.

Suzi is the island’s entry in the Sea turtle conservancy’s tour de turtles hard-shell marathon, which began aug. 1 and involves tracking 12 sea turtles using satellite telemetry to boost science, research and education. Suzi’s distance as of Sept. 29 was 802 miles. Suzi’s ranking in the swim “marathon” was sixth. People can follow Suzi’s journey at tourdeturtles.org. Islander Screenshot

anna maria Island turtle Watch volunteers engage with people at a past anna maria farmers market. the 2023-24 market season begins this month in city Pier Park, with markets on tuesdays. Islander Photo: courtesy amItW

Catching a ride

Grandparents get kids T-shirts for their grandkids and so many people are happy to support our cause.

The Islander: Any plans to expand the merchandise catalog?

KM: We have all the clothing options that we have had in the past but have added a new color T-shirt for adults and children.

We have also added cooling towels and we’re excited to have “Anna Maria Life: Through the Lens of Angie Blunt” calendars available, too.

SPACIOUS

CONDO

“La Playita” Bright & airy townhouse condo located just 1 block to the beach. This updated 2BR/2BA offers a two-story ceiling in living room, recently updated bathrooms, new A/C and hot water heater in 2021. Offers a private, heated pool, recently installed hurricane-rated doors, windows and siding and a new roof.

$654,900

an egret catches a ride on a manatee Sept. 23 near the north end of Longboat Key. Photographer chris mann wrote in an email to the Islander that he had observed 20-30 manatees frolicking at the location. Islander courtesy Photo

By Lisa Neff

For the record book

Whew, the dawn breaks with a breeze and a temperature in the 70s.

But with some sweltering summer-like temps, I’m spending a late September Sunday afternoon in the air-conditioning, reading my “Miami Noir” paperback instead of launching my regular fall season of bicycle rides.

I long for even cooler weather for a long ride on my Trek, which was wheeled from the closet just once in the past three months.

The summer of 2023 seemed brutal.

The records support that assessment, as we endured the hottest summer on record, along with people in many other areas of the world.

With the arrival of autumn, came some final evaluations of the summer of 2023, including this one from NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies in New York: The summer was Earth’s hottest since global records began in 1880.

The months of June, July and August combined were 0.41 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than any other summer in NASA’s record and 2.1 degrees warmer than the average summer between 1951 and 1980.

August was 2.2 degrees warmer than the average.

“Summer 2023’s record-setting temperatures aren’t just a set of numbers — they result in dire real-world consequences,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a press statement accompanying the appraisal.

“The impacts of climate change are a threat to our planet and future generations,” he added.

NASA assembles its temperature records from surface air temperature data acquired by tens of thousands of meteorological stations, as well as sea surface temperature data from ship- and buoy-based instruments.

The raw data is analyzed using methods that account for the varied spacing of temperature stations around the globe and for urban heating effects that could skew the calculations.

The analysis calculates temperature anomalies rather than absolute temperature. A temperature anomaly shows how far the temperature has departed from the 1951 to 1980 base average.

“Exceptionally high sea surface temperatures, fueled in part by the return of El Nino, were largely responsible for the summer’s record warmth,” said NASA climate scientist Josh Willis, who is with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by warmer than normal sea surface temperatures — and higher sea levels — in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

“With background warming and marine heat waves that have been creeping up on us for decades, this El Nino shot us over the hump for setting all kinds of records,” Willis said. “The heat waves that we experience now are longer, they’re hotter and they’re more punishing. The atmosphere can also hold more water now and when it’s hot and humid, it’s even harder for the human body to regulate its temperature.”

The record-setting summer continued a long-term trend of warming, based on scientific observations and analyses made over decades by NASA and other agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

NOAA, in its recently released climate summary for the summer, reported that nine out of 14 regions in Florida set heat records in August.

The record-setting regions included Plant City,

BY JILL RAFALOFF AND MICHELLE SONTARP / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

a map depicts global temperature anomalies for the 2023 meteorological summer — June, July and august. the map shows how much warmer or cooler regions of earth were compared to a baseline average from 1951-80. Islander graphic: courtesy NaSa earth Observatory/ Lauren Dauphin

Tampa, Punta Gorda, Venice, Lakeland, Fort Myers, Brooksville, Lake Placid and our own Sarasota-Bradenton area.

The Sarasota-Bradenton area average temp in August was 85.9 degrees compared with the normal 83.4 degrees.

The area’s summer average was 85 degrees compared with the normal 82.8 degrees.

What’s our outlook?

It looks like the hot summer is transitioning into a warm fall, with the National Weather Service’s seasonal forecast favoring above-normal temperatures into December.

Zoom into habitat restoration

The Manatee County Democratic Environmental Caucus and Oyster River Ecology will present a forum Thursday, Oct. 12, on oyster habitat restoration.

The Zoom-based program will begin at 7 p.m. and feature ORE founder and executive director Damon Moore, who has 20 years of experience developing and implementing habitat restoration projects.

His career has included 10 years in private-sector consulting and 10 years with the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department.

The caucus is a chapter of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida and exists to support efforts to “preserve, protect and enhance” natural resources.

The forum will focus on ORE’s efforts to “bring … inclusive habitat improvement projects to the Suncoast.”

For more, email eco.manateedems@gmail.com or call 941-301-4336.

— Lisa Neff

ITEMS FOR SALE

QUILtINg art BOOKS: 16 for $20. 941782-8381, after 1 p.m.

cOmPLete aBOVe-grOUND pool, $90. 941-778-5542.

PaNINNI maKer: cUISINart, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

SPIce racK, tHree-tier clear plastic, $20, side tables, brown with glass top, 2/$20. 941-920-2494. 941-920-2494.

aNtIQUe PartNer DeSK: all wood, $500. Inquire at the Islander, 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. free, one week, must be submitted online. (limited time offer)

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC.

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

Bella is an 8-year-old mixed-breed lovebug!

She’s neutered and has all vaccinations — ready to meet her new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-3452441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. And for more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

SPONSOreD BY

ANSWERS TO OCT. 4 PUZZLE

LOST & FOUND

fOUND BIKe IN Holmes Beach. call 214769-9483 with description.

LOSt: tWO SmaLL blue kayaks from South Bay Boulevard area. floated away in recent storm. grandchildren offering reward. andy Krumme, 513-604-7067.

TRANSPORTATION

gOLf cart reNtaLS: fun for residents and tourists! www.golfcartrentalamI.com.

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 PaINtINg: Professional bottom painting. mobile. call 941704-9382.

FISHING

fUN aND fISH: Skiff rental. 24-foot carolina skiff. Live bait and fi shing equipment included upon request. call 941-704-9382.

HELP WANTED

HeLP WaNteD: eXPerIeNceD hair stylist, full or part-time. a Hair Day salon. 9516 cortez road, W., #7, Bradenton. 941795-5227.

SeeKINg caNDIDate INtereSteD in sales of health and wellness, high-technology equipment. excellent commission, training. residual income potential. full- or part-time. retirees welcomed to respond. call or text. 724-290-9800.

NOW HIrINg HaNDYmaN: full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. call JayPros, 941962-2874.

rePOrter WaNteD: full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE

NeeD aN aDULt night out? call maty’s Babysitting Services. I’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. references upon request. 618-977-9630.

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.

ANNOUNCEMENT

the Islander offers the best results for your classified advertising dollar. We really work for you! Submit your ad no later than noon monday on the website, islander.org. for monday holidays, the deadline is friday.

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.

PreSSUre WaSHINg, PaVer sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed 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.

cOmPaNION/HOmemaKer: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. references available and licensed. call Sherri, 941-592-4969.

aPI’S DrYWaLL rePaIr: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

aIrPOrt rIDeS: SaraSOta, St. Pete, tampa. call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

rIDeS Near aND far, car transport. Based in Palmetto. 715-292-8692.

cLeaN tecH mOBILe Detailing. at your location. cars, boats, rVs. call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

rIDeeaSY247: a local ride service providing a professional car service to all local airports and venues. references on request. eamonn fortune, 941-447-7737.

gOrILLa DrYWaLL rePaIr LLc: 15-plus years’ experience. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. 941-286-0607.

BUSINeSS-tO-BUSINeSS JD’s Window cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BeacH SerVIce air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving manatee county and the Island 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.

ISLaNDer arcHIVe. Uoff florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

LAWN & GARDEN Continued

mP LaWN maINteNaNce now accepting new clients. call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VaN-gO PaINtINg residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

tILe -tILe -tILe. all variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. call Neil, 941-726-3077.

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.

HaNDYmaN aND PaINtINg. No job too small. most jobs just right. call richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

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.

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. January, 2024 available. call or text, 859-771-6423.

BeaUtIfULLY fUrNISHeD, aNNUaL rental in Beach Harbor club, Longboat Key. 2Br/2Ba with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. call mike Norman realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, fL 34217.

LOOKINg fOr aN earLY BIrD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on tuesday at islander.org. and it’s free!

RENTALS Continued

2Br/2Ba LONgBOat KeY annual rental. Penthouse with jaw-dropping view of the bay. completely upgraded and elegantly decorated. fully equipped and all amenities are included. $5,500/month plus tax, fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. available now. 407-451-7179. Luznava@ bellsouth.net

WINter SeaSON reNtaL: available December-may. 2Br/1.5Ba elevated townhouse, sleeps four. Located in Holmes Beach, only two blocks to the beach. No pets. $5,000/month plus tax and fees. call anna maria realty, 941-778-2259. Dina@ annamariareal.com

LOVeLY SecOND-fLOOr duplex for rent: 3Br/2Ba partially furnished, can accommodate your needs. Washer/dryer. five minutes to amI, quiet, safe. rent includes all utilities except electric. annual $2,800/month. Will consider three-month, six-month. No smoking, call Kelly, 941-301-9938.

BeaUtIfULLY refUrBISHeD

1Br/1Ba coastal vintage-style vacation rental less than three-minute walk to the beach. One week minimum. available aug. 16. Late summer/fall special rates. available January, february, march 2024. 941-8071405 or carlesvacationrentals@gmail.com.

aNNUaL reNtaL: LOVeLY Hidden Lake condo. furnished, 3Br/2Ba, one-car garage. clubhouse, pool, gym. minutes to the beach. first, last and security. rent $3,500/month. Wagner realty 941-778-2246.

LUXUrIOUS WaterfrONt WINter rental: 2Br/2Ba waterfront condo available for January, february, march 2024. One month minimum. contact anthony, 917-816-8298 for pricing. email reelblessingami@gmail. co m . to see pictures and full description visit website: sites.google.com/view/reelblessing-ami.

SeaSONaL reNtaL: 1Br/1Ba elegantly furnished condo. West Bradenton. all-inclusive pricing. contact cpr.suz@gmail.com or text 941-962-0971.

VacatION reNtaLS: caLL for price and times. real estate mart, 941-356-1456.

3Br/1Ba fUrNISHeD aNNUaL: rent includes internet, cable, power, water and electric! $3,300/month. mike Norman realty, 941-778-6696. 4507 123rd St. W., cortez Village.

“Anna Maria Island,” a signed pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the Islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, or by mail. Visit islander.org or call 941-778-7978. $20 plus postage, if mail order.

RENTALS Continued

mOUNt VerNON cONDO, 55 and older. 2Br/2Ba. View of Sarasota Bay. fully furnished with lots of amenities. eight-month minimum at $3,000/month. call or text, 941730-5645.

REAL ESTATE

WINNIe mcHaLe, reaLtOr, 941-504-6146. 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.”

WaterfrONt tOWNHOUSe: UPgraDeD 2Br suites with full baths plus a half bath. Pool and boat dock. minutes to anna maria beach. $439,000. Weekly rentals OK. real estate mart, 941-356-1456 or 941-7207519.

Check’s in the mail

Manatee County commissioners Sept. 26 approved one-year agreements to reimburse three chambers of commerce for their tourism work and partnership with the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The agreements are with the Manatee, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key chambers.

The first such agreements were reached in June 2011 and they’ve been renewed or extended with the chambers in 2014, 2019 and 2022.

The reimbursement agreement for Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce totals $120,950 annually, with funding from the tourist development tax — the 5% tax collected on accommodations of six months or less.

The agreement with the AMI chamber includes funding for the promotion of tourism, tourism-related brand advertising and the operation of a tourist information center at the Manatee Public Beach.

The Longboat Key chamber’s 2023 reimbursement is $58,000 and the Manatee chamber reimbursement totals $10,000.

— Lisa Neff

angie Blunt has released a 2024 calendar featuring her photos. Priced at $5, proceeds are earmarked for anna maria Island turtle Watch and the calendars are available at anna maria Life, 9908 gulf Drive, anna maria; the turtle Shack, 314 Pine ave., anna maria; and anna maria chamber of commerce, 5313 gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Blunt is a contributor to the Islander and a top Notch photo contest winner with a prolific social media collection of sunrise, sunset and beach photos,

Wicked good times

Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach, will host the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast gathering.

The event will be 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, with menu offerings that include a “breakfast chimi” and a “breakfast taco plate.”

The cost to attend is $15 for members, $25 for others.

The chamber also is organizing a lunch meeting at the Lazy Lobster Longboat Key, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12.

The cost to attend is $22 for members, $30 for others.

In addition, the chamber will hold a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, for the new Coquina Beach Market at the south end of the park in Bradenton Beach.

The market will operate Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays under the direction of Bradenton-based Ready Set Go.

And the chamber’s largest event of the year, the annual Bayfest, is on the October calendar.

The event, with a classic car show, band perfor-

Once Upon A Beach

Welcome to AMI chamber

The Islander newspaper joins the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce in welcoming new members to the roster in September, including:

Convenience Services: Concierge AMI, Allison Decker, 941-526-0264;

Marketing, Products/Services: Coquina Beach Market, Ready Set Go, Dottie Deerwester, 941480-0789;

The Big Idea Strategic Events, Leah Brown, 941-704-6408;

Physicians/Clinics/Hospitals/RX: Manatee Memorial Hospital, Rob Coseo, 941-746-5111;

Recreational Rentals, Water/Air/Land: Sunchaser Rentals, Sean Hoffman, 941-646-4786. Sponsor: Kiwi Style Fish & Chips;

The chamber launched its annual membership drive in August and the campaign continues through Oct. 15.

The nonprofit’s current members can win an entry into a drawing for a free 2024 membership ,as well as entry into prize drawings.

Also, members who bring in recruits gain marketing perks with the chamber.

For more, call the chamber at 941-778-1541 or go online to annamariaislandchamber.org.

— Bonner Joy

mances, children’s activities and food, beverage, arts and craft vendors, will be 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.

For more information, email ingrid@amichamber. org or call 941-778-1541.

— Lisa Neff

BizCal By

Thursday, Oct. 5

Lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

7:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Reservations required. Info: 941-7781541, annamariaislandchamber.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

10 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce ribboncutting ceremony, Coquina Beach Market with Ready Set Go, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Info: 941-778-1541, annamariaislandchamber.org.

SAVE THE DATES

Oct. 12, 11:30 a.m., AMI Chamber luncheon, Lazy Lobster of Longboat, Longboat Key.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Nov. 9, 4-7:30 p.m., Manatee Chamber of Commerce Expo, LECOM Park, Bradenton.

Nov. 17, 6 p.m., AMI Chamber member gala, Bradenton Country Club, Bradenton.

Dec. 1, 9 a.m., Manatee Chamber golf tournament, Palm Aire Country Club, Sarasota.

Send calendar listings to calendar@islander.org

Island real estate transactions

616 Fern St., Anna Maria, a 1,860 sq ft 3BR/2BA home on a 5,702 sq ft lot built in 1990 sold 8/24/23 by Eagan to Vibe Investment Group Inc. for $1,525,000, list price $1,600,000.

519 Loquat Drive, Anna Maria, a 2,606 sq ft 4BR/4BA home on a 7,723 sq ft lot built in 1980 sold 8/25/23 by Kimsey to TSN Capital LLC for $1,950,000, list price $2,150,000.

9207 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, a 1,334 sq ft 3BR/2BA pool home on a 7,850 sq ft lot built in 1985 sold 8/24/23 by 9207 Gulf Dr LLC to Gogel for $2,200,000, list price $2,450,000.

604 Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, a 2,463 sq ft 4br/5BA pool home on a 6,002 sq ft lot built in 2019 sold 8/25/23 by DDAC to EPH302Rentals LLC for $3,495,000, list price $3,495,000.

240 Oak Ave., Anna Maria, a 2,847 sq ft 4BR/4BA pool home on a 11,100 sq ft lot built in 2007 sold 8/17/23 by Goff Trust to Bimini Bay Breeze Vacation Rentals LLC for $3,800,000, list price $3,950,000.

416 Alamanda Road, Anna Maria, a 2,815 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 7,013 sq ft lot built in 2023 sold 8/28/23 by Gulfside Dev LLC to DDAC Real Estate LLC for $3,950,000, list price $3,950,000.

117 Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, a 3,155 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 6,599 sq ft lot built in 2023 sold 8/21/23 by Gulfside Development LLC to Clifford Trust for $4,350,000, list price $4,350,000.

1801 Gulf Drive, #233, Bradenton Beach, a 1,080 2BR/2BA Runaway Bay condo built in 1978 sold 8/21/23 by Vazquez to Erickson for $549,000, list price $559,000.

1800 Gulf Drive, #118, Bradenton Beach, a 960 sq ft 2BR/2BA Runaway Bay condo built in 1979 sold 8/14/23 by Liebe Trust to LaCosta Investors LLC for $875,000, list price $899,000.

302 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, a 1,134 sq ft 2BR/2BA home on a 5,101 sq ft lot built in 1954

sold 8/24/23 by Georges to D&C Real Estate Holdings LLC for $960,000, list price $1,100,000.

2516 Ave. C, Bradenton Beach, a 2,945 sq ft 7BR/8BA pool home on a 5,001 sq ft lot built in 9/4/23 sold by 2516 Ave C to Berry for $3,500,000, list price $4,200,000.

3801 E. Bay Drive, #107, Holmes Beach, a 1,121 sq ft 2BR/2BA Sunbow Bay condo built in 1981 sold 8/14/23 by Manley to Hatfield for $570,000, list price $599,999.

749 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach, a 1,187 sq ft 2BR/2BA Westbay Cove South condo built in 1977 sold 8/21/23 by Peck to Jones for $575,000, list price $599,900.

600 Manatee Ave., #204, Holmes Beach, a 1,303 sq ft 2BR/2BA Westbay Cove condo built in 1977 sold 8/14/23 by Shuman Trust to Independence Acquisition and Appraisal LLC for $685,000, list price $695,000.

309 66th St #B, Holmes Beach, a 1,536 sq ft 3BR/2BA pool home on a 4,678 sq ft lot built in 1990 sold 8/15/23 by Riker to Danada LLC for $890,000, list price $1,100,000.

4708 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, a 2,772 sq ft 3BR/3BA home on a 8,999 sq ft lot built in 1979 sold 8/21/23 by Patellis to Stringer for $1,150,000, list price $1,295,00.

7000 Gulf Drive, #208, Holmes Beach, a 1,212 sq ft 2BR/2BA Tiffany Place condo built in 1978 sold 8/28/23 by Lucy to Wendt for $1,150,000, list price $1,199,000.

523 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, a 2,111 sq ft 3BR/2BA pool home on a 10,999 sq ft lot built in 1964 sold 8/25/23 by Schmuckler to Schwarz for $3,435,000, list price $3,670,000.

Hey mambo! Mambo Italiano

Chef Vincenzo Esposito of Vinny’s Italian Kitchen is cooking up an event to celebrate his Italian roots and ItalianAmerican Heritage and Culture month.

The Italian festival — a feast for people to take home — will be all day Oct. 13 at the store, 5337 Gulf Drive.

The plans are just shaping up but people can expect buy two, get one free specials throughout the kitchen, deli and store on wine, food, sandwiches, pizza, desserts and more.

Put it on your calendar and plan for the most delicious festival on AMI. Look for some in-store tastings and then shop, set the table and stock the freezer!

For more information, call Vinny’s Kitchen at 941896-9754 or email chefvinny713@yahoo.com.

— Bonner Joy

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