The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023

Celebrating fish!

People crowd the streets near the waterfront in Cortez for the 41st annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. byron Woods, who splits his time between bradenton and Lynchburg, Virginia, took the photo at the festival, staged at a past location near the U.S. Coast Guard Station, far left center, A.P. bell Fish Co., below the Coast Guard, and centered on the docks at Star Fish Co. Market and Restaurant, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

INSeT: Max Merkel, 3, of Annapolis, Maryland, hangs on for a ride Feb. 18 on a bucking shark in the kid’s area of the Cortez festival. Islander

Stranded sailboat owner faces challenges

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The clock is ticking for a sailboat that washed ashore on Anna Maria Island.

Michigan resident James Golembiewski, the boat’s owner, told The Islander Feb. 16 that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gave him 21 days — until March 7 — to recover the 1981 Young Sun 35-foot sailboat named Lucky Us 2 from the shoreline in Holmes Beach.

If Golembiewski fails to remove the boat or raise the $10,000 needed for a tow, the FWC will remove and dispose of the boat and charge Golembiewski with its cost.

At press time for The Islander on Feb. 20, Golembiewski scuttled his plans to make an attempt at high tide with a group of boat captains and their boats to pull the sailboat into deeper water.

Golembiewski, 37, said he purchased the sailboat in Jacksonville last November for about $14,000 and spent almost as much for repairs ahead of its launch in December.

He has been a professional tree climber for 15 years and has little experience in sailing, but his childhood friend from Michigan, identified to The Islander only as Nick, has sailing experience and was along for the voyage.

The pair set off with Anclote Key in Pinellas County as their destination — a 400-mile trip — and made it around much of the Florida peninsula without many issues, even picking up another passenger along the way.

James Golembiewski leans Feb. 16 on the bow of his sailboat, Lucky Us 2, which crashed onshore in Holmes beach shortly after a U.S. Coast Guard crew rescued Golembiewski and two others Feb. 11 during a storm. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

“We’ve had difficulties here and there but we’ve overcome many electrical obstacles, mechanical obstacles,” Golembiewski said. “We are high-spirited. … It has been a real journey.”

However, by Feb. 11, the vessel’s luck

appeared to run dry.

Golembiewski said the sail ripped early that day, so they crafted a makeshift sail with the remains, using a technique called “reefing.”

The makeshift sail was good enough to take them another 50 miles, when a storm came up and weather conditions were too rough to continue.

“All of a sudden these waves started hitting us real hard and real bad,” Golembiewski said. “It was like being in a car wreck over and over again.”

Golembiewski and the crew anchored in 16-20 foot of water a couple miles off the coast of Holmes Beach with hopes the storm would pass.

“I said, ‘We’ve got a good anchor, we’ve got a good boat, we’ll be fine,’” Golembiewski said. “This boat is designed to cross oceans. This boat is designed to go to different worlds.”

However, after 4-5 hours of waiting, the storm worsened, and the three sailors voted 2-1 to call for a rescue.

Golembiewski voted “no,” banking on the boat’s durability, but he changed his mind after the U.S. Coast Guard vessel arrived and advised him to evacuate the vessel.

Senior Chief William Flores of the Coast Guard Station Cortez told The Islander Feb. 17 that they received the call for a rescue around 3 a.m. Feb. 12.

Flores said when the Cortez crew found the vessel, there were waves 6-9 feet high

,

Photo: Robert Anderson

STRANDED CONTINUeD FROM PAGe 1 and 25-knot sustained winds.

“They were having a real hard time and getting beaten up by the swells,” Flores said.

The Coast Guard tied up to the sailboat and escorted the trip from Lucky Us 2 and brought them back to shore.

“It was definitely a dangerous situation and we’re thankful we got the call early and were ready to get out there,” Flores said. “I’m really proud of the crew here and that they answered the call, did great given the circumstances and three lives were saved.”

“They did an amazing, fantastic job,” Golembiewski said.

A few hours after Golembiewski and his passengers were rescued, people reported seeing the sailboat crashing in the waves on the shore around 79th Street in Holmes Beach.

Golembiewski said he found the boat extensively damaged and the anchor broken off.

The boat also was missing a dinghy motor and grill that were observed earlier when it washed ashore, according to Golembiewski.

The two removed gas and oil cans from the beached vessel, then tried to make the wreck as presentable as possible.

“Our first thing that we wanted to do was secure any diesel or anything that would hurt this beautiful island and area,” Golembiewski said.

Despite the boat’s condition, Golembiewski said it would still be able to sail if brought to deeper water.

His goal was to raise the vessel and complete the remaining 49-mile voyage to Anclote Keys off Tarpon Springs, where they intend to repair the boat.

Golembiewski told The Islander Feb. 18 that a local fisherman offered advice on how to shimmy the boat back out to sea with elbow grease, and they were going to try his method to avoid the cost of removal.

In the meantime, they’re living in a shuttle bus they own and brought to the area.

City code compliance supervisor JT Thomas told The Islander Feb. 16 that the city would not use tax-

payer funds to pay for the vessel’s removal.

Thomas said code compliance would monitor the vessel and ensure it didn’t pose a threat to beachgoers and the environment.

“It wasn’t like it was negligence, they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But now that the boat is on the beach, we got to make sure that we don’t have our taxpayers and visitors in harm’s way of a big old giant sailboat,” Thomas said.

“We’re going to secure it and make sure they get it off our beach safely,” he added.

Golembiewski Feb. 15 created a GoFundMe campaign, “Help Unbeach Lucky Us 2,” to raise money for his cause. He said any extra money would be donated

to a good cause, as suggested by Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth.

“We really do love the boat and we will not walk away from it,” Golembiewski said. “If this does work out and we leave Anna Maria Island, we will leave with thanks to the community.”

The GoFundMe campaign had raised $1,681 from 38 donors as of Feb. 18.

People can donate by visiting gofundme.com/ f/74vefz-help-us-unbeach-lucky-us-ii.

This photo of the Lucky Us 2 was shot Feb. 11 by Susan Timmins as the boat came ashore, with gear and dinghy onboard. The occupants were evacuated by the U.S. Coast Guard before the boat broke anchor.

beachwalkers observe the Lucky Us 2 Feb. 13, after it was stripped by unknown people of some of gear. Islander Photo: Ryan Quigley

Holmes Blvd. road work extended; compromise spells relief

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Hold onto the hard hats.

Construction on the county force main project on Holmes Boulevard isn’t slated to finish until April.

But the contractor has agreed to a compromise that should give some peak season relief to business owners.

Manatee County Commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 14 to approve a consent agenda that included a change order authorizing a 72-day extension to the construction schedule for the force main replacement project on Holmes Beach roadways.

Project manager Brett Gocka told The Islander Feb. 16 the contractor was set to begin work on the southern stretch before getting feedback from local businesses, including the Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, about the construction’s potential impact.

Rick Hurst, co-owner of the Freckled Fin, told The Islander Feb. 17 that county construction along Holmes Boulevard and the city center project along Marina and Gulf drives had cost his business “a lot of money.”

Hurst said business “dramatically” improved after Holmes Boulevard was reopened following the initial stages of construction, and even more so when Marina Drive reopened.

You can peruse

The Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992, at ufdc. ufl.edu.

But when he heard Spectrum was going to dig up a section of Holmes Boulevard outside the Freckled Fin during peak tourist season — some of the pub’s busiest months — he became concerned.

“It would have done a lot of damage to our business if construction was in front of the Freckled Fin in February and March,” Hurst said.

But the county proved receptive to Hurst’s concerns.

Gocka visited the Freckled Fin to listen to concerns and agreed to have Spectrum focus its work on 58th Street over the next 4-6 weeks.

By the time that work is completed, the spring tourist season mostly will have passed and work on the city center project should have reached substantial completion.

Hurst said the following month of work would be much more tolerable for his business.

“We greatly appreciate them taking the time to come out and meet with us,” Hurst said. “I could tell they had genuine concern for our business and the businesses around us, and when they found a solution that would be better for all the businesses, they rearranged their schedule and made it work.”

He said his only other desire would be for the work to go faster.

Gocka said he understood the work had a negative immediate impact on the area and wanted to minimize that as much as possible.

“It’s an extremely disruptive process. … There are still a few pieces left to complete but we’re trying to make it less of a disturbance to residents as possible and to accommodate the businesses during the busy season,” Gocka said.

The project involves replacing 4,000 feet of 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard and 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main with new PVC piping along 58th Street, which are at the end of their useful operational life.

Work also involves replacing water services and

upsizing potable water lines along the stretch from 2-inch and 4-inch pipes to 6-inch diameter pipes.

Replacing the aging infrastructure is projected to increase the cost to the county, which owns and operates the force main, $3,618,672.10.

The project was initially projected to end last November but the timeline was delayed multiple times due to Hurricane Ian and then complications with Holmes Beach’s city center construction project.

Gocka said the approved extension mostly makes up for time lost to Hurricane Ian last fall.

He said Spectrum had completed almost all work north of 54th Street as of Feb. 16, other than the installation of the force main along 58th Street.

Spectrum also has yet to install the 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard from 54th Street to the south side of Gulf Drive.

People can learn more about the force main replacement project at amiprojects.io.

Q&a 022223

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

by Lisa Neff

Ballplayers are arriving for spring training and MLB games will begin within the week.

3%. I’m a season ticketholder.

17%. I’ll catch several games.

38%. Want to get to a game.

43%. Not really interested.

This week’s question

Loved the Beatles tribute at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Next I’d like to see a tribute to …

A. Elvis Presley.

B. ABBA.

C. Motown.

D. Queen.

E. Other.

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

Anna Maria mayor brings up new legislative concerns

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The state legislative gears again are beginning to turn.

And some of the proposed work for the upcoming session has at least one Anna Maria Island official concerned.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy Feb. 9 highlighted bills proposed for the 2023 state legislative session that could potentially threaten municipal home rule.

The state’s annual 60-day legislative session is set to begin Tuesday, March 7, and many bills have been filed.

One bill, HB 383, introduced by state Rep. Philip Griffitts, R-Panama City, would require state, county and local governments to pay contractors based on deadlines set throughout public construction projects.

Murphy said the bill would be a “killer,” especially if it were in place while the city was in the process, for example, of having a new Anna Maria City Pier constructed.

The mayor said requiring the city to pay for ongoing work despite potential disputes over such work would hamstring the city’s ability to ensure quality completion.

“The only leverage you’ve got when you’re doing (construction projects) is money, that’s it, and this takes away that ability to get something done,” Murphy said. “It’s punitive. … It’s really a nasty bill.”

The bill was added Feb. 15 to the House of Representatives’ Local Administration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts subcommittee agenda for discussion.

If adopted, the bill would become effective July 1.

Murphy said another concern is HB 439, introduced by Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, requiring municipalities to make revisions to comprehensive plans.

The bill also would require cities to evaluate comp plans more frequently and limit plan amendments.

The bill has been waiting since Feb. 1 to be discussed in the Local Administration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts subcommittee and would take effect July 1 if passed.

Another bill, HB 401, introduced by Rep. Mike Beltran, R-Valrico, would open municipalities to punitive

State rep. files parking garage preemption bill

State Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, filed a bill Feb. 20 that would authorize Manatee County to construct a 36-foot-tall parking garage in Holmes Beach.

HB 947 would override a city ordinance that prohibits multilevel parking facilities within city limits.

The city ordinance blocked the proposed addition of a parking garage at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, where Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge sought to make up for parking lost to the city’s park-by-permit system.

City officials stand by the system, which they

say has protected residential quality of life by reducing roadside parking on certain residential streets since the summer of 2020.

On the other hand, Van Ostenbridge and Robinson maintain the system is unfair, limiting parking for off-island residents visiting the beaches.

HB 947, in addition to allowing for the parking garage, would authorize the county to issue permits for such construction instead of the city, superseding the city’s building department.

The bill, which would become effective upon adoption, was not referred to a committee as of Feb. 20, as The Islander went to press.

— Ryan Paice

Holmes Beach approves $1M stormwater road work, $168K city center addendum

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

It seems the road work is never-ending in Holmes Beach.

City commissioners reached consensus Feb. 14 to authorize Mayor Judy Titsworth to sign a $1,016,773.47 agreement with contractor Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. for the completion of stormwater improvement Phases F and I.

Both phases will consist of installing new stormwater infiltration trenches in public rights of way.

Phase F will cover Marina Drive between 56th and 58th streets, as well as 58th, 59th and 60th streets between Marina Drive and Holmes Boulevard.

The phase will be at least partially funded with $256,250 from the Southwest Florida Water Management District through its surface water improvement and management program.

Phase I will cover Gulf Drive between 69th and 76th streets.

Phase I will be funded with a $750,000 state appropriation administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The projects are part of the city’s continuous stormwater improvement work, which include plans for phases G, H, J, K and L.

City engineer Sage Kamiya told The Islander Feb. 17 that, now that an agreement for a stipulated sum had been reached, he would coordinate with C-Squared to determine a date of commencement.

He added that he hoped the contractor would be ready to begin work by summer.

C-Squared will have 540 days from that date to complete the work, which will be approached sectionby-section.

Kamiya said the contractor would be using sod to surface the newly created infiltration trenches, instead of the stone used in past stormwater improvement phases, since residents seemed to appreciate the look of grass more.

“We’re getting away from just straight rock, if we

can, because we’ve seen that it’s just as beneficial with sod and it looks better and is easier to take care of,” Kamiya said.

There was no public comment.

City center addendum

Commissioners also unanimously voted to approve a $168,524.46 addendum to the city’s contract with C-Squared for additional work on the ongoing city center improvement project.

The project addresses drainage, roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina Drive.

The city hired C-Squared to complete the project for $2,753,784.55 and two early addendum for work in the area brought the total to $3,001,460.85.

The newly approved third addendum brings the cost to $3,169,985.31, including three items:

• $29,980.96 for the de- and remobilization of construction equipment due to Hurricane Ian last fall;

• $52,155 for the removal and replacement of an existing 18-inch stormwater drainage pipe and structure along the south side of Gulf Drive;

• $86,388.50 for the addition of new stormwater lines under the north side of Gulf Drive, as well as the removal and replacement of existing 18-inch stormwater drainage pipes.

Kamiya said C-Squared had assured him it would reach substantial completion for the project by the end of the month, but said there may be a small delay since the contractor had to order additional piping.

He added that the city was seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement funding for the $29,980.96 cost for readdressing mobilization in the addendum and had received “every indication” it might be covered.

The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.

damages, which they are currently protected from due to sovereign immunity.

“It assumes that the government … had a bad intent and would therefore be able to be punished for that,” Murphy said. “I have a real problem with that.”

“They missed the boat here,” he added.

The bill was added Feb. 2 to the House’s Civil Justice subcommittee agenda and, if adopted, would become effective by Oct. 1, 2024.

A fourth bill Murphy voiced concern over is HB 671, introduced by Rep. Tiffany Esposito, R-Lee County, which would force municipalities to reduce building permit fees by 75% if they use private providers to supply plans review or inspection services.

The bill also would set a more restrictive time frame — three days instead of 10 — to review building permits.

“We can’t necessarily keep up with that sometimes,” Murphy said.

HB 671 was sent Feb. 14 to the Regulatory Reform and Economic Development subcommittee.

If adopted, it would become effective July 1.

The last bill Murphy listed is SB 170, introduced by Sen. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City.

The bill is a rehash of SB 620 and HB 569 from last year and it would require municipalities to create and publicly post business impact estimates before enacting a proposed ordinance.

Murphy has said such an ordinance would cost the municipality additional time, money and effort to complete its usual legislative functions.

The rules committee was set to discuss the bill at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23.

New staffer Palmetto resident Jennifer Carson is Anna Maria’s new senior admin assistant.

“Jennifer will be working the front desk at city hall and performing various administrative functions,” Mayor Dan Murphy wrote in a Feb. 16 email to The Islander. Carson was set to begin her new job with the city Feb. 21, after The Islander went to press. Islander Courtesy Photo

Meetings

Anna Maria City

Feb. 23, 6 p.m., commission.

March 9, 2 p.m., commission.

by Lisa Neff

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

Bradenton Beach

None announced.

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

Holmes Beach

Feb. 28, 5 p.m., commission.

March 1, 10 a.m., parks and beautification.

March 1, 5 p.m., planning commission.

March 8, 10 a.m., clean water.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

West Manatee Fire Rescue

None announced.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

Manatee County

Feb. 28, 9 a.m., commission.

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

Murphy

Driving hard

I always think to myself that traffic is not toooo bad, considering.

I try very hard to time trips to the store and to make appointments in the mornings, just to avoid rushes, gridlock and traffic in general. I guess that comes from 48 years of island, island-area living.

Most of you won’t recall a time when the Palma Sola Causeway was so busy that you absolutely had to build an extra hour into your mid-morning, afternoon trips to the mainland. And timing your trip to the airports — very iffy.

That pretty much came to an end with a nightmare event on the causeway put on by a Tampa “rock” radio station and the sea of people, vehicles, boats and gawkers it produced.

Who would think that by just eliminating alcohol and T-back bathing suits, the causeway would calm down?

But we’re now in the midst of peak tourist season, and traffic to and from Anna Maria Island on the north bridge, the Anna Maria Island Bridge that links Holmes Beach to Perico Island via Manatee Avenue, is exacerbated by the many monthslong road projects that have converged at Gulf Drive in the busy “downtown” area.

We’ve had concerns all along that not all the businesses impacted by the road blocks and detours would survive, and this weekend we learned that Island Gallery West is closing its doors in mid-March.

It’s hard to say what elements converged to cause this vibrant co-op of artists to pack up and look for space on the mainland, but the lack of accessibility for the gallery in the S&S Plaza — in the heart of the construction area — certainly contributed to its demise. And we don’t know if there was a rent increase or other landlord issues.

What we do know, is that this gallery and its contributing artists will be greatly missed.

Along with this news, we learned the county force main project was extended 72 days and that state Rep. Will Robinson has followed through on his threat to file a bill in the Florida House to allow the state to overrule Holmes Beach on parking garages.

None of this is good news, but at least the county will focus it’s work in the coming weeks on 58th Street, impacting fewer businesses, before it returns to the Holmes Boulevard/Gulf Drive intersection.

As for Will Robinson, he hasn’t answered us. And either he’s following too closely behind the governor or he doesn’t hear the voices of people — or both.

— bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Trashed recycling?

As a dedicated recycler — and snowbird here on AMI — I was recently shocked to learn that recyclables placed in our recycle bins here are actually going into the landfill with the trash! Apparently it’s a not-so-well-kept secret. Can this really be true?

Details?

Explanation?

Carol M. Buskirk, Holmes Beach

The charter changes require a majority vote of Holmes Beach citizens and it has embedded protections against high-rises, including five-story parking garages. A consolidation would eliminate the charter.

The bought-and-sold county commissioners would likely change the island to suit the developers, who would build high-rises and parking garages.

I have known Jim Boyd and Will Robinson for many years.

▼ 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

Samara Paice

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

▼ Distribution

Urbane bouchet

Ross Roberts

Judy Loden Wasco

(All others: news@islander.org)

Editor’s note: In short, there are national — even global — issues with recycling, including consumers contaminating recycling streams with garbage, low market demand for materials and the inability to recycle some plastics — even those labeled as recyclable. Environmental groups recommend reducing purchases of single-use plastic as much as possible.

Too many cars

Our parking issue is the ugly step-child of a toomany-cars issue.

Developers are still building tracts of homes out east with the promise that buyers can drive to the beach whenever they want. They can’t. The roads are too crowded and there is no place to put all those cars even if they make the trek.

The developers have not paid fees to build roads or provide adequate transportation for their homebuyers because it was cheaper to buy county commissioners. They have bought them all — the most subservient purchase being Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

Developers and their commissioners don’t want to combine the island cities for “rationalization of services,” they want to convert the island cities to dilute the strength and integrity of the Holmes Beach commission and the strength of the Holmes Beach charter.

I would be disappointed to learn that the developers who own the county commission had purchased them, too.

They should be cautious of having their picture taken with Van Ostenbridge — something about fleas and laying down with dogs.

Sean Murphy, Holmes Beach

Stop or stop?

There are two stop signs in front of the Gulf Drive Cafe in Bradenton Beach that are causing confusion for drivers.

One stop sign is slanted toward the cafe, not Gulf Drive.

The other stop sign at the end of the circular driveway in front of the cafe indicates to drivers to stop before exiting on Gulf Drive.

Is this stop sign necessary?

Motorists must stop before they enter the road.

I have witnessed many drivers either slowdown, stop or just pause, not sure of what to do.

These actions might cause accidents.

What can be done?

Lynne LaMarca, Bradenton Beach

Editor’s note: The stop signs regulate traffic entering and leaving Gulf Drive from a delivery driveway.

Taking the field

The St. Louis Cardinals train in March 1923 at McKechnie Field in bradenton. The team played in bradenton 1923-24 and 1930-36. This year marks 100 years of spring training in bradenton and 55 years of the Pittsburgh Pirates playing as the home team. Islander Photo: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library archives

More than 3 strikes, but not out

In 2011, when my young 13-year-old son and I were visiting, we decided to take in a spring training game in Bradenton.

Michael, my son, wanted in the worst way to get a baseball to take home. He waited patiently by the right field railing in pregame warmups but with no luck.

Then along strode a Pittsburgh Pirates assistant coach, noticing Michael looking at a nearby baseball.

The coach picked up the baseball and said to Michael, “Bet you would like this baseball, huh?”

Michael nodded.

Then the coach said, “You are going to have to work for it” and he gave Michael three trick questions — Michael missed all three.

Walking away from a downcast Michael, the coach wheeled around and said, “One last chance. Think you can avoid saying the word ‘no’ if I quiz you?”

Michael said he could. So the coach gave him a trio of easy questions that he got correct.

After getting the third question right, the coach said to an overjoyed Michael, “You’ve heard these questions before, haven’t you?”

Michael replied, “No, I haven’t” and realized too

late he said “no.”

A distraught Michael watched the coach walk away, tossing the baseball up and down.

But after taking five or six steps, the coach stopped, turned around, and said “Here you go!” and tossed the baseball to my son.

Michael still treasures that baseball to this day.

Bill Allee, East Moline, Illinois

Editor’s shout out: Hey, Clint Hurdle! Can you ID the coach? Please, email the editorial team at news@ islander.org.

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10&20 years ago

From the Feb. 19, 2003, issue

• Holmes Beach commissioners voted 4-1 to reject a motion by Commissioner Don Maloney that a moratorium be enacted on street vacations. The request came after commissioners voted to sell a portion of Third Avenue to developer Patrick McConnell.

• A straw poll conducted by one Anna Maria resident on whether the city should join with Holmes Beach for combined building official services found 179 voters opposed to the measure and 75 favored a partnership with Holmes Beach.

• The Anna Maria Commission appointed Tom Aposporos as commissioner until the November election. Aposporos was appointed after voters agreed to move the election cycle from February to November to coincide with other elections.

From the Feb. 20, 2013, issue

• Holmes Beach commissioners kicked the can down the road a after a public hearing on a proposed 120-seat restaurant and 37-unit hotel near the corner of Gulf and Marina Drives — formerly the home of Pete Reynard’s Yacht Club Restaurant — now owned by Mainsail AMI LLLP.

• Facing complaints from some Anna Maria property owners and builders that a hold on permits was causing financial harm and confusion among homebuyers, city commissioners agreed to revisit the freeze put in place Feb. 7.

• Anna Maria building official Bob Welch issued a warning to residents with ground-level enclosures on elevated homes: “The ground floor is only for parking and storage space, not living quarters” and the city plans random site visits to check on homeowners’ uses.

— Lisa Neff

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Michael Allee with a Pittsburgh Pirates assistant coach in March 2011. Islander Courtesy Photo

County stats show continued tourism success

More than 73,000 heads hit the pillows in Manatee County guest accommodations in December 2022.

Anne Wittine, director of quantitative research for Research Data Services, delivered a “state of tourism” report Feb. 13 to the county tourist development council, which met in Bradenton.

Wittine, who has been collecting and studying county tourist numbers for decades, said the numbers continued to climb in December 2022, the most recent stats available.

“We’ve seen phenomenal growth,” she said.

For December 2022, she reported 73,300 visitors

to the county, up 7.5% from December 2021. There were 186,000 room nights booked in December 2022, up 10,000 over December 2021 to generate an economic impact of about $92 million, up from $80.2 million the year before.

Artists’ coop gallery making move to mainland

Island Gallery West has been operating in the same location in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island for 33 years.

During that time, we have become an integral part of the island and Manatee County.

We have been voted “The Island’s Favorite Art Gallery” 13 times and most recently awarded the prestigious “Best Business 2023” by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.

Our final day at the Holmes Beach location will be Friday, March 10, and will include an evening art walk with our featured artist, Terri Westbrook — we would love to see you.

We will miss our island home dearly so, please, join us to celebrate the past and toast the future.

Don’t miss the opportunity to come and visit us during our last three weeks on the island.

We will be operating with regular hours — Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Some of our artists will be offering special prices on their work at the gallery.

We are excited to move to our new location in downtown Bradenton, which will open in May. Please, check our website, social media and newsletter for updates.

During our transition period, you can visit the online gallery and purchase artwork at islandgallerywest.com.

We would like to thank our loyal customers, local and seasonal visitors and friends of the gallery for your support over the years and look forward to welcoming you to our new location.

Island Gallery West coop artists, Holmes Beach, via Facebook

movingsoon

Occupancy and room rates also generally were higher:

• Overall occupancy in December 2022 was 67.2%, up from 66.7% in December 2021.

• Anna Maria Island occupancy was at 59.9% in December 2022, up from 57.4% the year before.

• Room rates overall were up 15.8% to $211.38 in December 2022.

• Island room rates were up 14.8% in December 2022 over December 2021.

The largest category of visitors in December came from other locations in Florida, followed by the Midwest, the Northeast, Southeast, Europe and Canada. But the segment showing the most growth was Europe, up 115% from December 2021 to December 2022.

Meanwhile, the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport continues to chart “record-breaking growth.” SRQ in a Feb. 15 news release announced 377,617 passengers traveled through the airport in January, compared with 302,189 passengers in January 2022.

SRQ also continues to increase the number of nonstop flights and destinations, most recently adding Avelo Airlines service to Raleigh-Durham in North Carolina and planning for new Southwest Airlines service to Buffalo, New York, Providence, Rhode Island, and Minneapolis in March.

— Lisa Neff

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photos and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Submit your announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander.org.

Also, visit us on Facebook and join the 13,800plus friends who “like” The Islander and share their social news.

Event Sponsors:

County TDC boosts funds for island historical society

by Lisa Neff Islander editor

The island nonprofit that for years has raised dough with donations and bread sales is in line for $100,000 in Manatee County tourist development tax dollars.

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, which operates a museum at 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, submitted a request to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council to help fund a capacity-building campaign to identify ways to generate revenues to pay for an employee.

The historical society — and the museum it maintains — has been run by volunteers.

AMIHS went before the TDC Feb. 13 to request $62,000 to help fund the capacity-building campaign with Carter Global, a fundraising agency founded by former Anna Maria resident Bob Carter, who serves as CG’s chairman and CFRE. Former Anna Maria Commissioner Carol Carter is a managing director at CG.

AMIHS planned to invest $10,000 toward the $72,000 consultancy project.

But the TDC unanimously recommended the county award the nonprofit $100,000, with any leftover funds possibly going toward hiring an employee.

Island hotelier Eric Cairns motioned to increase the dollar amount and was seconded by hotelier Ed Chiles.

“I’ve been in the historical society many, many times and every time I go there it’s amazing to me,” Cairns said.

“We need to do something for these folks,” he added. “They have worked tirelessly.”

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, presented the AMIHS proposal and pitched for the increase.

So did AMIHS president Elizabeth Hager and vice president Barbara Murphy, who told the TDC, “We’re very shorthanded … and we definitely need the help.”

The TDC recommendation will go to the county commission, which next will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

In other matters Feb. 13, the TDC:

• Heard a “state of tourism” report showing continued increases in the number of tourists, as well as their economic impact;

• Heard a report on the impact of bringing sporting events and sports fans to the county.

McKenzy Lacko, sports sales manager for the BACVB, said the sports segment accounts for about 15.9% of Manatee’s tourism market, having generated $256.1 million in 2021-22.

• BACVB marketing and communications director Kolby Grayson reviewed campaigns, including plans to partner later this year on a project to encourage environmentally responsible tourism.

• Falcione remarked on the planned ferry service that will move people between a dock on the down-

town Bradenton riverfront to the City Pier in Anna Maria and the Historic Bridge Street Pier and Coquina Bayside in Bradenton Beach.

He said the ferry boats — two 49-passenger pontoon catamarans — are under construction.

Before the ferry launch — expected now in May — county, Bradenton, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach governments must complete interlocal agreements, as well as modifications to docking sites.

The ferry will operate Friday-Sunday to start, Falcione said, adding that the service will launch with a “pretty robust marketing plan.”

And, Falcione speculated, when the ferry docks at the Anna Maria City Pier, a good number of passengers will stroll Pine Avenue to the AMIHS museum.

The next TDC meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, April 24, at the county administration building in Bradenton.

About the TDC

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council is chaired by County Commissioner James Satcher. Members include Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Bryant, hoteliers Jiten Patel, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns and Rahul Patel and interested citizens Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.

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

The tax revenues must be spent to boost and develop tourism and, in Manatee, are used for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bradenton Area Convention Center and tourismrelated entities such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as supporting projects such as island beach renourishment and the rebuild of both the Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach city piers.

Ready for snowbird season?

AMIHS docent Heidi Pratt gives a tour March 15, 2022, of the belle Haven — a historic cottage that was built on the city pier in 1920— during the historical society’s annual heritage day.

Anna Maria increases rental registration fees

by Ryan Paice

Islander Reporter

Operating a vacation rental property in Anna Maria is becoming a little more expensive.

City commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 9 to adopt a resolution establishing vacation rental registration fees for 2023-24 based on maximum occupancy allowed under each registration, at $84.17 per allowed occupant.

That amounts to a 13% increase over the 2022-23 registration fee of $74.47 per occupant.

The registration fees are prorated to cover the cost of enforcing the municipality’s vacation rental ordinance, as well as inspections, lobbying and other costs associated with vacation rentals.

The city assesses each property based on maximum occupancy, beginning with a base occupancy of two people, plus two people per bedroom — resulting in a minimum occupancy of four people.

A vacation rental property with one bedroom would have an occupancy of four and the owner or manager would pay $336.68 in 2023-24. A property with the same occupancy would have paid $297.88 for 2022-23.

The fee increases for every occupant up to a maximum of 29 and a $2,440.93 fee. The maximum registration fee in 2022-23 was $2,159.63.

There were 734 vacation rentals registered in the city as of Feb. 10, according to city clerk LeAnne Addy.

Vacation rental owners must register their properties by submitting an application and the accompanying registration fee to the city by 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1.

Islander File

Photo: Ryan Paice

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK ON AMI

Thursday, Feb. 23

2 p.m. — Friends of the Island Library Travel and Lecture Series, with the Florida Studio Theatre,” Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-6341.

Saturday, Feb. 25

7 p.m. — Grand Funk Railroad concert, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908.

Wednesday, March 1

10 a.m. — Creative Aging: Watercolor painting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout February, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s “Paint the Town” celebration, Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and other locales. Information: 941-778-6694.

Throughout February, Karen Beach’s “It Takes Two” watercolor exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-778-6648.

Throughout March, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s exhibit featuring watercolors by Sharon Tarras, Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and other locales. Information: 941-7786694.

Second Fridays through April, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Art Walk and Shop Stroll, Gulf and Marina drives, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648, 941-778-6694.

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

Tuesdays through May 9, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

THIS WEEK OFF AMI

Friday, Feb. 24

7:15 p.m. — “Through the Tunnel” documentary screening,

A Hair Day Salon & Spa

Island happenings

jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com.

SAVE THE DATE

March 4-5, Invitational at Holmes Beach/Anna Maria, Holmes Beach.

March 9-26, Island Players’ “The 39 Steps,” Anna Maria.

March 10, Florida Maritime Museum screens “Finding Nemo,” Cortez.

March 12, Island Players’ “How the Other Half Lives” auditions, Anna Maria.

March 18-19, Anna Maria Island Art League’s Springfest, Holmes Beach.

March 18, Center of Anna Maria Island’s “Portugal Uncorked” wine-tasting, Anna Maria.

March 21, Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series at the Center of Anna Maria Island presents The Orchestra, Anna Maria.

KIDS & FAMILY ON

AMI

Movies in the Park screening:

‘Field of Dreams’

Anna Maria continues its Movies in the Park series Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at City Pier Park, 103 N. bay blvd. Next on the calendar is “Field of Dreams,” showing Feb. 28. The 1989 baseball fantasy stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, the man who hears a voice, plows under his Iowa cornfield and builds a baseball field where dreams come true. For more information, call the city at 941-708-6130. Islander

Courtesy Photo

Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

“Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

Through March 26, “True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism” exhibit Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 941-896-2667.

Through May 28, “Gods and Lovers: Painting and Sculpture from India,” 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.

Saturdays through May, 9 a.m-2 p.m., Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-932-9439.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch

Island Gallery West

Fine

Friday, Feb. 24

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

Tuesday, Feb. 28

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

Wednesday, March 1

6 p.m. — Bishop Museum of Science and Nature all-ages workshop, “Our Solar System,” Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

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.

Through March 18, “Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks,” the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

March 10, Center of Anna Maria Island Bingo Bonanza, Anna Maria.

March 12, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria.

March 18, Desoto National Memorial’s “Five Centuries of Florida History,” Bradenton.

April 15, Desoto National Memorial’s “Landing,” Bradenton.

April 29, De Soto Grand Parade, Bradenton. CLUBS

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Music Lessons: Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Saxophone and Drum

941.896.9089

playitagainjams.com 8208 Cortez Road W., Ste.5, Bradenton

George Kruse, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Thursday, Feb. 23

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

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

Saturday, Feb. 25

9 a.m. — Hands-only CPR training with West Manatee Fire Rescue, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Reservations required. Information: 941-778-6341.

Monday, Feb. 27

11 a.m. — Island Library Focus Group, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

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

Second Wednesdays, noon, Off Stage Ladies meeting and luncheon, various locations. Fee applies. Information:” 941-9322798.

Thursdays, 6 p.m., Anne Silver Community Center bingo games, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 413-441-6823.

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

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

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 703582-7755.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Second Fridays, 1 p.m., Parkinson’s Combined Support Group, Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

Mondays, 1 p.m., Thinking Out Loud discussions, the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6493.

Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177, amirotary.org.

Second Tuesdays, 4 p.m., Cortez Village Historical Society meetings, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-840-0590, cortezvillagehistoricalsociety.org.

SAVE THE DATE

March 9-11, Friends of the Island Library jewelry sale, Holmes Beach.

March 11, Center of Anna Maria Island beach cleanup, Anna Maria.

March 17, Anna Maria Island Garden Club flower show, Anna Maria.

March 25, Clint Hurdle’s Hot Stove Dinner to benefit PraderWilli Syndrome Association, Holmes Beach.

April 1, Center of Anna Maria Island beach cleanup, Anna Maria.

April 16, Cortez Village Historical Society Village Picnic, Cortez.

OUTDOORS & SPORTS

OFF AMI

Saturday, Feb. 25

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Starry Night Astronomy, Robinson Preserve expansion, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

ONGOING ON AMI

AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Feb. 25-March 28 — Pittsburgh Pirates spring training games, various times, various dates, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: pirates.com/springtraining.

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org, mymanatee.org.

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

SAVE THE DATE

March 12, Skyway 10K, Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

April 7, Bradenton Marauders home opener, Bradenton.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

March 8, International Women’s Day.

March 12, daylight saving time.

March 13-17, Manatee County School District’s spring break.

March 17, St., Patrick’s Day.

March 20, Vernal Equinox.

April 1, April Fool’s Day.

“Orange Sky” by watercolorist Sharon Tarras, who says about her exhibit at the Artists’ Guild Gallery: “This collection of landscape paintings includes soft misty sunrises, glowing sunsets, bright midday sunlight filtering through leaves or glinting off ripples in water and finally aurora borealis lighting up the night sky.” Islander Courtesy Photo

Artists’ Guild exhibits watercolorist’s work

Watercolorist Sharon Tarras is the March featured artist at the Artists’ Guild Gallery.

Tarras’ window exhibit is titled “A Celebration of Light.”

Love for art, gardening and the outdoors led the Minnesota-born artist to take up a career as a landscape designer.

Nearing retirement in 2013, Tarras signed up for her first watercolor class and now the natural world is a common theme in her work.

A reception with Tarras will be 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, during the downtown art walk.

The gallery is in the Island Shopping Center at 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the gallery at 941-7786694.

Island Library’s Friends to host theatrical lecture

The Friends of the Island Library will continue their lecture and travel series Thursday, Feb. 23, hosting Catherine Randazzo of the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota.

Randazzo, an associate artist and literary manager, will talk about the history of the contemporary theater that’s home to a mainstage, cabaret, children’s theater and more.

The program will begin at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

For more information, go to friendsoftheislandlibrary.org or call 941- 778-6341.

Community center to host ‘sip by sip’ tasting

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host “Portugal Uncorked: A Sip by Sip Tasting” 4:306:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18.

Guests can expect to taste red, white, port and specialty wines, as well as food pairings.

Sommelier MaryKate Scott also will talk about the geography and history of Portugal.

Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at centerami.org.

For more information, email info@centerami. org or call the center at 941-778-1908.

Center schedules mind, body activities

The Center of Anna Maria Island is inviting people to stretch their limbs and minds in a series of programs.

A look at the calendar for the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria:

• Adaptive Yoga for Parkinson’s, 1-2 p.m. Thursdays, March 2, March 9, March 23 and March 30. The class — free to attend — will be led by certified adaptive yoga instructors Dianne Ochiltree and Edie Deane.

• Full Moon Yoga, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7. Salty Buddha Yoga and Paddle Co. will lead the program under the Worm moon. Donations of $10 per person — or more — will benefit the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, which operates the historical museum on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.

• Osteoporosis Management and Prevention Workshop, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28. Reed Fitness and Physical Therapy will present the program — free to attend — on osteopenia and osteoporosis, prevention and management through exercise, nutrition, medication and physical therapy.

• General AED/CPR Certification Class, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 1. The American Heart Association class will be presented by Landes Emergency Training Services.

Those who complete the class receive certification and learn how to save a life.

The cost to attend is $90 for center members, $100 for nonmembers.

• Bishop Museum of Science and Nature workshop series. The center continues to host two types of workshops in partnership with the Bradenton institution — workshops for families and workshops for adults.

Each workshop costs $10 for members and $20 for non-members.

• “The Second Mrs. Ringling” program, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 8. John Ringling was married to Mable but he also had a second wife, New York socialite Emily Haag Buck.

The center will host Ellen Brosnahan in a program that “blends historical facts gleaned from court transcripts of their divorce proceedings and other sources with a healthy dash of “what if,” according to a news release.

The cost to attend will be $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

For more information about programs, costs and registration, call the center at 941-778-1908.

— Lisa Neff

Kiwanis to meet

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island is meeting Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

The program Saturday, Feb. 25, will feature remarks from Deb Wartschlager of the Friends of the Island Library, which raises money for the Holmes Beach institution, as well as hosts a series of events.

For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

Island happenings

They’re ‘an American Band’

Grand Funk Railroad is set to perform Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The band — on a 50th-anniversary tour in 2023 — is known for original tunes and covers — including “The Loco-Motion,” “We’re an American band,” “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “I’m Your Captain.”

Gates for the Grand Funk Railroad concert will open at 6 p.m. An opening act takes the stage at 7 p.m. and the headliner goes on at 8 p.m. For more details, go online to centerami.org/events or call the center at 941-778-1908. Islander Courtesy Photo

Island Players box office to open for ‘39 Steps’

The Island Players will bring Patrick Barlow’s “The 39 Steps” to the Anna Maria theater March 9-26.

The box office will open Monday, Feb. 27. Box office hours will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. MondaysSaturdays, as well as an hour before performances.

Heiko Knipfelberg is directing the show, coproduced by LaPensee Plumbing of Holmes Beach.

Performances will take place Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The theater is dark Mondays.

Tickets at the box office cost $25. Online, the cost is $27.

The theater is at 10009 Gulf Drive. For more information about the Island Players, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

Casting call

Auditions for Island Players’ presentation of “How the Other Half Loves” by Alan Ayckbourn will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12, at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

James Thaggard will direct the show, with a run set for May 4-14.

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

Florida Maritime Museum hosts movie nights

The Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez will host two outdoor movie nights — one Friday, Feb. 24, and one Friday, March 10.

Both events will begin at 7:15 on the museum grounds, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez.

The Feb. 24 event will feature a screening of “Through the Tunnel,” an award-winning METV documentary about school integration in Manatee County.

The evening also will feature a screening of

“Eating Out: The Hunt for Sustainable Seafood,” which is about local clam farming.

The March 10 event will feature a showing of “Finding Nemo,” the 2003 animated film about a clown fish’s adventure to find his son.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or seating and bug spray.

The Islander is an event sponsor.

For more information, call the museum at 941708-6120.

Silver bingo!

“Storm’s a Coming” by Terri Westbrook will be on exhibit in March at Island Gallery West, which is featuring Westbrook’s paintings in “Serene Scapes.”

Gallery patrons can meet the artist 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 10, during IGW’s last Art Walk reception at 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes beach. The gallery will close March 11 to prepare for a move to downtown bradenton. Islander Courtesy Photo

Nancy Kennedy hits a bingo Jan. 19 at the Annie Silver Community Center bingo night. Kennedy’s companion, Nancy Mills, razzed, “She always wins!” bingo is open to the public, with games played Thursdays through the season, starting at 6 p.m. Refreshments are available. everyone is invited and membership is not required. For more information, call the center at 413-441-6823.

‘Serene’ scenes

AME Calendar

• Friday, Feb. 24, Princess Ball, 5:30-7 p.m., auditorium.

• Wednesday, March 1, picture day.

• Friday, March 10, record day, no school.

• March 13-17, spring break, no school.

• Tuesday, March 28, second-grade play, 6:30 p.m., auditorium; PTO dinner by Pizza Social, 5 p.m., cafeteria.

• Thursday, April 6, walk-a-thon.

• Friday, April 7, record day, no school.

• Tuesday, April 25, first-grade play, 6:30 p.m., auditorium; PTO dinner TBD, 5 p.m.

• Saturday, May 13, Spring Gala, IMG Academy ballroom, Bradenton.

Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

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

AmE NEWS

by brook Morrison

AME-PTO gala tickets to go on sale

The Anna Maria Elementary Parent Teacher Organization’s spring gala is taking shape as a committee prepares this month to release limited tickets for purchase at the school and on the AME-PTO website.

“Vintage Hollywood, The Golden Age” will be Saturday, May 13, at the IMG Academy clubhouse ballroom, 5650 Bollettieri Blvd., Bradenton.

The gala is the PTO’s largest annual fundraiser to benefit AME.

“We already have room moms coming in strong with basket themes and art project ideas and we are in

need of donations for large auction items, raffle items, donations for making baskets and every donation helps no matter how small,” PTO vice president Tammy Collins told The Islander Feb. 13.

With limited tickets available for the black tie, Hollywood costume event, the night is guaranteed to wow.

Collins said the night to benefit AME’s partnership with the Guy Harvey Foundation will be complete with dinner, refreshments, entertainment, swag bags and auction items.

“Tickets are $100 a piece and there will only be 100 available,” Collins said.

For more information about purchasing tickets, becoming a sponsor or joining the event committee, visit the AME-PTO website at amepto.org.

AM student makes dean list

Celebrating STEM

Nine Anna Maria elementary students participated Feb. 14 in the School District of Manatee County’s Vex IQ Tournament at the bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMe/Pidge barreda

AMe STeM Club members Luke Willing, left, Amelia Thiessen and Andre Harwood, all fifth-graders, participate Feb. 14 in the countywide robotics Vex IQ Tournament. The district, on its website, said hundreds of elementary and middle school students throughout the county participated in the competitive STeM experience. Islander

Joshy Calhoun of Anna Maria made the dean’s list for the fall 2022 at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne.

To be included on the dean’s list, a student must complete 12 or more graded credits in a semester with a semester grade point average of at least 3.4, according to a news release from the school.

Announce achievements We welcome news of student achievements. Please, email news@islander. org. Include a contact name and phone number, as well as the city where the student resides.

Photo: Courtesy Jen Serra

Gathering by Lisa Neff

Roser to hold breakfast

Roser Memorial Community Church will host a pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. For $8, diners will enjoy pancakes, sausage, applesauce, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee or tea. There is no charge for children under age 5. Also, the Roser thrift shop across the street from the church will be open 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, call 941-778-0414 or go online to roserchurch.com.

Tidings

ON AMI

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

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., supper; Wednesdays, Night Blast, 6:45 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

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

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. except Feb. 26, with one service at 9:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting; Mondays, 1 p.m., book group.

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

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., social gathering, Manatee Public Beach; Sundays, 10:15 a.m., coffee and fellowship.

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, @roserchurch.

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

Pancake breakfast planned at Episcopal church

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation will serve a pancake breakfast 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 11.

The menu offerings will include pancakes, sausage and coffee or tea for $8.

Breakfast for children 12 and under will be $4.

The church is at 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more info, call the church at 941-778-1638.

St. Bernard to host sale

St. Bernard Catholic Church will hold a two-day rummage sale Feb. 24-25.

The sale will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25, at the church hall, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the church offi ce at 941-778-4769.

Ongoing: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Robics; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Store; Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Youth Performing Arts, first and third Wednesdays, 11: 30 a.m., Just Older Youth group programs with brown-bag lunch; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Roser Ringers rehearsal; 7 p.m., Thursdays, choir rehearsal; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school and coffee and conversation sessions.

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: Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; second Thursdays, women’s guild luncheons; 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, @CCLBK.

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, @longboatislandchapel.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop; Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Bible study;

Growing in Jesus’

W INTER C O N CERT S ERIES

Longboat Island chapel collecting school supplies

At the Longboat Island Chapel charitable outreach committee’s social hour Feb. 28, attendees are asked to bring appetizers to share and school supplies to donate.

The Tuesday event will be 5-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

For more information, call the chapel at 941-3836491.

LBK church to host special service

Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, will hold the ninth annual Kirkin o’ the Tartans service at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.

The service will feature bagpipes, tartan banners, a procession and drums, as well as a performance by the Lion Rampant Pipe Band.

For more information, call 941-383-8833.

Mondays, 4 p.m., choir rehearsal.

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

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

Ongoing: Fridays, 6:45 p.m., choir call.

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

Through March 1, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., Roser Church’s “In the Hebrew Scriptures” program.

Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday.

Feb. 24-25, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Bernard Rummage Sale.

Feb. 26, 10 a.m., Christ Church of Longboat Key’s ninth annual Kirkin O’ The Tartans Service.

Feb. 28, 5-7 p.m., Longboat Island Chapel’s Charitable Outreach Committee Social Hour.

March 5, 2 p.m., Christ Church of Longboat Key’s Todd Donovan and Dale Williams concert.

March 11, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Annunciation’s pancake breakfast.

March 4, 11:30 a.m., Christ Church of Longboat Key’s Neighborhood Cookout.

March 18, 8 a.m.-11 a.m., Roser Church Pancake Breakfast.

March 19, 4 p.m., Roser Church Concert.

March 19, 6:30 p.m., Temple Beth Israel’s men’s club sunset cruise, Sarasota.

April 2, Palm Sunday.

April 5, Passover.

April 7, Good Friday.

April 7, Easter Sunday.

Compiled by Lisa Neff

Don Giovanni Susannah Le nozze di Figaro Tosca My Fair Lady, Into the Woods,

Obituary

W.S. ‘Babe’ Sikes

W.S. “Babe” Sikes, 82, died Dec. 11, 2022, at his home on Anna Maria Island.

He was born Aug. 12, 1940, in Cobbtown, Georgia.

A resident of Anna Maria since the early 1960s, he and his wife bonded over a love of fishing and spent many days and nights with their daughter fishing at the city pier.

After discovering that office life and a career as an accountant was not what he wanted to do, Mr. Sikes started work at the Union Camp Paper Mill in Savannah, Georgia. From there, he became a master mechanic, welder and conductor at Borden’s Chemicals before being recruited to build the critical infrastructure needed to unload cargo ships at the newly emerging Port Manatee.

He proceeded to obtain a general contractor’s license and was a custom builder and contractor on the island and in the Bradenton area for more than 50 years. He either built or remodeled a significant number of houses on the island during the course of his career.

He mentored many younger contractors and tradesmen, and also owned a glass-and-mirror shop in Holmes Beach for a number of years.

There wasn’t anything he couldn’t build or fix and he always had some sort of project or job in the works. The only exception was his time working on puzzles at the Island Library, where the puzzle table is named in his honor.

There will be no service per his request. Arrangements were by Griffith-Cline Funeral Home.

Mr. Sikes is survived by his daughter, Julie Sikes Zatkovich, her husband, Mark, and grandsons Brian and Shaun; brother Preston and wife Shelby and their daughter Tracy. babe Sikes took pride in fostering abandoned baby squirrels — sometimes two at a time. Islander File

At your service: Obituaries are offered as a service to residents and their families, past and present, as well as those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are free.

Roser Church

“...a

HB enhances gateway welcome

Holmes beach public works employee Scott Roscoe reads from The Islander Feb. 16 while seated at the welcome sign at the city’s Manatee Avenue gateway. Roscoe, a carpenter by trade, built the chair he’s sitting in. He told The Islander he has built and sold wood chairs for about 15 years as a side gig and was encouraged by public works administrator Matt McDonough to place one by the welcome sign. Public works staff also added a “beach,” to enhance the photos for those who posing for a photo-op. Roscoe said he makes about 10 chairs weekly and sells them in his spare time on the Palma Sola Causeway. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

GoodDeeds

Assistance sought on AMI

Compiled by Lisa Neff

• Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers for Springfest in March. Info: 941-778-2099.

• Island Players seeks volunteers to serve as house managers and join the backstage crew at the Anna Maria playhouse. Info: president@theislandplayers. org.

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals, as well as assist with technology. Info: 941-345-2441.

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

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

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM & 10:00 AM

IN PERSON � in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin

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

The Islander Wedding Directory

Ash Wednesday Feb. 22

Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key churches will observe Ash Wednesday Feb. 22 with services. For details of services, contact local houses of worship.

Other observances on the calendar: Palm Sunday will be observed April 2; Good Friday, April 7; and Easter Sunday, April 9.

GoodDeeds Does your group offer island-centric services? Does your group need volunteers or other help? Email calendar@ islanderorg.

778-0414.

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

JOIN US FOR OUR

NEIGHBORHOOD COOKOUT

COOKOUT

Hello neighbors, friends, residents and visitors!

Christ Church of Longboat Key has been established for 11 years, creating a beautiful campus where friendly and inviting people gather and make up our membership.

In celebration, we would like to know you all better and invite you to our NEIGHBORHOOD COOKOUT

Here is a chance to meet us and some of your neighbors, friends, and other visitors, while enjoying good food and conversation.

Fish fest reels in huge crowds

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are ready for their favorite sport — sipping wine and shopping for goodies at their favorite thrifts and boutiques.

Blue Flamingo is home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.

Cat’s Meow has 7,700 square feet of vintage, unique and repurposed items. You may want to lace up your skates as this large (former) skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. Plus, there’s a mancave and a cool clothing boutique. You

Miss us? WE MISS YOU AMI!

Stop by at our other locations:

Scavengers Marketplace SRQ

1175 N Washington Blvd

Scavengers Palmetto 2100 US Hwy 301

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. The store is at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from WinnDixie. 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 group. Founder Lisa Williams leads the rescue efforts and also works at The Islander as office manager.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

Your place for fun, funky quirky!

Great work from Local Artisans Upcycled, Repurposed, Vintage Dixie Belle Paint, Fun Gifts & More! theblueflamingo.biz

People are shoulder to shoulder in the food booth area at the 41st annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The festival hosted up to 40 artists and 16 food vendors. The fundraising event was organized by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage Feb. 18-19 in historic Cortez village. Islander

Photos: Robert Anderson

beLOW: Finley MacDonald, 7, of bradenton, gets her face painted Feb. 18 by artist Monica esqueda at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

Adventures in Shopping …

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

Artists

FUSION

Coastal wildlife artist Jessica Shiply makes a sale to Fort Myers resident Doug Tollefson Feb. 18 at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.

The Shrimp Shack seafood booth Feb. 18 serves seafood at the 41st annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. The festival celebrated the villages fishing heritage with music, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, environmental exhibits and local seafood.

Bradenton Beach police updating vehicles, training equipment

by Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby is upgrading his department with new equipment and technology.

During the Feb. 16 city commission meeting, Cosby brought forward several police-related matters, including an invoice for a new boat for the harbor monitoring program.

The 2023 Pathfinder 24-foot center console, outfitted with a Yamaha 250 outboard motor, from Ingman Marina of Sarasota will cost $115,000 and is being funded with a grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District, a special taxing body covering Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties and promoting safe waterway navigation.

The BBPD will use the vessel for safety inspections and to tag derelict vessels within city waters, particularly the city’s anchorage south of the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

Commissioner Ralph Cole motioned to approve the vessel purchase. Commissioner Jake Spooner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Cosby also addressed commissioners about updating a firearm training system.

The $15,500 laser-aided DART system allows officers to train on firearms at the police station, 403 Highland Ave., as opposed to only training at an offisland firing range.

Several Bradenton Beach businesses — Silver Surf Enterprises, the Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar and the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge No. 2188 — donated $4,500 each toward the initial acquisition of the system in August 2022.

Upgrading to the DART Studio software would enable BBPD to create custom scenarios and train officers in virtual representations of Bradenton Beach buildings, Cosby said.

“We could get a blueprint for this building and create this building in the system so we could actually use live buildings from the city in order to do scenarios,” he said, referring to city hall.

Cole motioned to approve the $2,000 expenditure for the system upgrade, with a $1,000 donation from

THE 39 STEPS

the Bridge Tender and the remainder from the police budget. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh and passed unanimously.

Cosby also said the BBPD is in a position to dispose of a 2000 Chrysler 300 acquired as part of a joint drug investigation with the FBI and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The city’s mechanic has declared the vehicle unfit for police-related duty.

Commissioner Ralph Cole motioned to allow the department to junk the vehicle. He was seconded by Vosburgh and the motion passed unanimously.

On another law enforcement matter, commissioners discussed an interlocal agreement for payment by Manatee County for the city’s policing of county property.

Mayor John Chappie said the city could expect an almost $10,000 increase over the 2021-22 fiscal year.

“In our previous lease, we put in a stipulation for the cost-of-living clause,” Chappie said. “As you know, last year the cost of living went up by 8.2%.”

“Our monthly invoice that they would pay was $10,470.67. With this new lease, we will be getting $11,329.26. So it’s a total of $135,951.12 compared to $125,648.04,” Chappie said.

“I’ve looked at the numbers and these numbers are very close to what it’s costing us to provide what we are providing,” Cosby said. “So it’s on point.”

Spooner motioned to approve the interlocal agreement with the county. Cole seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Manatee County commissioners have yet to approve the agreement.

BB ScenicWAVES committee extends officer terms

Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES Committee members voted Feb. 15 to extend the terms of its officers.

ScenicWAVES chair Ingrid McClellan said the committee members had two choices concerning the elections of officers.

“We can nominate a new chair, vice chair, secretary/treasurer to serve a one-year term with elections in March or you can approve extensions to the term of office to who’s currently in office not to exceed three years upon approval of the majority of the committee members,” McClellan said.

The group, an advisory committee to the city commission that deals with beautification and waterfront issues in the city, opted to extend officer terms.

In addition to McClellan as chair, Terri Kinder of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is vice chair.

Cathy King is secretary/treasurer.

King motioned for the extension of the current offices and was seconded by Peg Miller. The motion passed unanimously.

In other matters at the meeting:

• Miller, liaison to the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge, confirmed the date for an after Easter beach cleanup — 8 a.m.-noon, April 10.

• The committee also discussed National Arbor Day plans and decided the group will plant shade trees in Herb Dolan Park.

The next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 15, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. — Robert Anderson

bbPD Officer Steve Masi Feb. 10 demonstrates firearm training software at the police station, 403 Highland Ave.

Cosby

Bradenton Beach moves forward to reclaim alleyways

by Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach is taking back its alleys.

Public works director Tom Woodard addressed commissioners Feb. 16 about reclaiming overgrown and obstructed alleyways along portions of Gulf Drive North.

In November 2022, Woodard received an email from residents in the 2500 block of Gulf Drive North requesting the city’s help in clearing an alleyway of foliage and debris.

The residents said they had difficulty backing their vehicles out of their property into the alley.

“I’d like to open them up,” Commissioner Jake Spooner said.

“I think it’s great for pedestrians to be able to get off the streets and be able to walk in that alley,” he added.

Woodard said it is important that the city notify residents of its intent to reclaim the alleyways because many residents have items stored behind their homes.

Woodard said he had met with resistance from more than one person when he made inspections of alleyways in the 2500 block of Gulf Drive North.

City building official Steve Gilbert recommended the city map the area and identify the property lines.

“Before you send notice, I think you need to figure

out how much it will cost to survey them, figure out exactly where the encroachments are, document that, map it,” he said. “Then you can notify each individual homeowner that has an encroachment.”

Gilbert said funding was allotted in the planning department’s budget for surveys.

Commissioner Ralph Cole motioned to support

County updating Coquina Beach for new market

by Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Manatee County is taking steps to create a new vendor market at the south end of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

At their Feb.14 meeting, county commissioners discussed a marketplace for more than 80 vendor spots — estimated to cost $175,000, including turtle-friendly lighting to allow for night events.

Commissioners also want two pedestrian bridges, at a cost of $45,000 each, for marketgoers to cross between the parking lot and the marketplace.

And the county has plans to hire a market manager, a process that could take up to four months.

A crew in late January laid the foundation for the market with a footprint connecting to the multiuse trail that runs from south Coquina Beach to the north end of Cortez Beach.

A past market operated on both sides of the multiuse trail and was operated by a contractor via an agreement with the county.

The county opted not to renew the contract Aug. 1, 2022.

Soon after, the county issued a statement saying the beach market would go on a three-month hiatus to reassess and rebuild under the guidance of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The plan at that time was to launch the market in November 2022, before the holiday shopping season.

But plans were put on hold in the fall, as county workers were redirected toward Hurricane Ian cleanup.

The multiuse trail also is scheduled for a makeover, including the removal of the existing trail, repaving with the addition of root barriers, trimming trees and replacing trees as required.

Commissioners at the Feb. 14 meeting prompted staff to request tourist development tax funds for the trail work.

County public information officer Bill Logan said the county is preparing to award the trail work to a vendor in March.

Gilbert’s recommendation and determine the cost of surveying the alleys. The motion was seconded by Spooner and passed unanimously.

Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse.

In other property-related news, Woodard reported the results of a building study by Hees & Associates Inc. of Sarasota.

The evaluation revealed city hall to be in good condition given its age and location, Woodard said.

Mayor John Chappie said he was pleased.

“It’s not in bad shape at all,” Chappie said. “It’s just the normal maintenance, the wear and tear on a structure built out of these materials that’s this old.”

City hall was built in the late 1970s under different building codes.

While Chappie said he was pleased the building can be repaired, other factors, such as the cost of flood insurance, should be considered during a work meeting on the future of the property.

The city pays $18,000 annually for city hall flood insurance.

Commissioner Ralph Cole commented on the importance of considering construction costs for a new building versus maintaining the existing one.

“The more we get out of this building as we move down the road, the better off we are,” he said. “Right now, it’s functional, just because the insurance is going up, do you want to build a $2 million-$3 million building? I think we are good the way we are.”

Commissioners reached a consensus to hold a work meeting to address issues with city buildings and plan for repairs.

The next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 2, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

bradenton beach commissioners listen as Mayor John Chappie speaks about the future of city properties during their Feb. 16 meeting at city hall. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Cops & Courts

HBPD arrests Chicago man driving under the influence

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Scott Spencer, 61, of Chicago Feb. 9 on a second-degree misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer found a vehicle stopped around 3 a.m. in the 200 block of 77th Street with the engine running, lights on and the driver slumped forward in his seat.

The officer knocked on the driver-side window but didn’t receive a response. He then activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and blared an air horn, also to no effect.

The officer opened the driver’s door “out of fear the driver may be having a medical emergency” and woke the driver, identified as Spencer, according to the HBPD report.

The officer also smelled alcohol and urine from inside the vehicle.

Upon waking, Spencer could not comprehend what the officer was saying and provided incoherent responses to the officer’s questions.

When Spencer exited the vehicle, he was unsteady and swaying.

The officer asked Spencer to perform field sobriety exercises, which he initially agreed to but then refused.

The officer arrested Spencer on suspicion of DUI and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department for processing. There, Spencer refused to provide a breath sample.

The officer then transported Spencer to the Manatee County jail, where he was released Feb. 10 after posting $120 bond.

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

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Man drives truck onto Rod & Reel Pier

A man drove his truck onto the Rod & Reel Pier Feb. 11 but no injuries were reported and apparently the pier was not damaged.

The truck came to a stop after hitting a bench on the pier walkway, 875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria.

Beth Riley, a pier employee, said she saw the driver as he made his attempt to maneuver onto the wooden structure.

“We were closing early,” she said. “I was upstairs working and the host looked at us and said, ‘Somebody is driving down the pier!’”

“I’ve been there 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Riley continued.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report stated piergoers helped keep the man from driving away and assisted in getting him to shut off his vehicle while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement and emergency services.

The MCSO report described the man, age 70, as confused.

Riley said authorities reached out to the man’s family and learned he was in the hospital.

“It was just a man confused,” she said.

— Robert Anderson

Streetlife Staff reports

Island police

Anna Maria

No new reports.

reports

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

Feb. 16, 1500 block of Gulf Drive South, larceny. A Bradenton Beach police officer responded to a call concerning the theft of an outboard motor from a dinghy near the North Coquina Boat Ramp. The complainant said he moored the dinghy in the mangroves near the shore and found the engine missing on returning from work. The officer filed a case number and issued a victim rights card.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

Feb. 8, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, burglary. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to reports of a burglary from people who said three bags were missing from their vehicle when they returned from the beach. Two women

provided a description. The officer swabbed for DNA and fingerprints but found none. He provided them with case numbers and victim’s rights brochures.

Feb. 8, Walgreens, 3200 E. Bay Drive, fraud. A woman reported to the HBPD potential credit card fraud. She said there were multiple purchases made using her card without her permission following a recent purchase at Walgreens. The officer issued a case card to the woman, who was able to dispute the charges and get her money back.

Feb. 10, 600 block of Manatee Avenue, recovered stolen vehicle. An officer located a vehicle identified by dispatch as possibly stolen and conducted a traffic stop. The officer spoke to the driver, a man who said he believed the rental vehicle belonged to his friend. He said he did not know the vehicle was reported stolen

In an emergency, call 911.

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To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-7088899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

PLeASe, See STREETLIFE, NeXT PAGe

A truck came to a stop Feb. 11 after striking a bench on the Rod & Reel Pier, 875 N. Shore Drive, Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Courtesy beth Riley

Sharing the merriment

The fifth annual get-together Feb. 10 of the AMI Makers of Merriment at 5350 The Pourhouse in Holmes beach produced a plethora of heart-shaped, flower-pasted, glitter-filled, warm, sentimental love notes for the island’s five departments of first responders. The group created more than 100 cards and packed baskets of treats to thank those committed to keeping AMI safe. Chief merrymaker Deb Sneddon, front center, said, “Yet another sweet example of island lovers, locals and businesses coming together to keep our home special.” Islander

Courtesy Photos

STREETLIFE FROM PAGe 20

and provided his friend’s information. The officer contacted a rental car company and the Christiansburg Police Department in Virginia, where the vehicle was originally reported stolen, and released the driver without charges.

Feb. 11, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Holmes Blvd., trespass warning. Three officers responded to reports of a verbal disturbance, where all parties but one complied with the manager’s request for them to leave. The officers spoke with the man who refused to leave. Then they supervised while the business owner issued a trespass warning.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

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AbOVe: Sneddon, left, and Scott, right, deliver Valentine’s Day greetings Feb. 14 to Manatee County-Anna Maria sheriff’s deputies Matt Daugherty and Jared Leggett.

AbOVe: Holmes beach residents Nancy Scott, left, and Deborah Sneddon, right, pose Feb. 14 with bradenton beach Police Lt. Lenard Diaz while delivering Valentine treats to the bbPD.

Nancy Scott, left, and Deborah Sneddon, right, pose Feb. 14 with Holmes beach Police Detective Josh Fleischer, Lt. brian Hall and Chief bill Tokajer while delivering Valentine’s Day sentiments to the HbPD.

Contract OK’d for next phase of BB utilities undergrounding

by Robert Anderson Islander Reporter Dig it.

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Feb. 7 approved a contract that will put more utilities underground in the historic district.

CRA members voted to approve a contract with JM Underground Utilities LLC after a review of the agreement by city attorney Ricinda Perry

The CRA began undergrounding work in 2018, when it approved a project to bury utilities along Bridge Street and some areas of Gulf Drive.

The new work will involve undergrounding utilities along Third, Fourth, Fifth streets south and Bay Drive South between Fourth and Fifth.

Perry said the contractor would begin work as soon as possible.

Some details she provided:

• Shipping for materials would begin this month.

• Conduit and heavy machinery pads will be in place by March.

Wilco electrical workers install bollards March 19, 2020, around the planned location for a transformer to connect underground utility lines on bridge Street in bradenton beach. The city is embarking on a new stage of undergrounding. Islander

City attorney Ricinda Perry reviews an agreement Feb. 7 between the community redevelopment agency and JM Utilities Undergrounding LLC.

• Wire pulling through underground conduits will occur in late April.

• The incorporation of new utilities would occur by July.

The work under contract is budgeted at $436,995 and would be paid for by CRA funds, which come from incremental tax revenues collected by Manatee

County.

Burying utility lines is seen as having aesthetic, environmental and health and safety benefits and can reduce the number of service outages.

Mayor John Chappie, sitting as a member of the CRA, motioned to approve the contract with JM Underground Utilities LLC. Commissioner Jake Spooner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

About the CRA

The Bradenton Beach CRA funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism in the district.

The district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.

The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• Manatee County is replacing sewer lines in Bradenton Beach along Gulf Drive from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. Motorists can expect traffic delays. For more information, go to amiprojects.io.

• A Holmes Beach contractor continues working near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives on new amenities, requiring detours and closures at Marina in the city center. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

• Manatee County is working on a force main project along Holmes Boulevard, which can result in some traffic delays and congestion. For more information, go online to amiprojects.io.

For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511.

— Lisa Neff

CRA members listen Feb. 7 as bradenton beach city attorney Ricinda Perry reviews a utilities undergrounding contract. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

File

Photo: Ryan Paice

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” —

Shaw

Bradenton Beach-AMOB resolve fire-safety issue on the pier

by Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

There’s no cause for alarm on the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

Bradenton Beach public works director Tom Woodard, at a Feb. 16 city commission meeting, said John Horne, owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Historic Bridge Street Pier, had notified him of a malfunctioning fire panel.

AMOB operates on the pier, 200 Bridge St., through a concession agreement with the city.

Woodard had the panel inspected by a technician with Dehart Alarm Systems of Sarasota, which monitors the fire alarm system, and it was determined the panel needed replacement.

Meantime, AMOB had to employ an off-duty firefighter to act as a fire monitor for $50 an hour.

So who is responsible for the replacement cost?

The city as the landlord?

AMOB as the tenant?

AMOB said the city — which had the panel installed and was paying the monitoring fee — should shoulder the cost.

But the city’s concession contract with AMOB reads: “The tenant shall throughout the term assume the entire responsibility and shall relieve the landlord from all responsibility for all repair, maintenance, replacements and capital improvements whatsoever with respect to the premises.”

A clause in the same section mentions fire equipment, stating the tenant must “provide and maintain all lights and similar devices, fire protection and safety equipment and all other equipment of every kind.”

AMOB managing partner Lynn Horne told commissioners he hoped the city would split the cost since AMOB had agreed to help subsidize security equipment on the pier for the police department.

“I would appreciate it if the city would look at this and see if this too could be a partnership,” he said.

Mayor John Chappie responded: “You’ve been

bradenton beach public works director Tom Woodard addresses a fire-safety issue at Anna Maria Oyster bar restaurant, which operates on the city pier, during a Feb. 16 commission meeting at city hall. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

pretty good tenants all along. The restaurant is doing better than anything else we’ve ever had out there and I know you are going to be investing a nice chunk of change with what the city is doing.”

Commissioner Jake Spooner suggested AMOB and the city split the $4,765 cost but, going forward, AMOB should pay $60 a month for the monitoring service.

Horne agreed to the compromise and Spooner motioned for a one-time concession modification allowing for a 50/50 split on the cost of the new panel.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ralph

Cole and passed unanimously.

The next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, reunions, obituaries and other events.

Submit your announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander.org.

Lynn Horne, managing partner and director of purchasing for AMOb, speaks Feb. 16 to bradenton beach commissioners.

Pitchers win over crosstown rivals, football, golf play on

by Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

After five weeks of action in the youth flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, only two teams can still boast perfection. Sato Real Estate in the 8-10 division and Pineapple Market Place in the 11-13s are both 5-0 in their respective divisions.

Cassidy

They have challengers, but time is running out on any team to slingshot ahead in the standings. Solid Rock Construction is 4-1, right behind Sato in the 8-10s, while Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control and Island Real Estate follow with 3-2 records. AMI Coconuts and Moss Builders are both 2-3 with Cloud Pest Control at 1-4 and SynLawn 0-5.

Pineapple Market Place has two teams on its heels in the 11-13s, with Moss Builders and Solid Rock Construction both at 4-1, followed by Shady Lady Horticultural Services and Storage Building Company both a 2-3. Sandhoff Construction, Intentional Resilient Intuitive and Chick-Fil-A complete the standings at 1-4.

Unlike last week, which had several blowout games, the 11-13 division games Feb. 14 were fairly competitive. Pineapple Market Place outscored Shady

Lady 38-27, Solid Rock Construction edged Sandhoff Construction 25-20 and Moss Builders defeated ChickFil-A 32-15.

The game of the week for the 11-13s saw Storage Building Company edge Intentional Resilient Intuitive 22-21 behind a huge all-around game from Matthew Vercella, who was on the receiving end of two Landon Snyder touchdown passes. Vercella also added a picksix on defense to propel Storage Building Company to victory. Liam Proud and Mazie Zoller each had 2-point conversions to complete the winning score.

Charlie Neri threw three TD passes, including two to Kegan McGlade for Intentional Resilient Intuitive, which also received a TD catch from Ema Rolerson and an extra point from Henry Dugan in the loss.

The Feb. 13 games in the 8-10 division weren’t nearly as competitive, as Island Real Estate earned a 21-0 victory over AMI Coconuts, while Sato showed why it’s undefeated with a 53-6 victory over Cloud. Moss earned an easy 33-6 victory over SynLawn in the last game of the night.

The game of the week saw Solid Rock outscore Westfall 37-28 thanks to six TD passes from Kyle Mims, including four to Turner Worth, who also had six flag pulls and an interception. Elijah Roadman and Isaac Roadman also had TD grabs, while Matthew Darak completed the scoring with an extra point.

Kellen Hunt paced Westfall with four TD passes, including two to Carter Hey, who also had four extrapoint receptions. Ethan Angel and Callin Westfall completed the scoring in the loss with a TD catch each.

Adult flag football continues

Luxury Services continues to lead the adult flag football league at the community center with a perfect 6-0 record as 5-1 Moss Builders and 4-2 Solid Rock Construction follow. Briley Mortgage and Banks Home Lending follow at 3-3 while Sandbar Restaurant at 2-4, Gulf Drive Cafe at 1-5 and Ugly Grouper at 0-6 complete the standings.

Three of four games played Feb. 16 were blowouts,

starting with Moss Builders taking a 41-12 victory over Gulf Drive Cafe, which seems close compared to Luxury Services’ 65-0 shutout over Ugly Grouper. Solid Rock Construction also had an easy time, earning a 32-12 victory over Briley Mortgage in the last game of the night.

The game of the week saw Sandbar Restaurant hold on for a 38-29 victory over Banks Home Lending Team behind five touchdown passes and a touchdown run from quarterback Matt Manger. Christian Hampton led all players with 10 catches, including four touchdown grabs and a pair of 1-point conversions. Zachary Routh completed the scoring for Sandbar with a touchdown reception.

Jeremy Cruz Rodriguez paced Banks Home Lending with four TD passes while also adding a 2-point conversion. Anthony McCance was on the receiving end of two TD passes, while Julia King and Shawn Balvin both finished with TD catches. Octavious Cole completed the scoring for Banks with an interception return for a touchdown on an extra-point attempt.

PLeASe, See SPORTS, NeXT PAGe

Center kicking off spring soccer season

The Center of Anna Maria is registering adults and kids for its spring soccer leagues.

The adult season at the community center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, runs March 23-May 25, with matches played 6-9 p.m. Thursdays.

Registration is required by Tuesday, March 7, followed by drafts at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8.

The cost to play is $10 for members, $120 for nonmembers.

Youth soccer — for kids 3-17 — will begin with “Spirit Week” friendly matches Monday, March 27, followed by the regular season, April 3-May 23.

Registration is required by Friday, March 17.

The center will hold evaluations and a draft at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, for ages 11-13 and a draft only at 5:30 p.m. for those 3-5.

The center will hold evaluations and a draft at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, for those ages 8-10 and a draft only at 5:30 p.m. for those 6-7.

There will be no evaluations for younger kids.

Games will be played Tuesday evenings and potentially on Mondays.

The cost is $10 for members and $130 for nonmembers.

For more information, contact recreation director Tyler Bekkerus at recreation@centerami.org or 941778-1908, ext. 210.

Horseshoe pitchers from Anna Maria Island and Trailer estates gather Feb. 13 after a 25-15 victory by the locals in defense of the home pits, avenging a 24-8 defeat at Trailer estates in January. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMI Pitchers

Storage building’s Mazie Zoller splits Intuitive defenders emma Raulerson and Henry Dugan during the Feb. 14 11-13 division flag football action. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

Windy days necessitate anglers switch tactics for hookups

by Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

With moderately strong winds prevailing for consecutive days, Anna Maria Island anglers are migrating to calmer waters in the back bays and Intracoastal Waterway.

And with water temperatures warming up between fronts, targeting catch-and-release snook is possible in the shallows, especially around mangrove islands during afternoon tides.

The use of live shiners as bait is working as we approach spring — officially March 20. Many anglers claim the shiners work best during the afternoon and evening tides, when the water on the flats has had its fullest potential to warm.

Taking shelter from the winds also can be attained by fishing canals and docks. In these sheltered areas, redfish, black drum and sheepshead can be caught. When targeting these species, you’ll need to switch to live shrimp as bait, as all of these fish find crustaceans delectable.

Drifting and digging in the deeper grass flats in calm areas of the bays also is producing action. Casting soft plastics on a jig head or small jig heads tipped with shrimp works well for spotted seatrout. This method of fishing also is productive for a number of other species, including pompano, jack crevalle and ladyfish.

Lastly, no matter how hard the wind is blowing, you can meander out on the Rod & Reel Pier and try your luck at sheepshead. These tasty fish are beginning to show at the pier and they can’t wait for you to dangle a plump shrimp or fiddler crab in front of their nose.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m targeting a variety of species depending on where the wind places me throughout our local waters.

On calmer days, getting into Tampa Bay is good for sheepshead. On windier days, trout fishing with DOA Cal jigs is putting a bend in the rod for my clients. Mixed in with the bite are ladyfi sh and a few

SPORTS FROM PAGe 24

Horseshoe news

The AMI Pitchers worked overtime this past week as they hosted their pitching friends from Trailer Estates in Bradenton.

The island pitchers won 25 of 40 matches played to avenge their 24-8 loss at Trailer Estates mobile home park in January.

Regular action Feb. 15 saw two teams advance to the knockout stage after posting 3-0 pool-play records. The team of Steve Doyle and Tom Skoloda ran away from John Yaroch and Adin Shank, earning a 21-5 victory and a trip to the winner’s circle.

Three teams advanced to the knockout stage Feb. 18. Bob Palmer and Bob Heiger drew the lucky bye into the fi nals and watched as Tim Sofran and Del Reese demolished Rod Bussey and Ron Gagnon 21-1. Sofran and Reese stayed hot in the finals and earned a 23-16 victory over Palmer and Heiger.

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

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome to compete.

Key Royale golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes

pompano.

On super windy days, I’m working the docks in

back at the dock Feb. 16, brothers Steve Koerner of Colorado, Mike, from Virginia, Jim of Texas and Greg, visiting from Illinois, show off some of the bounty from an inshore fishing trip, resulting in a tasty spotted seatrout dinner. They were guided to the fish using shrimp for bait by Capt. Warren Girle. The brothers gather annually year and share a fishing trip!

the canals and there’s plenty to catch.

For yet another week, Capt. Jason Stock reports great action while fishing offshore for African pompano. In depths of 100 feet or more, Stock putting clients on many of the exotic fish, which are weighing in at 20-30 pounds. Not only do these fish put up a heck of a fight but, on the dinner plate, they are considered a delicacy.

While targeting the APs, Stock is hooking into amberjack — equal in ferocity, but not as highly esteemed on the plate. Other catches offshore include mangrove snapper, yellowtail and vermilion snapper, as well as an ample amount of red grouper.

Sydnie NeVille at the Rod & Reel Pier says she’s seeing many sheepshead being reeled up throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are catching near limits of these tasty wintertime fish. In fact, NeVille says she’s even seeing limits of fish caught by some the pier regulars, those who have the bite dialed in.

While targeting sheepshead, pier anglers are hooking into an occasional redfish or black drum.

Beach got started Feb. 13 with the men’s weekly modified-Stableford system match. John Cassese, Mike Clements, Bill MacMillan and Wayne Patterson all carded plus-3s to share clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Brian Comer, Bill Koche, Kent Newbold, Ron Pfaff and Terry Tarras were all a point back in second.

The women switched things up for their Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day golf outing with a “playing with friends scramble.” The team of Leigh Brattain, Betsy Meyers, Jana Samuels and Brenda Soleveld combined on a 2-under-par 30 to take first place.

The team of Lisa Edmonds, Jenny Huibers, Sue Pierce and Terry Taylor were alone in second at evenpar 32. The team of Sue Christenson, Peggy Clauhs, Roxanne Koche and Connie Livanos tied the team of Anne Klein, Margrit Layh, Marilyn Niewyk and Mary Wilke for third at 3-over-par 35.

The members switched things up Feb. 16 with a combination scramble/shamble with the course modified to a par 46. The team of Mike Gillie, Dale Hudson, Clint Hurdle and Gary Risner combined on an even-par 46 to grab first place honors for the day. The team of Leigh Brittain, Larry Davis, John Kolojeski and Dave Richardson matched the 1-over-par 47 carded by Tony Donnelly, Mike Riddick, Nub Turner and Tom Young to tie for second place.

Fishers opting to use small jigs or silver spoons are hooking into Spanish mackerel on days when the bait schools are present.

Finally, evening hours around the pier show potential to catch a shark. A large bull shark is a recently reported catch — released unharmed — at the R&R.

Capt. Warren Girle is casting shrimp around docks that provide sanctuary from strong winds and, as a bonus, some nice catches — black drum, sheepshead, redfish and mangrove snapper are a few of the usual suspects. Moving out into the open waters of Sarasota Bay, Girle is using jigs tipped with shrimp to target pompano and trout. Both species are responding to the jig, with the spotted seatrout being the most frequent bite.

Capt. David White is working along the beaches with live shrimp as bait. As a result, he’s putting his clients on redfish, black drum, sheepshead and an occasional pompano.

For a more consistent bite on sheepshead, fishing wrecks, reefs and other structure is working well for White’s charters.

In the afternoons, when the waters on the fl ats are warmer, White is switching to live shiners as bait, Lending to seatrout and snook for the anglers onboard.

Send photos and reports to fish@islander.org.

Stasny

Geno Lynn of bradenton shows off a 21-inch sheepie he caught Feb. 15 while fishing with Capt. Danny Stasny of Just Reel Fishing Charters.

Play ball: Spring training to start Feb. 25 in Bradenton

The Pittsburgh Pirates are back in Bradenton.

The Major League Baseball team is scheduled to play 32 games, 16 of them at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.

It’s the 55th season for the Pirates in Bradenton and the 100th year of baseball in the city, where the St. Louis Cardinals began play in 1923.

Opening Day of the Pirates’ Grapefruit League season will be Saturday, Feb. 25, when the team hosts the Toronto Blue Jays.

Some other highlights on the schedule:

• March 2: The Pirates will host the New York Yankees for the first of two meets as part of a split squad that will also have the Bucs traveling to Dunedin

New De Soto Memorial superintendent named

The National Park Service Feb. 16 announced the selection of Joseph Brehm as the new superintendent of De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton.

Brehm will begin the assignment Feb. 26.

“I am really looking forward to serving as the superintendent of De Soto National Memorial and am excited to return to the Southeast,” Brehm said in a news release. “The staff at De Soto are a wonderful crew and I look forward to doing some great work together.”

The memorial recognizes the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto and the first extensive organized exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern United States, as well as tells the story of Native Americans already inhabiting southern Florida.

Brehm is a 28-year NPS veteran. Since 2015, he served as chief of interpretation at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in Philip, South Dakota.

He began his NPS career as a college student volunteering at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine. He said he looks forward to returning to Florida with his canine companion, Rocket, a papillon.

The national memorial is on the Manatee River at 8300 De Soto Memorial Highway, Bradenton.

— Lisa Neff

to face the Blue Jays.

• March 17: The Pirates will host the Rays on St. Patrick’s Day.

• March 23: The Pirates will host the Red Sox for the only time during the 2023 Grapefruit League campaign.

• March 25: The Pirates open the final weekend of the Grapefruit League season against the Baltimore Orioles.

• March 28: The 2023 spring training campaign will conclude with a home game against the Twins. The schedule is online at pirates.com/springtraining.

For more information, call 941-747-3031.

— Lisa Neff

Surfs up at Coquina Beach

Zosia Gorecki of Warsaw, Poland, watches as son Maks, 11, boogie boards Feb. 9 at Coquina beach in bradenton beach. Meanwhile, a seagull has an eye on the action. “This is a perfect day,” Gorecki said. Islander

Gabe bragg, 12, of Perico Island, and an officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission pose Feb. 8 on the Palma Sola Causeway, where the officer thanked Gabe for educating a visitor about the consequences of illegally harvesting a live lightning whelk, according to Gabe’s mom, Abigail bragg. bragg wrote, that the “FWC officer was made aware of Gabe’s efforts and walked the causeway to personally thank him for making tourists aware of legal action if they would have harvested the organism that was alive.” Islander Courtesy Photo

TideWatch

Red tide bloom remains

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis , was detected in the Gulf during the week ending Feb. 19.

In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at low to medium concentrations in Manatee County, including near the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and in Longboat Pass; background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County; and background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County.

There were reports of red-tide related fish kills and respiratory irritation from Manatee County.

For more information, go online to myfwc.com/ research/redtide/.

Photo: brook Morrison

brehm

by Lisa Neff

By Lisa Neff

Making waves

Let’s take a close look at seagrasses. Mapping results released Feb. 13 show between 2020 and 2022, seagrasses throughout Tampa Bay declined by 12% or 4,161 acres.

The mapping results — released by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Tampa Bay Estuary Program — provided some analysis of the findings:

• Tampa Bay has experienced seagrass losses for three consecutive mapping assessment periods — between 2016 and 2022.

address a number of proposals, including possible rule changes for fishing on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge piers to better protect brown pelicans.

The park — situated south of the Interstate-275 bridge spanning Tampa Bay — is one of the most popular fishing sites in the state, with two piers open 24 hours a day.

A graph from the Tampa bay estuary Program illustrates changes in seagrass growth in Tampa bay. Mapping results released by Swiftmud show Tampa bay harbors 30,137 acres of seagrass. between 2020 and 2022, seagrasses throughout the bay declined by 12% or 4,161 acres. Islander Courtesy Image

learn about water issues and meet with local experts.

An announcement said, “This program will use expert presentations, experiential learning, field experience in watershed science and communication skills training to foster a greater understanding of these interactions and provide the tools necessary to become stewards of our water resources.”

Neff

• The majority of losses occurred in the upper portions of the bay, which are more sensitive to freshwater inflow from rivers and stormwater runoff.

• Seagrass in Hillsborough Bay was down 428 acres or 51%.

• In Old Tampa Bay — where for several years there have been concerns about recurring summertime algae blooms and water clarity trends — seagrass was down 2,518 acres or 38%.

• The acreage estimates were based on imagery collected during the winter of 2021-22, after the emergency discharges of polluted wastewater from the defunct Piney Point phosphate plant and subsequent red tide bloom but prior to the passage of Hurricane Ian.

• Seagrass losses in Middle Tampa Bay were concentrated along the southeastern shore from Bishop Harbor to Apollo Beach, an area of particular interest for the coordinated environmental monitoring response following the Piney Point pollution discharges.

TBEP also noted some positives: Long-term nutrient loading to Tampa Bay continues to decline and, in 2022, water quality targets were met for all bay segments, indicating that bay waters were clear enough to support seagrass growth.

Protecting the pelicans

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was set to meet Feb. 21-22 in Jacksonville to

It’s also a popular spot for foraging, perching and roosting seabirds and severe entanglements in fishing gear “still occur in large numbers,” according to the FWC.

Potential new rules include:

• Prohibit use or possession of hook-and-line gear rigged with more than one hook;

• Prohibit multiple hooks, such as treble hooks;

• Limit anglers to possession of no more than three sets of hook-and-line fishing gear.

Those interested in the issue can follow the meeting on Twitter at @MyFWC and or on a web browser at thefloridachannel.org.

Becoming water stewards

The UF/IFAS Extension Services in Manatee and Sarasota counties are cohosting a seven-session program about water conservation and stewardship March 8-April 19.

Students will travel to locations in both counties to

The first program, 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, will be at the Robinson Preserve Expansion in west Bradenton.

The cost to register is $125 and scholarships exist.

For more information, contact Michael D’Imperio at mdimperio@ufl.edu or 941-861-9818.

Granting funds

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is calling on bay enthusiasts, environmentalists and community leaders in the greater bay watershed to submit proposals for a share of $100,000 in grant money.

A call for proposals read, “We want to encourage you to apply to our Bay Partners Grant Program. Funding is available for projects that focus on habitat restoration and water quality and bay-related environmental education and community stewardship.”

Applications are due Wednesday, March 1.

For details on eligibility, go to sarasotabay.org

“When it Comes to Buying or Selling Your Home, CALL ME FIRST!

30+

of experience work for you.”

ITEMS FOR SALE

RAbbIT HAbITAT: “Full Cheeks.” New, in box, split-level. 8 sf. $85. 941-704-5800.

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LAMP: LARGe CLeAR, blue, glass globe table lamp with shade. 2 feet, 8 inches tall. Width of shade, 16 inches. Text for pictures. 813-503-9364. $50.

SIX CAFe TAbLe chairs, $20 or six for $75. Pictures on request. 724-986-0314.

ANTIQUe PARTNeR DeSK: All wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes beach. 941-778-7978.

MORe ADS = more readers in The Islander

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

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 FEB. 22 PUZZLE

ITEMS FOR SALE Continued

VICTORIAN bAbY CARRIAGe: Wood/wicker, great photo or theater prop. benefits Moonracer Animal Rescue. For photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

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. email classifieds@islander. org, fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

bRIDGe AT ROSeR Church on Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Fridays starting in February. Call 314-324-5921, if interested.

WANT TO bUY old surveyors’ transit or level on wooden tripod. George, 941-387-0457.

GARAGE SALES

MOVING SALe! 9 a.m.-noon, Friday, Feb. 24. Glassware, tools, some furniture, all must go! 708 Fern St., Anna Maria.

HOLMeS beACH KeY Royale neighborhood 11th annual yard sale event! 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Follow Key Royale Drive to multiple canal homes with top notch goods!

ANNUAL FLeA MARKeT: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Appliances (large and small). Furniture, clothing, sports equipment, jewelry, linens, books, bikes. Palma Sola Harbour condos, 9400 Cortez Road W., bradenton.

LOST & FOUND

LOST IPHONe: LOST/misplaced my Apple iPhone, blue cover, Saturday at Cortez Fishing festival. Tony, 863-214-3886.

PETS

HeLP ReSCUeD PeTS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CART ReNTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.

2021 ICON i40f LSV golf cart. All four seats face forward. Can be a six-seater. 48v distance package. bluetooth with speakers. Golf bag attachment with cooler. 404-8197110.

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.

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $15 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

PART/TIMe bOOKKeePeR: Local remodeling company. Quickbooks expert, construction experience helpful. email resume to jobs@coastalife.com

HELP WANTED

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.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

bUSINeSS OPPORTUNITY: 30-year successful island business, owner ready to sell for health reasons. Secure lease. Serious inquiries: biz Op, P.O. box 145, Anna Maria FL 34216.

HEALTH CARE

PRIVATe DUTY: 25 YeARS of experience. The abilities and skills for any medical position. Please, contact 941-567-8499.

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.

PROFeSSIONAL WINDOW CLeANING: Residential, commercial, Free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-852-6163.

HANGIN’ ON AMI: We hang artwork, mirrors, TVs, etc. Furniture assembly, island lightscapes and security, landscape lighting and home security installation. Quality service by island residents. Free quotes. 941-720-3126. hanginonami@gmail.com

AIRPORT RIDeS: SARASOTA, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

PARADISe PeT CARe: Pet specialist. Walking, sitting, vet visits. Training and love. Jason, 908-720-1688.

bUSINeSS-TO-bUSINeSS JD’s Window

Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

SERVICES Continued

be ACH S e RVIC e 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, 941-795-7411. CAC184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNIe’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

b ARN e S LAWN AND Landscape LLC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COLLINS LANDSCAPe LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

SeARAY SPRINKLeR SeRVICeS. Repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments. 941-920-0775.

SH e LL D e LIV e R e D AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

MP LAWN MAINTeNANCe now accepting new clients. Call Dante, 941-730-9199.

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 HOM e IMPROV e M e NTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

bLINDS, SHUTTeRS, SHADeS: Motorization. 30 years on AMI. Call Keith b arnett, barnett blinds, 941-730-0516.

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.

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.

SARASOTA INT e RIOR PAINTING: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Instagram: SarasotaInteriorPainting.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

DONALD P e RKINS’ A b RACADA b RA Painting LLC. Interior/exterior. 30 years of experience. 941-705-7096.

SOUTHWeST HOMe IMPROVeMeNT: Michigan builder, quality work guaranteed. Affordable, timely, within budget. Call Mike’s cell: 1-616-204-8822.

RENTALS

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

2bR/2bA CONDOMINIUM ACROSS street from Holmes beach, pool, hot tub, garage. Available Feb. 4-18. $1,800. 901-3311845.

P e RICO ISLAND PATIO home for rent. 3bR/2bA. two-car garage, fully renovated. 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/gate, 2 miles to AMI. #bluerockingchair Instagram/ Fb. 859-771-6423.

CONDO FOR ReNT: June through October. 3bR/2bA. Perico bay Club. Two-month minimum. Community pool and hot tub. One mile from Anna Maria Island. Call Dave at 856495-7200 for details.

be AUTIFULLY FURNISH e D, ANNUAL rental in b each 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 first and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Call Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 Gulf Drive, Holmes beach, FL 34217.

S e ASONAL R e NTAL: AVAILA b L e AprilDecember. Across from bay, 2 miles from beaches, fully furnished, laundry, all utilities. 941-773-1552.

MARCH CANCeLLATION! 3bR/2.5bA elevated home across the street from the beach on the north end of Anna Maria. Month of March, $6,200 plus fees. Green Real estate, 941-778-0455.

2024 SeASONAL ReNTAL: Just one block from the beach, Single-story 2 b R/2 b A, screened patio, private backyard. No smoking/no pets. Holmes beach. Call 813-8334926.

ANNUAL: 1,800sf, 3bR/2bA double carport. Five minutes to beaches. $2,200/month plus utilities. 440-813-8217.

MONTHLY S e ASONAL R e NTAL: 55-plus community. beach across street. 2bR/2bA. $7,200/month. 941-226-4008. A must see!

WATeRFRONT ANNUAL ReNTAL on prestigious Key Royale 2 b R/2 b A, pool, boat lift, two-car garage, completely renovated. $8,000 per month, pets OK. Available April 20. Call 941-704-7336

LOOKING FOR AN eARLY bIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FRee!

RENTALS Continued

GULFFRONT HOM e : HOLM e S b each. 4 b R/4 b A, heated pool. Available January, February, March 2024. Call or text Steve bark, 941-720-3200. bark & Company Realty.

FOR R e NT: HOLM e S b each.

2 b R/2 b R bungalow (half duplex) Five-minute walk to beach. Quiet and private area, no stairs. No animals, please. One parking spot. $2,100/month, first and last required. Available May 1. Looking for yearround tenant. Price negotiable for someone willing to look after grounds. Contact Paul, 519-807-9426. pkelly333333@ hotmail.com

2 b R/2 b A CONDO FOR R e NT for March and April in west bradenton. All-inclusive at $2,500 per month. Contact Suzanne, 941962-0971, text or vm.

REAL ESTATE

WINNI e MCHAL e , R e ALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

FOR SALe: 1/4 ACRe waterfront lot: Dock and boat lift. 2520 Riverside Drive, east bradenton. 917-860-1917.

MORe bANG FOR YOUR bUCK? It’s an old saying, but it’s still true when it comes to The Islander. Look for more online at islander. org.

isl biz

French fare ‘est arrivé’

The aromas, flavors and sounds of France have arrived in Holmes Beach.

Laura and Vince Bacon had a vision to bring authentic French cuisine — the sort of fare they enjoyed for many years in Brittany and Orleans in France.

It was a long wait but La Crêperie opened Feb. 2, nearly two years of developing the restaurant from a bare shell in the Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza in Holmes Beach.

The restaurant is a stone’s throw from Walgreens and adjacent to Graze Street AMI.

Laura Bacon left a job in insurance and banking, while husband Vince, a 10-year French special forces veteran, gave up his uniform for a chef’s toque.

Lending a hand at the restaurant are Laura’s mom, Lynn, and dad, Jean Pierre Cloarec, who have been coming to AMI for 10 years. They help at the restaurant while also running Croissant and Co., a French bakery in Venice.

Also pitching in for a true family affair: Laura’s brother Benjamin Cloarec and his wife, Gwladys, are helping out due to staff shortages since the opening.

The Bacons have overcome some hurdles in opening the restaurant, including the coronavirus pandemic and a travel ban that was enacted just when they started

Mike Norman Realty

to make their move in 2020.

They were paying rent in the States but were held over in France during the COVID-19 travel ban.

Persistence is what kept the dream alive.

“We wanted to bring the flavors we loved — Breton crepes and pastries — to Anna Maria,” said Laura Bacon.

On the menu: Savory crepes, including the “Classique,” ham and Swiss cheese; Normandy, with sauteed apple, brie, walnuts and Swiss cheese; Vegetarienne; and Norvegienne — with smoked salmon, cream cheese and lemon, as well as many more. There also are a variety of quiches and omelettes.

On the sweet side of the crepe menu, who could resist crepes with strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream?

And, not to be overlooked among the other fare, mom’s butter shortbread cake.

The menu also includes salads, waffles and ice cream sundaes, espresso, cappuccino, fresh cold drinks and much more.

La Crêperie serves breakfast and lunch, 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, at 3216 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.

— bonner Joy

800-367-1617 | 941-778-6696

Once Upon A Beach

Thursday, Feb. 23

La Crêperie is serving breakfast and lunch, al fresco or in a light, bright dining room.

5-7 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce business-card exchange and “meet the directors” opportunity, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541.

Monday, Feb. 27

7:30 a.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce Pancakes and Politics, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-4842.

SAVE THE DATES

March 9, AMI Chamber networking lunch, Annie’s Bait and Tackle, Cortez.

March 15, Manatee Chamber Headliner’s Luncheon on tourism, Pier 22, Bradenton.

March 28, Manatee Chamber Day at the Ballpark, LECOM Park, Bradenton.

May 12, AMI Chamber Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, Bradenton.

Thinking about what is best for your rental property? If so, choose QUALITY over quantity, and get in touch with us!

BizCal Compiled by Lisa Neff THIS WEEK

The bacon family — Vince, left, Louis, 8, Theo, 13, Gabin, 4, and Laura — at their new eaterie, La Crêperie, in the Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza, 3216 e. bay Drive, Holmes beach. Islander Courtesy Photo

Islander

Photo: bonner Joy

An honor to serve

Cheesecake Cutie posted a customer photo on Facebook in February that caught our eye. According to Facebook, Cutie had the “utmost privilege and pleasure” to welcome a 97-year old World War II U.S. Marine veteran Anthony Mottola and partner Lois from Cortez. Cheesecake Cutie owner Jennifer Geils said, “I got more likes on that post than I do followers, the most comments ever and shares. It was so beautiful to see that people were honoring him — as it should be!” The restaurant/bakery is in the Anna Maria Island Centre, 3324 e. bay Drive, Holmes beach. Islander Photo: Courtesy Jennifer Geils

PERICO BAY CLUB – AS GOOD AS IT

Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe you’re new in business or your staff deserves kudos. Submit your info to news@ islander.org.

RENOVATED HOME JUST STEPS TO BEACH

Walk to the beach from this gorgeous, recently renovated 3BR/2BA home offering an open floor plan, updated kitchen, new flooring and updated baths. Two spacious bedrooms on the main floor and large master suite with private balcony encompasses top floor. A screened porch and shady poolside patio add to entertaining space, gorgeous turnkey furnishings. Great backyard with tropical landscaping and beautiful heated pool. Plenty of parking. $1,950,000

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HOLLYWOOD REMAKES

BY JEREMY NEWTON / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

BREAKING NEWS, E-EDITION, FACEBOOK & TWITTER. THE ISLANDER HAS IT ALL.