The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, March 01, 2023

astheworldterns 6

Q&A 030123 3

anna Maria steps up for Pine ave. sidewalks. 4

Meetings 4

Opinions 6-7

10-20 YeArs Ago

Looking back. 7

digging into the job in BB. 8

RoadWatch 8

cortez bridge-challengers press on. 9

utilities undergrounding in BB. 9

Save the date. 10-11

AMI Happenings

announcements. 10-12

attention scholars. 13

Gathering. 14

Obituaries 15

GoodDeeds 15

Where’s Tuna Street? 16-17

NYT puzzle 18

hB vacation rental owner fined. 20

Streetlife 20

Cops & Courts 21

fWc proposes changes to Skyway fishing regs. 22

Krc golfer swings for hole-in-one. 24

Warming waters, hot fishing. 25

Session ahead. 27

CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29

Isl Biz: 30

the islander archive, dating to November 1992, is at the university of florida digital Newspaper collection: ufdc.ufl.edu.

All in for a rescue

Neighborhood, business, utility rally in effort to rescue 2 gulls entangled in fishing line, snagged on wires

a crew with duncan Seawall, dock and Boat Lift positions a utility truck feb. 20 under power lines in the 600 block of dundee Lane in holmes Beach, seeking to rescue two gulls entangled in fishing line. resident fran derr, who observed and photographed the rescue efforts, told the islander the duncan team removed one gull from the line. florida Power & Light was called to help rescue the other.

Pines park offered to HoA

Bryan Seinfeld examines a gull after performing a rescue from his florida Power & Light truck. “he was able to get the remaining second seagull down from the electric power line,” resident fran derr told the islander. “he wrapped the bird in a cloth because the bird was very frightened and kicking. Bryan then proceeded to try and cut away the heavy-duty fishing line the bird was tangled up in.”

frank Booth of Bradenton Beach-based Wildlife rescue inc. assists with a wildlife rescue in the 600 block of dundee Lane in holmes Beach. Booth performed a type of cPr on a gull. “unfortunately,” resident fran derr told the islander, “the seagull did not make it. the bird was hanging from the wires much too long, tangled in heavy-duty fish line.” for more, go to page 22. islander Photos: courtesy fran derr

church restricts spring break parking

By ryan Paice islander reporter

One bad apple can ruin the bunch.

Notices at the Pines trailer Park clubhouse, 103 church ave., Bradenton Beach, announce hoa meetings based on a Jan. 25 offer from the owner, Jackson Partnership, the corporate entity for William and richard Jackson, both of Sarasota, to sell the park to the hoa for $16 million, according to residents. the posted letter states that after the meeting, “the board will have the opportunity to consider and execute a contract to buy the park.” a board member said feb. 24 the matter remained confidential until at least feb. 27. for more, see page 2. islander Photos: robert anderson

Just like how one night of “disrespectful” and “belligerent” behavior led to the temporary limitation of public parking at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, according to the Rev. Ed Moss.

Moss told The Islander Feb. 22 the change was made after a Feb. 17 incident involving a large number of young people in the church lot.

He said some of the youths parked at the church that night left litter in the lot and in neighbors’ yards, were loud after quiet hours and disrespectful when confronted.

“Some of them have to show off to each other and a part of that is yelling and screaming and acting a fool,” Moss said. “It makes it scary for the neighbors.”

Holmes Beach police found a gathering of more than 100 youngsters on a nearby beach that night, including some who had been drinking alcohol, according to an incident report.

HBPD made one arrest when a juvenile who was holding a beer bottle resisted law

annamaria.com

Pines mobile home park owners proffer $16M sale to HOA

By robert anderson islander reporter

The clock is ticking on the future of a bayside community in Bradenton Beach.

Homeowners in the Pines Trailer Park, 103 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, must decide: Will they buy the park?

The Jackson Partnership LLLP of Bradenton, which lists Richard and William Jackson as partners, owns the land-lease community. In this case, the land lease allows the owner of the mobile home to lease the land where the home is situated. The most common land-lease communities are manufactured home communities.

The partnership made the homeowners association an offer Jan. 25 to buy the park for $16 million, according to some residents.

The offer triggered a time clock — 45 days — for the HOA to act.

Equally divided, the 87 homeowners would be looking at an investment of $183, 908.04 each.

As of Feb. 27, the HOA had held several meetings and the HOA members were unanimous in support of the buyout, according to residents.

The Florida Mobile Home Act, statute 723, requires that an owner of a mobile home park notify officers of the homeowners association stating the price and any terms or conditions of a proposed sale and that the homeowners through the HOA have the right to purchase the park.

At the end of 45 days, if no offer is made by the HOA, the park owner can entertain other offers.

In this case, there was no outside offer but an intent to sell, according to a former board member who spoke with The Islander.

A letter posted by the Pines Park HOA board of directors at the clubhouse said the meeting would be for informational purposes only and that no official decision would be made.

However, the notice concluded that the HOA board

would convene after the general meeting to consider and execute a contract to buy the park.

No announcement had been made as to the HOA board’s decision as of noon Feb. 27.

Some other parks in the area — including the Sandpiper Mobile Resort, 2601 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, and Cortez Park Co-op, 12507 Cortez Road W., Cortez — have been purchased by homeowners.

The Pines park, situated on the bay at the west end of Bridge Street, north of the Historic Bridge Street Pier, dates to the 1930s, when it was used as a campsite by families in a traveling circus, according to Mayor John Chappie

In recent years, with increased tourism and skyrocketing property values, such a property, at 2.785 acres, could attract developers.

Chappie told The Islander Feb. 23 that the mobile home parks are unique parts of the city’s community.

“It’s sad when these changes happen,” he said. “This is our home, our community. The Pines is a major part of what makes Bradenton Beach unique. Like most people, I don’t like this change.”

the Pines trailer Park at church avenue and Bridge Street in february 2017 hosts a communitywide yard sale and lunch, serving sloppy Joes, hot dogs and pies by the slice in the clubhouse and offering every manner of kitchen appliance, knickknacks and treasures for sale by the residents on the narrow streets in the residential park. islander file Photo

the 87-unit Pines trailer Park borders church avenue, Bridge Street, Second avenue North and Sarasota Bay. islander Photo: courtesy Mc Property appraiser website

parking coNtiNued froM Page 1

enforcement without violence.

Moss said the church did not want its neighbors to be negatively impacted by people parking at CrossPointe.

“Folks didn’t sign up for this to be the public beach,” Moss said. “If it was about us, we’d leave it wide open, but it’s not. It’s about our neighbors.”

As a result of the incident, Moss said he spoke with Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, as well as the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, about options for the parking lot, situated at the border for the two cities.

Moss said the MCSO, which polices Anna Maria, suggested the church limit parking through spring break, which ends in late April.

Moss agreed, saying public parking at the church would be shut down or mostly closed Fridays-Sundays until the end of spring break.

Barricades blocked the parking lot’s entrance Feb. 24 with an attached sign that read, “Due to the high volume of disrespect for our neighbors parking is limited.”

Moss said, “It isn’t that complicated: Show respect. It’s a quiet community, be quiet.”

He encouraged people to call him at 941-778-0719 to provide feedback about parking at the church.

Titsworth told The Islander Feb. 22 that she was

Celebrating spring break

Island families: Planning to staycation or awaycation during spring break?

The Islander welcomes photographs of your holiday activities.

Please, email photographs, along with details, to news@islander.org.

The Manatee County School District’s holiday will be March 13-17, but a March 10 record day with no class for students kicks off the spring break.

concerned such an incident would discourage other churches and island businesses from opening their lots to beach parking.

But she also said the incident was an example of how beach parking negatively impacts residents when allowed in a residential area.

“They are residing next to a church, not a public beach parking lot,” Titsworth said. “It’s just another reason that parking needs to be more focused at these public beaches.”

Murphy, in a Feb. 24 email to The Islander, wrote that the incident was an outlier.

“I believe this incident was an anomaly caused by some unruly students from Hillsborough County. When issues such as these arise, law enforcement needs to be notified immediately,” Murphy wrote.

MCSO Lt. Louis Licata, in a Feb. 24 email to The Islander, wrote that the MCSO has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and other criminal acts on the island during spring break.

Q&A 030123

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

a sign cautions would-be parkers feb. 24 near crossPointe fellowship, 8605 gulf drive, holmes Beach: “due to the high volume of disrespect for our neighbors parking is limited.” islander

By Lisa Neff

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

21%. Elvis Presley.

17%. ABBA.

20%. Motown.

25%. Queen.

17%. Other.

This week’s question

About the construction around Gulf and Maria drives in Holmes Beach…

A. It doesn’t bother me.

B. It slows me but I must drive on.

C. It makes me adjust my schedule.

D. It keeps me away.

E. It’s no problem. I don’t drive.

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

Photo: ryan Paice

Why not dream big?

Maybe a decade or more ago, a former Islander staff member was hired as the manager at the Pines Trailer Park after a stint as a deputy clerk at Bradenton Beach City Hall.

Janice Dingman was a great “old school bookkeeper,” who often returned to help out at The Islander, until husband Billy retired and they moved to a similar community in South Carolina.

I think it was during her time at the Pines that the park passed from the owner to his sons, and Janice remarked that they were happy enough with the rental income, and that they weren’t likely to sell for a lump sum. She felt secure there.

And then there’s my good friend Doris Silverthorn, who spent many years in Bradenton Beach — her late husband Phil was chief of police for many years — and her recollections of the Pines Trailer Park.

She retired with Phil to North Carolina but we stay connected on social media.

“Sure I remember — started during the Depression — early 1930s” — when the foundry where her dad worked closed in the winter months, and the family traveled to Pines Park.

“We camped there in the ’30s and into 1940. I have a picture of me and another kid waiting for the bus to take us to school in Anna Maria.”

She recalled this week that there were quite a few tents, some “house trailers” and a good time. “We had a tent that mom, dad and I slept in, dressed in.”

She said her dad had built a kitchen of sorts in the drop down back of a box trailer and “grandma and grandpa slept in the trailer.”

And when it rained, the family trotted over to the Monroe cottage for shelter from the storm.

The memories at the Pines Park are many but the owners now appear ready to cash in their chips.

We wait this week to find out its fate. If the HOA can muster the unit owners to invest in the park, life will continue as we know it — although the resale prices for units with shares will skyrocket.

If not, if the HOA can’t fly a deal to buy the land, the park is likely to go on the market, and who knows what an investor or developer might envision for 2.785 acres of waterfront land.

Then again, we could only hope the city and its community redevelopment association would take swift action, reach deep into the government coffers and cut a deal to purchase and “Save the Pines.”

They could be saving the city in the process.

You gotta dream big, right?

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Action needed

Rather than wait for the Florida Legislature to undermine Holmes Beach home rule and zoning regulations, the city needs to go on offense.

I have suggested the city commission show what a parking garage would look like and operate on the existing surface parking lot at the Manatee Public Beach.

The 450-space four-story Selby Gardens garage in Sarasota would be a good comparable.

Skimming online

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▼ 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

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(All others: news@islander.org)

The point of such an exercise would be to demonstrate that a parking garage in Holmes Beach would largely displace existing parking and add little if any parking to the existing beach lot.

There are many other disadvantages to a garage, including creating impervious surface of at least an acre and a half of land and circulation congestion.

No one wants to see an intrusive concrete urban garage on a beach.

Don’t react.

Act.

Larry Grossman, Bradenton

Sunset walk interrupted

My husband and i are here on vacation. We went for a sunset walk feb. 21 on the gulf beach and were horrified to find thousands of dead fish all the way from Magnolia avenue in anna Maria into holmes Beach. We didn’t know what was happening at first. then a fisherman filled us in on the red tide bloom. We were coughing and sneezing and so went home to close the house. — amanda trosten-Bloom, golden, colorado.

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Beach blast

aBoVe: Beachgoers play volleyball at the endless Summer Beach games hosted by the Sandbar restaurant in anna Maria. the restaurant hosted the event to benefit the anna Maria island community center. islander Photos: courtesy Manatee county Public Library archives

Left: a beachgoer participates in the barrel roll at the endless Summer Beach games hosted in august 1993 by the Sandbar restaurant in anna Maria to benefit the anna Maria island community center, now known as the center of anna Maria island.

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10&20 years ago

From the Feb. 26, 2003, issue

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection told owners of the Perico Harbor Marina that the state could not recommend an application to dredge 7.47 acres of bottomland at the marina entrance to create 188 slips. The DEP said the project was not in the best interest of the public or the Florida manatee.

• The body of Cortez fisher Craig “Dutch” Lutz was found in the Gulf of Mexico off Lido Key by a search team from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez. A spokesperson said Lutz told friends he was going crabbing. He was three hours overdue when the Coast Guard was contacted.

• Manatee County administrator Ernie Padgett rejected a plea by island cities and veterans to erect a flagpole at Leffis Key in Bradenton Beach. Padgett preferred a nearby location to the one veterans selected after the Audubon Society said the flagpole would disturb birds at the preserve.

From the Feb. 27, 2013, issue

• Retired Holmes Beach Police Chief Jay Romine was recognized with a standing ovation by more than 250 guests at his retirement party. Romine was roasted, toasted and honored.

• Holmes Beach commissioners said they wanted to see sprinklers required in three-story duplexes after hearing a report from the city’s building official.

• Two days of music, food, arts and more were being finalized for the sixth annual Island Cityfest, a Holmes Beach Founders Day Celebration presented by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and the city of Holmes Beach.

— Lisa Neff

Print Your Own Memories

Digging into the job slows traffic in Bradenton Beach

the view feb. 20 looking south along gulf drive at cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. construction by Woodruff & Sons for a $7.1 million county project includes the replacement of gravity sewer lines from Sixth to 13th streets south. the scheduled completion date is July 2024 for the project, which is funded under the county’s capital improvement plan. islander Photos: robert anderson

a crew from Woodruff & Sons removes boulders on gulf drive near cortez Beach. Boulders were placed years ago to mediate damage from wind and water. the beach parking lot now is being shared by beachgoers and workers for the construction project but Manatee county opened an overflow parking lot at the south end of coquina Beach to provide 140 spaces to beachgoers.

orange construction fencing feb. 20 separates beachgoers from construction equipment at cortez Beach. People exiting and entering the beach are encouraged to use a multiuse trail to avoid construction at the cortez Beach parking area. as of feb. 20, construction crews were beginning the trenching process near cortez Beach along gulf drive.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

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

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

• Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach: 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.

traffic feb. 23 creeps past construction along gulf drive South near cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. congestion is expected to intensify over the next couple of months, as the spring tourist season builds and the construction work ramps up. crews will be cutting trenches across gulf drive South to accommodate piping for new sewer lines. the Manatee county project involves the replacement of gravity sewer lines between Sixth and 13th streets south. the $7.1 million project is scheduled to be completed in July 2024 and is funded under the Manatee county capital improvement plan. islander Photo: robert anderson

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

— Lisa Neff

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Cortez megabridge-challengers push on, plan appeal

By robert anderson islander reporter

The Cortez bridge-fighters aren’t done battling.

They plan this month to appeal a federal ruling that favored the Florida Department of Transportation and its push to build a high, fi xed-span bridge between Cortez on the mainland and Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island.

The opposition to the DOT bridge replacement plan, which dates at least to March 2020, includes former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash, former county commissioner and Cortez resident Jane von Hahmann and Cortez residents Linda Molto and Joe Kane.

And McClash told The Islander Feb. 24 that the challenge will continue through this year, even as the DOT readies to build the new bridge.

The group, he said, has an appeal brief due this month.

“The initial brief is an argument as to why we feel the judge’s order was wrong and why we feel we

should be given a chance to have the order corrected,” McClash told The Islander.

Last August, Anthony Porcelli of the U.S. District Court of Florida, ruled in favor of the DOT’s plan, finding that “while some community members, including plaintiffs, expressed opposition to the adoption of the 65-foot-high fixed-bridge alternative, such opposition does not render FDOT’s decision arbitrary or capricious.”

Porcelli continued, “The administrative record makes clear, FDOT expended great time and effort, including inter-agency collaboration, review of years’ worth of bridge inspection reports, public hearings, and conducting an engineering analysis and environmental studies, in determining whether the 65-foot high-level fi xed-bridge alternative would pose any significant impacts.”

But McClash told The Islander, “One of the primary reasons we feel the judge got it wrong is because there were no facts that the DOT had in the record to support the judge’s decision.

“A good example is the flood study that the DOT had to do. The study only had one sentence in it that said that the bridge wouldn’t cause any signifi cant environmental impact but there was nothing to back

up that statement, just a sentence that was added to the report by the consultant.”

The challengers are advocating construction of a 35-foot-clearance drawbridge and contend the DOT’s 65-foot bridge, which would require retaining walls extending about 700 feet into Cortez, would destroy the character of the historic fishing community.

The DOT maintains a high bridge spanning the Intracoastal Waterway would cost less to build than a drawbridge and is the best use of taxpayer dollars.

The fixed-span bridge would cost $72.17 million compared to $95.76 million for the drawbridge, a savings of $23.5 million according to the DOT.

The 65-foot option would save $11.2 million in operational and maintenance costs, according to DOT.

McClash said after the challengers file, the state would have 45 days to respond to the brief.

“I would say we are at least 6-9 months away from having an appellate decision on this,” McClash said. “It’s not a done deal yet. So there’s hope for people who want to keep the character of the community from being overrun by a megabridge.”

A Feb. 23 email sent to the DOT asking for comment had no reply as of Islander press time.

Crews start new phase of Bradenton Beach buried utilities

By robert anderson islander reporter

Power to the people.

Bradenton Beach residents along Bay Drive South can expect to see some construction outside their doors over the next six months as crews work on utilities undergrounding in the area.

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is undergrounding utilities along Third, Fourth, Fifth streets south and Bay Drive South between Fourth and Fifth.

The work, under contract with JM Underground Utilities, will cost $436,995 and represents the final phase of utilities undergrounding to be completed in the CRA district.

The undergrounding of utilities makes power lines less susceptible to outages during extreme weather events, according to the CRA.

City attorney Ricinda Perry, who is supervising the project, wrote in a Feb. 23 email to The Islander that JM had nearly completed initial drilling on Fourth, Fifth Streets and Bay Drive South. Third Street South would be completed in the coming week.

“All drilling should be complete by next week. We are still waiting on Florida Power and Light to deliver the rest of the materials. Upon receipt of them, JM Underground Utilities will set all the pads and equipment,” Perry wrote. “Wires get pulled after that.”

The focus then will shift to converting or transferring services from overhead to underground and making sure each structure in the project is online.

Once the conversions are complete, above-ground

Ready for tourist season?

Is your business ready for the high season on AMI? Improve your odds of success with The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking to shop and dine, as well as indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.

line and pole removal will occur, with completion of the project scheduled for July.

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

About the CRA

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

The CRA 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 seven-member CRA includes the mayor, city commissioners and a business and residential representative.

The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

crews from JM underground utilities drill underground pathways feb. 23 for the utility conduit — and, above right — run conduit along fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach. islander Photos: robert anderson

Mcclash von hahmann

compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK ON AMI

Wednesday, March 1

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

Saturday, March 4

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Holmes Beach Arts & Crafts Show, city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 231-3508277.

Sunday, March 5

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Holmes Beach Arts & Crafts Show, city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 231-3508277.

Wednesday, March 8

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

6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout March, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s exhibit featuring watercolors by Sharon Tarras, Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

Through March 10, Island Gallery West’s exhibit featuring work by Terri Westbrook, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648.

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

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.

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.

Island happenings

Library’s Friends host jewelry sale March 9-11

The Friends of the Island Library will celebrate a gem — the island library — with a jewelry sale March 9-11.

The support group at the Holmes Beach library traditionally has held a used book sale but due to the lack of storage for books, the friends instead planned a jewelry sale.

For months the volunteers gathered donations of jewelry, with the library serving as a drop-off for donated earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches and more.

The sale will be at the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Plans include:

• Thursday, March 9, 3-7 p.m., presale for members of the Friends of the Island Library;

• Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., general sale;

• Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., general sale.

An announcement said shoppers would find “hundreds of items, most priced under $5.”

The library is at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the library at 941778-6341.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch 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 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 17, Main Street Live St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Bradenton.

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. April 22, Main Street Live’s Spring Fling, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

ON AMI

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.

Friday, March 3

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

Saturday, March 4

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

Tuesday, March 7

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

Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

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.

Through May 21, Mote Marine Aquarium’s “Voyage to the Deep” exhibit, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441.

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 & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, March 2

10:30 a.m. — Bishop Museum of Science and Nature workshop, “Manatees and their Environment,” Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

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

Saturday, March 4

10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Ask A Master Gardener, 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. Information: 941-3836493.

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 20, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting, Holmes Beach.

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.

April 17, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting, Holmes Beach.

April 21, Anna Maria Island Garden Club lunch and meeting, Anna Maria.

OUTDOORS & SPORTS

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

Through 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.

April 15, Tax Day.

April 22, Earth Day.

May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

May 14, Mother’s Day.

May 20, Armed Forces Day.

May 29, Memorial Day.

GET LISTED!

Please, send listings and Island Happenings announcements to calendar@islander.org. Remember to include a phone number.

Art league’s Springfest celebration set for city field

The 35th annual Springfest Festival of Fine Arts & Fine Crafts will take place this month at city field in Holmes Beach.

The event will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 18, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 19, on the field in the 5800 and 5900 blocks of Marina Drive.

The Anna Maria Island Art League organizes the event, which features free admission to see juried work by artists and craftspeople, as well as experience live music, including a Saturday performance by Koko Ray and his band.

Festivalgoers also will find food and beverage vendors and a raffle of artwork donated by some of the Springfest exhibitors — a traditional highlight at the event. Tickets cost $1 each or $5 for six and winners need not be present.

Springfest is the major fundraiser for AMIAL, a nonprofit that promotes the arts across the island and provides scholarships.

For more information, call AMIAL at 941-7782099 or go online to islandartleague.org.

St. Pat parade in the plans

Islanders are in luck: A St. Patrick’s Day parade is in the plans.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an Anna Maria Island tradition, organized this year by the Center of Anna Maria Island, will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12, beginning at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Parade entries will line up on Flotilla Drive, facing south.

They’ll travel from Flotilla to 58th Street to Marina Drive, Palm Drive and Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.

The route continues north on Gulf Drive in Anna Maria, turning east on Pine Avenue to Tarpon Street and then Magnolia Avenue, ending at the community center.

The cost to enter the parade is $150 for business organizations, $50 for a business vehicle and $10 for a golf cart or personal vehicle.

There is no fee for nonprofits.

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

Crafts show set for city field

Blue Ribbon Events will bring an arts and crafts show to Holmes Beach’s city field March 4-5.

Hours for the weekend event will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

City field is north of Holmes Beach City Hall in the 5800 block of Marina Drive.

The event will showcase metals, paintings, yard art, jewelry, fashion accessories, bath and body products and more.

Admission is free.

The show is the last for the 2022-23 season.

For more information, call Blue Ribbon at 231350-8277.

the Lion rampant Pipe and drum of Sarasota marches on in the island’s 2022 St. Patrick’s day parade. this year’s parade will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12. islander file Photo: ryan Paice

Kiwanis to meet at BB city hall

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, March 4, will feature remarks by chiropractor Ronald Gilbert, talking about wound care, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

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

Off Stage Ladies to lunch

The Off Stage Ladies, an auxiliary of the Island Players, will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Cipriano Cucina and Bar, 3561 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton.

The event will feature vendors displaying crafts, who will donate 20% of their proceeds to Off Stage Ladies.

The group meets the second Wednesday of the month October-May.

The cost to join the group is $20.

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

Community center to host ‘sip by sip’ tasting

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host “Portugal Uncorked: A Sip by Sip Tasting” 4:30-6:30 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.

Island happenings

the “Voyage of the deep” exhibition at Mote Marine aquarium in Sarasota was created and developed by the australian National Maritime Museum, an australian government entity. the touring exhibit is managed by flying fish. islander

Mote invites: Take a ‘Voyage to the Deep’ on City Island

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium opened a Jules Verne-inspired “Voyage to the Deep” exhibition in February.

The interactive exhibition will be on display at the aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota, until May 21.

The exhibit is based on Verne’s 1870 novel, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and, according to a news release, it brings to life the deep-sea adventures of Capt. Nemo, his fantastical Nautilus submarine and the mythical world he inhabited.

In the exhibit, guests can climb aboard and explore the five-part interactive Nautilus submarine, which includes a bridge, control room, salon, living quarters and engine room.

Hey sports fans the Pittsburgh Pirates are marking their 55th season in Bradenton. also, the season marks the 100th year of pro baseball in Bradenton. Share memories of Major Leaguers on aMi. email lisa@islander.org.

And through a collection of settings and props, guests can imagine they are submarine captains taking up the controls at the helm, peering through the periscopes, cranking the propeller, testing out the bunks and exploring Nemo’s “Cabinet of Curiosities” full of wonderful marine specimens.

The “Voyage of the Deep” exhibition was created and developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum and is managed by Flying Fish.

The exhibit is supported in part by Sarasota County tourist development tax revenues.

For more information, including admission fees and aquarium hours, go online to mote.org/voyage.

To contact Mote, call 941-388-4441.

— Lisa Neff

Players to open ‘The 39 Steps’ March 9

Sundays at 2 p.m. The theater is dark Mondays.

The scene is being set for the Island Players to bring Patrick Barlow’s zany thriller “The 39 Steps” to the Anna Maria theater March 9-26.

The comedy parodies the John Buchan novel and the Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name, with added references to other classic Hitchcock cinema, including “Strangers on a Train,” “Rear Window,” “Psycho,” “Vertigo” and “North by Northwest.”

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

The cast includes Colin Brady, Sylvia Marnie, Mark Shoemaker and Joseph Smith.

Performances will take place Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and

The box offi ce is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday, as well as an hour before performances.

Tickets at the box office cost $25. Online, they cost $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 “How the Other Half Loves” 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, call the box offi ce at 941-778-5755.

Photo: Mote Marine Laboratory

Island Players theater group offers college scholarships

The Island Players community theater group will award four $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Manatee County.

Applicants must be planning to pursue higher education in the arts — dance, music, theater — according to the release.

Students will find applications at theislandplayers. org.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 14.

For more information about the scholarships, email scholarshipcommitee@theislandplayers.org.

For more information about the Island Players, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

AME Calendar

• 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.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

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

Van Zandt scholarship applications available

For the third year, up to $5,000 in scholarship awards will be presented from the John van Zandt Scholarship Fund.

Graduating high school seniors in pursuit of a career requiring certification, licensing or apprenticeship in the trades, medical tech, cosmetology, computer science or the hospitality industry can apply until Saturday, April 1.

Winners will be announced Wednesday, May 3.

Applications are available from the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, and centerami.org.

Also, donations to the fund can be made to the center, by writing JVZ Scholarship in the memo line and mailing to P.O. Box 253, Anna Maria, FL 34216.

For more information, contact the center at 941778-1908.

Celebrating spring break

Island families: Planning to staycation or awaycation during spring break?

The Islander welcomes photographs of your holiday activities.

Please, email photos, along with details, to news@ islander.org.

The Manatee County School District’s holiday will be March 13-17 and March 10 is a record day with no class for students to kick off the holiday.

for a swing

Going

holmes Beach resident rather Welch smiles feb. 16 while pushing her daughter, Lumi, 3, on the swings in the playground at city Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., anna Maria. islander Photo: ryan Paice

By Lisa Neff

Prayer day observed

World Day of Prayer will be observed Friday, March 3, and island church members are helping to arrange transportation to a mainland observance.

The National Church Women United’s Manatee/ Sarasota chapter will host a prayer gathering at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, at Ward Temple AME Church, 1005 Fifth St. W., Bradenton.

Peggy Nash at Roser Memorial Community Church invited islanders seeking transportation to call the church in Anna Maria at 941-778-0414.

For more information about the World Day of Prayer event, call Cheryl Freeman at 941-7047142.

Tidings

compiled by Lisa Neff

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.

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, @roser-

Local churches cooking for crowds

Fire up the grills and power the griddles.

Several local churches are cooking up some fun to welcome members and guests.

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

The menu includes 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 information, call the church at 941-7781638.

Christ Church of Longboat Key will host its Neighborhood Cookout 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 4.

An announcement said the church is celebrating 11 years in the neighborhood — 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key — and inviting “neighbors, friends and other visitors” to enjoy good food and conversation.

For more information, call the church at 941-3838833.

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will hold its next pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at the church fellowship

church.

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

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.

Sunday Ser vice 10 : 00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

/ www.christchurchof ( k

W INTER C O N CERT S ERIES

CONCERTS

SUNDAY • MARCH 5, 2023 • 2:00 PM

hall.

Menu offerings include pancakes, sausage, syrup, applesauce, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee or tea.

The cost is $8 for those 5 and older.

For more, call Roser at 941-778-0414.

… and tuning up for seasonal celebrations

A Winter Concert Series continues Sunday, March 5, at Christ Church of Longboat Key with a performance by vocalist Todd Donovan and pianist Dale Williams.

The duo will present an eclectic program of art, song, musical theater and inspirational selections.

The church is at 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

There is no charge to attend.

Also this month, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will host a performance of Ring Sarasota.

The concert — free-will offerings will be collected — is set for 4-5 p.m. Sunday, March 19.

For more information, call the church at 941-7780414.

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; 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.

Friday, March 3, 10 a.m. Church Women United World Day of Prayer observance, Ward Temple AME Church, 1005 Fifth St. W., Bradenton.

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

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

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

Please, send notices to calendar@islander.org.

JOIN

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.

GoodDeeds compiled by Lisa Neff

Assistance sought on AMI

• Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers for Springfest, an outdoor festival March 18-19. 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: 941778-0414.

• 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.

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

Obituary

Thomas Q. McDonnell

Thomas Q. McDonnell, 81, of Anna Maria Island, formerly of East Aurora, New York, died peacefully Feb. 9 from complications from Parkinson’s disease.

As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mr. McDonnell served four years as an intelligence officer in Maui, Hawaii, and Biloxi, Mississippi, among other places. He achieved the rank of captain.

Upon leaving the Air Force, he began his professional career in 1969 under J. Edgar Hoover in the FBI. He served in Cincinnati, then transferred to Buffalo, New York, as a special agent fighting organized crime. He retired from the FBI in 1993.

Upon retirement, he became a private detective and, on closing his investigation business, he earned his real estate license and enjoyed a successful career selling real estate on Anna Maria Island.

He was an alumnus of the Gow School, Nichols School, St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, and earned his master’s degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Mr. McDonnell was an avid golfer, playing many Western New York courses, and later, his favorite, the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.

A funeral service will be held on Anna Maria Island and a memorial service in East Aurora will be planned later this summer, with dates to be announced. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Western New York, 100 James E. Casey Drive, Buffalo, NY 14206-2368; or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research; Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777”

Mr. McDonnell is survived by sons Thomas Jr., Edward “Ned” and wife Sarah, and Gregory and wife Robby; daughter Julia McDonnell; six grandchildren; siblings Mary, John “Hubba,” Edward and wife Ruth, Jean Covelli, Patrick, Nancy and husband Rodney Reynolds, and Peter and wife Susie.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper.

Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

aBoVe: Brenda Wade, wife of roser facilities administrator charles Wade, arrives to the tea with daughter arianna to wish dad and guild members a “happy Valentine’s day.” the next guild event will be a luncheon, style show and silent auction — set for tuesday, March 14.

right: friends gather at a table for the roser guild Valentine tea Party, held feb. 14 at the church in anna Maria. the tea “was a delight for many ladies,” Peggy Nash told the islander.

WE ROCK ONLINE

islander.org

Tea time at Roser

co-presidents Nancian hall and cherrie Birkman welcome guests to the Valentine’s day tea presented feb. 14 by the roser guild at the church, 512 Pine ave., anna Maria. islander Photos: courtesy Peggy Nash

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

us on

Mcdonnell

Movie night at FMM

far Left: Visitors to the florida Maritime Museum’s free Movies at the Maritime film night under the stars listen feb. 24 as the movie is introduced. the award-winning MetV documentary film, “through the tunnel,” tells the story of the transition from segregated to integrated schools in the 1960s in Manatee county from the perspective of high school football coach eddie Shannon and former NfL player henry Lawrence, who came up through the local schools. Left: a scene from “through the tunnel” at the outdoor viewing at the fMM. islander Photos: courtesy Kel roth

Unlucky boat owner’s sailboat remains on Holmes Beach shoreline

a sign advertising a gofundMe campaign to “help unbeach

Lucky us 2” hangs feb. 24 from a post supporting tape that cautions people to stay back from a beached sailboat. the boat crashed feb. 12 onto the shores of holmes Beach near 79th Street after its crew was rescued by the u.S. coast guard during a storm the night before. James golembiewski, the sailboat’s owner, told the islander feb. 23 that he had received several recommendations from locals for removing the boat and was considering his best options ahead of a March 7 deadline given by the florida fish and Wildlife conservation commission. islander

THRILLS

BY CHRISTINA IVERSON AND SAMUEL A. DONALDSON / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

CHEAP

Photo: ryan Paice

HB magistrate fines vacation rental owner for offenses

Property at 617 emerald Lane, holmes Beach, where vacation rental stays of less than 30 days were booked despite its location in the city’s r-1 zoning district, where rentals are limited to 30 days. islander

Photos: ryan Paice

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach vacation rental property owners need to have their ducks in a row when it comes to online bookings.

Special magistrate Michael Connolly found Feb. 21 Guillermo Escobar, owner of property at 617 Emerald Lane in Key Royale, in repeat violation of city code prohibiting rental stays of less than 30 nights in the city’s R-1 zoning district.

Connolly ordered Escobar to comply with the city code and issued a $250 fine and $127.24 administrative fee to Escobar for the repeat violation.

The R1 zone is a low-density residential district designed for single-family homes and stretches across several sections of the city.

City code requires minimum 30-night stays and matching advertisements for vacation rentals within the R1 zone.

com. So the city issued a notice for a repeat violation and scheduled a magistrate hearing.

Thomas recommended Connolly fi ne Escobar $250 and a $127.24 administrative fee, as well as order him to come into compliance with city code.

Escobar attended the hearing and blamed the improper postings on the rental platforms he uses to secure bookings.

He said he sometimes receives emails from such platforms informing him that he is charging too much and offering to implement new prices according to the current market.

Escobar said accepting such an offer can sometimes bypass the property’s set minimum stay, resulting in unintended improper bookings.

Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

Feb. 17, 100 block of 12th Street South, property damage. A Bradenton Beach police officer responded to a call concerning property damage, including a mailbox, decorative pot and solar lighting. The complainant said she heard a bang and tires screech at 1 a.m. and went outside to see someone driving away in a pickup. The damage was estimated at $350.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

Feb. 22, 12208 Cortez Road W., Beach’n Rides and Rentals, larceny. MCSO deputies responded to a call concerning larceny by fraud. The store owner said an individual approached him to purchase 10 electric bicycles. After the transaction was completed and the bicycles were picked up, the credit card transactions were denied. The investigation is ongoing.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

Feb. 14, 300 block of 55th Street, trespass warning. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to a call about a trespasser and found four people at the property. They told police they were given permission to be at the property but the officer contacted the owner, who said otherwise. The officer had the property owner issue a trespass over speakerphone and the four people left.

City code compliance supervisor JT Thomas said

City code compliance supervisor JT Thomas said his department first issued a citation to Escobar for renting for an improper length of stay Aug. 19, 2022.

The citation was paid within three days but Harmari, a program the city uses to monitor short-term rental postings, detected an advertisement for stays of less than 30 nights by Nov. 15, 2022.

Thomas said Escobar provided documentation that the advertisement was due to a “VRBO glitch,” corrected the ad and provided a statement that he would not violate the ordinance again.

However, Harmari detected another post Jan. 27 that advertised stays of less than 30 nights on booking.

He said he reached out to renters who secured such bookings and canceled their stays because they violated city code.

“There was no deceit from my part. I’m not trying to play a game with the city,” Escobar said. “They were honest mistakes. … I take full responsibility for it.”

Connolly told Escobar he should consider dropping certain booking platforms if they cause issues.

“The city is only looking for a one-time fine of $250. It’s usually $250 per day, so obviously, they don’t think that you’re a ‘problem owner,’” Connolly said.

The next magistrate hearing will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Feb. 14, 5600 block of Guava Street, petit theft. A man entered the HBPD to report his vehicle was burglarized by two juveniles, according to a neighbor who witnessed the incident. The man said an item was missing from his vehicle and he wanted to press charges if the subjects were found. The officer searched but did not find anyone matching the juveniles’ description.

Feb. 15, 6400 block of Gulf Drive, fraud. An officer responded to reports of fraud. He spoke to a man who received a text message advising he made a large purchase and to call if there was an issue. The man said he called the number and was tricked into sending money via Zelle. The man provided a bank statement for the transaction and reported the case to his bank.

Feb. 17, 100 block of Beach Avenue, alcohol/ resisting law enforcement without violence. Two offi-

escobar

cers patrolling the beach responded to reports from a Manatee County sheriff’s deputy about a group of juveniles drinking alcohol. The officers found more than a hundred high school-aged juveniles. One male holding a beer bottle began walking away when approached by the officers and, despite physical resistance, he was detained. An officer transported the juvenile to HBPD and contacted his parent to pick him up. HBPD submitted a juvenile referral on the incident to the state.

Feb. 18, Anchor Inn, 3007 Gulf Drive, misuse of 911. An officer responded to reports of a suspicious incident involving a 911 call from a man claiming a bartender was talking about and displaying child pornography. The officer arrived and spoke to the bartender, who allowed the officer to search his phone and security footage. The officer found nothing suspicious and asked the bartender about the call. The bartender said staff asked a man to leave shortly before police arrived, which made him upset and it had led to a verbal disturbance. The officer attempted to contact the 911 caller several times to no avail but found via databases that he had given a false name. The officer filed a capias request for a misdemeanor against the caller for misusing 911.

Feb. 19, AMI Fitness, 5364 Gulf Drive, warrant arrest. An officer responded to reports of a suspicious man walking around the business. The officer found a man matching the description and spoke with him. The officer determined there was a warrant for the man’s arrest, took him into custody and transported him to the Manatee County jail.

Feb. 20, Walgreens, 3200 E. Bay Drive, petit theft. An officer responded to reports of a theft and spoke with a manager, who said a juvenile entered the store and left without paying for four bottles of liquor. The officer searched the area to no avail.

Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach.

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

Cops & Courts

HBPD seeks charges sought for aggravated assault

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police filed a capias request Feb. 15 for a third-degree felony charge against Bradenton resident Everett Hodapp, 53, for alleged aggravated assault.

Three officers responded Feb. 15 to reports of a fight involving more than 10 people at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive.

They arrived to find the fight had ended and some of the involved parties had left the scene.

The officers spoke with witnesses, including one who said the fight began with an argument between Hodapp and another man.

The witness told police the other man spit on Hodapp before Hodapp began fighting him.

Another officer located a man, who had visible injuries to his face, in the beach parking lot.

The man said he was playing a prank on his wife

when he was confronted by a woman in Hodapp’s group. He said they had a verbal altercation before Hodapp and others attacked him.

The man said Hodapp tried to gouge his eyes out during the fight and that he wanted to press charges. Hodapp, meanwhile, told police he did not want to press charges against the man who spit on him. He did not sign a waiver of prosecution at the scene.

An officer filed a capias request against Hodapp for aggravated assault for “escalating his level of force to grievous bodily harm,” according to a report.

The capias request was submitted to the state attorney’s office, which will review the case and determine if a charge will be filed against Hodapp.

The SAO can then issue a court summons or a warrant for Hodapp’s arrest.

If arrested and convicted, punishment for a thirddegree felony charge includes up to five years in prison or probation and a fine of up to $5,000.

Palmetto resident arrested for battery in Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach police officers arrested Palmetto resident Desmin Shaw, 18, Feb. 20 for battery.

BBPD Officer Kyle Orms was dispatched that day in reference to an assault and attempted burglary at the Bradenton Beach Marina, 402 Church Ave.

Orms contacted a marina security guard, who said he and his wife, also at the marina, were attacked by Shaw after he tried to enter their vehicle.

The guard also told Orms that Shaw remained at the marina.

Orms located and arrested Shaw, who was transported to the Manatee County jail, where he posted bail.

Shaw is accused of felony burglary with assault and felony battery on security personnel.

Under Florida law, when a burglary is committed with a battery, the offense is a first-degree felony,

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potentially punishable by life imprisonment.

Though not police offi cers, security guards are licensed by the state and protected the same as police, firefighters and EMS personnel. A person convicted of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer can face minimum imprisonment of five years.

Shaw’s arraignment will be 9 a.m. Friday, March 31, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

— robert anderson

Island watch

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

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Bad week for birds results in warning to recover fishing line

By robert anderson islander reporter

A seabird should not be the catch of the day.

Wildlife Inc. of Bradenton Beach had calls for multiple seabird entanglement rescues the week ending Feb. 26

Wildlife Inc. volunteer Krista Carpenter said the group responded to calls for the rescue of entangled seabirds in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

One rescue, occurring Feb. 20, involved a pair

of seagulls that became entangled in fishing line and were suspended from a power line in the Key Royale subdivision in Holmes Beach.

One bird was freed by cutting the line with a blade raised on a pole. The gull flew away and was presumed to have survived.

The second bird, however, was closer to the power line.

Florida Power & Light was called out because of the danger of the live wires but, due to the extended time, the entangled the seagull expired.

Carpenter reminded people who see a seabird or

other wildlife in need of rescue on or near a power line to exercise caution.

“It is illegal if a bird is caught on a power line for anyone other than a power company employee to get it down,” Carpenter said. “Call us and call FPL.”

A second rescue occurred Feb. 24, another case of entanglement due to fishing line.

Carpenter said a yellow-crested night heron entangled in monofilament became suspended upside down from a tree in Anna Maria.

With the help of Anna Maria public works, Carpenter got the bird down but it broke free and flew away before the monofilament could be removed.

Carpenter said monofilament and fishing tackle left in the marine environment create potential traps for wildlife.

“If you can, pick up fishing line if you see it on the ground, and if you’re fishing and your line breaks try to get it back,” Carpenter said. “As much of the monofilament that we can reduce out there the better the chance of wildlife’s survival.”

Wildlife Inc. Education & Rehabilitation Center, founded and operated by Gail and Ed Straight, is Manatee County’s only licensed bird, mammal and reptile rehabilitation facility. The Straights run the rescue from their home, 2207 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach.

Wildlife Inc. can be reached at 941-778-6324

FISH(y) business

the 41st annual cortez commercial fishing festival — held feb. 18-19 — drew patrons to the fishing community for a closer look at how fishers harvest seafood, as well as arts, crafts and plenty of seafood. Preliminary reports from the organizers, the florida institute for Saltwater heritage, show just shy of 16,000 festivalgoers over two days. as of feb. 25, fiSh had not reported the amount raised with the

an fPL worker is raised to assist one of two gulls entangled in fishing line in the 600 block of dundee Lane in holmes Beach. islander Photo: courtesy Jim Kunkel

fPL worker Bryan Seinfeld tends to a seagull in the 600 block of dundee Lane in holmes Beach. islander Photo: courtesy Jim Kunkel

a yellow-crested night heron is entangled in fishing line in a tree feb. 24. the bird was rescued from the tree but broke free before the monafilament was removed. islander courtesy Photo

festival. its next meeting will be at 7 p.m.

Monday, March 6, at fishermen’s hall in cortez. islander Photo: robert anderson

State proposes changes to fishing regs at Skyway park

Environmental activists caught a win.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission proposed a rule Feb. 21 to modify fi shing regulations at the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

The commission, meeting in Jacksonville, also directed staff to refine the proposal before a final hearing.

The date for the final hearing was not set as of Islander press time.

The proposal under consideration includes:

• An annual education requirement for park anglers;

• Gear restrictions November-March;

• Limiting anglers to no more than two sets of hook-and-line fishing gear;

• Prohibiting the use of sabiki rigs year-round on a portion of the south pier;

• Reviewing regulations every two years.

The FWC proposed changing regulations at the state park to address the entanglement, injury and mortality of seabirds that continue to occur at the location.

More than 25 people signed up to address the commission on the issue.

“We are grateful for the engagement and feedback from our stakeholders who are continuing to work collaboratively with us to address brown pelican entanglements at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park,” FWC Commissioner Robert A. Spottswood said in a news release.

He continued, “It’s our job to balance the interests of both fish and wildlife as well as anglers. We face this all the time. We’ve always limited or closed access only as a last resort and we have approved this proposed rule with the understanding that modifications will likely occur at the final hearing.”

The commission has held multiple hearings on the issue over the past year to collect testimony from anglers and bird rescue organizations.

At the meeting, the commission also tasked staff

with drafting proposed rules to prevent the establishment of new nonnative species in the state.

“I have no qualms about saying we are shutting

did you know?

The brown pelican, once listed as endangered, is no longer on the federal endangered species list but it is protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The species also was taken off the endangered list in Florida but it is part of the Florida Imperiled Species Management Plan.

The Tampa Bay region has a resident population of pelicans, as well as hosts a wintertime migratory populations.

Several large breeding colonies of brown pelicans can be found near the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, including at Egmont Key and the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

Three out of four birds rescued at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park are pelicans.

rodney Barreto, chairman of the florida fish and Wildlife conservation commission, oversees a meeting feb. 21 in Jacksonville. at the meeting, the commission directed staff to refine a proposal for fishing at Skyway fishing Pier State Park before a final hearing. islander Photo: courtesy fWc/Megan Mitchell

Florida down to invasive species,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said.

— Lisa Neff

Liz Vreeland works to untangle a juvenile pelican at the South Skyway Pier in december 2021. islander file Photo: courtesy Sky eyes education

KRC records hole-in-one, center football stretches into playoffs

By Kevin P. cassidy islander reporter

The sports highlight in this report has to be the hole-in-one reported at the Key Royale Club but, first, news from the Center of Anna Maria Island.

The regular season of flag football has concluded and the youth league at the center moves on to its second season — playoffs.

Drive Cafe, which also received 10 catches — three for touchdowns — from Anthony Mannino who also added a 2-point conversion and seven flag pulls on defense. Jacob Ferda added three TD grabs and a 2-point conversion to the loss.

Horseshoe news

cassidy

The 8-10 division playoffs began Feb. 27, after press time for The Islander, with undefeated Sato Real Estate taking on No. 8 seed SynLawn at 6 p.m. No. 2 seed Solid Rock Construction also plays at 6 p.m. in a matchup against No. 7 Cloud Pest Control on field 2. No. 3 seed Island Real Estate follows with a 7 p.m. match up against sixth-seed Moss Builders, while No. 4 Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control takes on No. 5 AMI Coconuts at the same time. The winners advance to March 6 semifinals.

Pineapple Market Place grabbed the top seed in the 11-13 division and gets rewarded with Chick-Fil-A as its first-round opponent at 6 p.m. Feb. 28, while No. 2 seed Solid Rock Construction takes on No. 7 seed Sandhoff Construction at 7 p.m. Moss Builders held down the No. 3 seed and plays No. 6 Intentional Resilient Intuitive at 6 p.m., while No. 4 Shady Lady Horticultural Services battles No. 5 Storage Building Company in the last quarterfinal matchup at 7 p.m.

For the action from the flag football games of the week in the 8-10, 11-13 divisions, and a reminder on soccer registration deadlines at the center, go to sports at islander.org.

Seedings set for adult football playoffs

The regular season has concluded in the adult flag football league and the playoff seedings are set.

Playoff action gets started March 2 with four quarterfinal games, followed by semifinal games March 9 and the championship match March 16.

Luxury Services clinched the top seed with a 7-0 record and gets rewarded with a first-round matchup against winless Ugly Grouper, while Moss Builders held onto No. 2 with a 6-1 record and will take on No. 7 Gulf Drive Cafe. Third seed went to Solid Rock Construction, which will take on No. 6 Banks Home Lending, while No. 4 Briley Mortgage Team battles No. 5 SandBar Restaurant.

Adult action Feb. 23 kicked off with Briley Mortgage demolishing Ugly Grouper 41-0, followed by

Luxury Services cruising to a 46-28 victory over Solid Rock. Moss Builders closed the action for the evening with an easy 38-19 win over Banks Home Lending but the game of the week was Sandbar’s 48-41 victory over Gulf Drive Cafe, thanks to five TD passes and two TD runs from quarterback Matt Manger. Zachary Routh was his top target with nine catches, including four TD grabs. Christian Hampton added eight catches, one for a TD and a 2-point conversion.

Steven Pavino threw six TD passes to lead Gulf

Horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits Feb. 22 saw four teams advance to the knockout stage to battle for the day’s championship. Rod Bussey and Bob Mason skunked Bob Lee and Bob Palmer 25-0 in the first semifinal, while Tom Farrington and Dom Livedoti edged Del Reese and Ron Gagnon 22-16 in the second semifinal match. Bussey and Mason earned the day’s bragging rights with a 23-14 victory over Farrington and Livedoti

Three teams advanced to the playoffs during the Feb. 25 games with the lucky bye to the finals going to Tim Sofran and Bob Hawks. Bob Heiger and Bob Brown eliminated Bob Baker and Lisa Allen 21-15 to advance to the championship match. Heiger and Brown ran out of gas against the well-rested Sofran and Hawks team, as they cruised to a 22-2 victory in the finals.

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.

Key Royale golf news

The highlight of the week on the golf course at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach was Tony Niewijk hitting his first career hole-in-one Feb. 17 on the 162yard fourth hole.

Witnessing the event was his wife, Marilyn Niewijk.

Congratulations Tony!

Brian Hogan carded a plus-7, 7 points above his average, to take first place in the Feb. 20 modifiedStableford system match at the club. Ken Newbold was 2 points back, while Bob Blaser, John Cassese, Brian Comer, Mike Cusato, Dave Rickney and Quinten Talbert all finished at plus-4.

The Key Royale women played a nine-hole individual-low-net match Feb. 21 in two flights. Debbie DuVernay fired a 3-under-par 29 to take first place in Flight A. Sue Pierce was two strokes back in second place, while Terry Taylor and Sue Wheeler tied for third at 1-over-par 33.

Terry Westby’s 7-under-par 25 was the low-net round of the day, good for fi rst place in Flight B. Connie Livanos took second place with a 3-under-par 29, while Barb Harrold was alone in third at 1-underpar 31.

Members played a nine-hole scramble Feb. 23. The team of Ron Buck, Mike Cusato, Roger Rottschafer and Larry Solberg combined on a 3-under-par 29 that was matched by the team of Brian Comer, Chuck Patrick, Blake Ress and Deb Richardson and the team of Larry Pippel, Rich Salzburg, Terry Schaefer and Ron Vandeman for a three-way tie for first.

rod Bussey, left, and Bob Mason share the week’s honors after teaming up feb. 22 and shutting down the competition in the horseshoe action at the anna Maria city hall pits. islander Photo: courtesy aMi Pitchers

congratulations to ton Niewijk, who hit his first career hole-in-one feb. 17 on the 162-yard fourth hole at the Key royale club. islander Photo: courtesy Krc

With temps on the rise, fishing turns hot on some species

By capt. danny Stasny islander reporter

We’re pushing the thermometer.

The nights may be cool but there are numerous warm days behind us and more to come, pushing the heat up on fishing around Anna Maria Island.

Many anglers are making the switch from live shrimp to live shiners as bait, which introduces new species into the lineup.

Snook are venturing out of their wintertime hiding places and staging up on the shallower grass flats to enjoy the sun’s warmth. On days when water warms above 70 degrees, you can bet the snook are motivated to feed.

Live shiners placed in the vicinity of snook can be quickly devoured.

The same applies for spotted seatrout, which are being found in abundance on deeper grass flats.

And not only trout are gravitating to the deeper grass, you can fi nd Spanish mackerel, ladyfi sh and bluefish in the mix, which adds quite a variety to the bite. Again, live shiners as bait will work well for these fish.

Targeting sheepshead is still an option, although the bite probably won’t last too much longer. You’ll need to have a few dozen live shrimp in the bait well with your shiners if you plan on targeting the sheepies. Live shrimp on a weighted rig with a small, stout hook fished around wrecks, reefs, bridges and piers probably will trigger a response. If the sheepies are finicky, you need to have fiddler crabs or sand fleas to convince them to bite.

On calmer days, venturing offshore is rewarding. Species such as red grouper are being caught

Braxton Singer, 8, of Winter garden, shows off his feb. 25 catch, a nice sheepshead, caught on a shrimp dipped in beer at the rod & reel Pier, anna Maria. islander Photo: courtesy capt. Scott Moore

with some frequency. Also, reports of large yellowtail and mangrove snapper are alluring to anglers in the know.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m working the deep grass fl ats for spotted seatrout. Many slot-size fi sh 15-19 inches are being caught by my clients. While targeting the trout, I’m also seeing numerous Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish on the hook.

Around structure in Tampa Bay, I’m still finding sheepshead — most in the 2-pound range.

Finally, on the shallow fl ats, I’m fi nding small schools of snook for clients to target.

Capt. David White is working offshore when the weather produces a calm day in the Gulf of Mexico. On these days, fishing around hard bottom areas and ledges is yielding mangrove and yellowtail snapper. With some catches coming in around 25 inches, this snapper bite is worth looking into. Red grouper also are being caught in those areas, as well as catch-andrelease amberjack.

Moving inshore, spotted seatrout are being found on deeper grass fl ats, along with the usual mix of macks, ladyfish and bluefish. White also reports that fishing shallower flats and beaches is providing action on catch-and-release snook for his clients.

Capt. Jason Stock is fi shing nearshore, which is providing action on permit for his anglers. Casting live crabs around wrecks and reefs in the Gulf of Mexico is resulting in permits weighing 10-15 pounds.

Fishing Charters

Capt.

Spring training replay

“My son, dan gjeldum, with infielder Phil ‘Scrapiron’ garner of the 1979 world champion Pittsburgh Pirates. this photo was taken at McKechnie field in Bradenton during a 1979 spring training game,” writes Jack gjeldum of Bradenton. islander courtesy Photo

Moving to offshore wrecks, Stock is putting clients on numerous red grouper, as well as mangrove and yellowtail snapper in these areas.

Capt. Warren Girle is finding action in Sarasota Bay while fishing deep grass flats. By jigging with pompano jigs, Girle is putting his charters on a variety of species, including spotted seatrout, ladyfish, bluefish and, of course, pompano. Tipping the jigs with shrimp is helping to lure the fish to the hook.

Fishing in and around canals with docks and seawalls also is providing action. In these areas, Girle is using live shrimp as bait, leading to catches of redfish, black drum and sheepshead.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says sheepshead are making a decent showing. Pier anglers using live shrimp or an assortment of crustaceans — sand fleas or fiddler crabs — are hooking into numerous sheepies, with some up to 18 inches in length. While targeting the sheepshead, anglers at the pier are also hooking up on an occasional black drum or redfish. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Layla White, 6, and her sister cameron, 4, show off their feb. 19 catches — a sheepshead and a mangrove snapper. they hooked the fish using live shrimp for bait while fishing with their dad, capt. david White, a charter fishing guide with anna Maria charters. islander courtesy Photo

Stasny

Bradenton’s Bishop returns 3 manatees to wild

Three temporary Bradenton lodgers returned “home” Feb. 17.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature announced today that animal care staff with the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat at Bradenton’s Bishop Museum of Science and Nature returned three female manatees to the wild.

The manatees were in second-stage rehabilitation at the habitat after initially being rescued and medically treated for cold stress syndrome.

“It was great being able to return Aria, Janus and

Iclyn back to the wild,” said Virginia Edmonds, director of animal care. “We have reached the goal we share for every rescued manatee, help them recover and return them home.”

The manatees were returned to a warm-water site that they most likely would frequent during the winter — the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center at Apollo Beach.

Organizations joining the Bishop with the recovery and release effort included the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tampa Electric, the

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, Mote Marine Laboratory and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

The youngest manatee at the release — Aria — was outfitted with a satellite-linked transmitter to allow researchers, biologists and organizations to monitor her health and movements.

Aria was rescued off Anna Maria Island suffering an injury from a boat strike and cold stress.

The public can watch the manatee’s movements online at www.manateerescue.org.

— Lisa Neff

Staff

help feb. 17 with the return of three manatees to the wild. the manatees were treated for cold stress and released at tampa electric Manatee Viewing center in apollo Beach. islander Photos: courtesy Bishop

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About the Bishop’s Parker habitat

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, serves as a rehabilitation facility, where manatees go after their initial criticalcare needs are met in manatee hospitals. The Parker offers manatees the opportunity to gain exposure to natural foods and feeding strategies while gaining weight for their return to the wild.

TideWatch

By Lisa Neff

Red tide bloom remains

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis , was detected in Southwest Florida during the week ending Feb. 26.

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

Also, 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/.

a manatee is released by animal care staff from the Parker Manatee rehabilitation habitat at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton.

from the Parker Manatee rehabilitation habitat at the Bishop Museum in Bradenton

$2 @ The Islander, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach.

By Lisa Neff

Session ahead

Inspired by a pocket book about Buddhist teachings on loan from a friend, I looked for the environmentally positive in a heap of proposals before the 2023 Florida Legislature.

I have a lot of work to do on my Noble Path because I came up short on finding the positives.

Every Who on AMI probably knows by now that representatives and senators will begin the 2023 regular session March 7.

Snack sale a success

Neff

That’s because one House bill would have major consequences for Anna Maria Island and possibly other municipalities across the state.

Republican state Rep. Will Robinson Jr. in February introduced legislation to overturn Holmes Beach regulations and undermine Holmes Beach home rule by forcing a multilevel parking garage on the city at the county-owned Manatee Public Beach.

There’s been a lot of discussion about Robinson’s legislative overreach, his unthoughtful proposal to solve a parking problem, his bidding for east Manatee developers who want to see a pair of human feet for every square foot of sand on the beach.

Here, we focus on a few environmental consequences of the proposed legislation:

• A parking garage would require lighting, day and night;

• A parking garage would contribute urban heat;

• A parking garage is not “green parking,” which would incorporate permeable or semi-permeable paving and porous design techniques to reduce stormwater runoff.

I reviewed a half-dozen white papers on creating sustainable, green parking and not one recommended the construction of a parking garage.

Robinson gets a thumbs down from environmentalists on HB 947, a proposal to build a concrete monolith to money and development to shade the sugar-white sand of the beach.

Also, thumbs down to:

• HB 359/SB 540, which would allow prevailing

parties to recover attorney fees in challenges to comprehensive plans and plan amendments.

The sponsors seek to eliminate planning challenges by citizens and public interest groups to benefit developers.

• HB 41/SB 856, which would prohibit local initiatives on land development regulations — another push to squash citizen action.

• SB 170, which would require that local governments prepare business impact estimates before enacting a range of ordinances, including those intended to protect the environment.

• SB 682/HB 671, which would reduce the time local governments have to approve or deny building permits from 30 business days to nine calendar days.

• HB 397, which would allow public agencies to meet privately with attorneys on matters of public concern, circumventing Florida’s Government-in-theSunshine Law.

What proposals earn thumbs up?

• SB 484/HB 325, which would require the seller of residential and commercial properties to disclose information to prospective purchasers about the risk of flooding before the execution of the contract.

• SB 716, which would require a landlord to disclose to renters whether a dwelling unit is within a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zone.

dick Stevens, of holmes Beach and connecticut, stumbled on a fundraising cookie and snack sale while e-biking on Key royale drive in holmes Beach and thought the effort deserved support. the girls running the sale — Mercer Mackie, 10, left, Mary Jude hale, 9, and hazel cox, 9, all of holmes Beach — are students at St. Mary’s episcopal day School in tampa, where Mercer’s fourth-grade class is raising money to support Save the Manatees. the girls raised $400 of the $1,400 classroom total and the class will be adopting several manatees. islander courtesy Photo

• SB 100, which would require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to update rules for mangrove replanting and restoration to address erosion in areas of critical state concern and protect barrier islands, as well as promote public awareness of the value of mangroves and encourage partnerships with local governments to create local mangrove protection programs.

• HB 559/SB 928, which would establish a minimum of $350 million a year in funding from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the Florida Forever program, revive authority for Florida Forever to fund acquisitions through bonds and bar the use of Florida Forever funds for agency administrative expenses.

• SB 106/HB 915, which would establish the Trail Towns program in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Office of Greenways and Trails to promote ecotourism and economic opportunity with a $200 million appropriation.

• SB 336/HB 363, which would require the DEP authorize some coastal communities to establish pilot programs to regulate single-use plastic products.

This last piece of legislation would allow for a Gulf coast city with populations under 50,000 to establish a program July 2024-June 2026 to test restrictions on single-use plastics.

A noble pursuit? Indeed.

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ITEMS FOR SALE

haViLaNd aNtiQue freNch dishes. Limoges autumn Leaf with gold trim. five-piece place setting for 12. five serving pieces. excellent condition, $500. 941-504-0526.

QueeN BedSPread/coMforter with shams, like new, seafoam green $60. 941504-0526.

teN Wood Bar stools $5 each. Patio heater, never used, $80. 941-778-7199, leave message.

PaNiNNi MaKer: cuiSiNart, stainlesssteel, like new, $50. 941-920-2494.

ceraMic aNd PoLYMer clay books. 15@ $20. 941-782-8382, (after noon).

SiX cafe taBLe chairs, $20 or six for $75. Pictures on request. 724-986-0314.

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 MARCH 1 PUZZLE

ITEMS FOR SALE Continued

chair: BLacK, Soft cushion $15/ each and office chair, white, $15. Side tables, brown with glass top. 2/$25. 941920-2494.

aNtiQue PartNer deSK: all wood, $500. inquire at the islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

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

WaNt to BuY old surveyors’ transit or level on wooden tripod. george, 941-387-0457.

ESTATE SALES

eState SaLe of WS “BaBe” SiKeS: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 4. 327 hardin ave., anna Maria. 1900s oak furniture: round table, china cabinet, server and mirror, rolltop desk, hat rack/potty chair, umbrella stand, two armoires, dresser and chest w/mirror, washstand, chest of drawers, swivel chair and recliner. Bottle collection, iron pots and pans, 26 fishing poles and gear, mullet net, roseville, Mccoy and coors pottery, bookcases, sofas, mirrors, upright piano, bird bath, tV, men’s clothes, two craftsman table saws, hand and power tools, wash tubs, yard tools, bench, full kitchen and more. See pictures and more details: www.estatesales.net Julie Mcclure Sale.

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.

HELP WANTED Continued

Part/tiMe BooKKeePer: Local remodeling company. QuickBooks expert, construction experience helpful. email resume to jobs@coastalife.com

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.

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.

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.

Beach SerVice air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee county and the island since 1987. for dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill eller, 941-795-7411. cac184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

coNNie’S LaNdScaPiNg iNc residential and commercial. full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! insured. 941-778-5294.

B ar N e S L a WN a N d Landscape LL c 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.

S he LL de L i V ered a N d spread. h auling 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.

Je BLacKWood gardeNer: ornamental horticulture expert. c are of trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, 25 years’ experience, excellent references, estate trained. uS Navy vet. 941-718-9087.

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.

griffi N’S ho M e i MP ro V e M e N t S i nc. h andyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. i nsured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

BLiNdS, ShutterS, ShadeS: Motorization. 30 years on a M i c all Keith Barnett, 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.

ha N d YM a N a N d Pai N ti N g . No job too small. Most jobs just right. c all r ichard 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.

S ara S ota i N terior Pai N ti N g : We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! o wner operated. f ully insured/ licensed. call or text don, 941-900-9398. instagram: SarasotainteriorPainting.

More ads = more readers in the islander.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

SouthWeSt hoMe iMProVeMeNt: Michigan builder, quality work guaranteed. affordable, timely, within budget. call Mike’s cell: 1-616-204-8822.

RENTALS

a NN a M aria gu L f beachfront vacation rentals. one- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

P erico i SL a N d Patio home for rent. 3Br/2Ba. two-car garage, fully renovated. 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/gate, two 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.

B eautifu LLY fur N i S hed , a NN ua L rental in Beach h arbor c lub, 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 ea S o N a L re N ta L: aVai L a BL e a prild ecember. a cross from bay, 2 miles from beaches, fully furnished, laundry, all utilities. 941-773-1552.

aNNuaL: 1,800sf, 3Br/2Ba double carport. five minutes to beaches. $2,200/month plus utilities. 440-813-8217.

M o N th LY S ea S o N a L re N ta L: a must see! Beach across street. 2Br/2Ba. $7,200/ month. 941-226-4008.

WaterfroNt aNNuaL reNtaL on prestigious Key r oyale 2B r /2B a , pool, boat lift, two-car garage, completely renovated. $8,000 per month, pets oK. available april 20. call 941-704-7336

for re N t : ho LM e S Beach. 2B r /2B 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.. contact Paul, 519-807-9426. pkelly333333@hotmail.com

2B r /2B a co N do for re N t for March and april in west Bradenton. all-inclusive at $2,500 per month. contact Suzanne, 941962-0971, text or vm.

L u X uriou S a NN a M aria i sland condo for rent. upgraded granite/stainless kitchen. incredible water views through floor-length windows. Waterfront patio. Luxury furnishings. first floor, 2B r/B a, king beds. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. Monthly rental May-November. owner/renter, flexible terms. 570-239-0431. aMirent@aol. com.

W i NN ie M cha L e , rea Ltor , 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 h omes - Making dreams come true.”

for SaLe: 1/4 acre waterfront lot: dock and boat lift. 2520 riverside drive, east Bradenton. 917-860-1917.

for SaLe: 2Br/2Ba condo. ground-level with bay view. Beautiful view of Bimini Bay. tucked tranquilly away from the hustle and bustle of island life. open house, 1-4 p.m. thursday and Saturday, March 2 and 4. 248765-5207.

FrEE ...

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

Help wanted: beach market manager

Retail therapy is coming back to the beach.

The county plans to hold a daytime market Tuesdays and a night-time market Thursdays, according to a Feb. 21 news release.

Manatee County has posted a request for proposals for a market vendor coordinator to manage the Coquina Beach Market in Bradenton Beach.

And work is underway, with recently installed ground cover for the footprint for the market at the south end of Coquina.

In a news release, county public information officer Bill Logan said commissioners approved $175,000 in improvements to provide lighting and electricity to the new market site.

In the past, the market operated with vendors lined on both sides of the multiuse trail near the concession/ trolley turnaround. The county opted not to renew the vendor agreement last August and instead decided to pursue a county-administered market under the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, an entity that serves the Tourist Development Council.

Property management staff Feb. 14 provided county commissioners with a conceptual map showing about 80 vendor sites at the market.

Perico

Visitors would access the market via the multiuse trail, as well as Coquina parking lots.

Logan said the space also would be utilized for special events.

— robert anderson

Chamber offering scholarships

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will award four $1,000 scholarships to graduating Manatee County high school seniors seeking to further their education.

The chamber will present the scholarship awards at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at a business mixer at LaPensee Plumbing in Holmes Beach.

Students must submit applications with a postmark by Wednesday, March 1.

As Good As It Gets!!

New Gulf Drive restaurant preview

a quick turnaround in the past few months finally produced the transformation of Sharky’s Seagrill restaurant at 2519 gulf drive in Bradenton Beach into SaLt Bar & table. everything there is new again with new owners — Shawn Kaleta and friends — and new management. You won’t recognize the place from any of its past incarnations — as a variety store, german restaurant, english pub or seafood grill. the restaurant was set to open shortly after two preview nights, feb. 28 and March 1. they can be reached at 941896-9897. islander courtesy Photos

For more information, including the applications, go online to annamariaislandchamber.org.

To reach the chamber, call 941-778-1541.

THIS WEEK

Thursday, March 2

7:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Sunrise Breakfast, Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Reservations required. Information: 941-778-1541.

SAVE THE DATES

March 9, 11:30 a.m., Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce networking lunch, Annie’s Bait and Tackle, Cortez.

March 15, 11:30 a.m., Manatee Chamber Headliner’s Luncheon on tourism, Pier 22, Bradenton.

March 23, 5-7 p.m., AMI Chamber business-card exchange and scholarship awards, LaPensee Plumbing, Holmes Beach.

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

May 12, 11:30 a.m., AMI Chamber Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, Bradenton.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY EST. 1978

For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island. Marianne Norman-Ellis. 941.778.6696

Mike Norman Realty

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

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