The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Dec. 04, 2019

Page 1

Pier progress. 8

Market day on AMI. 22 Season registers. 14

VOLUME 28, NO. 6 Astheworldterns shop with mom-and-pop. 6

Happy Holidays

DEC. 4, 2019 FREE

gangway contractor awaits parts for BB dock. 4 BB applies brakes on LSV regs. 4

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

islander.org

Meetings. 4 county looks to fill seat on tDc. 5

Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO from the archives. 7

am joins state preservation program. 8

Happenings announcements. Jeannie Bystrom, an animal activist, found a laughing gull and other birds in a colony dead oct. 8 at Passage Key, north of anna maria island and sounded the alarm. islander file Photo: Jeannie Bystrom

Save the date. fundraising continues for man dragged under vehicle.

Streetlife. get in the game.

Gathering. Obituaries. 19

AmE NEWS

Kindergartners celebrate thanksgiving. 20 Where to deliver toys for tots. 21

uprooting tree protections. 23 atlantic hurricane season ends. 23 Sports: at the pits, on the fairway. 24 tired of turkey? How about fried fish? 25

ISL BIZ: 26-27 additions, anniversaries, adjustments. CLASSIFIEDS.

NYT puzzle.

Messages convey happy times, happy ‘Thanks-Living’ on AMI With a little spelling help from dad, mickey meltzer, Sydnee, 5, proclaims “sunsets” as what she loves about anna maria island on a chalkboard at thanks-Living, held nov. 27 at city Pier Park in anna maria. for more, see page 15. islander Photo: Sarah Brice

Giving Tree grows at AMI cafe By mike Dunn islander reporter

Every holiday tradition has a story. Just stop into Jackie Estes’ cozy cafe in Holmes Beach, help yourself to coffee and pull up a chair. Estes will tell you about an island tradition that started 24 years ago. It’s the tale of a Christmas tree. But, this is no ordinary tree. Estes calls it a Giving Tree. It shines with the usual constellation of Yuletide accoutrements: lights, ribbons, baubles. But this tree has something more — tags that call out for gifts for underprivileged children in the community. Estes encourages her customers at Paradise Cafe, Bagels and Catering to pull a tag from the tree. Each tag references a child age 12 or younger and clothing size. The children’s names are withheld. Customers then purchase clothing and toys to help make that child’s Christmas morning a little brighter. Estes then makes Jackie estes and her granddaughter, sure every child gets their gifts. Jazzy Sparks, 8, are celebrating an island It’s a tradition that has been growing tradition with their “giving” christmas tree. PLeaSe See TREE, Page 3

EatHereFlorida.com (941) 778-0411 5315 Gulf Drive • Holmes Beach

islander Photo: mike Dunn

Fungus killed gulls on Passage Key By Sandy ambrogi islander reporter

Investigators now have the reason for why laughing gulls were found dead in October on Passage Key. Researchers with the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia in Athens informed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Save Our Seabirds in mid-November that aspergillosis killed the birds. The fungal infection is common in the warm, moist environs of Florida. Dana Leworthy, avian hospital administrator with Save Our Seabirds in Sarasota, told The Islander aspergillosis can come from any rotten item and laughing gulls are known for consuming most anything. “It grows in swampy areas or on dead fish,” Leworthy said of the fungus. “It can reproduce without hesitation.” More than 30 dead gulls were retrieved by the FWC for testing Oct. 13. And they were found to have microscopic lesions in their throats. Lesions and growths are two symptoms of aspergillosis, which can cause lung problems, including respiratory issues. PLeaSe See GULLS, Page 2


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