spread to Bradenton Beach

4THE SUN ISLAND NEWS

Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.

DECEMBER 28, 2022

IN BRIEF

Citizen of the Year nominees named

Former City Commissioner Carol Carter and former Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox are this year’s nominees for the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, according to City Clerk LeAnne Addy. On Dec. 15, Carter participated in her final meeting as a city commissioner and she and her husband, Bob, have relocated to Sarasota County. Fox passed away in September after serving as the Turtle Watch director for 30 years. The winner of this year’s award will be determined by a volunteer committee that will meet at city hall on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

AMI Museum utilizes consultant

During a Dec. 15, Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Museum board member Barbara Murphy said the museum is retaining the services of consultant Brynne Anne Besio. “We are meeting with a consultant from Besio Carter (formerly Carter Global) who’s going to help us enrich the museum,” Murphy said. While participating in her final city commission meeting, Commissioner Carol Carter said, “The consultant they’re using was the CEO of the Bishop Museum (in Bradenton). She’s now part of my husband’s company. She’s a great consultant who helped the (Bishop) museum move forward and be more than it’s ever been.” After the meeting, Murphy said, “She’s giving us all kinds of wonderful ideas and recommendations and going through our goals and what we want to accomplish. She says we need to reach out to benevolent donors to help keep the museum going. She also recommends putting some exhibits at the Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach.”

Judy’s Restaurant hosts Chamber breakfast

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its next breakfast event on Thursday, Jan. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Judy’s Restaurant located at 9516 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton. The cost to attend is $10 for members or $18 for prospective members. For more information, or to reserve a seat, call 941-778-1541 or visit www. amichamber.org.

Correction

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce would like to clear up any confusion about the Tahini Beach Cafe ribbon cutting. The event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 12 p.m. A previous announcement listed an incorrect date. Tahini Beach Cafe is located at 103 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.

Sewer project impacts Bradenton Beach traffic

An informal public information meeting is scheduled to take place at city hall on Thursday, Jan. 12, with construction work scheduled to begin the following week.

BY JOE HENDRICKS

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County’s sewer rehabilitation project is expected to cause traffic interruptions and parking challenges in Bradenton Beach beginning in late January.

On Dec. 15, Project Manager Alex Gonzalez sent a letter to city officials and others regarding the Bradenton Beach sewer rehabilitation project and a project-related public information meeting taking place at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Dr. N., on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 6-8 p.m.

“The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the Bradenton Beach sewer rehabilitation project on Gulf Drive, from 6th Street South to 13th Street South,” Gonzalez stated in the letter.

“There will be no formal presentation and guests are invited to stop by anytime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to view project boards and design plans. Project staff will also be available to answer questions and provide additional project-related information,” he said.

“This project will replace and relocate a portion of the gravity collection system in south Bradenton Beach to new locations within the public right of way. The replacement of aging sewer infrastructure will improve the resiliency of the Bradenton Beach sewer system by increasing capacity and reducing the risk of pipe failures and leaks,” the letter states.

When contacted via email on Dec. 22, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan said the Woodruff & Sons construction firm is expected to begin its work during the third week of January – the week after the Jan. 12 public information meeting.

“That would be the work on Gulf Drive and they expect it to last through summertime. Then they will begin work on the side streets,” Logan told The Sun.

PROJECT WEBSITE

Additional information and project updates can be found at the project-related website, https://amiprojects.io/projects/ bradenton-beach-sewer-rehabilitation. According to the website, construction is expected to be completed in September 2024.

“The project includes the installation of approximately one mile of 10-inch and 8-inch gravity main along Gulf Drive South as well as 21 manholes and approximately 100 new 6-inch laterals. Lateral service connections will extend from the gravity main on Gulf Drive South down each side street from 6th Street South to 13th Street South. The project will also require road repair and restoration,” according to the website. “This project will replace and relocate a portion of the gravity collection system in south Bradenton Beach to new locations within the public right of way. The contractor is currently developing a construction schedule and procuring project materials.”

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN A sewer rehabilitation project will impact parking and traffic at and around Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach.

MANATEE COUNTY | SUBMITTED A public information meeting will be held at Bradenton Beach City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 12.

Oyster recycling program helps combat red tide

Oysters filter up to 50 gallons of sea water each day.

BY LESLIE LAKE

SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

Eight local restaurants are teaming up with START (Solutions to Avoid Red Tide) and Manatee County to help stem the damage caused by red tide.

“Our waterways are not very clean. There’s fertilizer going into the water, there was the Piney Point Point release. There’s twice as much nitrogen in Sarasota Bay as there was in 2000,” said Sandy Gilbert, CEO of START. “You can either put less waste into the water or you can help clean it up.”

The Gulf Coast Oyster Recycle and Renewal (GCORR) Program for the 2023-2025 tourist seasons, January through May, will collect recycled oyster shells from participating restaurants and in turn, county staff will use the shell to build new oyster reef habitats.

“Restoring our local oyster population is a top environmental priority because of the critical role they play in improving water quality and supporting other species,” according to the START website. “That helps remove nitrogen and phosphorus that clouds the water column and can feed red tide and other harmful algae blooms (HABS). Clearer water allows more sunlight to penetrate the surface helping to grow more and healthier seagrass, another key species for improving water quality.”

“Oysters and clams naturally filter water. In this program, we are using oysters. An adult oyster will filter 20-50 gallons of sea water every day and reduce excess nutrients that feed red tide,” Gilbert said.

The restaurant participants in the program, which is dubbed Shuck ‘n’ Save, are four Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants, Mar Vista Restaurant and Dockside Pub, The Beach House, The Sandbar and Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar.

“We started doing this in 2018 and it grew and grew,” Gilbert said. “Now we have this three-year grant to cover it. The grant enables us to pay for this instead of the restaurants.”

The program will be funded for two years through a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which was sponsored by the Manatee County Natural Resources Department. The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will fund the third year.

The GCORR Partnership includes the Gulf Shellfish Institute (GSI) and the University of Florida IFAS Manatee Extension who will team with Manatee County Natural Resources staff to identify the most effective locations to build oyster reefs.

“We have scientists telling us where to put the shell, for the oyster larvae to settle on the shell,” Gilbert said. “It also becomes a nice reef and it’s great erosion protection.”

The restaurants will store the shell in special recycling bins that are unloaded twice a week by Waste Pro USA and transported to a storage area for curing.

“Curing the recycled shell is the process of exposing the shell to the sun’s rays to kill bacteria and parasites. After several months, the shell can be used to provide a foundation to expand an existing oyster reef or build a new one. The goal of the project is to build a sufficient reserve of oyster shell from restaurants over the next three years to restore oyster reefs along the Manatee River,” according to a press release from START. “I would encourage people to go these restaurants and have some oysters for dinner,” Gilbert said. “Not only will they get dinner but know that something good is happening with the shell.”

Shell collection from the restaurants will begin the first week in January and will be transported to a Manatee County site to cure. The shell will be added to the 20 tons of recycled shell already stored at Robinson Preserve.

Permitting for the program is expected to begin in 2023 with a projected start date of 2024 to begin building oyster reefs in the Manatee River.

6THE SUN OPINION The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff

Owner/CEO Mike Field

Editor Cindy Lane

General Manager Bob Alexander

Reporters/Photographers Joe Hendricks Jason Schaffer Kristin Swain

Columnists Louise Bolger Rusty Chinnis

Contributors Steve Borggren Captain Rick Grassett Leslie Lake Monica Simpson Tom Vaught Captain Kevin Wessel Captain Dave White Anne Yarbrough

Layout Ricardo Fonseca

Digital Editor Kristin Swain

Advertising Director Shona Otto

Advertising Assistant Pamela Lee

Classifieds Bob Alexander

Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca

Distribution Bob Alexander Connor Field Tony McNulty Brian Smith

Accounting Leslie Ketchum

Co-founding publishers Mike Field Maggie McGinley Field Family-owned since 2000

3909 East Bay Drive, Suite 210, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 Phone: (941) 778-3986 email: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com Like us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun

DECEMBER 28, 2022

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Night Before an Island Christmas

By Jason Schaffer

Twas the night before Christmas, yes, Christmas day, On an Island with white sand, where tall palm trees sway. The tourists were snuggled up with White Claws and beer, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The shorebirds were nestled all snug in their nests, Even the spoonbills with pink on their chests; And mamma in her Ray Bans and I in my straw cap, Hit the couch in the condo for a post-beach day nap.

When out on the beach, there arose such a clatter, I sprung from my nap to see what was the matter. Away to the balcony, across the tile floor, To open the storm shutters and the glass sliding door. The moon on the breast of the white fluffy sand That quartz how it sparkles as it falls off the hand, When what to my raccoon tanned eyes should appear, But a big red golf cart driven by some guy with a beard.

The farmer-tanned driver was so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. “It took no time to get here,” he did loudly exclaim. “You’re not caught up in traffic if you use the bike lane!”

I thought there’d be reindeer, with antlers so sweet, But where would he park them with all hooves off the street? The nicest man in the world, most would admit, But even St. Nick can’t get a special permit.

There was joy in the air, it was jolly that day, Knowing that mamma’s gift wouldn’t come from the Circle K. He’d crossed the drawbridge where dolphins do leap, Ten miles under the speed limit, holding up traffic he did creep,

His board shorts were red, sporting a huge belt buckle. “There’s no such thing as a furlined Guy Harvey shirt,” the locals they chuckled. As strange as he looked, all on the Island felt blessed. They didn’t have to go to the mainland to buy gifts and be stressed.

He parked on Gulf Drive, wishing everyone world peace. “Look at the Christmas lights, they're magical.” No Nick, that’s the police! A bit of a snag on that moonlit Christmas morning, But the cops were feeling nice and he got off with a warning.

From Coquina Beach to Bean Point, the gifts got delivered, Then he stopped by the bar to warm up his liver. I heard him exclaim as he caught the Monkey Bus with a word, “Happy Christmas to all! See ya in January, I’m now a snowbird!”

10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130 Please visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 2, all day – City offices closed, New Year holiday Jan. 5, 1:30 p.m. – Citizen Recognition committee meeting Jan. 12, 2 p.m. – City Commission meeting

BRADENTON BEACH

107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005 Please visit www.cityofbradentonbeach. com or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 2, all day – City offices closed, New Year holiday Jan. 4, 1 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board meeting Jan. 5, 6 p.m. – City Commission meeting Jan. 11, 9:30 a.m. – Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Jan. 12, 4 p.m. – Manatee County stormwater meeting

HOLMES BEACH

5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800 Please visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Jan. 2, all day – City offices closed, New Year holiday Jan. 3, 10 a.m. – Land development code RFQ selection committee meeting Jan. 4, 10 a.m. – Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Jan. 4, 5 p.m. – Planning Commission meeting Jan. 10, 5 p.m. – City Commission meeting with work session to follow Jan. 11, 9 a.m. – Clean Water Ad-hoc Committee meeting Jan. 12, 9 a.m. – Stormwater Improvements selection committee meeting

ISLAND-WIDE

Jan. 9, 2 p.m. – Island Transportation Planning Organization meeting, Holmes Beach City Hall

EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Mah-jongg for beginners, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 29

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Explore Nature Tower Talks, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 10 a.m. to noon One Blood Donation Bus, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Seaside Quilters, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Sunshine Stitchers knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Thursdays in Paradise Stroll featuring local art, music and food, Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 5-8 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve Mosaic Nest, 840 Ninth Ave. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Oyster shell drilling, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 9 a.m. to noon Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 9 a.m. Mah-jongg Club for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

New Year’s Eve Robinson Runners, Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY, JAN. 3

Farmer’s Market, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Family story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 11:30 a.m. Mah-jongg for experienced players, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m. Duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, noon

Ambrose announces new market location

Ousted by Manatee County leaders in August, Ambrose’s new market location is in Osprey.

BY LESLIE LAKE

SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Since the Aug. 2 announcement that Manatee County would take over the Coquina Beach Market from Nancy Ambrose, its director for the past decade, she has been diligently trying to locate a new venue for vendors to sell their items. On Dec. 17, she took to social media to announce the planned opening of a Friday market in a new location.

“Join the fun at The Point, 131 Bayview Drive, Osprey, for the grand opening of the Market at The Point from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13,” she wrote on her Where is the Market Facebook page.

Ambrose said there will be 110 vendors, including several from the Coquina Beach Market, offering art, jewelry, fresh produce, baked goods, apparel, pottery, purses, collectibles, woodworking, health and beauty items and more. The market is planned to continue every Friday through April 28, weather permitting

“The thing that bothered me the most when the market was terminated was what would happen to the vendors. This has been so hard for them as for many the Beach Market was their only income,” Ambrose wrote in an email to The Sun. “The one thing that hurt me the most when the county took over there was never any mention of the vendors that were devasted by the termination – not once at any of the meetings or any letters or anywhere. So sad! So many wonderful people that were hurt by this.”

The Aug. 2 press release from Manatee County Information Director Bill Logan stated in part, “Artisans and other vendors will be back along the Coquina Beach South promenade, once again, when the 2022-23 season opens in November as oversight for the market shifts to Manatee County.”

In October, Logan announced that the planned Nov. 1 opening of the county-run Coquina Beach Market would be delayed due to cleanup efforts from Hurricane Ian. As of press time for The Sun, no new opening date for the market was announced.

Dorothy Eder, one of the group’s founders, celebrated her 103rd birthday Dec. 14 with the Off Stage Ladies at Scarpino’s in Bradenton. The ladies gifted Eder with a plaque cementing her status as a “shining star” for the Island Players. The plaque will be displayed in the Island Players Theater. The group celebrated Eder's birthday with one of her favorites, chocolate cake.

SUBMITTED | ELLEN DEVINE

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN Temporary fencing blocks access by the public to the staircase currently under repair for termite damage at the Bradenton Beach Circle K.

Bradenton Beach Circle K remains without stairs

In early December, the owners of the Circle K at 103 Gulf Drive S. began tearing out the convenience store’s front stairs after extensive termite damage was detected. It was only a matter of days before work on the new stairs to the main entrance of the store began. Shortly after, a notice from the city of Bradenton Beach was posted on the building stating the work was being done without the proper permits and ordering all work on the project to cease. Representatives for the Circle K say that they are working to resolve the issue but could not give The Sun a projected date of completion for the project. The store remains open 24 hours a day and is accessible via a two-tiered ramp on the north side of the building. IN PERSON • ONLINE The challenges of last year quickly reappear when the Christmas lights are turned o .

How can this year be di erent? SEE YOU SUNDAY!

941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch