Anna Maria Island Sun January 3, 2018

- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 18 No. 12

January 3, 2018

Commission seeks sign relief for business owners On Jan. 11, the public and the business community will have their first opportunity to comment on allowing A-frame business signs again.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

joe hendricks | SUN

A year’s worth of good deeds earned Bob Slicker the Sun’s Person of the Year award for 2017

Bob Slicker: The Sun’s 2017 Person of the Year

ANNA MARIA – City commissioners are proposing lifting the ban on A-frame sandwich board signs due to the impact the closure of the Anna Maria City Pier is having on local businesses.

Amended in 2014, Anna Maria’s sign ordinance currently prohibits A-frame sandwich boards and portable signs.

Commission Chair Doug Copeland proposed a sign ordinance amendment during the Thursday, Dec. 28, meeting. He said the topic came up often while he was out seeking donations from local businesses to provide holiday gifts for city employees.

After praising their generosity, Copeland said many Pine Avenue business owners and managers told him they were suffering because of the pier closure. They also told him they always felt the A-frame signs allowed until 2014 benefited their businesses. see signs, page 32

Fund-raising and charitable deeds are a year-round practice for Bob Slicker and the Swordfish Grill.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

CORTEZ – Webster’s Dictionary defines a philanthropist as “one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare.”

Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker’s dedication to philanthropy and helping others makes him the Sun’s Person of the Year for 2017.

In late August, Slicker supported manager Adam Sears suggestion to partner with local charter captains to organize a relief effort for Texans impacted by Hurricane Harvey. see slicker, page 30

INSIDE NEWS OPINION Sun survey sean murphy outdoors restaurants real estate police reports

4 6 7 17 24-25 26-27 28-34 36

joe hendricks | SUN joe hendricks | SUN

John Banyas, Bob Slicker, Dean Taylor, Katrina Cox, Laura Bell Adams and Sande Caplin played key roles in the 2017 Giving Back fund-raiser, shown from left to right.

The year in

review on AMI, plus Cortez and Manatee County. 4-18

Anna Maria Island, Florida

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper

A-frame sandwich board signs are desired by Pine Avenue business owners, but currently prohibited by the city’s sign ordinance.

The County’s Marine Rescue named Beach Patrol of the Year. 3 Manatee deaths climb

in 2017. 24 www.amisun.com

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JANUARY 3, 2018

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JANUARY 3, 2018

THE SUN

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Marine Rescue #1 in state

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

The Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association has awarded its most prestigious award, Beach Patrol of the Year, to the Manatee County Marine Rescue Division.

The award goes to the best agency in the industry in recognition of its elite public service to the community.

The award will be presented April 24 at the annual Florida State Surf Lifesaving awards banquet in Manatee County.

Marine Rescue Chief Joe Westerman said every marine rescue agency in Florida provides top-notch service to the visitors of their beaches, and every nominee could have won the award. Westerman said Manatee County stands out from others this year thanks to its innovative practices such as the county’s new Marine Rescue Paramedic unit and Marine Rescue’s role during Hurricane Irma, when beach lifeguards assisted with traffic control, medical care, victim rescue and patient transport during the County’s Level A evacuation.

“I’m extremely proud of every lifeguard who works hard for this

joe hendricks | SUN

This lifeguard tower at Coquina Beach is one eight such towers along Anna Maria Island’s beach coastline.

Division ensuring the beaches in Manatee County stay safe,” Westerman said.

“The dedication they show to their profession every day is the reason we succeed. Although the Division received this award, this is an award for our entire county and the leaders who recognize the importance of what our beach lifeguards do every day protecting the citizens and patrons who visit our beaches,” he added.

“We’re very proud of Chief Westerman and the entire Marine Rescue team for earning this prestigious honor,” said Public Safety Director Bob Smith.

Manatee County Marine Rescue consists of 16 full-time lifeguards, including EMTs, paramedics, rescue divers, Coast Guard captains and one certified Dive Master. They patrol Manatee’s public beaches atop eight lifeguard towers and watched over nearly 2.7 million beach visitors last year.

joe hendricks | SUN

Copeland honored Former Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford presented Pat Copeland, right, with the city’s Citizen of the Year award on Thursday, Dec. 28. Barford cited Copeland’s lengthy career as a reporter and editor on Anna Maria Island and her ongoing volunteer work as co-founder of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. Several family members and friends attended the presentation at city hall.

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ISLAND NEWS

in brief

Mangrove trimming agreement review set Holmes Beach commissioners are set to revisit a mangrove trimming agreement in January between the city and management at Westbay Point and Moorings. The agreement is believed to be a first of its kind in the city, allowing a third party not engaged by the city to maintain mangroves at a public boat ramp.

The agreement was previously approved by commissioners prior to the November election. Now, with a few minor changes requested by Westbay management and two new commissioners on the dais, the matter will be reopened during the Jan. 9 meeting for clarification and a vote on the changes.

Peelen attempts civil service return A little over a month after the election, former Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen is ready to return to active duty for her city. She appeared before Holmes Beach commissioners Dec. 12 to ask for consideration for her application to the city’s ad-hoc form of government committee, investigating what form of government may be most beneficial to the city in the future. If appointed to the committee, Peelen would fill the spot of Connie Kihm, who resigned in November due to her husband being elected to the city commission.

Commission Chair Judy Titsworth said she would speak to committee Chair David Cheshire and see what his opinion is on adding to the committee’s current eight members. If Cheshire welcomes a ninth member, the position will be publicized before anyone is appointed to the committee.

Trash pickup delayed a day Residential trash and recycling pickup will follow the holiday schedule for both Waste Pro and Waste Management services. Because the New Year holiday was on Monday, all residential customers will experience a one day delay in services. Commercial customers will have pick-up one day before and one day after the holiday.

Vice mayor to be appointed Thursday The first Bradenton Beach City Commission meeting of 2018 will take place Jan. 4, at 6 p.m.

The commission will select a new vice-mayor and a new CRA chair; consider reappointing Jim Lynch to another term on the Planning and Zoning Board; discuss sending a letter to Sen. Greg Steube about a bill he filed regarding tree trimming and tree removal.

The commission will discuss on first reading an amendment to the Land Development Code regarding swimming pool accoutrements, decks and buffering and an amendment that would establish a Mixed Use Bridge Commercial Overlay Zone District for Bridge Street. The commission will formalize its recent decision to extend the 2016 building moratorium and the consent agenda includes a $4,886 invoice from attorney Robert Watrous.

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JANUARY 3, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW: ANNA MARIA Pier closure caps eventful 2017 The impacts of the pier closure will carry over into 2018.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The pending replacement of the city pier was a big story that became a bigger story when Hurricane Irma damaged the pier in September, leading to its closure. The pier will not reopen until a new pier is built, and that could take at least another year.

Also in 2017, developer Shawn Kaleta agreed to a $1 million lawsuit settlement. Most of the city’s Bert Harris claims were settled.

City officials and residents successfully battled the state Legislature’s attempts to prohibit local regulation of short-term vacation rentals. Three key city staffers were replaced and City Pier Park received shade sails.

Pier closed

In September, Mayor Dan Murphy received a structural assessment and damage report on the pier from the Ayers Associates engineering firm.

“We recommend immediate closure of the facility until appropriate repairs are made to the pier and buildings. Until those repairs are complete, the public should not be permitted on the pier,” the report said.

Closing the pier, bait shop and restaurant space leased to Mario Schoenfelder left three dozen pier employees unexpectedly unemployed and many Pine Avenue businesses are now feeling the impact as well.

Ayres recommends the new pier be built with concrete pilings and composite decking, but Commissioner Dale Woodland and others are lobbying for wooden pilings.

The mayor and commission must also figure out what to do with the engraved wooden planks that will be removed.

joe hendricks | SUN

A visit to the Anna Maria City Pier the morning after Hurricane Irma passed by revealed the bait shop was missing its roof.

Kaleta settlement

Lobbying efforts

In November, attorneys representing Shawn Kaleta and his Beach to Bay Construction negotiated a $1 million out-of-court settlement in response to a federal lawsuit filed against the mayor and city in 2016.

The lawsuit alleged city officials made unwritten and erroneous interpretations of city codes, policies and practices that were applied solely to Kaleta’s efforts to build vacation rental homes. The suit alleged these actions negatively impact Kaleta and Beach to Bay. An insurance policy the city holds with Florida Municipal Insurance Trust through the Florida League of Cities relieved city taxpayers of the $1 million settlement burden.

Last January, the city enlisted the services of lobbyist Chip Case to combat Sen. Greg Steube and other state legislators attempting to eliminate or severely hinder local governments’ ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals.

Anna Maria residents Amy Tripp and Ruth Uecker joined the fight and traveled to Tallahassee to meet with state legislators, as did the mayor. Uecker and Tripp also assisted City Commissioner Nancy Yetter’s efforts to encourage other city and county governments to join the fight. State legislators will resume their deregulatory efforts when the 60-day 2018 Legislative session begins Jan. 9.

Bert Harris settlements

In February, Robin Meyer replaced previous City Planner Bruce McLaughlin after he resigned on short notice.

In November, the City Commission terminated Building Official Jimmy Strickland because he failed to provide the documents needed to verify the city’s compliance with the Community Rating System (CRS) program that provides 25 percent flood insurance discounts to policy holders in Anna Maria.

City officials are still awaiting

According to City Clerk LeAnne Addy’s December monthly update, 89 of the 112 Bert Harris claims filed against the city in response to vacation rental regulations adopted in 2015 have been settled.

The non-monetary settlements resulted in vacation rental owners receiving occupancy exceptions that exceed the eight-person limit established by ordinance in 2015.

The city is still awaiting owner decisions on 19 pending offers and final signatures on four accepted settlements. The city has made an offer on every claim filed.

Staff changes

see ANNA MARIA, page 5

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JANUARY 3, 2018

ANNA MARIA: Year in review FROM PAGE 4

word on whether Strickland’s failures will reduce or eliminate Anna Maria’s CRS discount. Strickland’s replacement, David Greenbaum, begins this week.

In December, Sgt. Mike Jones replaced Sgt. Russell Schnering as joe hendricks | SUN the highest-ranking City Attorney Becky Vose helped the member of the city successfully settle the majority of law enforcement its remaining Bert Harris claims. division contracted through the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Schnering is now leading the Sheriff’s Marine Division.

Code Enforcement Manager Pam Gibbs also announced her plans to retire soon.

City Pier Park

As part of the ongoing efforts to better utilize City Pier Park, the city paid $84,975 to have a shade sail structure installed. The shade structure made its public debut in November during the ceremonies that followed the city’s inaugural Veterans Day parade.

THE SUN

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Center works toward 2018 initiatives The Center of Anna Maria Island plans for a better 2018 by releasing a list of fund-raisers for the beginning of the calendar year.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island is ready to ramp up its fundraising efforts in the New Year.

Executive Director Kristen Lessig said that the focus for the nonprofit’s leadership in the second half of the fiscal year will be to continue working to rebuild the organization’s relationship with the community, increase grant applications and continue to increase membership numbers. Other ongoing initiatives include recruiting new board members and increasing fundraising efforts.

With two more board members resigning in December, the Center’s board is well under its maximum of 17 members. During the December board meeting, former board chair Bill Schuman and board Treasurer Jim Froeschle both announced they would be stepping out of a formal position with the Center but would continue to serve in an unofficial capacity as advisors. New board members are expected to be approved and take office near the beginning of the New Year.

In fundraising efforts, the Center ended the year with an annual appeal mailing and $30,000 matching challenge.

The results of the matching challenge weren’t yet available as of press time for The Sun, however Lessig estimated that as of December 13 $23,800, including a $10,000 matching check, had been raised.

New community programs

and fund-raising efforts coming for 2018 include bi-weekly bingo games beginning Jan. 9.

The games are open to everyone and take place the second and fourth Friday of each month.

A committee for the annual Tour of Homes has been formed with Brookie Ritchie serving as chair. The event will take place Saturday, March 17, with the boutique located for the firt time at the Center along with food vendors. Dates also have been set for a two night murder mystery theater event Feb. 16 and 17.

Lessig said the Center is seeking volunteers not only for fund raising and community event days, but also to assist in daily activities. Anyone interested in attending a volunteer orientation can sign up online at www.centerami.org or visit the Center at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

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OPINIOn

The Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com

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JANUARY 3, 2018

EDITORIAL In good hands

C

ongratulations to Manatee County Marine Rescue for being named The Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association’s Beach Patrol of the Year.

It wasn’t too long ago that it seemed the lifeguards in the towers at Manatee County and Coquina Beaches were little more than an afterthought.

Salaries were closer to what teenagers would receive during a summer job than what a professional would want as base for a career. They didn’t have the type of insurance coverage that other professionals who put their lives on the line had. Morale was low and the county constantly needed more lifeguards. The Manatee County Commissioners worked hard to increase the budget and finally, they got it done.

Joe Westerman, a sergeant in the ranks, was promoted to Marine Rescue Chief and more personnel were hired. These people are trained in rescue and resuscitation and also trained to keep an eye on the parking lots and areas other than the Gulf and beach. They played a role in the evacuation during Hurricane Irma last year.

I

n 1976, the movie “Lifeguard” showed a California lifeguard, played by Sam Elliott, who was still patrolling the beaches in his 30s. Most of his fellow lifeguards had gone on to other pursuits and younger men took their jobs. He had outgrown the job, but he was still eager to do the job.

Today, lifeguards get more technical training to be prepared for more types of emergencies and they rightfully expect more pay as they stay and turn their jobs into professions.

Who would you prefer to rely on in an emergency – somebody trained and ready to do the job or a high-schooler on summer vacation?

Protecting lives is not for amateurs and we feel the county is on the right track.

Those people in the towers with binoculars and radios aren’t there for the sun or the surf. They’re responsible for the lives of everyone out there.

Congratulations to the entire Marine Rescue crew. Let’s hope the county keeps up its funding efforts to improve beach safety with professionals who are dedicated to their duties.

Take The Sun Survey on Page 7.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Deja Vu, Deja Vu

Much as in the movie “Groundhog Day” I repeat my plea year after year and it routinely falls on deaf ears, and the citizens of Anna Maria Island fecklessly suffer the same consequences.

My plea is simple. Have the police or designees take a proactive role in moving traffic on, off and through the Island during

peak times. Seems like a reasonable response to a serious problem, but you'd think I was asking for Trump to send in the 101st Airborne Division.

Anyway, the first thing that needs to be done is to check the timing of the lights on Manatee and East Bay and at the Manatee Beach entrance. They seem to spend more time stopping traffic

than moving it. Next, get police to supplement the lights and intersections as necessary.

I've made all the arguments before, so I won't repeat them.

The time is now, not next July.

Once again I'm not billing $500,000 for this advice, as others have done.

Bob McCaffrey Holmes Beach

sun facebook page comments These are comments made about today's editorial cartoon by Steve Borggren, which is also being viewed on The Sun's Facebook page.

Debra Suerdieck: The very sad thing is, it is real. And, as so called progress continues, it takes away from everything that makes AMI a desirable vacation get away. The quaint old Florida feeling on the

Island looks like it will continue to erode with the so called progress. The problem is that people are willing to pay higher prices on the Island because of the quaintness of it. Once this wonderful quality is gone, which it looks like is already happening, there will be no reason for tourists to pay higher prices. The same beach will be able to be found anywhere in Florida at cheaper prices. Hor-

rible!

Sue Stewartson Quimby: Greed has won. Period.

Janet Bethart Maze: The struggle is real and here!

Deneen Smith Knisely: Yep, that about sums it up!

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JANUARY 3, 2018

THE SUN

7

on the agenda

the sun survey

PREVIOUS QUESTION: What are your New Year's resolutions, if any?

0%

11%

Contribute more to the local watering hole economy.

Anna Maria 10005 Gulf Drive.

Be friendlier to tourists.

0%

Jan. 9: 4 p.m., Planning and Zoning Board meeting.

Jan. 11: 6 p.m., City Commission special meeting.

For information, call 7086130.

Bradenton Beach 107 Gulf Drive N.

Jan. 3: 11 a.m., Pier Team meeting.

Jan. 3: 3 p.m., Scenic WAVES meeting.

Jan. 4: 6 p.m., City Commission meeting.

Jan. 10: 1 p.m., Planning and

Finally clean out the garage.

Zoning Board, continued public hearing.

Jan. 11: 1 p.m., Department Head meeting.

For information, call 7781005.

Holmes Beach 5801 Marina Drive.

Jan. 3: 10 a.m., Parks and Beautification meeting.

Jan. 3: 6 p.m., Planning Commission meeting.

Jan. 8: 1 p.m., Ad-hoc Form of Government committee meeting.

Jan. 9: 6 p.m., City Commission meeting.

Jan. 11: 6 p.m., City Commission work session.

mark your calendar

67%

Note: Events are free unless indicated.

I don't do New Year's resolutions.

22%

Hit the gym and get in better shape.

The sun survey is not a scientific poll and is used for entertainment purposes only.

THIS WEEK’S SURVEY What do you consider the biggest

Beach mayor's election.

• City efforts to control vacation rentals.

• The unprecedented growth in tourism to

story on AMI in 2017?

the Island.

• Hurricane Irma hitting the Island.

• FDOT's choice to replace the Anna Maria

• Closing of the Anna Maria City Pier.

Island drawbridge with a 65-foot-tall,

• John Chappie winning the Bradenton

fixed-span bridge.

To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone.

Wednesday January 3

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.

OneBlood donation opportunity, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gulf Coast Writers, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 12:45 p.m.

Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon.

Thursday

LIKE us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun View The Sun’s online edition at www.issuu.com/AnnaMariaIslandSun The Anna Maria Island Sun staff Publishers Mike Field Maggie Field Editor/CEO Mike Field Layout Ricardo Fonseca Reporters Cindy Lane Tom Vaught Joe Hendricks

Kristin Swain Columnists Louise Bolger Outdoors editor Rusty Chinnis Ad director Chantelle Lewin Ad assistants Chris Boniberger Diane Martin

Classified ads Bob Alexander Graphics Elaine Stroili Ricardo Fonseca Digital/Social Media Editor Cindy Lane Accounting John Reitz

Distribution Bob Alexander Tony McNulty Connor Field Contributors Pat Copeland Steve Borggren Sean Murphy Monica Simpson

January 4

Veteran Services Information, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 9 a.m.

Zumba and mat pilates for seniors, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 10 a.m., $10 per class.

Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

Mad Science: Superhero Science, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

AMI Chamber ribbon cutting, Donut House Espresso and More, 3211 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 11 a.m.

ACBL open pairs duplicate

bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 1 p.m., $11 per game with coffee and snacks provided.

Reserve to 941-216-9600 or sjbrill@aol.com.

Feed the Pig: Thinking Money, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Friday January 5

Senior Adventures book sale and potluck, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Reserve to Kaye Bell, 941538-0945.

Intermediate bridge session, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $10, includes coffee and cookies.

Reserve to maryannbrady@ theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

Mahjong, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 11:30 a.m.

Knit and crochet, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Sunset drum circle, Manatee Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 5 to 8 p.m.

AMI Chamber ribbon cutting, Inhale Salt Spa, 4815 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday January 6

See the sun through a solar telescope, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 8

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THE SUN

mark your calendar

Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.

to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

Preschool Storytime: Gopher Tortoises, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m.

Mahjong for beginners, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., $10, snacks are provided. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

ACBL open pairs duplicate bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 1 p.m., $11 per game with coffee and snacks provided. Reserve to 941216-9600 or sjbrill@aol.com.

Tech Help, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.

Monday

Wednesday

Anna Maria Island Swap Meet, Lifelong Learning Academy at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 11 a.m., $5. Reserve to 941-778-1908 or www. centerami.org/event/ami-swap-meet.

Social bridge games, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, noon.

Create a Crafterpiece, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 12:30 p.m., $15. Reserve to maryannbrady@theparadisecenter.org or 941-383-6493.

TED Talks to AMI, Lifelong Learning Academy at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, 1 p.m., $5. Reserve to 941-778-1908 or www.centerami.org/event/ ted-talks-ami.

AMI Chamber January sunrise breakfast, Anna Maria Island Beach CafĂŠ, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 7:45 a.m., $8 per member or $16 per prospective member.

Roser-Robics chair-based exercise class, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9:30 a.m.

Beach Market, Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 941-518-4431.

Off Stage Ladies meeting, Elks Lodge, 2511 75th St. W., Bradenton, noon, $16. Reserve to Roe Duncan at 941-932-2798 or roeduncan@gmail.com.

Gentle chair yoga, Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, noon.

Coloring Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon.

Chess Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 4 p.m.

Ask a Master Gardener, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10:30 a.m.

ACBL open pairs duplicate bridge, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, second floor, 1 p.m., $11 per game with coffee and snacks provided. Reserve to 941216-9600 or sjbrill@aol.com.

Sunday January 7

January 8

Tuesday January 9

Yoga with Cheryl Kaiser, The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 2nd Floor, Longboat Key, 10 a.m., $10. Reserve

January 10

DECEMBER 20, 2017

AUCE Fish Fry 1st Sunday Each Month AUCE Snow Crab 2nd Sunday Each Month

Lobster Boil 3rd Sunday Each Month Slicker's Pig Roast 4th Sunday Each Month

Waterfront Tiki Bar on Sarasota Bay Wed. 1/3 - Tim Chandler 6PM Thurs. 1/4 - Blues Jam w/Jason Haram 7PM Fri. 1/5 - Ted Stevens & The Doo Shots 7PM

Sat. 1/6 - Tim Chandler 12-4 Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones 7PM Sun. 1/7 - Tim Chandler 12-4 The Accidentalz 5PM Mon. 1/8 Natural Vibes 5:30PM Tues. 1/9 - Ted Stevens 6PM

Lunch Specials Daily

4628 119th St W Cortez (941)798-2035 swordfishgrill.com Marker 49 by boat

JANUARY 3, 2018

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BeallsFlorida.com

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To find the nearest Bealls Store, hours, and latest deals, visit BeallsFlorida.com Bealls Stores & BeallsFlorida.com are operated by Bealls Stores, Inc. and Beall’s Westgate Corporation.

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JANUARY 3, 2018

Loving Christ •Sharing His Grace •Serving All COMMUNITY CHURCH

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM and 10:00 AM IN THE SANCTUARY

Call for a ride to the 10:00 AM Worship Service

10:00 AM Nursery & Church School 8:30 AM Early Bird Sunday School 8:45 AM Adult Bible Study

TERRIFIC TUESDAYS

5:30 • Dinner ($6) 6:15 • 3 Classes, The Groove for Youth!

A NON-DENOMINATIONAL, CHRISTIAN CHURCH • EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

512 Pine Ave • Anna Maria

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941-778-0414 • www.RoserChurch.com • www.facebook.com/RoserChurch

ADAM SEARS/FACEBOOK | SUBMITTED

Mullet arrival The 2017 mullet season was a bit slow of late, possibly due to warm weather or a red tide fish kill off Lee County. But things started picking up on Christmas Day, and the mullet were still running good on Saturday with the arrival of cooler weather. Here, fourth and fifth generation Cortez fishermen Chris and Will Osborne made a nice haul when they went mullet fishing on Christmas Day.

FRESH BURATTA AND HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

I’m an Original Mar Vista offers a true Florida dining experience! Situated on picturesque Sarasota Bay guests can sit inside the quaint dining room, outside on the covered deck or at the water’s edge under the canopy of majestic Buttonwood trees while they enjoy fresh Gulf to table seafood, farm to fork produce and a full bar featuring tropical drinks.

Ed Chiles, proprietor of The Sandbar, Beach House and Mar Vista

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a group of locally owned restaurants who share a passion for dining excellence and commitment to our community.

eatlikealocal.com 15 South Ristorante • Amore Restaurant • Andrea’s • Anna Maria Oyster Bar • Arts & Eats Restaurant and Gallery • Beach House • The Bijou Café • Birdrock Taco Shack • Blase Café • Blu Island Bistro • Blue Marlin Seafood • Bridge Street Bistro • Café Baci • Café Gabbiano • Café Venice • Cassariano Italian Eatery • Cedar Reef Fish Camp • Chaz 51 Bistro • Ciao! Italia • The Crow’s Nest • Drunken Poet Café • Duval’s • enRich Bistro • Euphemia Haye • Fast N Fresh • Fins at Sharky’s • Gold Rush BBQ • Gulf Drive Café + Tiki • Harry’s Continental Kitchens • JPAN Restaurant • Lobster Pot • MADE Restaurant • Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub • Mattison’s Forty-One • Michael John’s • Michael’s On East • mi Pueblo • Miguel’s Restaurant • Oasis Café and Bakery • Ophelia’s On The Bay • Ortygia Restaurant • Pacific Rim • Paradise Grill • PIER 22 • Polo Grill & Bar • Primo! Ristorante • Riverhouse Reef & Grill • Roessler’s Restaurant • Salute! Restaurant • Sandbar Seafood & Spirits • Seafood Shack • Siesta Key Oyster Bar • State Street • Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse • Tsunami • Village Café • The Waterfront Restaurant on Anna Maria

JANUARY 3, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW: HOLMES BEACH

THE SUN

11

Looking back at 2017 in Holmes Beach Election upset

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

After two years without an election, a shakeup happened in November on the Holmes Beach commission dais.

Two new commissioners were voted into two-year terms, Jim Kihm and Rick Hurst. The upset ousted longtime Commissioner Marvin Grossman.

Commissioner Jean Peelen opted to not run for re-election, instead choosing to back Kihm’s campaign for office. Commissioner Pat Morton was re-elected to a one year term and will have to run again in 2018 to maintain his seat on the dais.

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – It’s been a busy year for the central city on Anna Maria Island. The 2017 calendar year saw some changes, some challenges and some good news for Holmes Beach residents and property owners. The year’s highlights include a hurricane, an election upset, improvements for the city’s puppy playground and the opening of the Island’s first full-service hotel.

Hurricane Irma hits hard

In a tumultuous tropical year, Anna Maria Island was visited by Hurricane Irma in September. The hurricane, the first to hit the Island in many years, caused many residents and visitors to flee to the mainland and left thousands without power for several days.

Damage from the hurricane in Holmes Beach was limited to debris, downed powerlines and primarily minor structural damage. One of the hardest hit places in the city, one of the two Cayman Cay condominium buildings, is still closed to residents awaiting repairs. Another casualty of the storm, the beloved ospreys atop Gloria Dei Lutheran Church have not returned since Irma left, and their nest was removed when the church steeple was tented for termites in early November.

Treehouse visits Supreme Court

After losing multiple local and statelevel appeals, treehouse owners Lynn

Waterline opens

Joe Hendricks | Sun

A Holmes Beach sign lays on its side on Gulf Drive in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Tran and Richard Hazen appealed to the highest court in the land. Their plea was heard, and the treehouse case will be heard by the United States Supreme Court in January. This final appeal will help to determine whether or not the Holmes Beach Gulf-side landmark will be torn down or allowed to remain in its Australian pine perch.

Boat canopies come down

After a lot of back and forth between city leaders and residents at Westbay Point and Moorings, the boat canopies covering rescue boats for West Manatee Fire Rescue and the Holmes Beach Police Department were taken down.

Commissioners voted to remove the canopies, located at the 63rd Street public boat ramp, after multiple pleas from residents. The condo owners argued the boat canopies blocked their views and were lowering property values. Though a riparian rights survey showed the city was well within its rights to have the canopies located on city property, commissioners agreed to remove the canopies to repair relations with residents and avoid possible litigation. Police Chief Bill Tokajer said alternative methods of protecting sensitive equipment on the boats would be used.

It took three years, a site plan review and a lot of back and forth between city leaders and management at Mainsail Lodging and Development, but the Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club finally opened its doors Nov. 29.

The resort is the only full-service hotel on the Island. It has 37 two-bedroom suites, a restaurant and transportation to the Gulffront Mainsail Beach Inn. The hotel is a part of the Marriot Autograph Collection, an assortment of privately-owned boutique hotels using the hotel giant’s booking and marketing outlets.

Dog park funds found

Funds for Fido came through when commissioners allocated $50,000 to the city’s parks and beautification committee to revamp the dog park. The city’s see holmes beach, page 12

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THE SUN

holmes beach: Year in review FROM PAGE 11

dog park, located next door to city hall adjacent to city field, has been a point of contention between residents and city leaders. Regular users are hoping some improvements to the park concerning entrances, grading, ground cover and shade will be implemented within the next year. Members of the parks and beautification committee are currently researching changes to recommend to commissioners for approval.

Vacation Rental Ordinance enforced

The year has been busy for city code enforcement officers as the grace period for vacation rental owners ran out in May. Owners and operators of short-term vacation rentals are required to pass a safety inspection and receive a vacation rental certificate, good for two years, in addition to a business tax receipt in order to operate within Holmes Beach. As the end of the calendar year approached, code

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

After years of planning and several delays, the Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club finally opened to guests in late November. The hotel’s Eliza Ann’s restaurant opened in December. enforcement officers had inspected more than 800 rental properties with more inspections scheduled stretching into the New Year. The goal of the program is to help regulate a largely unregulated industry in the city and provide safer accommodations for visitors.

Form of government questioned

With Mayor Bob Johnson already announcing he won’t seek a third term in 2018, questions have arisen about how the city’s current form of government meets the needs of a changing city. Commis-

sioners formed an ad-hoc committee to study the city’s form of government, a strong mayor backed by a city commission, in comparison to other government types across the state. The eight person committee is tasked with studying the various forms of government available, from a weak mayor and commission set up to a city manager with a commission and a weak or strong mayor. Committee members are entering 2018 in the data collection phase and are expected to present a recommendation to commissioners later in the year.

JANUARY 3, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW: MANATEE COUNTY

JANUARY 3, 2018

THE SUN

13

Manatee County in 2017 Several issues unfolded in Manatee County in 2017 that will or could impact Island residents and visitors.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

MANATEE COUNTY – Aqua by the Bay, the removal of a Confederate monument, the proposed Hunters Point development and Hurricane Irma were among the Sun’s top county stories of 2017.

Aqua by the Bay

After several public hearings and multiple plan revisions dating back to 2013, county commissioners voted 7-0 on Oct. 3 to approve Carlos Beruff’s Aqua by the Bay development plans and rezoning requests.

The commission approvals allow for 16 95-foot-tall condo buildings, an unspecified number of additional 36- to 75-foot-tall residential buildings and 2,894 residential units. The plans include 78,000 square feet of commercial space and a man-made Crystal Lagoon with artificial beaches. The plans reference private docks but no longer include a man-made estuary enhancement area and retaining wall along the Sarasota Bay shoreline.

The commission approvals and the approval process are now being challenged in a lawsuit filed by Suncoast Waterkeeper Director Joe McClash and others in November.

In December, McClash also asked the administrative judge presiding over a Florida Division of Administrative Hearings proceeding to recommend denial of Beruff’s request for a state-issued mangrove and seagrass mitigation

joe hendricks | SUN

County Commissioners ordered this Confederate monument removed in late August Dressed in tactical gear, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies stood watch in front of the plywoodshrouded Confederate monument during the protest rally in August. bank that would allow the removal of coastal mangroves and seagrasses and potentially allow for the marina Beruff removed from his plans in 2013.

are awaiting word from state officials about possibly placing the monument at the Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton.

Confederate monument

Hunters Point

In December, County Commissioners learned it will cost an estimated $41,500 to repair and relocate the Confederate monument removed from the courthouse square in downtown Bradenton in late August. Erected in 1914, the memorial monument was removed by order of the commission due to concerns about public safety after a large protest rally occurred near the monument.

In October, the Manatee County Veterans Council declared its opposition to the stored monument being relocated to Veterans Park near the Bradenton Riverwalk. County officials

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In December, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of developer Marshal Gobuty’s plans to build his renewable energyinspired Hunters Point Resort and Marina along Cortez Road.

On Jan. 11, Gobuty will present his plans to county commissioners in hopes of winning approval for a project proposing 86 cottage homes, 62 lodge-style hotel rooms, a restaurant, clubhouse, marina and 31 parallel boat slips along the canal he owns.

Traffic and bridges

The Florida Department of Transpor-

tation (FDOT) recently reconfigured the traffic pattern at the intersection of Cortez Road and 119th Street West.

The intersection now features a reconfigured left turn lane for west bound traffic and a reconfigured left turn lane for traffic turning left out of Harbour Landings.

In October, the U.S. Coast Guard reduced the openings of the Anna Maria Island Bridge and Cortez Bridge to twice an hour year-round.

FDOT has decided a 65-foot-tall fixed-span bridge will one day replace the Anna Maria Island Bridge on see manatee county, page 14

14

THE SUN

YEAR IN REVIEW: BRADENTON BEACH

JANUARY 3, 2018

A memorable year in Bradenton Beach Future city elections may be impacted by decisions city voters made in 2017.

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – 2017 produced changes inside and outside city hall.

In November, Mayor Bill Shearon lost his re-election bid to former Mayor John Chappie. This ended a decade of public service that included stints as a City Commissioner and Planning and Zoning Board member. In 2015, Shearon pulled the infamous ace of clubs that settled the tied mayor’s race and earned him an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s TV show.

Chappie’s victory returned him to the mayor’s seat he occupied before serving for eight years as a County Commissioner.

City voters chose first-time candidate Randy White over incumbent Ward 3 Commissioner Ralph Cole, but Cole was later appointed to fill the commissioner’s seat vacated by Chappie.

Cole’s appointment was made possible by a voter-supported charter amendment that eliminated commission wards. The amendment was placed on the ballot by the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB).

A second CNOBB amendment reduced commission candidates’ residency requirements and eliminated the requirement that candidates be registered city voters; a third limited the commission’s ability to interpret the city charter.

CNOBB dissolves

Former commission candidate Bill Vincent spearheaded CNOBB’s formation in July. He envisioned an education and advocacy group but it morphed into a political action com-

joe hendricks | SUN

After becoming mayor, John Chappie presented former Mayor Bill Shearon with a certificate of appreciation. mittee (PAC) that later encountered compliance issues.

CNOBB’s proposed charter amendments passed by significant margins, but engaging in ballot initiatives required registration as a PAC and filing financial reports. The failure to do so in a timely manner resulted in former mayor Jack Clarke filing Florida Elections Commission complaints in October.

A CNOBB discussion in July about prohibiting parking garages raised concerns about Sunshine Law compliance for four CNOBB members who served on city advisory boards.

In August, those concerns led the commission and Clarke to jointly initiate a lawsuit naming the six advisory board members as defendants. All six resigned, but the lawsuit still seeks a judge’s ruling on whether Sunshine violations occurred. By year’s end, the city’s legal fees reached $42,000 and it

remains to be seen if a judge will order the defendants to reimburse the city for some or all of its legal costs.

CNOBB was dissolved in November.

City lawsuits

Sunshine lawsuit defendant John Metz is the plaintiff in a legal action he initiated against the city in July as a follow-up to legal action he initiated in 2016 challenging a permitting decision made by Building Official Steve Gilbert.

Citing city code that applies to Gulf Drive South, Metz believes a neighboring property owned by Wendy and George Kokolis lost its historic rights for use as a vacation rental because the structure was unoccupied for more than 18 months before and during the permitted renovations.

In June, special master Liza Gonzalez Moore ruled in favor of the city and the property owners. The writ of certio-

rari that Metz’s attorney filed in July seeks a court review of Moore’s ruling.

According to City Attorney Ricinda Perry, Metz’s actions have cost the city $26,000.

In August, the city and developer Shawn Kaleta were named as co-defendants in a lawsuit filed by Manatee County regarding an unresolved pool permitting dispute involving county sewer lines.

Updated CRA plan In June, the expiring Community Redevelopment Area plan was updated and extended for 30 years. CRA funds paid for additional policing on Bridge Street and in the nearby anchorage, made the down payment on a new day dock and paid for air conditioning and roof repairs to the city-owned restaurant space leased to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.

Vacation rental regulations

In August, the City Commission adopted an amended quality of life ordinance and the accompanying transient public lodging establishment resolution. Working in the unison, the commission actions provide the city with enforceable vacation rental regulations and fee-based registration program.

Application packets have been mailed to vacation rental owners and the regulations take effect March 19.

Storm damage

The day dock was removed in August due to damage sustained in July during Tropical Storm Emily. A new dock is scheduled to arrive in late January.

In September, Hurricane Irma tore the roof off at least one trailer in the Pines Trailer Park, did exterior damage to city hall and left some residents and businesses without power longer than others, but overall the city fared well.

manatee county: Year in review FROM PAGE 13

Manatee Avenue. FDOT has not yet determined whether the Cortez Bridge will be replaced with a higher drawbridge or an even higher fixed-span bridge. That decision is expected early in 2018.

Hurricane cleanup

In September, Hurricane Irma left its mark on Cortez with downed trees and

power lines and significant damage to the exterior facade at the Cortez Bait & Seafood Fish Market on Cortez Road.

Many residents and property owners in unincorporated Manatee County then experienced lengthy delays regarding the county-contracted removal of hurricane debris.

On Dec. 1, Utilities Deputy Director Gus DiFonzo informed county offi-

cials that 90 percent of the debris had been collected and the target date for completion was Dec. 18. DiFonzo estimated the cost of the debris removal to be $13.7 million, and the county’s final cost after FEMA reimbursement could reach $5 million.

Hunzeker staying

In December 2016, County Commis-

sioners voted 4-3 in favor of conducting a nationwide search to replace County Administrator Ed Hunzeker when his contract expires on Jan. 29, 2018.

In September, three of the four commissioners who supported that idea changed their minds and the commission voted 6-0, with one commissioner absent, to renew Hunzeker’s contract until Jan. 29, 2019.

JANUARY 3, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW: THE CENTER

THE SUN

15

Center ends 2017 on a high note

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA – It was a year of ups and downs for The Center of Anna Maria Island with the nonprofit ultimately coming out on top in higher membership and participation rates with renewed interest from the community, despite ongoing financial concerns.

Board upset

Discontent on the board and strained relations with the Island communities resulted in several board members resigning from their posts. In the wake of several resignations, including former board member Bill Schuman leaving the post of chair though he didn’t retire from the board until December, Patti McBean

Financial crisis and government support

temporarily became chair.

McBean left the board amidst rumors of threats and financial concerns after less than two weeks as chair. Newly minted board member David Zaccagnino agreed to take on the mantle of chairman. With another long-time board member, Treasurer Jim Froeschle, joining Schuman in resigning in December, the remaining board continues the search for new members.

Island Fitness merger

One bright spot for the Center is the November merger between the nonprofit and former adversary Island Fitness.

Brenda Canning and staff moved into the second floor fitness center space as former board member Shawn Kaleta removed the fitness equip-

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

Participants in the Center’s youth fishing summer camp learned how to catch a fish on the Anna Maria City Pier mere weeks before Hurricane Irma damaged the landmark and canceled late summer camps. ment he leased to the Center over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Canning said the move had been well received from her members. Center Executive Director Kristen Lessig said

Beer, Wine and Alcohol Served Aboard

the move also has been beneficial for the nonprofit through increased membership and better relations with the community.

For awhile in 2017, it looked from the outside like the Center might not make it to see the New Year, at least not without heavy financial support. The organization closed out the 2016 fiscal year June 30 more than $200,000 in debt. Financial turmoil led to lowered government support.

To help alleviate the financial strain, board members voted in late June to withdraw funds from the unrestricted endowment fund to provide operating reserves. The restricted endowment fund remains intact. During the November board meeting, members remained hopeful the Island cities will provide some financial assistance before the close of the fiscal year. see center, page 18

16

THE SUN

www.amisun.com

JANUARY 3, 2018

www.amisun.com

JANUARY 3, 2018

THE SUN

17

The craziest stuff of 2017

BY SEAN MURPHY SPECIAL TO THE SUN

M

ost of our patrons are hungry when I greet them.

They are coming for food. They have low blood sugar.

It makes them a little crazy.

We try to fix it right away.

We give the kids fresh fruit.

We give the adults alcohol.

“Here little boy, have some fresh fruit and berries.”

“Here Mom, have a little sip of wine – you’ll feel much better.”

Get some fruit in the kids and a glass of wine in the parents, the blood sugar improves, and we are off to the races.

The races still leave lots of room for crazy.

Here are some of my craziest from ’17.

Comments on Trip Advisor:

• “The restaurant is too far away.”

Think about that one.

• “I did not like the wooden floors.”

We don’t have wooden floors. I would

love to have wooden floors. The Gulf water incursions would kill the wooden floors.

• “The owner now has marinas all over the world. All he does is hang out with famous actresses.”

This was my wife’s favorite. She knows famous actresses would have nothing to do with me.

I would love to have a marina anywhere.

From Patrons:

• Patron, “My five ounce filet is as big as her eight ounce filet.”

• Me , “Waiter, can we get this man a smaller filet?”

• Patron, at two hours after sunset, “I heard this place has a great view, but it is dark now and I cannot see the ocean.”

• Me, “Darkness has that effect on views all over ma’am.”

I neglect to mention that the ocean is on the other side of the state.

We had served a gentleman the best smoked salmon in the world.

It came with accompaniments of toast and herbed cream cheese.

I said hello. He snapped at me, rudely, “There is not enough cream cheese for this toast!”

I deftly used two spoons, French service style, to remove two slices of the toast, and then I walked away.

Lots of cream cheese now.

Rants

• The artisan chicken sandwich from McDonald’s.

The Webster Desk Encyclopedia describes an artisan as “one who hand crafts a superior creation at a high level of craftsmanship that approximates art.”

Macdonalds does not have an artisan anything.

• Farm to table in Florida in September.

Nothing is moving from any farms to any restaurant tables in Florida in September.

Nothing grows outside in Florida in September except skin cancer and barnacles.

• Gulf grouper, Gulf shrimp and Maryland crab.

We are being lied to about our seafood and our government.

Over 91 percent of the seafood consumed

by Americans comes from Asia. Virtually none of it is being inspected. The bulk of the grouper served on the Island is twicefrozen North Pacific codfish, almost all of the shrimp is from Asia, and most people

from Maryland have never tasted Maryland blue crab.

Real American seafood costs three times as much as the Asian stuff.

I know because that’s all we buy, and I write the checks.

Real American seafood is worth it.

• “Coal is coming back. It will be clean.

There is no such thing as global warming.”

Climate change is real, and coal cannot be cleaned. Those coal jobs are gone forever.

Americans are being fed too much Asian seafood and too many tweets about phony news.

We deserve better, and we need to get better at telling the difference, for our children and for our democracy.

Lincoln said that you cannot fool all of the people, all of the time.

Things will get better in 2018.

They probably can’t get crazier.

Sean Murphy is the head coach of the incredibly talented team that runs the Beach Bistro; its little sister, Eat Here; and its new craft cocktail bar, The Doctors Office. Some of his articles can be found on the Bistro’s web-site, www.beachbistro.com

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941.778.6444 www.BeachBistro.com

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THE SUN

DECEMBER 20, 2017

Calling all artists The Anna Maria Island Art League is issuing a call to artists for its “Past to Present Photography Exhibit.”

It is looking for artwork featuring film and digital art in black and whites, sepia and color.

Those interested should bring submissions to The Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach, between

the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays no later than Monday, Jan. 8. The fee per entry is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Each artist may submit up to three completed works. If artwork is larger than 20 x 24 inches, submissions can only be up to two completed works. Art-

work must be ready to hang.

There will be an open reception on Friday, Jan 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Complimentary light refreshments will be available; admission is free.

Artwork will continue to be shown through Jan. 31. For more information, call 941-778-2099.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

North Pole play at AME Fifth-graders at Anna Maria Elementary School performed “North Pole Musical” after the PTO Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The play featured colorful costumes and elegant music. The Feast provided the dinner, and both were well attended.

center: Year in review FROM PAGE 15

Participation rates increase

The 2017 calendar year saw membership rates increase at the Center along with participation in youth and adult sports. With about 100 children participating, the nonprofit’s flag football season set a record for number of players in a single season. Lessig said she’s seen some former members who had parted ways with the

Center return in the wake of managerial-instituted changes and community relations improvements.

Though participation rates were up in summer camps, late summer camps suffered from lower participation rates and cancellations due to a highly active tropical season. Lessig and Zaccagnino both said they hope for continued increases in sports and memberships through the winter season.

KRISTIN SWAIN | SUN

David Zaccagnino presides over his first meeting as board chair in June 2017.

www.amisun.com

JANUARY 3, 2018

19

THE SUN

Dolphin Dash set for go Adults and children are welcome to run, and there are awards for every age level.

Open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Most insurance plans accepted

BY TOM VAUGHT

Digital X-rays & EKGs

SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

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HOLMES BEACH – Runners take your mark at the 12th Annual Anna Maria Elementary Dolphin Dash 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13 at the school, 4700 Gulf Drive. Proceeds from the event go to the school’s PTO. Race day registration and packet pickup begin at 7 a.m. at the school. The event is sanctioned by the Bradenton Runners' Club (BRC).

The 5K Dolphin Dash starts at 8 a.m. and the 1 Mile Fun Run starts at 9 a.m.. Immediately following there will be refreshments, door prizes and the awards ceremony. All who finish the fun run will receive a blue ribbon.

Runner classes

Five-K awards go to male/female overall, masters (40+), grand masters(50+), senior grand masters(60+), veteran grand masters (70+), and 10 deep in age group 9 and under, three deep for age groups 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, then 5 year age groups 20-24 up

file photo

Runners start the 5K race at last year's Dolphin Dash. to 80+.

Adults $25, children under 18, $10, BRC members pre-register for $20 (all must be received by 01/11/18) Race day registration: Adults, $30, children under 18, $15.

For pre-registration online, print entry forms at www.RunnerGirl.com or visit www.runsignup.com.

Mail entry forms to Dolphin Dash, c/o AME, 4700 Gulf Dr N, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 Make checks payable to: AME PTO

Ad-hoc committee begins data collection Holmes Beach's ad-hoc committee members, charged with studying the various forms of government available to the city, are beginning the data collection process.

Committee members met to finalize the questions being posed to each of the 30-40 cities chosen by members to study. The list of questions begins with a letter introducing the project to leadership in each city delivered with a questionnaire asking for common census-type data.

Afterward, each city will receive a call from a committee member asking questions from a list created to standardize the process. Questions vary from what type of government the city has, to how that form of government works and what issues the city currently faces.

The cities, chosen by committee members, feature different forms of government, but have something in common with Holmes Beach such as size, large amounts of rental proper-

ties or coastal location.

Initial correspondence was expected to be sent out in early January to avoid being lost in the shuffle of the holidays.

Once the data collection process is complete, hopefully by the end of February, committee members plan to present their findings to each other before working together to develop an opinion to present to city commissioners.

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Art

Classes

Rockefeller reception set

Lessons in money

As part of the Holmes Beach Art District Art Walk from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 12, the Artists' Guild Gallery at 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host a reception for Mariarosa and Roger Rockefeller, award-winning artists who work primarily in the media of watercolor, pen and ink, colored pencil and photography.

Mariarosa is a member of the Florida Watercolor Society (FWS), a signature member of the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society (FSWS), and has taught photoshop for the Artists’ Guild (AGAMI) and Art Center Manatee (ACM). Her art can be seen on Fine Art America (mariarosa-rockefeller.pixels.com).

Roger is a signature member of both the FWS and the FSWS and has taught watercolor, colored pencil and pen ans ink for AGAMI and ACM. His art can also be seen on Fine Art America (roger-rockefeller.pixels.com For more information, see www. amiartistguildgallery.com.

The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is hosting an educational talk for teens and youngsters called “Feed the Pig: Thinking Money," from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4. The lecture is free, and parents are welcome to attend.

Call 941-778-6341 for information.

Watercolor class The Anna Maria Island Art League at 5312 Holmes Boulevard, Holmes Beach, is hosting an Introduction To Watercolors Workshop, with instructor Lori Heintz on Saturday, Jan. 20, From 1 to 4 p.m. Heintz has a bachelor of fine arts from Michigan State University and a masters of arts from Western Michigan University, and has been an art instructor for K-12 Schoolcraft Schools.

This three-hour workshop will teach multiple techniques including dry brush, wet on wet, resist, watercolor pencils and other painting methods.

The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members. Pre-register by calling 941-778-2099 or visit the Anna Maria Island Art League on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Churches

Learn the birds The Manatee County Audubon Society (MCAS) is offering its 2018 Bird ID Course, consisting of four classes on Monday, Jan. 15, Wednesday, Jan. 17, Monday, Jan. 22 and Wednesday, Jan. 24. Each class runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The classes are held at Hope Lutheran Church, 4635 26th St. W., Bradenton.

There will be two full-day field trips on Saturday, Jan. 20 and 27, starting at 7 a.m. Participants will observe approximately 100 species of birds. The cost is $50 each, plus the 2017 MCAS membership fee of $25 per household.

To participate, contact Steve Black at 941-376-0110 or sblack4823@gmail. com (best choice); or Mike Barnes at 586-246-4105 or email ncndmike@ comcast.net.

Family Fun Mad scientist at work Kids are invited to learn about science while having fun at “Mad Science: Superhero Science” on Thursday, Jan. 4, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Call the library at 941-778-6341 for information.

Get out the needles The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, hosts knit and crochet on Friday, Jan. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. Bring your project, and work in the company of other needlers. Call 941-778-6341 for information.

Fun and fashions at St. Bernard

See the sun

St Bernard' Women's Guild will host its annual fashion show and luncheon, "It's A Birthday Party," on Thursday, Feb. 1, at noon in the Activity Center at 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

Ginny's & Jane E's will serve lunch.

Irene's Resort Wear will supply the fashions. Many raffle and door prizes will be available. Proceeds benefit local area charities. A ticket donation is $25. A limited number of tickets will be sold with none at the door. For tickets and information call or text Justine at 410-241-0481.

Visitors to the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach, on Saturday, Jan 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. will be able to look at the sun through a hydrogen alpha solar telescope, weather permitting. It’s safe, and it’s free. It is sponsored by the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department. Call 941-778-6341 for information.

Green that thumb

The growing season is here, and the Island Branch Library at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is hosting “Ask a Master Gardener” on Saturday Jan. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your questions or a sample of a plant that needs help. Call 941-778-6341 for information.

Time for the kids Library children’s specialist Trudy Bell hosts preschool story time on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. This week’s theme is gopher tortoises. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341,

Games Mahjong returns Get ready for another year of the popular board game mahjong. The Island Branch Library will host a session on Friday, Jan. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Call the library at 941778-6341 for information.

Personal Development Give blood Start the new year on a positive note by giving blood. The Oneblood Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marine Drive, Holmes Beach, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the library at 941-778-6341 for information.

Help for veterans Veterans with questions or needing help can meet with a representative of veterans services in the lobby of the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Thursday, Jan. 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. The representative will be there each Thursday. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Writing Writers meet The Island Writers will meet in Wednesday, Jan. 3, from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. at the Island branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The meeting is open to members, and the public is welcome. Call 941-778-6341 for information.

JANUARY 3, 2018

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Thursdays are fun at the Island Branch Library The 2018 Lecture and Travel Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Island Library.

BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – The WalkerSwift meeting room at the Island Branch Library at 5701 Marina Drive will be a popular place on most Thursdays at 1 p.m. through March.

The Friends of the Island Library has released its schedule of speakers for this year, and it includes talks by the nurse for the King of Rock and Roll; another visit from Craig Pittman, who outlines Florida’s “weirdness,” a Boston Light Keeper and the owner of a popular seafood restaurant on Bridge Street.

All lectures are free, and seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The lectures begin at 1 p.m. on Thursdays.

• Jan. 11, “Reinventing the Museum.”

South Florida Museum Provost and Chief Operating Office Jess Rodgers talks about the changes to the Rodgers museum as it tries to stay ahead the needs of the public with improvements in technology and a growing outreach program. Rodgers has been with the museum for 13 years and prior to that at the American Museum of Natural History, where he worked for nine years as an educator and lecturer.

• Jan. 18, “The Prickly Topic – Politics” Since the founding of the United States, citizens have had a wary relationship with the govern- Ferber ment, and today that level of mistrust is unprecedented.

Paul Ferber has taught political science at Rochester Institute of Technology since 1981, and he will discuss how the situation might improve.

• Jan 25, “The Boston Light Keeper.”

Sally Snowman, PhD., is the 70th keeper of the Boston Light, the oldest Coast Guard Light Snowman Station in the nation, dating back to 1716.

Her job is multifaceted: a curator, caretaker, historian and preserver of the historic lifestyle of the light.

She oversees the 70 Coast Guard Auxiliary members who serve as assistant keepers.

• Feb. 1, “Taking Care of Elvis,” Letetia Henley-Kirk served as nurse to Elvis Presley, aka The King, and has written a book. She had in- Henley-Kirk sight to the man she described as smart, kind, funny, generous and exceptionally loyal.

• Feb. 8, “Making Sense of the Census.”

Genealogist Ray Maki talks about the cen- Maki sus, which he calls an

important tool for his research.

He will show how to access the census and use some of the databases that the Manatee County Library System has.

• Feb. 22, “The Making of a restaurateur.”

Adam Ellis, owner of the Blue Marlin on Bridge Street talks about his opening of the award-winning Ellis seafood restaurant in 2011. He credits hard work, dedication, extensive experience and a strong family for his success. Like his family, the food has roots in Florida with a string tie to history.

• March 1, “Oh Florida!” Author and journalist Craig Pittman won the Florida Gold Medal for non-fiction, although, as they say, fact can be stranger Pittman than fiction. Pittman has covered environmental issues for the Tampa Bay Times and he talks about why things can get so weird in the Sunshine State.

• March 22, “Insects Impact Human Culture: Past and Present." John Stoffolano will discuss how insects have impacted the human cultures of the world Stoffolano over the centuries. He takes examples from his world travels to show how they have affected human cultural development and evolution.

Many of last year’s lectures played to a full house. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.

'Tis the season Lines of cars waiting to get onto Anna Maria Island are typical during the holidays and a sure sign that the tourist season is on the way or here already.

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

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OUTDOORS

Manatee deaths rise in Florida

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Florida manatee deaths rose to 527 in 2017, seven more than last year and 24 more than the 10-year average of 503, according to statistics released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

About 20 percent were killed by watercraft collisions, with another 20 percent perishing just before or after birth (perinatal), followed by death from natural causes, cold stress, human interactions other than watercraft and entrapment in flood gates or canal locks. Most manatee deaths were of undetermined cause.

In Manatee County, 20 deaths

were recorded, including five from watercraft, seven listed as natural causes, five perinatal deaths, two undetermined and one unrecovered.

The highest statewide death count in the past decade was in 2013, during which 830 manatees died in Florida waters.

Manatees were downlisted this year from endangered to the less serious threatened status by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

If you see a manatee in distress or a dead manatee, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 888-4043922 (FWCC), #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone, or text Tip@MyFWC. com. Report the location of the animal, its signs of injury or distress, the nearest boat ramp and your contact information.

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Sage, Orvis, G. Loomis, R.L. Winston, Scott, Clutch, Echo, Redington, Tibor, TFO, Nautilus, Waterworks-Lamson, Hatch, Simms, Patagonia

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A decade of manatee deaths in Florida 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527 Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

JANUARY 3, 2018

JANUARY 3, 2018

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Inshore conditions great right now Captain Dave White

This past week has been fabulous conditions for any outdoor activity in our area, especially fishing.

With wind speeds under 10 mph and temperatures in the 70s, it’s very apparent why we choose to reside in the Sunshine State.

We here at Anna Maria Charters have been spending a lot of time inshore this week. Large schools of glass minnows have been infiltrating the area, bringing hungry Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, Jack crevalle and bluefish with them.

The holiday season has brought many families to visit our Island. My trips have been consisting of lots of children and their parents. They just seem to enjoy catching and releasing. As they are staying in hotels, they haven’t had the accommodations to cook themselves a fresh fish dinner. Jack Crevalle are perfect fish for their needs. Scrappy fighters, ranging from 3 to 10 lbs and not good table fare.

When you find one, you’re likely to find 50 of his buddies as well.

My fly anglers are enjoying trout, snook, tripletail, Jacks and bluefish. Fishing has been great everywhere. From the offshore reefs to the Manatee River. Hopefully you get some time this holiday week to enjoy the outdoors. Happy holidays.

captain DAVE WHITE | SUbmitted

Carl St. Louis, of Quebec, shows off a bluefish caught on fly, while his father, Gilles, fights a big Jack with Captain David White, of Anna Maria Charters.

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TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Privateer Susan Shoe, Miss Alaska Angelina Klapperichand Santa

Miss Alaska meets the Privateers The From Alaska to the beach was a long haul for Angelina Klapperich. But she enjoyed the company of Santa, a bunch of kids and the Anna Maria Island Privateers on Christmas morning. Klapperich, who has been crowned Miss Alaska, was visiting family and went to Manatee County Beach when she ran into the crew, kids and Santa who were spreading some holiday joy.

Chamber events scheduled The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its Sunrise Breakfast on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Anna Maria Island Beach CafĂŠ at 4000 Gulf Drive at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. The cost to attend is $8 per member and $16 per prospective member.

There will be a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Rod and Reel Resort at 877 North Shore Drive, Anna Maria. The ribbon will be cut at 5:30 p.m. The community is invited to celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly remodeled resort by its new owner, Suzette Buchan. Attendees will be treated to a tour of the resort and refreshments.

Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club, at 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host the AMI Chamber January Business Card Exchange and Trolley Grant Awards on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost to attend is $5 for members and $10 for prospective members. The Chamber will also be presenting the trolley grant awards to qualifying Island not-for-profits during this event.

JANUARY 3, 2018

JANUARY 3, 2018

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Help scientists track red tide The public can join researchers in monitoring the naturally-occurring Florida red tide algae, Karenia brevis, along southwest Florida.

Follow online updates and report coastal conditions using Mote Marine Laboratory’s new free smartphone app, Citizen Science Information Collaboration (CSIC).

The app allows users to report when and where they experience respiratory irritation or see discolored water or dead fish – all potential indications of Florida red tide.

Mote also operates the Beach Conditions Reporting System (www.visitbeaches.org), which provides daily condition updates for multiple Gulf Coast beaches.

The single-celled K. brevis alga occurs naturally in the Gulf of Mexico and is observed throughout the year at concentrations considered to be background. Higher-than-normal concentrations of K. brevis can include very low, low, medium,

and high levels. Red tide concentrations elevated to levels low or above can cause respiratory irritation in humans and may also kill fish.

Many factors, including algae distribution, currents and winds can determine whether effects are noticeable. When a person leaves an area with a red tide, symptoms usually go away. People with asthma, COPD or other chronic respiratory conditions are cautioned to avoid areas with active red tides.

Blooms of Florida red tide can be very patchy, with background to high concentrations occurring close to one another.

Therefore, effects may be noticeable on one beach but not on a nearby beach.

For more information, check Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s statewide red tide status reports, updated every Friday afternoon at www.myfwc.com/redtidestatus. No red tide was found in Manatee County waters in the

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

most recent report.

Based on statewide results, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also provides forecasts of potential respiratory irritation at http:// tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab/.

Where fresh seafood meets Southern cheer.

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Daily Happy Hour.

Located at Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217 ELIZAANNS.COM | 941.238.6264

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REAL ESTATE

JANUARY 3, 2018

Tis the season to get your house ready

W

e’re done with the holidays, and this is the first column for the new year, so happy new year. I also promise you that it’s the last column starting with “Tis the season,” but it may be the most important one of the Florida real estate season.

If you pride yourself on having a remarkable view from inside your home, then get out the Windex and get them clean from the inside out before allowing potential buyers to walk through the front door. If they’re staring at streaked cloudy windows, it will just remind them how hard it will be to keep those windows clean if they buy your house and totally forget about the remarkable view.

And while you’re cleaning the windows, make sure you clean and deodorize everything else in the house.

We live on an island, and I don’t care how careful you are, mold has a way of creeping up on you before you know

Castles in the Sand Louise Bolger it. Bathrooms need to be odor free and sparkling, kitchen appliances should be shined and while you're at it, clean the inside of the refrigerator just in case a nosey buyer takes a peak in.

Everything in your home is a reflection of you, how you live and how you maintain your home. Sometimes a buyer can find just one small detail like a minor crack in a window or a flower bed that hasn’t been weeded and assume you’re neglectful with maintenance and who knows what else.

Next, love at first sight doesn’t just apply to people, it also applies to houses. Remember that guy you met

G ALLETTO T EAM

AL 941.232.2216

AnnaMariaLuxuryRealEstate.com

at a party with the piercing blue eyes and crooked little smile – you knew right away he was the one. Well, think of your house the same way, only this time the piercing blue eyes and crooked little smile are freshly painted trim and manicured lawns. The object is to get the buyers out of the car panting to get through the front door and just dying to give you their phone number.

Just like wearing the little black dress you look so great in before a date, put your house in its own little black dress – simple, elegant and uncluttered with the emphasis on uncluttered. Clean out those closets to emphasize how much space there is, same with bathroom vanities, kitchen cabinets and garages.

And don’t think for a minute that buyers will hesitate to open closet doors and cabinets, they will.

Stash any collectibles you have, leave just a few family pictures around and

CALL GALLETTO TEAM 1ST TO SELL OR BUY ANNA MARIA ISLAND SOLD $375+ MILLION SINCE 1998

remove coffee table books and objects.

Kitchen counters are an absolute must to be cleared off, especially if you have nice ones like quartz and granite. And do your absolute best to organize and declutter your kids’ rooms. This doesn’t mean they can’t have their favorite toys, it just means they can’t have every toy they own in the room.

It should go without saying that your home’s systems like heat, air conditioning and plumbing be in perfect working order before placing your home on the market. If there are any water stains, get rid of them, and if it’s a warm day, turn on the air. You don’t want dripping buyers only thinking about how hot they are.

If you’re selling in 2018, I wish you the best of luck. But it will take a little more than just luck to have a buyer believe your house is the one. Think little black dress. Have a great year.

6101 MARINA DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH

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JANUARY 3, 2018

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On with the show

JOE HENDRICKS | SUN

Seahorse art If you picked up a seahorse template and want to enter your creation in the Bridge Street Merchants/artsHOP public art project and online action, your completed works need to be returned between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11. Those who picked up templates should have received an email with the details on the private drop-off point. If not, contact Amanda Ryan Escobio at 941-896-2222. There will be an artists’ reception on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The silent online auction and the walkable public art show at participating Bridge Street businesses will begin Friday, Jan. 26 and end Sunday, Feb. 25.

Tickets are available for the Island Players’ production of “Beyond a Joke,” by Derek Benfield.

James Thaggard directs this comedy about murder. The play is set in a country house in England, where six people have died in unfortunate and embarrassing accidents.

When a young guest arrives for the weekend, conversational confusion leads him to believe these deaths were caused by sinister circumstances, and he fears that he is next!

“Beyond a Joke” runs from Jan. 11 through Jan. 28. Bortell’s Lounge is the co-producer.

The cast includes Sylvia Marnie as Jane, Heiko Knipfelberg as Andrew, Caroline Cox as Sarah, Daniel Coppinger as the Vicar, Judi King as Audrey and Peter Ruscoe as Edgar.

Island newcomers Jeffrey A. Steiger plays Geoff and Sarah Klipper plays Sally.

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 each. The box office opened on Tuesday, Jan. 2, and tickets are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. On performance nights, the box office opens at 7 p.m. and for Sunday matinees, it opens at 1 p.m. Visa, MasterCard or Discover are accepted.

For reservations or information, call the box office at 941 778-5755 or visit the website at www.theislandplayers.org.

TOM VAUGHT | SUN

Left to right: Daniel Coppinger as Vicar, tries to enter, but Jeffrey Steiger as Geoff tries to keep him out as Caroline Cox as Sarah is unaware of what’s happening.

Auditions for our next play, “The Curious Savage,” by John Patrick, will be held on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 pm at the theater. The play, which runs from March 8 through 25, will be directed by Kelly Wynn Woodland and co-produced by Bortell’s Lounge.

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slicker: Person of the Year FROM PAGE 1

Slicker promoted the effort on Facebook and within hours the Swordfish Grill parking lot became a staging area that produced enough supplies to fill four trailers.

“Bob stresses how important it is to give back,” Sears said.

A second relief effort was planned, but waylaid by Hurricane Irma’s visit to southwest Florida. Irma also delayed until October the annual Giving Back fundraiser hosted by the Swordfish Grill and website developer and Sarasota Post publisher Sande Caplin.

The 2017 Giving Back event benefitted The Blessing Bags Project and its efforts to assist the homeless and those trying to avoid homelessness. In 2016, Giving Back benefitted Feeding Empty Little Tummies of Manatee County, an organization that provides needy students with food-filled backpacks.

“It’s an honor to know Bob and be a part of what he does. Bob and I have been working together for four years. This year we raised more than $20,000 for The Blessing Bags Project. In 2018, the recipient is going to be Hungers End. They feed the homeless every Monday night and help homeless people throughout the week,” Caplin said.

In November, the Swordfish Grill hosted

the annual Stone Crab Festival, which benefits the Freedom for Fishing Manatee Chapter.

In December, the Swordfish Grill hosted a Christmas breakfast and holiday celebration for 83 children and family members from The Blessing Bags Project.

For Slicker, fund raising is a family affair.

“My parents were always communityminded. My mom, Ellen Scott, takes part in almost every fund-raiser I do,” he said.

On Christmas Day, he and his adult daughters, Colleen and Molly, hopped in his 1963 Pontiac Star Chief and helped Hungers End feed the homeless. In April, Slicker and the other managers took turns behind bar, donated their tips and helped Molly raise $8,000 for Cycle for Survival in honor of Molly’s friend who died of cancer.

The Swordfish Grill hosted benefits for Mack Doss and Danny Nemeth and participated in fund-raising dinners for a Big Brother Big Sister fund-raiser and Ducks Unlimited. The Swordfish Grill’s annual mullet fishing tournament and a Fourth of July hot dog eating contest benefit charitable causes, as do the weekly Wednesday Extravaganzas and Tuesday NASCRAB races.

During a Lighting watch party last spring, Slicker made an impromptu fund-raising

decision that provided a preschool in Bradenton $800 to put toward a new fence.

“We make everything a fund-raiser,” Slicker said. “I’m involved now with making a passport for Cortez Village that will benefit the Florida Maritime Museum.”

Management and staff

In February 2013, Slicker started working at the Swordfish Grill as a part part-time bartender while recovering from a head injury. He was named general manager on Oct. 15, 2014.

Assisted by his management team and staff and empowered by owner John Banyas, Slicker has a created a work environment that encourages good times and good will.

“It all stems from my belief that I’ve accomplished nothing without somebody else’s help. I’m very grateful for John.

Whatever idea we come up with, we know we have his support. I work with no fear.

We talk with our employees about saving money, and we’re working on getting them insurance this year. That was one of my five-year goals,” Slicker said.

His management team includes longtime friends Katrina Cox and Greg Koeper.

“You expect a lot of us, but you expect a lot of yourself as well. It’s important to you that people like working here and have fun.

You care about their lives outside of their job,” Cox said.

“He allows you to do your job, and it’s a

JANUARY 3, 2018

very giving, all-for-one, one-for-all kind of deal,” Koeper added.

Music lover

Slicker has turned the Swordfish Grill’s bayfront patio into one of the area’s most active music venues.

“I’m very adamant about hiring local talent and providing opportunities for local musicians. We have live music nine times a week, year-round because I love live music and local musicians.”

Ted Stevens has been playing the Swordfish Grill since it opened “The staff and patrons make for a fun, energetic atmosphere. Bob Slicker is a blueprint of how to live a good life. He is charitable, cares about the community, the environment, his family, his friends and his employees. He leads by example and his selfless acts are infectious,” Stevens said.

Best friends

Cox and Slicker have been friends for 17 years, but in 2017 their friendship blossomed into romance.

“He’s my best friend and he has the biggest heart of anyone I know,” Cox said.

"I’m looking forward to 2018 and having Katrina Cox by my side," Slicker said. "She helps me keep all this organized, and she keeps me humble.”

JANUARY 3, 2018

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joe hendricks | SUN

Commission Chair Doug Copeland proposed the sign ordinance be amended due to the pier closure.

signs: Commission seeks relief FROM PAGE 1

“My feeling is anything we can do that really doesn’t harm the city, that benefits those businesses during this time, we should consider,” Copeland said.

Commissioners Carol Carter, Brian Seymour and Dale Woodland supported the idea. Vacationing Commissioner Nancy Yetter did not attend the meeting.

Seymour said he never supported the ban on the A-frame signs, and he felt they got lumped in with the restrictions on real estate signs that he still supports. He said the issue was enforcement and not the signs themselves.

Seymour said the menu boards that are currently allowed benefit restaurants, but they don’t benefit retail operations. Seymour acknowledged that he operates a business on Pine Avenue – the Anna Maria General Store and Deli – but he was speaking on the issue as a whole.

“I thought we were being a little harsh back in 2014 when we did what did, but that was the decision that was made,” Woodland said.

Woodland said any future ordinance revisions that allow A-frame signs could be changed again if the signs prove problematic.

“I agree that we need to make allowances given the issues that we have. I think that we should perhaps put a caveat on there in terms of timing. When things are back to normal, maybe we need to reconsider the changes,” Carter said.

Copeland read aloud the language contained in the sign ordinance before A-frame signs were prohibited:

I would be willing to readopt the language that we eliminated back in 2014.”

Doug Copeland, Commission chair

“Each separate legal commercial use is allowed one A-frame sandwich board. Such board shall not exceed 24 inches in width and 36 inches in height including the Aframe. Such sign shall not impede pedestrian traffic or vehicular site distances, shall be allowed during business hours only and shall be removed during inclement weather,” the old ordinance read.

“That’s pretty succinct and concise and defines the size of the sign and what is allowed. You’re not allowed to block the sidewalk; you’re not allowed to put it in the right of way. I would be willing to readopt the language that we eliminated back in 2014,” Copeland said, noting that City Attorney Becky Vose might be able to improve upon it.

The commission reached informal consensus and directed Vose to prepare a proposed sign ordinance amendment for first reading, discussion and public input on Thursday, Jan. 11. The second reading and the commission vote would then likely occur on Jan. 25.

JANUARY 3, 2018

WWW.AMISUN.COM - CELEBRATING 15 YEARS

JANUARY 3, 2018

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Fun reading Author Howard Binkow, from Howard B. Wigglebottom Books, visited Anna Maria Elementary School students the first week of December.

Binkow shared his stories and website with the students and they sang, danced and read his stories. Visit his website at https://wedolisten.org SUBMITTED

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2500 Gulf Drive N Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4201859 $3,250,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 306 Gulf Boulevard Laurie M Mock 941-232-3665 A4177531 $2,497,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 871 N Shore Drive Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4204189 $1,699,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 200 S Harbor Drive 1 Ken Kavanaugh, Jr & Margo Story 941-799-1943 A4184153 $1,350,000

PA L M E T T O 1007 Riviera Dunes Way Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4203167 $1,700,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 234 Gladiolus Street Deborah Capobianco & Kristi Berger 941-704-2394 A4199942 $675,000

CORTEZ 4121 Osprey Harbour Loop Kathryn Sandberg 941-600-2672 A4199658 $529,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 600 Manatee Avenue 224 Susan Nemitz 941-237-0045 A4204610 $355,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 505 S Bay Boulevard Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4199179 $1,850,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 532 70th Street George Myers 941-224-6021 A4184561 $1,750,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 318 Bay Drive S 7 Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4178742 $1,170,000

BR ADENTON 330 Compass Point Drive 202 Susan Nemitz & Betsy Hagen 941-237-0045 A4200223 $750,000

NEW CONSTRUCTION

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS | RENTAL

BR ADENTON 1905 67th Street W Deborah Capobianco 941-704-2394 A4205058 $272,500

8 8 8 . 552 . 52 2 8

BR ADENTON 7730 34th Avenue W 102 Barb Eberhart 614-204-7687 A4204312 $344,000

RENTAL ANNA MARIA ISLAND 309 65th Street A 3 Bed 2 Bath 3132 SqFt $2,600

michaelsaunders.com L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E B R O K E R

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6101 MARINA DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH

Real estate transfers of September-November 2017 •Sponsored by Alan Galletto, Island Real Estate Source: Mid Florida Multiple Listing Service

Date Closed List Price Sold Price Property Address

SFUA

2017-09-22 749,000 2017-09-29 935,000 2017-09-27 1,060,000 2017-09-18 1,379,000 2017-09-29 1,599,000 2017-09-21 479,000 2017-10-13 675,000 2017-10-16 4,995,000 2017-11-08 480,000 2017-11-30 840,000 2017-11-30 1,195,000 2017-11-22 1,295,000 2017-11-21 1,350,000

607 S Bay Blvd 83 N Shore Dr 421 pine Ave 216 Elm Ave 214 Chilson Ave 211 Elm Ave #B 813 S Bay Blvd 102 Mangrove Ave 212 Spring Ave 426 Pine Ave 313 Hardin Ave 700 Jacaranda Rd 524 Villa Rosa Way

2512

4 Br/3 Ba SFR 2268

2 Br/1 Ba SFR 903 104x145 2017-09-27 2363

4 Br/2 Ba SFR 2108 76x151 4 Br/3 Ba SFR 717

2 Br/1 Ba Condo 2030 100x140x103x119 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 6483

4 Br/5.5 SFR 1196

2 Br/2 Ba SFR 1080

2 Br/2 Ba SFR 2039

3 Br/3 Ba SFR 1924 50x150 4 Br/2.5 Ba SFR 2450

4 Br/3 Ba SFR

1,279,000 685,000 299,000 800,000 979,000 220,000 270,000 280,000 320,000 485,000 489,000 725,000 1,200,000 525,000 585,000 810,000 175,000 242,500 260,000 268,000 329,000 350,000

2311 Canasta Dr 102 2nd St N #B 401 20th Pl N 314 Bay Dr S #5 2502 Avenue B 611 Gulf Dr N #D23 1801 Gulf Dr N #208 1301 Bay Dr N #8a 1325 Gulf Dr N #138 1325 Gulf Dr N #167 1325 Gulf Dr N #264 2518 Avenue B #A 2300 Avenue B 111 8th St S 2110 Avenue A Ave 2313 Avenue B 1603 Gulf Dr N #27 1801 Gulf Dr N #156 1325 Gulf Dr N #219 1801 Gulf Dr N #158 1801 Gulf Dr N #114 117 7th St N #20

2580 1502

1717 3360 794 691 1079 750 1392 1425 2834 3358 1800 1490 2614 380 691 476 722 1080 864

50x100

50x100 50x100 50x100

50x100

4 Br/4.5 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR SF Use 2 Br/2.5 Ba Condo 5 Br/5 Ba SFR 2 Br/1Ba Condo 1 Br/1Ba Condo 2 Br/2Ba Condo 2 Br/2Ba Condo 2 Br/2Ba Condo 2 Br/2Ba Condo Duplex Duplex Triplex 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR 5 Br/5 Ba SFR 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/1.5 Ba Condo

459,000 615,000 960,000 1,300,000 1,354000 375,000 385,000

5610 Guava St 607 Ambassador Ln 722 Key Royale Dr 523 56th St 120 50th St 3204 6th Ave #8 3404 Gulf Dr #8

1398 2573 2670 2423 731 1359

1292

63x100

3 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 2 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo

Anna Maria

700,000 862,500 994,000 310,000 1,500,000 450,000 675,000 4,500,000 480,000 840,000 1,145,000 1,265,000 1,350,000

Lot Size

Description

Date Closed List Price Sold Price Property Address

Holmes Beach

Bradenton Beach 2017-09-20 1,290,000 2017-09-01 689,900 2017-09-20 299,000 2017-09-20 849,000 2017-10-31 989,000 2017-10-10 229,000 2017-10-23 283,400 2017-10-31 309,000 2017-10-13 339,000 2017-10-27 485,000 2017-10-25 499,900 2017-10-13 775,000 2017-10-02 1,257,500 2017-10-30 599,000 2017-11-17 595,000 2017-11-07 850,000 2017-11-21 189,000 2017-11-15 252,000 2017-11-21 269,000 2017-11-13 288,900 2017-11-27 345,000 2017-11-06 359,000

Holmes Beach 2017-09-05 459,900 2017-09-14 599,000 2017-09-01 999,900 2017-09-25 1,499,000 2017-09-29 1,379,000 2017-09-29 394,900 2017-09-26 399,000

JANUARY 3, 2018

2017-09-01 424,900 2017-09-29 535,000 2017-09-28 600,000 2017-09-18 999,000 2017-09-16 1,700,000 2017-09-27 737,000 2017-10-13 479,000 2017-10-30 526,000 2017-10-16 599,000 2017-10-13 599,000 2017-10-18 879,900 2017-10-31 1,400,000 2017-10-25 1,295,000 2017-10-02 1,469,000 2017-10-05 1,990,000 2017-10-30 499,000 2017-10-18 292,500 2017-10-13 339,000 2017-10-13 439,000 2017-10-03 499,000 2017-10-27 1,290,000 2017-10-06 239,000 2017-11-15 489,800 2017-11-04 715,000 2017-11-30 770,000 2017-11-20 1,050,000 2017-11-28 1,079,000 2017-11-09 1,100,000 2017-11-09 1,400,000 2017-11-23 2,295,000 2017-11-09 399,900 2017-11-17 260,000 2017-11-27 325,000 2017-11-15 345,000 2017-11-02 435,000 2017-11-29 444,000 2017-11-30 475,000 2017-11-15 450,000 2017-11-20 1,250,000 2017-11-30 599,000 2017-11-21 615,000 2017-11-07 1,150,000

SFUA

Lot Size

Description

404,500 527,000 588,000 925,000 1,700.000 737,000 445,000 519,000 525,000 570,000 780,000 1,175,000 1,295,000 1,375,000 1,965,000 466,000 270,000 318,000 410,000 455,000 1225,000 225,000 475,000 715,000 740,000 975,000 995,000 1,000,000 1,400,000 2,240,000 350,000 255,000 296,667 330,000 407,500 425,000 445,000 450,000 1,150,000 549,000 530,500 1035,000

600 Manatee Ave #206 1179

6006 Gulf Dr #207 1154

5300 Gulf Drive #404 1007

110 36th St #110 1435

6428 Gulf Dr #11 2132

304 Clark Dr #A&B 2080 76x97 409 72nd St

946 229 85th St 1136

604 Concord Ln 1596

612 Concord Ln 1369 85x100 501 72nd St 1730 111x86x125x128 504 75th St 2564

629 Key Royale Dr 2582

119 Neptune Ln 3109

8009 Marina Isles Ln 2715

6307 Gulf Dr 1206

3607 E Bay Dr #208 976

5806 Gulf Dr #206 792

6500 Flotilla Dr #221 1793

2312 N Gulf Dr #201 966

7316 Gulf Dr #8 2136

2813 Gulf Dr

50x100 215 82nd St 824

526 72nd St 1388

620 N Point Dr 2570

4112 5th Ave 2842

202 75th St #B 1967

210 72nd St 844

645 Key Royale Dr 2679

5311 Sunrise Ln #A 3605

6250 Holmes Blvd #24 1272

3601 E Bay Dr #112 931

4307 Gulf Dr #207 1027

6400 Flotilla Dr #11 1314

4255 Gulf Dr #222 1254

6250 Holmes Blvd #63 1224

100 73rd St #204a 660

600 Manatee Ave #236 1377

106 36th St #106 2140

5606 Carissa St A&B 1208 58x105 201 76th St #A 1456 80x100 207 70th St 2014 90x102 Condo

2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2,5 Ba Condo Duplex 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 3 Br/3 Ba SFR 5 Br/5 B.5a SFR 5 Br/5 Ba SFR 4 Br/4.5 Ba SFR 2 Br/2Ba Condo 1 Br/1.5 Ba Condo 3 Br/2 Ba Condo 1 Br/1.5 Ba Condo 3 Br/3 Ba Condo SF Use 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba SFR 3 Br/3.5 Ba SFR 5 Br/3.5 Ba SFR 4 Br/2.5 Ba SFR 2 Br/1 Ba SFR 3 Br/2 Ba SFR 4Br/3.5 Ba SFR 2 Br/1 Ba SFR 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 2 Br/2.5 Ba Condo 1 Br/1 Ba Condo 2 Br/2 Ba Condo 3 Br/2.5 Ba Condo Duplex Duplex Duplex

845,000 112,500 112,500

12915 Yacht Club Pl 4316 W 123rd St 4318 W 123rd St

3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR Duplex Duplex

Cortez 2017-10-12 872,500 2017-10-02 112,500 2017-10-02 112,500

2640 728 1001

50x88 50x88

JANUARY 3, 2018

Obituaries Robert Walter Elliott Colonel Bob Elliott, USAF, retired, 102 years old, of Holmes Beach, Fla., passed away Dec. 22, 2017.

Bob was born on Jan. 2, 1915, in Hartford, Conn., to the late Robert Walter and Isabel Degrouche Elliott. He served his country faithfully through service in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and completed his military career with the United States Air Force from which he retired with the rank of colonel.

Bob volunteered for some 40 years at the Key Royale Golf Club, where he served in multiple ways. He was predeceased by his daughter, Linda Elliott Schwartz, and a brother, Richard Elliott. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Beatrice (Giles) Elliott, of Holmes Beach.

A time of remembrance for Bob Elliott was held at the Key Royale Club on Thursday. Dec. 28, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Burial will be at a later time at Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert J. Herman Robert J. Herman died Dec. 19, 2017, in Bradenton, Fla., at the age of 61.

BEACH BEAT Anna Maria

No new reports

Bradenton Beach No new reports

Cortez

12/21, theft, 115th block of Cortez Road West. The victim’s tires were stolen from her mountain bike that was chained to a bus stop.

Holmes Beach

12/21, noise violation, 200 block of 72nd Street. The officer responded to a complaint and found a loud party in the back yard. He wrote a citation to the party responsible.

12/22, driving with no valid ID, Manatee County Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive.

The officer found a car parked at the

www.amisun.com

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Robert is survived by his life partner, Casey Hoffman, and his children, Robert and Lauren and siblings, Raymond, Patricia, and Theresa, of Pennsylvania and New York. He is preceded in death by Peter Herman, brother; Roman J. Herman, father; and Frances P. Herman, mother.

Robert was born in Queens, N. Y., To Roman and Frances Herman. He graduated from Chaminade High School on Long Island, N. Y., and continued to get his engineering degree.

Robert Herman was skilled in information and technology and loved creativity. In many ways Robert was a free spirit with an entrepreneurial mind. He and his partner, Casey, were living the AmericanDream. The two started with a business plan scratched in the sand as owners of AMI Radio (www.AnnaMariaIslandRadio.com), showcasing independent artists original music and entertaining shows, and Zegway by the Bay, Segway tour guides and he was an Island steward.

Robert was passionate about people.

His intention was to help make people famous. He was dedicated to helping musicians and creatives alike build their careers and was determined to give them a voice and opportunities. He encouraged everyone he was around to be positive and think in the highest.

Robert never stifled creativity and always believed in growing and moving forward. He lived by some of his favorite song lyrics, “I need never get old” and “Always be humble and

kind.” For AMI Radio he would always say, “Stars are born here!”

A celebration of life and concert is schedule for Sunday, Jan. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

Several bands/musicians will be performing in tribute to Robert. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Robert's life. In lieu of flowers, send love donations to assist in the final arrangements and fresh start to his partner, to P. O. Box 267, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 or donate to the Go Fund Me, which can be found on AMI Radio facebook page, @islandradioami.

beach after hours, and there were two men and two women near the car. Nobody in the group had a license, and the officer told them to find another way home. Later, he observed the car leaving the beach and made a traffic stop. He arrested the driver who was one of the parties he talked to earlier.

12/23, DUI, 5000 Gulf Drive. Around 3:20 a.m., the officer observed the defendant driving southbound on Gulf Drive and the vehicle weaving. He stopped the driver and observed signs of intoxication. He had the driver take a field sobriety test, He asked the driver if he had taken any drugs, and he said he took hydrocodone for back pain. The officer arrested the driver as the result of the test. He found other drugs and some vodka in the defendant’s car.

12/23, DUI, 4700 Gulf Drive. Two officer stopped the defendant for not pulling over while another officer was making a traffic stop. Another officer arrived and talked with the female driver and noticed signs of possible in-

toxication. She said she had consumed a couple of glasses of wine and agreed to a field sobriety test. As a result of the test, she was arrested.

12/24, possession of marijuana, 4000 Gulf Drive. Two officers were patrolling the public beach aound 1:30 a.m. and spotted two males walking. While the officers were explaining the park was closed, one of the men turned over a bag of marijuana to them. He was arrested and booked.

12/24, trespass warning, warrant arrest, Jessie’s Island Store. The female defendant was trespassed for trying to leave without paying for merchandise.

A computer check showed she had a warrant from Manatee County, and she was arrested, 12/25, domestic battery by strangulation,100 block of 51st Street. The family was together for the holiday, and after an argument, the defendant put his hands around the victim’s throat. When other relatives tried to stop him, he picked the victim up by the throat and threw him into a screen

JoAnn W. (Buckholz) Martindale JoAnn W. (Buckholz) Martindale passed away Dec. 22, 2017, finally conquered by Parkinson’s Disease after a decade-long fight.

JoAnn was born in Lansing, Mich., on July 19, 1931, to Ernest John and Aileen (Orr) Buckholz. She was a 1949 graduate from Mt. Clemens (Michigan) High School, where her father was athletic director and coached the football team for 15 years, winning five state titles and eventually being inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame. After receiving her associate’s degree from Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti, Mich., JoAnn struck out on her own, moving to Denver, Colo., where she worked for the U.S. Air Force.

After returning to Michigan, JoAnn attended Michigan State University, where she met her first husband, James T. Pearlman. JoAnn was a faithful wife for 16 years while her

35

husband served in the U.S. Army, including three combat tours in Vietnam (82nd Airborne and 1st Cavalry divisions), eventually reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel before they divorced.

In 1971, while living on Lido Key, JoAnn met and eventually married Fred C. Martindale, Sr., the owner of Fred’s Dining & Cocktails in Roscommon, Mich., a popular eatery since 1956. JoAnn and Fred moved between Michigan and Florida for many years, maintaining homes in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton, before permanently moving to Florida in 1996.

In February 2009, her beloved Fred died after 36 years of marriage. Also preceding JoAnn in death were her brother, Charles (April 1995), father Ernest (2000), and mother Aileen (2012). JoAnn is survived by her brother, Dr. John Buckholz (ret.), of Saugatuck, Mich.; as well as son James T. Pearlman, Jr., of Charles Town, W.Va.; and grandchildren Rachel, Sadye and Tom; and greatgranddaughter, Rita; and son Patrick Pearlman, of Perth, Western Australia; his wife, Lisa Stahl; and grandchildren, Kathryn and Hannah. Other surviving family members include nephew Chris Buckholz (and wife Kimran and son Cody), of Albuquerque, N.M.; niece Carrie Buckholz and children, Michael and Alyssa, of Manassas, Va.; and cousin George Seay and wife Nita of Lido Beach and Alameda, Calif.

During life, JoAnn travelled widely across the USA and Canada with Fred, and lived in Germany and travelled throughout Europe with her first husband. JoAnn’s wandering feet now tread new paths.

door, breaking it. He then left the scene. Other relatives corroborated the victim’s story. He was later found and arrested.

12/25, noise violation, 200 block of 65th Street. The officer was dispatched to the locatioin on a noise complaint. He heard yelling and laughing coming from the pool area.

He found the renter and explained the noise ordinance. He gave her a citation.

12/26, burglary, ciminal mischief, 100 block of 78th Street. A television stand was taken. The telvision set was left behind. A door jamb was damaged when the burglar entered the house.

Police are searching for evidence.

12/27, driving with no valid driver's license, 5200 Gulf Drive. A computer check showed the car's owner did not have a license, The officer stopped the driver and confirmed that he had no license. The officer gave him a ticket. and he had to get a ride home.

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THE SUN

FUN IN THE SUN

Across 1 Historic spans 5 2012 World Series MVP Sandoval 10 FiveThirtyEight fodder 14 Ristorante bottle 15 "Let's call it __": "We're even" 16 Spring flower 17 Disney CEO since 2005 18 Small, silvery Chesapeake Bay swimmer 20 See 34-Across 22 Experiment 23 See 34-Across 27 National Lampoon writer, typically 31 Old West gunslinger Jack 32 Hand over 33 State with conviction 34 Clue for 20-, 23-, 48and 52-Across 40 Spray holder 41 Casino game 42 __ acids: protein components 44 Fireproofing construction mineral banned in many countries 48 See 34-Across 50 Bit of land 52 See 34-Across 56 Boneless seafood cut 59 Nonstick cookware brand 60 Reverberate 61 Chips go-with 62 Online page 63 Profound

64 Owner of Regency hotels 65 At any point Down 1 Kick out 2 Hardships 3 Iron deficiency concern 4 Upset with 5 Chess piece that may be promoted 6 Condition treated by Ritalin, briefly 7 Sailor's jail 8 Most recent 9 Have financing from 10 Jenny Craig offering 11 LAX incoming flight 12 Muscle spasm 13 Volcanic output 19 __ XIII: Title role in "The Young Pope" 21 Pulitzer winner Walker 24 File menu command 25 Aroma 26 Just announced 28 Two-legged zebra Answers to 12-27-17 Crossword Puzzle.

29 Swear words 30 Feudal workers 34 Hardly envelopepushing 35 "Do you really think so?"

36 Haberdashery 37 Blot gently 38 Cork's home: Abbr.

39 Respectful negative 40 Kilmer of "Tombstone" 43 Ingredient in une omelette 44 Having fun 45 Scary African fly 46 1380s Norwegian king 47 Unruffled 49 Very silly 51 "House of Payne" creator __ Perry 53 Frequent collaborator with Louis and Duke 54 Take a nap 55 Doc's "Right away" 56 Nourished 57 Sprain treatment 58 "Thar __ blows!"

JANUARY 3, 2018

JANUARY 3, 2018

classified

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLEANING SERVICE

BEACH YOGA ON Saturdays & Sundays at 8:30am at the end of Pine Ave by the Sandbar Restaurant by donation. www. thriveyogafit.com

TOTAL HOME SERVICE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial & Rentals.

Professional and Reliable. Call 941-756-4570

THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Lynn at 813758-3234 or lbrennan47@ gmail.com

THOMPSON CLEANING SERVICE CommercialResidential-Marine.

Island Based Company.

Seasonal Deep Cleaning-Weekly-Occasional.

Call for Free Estimate.

941-281-4951

ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, Walgreen's and The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper (corner of Gulf and Palm).

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE 2007 HONDA SILVERWING For Sale. One owner, 600 cc auto transmission motorcycle, 15,000 miles. Many additions, well maintained, garage kept.

Excellent condition. $3400 Call 941-778-2553

BABY SITTER RED CROSS CERTIFIED baby sitter. Honor student.

Call or text Isabel 941-5457995

BOATS: SALES & RENTALS BOATS ARE SELLING Very Well. Now’s The Time-Snowbirds Are Here “Business On A Hand Shake”. Island Boat Sales. 941-2283489 BRADENTON WATER TOYS. Daily Jet Ski rentals. "We come to you." Sunrise to Sunset. 2 Jet Skis $499.

Call 941-348-0821

CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082

Call us today! 941-778-3986

AUTHORITY ONE SERVICES. Residential/Commercial/Vacation Rentals & Construction Cleaning.

Also Power Washing, Windows, Paver Sealing & Roof Cleaning.

Ask about your Senior Citizens Discount Call 941-251-5948 or 941565-3931

COMMERCIAL SALES ANNA MARIA ISLAND 4-sale Resorts Bradenton Bch *5 units $1,048,800 *13 units $4,999,000 *9300 Sq. Ft. Ware-house, Machine Shop heavy duty elect or Car Storage, So Many Possibilities. Near SRQ Airport $595,000 Island Real Estate Ask Alan Galletto 941-232-2216

COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424

EMPLOYMENT

NOW HIRING Anna Maria Island Creamery & Bakery.

9801 Gulf Dr. Suites 1-3.

Contact Shea Khalil via email Shea@amicreamery bakery.com

FISHING CHARTERS CAPT. MAC GREGORY Fishing Charters. Full Day, Half Day, Night, Inshore & Near Shore. 941-809-5783 U.S.C.G. Certified/Insured

FOR SALE BRAND NEW QUEEN SIZE Bed with headboard and 6 drawer dresser, 2 lamps.

All New! $700 OBO Call 732-681-9555

SOFA & LOVESEAT. LEATHER, Forest Green $500. Call 941-792-0014 FULL SIZE MATTRESS & Box Springs. Like New. $400 OBO Call 941-7789205

GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES ROSER THRIFT SHOP Open 9:30am-2pm, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. 10am1pm Saturday Donations preferred 9am-11am Wednesdays. 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Phone 941-779-2733 FLEA MARKET RADERS REEF parking lot Sunday January 7. 8am-4pm 5508 Marina Dr. Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, misc. items 2-4-1 YARD SALE. Saturday, January 6. 515 Magnolia & 309 Tarpon, Anna Maria. 8am-1pm. Treasures Galore!

HAULING SITE CLEAN-UP to trash outs we can handle it all.

Call us for your dumpsters/ trash needs today 941-7538772

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates.

Neil 941-726-3077 RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.

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DECKOUT MASTER CARPENTER Everything Patio & Dock Decking Work Repair, Replace, Maintenance Work, Cleaning, Treatments, New Decks.

Also Handyman/Painting work to home or office.

Call RICHARD Bespoke Service 941-448-3571 Island Resident.

STORM DAMAGE? Prompt Response. Tree work, Carpentry, Painting, Roof/ Fence Repair, Etc. Medium and Small Jobs Accepted.

See ORANGE AD in Painting Section. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822.

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE

R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured.

Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941 SHELL DELIVERED AND spread $55/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770 STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell driveways and scapes. Also Rock, Mulch, & Soil. Free estimates. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NORMS TOWING gives Notice of Foreclosure of Lien and intent to sell these vehicles on 01/31/2018, 09:00 am at 1855 63RD AVENUE E. BRADENTON, FL 34203, pursuant to subsection 713.78 of the Florida Statutes. NORMS TOWING reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all bids.

1FAFP34N67W246058 2007 FORD 1G4HP54K0Y4223677 2000 BUICK 1GNEC13Z22R323548 2002 CHEVROLET 1J4PP5GK1BW547061 2011 JEEP 2CNDL73F156088438 2005 CHEVROLET 2T1BURHE2EC024573 2014 TOYOTA KL5JD56Z77K589807 2007 SUZUKI WBAYE8C51ED780677 2014 BMW

LOST & FOUND LOST 18" DIAMOND CHAIN NECKLACE with my grand mother's diamond in center – REWARD Call 267454-0725 FOUND WEDDING RING October 2 in Holmes Beach. To Rayburn with love Kathy. Call 941-9008226 LOST ENGAGEMENT RING. Solitaire white gold. Lost on 10/22/2017. Call 770712-8819 FOUND NECKLACE PENDANT near Anna Maria Post office. Call 941-7733182 LOST GOLD BRACELET with toggle clasp & charm with 50th anniversary engraved.

Sentimental value. Lost in vicinity of Palm Ave. in Anna Maria. Call 407-8730078.

KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel.

Design/Build. Since 1968.

License # CRC1327296.

Call Jerry Kern 941-7781115 www.kernconstructioninc.com

LOST MY GRANDMOTHER'S gold wedding band (initials inside and date) at Coquina Beach area. Reward.

Call 407-579-1621

WALY PRECISION PAINTING: painting, drywall, stucco, and remodeling, commercial/residential, licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-4656324 www.WalyPrecisionPainting.us

MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777.

MOVING & STORAGE

AMISUN.COM

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TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!

PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates.

941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service.

Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Meticulous, Thorough, Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Also minor repairs & carpentry. Free written detailed estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 BAYSIDE COMMERCIAL PAINTING. David Padyani Call 941-565-9446 or Larry Zimmer 941-2248123 Licensed & Insured DONALD PERKINS PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-7057096

POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE. AMI & West Bradenton. Certified Pool Operator. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657 COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893

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classified

PRINTING CUSTOM DIGITAL PRINTING "Your printing dream to reality" Specializing in Dye sublimation Printing.

Graphic Design. Performance Active ware. Logo Design. Call Rhonda 330-550-4847

PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE & WINDOW WASHING AUTHORITY ONE CLEANING : Residential, Commercial, Construction and Vacation Rentals . Also available Power Washing, Roof Cleaning and Windows.

Call 941-251-5948

REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE

FROM THE LOW $300’s Only minutes from the beach, this new active adult community is perfectly located just south of Manatee Ave, off Village Green Pkwy.

Perfectly designed, open 2BR or 3BR/2BA plus den & 2CG floor plans.

Luxurious amenities, pool, spa, gym, pickle ball and fenced-in dog park. HOA only $209/ month. Models open daily. Contact us 941254-3330 www.MirabellaFlorida.com 113 BEACH AVE 3BR/3BA Pool Home. Great location West of Gulf Drive with Direct beach access! $1,055,000 Call Charles Buky Coldwell Banker 941228-6086 CANAL FRONT HOMES Holmes Bch - Key Royale GULF FRONT CONDOS Gulf Place, La Casa L’Plage, Waters Edge & MORE. Island Real Estate ASK Alan Galletto 941-232-2216 SLIGHTLY OFF THE ISLAND. 3BR/2BA completely renovated lake house, five miles from the beach. No Condo/HOA Fees, No Deed Restrictions, No Traffic, Huge Boat/RV Storage Area, No Flood Insurance. $319,500. www.690932nd.com. For Sale By Owner. 941-795-5225

AMISUN.COM

Call us today! 941-778-3986

PERICO BAY CLUB! Light & bright 2BR/2BA With high ceilings & updated kitchen! $212,000.

Island Real Estate- Call Kathleen White 941-7730165.

ANNUAL RENTAL and CONDOMINIUM Association management serviced by (2) offices open 7 days a week! Contact junew@ islandreal.com – 941-3451295 - Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island, Inc.

FOR SALE ADORABLE half duplex Anna Maria. ! Walk to Beach eating shopping. . Brenda Boyd May Boyd Realty . 941-730-8589 $399,000 .

ANNUAL RENTALS- HOLMES BEACH 2BR/1.5BA, carport, storage, W/D hookups $1,500/mo, Non-Smoking. Fran Maxon Real Estate 941778-2307

REAL ESTATE: LOT FOR SALE BAY VIEW LOT ! Across from Anna Maria Park. $440,000 Brenda Boyd May broker 941-730-8589

RENTALS: ANNUAL ANNUAL RENTALS WANTED! We have well qualified tenants for beach and mainland annual rentals, Full management or Finders fee.

Call today for details. Ask for Ed DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www.teamduncan.com

2BR/2BA TOWNHOUSE with a 1 car garage at Palma Sola Trace. Available immediately. Call A Paradise at 941-778-4800 Coming soon a 3BR/2BA and a 1B NEW email R/1BA. Call for information BRADENTON WEST SIDE: Cute little 1BR/1BA House with fenced yard, 1 car garage, W/D hookup 723 35th St W. Available Now. $1100/mo. DUPLEX 3BR/1BA, car port, W/D hookup, all tile 4715-B 34th St W $1150/mo Available now. First, Last, one month security. Credit check required. One year lease. Call 941-809-2488

JANUARY 3, 2018

HOLMES BEACH ANNUAL 2BR/2BA, Car Port, lanai, W/D. Furnished or unfurnished. Alarm, water, trash included. $1800/mo First, Last, Security. Call 860922-3857 112 8TH ST. SOUTH. 1BR/1BA apartment half block to beach. Steps to fishing dock. Screen porch. Off-street parking.

Cable, water, wifi included. $1,050/month. First/Last/ Security/References. whitehousefla@gmail.com ANNUAL RENTAL PERICO ISLAND: 2BR/2BA condo 1250 sq ft, new tile throughout, office/den, pool access, exercise room, carport, and small storage. $1400/mo. Small pet OK. First/Last/Sec. Water and Cable included. Gulf-Bay Realty 941-778-7244

RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$800/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-704-7525 or 941-7781915 2018 SEASONAL RENTALS Available: 2BR/1BA Gulf front from $3,850 per month, 2BR with sleeping loft from $3,850 per month. Three month minimum. Horizon Realty of Anna Maria 941-778-0426 kringco@tampabay.rr.com GREAT RATES! Weekly, Monthly. 3BR/2BA NW Bradenton. Call Grace 941-201-2190 MARCH 2018. 878 N Shore near Rod & Reel Pier. 3BR/2BA fully equipped. remodeled cottage. $4200/March + taxes & security. Call 863-4128198

TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport: Tampa $95, Sarasota $40, Clearwater $85, Orlando $165. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all airports, appointments, casino, cruises, etc. Tampa $60. Sarasota $30. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne.

941-779-5095

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