- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -
VOL 22 No. 39
July 6, 2022
Summer storm RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
A summer storm is suspended over Sarasota Bay on June 28.
July Fourth weekend crowds return to Anna Maria Island The July Fourth weekend saw large crowds from not only neighboring Florida counties, but visitors from around the world. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The Island was packed and traffic stretched for more than a mile to get onto the Island most of the weekend as everyone from international visitors to local Floridians flocked to AMI beaches to soak up the sun. Major holidays are always a big draw as visitors look to beat the summer heat. “We came from Orlando. The traffic was insane, but it’s worth it to be on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world,” said Carlos
INSIDE NEWS EDITORIAL CARTOON OUTDOORS REAL ESTATE BEACH BEAT CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS
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Ramirez, who was visiting Coquina Beach with his wife and four children. “It took forever to get a parking spot, and now that we have one, we’re not leaving. We brought food to grill and we’re here until the sun sets.” Ramirez was fortunate to get a parking spot. On Monday, July 4, cars were lined up bumper to bumper, with drivers hoping a parking space would become available at the beaches. After the sun set on Saturday night, visitors continued to flock to the Island for the return of the Sandbar Restaurant’s annual fireworks display after a sabbatical due to COVID-19. And the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July parade both delighted beachgoers and further SEE FOURTH, PAGE 31
Monkey Bus sold; new owners focusing on safety Sally Dirbas and Mitchell Gross are the new owners of the popular Monkey Bus that gives free rides to both locals and visitors to the Island. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND - Sally Dirbas and her son, Mitchell Gross, a Monkey Bus driver for more than a year, have acquired the Monkey Bus from Island Beach Monkeys LLC, operated by Roque Pastorius. Dirbas and Gross purchased the company and all of its assets on June 13, including five Monkey Bus vans, a golf cart, websites associated with the businesses, social media rights and a Cadillac Escalade the new company plans to use for rides to regional airports, the new owners said.
After two weeks of operating under the previous name, Dirbas and Gross formed a new LLC on June 27 called M and S Ad Ventures, a play on words because the Monkey Bus is not a transportation service, but an advertising service that offers transportation, Dirbas said. “We came to an agreement that both parties were happy with,” she said. “They got to retire and we have the Monkey Bus now.” Dirbas and Gross are 50/50 partners in the business, with Dirbas taking over advertising and marketing duties while Gross will handle the day to day operations of the buses and driver schedules. The mother and son operation’s mission is safety. “Safety is the number one priority for us,” Dirbas said. “In the last two weeks we have put new tires on the SEE MONKEY BUS, PAGE 31
YOUNG SURFERS
INDEPENDENCE DAY the
paddle out, pop up at surf camp. 11
Island way. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
PAID PARKING at Sandbar on
approval track. 3 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com
