The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 07, 2024

VOLUME 32, NO. 16

Happy Super Sunday

FEB. 7, 2024 Free

the best News on anna Maria Island since 1992 astheworldterns 6

Q&A 020724 3 bb ward changes pass 1st vote. 4 bridge street pier to get cameras. 4

Meetings 5

2024 elections 5 Opinions 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

looking back. 7

anna Maria charter review begins. 8

get in the suPeR game!

8-9

BB looks to paid moorings to drown problems

Marine outing

anna Maria elementary first-graders trey ellison, left, Cooper Patel and aiden laMountain observe a spiny lobster during a Jan. 31 field trip to Mote Marine aquarium on City Island in sarasota. Principal Mike Masiello noted the field trip was associated with the guy Harvey academy at the school.

He said students traveled to Mote to learn about the negative impacts of invasive species, such as lionfish, and about positive actions that can be taken to restore or preserve earth’s natural resources.

by Robert anderson Islander Reporter

Hb commissioner recovering after crash. 9

save the date. 10-11

Happenings What’s up on aMI? 10-12 so long, aMe caboose.

13

Gathering. 14 Obituaries 15 Planners set ‘zero’ goal for fatalities. 16

AME layla Jane White, 7, touches a live epaulette shark as it swims through a tank display with other marine life Jan. 31 at the Mote Marine aquarium during an aMe-guy Harvey academy of arts and sciences firstgrade field trip to City Island in sarasota.

Islander Photos: Courtesy sarah sparling

More school news, page 13.

RoadWatch 17 Cops & Courts 18 developer seeks Hb depositions. 19 sports news. 20 Rough seas foul fishing.

21 Wildlife update. 22

NYT puzzle. 22 spring’s coming: 23

cLASSIFIEDS. 24-25

Isl Biz: 26-27

islander.org

Historic acquisition? the structure at 109 48th st., Holmes beach, was headed for the wrecker ball before owner Frank dupps entered talks with the city about donating it to the city and moving it to a new, public site. story, page 5. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Bradenton Beach officials are entertaining the prospect of establishing a mooring field in a bid to revamp the waterfront.

Such a program would require that boaters anchor and pay to tie up at moorings in the area south of the city pier with the hope of addressing challenges posed by a mix of liveaboards and derelict vessels.

City attorney Ricinda Perry floated the idea during a Feb. 1 commission meeting at city hall.

If adopted, the commission would significantly shift its approach to managing the anchorage area, which begins on the south side of the Cortez Bridge and runs south to Eighth Street South. The anchorage is bordered on the east and west by the Intracoastal Waterway and the city shoreline.

The city has jurisdiction within 500 feet elsewhere on the waterfront in Bradenton Beach.

“We’ve been grappling with how to protect the floating dock from derelict vessels that break loose in the storms and do damage to it,” Perry said. “We have looked at protecting our assets out there as best as we can, including the derelict vessels and cleaning up the area.”

The city’s police department, in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has been removing derelict vessels from bayside waters since 2013.

Since then, the police department’s derelict vessel program has removed more than 73 derelict or problem vessels from the bay.

Perry said that while the program has been effective, a pay-to-anchor mooring field could eliminate liveaboards who are not operating within city and state regulations.

“There are two types of vessel issues.

There are those who just abandon their boats and there are those that are living on their boats. The mooring balls would target that particular group,” Perry said of the liveaboards. “If you are regulating and you have higher-end, more desirable, responsible boaters using that area, then those who are not as responsible are pushed out.”

Perry said that while she was looking over the finger docks at the pier a representative from the Bradenton Beach Marina proposed a partnership between the city and the marina to create and administer a paid mooring field.

The marina, 402 Church St. N., was tuRN tO mOOrING, Page 2

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mOOrING CONtINued FROM Page 1

acquired in 2023 by developer Shawn Kaleta, who also owns the Pines Trailer Park on the waterfront north of the pier and is the developer with partner Jake Spooner, a former city commissioner, of a 106-room resort on Bridge Street.

No specific details about payment structures were divulged but Perry said the marina could act as dockmaster and provide a pump-out station service.

Commissioners discussed adding 18 mooring balls in place of the existing free anchorage, potentially transforming the area into a paid parking lot for boaters.

“The amount that you charge people to tie up to the mooring balls, which they would enforce for us, could make it so a particular clientele would be the ones who would be able to afford that mooring ball,” Perry said.

“The marina would be willing to work with the city and it would be a revenue source for us and probably a revenue source for them in some regard, and it could potentially clean up the area.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole addressed past attempts to implement a mooring field.

“I have been through this conversation a lot,” he said. “The biggest setback was the expense of doing it and trying to figure out how the city would maintain it.

The pro to it is once you get it established as a mooring field, you can then enforce it a lot tighter than you can as just an anchorage.”

Cole said another advantage would be vessels would attach to proper moorings.

“I think it is definitely something we should look into,” he said. “I want to know all the costs, how it would work and see it before I would say, ‘yes,’ but I always think if an opportunity is there you need to look at it.”

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh expressed concerns that the implementation of a mooring field might push people not wanting to pay for anchorage to other areas As of The Islander’s press time, no such meeting of Bradenton Beach. was scheduled.

Mayor John Chappie suggested the city hold a The next commission meeting will begin at noon work session to discuss the issues.

Thursday, Feb. 15, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

abOVe: the bradenton beach open anchorage area fronts the shoreline and runs out to the Intracoastal Waterway on the south side of the Historic bridge street Pier. Islander File Photo leFt: bradenton beach Commissioner Ralph Cole, left, with Mayor John Chappie to his right, discusses potential changes in the city’s anchorage area Feb. 1, during a meeting at city hall. Islander Photo: Robert anderson

Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives. Send notices to news@ islander.org.

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Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 3 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Islander adds to team

Dec. tourist tax tops $2.3m Visitors snug in Manatee County beds generated $2,309,508 in tourism tax bucks in December 2023.

The Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office on Feb. 1 released December 2023 collection numbers for the tourist development tax — resort or bed tax — the 5% tax collected on overnight accommodations of six months or less.

The third month of the 2023-24 fiscal year generated $2,309,508 in bed tax revenues in the county.

The amount is down 10.26% compared to the $2,573,631 generated in December 2022.

Holmes Beach topped collections on Anna Maria Island in December, generating $497,782, about 21.55% of the countywide total.

Anna Maria accounted for about 11.15% of the collections, bringing in $257,715, and Bradenton Beach generated $112,482 or 4.87%.

The tax is collected by resort owners, landlords and property managers of accommodations leased for six months or less.

Some other numbers for December: • Unincorporated Manatee County generated $1,018,614 or 44.09%; • Bradenton generated $244,141 or 10.57%; • Longboat Key generated $171,222 or 7.41%; • Palmetto generated $8,426 or 0.36%.

The collection fee on the tax is 3%, so the net collection for December 2023 was $2,240,222.

Collections for the first quarter of the fiscal year total $5.4 million.

Tax revenues must be used to boost tourism, including funding for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bradenton Area Convention Center and tourism-related entities such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as supporting projects, such as beach renourishment and construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier.

The county tourist development council recommends how to spend the money.

AMI TOURISM: Endless Season

December tourist tax collections december 2019: $1,177,171 december 2020: $1,414,742 december 2021: $1,996,281 december 2022: $2,573,631 december 2023: $2,309,508 source: Manatee County tax Collector

Q&A 020724

by lisa Neff

The Islander poll Last week’s question Florida lawmakers might change the state bird. the state bird should be …

ava arsilla, 3, of Perico Island, leans over the toe board on the anna Maria City Pier walkway Jan. 23 while looking for fish and other sea life with her mother, tatiana, and brother, ezra, 1. tourist tax development dollars helped pay to construct a new pier in 2020. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

— lisa Neff

10 %

OFF tours & rentals

For

Masha Dolgoff recently joined The Islander as a reporter covering events, features and the Nesting Notes column on the sea turtle nesting season.

Dolgoff recently moved to Holmes Beach from Chicago, where she gained reporting experience researching the city’s architecture and cultural institutions for a PBS station. She is similarly enjoying getting dolgoff acquainted with Anna Maria Island’s rich history.

Dolgoff earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

She has a particular interest in writing about ecology. She is enamored with the charismatic wildlife that can be encountered on the island.

A previous job was as an informal educator at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, where she explained conservation principles to sometimes hundreds of children a day. She feels expressing her passion for the topic in print will be a slice of pineapple upside-down cake in comparison.

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This week’s question

go team go. Which team do you like in the super bowl?

A. Kansas City Chiefs B. San Francisco 49ers To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

Page 4 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Bradenton Beach ward changes get 1st OK from commission

by Robert anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners voted Feb. 1 to approve the first reading of an ordinance to modify its ward boundaries.

The changes are the work of the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

City attorney Ricinda Perry outlined proposed changes to the wards, which involve shifting boundaries for Ward 1 and Ward 2 and reverse numbering for Ward 3 and Ward 4.

“One and two needed to make some adjustments,” Perry said. “They basically added some additional area from Ward 1 into Ward 2.”

Perry said the SEO found Ward 3 and Ward 4 did not need voter redistribution but should change numbers to run sequentially from north to south.

SEO chief deputy Sharon Stief spoke to The Islander Jan. 31 about the recommendations, made in late 2022 and delivered to Bradenton Beach in 2023 but then delayed by the 2023 election.

“When they did look at it, it was getting to election time. Once you are in an election cycle you don’t want to make any changes to election boundaries,” Stief said.

“It’s a law that every 10 years you do a redistricting,” Stief said. “We redrew all the lines, from congressional districts all the way down. At that time, we had recommended to each of the municipalities to review their districts.”

Bradenton Beach is the only island city with wards.

Bradenton Beach’s redistricting is based on registered voters, not population numbers.

According to the SEO, the registered voter population in Bradenton Beach as of Jan. 31 is 611.

In 2023, it was 672; it was 699 in 2022; and 756 in 2021.

Under the proposed boundarie, Ward 1 would have 152 active voters; Ward 2, 151; Ward 3, 153; and Ward

4, 155.

To view the ward maps, current and proposed, go online to islander.org.

Resident Christine Johnson, during public comment, asked the commission to explain why the ward system is being retained in view of the city’s population shrinking.

Commissioner Ralph Cole said the ward system distributes voting power evenly. “The beauty about the wards is it keeps you from getting three or four neighbors running the whole city,” he said.

“I like the four wards,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh said. “The people are more equally represented.”

Mayor John Chappie added, “The ward system really brings out the community and knowing who the people are, you are getting to represent. We are all representatives at-large. We do represent the whole city, but we also have a better understanding of our ward and what’s going on in the ward.”

In the past, some commissioners hosted ward meetings to get opinions from their constituents.

Chappie said the system has served Bradenton Beach well over the years.

Vosburgh motioned to approve the first reading of the ordinance. Cole seconded the motion, which passed 4-0. Commissioner Marilyn Maro voted via phone.

Before the changes can go into effect, the city must hold a second public hearing and a final vote in their favor.

Once adopted, the changes will be submitted to the SEO and the map amendments will be added to county records.

Then the commission can move to fill the Ward 1 seat vacated by Jake Spooner in December 2023. He resigned over a new financial disclosure requirement after being reelected in November 2023 to a two-year term.

In the city’s ward system, a commissioner must live in the ward they represent but the vote for all wards and mayor are citywide.

The second hearing will be at noon, Thursday, Feb. 15, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

BB backs video surveillance on Bridge Street pier

by Robert anderson Islander Reporter

Visitors to the city’s Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach soon might feel like they are being watched.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve surveillance cameras on the pier and its dinghy dock.

The purchase is part of a private/public collaboration between the city and the pier tenant, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, that developed from community redevelopment agency discussions.

AMOB owner John Horne had presented a list of improvements to the pier to the CRA and appealed to the city for permission to open an outdoor kiosk to serve alcohol.

As part of the deal to allow alcohol sales, Horne agreed to help police monitor the pier by sharing the cost of surveillance cameras.

Futra Solutions of Sarasota will furnish the equipment and install four auto-tracking, nightvision capable cameras and eight turret cameras to link to a central drive within the restaurant.

The city’s cost for the camera installation will be $34,432.33.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh motioned to approve the purchase of the cameras with funds to come from a federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ralph Cole and passed by a vote of 4-0.

Commissioner Marilyn Maro voted via phone.

Coquina Beach Market Wednesday, Feb 7th, Friday, Feb 9th & Sunday, Feb 11th 10AM - 4PM Here are examples of what you will find at our Market: jewelry, candles, fresh lemonade, women’s apparel, custom & creative artwork, freeze-dried candy, fresh baked goods, pet items, home décor, metal artwork, stuffed turtles, sunglasses, Celtic jewelry, caps, skin care products, water bag totes & bags, t-shirts, guacamole, windchimes, bracelets, eco friendly bug spray, aloe vera lotions, jerky, fresh coconut drink, licorice, pearl jewelry, toys and much MORE.

Music 11AM - 2PM Mike Sales on Wednesday Chuck Davis on Friday NEW LOCATION: The Coquina Beach Market is located on the very South end of Anna Maria Island. If driving, take the South entrance to the park before the Longboat Pass bridge. If taking the trolley, walk South from the Café to the end of the island.

Check our Face Book page for the daily vendor roster, weather cancellations or marked closure days. www.coquinabeachmarket.org 941-840-0789 https://www.facebook.com/CoquinaBeachMarket

Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Meetings

by lisa Neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

HB pursues ‘fun’ acquisition of historic cottage

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Feb. 8, 2 p.m., commission.

The city of Holmes Beach is working to save a Feb. 22, 6 p.m., commission. nearly 100-year-old property from demolition.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityoMayor Judy Titsworth said at a Jan. 23 city comfannamaria.com.

mission meeting that the city was exploring the possibility of acquiring a cottage at 109 48th St. The home, built in 1928, is owned by Frank Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m., CRA. Dupps.

Feb. 15, noon, commission.

Anna Maria-based Gagne Construction applied Feb. 21, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES. Jan. 22 for a letter of no objection for a new singleFeb. 28, 10 a.m., pier team. family home at the property.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, Titsworth said planning and zoning administrator cityofbradentonbeach.com.

Chad Minor informed her of the application, so she HOLMES BEACH reached out to Dupps to see if he was willing to donate the cottage to the city.

Feb. 7, 10 a.m., parks and beautification.

“They are very excited,” Titsworth said. “It’s been Feb. 7, 5 p.m., planning. in their family forever.”

Feb. 13, 2 p.m., commission.

She said city staff was working on logistics, but they Feb. 14, 9 a.m., clean water ad hoc. could potentially move the cottage to a city-owned lot Feb. 16, 11:30 a.m., police pension. near the Grassy Point Preserve, 3021 Ave. C, where it Feb. 27, 2 p.m., commission.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, could serve as an educational and historical facility.

The cottage has been added to since its construcholmesbeachfl.org. tion, but Titsworth said the interior was “immaculate.”

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE It features pecky cypress, an expensive and rare wood from cypress trees that has pockets of darker wood due Feb. 20, 6 p.m., commission.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, to fungus.

BRADENTON BEACH

Pecky cypress was used in many early island homes as affordable lumber since the wood was considered undesirable until the 21st century.

“It’s like a little time capsule,” Titsworth said of the cottage.

“It’s a jewel,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said.

“I mean, it’s adorable, and it’s all hand-hewed. It’s wonderful.”

Titsworth said she and city staff would continue to work on determining the feasibility and logistics of acquiring the cottage, then moving and reestablishing it.

If it is feasible, she said, she will return to the commission with an agreement for consideration.

Titsworth told The Islander Jan. 31 that the deal was not a sure thing.

Nevertheless, Titsworth said she had recently spoken with an Anna Maria Island Historical Society representative about potentially providing historical artifacts to fill the cottage if such a deal does go through.

She suggested the cottage could be restored closer to its original state and serve as a place where people could come to learn about the city’s history, the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign, native landscaping and more.

“It might be a lot of fun,” Titsworth said.

941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

MANATEE COUNTY Feb. 13, 9 a.m., commission.

Feb. 20, 9 a.m., commission.

Feb. 27, 9 a.m., commission.

County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST Feb. 19, Presidents Day, government offices will be closed.

Election 2024

Cortez groups, Democrats host heritage talk

A trio of organizations will bring people to Cortez Thursday, Feb. 15, for a program on maritime history.

The event involves the Manatee Democratic Environmental Caucus, Cortez Village Historical Society and the Cortez Cultural Center.

At the center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez, marine biologist Angela Collins with the Florida Sea Grant Program, will talk about “The Mighty Mullet.”

The event will begin at 10 a.m.

For more information, call the CCC at 941-8400590.

Holmes Beach mayor speaks to local Democrats Holmes beach Mayor Judy titsworth speaks Jan. 29 during an anna Maria Island and West Manatee democratic Club meeting about issues before the city, including Manatee County’s proposed parking garage and a state-led consolidation study. titsworth spoke in opposition to both efforts and called out state and county leadership for their politically-motivated infringement on municipal home rule. the meeting location, the Island library, was changed last minute to Holmes beach City Hall, 5801 Marina drive, after Manatee County unexpectedly closed its libraries for staff development earlier that day. about 50 people attended the meeting. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

— lisa Neff

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Page 6 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Opinion

Our

Seriously! Slow down!

We’ve all been there. Late, late, late for a very important date. Late for an appointment, late to the office, late for the car line at school.

So we hurry to make up time.

But there’s no time so precious as the moment of impact, when hurrying and rushing and pushing your way through a light or a stop sign results in disaster.

The precious moments when life is too short and the time saved is quickly draining away.

Then there’s the time that adds up. Time in the hospital, in a rehab facility and in physical therapy.

You can almost see the pain and torture of slow healing adding up in hours and days on the clock.

And all that time multiplies for the injured and the family members as the impact spreads.

And so it is for our dear friend Pat Morton, a city commissioner for the people for almost 20 years.

He was hit by a motorist who was likely “running” to an appointment through the parking lot where Morton was heading from his car on foot to the hardware store where he works.

Now Morton faces a long healing process and, meanwhile, he’s as concerned for his own health as he is for his wife, for whom he is a caregiver.

He needs a village to pull through and meet the daily challenges that lie before both of them.

And we can be that village!

There’s an effort underway to line up some help for him and maybe a meal train to get him and his wife some healthy, ready-made meals.

Through friends in the community, the city and at HBPD, we can make this happen.

Just reach out to my email, news@islander.org, to be part of the solution.

And while I have your attention, I hope you put some thought into the future of Anna Maria Island, too, as we march into 2024.

First and foremost, we’ve all got to keep eyes on state government as it continues to pursue consolidation of the island cities and the county threatens to build parking garages at the beaches.

There’s a charter review in Anna Maria and members are pressing to study some critical issues of governance, including a city manager, the numbers of commissioners and their length of term. Stay tuned.

But also keep one eye on the city of Bradenton Beach, as they work toward management of the water- Educating generations After reading the letter to the editor in the Jan. front through a paid mooring field.

It promises improvements, but at a price for neigh- 31 issue calling the Mote Marine Education Center on Anna Maria Pier a waste of valuable space and boring waterfronts that lack the same protection. revenue, I was compelled to respond.

Remember: Slow. Down. Now. — bonner Joy, news@islander.org The letter highlights the ignorance of some people who visit our paradise.

If we do not educate the public, especially the leaders of tomorrow about our environment, there will be nothing left to enjoy.

FEB. 7, 2024 • Vol. 32, No. 16 Most days more than 500 people from all walks of life visit the education center. ▼ Publisher, Co-editor Seriously, if your biggest concern is another resbonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial taurant on the island, maybe it’s time to find another editor lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org place to visit.

Robert anderson, robert@islander.org The education center is free to all and is such an Joe bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org amazing addition to our island.

Masha dolgoff, masha@islander.org Thank you to Mote Marine Laboratory and AquarJack elka, jack@jackelka.com ium for all your hard work educating the public, so Robyn Murrell, robyn@islander.org our children, our grandchildren and their children can Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors enjoy our island in the future.

Karen Riley-love Dianne Arthur, Holmes Beach Jacob Merrifield

Opinion

Your

▼ ▼ ▼

▼

Capt. danny stasny, fish@islander.org Advertising Director toni lyon, toni@islander.org Webmaster Wayne ansell Office Manager, lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org Distribution urbane bouchet Ross Roberts Judy loden Wasco All others: news@islander.org

single copies free. Quantities of five or more: 25 cents each. ©1992-2024 • Editorial, sales and production offices: 315 58th st., suite J, Holmes beach Fl 34217 WebsIte: islander.org text or call: 941-778-7978

Samaritan’s Purse thanks

expression of God’s love and it is often the first gift these children have ever received.

Information about ways people can get involved year-round can be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 407-273-6112.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Dolores Brown, Boone, North Carolina

About mangroves removal

Regarding mangrove removal on Anna Maria Island: I find it heartbreaking that we continue to manipulate ways in which to circumvent laws for wealthy developers.

If we continue to destroy natural habitats, there will be nowhere for the wildlife to live.

Mangroves reduce coastal erosion and the complex root systems filter nitrates, phosphates and other pollutants from the water, improving the water quality flowing from rivers and streams into the estuarine and ocean environment.

Where will it end?

Each time we remove mangroves, we release untold amounts of bacteria that the mangroves store in their roots.

Who knows the long-term results of that?

Whose pockets are being padded?

Patricia Carlew, Bradenton

Generosity throughout Anna Maria Island contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project called Operation Christmas Child.

With combined collections in the United States and partner countries in 2023, the ministry is sending 11.3 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide, including Sending letters We welcome letters to the editor. many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and Submit comments along with a name, city of residisaster.

Local volunteers brought joy to children in need dence and phone number to news@islander.org.

Please, keep letters to less than 200 words. around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible

Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Above the village

10&20 years ago

an aerial depicts the fishing village of Cortez looking north, as well as the 1922 Cortezbradenton beach bridge. the postcard is dated to 1935-50.

Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public library system

From the Feb. 4, 2004, issue

Out to sea a postcard from 1954-60 shows the admiral, which docked and departed from the Cortez waterfront for deepsea fishing excursions and parties. the back of the card reads, “sails daily, year-round.

Modern snack bar. everything for your convenience, comfort and safety.”

Showboating a postcard, dated 1988, shows “the seafood shack showboat … 110 feet long, licensed for 325 passengers, with an open-air upper deck and air-conditioned lower deck. she is docked at the seafood shack Restaurant in beautiful downtown Cortez.”

• Tidemark Partners LLC managing director Nick Easterling said a subsidiary of the Cypress Lending Group agreed to fund $3.9 million to help the company out of federal bankruptcy. Easterling placed Tidemark LLC, which planned a 40-unit condo-hotel in Holmes Beach, into bankruptcy after Regions Bank foreclosed on a $1.7 million loan.

• A body was discovered in the water about 100 yards off South Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Kenney, the officer in charge of the city’s substation, said the body appeared to be that of a man who jumped from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge about a week earlier.

• The start of a $150,000 renovation of Anna Maria City Hall was delayed after the contractor, Southern Cross Construction, found it needed an asbestos survey of the roof from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

From the Feb. 5, 2014, issue

• Holmes Beach city commissioners approved recommendations to approach businesses about using their private parking lots to help accommodate beach overflow parking.

• Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources director Charlie Hunsicker informed island officials that Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Corp. would halt beach renourishment to take on an emergency project in New Orleans.

• Anna Maria City Clerk Alice Baird, who was retiring in February 2014, worked her final day as city clerk Jan. 31, 2014. She was using vacation days to finish her time on the job.

— lisa Neff

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria charter review starts off with big questions

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Anna Maria Charter Review Committee wasted no time in asking some major questions.

At their first meeting, held Feb. 2 in chambers at city hall, CRC members discussed the merits of a city manager, decreasing the number of elected commissioners and increasing term lengths for commissioners and the mayor.

The city must review its charter every five years by appointing a board of volunteers to comb through the document and presenting a slate of potential amendments to city commissioners for approval.

Charter amendments are added to general election ballots as initiatives, so final approval falls to the city’s electorate.

The city’s last charter review was done in 2019.

This year’s CRC consists of five residents appointed by the city commission: Chris Arendt, Stevie Coppin, Scott Isherwood, Pat Olesen and Chuck Wolfe.

Deputy clerk Fransheska Berrios, who is facilitating the charter review process this year, swore the appointees onto the board.

Berrios then provided forms for members to nominate a chair and vice chair.

However, the CRC members agreed that they were unfamiliar with each other and unable to provide informed nominations for the positions.

Instead, they asked for someone to volunteer to

serve as chair.

Arendt stepped up and the committee unanimously voted to approve his appointment.

Olesen was then unanimously appointed to serve as vice chairperson.

City Commission Chair Mark Short, who was a member of the 2019 review committee, helped introduce the members to the review process.

City attorney Becky Vose, who attended via speakerphone, also helped explain the process.

Vose said the goal of the committee was to review the city charter for substantive changes, not stylistic, which she said included wording alterations like changing “happy” to “glad.”

The CRC then took things from the top, beginning with Article I, “Creation and Powers,” which establishes the municipal government and its structure.

They also reviewed Article II, “Corporate Limits,” but much of the committee’s discussion revolved around other matters.

Olesen brought up the possibility of implementing a city manager form of government, which is when a professional manager is the city administrator.

She said she did not know if it was a good idea or not, but she wanted to “throw it out there.”

CRC members agreed to visit the topic during their review of Article III, “Legislative,” which details city please, see am charter, Next page Members of the Anna Maria Charter Review Committee pose Feb. 2 following their first meeting as a board. From left, Pat Olesen, Chuck Wolfe, Scott Isherwood, Stevie Coppin and Chris Arendt.

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

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Entry must include name, address and phone/cell number. Only one entry per person. All entries must be delivered to the newspaper office either in person (deposit in door slot) by noon Saturday, Feb. 10, or by mail (postmarked) by Friday, Feb. 10. In the event of a tie, a winner will be drawn from eligible tying entries. The decision of The Islander football referee is final.

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Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

am charter continued from page 9

elections, powers and processes.

Wolfe suggested discussion on lowering the number of commissioners from five to three as the city has struggled with maintaining a five-member board.

“We seem to appoint more than we elect with five members of the commission. So it seems like a legitimate question to ask whether we should have three members of the commission because that’s all we ever elect. Then we appoint people to fill the other two (seats),” Wolfe said.

Asked his opinion, Short said he preferred a fivemember commission for a more diverse representation of the community.

Olesen said that if fewer people were interested in running for elected office, they could make it easier for those who stick around by increasing term lengths.

Wolfe supported the idea, stating that the two-year election cycle seemed “onerous.”

Arendt said they needed to find a balance for term lengths since he knew two past officials who were only interested in serving two years.

CRC members agreed to circle back and continue the discussions on potentially decreasing the number of elected officials and increasing term lengths at a future meeting.

There was no public comment and no members of the public attended the meeting.

The charter review will resume with Article III, section 3.01, “City Commission, powers; composition,” at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

HB commissioner recovering from crash, surgery

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Despite being hit by a pickup truck, Holmes Beach City Commissioner Pat Morton is in good spirits.

Morton told The Islander Jan. 29 that he was recovering at HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton following surgery for chipped vertebrae from getting struck by a vehicle the prior week.

Morton also sustained kidney damage and a fractured pelvis from the crash.

The crash happened Jan. 25 in the parking lot outside Ace Hardware, 3352 E. Bay Drive, where Morton works.

Morton said he had looked both ways before crossing the parking lot and did not see anyone.

“It was a beautiful morning. … I’m walking along, thinking, ‘This is going to be a good day,’” Morton said. “No sooner than I thought that — smack! Next thing I remember was seeing the sky, then I was coming back down and seeing the hood of the truck, and the next thing I know I’m looking about five inches from the wheel.”

He said the motorist drove through a stop sign and struck him about four feet past it, sending him flying about five feet.

Morton said the motorist — who told police he was unable to see Morton because the sun was in his eyes — exited his vehicle to help him.

One of Morton’s coworkers from Ace heard the crash and left the store to help. She called 911 for emergency medical services.

Morton said he knew some of the first responders who arrived, and they helped keep his spirits up before transporting him to the hospital.

He said he has begun physical therapy and believes he is lucky to Morton only sustain the injuries that he did.

“It’s working out and I just feel that I’m blessed that that’s all I got out of this whole thing, and I’m not going to complain,” Morton said.

In the meantime, he hired the Orlando-based Morgan & Morgan law firm to seek damages and lost wages from the motorist who hit him.

“I’m not going to be greedy. I mean, I’m just going to go after what I need,” Morton said. “I have to think about taking care of my wife and me.”

Morton, who went home Feb. 2, has long been the caregiver for his wife but he said he was looking for some assistance at home with housekeeping and meal preparation.

He added that when he returns to the dais, he wants to propose adding speed bumps in the parking lot where he was hit since motorists often drive too fast through the area.

“This has been a learning experience for sure,” Morton said. “We need to make this parking lot safer.”

The motorist was charged with being at fault in a pedestrian crash and was given a court summons by the police.

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Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Market series continues Compiled by lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

artists’ guild of anna Maria Island treasurer Karen eddy, alongside an admirer of her oil paintings at the guild gallery, 5414 Marina drive, Holmes beach, applies a sticker to her name for the artist of the Month vote during the Holmes beach Night Market Jan. 12. the next Market Night will be 5-7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 9, in the city center.

Islander Photo: Robyn Murrell

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI Friday, Feb. 9 2 p.m. — Meet-and-greet with author Sandra Gurvis, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

5-7:30 p.m. — Holmes Beach Night Market, city center at Marina and Gulf drives, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

Wednesday, Feb. 14 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Holmes Beach Night Market happens Feb. 9

Through Feb. 9, Artists’ Guild Gallery Paint the Town sidewalk Businesses in the city center area will hold a One of the organizers is the Artists’ Guild of Anna demonstrations, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778Holmes Beach Night Market Friday, Feb. 9.

Maria Island, which will host an open house that night 6694.

Hours will be 5-7:30 p.m. — and later at some at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive.

Throughout February, Barbara Truemper-Green exhibit, Artists’ locations.

The gallery also is presenting “Paint the Town” Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941Businesses will offer refreshments, entertainment demonstrations and sales events through Feb. 9.

778-6694.

ONGOING OFF AMI Throughout February, “Nature’s Palette” by Janet Flickinger, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648, islandgalleryandstudios.org.

Through April 28, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s “Bird Photographer of the Year,” 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Through June 23, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.

Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., art demos, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648, islandgalleryandstudios.org.

Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

and demonstrations.

Other dates are March 8 and April 12.

March 7-24, Island Players’ “Communicating Doors,” Anna Maria.

March 10, Island Players’ “The Woman in Black” auditions, Anna Maria.

MARKETS & SALES ON AMI Friday, Feb. 9 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Blue Ribbon Events’ Feed the Peeps arts and crafts market, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 231-350-8277.

Saturday, Feb. 10 10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Blue Ribbon Events’ Feed the Peeps arts and crafts market, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 231-350-8277.

For more information, call the gallery at 941-7786694.

SAVE THE DATE March 2-3, The Invitational, Holmes Beach.

March 23, Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI Friday, Feb. 9 10 a.m. — 40 Carrots parenting program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

6-8 p.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-1908/ Tuesday, Feb. 13 10 a.m. — Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

ONGOING ON AMI

Select Thursdays, Shark Pups and Grownups preschool proMost Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Coquina gram, Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on Beach Market, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria.

840-0789, coquinabeachmarket.org.

Information: mote.org.

SAVE THE DATE Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City ONGOING OFF AMI Feb. 23, Center of Anna Maria Island/Bradenton Area Conven- Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard. Anna Maria. Information: tion and Visitors Bureau Guess Who Alumni concert, Anna Maria. 941-708-6130.

First Wednesdays, SOAR in 4 family night, the Bishop Museum, Feb. 24, Sarasota Bay Watch Scallopalooza, Sarasota.

201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-746-4131.

ONGOING OFF AMI Feb. 28, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Fashion Show, Anna Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. Saturdays through May 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Market, Maria.

W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopMarch 1-2, Center of Anna Maria Island’s Murder-Mystery Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-301-8445. science.org. dinner theater, Anna Maria.

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Island happenings

Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Dauber in hand at a table of young players, aMe fifth-grader Charlee Maize checks over her bingo cards Feb. 3, 2023. the center will hold its first family bingo night at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. Islander File Photo

Center puts out bingo call

First call for bingo.

The Center of Anna Maria Island will hold the first of its bingo nights of the season Friday, Feb. 9.

Play will be 6-8 p.m.

Refreshments will be available for donations.

Bingo cards will cost $1.

Prizes will include gift cards to local restaurants.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

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

send listings to calendar@islander.org Center bingo, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Info: 941-2241973.

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-7786341.

Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

SAVE THE DATE Feb. 16-17, Bradenton Area River Regatta races, drone show and festival, Bradenton and Palmetto riverfronts.

Feb. 17, Piratefest, Bradenton.

Feb. 24, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training opens, Bradenton.

OUTDOORS & NATURE OFF AMI

Friday, Feb. 9 9 a.m. — Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources volSecond Saturdays, Quest for Kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 Luncheon, Anna Maria. unteer tree-trimming and brush clearing, Robinson Preserve, 10299 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, March 9, Center of Anna Maria Island Cleanup, Anna Maria.

Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee. bishopscience.org.

LESSONS & org.

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, Feb. 10 LEARNING 1 p.m. — Card crafting for Valentine’s Day, Robinson Preserve, Feb. 17-18, Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez.

ONGOING ON AMI 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, AMI. 5-6:30 p.m. — Photography Challenge opening, Robinson PreThursdays through Feb. 22, 2 p.m., Friends of the Island Library CLUBS & Lecture and Travel Series, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 serve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

COMMUNITY Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI ON AMI ONGOING OFF AMI Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, Thursday, Feb. 8 Mondays, 1 p.m., Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Living Thinking Out Loud discussions, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat CALENDAR NOTES Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

KEEP THE DATES ONGOING ON AMI SPORTS & Feb. 13, Mardi Gras.

GAMES Most Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton ONGOING ON AMI Feb. 15, Susan B. Anthony Day. Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

Feb. 19, Presidents Day. Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Most Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Infor- Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

Thursdays, 6 p.m., Jan. 18-March 28, Annie Silver Community mation: 941-718-5583.

ONGOING OFF AMI Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., through April, Manatee Audubon Society meetings, First United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. W., Palmetto. Information: manateeaudubon@gmail.com, 941-729-2222.

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

Used & Consigned Musical Instruments Open JAM 1st Wednesdays

941.896.9089

SAVE THE DATE Feb. 17, Grace Irwin Memorial Fund “Hunt for the Cure” scavenger hunt, Anna Maria.

Feb. 21, Annie Silver Community Center community suppers, Bradenton Beach.

Feb. 22, Center of Anna Maria Senior Adventures outing to Mazzaro’s Italian Market, Anna Maria.

Feb. 29, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Membership

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Island happenings GoodDeeds

Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Off Stage Ladies to lunch

The Off Stage Ladies, an auxiliary of the Island Players, will meet for lunch at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Modern Chop, 1830 59th St. W., Bradenton.

The guest speaker at the luncheon will be Island Players director Preston Boyd.

The group meets the second Wednesday of the month through May. The cost to join the group is $25.

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

Lecture series continues

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Annie Silver Community Center seeks volunteers for activities and events, including bakers for desserts served at dinners and bingo. Info: 724-7871418.

• The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage seeks volunteers for its fishing festival Feb. 17-18 in Cortez.

Info: fishcortez.org.

• The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers for the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17 in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers for the 75th season of shows.

Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-941 778-5755.

• The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteer docents and bakers. Info: 941-778-0492, amihs.org.

• The Friends of the Island Library welcomes members to support the island branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, friendsoftheislandlibrary.org.

The Friends of the Island Library continues its annual lecture and travel series Thursday, Feb. 8, hosting a representative from the Mote Marine Laboratory’s stranding team.

Gretchen Lovewell directs the Sarasota nonprofit’s stranding investigations and will talk about marine mammal and sea turtle strandings during her lecture.

She’ll also talk about how people can respond to a stranding.

The program will begin at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

Center offers CPR session The series will continue Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a CPR church through Feb. 22.

For more information, go online to friendsofthetraining at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. islandlibrary.org or call the Island Library at 941-778The class is “Hands Only CPR for Seniors” and the cost to attend is $25 for members, $35 for non- 6341. members.

Registration is required by Feb. 17 at centerami. LBK center teaches pickleball org.

It’s kind of like badminton but with balls not birdAssistance offered on AMI Students will learn to recognize a cardiac emer- ies.

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live, gency, call 911, apply compressions and use an It’s kind of like pingpong but played on a court, work or attend school on Anna Maria Island for food AED. not a table.

A notice said, “This noncertification class is It’s pickleball that’s the fastest-growing consumer assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. geared toward the senior population, allowing you to participant sport in the world, according to Sports and Info: 941-778-0414.

• AID offers financial help to those who live on the gain experience with compression-only CPR and the Fitness Industry Association data, which estimates AED.” there are more than 5 million U.S. pickleball players. island, go to church on the island, attend school on the For more information, call the center at 941-778And the Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.

— Lisa Neff 1908.

Living, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, is offering instruction on the basics of the game at 11:30 a.m.

GoodDeeds notices: To list an organization’s Roser hosts arts, crafts show Monday, Feb. 12, and Monday, March 11. aid services on AMI or a call for help, email lisa@ For more information, call the center at 941-383Blue Ribbon Events invites people to shop its Feed islander.org with details.

6493. the Peeps arts and crafts show Feb. 9-10 to help stock the local pantry and perhaps find a gift for a sweetie.

The Friday-Saturday show will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ‘Clint Hurdle’s Hot Stove Dinner’ date set at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., The 10th annual “Hot Stove Dinner” to benefit is recognized as the most common genetic cause of Anna Maria. the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA will be life-threatening childhood obesity.

An announcement said shoppers will find art, jew- Saturday, March 23.

Hurdle’s daughter Maddie lives with PWS. elry, bath and body products and more.

Holmes Beach residents Clint and Karla Hurdle The tropical-themed evening will include a silent People also can purchase raffle tickets for art are hosting the event at 6 p.m. at the Bradenton Coun- auction and raffles, as well as cocktails, dinner and donated by vendors, with proceeds going to the Roser try Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton, as well as entertainment.

Food Pantry, as well as donate cash and nonperishable online.

To purchase tickets, text the keyword Hotstove2024 goods to the pantry.

Hurdle has had a long career in Major League to 76278 or go to hotstove2024.givesmart.com.

Also, the Nigerian Food Truck will be serving Baseball and “hot stove” is a baseball jargon for offProceeds will go to PWSA’s family and medical lunch items. season. support program.

For more information, call Blue Ribbon Events at Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic condition that For more information, go online to www.pwsausa.

231-350-8277. occurs in about one out of every 15,000 births. PWS org.

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Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

something, even the day they take it out of here, just to kind of celebrate the caboose and give it farewell and goodbye.”

No specific ideas were shared.

At the meeting, the SAC also: • Voted to approve a ballot for staff to vote on how to spend AME’s “A” grade allocation from the Florida Department of Education.

Masiello said AME could receive $31,000-$35,000 to pay one-time teacher and staff bonuses, buy educational materials or hire temporary personnel.

• Discussed plans for an outdoor learning space on the playground, including the installation of decking, sunshades and fans by April.

Money for the outdoor classroom, as well as a dock, which is anticipated for the next year, will come from funding for the Guy Harvey Academy at AME. The next meeting will be at 3:45 p.m. Monday, April 18, at AME.

by Robyn Murrell

So long, caboose

The Anna Maria Elementary caboose is moving to a new yard.

Since 1987, the red railroad car on the grounds of the Holmes Beach school has served as a computer lab, a memorial, a school supply store and more.

But inspections show the caboose has deteriorated past repair and it will be relocated from AME to the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish.

The caboose’s relocation was discussed Jan. 25, when the AME School Advisory Council met in the Guy Harvey Room.

The council includes principal Mike Masiello, teachers Pidge Barreda and Sandy Fisher, staffer Julie Sawyer, as well as community and business members Chris Culhane, Christine LaBranche and Ashley Chiles AME sees FAST scores and parent members Jessica Patel, Janae Rudacille and Anna Maria Elementary’s students recently comJenny Moore. pleted a second round of state testing in English and Chiles was absent Jan. 25. mathematics.

Masiello said that before the caboose is relocated Principal Michael Masiello shared during a Jan. Feb. 24 it would be nice to host a “little ceremony or 25 school advisory council meeting the test results, which showed AME students outperformed others in the School District of Manatee County and the state.

The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Super Bowl set for Feb. 11 exams —FAST — replaced the Florida Standards The Super Bowl LVIII will be played Sunday, Feb. Assessments in 2023.

FAST is a progression-based test that students take 11, with the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas three times a year — in the fall, winter and spring.

City Chiefs in what the host city of Las Vegas bills as Students are tested from voluntary prekindergarten the “Greatest Arena on Earth.”

But most Islander readers will probably be watch- through fifth-grade.

However, the Florida Department of Education ing from a couch or barstool rather than Allegiant Stauses scores for third- to fifth-grades to determine dium. school grades, Masiello said Jan. 30.

Some details: The test model allows teachers to monitor stu•Kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m.

• The game will be shown on CBS affiliates and dent progression through the year to help determine can be streamed on Paramount-plus, YouTubeLive, improvement needs while the FSA was a one-and-done HuluLive, Fubo and Philo, as well as the NFL-plus app on smartphones and tablets.

• Usher will perform at halftime.

You can Are you ready for some football? Got your Islander contest entry submitted and some San Francisco rice read it all online and Kansas City-style barbecue wings in the oven? at islander.org

SportsShort

AME Calendar • Monday, Feb. 19, Presidents Day, no school.

• Thursday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m., third-grade performance, auditorium.

• Friday, March 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Princess Ball, auditorium.

• Wednesday, March 6, 1:50 p.m., early release.

• Friday, March 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Boys Night Out, auditorium.

• Monday, March 11, PTO Walk-A-Thon, playground.

• Friday, March 15, teacher workday, no school.

• March 25-29, spring break, no school.

• Saturday, April 27, PTO Spring Gala fundraiser, the Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

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

test at the end of the year, said Masiello.

Masiello provided FAST second progression monitoring assessment in English and math details, showing how AME compared to students in the district and the state, including changes from the first test to the second.

“We are pleased with our students’ progress to date,” Masiello said. “Teachers will utilize the data from the first two progress monitoring assessments to re-teach any standards students may have struggled with.”

He added, “Our students are progressing nicely and our goal is to have every student learn, realize their potential and progress towards mastering the state standards.”

The final FAST tests of AME’s academic year will be in May.

School achievements The Islander welcomes notices of achievements. Email news@islander. org.

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Gathering

elena burke addresses the Just Older Youth club at Roser Memorial Community Church in February 2023. She’ll also address the group at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, during a program on butterflies. Islander Photo: Courtesy Peggy Nash

by Lisa Neff

Sale at Episcopal church

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation will host its annual White Elephant Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10.

Shoppers will find treasures and bargains among household items, clothing and jewelry.

Food items include baked goods and “secret recipe” pickles.

The church is at 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more info, call the church at 941-778-1638.

JOY to hear about butterflies

Teresita Matos-Post, executive director of beth-el Farmworkers Ministry, accepts a check from Jerry St. Bernard Catholic Church will celebrate Super and Joyce Fox of Christ Church of Longboat Key. Bowl Sunday early — with a pancake breakfast 8 a.m.- Islander Courtesy Photo

St. B makes Super Bowl plans

noon.

The Holy Name Society will serve a breakfast of all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausages, eggs, coffee and OJ for a $10 donation. Children under 12 eat free.

Also Sunday, Feb. 11, the Women’s Guild will hold a bake sale and sell gift basket tickets.

The church is at 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more info, call the church at 948-778-4769.

Tidings

Compiled by Lisa Neff

Christ Church funds pantry

Christ Church (Presbyterian USA) of Longboat Key recently awarded a $40,000 mission grant to Beth-El Farmworkers Ministry to transform its food pantry for migrant workers.

The grant will help the Wimauma group pay for commercial refrigerators, freezers, produce tables, shelving and more at the Client Choice Food Pantry, where Beth-El will provide vegetables and fruit and offer educational materials on healthy eating.

The pantry is expected to open this year.

THIS WEEK

Roser Memorial Community Church’s JOY club will learn about butterflies during a brown-bag lunch program at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21.

The group will meet in the fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, and host Elena Burke of the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources department.

Burke will talk about butterflies, including their lifecycle, their role as pollinators and their spiritual symbolism.

For more info, call the church at 941-778-0414.

6491.

Monday, Feb. 12 11:30 a.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key Women’s Club Valentine Luncheon Cruise, 11:30 a.m., Marina Jack II, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. Fee applies. Info: 941-383-8833.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 1 p.m. — Roser Women’s Guild tea, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

Shrove Tuesday is observed.

Wednesday, Feb. 14 Ash Wednesday is observed.

6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-8833.

Sunday, Feb. 11 8 a.m.-2 p.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church blood WORSHIP drive, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

8 a.m.-noon — St. Bernard Catholic Church Super Bowl celebration — pancake breakfast and gift basket raffle, 248 S. Harbor Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Info: 941- 778-4769.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, 11 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel Super Bowl Cookout, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Fee applies. Info: 941-383- Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m.,10:15 a.m.

A SH WEDNESDAY SERVICE • February 14th • 10:00 AM Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes $2 @ The Islander Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship With Us at Our Church Growing in Jesus’ Name 315 58th St., HB. PLeASe, See TIDINGS, NeXT PAGe

Thursday, Feb. 8 11:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Women’s Guild luncheon, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941- 778-4769.

Saturday, Feb. 10 9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation White Elephant Sale, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-7781638.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key book sale,

Sunday Service 10:00 AM Dr. Julia Wharff Piermont, Pastor

DĞŶ’Ɛ ŝďůĞ ^ƚƵĚLJ͗ DŽŶĚĂLJ Λ ϵ͗ϬϬ tŽŵĞŶ’Ɛ ŝďůĞ ^ƚƵĚLJ͗ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ Λ ϭϬ͗ϬϬ

Visitors & Residents Welcome

Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

tĂƚĐŚ KƵƌ 1Ϭ͗ϬϬ D ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ >iǀĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ďŝƚ͘ůLJ/ĐĐůďŬƐĞƌŵŽŶƐ Žƌ www.christchurchof ůďŬ͘ŽƌŐ (ĨŽůůŽǁ zŽƵdƵďĞ ůŝŶkͿ

WINTER CONCERT SERIES CONCERTS ARE FREE • VISITORS & RESIDENTS WELCOME

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:ŽŚĂŶŶĂ & Joseph

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Sign up to receive the eBulletin at RoserChurch.com/contact-us The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

WHITE ELEPHANT SALE The Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, is holding its annual White Elephant Sale 9 am–1 pm Saturday, Feb. 10.

And our famous pickles are making a comeback! Plus baked goods and bargains on plenty of gently used household goods and treasures. $EBBIE 'ARDNER AND 0ENNY #HAPIN STIR A BATCH OF SECRET RECIPE PICKLES WHICH ARE SOAKING BEFORE BEING PUT INTO JARS FOR SALE AND FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY Baked Goods! Our Famous Pickles. And Bargains!

9-1 Saturday Feb. 10

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6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • 941.383.8833 ;ŽĸĐĞͿ • ǁǁǁ͘ĐŚƌŝƐƚĐŚƵƌĐŚŽŇďŬ͘ŽƌŐ

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ECOA SALE

Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Obituaries

24, for friends and family at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Island Diane Boak Library, Holmes Beach.

Mrs. Erven is survived by her sister, Lorraine Davis Diane Boak, 56, of Bradenton and formerly of of Houston, eight nieces and nephews and dozens of Anna Maria Island, died Jan. 15.

She was born Diane Naeher Sept. cousins.

14, 1967, in Lowell, Massachusetts, and moved to Holmes Beach in Winifred Strange Winifred Strange, 78, of Bradenton and formerly 1968.

A celebration of life will be 6-8 Anna Maria Island, died Jan. 25 at her home.

She was born March 5, 1945, in Red p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at a family resiBluff, California, to Verdon Earl dence. boak Strange and Winifred Arabella Rose, Ms. Boak is survived by daughter and raised with an older sister, CathKayla; sisters Deborah Bradley and Denise Harrington erine Evleshin, who nicknamed her of Bradenton; brothers Donald Naeher of Sarasota “Pinky.” and Daniel Naeher of Bradenton, Douglas Naeher of After graduating from CaliforHolmes Beach, David Naeher of Bradenton and Dana Strange nia’s Chico State College, she began Naeher of Valrico; and four grandchildren. graduate studies in psychology at the University Edna Davis Erven of Minnesota and earned her doctorate there in Edna “Skeety” Davis Erven, 80, a 46-year resident 1972. of Holmes Beach, died Jan. 31, after an extended illThere, as a faculty member, she met her great love ness. and research collaborator, Dr. James J. Jenkins. They A New Jersey native, she grew up in New City, married at her mother’s California home Sept. 6, 1978, New York, and at age 17, entered St. Anne’s Episcopal and his children, Bob, Lynn, and Chris, became her Convent in Arlington Heights, Massachusetts. She left family. They brought great maternal joy to her, as did the convent in 1967 and moved to Chicago, where she her spiritual grandson, the late Christopher “Chris” earned a degree in nursing from Loyola University.

Chisolm, to whom she was “MomMom,” and his She became a registered nurse before she moved daughter. to Anna Maria Island in 1978, initially living on a Professionally, Dr. Strange had many passions and sailboat at the former Cobbs Marina. She also was a pursuits. In academics, she was heralded as a pioneer certified occupational health nurse. in cross-language speech perception research, focusShe worked at HCA Florida Blake Hospital, ing on the influence of linguistic experience and perthen known as Blake Medical Center; Tropicana; ceptual training on non-native speech perception. She RISCORP; Coast Occupational Health Services; and served as a faculty member at the U-Minnesota, the Neighborly Senior Services. She also worked part-time University of South Florida and the City University of at the Publix bakery and as a florist.

New York-Graduate Center, mentoring more than 50 She was known as “The Mayor of Avenue C” doctoral students and young colleagues. in the neighborhood where she resided for the past She was known as a strong advocate for women 28 years in a bright blue house. She was an avid if in science and was honored by the Acoustical Society somewhat eccentric gardener and collector of garden of America with its rare silver medal for “contribuornaments. She also sang with the Main Hatch Motley tions to the advancement of science, engineering or Sea Shanty Singers. She loved reading, camping, cats and traveling in her RV. She also enjoyed many train At your service excursions and cruises.

This past fall, for her 80th birthday, more than 40 Obituaries are offered as a free community friends and family members gathered to celebrate and service to residents and families of residents, both were joined by Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokapast and present, as well as to people with ties jer, who presented her with a commemorative coin for to the island. Please, submit notices to news@ her decades of community service on AMI. islander.org.

A service will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. Paid obituaries can be discussed with ad consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978. edna erven, a 46-year resident, liked to tour her Holmes beach neighborhood in a golf cart.

human welfare through the application of acoustic principles.”

As she sought to balance work-life passions, she continued a lifelong interest in dance, opening Monarch Arts dance studio in her later years. She also delighted in opera and old movies and tap danced throughout her lifetime.

Solstice parties were celebrated on her beachfront deck or condo lanai and she practiced meditation with a tightly bonded group.

As an active Democrat, she was known to shake a fist at injustice, raise a hand for equality and wrap her arms around all in her expansive group of friends, colleagues and students.

A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Monarch Arts at the Dance Alliance, 862 62nd St Circle, #103, Bradenton. Memorials may be made to the studio to establish a dance scholarship fund for children from low-income homes or to the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Program, CUNYGraduate Center.

Dr. Strange is survived by her sister, Catherine and husband Nathaniel Pratcher, their children and grandchildren; cousins Fred and Richard Strange and Stephanie Meineke; stepchildren Lynn Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins and their children and grandchildren, as well as those of the late Robert Jenkins; and spiritual great-granddaughter, Eliza Chisolm, mother Kristine; and many friends.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events.

Submit your announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander. org.

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TIDINGS FROM PAGe 14 Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.

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

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org.

Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

WE TWEET TOO

• CDs & DVDs

CASH ONLY

OFF AMI Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

• ZĞĐĞŶƚ ĞƐƚͲƐĞůůŝŶŐ &ŝĐƟŽŶ • Jigsaw Puzzles • ^ĞĐƵůĂƌ EŽŶĮĐƟŽŶ • ^ƉŝƌŝƚƵĂů EŽŶĮĐƟŽŶ

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Inside Fellowship Hall at Christ Church of Longboat Key @ami_islander

6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr. • 941.383.8833 ;ŽĸĐĞͿ • www.christchurchoflbk.org

Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Transportation planners set ‘zero’ goal for fatalities

By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

They want zero fatalities.

They want zero serious injuries.

But transportation planners in Manatee and Sarasota counties know the numbers won’t be zero — not yet.

“How do we make it reality?” asked Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, referring to the goal of zero while chairing the Jan. 29 meeting of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization at the Venice Community Center.

Each year, the MPO board adopts safety targets for transportation in the region after evaluating the number of fatalities, rate of fatalities, number of serious injuries, rate of serious injuries, number of nonmotorized fatalities and number of nonmotorized serious injuries.

In 2018, the MPO board adopted a Vision Zero initiative and, like other entities at the regional, state and federal levels, it’s since set annual goals of eliminating serious injury and fatalities.

Yet fatalities in the area annually exceed 100 and serious injuries annually exceed 700.

On Anna Maria Island in 2023, motorists killed two people, a bicyclist at the Anna Maria Island Bridge and a pedestrian at the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives in Holmes Beach.

In the first month of 2024, a pedestrian suffered serious injury after being struck by a vehicle in a Holmes Beach parking lot.

Manatee County Commissioner Ray Turner, a member of the MPO board, said zero can be the only goal, to set a higher number devalues lives.

“But is it realistic?” he asked.

L.K. Nandam, secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District One, said yes, other communities have succeeded in reaching the zero goal.

“The key is controlling driver behavior,” Nandam

Ryan Brown, deputy director of the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, addresses a Jan. 29 meeting of the board at the Venice Community Center. Islander Screenshot

said, adding, “This action plan is going to define that.”

The board unanimously voted to adopt the safety targets of zero fatalities and serious injuries.

Safety discussions dominated during the hour-plus meeting, which also included an update on drafting an active transportation plan to create a safe, accessible network for trail users, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.

Ryan Brown, deputy director of the MPO, paused for people to take in a slide emphasizing the need to improve transportation safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. The slide contained a fact: bicyclists and pedestrians in the region account for less than 3% of all trips but 23% of all fatal and serious crashes.

“They are more exposed,” he said. “It’s something that really does stand out and something we need to address.”

Another fact he presented is that about 70% of people in the area drive alone on their commute to work while 1.5% walk, 0.6% bike, 0.2% take transit and 17.4% work from home.

What could drive up transit use?

There hasn’t been much focus on bringing highspeed rail to the area but the MPO wants to pursue funding for a study on the feasibility of creating a Southwest passenger rail to connect with the service planned for Orlando to Tampa.

“We feel that we need to be incorporated into the planning,” Brown said.

The MPO board unanimously approved a resolution supporting the effort.

The MPO’s next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, March 25, at the Holiday Inn Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, 8009 15th St. E, Sarasota.

About the MPO The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is the regional transportation planning entity for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

MPOs are established by state and federal laws and interlocal agreements to provide a process for local governments within the region to coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.

The Sarasota/Manatee MPO is governed by a 17-member apportioned board of elected officials representing both counties, nine cities and the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority.

The island cities are represented by the chair of the Island Transportation Planning Organization, currently Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy.

For more information, go online to mympo. org.

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Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

County projects in Bradenton Beach on track for 2024

by Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach is the site of two construction projects in the works by Manatee County.

The improvements involve a gravity sewer project along Gulf Drive South and a replacement of a multiuse trail from Coquina Beach to Cortez Beach.

Ogden Clark, strategic planning manager for Manatee County, said Jan. 31 the project is on schedule.

Woodruff & Sons of Sarasota was contracted in 2023 to oversee the $7.1 million installation of about a mile of 10-inch and 8-inch gravity main along Gulf Drive South from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South.

The project includes the construction of 21 maintenance holes and about 100 new 6-inch laterals connections extending from the gravity main down each side street to structures.

Construction that began in October 2023 on Ninth Street South was completed and the road is open.

However, pipe installation across Gulf Drive at

OnDemand transit covers LBK

A Breeze OnDemand rideshare service in late January was expanded to include all of Longboat Key, not just the Sarasota County portion.

The Sarasota Breeze service operates similarly to Uber and Lyft services, as people use an app to request a ride.

The service operates 5 a.m.-10 p.m. MondaysSaturdays and 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays.

The cost is $2 per person, with children 5 and under riding free.

The service operates in other parts of Sarasota County, including in designated zones in the North Port area, Venice/Englewood area and Siesta Key. The Longboat Key area also includes downtown Sarasota and Lido Key. — Lisa Neff

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Crews work along Tenth Street South in bradenton beach Jan. 31 on a Manatee County gravity sewer project. For information on county construction efforts on Anna Maria Island, go online to amiprojects.io.

Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Tenth Street South is underway and motorists traveling Gulf Drive can expect a shift in traffic.

Once the installation across Gulf Drive South is complete, the focus will shift to the east end of 10th Street South, necessitating the temporary closure of the street to traffic.

Residents in the area have been provided parking at Cortez Beach, marked with signs for permit-only parking. Also, a free parking shuttle is available weekdays 8 a.m.-7 p.m. to transport people between their homes and parking.

Clark estimated the work along the side streets would be completed in April or May. Woodruff & Sons also was contracted to remodel the Coquina Beach trail, which involves repaving a 1.5-mile, 8-foot-wide trail from the south Coquina Beach parking lot to Fifth Street South.

The budget is $1,305,432.93.

In September 2023, the county removed 96 Australian pine trees along the trail.

Root barriers were installed and then removal of the trail surface began Jan. 8, with crews removing and grading a section stretching from the southernmost

Coquina Beach Market area to the Coquina Beach Cafe, 2650 Gulf Drive S. Clark said scheduling for other work could be impacted by supply issues stemming from asphalt plant closures.

Still, the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of April.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s work on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets continues and traffic patterns can change. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach: Manatee County is working on sewer lines along Gulf Drive South. Motorists can expect lane shifts on Gulf Drive and the closure of 10th Street South. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

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Cops & Courts

Easy rider

HBPD makes DUI arrest

Holmes Beach police arrested Tristan Hendrix, 25, of Bradenton, Jan. 26 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer saw a motorist in the 3000 block of Gulf Drive around 2:47 a.m. and began following as the motorist accelerated at a high speed after turning east onto Manatee Avenue.

Radar clocked the motorist driving 60 mph in a 35-mph zone, so the officer followed the motorist into Bradenton and conducted a traffic stop.

The driver, Hendrix, displayed signs of alcohol impairment, according to a Holmes Beach police report that also said Hendrix failed field sobriety exercises.

The officer arrested Hendrix, who, registered breath samples with results of 0.148 and 0.150 milligrams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. The state’s legal blood alcohol level limit for DUI is 0.08.

The officer transported Hendrix to the Manatee County jail, where he was released Jan. 26 after posting $500 bond.

If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of Island police reports up to $500.

Anna Maria An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. No new reports.

27, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 ManaThe Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna tee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Maria.

— Ryan Paice Bradenton Beach Jan. 28, 120 Bridge St., Drift-In AMI, domestic violence. A Bradenton Beach police officer responded to a call from someone who said they witnessed a man place a woman in a chokehold. The officer questioned the subjects and both showed signs of impairment.

Throughout the questioning, the man continued to grab hold of the woman, despite her protests. The officer arrested the man for domestic battery and transported him to Manatee County jail in Palmetto. The woman received a ride home and a victim’s rights card.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez Jan. 29, 10000 block of Cortez Road W., theft.

A deputy responded to a call concerning the theft of

Holmes Beach Police Sgt. Thomas Fraser takes a motorcycle through the paces at the Manatee County Area Transit depot — where a training course was set up Jan. 22-Feb. 1. According to HB Police Chief Bill Tokajer, Fraser, who is 10 years with HBPD, previously was a motor officer in Philadelphia and he stepped up for a refresher course while the HBPD is on the lookout for a grant to put a motorcycle on the road. Islander Photo: Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

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a license plate from a trailer. The plate was reported stolen in the Florida Crime Information Center database. The officer filed an incident report.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach Jan. 29, 5300 block of Gulf Drive, breach of peace/ battery/marijuana. Two Holmes Beach police officers responded to a call about a suspicious person. A female complainant said a man blocked the road while she was driving, leading to a traffic jam and him yelling at her and spitting on her vehicle. The officers found a man matching the complainant’s description who said he was walking when the motorist began following him, so yelled and asked to be left alone. Then the manager of a nearby store approached and said the man struck him before leaving his store. The officers arrested the man and, while searching him, found a pipe and a bag containing marijuana, as well as additional marijuana products and paraphernalia. The officers confiscated the items and transported the man to the Manatee County jail.

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

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Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Developer seeks to depose former HB officials for lawsuit

by Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Developer Shawn Kaleta’s federal lawsuit against the city of Holmes Beach is in the discovery phase.

And a Feb. 6 hearing, set for after The Islander’s press deadline, may determine if a couple of former officials’ voices are heard on the matter.

Magistrate Judge Julie Sneed of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida was set to oversee the hearing, which was scheduled to discuss Kaleta’s motion to compel depositions of former Holmes Beach City Commissioners Jayne Christenson and Kim Rash.

Kaleta owns many properties in the city, including Bali Hai, Coconuts, Kaleta Islands West and Anna Maria Beach motels and resorts.

He filed a lawsuit in October 2022 alleging the city

has an “Anti-Kaleta Policy” in which the municipality discriminates against the developer, violating his constitutional rights under the Equal Protection Clause.

The lawsuit is an amended version of a lawsuit filed Dec. 31, 2021, but voluntarily dismissed by the developer.

This case might have more staying power, however.

The court denied a motion from the city to dismiss the new lawsuit last June and an Oct. 4, 2023, mediation hearing between the parties ended in an impasse.

The plaintiff previously sought depositions from Christenson and Rash but the city objected on the basis of the apex doctrine.

The doctrine is codified in state law and protects high-ranking government officials from being targeted for discovery in cases in which they lack unique personal or first-hand knowledge of the issues under liti$10 each @ The Islander, 315 58th St., HB.

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The plaintiff filed a motion last December seeking the court to compel the depositions of the former city commissioners.

The motion states, “The testimony of these two non-parties is wholly relevant to the city’s Anti-Kaleta Policy … and the personal animus held by the city via the specified non-parties against plaintiffs.”

It argues that Christenson’s and Rash’s testimony would be relevant due to a series of incidents involving the pair’s alleged bias toward Kaleta.

Those incidents include the pair’s votes against an agreement to settle a Bert Harris lawsuit Kaleta led against the city, Rash’s alleged trespass at one of the developer’s properties and a Christenson complaint about an alleged violation at another.

The motion also argues that the apex doctrine does not apply in this case and, if it did, “Plaintiffs have satisfied their burden for obtaining the depositions.”

Bradenton-based attorney Louis Najmy, who represents Kaleta, told The Islander Jan. 30 that he was satisfied with the case’s progress.

“We feel great about the progress and where we are,” Najmy said. “It’s still active, alive, and we’re vigorously pursuing it.”

The case will go to trial beginning Sept. 3 if the parties do not reach a resolution before that date.

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Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Flag football hits reset at center field, plus golf, horseshoe news

by Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

Football is on the front burner at center field for Anna Maria Island adult and youth players.

Two weeks into the adult soccer season at the Center of Anna Maria Island, the standings are tight with Floridian Mortgage, Moss Builders, Salty Printing, Sandbar Restaurant and Solid Rock Construction all tied atop the standings with 2-1 records.

Cassidy Gulf Drive Cafe and Slim’s Place follow at 1-2, while Edible Cookie Dough Cafe completes the league standings at 0-3.

Action kicked off Feb. 1 with Floridian Mortgage taking on Moss Builders in a battle of 2-1 teams. In a back-and-forth affair, Floridian Mortgage held on for a 23-19 victory behind a huge game from Chase Richardson. Richardson threw three touchdown passes, while also adding a pair of interceptions on defense, including one on an extra-point attempt that resulted in a safety.

Octavious Cole, Tim Holly and Jasmine Muldoon all finished with TD receptions in the victory.

Moss Builders was led by Ryan Moss, who threw for a pair of TDs and added a TD reception. Jesse Skipper and Evelyn Long added touchdown grabs, while Zachary Long added a touchdown pass and an extra point in the loss.

The second game of the evening saw Salty Printing cruise to a 30-12 victory over Solid Rock Construction. Zaon Williams threw for two touchdowns and Matt Manger added a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown to lead the Salty Printing attack. Corey Jacques chipped in with two TD grabs and a 2-point conversion, while Shawn Balvin finished with a TD catch and 2 extra points in the victory.

Solid Rock Construction was led by Dominick Otteni, who threw two TD passes to James Roadman in the loss.

Slim’s Place earned a 19-0 shutout victory over

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Moss builders quarterback Ryan Moss releases a pass as Floridian Mortgage defender Tim Holly arrives during Feb. 1 adult flag football action at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

Gulf Drive Cafe behind Anthony Mannino, who threw for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown and added a touchdown reception. Cruz Rodriguez added a touchdown pass and a touchdown reception to complete the scoring in the victory.

Jaden Grant led the Gulf Drive Cafe offense with 10 catches, while Anthony McCance and Brandon Rolland had interceptions on defense.

The last game of the evening saw Sandbar edge Edible Cookie Dough 22-12 thanks to a huge game from Tuna McCracken. McCracken had a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from Tyler Brewer. Sequiel Marintez added a touchdown reception and an extra point in the victory.

Steven Pavina had a rushing TD and a receiving TD on a pass from Dallas Buchholtz to lead Edible Cookie Dough Cafe in the loss.

Youth flag football action Now three weeks into the youth flag football league at the community center, Cheesecake Cutie and Moss Builders are on top of the 8-10 division standings with 3-0 records. Adrian Griffin Interiors and Sato Real Estate follow with 2-1 records, while Beach House Restaurant, Solid Rock Construction at

1-2, Am I Coconuts and Chick-Fil-A at 0-3 complete the standings.

Moss Builders is the lone undefeated team in the 11-14 division with a 3-0 record, just ahead of Progressive Cabinetry, Shady Lady Horticultural Services, Solid Rock Air Conditioning and Solid Rock Electrical, all with 2-1 records. HSH Designs follows at 1-2, while Freckled Fin and Wings N Things complete the standings at 0-3.

Jan. 29 action in the 8-10 division kicked off with Moss Builders cruising to a 45-12 victory over Solid Rock Construction behind three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown from Cannon Ott. Kellen Reed finished with two touchdown receptions and an interception on defense.

Matthew Darak and Carson Long each ran for a TD to lead Solid Rock Construction in the loss.

Adrian Griffin Interiors edged Chick-Fil-A 13-6 in the second game of the night. Quarterback Jordan Steele connected with Silas DeWitt for a touchdown and Jackson Griffin ran for a score to lead Adrian Griffin Interiors in the victory.

Prince Izear ran for Chick-Fil-A’s lone TD and Henley Page had an interception on defense for ChickFil-A in the loss.

Cheesecake Cutie cruised to a 26-6 victory over Sato Real Estate behind three TD passes from Sawyer Leibfried, including two to Andre Harwood.

Grayson Cohen had a rushing TD to lead Sato Real Estate in the loss.

The last 8-10 division game saw Beach House edge Am I Coconuts 21-18 behind three TD passes from Jermaine Goode to Aiden Guess, Asher Patel and Luca Quinn. Guess added an extra point and Quinn had a 2-point conversion for the winning margin.

Paul ten Haaf threw three touchdown passes to Sawyer Casciani, Camden Rudacille and Gabriel Spann for Am I Coconuts in the loss.

Action in the 11-14 division got started Jan. 30 with Moss Builders cruising to a 20-6 victory over Solid Rock Air Conditioning. Quarterback Mason Moss ran for one TD, threw a TD pass to Addie Guess and added a pick-six on defense to lead Moss Builders to the victory.

Carter Eurice connected with Luke Willing for a touchdown pass for Solid Rock Air Conditioning in the loss.

Solid Rock Electrical outscored Wings N Things 26-14 behind four touchdown passes from Charlie Serra. Estella Long and Dominik Zupa finished with two touchdown grabs each in the victory.

Renan and Ryk Kesten each threw for a touchdown and caught a touchdown for Wings N Things in the loss.

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More windy days, rough seas complicate fishing in the Gulf

by Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Fishing offshore and nearshore structure is where it’s at for anglers on Anna Maria Island.

Targeting species such as mangrove snapper, sheepshead, Key West grunts and porgies is consistent as long as you can get to the fishing grounds.

Live shrimp as bait works fine, not to mention that shrimp are conStasny venient. All the angler has to do is stop by a bait shop, load up and pay. No need to rise at 5 a.m. to get out on the flats to throw the cast net numerous times in hopes of filling the bait well with shiners.

The dilemma with the bite is the seas need to be calm to venture into the Gulf of Mexico and, unfortunately, we haven’t had many calm days recently.

With frequent cold fronts dipping into our zone, bringing strong winds and inclement weather, reaching offshore waters has been challenging.

So for those who just have to be on the water, even during the windy days, we’re finding ourselves confined to the inland waters of Tampa Bay south through Anna Maria Sound and into Sarasota Bay. It’s not that there aren’t any fish to catch in these areas. But it requires patience and determination, as well as a little know-how to have a successful day on the water in the winter months. Species such as sheepshead, black drum and redfish are in the cross-hairs and are being caught using live shrimp as bait.

Drifting and jigging along the beaches or in the bays where deeper grass flats exist is providing action on pompano, as well as jacks and bluefish.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m working the back country more than the Gulf due to strong winds and rough seas.

Putting a bite together in the inland waters has

Patrick, left, and Julia Dougherty, visiting Anna Maria Island from Royal Oak, Michigan, and Kurt Gallinger of brighton, Michigan, show off some healthy mangrove snappers, all caught on sardines, while on a Feb. 2 charter with Capt. David White.

been challenging, although I’m leading my clients to respectable catches.

Fishing rocks and docks is resulting in sheepshead up to 18 inches, as well as numerous redfish and black drum. Many of the reds are 16-18 inches, while the black drum are slightly larger, coming in at 20-24 inches.

Spotted seatrout are being caught on deeper sandy areas adjacent to grass flats. This bite is providing good quantities of fish, although larger-size trout are hard to come by.

Bouncing jigs along the beaches also is producing action for my anglers. Pompano are responding to jigs tipped with shrimp as are whiting, jack crevalle and sheepshead.

And for what it’s worth, there are many bonnethead sharks on the grass flats where large sandy potholes exist. Although they are not the most prestigious

SPORTS FROM PAGe 20

ing three to Jack McCarthy to lead Progressive Cabinetry to a 32-6 victory over Freckled Fin. Christian Schmitz’ threw a TD pass to Kyle Mims for Freckled Fin in the loss.

Charlie Neri threw four touchdown passes to Stone Mitchell to lead Shady Lady Horticultural Services to a 24-12 victory over HSH Designs in the final 11-14 division game of the night.

Landon Dowell ran for a TD and caught a TD pass from Tanner Miller for HSH Designs in the loss.

KRC golf news Jenny Huibers joined the men’s weekly modifiedStableford system match at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach on Jan. 29 and came out on top with a score of plus-3.

Dale Hudson was a point back in second place, followed by John Cassese, Mike Everett, Greg Jump, Wayne Patterson and Peter Solleveld, all in a tie for third place at plus-1.

The women played a nine-hole individual low-net match Jan. 30 in three flights. Debbie Duvernay lapped the field in Flight A, carding a 4-under-par 28 to earn a four-stroke victory over second-place finisher Jenny Huibers.

Rina McSparren and Jana Samuels carded evenpar 32s to finish in a tie for first place in Flight B.

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Helen Pollock was alone in second place with a 1-overpar 33.

Jackie Gorski fired a 1-under-par 31 to take first place in Flight C, two strokes ahead of second-place finishers Judy Menchek and Jan Turner.

Horseshoe news Horseshoe action Jan. 31 at the Anna Maria City Hall pits saw two teams advance to the knockout stage.

The team of Tim Sofran and Fran Fracchetti cruised to a 22-8 victory over Bob Heiger and Tom Skoloda.

Sofran threw three consecutive double ringers to contribute to the victory.

Two teams met in the finals during Feb. 3 action.

Tom Farrington and Bob Baker edged Bob Mason and Bob Rowley 21-18 to earn bragging rights for the day.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits, where warmups begin at 8:45 a.m.. followed by random team selection.

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Send your fishing, sports news and photos to news@islander.org.

Share the fun.

fish to catch, they provide good action when the bite is tough.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing at the north end is requiring some patience and determination.

Pier anglers — using live shrimp as bait — are targeting and catching a few sheepshead and black drum, although the bite is not as good as it could be, according to Malfese.

Luckily the restaurant and bar are open. So when the fish don’t bite, you can always take a break and warm up with some good food and a cold beer.

Casting small jigs tipped with shrimp at the pier is also an option. Whiting and pompano are susceptible to those offerings and are known to frequent the pier as they move in and out of Tampa Bay. Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is working inshore on the windier days and, although the bite is slightly challenging, he’s putting clients on a variety of species and even putting some fish in the coolers to take home for dinner.

Sheepshead are one such species and are being caught around structure on live shrimp. Black drum also are taking the bait, especially while working around docks.

Fishing along sandy beaches is providing action, as White is finding pompano for clients to target.

On calmer days, working offshore in depths of 50-100 feet is resulting in more consistent action. Species such as hogfish and mangrove snapper are being caught, as well as lane snapper and red grouper.

Capt. Johnny Mattay, working Anna Maria Charters with White, is fishing on nearshore structure when the Gulf of Mexico is calm. Using live shrimp or sand fleas as bait is leading Mattay’s charters to a variety of species, including hogfish, sheepshead and various snappers, such as mangrove and lane. Porgies and Key West grunts are in the mix, too.

Moving inshore, Mattay is putting anglers on redfish, black drum and sheepshead to keep them entertained. All of these fish are being caught on live shrimp.

Lastly, drifting and jigging over the deeper grass flats of Sarasota bay is resulting in a few pompano on Mattay’s charters.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Rescue group releases rehabbed wildlife

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

After rehabbing in Bradenton Beach, some rescued animals are getting a second shot at life in the wild.

Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center volunteer Krista Carpenter Jan. 27 said the rescue released 12 pelicans, eight raccoons, five red-tailed hawks, two possums and one great blue heron in one day.

Carpenter told The Islander the rescue took in a high number of birds in January.

Most of the pelicans were at the rescue due to cold-related starvation, while hawks were in recovery from West Nile virus, which primarily infects birds but can infect bats, horses, cats, dogs, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits, alligators and humans.

Carpenter said raccoons and possums were with

the rescue for longer periods as they were brought in as newborns and had to be raised to an age suitable for release. Their release was coordinated with the birds but at a separate preserve.

Carpenter, speaking in a Jan. 23 interview, said Wildlife Inc. took in more than 110 birds in January and, in 2023, set a record for rescues, taking in more than 3,000 sick or injured animals.

A juvenile brown pelican spreads its wings on release after being rehabilitated at Wildlife Inc., 2207 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Courtesy Krista Carpenter

Anna Maria planners recommend easement vacation

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

RELEASE DATE: 2/4/2024

New York Times Sunday Magazine Crossword

One Anna Maria homeowner’s wish for expansion came true — more than 50 years ago.

However, an easement vacated due to that expansion remained unofficial as of Jan. 31.

Planning and zoning members unanimously voted Jan. 31 to recommend approval of an easement vacation request for property at 117 Peppertree Lane.

The P&Z is an advisory board to the city commission that reviews proposed ordinances, variances and special exception requests for compliance with city code.

The board does not have a final say in such matters but can recommend approval or denial of items for city commission consideration.

The property at 117 Peppertree Lane was platted in 1925. By 1967, a home was built on the lot and, by 1971, a garage and concrete driveway were added to the property.

However, the additions were built over a 10-footwide easement on the north side of the property.

George Lott Jr., who owned the property at the time, applied with the city to vacate the easement in favor of a proposed seven-foot-wide easement around the expanded home in 2003.

City commissioners approved the vacation request contingent upon an alternative easement being conveyed to the city.

That alternative easement was conveyed to the city

Plans from 2003 show a requested easement vacation at 117 Peppertree Lane, Anna Maria,

in November 2005 but “there is no record of the easement of the vacation being finalized and recorded,” according to a staff report.

To set the record straight, the current property owner — 117 Peppertree, LLC, a company managed

by Sarasota resident John Ladle III and Chicago resident James Reiland — submitted another request to vacate the easement.

City planner Ashley Austin told the P&Z board at the meeting that the request was consistent with the city’s land development code and comprehensive plan.

P&Z member David Haddox moved to recommend approval of the vacation request.

P&Z member Dusty Crane seconded the motion, which passed.

The P&Z board will meet next at 9 a.m. WednesWildlife Inc. volunteer Pat Porter holds a rehabiliday, March 13, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the tated red-tailed hawk in preparation for its release Jan. 27. Islander Photo: Courtesy Michael Porter city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

No. 0128

FUNNY BUSINESS

BY JOHN WESTWIG / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ John Westwig is a software engineer in Seattle. This is his ninth crossword for The Times. His first one appeared in 2015, when he was 17.

John says, ‘‘I think I got into constructing because, when I was done solving a puzzle, I would look at the answer grid and wonder how someone could possibly have created such a thing!’’ Note the long answers at 16- and 50-Down, each crossing three theme entries. Very elegant. — W. S.

AC R O S S 47 Pop singer with 92 ‘‘I decided to try operating an airport, noted bangs (and 1 Begin to flower but just before bangers!)

4 In conflict launch we . . . ’’ 48 Go back down 9 Basketball-stats 96 Goes first category 51 J. M. Barrie, for one 100 Wrote, as a bad 16 Neckwear provided at 53 What Ralph check some restaurants represents in a 19 Pikes Peak people Freudian analysis of 101 Moose’s mating season ‘‘Lord of the Flies’’ 20 One-dish meal 102 Universal donor’s 21 ‘‘You’re playing with 54 Betrays designation, fire!’’

56 ‘‘Next, I pivoted informally 22 Game-night cry into breakfast 104 Betray one’s restaurants, 23 ‘‘First, I founded an standards but competitors . . . ’’ aerospace start-up, 105 Bridge component but 61 Passages 106 ‘‘We’ll see’’ I never . . . ’’ 62 Medal-earning mettle 108 Backdrop 26 Messy room 63 Purchase printout: 110 Exclamation before 27 Make the first bet Abbr. an 28 Go back over 66 New Year’s Day ill-advised action, 29 Proverbial hard maybe 67 Place of prayer workers 111 Creature that 69 Sat ____ (GPS 30 Bourne’s employer swallows system) in ‘‘The Bourne its prey whole 70 Behind Identity,’’ in brief 112 ‘‘Finally, I decided to 72 Library section 31 Popular indoor tree buy a grocery store 73 Broski 33 Total revolution? on an intersection, 34 Ardennes assent 75 There are 768 of these but a rival in a gallon had . . . ’’ 35 Singer’s asset 115 ‘‘Wise’’ one 77 ‘‘When I tried 37 Daughter of candlemaking, all my 116 ‘‘Enjoyed’’ some Muhammad workers . . . ’’ humble pie 39 ‘‘When that fell through, I tried 81 Section of the 117 Bolting Bolt my hand at nosebleed seats 118 Union contract? fishmongering, but 83 Poetic preposition 119 Counterpart of ‘‘thx’’ we . . . ’’ 84 Lead-in to zone 120 Corrupting influence 43 Sensitivity 85 Some music 121 Full ____ 45 Common resolutions collectibles, for short 122 Over time period?

46 Squat, so to speak 86 Whiz Online subscriptions: Today’s 87 Counterpart of DOWN puzzle and more science, they say Answers: 1 ‘‘Leave me alone!’’ than 4,000 past puzzles, 88 Freight, e.g.

2 Heaven on earth nytimes.com/crosswords page 24 ($39.95 a year).

90 Uncles, in Uruguay 3 Pick up on

4 State lines?

5 Hammer wielder of myth 6 The missus 7 ____ Butts, inventor of Scrabble 8 CVS competitor 9 Thunderstruck 10 Slump 11 Big name in jeans 12 Quintessential 13 Turn (off) 14 Spam holders 15 Health-class subj.

16 Sloan or Wharton 17 Opposite of relief, in printmaking 18 ____ wonder 24 Traditional makers of anoraks 25 Like kale vis-à-vis lettuce 30 Call of a raven 32 Break, as a window 34 Aid in getting a leg up?

35 Knot again!

36 Pizazz 38 Bow (to) 71 Eradicates starting 58 1972 Bill Withers hit 40 Desert bordering from the bottom whose title sounds Sinai like a command 73 Follow closely 41 Regarding 59 ‘‘Allegory of the cave’’ 74 Zac of ‘‘Baywatch’’ 42 Harry Potter’s mother philosopher 76 Share a side 44 Hubbub 60 1956 Elvis hit whose 78 Identity theft, for one 48 Disney theme park title sounds like a 79 Snow-day project 49 Yankees manager command Aaron 80 The 380-foot-tall 64 Centerfold, say Hyperion, for one 50 Absolute minimum 65 Bits of required 81 Bit of carefree fun troubleshooting 52 Listlessness 82 Trendy treat of 68 Football receiver Brazilian origin 55 Soul 70 Yiddish word 88 Swiss cheese 57 Portmanteau pastry meaning ‘‘woe’’

89 Man cave, maybe 91 Bacchanalian beast 93 Ref. work that began as a Philological Society project 94 Swiss ‘‘cheese’’ 95 ‘‘Whatcha gonna do about it?’’

97 Cub or colt 98 ‘‘Holy ____!’’

99 Perfect in every way

103 Extract 106 Tiniest bit 107 Talking horse of ’60s TV 108 Apt rhyme of ‘‘nude’’ and ‘‘crude’’ 109 Send off 111 Catchy song, in slang 112 Thing to catch in a city 113 Tobiko or masago 114 ____ second

Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

By Lisa Neff

Phil says: spring’s coming

Pennsylvania’s famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted an early spring after rising and not seeing a shadow early Feb. 2 at Gobbler’s Knob.

Punxsutawney’s prognosticating groundhog hasn’t seen its shadow 21 times in 138 years.

I grew up in Waukegan, Illinois, Neff where Groundhog Day — or the groundhog’s prediction — mattered.

Winter had to end so outdoor fun could begin.

In my hometown, school kids colored in pictures of groundhogs in bowties and we went out to the playground to check for our shadows.

Our Groundhog Day wasn’t marked with ceremony, not like in Punxsutawney, where this year about 30,000 people gathered to watch a rodent emerge and indicate to the rest of the country whether we can expect six more weeks of winter weather or early spring.

“Spring it shall be,” announced Pennsylvania deputy secretary of tourism Carrie Fischer Lepore, who suggested people start thinking again about hiking, biking, golfing and gardening.

Here’s where those of us in Florida can snicker.

Sure, we’ve had some chilly days and a couple of mornings when we were afraid to emerge from our bungalows and condos before noon, when the thermometer registered 66 degrees.

However, do we care whether there are six more weeks of winter weather or an early spring on AMI? The question came up the morning of Feb. 2 among some gardener pals, who said the change of seasons matters whether a gardener is in Illinois, Pennsylvania or Florida.

Maps show plant hardiness zones in Florida and for the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture revised the zones in November 2023, the first update since 2012. Gardeners and growers use the zones to determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The revised zones are based on 30-year averages of the lowest annual winter temperatures at specific locations, is divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones and further divided into 5-degree half-zones. For more information, go online to planthardiness. ars.usda.gov. Islander Courtesy Images

If AMI gardeners can expect an early spring, they should be thinking about pruning back cold-damaged foliage and branches, evaluating the need for organic mulch, checking irrigation, planting some bulbs, starting some seeds and considering another crop of tomatoes, spinach and lettuce before the heat hits.

Groundhog Day also proved a conversation topic Feb. 2 at my local coffee shop, where a barista wisecracked, “My manager probably wants six more months of winter because that means a longer tourist season.”

There’s no doubt Florida’s tourist economy can get a boost from winter wreaking its worst on the North for a longer period and tourism organizations that take advantage.

About a decade ago, Visit Florida, the state’s chief promoter, created “Groundhog Phil,” a fictional character who vacations in Florida until Feb. 2, when called back to work “up there.”

And every year in the Florida Keys, Marathon observes Feb. 2 with a ceremony for Ground Conch Day with music, mimosas and observation of an unnamed conch emerging from its shell at the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters.

This year, the conch saw its shadow and predicted

Tiki & Kitty’s

It’s time to take a road trip with Tiki and Kitty to their favorite shops and boutiques in search of updated decor and bargains galore. Make this your year to have fun while undergoing retail therapy.

It’s your duty!

We’ll definitely make a stop at Blue Flamingo, home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.

We promise you will find treasures aplenty.

T&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, mid-century modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.

You may want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting, you’ll want to pull up a chair — with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.

Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.

Stop by at our other locations:

HB drafting RFP for skimmer

The city of Holmes Beach is moving forward with its pursuit of a skimmer vessel to clear local waterways of algae and marine debris.

Commissioners reached consensus Jan. 23 to direct staff to draft a request for proposals for a vessel.

City engineer and public works superintendent Sage Kamiya said he identified vessels from two manufacturers, Canada-based Aquamarine and Wisconsinbased Aquarius Systems, but neither is perfect.

Kamiya recommended the commission allow staff to draft an RFP to seek manufacturer bids for a vessel to meet the city’s specifications.

He said they could have an RFP ready for commission approval within the next few months.

Meanwhile, Mayor Judy Titsworth said she met with U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R- Longboat Key, and discussed potential federal funding for a vessel.

— Ryan Paice

Adventures in Shopping … Antiques, Art-Tiques and Chic Boutiques!

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.

And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

Wed-Sat 10-5 Palma Sola Square Winn Dixie Plaza

615 59th St. W. Bradenton 941-896-8800

4HUR 3AT 0RIVATE SHOPPING BY APPT TH 3T % \ "RADENTON .7 CORNER TH -ANATEE !VE

Your place for fun, funky

Miss us? WE MISS YOU AMI!

six more weeks of winter.

Maybe our local tourism marketers are missing out on the Groundhog Day hoo-ha and celebrating a resident gopher tortoise or ghost crab.

MULTI-VENDORS & LOCAL ARTISTS

FUSION MINERAL PAINT

Dru Love, Owner Dru@bdVintage.com

Sales & Workshops

quirky!

Great work from Local Artisans Upcycled, Repurposed, Vintage Dixie Belle Paint, Fun Gifts & More! theblueflamingo.biz

Scavengers Marketplace SRQ 1175 N Washington Blvd Scavengers Palmetto 2100 US Hwy 301

10 to 5 Tues-Sat | 941.227.1936 4229 26th St. W. | Bradenton

4307 26th St. W. Bradenton 941.782.8883

Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S ITEMS FOR SALE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP WANTED Continued

GOLF GRIP/CLUB repair tools with toolbox.

Added bonus box of grips. $75/offer 941704-4332.

BRIDGE PLAY AT Roser Hall: Noon on Fridays. Call 314-324-5921.

SEEKING SOMEONE PROFICIENT with Quickbooks Online. I own a small business and have used Quickbooks desktop for years, I want to convert to Quickbooks online for 2024. I need some help to guide me through the program. I live on the island, anybody out there willing to teach an old dog some new tricks? Contact Tim, cell 863-5813252, email tim@loadrunnertrailers.com.

OLIVE OIL FROM my farm in Greece. Olive oil is from olive fruit, not from seeds. Wine bottle size (750ml), $19. Delivered to your AMI address. 203-942-8399.

TWIN MATTRESS, COVER, sheets, pillow, $100, twin Murphy (floor mount) bed frame, hardware, $100. 618-978-0986.

PANINNI MAKER: CUISINART, stainlesssteel, like new, $30, side tables, brown with glass top, 2/$15. 941-920-2494.

ANTIQUE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $500.

Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander. org. (limited time offer)

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc. ESTABLISHED IN 1983

Residential & Commercial Full-service lawn maintenance.

Landscaping ~ Cleanups Hauling ~ Tree Trimming.

LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600 Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

Andrew Chennault

CBC 1253471

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC. Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

TRANSPORTATION GOLF CART RENTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! 212-941-2402. www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.

2009 CLUB CAR: Customized, street legal. $4,200. Call 813-685-5530.

2008 MOTORCYCLE: HONDA Gold Wing.

Mint condition. 941-545-6118.

BOATS & BOATING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY: 2009 Suzuki Motorcycle, white. #JS1CP51AX92100244. If interested claim on or before Feb. 23, 2024, at 6110 17th St. E., Bradenton, FL 34203.

941-301-1524. Subject to all liens.

HAVE A BOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

SUNCOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

CAPTAIN FOR HIRE and boat caretaker services: If you need help with your boat on or off the water, call Captain Dan. USCG, retired. 772-486-8085.

FUN AND FISH: Skiff rental. 24-foot Carolina skiff. Live bait and fishing equipment included upon request. Call 941-704-9382.

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY:1996 Hake Yachts 25-foot sailboat #HZK25448L596. If interested, claim on or before Feb. 9, 2024 at 6110 17th St., East, Bradenton, FL 34203.

941-301-1524. Subject to all liens.

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY: 1978 Pearson Yachts 32-foot sailboat #PEA5816OM78K. If interested, claim on or before Feb. 9, 2024 at 6110 17th S., East Bradenton, FL 34203.

941-301-1524. Subject to all liens.

HELP WANTED ADD THE SEA Swimwear in Holmes Beach seeks part-time retail associate. Flexible hours. Please, call 941-254-7938. or mn20@ sbcglobal.net.

A/C SERVICE TECH: Seasoned, able to work well with others. Input is appreciated, hard work is rewarded, salary negotiable. 40-plus hour work week, paid holidays and vacations. West Coast Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. 941-778-9622.

ANSWERS TO Feb 7 PUZZLE

A/C INSTALLER: CHANGE outs experienced. High work ethical standards a must.

Year-round work, no layoffs, benefits. West Coast Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. 941-778-9622.

LOOKING FOR AN EARLY BIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FREE!

NOW HIRING HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

REPORTER WANTED: Full- to part-time.

Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

HEALTH CARE SEASONAL: RETIRED RN with over 20 years’ experience can assist with your family members or yourself, can provide care and skilled needs. Please, contact me for further inquiries at 973-819-2824.

SERVICES IS YOUR HOME or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

CLEANING: VACATION, CONSTRUCTION, residential, commercial and windows.

Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PRESSURE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BICYCLE REPAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

COMPANION/HOMEMAKER: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. References available and licensed.

Call Sherri, 941-592-4969.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

CLEAN TECH MOBILE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

PC OR TECH issues? Not sure where to start? With years of experience, I’ll come to you with reliable solutions. Contact Gavin at 928-587-1309. www.gse.codes.

FREE ... The Islander newspaper is FREE at Publix Holmes Beach. Just stop by the customer

service desk, hold out your hand and say, “Islander, please!” And maybe remind staff you’d like the serveyourself community news returned to the lobby.

Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S SERVICES Continued

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

REAL ESTATE Continued

PAINTING: INTeRIOR/eXTeRIOR: Sarasota interior painting. Call or text Don, 941-9009398. We are the best high-end painting!

Just ask our AMI clients! I’m the owner and the painter. Free estimates. Fully insured licensed business.

bMF INTeRIORS: HOMe repairs and more, no job too small. 786-318-8585.

WILDWOOD SPRINGS: 2bR/2bA turnkey furnished, updated. $329,000. Real estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

U PLUS Me LLC: Provides quality coatings for pool decks, driveways, garage floors, patios. Don’t miss out on our pro polishing services, concrete, terrazzo, travertine. 727623-5050.

RENTALS

HANDYMAN: ISLAND bASeD. Looking for small jobs the other guys turn down. Call 616-304-4187, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PRIVATe CAReGIVeR: DO You need help with groceries, doctors’ appointments, cleaning, care for pet, care for elderly or companion. I am looking for a part-time job. I have references and very experienced. I have integrity and I can help you and your loved ones with anything! Sparkles, 941-704-9948. bUSINeSS-TO-bUSINeSS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean.

941-920-3840. beACH SeRVICe air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call bill eller, 941-720-7411.

CAC184228.

LAWN & GARDEN CONNIe’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

COLLINS LANDSCAPe LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

GRIFFIN’S HOMe IMPROVeMeNTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask.

JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

SCReeNING SeRVICeS: Replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

CALL HYDRO CLeAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

PeRICO ISLAND PATIO home for rent.

3bR/2bA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. January, 2024 available. Now leasing May through December, 2024. Call or text, 859-771-6423.

AVAILAbLe NOW AND season: 1bR/1bA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. com. Special rates are available. 941-8071405.

ACROSS FROM bAY, Two miles to Anna Maria. 2bR/1bA fully furnished. Available February and March. All utilities, washer/dryer. $3,900 month. Family owned. 941-7731552.

O P e N H O U S e : 2 - 4 p . m . S u n d a y, Feb. 11. 2bR/2bA canalfront villa, 3 miles to beach! $319,900. 9422 Kingston Drive, Mount Vernon, bradenton. Gail Tutewiler, Island Real estate. 941-7050227.

Place classified ads online at islander.org Island Limousine and Airport Transportation

Prompt, Courteous Service U New Vehicles 941.779.0043

,IVERY )NSUREDs !IRPORT 0ERMITTED

bOOK AHeAD: PeRICO bay Club. 2bR/2bA, one-car garage villa. Updated. Off-season May through December, $3,000/month.

January 2025 available, $5,500. Real estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

AVAILAbLe ANNUAL ReNTAL: 3bR/2bA raised duplex in Holmes beach. Great location. $4,000 per month. Phone, 941-7784410 or 941-518-1018.

REAL ESTATE WINNIe MCHALe, ReALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

WeST bRADeNTON CONDO: resort lifestyle, ground-floor 2bR//2bA. Garage. 6.5 miles, 14 minutes from Gulf beaches. $264,900. Call or text, 941-7254374.

Rick Turner

Personal Driver 941.504.2894

✯ Top Notch ✯ Transportation ✯ Taxi Service s !-) TO 321 .......$40 ✓2EGULAR (OURS s !-) TO 4AMPA....$80 ✓8, !DD s !-) TO 0)% .........$70 ✓!LL ,UXURY #ARS s !-) TO 0'$ .......$80 ✓.EVER ,ATE /6%2 42)03 WWW 4OPNOTCHTRANSPORTATIONSERVICE COM

941.718.9933

PINeS TRAILeR PARK: 4 Church Ave. and bridge Street, bradenton beach. Inspected, insured. $167,500. May be used as rental.

402-223-8068.

OR AFTER HOURS

ISLANDeR ARCHIVe. UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Don’t forget…

You can read it all online at islander.org

s #OMMERCIAL !CCOUNTS 7ELCOME s &REE 0ICKUP $ELIVERY s 7ASH $RY &OLD s 7ASHER BROKEN 7E CAN HELP -ARINA $RIVE (OLMES "EACH

)SLAND 3HOPPING #ENTER

(OLMES "LVD

ONLY LAUNDROMAT ON AMI

LOOKING FOR ANY home improvement?

JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.

SOUTHWeST HOMe IMPROVeMeNT: Michigan builder, quality work guaranteed. Affordable, timely, within budget. Call Mike’s cell, 1-616-204-8822.

FOR SALe bY OWNeR: North end ANNA Maria: 3bR/3bA, canal home, two-car detached garage, fireplace, boat dock, quiet dead-end street. 941-345-7429.

WE LIKE LIKES $YDLODEOH $We 315 58TH ST. , HOLMES BEACH 941 778-7978 • WWW.ISLANDER.ORG

f acebook.com/ Islandernewspaper

Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 7, 2024 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

biz

by Robyn Murrell

Grow business, inspire youth

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce and the School District of Manatee County seek business people to share stories with fourth-graders during Project TEACH 2024, which is March 14.

The campaign involves exposing students at district schools, including Anna Maria Elementary, to career information.

More than 150 volunteers are needed.

After an orientation March 14, volunteers will go to their assigned school to play “Guess the Job” and talk with students about what they want to do as adults.

Students also will design business cards.

In addition to volunteering at a school, businesses can support the event through $500-$1,000 sponsorships.

For more information, contact the chamber at 941748-3411 info@manateechamber.com.

T hinking about what

is best for your rental property? If so, choose QUALITY over quantity, and get in touch with us!

3340 E. Bay Drive, HB Office 941 462 4016

EXCLUSIVE

LUXURY

VACATION HOMES

largest selection of THC and CBD on Anna Maria Island.

They have plenty of hemp-derived THC products, such as dab resin, flower, pre-roll, gummies, carts, disposables, as well as CBD tinctures and topicals to support their claim.

But there is much more in the shop.

It’s also a country store, with rhinestone glasses, wine socks, clothing, jewelry, home decor and gourmet foods, including jams, barbecue sauces, hot sauces and beverages.

“A lot of people don’t know the health and wellness benefits of hemp and people don’t know because some are scared about walking into a vape shop,” Mel Wendel said Jan. 30. “I wanted to make this approachable to people and more like an apothecary setting, which I think we achieved.”

Mel Wendel’s great-grandmother ran a country store in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and the centerpiece of the island shop is a counter, crafted in 1908, that came from her great-grandmother’s store.

The hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday edibles N More Old Time Country Store owner Jay and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Wendel helps a customer shop Jan. 30 at the store, The store offers online shopping with in-store pick 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes beach. Wendel’s wife, Mel, up and direct shipping. In addition to the store, they is co-owner. Islander Photo: Robyn Murrell have a mobile truck available for special events.

For more information, contact Edibles N More Old More than a country store Time Country Store at 855-334-2530 or go online to If you step foot into Edibles N More Old Time ediblesnmore.com.

Country Store, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, you

by Robyn Murrell might forget you’re in a cannabis store.

This is what owners Jay and Mel Wendel of Snead THIS WEEK Island intended when they transformed the former Island Gallery West space into a hemp-based product Thursday, Feb. 8 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and retail store, which opened June 1, 2023.

The store boasts on its website about having the luncheon, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

BizCal

Mike Norman Realty INC

Fee applies. Information: info@annamariaislandchamber.org, 941778-1541.

Send calendar listings to robyn@islander.org.

VISITORS MAY BE LOOKING FOR YOU !

Help ’em out!

OFFERING THE BEST SELECTION OF SALES & RENTALS ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND SINCE 1978

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Feb. 7, 2024 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PropertyWatch by Carol bernard

Breakfast and networking ‘my way’ at Holmes Beach cafe

Island real estate transactions

115 Park Ave., Anna Maria, a 2,352 sq ft 4BR/4BA pool home on a 5,301 sq ft lot built in 2016 on 12/29/2023 by 115 Park Ave LLC to Casuarina Island Prop LLC sold for $3,375,000, list price $3,375,000.

7800 Gulf Drive, #A, Holmes Beach, a 1,196 sq ft 2BR/3BA home on a 2,431 sq ft lot built in 1982 sold 12/28/2023 by Prindle to Vanlieshout for $979,000, list price $1,079,900.

202 75th St., A, Holmes Beach, a 1,967 sq ft 3BR/3BA home on a 4,129 sq ft lot built in 2006 sold 12/15/2023 Rick Peretz Trust to Casadelmar AMI LLC for $2,250,000, list price $2,350,000.

239 Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, a 2,381 sq ft 4BR/6BA pool home on a 5,201 sq ft lot built in 2021 sold 12/11/2023 by Barak to Seaglass Harbor LLC for $2,650,000, list price $2,999,999.

699 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, a 5,118 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 15,002 sq ft lot built in 1998 sold 12/11/2023 by Cypress Business Park LLC to Riorda for $5,800,000, list price $5,997,000.

8323 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, a 4,212 sq ft 4BR/6BA pool home on a 9,400 sq ft lot built in 2023 sold 12/15/2023 by Wilssold AMI LLC to Pomp for $7,400,000, list price $7,995,000.

Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.

Gathering at blueberries Cafe & Wine in “downtown Holmes beach” for breakfast of avocado toast, panini, croissant sandwiches and networking with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce are John Sheerin and beth bowman, left, of Coquina Concierge, Rick Freemen of Haskell Termite & Pest Control, Andrew Vac of Re/MAX, Rebecca St. Jean of Manatee County Animal Welfare, chamber board member Karen LaPensee of LaPensee Plumbing, Thaina Cianciarelli and Sergio Santinato of blueberries Cafe, Joann baker of United Community bank, Nick bender of Professional Yacht Sales Int., Laura Freeman of Merits Design Group and John Renkawitz of Pampered Movers. Islander Courtesy Photo $2 @ The Islander, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach.

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

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Shellie Young, PA, MCNS, IARP, CLHMS Million Dollar Guild Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Servicing Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key & Waterfront Properties

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