The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

Big silver hookup. 28 Special pull-out section.

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VOLUME 25, NO. 31

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 AsTheWorldTerns keep lookout for storms. 6 Avalos sentenced to life in prison. 3 HB commission rejects 7-day rental pleas. 4 Anna Maria extends lobbyist’s contract. 4

Op-Ed

The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

From the archives. 7

‘Camp’ rises in Cortez waterway. 8

Meetings

On the agenda: Government meetings. 8

Happenings Make plans, save a date. 10-11 Skimmers colonize in Holmes Beach. 12 County OKs funding for BBPD boatlift. 14 AME students soar. 16 Turtle Talks return. 21

Gathering. 22 Obituaries. 23 Streetlife. 25

Naming rights. 27 Sporting news. 28 Good times for anglers in back country. 29 Island music flows in ‘Water.’ 31 Classifieds. 32

www.islander.org

Lifeguards keep AMI beachgoers safe

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter Keeping the beaches safe for thousands of beachgoers is no easy task. Summer hours for lifeguards began May 27 and continue through Labor Day weekend. During this period, 16 lifeguards monitor Coquina and Manatee beaches 9 a.m.-7 p.m., searching for signs of inclement weather, dangerous rip tides, panicking swimmers or beachgoers in need of aid. The lifeguards work 365 days a year at the county’s most popular beaches. Manatee Marine Rescue Chief Joe Westerman says the work has changed a lot in the past 20 years. “The nature of ocean lifeguarding has changed,” he said. “Not everyone can do it. …We take a lot of pride in what we do. Manatee County Marine Rescue lifeguard Karl Payne watches over beachgoers May 26 PLEASE SEE LiFeGUArDS PAGE 5 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

HBPD arrests butterﬂy advocate on 3 fraud charges

Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter A local community activist has been arrested for an alleged scheme to defraud and solicit as a charity without authority. Nancy Ambrose, 58, turned herself into authorities May 24 and was booked at the Manatee County jail. She was released the next day on $4,500 bond. She was a longtime resident of Holmes Beach who moved to Bradenton. She and husband David still own their home in Holmes Beach, as well as the home of her late father. Ambrose The allegations stem from an agreement with the city of Holmes Beach to landscape and maintain the former Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park adjacent to city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. HBPD Detective Sgt. Brian Hall said the investigation began in 2015, triggered by complaints from city officials about Ambrose’s failure to maintain the park and from people who’d purchased but not received memorial bricks in the garden. The garden was in poor condition when,

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in February 2016, “the city took the garden back from her,” Hall said. The park was spearheaded by Ambrose with backing from Connie Hodsdon of Bradenton in 1999. Part of their effort included fundraising by the sale of engraved bricks for $50-$60. The agreement with the city was inked Oct. 2, 2008, by Ambrose as the Manasota Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association. According to Hall’s investigation, Ambrose failed to register the Manasota chapter as required by the Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services while operating the charity, however, “after separating from the city,” she registered it. Since at least February 2010, Ambrose allegedly organized three fundraising events a year, arts and craft shows held at the Holmes Beach city field and in Bradenton Beach, to raise money for Anna Maria Island nonprofits. Ambrose was the sole authorized signatory on a SunTrust account, opened in August 2007, according to Hall’s investigation. Two accounts had been opened in the PLEASE SEE FrAUD PAGE 2

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An above-normal hurricane season is forecast for the Atlantic region. The Climate Prediction Center at NOAA released its forecast May 25. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1-Nov. 30. The forecasters put the likelihood of an above-normal season at 45 percent. An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. The government forecast says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms, with winds of 39 mph or higher. The forecast calls for five to nine storms becoming hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher. Two to four of the hurricanes would be major storms, with winds of 111 mph or higher. The lead hurricane forecaster at the CPC, Gerry Bell, said the scientists expect “a weak or non-existent El Niño, near- or above-average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea and average or weaker-than-average vertical wind shear in that same region.” A weak El Niño points to more hurricane activity this year. Also, warmer sea surface temperatures tend to fuel hurricanes. For more about the forecast and hurricane season, see “Storm Avengers: Guardians of the Gulf” special section this week.

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County to host AMI meeting

FrAUD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 chapter’s name but, when Hodsdon dissolved it, she transferred the funds to one account and “gave it to Nancy Ambrose for the butterfly garden,” according to Hall’s affidavit. A NABA representative told Hall the Manasota chapter dissolved July 1, 2011, and, after that date, Ambrose did not have permission to fundraise or use the NABA affiliation. NABA president Jeffrey Glassberg said May 25 “it’s obviously unsettling to hear” of the use of NABA’s name after the dissolution and he wanted to know how much was in the chapter’s account in 2011. After a chapter dissolves, all remaining funds should have been transferred to the national group, he said. Bank records show the account balance at

A cover photo for The Islander in 2001, announcing Ambrose as “Islander of the Year” for her advocacy on the butterfly park in Holmes Beach, shows her surrounded by the park’s butterfly plants and the memorial bricks she sold to raise funds for the park. Islander File Photo $44,243.31 in December 2016. The account was used for fundraising deposits, including $500-$1,000 per event and $7,200 from 2014-16 events, according to Hall’s affidavit. The HBPD investigation revealed $1,172 in checks and withdrawals, including: • A May 4, 2016, purchase at Home Depot for $73.22 for a spool of mason line and white fencing. “Since there was no butterfly garden, these purchases could not have been for a legitimate purpose,” Hall’s affidavit states. • A purchase at Lowes for $97.61 May 19, 2015, for bug spray, a toilet seat, plants and soil. “None of these items were used in the butterfly garden,” according to the affidavit. • Arboricola plants purchased from Lowes May 20, 2015, for $21.22. “These plants were not placed in the butterfly garden,” the affidavit stated.

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Manatee County Utilities and Public Works departments will host a meeting Tuesday, May 30, for the public to learn about a major underground waterline project coming to Anna Maria Island this year. The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. An announcement from the county said the Anna Maria Island Force Main Pipe Replacement Project will begin during the summer of 2017. A brief presentation will begin at 4:30 p.m. and people will be able to view design boards. Also, project staff will be on hand to answer questions. The major project will replace aging water and sewer lines and other utility work along Gulf Drive from Cortez Road to just north of Manatee Avenue. Additional details will be posted beginning June 1 to the project website amipipelienreplacement.com. The presentation, project fact sheet and other information will be available for download at the site. For more information, call the county at 941-7484501.

Judith Bozek of Bradenton, told The Islander May 25, she and friend Helen Krug ordered a brick in August 2015 in memory of another friend’s late husband. Bozek said she made three follow-up calls to Ambrose, who was “always very nice” and returned her calls. In the first call, Ambrose told her she was waiting for more orders before sending their order to the brick company. In the second call, she was told the brick was on order. With the third call, Bozek learned the city had taken over the garden. That’s when Bozek called the city and was referred to Hall. “I was told that I wasn’t the only one,” Bozek said. She and her friend lost $50. “We’ve moved on. But it’s a sad situation for this person. Perhaps she’ll pay restitution. But I’m not counting on it,” Bozek said. Hall said he expected the arrest of Ambrose will be “a big shock” to the community. “We tried to give her an opportunity to explain some things — well, there were a lot of things,” Hall said. Ambrose said she hadn’t received the warrants, “like I thought I would when I went to jail” and needs to read them. “I’m looking forward to going to court and getting it all straightened out,” she added. For the past 30 years, Ambrose has volunteered for numerous causes and organizations on Anna Maria Island, including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Island Players and the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra. She has been recognized with awards, including the 2000 Islander of the Year for initiating the Holmes Beach Butterfly Park, the All Island Denominations 2009 Bunnell Humanitarian Award and 2013 ABC-TV 7 Who Care Award. Ambrose was employed as a sales representative for The Islander from June 2003 to June 2007.

THE ISLANDER n May 31, 2017 n 3

Avalos convicted of murder, spared death sentence

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Andres “Andy” Avalos Jr., 36, will spend the rest of his life in prison. Avalos was convicted May 20 and sentenced May 24 to three consecutive life sentences for the December 2014 murders of his wife, pastor and neighbor — a former Anna Maria Island resident. The jury rejected the insanity defense proffered by Avalos’ defense and found him guilty of seconddegree murder for killing his wife, Amber Avalos, 33, and first-degree murder in the slayings of his neighbor Denise Potter, 46, formerly of Holmes Beach, and the Rev. James “Tripp” Battle III, 31. Two days later, the same three-man, nine-woman jury decided against the death penalty sought by Assistant State Attorney Art Brown and Manatee County State Attorney Ed Brodsky. 12th Circuit Judge Diana Moreland sentenced Avalos to three consecutive life sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections. For the Potter and Battle murders, the sentences are without parole. The prosecutors believed the case appropriate for the death penalty, given the heinous, premeditated murders, but nonetheless were satisfied May 24 with the result. “We’re pleased with the judgment and sentence. Certainly, it protects the community and achieves justice in this case,” Brodsky said. Brown said Avalos will never be released from prison. Avalos remains in the Manatee County jail, awaiting another trial in July — for an attempted murder of a fellow inmate at the jail. Before the jury began its death-penalty deliberations May 22, family members of the victims, including Meg Faillace, Potter’s sister-in-law, testified about the impact on their family. Denise Potter and ex-husband Chuck Potter, who

Andres “Andy” Avalos is flanked in the courtroom before jury deliberations began May 22 by his defense team, Richard Watts and Andrew Crawford. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell died in 2011, lived in Holmes Beach, where Chuck owned and operated a dock and seawall business, Westcoast Marine Contractors Inc. Darrin Wash, Holmes Beach contractor, said Chuck lived on the island for “years and years,” left for a few years and came back with a wife and a baby. The Potters had two children. Denise Potter had another child from a prior relationship. Avalos did not testify in the trial. After the trial and before sentencing, Avalos told the judge he didn’t testify because he wanted “to speed on the process.” However, his audio confession to Manatee County

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Sheriff’s detectives was played for the jury. In it, Avalos admitted to first killing his wife at the avalos’ northwest Bradenton home Dec. 4, 2014 — punching her in the kitchen, strangling and hanging her on a wire in the laundry room and then shooting her. Avalos then was in his driveway about to take his 4-year-old to day care when Potter came looking for Amber. They cleaned houses together for income. Potter walked inside and Avalos followed and shot her four or five times in a hallway. He next drove his child to day care, left his vehicle in a Walmart parking lot in east Bradenton and took a taxi to Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton. Before going into the church, Avalos called his uncle, MCSO Lt. Joel Perez, asking him to send police to the family home to prevent exposing his children as they arrived home from school. Prosecutors argued Avalos’ “clear-headed” choices were designed to prevent his arrest and aggravating factors for the death penalty. Avalos then arrived at the church, looking for Battle, who he’d suspected of having an affair with his wife — one of many Avalos’ delusions, according to the defense. Avalos spoke to Battle’s wife before gunning down her husband in the courtyard. Brodsky reminded the jury how Joy Battle described Avalos as “calm and polite” in that conversation and argued his demeanor was calculated to ensure Battle arrived — so Avalos could kill him. Avalos’ defense attorneys, Andrew Crawford and Richard Watts of St. Petersburg, pointed to mitigating circumstances. Crawford said Avalos’ jealousies and paranoia led him to the killings. Brown told the victims’ family members outside the courtroom May 24 he expects Avalos to appeal. “I feel confident the convictions will stand,” Brown said, considering the defense failed to object to key evidence, including Avalos’ confession.

4 n May 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Some Holmes Beach property owners seek relief, 7-day rentals By Terry O’Connor Islander Reporter An unhappy group of Holmes Beach single-family homeowners vowed to continue to press for seven-day rentals after commissioners unanimously rejected their request May 23. About 50 people attended the workshop at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Most were there to lobby commissioners to amend an ordinance requiring minimum 30-day rentals for their properties. The petition requested seven-day rentals be allowed in the R-1 zone rather than the minimum 30 days now allowed by city ordinance. It suggested a new land-use category of low-density residential resort could be created to remedy the problem. The seven homeowners petitioning commissioners for a resort overlay district have homes near the Gulf ranging from Martinique southward to Gulf Sands condominiums. The property owners told commissioners skyrocketing property taxes and insurance costs have made short-term rentals a more critical revenue component than ever before. The petitioners are: • Robert Gutierrez, 5102 Fifth Ave. • Marsha Ward and Debra Barber, 5002 Fifth Ave. • Bob Hartung and Miriam Martin, 103 45th St. • Richard Garguile, 107 47th St. •Leslie Camboni, 101 48th St. • Linda Gallen, 104 49th St. • Debra Gutierrez, 107 49th St. “The overlay would allow us to be able to rent short-term again,” Gallen said in an email requesting action from commissioners. At the meeting, Gallen said the residential district

Linda Gallen, of 104 49th St., at the podium May 23, was one of seven petitioners to request that R1 zones be allowed seven-day rentals instead of 30 days. The Holmes Beach City Commission unanimously denied the request. Islander Photo: Terry O’Connor zoning is unfair to longtime residents. “We feel we were all blurred together,” Gallen said. Neighboring properties can rent weekly, she said. A common theme among the petitioners is they may be forced to sell their property without the overlay district. At least one homeowner claimed six generations of ownership could come to an end if relief is not granted. “Loss of our ability to rent weekly will make our homes uneconomic,” said Miriam Martin, who has maintained a property on Anna Maria Island for a decade. “ If we end up having to sell, buyers would likely tear down the cottage-style homes and build

Holmes Beach retains hard line on Bert Harris claims

By Terry O’Connor Islander Reporter Three more Holmes Beach property owners will soon receive responses from the city to their Bert Harris damage claims. The commissioners approved the terms offered in the letters at their May 23 meeting. The letters reject the owners’ claims for damages. The Bert Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act of 1995 allows property owners to seek relief if they can prove a government action lowered the value of their property. Most of the 54 claims lodged against Holmes Beach allege property value losses caused by the city’s short-term rental occupancy rule. “We never said they could over-occupy when they turned their property into a short-term rental. The fact they did not do their due diligence is not my problem,” said Commission Chair Judy Titsworth after commissioners unanimously approved sending the “no change” letters. Letters offering no change will be sent to the following: • R. Carlisle Roberts, the owner of a three-bedroom condo at 6422 Gulf Drive, unit five, wants to offer eight occupancies per night instead of the six allowed by city ordinance. • DSB Real Estate Holdings, owner of the sixbedroom home at 6906 Homes Blvd., wants to offer occupancy for 16 versus the 12 allowed in the VRO. • Tyler and Melissa Prout, owners of the five-bedroom home at 204 69th St., is seeking occupancy for 14 people versus 10 allowed by city ordinance. Holmes Beach has taken a hard-line stance against issuing settlement offers. The tactic could prove costly. Commissioners have been warned by city attorney Patricia Petruff and its insurer, the Florida League of Cities, its growing liability potential could overwhelm its insurance coverage. The city faces roughly $25 million in possible settlement liability with $1 million in annual insurance coverage. Holmes Beach has 150 days to respond to any Bert Harris claim with a settlement offer, but has so far chosen not to negotiate with any owners. Owners then have the option to take the matter to court.

The notices sent by the city have the advantage of limiting the statute of limitations to one year, according to Petruff. The Holmes Beach approach is in contrast to Anna Maria, which has settled 78 of 112 claims, most relaxing the eight-person VRO occupancy rule by allowing two people per bedroom plus two additional people. Commissioner Marvin Grossman missed the meeting with excuse, and Vice Chair Jean Peelen participated remotely via telephone. The Holmes Beach City Commission will meet next after the Memorial Day weekend at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

… while Anna Maria offers 6 more Bert Harris settlements

Anna Maria city commissioners approved six more Bert Harris settlement recommendations May 25. The recommendations include occupation rate settlements of 10-14 persons. None were offers for purchase. The settlement offers were approved 4-1, with Commissioner Nancy Yetter voting against them. The city of Anna Maria adopted a vacation rental ordinance in 2015 that went into effect April 2016. Among other things, the VRO specifies that short-term vacation rentals can have an occupancy of no more than eight people, regardless of home size. Since April 2016, 112 Bert Harris claims have been made against the city — all but one was based on the occupancy rate enacted in the VRO. The Bert Harris Jr. Private Property Protection Act of 1995 allows property owners to seek relief if they can prove a government action lowered the value of their property. Claimants must provide appraisals to establish value and settlements, in lieu of cash payments, can either fully or partly restore the rights that existed before the prohibitions. The city has 150 days to respond to claims. In May, Mayor Dan Murphy said city attorney Becky Vose had successfully drafted a response to all claims that have been made against Anna Maria. Since then, she has presented the commission with multiple counter-offers from the claimants. Of 112 claims, 78 were settled as of May 26. — Bianca Benedí

very large homes that will change the character of the island.” Holmes Beach Commission Chair Judy Titsworth said she is concerned daily rentals could eventually result if the petition is approved. Commissioners Carol Soustek and Pat Morton agreed in unanimous consensus against the request. “Florida legislation limits on length of stay are pretty clear,” Soustek said. “I can’t support an overlay district because we will have another group in line wanting short-term rentals, too,” Morton said. Gathering outside city hall after the meeting, the petitioners discussed their options. One petitioner suggested the new plan would be to sell their properties and allow “McMansions” to rise. “We will have a plan B,” promised one petitioner who also said the group was not ready to discuss its future plans. In other matters at the workshop: A rooftop tiki hut at 516 Bayview Drive, reported in apparent violation a month ago to code enforcement officials, is still standing, according to a letter received by Morton from Holmes Beach resident Edna Erven. Erven expressed concern the “flimsy” structure appeared vulnerable to high winds. The U.S. post office has received three local business applications, according to Mayor Bob Johnson. It will take weeks for the contracting process to conclude and a decision on a new postal operator for the city. “So that’s moving forward. We may see a solution there,” Johnson said. Holmes Beach building official James McGuinness, absent on vacation, came in for some criticism. “Permits are not getting out on time. The department is still not getting it. I’m disappointed,” said Titsworth. “If he can’t do his job, maybe he should find another place of employment,” said Morton, citing dissatisfaction with how permitting for the Ugly Grouper restaurant, 5704 Marina Drive, was handled. John Fernandez, who retired once and returned part time to the building department, is again retiring. The next Holmes Beach City Commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Anna Maria extends legislative lobbying contract

Anna Maria’s not done in Tallahassee. At their May 25 meeting, commissioners approved a proposal and extended the contract with lobbyist Chip Case for a year. The contracts runs through June 2018, with a $3,333.33 per-month retainer. The retainer covers all of Case’s work, allowing him to respond as issues come up without hourly billing, including meetings with state representatives, advocating for the city and networking. The contract specifies Case’s company, Jefferson Monroe LLC, is obligated to keep public records, attend city meetings as needed and deliver updates. The commission hired Case on a six-month contract in January, claiming legislation was introduced that threatened home rule. Case lobbied on behalf of Anna Maria, alongside lobbyists hired for Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, against two bills intended to weaken or void vacation rental regulations. Both bills died in session. However, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said the city should prepare itself for next year, when he’s certain the bills will return. At a May 11 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Holmes Beach Commissioner Jean Peelen proposed the three island cities share the cost of a single lobbyist advocating for the island. — Bianca Benedí

Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, anniversaries, travels and other events. Send notices and photographs with contact information to news@islander.org.

THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 5

Holmes Beach fights off yet another tree house-DCA plea for rehearing By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter The court battle continues. Calling it an improper re-argument in a May 26 response, the city of Holmes Beach has countered the tree house owners’ quest to grandfather their beachfront tree house via a citywide vote. The 2nd District Court of Appeal panel of three judges May 3 refused to take the latest appeal from Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen, and in mid-May, TranHazen’s attorney, David Levin, of Icard Merrill of Sarasota, requested a full-court — all 2nd DCA judges — reconsider the case. Levin also asked for a written decision. The tree house was built in 2011 around an Australian pine within the 50-foot setback of the erosion control line behind their home at 103 29 St., where Tran and Hazen operate a four-unit resort, Angelinos LiFeGUArDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

We make sure our staff are prepared to make this a career.” Lifeguards are expected to prevent tragedies, as well as participate in code enforcement efforts, train in medical treatment and serve in the public eye every day. All are licensed as EMTs and some are trained as paramedics so they can respond to situations such as heat exhaustion or a cardiac event. In their towers, they’re connected to 911 dispatches in order to respond to marine situations and they have lightning detection equipment to monitor storms. Nearly 3 million people visit Manatee’s public beaches annually and monitoring that many people on a beach isn’t easy. According to Westerman, the changing nature of the tourist season has resulted in more crowded beaches year-round. In the past, he said, tourist season included at least two slow periods, in May and in September. The result of a season spread out over the year is a more strained staff, he says.

Sea Lodge. The owners failed to pull permits, claiming former city officials told them permits were not needed, and have fought for six years with the city, environmental regulators and in the courts to keep the tree house. Attorney Jim Dye of Dye Deitrich Petruff & St. Paul, argued to the DCA “it is essentially impossible” for the ruling to be overturned. “To maintain that the court has overlooked something or misapprehended something when no written opinion is available to support the basis of the motion is less than persuasive, to put it nicely,” Dye wrote, citing a 1998 appellate case. In the latest appeal, Levin is challenging the way 12th Circuit Court Don T. Hall entered the lower court’s decision — rubberstamping Dye’s proposed order — and saying it lacked the appearance of judicial fairness because the judge copied Dye’s order. Dye argues the cases say the entire process is Before the recession that began in 2007, Manatee had 17 lifeguards on staff, but financial strains forced cuts. Since 2008, the department has been slowly adding staff. “We’re operating at baseline,” Westerman said. “We should have more staff.” Manatee’s lifeguards range in age from 18 to veterans who’ve been on the job for more than a decade, according to Westerman, and training for all of them continues daily. Along with 48 hours of physical training and extensive medical training to begin working as a lifeguard, he said, the guards receive an hour of training in some field daily, whether it’s physical exercise or a CPR lesson, before taking their posts on the beach. It takes six months to a year for a new employee to become an effective lifeguard, he said. “They’re never fully trained,” he added. One thing hasn’t changed in the history of the job: they still spend a lot of time putting on sunblock. All staffers are provided with 50-SPF sun protection and sun-resistant clothing and swim suits.

reviewed to determine if the proceeding is fair. Levin also asks the appellate court to look at the underlying issue — whether there should be a citywide vote based on the charter. Dye argues the proposed initiative should be considered a development order, seeking authorization to construct and maintain the tree house, and such a ballot question is prohibited under a 2013 state law. Levin’s position, however, is the ballot question is not a development order because the structure is an accessory, an incidental use to their residence. Levin concludes the 2nd DCA can re-look at the entire case “de novo” because the trial court’s ruling “is inconsistent with well-established precedent” in other similar cases. Tran said May 19 she objects to the city taking property rights away “little bit by little bit” in her case as well as in other Bert J. Harris Property Rights Protection Act claims against the city. “What happened to the individual property rights? We’re going to fight for property rights,” she said. In July 2013, the city fined and ordered the owners to comply with city code or remove the structure. Holmes Beach building official Jim McGuinness issued a memo in January, concluding the structure can’t be permitted as located. Courts have upheld the decision, which was updated by a special city magistrate, Kelly M. Fernandez, in May 2016. Fernandez’ ruling assessed the owners a $50 daily fine from July 22, 2015, which is accumulating, and unpaid city costs of $4,271.

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The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, anniversaries, travels and other events. Submit notices and photographs with detailed captions — along with complete contact information to news@islander.org.

6 n MAy 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Opinion

Our

‘Stormy Monday’

It is my favorite Allman Brothers song. And, while “Midnight Rider” and “Whipping Post” are classic Southern Rock, it is the 1971 bluesy “Stormy Monday” that captured my soul. And it was a pleasure to know Gregg Allman and his band, especially the Toler brothers, Frankie and Dan. They each gave my kids tips and lessons on drums and guitar back in the 1970s. Their wives, Marsha and Debbie, who I knew from the beach, were friends. There was one particular night when Gregg, who lived within two blocks, came by my house, guitar in hand. It wasn’t for the best reason — he was hoping to score some of my kids’ cough medicine — and instead he got a bowl of homemade chili. Anyway, he had a beautiful black Les Paul electric guitar in hand, and he asked me if I had a favorite song. Oh yeah. “Stormy Monday.” He played and sang softly in that trademark gravel-voice. He didn’t have to sing loud and he didn’t plug in — each note and every word was the best ever performed. He then gave me the guitar and thanked me for being a friend. It seemed I lived in the era of Gregg Allman’s resurrection on Anna Maria Island — he wrote songs, his wife Julie gave birth to a daughter (and where is she now?) and he met up with Dickie Betts at the Oar House for a reunion that reunited the brothers’ band. It was a great time for music on AMI. He was a rock star but, for a short time, he was one of us. As I write, it is indeed Monday. It’s three weeks until summer officially kicks off, it’s four weeks into sea turtle nesting season, but it’s only days until the official start of hurricane season. Not to worry. There’s no storm on the horizon. But there is apathy and it promises to stir up a storm of its own. If you don’t act now — prepare — you will be in the frenzy at the hardware store, Publix, and wherever you go if there is a storm heading for the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico. You will be caught up in sandbagging your house and moving your pool furniture and plants indoors, safeguarding your home, boat, family.... So take a few hours to prepare. It won’t hurt, and it could be the best thing you ever did. Just pack up a plastic tub and run down the checklist in this week’s special section. You never know when you’ll be face to face with Stormy Monday. — Bonner Joy

MAY 31, 2017 • Vol. 25, No. 31 ▼ ▼

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Publisher and Editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org Editorial Lisa Neff, copy editor Sandy Ambrogi, sandy@islander.org Bianca Benedí, bianca@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com ChrisAnn Silver Esformes, chrisann@islander.org Susan Huppert Terry O’Connor, terryo@islander.org Kathy Prucnell, kathyp@islander.org Ed Scott, edscott@islander.org Contributors Jesse Brisson Karen Riley-Love Capt. Danny Stasny, ﬁsh@islander.org Advertising Director Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org Office Staff Lisa Williams, manager Janice Dingman accounting@islander.org classiﬁeds@islander.org subscriptions@islander.org Distribution Urbane Bouchet Judy Loden Wasco Ross Roberts (All others: news@islander.org)

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Opinion

Your

Beruff’s shenanigans

Congratulations to Islander reporter Kathy Prucnell for her coverage of Carlos Beruff’s shenanigans on his Aqua by the Bay development at Long Bar Pointe. From an aerial photograph, she discovered that weeks before he presented his general development plan to county commissioners, Beruff had already dug the largest of three proposed recreational ponds on the site. Problem is, the ponds were not in the county plans. They were in a plan filed with the Southwest Florida Water Management District — a plan which also showed that Beruff wanted to build 24 145-foot towers along Sarasota Bay instead of one, as commissioners had been led to believe. Unless they like being played, the commissioners should be outraged. Beruff’s strategy is to sneak this bad project past as many agencies as he can by giving them only part of the story, with no master plan tying it all together. He tried the same trick with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when he applied for a mitigation bank on the shoreline but didn’t mention his development would tower above. The Corps caught on and denied his project. County commissioners should do the same. Stuart Smith, of Suncoast Waterkeeper and the Sierra Club, Bradenton

Tunnel to Gulf Drive

Recent stories suggest plans for a new Cortez Bridge will cost more than just a bridge with the loops and ramps needed to try and keep from dividing the village. Why not a tunnel? Why not have an entrance a quarter mile from the bay that keeps the character of Cortez quaint and attractive to tourists, as well as locals? Would it cost that much more?

Then put a toll on it, an annual pass for islanders and 50 cents for mainlanders. They have one on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It wouldn’t be a first. But the tunnel would be for the west coast of Florida. And no need to dig through bedrock, Florida is, after all a giant sandbar. Why not use some space-age clear material on top of the tunnel clear. Technically it is possible, and not even rocket science. It also would add to the romance and mystic of Anna Maria Island as a true island. The illusion of not being connected to the mainland, at least at Cortez. We have underwater tunnels all over the Eastern Seaboard, why not here? Why not? David Reid, Hollywood, California

Dreaming of the year 2037

I had a dream last night. Not a meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. type of dream but a disturbing view of Anna Maria Island in the year 2037. I was reading The Islander with a cup of Earl Grey tea and the headline for May 24, 2037, was accompanied by a picture of the tree house owners crying in their backyard in Holmes Beach. The tree house was leveled due to termites. After an almost 30-year battle, including a hearing at the U.S. Supreme court, nature did the work. The tree house owners owed $3.5 million in fines and fees. They surprised no one when they said that they would fight “these outrageous charges.” The next article dealt with the completion of a 20-year traffic study begun in 2017 by the Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials. The 378-page document cost $129,000 and had only one conclusion: “After exhaustive research we have determined that there is too much traffic on the island.” PLEASE SEE OPiNiON, NEXT PAGE

Opinion

THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 7

Your

A follow up study was set to begin in May 2041. The Islander also reported a rowdy, boisterous crowd of full-time Anna Maria residents storming city hall to protest the fact that there were more code enforcement officers than there were full-time residents (a total of 11). Other news included the canceling of the Friday Key West performances on the historic Anna Maria City Pier due to an accident involving a bicycle for six, the little conch train, a motor scooter, a unicycle and the Monkey bus. No one was hurt but the train was derailed. Other news reported the purchase of AMOB by the bait monger after 18 years of negotiations. The bait monger said all he ever wanted was a place “to urinate.” Other noteworthy news included new repairs to the Cortez Bridge, taking a year and increasing the lifespan of the bridge for three-six months. And finally a new traffic pattern was going into effect, with all the lanes on both the Cortez and Anna Maria Island bridges going to the island 7-11 a.m. and all lanes going off the island 3-8 p.m. Motorists were to be permitted to park anyplace on the island with all four tires on the pavement. Sometimes there is truth in humor, and sometimes it’s just a bad dream. Len Tabicman, Holmes Beach

Our view

Our family has been in continuous ownership of our property at Westbay Point and Moorings for the past 40 years. We are writing regarding the installation of the WMFR and Holmes Beach Police Department boat lifts and canopies at the 63rd Street boat ramp and park in Holmes Beach. This boat canopy structure is directly in front of our lanai. The views our family, friends and neighbors have enjoyed of Watson’s Bayou and the constant activities

at the boat ramp are precious to all of us. This view was vital to our choice and our continued ownership of our island home. This view has been measurably impaired by the construction of the lifts and canopies. While we appreciate the need for a public-safety facility of this nature, this site was chosen hastily and without due process or consensus of the affected parties. Holmes Beach city code forbids the installation of boat canopies in the spot they were built, but it was evidently decided to “build first” and sort it out later. These structures simply should not have been constructed where the waterway borders a residential district. Also, the recent attempt to attack the historic and current mangrove trimming practices at Westbay Point is sophomoric. The challenge of these trimming practices, which have been carefully managed by the property and condoned by the state of Florida and Manatee County for more than 40 years, is a shameful attempt to divert attention from your unilateral decision to building structures. The boat canopy structures should be dismantled immediately and moved to another waterway that does not border directly on a residential community. There are several obvious sites. Bob, Julie and Jeff Sayles, Holmes Beach You can find The Islander archived online at www.ufdc. ufl.edu.

We’d love to mail you the news!

10&20 years ago In the headlines: May 28, 1997

• Island elected officials attempted to entice Longboat Key into the Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials. The town had quit the coalition several years earlier, disagreeing with a letter on coalition stationery penned by Bradenton Beach Mayor Katie Pierola. • Holmes Beach commissioners rejected a plea from Mayor Bob VanWagoner to limit use on city field north of city hall. The mayor said there were too many events taking place on weekends. • Local law enforcement officers arrested four people in connection with a series of thefts from automobiles in Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. • Holmes Beach commissioners voted down a proposed two-month moratorium on erecting a cell tower, which had been suggested due to questions about a special exception sought for a tower in the 5900 block of Marina Drive.

In the headlines: May 30, 2007

• A fire at a duplex on Palm Drive in Holmes Beach caused about $50,000 in damages and was ruled an arson. One person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. • Anna Maria commissioners delayed a decision on whether to adopt a proposed county ordinance changing the rules for registered day care homes. The ordinance was to require all home providers of day care to be licensed. • Anna Maria commissioners re-adjusted the vision set forth in the city’s comprehensive plan and voted to send the document to the state for consideration and comment. The commission also approved changes to the city land-use map.

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New ‘camp’ rises in Cortez waterway, raises concerns

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Karen Bell didn’t have much to say in mid-May about ongoing construction in Sarasota Bay not far from the A.P. Bell Fish Co. docks and the Cortez shoreline. Cortez artist Linda Molto said she wants to know what’s going on. “Everybody is wondering and no one knows,” she said. Raymond Leslie Guthrie Jr. and Capt. Tom Mora built the structure and they’re using it for storage and a workshop, according to Mora. Guthrie said he plans to conduct seagrass experiments at night. The structure is in Sarasota Bay — not attached to land — an Outstanding Florida Waterway and a national estuary. Molto wondered, “Aren’t there building restrictions?” The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which regulates submerged lands, is unaware of any permits, Shannon Herbon, DEP media relations spokeswoman, wrote in a May 25 email. The DEP is looking to determine whether the land beneath the structure is state or privately owned before it evaluates what regulations apply, she added. Florida is the owner of submerged lands along the coast not otherwise held by a private landowner. Bell owns A.P. Bell Fish Co., which runs grouper and stone crab boats and markets, producing a daily catch that is sold locally and internationally, and leases

A barge equipped with a crane sits in the water adjacent to a new “net camp” near A.P. Bell Fish Co. It is expected to be used for seagrass experiments, a workshop and storage. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell

submerged lands from the state. But the new structure is not part of that lease, Bell said. The submerged lands where the house is built could be grandfathered into Bell’s ownership or owned by Guthrie, who is known as Junior. Bell also said Guthrie told her it once had been a net camp in his family and she “wasn’t going to dispute that,” but considers the remnants of historic net camps as belonging to the Cortez community. Photographs at the Cortez-based Florida Maritime Museum show net camps — small wooden shacks that stored nets and provided temporary shelter for fishers — and net spreads — broad wooden platforms on

the water where fishers dried and mended their nets — peppering the Cortez shoreline in the early part of century. Molto said there’s been only one net camp in the water in the 30 years she’s lived in Cortez — a short distance from the Few-Miller Dock, east of the new construction. Cortez fishermen Joe Capo and Curt Johns originally built the remaining net house before 1960, according to a FMM website article, “Net Fishing in Cortez.” Storms destroyed the remaining camps, which fell into disrepair, no longer needed after monofilament line replaced the cotton webbing in the older nets.

Holmes Beach commissioners back off city manager proposals By Terry O’Connor Islander Reporter Holmes Beach should consider the benefits and pitfalls of hiring a city manager, contends a group of citizens that attended the May 23 commission workshop to report their findings. Their report addresses two primary questions: First, what is the best governmental structure for Holmes Beach, and second, is further study by an official committee warranted? Commission Chair Judy Titsworth said her big concern in conducting such a study, which she called a “huge undertaking,” is it would pull focus from fixing a building department struggling to issue permits in a timely fashion. She said straightening out the building department should be the city’s top priority. Titsworth pointed out two more of her concerns. “It’s going to mean a tax increase,” Titsworth said. And most city managers tend to bring in their own staff to ensure loyalty, which could mean staff turnover, she said. “This is definitely something I don’t think needs to be rushed.” Other city officials were more open to the idea of hiring a city manager at a salary estimated in the citizens’ report of $100,000-$150,000 annually.

Reasons for a city manager

• A professional is needed to run day-to-day operations. • Increasing complexity of issues such as short-term rentals, traffic, west Bradenton development and commercial redevelopment. • Holmes Beach responsibilities and liabilities as an employer. • Fewer Holmes Beach mayoral candidates have the experience necessary coupled with desire to accept low pay for long hours. • Need for long-term stability and consistency. • Strengthen relationships with state and local governmental bodies. Source: Citizen’s report submitted May 23 at the Holmes Beach City Commission work session. The citizens’ committee includes David Cheshire, Renee and Don Ferguson, Connie and Jim Kihm, Pam and Major Leckie, Terry Schaefer, Liz Hager, Harry Kamberis, Nancy Deal, Dan Diggins and Jay and Sara Calhoun.

Mayor Bob Johnson said a professional city manager would improve stability and ensure greater expertise in securing funding and dealing with other municipal governments. Johnson said turnover created by two-year mayoral term limits is a major cause of instability in Holmes Beach government. “If you have somebody who’s supposed to be in charge, who doesn’t have the foggiest idea about municipal government operations, that’s instability,” Johnson said. “If you want it to get better and stay better you need to have a professional in here,” he said. Commissioner Carol Soustek said she favored at least looking at what hiring a city manager would mean for Holmes Beach. “We’re a small city with big-city problems,” Soustek said. “It makes sense to me. Necessity is pushing me to say, ‘Let’s get a committee together.’” “We need to do something,” Johnson said. No vote was taken as the commission discussion took place during a work session. The issue was tabled

Meetings

for future discussion. The commission meets next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Mayor Bob Johnson, left, Commission Chair Judy Titsworth and Commissioner Pat Morton engage with a speaker May 23 at their workshop. Islander Photo: Terry O’Connor

manatee County Anna maria City • June 1, 9 a.m., county board (land use). • June 8, 6 p.m., city commission. • June 6, 9 a.m., county board. • June 13, 4 p.m., planning and zoning. • June 7, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget • June 22, 6 p.m., city commission. review). Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941• June 13, 9 a.m., county board (budget 708-6130, cityofannamaria.com. review). • June 14, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget Bradenton Beach review). • None announced. • June 14, 6 p.m., county board (budget Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., review). 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org. • June 15, 1:30 p.m., county board (budget review). Holmes Beach • June 15, 6 p.m., county board (budget • June 7, 7 p.m., planning commission. review). • June 13, 6 p.m., city commission. • June 20, 9 a.m., county board. • June 15, 6 p.m., city commission. Administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., • June 27, 6 p.m., city commission. Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org. • June 29, 6 p.m., city commission. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Of interest 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org. • June 5, 2 p.m., Island Transportation Planning Organization, Anna Maria City Hall. West manatee Fire rescue • June 21, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island • June 15, 6 p.m., commission. Elected Officials, Longboat Key Town Hall. WMFR administration building, 6417 Third Send notices to calendar@islander.org and Ave. W., Bradenton, wmfr.org. news@islander.org.

THE ISLANDER n May 31, 2017 n 9

10 n MAy 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

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The Islander Calendar ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Tuesday, June 6 • Through June 23, trio of exhibits, ArtCenter Manatee, 209 2 p.m. — Screening of Lincoln Center performance, “Opening Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-746-2862. Night with Lang Lang,” Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes • Most second Wednesdays, Think+Drink (Science), 7-9 p.m., Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. ONGOING ON AMI • Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., Art After 5, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Infor• Throughout June, Island Gallery West features the work of mation: 941-359-5700. Maria Sine in the exhibit “The Shape of Things to Come,” 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648. LOOKING AHEAD • Through June 24, “Weathered Souls” exhibit featuring work by artist Edana Davis, the Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, June 10, Music on the Porch, Cortez. July 8, Music on the Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1906. Porch, Cortez.

KIDS & FAMILY

ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Saturday, June 3 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers Snooks Adams Kids Day, Bayfront Park, Anna Maria. Information: 941-527-6288. 2 p.m. — Safety-pin jewelry, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Tuesday, June 6 10 a.m. — Preschool story time, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Thursday, June 1 2 p.m. — knitting and crocheting activity, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Saturday, June 3 8:30 a.m. — Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria breakfast and program, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe at Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The speaker will be a representative from the Salvation Army. Information: 941-778-1383. Sunday, June 4 7 p.m. — All Island Denominations Ecumenical Service, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813. Tuesday, June 6 Noon — Anna Maria Island Rotary Club gathers for lunch and a program, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-462-4016.

• Fourth Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Stelliferous Live star exploration, South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. • Most first Saturdays, Family Night at the South Florida Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131. • “Teeth Beneath: the Wild World of Gators, Crocs and Caimans” exhibit, Mote Marine Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441. LOOKING AHEAD July 22, Snooty’s Birthday Bash, Bradenton.

GAMES, SPORTS & OUTDOORS ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND • Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m., horseshoes pitched, Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. • Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941779-0881.

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CLUBS & COMMUNITY

ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND Friday, June 2 8:30 a.m. — Keep Manatee Beautiful golf tournament, Tara Golf and Country Club, 6602 Drewry’s Bluff, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-795-8272.

ONGOING ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND • Second and fourth Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Just Older Youth/ JOY Brown Bag Lunch Series, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. • Thursdays, 7 p.m., Overeaters Anonymous meets, the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 813-494-6518. • Third Thursdays, 11:45 a.m., Successful Women Aligning Together meets, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Information: 941-345-5135.

GOOD TO KNOW • June 1, Atlantic hurricane season begins. • June 14, Flag Day. • June 18, Father’s Day. • June 21, ﬁrst day of summer. • July 4, Independence Day. • Aug. 10, Grandparents Day. • Sept. 4, Labor Day. • Sept.11, Patriot Day. • Sept. 22, ﬁrst day of autumn. • Sept. 20, Rosh Hashanah. • Sept. 29, Yom Kippur.

GET LISTED

Send listings to calendar@islander.org. Submissions must include a contact name and telephone number for publication, as well as the • Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders Minor League Base- pertinent details of the event: What, when, where and how much. ball games, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 877-893-2827. • Second and fourth Wednesdays, Roser Memorial Community Church Golﬁng for God, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-778The Aging in Paradise Resource Center on Long0414. boat Key will offer lessons in making mosaics Mon• Through the summer, duplicate bridge games, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Aging in Paradise Resource Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, days in June at 12:30 p.m. An announcement invited crafters to “create your Longboat Key. Fee applies. Information: 941-383-6493. ONGOING OFF ANNA MARIA ISLAND

Aging in Paradise offers classes

LOOKING AHEAD June 9-11, Bradenton Boat Show, Palmetto.

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Kiwanis club to meet

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3, for breakfast and program. The program will feature a talk by a representative with from the Salvation Army. For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

own work of art. Learn to arrange cut glass and tile to make a colorful treasure.” The cost is $40 per class or $150 for all four sessions. The center also is offering a Pilates exercise class at 10 a.m. Thursdays. The fee is $10 per class. Lessons in mahjong will be offered at 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 27, July 11, July 18 and July 25. The cost is $10 per class. Also, the center will offer memory and lifestyle screenings 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. The center is at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. For more information or to register, call the center at 941- 383-6493.

Island happenings

THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 11

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anna Maria Island,â&#x20AC;? a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available at The Islander office, 3218 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Joy is publisher of The Islander newspaper. She launched the newspaper in 1992, and she is a 42-year islander. $20.

Exhibiting at IGW

Maria Sine is the featured artist at Island Gallery West in June. She is showing her acrylic paintings in the exhibit â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Shape of Things to Come.â&#x20AC;? Sine worked for 35 years in public education â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an art teacher in Pennsylvania and Florida. Her art work is inspired by Florida flora and fauna and the everchanging effect light has on color in the landscape. Island Gallery West is at 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the gallery at 941-778-6648. Islander Courtesy Photo

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Island Library sets June calendar

With the end of the 2016-17 school year, the Island Library is launching a series of special youth programs. The library also is seeking mahjong enthusiasts to support a group at the branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. A look at the June calendar: â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, June 1, 2 p.m. knit, crochet activity, sponsored by the Friends of the Island Library. â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, June 3, 2 p.m. safety-pin jewelry activity for kids. â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, June 6, 10 a.m. preschool story time and special screening of a performance at New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lincoln Center at 2 p.m. â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, June 8, 10 a.m. Didgeridoo Down Under childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program, sponsored by the Friends. â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, June 9, 2 p.m. Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caregiver Support Group meeting. â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m. origami club meeting and 2 p.m. T-shirt tote-bag crafting. â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, June 13, 10 a.m. preschool story time. â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, June 14, noon adult coloring club meeting and 4 p.m. chess club meeting. â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, June 15, 10 a.m. Mad Science of Greater Tampa Bay program and 2 p.m. knit-crochet.

Senior adventures group set June schedule

The Senior Adventures of Anna Maria Island will watch a film and snack on popcorn at 10 a.m. Friday, June 2, at the Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Other plans include: â&#x20AC;˘ A tour of a 911 dispatch center in Sarasota, followed by lunch, Friday, June 9. The adventurers will depart from Annie Silver at 9:45 a.m. and at 9:30 a.m. from the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. â&#x20AC;˘ A visit to the Holocaust museum in St. Petersburg Friday, June 16, followed by lunch at Mazzaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian Market. The group will depart from the Center of Anna Maria Island at 9:45 a.m. and Annie Silver at 10 a.m. â&#x20AC;˘ Speaking at Annie Silver at 10 a.m. Friday, June 23, will be Suzi Fox, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. â&#x20AC;˘ A book sale and potluck lunch at Annie Silver 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 30. For more information or to RSVP for activities, call Kay Bell at 941-538-0945 or Peg Miller at 941778-3106.

â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, June 20, 10 a.m. preschool story time and 2 p.m. special screening of a Lincoln Center performance. â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, June 22, 10 a.m. Wonders of Nature Traveling Animal Show. â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, June 24, 9 a.m. CPR training and 2 p.m. Lego club meeting. â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, June 27, 10 a.m. preschool story time. â&#x20AC;˘ Wednesday, June 28, noon adult coloring club and 4 p.m. chess club meetings. â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, June 29, 10 a.m. Rumpelstiltskin Bits Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pieces Puppetry. â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, June 30, 10 a.m. quilting activity. The library is at 5701 Marian Drive, Holmes Beach. For more, call the branch at 941-778-6341.

Pirates, kids celebrating summer at kids day

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will host Snooks Adams Kids Day Saturday, June 3, in Anna Maria. The party will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bayfront Park, 310 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. The event is an island tradition celebrating the end of the school year and the arrival of summer vacation with games, face painting, a treasure hunt, prizes, tales of adventures on the high seas and a youth pirate costume contest. The pirates will be serving pizza and hot dogs for lunch â&#x20AC;&#x201D; available for free to children and at a nominal cost to adults. For more information about Snooks Adams Kids Day, contact Privateer Terry â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cookieâ&#x20AC;? Rapert at 941705-0199.

Library to screen Lincoln Center shows

The Island Library this summer will screen performances recorded at New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lincoln Center. In partnership with Lincoln Center, the branch will show the following: â&#x20AC;˘ New York Philharmonic opening gala with Lang Lang, Tuesday, June 6. â&#x20AC;˘ Act 1 of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lion of Broadway,â&#x20AC;? Tuesday, June 20. â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Curtain Up: The School Of American Ballet Workshop Performances,â&#x20AC;? Tuesday, July 11. The programs will begin at 2 p.m. in the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the library at 941-7786341.

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Skimmers congregating in Holmes Beach raise ‘turf’ concern By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter Life on Anna Maria Island is a balancing act between a delicate ecosystem and the people who enjoy it. In order to maintain the ecology that makes the island unique, people need to respect wildlife and its habitat. And with spring, comes nesting season. Black skimmers — an endangered shorebird species — have claimed their turf on the beachfront in Holmes Beach. However, the colony of about 70 birds is blocking the beach path for condominium residents at 5400 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox met May 22 near the colony with Holmes Beach code enforcement officer JT Thomas, Holmes Beach public works foreman Dave Benton and condo representative Louise Paglino to discuss redirecting the pedestrian path to accommodate the birds. A turf war was avoided when Thomas agreed to temporarily divert the path north, away from the colony. However, he told Fox, his job is to protect the rights of people who use the beach. “I understand the need to protect the birds, but people who live here pay for this beach,” Thomas said May 22. But when eggs were spotted May 21, the area was roped off to protect the bird’s “turf.” Fox said AMITW has decreased the area initially

Suzi Fox, front, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, Skip Coyne, left, AMITW volunteer, Holmes Beach public works foreman Dave Benton, HB code officer JT Thomas and Louise Paglino, a representative of the 5400 Gulf Drive condos, meet May 22 on the beach near nesting black skimmers. Islander Photos: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes roped off for the birds by 50 percent, after determining the area claimed by the nesters, but this could expand again. She said the city needs to work with AMITW to protect the birds. AMITW volunteers monitor the birds to account and report the findings to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Manatee County based on permitting requirements for beach nourishment contracts. The contract calls for accurate shorebird counts, said Fox. Additionally, because the renourishment is funded by the federal government, and the birds are endangered, the nesting area is federally protected. At the May 22 meeting on the beach, Fox said the

sand where the birds are nesting is there as a result of government-financed renourishment. “I’m hearing from the city that they don’t want to think of this as renourished sand, they want to think of it as private property,” Fox said. “That’s just not so.” “The water would be up to their (sea) wall,” Fox said. “Thirty years of federal funding has paid for this beach.” She said AMITW is obligated to report on any protected species that occupies federal land. “We have to protect them until they’re ready to go,” Fox said. “People can still walk around them on the beach.” PLEASE SEE SkimmerS, NEXT PAGE

Schooner saga shifts

Capt. Michael “Fin” Wood’s Towboat US boat and Mark Ibasfalean in a pontoon boat pull the San Francesco away from the dock at the Seafood Shack May 26 beside the Cortez Bridge. The schooner’s new home will be the seawall between the Seafood Shack and Annie’s Bait & Tackle until plans are solidified for its future by the VanDyk Group, owner of the Seafood Shack.

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Seafood Shack dockmaster Eddy Shorter, left, Capt. Michael “Fin” Wood, center, and Jed Lippincott, Seafood Shack chief operating officer, share the moment May 26 as the Italian schooner San Fransceco was finally underway — albeit a tow. The schooner had sunk and then been raised several times at the restaurant dock before local scuba divers James Frederick and Mark Ibasfalean did a complete plastic wrap on the ship April 11 to keep it afloat. Islander Photos: Sandy Ambrogi

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THE ISLANDER n May 31, 2017 n 13

Cortez celebrates Memorial Day

Musicians, including 90-year-old Capt. Soupy Davis on the mandolin, treat listeners to folk music from the porch at the 1890s Burton/Bratton store. Islander Photos: Kathy Prucnell

Kaye Bell, Cortez Historical Society president, and Geri Cannon of Holmes Beach, stop for a photo during the memorial weekend picnic, attended by about 30 people, including several members of Senior Adventures of Anna Maria Island.

Cortez Cultural Center volunteer Bob Landry and Cortez artist Linda Molto enjoy the May 27 picnic at the center in the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage Preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W.

Skimmers continued from page 12 Linda Elsik of Downers Grove, Illinois, a bystander during the May 22 meeting, said, “This is why people come here, to see the wildlife in the wild. To ignore that is very shortsighted.” For more information about shorebirds or to report a sick or injured shorebird, contact Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.

Carlene Salvaggio, of Bradenton, shares in an oldfashioned picnic lunch, including hot dogs and corn on the cob from the grill, watermelon and desserts. Geri Cannon, of Holmes Beach, visits the crowd awaiting music on the porch at the 1890s Burton/ Bratton store adjacent to the Florida Maritime A colony of black skimmers nest May 23 on the shore Museum in Cortez. near 54th Street in Holmes Beach.

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County grants funding for Bradenton Beach boat lift By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter Manatee County agreed to support public safety in Bradenton Beach by funding a police boat lift at the Historic Bridge Street Pier. At a May 23 county commission meeting, the board approved a $50,000 grant from the West Coast Inland Navigational District for a boat lift at the city pier and $90,000 in continued support for removing derelict boats from Bradenton Beach waters. The motion to include funding for the lift passed unanimously. However, it was not recommended by WCIND staff. At the May 23 meeting, county parks and natural resources director Charlie Hunsicker said of the eight projects applied for this funding cycle, the boat lift was not recommended by WCIND. WCIND is a multi-county taxing district that assists local governments in planning and maintaining projects that promote safe navigation in the Intracoastal Waterway. Hunsicker said the project meets WCIND criteria, but represents a new expenditure in the WCIND budget, and he was given instructions from the county commission to retain funds for boat ramp repairs.

Customers dine on the AMOB patio at the restaurant on the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The police department boat lift installation is proposed to be on the northeast corner of the pier adjacent to the Pines Trailer Park. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

“I’m just keeping with direction from this board to keep this reigned in while we wrestle with the high cost of boat ramp improvement,” Hunsicker told the county commission May 23. According to Hunsicker, WCIND received $790,850 in requests from its $950,000 budget and the surplus is earmarked for unforeseen boat ramp costs. County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who chairs the WCIND, said while she understands the city’s needs, she’s worried the county would be setting a precedent by funding the first new project in three years. County Commissioner Charles Smith said he supported funding the lift as a public safety issue. “I think we have an official responsibility to fund this,” Smith said. “I think this is drastically needed for the Bradenton Beach Police Department.” County Commissioner Steve Jonsson, who represents District 3, including Anna Maria Island, said he attended a May 18 Bradenton Beach commission meeting, where commissioners voted to waive $23,867.86 Vice Mayor John Chappie, left, and Commissioner in permit fees to the county for the reconstruction of Ralph Cole hold a discussion during a May 23 meet- the Coquina North Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach. ing at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Islander Photo: “There are bound to be more projects where they ChrisAnn Silver Esformes could charge fees, so I see this as a show of good

AM maps out concession spending, pier engineering

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter Anna Maria commissioners are seeking proposals for ways to spend the money in the county beach concession fund. The money results from fees paid to the county by the concession operator at the Manatee and Coquina beaches. At a commission meeting May 25, Mayor Dan

Elected officials discuss concession fund spending

Commissioners and mayors, meeting as the Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials May 17, agreed beach concession funds need to be spent soon. In 2014, Manatee County approved a resolution allowing Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach access to revenue from Coquina and Manatee Beach concessions. The fund has more than $1 million in its coffers and any of the three cities — with approval from all three mayors and the county — can use money for projects. However, a recent bill passed by the Legislature could change the island officials’ access to the concession fund. The legislation, now before Gov. Rick Scott, proposes increasing the amount of a homestead exemption from $25,000 to $75,000. According to Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland, the proposal must go to the ballot in November 2018 to be approved. Still, he said, the county would need to look to other sources of revenue to replace lost property taxes — and that could be the concession fund. Cities looking to use the concession fund, Copeland said, should come up with proposals sooner rather than later. – Bianca Benedí

Murphy said he is looking for suggestions for projects the city could undertake with the nearly $1 million in funds the island cities are allowed to spend. In 2014, Manatee County approved a resolution that allows Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach access to revenue from the beach concessions. Murphy said he thought the city should seek funding to complete projects in the recently discussed 10-year plan. According to the guidelines for the concession money, projects must benefit island residents as a whole. Murphy proposed taking $60,000 to repair the horseshoe park at city hall. Commissioner Brian Seymour suggested funds could provide lighting on Pine Avenue, a water-taxi landing or improvements to City Pier Park. Commissioner Doug Copeland suggested the funds be used to create a public access to the Lake LaVista canal. Murphy said he wants to collect input from commissioners and residents during the next two weeks. In other news, Murphy announced that negotiations with the second-in-line bidder for engineering the needed repairs to the city pier were underway. Taylor Engineering Inc., based in Jacksonville, was one of three engineering firms that bid on the project in February. Negotiations with the first company, Wantman Group Inc. ended May 11 after a two-month delay in obtaining what Murphy described as “basic deliverables.” In a meeting with Taylor May 23, Murphy said, he communicated that the city had let the top bidder go due to a slow response. Murphy said Taylor was “exceptionally eager” to get the project started, adding he believes they will complete the work in a shorter time frame. However, he said, “the proof is in the deliverables.”

faith,” Jonsson said. “We’re both working together and swapping dollars for dollars.” During public comment, Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said the police boat currently is on a trailer and takes about an hour to launch. “The time it takes to get the boat out on the water is a public safety issue,” Shearon said. “The city is tasked with patrolling those municipal waters.” Additionally, Shearon said the boat lift would help the city take a “proactive approach” to issues in the anchorage, which would decrease future costs for derelict vessel removal. A motion was made to amend the WCIND funding resolution to include the boat lift for Bradenton Beach. The motion passed unanimously. “I’m thrilled that the county said, ‘OK,’” Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said May 24. “This shows the county believes what we are doing out there is important.”

Bradenton Beach approves amended CRA plan By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach is planning for the future within the city’s historic district. At a May 23 meeting, city commissioners approved an amended plan for the community redevelopment area. Proposed projects in the revised CRA plan include a mooring field in the anchorage west of the pier, parking solutions, unified design elements, including signage, and an outdoor entertainment venue on Coquina Beach. The plan, approved by the agency in April, outlines the history of the district, progress made since it was established in 1992 and goals for the future, including a 30-year extension of the CRA. The CRA comprises the city commission and two business members, restaurateurs Ed Chiles and John Horne. “I think this is nothing but a good thing,” Commissioner/CRA Chair Ralph Cole said May 23, before the vote. “I think we should move forward with it.” Deemed blighted in 1992, the CRA district is bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico. The CRA allows grants and tax funding for the district. The motion to approve the plan passed with Vice Mayor Chappie, Cole and Commissioner Marilyn Maro voting “yea.” Mayor Bill Shearon and Commissioner Jake Spooner were absent with excuse. Having been approved by the city commission, the plan will be sent to Manatee County to prove the agency is using funds to benefit the district. “If you were here when we started, you know how far we’ve come, but, there’s still a long way to go,” Cole said. “This is one of the seminal moments in our history,” Chappie said May 23. “This is a success, and I look forward to the future of our CRA.” The next CRA meeting will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 15

Cortez folk school registering for classes

The Folk School at the Florida Maritime Museum is registering students for a series of workshops and classes. The schedule includes a session on hand-coloring photographs at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10. The fee, $35, is required by June 3 and includes supplies. An announcement said, “By the mid-1800s, hand-coloring was essential to the livelihoods of thousands of photographers. Portrait painters, their careers threatened by the rise of photography, adapted to stay in business.” Students in the class will learn to apply transparent oils to black-and-white photographs. Additional classes include: • Learning to crochet, which will be taught by Diane Evans at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, June 6, June 13, June 20 and June 27. A second series will begin July 11. The fee for four classes is $80. • Pine cone quilting, which will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, and taught by Betty FordSmith. “Pinecone Patchwork” derives its name from the overlapping design seen from the bottom of a long leaf pinecone. The pattern consists of a circular pattern of triangular fabric pointed towards the center. The finished quilts are very heavy and have very colorful designs. The fee is $105 and registration is required by June 13. • Creating “sea shell flowers,” which will be taught at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22. The fee is $35 and due by July 15. The museum is at 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. For more information, call FMM at 941-7086120.

State drops charge against BB restaurant owner By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter The state has dropped a noise ordinance violation charge against Freckled Fin owner Scott Lubore. Live entertainment at the Freckled Fin Restaurant and Public House, 101 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, led to Lubore’s April 5 arrest for a misdemeanor noise violation following multiple warnings from the Bradenton Beach Police Department. The state issued a notice May 19 to the city that said a criminal charge would not be filed against Lubore. Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said May 24 that he spoke with a representative from the state attorney’s office, who said the charge was dropped. Speciale said the police report failed to show the decibel reading spanned 30 seconds for the noise complaint that led to Lubore’s arrest, as required by the city ordinance. Regarding the dropped charge, Speciale said, “This chapter is over, but if we get more complaints to the Freckled Fin, citations may be issued.” Representatives of the Freckled Fin declined comment. BBPD officers use a calibrated, directional decibel meter to determine noise levels. According to the ordinance, sound cannot exceed 75 decibels past 10 p.m. on weekends in the commercial district, which

includes Bridge Street. However, owners and employees at live entertainment venues on Bridge Street say the weekend limit is too stringent and should be extended to midnight. The commission has hosted a series of workshops since the arrest to consider changing the requirements in the ordinance. The city is considering a “trial period” with a 75 decibel limit until midnight on weekends and holidays. Additionally, the commission and Speciale have discussed a “point of complaint” that would clearly define where the sound is measured. The commissioners agreed more discussion is needed at a future meeting in order for the commission to vote on the matter of noise levels. Freckled Fin owner Scott Lubore speaks May 9 to commissioners regarding the city’s noise ordinance at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. Islander Photos: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

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Anna Maria Elementary fifth-graders gather at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom May 11 during their field trip to Disney World. Islander Photos: Karen Riley-Love

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Star Warsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fundraiser rockets to profits

The force was with Anna Maria Elementary. When organizers from the AME ParentTeacher Organization finished an initial tally May 20, treasurer Mauri Zaccagnino said the May 12 Spring Fling at the Seafood Shack had a net profit of at least $18,500, with some money still to come. The theme was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Star Wars,â&#x20AC;? and tables glinted with black metallic as tiny lights lit the way into the Neptune Room for the annual spring gala. Among the walls of auction items, a buffet prepared by the Seafood Shack chefs, and libations, AME supporters enjoyed a night of bidding, dining and dancing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The PTO is very grateful to have so much support from the administration, staff and the community,â&#x20AC;? Lindsay Sauls, PTO president, said. Sauls said the proceeds will be used for educational and science programs in cooperation with local institutions, including Mote Marine Laboratory and Big Cat Rescue, both in Sarasota. The PTO also plans to purchase much needed supplies for the school nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clinic.

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Fifth-graders Alexa Engle, left, Blake Coleman and Dante Tilelli identify potential and kinetic energy May 11 in an experiment at the Disney Properties of Motion Physics Lab at Disney World.

AME students soar above county reading levels

Anna Maria Elementary was one of two schools lauded for leading the way in the Manatee School District third-grade reading levels. The third-grade students at AME scored 35 percentage points above the county average on the Florida Standards Assessment English Language Arts exam. Grade three is the first year the FSA is given to students. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s county average showed an increase in the number of third-graders reading at grade level â&#x20AC;&#x201D; up from 47 percent to 50 percent according to standardized testing. Anna Maria Elementary scored an 85 percent in the testing. According to a news release May 19, Michael Barber, director of communications, family and community engagement, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anna Maria and Willis elementary schools led the way for the Manatee district with both schools placing 85 percent of their third-

grade students at Level 3 or higher.â&#x20AC;? AME principal Jackie Featherston applauded the accomplishment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our third-grade teachers worked very hard to make sure our students made the most progress possible in reading. I am very proud of the diligent work from both our students and teachers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it has paid off,â&#x20AC;? Featherston said.

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â&#x20AC;˘ 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, early release, last day of school for students. â&#x20AC;˘ Classes for the 2017-18 school year at AME will begin Thursday, Aug. 10. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call 941708-5525.

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Lindsay Sauls, left, Amy Talucci, Jessica Baugher and Mauri Zaccagnino pause for a photo at the Anna Maria Elementary 2017 Spring Fling in the Seafood Shackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Neptune Room. Sauls and Talucci chaired the event, while Baugher and Zaccagnino assisted. Islander Courtesy Photo

Though the 4:30 a.m. call to assemble in the school parking lot May 11 came terribly early, the fifth-grade students at Anna Maria Elementary were, for the most part, awake and ready to embark on their adventure to Disney World in Orlando. Thanks to a trolley grant awarded to the AME Parent-Teacher Organization in January and hours of preparation by fifth-grade teachers Mary Miller and Michelle Costanzo, the students had the opportunity to attend the Properties of Motion Physics Lab. The lab, located in the Magic Kingdom, is part of the Disney Youth Education Series. Students did hands-on experiments to identify force, motion, kinetic energy and related concepts. The students then experienced the practical applications of these concepts as they rode some of the attractions in the park. The students rode Space Mountain twice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; once with the lights on and once with the lights off. They also rode Buzz Lightyear and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for demonstrations on inertia, motion and the effects of gravity The objectives of the trip, in addition to fun, were

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AME fifth-graders excel, carry home end-of-year awards

With a bumper crop of fifth graders — three classes and 55 emerging pre-teens — the 2017 graduating class of Anna Maria Elementary is full of students who excel. From science to art to math, AME students have been collecting accolades for their hard work. On May 25, a number of fifth-graders were tapped for exceptional scholastic and community work. Kylie Huffman, from Mary Miller’s class, was named the annual Service Above Self winner. The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island award is bestowed upon a top student nominated by teachers. Kylie’s award was presented by Judy Rup, club president, and Rotary member and AME parent David Zaccagnino. Evie Baugher and Nicholas Yartros were awarded the Sons of the American Revolution awards from AME principal Jackie Featherston. Bryanna Sparks earned the perfect attendance award. She was the only fifth-grader to be awarded for attendance this year. Presidential Awards for straight A’s were presented to Conner Allen, Liem Benford, Cara Carter, Kylie Huffman, Aiden Rappold, Audra Rappold, Bryanna Sparks, Lauryn Strom and Nicholas Yatros. After the Memorial Day holiday, the graduating fifth-graders were to be treated to a farewell lunch May 30 in the school auditorium before embarking on their middle-school years.

Principal Jackie Featherston, left, reaches out to shake the hands of Evie Baugher, middle, and Nick Yatros, as they recieve the Sons of American Revolution awards May 26 during awards day at Anna Maria Elementary. Fifth-grade teacher Mary Miller, front seated, and Susan Tabicman, AME guidance counselor, look on from the stage.

RIGHT: Kylie Hoffman, center, accepts the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s Service Above Self award May 26 at Anna Maria Elementary from club president Judy Rup, left, and member David Zaccagnino. FAR RIGHT: Bryanna Sparks smiles as she receives a perfect attendance award during the May 26 fifth-grade awards presentations. Bryanna was the only fifth-grader to achieve the award this year. Islander Photos: Karen Riley-Love Lily Plummer, front, and Ceegan Cusack, rear, race toward the buckets with their as classmates look on during the May 19 Anna Maria Elementary field day. Teachers, parents and caregiver volunteers kept the outdoor activities moving for all grade levels.

Food bank appeals for help filling tummies

No child should face hunger. The Food Bank of Manatee County’s “Sack Summer Hunger” works to fill the gap for children between meals during the summer vacation period when access to a free breakfast and free or reducedcost school lunch is not available. The food bank’s goal is 1,000 sacks per week, distributed by the summer hunger buses. Each sack contains “kid friendly” food and snacks. The food bank says more than 18,000 children in the county have limited or no access to a summer meal program, and the goal is that no child in the county will go hungry for “even one day this summer.” An average of 100 students per day enjoy the free breakfast served daily at Anna Maria Elementary and numerous students — officials declined to quote an exact number for privacy concerns — participate in the free or reduced-cost meal programs. Contributions may be made to Sack Summer Hunger at the Food Bank of Manatee County. For more information, call 941-747-FOOD or visit the website at www.foodbankofmanatee.org.

AME student body turns out for Field Day Anna Maria Elementary students line up for turns May 19 in an annual end-ofyear tradition — field day. Students in all classes participated in games, including a sack race, tug of war, water-balloon tosses and the wet-sponge relay race. Islander Courtesy Photos

Students paint rocks, gain individuality

There truly is only one you. That’s the lesson Anna Maria Elementary parent Amy Talucci hopes her rock painting project May 19 imparted to students. Talucci saw the project online and began planning. AME parents, staff and friends pitched in. Parents Esther Mattick and Tara O’Brien donated river rocks. Talucci donated the paint and the Center of Anna Maria Island contributed the clear gloss finish to protect the pieces. The center also donated assistants for the project, which took place outside AME during field day activities. The students painted rock “fish” inspired by the book “Only One You” by Linda Kranz. The book stresses how everyone is unique, just like the rocks each student painted. The book reminds students that each person has something to contribute in the world. “It was an awesome day and a great school-community building event,” Talucci said. School officials are still deciding where the rock fish will be displayed on campus.

Anna Maria Elementary parent and project organizer Amy Talucci, left, assists students as they paint rocks. The rock “fish” results will soon be displayed at the school at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Courtesy Photo

18 n May 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

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Safety do’s and don’ts for sea turtle nesting season

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends people follow these guidelines for sea turtle safety: • DO turn off or adjust lighting along the beachfront to prevent nesting sea turtles from becoming disoriented and going toward the glow of light on land, instead of natural light reflecting on the surface of the water. Indoor lights should be turned off, with curtains closed after dark, and outdoor lighting should be turtle-friendly bulbs, installed on low fixtures and shielded from view at the shoreline. • DON’T release sky lanterns or balloons.

They create litter and harm wildlife. • DON’T use flashlights or camera flashes on the beach at night. They can distract nesting sea turtles and cause them to return to the water. • DO clear the way at the end of the day. Nesting female sea turtles can become trapped, confused or impeded by gear left on the beach at night. Remove items such as boats, tents, rafts and beach furniture and fill in holes or level sand castles before dusk. Holes trap turtles and can injure people. Call code enforcement to report unattended property or large holes on the beach.

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City of Anna Maria code enforcement: 941708-6130, ext. 139 or ext. 129. City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement: 941-778-1005, ext. 280. City of Holmes Beach code enforcement: 941-708-5800, ext. 247. • For more information about AMITW, or to report a sick, injured or dead sea turtle, contact Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638. OR, report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text tip@myfwc.com. — ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 21

Spring storm sparks spike in sea turtle nesting

By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter Sea turtles are no strangers to spring storms. Nesting season on Anna Maria Island, which runs May-October, coincides with hurricane season, and storm events can cause nests to be washed over by waves during higher-than-usual tides and surf. However, according to Suzi Fox, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird monitoring executive director, there often is an increase in nests the morning after a storm, and this was the case May 25. The first storm of nesting season rolled across the island May 24, causing high tides to wash over 15 of the 46 staked nests, Fox said. She said four of the 15 washed-over nests were missing marker stakes and, while those nests cannot be tracked, they may still hatch. When a storm causes increased rainfall and higher tides, sea turtle nests lining the beach can become “wash-outs,” which can diminish the survival chances for the hatchlings inside the eggs, said Fox. Sea turtle eggs absorb water and hatchlings can drown before they emerge. To contrast the loss, AMITW volunteers who walk each morning to look for nests, discovered seven new nests on island beaches May 25. “It is very normal to see an early storm in season

and then a flurry of nesting the day after,” Fox said May 25. “After a storm, we tend to see new nests laid higher up in the dune area.” The sea turtles choose their nesting location based on the sand temperature and compaction. With sea turtles nesting farther from the water, it is important to remove beach gear, including chairs, canopies and inflatables at the end of the day. Female sea turtles only come ashore to nest, so any objects in their path can distract them and lead to a failed nesting attempt — a false crawl. Additionally, a sea turtle encounters with beach chairs and canopies can be deadly. “You can’t just toss your stuff in the dunes, you need to take it with you,” Fox said. “You just may save a sea turtle.” For more information on the sea turtle habitat, or to report a sick, injured or dead sea turtle, contact Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638. Debbie Basilius, left, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Section 3 coordinator and volunteer Marilyn George stand May 25 next to one of three nests spotted that morning in section 3 by AMITW volunteers. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMITW

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox, left, and volunteer Karen Anderson present a Turtle Talk in 2016 at CrossPointe Fellowship in Holmes Beach. Islander File Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

AMITW resumes Tuesday Turtle Talks

Sea turtle season has begun and, with it, comes the need to inform the public of precautions to protect sea turtles and their habitat. Along with the guidelines, come interesting facts about nesting sea turtles. In June and July, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will host a series of Turtle Talks at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The presentation, which lasts about 35 minutes, consists of video and photo displays, a question-andanswer session and some interactive activities. Attendees will receive promotional materials, such as stickers, door hangers, temporary tattoos and flyers. For more information, contact AMITW executive director Suzi Fox at 941-778-5638.

Young turtle-watcher grows knowledge, shares insights By ChrisAnn Silver Esformes Islander Reporter Nick Yatros, 10, of Holmes Beach, has been “walking” Anna Maria Island beaches as a turtle watch volunteer since before he was born. “I walked when I was pregnant with Nick, then he started walking with me when he was in secondgrade,” Maria Yatros, Nick’s mother, said May 16. The Yatroses are among the 85 volunteers who walk the beach for Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring during sea turtle nesting season, May 1-Oct. 31. The mother-son pair is assigned to walk the beach Tuesday mornings during season in Section 6, which extends a mile southward from the Manatee Public Beach to 26th Street in Holmes Beach. AMITW volunteers take turns conducting daily beach walks to look for the telltale tracks indicating newly laid sea turtle nests or, later in the season, hatched nests. As of May 21, Section 6 had five confirmed nests, with more expected as the season continues. By the end of the 2016 nesting season, Section 6 had reported 43 nests. The Yatroses spotted their first nest of 2017 on their May 23 walk. They previously monitored Section 9, which includes Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. In 2016, Section 9 reported 90 nests — more than any other section. Because the park is closed at night, it is darker than other beaches, providing a desirable atmosphere for nesting female turtles. However, this environment also attracts predators, including raccoons and ghost crabs. For this reason, wire cages are placed over nests in this section. “You know the cages work, because you see the raccoon tracks around them in the morning,” Nick said. “Not much you can do about the crabs, though.”

He said he is interested in becoming a computer programmer, but has fostered a love of ecology from his work with AMITW. “Sometimes it’s hard to get up so early and walk before school, but I really like it,” Nick said May 16. “Also, I promised him when summer starts I’ll take him for all-you-can-eat pancakes when we finish walking,” Maria Yatros chimed in. A fifth-grader at Anna Maria Elementary School, Nick said he likes to talk to fellow students about his experiences with AMITW and he once wrote a speech about turtle watch for a school contest. “He really likes to talk with people about the sea turtles,” AMITW executive director Suzi Fox said. “He’s a great example of the next generation of caretakers for our precious ecology.” For more information about AMITW, contact Suzi Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638. AMITW volunteers Nick and Maria Yatros pose on the beach May 16 next to one of the first nests of sea turtle nesting season in Section 6, near 26th Street in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

AMITW sea turtle stats as of May 28: 64 nests and 86 false crawls.

22 n MAy 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Gathering

By Susan Huppert

Island churches merge for Pentecost

Islanders have half-a-dozen worship choices, but island churches will merge to provide a Pentecost experience. The All Island Denominations will hold an Ecumenical Service at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 4. The Rev. Neil Crowell of Roser Memorial Community Church will preach on “Don’t Call the Fire Department.” A combined choir from various congregations will provide special music with Gloria Dei’s new organist/ choir director, Ann Hockin accompanying. A social follows the service, with Holy Cow Ice Cream shop in Holmes Beach providing ice cream. All are welcome. AID is a coalition of the six churches on the island: Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, CrossPointe Fellowship, Gloria Dei Lutheran, Harvey Memorial Community Church, Roser Memorial Community Church and St. Bernard Catholic Church. The organization seeks to serve those in need on the island. Assistance can range from financial support with utility bills for residents, food pantry options and support of students through a recommendation of the school counselors. Roser Memorial Community Church will hold Sunday worship at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel and 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. A nursery is available during the 10 a.m. service. Adult Sunday school class is at 8:45 a.m. at the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation offers Sunday Eucharist on a summer schedule of one service at 9 a.m. alternating between Rite I and Rite II. June 4 will be Rite II. Those unable to sit or stand for long periods are welcome to attend a shorter Eucharist and healing prayer service at 9:30 a.m. Thursdays at 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Christ Church of Longboat Key holds worship service Sundays at 10 a.m. Each week, the Rev. Norman Pritchard follows his sermon series with a study on the

book of Acts. No previous Bible study experience is needed. All are welcome to attend. The class begins at 11:15 a.m. in the choir room. The Beth Moore women’s study continues at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The Cortez Church of Christ, 12111 45th Ave. W., Cortez, holds Bible study at 10 a.m. Sundays, followed by worship at 11 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. The church meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays for midweek Bible study. Gloria Dei holds worship at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. An additional study opportunity includes a Women’s Bible Study at 10 a.m. Thursdays, at the church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. CrossPointe Fellowship offers Sunday worship at 9 a.m., followed by study and fellowship in Life Groups at 10:30 a.m. for all ages, and a traditional service with music Saturdays at 5 p.m. at the church. CrossPointe is offering A-MAZE-D vacation Bible School 9 a.m.-noon June 26-30 for children age 4 to fifth-grade. The program is open to all. Registration forms are available at mycps.org and the church office, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church St., Bradenton Beach, is an interdenominational church that worships Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Bible study is 11 a.m. on Thursdays. Longboat Island Chapel, a Christian-based interfaith community church, offers Sunday services of communion and healing at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. St. Bernard Catholic Church celebrates daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. and weekend Mass Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday Vigil is at 4 p.m. at the church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

Gloria Dei welcomes new organist

New organist and choir director Ann Hockin will begin June 3 at Gloria Dei Lutheran. She attended Gloria Dei during 10 years of summer vacations in Florida. Hockin served nearly 17 years as organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Easton, Philadelphia. Hockin In 2005, she retired from 29 years as an elementary and middle school music teacher and choir director. Her accomplishments at the four congregations she has served as a music professional since 1986 include starting youth and children’s choirs and raising funds for and organizing hand bell choirs. “I enjoy playing traditional hymn-tune, classical, gospel and contemporary service music,” she wrote in her letter of application for the position. In addition to the new music staff, Gloria Dei has received a gift of a new Kawai grand piano from two parishioners. Gloria Dei Lutheran is located at 6608 Marina Drive.

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Two children taking part in the 2016 session of vacation Bible school play outdoors at Roser Memorial Community Church. This year’s VBS will be June 5-9. Islander Courtesy Photo

Roser readies Bible school

A free summer kids’ event, Maker Fun Factory Vacation Bible School, will be hosted June 5-9 at Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria. Maker Fun Factory is for kids as young as age 4 and as old as fifth-grade. The school will run 5:30-8:30 p.m. and include dinner. An announcement said children will participate in Bible-learning activities, sing songs, play games and more. Also, the announcement said, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called “God Sightings.” Transportation is available for children from the Center of Anna Maria Island on Magnolia Avenue and the School for Constructive Play on Pine Avenue. Roser is at 512 Pine Ave. To register, go online to roserchurch.com or call the church office at 941-778-0414.

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THE ISLANDER n May 31, 2017 n 23

Obituaries

Alfred C. Art

Alfred C. Art, 90, of Bradenton and formerly of Anna Maria Island, died May 21. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Richard and Lillian Pitz and moved to Bradenton in 1956. He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, a Baptist and the owner of American Window in Nokomis and Art Aluminum in Whitfield. There will be no local service at this time. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made at brownandsonsfuneral.com. He is survived by son Greg and wife Joy of Bradenton; sisters Lillian Offenberg of St. Petersburg and Arlene Mills of Connecticut; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Paul Howard Cashman

Paul Cashman, 55, of Bradenton and formerly of Holmes Beach, died May 16. He was born Sept. 3, 1961, in Waltham, Massachusetts, to Howard Vincent and Jeanette MacInnis. He grew up in Hillsborough, California, and Hinsdale, Illinois, and then spent most of his adult years in Florida. He ran an information technology consulting firm in Holmes Beach for many years. Over the past decade or more, he was a caregiver for both his parents until their passing. A memorial will be held in his honor this summer on Anna Maria Island. He is survived by siblings Nancy Edith and husband Joe Branka, Stephen John and wife Mary Jane Laase, sister-in-law Suzanne Perron and husband Peter; nephews and nieces Charles Stephen, Andrew Cashman Branka, Stella Jane, Jane Campbell and Alex Cashman Branka.

Richard Alan Jenkins

Dr. Richard Alan Jenkins, physician/anesthesiologist, of Holmes Beach, died May 22. He was born Jan. 15, 1952 in Dover, New Jersey. He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, went to medical school at the are welcome University ofAll Virginia, served his pediatrics residency in Pensacola, and his anesthesia residency in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation All are welcome

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Dr. Jenkins came to the Bradenton area in July Gregg Allman, a 1983 from Charlottesville and began his anesthesia founding member practice with West Florida Anesthesia Consultants. of The Allman He also was an avid scuba diver. Brothers Band, Arrangements are by Griffith-Cline Funeral Home died May 27 at his in Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made to the home in SavanWounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject. nah, Georgia. He org. previously lived on He is survived by wife Ann; mother Betty Jenkins; Anna Maria Island. children Richard Alan Jenkins Jr. and wife Katherine Islander Courtesy Dunatov, Angela and husband Joseph DeJongh, Katie Photo: Jeff Dunas and husband Ronald Guillen, and Lisa and husband Jonathan DeGroat; brother Kevin Jenkins; sister Kathy Paxton; and grandchildren Parker, Maggie, Samantha, Gregg Allman, Harmsen and Frank Henry.

Bobby J. Jones

Bobby J. Jones, 71, of Bradenton, died May 23. A lifelong resident of Bradenton, he was a commercial fisherman and employed by Tropicana for 33 years. He attended Church of Christ of Palmetto. Arrangements are by Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the Florida College Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Stella; sons, Michael and Brad and wife Deena of Bradenton; sisters Wanda Fulford of Cortez and Shirley Brinn of Oneco; and grandchildren Ty and Colin.

Beverly Miles

Beverly Miles, 87, of Bradenton, died May 24. Mrs. Miles will be remembered for the beautiful pieces of hand-painted china — found in homes throughout the United States — her quilts and her hospitality to all. She was a nurse. She sang in the Roser Church choir and played hand bells for many years. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Memorial donations may made to Roser Memorial Community Church Music Fund, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria FL 34216, or Tidewell Hospice, 3355 26th St. W., Bradenton FL 34205. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, David; children Sandy, David (Duke) and Sharon O’Connor; granddaughter Katie O’Neill; great-grandchildren Alexis, Jordan and Madison; as well as an extended family of “adopted” children and good friends. Founded 1956

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legendary rocker dies at 69

Gregory LeNoir Allman, born Dec. 8, 1947, died May 27. Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, died at his home in Savannah, Georgia. He lived for a time in the 1980s in Holmes Beach. A statement on the musician’s website said, “Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years. During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul. Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.” Memorial donations may be made to the Gregg Allman Scholarship Fund at the University of Georgia or the Allman/Lehman Endowed Scholarship at Syracuse University.

George Pete Patellis

George Pete Patellis, 87, of Holmes Beach, died May 19. He was born in Clairton, Pennsylvania, and moved to Holmes Beach in 1989 from Great Falls, Virginia. He attended California State College in Pennsylvania and Lewis Food & Hospitality Vocational School. He was an entrepreneur in dry cleaning/tailoring and the food business. He was a member of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, former president of the parish council and chairman of the Glendi. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in Bradenton is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice Inc. 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota FL 34238. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral. com. He is survived by wife Jennie; daughters Sophia and husband Wayne Dunn, Alexandria and husband Neil Winsten and Irene and husband Bruce Klores; grandchildren Jennifer and husband Greg, George and wife Christin, Megan and husband Nick, Jason and wife Catherine, Molly and Steven; and great-grandchildren Davis Dunn and Marlow Winsten.

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24 n MAy 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Manatee County to share in Obama-approved anti-drug funds

By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Manatee County is in line to receive $540,000 to help people with opioid addictions. The funding is earmarked to pay for medications and services to treat the nationwide epidemic locally as part of a two-year $485 million 21st Century Cures Act signed into law by former President Barack Obama in December 2016. The need is real and local. Take for instance: People flagged down a Bradenton Beach police officer April 2 after a 27-year-old Bradenton man collapsed at the outdoor bar at the Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St. People at the scene helped open the man’s air passage. EMS responded, determined it was an overdose and administered Narcan, reviving the man. Police found heroin, cocaine and paraphernalia on the man. EMS transported him to a medical center. Local health care providers say the need for services, including treatment, detox and medicine management, is dire. And people from Cortez and Anna Maria Island are using the services of Centerstone and Operation Par in Bradenton, according to Marvin Coleman, vice president of community and business relations, and Melissa Larkin-Skinner, executive director of Centerstone. Gov. Rick Scott’s proclamation of the opioid epidemic as “a public health emergency” released $27 million to Florida. “It’s the first of its kind,” Larkin-Skinner said. Centerstone in Bradenton serves 110 clients with opioid addictions and, with new funding, “hopes to serve many more,” she said. It affiliated with Manatee Glens in 2014. “It’s the first time the federal government and the state are recognizing we have a crisis and this funding is part of the answer — so more people can afford our services.” With addiction, people lose their jobs and health insurance — “and some of the medication is not cheap,” Larkin-Skinner said. Centerstone expects to receive $22,507 in May to pay for increased services until June 30, as well as about half of the $500,000 Manatee County allocation

Injured heron released

Wildlife volunteer Joanne Ferguson of Holmes Beach and Ed Straight, president of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. in Bradenton Beach, look on as a rehabilitated great blue heron is released May 27. The bird was rescued from Keyes Marina on 56th Street in Holmes Beach with a gaping hole in its neck, which was stitched at Island Animal Clinic. Islander Courtesy Photo

Bradenton Beach Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz shows packets of heroin, cocaine and paraphernalia confiscated after an April 2 overdose. There was no arrest, Diaz said, in accordance with state law. A person who overdoses on a drug, or someone who seeks medical assistance for a person experiencing an overdose, may not be charged with possession of a controlled substance obtained in the incident. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell for fiscal year 2017-18, beginning July 1. Operation PAR Inc., also with a Bradenton facility serving those addicted to opioids and heroin, expects to receive similar funding. Both facilities include treatment counselors, physicians and addiction specialists. “It’s a big step in many ways,” Larkin-Skinner said about the new funding, changing attitudes — away from stigmatization and toward recognizing the need for affordable treatment and medications, including methadone, suboxone and vivitrol to help people find “a road for recovery.” “And it’s about the country recognizing we have a major crisis,” she added. “Addiction is everywhere, unfortunately,” LarkinSkinner said, adding Centerstone will serve anyone who asks for assistance. Many people with addictions come from the restaurant industry, she said. Some are elderly who have been overprescribed and unknowingly become addicted. Some become dependent after accidents or illnesses. Death from opioid overdose can be prevented by naloxone, if administered soon after the overdose.

Another part of the 21st Century Cures Act funding will pay for naloxone, sold as Narcan, which is used by Manatee County Emergency Medical Services and other first responders to contradict the effects of opioid use, including overdose. According to Amanda Muller of the Department of Children and Families, funding to purchase the anti-opioid drug will become available to caregivers of people being treated for addiction and to local law enforcement through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports 45 deaths of 375 overdoses between January and April. In 2016, it reported 1,286 overdoses, including 122 deaths. The MCSO data includes cocaine and other narcotic overdoses. “I was really thrilled to see the president included funding for prevention,” said Sharon Kramer, executive director/CEO of Drug Free Manatee, a nonprofit receiving federal, state and county support. “We hope it brings money in for prevention where it’s needed.”

Sex offender registers waterway address

A 36-year-old sex offender is residing on a boat at the mouth of the Manatee River and Tampa Bay, according to a May 25 sex offender registry report. In March 2016, the state registry reported his residence in the Boca del Marina on Manatee River in northwest Bradenton. Now a transient, the Bradenton man was convicted in 2014 of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 13-year-old in Manatee County. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement registry also lists the following sex offenders in the area: • A 58-year-old male offender in the 100 block of Ninth Street North in Bradenton Beach. • A 55-year-old male offender in the 4200 block of the 129th Street West in Cortez. • A 52-year-old male offender in the 100 block of Crescent Avenue in Anna Maria.

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Streetlife

THE ISLANDER n May 31, 2017 n 25

By Kathy Prucnell

Island police blotter

Anna Maria May 5, 100 block of Tern Avenue, curfew. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy, checking on a juvenile not in school, learned the youth’s father did not know the whereabouts of his son. May 7, 200 block of Pine Avenue, battery. Drinks that were thrown from a moving vehicle struck a woman’s back. No injuries were reported. May 12, Bortell’s Lounge, 10002 Gulf Drive, domestic disturbance. A man and woman argued about a friend. The man was transported to Bridge Street after the bar manager called police. May 12, 200 block of Willow Avenue, information. A bumper sticker, stating “Greed is destroying AMI one monstrosity at a time,” was placed on a construction sign. May 13, 400 block South Bay Boulevard, open windows/doors. Responding to a call about a possible burglary, deputies found a door and several windows unsecured. It was determined later the unit was intentionally left open because the air conditioning was not working. May 17, 100 block of Park Avenue/beach access, criminal mischief. People dragged a bench to the water’s edge, sat on it and fled. May 20, 500 block of Kumquat, domestic disturbance. A man told a woman told to leave because his mother was expected. They argued, an MCSO deputy arrived and the woman agreed to leave. May 23, 200 block of Iris, domestic disturbance. Dispatched to a disturbance, the deputy met with a husband and wife arguing and determined the disagreement was not physical. Anna Maria is policed by MCSO. Bradenton Beach May 19, 400 block of Second Street, fraud. A woman reported more than $800 in fraudulent transactions had posted to her credit cards.

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May 20, 135 Bridge St., theft. A 1997 Nissan outboard motor valued at $900 and a $15 gas can were reported stolen off a dinghy. May 21, Oma’s Pizza & Restaurant, 201 Gulf Drive, N., theft. A manager reported a pizza delivery driver took $300 after making deliveries the night before. BBPD requested a warrant for the man’s arrest. May 23, Herb Dolan Park, 100 25th St. N., recovered vehicle. An anonymous caller led the Bradenton Beach police to a 2011 Nissan Altima left in the parking lot with its windows open. A BBPD officer determined it had been stolen out of Sarasota County. The car was towed after it was fingerprinted and a cup and two towels seized. Cortez May 22, 3900 block of 116th Street Court, burglary. Electronics, including a TV, were stolen. May 22, 4400 block of 123rd Street, Baker Act. An MCSO deputy responded to a man having hallucinations. He was taken to a treatment facility. Holmes Beach May 20, 200 block of 64th Street, noise ordinance violation. At about 1:30 a.m., an officer responded to a noise complaint and found several people playing pingpong in a garage. The owner of the rental property was contacted and cited. May 21, 100 block of 53rd Street, alcohol. An officer responded to a report of two males drinking and tossing glass bottles in the water from the beach. Both were cited for alcohol violations. The bottles were removed and put into the trash. May 21, 200 block of 54th Street, battery. A man acknowledged he shoved his father into the refrigerator and previously pushed his sister. Family members signed affidavits, stating the man had substance abuse and anger issues due to post-traumatic stress disorder. He was placed under arrest and transported to Manatee County jail. May 21, 4000 block of Gulf Drive, construction violation. Code enforcement shut down a construction site for starting work before 7 a.m. All workers at the

site were issued citations for violating the stop-work order. May 21, 500 block of 69th Street, lost property. A man reported a dinghy missing from his dock but located it several hours later. May 21, 3700 block of Gulf Drive, larceny theft. A man reported chair cushions valued at $700 were stolen from his patio. May 22, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, vehicle. A Holmes Beach police officer noticed a tag on a vehicle was hanging by one screw. The officer stopped the motorist and determined the tag was not registered to the vehicle. During a check of the car, an open beer was found on the front floorboard. The driver was charged with three misdemeanors and an open-container violation. The tag was confiscated and the car was towed. May 22, 3300 block of Gulf Drive, noise ordinance violation. Just after 10 p.m., a noise citation was issued for a loud party. May 23, 200 block of 30th Street, driver’s license. A driver stopped for an expired tag did not have a driver’s license and was issued a summons to appear in court. Holmes Beach is policed by the Holmes Beach Police Department Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

Roadwatch

Eyes on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation posted this alert for the week of May 29: • State Road 64/Manatee Avenue at the Anna Maria Island Bridge: Crews are replacing release valves. Expect nighttime/overnight intermittent east and westbound lane closures 9 p.m.-4:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 7. Use caution and expect possible delays. For the latest road watch information, go online to www.fl511.com or dial 511.

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26 n MAy 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Tracking the AMI-Bean connection, family heritage

By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter Patti Bean Vickers picked up where her father left off when she took on the Bean genealogy project. “My daddy started it a long time ago,” she said about reconstructing the Bean family tree and putting together a booklet of the family’s history. “He had written to different cities and states trying to get information.” That was the nature of genealogy research in her father’s era, she said. The development of online genealogy databases, however, has given her a more efficient tool to hunt for members of the Bean family. In 1892, George Emerson Bean became the first homesteader on Anna Maria Island, settling at what is now Bean’s Point. He had seven children who make up the descendants of the extended Bean family. Among them were Harold Foss Bean, born 1879 and grandfather of Patricia Bean, born in 1945. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Patti didn’t visit Anna Maria until 2001 when her husband’s high school class reunion brought her to the area. A Bean family tree booklet details the members of the Bean family descending from George Emerson Bean. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí

Members of the Anna Maria Historical Museum Society opened up the small historical facility in Anna Maria to give her a private tour in 2001, and she discovered her old family habit of pronouncing “Anna Maria” the Vickers Scottish way, “ma-rye-ah,” had been widely replaced by a preference for the Spanish pronunciation. She didn’t return to the island until May, when the family held its reunion, but she continued with her research of the family history. Local relatives sent her coverage of the Bean family, she said, allowing her to keep up with news and developments. It was through Ancestry.com, Patti said, that she discovered a whole new branch of the Bean family in 2010, descendants of one of George Emerson Bean’s relatives, in New Hampshire and doing similar research on their ancestors. Some information, Patti said, her long-lost cousin Gayle Elsberry, had corrected for her — such as the name of George Emerson Bean’s father — Arael instead of Israel — and the fate of some of Bean’s siblings. Patti’s research had concluded a niece of Bean named Ruth, who died childless, but it turns out she did have children: Gayle is one of Ruth’s descendants. “I’ve done probably all the search engines all over the web,” Patti said. “It’s real fun to investigate and learn about where your family comes from. Once you begin genealogy research, you can’t stop.” Today, the Bean family has a comprehensive history of life since George Emerson Bean first found and recorded a deed for land on the north end of Anna

Maria, thanks to Patti and her father. However, Patti noted, she’s always seeking new information, anecdotes or leads to the string of beans — the Bean family history.

Dina Gonzales Bender, Lisa Mayfield and Patti Bean Vickers pause for a photo May 12 during the Bean family reunion celebration on Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes

Race day at Indy 500

Brookley Baxter Sneed displays The Islander for race fans in the grandstand May 28 during the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. The Memorial Day weekend race is the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Sneed is married to Alan Sneed, brother of Islander reporter Sandy Ambrogi,. The couple recently visited Anna Maria Island. Islander Courtesy Photo

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THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 27

An aerial view of flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. For Atlantic hurricanes, there are six naming lists — one list is repeated every seventh year. But Katrina’s devastation was so great, the storm name was retired and removed from the list. Islander Courtesy Photo

By Lisa Neff

Naming rights

Katrina? Charley? Bret? Whatever the name, when a tropical storm or hurricane approaches, heed the warnings. And with the arrival of hurricane season, get prepared. Use The Islander’s “Storm Avengers: Guardians of the Gulf” hurricane supplement as your guide — how to prepare for the season, track storms, respond to warnings, evacuate to shelter and return for the cleanup. There’s a lot to read, a lot to Neff learn — some science, terminology and history, like the reasons behind the annual lists of names. For many years, hurricanes in the West Indies were

Roxcy Bolton and husband David in Miami in 1961. Islander Photo: Courtesy Florida Memory Project

named after a saint’s day closest to the storm’s formation. Early records of naming tropical storms for women exist from the late 19th century. The United States officially began exclusively using female names for storms in 1953 and continued to do so for the next 25 years. The National Hurricane Center says, “The practice of naming hurricanes solely after women came to an end in 1978, when men’s and women’s names were included in the Eastern North Pacific storm lists. In 1979, male and female names were included in lists for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.” But there’s more to the history. The day I finished work on this year’s hurricane guide, a headline in The New York Times caught my attention: “Roxcy Bolton, 90, fighter for equality, including naming storms, is dead.” She sounds like a storm avenger! I thought. A guardian of the Gulf, or Atlantic, as she was an east coast Floridian. Roxcy O’Neal Bolton was a pioneering Florida feminist. She founded the nation’s first rape treatment center, helped to convince President Richard M. Nixon to declare Women’s Equality Day in 1972, worked to persuade U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh to introduce the Equal Rights Amendment and led the campaign to also use men’s names when identifying hurricanes. Bolton, according to The Times, said women “deeply resent being arbitrarily associated with disaster” and she pointed out that “hurricane” is derived from the Spanish word signifying “evil spirit.” Women, she said, also resented the sexist clichés “weathermen” in the1960s used to characterize the

storms: The storm is flirting with the coast. That storm is temperamental. Betsy is no lady. Bolton’s protest led the National Organization for Women in 1969 to pass a resolution calling on the National Hurricane Center to stop exclusively naming tropical storms for women. The request was dismissed by the NHC in 1970, with the assistant director claiming mail from women “runs about 8 or 9 to one in favor of feminine names.” Bolton kept at the campaign. She suggested maybe meteorologists could refer to the storms as “himcanes” and name them after members of Congress, because “senators delight in having things named after them.” About a decade after the campaign launched, the naming system changed, alternating between female and male names — the first Atlantic storm with a male name, Bob, was the second storm of 1979. Today, we still have debates and studies into how people respond to storms named after males and females. One study cited by The Times and published in 2014 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found storms named for women have historically killed more people — and that people did didn’t take those storms as seriously as storms named for men. So now we are in the 2017 season. Arlene has passed. Bret is next on the list. And then Cindy. Regardless of the name, heed the warnings.

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28 n May 31, 2017 n THE ISLANDER

Seedings true in 8-10 soccer playoffs, championship delayed

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter Soccer enthusiasts at the Center of Anna Maria Island are enjoying a late spring season. No. 1 seed Truly Nolen and second-seed Progressive Cabinetry emphatically demonstrated the accuracy of the regular-season standings, winning their semifinal matches May 23 in blowout fashion. Progressive Cabinetry rolled to an 8-3 victory over Slim’s Place in the first semifinal match behind an incredible seven goals from Jackson Cassidy Pakbaz. Charlie Rogers added a goal, while also chipping in with four saves during his time between the pipes. Ewen Cloutier also spent time in goal, finishing with three saves in the victory. Aiden Templeton paced Slim’s Place with three goals, one of them on an assist from Gregory Jordan. Goalkeeper Gabe Hoover made four saves for Slim’s Place in the loss. The second semifinal matchup saw Truly Nolen roll to a 7-2 victory over Wash Family Construction behind the play of Jack Mattick, who scored all seven goals. Nick Yatros added an assist and Chris Ueltschi had three saves in the victory. Riley Lawson and Jett Smith scored a goal each to lead Wash, which also received four saves from Dalton Fox in the loss. The consolation and championship games originally planned for May 24 were rescheduled due to storms. Slim’s Place takes on Wash Family Construction in the third place game before press time at 4 p.m. May 30, followed at 5 p.m. by the championship game between Truly Nolen and Progressive Cabinetry at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Adult soccer continues The adult soccer league at the center wound up its second week with four matches played May 25. Although early in the season, it appears Sato Real Estate, Anna Maria CrossFit and Lancaster Design are the teams to beat as all three boast 2-0 records. Ross Built and Slim’s Place at 1-1 follow in the standings

Siesta Key soccer tournament on horizon

Soccer enthusiasts are invited to grab your friends or teammates to compete in a fun, fastpaced soccer tournament on the beautiful beaches of Siesta Key June 3-4. Cost for the tournament is $400 per team for players or teams in the U8 to U19 age groups. The format is a five versus five competition with a maximum of 10 players allowed on a roster. Every team is guaranteed three games in the tourney. To register a team, go to siestakeysandsoccer. com.

Slim’s Place forward Aiden Templeton, left, who scored three goals, battles Progressive Cabinetry’s William Pakbaz for the soccer ball during the May 23 8-10 division semifinal match at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy while Mulock Flynn Law, Acqua Aveda and Moss Builders are all still in search of their first victories. Sato opened the action with a 9-4 blowout victory over Acqua Aveda behind three goals each from Adam Mott and Kevin Roman. Jake Parsons added two goals and an assist, while Josh Sato finished with a pair of assists. Goalie Jordan Demers finished with five saves, but an Aveda defender accidentally scored into his own goal to complete the Sato scoring in the victory. Tyler Pullen scored two goals to lead Aveda, which also received a goal each from Jennifer Sayko and James Lynch. Eric Pullen had an assist in the loss. The second match of the evening saw CrossFit roll to a 5-1 victory over Ross Built behind three goals from Anglea Wiles and a goal and three assists from BJ Grant. Ken Richards rounded out the Anna Maria CrossFit offense with a goal and an assist. Greg Ross scored the lone goal for Ross Built on an assist from Chris Circharo, while Steve Oelfke made four saves in the loss. Slim’s Place edged Mulock Flynn Law 2-1 behind a goal each from Aaron Parkin and Nate Welch. Yorvi Moreira added an assist, while PJ Smarjisso had an assist and made three saves in goal to help preserve the margin of victory. Tony Shard notched the lone goal for Mulock Flynn Law on an assist from Ryan Moss and Sean Flynn made five saves to keep the game close. Frank Agnelli and Yuri Pereira scored two goals each to lead Lancaster Design to a 6-3 victory over Moss Builders in the late game. Shay Coleman added a goal and an assist and Andre Lewis completed the scoring with a goal. Lexi Sato scored all three goals to lead Moss, which received an assist from David Greene and three saves from Shawn McCarthy in the loss.

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Key Royale golf news Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach opened May 23 with the women playing a ninehole, individual-low-net match in four flights. Pam Lowry rode a chipin on the fourth hole to a 5-under-par 27 to earn first place in Flight A in a route. Debi Wohlers was six shots back in second, while Helen Pollock took third with a 3-over-par 35. Sue Christensen fired a 3-under-par 29 to earn a one-stroke victory in Flight B over second-place finisher Tootie Wagner. Terry Westby was another shot back in third place. Jana Samuels carded a 3-under-par 29 to grab first place in Flight C. Wendy Holcomb’s 1-under-par 31 gave her first place in Flight D by two strokes over second-place finisher Maryanne Kaemmerlen. Peggi Clauhs was alone in third at 4-over-par 36. The men got on the course May 25 for a ninehole scramble, which was topped by the team of Herb Clauhs, Lex Halakan and Jeff Rodencal on a combined 6-under-par 26. Second place went to the team of Gary Alvord, Mark Kimball, Art McMillan and Diane Miller with a score of 3-under-par 29. Horseshoe news Rod Bussey was the man during last week’s action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits. Bussey teamed with Dom Livedoti to post the only 3-0 pool-play record and claim the outright title during the May 24 games. Bussey was at it again in similar fashion May 27 as he and partner Steve Doyle were the outright champs after again posting the only 3-0 pool play record. Play gets underway at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

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HIGH

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LOW

1.4

LOW

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Wind slows tarpon hookups, back country fishing still good By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter Despite wind and thunderstorms, fishing around Anna Maria Island remains consistent. Tarpon is on most anglerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agendas, although windy conditions make it difficult to target them. Catches are occurring in the passes and along the beaches near Tampa Bay, where live crabs, threadfin herring and large shiners are working as bait. In the backcountry, spotted seatrout are dominating the bite. On my own excursions with SoutherStasny naire, we are finding numerous trout on deep grass flats during the incoming tides. Some chumming is required to get the trout in a frisky mood but, once this occurs, multiple hook ups are not uncommon. Spotted seatrout up to 22 inches are being reeled up with consistency. Fishing shallower flats where oyster bars and mangrove shorelines exist is resulting in redfish and catch-and-release snook. Both species are taking live free-lined shiners as offerings. Mixed in with the bite are an occasional â&#x20AC;&#x153;gatorâ&#x20AC;? trout, as well as a few flounder and juvenile barracuda. Capt. Warren Girle is targeting tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Most bites are occurring on live crabs as bait, although threadfin herring and large shiners are being used. Most catches are 75-125 pounds. Early morning trips are producing the best action. When the winds are too strong to hunt tarpon, Girle is working the flats of Sarasota Bay, where spotted seatrout and catch-and-release snook are the most dominant bite. Live free-lined shiners are his bait of choice in the bay. Capt. Jason Stock also is targeting tarpon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; fishing the passes early in the morning and then patrolling

Don Garber, of New Jersey and Lido Key and commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999, shows off one of three tarpon he hooked on pass crabs and brought to the boat on a guided fishing trip May 28 with Capt. Warren Girle. the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key throughout the day. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting clients some hookups on silver kings. Crabs, threadfin herring and large shiners are producing the bite. Fishing offshore is producing action for Stock, too. Fishing around wrecks and reefs is proving to be good for migratory fish, including blackfin tuna, bonito and king mackerel. In these areas, bottom fishing is resulting in mangrove snapper and goliath grouper. Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters is run-

Shelly Deyoung, left, and Susie Kirkland, both visiting from Lansing, Michigan, show off the lane snappers they caught May 22 in about 100 feet of water offshore of Anna Maria Island. Their party caught plenty of snapper and big red grouper while on a charter fishing trip with Capt. Larry McGuire Show Me The Fish.

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ning clients offshore on days when the winds are light and the seas are calm. Migrating fish such as bonito, blackfin tuna and cobia are being caught around offshore structure. Bottom fishing in areas where hard bottom and ledges exist is resulting in red grouper and mangrove snapper for Whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anglers. Capt. Aaron Lowman is putting his efforts in on the flats of Anna Maria Sound. Targeting spotted seatrout is proving to be most productive in the backcountry. Fishing flats in 6-8 feet of water is producing a mix of species, including trout, bluefish, mackerel and jack crevalle. Fishing shallower areas of 2-3 feet is proving to result in catch-and-release snook. On days with light winds, Lowman is venturing into the Gulf of Mexico in search of tarpon, where heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finding live crabs, threadfin herring and shiners will produce a bite. Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters targeting the flats of Southern Tampa Bay and the adjacent waters, where spotted seatrout are being found in abundance on deep grass flats. Free-lining live shiners or shiners under a popping cork are producing the bite. Fishing shallower areas close to mangrove shorelines is producing rallies on catch-and-release snook, with a few redfish in the mix. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Connie Smith of Woodstock, Georgia, shows off the 29-inch redfish she caught May 23 while on a guided fishing with Capt. Danny Stasny of Southernaire Fishing Charters.

TideWatch

Red tide at background levels

A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida, according to surveys reported May 25. Karenia brevis was observed in background concentrations in three samples in Manatee County. For more, go to myfwc.com/redtidestatus.

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Joe Landofi, left, of Manson Roofing, Barbara Murphy of Travel Now, Beth Rariden of Your Personal Touch Apparel and Bill Mergens of Keller Williams Realty visit during the May 10 Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge of Bradenton senior living community. The next breakfast will be at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander Courtesy Photo

biz

BY SANDY AMBROGI

Summer chamber events oďŹ&#x20AC; to sizzling start

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will kick off its June events with a networking lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, at the Lazy Lobster of Longboat, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Chamber members from Anna Maria, Longboat Key and Siesta Key will gather for the annual Business and BBQ on the Bay 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, bayside at The Resort at Longboat Key Club, 3000 Harbourside Drive, Longboat Key. The buffet will include smoked brisket, chicken wings, Cuban pulled-pork sliders, ribs, slaw, beans and more. There will be live music and lawn games. Longboat chamber officials are promising a â&#x20AC;&#x153;coolâ&#x20AC;? event on the porch of the clubhouse. Reservations are

Fore! Friendly rivals face-oďŹ&#x20AC; in chamber tourney

requested. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Reservations may be made online or by calling the AMI chamber. For more information, contact the chamber at 941778-1541 or visit the website at annamariaislandchamber.org. The chamber is at 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is

accepting nominations for the 2017 LBK small business awards, including Rookie Business, Small Business and Good as Green. Go to the LBK chamber website for detailed information and nomination forms. The deadline for submissions is Friday, June 16. For more information, call 941-383-2466, visit the website at longboatkeychamber.com or the office at 5390 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 102, Longboat Key. David Lamb, left, and Tim Bingham line up a shot May 19 as they compete for the Anna Maria Oyster Bar team during the AMI chamber golf tourney at IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton. Islander Photos: Courtesy AMICofC/ Cathy Pizzo

The course was steaming hot with rivalries May 19, during the annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce golf outing tournament. Teams teed off in a shotgun start after lunch at 12:30 p.m. at the IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. Greg Burke, on the Duncan Real Estate team, won the putting contest by sinking an 8-foot tap. First place in the tournament went to the team from Freedom Village. The Cablish & Gentile foursome took second, and the Fat Cat players came in third. After the play concluded, a crowd of almost 100 dined at IMG and enjoyed a raffle of prizes.

LBK shares changing sign codes at open house

Dave Lester ambles across the course May 19 at IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton during the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce golf outing. Players competed in a putting contest and a hole-in-one competition, in addition to a round.

Temporary signs may soon be a thing of the past on Longboat Key. The town of Longboat Key is revising its sign code in response to a recent court decision, and details of the new regulations will be shared at an open house 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, June 13, at town hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. The court decision held that government regulation of signs is content-based if a regulation applies based on the particular content, topic discussed or idea or message expressed. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce said

in a May 18 email to members that the sign code particularly affects temporary signs, such as those used by real estate agents and contractors. The town is hosting the open house to provide further information on the code and, its changing regulations on temporary signs. For more information, go to www.longboatkey. org.

Business news

Jessie Brissonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report on real estate transactions will return June 7.

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THE ISLANDER n MAy 31, 2017 n 31

Water movements inspire ‘world’ ﬂow from island musician

By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter The music could be wafting across the still African savanna, cutting through the night air. Instead, it is emanating from Trevor Bystrom’s homemade African harp in a small studio tucked away in the Holmes Beach Business Center. The sound comes from a large gourd, animal skin, a hardwood neck and tiny strings. “I make them, then I learn how to play them,” Bystrom said as he waves his hand toward other instruments he has created. “They have such a wonderful sound.” Bystrom, 22, was born and raised on Anna Maria Island. He picked up his first instrument at 10 and was writing songs by 14. He comes from a family entrenched in the island life — his father, veterinarian Bill Bystrom, heads up Island Animal Clinic and mother Jeannie Bystrom is the daughter of Hugh Holmes, second son of the city namesake, John Holmes. The young guitar player has melded his island style with American folk music.

As his horizons broadened, the “world” sound of foreign instruments began to entice him and, as Bystrom said, “melodies that flowed like water.” Bystrom has named his newest and most involved CD “Water” to honor those sounds. The CD was recorded at his studio in Holmes Beach with nine other musicians. The tracks were then mastered at Clear Track Studios in Clearwater. “I’ve done two other CDs, but “Water” is my biggest project to date,” Bystrom said. The Blue Marlin, where Bystrom performs in the outdoor “Trap Yard,” will host a CD launch party for “Water” at 6 p.m. Friday, June 2. There is a $5 cover charge to attend and, Bystrom said, the proceeds from the door charge would be donated to the Sea to Shore Alliance of Sarasota, which works to conserve coastal environments. Bystrom said the CD took on a life of its own during the recording process. “I wasn’t sure how it would turn out at all. I gave all the musicians lots of freedom — different personalities and different sounds. In the end, it did flow like water,” Bystrom said.

Chamber guests get video sneak peek at new hotel in Holmes Beach — now expected to open late August.

Musician Trevor Bystrom works in his Holmes Beach studio, where he shows the African harp he made and a copy of his new CD, “Water.” He is inviting the public to a CD launch party at Blue Marlin in Bradenton Beach at 6 p.m. Friday, June 2. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi LEFT: Sandy Zinck, general manager of the new Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club, and Megan Humphrey, Waterline sales executive, flank the screen during a video presentation at the May 24 Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce mixer. Originally planned at the hotel, the nearby chamber office was substituted as the venue due to Waterline completion push-backs and weather concerns. Islander Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

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