The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022

A GRAND SALUTE TO VETERANS

2022 elections

AM’s 3 incumbents return, but then there were 4

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Election season brought more of the same in Anna Maria.

Incumbent Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Deanie Sebring and Mark Short were sworn Nov. 10 to serve two-year terms after being unopposed for reelection.

This year marked the fifth consecutive municipal election without competition.

But post-election, it seems the city is losing a commissioner — Carol Carter.

While Carter did not broach the subject at the meeting, other people commented during the meeting on her impending departure.

The Islander learned Nov. 9 that Carter had distributed an Aug. 31 email announcing she and husband Bob were selling their home at 239 Willow Ave., listed at $3,495,000, to move closer to family in Naples.

She told The Islander Nov. 14 that she submitted a letter of resignation to city hall and would attend her last meeting Dec. 15.

BB voters embrace charter changes, end term limits

By robert anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach voters cast their ballots Nov. 8 for change.

They approved four out of five amendments to the city charter — the document that defines the organization and powers for the municipality.

Most significantly, voters approved Amendment 4, which eliminated term limits for elected officials.

Prior to the change, the charter restricted elected officeholders to three consecutive two-year terms.

Voters retained term limits in 2016, 2018 and 2021 but they approved Amendment 4 retroactive to June 16.

The vote means Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who qualified for reelection with no opposition but faced being termed out if Amendment 4 failed, will keep her seat.

Maro has served as Ward 2 commissioner for three consecutive terms. She was appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and elected in 2018 and in 2020. Now she will

Birds take

Nov. 9 from Bean Point in anna maria. the tip of the island is one of the most popular spots on the island for birds, birders and photographers. islander Photo: Jacob merrifield

the old Soldiers and Sailors veterans day ceremony proceeds east on Pine avenue to city Pier Park in anna maria, including the manatee High School Hurricanes cheerleaders and marching band.

islander Photo: ryan Paice

islander

Photo: Jacob merrifield

She said she would be leaving her island home the following day.

Carter said she did not want to announce her departure until she had a contract for her home.

“I think I’ve been able to respond to citizens and be a good representative,” Carter said. “I think that this is a great place to live … things are well positioned for the city to move forward.”

Short thanked Carter for her nine years of service on the board.

City attorney Becky Vose said she had a “delight ful” time working with Carter, who she said was an “incredibly good chair.”

The commission and mayor did not discuss plans for selecting Carter’s successor. However, the charter allows the remaining four commissioners to name a successor to fill a vacated term.

Meanwhile, the commission voted 4-1 at the orga nizational meeting to name Short chair.

Short became a commissioner in 2019.

He told The Islander Nov. 11 that he had overcome the learning curve associated with being commissioner and is excited to begin his position as chair.

serve a fourth term.

Currently most of the city’s elected officials would be at or near their term limits under the old charter and some have served longer than six years due to past decisions, such as ward elimination, redistricting in 2017-18, as well as partial term appointments and nonconsecutive terms.

John Chappie has been mayor since 2017 and his current two-year term expires in November 2023. Without the elimination of term limits, Chappie would likely not be able to run for the office again in 2023.

“The people have made the decision and it’s why we have the elections,” Chappie said in a Nov. 9 inter view.

Jacob “Jake” Spooner has served four two-year terms as Ward 1 commissioner, with elections in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021.

“I felt like, after three years, I was finally comfort able in that role,” Short said. “I was very honored that my fellow commissioners elected me to be chair. I look forward to the role and I hope I do as good of a job as (Carter).”

Spooner said in 2021 that changes to the ward map allowed him a reset on his term limit.

Spooner now can run for a fifth term in 2023.

Commissioner Ralph Cole, who also ran uncon tested in the 2022 election, has served three noncon secutive terms. He was elected in 2015 in Ward 3, appointed to a one-year term in 2017, elected in 2018 and again in 2020.

Cole lost his race for reelection in 2017 but was appointed to fill the seat left vacant after Chappie won the mayor’s seat.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh has served as com missioner for Ward 4 four times, with terms beginning in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and, after terming out, again in 2019. She was elected in 2021 from Ward 3.

“I’m thrilled that it passed,” Vosburgh said. “Long overdue. It’s very difficult to get people to serve.”

SUNSET CRUISES

DOLPHIN TOURS

Sebring told The Islander Nov. 11 she hoped to help increase the interaction between residents and the city government heading into another term. She joined the commission in 2020.

“I’m very excited for my second term,” Sebring said.

Commissioner Robert Kingan was nominated by Carter to succeed her as chair but he received only her vote. He was then named deputy chair.

Murphy was first elected mayor in 2014. He did not respond to a Nov. 11 text from The Islander.

Out of 942 registered voters in precinct 301, which covers the city, 667 voted in the general elec tion, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Overall, the number equates to a 70.8% voter turn out for the precinct.

More than half of the votes, 348, were cast on Election Day, while 254 people voted by mail and 65 voted early, according to the SOE.

The mayor receives $19,600 annually.

Commissioners receive a $4,800 annual stipend.

The next meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Noting that Chappie would have termed out in 2023 without the change, Vosburgh told The Islander, “It would be very difficult to get anyone as dedicated as John. Bradenton Beach is lucky to have him.”

Bradenton Beach commissioners are paid $400 per month and the mayor is paid $800 monthly.

There are 683 registered voters in Bradenton Beach.

BB ballots by the numbers

2022 voter turnout 2020 voter turnout

Registered voters: 683 Registered voters: 756

Vote by mail: 219 Vote by mail: 301

Early voting: 49 Early voting: 100

Election Day: 226 Election Day: 203

anna maria commissioner mark Short, left, recites his oath of office before city clerk Leanne addy Nov. 10. Short was later named chair of the commission by 4-1 vote at the meeting. islander Photo: ryan Paice

County health dept. issues red tide alert for AMI, LBK, south beaches

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County issued health alerts Nov. 9 for a red tide bloom off Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

The health department issued alerts for Bayfront Park and the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria, as well as Coquina Beach South, the Coquina Bayside boat ramp and Longboat Pass in Bradenton Beach.

The health department, responding to water samples from the state taken Nov. 7, cautioned people to:

• Look for informational signage at beaches;

• Avoid swimming in waters with dead fish;

• Be especially cautious and stay away from the listed locations if they have respiratory conditions;

• Avoid harvesting or eating shellfish or distressed or dead fish from the listed locations;

• Wash skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have contact with red tide.

• Keep pets out of the water, sea foam and dead sea life.

Also, people living in beach areas were advised to close windows and run their AC.

What is red tide?

Red tide is one type of harmful algal bloom caused by concentrations of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, a microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico.

Red tide typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents.

Once inshore, the organisms can use nearshore nutrient sources to fuel their growth.

Blooms typically last into winter or spring but they can endure for more than a year.

Is red tide harmful?

K. brevis produces potent neurotoxins — brevetoxins — that can be harmful to the health of marine life, wildlife and people.

Wind and wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release toxins into the air.

This is why people should monitor conditions and use caution when visiting affected water bodies.

People in coastal areas can experience varying

degrees of eye, nose and throat irritation during a red tide bloom. Some individuals with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic lung disease might experience more severe symptoms.

Red tide toxins also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, which can lead to fish kills and increased wildlife strandings or mortalities.

Eating contaminated seafood can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans.

Symptoms include nausea and vomiting; tingling of the mouth, lips and tongue; and slurred speech and dizziness.

Asked Nov. 11 about whether Nicole would impact the bloom, the department’s environmental health division told The Islander via email: “We have no data concerning the effects TS Nicole had on the spatial distribution of the red tide levels observed in the Gulf.”

The next comprehensive mapping will be Nov. 18.

— Lisa Neff

Q&A 111622

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa Neff

i’d like to experience ami … 61%. In 1972. 31%. In 1947. 6%. In 2072. 2%. In 2097. This week’s question the day after thanksgiving, is all about…

A. Shopping Black Friday.

B. Going to work.

C. Heading to the beach.

D. Eating leftovers.

To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

ServiNg fuLL meNu 3:30-9 pm 7 daYS

election deputy dave Stewart awaits voters Nov. 8 at the volunteer fire hall in Bradenton Beach. islander Photo: robert anderson

Incumbent retains WMFR seat, 2 newcomers win, too Bradenton Beach opts for city charter changes

By robert anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach voters Nov. 8 did a big editing job on their charter.

Voters approved four charter amendments and rejected one in the 2022 general election, casting ballots at the polls, via mail and in early voting.

• Amendment 1: The vote was 222-220 to eliminate outside arbitration and allow commissioners to begin forfeiture of office proceedings in opposition to a sitting commission member. An elected official still only be removed from office by a majority vote from the Bradenton Beach electorate.

The amendment had the highest percentage of yes votes — 78.88%.

Amendment 2: The vote was 248-201 to allow the commission to appoint an at-large commissioner to fill a vacant seat when a ward candidate is not available.

Prior to the vote, the charter required a commissioner to reside in the ward they represent.

Amendment 3: The 178-267 vote meant the electorate kept the status quo and maintained the process requiring a special election to fill a mayoral or commission seat should it be left vacant more than six months before the next general election.

About 60% voted against the proposal.

Amendment 4: The 235-217 vote removed term limits but maintained two-year terms for elected positions.

The change, which had a 51.99% yes vote, allows Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who faced being termed out on Election Day, to hold her seat and also removes the limit faced by three-term Mayor John Chappie in 2023.

Voters elected to keep term limits in 2016, 2018 and 2021.

Amendment 5: A 259-175 vote means decisions regarding employee personnel benefits and procedures can be adopted in public meetings through resolutions rather than by an ordinance.

There are 684 registered voters in Bradenton Beach.

The city commission, at the recommendation of their city attorney, appointed a charter review committee in the spring — a year earlier than required — to recommend changes and then approved the five questions that went on the municipal ballot.

By ryan Paice islander reporter

A familiar face won the only competition for three West Manatee Fire Rescue District commission seats.

Incumbent District 4 Commissioner David Bishop won a third four-year term Nov. 8 by more than doubling the votes of his challenger, Roger Morrow.

Bishop received 7,654 out of 11,187 total votes, or 68.42%, compared to Morrow’s 3,533 votes, 31.58%, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Bishop is an architect and lifelong district resident who was appointed to the board in July 2011 to succeed John Rigney, who moved from the district.

He will be joined on the dais by newcomers Derrick Warner and William “Billy” Burke, who won the seats in District 2 and 3 without opposition.

They will succeed George Harris and Al Robinson,

who did not seek reelection.

Warner told The Islander Nov. 11 he had worked in a fire department for 46 years in Chicago, as well as served in local governments, and was excited to bring his experience to the commission.

“I’m very pleased and very excited,” Warner said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

He ran for a commission seat in 2020 but lost to Robert Bennett with only 17.69% of the vote.

WMFR commissioners serve four-year terms and work with district administrators to manage the fire district policies and an annual budget.

The district includes all of Anna Maria Island, Cortez and areas of the west side of unincorporated Manatee County.

Bishop and Burke did not respond to Nov. 11 phone calls from The Islander.

All three were set to be sworn in at a Nov. 15 fire district commission meeting.

Island turnout tops countywide percentage

Voter turnout in the 2022 general election on Anna Maria Island exceeded 70% — without any municipal contests for elected office.

Voter turnout across Manatee County reached 61.64%.

Anna Maria voters are in precinct 301 and on Election Day they cast ballots at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office reported 942 eligible voters in Anna Maria.

Turnout was at 70.8%, with 254 casting ballots by mail, 65 voting early and 348 voting at Roser on Election Day.

Bradenton Beach voters are in precinct 307 and, on Election Day, they cast ballots at the volunteer fire station, 201 Second St. N.

There are 684 eligible voters in the city, where turnout was 72.2%.

Some 219 voters cast ballots by mail, 49 voted early and 226 voted Nov. 8 at the fire station.

Holmes Beach voters, in precinct 305, cast ballots at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive.

There are 2,685 eligible voters in the city, where turnout was 72.8%.

Some 822 voters cast ballots by mail, 186 voted early and 947 voted on Election Day at the church.

Countywide, the largest percentage of ballots was

Comparing AMI ballots …

Senate marco rubio (r) val demings (d)

Statewide 57.7% 41.3% County 63.14% 35.81% Anna Maria 59.18% 40.06% B. Beach 63.37% 36.42% H. Beach 63.90% 35.06%

House v. Buchanan (r) J. Schneider (d) Statewide 62.2% 37.8% County 65.49% 34.39% Anna Maria 62.10% 37.90% B. Beach 64.88% 34.92% H. Beach 67.12% 32.78%

governor ron deSantis (r) charlie crist (d) Statewide 59.4% 40% County 64.72% 34.80%

Anna Maria 60.85% 38.85% B. Beach 63.30% 36.70% H. Beach 65.34% 34.25%

cast by mail, followed by Election Day voting and then early voting.

For more information about voting and elections, go online to votemanatee.com.

Did you know?

Wonder what hours the largest numbers of people head to the polls on Election Day in Manatee County?

A supervisor of elections chart shows the highest number of check-ins countywide 5-6 p.m. Nov. 8, with 6,023 voters. The second highest was 7-8 a.m., during the first hour of voting, with 5,891 check-ins.

Polls closed at 7 p.m.

— Lisa Neff

elisabeth owen and John glenn took a bike ride through Bradenton Beach before stopping to cast their ballots Nov. 8 at the city polling place. islander

Photo: robert anderson

HB welcomes 2 new commissioners, reinstalls mayor

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The Holmes Beach City Commission began its latest iteration only a day after the Nov. 8 general election.

City clerk Stacey Johnston Nov. 9 swore Mayor Judy Titsworth and Commissioners Daniel Diggins and Greg Kerchner into office after the election season ended in anticlimactic fashion.

No one challenged Titsworth, who began her tenure with the city as a commissioner 2012-18 and will now serve a third two-year term as mayor.

Newcomers Diggins and Kerchner faced competition from incumbent Commissioner Jayne Christenson until she withdrew from the race in October, citing challenges with her “work/life balance.”

Christenson’s withdrawal left the newcomers without challengers and, while her name was on the ballot, there was no tally from the election. Diggins and Kerchner were sworn in without the need to wait for certified election results.

Diggins had challenged for a commission appointment in 2016 but did not win.

Kerchner has served the city’s planning commission since 2019 and oversaw revisions of the city’s comprehensive plan.

“I’m absolutely excited. I wish I would have won with the vote of the people but I’ll take a win any way I can get it,” Kerchner told The Islander Nov. 11. “And we’ve got some challenges ahead of us already, so I’m looking forward to it.”

They take the seats of Christenson and Kim Rash, who did not seek reelection.

Others on the dais expressed excitement for the

board’s latest iteration during the Nov. 9 organizational meeting.

“Now maybe we can get through things without a bunch of arguments,” Commissioner Pat Morton said at the Nov. 9 organizational meeting.

Titsworth said she is looking forward to working with a “team.”

The board also unanimously voted to rename Carol Soustek as chair.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer was renamed deputy chair after his nomination went unchallenged.

Despite the lack of a local competition, the city’s electorate turned up to the polls for election day.

Out of 2,685 registered voters in voting precinct 303, which covers the city, 1,955 voted in the general election, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Overall, the number equates to a 72.8% voter turnout for the precinct.

Almost half of the votes, 947 out of 1,955, were cast on election day, while 822 people voted by mail and 186 voted early.

The mayor is paid $27,120 annually.

Commissioners earn a $7,819.92 annual stipend. The city commission was set to meet Nov. 15, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Holmes Beach voters mingle Nov. 8 while waiting in line outside the polling location at St. Bernard catholic church, 248 Harbor drive S., Holmes Beach,

Ready holidayfor hustle?

Advertisers: Ready for the holidays on AMI?

Improve your odds of success and reach The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking to shop and dine, as well as indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.

to file their ballots in the general election. islander

Photo: ryan Paice

aBove, Left to rigHt: mayor Judy titsworth and clerk Stacey Johnston embrace after titsworth is sworn to a third term as mayor. Johnston swears-in commissioners dan diggins and greg Kerchner to their first terms. islander Photos: Bonner Joy

Deep breath

We should all sit back in a comfy beach chair and take a deep breath.

With the 2022 election season behind us on Anna Maria Island, we can forge ahead in all three cities and get down to business.

We can enjoy the view and relax in the fall breeze and maybe check some lingering projects off our lists, which likely includes putting things back together from the lingering storm impacts of Ian and Nicole.

We can look forward to the holidays — Thanksgiving — and then there’s Black Friday and another suited to our mom-and-pop style on AMI, Small Business Saturday.

There’s just nothing for me at the “Big Box” stores or the major merchandisers at the mall. I’m all for homemade, small boutiques and shops and putting money into the island economy.

’Tis the season to shop local here on AMI and at the small shops and restaurants that support our economy in Cortez and Northwest Bradenton.

Soon we’ll gather around the table for the big Thanksgiving meal and we can look back at all we have to be thankful for in this island paradise.

Here our children grow and nurture in an idyllic environment. They can surf, skimboard, skateboard, play team sports or fine-tune skills with a volleyball or on the tennis court. They start off at “our little school by the bay” where the community helps nurture them and encourages them to meet the educational challenges on the mainland.

The fall season is a beautiful time on Anna Maria Island — where, just like the proverbial ketchup bottle — the anticipation grows.

We’re almost ready for the winter-spring season, when the accommodations, motels and vacation homes swell the population, families visit from afar, and snowbirds settle into their winter digs.

Residents, old and new soon will share the roads, restaurants and shops with visitors and newcomers.

It can be crowded, packed, gridlocked and exasperating — or it can bring fun-filled days with events like bingo and craft sales, gatherings with old friends at sunset or lounging on the patio.

We just need to remember to be courteous at the four-way junction of frustration and to take things slow in paradise.

The Holmes Beach road project soon will be done and forgotten. For now, plan your trips through the city center to avoid the morning and afternoon crush. Take a deep breath, crank the music and sing.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Marina Drive mess

I’m sure no one who lives on our island needs to be made aware of the mess we have on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.

I realize infrastructure improvement — especially in congested areas — can be a headache no matter the organization or scheduling.

Having said that, at the very least something is woefully amiss in the organization of this project. To make matters worse, the city’s seeming indifference to the safety complaints requires an investigation.

Matters like this can be complex unless you simplify them with logic.

This project begs for a “performance-based” contract.

Having over seen $100s of millions of construction in the public sector in my career, contracts for projects like this were only approved with a “24/7 construction plan with a bonus for early completion.

It’s an industry standard and routinely used. Logic and simplicity can work. If you have it.

Robert O’Brien, Holmes Beach

Connections, AMI & beyond

Anna Maria: Mayor Dan Murphy, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com, ammayor@cityofannamaria. com.

Bradenton Beach: Mayor John Chappie, 941-7781005, cityofbradentonbeach.org, mayor@cityofbradentonbeach.com.

Holmes Beach: Mayor Judy Titsworth, 941-7085800, holmesbeachfl.org, hbmayor@holmesbeachfl.org.

Manatee County: Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, 941-745-3705, kevin.vanostenbridge@ mymanatee.org.

Governor: Gov. Ron DeSantis, 850-717-9337, flgov.com.

Florida Senate: Sen. Jim Boyd, 941-742-6445, flsenate.gov.

Florida House: State Rep. William Cloud “Will” Robinson, District 71, 941-708-4968, myfloridahouse. gov.

aBove: the veterans day Parade culminates at city Pier Park. islander Photo: Jacob merrifield. Left: People applaud Nov. 11 for veterans standing at anna maria’s veterans day ceremony. the applause ended with a standing ovation. islander

Photo: ryan Paice

10&20 years ago

From the Nov. 13, 2002, issue

• The Florida Department of Transportation was organizing a meeting at St. Bernard Catholic Church on results of a cost analysis to replace the Anna Maria Island Bridge.

• The Geyer family of Holmes Beach announced a relocation of their Duffy’s Tavern to Marina Drive after they lost the lease on the Gulf Drive property where they had operated.

• Cold weather in the north was driving early inquiries to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce about winter getaways. Calls to the chamber were up 10% from November 2001.

From the Nov. 14, 2012, issue

• Five-year resident Carmel Monti defeated eight-year incumbent Rich Bohnenberger in Holmes Beach’s mayoral race. Voters elected Judy Titsworth and Marvin Grossman to the city commission.

• The Anna Maria Island Community Center board named Dawn Stiles of Portland, Maine, as the nonprofit’s executive director, succeeding Pierrette Kelly.

• Cortez commercial fishers attended a meeting of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage to ask that the nonprofit do more to preserve the fishing way of life in the village.

• Anna Maria voters didn’t elect a new mayor on election day because no one qualified to run. So the city commission was preparing to hold an organizational meeting to elect a chair, who would assume the role of mayor.

— Lisa Neff find these issues and more — dating to November 1992 — at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Holmes Beach comes under fire for island traffic gridlock

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Some people aren’t happy with the recent backups of traffic on Anna Maria Island.

And many people are pointing the finger at construction in Holmes Beach.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said Nov. 10 he had received several “hate phone calls” asking him to act on the traffic caused by Holmes Beach’s city center improvement project.

The project involves adding bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.

The job requires a detour on Gulf Drive or Holmes Boulevard through a four-way stop at the intersection, impacting traffic flow previously set by a traffic light at Gulf and Marina drives.

The city hired Sarasota-based C-Squared to complete the work for $3,001,460.85, after factoring in a pair of addendums approved by the city commission.

The work is projected to wrap at the end of December.

Murphy said he offered suggestions to improve traffic to Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth but had

not received a response as of Nov. 10.

“I think I’ve taken just about as much action as I can on this issue,” Murphy said. “I don’t have a lot of influence in what’s being done down there.”

AM Commissioner Deanie Sebring said she was planning to attend Holmes Beach’s Nov. 15 city commission meeting to voice her dissatisfaction with the traffic caused by the construction and its impact on Anna Maria. She encouraged others to attend.

“I think it’s important for us to voice our opinion,”

Palma Sola committee explores new public restrooms

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The Palma Sola Scenic Highway hosts a steady stream of motorists traveling to and from Anna Maria Island.

But that long stream can make it difficult for pedestrians to cross the roadway.

Presently, there are restrooms only on the north side of the Palma Sola Causeway and there’s a long stretch of road between the mainland and AMI.

Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity member Ingrid McClellan agreed Nov. 9 to attend an upcoming Bradenton city meeting to request the addition of restrooms on the south side of the scenic highway.

The entity is a committee of Bradenton, Manatee County, Holmes Beach and nonprofit representatives that monitors, protects, beautifies and promotes the scenic highway along Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 from 75th Street West in Bradenton to East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach.

At their Aug. 10 meeting, McClellan proposed adding crosswalks with lighted signage and/or lowering the speed limit near the existing restrooms to allow pedestrians to cross the roadway more safely.

Bradenton public works engineer Kim Clayback said Nov. 9 the south side of the highway is Florida Department of Transportation right of way that is maintained by the city of Bradenton.

Clayback and public works director Jim McLellan met with DOT community liaison Tanya Merkle to discuss McClellan’s proposal.

However, she said they determined crosswalks and the associated signage would present too significant an impediment for the roadway’s traffic flow.

So they explored other ideas, including adding restrooms on the south side of the causeway so people would have less need to cross the road.

Clayback said city staff could not bring the proposal before the council but asked McClellan if she could request the addition of restrooms at a meeting.

McClellan said she hoped to bring the matter before the Bradenton council later that Wednesday day but did not respond to a Nov. 11 call from The Islander.

The committee will meet next at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at the Bradenton public works building, 1411 Ninth St. W.

People can email infoscenicmanatee@gmail.com for directions to attend the meeting via Zoom.

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are not to be outdone — they’ve started holiday shopping and wrapping gifts! And they’re always on the lookout for seasonal hostess gifts at their favorite thrifts and boutiques.

Cat’s Meow has 7,700 square feet of vintage, unique and repurposed items. You may want to lace up your skates, as this large vintage skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. Plus, there’s a mancave and a cool clothing boutique. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

Blue Flamingo is home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor,

garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.

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

Scavengers Marketplace regrets the store in Holmes Beach closed. Please visit the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301, where a portion of your purchase benefits Moonracer No Kill Pet Rescue — our favorite pet rescue group. Founder Lisa Williams leads the rescue efforts and also works at The Islander as office manager.

Your place for fun, funky quirky!

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

Sebring said. “Everyone is affected by this.”

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander Nov. 11 the city studied options for the detour, such as posting an officer at the intersection to guide traffi c, and found the four-way stop to be the most efficient of the alternatives, including a traffic signal at Gulf Drive and Holmes Boulevard.

He admitted construction created traffic obstacles but said there was nothing the city could do until construction was complete, regardless of complaints.

Tokajer added the city has seen an increase in motorists, from around 19,000 vehicles per day three months ago to 25,400 per day over the past week.

He said the additional motorists exacerbated the issue.

“Until we get the roadway fixed, we’re going to have slowdowns,” Tokajer said. “People just need to be patient and understand that, unfortunately, unless we build a bridge from Holmes Beach to Anna Maria, we’re not going to be able to get people there any quicker than we are now.”

Meetings

Anna Maria City

Dec. 15, 2 p.m., commission.

By Lisa Neff

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

Bradenton Beach

Nov. 16, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

Nov. 17, noon, commission.

Dec. 1, 6 p.m., commission.

Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

Holmes Beach

Nov. 16, 9 a.m., clean water.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

Manatee County

Nov. 29, 9 a.m., commission.

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

Also of interest

Nov. 24, Thanksgiving. Most government offices will be closed Nov. 24-25.

Nov. 29, 4 p.m., Manatee County Council of Governments, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

Send meeting notices to calendar@islander.org.

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

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints. And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

30+ Local Vendors & Artists

Wed-Sat 10-5

Palma Sola Square Winn Dixie Plaza 615 59th St. W. Bradenton 941-896-8800

FUSION MINERAL PAINT Sales & Workshops

4307 26th St. W. Bradenton 941.782.8883

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motorists make their way Nov. 11 through a fourway stop at gulf drive and Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach. islander Photo: ryan Paice

November’s Nicole notches another storm in 2022 season

islander Staff report

Late-season Nicole disrupted routines and even holiday plans but left only minor damage on and around Anna Maria Island.

Elsewhere, the 14th storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season was catastrophic, associated with the deaths of at least five people and causing major property damage on the Atlantic Coast.

Nicole got its name Nov. 7, becoming a subtropical storm northeast of the Bahamas.

Nicole made landfall early Nov. 10 in the United States, near Vero Beach, as a Category 1 hurricane, and then weakened to a tropical storm as it moved northwest across the Florida peninsula.

With Nicole’s impact expected to be widespread, Gov. Ron DeSantis’s state of emergency declaration included all 67 counties.

Steady rain, gusty wind and rough surf associated with Nicole were experienced on Anna Maria Island and the surrounding area overnight Nov. 9-10 and most of Nov. 10.

The strongest wind gust recorded at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was 52 mph. The airport reported 1.1 inches of rain 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Nov. 10.

Ahead of the storm, Manatee County declared a state of emergency and closed buildings, including the Island Library, as well as parks, preserves and beaches.

The county also suspended transit operations, including the island trolley.

But at 2 p.m. Nov. 10, the county issued a statement — “The effects of Tropical Storm Nicole on Manatee County have been minimal” — and began resuming some operations.

For the School District of Manatee County, extracurricular activities were canceled Nov. 9 and schools stayed shuttered Nov. 10.

On AMI, some businesses opted to close or restrict hours or services Nov. 10 but others, including the Center of Anna Maria Island, remained open and even

expanded offerings.

Municipal services also continued, including at Anna Maria City Hall, where the commission held a post-election organization meeting.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said staff ahead of the storm swept the city to ensure dumpsters were empty and construction sites and porta-potties were secured.

The city suffered no damage, Murphy said.

In Bradenton Beach, Police Chief John Cosby, in charge of emergency management, said there was little to no flooding and very little damage, with a sign on the Historic Bridge Street Pier being one of the only wind-related casualties in the storm.

In Holmes Beach, the city building department reached out to contractors to make sure they took precautions to secure properties ahead of inclement

weather.

Also, the city contacted vacation rental managers to remind them to secure outdoor furniture.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander Nov. 10 that the city saw a lot of wind and rain but he hadn’t seen any damage.

City hall was closed Nov. 10.

Nicole infl icted “very minimal damage” to the historic fishing village of Cortez, resident Jane von Hahmann said Nov. 11.

“This was a nothing — well, I don’t want to say it was nothing — but we’ve had tropical bursts that come up that were worse. This just lasted longer,” she said.

The storm’s heavy rain and strong winds flooded areas of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage Preserve east of the village and blew around debris.

“What Ian didn’t get, this one did, from a standpoint of shaking loose limbs and stuff,” von Hahmann, treasurer of FISH, said.

With Veterans Day on Nov. 11, scheduling changes gave some people an even longer holiday weekend while others had to shift their Thursday obligations to the Friday holiday.

The storm halted the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra’s Symphony on the Sand at Coquina Beach, which was set for Nov. 12.

A Nov. 11 notice from AMICCO executive director Brian James Wiggins, which announced refunds on tickets and sponsorships, said, “Due to the disrupting weather pattern created by Hurricane Nicole and its impact on the setup of Symphony on the Sand, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra has made the difficult decision to cancel Symphony on the Sand.”

The hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30.

The Climate Prediction Center at the National Weather Service forecasted an above-normal season, with 14-20 named storms with winds of 39 mph or greater.

Islander staff Lisa Neff, Ryan Paice, Kane Kaiman and Robert Anderson contributed to this report.

the wind blows the palms but parking at moose Lodge No. 2188 in Bradenton Beach is at a premium Nov. 10 — during tropical storm Nicole.

islander Photo: Brook morrison

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ON AMI

Thursday, Nov. 17

10:15 a.m. — Island Morning Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Through Nov. 13, Island Players present Neil Simon’s “I Ought to be in Pictures,” 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-7785755.

Throughout November, artist Marg Williamson’s “Venues Remembered” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-778-6648.

Tuesdays Through May 9, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

Tuesdays Through March 7, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

AROUND AMI

Wednesday, Nov. 23

6-9 p.m. — Realize Bradenton’s Holiday Bazaar and Main Street Live concert, Old Main, Bradenton. Information: 941-6858196.

ONGOING AROUND AMI

Through Nov. 27, “Queens of the Air and Empresses of the Arena,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through Jan. 15, 2023, “Multiple: Prince Twins Seventh-Seven” exhibit Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 941-896-2667, mfastpete.org.

Through March 26, 2023, “True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism” exhibit Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 941-896-2667, mfastpete. org.

Through May 28, 2023, “Gods and Lovers: Painting and Sculpture from India,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through May 2023, 9 a.m-2 p.m., Downtown Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-932-9439.

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

Plant sale set at Roser

A plant sale is set for Nov. 18 at Roser Memorial Community Church, where the Anna Maria Garden Club has taken root.

The club’s annual plant sale will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

The event will be in the fellowship hall at Roser, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

Shoppers will find herbs, as well as flowering plants, hanging baskets and more.

Proceeds will go toward local beautification projects.

For more information, call Charlotte Noyes at 781-983-1937.

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

“Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Dec. 2-3, Realize Bradenton’s Bradenton Blues Fest, Bradenton.

Dec. 10, Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series at the Center of Anna Maria Island presents “Beatlemania Now!,” Anna Maria.

Dec. 31, Realize Bradenton’s Main Street Live/New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

ON AMI

Thursday, Nov. 17

6 p.m.— Family Movie Night: “The Bad Guys,” Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341.

Friday, Nov. 18

10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

Saturday, Nov. 19

5 p.m. — Bridge Street Christmas tree lighting, Bradenton Beach Post Office, 116 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1005.

Monday, Nov. 21

2 p.m. — Pottery painting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

10 a.m. — Animal encounters, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

ONGOING AROUND AMI

First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop

‘Thanks-Living’ celebrates holiday, AMI at City Pier Park

Time to pack the potluck and the nonperishables in the picnic basket.

Anna Maria will host Thanks-Living on the Saturday prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The outdoor event will be 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at City Pier Park, located at the corner of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria.

Organizers plan to provide tables and chairs and they invite attendees to bring a potluck dish to share, as well as their beverages and nonperishable donations for the Roser Food Pantry.

An announcement on the city of Anna Maria’s website said the event provides “a great chance to meet your neighbors and make new friends.”

For more information, call the city at 941-7086130.

Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org

Nov. 22-March 18, “Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks,” the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org

SAVE THE DATE

Dec. 2, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce holiday tree lighting, Holmes Beach.

Dec. 3, Center of Anna Maria Island’s Lester Family Fun Day, Anna Maria.

Dec. 3, Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Bradenton Beach. Dec. 9, Santa in the Park and Holiday Walk of Treasures, Anna Maria.

Dec. 10, Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade, islandwide.

Dec. 10, Florida Maritime Museum’s Christmas in Cortez, Cortez.

Dec. 17, Bradenton Beach Area Merchants Christmas on Bridge Street celebration, Bradenton Beach.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

ON AMI

Friday, Nov. 18

9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Anna Maria Garden Club plant sale, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. 781-9831937.

2 p.m. — Paper crafting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

Saturday, Nov. 19

10 a.m. — Meditation session, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

2 p.m. — Paper crafting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-7786341.

Monday, Nov. 21

10 a.m. — Creative Aging Series: Drawing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

tion: 941-383-6493.

Mondays, 1 p.m., Thinking Out Loud discussions, the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-3836493.

Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177, amirotary.org.

Second Tuesdays, 4 p.m., Cortez Village Historical Society meetings, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-840-0590, cortezvillagehistoricalsociety.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m., Toys for Tots campaign open house, Holmes Beach.

Dec. 14, Paradise Center’s Veterans Canteen, LBK. Dec. 15, Paradise Center’s memory screenings, LBK. Dec. 16, Anna Maria Garden Club meeting, Anna Maria.

OUTDOORS & SPORTS ON AMI

Wednesday, Nov. 23

9 a.m. — Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources’ Seashell Shore Walk, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-742-5923.

ONGOING ON AMI

Bridge Street tree-lighting set

’Tis almost the season for holiday cheer.

A holiday campaign organized by the Bradenton Beach Area Merchants and sponsored by the city and its community redevelopment agency begins Nov. 19 with the lighting of the Bridge Street Christmas Tree.

The Bradenton Beach Post Office,116 Bridge St., will be the site of the Saturday celebration, beginning at 5 p.m. and featuring a singalong at 5:30 p.m. with the Sweet Adeline’s Manatee Chorus.

The evening also will raise money for Bradenton Beach-based Wildlife Inc.

In honor of their contributions to the city, Wildlife Inc. founders Gail Straight and husband Ed, a former city commissioner, will flip the switch at 6 p.m. to light the 40-foot Christmas tree.

Word has it Santa also will make an appearance and a “Stuff-the-Trunk” food drive organized by the Bradenton Beach Police Department will benefit Manatee food banks.

December plans include:

• Saturday, Dec. 3, a holiday boat parade and street party on Bridge Street organized by the merchants group.

• Saturday, Dec. 17, Christmas on Bridge Street, with visits by the Anna Maria Privateers and Mr. and Mrs. Claus and caroling by the Dickens Carolers.

— robert anderson

Movie night

continues

island Library and

friends of the island Library invite moviegoers to settle in thursday, Nov. 17, for an interactive showing of “the Bad guys,” a movie of mostly reformed criminals who try to save the day. Showtime for the animated Pg comedy is 6 p.m. the library is at 5701 marina drive, Holmes Beach. for more information, call the library at 941-778-6341. islander courtesy Photo

ONGOING ON AMI

Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee. org/library, 941-778-6341.

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383, amikiwanis.com.

Wednesdays, 1 p.m., Mahjong Club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341.

OFF AMI

Friday, Nov. 18

6 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce member gala and awards dinner, IMG Golf Academy, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541.

ONGOING AROUND AMI

Second Fridays, 1 p.m., Parkinson’s Combined Support Group, the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Informa-

AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com.

ONGOING AROUND AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org, mymanatee.org.

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

Nov. 24, Thanksgiving.

Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Dec. 17, Hanukkah begins.

Dec. 21, winter begins.

Dec. 25, Christmas.

Dec. 26, Kwanzaa begins. Dec. 26, Boxing Day.

Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve.

Send announcements to calendar@islander.org.

with ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

Anna Maria continues its Tuesday night movie series at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., with a screening of “Miracle on 34th Street” at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

The city is showing the 1947 version of the holiday classic about the real Santa and his job at Macy’s. The film features Maureen O’Hara, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwen.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and snacks.

For more information, call the city at 941-7086130.

show

daniel Bowling of cadiz, Kentucky, left, weighs a serving of stone crab claws while brother-in-law, Josh calvert of Bradenton, grabs a serving to start cracking the shells Nov. 12 at the cortez Stone crab and music festival in the “trap yard” at the end of 119th Street West in cortez. organizers estimated the Nov. 12-13 attendance at 3,800 people per day.

cortez Stone crab and music festival attendees sit in the sun and beneath a large tent Nov. 12 listening to the eric von Band.

islander Photos: Kane Kaiman

Summer margel of cortez curse rum Nuts serves amy Knight of Shelbyville, indiana, a rum-filled coconut Nov. 12 at the 10th annual celebration. the festival marked Knight’s second in as many years.

eric von, left, and his band rock the crowd Nov. 12 at the cortez Stone crab and music festival.

Jeff and Kat Hunt of Parrish speak with Jessica ann art proprietors Jessica and chris Hessing of islamorada about their mutual love of the florida Keys Nov. 12 at the cortez Stone crab and music festival.

Community center hosts ‘blue’ environmental wellness program

By Brook morrison islander reporter

A panel of environmental experts gathered Nov. 9 at the Center of Anna Maria Island for the “Being a Blue Island Economy” forum to voice concerns and strategies for cleaner water and sustainable living.

Tracy Fanara of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration moderated the event.

Anna Maria resident Bob Carter, a corporate fundraiser, Mote Marine Laboratory representative and board member of the World Health Organization Foundation, discussed the threat of sea level rise and the need to adapt and mitigate, as well as educate people to the fragility of Anna Maria Island.

Maya Burke, assistant director of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, shared information about the importance of protecting marine habitats and reducing nitrogen pollution.

Burke made note of recent concerns regarding seagrass losses and efforts to mitigate the damage caused by the release of polluted water from the Piney Point phosphate site in east Manatee County.

“We can push ourselves to invest to solve them,” she said of the problems.

Capt. Scott Moore, a local fishing guide who serves on local and national fishery committees, emphasized the value of partnerships between scientists and fishers to protect and restore marine ecosystems.

Moore reminded attendees how even mowed

AME seeks yearbook sponsors

Anna Maria Elementary has a rich history that includes providing a free yearbook to all students.

“We are able to do this with local businesses and family sponsorships,” AME media specialist Lynne McDonough wrote in a Nov. 8 email to The Islander.

To continue offering free yearbooks, AME is seeking sponsors by Dec. 9.

Sponsorships are priced starting at $100 for a classroom page to $500 to include business logo and card on the back cover.

For AME parents, choice of sponsorship can be listed on a child’s homeroom page on a first-come, first-served basis.

Family and business names will be listed on the sponsor acknowledgement page.

To sign up, call the school at 941-708-5525.

— Brook morrison

grass that reaches the waters of the Manatee River can impact algae blooms.

Anna Maria resident Ed Chiles, restaurateur and founding member of Solutions to Avoid Red Tide and also the All Clams on Deck initiative, mentioned how the island is the perfect place to grow clams while filtering water.

Jim McDaniels, center director of development, shared his appreciation for the event participants Nov. 11 and his hopes for further collaboration.

“On behalf of the center and all those groups working to protect our paradise here on the Suncoast, I think we all hope we can continue to get together, share our efforts and somehow work more collaboratively and efficiently going forward,” he said.

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

tracy fanara of Noaa moderates “Being a Blue island economy” Nov. 9 at the center in anna maria. fanara is an expert in hydrology and harmful algae blooms. islander courtesy Photo: Jim mcdaniel

Islander inducted into American College of Surgeons Academy

Dr. Christiana Shaw, a surgical oncologist from the University of Florida Department of Surgery, is among a group of 65 surgeon educators inducted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.

A fifth-generation Floridian, Shaw grew up on the Gulf coast and Anna Maria Island. She is the daughter of Holmes Beach resident Christine Torgeson Van Zandt. She was inducted Sept. 30 at an event in Chicago.

“Shaw is a dedicated surgeon educator whose experience in the field includes an expert in surgical

AME-PTO cooks up cookie campaign for ‘dough’

The AME-PTO Otis Spunkmeyer cookie sale has begun, with online sales ending Nov. 21.

“This year we wanted to aim for delivery before Christmas in hopes to increase sales,” AME-PTO president Jamie Hinckle said Nov. 8.

The PTO board is responsible for planning fundraisers throughout the school year to help reach its financial goals.

For those interested in placing an order, contact an AME student or email amepto@gmail.com.

removal of cancers, focusing on cancers of the head and neck, skin and connective tissue, and breast,” states an announcement on the achievement. “With two years of additional training dedicated to the complex care of the cancer patient, she is well versed in the latest surgery and treatment options.”

Shaw’s expertise includes surgical solutions for cancers of the adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as sarcomas, melanomas and breast cancer.

The ACS Academy works to advance science and the practice of education across all surgical specialties.

Individuals are selected following a stringent peer review process.

“This academy of preeminent surgeon educators has been making landmark contributions to surgical education and is introducing many transformational changes in surgical education that will endure into the future,” Dr. Ajit K. Sachdeva, director of the ACS division of education and cochair of the academy steering committee, said in a news release.

AME Calendar

• Thursday, Nov. 17, 3:45 p.m., SAC meeting in the media center.

• Nov. 21-25, Thanksgiving holiday, no school.

• Wednesday, Dec. 7, STEM Night.

• Dec. 5-8, Scholastic Book Fair.

• Friday, Dec. 16, holiday cookie exchange.

• Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m., PTO dinner in the cafeteria, 6:30 p.m., fifth-grade play in the auditorium.

• Dec. 19-21, holiday shopper.

• Dec. 23, winter break begins, no school.

• Tuesday, Jan. 10, classes resume.

Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

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

Shaw

By Lisa Neff

Gloria Dei pet blessing Nov. 19

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church will hold its annual community pet blessing program at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Human attendees are asked to bring pet-related donations — dry pet food, accessories and cash — to help survivors of Hurricane Ian.

For more information, call the church offi ce at 941-778-1813.

Roser celebrates Thanksgiving with dinner

Roser Memorial Community Church will hold its community Thanksgiving dinner at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24.

The church asked for reservations by Nov. 19 because seating is limited.

The free meal — turkey and all the sides and desserts — is a celebration of blessings and an island tradition.

Volunteers will spend the days ahead of the holiday preparing the menu items — turkey, potatoes, stuffing and more and, by the dinner hour, volunteers will have roasted 13 turkeys and baked 30 pies. They’ll also have set tables for more than 100 people.

Hosts will greet diners at the door and direct them to tables, where cards will read, “This meal is a gift to you from members and friends of Roser Memorial Community Church.”

Before the meal, Roser, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will hold a worship service at 11 am. in the chapel. The program will include music and an “open mic” for people to share thanks.

To become involved or for more information, call the church office at 941-778-0414.

Find holiday support at Roser

Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will host a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, in the fellowship hall.

The seminar is for people grieving a loss, which during the winter holiday season can be especially painful.

For more information, call the church at 941-7780414.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Community Pet Blessing

World Community Day honors

Peggy Nash and mary Baldovini share a certificate of recognition Nov. 4 on behalf of the roser Women’s guild. church Women united of manatee county president cheryl Holloway presented the certificate at a World community day celebration at St. Paul missionary Baptist church in Bradenton. the recognition is for “ongoing efforts to support the families of the underserved of manatee county.” cWumc’s annual migrant tea will be at 10 a.m. friday, Nov. 18, at trinity united methodist in Bradenton. for more information, call Nash at 941-7786483. islander courtesy Photo

Tidings

ON AMI

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church, @CrossPointeFellowship.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., supper; Wednesdays, Night Blast, 6:45 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org, @EpiscopalChurchoftheAnnunciationatHolmesBeach.

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

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting; Mondays, 1 p.m., book group; Tuesdays, 6 p.m. first and second, 5 p.m. third and fourth, Terrific Tuesdays.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., social gathering, Manatee Public Beach; Sundays, 10:15 a.m., coffee and fellowship.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave.,

GoodDeeds

compiled by Lisa Neff

Helping at holidays

• A Paradise Realty and Vacation Rentals, 5201 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, is collecting for Toys for Tots, including at a Dec. 2 open house. Info: 941-737-9642.

• The City of Anna Maria is collecting food donations and cash for the Roser Food Pantry at ThanksLiving on AMI, 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, City Pier Park. Info: 941-708-6130.

• Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteers to help prepare the community Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 24. Info: 941-778-0414.

• The Episcopal Church of Annunciation is seeking Angel Tree donors to help give Christmas gifts to kids. Info: 941-778-1638.

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Friends of the Island Library is collecting

Worship With Us At Our Church

Sunday Ser vice 10:00 AM

The Rev Dr Nor man Pritchard

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00

Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

Visitors & Residents Welcome Watch Our 10: 00 AM Ser vice Live: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www christchurchof lbk org (follow YouTube link)

Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

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

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

Ongoing: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Robics; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Store; Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Youth Performing Arts, second and fourth Thursdays, 11 a.m., Just Older Youth group programs with brown-bag lunch; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Roser Ringers rehearsal; 7 p.m., Thursdays, choir rehearsal; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school and coffee and conversation sessions.

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

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

Ongoing: Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; Saturdays, 3:30 p.m., confession.

OFF AMI

Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoflbk.org, @CCLBK.

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Women’s Bible Study; Mondays, 9 a.m., Men’s Bible Study.

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop; Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Bible study; Mondays, 4 p.m., choir rehearsal.

Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-3428.

Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Fridays, 6:45 p.m., choir call.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Nov. 19, 10 a.m., Gloria Dei annual pet blessing.

Nov. 24, 11 a.m., Roser Thanksgiving worship.

Nov. 24, 1 p.m., Roser Community Thanksgiving dinner.

Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m., CrossPointe REAL Women Annual Christmas Brunch.

Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Annunciation Holly Berry Bazaar and Food Market.

Dec. 4, St. B. Women’s Guild Poinsettia Sale.

Dec. 11, 2 p.m., Gloria Dei Christmas concert.

Dec. 11, 6 p.m., Roser Bethlehem Walk.

Dec. 18, Roser Christmas Cantata.

Please, send notices to calendar@islander.org.

jewelry for a fundraising sale in March. The drop-off is at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals, as well as assist with technology. Info: 941-345-2441.

• Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941778-0414.

• AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433. Send listings to lisa@islander.org.

Roser Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM & 10:00 AM

IN PERSON � in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation

Facebook @RoserChurch

compiled by Lisa Neff

Saturday November 19th 10 AM

Marina Drive Holmes Beach

AM accepting nominations for citizen of the year award

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Who is Anna Maria’s most valuable player(s) of 2022?

Mayor Dan Murphy said Nov. 10 the city is seeking nominations for the municipality’s 2022 Citizen of the Year award and volunteers for the citizen recognition committee responsible for selecting the winner.

The award recognizes residents and entities that have existed in Anna Maria for at least two years for their contributions to the community.

Last year, the city awarded both Anna Maria Island Historical Society vice president Barbara Murphy, the mayor’s wife, and Joan Voyles, a founder and past president of the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island.

Murphy asked city commissioners to each recommend a volunteer for the citizen recognition committee.

He said anyone, including commissioners, could submit nominations for the award until 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.

“There are a lot of people who have done a lot of great things for the city over the years,” Murphy

said.

People can submit nominations by completing a form from cityofannamaria.com, then emailing the form to amclerk@cityofannamaria.com or delivering it to city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

The form asks for the nominee and nominator’s names and addresses, as well as for two-three reasons why the nominee deserves the award.

Award winners receive keys to the city and have their names listed on a plaque at city hall.

Murphy said the citizen recognition committee would meet between the city’s Dec. 15 commission meeting and its next meeting in January to determine a winner, so an award could be presented at the first meeting of the new year.

In other matters…

City commissioners also:

• Unanimously voted to authorize the city’s building department to execute a permit for construction on Mote Marine Laboratory’s educational outreach center on the T-end of the city pier;

• Unanimously voted to approve an emergency

ordinance decreasing the maximum number of members on the planning and zoning board from seven to five due to issues populating the board. The emergency ordinance also allows for the appointment of two alternative members who serve and vote in lieu of absent full-time board members.

The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend can be found at cityofannamaria.com.

Nonprofits: Share wishes

Local charities and other organizations are invited to submit their wish lists to The Islander for the annual Wish Book, published the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Each year with the arrival of the holiday season, the newspaper invites organizations to share their wishes — the items they need or desire — in addition to the usual volunteers and funding — to carry them through the year — so that readers can add them to their shopping lists.

Send wish lists to Lisa Neff at lisa@islander.org.

the Holmes family gathers for a celebration of Jean and Hugh Holmes’ 74th wedding anniversary. included are their daughter, Holmes Beach mayor Judy titsworth, and their grandson, West manatee fire rescue chief Ben rigney, among the three generations present for the event at the Holmes’ house on anna maria Sound. Hugh Holmes Sr. is the son of the city namesake.

islander Photo: Katrina Lathrop

Bystrom

Hallmark moment for Holmes Beach family

Bradenton Beach begins evaluating structure of city buildings

By robert anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach officials are preparing to evaluate repairs to city hall and other municipal buildings.

Commissioners earlier this month approved paying $3,900 for a structural engineering evaluation of city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., by Hees & Associates Inc. of Sarasota.

The evaluation will help officials decide the building’s future.

Public works director Tom Woodard, during a Nov. 3 meeting, said the concrete block building isn’t up to code and shows signs of spalling.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency describes spalling as the breakdown of concrete via weathering or chemical reaction resulting in cement

Eyes on the road

• Looking into December, Holmes Beach is working at the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives north to 56th Street to include new amenities and improve stormwater flow. There will be road and lane closures at Gulf and Marina drives with marked detours. Also, a full intersection closure will be necessary.

In addition, construction has required the closure of the eastside trolley stop on Marina Drive north of Gulf Drive, forcing the northbound trolley to detour, going from Gulf Drive, then east on 56th Street to Marina Drive, where it continues north.

• Manatee County’s utilities department is working on a force main project along Holmes Boulevard, which can result in some traffic delays and congestion.

For the latest road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511.

To check road cameras, go to fl511.com.

— Lisa Neff

chipping that leaves concrete compromised.

Some causes of spalling include improper placement of concrete and corrosion of reinforcing steel due to exposure to water or chemicals. In coastal Florida, spalling from saltwater exposure is common.

Spalling, however, is not the only problem.

“There is wood damage on the roof and porch railings. The commission wanted an evaluation done so they can decide if it can just be repaired or does it need a complete rebuild,” Woodard said.

The Tingley Library, 111 Second St., and the Bradenton Beach Police Department, 403 Highland Ave., also need repairs.

Woodard said the roof and wood decking at the library needs replacement and the BBPD building needs a new roof but the existing one will be repaired, covered by insurance for Hurricane Ian damage.

Mayor John Chappie said Nov. 9 that building repairs have been on his radar for some time.

“Since I’ve been mayor, one of the top goals has been to have these buildings assessed,” Chappie said. “We’ve done maintenance over the years but they are

‘Rod and reel’ retirement

all older buildings and buildings get worn out.”

Referring to city hall, he said, “It’s an older building that’s been exposed to the elements for all these years.”

City hall was built in the late 1970s.

The biggest challenge is meeting FEMA requirements for flood insurance and the expense to floodproof a ground-level building across the street from the Gulf of Mexico.

At a Nov. 3 commission meeting, Police Chief John Cosby, who has long served as head of emergency management, said, “There’s a cost/benefit analysis that has to be done. Is it going to be worth the cost to fix this building compared to mitigating it? That’s what we’re trying to find out.”

Cosby said if the evaluation shows the building could be fixed structurally, the city still needs to mitigate for flood insurance.

A date for the evaluation was not set as of The Islander’s press time.

“It’s a big challenge and this assessment is kind of the first step,” Chappie said.

a great white heron waits for an opening to steal the bait as Paul cass sets his wife val’s hook oct. 26 on the shore of Longboat Pass at the southern end of coquina Beach. the couple retired to Bradenton from massachusetts and told the islander they spent the day catching snook, flounder, grouper and ladyfish from the shoreline.

islander Photo: robert anderson

Bradenton Beach PD arrests Sarasota residents for armed burglary

By robert anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach police arrested two Sarasota residents Nov. 5 for alleged armed burglary.

Kevin Downes, 39, and Christine Cicco, 35, also face charges of possession of instruments for forging paper currency, counterfeit bills, a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

BBPD Officers Eric Hill and Charles Marose responded to a burglary in progress in the 1200 block of Gulf Drive North after the property manager for the rental reported someone was occupying the home without a booking, according to the police report.

At the home, the officers contacted Downes, who

Streetlife Staff reports Island police reports

Anna Maria

Nov. 7, 800 block of North Shore Drive, trespass. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a complaint of a man trespassing on private property and found two men engaged in an argument that led to the property owner filing a complaint. A case number was filed.

Nov. 7, 100 block of Palm Avenue, larceny. An MCSO deputy responded to a call about a recycling bin missing from a residence. The caller said the bin was stolen and she needed a report to avoid being charged a $60 replacement fee. Deputies filed an incident report.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

No new reports.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach

Nov. 1, 5400 block of Gulf Drive, suspicious circumstance. A couple approached an officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department to report that a

said he made a reservation online and could furnish a receipt from his phone.

When Hill asked Downes if there were other people or weapons in the rental, Downes said there was a pistol and a woman, later identified as Cicco.

Inside the property, the officers reported they observed drug paraphernalia and an open bottle containing a white substance later identified as methamphetamine.

The officers also saw a laptop, a printer and several sheets of counterfeit $20 bills.

Downes and Cicco were arrested and taken to the Manatee County jail, where, as of Nov. 7, Downes was being held on a $25,000 bond and Cicco was being

held on a $5,500 bond.

Both are scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 2, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.

“It’s kind of an occurrence that’s starting to slowly happen around here, where we get homeless who check a door from a resort and find it open and they decide to go in and camp in there,” Bradenton Beach Lt. Lenard Diaz said Nov. 9.

Diaz said the amount of counterfeit money totaled a few hundred dollars and the Secret Service would not be involved.

If convicted of first-degree armed burglary, Downes could face up to life imprisonment.

Cicco is charged with second-degree armed burglary and, if found guilty, could face up to 15 years in prison or 15 years of probation and a $10,000 fine.

motorist parked and tried to get them to approach the vehicle. They said the man pointed an unknown object at them, then drove away at a high speed after one of the complainants asked him to leave. The officer provided the complainants with a case card and found a vehicle matching their description using the HBPD’s license plate recognition system.

Nov. 3, Salty Mermaid Real Estate & Vacation Rentals, 5306 Holmes Blvd., fraud. An owner of Salty Mermaid Real Estate reported a customer potentially provided falsified checking information to pay for a weeklong stay at a vacation unit costing more than $6,000. He said he had attempted to contact the customer multiple times but was unable to reach the person. The owner provided police with the customer’s contact information. An officer determined it was a civil matter.

Nov. 4, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, identity theft. A man called the HBPD to report that he’d been dealing with identity theft for over a year and needed a police report to expunge falsified information from his credit report. The man provided a sworn statement.

The HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

Cicco also is accused of giving a false name to police, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by 365 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Downes and Cicco also face charges for alleged possession of instruments for forging bills, possession of counterfeit bills and possession of a controlled substance — all third-degree felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

They also face possession of drug paraphernalia, a first-degree misdemeanor with penalties up to 365 days in jail or 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine.

Island watch

In an emergency, call 911.

To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-7088899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

Massachusetts resident arrested for DUI

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Massachusetts resident Kerry Oneil, 40, Nov. 7 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer saw a motorist proceed through a flashing red traffic light at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue around 11:52 p.m.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Oneil, and saw a wine glass containing a Champagne-colored substance, a beer can and a red plastic cup in different cup holders.

Oneil said the items were not hers.

Oneil also wasn’t wearing her seat belt, smelled of alcohol and had watery eyes, according to a police report.

The offi cer asked her to perform fi eld sobriety exercises, which she failed.

The officer arrested Oneil and searched her, finding multiple pills for which Oneil said she had prescriptions.

The officer transported the woman to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where she refused to provide breath samples.

Oneil also said she wanted to commit suicide, so the officer detained her under the Baker Act.

The officer issued court summons for DUI and three uniform traffic citations.

Another officer then transported Oneil to the Manatee County jail, where she was released Nov. 8 after posting $120 bond.

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

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Former islander convicted in 2019 store clerk killing

A former Bradenton Beach resident was convicted of first-degree murder and other offenses Nov. 4 in connection with the killing in September 2019 of Mohammed Hamed, a 23-year-old Bradenton shop clerk.

Amado Alexander Zeppi, 23, of Bradenton and formerly of Bradenton Beach, and Coty Paulk, 24, of Bradenton, were convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm after a jury trial that began Oct. 31 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.

The crimes carry a mandatory life sentence.

Paulk was sentenced Nov. 4 to life on both counts.

Zeppi’s sentencing date was not set as of Nov. 9.

Zeppi, Paulk and two others — James L. Brewer of Bradenton and Michael C. Hepner of Palmetto, who testified during the trial and pleaded guilty to seconddegree murder — were arrested for robbing the Green

Galaxy Smoke Shop.

Zeppi and Paulk had firearms and it was Zeppi who shot Hamed with a semiautomatic carbine rifle while the man was sitting on the floor of the shop.

The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which Hamed’s brother watched from a remote location and called law enforcement.

Zeppi was arrested Sept. 18, 2019 — less than 24 hours after the shooting — in the parking lot of his former employer, a restaurant on Longboat Key.

Assistant State Attorney Rebecca Freel, in a news release, said the jury “worked very hard and with their guilty verdicts made our county a safer place. This was a senseless murder that was solved by the diligent work of the detectives at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, who arrested three of the four perpetrators within 36 hours of the offense.”

— Lisa Neff

3 Arkansas residents arrested by HBPD for boat burglary

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Three boat burglars were nabbed in the act.

Holmes Beach police arrested Arkansas residents Kyle Brumbelow, 31, Gregory McCarrell Jr., 37, and Christopher Wilt, 30, Nov. 3 on third-degree felonies for burglary to an unoccupied conveyance.

McCarrell and Wilt also face charges of thirddegree felonies for possession of burglary tools.

Holmes Beach officers responded around 6:15 p.m. to reports of three men who boarded a vessel that had run aground near shore south of the 700 block of Manatee Avenue.

The officer found the vessel and spoke with the trio, who identified themselves as Brumbelow, McCarrell and Wilt.

They said the vessel was not theirs and that McCarrell and Wilt were hoping to take possession of it and

live inside temporarily, according to a police report.

They said one of them climbed through an unlocked hatch, then they used tools to pry a padlock off of the vessel’s rear door, causing some minor damage.

The officer contacted the vessel’s owner, who wanted to pursue charges against the trio and provided a complaint affidavit.

HBPD arrested Brumbelow, McCarrell and Wilt and transported them to the Manatee County jail. They remained in custody as of Nov. 11, with a $1,500 bond for Brumbelow and a $3,000 bond for McCarrell and Wilt.

If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony includes up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

An arraignment for the trio will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

C r a f t C o c k t a i l s | F i n e W i n e s 4 C o u r s e F a l l D i n n e r P r i x F i x e $ 4 9 w i t h W i n e P a i r i n g s $ 6 6 W i n e W e d n e s d a y 2 5 % o f f B o t t l e s o f W i n e ( R e s t a u r a n t ) T u e s d a y + T h u

FISH moves annual fishing festival, honors 100-year ‘Star’

By Kane Kaiman islander reporter

A centenarian fish house will be the star of the show in 2023.

In mid-October, the Florida Institute for Saltwa ter Heritage board decided to stage the two-day 2023 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival adjacent to the Miller Dock, Star Fish Co. and A.P Bell Fish Co.

Previously, the nonprofit — dedicated to preserv ing Cortez’s commercial fishing heritage — held the celebration in the “trap yard” lot at the end of 119th Street West, adjacent to Cortez Bait and Seafood, Cortez Kitchen and Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar.

But for many years the event was held on the streets leading to Star and Bell fish houses.

The festival will be Feb. 18-19 and the change of venue will coincide with the 100-year anniversary of Star Fish Co.’s founding.

The festival’s theme — “Cortez Kind: Over 100 Years of Commercial Fishing” — will pay tribute to the historic village’s unique residents, as well as the legacies of the fish houses, Star Fish Co. and Fulford Fish Co., and their larger, modern-day analogs, A.P. Bell Fish Co. and Cortez Bait and Seafood.

The first fishing festival was staged in the trap yard lot in 1982. The celebration was held near Star Fish Co. 1985-2010 before moving back to the end of 119th Street West in 2011.

FISH uses revenue from the festival to preserve village history, educate the public about the area’s fish ing tradition and restore the 100-acre FISH preserve east of the village to its natural state.

The organization netted about $85,000 from last year’s festival, which drew large crowds.

“We know it’s going to be a little tighter,” FISH

“I remember our last festival we held down there before we moved to the other end. I got up on one of those tractor-trailers and took a photograph and, liter ally, it looked like to get through the crowd you could walk on every head and never miss a step,” she said.

“It was very cool.”

According to a preliminary diagram, the 2023 fes tival will extend north from A.P. Bell Fish Co., Star Fish Co. and the former Fulford Fish Co. building along the Sarasota Bay waterfront and three streets — 124th Street West, 123rd Street Court West and 123rd Street West.

The northern boundary of the celebration will be south of 45th Avenue West.

New additions to the festival could include a tongue-in-cheek fisher fashion show, in which com mercial fishers will model fishing attire on a “fish walk,” and a Cortez photography contest, A.P. Bell Fish Co. owner and FISH board member Karen Bell

said Nov. 7.

mario diraimo of Bradenton carries his son, Jack, 2, Nov. 8 from the Star fish co. market in cortez. diraimo and his family enjoyed their first lunch at the market’s adjoining out door restaurant.

Festival mainstays will include art vendors, live music, educational talks and seafood stands.

In 1923, Burns Taylor and Allen Millis — a great uncle of FISH’s first president, Allen Garner — founded Star Fish Co., the village’s oldest fish house.

In the mid-1990s, Garner sold the business to Bell.

Bell said the 2023 celebration and its commemo rative venue will be an entertaining way to deliver an important history lesson to Cortez visitors.

“It’s very cool what this village does and it’s nice to be able to educate the public about our story,” Bell said.

“People want to be here. But we’d like them to remember why we’re here,” she said.

The next FISH meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at Fishermen’s Hall, 4515 124th St. W., Cortez.

For more information, call 941-301-4000 or visit cortez-fish.org.

islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

treasurer Jane von Hahmann said following a Nov. 7 board meeting at Fishermen’s Hall in Cortez.

von Hahmann

Bell

No vacancy

‘Blue’ horizons

Is blue the new green?

The Center of Anna Maria Island hosted a forum Nov. 9 on “being a blue island economy,” focusing on environmental and economic sustainability.

The conversation included panelists representing private and public interests in promoting a “blue island economy,” including business, nonprofi t, educational and government speakers.

By Lisa Neff Neff

The island forum took place as “blue economy” becomes a buzzword of 2022 for industries, governments and big media looking at ocean sustainability — using marine resources and supporting long-term economic growth while protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.

So what’s a blue economy?

The European Commission defines blue economy as “all economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts. It covers a wide range of interlinked established and emerging sectors.”

The Commonwealth of Nations’ definition states a blue economy is “an emerging concept which encourages better stewardship of our ocean or ‘blue’ resources.”

The World Bank defines blue economy as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.”

And a United Nations representative has said the blue economy “comprises a range of economic sectors and related policies that together determine whether the use of ocean resources is sustainable.”

The United Nations and World Bank Group in 2017 produced a master document on “the potential of the blue economy” — that was the title of the 50-page

publication, which was created two years after a UN resolution to advance a goal to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

I think we’ll be hearing and reading a lot more about the blue economy on AMI. So it seems worthwhile to delve into the background and that UN report, which states:

• Sustainable management of ocean resources requires collaboration across governments and across public-private sectors.

• The blue economy has diverse components, including fisheries, tourism and maritime transport, but also new and emerging activities, such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture and marine biotechnology and bioprospecting.

• The blue economy concept draws from scientific findings that ocean resources are limited and that the

royal terns and other birds crowd the beach Nov. 9 at Bean Point in anna maria. royal terns can often be seen on florida’s gulf coast, including on ami beaches. islander Photo: Jacob merrifield

health of the oceans has drastically declined due to anthropogenic activities.

• A blue economy approach must fully anticipate and incorporate the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

• The challenge of the blue economy is to understand and better manage the many aspects of oceanic sustainability, ranging from sustainable fisheries to ecosystem health to pollution.

• The private sector must play a key role in the blue economy.

• The blue economy aims to consider economic development and ocean health as compatible propositions.

In other words, the blue economy moves beyond business as usual.

Go blue!

“blue economy,” as promoted and described by the World Bank, involves the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth. islander courtesy image

941.778.3170 www.ginnysandjanees.com

Youth soccer playoffs under way, KRC hosts SpooKEY scramble

By Kevin P. cassidy islander reporter

Fall soccer is in its second season at the community center.

Playoff action in the youth 10-and-under division kicked off Nov. 7 with No. 3 seed Island Real Estate edging No. 6 seed Cloud Pest Control by a 2-1 score. Callin Westfall scored one goal and assisted on Oliver Barr’s goal to lead the IRE offense. Goalie Vincent Gollamudi made three saves to help preserve the victory.

bye into the finals and watched as Bob Hawks and Bob Palmer advanced with a 24-15 victory over Lividoti and Neil Hennessey. And it was all Farrington in the final. He cruised to a 24-3 victory over Hawks and Palmer, including a game-ending double ringer to earn bragging rights for the week.

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

cassidy

The second match of the evening saw No. 4 seed Solid Rock Construction cruise past No. 5 seed AMI Coconuts by a 5-2 score. Renen Kesten led Solid Rock with a pair of goals, while Ruby Kesten, Turner Worth and Matthew Darak each scored a goal in the victory. Isaac Roadman made two saves in goal for Solid Rock.

Aidan Guess had a goal and an assist for AMI Coconuts, which also received a goal from Riley Karecki and three saves from Jordan Steele in the loss.

Solid Rock was back on the pitch Nov. 8 taking on No. 2 seed Sato Real Estate in the first semifinal match. Solid Rock pulled off the upset, battling to a 2-2 tie before winning the penalty-kick shootout by a 2-1 score.

Dylan Sato and Brandon Sato scored two goals during regular time while Turner Worth scored both goals for Solid Rock Construction.

The second semifinal match saw No. 1 LaPensee Plumbing hold off No. 3 Island Real Estate for a 2-1 victory. Preston LaPensee notched both goals to lead LaPensee, which also received four saves from Owen Mahoney in the victory.

Wayne Comegno scored the lone goal for IRE, which also received three saves from Vincent Gollamudi in the loss.

The last match of the night was a semifinal game featuring No. 2 seed Progressive Cabinetry taking on No. 3 seed Mac Parkman Foundation. Progressive held on for a 3-2 victory behind three goals from Mason Moss and three saves from MaryTess Bolognone.

Ryk Kesten and Dominik Zupa each scored one goal for Mac Parkman, which also received five saves from Cyrus Ryan in the loss.

Championship matches are set for Nov. 14 with LaPensee Plumbing taking on Solid Rock Construction at 6 p.m. to decide the 10U division champion-

ship, while the 14U division has Progressive Cabinetry taking on HSH Designs at 7 p.m.

Horseshoe news

Two teams emerged from pool play with 3-0 records during Nov. 9 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria pits and settled things in the playoffs.

Tom Farrington cruised to a 21-1 victory over Dom Lividoti and Bob Rowley to earn bragging rights for the day.

Three teams advanced to the knockout stage Nov. 12. Farrington was back in the mix and drew the lucky

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Key Royale golf news

Wearing in their best fun and scary Halloween costumes, 54 golfers enjoyed beautiful weather and some holiday foolery Oct. 28 at the Key Royale Club ‘s annual SpooKEY Scramble.

The team of Karen and Cliff Lanning and Brenda and Bob O’Brien combined on a 71 to take first place in the event. The team of Pat Wright, John Beaulieu and Dave Deaver were two strokes back in second place, while Warren Stevens, John Pala, Nelson Eagle and David Boyd finished in third place with a 74.

Jenny Huibers captured the long-drive contest for the women, while Pat Wright won the men’s side of the drive. Debi Wohlers hit her tee shot on the eighth hole to within 5 feet 1 inch to win the closest-to-the-pin contest for the women, while Jim Hill hit his tee shot on the third hole to within 13 feet 9 inches to win the men’s prize.

Following the golf, members enjoyed a Halloween trivia game along with a lasagna buffet.

Don Grau carded a plus-4 to win the men’s Nov. 7 modified-Stableford system match at the club. Second place went to Jim Hill and Bill Koche, who both finished at plus-2.

The Key Royale women elected to play a ninehole, individual-low-net match in three flights Nov. 8.

Roxanne Koche fired a 2-under-par 30 to grab first place in Flight A. Brenda Solleveld and Barb Rinkey tied for second place with matching even-par 32s.

Mary Wilkie and Jackie Gorski both fired 4-overpar 36s to finish in a tie for first place in Flight B. Jana Samuels, Mary Lou Dreier and Annette Hall were all one stroke back in second place.

Terry Westby carded a 1-over-par 33 to capture first place in Flight C by four strokes over second-place finisher Jan Turner.

Islander archive 24/7

The Islander partners with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries to archive the newspaper on the UofF library site beginning with the first edition in 1992.

It’s searchable 24/7 key word, name or date. Look for The Islander in the stacks at the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Karen and cliff Lanning, left, and Brenda and Bob o’Brien pose oct. 28 on winning the SpooKeY Scramble at the Key royale club in Holmes Beach. islander Photo: courtesy Krc

Horseshoe Wednesday in AM

anna maria resident Steve doyle tosses a horseshoe Nov. 9 while playing at the city hall pits, 10005 gulf drive. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Late season tropical storm dampens fall bite

By capt. danny Stasny islander reporter

Prior to the blow caused by Nicole, fishing around Anna Maria Island was quite good. I anticipate the same once things settle down.

Fishing the flats for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout has been productive. Fishing the higher stages of the tides seems to be advantageous and casting baits against and under the mangrove shoreline is working for snook and redfish.

If you fish during the lower stages of the tides, you might find cooperative snook and reds. Look for deeper holes on the flats, where the fish may stage in anticipation of the next high tide, when they can go back to their hiding places among the mangrove roots.

As for the spotted seatrout, working deeper grass flats during incoming tides is producing good action for my charters. Areas where a good tidal flow exists will produce better than areas of stagnant water. With water temps dropping slightly, it’ll be a good time to try some artificials for the trout. Soft plastics on a jig head or topwater plugs are good options. I’m definitely ready to try the topwater lures if, while you’re targeting trout, large schools of mullet are present.

Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, fishing structure such as reefs and wrecks is putting a bend in the rods. Spanish mackerel are the most apparent, as they quickly ravage free-lined live shiners as bait. On many occasions, the bite will occur within a few seconds of your bait hitting the water’s surface. Other species being found around structure include mangrove snapper, gag grouper and cobia.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m working artificial reefs in the Gulf, where we’re yielding plenty of Spanish mackerel, including some reaching 22 inches.

While working the reefs, Cobia are letting their curiosity get the best of them as they rise to the surface within a few feet of the boat. Having a large spinning rod ready to drop a bait in front of them is smart. We had two fish on at once one morning.

Moving to the flats, snook, redfish and trout are cooperating when offered live shiners. On higher tides, snook and reds are being caught close to the mangrove shorelines. During lower stages of the tide, we’re finding trout on the deeper flats.

Capt. David White is finding action while working the nearshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico, as well in the inshore waters of Tampa Bay. Fishing structure in the Gulf is yielding Spanish mackerel with free-lining live shiners as bait. Switching to free-lined pinfish also is attracting a bite.

Gag grouper are being found in select areas of the wrecks and reefs.

While motoring from one spot to the next, White is seeing an occasional tripletail floating on the surface, awaiting an unsuspecting shiner or shrimp to cross in front of its nose.

When the tripletail is big enough to target, White is casting either bait in hopes of a finessing a strike.

On the flats of Tampa Bay, White is finding snook and redfish cooperative while casting live shiners along

Board work

cortez resident Bill Birk airs his skateboard oct. 27 before grinding on the edge of a box at the Holmes Beach Skate Park, 5901 marina drive. Birk said he was practicing for an upcoming skateboarding competition. islander

the moyer family from New Jersey show off some of their haul from a Nov. 8 fishing trip with capt. Warren girle. they made a stopover on Longboat Key after previewing colleges in miami. mathew, left, ryan, Nicholas and dad mike fished inshore with shiners for bait and put some mackerel and trout in the cooler. they also caught and released some snook.

the mangrove shorelines. He says high tides are yielding the best results.

Capt. Jason Stock says he’s experiencing an excellent bite on gag grouper while fishing offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Using live pinfish around structure such as reefs, wrecks or hard bottom is working well to get limits of gags in the cooler. Stock also says he’s seeing large mangrove snapper being caught in many of the same areas.

Migratory fish such as kingfish are being found over reefs and wrecks, where large live shiners freelined on the surface above the structure are being devoured by the high-speed predators.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s seeing black drum being caught by anglers using live shrimp as bait. Casting shrimp under the pier deck on a weighted rig is resulting in black drum measuring 15-22 inches. Other species — sheepshead, redfish and snapper — are prone to eating a live shrimp offering and are being caught by lucky pier anglers.

Anglers looking to hook into snook are using larger baits, such as pinfish, large shiners or small ladyfish. Malfese says some snook being caught by the really lucky anglers are within the slot of 28-37 inches.

Lastly, Spanish mackerel are being caught by pier fishers using such artificials as speck rigs.

Capt. Warren Girle report’s he’s working nearshore structure in the Gulf of Mexico. Free-lining live shiners over reefs and wrecks is proving to be good to attract Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, mangrove snapper and an occasional cobia.

Moving inshore, Girle is finding plenty of action on Spotted seatrout. The deeper grass flats of Sarasota Bay are host to excellent trout fishing and Girle is taking advantage. Free-lined shiners over the deep grass are attracting many slot-size trout to the hook as well as numerous fish that are just short of the mark.

Girle says moving shallower on the flats is resulting in snook and redfish, and casting baits near the mangrove or oyster bars is working best.

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

Stasny

Photo: ryan Paice

ITEMs FOR sALE

cHaNdeLier BroWN, like-new, $20, office chairs, black, soft cushion, $20. 941-9202494.

Side taBLeS: BroWN with glass top. two for $25. 941-920-2494.

LadieS figure SKateS, high quality reidel boots. Wilson Sheffield blades, size 7. excellent condition. 941-504-0526.

aNtiQue WoodeN SHoeS from Netherlands in World War ii. good condition, $20. 941-504-0526.

NeW memorY foam computer wrist rest. Stainless-steel bread box. drapes. King bed skirt. cheap. 815-289-7887

aNtiQue PartNer deSK: all wood, $500. inquire at the islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMs FOR sALE

individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. free, one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org , fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)

ANNOUNCEMENTs

orBaN’S NurSerY aNNuaL Poinsettia open House. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. enjoy holiday shopping with local vendors, holiday gifts, produce, honey, and more. 9601 9th ave., NW Bradenton.

LOsT & FOUND

fouNd: BicYcLe KeY on 52nd Street, Holmes Beach. call 941-778-9622 to claim.

PETs

HeLP reScued PetS! volunteer, foster, computer help needed! moonracer animal rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANsPORTATION

goLf cart reNtaLS: fun for residents and tourists! www.golfcartrentalami.com

BOATs & BOATING

tWo 2022 SiNgLe-sit on top Hobie mirage compass pedal kayaks with 180 kick-up fins. color, papaya. Barely used and in great condition. $1,500 each. 901-569-8685.

Have a Boat and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. captain chris, 941-896-2915.

HELP WANTED

HeLP WaNted: ProPertY monitor wanted for Holmes Beach condo. Working Saturday, Sunday and holidays, three hours per day. great working conditions, $20 per hour! call 941-778-1390.

HEALTH CARE

Private dutY: regiStered Nurse. Pet lover, non-smoker, fully vaccinated, help with transportation, shopping, light cooking, cleaning. Help with following doctor’s orders, bathing, etc. 10-plus years’ experience. call or text Jessica, 412-851-0840.

sERVICEs

iS Your Home or office in need of some cleaning? Well, i’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

cLeaNiNg: vacatioN, coNStructioN, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PreSSure WaSHiNg, Paver sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BicYcLe rePairS: Just4fun at 5358 gulf drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

comPaNioN/HomemaKer: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. references available and licensed. call Sherri, 941-592-4969.

aPi’S drYWaLL rePair: i look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

gettiNg married? i will be your wedding officiant. call rev. James mcubbin, 941253-6649.

HaNdYmaN or cLeaNiNg services: affordable rates. fred, 941-356-1456.

ProfeSSioNaL WiNdoW cLeaNiNg: residential, commercial, free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-852-6163.

Louie is a 28 lb., 3-year-old Rat Terrier. He’s spunky, smart and funny! He’s also neutered and has all vaccinations. He’s ready to meet his new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. For more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

WiNN diXie at 7400 44th ave W., Bradenton is hiring full and part-time positions in all departments. apply at Winn dixie/careers. com

BeSt Bar, BeSt food, best wages. Hiring for front and back of the house and weekend days for phone. call 941-213-9926.

HeLP WaNted: retaiL part-time. Looking for honest and reliable employee. Pay based on experience. call 941-779-0011. email suerics@yahoo.com.

NoW HiriNg HaNdYmaN: full-time professional services. $15 an hour and up, based on experience. call JayPros, 941962-2874.

rePorter WaNted: full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDs FOR HIRE

Need aN aduLt night out? call maty’s Babysitting Services. i’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. references upon request. 618-977-9630.

KidS for Hire ads are free for up to three weeks for island youths under 16 looking for work. call the islander, 941-778-7978.

aLL cLeaN aNd concierge services on ami and surrounding areas. call or text me today for a quote! Peggy, 248-310-0012.

airPort ride, Pet and house-sitting, plant care. reliable. text deb, 941-962-4099.

Jd’S WiNdoW cLeaNiNg looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. i make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

LAWN & GARDEN

coNNie’S LaNdScaPiNg iNc. residential and commercial. full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! insured. 941-778-5294.

LAWN & GARDEN Continued

B ar N e S L a WN a N d Landscape LL c design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnand landscape.com

coLLiNS LaNdScaPe LigHtiNg: outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. mJc24373@ gmail.com

SearaY SPriNKLer ServiceS. repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjust ments. 941-920-0775.

a N ge L o ’S L a WN care : m ow, edge, string trimming, blow. Starting at $20/cut. Licensed/insured. 941-217-9000.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

vaN-go PaiNtiNg residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpa per. island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

tiLe -tiLe -tiLe all variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many island references. call Neil, 941-726-3077.

griffi N’S H ome im P roveme N t S i nc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. i nsured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

BLiNdS, SHutterS, SHadeS: motoriza tion. 30 years on ami c all Keith Barnett, Barnett Blinds, 941-730-0516.

iSLaNd HaNdYmaN: i live here, work here, value your referral. refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. references. call Jay, 941-962-2874.

H a N d Y ma N a N d Pai N ti N g . No job too small. m ost jobs just right. c all r ichard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

ScreeNiNg ServiceS: replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. many screen types available. retired veteran here to serve our community! free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

the islander is essential news for residents and visitors. check it out, islander.org.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

caLL HYdro cLeaN. full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and nat ural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

S ara S ota i N terior Pai N ti N g : We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! o wner operated. f ully insured/ licensed. call or text don, 941-900-9398. instagram: SarasotainteriorPainting.

do N a L d P er K i NS’ a B raca da B ra Painting LL c i nterior/exterior. 30 years of experience. 941-705-7096.

RENTALs

a NN a maria gu L f beachfront vacation rentals. one- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

vacatioN 2023 SeaSoN: January, febru ary, march, $5,000/month. 2022 pre-season, $2,000/month. 2B r /1B a steps to beach, 55-plus condo, pool. real estate mart, 941356-1456.

moNtHLY vacatioN reNtaLS available for upcoming season in anna maria. 4Br/2Ba home, one block to the beach, old florida charm, completely updated. $5,600 plus fees per month. 3Br/2Ba canalfront home on north end. $5,600 plus fees per month. g reen r eal e state, 941-778-0455. www. greenreal.com

commerciaL LeaSe: 419 Pine ave., anna maria. island real estate, Larry chatt, 941 345-1288.

gorgeouS ami coNdo for rent: Spectac ular waterfront views, renovated 2Br/2Ba contact Brooke, 240-893-8081.

KeY roYaLe: 2Br/2Ba dock, pool, through Jan. 7. gil, 813-943-3572. vrBo.18876.

HoLmeS BeacH 2Br/2Ba. Beautifully fur nished duplex with garage, includes water, Wifi and Spectrum. $2,800/month plus elec tric. 941-778-2824.

LooKiNg for aN earLY Bird? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on tuesday at islander.org. and it’s free!

REAL EsTATE

W i NN ie mc H a L e , rea Ltor , 941-5046146. rosebay international realty inc. You need an aggressive and experienced real tor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - m aking dreams come true.”

afforda BL e rea L e S tate services for buyers, sellers, property management or rentals. call fred flis, 941-356-1456.

Lot for SaLe. 10,000 sf buildable water front lot with utilities in Bradenton. d ock with boat lift. Seawall maintained by city. $500,000. 917-860-1917.

New look, stay sharp

On the verge of its 13th anniversary, Salon Salon of Anna Maria Island is as innovative as ever.

Mother-and-daughter owners Annie Pettit and Nikita Fosmore recently updated the salon, including new lighting, and they are constantly working on new ideas with their stylists through social media, classes and workshops.

“If I see something fun online, I’ll throw it out to the staff and we’ll talk about it,” Fosmore said Nov. 10. “I want to stay fresh and keep giving back to people that have been with us for a long time. They deserve new ideas and inspiration and that’s where we’re going.”

“You want to keep the team feeling inspired and

fresh but you also want to keep the existing, loyal clientele feeling that way, too,” she added.

Fosmore attributes the longevity of the business to the fun, conversational atmosphere of the shop and its dedicated customers.

“We have so much gratitude for our customers. We’ve had a lot that have stuck with us through the years,” Fosmore said. “At the beginning, there’s all the growing pains and you’re learning and figuring things out. And then I had a baby and there were a number of maternity leaves at the salon. And then, of course, there was the pandemic.”

“Now, moving into this next phase, we’re really excited to share some new stuff, new vibes. And we’re very grateful to our customers because without them we would be nothing,” she said.

The full-service salon and spa — which offers facials, massages and nail and waxing treatments — will celebrate the anniversary with an open house party 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.

The celebration will include raffles, giveaways and swag bags for attendees.

For more on Salon Salon, 3612 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, visit annamariasalon.com or call 941778-0400.

Nikita fosmore, left, and annie Pettit, mother-and-daughter owners of Salon Salon of anna maria island, pose in September in their recently renovated Holmes Beach salon. islander Photo: courtesy Bri Watkins Photography

When Ashley and Dino Petrone purchased the Sea Hagg property in Cortez in October, they didn’t know exactly what they were getting.

“We really couldn’t see the walls or the ceiling or the floor because there was so much stuff inside of it,” Ashley Petrone said Nov. 7 of the former antique shop. “So we kind of took a little bit of a gamble.”

But the Petrones, owners of Joie Inn, a petite motel in Holmes Beach, had a feeling about the $1.5-milliondollar property and expect their wager to pay off big.

“I knew there were high-pitched ceilings. I knew it was a really big space. And I knew the grounds had potential,” Petrone said.

The couple assumed ownership of the property Nov. 1 and began clearing out the space Nov. 7 to get a clearer picture for the future store.

They intend to landscape the property’s frontage along Cortez Road, creating dining and recreational spaces.

“For us, because we have four kids — they’re two to 13 — we just wanted a place that we would want to hang out at,” Petrone said. “More of like a day place to hang, where you can play cornhole, and there’s a fire pit and fun spots to sit and enjoy coffee or just hang out.”

By March 2023, the couple hopes to open the Fox Mercantile on the property, 12304 Cortez Road W., Cortez, an establishment offering homeware, giftables, coffee and champagne.

In October 2021, the Petrones converted the fourroom Anna Maria Pirates Den into Joie Inn, 3501 Gulf Drive, which has since been featured on NBC’s “Today” show.

The couple has amassed hundreds of thousands of

BizCal

compiled by Kane Kaiman

AMI Chamber

Thursday, Nov. 17

5-7 p.m. — Business card exchange, Compass Hotel, 12324 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island.

Friday, Nov. 18

6-10 p.m. — Member gala and awards dinner, IMG Golf Academy, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. Save the date Dec. 2, holiday tree lighting, chamber office, Holmes Beach. Info, RSVP: 941-778-1541, becky@amichamber.org.

LBK Chamber

Wednesday, Nov. 16

5-6:30 p.m. —Off the Clock, Sage, 1216 First St., Sarasota. Info, RSVP: 941-383-2466, longboatkeychamber.com.

Instagram followers with photos and videos of their exploits renovating homes across the country, living in an RV for a year and raising their children.

For more information, visit the foxmercantile.com or the outfit’s Instagram page, @thefoxmercantile.

Real hard worker

Realtor Michelle Schmotzer is rolling up her sleeves for buyers and sellers on the island.

The sailor, equestrian and single mother of two brought her work ethic Nov. 2 to Wagner Realty’s island office, 2217 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach.

“I chose Wagner Realty because of their decades of experience and the many offices in the area. Speaking with many people within the company, I knew I would work with the best team in the fast-paced Florida real estate industry,” she said.

For more information, call 941-356-9485, email michelleschmotzer@wagnerrealty.com or visit mschmotzer.wagerrealty.com.

And as always… …Got biz news? Contact us at 941-778-7978 or news@islander.org

Submit your info to news@ islander.org.

isl biz

Great price for a 3BR/2BA water-view, ground-floor, corner unit and 2 assigned carports. Gated community of Perico Bay Club, a true playground in Paradise. Ed Taaffe. 636-346-6165 #A4549152. $459,900

OPEN SUNDAY 2-4

Ground-floor beautifully updated unit in Runaway Bay. This 2BR/2BA condo has it all and comes fully furnished so all you need is your bathing suit and toothbrush. Carmen Pedota and Lori Guerin. 941773-3415 #A4551199. $675,000

WAGNERREALTY.COM

2217 Gulf Dr N, Bradenton Beach 34217

Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe you’re new in business or your staff deserves kudos.