The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

VOLUME 30, NO. 10

Wishing you a happy 2022!

DEC. 29, 2021 Free

the Best News on anna maria Island since 1992 astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 122921.

All together now …

Meetings. 4 Opinions. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

looking back. 7

clean water team sworn, meets. 8 center fundraiser tops $150K. 8 officials reflect on 2021 achievements. 9

Happenings announcements. 10-11

save a date. 10

Waves build for locals … the waves bring what “locals hope for” Dec. 21 — “conditions got perfect for about 90 minutes … and “everyone there was pretty stoked,” according to photographer chris Whittaker, including surfer cole Peterson, pictured.

get in the game. 12

Obituaries. 14 artist continues to stream coVID-19 memorial. 15

Streetlife. 17 looking up in 2022. 19

Island sports carry on. 20

Fish and anglers wait for flats to warm. 21

Isl Biz: Back to

future. 22

CLASSIFIEDS. 24-25

PropertyWatch. 26

NYT puzzle. 27

Flashback ’21

The year in review

The year began with a plunge into the Gulf of Mexico, but without many other traditional holiday celebrations and seasonal events that unite islanders, snowbirds and vacationers as the AMI community. Many on Anna Maria Island focused on coming through the coronavirus pandemic, as well as helping their family, friends, neighbors and local business owners through the hard times. While people continued to flock to the beach, attend their church, open their business doors and assemble to lead municipal governments, doing so required adjustments — sometimes simple measures, like masking in public, and sometimes extraordinary measures, like staging a socially-distanced sunrise service on the beach for Easter. Below is The Islander’s traditional review of the first half of 2021.

Gathering. 14

Four- and 5-year-old students at school for constructive Play perform Dec. 16 in the school’s christmas play, “’twas the Night Before christmas (on anna maria Island)” by christine shuck. the performance was held in the sanctuary at gloria Dei lutheran church in Holmes Beach — where the school holds classes. the group is lead by teachers Pam Bertrand and Barb Burgess. For more of what photographer/ mom anne Yarbrough called “ridiculously cute” school pageant pics, see page 3.

By lisa Neff Islander editor

ame activities. 13

coVID test site to move.

islander.org

Mullet take a holiday run … a crew of fishers run under the cortez Bridge Dec. 21 on the lookout for schools of mullet migrating from the Intracoastal Waterway to the gulf of mexico. For the story, see page 2. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

January Islander of the Year named: After months of masking, social distancing, sterilizing restaurants, sacrificing revenues, enduring sicknesses and losing friends and family due to the coronavirus pandemic, the newspaper named “you” its Islander of the Year. “Thank YOU for helping keep yourself and others safe and well,” we wrote. Treehouse owners make plea to state high court: Owners of the Holmes Beach treehouse on the beach filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the Florida Supreme Court in another attempt to keep their struc-

tuRN to FlaSHBaCK, Page 4

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Stormy weather triggers 1st mullet run in ‘nick of time’ By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

And they’re off! Wind, rain and cooler temperatures brought in by a cold front broke up a lingering stretch of warm, stable weather Dec. 21, prompting schools of mullet in estuarial waters to migrate toward the Gulf of Mexico and fishers to chase them. It was the first substantial mullet run of the 2021-22

season and, by late morning, dozens of boats and anxious fishers were on the Intracoastal Waterway pursuing mullet near the Cortez Bridge. Each year around the holiday season, the scaly, herbivorous fish school up in Sarasota and Tampa bay waters before heading offshore to spawn in the Gulf Stream. Along the way, fishers race and jostle to net them and unload their catch at the Cortez fish houses, which pay higher prices for egg-bearing females. Around 11 a.m. Dec. 21, Brett Dowdy, Shawn Childers and Ryan Sloan — mullet fishers with about 39 years of combined experience — unloaded their first haul of the day at John Banyas’ fish processing plant, Cortez Bait and Seafood. At it since midnight, the crew had netted approximately 3,000 pounds of the shiny, big-eyed species with a 60-40 split between males carrying sperm, or

white roe, and females carrying dark orangeish-red eggs, or red roe. Just in the nick of time for a Christmas payday. The fishers said they expected to get $0.40 per pound for male mullet and $1.35 for females — a more competitive price than in recent years but middle of the road compared to a high of $1.70 over the past decade. Childers and other Cortez fishers have said poor water quality and successive red tides led to poor mullet fishing the past several years. “It’s not like the golden days, that is the last three or four years have been poor. But when I first started 15 years ago, we had three-boatload days,” Childers said. Fish scarcity and fluctuating prices aside, mullet fishing is a tough business. please, see Mullet, Next Page Brett Dowdy, left, Ryan Sloan and Shawn Childers show off their catch Dec. 21 while offloading at Cortez Bait and Seafood, John Banyas’ fish processing plant on the bayfront in Cortez. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

Shawn Childers of Bradenton holds a mullet — a fat female filled with red roe. The females run larger than the males, which carry white “roe,” or sperm. Fishers press the abdomen to check for roe and the sex of the fish. Islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

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Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 3 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Riley Shuck, 2, plays the sticks Dec. 16 as a reindeer in the SFCP Christmas pageant. Mullet continued from page 2

Dowdy, Childers and Sloan, competing in close confines with local fishers and fishers from the east coast, as well as out-of-state net-casters, opted not to fill their boat to full capacity Dec. 21 due to rough, choppy water and winds. The weather was foul but not rough enough to drive the mullet too far offshore, Childers said. “And a lot of the fish aren’t ready to spawn yet, so they’ll come back,” he said. “If it’s really rough and really late in the season, they’ll just keep on going way out to spawn. And then it gets too rough to follow them and too deep to catch them.” Cortez fish houses routinely process mullet for the international market. Asian and European consumers salt, press and dry the red roe sacs to produce specialty dishes. The pandemic depressed international sales in 2020 and Childers speculated that higher prices this year are the result of renewed demand from overseas. Mullet are unpredictable and Dowdy said he couldn’t guarantee a second haul Dec. 21. “It’s hard to say, the fish have a mind of their own, you know? If there’s fish out there, we’ll go try,” he said.

Christmas cuteness … School for Constructive Play teachers Denise Richard Reo, Gracie Lewis’ and Robin Galon’s classes of 1- and 2-year-old students perform Dec. 16 during the school’s Christmas pageant at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, home to the school. Islander Photos: Courtesy Anne Yarbrough

Q&A 122921

By Lisa Neff

The Islander poll

Last week’s question How do you celebrate the new year? 77%. At home, with the TV. 4%. At the bars. 11%. With dinner and a toast. 1%. I’m working. 7%. Other.

Wilder King, 4, Reagan Shuck, 5, and Bayla Lance, 4, perform “’Twas the Night Before Christmas (on Anna Maria Island)” by Christine Shuck.

This week’s question Do you want to see a water taxi service AMI? A. Yes, a commuter service. B. Yes, as a tourism attraction. C. No, it will add to overcrowding. D. Not sure. E. Other. To take the poll, go online to islander.org.

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ture from being removed by the city. Food pantry receives $30K: Local officials and representatives from the Mayors Feed the Hunger program delivered a $30,000 check to the Roser Food Pantry. The money came from federal pandemic relief dollars. Privateers launch 50th celebration: The Anna Maria Island Privateers announced a year of activities to mark their 50th anniversary of serving the island community. Islanders begin to get coronavirus vaccines: The pool flooded fast. Manatee County seniors began registering for coronavirus vaccines, entering a lottery system for the shots, which were in short supply and high demand. Holmes Beach plans to sow community garden: Members of Holmes Beach’s parks and beautification advisory committee pursued the idea of creating a community garden on land near Grassy Point Preserve. Island police called to inauguration: Members of Anna Maria Island’s law enforcement community traveled to Washington, D.C., to help provide security for the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Holmes Beach city hall closes due to COVID-19: Holmes Beach officials closed city hall to curb the spread of the coronavirus after reporting infections among some staff. Anna Maria seeks input for pier: Anna Maria officials went fishing for ideas to fill the vacant building on the T-end of the rebuilt Anna Maria City Pier. The city held a series of meetings to discuss concepts.

Flashback ’21

resurfacing the lots and removing Australian pine trees. Controversy erupts over VIP vaccine grab: Complaints, including to the state ethics commission, followed reports that Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh reserved coronavirus vaccines for people living in two ZIP codes in her district, as well as herself and several allies, despite the county professing to administer vaccines by lottery. Bradenton Beach explores future for city hall, library: Bradenton Beach commissioners discussed options for the city hall and Tingley Memorial Library as they discussed storm-hardening and consolidating municipal property. Bradenton paves way for ‘tiki bar’ on spoil island: The Bradenton City Council voted to approve February an ordinance amending the city comp plan to allow a Holmes Beach, county continue parking dis- developer to build a personal tiki bar on a spoil island cussions: Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth asked to the northwest of Perico Island. Manatee County staff, “What is the magic number?” when it comes to beach parking spaces in order to March secure renourishment funds. Bradenton Beach chooses dredge contractor: HB rolls toward boots for parking violators: The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment City commissioners approved an ordinance to use Authority selected a contractor for a $600,000 dredgwheel-locking devices on autos owned by repeat parking and seagrass mitigation project in Sarasota Bay. ing violators with unpaid fines. Longboat Key plans to plant mangroves after Islanders create COVID-19 memorial: “I felt spill: Longboat Key announced plans to plant more compelled as I watched these numbers just tick off than 8,600 mangroves in Bradenton, part of its proevery day,” said Anna Maria resident Cathy Tobias, posed fix following a sewage spill in Sarasota Bay in who created a memorial of ribbons at her home for the summer of 2020. Mangroves were destroyed as the tens of thousands of Floridians who had died from teams worked on shore to carve a path to repair the virus complications. leaking sewage pipe. State programs Cortez Bridge construction: BBPD report confirms murder-suicide: The Construction of a 65-foot clearance, fixed-span bridge Bradenton Beach Police Department released a report to replace the Cortez draw was programmed for finding that Zachary Winton killed Sabrina Dumdei in 2026-27 in a five-year Florida Department of Trans- their home in October 2020 and then killed himself. portation plan. The investigation lasted 140 days. Mote baits hook on city pier: A proposal for a BB mayor favors joining bridge battle: Bradendiscovery center run by Mote Marine Laboratory of ton Beach Mayor John Chappie showed his support for Sarasota caught a wave of enthusiasm when Anna challenging the Florida Department of Transportation Maria officials entertained proposals for the city pier’s plan in court to replace the Cortez drawbridge. “If this is T-end. the last-ditch effort, let’s see what we can do,” he said. Suspect in hit-and-run surrenders: A woman Center brings concert plans to commission: The accused of leaving the scene of a Holmes Beach crash Center of Anna Maria Island, gearing up for another that killed a pedestrian surrendered to law enforcement. season of rock and pop concerts, asked the Anna Maria The case is still pending in the local circuit court. commission for permits and permission to stage them. Coquina Beach parking improvements con- Commissioners had stipulations. tinue: A second round of improvements to the parkA year after start, pandemic still forcing canceling lot at Coquina Beach began. The project involved lations: Many nonprofit organizations decided not to

Meetings

anna maria Island Privateers president Kim “syren” Boyd, center with knife, alongside her krewe Jan. 8, cuts the ribbon to launch a party with anna maria Island chamber of commerce representatives. the krewe and the chamber kicked off the Privateers’ 50th anniversary celebration in Bradenton Beach. Islander File Photo

compiled by lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

Anna Maria City Manatee County None announced. Jan. 4, 9 a.m., commission (work session). Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941Jan. 6, 9 a.m., commission (land use). 708-6130, cityofannamaria.com. County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. Bradenton Beach org. Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m., CRA. Jan. 5, 2 p.m., ScenicWAVES. Also of interest Jan. 6, 6 p.m., commission. Jan. 1, New Year’s, most government offices Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., will be closed Dec. 31-Jan. 2. 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, most government offices will be closed. — lisa Neff Holmes Beach Jan. 5, 10 a.m., parks and beautification. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org.

hold season events due to the ongoing pandemic. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled, along with the Center of Anna Maria Island Tour of Homes and the elementary school PTO’s spring gala. HB magistrate hands treehouse owners a loss: Holmes Beach’s special magistrate ruled that the owners of an illegally built treehouse on the beach must stop renting and advertising their vacation rentals at the property until they obtain a rental certification. BB enters megabridge fray: Bradenton Beach commissioners voted to become the fifth complainant in a lawsuit challenging the state’s plan to replace the Cortez drawbridge with a high and fixed span structure. BB names next police chief: Bradenton Beach commissioners voted to make Lt. John Cosby the city’s next police chief, succeeding retiring Chief Sam Speciale. Vaccines opened to all adults: Manatee County began allowing anyone 18 and older to register in its coronavirus vaccine lottery. DOT initiates process on Longboat Pass Bridge: The Florida Department of Transportation held a meeting on Longboat Key for the public to comment on the project development and environment study, a first step for planning replacement of the 1957-built Longboat Pass Bridge. HB, county ofﬁcials clash on parking: Tensions rose again as county and Holmes Beach officials exchanged words over the city’s decision to implement a park-by-permit system near the beach, as well as removal of some beach parking in 2020. April Concerns persist in Piney Point catastrophe: Multiple warning signals went out before the crisis at a retired phosphate plant resulted in the flow of more than 200 million gallons of polluted water into Tampa Bay and Manatee County’s groundwater. 1st look at storm forecast: Colorado State University predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2021. They forecasted 17 named storms. BB tram service picks up speed: Ridership and advertising on the tram service operating between Bradenton Beach’s beaches and the commercial district around Bridge Street increased in the spring. Estate to donate preserve land: Holmes Beach commissioners voted to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement for the Hames Family Preserve, which is adjacent to the Grassy Point Preserve. BB-DOT hold private meeting on bridge: Bradenton Beach’s city attorney teleconferenced privately with state transportation attorneys to discuss the city’s concerns with plans to replace the Cortez drawbridge Please, see FlaSHBaCK, Page 5

RoadWatch Eyes on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation posted the following notices: • State Road 789/Gulf Drive at the intersection with Avenue C south to Ninth Street North in Bradenton Beach: Crews are replacing the east sidewalk with permeable pavers. Expect lane closures and flagging operations, as well as construction noise. The contractor is AF USA Construction Corp. — lisa Neff

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with a megabridge. Campaign — Hey visitors, Love it Like a Local: The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau launched a new marketing campaign encouraging visitors to act like they live in Manatee County and care for its amenities, especially the beaches. BB seeks trade on Cortez Bridge: Bradenton Beach tried negotiating with the Florida Department of Transportation, seeking to win infrastructure improvements with the DOT’s planned megabridge and avoid joining a lawsuit. County OKs deep well for Piney Point: Manatee County commissioners voted to move forward with a plan to inject wastewater from the defunct Piney Point plant deep into the ground. also would look at congestion and transportation patterns on Spring and Magnolia Avenues. May Environmental groups sue over Piney Point Tank explosion ends festival: Boom! The Anna pollution: Local and national environmental groups Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Beach ’N’ Food announced their intent to sue in federal court over the Truck Festival at city field in Holmes Beach ended decades of problems that resulted in the dumping of abruptly when a leaking propane tank exploded. 215 million gallons of wastewater into Tampa Bay and High Court denies treehouse review: The U.S. county groundwater. Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal from Cortez bridge committee concludes design the owners of the illegal treehouse on the beach in plans: The volunteer Cortez Bridge Aesthetics ComHolmes Beach. It was the second time the Supreme mittee concluded its work proposing design ideas for a Court refused a case in the long-running dispute. planned fixed, high bridge to replace the Cortez drawAM preservation board designates 1st histori- bridge. cal sites: The Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum and the Island Players theater became Anna June Maria’s first designated historic sites. BB CRA approves decorative lights: The BraHBPD to wear body cams: Holmes Beach com- denton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency missioners voted to approve a $178,918 five-year voted to authorize $38,550 for new decorative streetagreement for vehicle and body cameras for the police lights on Gulf Drive between Third Street South and department. 13th Street South. County repeals last mask order: Manatee County Costs skyrocket for buried utilities in Bradendropped the last of its coronavirus safety measures ton Beach: City officials learned of a 330% increase in when commissioners voted to repeal mask require- the cost estimate to bury utility lines along a section of ments and temperature checks at county-run build- Gulf Drive. Florida Power and Light said it had erred ings. in its initial cost estimate. 32-person house advertised in BB: Bradenton HB planners back commercial rezone: The Beach Community Redevelopment Agency member Holmes Beach Planning Commission voted to recDavid Bell raised concerns about an advertisement ommend the city commission approve an ordinance he read for a home being built to accommodate 32 to rezone a long-vacant bank property on Manatee people. Avenue. The commission did so less than a week Rezone of bank building sought: Holmes Beach later. officials began considering a request to rezone the County gives nod to Mote center on pier: Manaformer Regions Bank property at 503 Manatee Ave. tee County commissioners voted in favor of spending to house a liquor store and pharmacy run by Publix. $500,000 to build out the T-end of the Anna Maria AM, HB commissions withhold center money: City Pier to accommodate Mote Marine Laboratory’s Commissioners in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach planned education center. decided to withhold contributions to the Center of Privateers agree to change July 4 parade date: Anna Maria Island, which was more than $95,000 in Responding to complaints from island church officials, the red. the Anna Maria Island Privateers agreed to hold the BB opts for dining exemptions: Bradenton Beach July 4 Independence Day Parade on July 3, moving commissioners voted for a motion to extend a corona- the event from Sunday to Saturday. virus-related ordinance that expanded outdoor dining Center increases member fees: The Center of opportunities. Anna Maria Island announced an increase to its memAM seeks solutions for chaos on Pine: Anna bership fees for fiscal 2021-22, which began July 1. Maria commissioners decided to hire a civil engineer County OKs funding for BB pier project: Manato help guide a “Reimagining Pine Avenue” study that tee County commissioners green-lighted a request from

Flashback ’21

Ready for Season? Are you looking forward to the fall-winter season on AMI? You can improve your odds for success and reach The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking for things to do. Shop, dine, events and indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.

Pelicans circle Jan. 12 as workers contracted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission remove a vessel that had broken its anchor and was lodged under the cortez Bridge in November 2020 following the passage of tropical storm eta. Islander File Photo

Bradenton Beach to match $850,000 to add 20 finger docks at the Historic Bridge Street Pier, as well as rebuild the dinghy dock and establish shuttle access. Shockwave: Repurpose AME?: In a June 25 one-on-one meeting with Holmes Beach City Commissioner Jayne Christenson, Manatee County administrator Scott Hopes said he’d prefer the school district repurpose Anna Maria Elementary as a marine science research center. Anna Maria seeks public input to ﬁll seat: Anna Maria Commissioner Joe Muscatello vacated his seat, leaving an empty chair that needed filling before the November 2021 election. Conservation groups sue over Piney Point pollution: Conservation groups went to federal court to sue over the release of 215 million gallons of pollutants from the Piney Point phosphorous plant into Tampa Bay and Manatee County groundwater. Next issue: Flashback 2021, part 2.

Flashback ’21 Dylan mcclain takes on a tight wave Jan. 16 in Holmes Beach. Islander File Photo: chris Whittaker

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Opinion

Our

Can you make the list?

If you haven’t had COVID-19 or it hasn’t touched your life, maybe it’s one of your top 10 reasons to celebrate 2021. My inbox has been flooded with top 10s — from the best takeout chopped guacamole salad without onions to the tops in insanely cool toenail clippers. I’ve got the best “unique gadgets,” “epic gifts,” “most-loved gifts,” “the over do-it under-budget” list of gifts and even the “nice list.” Yes, I’ve also seen plenty of “best lists.” Best cities for Capricorns. No surprise, really, but Selby Gardens’ holiday display, Lights in Bloom, was named among USA Today’s reader’s choice 10 best botanical garden holiday lights. Oh, the minutia. There’s a list of the best Greek mythology books. A list of the best and worst cities for airport layovers. The 34 best meatball recipes. Yes, 34! Not to be outdone by the 13 best leftover ham recipes. There’s a useful best of 2021 on BritBox — my favorite binge network. And don’t miss the list of best deals you’ll find anywhere at the store or online until next year. LOL. There’s a best family-friendly destinations list, and you can stop cringing, as AMI wasn’t listed. Seriously, once upon a time in our newspaper history, we heralded being on some of the lists that brought spotlights to Anna Maria Island. Maybe since we have fewer residents now and more vacationers on this 7-mile island, we’re not thrilled at making the lists of best Florida destinations on the west coast with white sand beaches with nesting turtles, leaping dolphins, three piers for fishing and endless choices of restaurants and ice cream parlors. Maybe we’ve worn that best list out? Or do we continue to cheer our share of top 10s? The list for best small community with a highachieving elementary school on the waterfront in Florida? We’re definitely No. 1. Best island with three cities and a free trolley running daily from one end to the other? Yep, No. 1. Best island sunsets? No. 1. Best bayfront sunrises? You guessed it. Best self-proclaimed small barhopping, drinking village with a fishing problem? Yep, that’s us, too. Best news since 1992? You got it in your hands. Here’s to a best 2022 for Anna Maria Island. You know we’re contenders. Bring on your best …

Your

Opinion New Year’s brings closings

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

DEC. 29, 2021 • Vol. 30, No. 10 Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial editor lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com tomas gomez, tomas@islander.org Kane Kaiman, kane@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Karen Riley-love samara Paice amber sigman capt. Danny stasny, fish@islander.org ▼ Advertising Director toni lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Webmaster Wayne ansell ▼ Office Manager, lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution urbane Bouchet Ross Roberts Judy loden Wasco (All others: news@islander.org) ▼

single copies free. Quantities of five or more: 25 cents each. ©1992-2021 • Editorial, sales and production ofﬁces: 315 58th st., suite J, Holmes Beach Fl 34217 WeBsIte: islander.org text or call: 941-778-7978

‘Back in the day’ “this photo was taken on New Year’s eve 1954. We rented a house back in the day. the photo includes cherie Feagles, Janie summer, sylvia lundy, lara lun thaden, Pat Feagles, Joyce Weering, Pat gies, maxine Davis, Janet conn, myself — carolyn grubbs, Norma Ford and Joyce ernest.” Please, forgive spelling of names submitted. Islander Photo: courtesy carolyn grubbs

Ringing praise

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island wishes to thank everyone who helped this year with our annual Salvation Army bell ringing at the Publix supermarket in Holmes Beach. We could not have done it without you. A special thanks goes out to our Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, which donated four days of time and energy along with our Kiwanis members and the students from our State College of Florida Key Club. Merry Christmas and happy new year to all. Sandy Haas-Martens, secretary, Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island

New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1, brings government closures, with some closures on New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31. Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Manatee County governments will close Dec. 31-Jan. 2. As of Islander press time, Bradenton Beach had not posted its holiday hours. There will be no Manatee County Area Transit fixed route, handy bus or Longboat Key shuttle service on New Year’s Day but the Anna Maria Trolley will run regular service on New Year’s Day. The trolley also will operate its regular service on New Year’s Eve. Manatee County parks, preserves and beaches will be open Jan. 1, but libraries will be closed. For more information on Manatee County government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501. — lisa Neff

Night lights on Pine

I want to support Janis Ian on her issue with the too tall, too bright streetlights on Pine Avenue. Have you heard of the dark skies movement? Light at night disrupts the circadian rhythms of humans and animals. Islanders certainly support dark skies for the nesting turtles, why not for resting residents and wildlife? It is healthier for us all to have dark skies at night and being able to see the stars is one reason I loved living in Anna Maria when I moved here in 1978 from New Orleans. Peg Dickson, Anna Maria

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Looking back

Looking east an aerial view of Holmes Beach looking east from the shores of the gulf of mexico. the photo shows various residences, the Holmes Beach airport in the upper left. the H.s. crocker co. created the undated postcard.

Islander archive 24/7

The Islander archive can be found at the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. Our collection of newspapers there begins with the first edition in 1992. Look online for The Islander at the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

In the Dec. 26, 2001, issue

• Anna Maria Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh chose not to run for reelection, leaving SueLynn and Vice Mayor Tom Skoloda to campaign. Both candidates said they were looking forward to the race. • A 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport reported stolen was found in nearly 8 feet of water about 40 feet off the shore near Cypress Avenue in Anna Maria. By the time a tow truck arrived, the tide had covered the vehicle. After a 90-minute struggle, the Jeep was hauled ashore. • Plans to begin construction of the Tidemark hotel and condominiums were set in motion after objections to the project were withdrawn at Holmes Beach City Hall. While sales had not yet begun pending site-plan approval, one real estate agent said she had received about 50 calls from interested parties.

In the Dec. 27, 2011, issue

At the drives signs at the junction of gulf and marina drives near the Island shopping center and the s&s Plaza in Holmes Beach. the image is dated November 1982. Islander Photos: courtesy manatee county Public library system

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• A neighbor to the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, complained to the city about a dodge ball tournament where people were drinking alcohol and making noise late into the night. • Holmes Beach commissioners approved an ordinance changing the rules for golf carts to allow them on more streets — those with speed limits of 35 mph or less. • Manatee County Commissioner John Chappie was elected by others on the board to serve as 2012 chair. • Customers of Regions Bank were directed to the mainland after the branch office closed in Holmes Beach. The branch operated for about three years on the island. — lisa Neff

The Islander has a new location!

The “best news on AMI moved in April to a new, permanent location. We’re now at 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, a commercial condo-ofﬁce behind Ugly Grouper and across Marina Drive from Holmes Beach City Hall. So stop by and check out our new digs. We’re ready to serve you!

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holmes Beach clean water committee sworn for 1st meeting By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach has a new advisory board ready to improve and protect one of Anna Maria Island’s most valuable resources: its waters. The city’s long-awaited Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee met for the first time Dec. 15 to introduce members, name officers and discuss a meeting schedule. City commissioners first considered the committee in November 2020 at the suggestion of Commissioner Terry Schaefer and began accepting applications in February. Now, over a year after the committee’s conception, the group has seven members, including: • Anna Maria resident, businessman and Mote Marine Laboratory board member Robert Carter; • Holmes Beach resident and retired naval officer Jeffrey Drinkard; • Holmes Beach resident and food service administrator Nancy Flynn; • Holmes Beach resident and National Marine Manufacturers Association board member Ron Huibers; • Anna Maria resident John Kolojeski, the former deputy general counsel and chief of litigation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticides, Toxic Substances and Solid Waste Management; • Palmetto resident and Center of Anna Maria

Center’s EOY fundraiser tops $150K By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Center of Anna Maria Island’s successful fiscal 2021-22 got even better this holiday season. The nonprofit’s annual fundraising campaign raised $150,509 through Dec. 21 after taking in $90,509 in response to a $60,000 matching challenge. The challenge began Nov. 21 with $50,000 in matching funds from Bob and Carol Carter, David and Maureen Cote, Mark and Mary Catherine Melancon and the Drigan Silver Lining Fund. The center exceeded its goal Dec. 16, halfway through December, raising $116,262, which resulted in Richard and Maren Cohen extending the matching challenge, adding another $10,000 to the pot. The challenge was again beat shortly after and exceeded by more than $30,000 within five days. The fundraiser could cement this year as one of the center’s most financially successful in recent memory, as it already recorded $50,262 in net income through September — a $139,635 improvement over the center’s results through the same point last year. However, the center has yet to release a budget for fiscal 2021-22 — which began July 1 — or financial reports for September and November. The fundraising campaign will end Jan. 14, 2022. People interested in donating can visit the center’s website, centerami.org, for more information.

Holmes Beach city clerk stacey Johnston recites the oath of office Dec. 15 with members of the clean Water ad Hoc committee at the group’s first meeting. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Island director of development Jim McDaniel; • Holmes Beach resident, former West Manatee Fire Rescue Commissioner and retired entrepreneur Scott Ricci. Before the meeting, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth thanked committee members for joining the board and stressed its importance. “This is near and dear to my heart. I grew up playing in that bay every single day when I was a girl,” Titsworth said. “I’m still living on the same bay but it

has changed tremendously.” She said much of the marine life she experienced growing up on the island had vanished in recent years due to increasing water quality issues. “It’s tragic what has happened to our waters,” she added. After calling the meeting to order and introducing themselves, committee members went about naming officers for their first year. Please, see water, Next Page

Labor Dept. cites contractors after fatal fall in BB A federal investigation into the death of a worker and the injury of another at a construction site in Bradenton Beach has resulted in citations and proposed fines. Two men doing framing work at a residential construction project June 23 had no warning when an elevated platform failed, causing both to fall about 25 feet — roughly two stories — to the ground. A 49-year-old carpenter and crew leader suffered head trauma and died at the scene and a second worker, a 40-year-old carpenter, suffered fractures to his leg, knee, ribs and nose and needed transport to a local hospital, according to a Dec. 23 news release from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA did not identify the workers but Islander archives identify the man who died as Abelino Olvera and the injured man as Daniel Jose Leon Tomas. OSHA investigated and determined the employer, Alejandro Carpentry Inc., failed to have a competent person train the workers to recognize fall hazards. OSHA also cited the company for not hiring a registered professional engineer to design the scaffolding system and failing to anchor or brace the outrigger’s beams properly, according to the release. Additionally, OSHA cited the company for failing to report a work-related death to the agency

within eight hours, as federal law requires. OSHA proposed Alejandro Carpentry face $41,739 in penalties. “One man’s family is left to grieve and another man suffered serious injuries because Alejandro Carpentry did not take the necessary steps to prevent this tragic event,” OSHA area director Danelle Jindra stated from Tampa. OSHA said a second company, identified as the project’s prime contractor, Lighthouse Property Innovations LLC of Holmes Beach, did not have a competent person conduct frequent and regular inspections of the job site or materials and equipment to identify and mitigate safety and health hazards. OSHA proposed Lighthouse pay $4,096 in penalties. Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Islander did not reach representatives from the companies on deadline Dec. 27. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 makes employers responsible for providing safe and healthy workplaces. OSHA ensures safe conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards. — staff Report

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Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Island officials take pride in 2021 accomplishments By Ryan Paice and Tomas Gomez Islander Reporters

It’s been a busy year for Anna Maria Island. From wrapping up infrastructure projects to ending lawsuits that had lasted more than half a decade, the island’s three municipalities accomplished a lot in 2021. City officials shared their municipalities’ proudest accomplishments with The Islander as they prepared for the new year. Anna Maria officials voiced pride for several different accomplishments but almost everyone agreed the city’s holiday events were a major success. Mayor Dan Murphy wrote in a Dec. 16 email to The Islander that city staff deserved recognition for their work in organizing the city’s Memorial Day symphony, Veterans Day parade and the “Santa Stops Here” events that attracted people to City Pier Park at the corner of Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard. “These events, along with others, make our city special,” Murphy said. “I was awed by the hard work, dedication, care and spirit of our city of Anna Maria employees in rising to the occasion to make these events memorable for all who attended.” “I’m proud and pleased with the fact that we’ve really focused on community programs,” Commission Chair Carol Carter told The Islander Dec. 16. “I know we have a smaller residential community than ever but I think we have a stronger residential community than ever despite our size.” Commissioner Jonathan Crane thanked former deputy clerk Debbie Haynes for her role in organizing the events. “I was really thrilled with everything Debbie Haynes touched,” Crane told The Islander Dec. 16. Officials also mentioned the commission’s efforts to redevelop Pine Avenue and 10-year lease agreement with Mote Marine Laboratory to establish and operate an educational outreach center at the city pier as some of the municipality’s major achievements of the year. Mote’s contract with the city allows commissioners to back out of the deal if its proposed design — which has yet to be presented — fails to impress. However, many city commissioners expressed excitement about the prospects. Commissioners unanimously voted in November to approve up to $125,000 for design and engineer improvements conceived during the city’s “Reimagining Pine Avenue” workshops earlier this year, and OK’d a 25-month timeline to complete several changes, from sidewalks to bicycle paths. “Personally, I still think (plans for Pine Avenue) need some tweaking, but I think it was something that had to be addressed,” Crane said. “Hopefully, it all comes to fruition,” Commissioner Deanie Sebring told The Islander Dec. 16. “That would be just unbelievably awesome. … If you make it safer for everyone that’s visiting you ultimately make it safer for yourself and making it a nicer community.” water continued from page 8

Kolojeski nominated Huibers to serve as chair and, without a competing nomination, Huibers was awarded the position without a vote. Flynn nominated Carter to serve as vice chair. The motion also was approved without a vote due to a lack of other nominations. Lastly, Carter nominated Flynn to serve as the committee’s secretary. Flynn accepted the nomination and won the position without contest. Schaefer attended the meeting as the commission’s liaison. He thanked committee members for stepping up to protect the island’s waters and expressed hope that the group would inspire other local municipalities to do the same. “It takes special people like you to step up and say, ‘I’m willing to spend and invest my time into finding answers,’” Schaefer said. Committee members agreed to meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. The committee will explore goals and objectives at its next meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting is open to the public, with masks recommended.

“Overall, I believe the city did an amazing job in 2021 with COVID still providing challenges,” Commissioner Mark Short wrote in a Dec. 17 email to The Islander. Bradenton Beach reaped the fruits of years of development in 2021. Dredging, plans for finger docks at the Historic Bridge Street Pier and undergrounding utilities were among the key accomplishments officials highlighted for the year. “All in all, a very productive year for Bradenton Beach,” Commissioner Jan Vosburgh told The Islander Dec. 22. “I’m so happy about the dredging. That was years coming and made both our residents and visitors very happy. Also, the burying of FPL lines was a big accomplishment and much needed. I’m very pleased with all the work done on Bridge Street,” she said. Plans to clear a waterway from the South Coquina Boat Ramp northward to the Historic Bridge Street Pier concluded in late September, deepening the channel to allow navigation of boats. Undergrounding of power lines as part of the city’s resiliency work is completed on Bridge Street with the more buried utilities to come. Also, plans to provide matching funds for the city to add fingers to the floating dock near the pier were approved by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in April, with work ongoing. “There’s a lot we got done this year,” Commissioner Ralph Cole told The Islander Dec. 21. “The channel dredge, finished our Bridge Street undergrounding, working on undergrounding the south end and the floating dock is in motion to add the fingers.” “Bridge Street looks pretty dang awesome,” Cole said. “That was a big effort to make it look nice. We got a ways to go yet and improvements to make in the CRA district, but it keeps getting better and better. We’ve got a good commission working to make improvements in Bradenton Beach.” City officials are nearly unanimous that Holmes Beach’s creation of the clean water ad hoc committee

is among the city’s top accomplishments of 2021. Commissioners had discussed creating the committee since November 2020 to provide recommendations on improving and protecting the city’s waters. The seven-member committee met for the first time Dec. 15 and will meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. “Who knows where this will eventually take us, but I think we had a good start with the right balance of talent and interest to do some very meaningful research and hopefully come up with some actionable recommendations the city can take up,” Commissioner Terry Schaefer told The Islander Dec. 16. “That’s going to be a very big and important thing,” Commission Chair Carol Soustek told The Islander Dec. 16. “The credentials of the people on that board are phenomenal. … If the surrounding cities join in, we can really get control of our Gulf and the tributary.” Mayor Judy Titsworth and Schaefer expressed relief to see the end of the city’s Bert Harris lawsuits. Commissioners agreed in October to approve global settlements with the contending parties in five cases that could have exposed the city to about $7 million in claims if they were not decided in the city’s favor. “That global settlement was something to be exceptionally proud of,” Titsworth said. “It was long. It was costly. … To be able to have that behind us is huge.” “In my opinion, that was kind of the headline with the city,” Schaefer said. Commissioner Jayne Christenson said one of the city’s best achievements of the year was working with the Florida Department of Transportation to change the timing of lights to guide traffic through the city. Soustek also thanked the planning commission for its work on revising the comprehensive plan. “The comprehensive plan that has come up is so good, is so easy to read and understand, finally,” Soustek said. “It’s just such a boon to the city and its residents to have that coming to fruition.” “It was a phenomenal year,” Titsworth added.

Privateers bring Christmas to 4 families By Tomas Gomez Islander Reporter

Santa made a special detour for four families this Christmas. For 11 years, the Anna Maria Island Privateers found at least one family to offer extra Christmas cheer. Working with social workers and educators, they find children who have faced disadvantages or hardships and sponsor a Christmas surprise. With funds raised from a Christmas in July celebration and other events, the Privateers this past week provided Christmas dinners for the family and gifts for children, even accompanying Santa on his sleigh to three of the four homes. Some of the families were impacted by fires, serve as foster homes or recently lost their “breadwinner.” “We try and meet basic needs first, generally some clothing or other household needs,” Privateers trea-

surer Mary “Xena” Lehrman told The Islander Dec. 22. Lehrman is chairing the Christmas campaign this year. “But Christmas isn’t just socks and underwear. We bring things from the kids’ wish lists.” Gifts included an outdoor basketball hoop for a child who loves sports and an acoustic guitar for a budding musician. Some gifts were delivered by mail while others were brought by Santa on Christmas Eve. The number of families assisted by the Privateers varies each year. This is the second holiday the krewe was providing Christmas to four families. “Thank you to everyone who’s supported us and made it possible to help so many families this year — with deep heartfelt sincere gratitude from the Privateers!” Lehrman said. For more information about the Privateers, visit amiprivateers.memberlodge.org. The Anna Maria Island Privateers met with Santa Christmas Eve to deliver Christmas joy, including gifts for the kids, to four needy families. Islander Photo: Courtesy of Mary “Xena” Lehrman

Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

compiled by lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ONGOING ON AMI Throughout December, “Good Things Come in Small Packages” holiday art, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-778-6648. Throughout December, artist-crafted Christmas ornaments exhibit, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Throughout January, Donna Slawsky’s “Piecing Together a Beautiful Life” exhibit, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Informa- “Bright lights-Big easy” by susanna spann. Islander courtion: 941-778-6694. “citrus squared” by Frank spino. tesy Images Throughout January, Darryl Goldman’s “Simple Memories” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-778-6648. Cortez artist Susanna Spann and Melbourne artist energetic color.

Spann, Spino show at ArtCenter Manatee

Frank Spino will exhibit their work in “Charisma of Spann will exhibit her “Musician” and “Water Color: Visions of Spino and Spann” at ArtCenter Man- Dancing” series and Spino will show his “Citrus” and Jan. 6-23, Island Players present “Blithe Spirit,” Anna Maria. atee Jan. 4-Feb. 4. Florida landscape work. Jan. 9, Island Players’ audition for “A Comedy of Tenors,” Anna Between the two, their work has been exhibited A reception will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at Maria. across the United States as well as in Canada, China, the center. Jan. 13, ﬁrst Friends of the Island Library 2022 lecture, Holmes Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain The center is at 209 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Beach. and Turkey. Both artists are known for their bright and For more, call the center at 941-746-2862. AHEAD ON AMI

Jan. 14, Holmes Beach Artwalk, Holmes Beach. Jan. 22, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Lou Gramm, Anna Maria. Feb. 18-19, Center of Anna Maria Island murder-mystery night, Anna Maria.

2022 to begin with plunge into Players’ box office opens, Gulf of Mexico ticketing ‘Blithe Spirit’

Clancy’s Irish Pub will launch 2022 on Anna Maria Island with its traditional Shamrock Shiver Charity ONGOING OFF AMI Plunge. First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays ArtThe event will be Saturday, Jan. 1, on the beach Please, see CaleNDar, Page 13 between Fourth Street South and 12th Street South in Bradenton Beach. After the plunge, the pub will host a post-plunge Submit your social news, weddings, party, with door prizes and music by the Dr. Dave Band anniversaries, births, travel photos at Clancy’s, 6218 Cortez Road, Bradenton. and event news and photos to The fundraiser will benefit local nonprofit organinews@islander.org. zations, including the Blessing Bags Project, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Healthy Teens Coalition of Manatee County and Nutrition Initiative. the Since 2009, the Shamrock Shiver has raised more At Ginny’s and Jane E’s than $306,104. To plunge, pledge or make a donation, contact Clancy’s at 941-794-2481, ext. 2. Look for us at Anna Maria City Pier Park

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The Island Players opened the box office for tickets to “Blithe Spirit,” written by Noël Coward, directed by Jeffrey Steiger and set for the stage Jan. 6-23. The comedy’s cast includes Jan Wallace, Mark Shoemaker, Heiko Knipfelberg, Sylvia Marnie, Seva Anthony, Abbey Deernik and Maggie Carter. Performances will take place Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The theater is dark Mondays. Tickets cost $25, with the box office open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, as well as an hour before performances. Masks are required to attend shows. The rest of the season will include: • “A Comedy of Tenors,” written by Ken Ludwig, directed by Preston Boyd and set for the stage March 3-20, 2022; • “The Psychic,” written by Sam Bobrick, directed by James Thaggard and set for the stage May 5-15, 2022. For more information about the Island Players, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

Duplicate bridge play to begin

City Pier Park • 101 N. Bay Blvd. • Anna Maria

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation will host duplicate bridge Tuesdays beginning Jan. 4. A news release described the play as a “nonsanctioned friendly game.” The cost to participate is $3 per session, which will go to the church, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Players should arrive at noon, with games starting at 12:30 p.m. Masks are optional but players must show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus. For more, call Tom Bode at 703-582-7755.

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Island happenings

Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cafe hosts early count to 2022

Players to audition for comedy

The Island Players will hold auditions for “A Comedy of Tenors” Sunday, Jan. 9. Director Preston Boyd will hold auditions at 7:30 p.m. at the playhouse.Are you having a bad hair day? Needingtake a new Call book w/of The performers will theStylist? stage in “Aand Comedy Irene and receive 10% off your 1st Tenors” — written byservice. Ken Ludwig — March 3-20. Needing a great massage, call The theater is at 10009 AnnaMonday's Maria. & & bookGulf an aptDrive, w/ Shelley, Friday's 1stthe timeIsland clients, you’ll enjoy For more information about Players, call a combination of 10-15 mins. of assisted the box office at 941-778-5755.

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IGW welcomes 3 artists

Island Gallery West welcomed three artists to the coop: Renee Pagan, Steve Oliver and Dawn Gerardot. Pagan said she “loves capturing the beauty of the world through an imaginative lens of brilliant color.” She’s an experienced graphite artist who discovered a love for watercolors about 10 years ago. Oliver is a primitive artist, painter and flintknapper. He takes rock, glass and other materials in the raw form and chips the material into tools and weapons. About her work, Gerardot said, “Every painting is an experiment and for me, pushing the boundaries is what it is all about.” She also teaches classes, workshops and seminars and worked as a secondary education teacher. IGW is at 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the gallery at 941-7786648.

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The Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe will ring in the new year on island time — for kids and early birds. The countdown to Jan. 1 will begin in the minutes before 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, followed by toasts and noise-making at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Entertainer Mike Sales, who performs most Fridays at the cafe, will host the evening at the beach concession, with festivities beginning about 4:30 p.m. “Wish I had a River” is by mosaic artist Donna “It started as a whim, one year because the cafe was slawsky, whose work will be featured throughout going to be open, but not late enough, so we moved January at the artists’ guild gallery in Holmes the countdown,” Sales said in a news release. “People Beach. Islander courtesy Photo appreciated it enough to make it a tradition that island locals and visitors look forward to enjoying.” AGAMI to open exhibit For more information, call the cafe at 941-778The Artists’ Guild Gallery will feature work by 0784. mosaic artist Donna Slawsky” in the “Piecing Together a Beautiful Life” exhibit in January. Darryl The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island opergoldman’s ates the gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, work will be and each month features the work of a member artist. featured in AGAMI also will participate in the Holmes Beach ArtJanuary at walk 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14. Island galSlawsky is inspired by designs on china, found lery West. objects, stained glass and in the natural world. Islander “Donna’s attention to detail, especially in her courtesy mosaics of birds, is driven by a love and admiration for Photo the natural world. She loves to create art from broken objects that might otherwise be discarded,” AGAMI IGW to showcase oil paintings said in a news release. Island Gallery West will exhibit Darryl Goldman’s For more information, call the gallery at 941-778oil paintings in “Simple Memories” in January. 6694. The artist will greet patrons during the Holmes Beach Artwalk Friday, Jan. 14, as well as during reguGramm to play the center lar gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7. Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame will headline the Goldman, who worked as a chaplain and pastor, second show in the 2021-22 Bradenton Gulf Island traveled with his wife after retirement. They spent two Concert Series at the Center of Anna Maria Island. years visiting locations across the country, with GoldThe concert will be Saturday, Jan. 22, with gates man finding many scenes to paint on location. opening at 6 p.m. and the music beginning at 7 p.m. “He seeks out the unexpected subjects in his art as Other performers in the series include Don Felder, varied as a typical trailer court, repairman refurbishing a best known as the Eagles’ lead guitarist, in February; sailboat or farm life in Wisconsin and Michigan,” IGW Grammy winner Richard Marx in March and Felix said in a news release. “His plein air paintings record life Cavaliere’s Rascals in April. in Cortez, one of the last fishing villages in the United Gramm and Felder will play outdoors, Marx and States and interesting urban scenes in West Florida.” Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will perform in the gym. IGW is at 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For the outdoor concerts, people should bring their For more, call the gallery at 941-778-6648. own lawn chairs or blankets. The Sandbar restaurant will operate a cash bar. A news release said proceeds would benefit the Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI. center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more information and ticket purchases, go online to centerami.org or call the center at 941-778- A Hair Day Salon & Spa 1908.

Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AME Calendar

Robotics Club readies for competition anna maria elementary’s tsa Robotics club built and programmed Vex IQ robots Dec. 16 to use in a districtwide Vex IQ Robotics competition Feb. 2 at the Bradenton area convention center in Palmetto. Islander Photo: courtesy ame/Pidge Barreda

Environmentalist speaks at AME

• Through Dec. 31, winter holiday break. • Jan. 6, students return. • Jan. 10, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no school. • Feb. 2, early release day. • Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • Feb. 19, 8 a.m., Dolphin Dash 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. • Feb. 21, Presidents Day, no school. • March 7, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • March 11, record day, no school. • March 14-18, spring break. • April 4, 3:30 p.m., PTO general membership meeting. • April 15, Good Friday, no school. • April 20, early release day. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

Dan van der Kooy, senior video producer for the ocean cleanup Project, a nonprofit that aims to remove 90% of floating ocean plastic, speaks Dec. 20 to anna maria elemen- mrbradway@gmail.com. tary students in third- to fifthONGOING OFF AMI grades about plastic pollution. Islander Photo: courtesy ame Saturdays, 8 a.m., Robinson Runners running club, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923, ext. 6047. Saturdays, 9 a.m., Saturday Mornings at the NEST nature exploration, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923, ext. 6047. CaleNDar FRom Page 10 library, 941-778-6341. Saturdays once a month, Manatee County Audubon Society walk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Informa- Wednesday, Jan. 5 workday, Felts Preserve, 4600 24th Ave. E., Palmetto. Information: 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 manateeaudubon.org, zholmes003@gmail.com. tion: villageofthearts.com. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Farmers Market, Main Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, AHEAD OFF AMI Street, downtown Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, 941-778-6341. 941-301-8445. Feb. 12, Bradenton Area River Regatta, Bradenton and PalONGOING ON AMI Second and fourth Saturdays, noon-2 p.m., Chickee Hut metto riverfronts. Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Jammers session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and GOOD TO KNOW Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Infor- Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meetmation: ﬂoridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com. KEEP THE DATES ing, Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Informa“Battles of the Boneless” exhibit, the Bishop Museum of SciFriday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve. ence and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Informa- tion: 941-778-1383. Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, New Year’s Day. Mondays, 12:30 p.m., Anna Maria Bridge Club, Roser Memotion: bishopmuseum.org, 941-746-4131. Through Jan. 16, 2022, “Prints, Ceramics and Glass from rial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: Japan,” John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore 205-910-6344, 941-778-0414. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Farmers Market in the Park, City Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Info: ringling.org, 941-359-5700. Through August 2022, “Seeing the Invisible” augmented reality Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: exhibit, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. 941-708-6130. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Fee applies. Information: selby.org, 941-366-5731. Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, KIDS & FAMILY 941-778-6341. Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the ON AMI Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. InforFriday, Dec. 31 mation: 703-582-7755. 4:30-7:30 p.m. — Early New Year’s countdown with musician Through March, Friends of the Island Library 40th anniversary #Z /PFM $PXBSE Mike Sales, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes celebration, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and %JSFDUFE CZ +FGGSFZ 4UFJHFS Beach. Information: 941-448-5798. $P 1SPEVDFE CZ %VODBO 3FBM &TUBUF other venues. Information: 941-778-6341. Saturday, Jan. 1 +BO AHEAD ON AMI Noon — Clancy’s 14th annual Shamrock Shiver Charity Plunge, 4LFQUJDBM $IBSMFT $POEPNJOF JOWJUFT UIF FDDFO Gulf Drive and Fourth Street South, Bradenton Beach. Information: Jan. 19, Anna Maria Island Garden Club fashion show, Anna USJD .BEBNF "SDBUJD UP IJT IPNF GPS B T¹BODF 941-794-2481, ext. 2. 4PPO BGUFS IF JT IBVOUFE CZ UIF TQJSJU PG IJT m STU Maria. Tuesday, Jan. 4 XJGF &MWJSB XIP UVSOT IJT MJGF JOUP B TIBNCMFT BT February 2022, Friends of the Island Library Book Sale, Anna 10 a.m.— Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Maria. TIF IJMBSJPVTMZ UPSNFOUT IJT TFDPOE XJGF 3VUI Holmes Beach. Info: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. .BEDBQ $PNFEZ Feb. 16, Anna Maria Island Historical Society members’ lun-

Blythe Spirit

cheon, TBD. March 15, Anna Maria Island Historical Society Heritage Day, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier Anna Maria. Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. ONGOING OFF AMI ONGOING OFF AMI Wednesdays, 3 p.m., the Longboat Key Paradise Center for First Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., “Soar in 4 Family Night, the Healthy Living “Grieve Not Alone: Peer Support Group,” 546 Bay Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., BradenIsles Road, Longboat Key. Information: theparadisecenter.org, 941ton. Fee applies. Information: soarin4.org, 941-746-4131. 383-6493. Saturdays and Sundays, 3 p.m., Tales Under the Tree, the Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. meeting, Compass Hotel by Margaritaville, 12324 Manatee Ave. Fee applies. Information: bishop.org, 941-746-4131. W., Perico Island. Second Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Info: 941-920-2505. ONGOING ON AMI

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

AHEAD OFF AMI Feb. 12, Sarasota Bay Watch “Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic,” Sarasota.

OUTDOORS & Thursday, Dec. 30 SPORTS 10 a.m. — Seaside Quilters, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941ONGOING ON AMI 778-6341. AMI Dragon Boat Team—Paddlers from Paradise practices and 2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626,

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Page 14 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gathering

Breakfast back at St. B

The Men of St. Bernard at St. Bernard Catholic Church seek volunteers for their Super Bowl Sunday Pancake Breakfast. The event will be 7:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6. Volunteers do not need experience. The church is at 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, contact Russ Stanley at 941-792-7433 or rujes@aol.com.

By lisa Neff

Book club to meet at COTA

A book club at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation will begin meeting Monday, Jan. 10, to discuss Barbara Brown Taylor’s “Gospel Medicine.” The club will meet Mondays at 1 p.m., with options for those who want to attend in person or via Zoom. A post in the church newsletter said, “We have discussion time, sharing and intercessions during noontime prayer from the Book of Common Prayer.” The church is at 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, contact the church office at cota@tampabay.rr.com or 941-778-1638.

Obituaries

Roser Memorial Community Church invites volunteers to the fellowship hall at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, to help pack packets for Hope Seeds. The charity provides seeds and agricultural support to missionaries and mission teams around the world. Each package contains 10 varieties of climate- and culture-appropriate seeds. The Roser volunteers will pack seeds the first Wednesday of every month at the church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, call the church at 941-7780414.

Gregory James LaPensee

Richard Linn Hosterman Jr.

Richard Linn Hosterman Jr., 75, of Holmes Beach, died Nov. 8. He was born in Boston Sept. 25, 1946, to Richard and Jane (Weber) and lived in Weston, Massachusetts most of his life until retirement. After several years vacationing in Florida, he grew to love the beach lifestyle and climate and decided to Hosterman make the move. He went to Syracuse University and afterward started working for a lumber company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Starting as a forklift driver he advanced to the general manager job, running the company. He was an avid reader and had interests in cars, boats and planes. He was resident for the Weston Rotary club for several years. He is survived by his sister, Sue Smith of Scituate, Massachusetts; nephew Peter Smith and wife Provan along with their children, Caleb and Lydia; former wife Patia Campbell of Bourne, Massachusetts; and his friends at the Freckled Fin in Holmes Beach.

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Roser packs ‘Hope’ seeds

Gregory James LaPensee, 39, of Bradenton, died Dec. 14. He was born Dec. 17, 1981, and was a true Manatee County native. He fought a long, hard battle for months but spent his final days in the comfort of family and friends. He grew up on beautiful Anna Maria Island. laPensee He graduated from Manatee High School in 2000 and immediately went to work in the family business, LaPensee Plumbing Inc. in Holmes Beach. He took pride in his work, becoming an owner and growing his passion and reputation throughout the area. He had big dreams and his determination and work ethic led to expanding the business to where it is today. In 2010, he married the love of his life, Carlee, and together they created a beautiful home and a loving family. In 2012, they welcomed a son, Preston, and in 2015 completed their family when they welcomed another son, Chandler.

Worship With Us at Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard Masks Are Optional

Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live:

Gathering is the

religion page for The Islander. We welcome news from places of worship. Email news@islander.org.

Tidings

REGULAR WORSHIP

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.com. Thursdays 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation. org. Saturdays 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. Sundays 8 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. 8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com. 9 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church. 9:15 a.m. — Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. 9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com. 10 a.m. — Roser Church. 10 a.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-9004903, christchurchoﬂbk.org. 10 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel. org. 10:15 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 10:30 a.m. — St. Bernard. Please, see tIDINGS, Next Page

Fatherhood suited him — he was a family man and loved coaching his sons’ youth sports teams. Spending quality time with family and friends was paramount — it is when he was happiest. He put others first, always striving to make everyone else happy and have a good time. He touched the lives of so many throughout the community and will forever be missed. His life would seem too short to many but those who knew him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. His laughter, wit and larger-than-life presence brought so much joy to anyone who spent time with him. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations can be made to the center via weblink.donorperfect.com/In-Memory-of-Greg-LaPensee. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com. He is survived by wife Carlee; sons Preston and Chandler; parents J. Michael and J. Karen; sisters Michele Crouthamel and husband Jereme and Shawn Shields and husband Logan; brother Michael J. and many nieces and nephews.

www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchlbk.org (follow YouTube link)

WE ROCK ONLINE

WINTER CONCERT SERIES CONCERTS ARE FREE • VISITORS & RESIDENTS WELCOME

SUNDAY

•

JANUARY 9, 2022

•

2:00 PM

Alexa Lowrey - Soloist Our very own Alexa Lowrey is currently a Junior at NYU Steinhardt pursuing a Bachelor's of Music degree in Vocal Performance Musical Theater. Alexa has been studying voice, performing in musicals, vocal ensembles, and singing as a soloist with orchestras since the 5th grade. Most recently, she performed professionally in four musicals at Cedar Summerstock Theater. Music and the performing arts are her passion – clearly seen through her performances that never cease to charm and delight. Her diverse program will include Broadway, popular and Sacred favorites. 6400 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

•

941.383.8833 (oﬃce)

•

www.christchurchlbk.org

islander.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP • 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM

COMMUNITY CHURCH

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

www.RoserChurch.com Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation

Sermon Series by Rev. Dirk Rodgers

Inspired: Life-changing truth in the Story of Daniel

941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Artist continues to stream COVID-19 memorial

artist cathy tobias reaches out Feb. 4 to touch a ribbon — part of an art installation she began and has added to since in November 2020. Islander File Photo

By tomas gomez Islander Reporter

A ribbon for a life. An artist’s memorial has more than 60,000 ribbons, each representing a life lost to COVID-19. Local photographer Cathy Tobias — with the help of friends and family — worked in 2020 and 2021 to memorialize each Florida loss with a colored ribbon tied to a cord so long that it could stretch several times across a football field. Some ribbons are marked with names and others with photographs. Reflected in each ribbon is a human life, not a number. “I began working on it in November of 2020. I just wanted to do something because every day I was watching the death toll tick up. I found it very painful. I still do,” Tobias told The Islander Nov. 22. The installation was displayed on the beach in Anna Maria in February. Since its introduction, Tobias has taken the memorial to other locations, including St. Petersburg’s Morean Center for Clay. She hopes to eventually find a permanent home for the project, possibly in Jacksonville. “There’s probably 10 people grieving for each death. That’s at least 8 million people grieving,” she said, referring to the national impact of the coronavirus. “I lost my first child many years ago. I know the pain of losing a loved one. When I see these numbers, I can’t imagine the collective grief in our country.” Most of the ribbons represent Florida cases, but Tobias doesn’t turn away submissions from out of state. Bridging the chasm between mourning and celebrating lives, Tobias said she wants visitors to see the tIDINGS FRom Page 14 ONGOING EVENTS Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., St. Bernard Rosary on the Beach, Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach. Wednesdays, 8 a.m., CrossPointe men’s breakfast meeting. Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., COTA men’s breakfast meeting. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., Gloria Dei social gathering, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Holmes Beach. Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m., CrossPointe Wednesday Night Blast. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Roser Thrift Shop sales. Thursdays, 7 p.m., Roser Church chancel choir rehearsals. Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Shop sales. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness. Special events Through Jan. 2, 2022, dusk, Longboat Island Chapel holiday celebrations. SAVE THE DATES

GoodDeeds

Assistance sought and delivered on AMI

• The Island Players seeks volunteers for the theater, including house managers, backstage and prop crews, web experts and actors. Info: 508 965-5665. • Ministry of Presence Inc. seeks medications and monetary donations to aid earthquake victims in Haiti, donations to The Islander, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, or mail to MoP, P.O. Box 770, Oneco, FL 34264. • Senior Adventurers group seeks events coordinators and a van driver for Friday outings. Information: 941-447-5076 • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals. Information: 941-345-2441. • Keep Manatee Beautiful seeks volunteers for cleanups and other efforts. Info: 941-795-8272. • The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and a number of local businesses are collecting donations for the Toys for Tots holiday campaign. Information: 941-778-1541. • The Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. • AID offers help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Information: 941-725-2433.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. For a paid obituary, contact advertising director Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

CHECK US OUT AT ISLANDER.ORG

BREAKING NEWS, E-EDITION, FACEBOOK & TWITTER. THE ISLANDER HAS IT ALL.

BEN AND KAREN COOPER TAXES & ACCOUNTING

"ANK 2ECONCILIATIONS s 0REPARING &INANCIALS #ALCULATING 0AYROLLS s (OMEOWNER !SSOCIATIONS )NDIVIDUAL #ORPORATE 4AX 2ETURNS 4401 MANATEE AVE. W., BRADENTON NEXT TO REGIONS BANK

@ami_islander

compiled by lisa Neff

Assistance offered

March 2, Ash Wednesday. April 2, Ramadan begins. April 10, Palm Sunday. April 15, Good Friday. April 15, Passover. April 17, Easter.

WE TWEET TOO

memorial as an expression not just of sadness, but of the beauty of life. “I want it to be a positive thing. A celebration of life. The ribbons are colorful. They’re beautiful blowing in the wind. We’re celebrating lives lived,” she said. Tobias’ moved since she began the memorial to Longboat Key, where she displays the ribbon, and people can contact her about a visit through her website, covidribbonmemorial.com. Also, there is a submission area on the website for people who wish to honor a loved one to submit a name and photo to be added to a ribbon. “I’d invite people to visit the memorial or add a

941-795-7048 Office benacooper@aol.com

941-795-4878 Fax kacooper77777@aol.com

name with a laminated photo. This is for them. You’re not alone. We’re here to support you, grieve with you and celebrate life with you. I hope this can be part of the healing process,” Tobias said.

Supporting the pantry By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The volunteer-run Roser Food Pantry, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, is seeking donations to feed island residents and workers this holiday season. Money will be used to support the pantry’s Sponsored Food Recipient Program, which allows people to seek food assistance after receiving approval from a sponsor — an island church. Recipients receive $100-$150 Publix gift cards every month for around three months before sponsors must approve another round of assistance. The benefits make a difference, based on testimonials collected by pantry volunteers: • “Without your help I don’t know what I would have done. So with that I just wanted you to know that every penny is always spent in one trip and with calculator we usually have 70 cents left but all groceries/diapers/formula and we are just in tears because we are so blessed. … We just wanted you folks to know what you mean to our family and we just can’t thank you enough! So again, I say thank you so much and God bless you all!” • “It has helped out so much having the monthly gift cards from your church to help out with groceries. My mom, who I live with and look after is sick and won’t be getting any better, so she can no longer work. We scrape by each month with the bills but we rarely have much left over for food or anything else. I sure hope the funding improves and you can continue. If not, we still appreciate all these months you did help us.” People can donate to the food pantry by visiting roserchurch.com/give, calling 941-778-0414 or delivering unopened, nonperishable food items to the church Mondays-Fridays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. People also can find assistance by calling 941778-0414.

i.wed

The Islander Wedding Directory ACCOMMODATIONS

Bungalow Beach Resort DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH! Classic 1930s island-style resort. 800-779-3601 bungalow@bungalowbeach.com www.bungalowbeach.com

MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT Chuck Caudill Entertainment Beach weddings and events. DJ, live guitar and more from an experienced island professional. 941-778-5676 • www.chuckcaudill.com Gulf Drive Band The Best! Classic Danceable Tunes Musical Entertainment DJ for Weddings, Receptions. Call: 941-778-0173. email: gulfdriveband@gmail.com

TO BE INCLUDED IN IWED, CONTACT ISLANDER SALES DIRECTOR TONI LYON 941.928.8735 OR toni@islander.org

Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Facing code violations, HB commissioner complies By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A pair of code violations against Holmes Beach City Commissioner Jayne Christenson were posted and addressed in a week’s time. Code compliance supervisor James “JT” Thomas and code administrator Kim Charron told The Islander Dec. 15 that city staff posted two notifications of violation Dec. 2 on the front door of Christenson’s property at 132 49th St. Christenson The city found the property in violation of code for advertising and renting a portion of the home as a vacation rental. City code only allows rental of the whole dwelling. Thomas said an anonymous caller brought the issue to the city’s attenThomas tion. The city then used its rental violation software, HARMARI, to confirm the property was advertised online as a one-bedroom vacation rental. The property has four bedrooms, according to its vacation rental certificate. Christenson attempted to certify the property last

year as a duplex so a portion could be used as a rental unit, according to Charron. However, the property is listed on the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s website as a single-family home. It also lacks a fire wall to separate the proposed rental unit from the rest of the house. Charron said Christenson could rent the entirety of the dwelling as a vacation unit for up to 30 days a year while maintaining the property’s homestead status, but she could not rent or advertise a portion of the property. One violation required Christenson to come into compliance by Dec. 7 but she called and resolved the

issue before that date, according to Thomas. Thomas said advertisements for a portion of the property as a vacation rental were taken offline and no renters were found at the home, so the property was deemed in compliance. If the city later finds the property in violation of the same codes, it can bring the matter before a special magistrate as a repeat offense. Christenson told The Islander Dec. 16 that she made a “verbiage” error in the rental advertisement that led to the violations. “It was a mistake on my part,” she said. “That was just something I wasn’t aware of, and I fixed that.”

Court closes case alleging sexual battery A charge was declined in an alleged sexual battery case against a Cortez man. The website for the 12th Judicial Circuit Court showed the case against Mark S. Ibasfalean closed as of Dec. 15. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ibasfalean, 58, Sept. 16 on one charge of sexual battery against a person 12-18 years of age. Court records indicated a 16-year-old said she was sexually battered by Ibasfalean when she was 12 years

old and Ibasfalean was 54. The alleged incident occurred at a home in Cortez where a relative of Ibasfalean’s resided. In a notice of case action filed Dec. 8, assistant state attorney Ashley Dusnik wrote the office declined the charge and no further action will be taken in the case. — Lisa Neff

Island watch In an emergency, call 911. To report info, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-7786311; Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

$YDLODEOH $We need a good laugh? visit the emerson quillin signature store. humor, art, gifts 317 Pine Ave., Anna Maria • emersonshumor.com

Welcome 2022 Island-Style Under the big hut on the beach. Serving New Year’s Eve Dinner Four-Course Meal with Midnight Champagne Toast $100 PER PERSON, plus 18% gratuity. Call for reservations, 941.778.1919 Ext. 2

315 58TH ST. , HOLMES BEACH 941 778-7978 • WWW.ISLANDER.ORG

KNOCK, KNOCK Freckled Fin: Who’s there? Tuesday: It’s Tuesday. Freckled Fin: Hi Tuesday, what’s up? Tuesday: I’m bored, I want to come back to the Fin. Freckled Fin: Hmmm. It’s been a while and you used to be just a taco guy. If we allow you back, will you have a full bar and a lunch, dinner, late-nite menu filled with delicious housemade fare using fresh, quality ingredients? Tuesday: I will. Freckled Fin: Will your menu include the best E’Fin corned beef on the planet? Tuesday: It will. Freckled Fin: Will you have the best E’Fin burger on the island and Ahi Tuna that leaves people beggin’ for more? Tuesday: I will. Freckled Fin: Will you provide an assortment of fresh salads, including our famous Chevre Beet Salad? Tuesday:: I will. Freckled Fin: Will you provide great live entertainment? Tuesday: I will. Freckled Fin: It sounds like you fit in perfectly at the Fin. Welcome back, Tuesday!!!!!!

Tuesdays are back at the Freckled Fin!

Celebrate with us Tuesday, Dec. 28: First 100 guests receive a FREE Jameson Shot! Plus! $4 Guinness all day! Happy hour 11-6.

Open 11 AM-11 PM DAILY

WEEKENDS 11 AM - 1 AM Gulf Drive Café ~ Kokonut Hut | 900 Gulf Drive N. | Bradenton Beach GULFDRIVETIKI.com

5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach &RECKLED&IN COM s s

Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 17 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Streetlife

staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria No new reports. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach No new reports. The Bradenton Beach Police Department patrols Bradenton Beach. Cortez No new reports. The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach Dec. 14, 300 block of 66th Street, medical issue. A Holmes Beach police officer responded to a call about a home intruder and found an intoxicated man outside. The man did not know where he was and was bloodied from several lacerations. The property owners told the officer they noticed the intruder was having a medical issue and called for emergency medical services. He added that the man left when asked and did not take anything. There were no signs of forced entry. The man was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton for treatment and police contacted his wife. Dec. 14, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, no valid license. An officer stopped a motorist pinged by the city’s license plate reader. The officer issued a citation to the driver for not having a valid license. Dec. 14, 400 block of Gulf Drive, suspended license. An officer saw a motorist cut off another driver and change lanes recklessly. The officer conducted a

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traffic stop and spoke with the driver, whose license had been suspended. The officer issued a citation and a court summons. Dec. 18, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, no valid license. An officer stopped a motorist pinged by the city’s license plate recognition system. The driver did not have a license and the officer found an open bottle of beer inside the vehicle. The officer issued a citation and a court summons. Dec. 18, 2700 block of Avenue C, domestic disturbance. An officer responded to reports of a disturbance and found a few people who said a man they were visiting was yelling at them and behaving aggressively. The man was intoxicated and admitted to yelling but said he did not threaten or hurt anyone. The parties agreed to separate without issue. Dec. 19, 100 block of 46th Street, suspended license. An officer stopped a motorist pinged by the city’s license plate recognition system. The driver did not have a license and the officer found a jar containing marijuana inside the vehicle. The officer issued citations and a court summons, then had the vehicle towed. Dec. 20, city field, 5900 Marina Drive, Marchman Act. An officer saw a woman who had been the subject of a Marchman Act a day prior, sleeping on a park bench. The woman told the officer that she had taken several drugs and did not know where she was. She also could not maintain consciousness. Emergency medical services transported the woman to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton for treatment. HBPD polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

2 women arrested for trespassing, resisting arrest By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police officers arrested Wisconsin resident Lilly Stenberg, 20, and Bradenton resident Felicia Throw, 22, Dec. 17 on third-degree felonies for resisting arrest with violence. They also were charged with first-degree misdemeanors for trespassing after receiving warnings to leave a retail store. Several officers responded to calls from management at Egret’s Landing, 5602 Marina Drive, about a vehicle they wanted to leave the parking lot at the store. The officers found two women, identified as Stenberg and Throw, inside the vehicle and issued trespass warnings, but the women did not comply. After getting a sworn statement from management, the officers informed the women they were under arrest. They began physically resisting arrest — flailing their arms and kicking at the officers. One officer sustained an injury during the struggle, but the women were detained and transported to Manatee County jail, where they remained as of Dec. 23 under $2,000 bonds. If convicted, a third-degree felony charge is punishable by up to five years of prison, five years of probation and up to a $5,000 fine. First-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year of prison and up to a $1,000 fine. An arraignment for both women will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

You can read it all online at islander.org

Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Islanders mull ‘scary’ bills proposed in upcoming session By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Florida’s 2022 legislative session will begin shortly after the new year. And with session comes another round of attacks upon municipal home rule, according to island officials. Anna Maria City Commission Chair Carol Carter, who serves as the city’s liaison to the Florida League of Cities, told The Islander Dec. 22 that carter two bills could restrict the power of local government in devastating ways. “It’s starting off scary based on the preliminary information we’ve been receiving,” Carter said. “Every year we think, ‘Maybe they’ll ease off and not kind of come down our throats.’”

Dead cownose stingrays wash up on Anna Maria beach

Anna Maria beachgoers witnessed the aftermath of a feeding frenzy. About half a dozen dead stingrays were found on the beach south of Spring Avenue, with visible chunks missing from the carcasses and large bite marks. The sight was unusual for beachgoers but charter fishing guide Scott Moore, who’s been fishing the coast for over half a century, told The Islander Dec. 17 it’s nothing out of the norm. “At this time of year, at night during the winter, these rays are in that shallow water. If there’s a big herd of them, the sharks will feed on them. They bite one and the opportunities are so easy for them to get a bite of another one,” Moore said. Higher water temps keep sharks and stingrays active longer than they may otherwise be at this time of year. “Those cownose are usually further south this time of year. A couple weeks ago you could see schools of thousands of those rays at once. Usually, you see that in September or October but they’ve been sticking around because the water is warmer,” Moore said. Moore suggested swimmers avoid the water at night, when predators are more active. — tomas gomez

SB 620 and HB 569 — introduced by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast, and Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Plant City — would enable businesses to claim fiscal damages from ordinances or charter provisions passed at a local level. Carter said if the bills pass, local governments would be hamstrung by waves of frivolous or speculative claims that could prevent them from accomplishing routine work. She said the FLoC was making a push to oppose the bills. “I’m hoping that the (FLoC) and others will be able to mitigate this to the point where frivolous claims would be ruled out,” Carter said. “If a business was going to bring a claim against a city, they would have to have documented how it’s going to affect them.” Another set of bills, SB 512 and HB 325 — introduced by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, and Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville — would prohibit municipalities from charging more than $50 for vacation rental registration fees. The three island cities presently charge more than $50 for short-term rental registrations to cover administration costs. Anna Maria’s scaled occupancy-based registration fees result in the highest potential fee of the three island cities, with a fee of $1,697.08 for a

property that can house up to 29 occupants. Anna Maria’s lowest registration fee — for fourperson occupancy — is $234.08. Holmes Beach charges a $545 flat fee to register and inspect a vacation rental, as well as a $545 renewal fee every two years. Bradenton Beach did not respond to inquiries and it’s registration fees were not available at press time. Carter said a drop in registration fees would impact the city’s ability to inspect and monitor the increasing number of vacation rentals within city limits since the fees are calculated to pay for operations. “It’s awful, based on the size of rentals we have,” Carter said. “It would be incredibly bad for us. … This bill would be horrible.” The Republican Party controls both levels of the state’s legislative branch, with 78 of 120 members of the House of Representatives and 24 of 40 members in the Senate. Carter said she didn’t understand why “small government” conservative politicians insisted every year on stripping away municipal home rule but said it could be due to corporate lobbying efforts. Carter said that if legislators approved the bills, she hoped Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis would veto them since he has spoken in the past in support of municipal home rule. “I guess I have my fingers crossed and say my prayers that, if something gets as far as the governor, he’ll think about us in terms of home rule and the small towns that don’t have big power,” Carter said. Find the Islander dating to November 1992 online at the uofF Digital Newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

a fever of rays covers the shoreline Nov. 14 in Holmes Beach, stretching as far as the eyes could see. Islander File Photo: courtesy David gryboski

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By Lisa Neff

Looking up in 2022

Conservationists this month and next are committed to a citizen-science campaign to count birds for the Audubon Society. The Bradenton Circle’s Christmas Bird Count, which included parts of Palma Sola, took place Dec. 18. Another count, in the Fort De Soto Circle that includes part of northern Anna Maria Island, takes place Jan. 2. To participate in the counts is Neff exhilarating and rewarding but there are other opportunities for people to participate in citizen-science campaigns for the birds, including the Great Backyard Bird Count in mid-February. And on any day we can go out, look up, see any number of birds and bird types on the beaches, in the trees and over the water and share our information on birding apps monitored by researchers. I regularly go out and look to identify birds for diversion and exercise as well as for adventure and inspiration. A year ago, I posted a holiday gift to readers — an “On and Around AMI” birders’ checklist to clip and carry. The past several weeks, I heard from readers who asked for another checklist. So here’s to looking up and around in 2022. What will we see? � Common loon � Least bittern � Pied-billed grebe � Great blue heron � Sooty shearwater � Great egret � Brown booby � Snowy egret � Northern gannet � Little blue heron � White pelican � Tricolored heron � Brown pelican � Reddish egret � Double-breasted � Cattle egret cormorant � Green heron � Anhinga � White ibis � Magnificent frigate� Glossy ibis bird � Roseate spoonbill � American bittern � Wood stork

a blue jay, one of the birds common to anna maria Island yards. Islander Photo: lisa Neff

� Black vulture � Turkey vulture � Greater scaup � Lesser scaup � Osprey � Bald eagle � Northern harrier � Cooper’s hawk � Red-shouldered hawk � Short-tailed hawk � Swainson’s hawk � Red-tailed hawk � Limpkin � Black-bellied plover � Snowy plover � Wilson’s plover � Piping plover � Oystercatcher � Black-necked stilt � American avocet � Greater yellowlegs � Lesser yellowlegs � Willet � Spotted sandpiper � Marbled godwit � Ruddy turnstone � Red knot � Sanderling � Western sandpiper � Least sandpiper � Wilson’s snipe � Laughing gull � Franklin’s gull � Little gull � Bonaparte’s gull � Ring-billed gull � Herring gull � Gull-billed tern � Caspian tern

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

� Nuthatch � Carolina wren � House wren � Sedge wren � Marsh wren � Kinglet � Gnatcatcher � Eastern bluebird � Veery � Swainson’s thrush � Hermit thrush � Wood thrush � American robin � Gray catbird � Northern mockingbird � European starling � American pipit � Cedar waxwing � Tennessee warbler � Nashville warbler � Yellow warbler � Magnolia warbler � Cape May warbler � Pine warbler � Prairie warbler � Palm warbler � Blackpoll warbler � Cerulean warbler � Black-and-White warbler � American redstart � Swainson’s warbler

� Ovenbird � Waterthrush � Kentucky warbler � Yellowthroat � Hooded warbler � Canada warbler � Wilson’s warbler � Summer tanager � Scarlet tanager � Western tanager � Eastern towhee � Northern cardinal � Grosbeak � Indigo bunting � Painted bunting � Common grackle � Boat-tailed grackle � Bronzed cowbird � Brown-headed � cowbird � Orchard oriole � Baltimore oriole � House finch � Pine siskin � American goldfinch � House sparrow � Other sightings: � __________________ � __________________ � __________________ � __________________ � __________________ � __________________

Royal tern Sandwich tern Common tern Forster’s tern Least tern Black tern Black skimmer Rock dove Eurasian collared dove Mourning dove Ground dove Monk parakeet Black-hooded parakeet Mangrove cuckoo Smooth-billed ani Groove-billed ani Eastern screech owl Great horned owl Barred owl Common nighthawk Belted kingfisher Red-bellied woodpecker Downy woodpecker Northern flicker Pileated woodpecker Acadian flycatcher Eastern phoebe Eastern kingbird Gray kingbird Loggerhead shrike Blue jay American crow Fish crow Pelicans — white and brown — float near docks in Tree swallow the village of cortez as crabbers clean their vessel. Carolina chickadee Islander File Photo Tufted titmouse

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Some island sports carry on, others on tap By Kevin P. cassidy Islander Reporter

Sporting events are at a standstill at the Center of Anna Maria Island while the schools take a winter break. But soon the players who participate in the annual rounds of soccer, basketball, football and volleyball will start up again, with the winter flag football leagues starting matches Jan. 11. cassidy Meanwhile, there’s horseshoes and the pitchers in Anna Maria don’t slow down their game for the holidays, they celebrate them. Dec. 22 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria horseshoe pits saw two teams advance to the knockout stage after posting 3-0 records during pool play. Tim Sofran walked his way to the winner’s circle thanks to a game-ending double-ringer that put an exclamation point on his 26-15 victory over Tom Skoloda and Bob Palmer. Action Dec. 24 saw Sofran again draw the walker chip and, once again, he found himself in the middle of a playoff. The team of Adin Shank and Ed Thorp drew the bye into the finals and watched as Sofran defeated Bob Rowley in a battle of walkers. The finals saw Shank and Thorp rally for a 21-20 come-from-behind victory over Sofran, ending his bid for a perfect week and giving Shank and Thorp the day’s bragging rights. Play gets underway at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome. At the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, the

tim sofran, right, takes the win in the Dec. 22 horseshoe games, while ed thorp and adin shank topped the field Dec. 24. Islander Photo: courtesy amI Pitchers

week got going with the men taking the links Dec. 20 for their weekly modified-Stableford system match. Don Corrigan carded a plus-5, 5 points above his average quota points, to take the win. Herb Clauhs and Hoyt Miller were both a point back in second place. The women usually play an individual-low-net match on Tuesday mornings but a brisk, heavy rain put a damper on their plans. But the members took over the course Dec. 23 for a nine-hole scramble. The team of Don Corrigan, Nelson Eagle, Ken Nagengast and Larry Pippel combined on an 8-under-par 24 to seize clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Second place went to the team of Joe Cassese, John Cassese and John Kolojeski, who finished one stroke back. On another pitch, at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton, registration has begun for the spring season of

MAYSO. The Manatee Area Youth Soccer Organization is one of the area’s oldest youth soccer clubs, first started in 1976 with the help of notable Islanders Ken Trent and Loretta Lease. The club offers recreational play for ages 4-13 and the opportunity to compete with Manatee Magic, select travel teams for players ages 8-17. Cost for the nine-week spring season is $125, which includes a full uniform. The season starts Jan. 24 with player evaluations. Check in for the evaluations and team selection begins at 5:30 p.m. at G.T. Bray, where practices will start Feb. 14. The matches begin Feb. 26 and conclude May 7. To register, go to mayso.org, create an account and add a participant. Evaluations, by age, are scheduled as follows: Jan. 24: U6 (2016-2017 birth years) Jan. 25: U8 (2014-2015 birth years) Jan. 26: U10 (2012-2013 birth years) Jan. 27: U12 and up (2008-2011 birthyears) For more information, contact Mayso at info@ mayso.org or call me at 941-896-5720.

Flashback ’21

clint Hurdle beams with enjoyment march 20 as a helicopter lands at the Key Royale club to collect golf balls — sold as part of the fundraiser he hosted for Prader Willi syndrome. Islander File Photo: Bonner Joy

Flashback ’21 Brett lance in January covers a heron with a towel, swooping it up in his arms, calming it the whole time with gentle words and soft cooing. Islander File Photo: anne Yarbrough

Beach Bums’ player matt Briley and ugly grouper’s cam Winston battle for the ball during a march 18 matchup in the adult flag football league at the center of anna maria Island. Islander File Photo: Kevin P. cassidy

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Too cold to fish? Wait for flats to warm and other tips By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

The cold winter weather is still hit or miss and fishing around Anna Maria Island is still producing action on the grass flats. With live shiners still available for bait, inshore anglers are targeting snook, redfish and spotted seatrout over the grass flats in Tampa Bay and south through Sarasota Bay. To target this inshore trio of flats Stasny fish, pick the warmest days between cold fronts for best results. Fishing afternoon tides may be advantageous, as by then the sun has had time to warm the shallows, triggering inshore fish to feed. You’ll see a difference in how the fish behave when water temps rise — even just a few degrees can make a difference. This also is prime time to try artificials — topwater plugs or soft plastics — and catching a large snook or redfish on a lure can be rewarding. Moving offshore, reports of amberjack and blackfin tuna are luring anglers to the Gulf of Mexico. Live bait and artificials are coaxing the high-speed, hardfighting fish to a taste. Once your arms are too tired to reel in another tackle-buster, you can target a less-powerful fish, mangrove snapper. Plus, with the snapper you’ll have the ingredients for a fish fry and you may get a surprise and hook into a gag grouper. On my Just Reel charter trips, I’m targeting the backwater trio — snook, redfish and spotted seatrout. Live shiners work well as bait when on the flats. I’m also carrying live shrimp in case I come across pompano, black drum or sheepshead. Jigging with fresh-cut pieces of shrimp on a jig head lures pompano to bite. Live shrimp on a knocker rig works for the black drum

Ted Fleming from the Tampa Bay area, visiting the islands for the holidays, shows off one of numerous snook he caught Dec. 24 in Sarasota Bay using shrimp for bait. He and his family were guided by Capt. Warren Girle.

and sheepshead. Capt. Warren Girl is enjoying action on catch-andrelease redfish during negative tides in Sarasota Bay. On super low tides, schools of redfish settle in sandy potholes throughout the flat where the water is slightly deeper. At times, the tide will drop so low the reds are trapped in the hole and must wait until the tide rises to disperse again. Girle is finding this scenario rewarding. Casting live shrimp into a hole can result in as many redfish as an angler wants. Girle says most catches are 27-30 inches. Once the tide has risen and the redfish bite is over, Girle takes to targeting pompano on the deeper grass flats of Sarasota Bay. Mixed in with the bite are lady-

fish, jack crevalle, bluefish and spotted seatrout. Casting jigs tipped with shrimp or free-lining live shrimp under a cork works to achieve the bite. Capt. David White is working the inshore waters of Tampa Bay, where the flats yield snook, redfish and some big jack crevalle. The snook and reds react to live shiners as bait. The jacks follow suit, although if you know jacks, you know they’ll hit just about anything moving. Top-water plugs are a favorite when targeting the big jacks. Fishing along the Gulf beaches also provides action for White’s clients. Casting live shrimp along the shoreline is resulting in sheepshead and black drum. As it is slightly early for the sheepies, White says he’s encouraged to see them and anticipates the bite to get better. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says pier fishers must work a little to get a bite. Live shrimp is working best, yielding action on redfish, black drum and an occasional snook. Malfese says anglers also may encounter a mangrove snapper. Casting jigs out from the pier works when targeting migratory fish, such as jack crevalle and ladyfish and some random pompano are being caught. Meanwhile, Capt. Jason Stock is enjoying a mixed bag of species offshore in the Gulf. He’s finding mangrove snapper lurking around any structure, including wrecks, reefs and hard bottom. For anglers wanting to pull on larger fish, Stock turns them on to fighting amberjack and blackfin tuna — two species guaranteed to wear out arms. Gag grouper also are on the catch list offshore. They are being caught on live pinfish as bait. On windier days, Stock is fishing inshore structure with good results for anglers. Large snook in residence around the artificial reefs are being caught, as well as large redfish. Stock also is finding mangrove snapper — nice for anglers who want a holiday fish feast. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org. Bryan Sears, of Hingham, Massachusetts, shows off a toothy kingfish he caught in the fog Dec. 8 while on a charter fishing trip with Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.

Emily Sears and husband Taylor show off a double hookup on a pair of slot snook Dec. 8. They were guided to the fish in spite of a heavy layer of fog over Tampa Bay by Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.

Flashback ’21 Taylor Vandine, left, and sister Amanda Burkett, hook a whopper, an 85-pound black grouper, June 11 on a guided fishing trip with Capt. Jason Stock. Islander File Photo

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Pristine custom cabinets + Windows owner Pete Dospel, surrounded by family, coworkers and anna maria Island chamber of commerce members, prepares to cut the ribbon opening his island showroom in Holmes Beach. Islander courtesy Photo

biz Back to the future

By Kane Kaiman

Rise of the machines The future is now at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. The seafood chain began experimenting with a food-delivery robot at its landside location in Bradenton the week of Dec. 12. “Pearl,” a Bear Robotics appliance, has been a hit with guests, owner John Horne said Dec. 22. “It appeared at the table before the server got there and the guests were taking pictures, video of the thing, Kaiman like, ‘Look at this, our food just arrived by robot,’” Horne remarked worker, who saves them trips to the kitchen. With Pearl in the mix, wait staff can remain in the about a recent experience. AMOB staff also are pleased with their new co- dining area, serve more tables and earn more tips. Staff tell the robot where to go by tapping table numbers on a touch screen. In the spirit of efficiency, AMOB servers use handheld point-of-sale devices to communicate orders to the kitchen and bar in real time and Horne envisions a future where robots deliver drinks to guests before wait staff finishes taking food orders. Depending on the capability of the robots, Horne said he could see three-four operating at each of AMOB’s three mainland locations. For more information, visit oysterbar.net. Quality cabinets quick Pristine Custom Cabinets + Windows held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 14 for its island showroom in the Holmes Business Center, 5345 Gulf Drive, Suite 400, Holmes Beach. “We’re excited to have the only showroom that’s on the island, which should help lots of customers as well as builders,” owner Pete Dospel said Dec. 20. Customers also benefit from Pristine’s ability to produce custom cabinets faster than other companies, Dospel said. Whereas other businesses rely on out-of-state manufacturers and monthslong lead times, Dospel’s team can fabricate custom cabinets in five-six weeks. Unlike some other companies in the area, Pristine is a licensed general contractor, meaning they can modify plumbing, electric and more to install cabinets “Pearl,” a Bear Robotics machine and anna maria to exact specifications. oyster Bar’s newest staff member, delivers food to “It is definitely more of a one-stop shop. We can customers Dec. 15 at the seafood chain’s landside hire the subcontractors to remodel your complete location in Bradenton. Islander courtesy Photo house, to build you a house or do something as simple as replacing the cabinets,” Dospel said.

Dospel’s team can fabricate cabinets of virtually any size and any color in the Sherwin-Williams palette. They also build specialty options, such as garbage pull-outs and spice racks. In addition to indoor and outdoor cabinetry, the showroom features windows, custom handles and knobs and grills. For more information, visit pristinecustomcabinets.com or call 941-538-5848. Come on in The Sandbar Restaurant reopened indoor dining the week of Dec. 12, according to an announcement on the eatery’s Instagram page. When restaurants that had been closed due to the pandemic were permitted to reopen in May 2020, the Sandbar took a more cautious approach, opting to serve customers at outdoor tables on its deck. The beachfront eatery, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, is under the Chiles Group umbrella, alongside Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, Mar Vista in Longboat Key, an organic farm and an art studio. Restaurateur, developer and environmentalist Ed Chiles took over the Sandbar, the group’s flagship restaurant, in 1979. For more information, visit sandbardining.com. And as always… …Got biz news? Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ islander.org or call The Islander office at 941-7787978.

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You can read it all online at islander.org

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#ALL 6ERUSHKA AT OR E MAIL 6ERUSHKA ALLIN HOME COM WWW ALLIN HOME COM

XNLV20289

Offer valid November 1 - December 31, 2021 at participating NAPA AutoCare Centers. Claim ONLINE ONLY at NAPARebates.com by January 15, 2022.This offer is only valid to US residents. Limit of 1 claim per receipt, with a maximum of $40 payout. Limit two (2) rewards per customer account, household, family or address. *Cards are issued by Bank of America, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa Inc.These cards are not credit cards and expire six (6) months from issue and have no value after that date. See your cardholder agreement and associated materials for details.Void where prohibited.

5608 MARINA DR., HOLMES BEACH, 34217

(NEXT TO DOMINOS PIZZA) 941-896-7898 • GROOMSAUTO.COM

Don’t forget! You can read it all online at islander.org

Dec. 29, 2021 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 23 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Flashback ’21

On tour, on AMI

artist chad “cheeta” Ruis signals June 10 to onlookers from a lift as he takes on painting a high section of his underwater scene at the moose lodge in Bradenton Beach. Islander File Photo

BizCal

COMPILED BY KANE KAIMAN

Other events

AMI Chamber

austin Burket, left, poses with Jack love of amI Beach Weddings. Burket was on amI to perform Dec. 9 at a friend’s wedding ceremony at tortuga Beach Inn in Bradenton Beach. He’s currently concertmaster and first-chair violinist with the second national tour of the musical “Hamilton.” For more about Burket, go online to austinburket.com. For more about amI Beach Weddings, go to amibeachweddings.com. Islander Photo: Karen Riley-love

SAVE THE DATE

You can peruse the Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992 ,at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Jan. 12, Longboat Key Chamber Business After Hours, ChubJan. 6, member breakfast, Wicked Cantina, Bradenton by’s Lounge, Longboat Key. Beach. Jan. 18, Longboat Key Chamber Business Before the Bell, Jan. 13, member lunch, Boneﬁsh Grill, Bradenton. Turtle Coffee Bar, Longboat Key. Fees may apply for events. Fees may apply for events. RSVP for the networking events by contacting the chamber at For more LBK Chamber information, visit longboatkeychamber. 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org. com or call 941-383-2466.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY a r ia Anna M

Is la n d

A K EL

EST. 1978

2022 VIEWS OF THE BEACH

#IRCA

It’s Here!

We’re stocked with Jack elka 2022 calendars, and you can get a head start on the new year with a mail order calendar for yourself, clients, friends and family — shipped direct from the Islander. order online at islander.org or call 941-778-7978. mail orders: $25. In person $20. the Islander office is at 315-58th st., suite J, Holmes Beach -- in Jack elka’s former studio!

2BR/2.5BA townhouse directly across the street from the beach with views of the Gulf. Smaller complex with just 11 units, offering a large, heated pool, spacious, private carports and storage. Each unit offers two balconies facing the beach. This comfortably furnished unit is being sold with basic turn-key furnishings. $645,000

DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH

Panoramic views of the beach from this gorgeous 3BR/2.5BA home located directly on the Gulf. The updated kitchen offers solid surface counters, wooden cabinetry, stainless appliances and a wine fridge. Two open beach-side porches, and views of the beach from ALL three bedrooms. Currently a vacation rental. Sold with turn-key furnishings. $4,275,000.

Mike Norman Realty 800-367-1617 • 941-778-6696 31O1 GULF DR HOLMES BEACH www.mikenormanrealty.com sales@mikenormanrealty.com

INC

Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Dec. 29, 2021 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

ITEMS FOR SALE Continued

KIDS FOR HIRE

FoR sale IRIDIum 9555 handset satellite phone. complete with strap-on bag, chargers, ear plugs, etc. Price firm at $200, cash only. 804-241-2537.

aNtIQue PaRtNeR DesK: all wood, $500. Inquire at the Islander office, 315 58th st. suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

DePeNDaBle, ResPoNsIBle, FuN babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. available in June. 941-526-9090.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

NeW, tWIN mattRess, $100, cruiser bike, helmet, seven gears, $50, Paperbacks, 50 cents, hardcovers, $1, 941-920-2494.

INDIVIDuals maY Place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FRee, one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org. (limited time offer)

KIDs FoR HIRe ads are FRee for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. ads must be placed in person at the Islander office, 315 58th st. suite J, Holmes Beach.

cHaNDelIeR, BRoWN metal, bulbs included, $20. 941-920-2494.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

aNtIQue BaBY caRRIage: Wood and wicker. Proceeds benefit moonracer animal Rescue. email for photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

WaNteD: WoRKout DVDs and retired but working xBox, Wii units with games for ministry of Presence for kids and teens in Haiti. Deliver to the Islander, 315 58th st. suite J, Holmes Beach.

aNtIQue oFFIce cHaIRs: Perfect for eclectic dining set. circa 1950 from anna maria city Hall. Inquire at the Islander newspaper, 315 58th st. suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

WaNteD: YouR olD cellphone for recycling. Deliver to the Islander, 315 58th st. suite J, Holmes Beach.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc. ESTABLISHED IN 1983

Residential & Commercial Full-service lawn maintenance. Landscaping ~ Cleanups Hauling ~ Tree Trimming. LICENSED & INSURED

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Specialist Replacement Doors and Windows

Andrew Chennault

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Island References Lic#CBC056755 CBC 1253471

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

References available • 941-720-7519

AdoptA-Pet

FRee guN locK courtesy of Project childsafe, Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission and Holmes Beach Police Department. Pick up at the Islander office, 315 58th st. suite J, Holmes Beach. Don’t be sorry, be safe.

Bobby is a male lab/dobie mix, 8-9 months old, about 50-pounds and needs a caring family. To meet this cutie, call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander ofﬁce in Holmes Beach. For more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

gooD gRIeF: exPeRIeNceD licensed clinical social Worker (lcsW) providing help for individuals and families working through end-of-life issues. also offering assistance crafting your advance care Directive. call or email Dawn, 207-615- 5876. goodgrief. dawn@gmail.com. exPeRIeNce cNa FoR hire! 1. skilled. 2. Respite. 3. long-term 4. Home health. I have 22 years in the medical field, I love what I do, serving the elderly. contact information: 941-580-4440. tee0123@yahoo.com. SERVICES

PETS

NeeD a RIDe to airports? tampa $65, st. Pete, $55, sarasota, $30. gary, 863-4095875. gvoness80@gmail.com.

HelP RescueD Pets! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! moonracer animal Rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

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.

HELP WANTED

cleaNINg: VacatIoN, coNstRuctIoN, residential, commercial and windows. licensed and insured. 941-744-7983.

euPHemIa HaYe RestauRaNt: longboat Key. Join our fun, creative and award-winning kitchen team. We have several positions available depending on experience. We look forward to training the right people! Full-time, evening and weekend shifts. to apply, call 941-383-3633, or email officeadmin@euphemiahaye.com. We are an equal opportunity employer. euPHemIa HaYe RestauRaNt: longboat Key. long-established, fine dining restaurant is hiring an assistant for their award-winning Dessert Room. this position blends front-ofhouse and back-of-house duties and would be an ideal job for those wanting to gain a better understanding of a fine dining establishment as a whole. to apply, call 941-3833633 or email officeadmin@euphemiahaye. com.

Bobby needs YOU!

HEALTH CARE

RePoRteR WaNteD: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply to news@islander.org.

PRessuRe WasHINg, PaVeR sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. licensed and insured. 941-5653931. IslaND PHoto sHoots WItH gemma. Family, children, engagement, commercial. Instagram: @silvernestphoto. 805-5701415. NaNNY, BaBY/PetsIttINg, cleaning, organizing, errands, assistance. 20 years’ experience. Reliable and trustworthy, local. 805570-1415. 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. BusINess-to-BusINess JD’s Window cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. 941-920-3840.