The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 08, 2023 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

VOLUME 32, NO. 3

Honoring Veterans Nov. 11

NOV. 8, 2023 FREE

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

state initiates AMI gov’t study

Astheworldterns 6 veterans Day observances. 3

Q&A 110823 3 Meetings 5

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Election news. 5

Opinions 6

10-20 YeArs Ago

Looking back. 7

Annual tourist tax tops $30M. 8 DoT requires LBK roundabout redo. 9

Save the date. 10-11

AMI Happenings What’s up on AMI? 11-12 New shuttle service launches on AMI. 13

Gathering. 14 Good spirits. 15

Where’s Tuna Street?

16-17

Don’t wait for ‘Later Life.’ 18 on the Trail of Treats. 19 Dust up over county road project. 20

Streetlife. 20 Judge rules for developer in canal dispute. 21

Get in the Game. 23 Playoffs at center. 24 Changing targets. 25 HB oKs Seaside changes. 26

NYT puzzle. 26 oh, otis! 27 Tour de Turtles ends. 27

CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29

Isl Biz: 30

islander.org

‘Field’ trip to Game 5 of the World Series Islander Mark Melancon and son Jack, 9, walk onto Chase Field in Phoenix Nov. 1 for batting practice before Game 5 of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. Mark Melancon was sidelined with a shoulder injury and wasn’t able to pitch for the Diamondbacks in the series. The Rangers clinched the series 4-1 that night. Jack missed a few days of class at Anna Maria Elementary, where he’s in the fourth-grade, in exchange for some lifelong memories. Islander Courtesy Photo

A state study that could steer the fate of Anna Maria Island’s governance is underway. P.K. Jameson of the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability wrote Oct. 31 to the three island mayors announcing that OPPAGA is studying the potential consolidation of the three municipalities. “As directed by the Legislature, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability is reviewing the potential benefits of consolidating municipal services and government structures for Anna Maria Island,” Jameson wrote. “OPPAGA expects to begin this review immediately.” OPPAGA is a research arm of the Legislature that supports the lawmakers by providing data, research and analysis to assist them in budget and policy deliberations. State Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-BraTURN To CONSOLIDATION, PAGE 2

Public checks in en masse for 1st BB resort hearing By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The gallery at a Nov. 1 hearing on a future development on Bradenton Beach’s Bridge Street overflowed city chambers into the parking lot. The city planning and zoning board convened the hearing on a rezone of 1.61 acres on Bridge Street for a 106-room resort proposed by Shawn Kaleta, City Commissioner Jake Spooner and partners. Kaleta is a developer with multiple holdings and Spooner is a city commissioner and business owner. The proposed project promises to transform the city’s commercial district and attendance at the first public hearing on the resort demonstrated civic interest and exposed People crowd into the Bradenton Beach chambers for a Nov. 1 planning and zoning opposition. The commission chambers exceeded board hearing on a proposed 106-room hotel with resort amenities on Bridge Street. TURN To RESORT HEARING, PAGE 4

The hearing was continued to Monday, Nov. 13. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

FISH shines bright — 23 years in the making Karen Bell, along with members of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and Manatee County and state of Florida representatives cut a ceremonial ribbon Nov. 3 to celebrate the completion of restorative efforts to the FISH Preserve. FISH began efforts to return the parcel to its natural state in 2000. More, page 22. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

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CONSOLIDATION CoNTINUED FRoM PAGE 1

Tal Siddique, a denton, first questioned the number of governments 2024 candidate needed on the island at a January Manatee County for a seat on the Legislative Delegation meeting. Manatee County The local delegation includes Robinson, Sens. Jim commission and Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and president of Speak Reps. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch, and Mike out Manatee, an Beltran, R-Apollo Beach. activist group, Robinson motioned to commission a study on expresses supAMI’s governing structures and to present options port Aug. 24 for to the delegation for the state’s 2024 legislative sesindependence of sion. the island cities. The session will begin Jan. 9 and is set to run until March 8. The delegation unanimously approved Robinson’s themselves, those talks didn’t make it far. motion. Robinson and Boyd brought the study back to the While the study was initially tabled so the island forefront in August when they wrote the island mayors mayors could discuss the consolidation study among calling for feedback about the study ahead of their Oct. 5 delegation meeting. The mayors agreed to embrace the study but pushed to change the scope of the study to explore consolidation of services, not municipalities. The state lawmakers have not addressed the cities’ request and did not discuss the study at their Oct. 5 delegation meeting. However, Jameson, in his Oct. 31 letter, wrote that the study would explore the consolidation of “municipal services and government structures.” Jameson added that OPPAGA staff would schedule meetings with the mayors and/or city representatives to discuss procedures for the study. Boyd and Robinson have not responded to numerous calls to their respective offices from The Islander regarding the study since reporting on the subject began in February. LEFT: Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie speaks at an Aug. 24 Anna Maria City Commission meeting about an Aug. 21 letter from Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson concerning a state study on consolidating the three island cities. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Rickard Jensen of Holmes Beach at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. Islander Courtesy Photo

Veterans advocate, dragon boat enthusiast honored

The Manatee County Veterans Council named Rickard Jensen of Holmes Beach a “Manatee County Veteran of the Year” in part because of Jensen’s work on the Nathan Benderson Park veterans dragon boating program. The program and team at Nathan Benderson has grown from five people to more than 27 members and continues to evolve, according to a Nov. 2 news release from the park. The dragon boat team practices three times a week and travels throughout the state to participate in dragon boating competitions. In addition to growing the current team, Jensen is exploring starting a para dragon boating team. PLEASE, SEE VETERAN, NEXT PAGE

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Veterans parade set for Nov. 10 in Anna Maria The city of Anna Maria will hold the Old Soldiers and Sailors Parade at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, on Pine Avenue. A ceremony will follow the parade at City Pier Park at the east end of Pine Avenue. Military veterans are invited to join in the procession on Pine Avenue. Staging will be at 8 a.m. at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. For more information, contact Fransheska Berrios at city hall at 941-708-6130, 110 or parade@cityofannamaria.com.

Also, on Veterans Day Saturday, Nov. 11, there will be a parade and ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. At 3 p.m. on Veterans Day, Longboat Key will host a performance by the Sarasota Orchestra at the town center, 600 Bay Isles Road. At 7 p.m. on Veterans Day, the Manatee Community Concert Band will perform a concert at the Neel Performing Arts Center at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton. For more, go online to mymcvc.org.

People applaud Nov. 11, 2022, for veterans from all military branches standing in Anna Maria’s veterans Day ceremony. The applause ended with a standing ovation. Islander File Photo: Ryan Paice

Veterans Day brings closings

Veterans Day is Nov. 11 but because it falls on a Saturday, it will be observed as a government holiday Friday, Nov. 10. Most government offices, including city halls in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, will be closed. Public schools, including Anna Maria Elementary, also will be closed. The public libraries also will be closed Nov. 10 but will be open Nov. 11. However, Manatee County Area Transit, including the fare-free island trolley, will operate and parks, preserves and beaches will be open to the public. There are no posted changes to Waste Management and Waste Pro collection schedules for residential customers.

Q&A 110823

By Lisa Neff

The Islander poll

VETERAN CoNTINUED FRoM PAGE 2

Last week’s question

He found dragon boating to be a positive physical The lack of any island elections this month means … activity and way to connect with other veterans. 13%. All are doing a good job “Whether or not they have experienced combat, we 28%. Apathy have all been through the same struggles in different 39%. Residency bases too small ways,” Jensen stated. 9%. Poorly promoted opportunities Practices for the veterans program at Nathan Bend11%. Other erson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, are at 6 p.m. Mondays, 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 This week’s question For Thanksgiving, I plan to … a.m. Saturdays. A. Stay home People interested in participating can attend the B. Drive a short distance veterans new member paddle day at 9:30 a.m. SaturC. Catch a flight day, Dec. 2. D. Other For more information, go online to nathanbenderTo answer the poll, go online to islander.org. sonpark.org.

Jensen arrives at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota about two hours prior to practice to ready the dragon boats and set up equipment for his team to lessen the burden on all other paddlers. Jensen, a permanently disabled veteran, “never allows physical limitations to keep him from helping others or hinder him from doing what he loves,” the release stated. He served in Vietnam and traveled the world extensively throughout his military career. He learned about paddling in 2019, when a friend told him about dragon boating at Nathan Benderson. After trying out a few sessions, Jensen was hooked.

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RESORT HEARING CoNTINUED FRoM PAGE 1

capacity, leading West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski to enforce a 51-person maximum occupancy. People were moved outdoors to the city hall parking lot, where they listened for several hours to the meeting on a speaker and waited their turn to address the P&Z. The project involves properties with Bridge Street, Third Street South and Gulf Drive addresses leased or owned by Kaleta and Najmy Thompson PL, as well as properties on Third Street South and Bridge Street registered to Spooner, Bridge Street Bazaar and the Fish Hole Miniature Golf. Spooner also owns the building that houses the Daiquiri Deck. The plans show two floors of hotel rooms, a ground floor entrance and retail spaces, including a lobby and lounge, offices, a coffee bar, putt-putt golf and gym. The rooftop would accommodate a rooftop swimming pool and outdoor deck. Fourteen people made comments during the nearly five-hour meeting and 15 letters to the city were read into the record, a majority from people opposing the development. Before the P&Z is the developers’ request that the project be considered as a planned unit development, meaning the existing city zoning and codes would not apply. The city commission will ultimately vote on the PUD but the P&Z is reviewing and making a recommendation to the commission. City planner Louis Serna said staff recommended approval of the developers’ request with stipulations dealing with traffic, parking and public safety to be met before the application can move forward. Robert Lincoln, attorney for the P&Z, said any points of contention need to be considered as if the PUD was already in place. “There’s an implicit condition on the major development plan across the board that the PUD be approved,” Lincoln said. “It is appropriate to identify

People listen to an outdoor loudspeaker and wait their turn in the parking lot to address the P&Z board at its Nov. 1 meeting due to a full capacity crowd in chambers. The agenda included the first proposed hearing for a proposed resort on Bridge Street at the roundabout. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

all the places where relief is being requested from standards that would apply if the development was not a PUD.” P&Z member John Burns asked how many parking spaces would be required for a 106-room hotel. Serna said 133 spaces were required but the development plans call for 99. Burns said some parking spaces along Third Street North included in the resort design are owned by the city. So to meet its parking requirement, the development would need the city to turn over ownership of public parking for private development. P&Z member Fred Bartizal also said some Bridge Street parking that’s used now by the public are depicted in the design as hotel parking. During the hearing, attorney David Blum spoke on behalf of two critics — Hunter Jensen, a college student who launched a Change.org petition against the resort, and Christine Johnson, who worked with Jensen to found the Save Bridge Street Community page on Facebook. As of Nov. 2, the online Change.org petition had Raising issues, questions 4,853 signatures. Blum said, “The applicant in this situation is seekThe Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board is reviewing plans for a proposed resort at Bridge Street ing rezoning of a PUD district but the staff has not advertised or analyzed rezoning, which is a quasi-juand Gulf Drive. The P&Z continued a Nov. 1 meeting on the projAttorney ect to 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13. David Blum Issues and questions raised Nov. 1, include: addresses • What safety measures are needed to address the planning likely increase in pedestrian activity on Gulf Drive? and zoning • What clarifications need to be made regarding board resort parking and the loss of public parking on Third members Street North and other public spaces designated for Nov. 1 on hotel use in the design? behalf of • Can a determination be made to clarify what codes critics of should be followed for density, intensity, height? the hotel • What are the potential traffic issues associated developwith resort operations, including deliveries and valet ment. parking service? • What is the impact on public utilities including sewer capacity and water pressure? • What are lighting options to prevent sea turtle disorientations?

dicial matter. The staff report indicates the applicant is adding the PUD overlay administratively. It does not appear that the PUD overall can be a purely administrative task and, as such, the report appears not to meet with the statute.” Blum also noted a public records request that was not answered by the city. He said it relates to his procedural question stemming from a comment on the Island Ratz Unite Facebook page in favor of the development that was liked by city attorney Ricinda Perry from her personal Facebook account. “The comments made by the city attorney (are) improper for a quasi-judicial hearing because we shouldn’t have these conversations outside of the hearing,” Blum said. Certified planner Misty Servia, a former county commissioner, represented island business owner Bob Bolas at the hearing. Bolas, who owns multiple real estate investments in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, is involved in a lawsuit with Kaleta. According to Manatee County Clerk of Court records, Kaleta filed suit against Bolus over a contract to purchase the defunct Bank of America property in Holmes Beach. Servia said Bradenton Beach’s comprehensive plan states that hotel/motel transient lodging units are limited to 18 units per gross acre. “The comp plan cannot be modified with a PUD zoning and the comp plan limits the density to 18 hotel units per acre and a maximum building height of 29 feet above the flood elevation,” she said. She said the proposal — which calls for 66 units per acre — is “clearly inconsistent.” Servia also said reducing parking would impact businesses on Bridge Street, as 38 spaces for the resort are partially located in city rights of way. The developers’ team included attorney Steven Thompson of Najmy Thompson PL, traffic consultant Nathan Poole, architect Shaun Luttrell of Luttrell Architecture and planner Susan Swift. “This may be the most important decision the city may make concerning Bridge Street,” Thompson said. “I think the city has been planning for this type of development for many years.” He added, “We agree with the staff report. We would recommend approval with the stipulations that have been recommended,” Due to the length of the hearing and public interest, the P&Z continued the meeting to 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 13, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

—Robert Anderson

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Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Meetings

By Lisa Neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

Anna Maria embarks on path to ﬁll 2 commission seats By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A first steps on the path to fill two of five vacancies Nov. 16, 6 p.m., commission. on Anna Maria’s city commission began Nov. 1. Nov. 24, 9 a.m., planning and zoning. First up, the city began taking applications to Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708appoint two new members to succeed Commissioners 6130, cityofannamaria.com. Robert Kingan and Deanie Sebring before February BRADENTON BEACH 2024. Nov. 13, 10 a.m., P& Z. Sebring left the board and moved to France in Nov. 15, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES. October. Her seat remains vacant until a successor is Nov. 16, noon, commission. chosen to serve the remainder of her term, which runs Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., through December 2024. 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Meanwhile, nobody qualified to run for the seat occupied by Kingan, who opted not to seek reelection. HOLMES BEACH His term will expire in December and his successor Nov. 8, 9 a.m., clean water committee. will step into a full two-year term on the commisNov. 13, 11:30 a.m., police pension board. sion. Nov. 14, 2 p.m., city commission. There were three commission seats up for election Nov. 14, 2 p.m., commission swearing-in cer- Nov. 7 but only two people — incumbents Jonathan emony. Crane and Charles Salem — qualified. Both automatiNov. 15, 5 p.m., planning commission. cally won the office and the election was canceled. Nov. 28, 10 a.m., code compliance. The process to find successors to Sebring and Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941- Kingan began when the city started taking applica708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org. WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

Nov. 14, 6 p.m., commission. WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org. MANATEE COUNTY

Nov. 14, 9 a.m., commission. Dec. 4, 9:30 a.m., tourist development council, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org. ALSO OF INTEREST

Nov. 8, 3:30 p.m., Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity, Bradenton Public Works, 1411 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Nov. 10, Veterans Day observed. Most government offices will be closed. Nov. 13, MPO, 9:30 a.m., Holiday Inn-Sarasota Airport, 8009 15th Street E, Sarasota, Nov. 23, Thanksgiving, a federal holiday. Most government offices will be closed. And many also will be closed Nov. 24. Nov. 29, 10 a.m., District One Scenic Highway meeting, Sarasota-Manatee MPO Office, 8100 15th St. E., Sarasota. Please, send meeting notices to calendar@islander. org and news@islander.org.

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

ELECTION NEWS HB swearing in set

Three incumbent Holmes Beach city commissioners will begin their new terms this month. Commissioners Pat Morton, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek will swear their oaths of office Nov. 14. The trio qualified for reelection without opposition. Soustek was appointed to the commission in 2014 to complete the unexpired term of David Zaccagnino and has been reelected every two years since 2015. She has served as commission chair for the last two years and as vice chair for two years before that. Her new term will be her fifth full term on the board. Schaefer was elected to the commission in November 2019 and he was reelected in 2021 and now in 2023. Morton was elected to the commission in 2003 and served 17 years before losing his seat in the 2020 election. He was elected to the board again in 2021. City commissioners currently receive $7,950 annual salaries, but their pay will rise to $8,080 due to $130 annual salary increases based on cost-of-living adjustments and adopted in 2019. The three incumbents will be sworn in to begin a commission meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. A livestream of the meeting can be viewed on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org. — Ryan Paice

tions and forum questions from the public. The window to submit applications will close Friday, Dec. 15, whereas the public will have until Wednesday, Dec. 27, to submit questions of the two candidates. Crane Those questions will be provided to the applicants by Friday, Dec. 29, allowing time to prepare for a forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The forum will allow applicantss to introduce themselves and answer Salem questions provided by the public, similar to the process used in January to appoint Salem. However, at this forum, attending members of the public will be allowed to ask their questions based on those submitted to the city. Short The existing commission — which will consist of three members by this point — will vote to appoint the two new members at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, also at city hall. The applicant who receives the most votes will choose between the one- and two-year terms, leaving the other term to the applicant with the second-most votes. To qualify for a commission seat, people must have maintained a residency within the city for at least two years, be a qualified voter of the city, and cannot be employed by the city or hold any other municipal office. City commissioners receive a $4,800 annual salary. The city did not fulfill an Islander records request made the morning of Nov. 3 regarding applications and forum question submissions by the end of the work day.

Dems to discuss water issues

The Anna Maria Island and West Democratic Club will host a forum on water issues 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. The club’s featured speaker will be David Tomasko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, discussing “the quality of our water in AMI and west Manatee.” Club members also will turn in petitions circulated on a proposed amendment on a state constitutional right to clean and healthy waters. The cost to join the club is $25. For more information, email Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail.com or call the party headquarters at 941-301-4336. — Lisa Neff

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Page 6 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Opinion

Our

Field of dreams

I can only imagine the thrill for a young islander, a fourth-grader at Anna Maria Elementary, when he stepped on the field at Game 5 of the World Series Nov. 1 with his dad, Diamondback pitcher Mark Melancon, for batting practice. But it must be a thrill similar to what many of us felt as we stood Nov. 3 on the bare earth at the FISH Preserve in Cortez, where so many dreams were realized. Bravo to the Florida Institute for Saltwater members, some gone from our midst, and many who couldn’t be with us, who shared the vision of a handful of dedicated villagers and joined the pursuit of the land to buffer Cortez from development and protect the habitat and estuary that border the fishing community for future generations. Thank you to all who put sweat and tears into the preserve. To donors and contributors, scouts, day campers, young sailors and old boatmen, to the many, many people who take part in and attend the fishing festivals — to everyone who contributed, large or small, to making the preserve a reality. What a day of glory you had. I couldn’t help but recall my old friend, partner, longtime editor of The Islander, Paul Roat, who, before he died in 2014, went from being an aide to a state legislator to public information director of the newly formed Sarasota Bay Estuary Program — the program’s first employee. He took great pride in the SBEP mission before joining The Islander staff and forever after. And, as a team on the newspaper, we took pride in heralding the Cortez fishing community — we were one of two newspapers in Florida that fought the 1995 net ban — and, of course, the FISH achievements. SBEP brought the mixture of funding, government entities and environmental expertise that the Cortez visionaries sought to allow the preserve to thrive as a habitat for wildlife and marine life, and as a nursery to maintain the abundant fishery and the fishing way of life that the founders sought so many years ago. Bravo to you all and especially to those who held high the vision: Karen Bell, Linda Molto, the late John Stevely, Jane von Hahmann, Kim McVey and many more. Many more. The Islander takes great pride in chronicling every Island perfection I love Anna Maria Island. step of the process — since 1992 — to bring us to this I moved here 10 years ago and tonight I was point with FISH and the SBEP. reminded why I love it so. It goes without saying that “it takes a village.” A friend and I went to the Anna Maria City Pier And now, FISH, please, take a bow. this evening, where the locals were thrilled to bust — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org out the sweatshirts on this first cool evening in a long time. We enjoyed delicious corn-and-shrimp chowder and fried shrimp for dinner, had a glass of happy-hour wine and then got to listen to our local musical treaNOV. 8, 2023 • Vol. 32, No. 3 sures, Trevor Bystrom and James Hershey, play truly ▼ Publisher, Co-editor beautiful music. Bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial Bystrom’s 10 year-old stepdaughter, who had trick Editor Lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org or treated at my house the night before, sang and played Robert Anderson, robert@islander.org guitar and her original song moved me to tears. Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org The sun was setting, a kite boarder was slashing Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com through the waves, the pelicans were dive bombing the Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org water, a fisherman was hauling in ladyfish and mackRyan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors erel. Karen Riley-Love Developers may be trying to ruin our paradise but Jacob Merrifield they can’t do it. Capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org Tonight was island perfection. Nicole Quigley ▼ Advertising Director Laura Jaicomo, Holmes Beach

Opinion

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Feed the hungry

It goes without saying that this past year, inflation significantly increased the cost of basic necessities. Many or our local citizens often have to wisely chose between food, medications and rent. Likewise, you need to wisely consider how best to choose which charity to support. The Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program is uniquely different from other food assistance programs in Manatee and Sarasota counties. We serve the community at our local food pantries

Skimming online

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Letters to the editor

We welcome opinion letters. Submit comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number for verification to news@islander. org. and through our new food insecurity program, going into neighborhoods serving people at their point of need. We urgently need your help. Since our beginning in 1987, we have provided 914,000 people who have come to us for assistance. Many of our neighbors need food now. With your help, the lives of families, children, veterans, elderly, homeless, disabled and socially isolated will change for the better. There are easy ways to make your tax-deductible donations: text GIVE to 941-275-2032 or donate on mayorsfeedthehungry.org. Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie, North Port Mayor Barbara Langdon, Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Sarasota County Commission Chair Ron Cutsinger

Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

At attention U.S. Coast Guard members stand at attention in Cortez in october 1976. A station remains on the waterfront in the fishing village.

In the pass The Miss Cortez X of Jim Berry’s Cortez Fleet, a charter fishing operation, travels through Longboat Pass in 1996. Islander Photos: Manatee County Public Library System

10&20 years ago

From the Nov. 12, 2003, issue

• Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash was concerned enough about future plans for an 898-unit condominium project by Arvida Corp. on Perico Island that he called a meeting between county staff and Bradenton officials to discuss safety, density and hurricane evacuation issues. Bradenton annexed the property in the late 1990s. • Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam Speciale said he planned to finish an investigation into an alleged Sunshine Law violation. Speciale declined to name the commissioners allegedly involved. • Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn said she and other island elected officials were blindsided at a county commission workshop when the county introduced an impact fee proposal for all new construction in the county. “Everything we learned at the meeting was that the county considered this a done deal,” Suelynn said.

From the Nov. 13, 2013, issue

Check The Islander archives 24/7 Some years ago, The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. We donated the collection of newspapers beginning with the first edition in 1992. It took some time but we are included on the library site. Look for The Islander in the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

• Anna Maria voters returned incumbent Commissioner Dale Woodland to office while also electing Doug Copeland and political newcomer Carol Carter to office. • Bradenton Beach Mayor John Shaughnessy was defeated by 17 votes by Bill Shearon. Shearon tallied 149 votes to Shaughnessy’s 132 and absentee ballots put Shearon over the top. • Incumbent Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton clearly retained his seat with 753 votes, as did incumbents David Zaccagnino and Jean Peelen, who were separated by less than 1% of the total votes —650 to 648 respectively. — Lisa Neff

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Take hands-on classes to explore traditional folk art and maritime skills. Spend the day learning a new craft and getting to know your community in a fun, engaging way!

Upcoming Classes: Mosaic Tiling Indigo Dye Painting with a Fish Kokedama Bonsai Candle-Making Sailor Valentine Pasta-Making Recreational Boat Safety Cheese-Making Weaving Key Lime Cooking And MORE!

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THE BEST NEWS ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND — SINCE 1992 315 58th St. • Holmes Beach FL 34217

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Page 8 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2022-23 tourist tax tops $30 million By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

$30.8 million — and that’s a wrap on Manatee County’s 2022-23 bed tax collection. The Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office reported Nov. 1 collecting $30,838,907 in tourist development taxes in 2022-23 compared with $28,605,229 for 2021-22. The tax is the 5% levy on overnight accommodations of six months or less. Early in the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 31, tourism officials in Manatee County predicted the revenues would top $30 million, setting annual and monthly records for the year. The total revenues for 2022-23 did top the $30 million mark and the dollars in many months exceeded prior collections. But not in September, the end of the fiscal year. In September, the county reported $1,495,995 in taxes collected. That’s a decrease of 3.10% from the September 2022 tourist tax revenues of $1,543,920. Monthly revenues also declined for July. Hurricane Idalia, which passed in the Gulf of Mexico, prompted an island evacuation in late August and also disrupted the Labor Day weekend, which impacted visits to the region, according to data shared with the county tourist development council. Additionally, TDC data shows a decline in the number of Europeans visiting the area compared with

2021-22, a year when the number of travelers from abroad skyrocketed after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Another trend in the TDC data: Higher accommodation prices. Room rates for August, the most recent month available, showed the average daily room rate at $184, up 4.2% compared with 2022 and up 23.2% compared with 2019. Historically, unincorporated Manatee County and Holmes Beach have jockeyed for the top collection of TDT dollars. In September, unincorporated Manatee accommodations yielded $563,222 or 37.65% of the earnings pie, while Holmes Beach rentals generated $392,976 in tax dollars or 26.27%. Anna Maria sleepovers produced $171,974 or 11.44% and Bradenton Beach accommodations generated $102,834 or 6.87%. Bradenton generated $147,526 or 9.86%, Longboat Key grossed $112,438 or 7.52% and Palmetto held down the reporting at $5,953 or 0.4%. The “bed tax” dollars do not go directly to the municipalities where the accommodations generating the taxes are located but instead to a pot that gets portioned out by the county under the advice of the tourist development council. Per state law, the tax dollars must be used to drive tourism-bolstering initiatives and have funded beach

Construction continues ‘Brooks-Yearwood’ resort Construction continues oct. 24 at the former Layby Resort, 105 White Ave., Holmes Beach, which was purchased for $8.825 million in 2019 by Nashvillebased Coasting LLC, representing county-music star Garth Brooks and food network chef Trisha Yearwood. Work to convert the former resort into a single-family home has been underway since 2021.

RIGHT: The Layby resort was partially demolished in April 2021 as part of a renovation by Holmes Beach-based Shoreline Builders of Southwest Florida — owned by Steve Titsworth, Mayor Judy Titsworth’s husband. Holmes Beach planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor told The Islander oct. 26 that staff inspected an underground gas tank at the property earlier that day. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

AMI toUrIsM: endless season

September tourist tax collections: September 2019: $746,145 September 2020: $1,116,592 September 2021: $1,400,018 September 2022: $1,543,920 September 2023: $1,495,995 Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

renourishment projects on the island, as well as the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the commissioning of two boats for a planned ferry service. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Bradenton Area Convention Center; Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit dedicated to developing downtown Bradenton, and the Pittsburgh Pirates also receive bed tax dollars. October resort tax data will be released in early November. The next TDC meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

34216 is gold

One island ZIP carries some bling. Anna Maria’s 34216 is in the top 100 of the most expensive ZIP codes in the United States, according to the RealtyHop real estate site. In its fourth annual “Most Expensive ZIP Codes Report,” RealtyHop pulled real estate listings advertised in the United States for the year — more than 3.64 million of them — and sorted the properties by ZIP code. RealtyHop then ranked the ZIPs by median price, resulting in a list of the “most expensive markets in the nation.” Two Florida ZIPs made the list: 33109, which is for Fisher Island, where the median list price was $5.7 million; and Anna Maria, where the median list price was $2,859,000. Fisher Island ranked fourth on the list of 100. Anna Maria ranked 41st. For the fourth year in a row, 94027 in Atherton, California, was the most expensive ZIP code in the United States, with a median price of $7,950,000. California had 61 of the most expensive ZIP codes. For more, go online to realtyhop.com. — Lisa Neff

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Sewer surges wastewater onto Holmes Beach street

Manatee County Utilities Department sprang into action to stop a sewer surge in Holmes Beach. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection released a pollution notice about a sewer overflow Nov. 3 near 127 52nd St., Holmes Beach, which county staff addressed within an hour. County staff reported finding raw wastewater overflowing from a manhole and onto the roadway. They determined the overflow was caused by a dirt blockage in the gravity main, which was a result of “a hole in a downstream manhole that allowed dirt to flow into and block the main.” County staff flushed the main, broke up the blockage and vacuumed the line, but not before an estimated 1,500 gallons of wastewater was discharged. “The hole in the manhole was repaired and all standing wastewater was vacuumed up. No surface waters of the state were impacted by this event,” the release stated. — Ryan Paice

DOT requires Longboat Key to redesign roundabout By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Longboat Key is putting another spin on a roundabout design. The town has been looking at adding a roundabout at the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street since 2021. During a joint meeting Oct. 31 between Manatee County and Longboat Key officials, Longboat Key public works director Isaac Brownman said the town must replace its roundabout design due to Florida Department of Transportation issues. The crossroad is a major intersection with access to Whitney Beach to the west, Anna Maria Island to the north, Longboat Key to the south and entry to the east for three restaurants and one of the town’s oldest residential neighborhoods, “the village.” Brownman said the town originally intended to design a roundabout within the constraints of the existing intersection to minimize cost. He said that area of Gulf of Mexico Drive is “super elevated,” meaning the road is banked in one direc-

Palms at the Pines People take in views of newly planted coconut palms oct. 19 along Church Avenue at the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach. The park came under new ownership Sept. 8, purchased by developer Shawn Kaleta and partners, Pines Park Investors, for $16,250,000. The Islander reached out by text oct. 4 and oct. 19 to law firm principal Louis Najmy, title manager of the park, about improvements planned in the park. As of Islander press time, there was no response. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

tion. And when the town submitted designs from Sarasota-based Kimley-Horne engineering, the DOT refused the design due to the slope of the road. “And that puts us into a redesign situation,” Brownman said. To proceed, the town must level the road and implement a new drainage system. Also, the DOT’s decision lengthens the project by 1,900 feet and impacts more of the roadway. Meanwhile, the town decided to implement elements of a DOT complete streets initiative into the redesign, which is estimated to cost $158,000. Complete streets involves redesigning roadways for safer access and travel by pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit users. Brownman said the redesign will incorporate a 7-foot-wide buffered bike lane, a 12-foot-wide multiuse trail on the east side of the road and a 6-foot sidewalk on the west side. Town manager Howard Tipton said the total project would cost $2.5million-$3 million.

The intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street on Longboat Key is the site of a proposed roundabout. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

CALLING ALL VETERANS!

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Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Surfrider cleanup focused on LBK’s Beer Can Island Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

The Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter is organizing a beach cleanup at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, on Beer Can Island, 100 N. Shore Road, Longboat Key. A notice from Surfrider rep William Romberger said, “As one, we make little difference. As many, we can make waves.” For more information about Surfrider, go online to suncoast.surfrider.org/leadership-suncoast or call Romberger at 941-504-7821.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 10 a.m. — Creative Aging: Drawing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: ﬂoridamaritimemuseum.org. Saturday, Nov. 11 SAVE THE DATE 4:30-7:30 p.m. — Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra Symphony on the Sand concert and dinner, Coquina Nov. 18-April 28, 2024, the Dali Museum’s “Dali & the ImpresBeach, Bradenton Beach. Fee apples. Information: symphonyonthe- sionists: Monet, Degas, Renoir and More,” St. Petersburg. sand.com, 941-704-6408. Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Festival, Bradenton. Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, April 6, Center of Anna ONGOING ON AMI Maria Island/Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau conThrough Nov. 12, Island Players’ “Later Life,” 10009 Gulf Drive, cert, Anna Maria. Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-5755. MARKETS & SALES Through Nov. 10, Artists’ Guild Gallery “Paint the Town” celebration, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. ONGOING ON AMI Information: 941-778-6694. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Throughout November, Artists’ Guild GalPier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard. Anna Maria. Information: lery exhibit, “Giving Thanks,” 5414 Marina Drive, 941-708-6130. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Through April 2024, select dates, Artists’ Guild Gallery “Paint OFF AMI the Town” sidewalk demonstrations and sales events, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Saturday, Nov. 11 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez. Fee applies. Information: 941-798-2035. Sunday, Nov. 12 10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez. Fee applies. Information: 941-798-2035. ONGOING OFF AMI

Tuesday, Nov. 14 10 a.m. — Florida Maritime Museum program: Show and Shells, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. ONGOING ON AMI Select Thursdays — Nov. 16, Dec. 14 — Shark Pups and Grownups preschool program, Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: mote.org. ONGOING OFF AMI First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org. Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org. Second Saturdays, Quest for kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org. SAVE THE DATE

Nov. 18, Bridge Street tree lighting celebration, Bradenton Beach. Dec. 1, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce tree lighting and holiday market, Holmes Beach. Dec. 2, Center of Anna Maria Island Lester Family Fun Day, Anna Maria. Dec. 2, Christmas on Bridge Street and boat parade, Bradenton Beach. Dec. 8, Santa in the Park and Holiday Walk of Treasures, Anna Maria. ONGOING OFF AMI Dec. 9, Winter Wonderland Celebration, Bradenton. Select Fridays — Nov. 10, Dec. 1, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 8, Dec. 9, Florida Maritime Museum’s Christmas in Cortez, April 12 — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Holmes Beach Night Market, Holmes Cortez. Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Dec. 9, Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas Parade and Saturdays through May 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Market, party, islandwide. Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-301-8445. Dec. 13-17, Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Winter Nights Under the Lights, Bradenton. SAVE THE DATE Dec. 14, Sleigh Bell Social, Holmes Beach. Nov. 17, Anna Maria Island Garden Club Plant Sale, Anna Maria. CLUBS & Nov. 25, Orban’s Nursery Poinsettia Sale and Walk, BradenCOMMUNITY ton. ON AMI Jan. 21, Island Players’ “Communicating Doors” auditions, Anna Maria. Wednesday, Nov. 8 March 10, Island Players’ “The Woman in Black” auditions, 5 p.m. — Annie Silver Community Center meeting, 103 23rd Anna Maria. St. N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-224-1973.

Through November, “From There to Here” paintings by Rick Cardoza, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648. Through Jan. 7, 2024, “Guercino’s Friar with a Gold Earring” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling. org. Through June 23, 2024, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org. KIDS & FAMILY First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the ON AMI Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. InformaSaturday, Nov. 11 tion: villageofthearts.com. 10 a.m. — Origami crafting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Music on the Porch jam session, presented by

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Thursday, Nov. 9 1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers, Island Library, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Friday, Nov. 10 9 a.m. — Old Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Day Parade, Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. 6-8 p.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island anniversary party, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna

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Island happenings

Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Maria. Info: 941-778-1908. ONGOING ON AMI Most Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Info: 941-778-1383. Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-718-5583.

Compiled by Lisa Neff

Businesses host Holmes Beach Night Market

OFF AMI Wednesday, Nov. 8 1-2 p.m. — Veterans Canteen, Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy Living, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493. Saturday, Nov. 11 8:30 a.m. — Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter Beach Cleanup, Beer Can Island, Longboat Key. Information: suncoastsurfrider.org. ONGOING OFF AMI Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Through April, Manatee Audubon Society meetings, First United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. W., Palmetto. Information: manateeaudubon@gmail.com, 941-729-2222. SAVE THE DATE Nov. 18, Annie Silver Community Center Book Sale and PreKathy Lee Patterson oct. 13 begins a painting Thanksgiving dinner, Bradenton Beach. during a “Paint the Town” event at the Artists’ Guild Nov. 19, Thanks-Living potluck, Anna Maria. Gallery in Holmes Beach. The gallery hosted a trio LESSONS & of artists in a “paint-around” demonstration and coordinated the first in a series of Holmes Beach LEARNING Night Market events with other businesses. The ON AMI next Night Market will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the city center. For more information Wednesday, Nov. 8 about AGAMI, call the gallery at 941-778-6694. 10 a.m. — Creative Aging: Drawing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes SPORTS & Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Thursday, Nov. 9 GAMES 10 a.m. — NASA Talk: Artemis MisONGOING ON AMI sion: Moon program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Beach. Info: 941-778-6341. Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778Tuesday, Nov. 14 2 p.m. — AARP Fraud Watch program, Island Library, 5701 6341. Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941Wednesday, Nov. 15 10 a.m. — Creative Aging: Drawing, Island Library, 5701 Marina 778-6341. Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. 2 p.m. — Holocaust Speaker Series concludes with Helga Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Melmed, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. InforSAVE THE DATE mation: 941-778-6341. Nov. 18, Wildlife Inc.’s Birdie for Birdies Putt Putt Tournament, OFF AMI Bradenton Beach. Dec. 1, Manatee Chamber golf tournament, Sarasota. Wednesday, Nov. 8 2 p.m. — Theft and Scam Alert program, Longboat Key ParaOUTDOORS & dise Center for Healthy Living “Thinking Out Loud” discussions, 546 NATURE Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493. ONGOING OFF AMI

Businesses in the city center area will hold a second Holmes Beach Night Market Friday, Nov. 10. Hours will be 5-7:30 p.m. — and later at some locations. Businesses will offer refreshments, entertainment and demonstrations and some will offer extended hours. Other dates include Dec. 1, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 8 and April 12. One of the organizers is the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, which will host an open house that night at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, and also is presenting its “Paint the Town” series of demonstrations and sales events Nov. 7-10. Other Night Market participants include D.Coy Ducks, howluckyami, Pizzano’s Pizza & Grinderz, Irene’s Resort Wear, Original Sand Dollar, The Feast Restaurant and Hurricane Hanks Grill and Bar. For more information about AGAMI, call the gallery at 941-778-6694.

Plaza shops host 1st of season’s holiday events

C&S Plaza at 5402-5444 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will welcome new stores with a holiday open house 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, including “deals and coupons at each store,” a TV raffle, libations and holiday treats. New merchants — Gypsea Tides, Frosty Oasis, HSH Home Design, Reed Fitness and CrossFit AM, AMI Sk8 — join Domino’s, Four Seasons and Island Fresh Market at the plaza.

Cortez folk school open

The Folk School at the Florida Maritime Museum is registering students for a variety of classes. Programs include lessons on making candles, pasta, “sailor valentines,” sea salt scrubs, cheese and more at the museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. For more info, call 941-708-6121. To enroll, go to www.floridamaritimemuseum.org/ folkschool.

CALENDAR NOTES KEEP THE DATES Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Nov. 23, Thanksgiving. Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Stay prepared. Get listed! Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, Mondays, 1 p.m., Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923. Living “Thinking Out Loud” discussions, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

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Island happenings

Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

‘Symphony on the Sand’ set for encore at Coquina Beach The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra will perform the Symphony on the Sand at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. “We are thrilled to bring the music and festivities back to the beach,” Jeanie Pickwick, past AMICCO executive director, said in a news release. Pickwick is the chair of the event’s steering committee.

Maestro Alfred Gershfeld leads the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & orchestra in the Symphony on the Sand in 2022. Islander File Photo

“We played it safe through COVID and thankfully dodged a hurricane. This year, we expect our return to ‘business as usual’ to be anything but the usual, with an expanded concert, fun new ticket alternatives and a rich lineup of top-rated restaurateurs.” Maestro Alfred Gershfeld will conduct the 45-piece orchestra performing showtunes, cinema classics and patriotic favorites. Also, AMICCO’s 2022 Young Artists Solo Competition winner, violinist Margaret Toth, will perform. Restaurants participating in the small plates dinner service — tickets are $150-$175 — include the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, Coquina Cafe, Kacey’s Seafood and More, Hometown Desserts, Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key and St. Pete Concessions. The Beach Bistro is presenting VIP Premier Tables and serving a four-course surf-and-turf meal, which also includes front-row concert seats. The cost is $250. Concert tickets priced at $60 and $100 include access to food and beverage and drink tickets. The $30 general admission tickets were sold out, as of Islander press time. A notice said more general admission tickets might become available the day of the event. For tickets, go to symphonyonthesand.com. For more information, call the chamber at 941778-1541.

AME Calendar

• Friday, Nov. 10, Veterans Day observed, no school. • Sunday, Nov. 12, 3-5 p.m., PTO Family Social book swap, city field, Holmes Beach. • Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., fourth-grade play in the auditorium. • Nov. 20-24, Thanksgiving break, no school. • Thursday, Nov. 30, 3:45 p.m., SAC meeting. • Dec. 4-7, Scholastic Book Fair. • Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m., STEM Night. AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. AME second-grade teachers Katrina Thomas and Michelle Costanzo gather with students around a fire truck oct. 17, while on a field trip to the Longboat Key. Islander Photo: Courtesy AME

Garden club selling plants

The 2023-24 season is beginning to flower. The Anna Maria Island Garden Club’s annual plant sale will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Nov 17. The event will be at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Shoppers will find herbs and vegetable plants, as well as flowering plants, hanging baskets and more. Proceeds will go toward the club’s mission of “island beautification.” For more information, contact Jeanie Murray at 941-405-3534.

Holocaust series concluding

The Holocaust Speaker Lecture Series will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Island Library with a talk by Helga Melmed. The lecture will begin at 2 p.m. at the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. A notice said Melmed was born and raised in Berlin. She was deported and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland. The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has presented the series. For more about the library, call 941-778-6341. For more about the federation, go to jfedsrq.org.

Stone Crab fest Nov. 11-12

The 11th annual Cortez Stone Crab and Musical Festival will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 11-12, outdoors on the Cortez waterfront. Plans include music, arts and crafts booths, kids’ activities and food and beverage served. The music lineup includes Mikey Silbaugh, Mushroom Soup, Uncle John’s Band, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, Ted Stevens, the Stockton Brothers Band, Tim Chandler. The festival will be at 4628 119th St. W., surrounding Cortez Kitchen and the Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar. Admission is $5 for those 13 and older. For more information, call the Cortez Kitchen at 941-798-9404.

Privateers registering for Christmas parade

The Anna Maria Island Privateers is registering entrants for the nonprofit’s annual Christmas parade, which will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. The red and green, silver and gold celebration will take off about 10 a.m. from Coquina Beach and travel north to City Pier Park at the intersection of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria. Parade entries — motorized or peddled and decorated for the holidays — must be registered. After the parade, AMIP will host a holiday party, with Santa handing out presents to children, at city field in Holmes Beach. To register, which is free, go to amiprivateers. memberlodge.org. For more info, email Valerie “Dallas” Mabry at liaison@privateers.org or call 941896-0797.

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Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

New shuttle service set to serve AMI riders

Bradenton Beach business owner Walter Loos and a pair of investors are bringing pay-to-ride shuttle services, as well as a and delivery service, to Anna Maria Island beginning Nov. 8. Loos said the shuttle will transport people anywhere on the island, as well as over the Cortez Bridge as far as 123rd Street West in Cortez. The shuttle cost is $5 per person and 25 cents per mile. The fleet consists of three LSVs, with one vehicle stationed in each of the island cities. “It’s a point-to-point destination service that can be booked either online, through our app or by calling us,” Loos told The Islander Oct. 31. The decision to launch the service is timely in that the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s EZ Park Tram service funding will end Dec. 31. The fare-free tram, which began operation in 2020, transports people between parking lots at the Coquina and Cortez beaches and the Bradenton Beach business district. A fare-free Manatee County Area Transit trolley also operates between Coquina Beach and the Anna Maria City Pier. Loos said the LSV shuttle would likely run 10 p.m.-11 p.m. daily. Loos, who partnered with Camden Parkhurst

The Island Rider Shuttle, a pay-to-ride service begins Nov. 8. Islander Courtesy Photo

and Reinaldo Iragorri to launch the offerings, also is involved in Island Scoops, Wilder’s Slice of AMI and Island Donut Co., all in Bradenton Beach. Parkhurst is the owner of AMI-based CabanUp and Loaded Kitchen. Iragorri is executive director of Dry Up, a restoration company based in Ft. Lauderdale that specializes in water, fire and mold damage cleanups. For more information go online to islandriderami. com or call 941-251-7916. Meanwhile, Loos said, more options are opening

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Tidings

Gathering

Compiled by Lisa Neff

ON AMI

By Lisa Neff

Gloria Dei hosts guest pastors

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is hosting a guest pastor on Sundays in November, the Rev. Thomas Weitzel. The church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host another guest preacher in December — the Rev. Cory Rigney, the chaplain at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton. Meanwhile, the church continues to work to identify a full-time replacement for the Rev. Doug Kings, who left in October and relocated to New Mexico. For more information, call the church at 941-7781813.

Roser sets Thanksgiving service, community dinner

Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will host its annual Thanksgiving service and traditional Thanksgiving dinner on the holiday, which is Thursday, Nov. 23. The service will be at noon in the chapel. The community dinner — everyone is welcome to attend — will be at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. For dinner reservations or to volunteer help prepare and serve the meal, call the church at 941-7780414.

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church. Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast supper and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting. Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org. Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast; Mondays beginning Nov. 6, 1 p.m., book club. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com. Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship. Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering. Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com. Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. Ongoing: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., RoserRobics; Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study; ﬁrst and third Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Just Older Youth group. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, ofﬁce@stbernardcc.

org.

Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Ongoing: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.; Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession. OFF AMI Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoﬂbk.org. Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m. Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Women’s Bible Study; Mondays, 9 a.m., Men’s Bible Study. Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org. Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m. Ongoing: Mondays, 4 p.m., choir practice. Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-3428. Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. THIS WEEK Tuesday, Nov. 14 Noon — Roser Memorial Community Church Women’s Guild luncheon, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414. SAVE THE DATE

Nov. 18, Roser family movie night. Nov. 19, Roser “Surviving the Holidays” program. Nov. 21, Christ Church Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Nov. 23, Roser Community Thanksgiving service and dinner. Dec. 2, Annunciation Holly Berry Bazaar and Pancake Breakfast with St. Nick. Dec. 2, REAL Women of CrossPointe Christmas brunch. Dec. 3, Roser blood drive. Dec. 3, Roser Bethlehem Walk. • Island businesses, the Anna Maria Island ChamDec. 17, Gloria Dei Christmas concert. ber of Commerce and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Dec. 17, Roser Christmas cantata. are collecting for Toys for Tots. Drop off new toys The Just Older Youth group at Roser will gather

GoodDeeds

Assistance sought on AMI

JOY to hear travel tales

for a pre-Thanksgiving lunch and program at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. It’s a “bring your own bread” event, as attendees are asked to bring their favorite bread and the hosts are providing sliced turkey, lettuce, condiments and beverages. The program will include a presentation by Karen Ferris-Fernside on “A Moroccan Odyssey.”

Roser shop open 3 days

The thrift shop operated by the Women’s Guild at Roser Memorial Community Church is operating on a fall-winter schedule and open three days a week. The shop is open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Nonproﬁts: Give us your wishes for the coming year

Local charities and other organizations are invited to submit their wish lists to The Islander for the annual Wish Book, published the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Each year with the arrival of the holiday season, the newspaper invites organizations to share their wishes — the items they need or desire to carry them through the year — so that readers can add them to their shopping lists. Please, send wish lists to Lisa Neff at lisa@ islander.org. And readers, please, pick up a copy of the Wish Book on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Roser Church

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

through Dec. 15 at A Paradise Realty, 5201 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, as well as at Publix, Cheesecake Cutie and Cafe, Grooms Motors and Automotive, Duffy’s Tavern, the Feast, Hurricane Hanks and the chamber office in Holmes Beach; the post office and Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria and Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez. Information: 941-778-4800. • The city of Holmes Beach is signing up sponsors and collecting donations of bikes and other items for raffles at the “Sleigh Bell Social” set for Dec. 14 in city field. Information: 941-778-0331, ext. 264. • The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers for the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17, 2024, in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824. • The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island welcomes members to support the gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: amiartistsguildgallery. com, 941-778-6694. • The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers for the 75th season of shows. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-941 778-5755. • The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteer docents and bakers. Info: 941-778-0492, amihs.org. • The Friends of the Island Library welcomes members to support the Holmes Beach branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, friendsoftheislandlibrary.org. • Wildlife Inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured animals. Info: 941-778-6342. • Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denom-

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM in the Chapel 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church

ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER

RoserChurch.com

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

GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS Please, send listings and changes in calendars and other events to calendar@islander.org.

Animal rescue disbands

Moonracer No-Kill Rescue has disbanded and no longer accepts donations. In its announcement, Moonracer suggested directing donations to Wildlife Inc., 2207 Avenue B, Bradenton Beach. For more information, call Wildlife Inc. at 941-778-6342. inations. Info: 941-778-0414.

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941778-0414. • AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433. — Lisa Neff

To list an organization’s aid services on AMI or a call for help, email lisa@islander.org with details.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a free community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to people with ties to the island. Please, submit notices to news@islander.org.

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Worship With Us at Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM

DĞŶ͛Ɛ ŝďůĞ ^ƚƵĚǇ͗ DŽŶĚĂǇ Λ ϵ͗ϬϬ tŽŵĞŶ͛Ɛ ŝďůĞ ^ƚƵĚǇ͗ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂǇ Λ ϭϬ͗ϬϬ

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Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Big bad wolf scares up therapeutic fun The therapists at HCA Florida Blake Physical Therapy work out a children’s story, “The Three Little Pigs,” for Halloween. The group dresses up annually for the big day and their patients get the added bonus of a laugh with their physical therapy. From left, Quyen Nguyen, Cheung Teav, Amber Rector and Mandy Eady. The facility is at 315 75th St. W., Bradenton. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy

Happy Halloween, Bradenton Beach Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar employee Darlene Woods, resplendent Oct. 31 in her Halloween Hippie costume, brings service with a groovy smile to customers visiting the restaurant. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

RIGHT: Fred Bartizal, owner of the Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, welcomes patrons to his Halloween party. Just kidding! Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

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Stephen J. Pere, DMD The good witches of the “AMI sister coven” gather on Halloween at the Chateau Anna Maria in Holmes Beach to hand out candy to participants in the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Trail of Treats. They also treated the Roser Food Pantry with a contribution of more than $1,000, according to Deb Sneddon of Holmes Beach. Sneddon wrote in an email to The Islander, “This spell-casting, magic-making, spirit-raising, big-hearted and ever grateful AMI sister coven has met for six glorious years to celebrate AMI community and friendship with unmatched Halloween flair!” Islander Courtesy Photo

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Page 16 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Don’t wait to partake in ‘Later Life’ at Island Players theater

The Island Players cast of “Later Life” takes the stage during a rehearsal oct. 30 at the Anna Maria theater, 10009 Gulf Drive. Islander Photos: Brook Morrison

By Brook Morrison Islander Reviewer

“The course of love never did run smooth.” —William Shakespeare. The quote from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” fits well within the heartfelt “Later Life,” an ode to the course of love throughout life. “Later Life,” written by A.R. Gurney and directed by Preston Boyd at the Island Players theater in Anna Maria, blends the story of two people who meet again on a November New England evening by chance in the later chapters of their lives. The curtain opens on a tranquil evening in 1993, with Austin, played by Mark Shoemaker, listening attentively to a stranger, played by Joseph Smith, convincing himself it’s time to quit smoking cigarettes. Austin is politely waxing lyrical with the random man when Ruth, played by Valerie Lipscomb, joins him in the moonlight to say, “Hello.” It’s been so long — so long that one of the two needs a reminder! As they become reacquainted on a trip down memory lane, the audience is introduced to various well-crafted comedic partygoers portrayed by Smith and Daphne Dufrane. They provide a big dose of funny and continuously interrupt the two possible lovebirds, with characters such as the culture-shocked but jolly couple who moved from Atlanta to Massachusetts, and two Boston natives who can’t quite agree whether to move to “Flah-rida” or stay put near the “Bah-ston Hah-ba.” While Austin and Ruth confirm how they first met, both share stories of their past and it’s revealed that their lives have not been straight lines. The loss of a child, the loss of oneself and failed relationships take centerstage. Through the heartache, the evening progresses and the two inch closer and closer. Will Ruth and Austin become “Raustin”? This production of “Later Life” does not sugar

BELoW: Lead actors valerie Lipscomb and Mark Shoemaker perform “Later Life” at the Island Players theatre in Anna Maria. The production continues until Nov. 12.

coat human experiences but confronts the truth of gutwrenching lows and enormous highs balanced with aged wisdom and glimmers of hope, laughs and mystery. As soon as your eyes begin to glisten, a well-timed interruption will keep you tickled. The set design by Jan Van Wort brings the audience to a 1990s patio furniture complete with twinkle lights. Light design by Ethan Vail is exceptionally creative, blending colors from sundown to the night sky to set the mood during the 80-minute show. Sound designer Mike Lusk provides excellent audio, transporting us into a rooftop party on the Boston Harbor. Boyd directs and Denise Handly is stage manager — and both produce a moving play to tug on your heart strings. The theater is dark Mondays. “Later Life” is coproduced by Ginny’s and Jane Tickets are $27 online and $25 at the box office, E’s Coastal Store and Cafe and continues through Nov. Mondays-Saturdays and one hour before each perfor12 at the playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. mance. The show runs Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and For more information, call the box office 941-778Sunday at 2 p.m. 5755. !"#$%&'(%)*+,-%./%*01*,"*23*%"2%,*-"4*2#"+5%,*6.4*5"278%4*-"72%+24%3.2-#,93#".28 5*#%9-%4*-"72%+%6.,*%:*+9#"/95%+24%/923#".2+5%-1+3*%/.,%).9,%5"/*-#)5*

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Trail of Treats brings costumed kids to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and across the island to businesses for trick-ortreating!

Candy, costumes along the Trail of Treats Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce board member Susanne Arbanas takes a look oct. 31 at contestants in the ages 7-8 group of the AMI Chamber’s Trail of Treats costume contest. Arbanas judged the contest. The Trail of Treats is an annual event that begins with a costume contest at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce at its office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. After the contest, attendees leave to Trick or Treat at participating businesses across the island. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Brothers Finn Grogan, 1, left, and Leo, 6, visiting from London, are best actionfigure award winners oct. 31 for ages 0-4 and 5-6 for their Transformer-based Bumblebee and optimus Prime costumes. Kids gather oct. 31 at Small Town Creamery, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, where owners Max Miller, front, and dad, Dennis, hand out free ice cream cones to the Trail of Treats participants.

AMI Dolphin Tours owners Ben and Susan Webb, aka the dolphin, hand out candy oct. 31 outside their tour office at the Waterline Marina Resort & Boat Club in Holmes Beach.

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Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HB business impacts linger with overdue county project By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A couple of Holmes Beach business owners are nearing the end of their wits over the many associated problems they have experienced with Manatee County’s force main replacement project on Holmes Boulevard. Sarasota-based Spectrum Underground began work on the $3,492,035.25 project in March 2022. The project involves replacing 4,000 feet of 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard and 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main along 58th Street with new PVC lines. Work also involves replacing existing water services and upsizing potable water lines along the stretch from 2-inch and 4-inch diameters to 6-inch diameter pipes. Construction was initially projected to end a year ago, last November. However, that timeline has been delayed multiple times due to complications with Holmes Beach’s nearby city center improvement project over the past year, Hurricane Ian in September 2022 and Hurricane Idalia in August. The latest delay is due to a leak found when Spectrum was pressure-testing the new force main along Holmes Boulevard from 52nd Street to Gulf Drive. To find the leak, the contractor had to re-dig some areas. Project manager Brett Gocka wrote in a Nov. 3 email to The Islander that the contractor located and repaired the leak — which is believed to have been caused by a broken gasket — earlier that week. Following the repair, the pipeline passed pressuretesting, which allows Spectrum to tie in both ends of the line and transfer the flow of water to the new main. Other unfinished work includes replacing two fire hydrants and resurfacing roadways, as well as replacing damaged sod and sidewalk panels. In the meantime, 20 months of construction may have proven to be too long for a couple of business owners. Sean Murphy, owner of The Doctor’s Office, 5312 Holmes Blvd., told The Islander Nov. 3 that he was considering filing a lawsuit against the county and the contractor. Murphy said the project has heavily impacted The Doctor’s Office due to construction that closed parking and limited vehicle and pedestrian access and also resulted in foul-smelling emissions and noise. He added that such problems forced the business

Access to Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach is barricaded Nov. 3 between 56th and 57th streets, where Sarasota-based Spectrum Underground continues work on a Manatee County force main replacement project. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

to close for days at a time. “It’s had a devastating impact on sales and the incomes of employees who are waiting tables,” Murphy said. “The construction in front of The Doctor’s Office has been constant. … It just drags on and on.” Construction along the roadway also left much of the asphalt stripped near The Doctor’s Office, exposing sand and dirt. Murphy said employees must wash

off outdoor furniture every morning due. He added that neither the county nor contractor has communicated with his business or others about the work. He said he called Spectrum to ask for assistance and was hung up on twice. “The whole project screams negligence,” Murphy said. “The very fact that this project has stretched on for as long as it has. To watch them digging and re-

Island police reports

dose. The MCSO and emergency medical services responded to a call concerning an overdose. EMS transported a person to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach Oct. 25, 3900 block of Sixth Avenue, recovered missing person. A Holmes Beach police officer was on patrol when he saw a man identified on the news as a missing person. The officer spoke to the man, confirmed his name and contacted the detective in charge of the missing person case. The officer deemed the man did not meet Baker Act requirements and released him. Oct. 29, D.Coy Ducks Bar & Grille, 5410 Marina Drive, Marchman Act. Two officers responded to reports of a publicly intoxicated man and found a man matching the description in a nearby parking lot. The man was noticeably intoxicated and “stumbling.” HBPD officers asked for identification but the man refused to comply. As officers began to handcuff and place him under protective custody under the Marchman Act, the man resisted and tried to pull away. An officer brought the man to the ground, handcuffed him, then called Manatee County Emergency Medical Services. EMS transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. Oct. 29, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, recovered property. An officer responded to reports of a handgun found on the beach. The firearm was not loaded. The officer searched databases for the serial number but it had not been reported stolen. The officer placed the handgun in storage. Oct. 29, Just 4 Fun Rentals, 5358 Gulf Drive, missing property. An officer responded to reports of missing bicycles. The store owner said two people rented two bikes, a helmet and two locks for a day but did not return the equipment. She provided a renter’s name and a phone number. HBPD polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.

Streetlife

Anna Maria No new reports The Manatee County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach Oct.28, 1300 block of Gulf Drive North, vandalism. The MCSO responded to a complaint that someone damaged property at a home. An incident report was filed and a case number assigned. Oct. 29, 103 Gulf Drive S., Circle K, assault. The MCSO responded to a report of an assault in which a man punched another man in the face and pulled a gun. An incident report was filed and a case number assigned. The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez Oct. 26, 4000 block of 124th Street West, larceny. A caller to the MCSO’s dispatch said someone stole items valued at $600 from a boat. An incident report was filed and a case number assigned. Oct. 31, 4400 block of Cortez Road West, over-

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Judge rules for developer in Cortez canal dispute By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Twelfth Circuit Judge Edward Nichols denied a motion Oct. 30 to dissolve a lis pendens placed on canalfront properties along 126th Street West in Cortez. Marshall Gobuty of Cortez Road Investments and Finance, the developer of Hunters Point Resort & Marina, 4333 Saltwater Pearl Way, Cortez, filed a suit June 3 naming the following property owners as defendants: Jacquelyn Shepard, Timothy Fitzpatrick, Wendy Kokolis, George Kokolis, Mark S. Ibasfalean, Jonathan COUNTY PROJECT FRoM PAGE 18

digging the same holes over and over again.” “How does the county expect us to respect their ability to build a parking garage in the middle of the island when they can’t pave 50 yards of road?” Tony Caminite, owner of Home True Value Hardware, 5324 Marina Drive, said he would consider joining a lawsuit. Caminite said construction had closed all but a handful of parking spaces and a rear store entrance on Holmes Boulevard. He also said blowing sand became an issue after the contractor stripped sections of asphalt along Holmes Boulevard. “Overall, I’d be happy to see it end and get back to normal,” Caminite said. For more information about the project go to amiprojects.io.

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Graham, Sheila Graham and Mary Norman. The defendants own canalfront homesites along 126th Street West and the suit alleges they are unlawfully maintaining docks and boat lifts in the Hunters Point canal and that their docks extend more than 25% into the canal, violating Manatee County dock regulations. Hunters Point is a development of 86 zero-energy homes that self-generate and store power to run themselves. A zoom hearing was held Oct. 30 to hear arguments on a motion to dissolve the lis pendens, a public notice that a pending lawsuit or claim is attached to a property. Attorney Richard Green, representing the Kokolises, questioned the legitimacy of the lis pendens and a property survey commissioned by CRIF. According to the developer’s survey, lines of properties adjacent to the canal indicate the owners might not own the land where their docks are built and also some property landward of the seawall bulkhead. Green said the defendants built, maintained, improved and paid taxes on the lands for several years. Attorney Fred Moore, representing the Grahams, said they suffered hardship from the lis pendens, interfering with their ability to sell their home, which was listed for sale earlier this year. A lis pendens does not prohibit the sale of the property but it can make the property less desirable to potential buyers.

Moore said the lis pendens encumbered his client’s property and needed to be clarified. Attorney Ivan Reich, representing CRIF, said the lis pendens is based on property deeds for Hunters Point and the deeds affirmed CRIF’s private ownership of the canal. “Based on the events of the hearing, the court cannot ignore the deeds,” Nicholas said. He also spoke to the impact of the lis pendens on the defendants’ properties. “There’s no question that the lis pendens affects the properties. And suggests that there is potential for an issue regarding ownership,” the judge said. Nicholas ruling means that the lis pendens on the property will remain in effect, encumbering the properties listed in the suit. It is unknown as of Islander press time whether homeowners will appeal the decision. The Islander reported Nov. 1 that Gobuty claimed previous litigation by neighboring MHC Cortez Marina, 12160 Cortez Road W., triggered the civil suit against the homeowners. “This all came about because of the marina,” Gobuty said. “If the marina would’ve left everything the way it was, we would’ve built our docks. They would be using the canal as much as they want. The homeowners, I wouldn’t even know their names and everything would have been the same. It all happened because of the marina’s claim.” Hunters Point won the MHC Cortez Marina challenge to build docks in the canal, saying their main concern was navigational safety.

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Page 22 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cortez celebrates completion of FISH Preserve restoration By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage’s FISH Preserve is symbolic of the Cortez spirit. After 23 years of grassroots efforts and environmental restoration, FISH and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program hosted a celebration commemorating the completion of restorative efforts of the 95-acre preserve that began in 2000. FISH has worked in tandem with conservation and governmental entities, including: the SBEP, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Florida Water Management District and Manatee County. The preserve, 4404 116th St. W., neighbors the historic fishing village and has undergone a bevy of environmental restorative efforts, including renewal of aquatic habitat, planting of native species, creation of waterway connections and the removal of exotic vegetation. The event featured accolades from SBEP executive director David Tomasko and staff scientist Jay Leverone, FISH treasurer Jane von Hahmann, U.S. EPA Region 4 administrator Jeaneanne Gettle and Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge. Tomasko recounted the work, thanked the many people involved with the project and introduced von Hahmann, who spoke to attendees about the history of Cortez and the partnerships it formed to preserve its heritage and the FISH property. “The FISH Preserve is now the only untouched waterfront on Sarasota Bay,” von Hahmann said. “This habitat supports the last true working waterfront in the state of Florida. Today was accomplished because of partnerships.” She said more than $2 million was spent to bring the property to where it is today. Gettle spoke about how funding from the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure deal infused an additional $900,000 per year into national estuary programs and how the FISH project benefitted. She referred to the funding as “the single largest investment in water infrastructure that the federal government has ever made.”

For more Cortez FISH Preserve photos and information on exploring, go online to this story at islander.org.

David Tomasko, right, speaks with Theresa Bert as he leads a group on a tour of the FISH Preserve after a Nov. 3 celebratory opening.

Leverone, who administered the SBEP-funded work, thanked the people he worked with on the project and spoke about the restoration. He said there will be other projects on the property. “We are not quite done,” Leverone said. “We are continuing to look for public funding for bridges, trails, signage, a kiosk. We want to make this publicly friendly and publicly usable. We want people to come and enjoy this and the entire FISH preserve.” Van Ostenbridge spoke about the county’s interest in preserving the land. “Preserves get better with time,” said Ostenbridge. “Our residents absolutely love preserves and I am so happy this can be added to that list of publicly accessible lands. If you need help with these exotics and you need help with this place, I am a phone call away. The county will continue to be your partner in this.” At the end of the ceremony, von Hahmann and Tomasko recognized Leverone and Theresa Bert, who accepted a plaque on behalf of her late husband John Stevely. Bert spoke about Stevely’s contribution to FISH and to Cortez. Stevely, a founding member of FISH, was instrumental in obtaining the preserve as a buffer from development and a fixture in the village.

Bert then made a contribution of her own. She told those gathered that she and John set aside $50,000 for the FISH Preserve in their wills “but I would like to donate that $50,000 now, specifically for trails and bridges.” Bert also celebrated the birth of her first grandchild that day, noting the baby was being born during the ceremony. She announced the child would be named, Slater John, in Stevely’s memory. Von Hahmann said Cortez resident Linda Molto, Karen Bell and Stevely were a large part of not only the purchase of the land but the formation of the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in 1982, the main source of funding for the preserve land. After the ceremony, Bell, a FISH board member, spoke with The Islander about the origins of the land purchase, crediting Gene Turner, a citrus farmer and real estate agent from Arcadia who helped connect FISH with the Schewe family, who owned the land that would become the core of the preserve, eventually selling the parcel to FISH for $250,000. “He made all this happen. He was friends with the Schewes. That man was instrumental in all this,” Bell said. Von Hahmann, perhaps, summed up the ceremony best: “This parcel of land represents the future of this village and the fishing industry that’s been the livelihood of so many families for over 135 years. For us, it is not just the ecological value but the historic, the economic and the cultural value it brings to the community, this county and this state.” She alluded to a 1999 waterfront community program that identified the Cortez community with a statement that she found in the program booklet: “Unlike every other waterfront community that was looking to be a destination, Cortez is described as a stubborn, family-oriented, family-business-driven community that just wanted to keep what they had.” So far today that spirit endures, in community, in newborn grandchildren and in the very land itself. About FISH FISH, a volunteer nonprofit run by a 12-member board of directors, manages several properties in Cortez, including the preserve, a boat shop, Fishermen’s Hall and the old volunteer fire station. The nonprofit formed in 1991 and is dedicated to the promotion, education and preservation of Cortez and Florida’s commercial fishing and other traditional maritime cultures. The group also hosts the annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, drawing thousands to the oldest working fishing village in the state to celebrate the fishing industry and the bounty of the area’s local fishery.

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Page 24 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Playoffs underway in adult soccer, youth soccer on hold a week

Marty Clark was two strokes back in third place. Members were back on the course Nov. 2 for a nine-hole shamble-scramble combo that played to a par of 38. The team of Leigh Brattain, Dom Livedoti, Mike Riddick and Bill Shuman earned clubhouse bragging rights with a 2-under-par 36.

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

First-round playoff action in the adult soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island kicked off Nov. 2 with four games, No. 5 seed Gulf View Windows & Doors got things started taking on No. 4 seed Sato Real Estate. In a minor upset, Gulf View came away with a 4-2 victory behind a hat trick from Jesus Martinez and a goal and Cassidy an assist from Leo Gonzalez. Amber Augustine chipped in an assist and Raul Loera made nine saves to help preserve the victory. Amy Ivin and James Noblett scored a goal each for Sato, which also received nine saves from Ben Sato. The second match of the evening saw No. 3 seed Ross Built take on No. 6 Pool America in a battle to a 1-1 tie in regulation time, sending the game to a penalty-kick shootout. Ross Built prevailed 2-1 in the shootout, as Daniel Hampton and Andrew Ross converted their spot kicks, while Nate Welch was the lone Pool America player to convert. No. 2 seed Gulf Drive Cafe edged No. 7 Sandbar Restaurant by a 4-3 score in the third match of the evening, thanks to three goals from Kevin Roman and a goal from Helio Gomez. Javier Rivera added an assist and Tuna McCracken came through with nine saves in goal for the victory. John Cruz, Justin Fields and Alex Villanueva each scored a goal for Sandbar, which also received a pair of assists from Matthew Staggs and an assist and eight saves from Robb Marshall in the loss. The last match of the night saw No. 8 Slim’s Place eliminate No. 1 Moss Builders in another penalty-kick shootout. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation. Dean Hinterstoisser and Garardo Urbiola Bolanos made their spot kicks, but the next three players failed to convert from the spot. Damir Glavan, Kris Yavalar and Thomas Mangotic each converted their penalties, giving Slim’s Place a 4-3 penalty kick victory. Semifinal action continues Nov. 9 with Slim’s Place taking on Gulf View at 7 p.m. followed by Gulf Drive Cafe taking on Ross Built at 8 p.m. Youth playoff matchups delayed Due to Halloween, players in the youth soccer league at the community center had a week off to gorge on candy. Playoff action in the 8-10 division was set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 with No. 5 seed Le

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Horseshoe news Two teams emerged from pool play with 3-0 records to kick off the Nov.1 horseshoe games at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. The morning saw Bob Hawks and Bob Baker cruise to a 21-9 victory over Tom Skoloda and Bob Lee. The Nov. 4 games also saw two teams advance from pool play before the pitchers decided things in the knockout stage. Bob Rowley walked his way past Tom Farrington and Gary Howcroft 24-12 to earn solo bragging rights for the day. Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

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Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cooler temps bring targetable migratory species to AMI waters By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Anna Maria Island anglers are enjoying some cooler weather, as well as some fantastic fall fishing on migratory species such as kingfish, mackerel, bonito and sharks. Fishing along the Gulf beaches is good as long as the wind stays out of the east. Anchoring and chumming over artificial reefs is resulting in consistent action on the early morning Stasny tides. Lucky anglers are encountering cobia mixed in with other bites, which is always welcome. Moving to the flats, you can bet that trout, snook and redfish are on the move toward their wintertime spots. Try to catch them in between the fronts, when the water temps have a chance to rise slightly. Fishing shallower flats during afternoon tides should be good, as the fish will be hunting during the warmest part of the day. Live shiners as bait are a good bet, although using artificials, such as top water plugs or soft plastics, also can be effective. On cooler days, try fishing around docks and other deep areas in the backwater where you can find fish taking refuge from the cooler water. Also, fishing in the Gulf in depths of 40-50 feet may be a good option when the seas are calm. Try carrying live shrimp for bait out there to target hogfish, Key West grunts, mangrove snapper and porgies. If you fancy a fish fry, this is the bite to go after. On my Just Reel charters, I’m patrolling the beaches with my clients for pelagics — kingfish, mackerel and bonito. All three are great fighters on medium spinning gear. In the backcountry, spotted seatrout are the most abundant catch with a few snook and reds mixed in. Capt. David White is finding his clients plenty of action along the Gulf beaches on the hunt for the migratory species — kingfish and Spanish mackerel. Anchoring and chumming over structure is luring both species to the boat, making them targetable for clients. Kings up to 20 pounds are being caught on live shiners combined with a wire rig — consisting of a long shank

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Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters helps Bob Dunlap of Indianapolis show off the kingfish he caught right off the beach on Halloween morning on a live shiner. “These fish are great smoked and for making dip,” according to White.

hook, and 12 inches of hardwire. For the macks, using a long shank hook and omitting the wire is working fine. Moving out in the Gulf to depths of 50 feet is yielding hogfish, grunts and porgies and live shrimp is working best as bait for this bite. Finally, moving inshore on the flats of Tampa Bay, White is finding redfish and snook along the mangrove shorelines and around docks. Fishing over deeper grass flats is yielding spotted seatrout. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says anglers there are targeting the migratory species and finding success with Spanish mackerel. Casting artificials such as jigs and spoons and retrieving them with a fast reel is resulting in numerous hookups for pier anglers. Mixed in with the mack bite are jack crevalle, blue runners, and bonito. The most thrilling bite is occurring

when small packs of bonito blow up the bait schools, devouring everything in sight, including the jigs and spoons. Typically, when targeting mackerel, anglers use medium-light to medium spinning gear. This is ideal for anglers who consider themselves sportsmen, as catching mackerel on the tackle requires more skill and finesse than just horsing them to the deck on oversize-gear. The initial bite is quick, followed by the dragscreaming as an angler watches the line steadily pour off the spool. In many cases on light tackle, a fish can take the line down to the knot, which is the terminal end at the spool. Hopefully the line breaks at the leader so the angler can retrieve it and cast again. When the bonito move in, the light gear is insufficient, but not incapable. With some skill, endurance and a little luck, the angler has potential to reel one of the small cousins of the tuna up to the pier. Being a pier fisher for many years as a boy, I can tell you there is nothing more entertaining than seeing an unsuspecting tourist get hooked up on a bonito and watching the bonito rip every yard of line off their Zebco 22. And having been a pier fisherman for so many years. I’ve caught just about everything that swims — or flies for that matter — around the piers of Anna Maria Island. I have to say, catching bonito at the pier is most entertaining. Spectators gather, as do other anglers, offering plenty of advice. It’s a fishing thing. You have to experience it. And, as for the reference to anything that flies, the many shorebirds feeding amid all the anglers can result in the unfortunate situation of catching and entangling a bird. But not to worry. Most skilled pier fishers are adept at handling the birds with care and can gently remove hooks and line to ensure the bird can fly away. That being said, don’t miss the mack bite at the R&R. And if the birds get too thick for you to cast, take a break. But make sure you have the tackle to handle the macks when the bait shows. The excitement of this bite will stoke the passion in any angler. Send high-resolution photos and ﬁshing reports to ﬁsh@islander.org.

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Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holmes Beach adopts delayed code, Seaside Gardens changes

ments shall be made in accordance with part wall agreements; • The reconstruction cannot create any new nonconformity or increase the degree of any existing nonconformity; • The burden is on the applicant to establish a structure’s blueprint as it existed before it was damaged. Mayor Judy Titsworth said she directed city engineer and public works superintendent Sage Kamiya to explore potential solutions for flooding in the neighborhood during king tides since the area is heavily impacted. There was no public comment.

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

WE ROCK ONLINE

RELEASE DATE: 10/29/2023

islander.org

New York Times Sunday Magazine Crossword

Holmes Beach commissioners unanimously voted Oct. 24 on changes that allow the reconstruction of existing nonconforming townhomes within the city’s R-4 zoning district, which includes Seaside Gardens. Commissioner Pat Morton was absent with excuse. Action on the issue and other matters was tabled Oct. 10 due to the lack of a four-commissioner quorum. Other items included second readings for: • An ordinance removing administrative code from reference in the code of ordinances, as well as two resolutions establishing new administrative code and a new personnel policy manual; • An ordinance renewing a franchise agreement with Tampa-based Peoples Gas System for the construction, maintenance and operation of a natural gas pipeline; • An ordinance amending city code to comply with changes in state law regarding the age of golf cart operators. The issue involving Seaside Gardens had been in discussion since April. The community was established in the 1960s by John Holmes Sr., the namesake for the city, and developed into 110 individually owned, attached groundlevel homes. The neighborhood is located within an R-4 zoning district, a medium-density residential zone intended to provide a mix of single-family, two-family and multifamily dwellings. Talk about changes began when an owner asked the city to raise the living level of their unit, part of a three-unit building. Other owners opposed the change and voiced concern about the potential impact on the neighborhood and especially adjacent owners since the units share common walls. However, elevating homes on the island can be beneficial for flood protection. Seaside’s structures are noncompliant with Federal Emergency Management Agency standards and subject to the agency’s 50% improvement rule, which prohibits improvements that exceed 50% of a structure’s market value. The FEMA rule places limitations on a property owner’s ability to rebuild nonconforming properties after severe storm damage. To address that issue, the ordinance allows owners of existing nonconforming properties damaged by 50% or more of their value to reconstruct their homes with the following conditions:

Seaside Gardens residents Robin and Tom Logue take a morning stroll oct. 28 on with their golden retriever, Maddie, on 62nd Street in Holmes Beach.

In other matters… City commissioners also: • Voted to authorize Titsworth to execute an agreement hiring Sarasota-based RESPEC Company LLC, for $100,000 — $80,000 of which will be funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection — to complete a stormwater vulnerability assessment study; • Voted to approve a resolution establishing an inventory of city-owned property appropriate for affordable housing, as required by state law; • Voted to adopt an ordinance protecting the use of city logos, seals and branding.

• The reconstruction of townhouse units meets or exceeds the elevation requirements in place at the time of reconstruction; • The entire ground floor must be converted to nonhabitable space used for parking vehicles and storage; • The number of existing bedrooms, lot coverage and habitable floor area shall not be increased; • A structural engineer must determine the proposed improvements to be safe and have no harmful Eyes on the road effect on the structure or any adjoining dwelling; • Anna Maria Island Bridge on State Road • The reconstruction of adjacent units and improve- 64/Manatee Avenue: Single-lane closures can be expected 7 p.m.-6 a.m. through December. For more, HB buys street sweeper go to www.swflroads.com. The city of Holmes Beach has a new tool for its • City center, Holmes Beach: Work on the city toolshed: a street sweeper. project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives But it won’t arrive until next spring. continues but is nearing completion. For the latest, City commissioners unanimously voted Oct. 24 check the city’s page on Facebook. to authorize Mayor Judy Titsworth to execute an Manatee County’s work on a force main project on agreement to purchase a TYMCO Model 600 Regen- Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets conerative Air Street Sweeper from the Daytona Beach- tinues and traffic patterns can change. For the latest, based Container Systems & Equipment Company for go to amiprojects.io. $194,670. • Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach: Manatee The contract specifies a 240-270 day window for County is working on sewer lines along Gulf Drive delivering the sweeper, which would result in a June- South. Through the month, travel lanes on Gulf Drive July 2024 delivery, but Kamiya said the contractor said South from 8th Street South to 10th Street South will it could deliver the equipment by May 2024. be shifted west, as a sewer pipe will be installed across Street sweeping is a required maintenance item for Gulf Drive South at Ninth Street South. Ninth Street the city’s current grant agreements with the Southwest South is closed to traffic. For the latest, go to amiprojFlorida Water Management District, so meeting that ects.io. requirement is a priority. For more info, go to swﬂroads.com or dial 511.

RoadWatch

— Ryan Paice

— Lisa Neff

No. 1029

YOU’RE ONTO SOMETHING BY ROBERT RYAN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ Robert Ryan, of London, is an economist for Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority. This is his third crossword for The Times — all Sundays. Although he grew up solving cryptics (and loves their wordplay), he doesn’t create them. He has only ever submitted crosswords here. ‘‘Once I discovered the American crossword, I was completely sold.’’ — W. S.

AC R O S S

1 Small dosage qtys. 4 In South America they’re known as ‘‘gallinas de palo,’’ or ‘‘chickens of the tree’’ 11 You can see right through ’em 16 Jockey (for) 19 Dadaist Jean 20 Greyhound’s competition 21 Went for 22 Little demon 23 Acts coy in salary negotiations? 26 Dismissive rejection 27 Components of some kitschy clocks 28 What was once yours? 29 ‘‘Good gracious!’’ 31 Play opener 32 Standoffish 34 Celeb’s hangout 35 Bowlful with Thai basil and bean sprouts 36 Public stance of a member of Congress? 41 Unsavory relation? 43 Biblical grandson of Adam and Eve 44 Clichéd name for a lab assistant 45 ‘‘S.N.L.’’ alum Bryant 46 Document that may be kept in a lockbox 47 Singer Easton Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more Answers: than 4,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords page 28 ($39.95 a year).

49 Shepherd’s job, 106 2001 biopic starring essentially? Will Smith 55 Unpleasant surprises 107 Show off one’s vocal when buying concert range and stamina? tickets 111 Mother figure 56 Relative of a musette 112 Up and about 57 Take in 113 ‘‘Stop obsessing over 58 Do something illegal that’’ around a basketball 114 Downside hoop 115 Go out with 62 Business-card abbr. 116 Unloads, in a way 63 Turn more heads than 117 Diagnostic using an intended? injected tracer 68 Head for business? 118 O’Hare identifier 69 Some informants, informally DOWN 71 Memo starter 1 Eccentrics 72 Part of Q.E.D. 2 Who once quipped, ‘‘I 73 Nourish never forget a face, 74 Newspaper writebut in your case I’ll up that’s light on be glad to make an criticism? exception’’ 79 Top-of-the-line 3 Singer Ronnie of the Mercedes Ronettes 82 Object with one hole 4 Some unique digits: or two, depending on Abbr. whom you ask 5 Oft-relied-upon 83 Actress Kurylenko of 6 Footwear craze of the ‘‘Black Widow’’ early 2000s 84 Blessing 7 Pop singer Grande, to 85 They’re craze-y! fans 86 It can be a strain on 8 Sat ____ the pupils 9 Nail-polish remover 92 Bungee jumping on Tuesday, skydiving 10 Porpoise, in old usage on Wednesday, etc.? 11 ____ guards (soccer gear) 96 Mens ____ (legal concept) 12 Summon, in a way 97 Less trustful (of) 13 URL ending 98 Wear down 14 Heart-pumping activity 99 Swamplike 100 Almost spherical in 15 Soaks shape 16 Pairing for an entrecôte or filet 101 [Shrug] mignon, perhaps 103 The world’s best17 *Facepalm* selling planes

18 Disposables kept as mementos 24 Something a Brazilian is unlikely to wax 25 Age for a Latin American celebration 30 Most showily aesthetic 32 ‘‘Eureka!’’ 33 Small, cutesily 34 D.C. tiebreakers, at times 36 Nintendo Switch predecessor 37 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., e.g.: Abbr. 38 Lid malady 39 Universal blood type, for short 40 Drift (off) 42 Go out with 46 Served a sentence 47 Aquatic barker 48 Alternative to high water, in an idiom 49 Kitties 50 Be a partner with in crime 51 Lone word? 52 Highly rated French vineyards 53 Word on an Irish flag 66 Number that sounds like a past-tense carrier verb 54 Issa who plays President Barbie in 67 Pop star Rita ‘‘Barbie’’ 70 Belonging to a particular time 55 Antagonist 72 Among others, for 58 Journalist Ifill short 59 Shade of unbleached 74 In the altogether linen 75 Like some displays of 60 Approach wealth 61 Heap affection (on) 76 Escapes are made by 63 Pub lineup them 64 Shares one’s bunk? 77 Disney’s ____ of 65 Had a following Arendelle

78 New ____ 87 British ref. work 101 Face-off 79 Govt. funds for mom- 88 A, abroad 102 Decorative vases and-pop shops 89 ‘‘____ Flow’’ (song by 103 Give a ticket 80 ‘‘Colorful’’ Enya) exclamation in a 90 Gadget for a wine 104 Batter’s need hospital drama enthusiast 105 Wrecked 81 Basis for a 91 Nightfall fortuneteller’s 108 Wired internet 93 Munitions compounds romantic prediction letters 82 Road workers’ gloop 94 Small, cutesily 95 ____ Lobel, author of 109 Past-tense verb 85 Fox coverage? the ‘‘Frog and Toad’’ 86 ____ Foundation that sounds like a series for Justice number 99 Web portal with a (international Bing search bar human rights group) 110 Batter’s objective

Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

By Lisa Neff

Oh, Otis!

Otis wasn’t one of “our” hurricanes but I gave it my attention. For work, I track any trouble in the Atlantic and Otis was a Pacific coast storm that hit Acapulco Oct. 25. Otis made landfall as a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 165 mph, the strongest hurricane in Neff the Eastern Pacific to make landfall in the satellite era. The storm rapidly intensified off the coast, with wind speeds increasing by 115 mph in just 24 hours, leaving many people little time to prepare, little time to evacuate. The National Hurricane Center said one other storm on record, Hurricane Patricia in 2015, exceeded Otis’ rapid intensification in the Eastern Pacific. Patricia’s winds increased 120 mph in 24 hours. Just the day after Otis made landfall, scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research released a study on why a tropical depression or tropical storm sometimes blows up into a major hurricane. The scientists used computer modeling techniques to identify two modes of rapid intensification and the findings might lead to better understanding and prediction of the dangerous events. “Trying to find the holy grail behind rapid intensification is the wrong approach because there isn’t just one holy grail,” NCAR scientist Falko Judt, lead author of the new study, said. “There are at least two

Pitching in Behr Fosmore, 4, helps his father, Richard, shovel sand Aug. 29 into sandbags held by his mother, Nikita, owner of Salon Salon of AMI, 3612 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, to prepare the salon to weather Hurricane Idalia. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

A second mode of rapid intensification can be linked to major bursts of thunderstorms far from a storm’s center. The bursts trigger a reconfiguration of a cyclone’s circulation, enabling it to intensify rapidly, reaching category 1 or 2 intensity within a matter of hours, according to the study. This mode is more unexpected because it typically occurs with unfavorable conditions, such as countervailing upper-level winds that shear the storm by blowing the top in a different direction than the bottom. “Those storms are not as memorable and they’re not as significant. But forecasters need to be aware that even a storm that’s strongly sheared and asymmetric can undergo a mode of rapid intensification,” Judt said. A question for future research is why bursts of thunderstorms can cause about 10% of storms in an unconducive environment to rapidly intensify, even though the other 90% do not. “There could be a mechanism we haven’t discovered yet that would enable us to identify the 10 from the 90,” he said. “My working hypothesis is that it’s random, but it’s important for forecasters to be aware that rapid intensification is a typical process even in an unfavorable environment.”

3 weeks remain in Atlantic hurricane season

The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30. The season has had 21 tropical systems, including seven hurricanes, three of which were major hurricanes. The strongest storm to date was Lee, with maximum winds of 165 mph. Lee became a category 5 hurricane Sept. 8, after winds increased from 85 mph to 165 mph in 24 hours. The most impactful storm for AMI was Idalia, which passed by the island about 100 miles west in the Gulf of Mexico. It reached its peak intensity of category 4 strength Aug. 30 and made landfall south of Perry as a category 3, producing devastating storm surge, flooding and damage along Florida’s west coast.

different modes or flavors of rapid intensification and each one has a different set of conditions that must be met in order for the storm to strengthen so quickly.” One of the modes occurs when a hurricane intensifies symmetrically, fueled by favorable environmental conditions such as warm surface waters and low wind shear. The abrupt strengthening is associated with some of the most destructive storms in history, including Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina and Maria, according to NCAR.

AMI’s marathon-swimming sea turtle ﬁnishes 5th Suzi swam away from the island and hardly looked back. The loggerhead sea turtle, Anna Maria Island’s entry in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles, was outfitted with a tracking device June 27 after nesting at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. As a crowd gathered on the beach to cheer the turtle on, Suzi crawled back to the Gulf of Mexico. Then Suzi swam. And swam. And swam. Suzi placed fifth out of 12 hard-shell turtles in the marathon, which began Aug. 1 and ended Oct. 31. The Tour de Turtles began in 2008 as a fun but educational way to engage people in research associated with sea turtles, especially how often the adult females nest, where they nest and where they go after nesting. The information collected during the tour helps researchers learn about the behavior and life cycles of sea turtles, which during a summer can travel thousands of miles between nesting beaches and foraging grounds. Bella, a sea turtle tagged on the Leeward Islands,

traveled the greatest distance in the tour — 1,519 miles. Suzi traveled 1,024 miles. A map at tourdeturtles.org shows Suzi’s journey from Anna Maria Island into the Gulf. Suzi swam southwest toward Sarasota, then northwest and then south, spending most of the season west of Cuba and north of the Yucatan. Waterline Villas and Marina of Holmes Beach sponsored Suzi’s entry in the marathon. — Lisa Neff

A map shows where Suzi, a loggerhead sea turtle, swam during the Tour de Turtles, an educational “swim” marathon presented by the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Suzi, AMI’s tagged and tracked entry in the marathon, finished fifth. Islander Screenshot

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Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

HEALTH CARE

LEATHER RECLINER, DARK brown, immaculate. $125 or best offer. Holmes Beach. 973-219-0335.

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

CNA: I HAVE 26-plus years’ experience under my belt. If you need help with a loved one, please, give me call. No animals! Tammy, 941-567-8499.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

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WANT TO LEARN to paint watercolor? Painting workshops 9-11:30 a.m. Thursdays beginning Nov. 9. Annie Silver Community Center. All levels welcome. To sign up, email reiberart@aol.com or text 941-524-9951. GARAGE SALES RUNAWAY BAY ANNUAL yard sale: 8 a.m.noon Saturday, Nov. 11. Lots of goodies to be found! 1801 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. TRANSPORTATION GOLF CART RENTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! 212-941-2402. www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com. BOATS & BOATING

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

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Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 29 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S LAWN & GARDEN

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ANNUAL RENTAL: LOVELY Hidden Lake Condo. Furnished, 3BR/2BA, one-car garage. Clubhouse, pool, gym. Minutes to the beach. First, last and security. Rent $3,500/month. Wagner Realty 941-778-2246.

WINNIE MCHALE, REALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”

COLLINS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com. MP LAWN MAINTENANCE now accepting new clients. Call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com. HOME IMPROVEMENT VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net. GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792. ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874. HANDYMAN AND PAINTING. No job too small. Most jobs just right. Call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162. SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293. LOOKING FOR ANY home improvement? JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help. SOUTHWEST HOME IMPROVEMENT: Michigan builder, quality work guaranteed. Affordable, timely, within budget. Call Mike’s cell, 1-616-204-8822. BMF INTERIORS: HOME repairs and more, no job too small. 786-318-8585. CALL HYDRO CLEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094. RENTALS ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143. PERICO ISLAND PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. January, 2024 available. Call or text, 859-771-6423. BEAUTIFULLY FURNISHED, ANNUAL rental in Beach Harbor Club, Longboat Key. 2BR/2BA with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus first and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Call Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217. WEEKLY VACATION RENTAL: 2BR/2.5BA, upgraded, pool, boat dock. $1,200/weekly. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

3BR/1BA FURNISHED ANNUAL: Rent includes internet, cable, power, water and electric! $3,300/month. Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 4507 123rd St. W., Cortez Village. LOVELY, SECOND-FLOOR duplex for rent: 3BR/2 BA partially furnished. Washer/ dryer. Five minutes to AMI, quiet, safe. Rent includes all utilities except electric. Annual $2,500/month. Parking for fifth-wheel, boat, trailer. Call Kelly, 941-301-9938.

WEST BRADENTON CONDO: resort lifestyle, ground-floor 2BR//2BA. Garage. 6.5 miles, 14 minutes from Gulf beaches. $264,900. Call or text, 941-7254374.

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI. Landscape Design Lawn Care Cleanups Stone Paths

SEASONAL RENTALS: WEST Bradenton condos. All-inclusive pricing. Call for details. CoastalPropertiesRealty, 941-9620971.

Licensed and Insured

AVAILABLE NOW AND season: 1BR/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. com. Special rates are available. 941-8071405. 3BR/1BA: $3,300/MONTH furnished. Rent includes internet, cable, power, water and electric! Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 4507 123rd St. W., Cortez Village. ANNUAL RENTAL: 1BR/1BA. $1,500 month. 4850 51st St. W., #5101, Bradenton. Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696.

Rick Turner

Personal Driver 941.504.2894

WINTER SEASON RENTAL: Available December-May. 2BR/1.5BA elevated townhouse, sleeps four. Holmes Beach, no pets. Only two blocks to beach. $4,500/month plus tax and fees. Call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259. Dina@annamariareal.com. ACROSS FROM BAY: Two miles to Anna Maria. 2BR/1BA fully furnished. Available January, February, March. All utilities. Washer/dryer. $4,500 month. Family owned. 941-773-1552. ISLAND: HOLMES BEACH furnished studio apartment as yearly rental. $1,750 monthly plus deposits. All utilities paid. Separate kitchen, bathroom, walk-in closet, laundry, yard with dining set and umbrella. 941-4050126. SEASONAL RENTALS FOR upcoming season: January, 2BR/1BA modest duplex with washer and dryer in north Holmes Beach, one block to the beach, $2,400 plus tax and fees. 3BR/2BA canalfront home on the north end of Anna Maria, $6,000 plus tax and fees. January, February, March, 2BR/2BA condo at Sunbow Bay. Nicely furnished with lovely water view, $4,200 plus tax and fees. Call Green Real Estate, 941778-0455. www.greenreal.com.

OR AFTER HOURS

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

)SLAND 3HOPPING #ENTER

(OLMES "LVD

ONLY LAUNDROMAT ON AMI

2BR/2BA HOLMES BEACH: Quaint Florida-style home with two pullout sofas, large yard and hangout space available Jan. 22 to March 31. $6,000/month, pro-rated with length of stay, minimum one month. Utilities, internet and TV included. Single groundfloor. Carport onsite. Call or SMS, 617-5181240.

Place classified ads online at islander.org

Manatees are here. Boat with care.

Page 30 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

PropertyWatch By Carol Bernard

Island real estate sales

biz

4909 Gulf Drive, #2A, Holmes Beach, a 950 sq ft 2BR/2BA half duplex on a 2,518 sq ft lot built in 1985 was sold 10-16-2023 by Zawadzki to Entering Wanderlust LLC for $650,000, list price $715,000. Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.

Onstage at 88, then on tour

88 Live Piano Bar in Cortez is welcoming a Nashville recording artist to its stage Sunday, Nov. 12. Caruso, a former Anna Maria Island resident who lives nearby, is set to embark on a U.S. tour this month but before he goes, he’ll be doing a local show with his band. Opening for the evening will be Dusty Roads. Caruso Caruso is a 12-time award-winning recording artist and songwriter who is up for three Grammys. He is a former U.S. Army veteran and his new video, “Give Me Jesus,” had more than 250,000 views in the first two months. He is the founder, lead songwriter and frontman for the band, 308 Ghost Train. He is No. 22 on Cashbox and No.13 on Cross Country Radio charts and recently signed to Grace Records Nashville on a journey in Contemporary Christian music. Caruso’s show is 5-8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 12. Tickets are $10 at the venue, 88 Live, 6640 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, or by phone at 941-900-1133. It’s a great spot for a show, libations and delicious eats. — Bonner Joy

Mike Norman Realty INC www.mikenormanrealty.com 31o1 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach 800-367-1617 | 941-778-6696

LUXURY

VACATION HOMES

THIS WEEK Thursday, Nov. 9 11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Pizzano’s Pizza and Grinderz, 5318 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Reservations requested. Information: ingrid@amichamber.org, 941-7781541. 4-7:30 p.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce Expo, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-748-3411. SAVE THE DATES Jana Fallon, left, and husband Rob Fallon, owners of Anna Maria Island eBikes, 5352 Gulf Drive, the S&S Plaza, Holmes Beach, pose Nov. 1 with Deborah Wilson, the winner of their grand-opening prize — a new electric bike. The Fallons held a ribboncutting with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and a grand opening party with raffle prizes to celebrate their new venture. The Fallons’ mission, stated on the business website, amislandebikes.com, is “to promote health, sustainability, and enjoyable transportation in our community through high-quality, affordable e-bikes.” They can be reached at the shop Monday-Saturday at 941226-0943.

Colossal claw

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

EXCLUSIVE

BizCal By Lisa Neff

John Banyas, owner of Cortez Bait and Seafood in Cortez holds a colossal stone crab claw oct. 16, noting the first pull of season was slower than expected. “It was blowing northwest 25 miles an hour and they really couldn’t pull much,” he said. Islander Courtesy Photo

Once Upon A Beach VACATION RENTALS - 941.584.5844

PERSONALIZED CARE & ATTENTION EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE LOCAL EXPERT TEAM & CONCIERGE

Nov. 16, 5 p.m., AMI Chamber business card exchange, Urgent Dental Care, Bradenton. Nov. 17, 6 p.m., AMI Chamber member gala, Bradenton Country Club, Bradenton. Dec. 1, 9 a.m., Manatee Chamber golf tournament, Palm Aire Country Club, Sarasota. Dec. 1, 5 p.m., Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce tree lighting and holiday market, Holmes Beach. Dec. 2, 3-9 p.m., Christmas on Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach. Dec. 8. 5:30-8 p.m., Holiday Walk of Treasures, Anna Maria. Send calendar listings to calendar@islander.org.

Dine and discuss

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce brings its monthly business luncheon to Pizzano’s Pizza & Grinderz, 5318 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Menu offerings include pasta dishes, pizza and “grinderz.” There is a fee to attend and reservations are required. The next networking event will be a business-card exchange 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Urgent Dental Care, 1906 59th St. W., Bradenton. For more, call the chamber at 941-778-1541.

Awards anticipation

Who will take home the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s annual business awards? Find out at the chamber’s annual member gala, set for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at the Bradenton Country Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton. The chamber is selling tickets — $65 per person —and booking table sponsorships — $570 for eight — online at annamariaislandchamber.org. For more information, call the chamber at 941778-1541.

T hinking about what

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

WE CARE ABOUT EACH HOME AS OUR OWN AND EACH GUEST AS IF THEY WERE FAMILY

@ONCEUPONABEACHAMI

ONCEUPONABEACHAMI.COM

3340 E. Bay Drive, HB Office 941 462 4016

Nov. 8, 2023 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 31 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ANNA MARIA ISLAND �� Bayview Drive � Beds � Baths � �� SF Hannah Hillyard & George Myers �� A��

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Page 32 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Nov. 8, 2023 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................