The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Astheworldterns 6

Piney Point wastewater transfer begins. 2

February tourist tax tops

$3.2M. 3

Q&a 041223 3

HB mayor offers deal to stop parking garage bill. 4

Meetings 4

BB gives nod to pier restaurant expansion. 5

Opinions 6

10-20 Years ago

looking back. 7

HB committee considers sculpture proposal. 8

Save the date. 10-11

AMI Happenings

Up and coming. 10-12

Adventure awaits AME educators. 12

Gathering. 14

Call out for pantry aid. 14

Obituaries 14

Where’s Tuna Street? 16-17

NYT crossword 18

BB chief takes over code enforcement. 19

Cops & Courts 20-21

BB opts for paid parking study. 22

RoadWatch 22

BB commission OKs water taxi agreement. 23

Kids soccer kicks off. 24 April fishing trifecta. 25

New, updated tools for storm season. 26

See the ‘way.’ 27

CLASSIFIEDS. 28-28

Isl Biz: 30

army corps seeks input on icW dredge project

By robert Anderson islander reporter

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is dredging up public opinion about a proposed project in the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Corps is soliciting comments on planned maintenance dredging in sections of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway or GIWW.

The Corps’ stated objective is to maintain the safe navigability of the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Corps’ additional goals include:

• Reduction of storm damages;

• Reestablishment of beaches;

• Maintenance of habitat for nesting sea turtles, invertebrate species and shorebirds;

• Maintenance of commerce associated with beach recreation;

• Acquisition of beach-quality material in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner, according to a March 21 news release.

The proposal shows about 44,000 cubic yards of material would be excavated from

enormous kids’ egg hunt

it was all kids on deck April 8 at the Sandbar restaurant, where 3,000-plus eggs were placed on the beach and hundreds of kids and their support staff showed up for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. More, page 18. islander

disposal occurring nearshore and on the beaches of Longboat Pass and possibly uplands.

In inviting comments, the Corps said it would evaluate the project for its potential to impact sea turtle and bird habitat, water quality, threatened and endangered species and cultural and recreational resources such as fishing, swimming and boating.

ICW construction began in 1960 and was completed in 1967. The Florida Peninsula section, or GIWW of the Intracoastal Waterway, traverses Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties.

The West Coast Inland Navigation District is the nonfederal sponsor for the regional project except in Pinellas, where the county is the nonfederal sponsor.

The Corps anticipates dredging to take place over the next 10-15 years.

Comments can be submitted to CESAJGIWW-Navigation@usace.army.mil or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, ATTN: Kathryn Lebow, 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207.

‘He is risen. He is risen indeed.’

A proposed dredging project is planned to maintain a 9-foot average depth in the iCW on Florida’s west coast. islander image: Courtesy USACE

channel marker 1 to channel marker 14 in the Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island sections of the GIWW, with potential sand

For more of the 58th annual Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria island Easter Sunrise Service, see page 15. islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield

Photo: Dara Caudill

Thar he blows!

A manatee makes its way south in Tampa Bay, rounding the turn from Bean Point and heading toward the rod & reel Pier in Anna Maria. Although they live in water like fish, manatees need to breathe air to survive — which brings them to the surface frequently to take a breath. And when they do — it’s a big one! Manatees replace 90% of the air in their lungs in one breath. They also don’t breathe through their mouth and so, to achieve such a large air exchange, they exhale forcefully as they reach the water’s surface and then inhale and return under the surface. They have muscles in their bronchials and a muscular diaphragm, which helps to facilitate the rapid air exchange. The behavior can put them at risk of boat strikes as they travel near the surface. So boaters must exercise caution and always observe manatee slow speed zones.

islander

Islander archive 24/7

The Islander archive is included in the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries dating back to our beginning in 1992. It’s all maintained on the library site, searchable by key word, name or date.

Look online for The Islander at the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

County begins wastewater transfer at Piney Point

Manatee County transferred about 1.9 million gallons of industrial wastewater into a deep injection well the first week of April.

The county has at least another 258 million gallons of wastewater to move from the phosphogypsum stacks at the defunct Piney Point phosphate plant to the well.

Construction of the well was completed in late March and the transfer of wastewater began April 4 — a milestone, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the state agency with regulatory oversight at Piney Point.

“This project is one critical element of the necessary water disposal that will enable the ultimate closure of the Piney Point facility once and for all, permanently eliminating the threat from this site to the environment and the community,” the DEP said in an April 8 update on the project.

The DEP’s monitoring includes tracking storage capacity for wastewater and rainwater accumulation, as well as overseeing construction activity to eventually close the site.

The DEP began such monitoring about two years ago, when it permitted the release of 215 million gallons of nutrient-heavy wastewater from Piney Point into Tampa Bay to avert a larger disaster — the collapse of the stack system at the defunct plant.

The stability of the stack system became a concern after on-site management at Piney Point observed “seepage” at a stack likely due to a tear in the lining system.

Environmental groups in the region — including Suncoast Waterkeeper and ManaSota-88 Inc. — maintain that the release of wastewater from the former fertilizer plant fueled an unprecedented algae bloom in the bay.

— lisa Neff

Commercial fishing industry workers in Cortez share their perspectives in 5 new videos.

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Photo: Jacob Merrifield

February tourist tax tops $3.2 million in Manatee County

By lisa Neff islander editor

A short month delivered big dollars for tourism.

The Manatee County Tax Collector’s office April 3 released February 2023 collection numbers for the tourist development or bed tax — the 5% tax collected on overnight accommodations of six months or less.

The amount is 8.95% higher than the $2,954,355 collected in February 2022. But that’s a small climb compared with the 53% leap between February 2021 collections and February 2022 collections.

Holmes Beach topped collections on Anna Maria Island in February, generating $798,061, about 24.79% of the countywide total.

Anna Maria accounted for about 9.16% of the collections, bringing in $294,749, and Bradenton Beach generated $163,446 or 5.08%.

Some other numbers for February:

Unincorporated Manatee County generated $1,364,133 or 42.38%;

Building sandcastles for spring break

Hobart Ouderkirk of New York and his daughter, Collins, 4, build a sandcastle

April 5 on the Gulf of Mexico shore in Holmes Beach while on a family vacation.

endless season aMi toUrisM:

February tourist tax collections

February 2019: $1,813,708

February 2020: $2,114,161

February 2021: $1,928,629

February 2022: $2,954,355

February 2023: $3,218,684

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

Bradenton generated $283,825 or 8.82%; Longboat Key generated $306,006 or 9.51%; Palmetto generated $8,532 or 0.27%.

The collection fee or commission on the tax is 3%, so the net collection for the Manatee County Tourist Development Council in February was $3,122,124.

For the first five months the 2022-23 fiscal year, the gross tourist tax totaled $12,240,978. February’s collection was the largest this fiscal year.

State law requires that resort tax revenues be used to boost and develop tourism.

In Manatee County, the tax money is used to fund the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bradenton Area Convention Center, as well as tourism-related entities such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Funding also supports tourism-related projects such as island beach renourishment, construction of the Anna Maria City Pier and, this year, the water taxi planned between Bradenton and AMI.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council recommends how to spend the money to the county commission.

The March numbers will be released in early May.

The TDC will meet next at 9 a.m. Monday, April 24, at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Q&a 041223

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By lisa Neff

Does the Manatee County Legislative Delegation care about Anna Maria Island voters?

88%. Obviously not.

6%. Don’t know.

6%. I think so.

This week’s question

My usual way of reaching an island beach.

A. Drive.

B. Walk.

C. Trolley.

D. Bike.

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

islander Photo: ryan Paice

HB mayor proposes deal to stop parking garage bill

By ryan Paice islander reporter

A state bill that would allow the construction of a parking garage in Holmes Beach is on track in Tallahassee to become law.

But the Holmes Beach mayor is on her own track with a last-ditch effort to strike a deal to stop the measure.

Mayor Judy Titsworth wrote an April 4 letter to state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, asking him to table House Bill 947 in exchange for potentially designating 220 free parking spaces in the city only for Manatee County residents.

“What I learned most in my government classes as a child is that relationships and compromise make a whole lot more sense than war,” Titsworth wrote. “I am offering a compromise, a solution that I believe we can all be proud of if the true intent of this bill is in providing parking for Manatee County residents.”

HB 947 would allow the county to construct a 36-foot-tall parking garage at a county-managed public park — Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive — overriding city code that prohibits multilevel parking

facilities.

Robinson’s bill comes in response to a feud between the county and city over parking lost when the city established its park-by-permit system in 2020.

The city prohibited public parking 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in 645 parking spaces along residential roadways and began selling $15 decals to residents and property owners to allow them to park in those spots.

City officials stand by the system, which they argue has improved residential quality of life by reducing

DeSantis signs permitless carry gun bill

By ryan Paice

islander reporter

Looks like Holmes Beach’s opposition to a gun bill didn’t mean much to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis signed House Bill 543 April 3, allowing people to conceal carry firearms without concealed weapons licenses.

“Constitutional Carry is in the books,” the governor said in a media statement.

Less than a week earlier, the Holmes Beach City Commission unanimously voted to send a letter of opposition to the legislation.

Republican state Reps. Bobby Payne, Palatka, and Robert Brannan III, Lake City, filed the bill.

HB 543 allows state residents with valid ID to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued license, background check or training.

Concealed carry licenses will be necessary to conceal carry firearms in the 24 other states that require such a license to carry and acknowledge Florida’s

licenses due to reciprocity agreements.

The bill passed March 24 through the House with a 76-32 vote of approval.

The Senate voted for the bill 37-13 March 30, sending it to the governor for consideration.

Holmes Beach officials spoke out against the bill at a March 28 meeting ahead of the Senate vote and only a day after the March 27 shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. The shooter killed three children and three adults before being fatally shot by police.

“I just would hope that there would be better solutions to discord in the world than everyone having to pack a gun,”

Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander April 4.

roadside parking in residential areas and the outfall, such as litter and noise.

Van Ostenbridge and now Robinson argue such a system is unfair to off-island residents visiting the beaches and have pushed the city to restore the lost parking spaces.

The county legislative delegation unanimously supported HB 947 in January and the county board of commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 28 to support it as well.

The House of Representatives State Affairs Committee found the bill favorable March 31 and it was added to the full House’s second reading calendar later the same day.

If the House votes to approve HB 947, it will be sent to the Senate for review despite not having a companion bill.

If both chambers pass the bill, it will be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis — who has veto power — for final approval.

The bill would become effective immediately upon adoption.

Titsworth questioned state legislators’ review of the bill, which has passed unscathed through several committees.

“It is quite apparent, given the vagueness and speed of HB 947, committees did not have ample information and time to responsibly study and review this development order,” she wrote.

If Robinson agrees to table the bill, Titsworth is promising to bring a proposal designating 220 free parking spaces for county residents before the city commission for consideration.

Titsworth wrote that the city had recently surveyed its parking and found more than 200 “regularly unused” parking spaces on residential streets.

She added that the number did not include spaces at Anna Maria Elementary or churches, which could “potentially” open up for overflow beach parking.

Meetings

By lisa Neff

Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander April 4 that the bill’s adoption into law would not change the police approach since officers are trained to act as if anyone could have a firearm.

ANNA MARIA CITY

Tokajer

DeSantis’ signing of the bill, which goes into effect July 1, makes Florida the 26th state that does not require a concealed weapons license.

April 13, 2 p.m., commission.

April 27, 6 p.m., commission.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.

BRADENTON BEACH

April 19, 10 a.m., department heads.

April 19, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

April 20, noon, commission.

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

HOLMES BEACH

April 12, 9 a.m., clean water.

April 25, 5 p.m., commission.

Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

None announced.

WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.

MANATEE COUNTY

April 18, 9 a.m., commission (work meeting).

April 20, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

April 24, 9 a.m., tourist development council.

April 25, 9 a.m., commission.

April 27, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

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

ALSO OF INTEREST

April 12, 3:30 p.m., Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity, Bradenton Public Works, 1411 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.

April 25, 1 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials, Bradenton Beach City Hall.

Please, send meeting notices to calendar@islander.org and news@islander.org.

DeSantis

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth speaks March 15 to state legislators at a meeting in Tallahassee about House Bill 947. islander Photo: Courtesy Florida House of representatives robinson

BB negotiates, gives nod to pier restaurant expansion

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners reviewed the fine print before making adjustments to a lease for Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurant owner John Horne.

Commissioners then voted April 6 to approve an updated concessionaire agreement.

AMOB requested a revised agreement that allows expansion, including a food-and-beverage kiosk outside the restaurant’s existing footprint.

The restaurant’s footprint for alcohol consumption had been limited to a covered outdoor seating area, with the remainder of the pier designated as a no-alcohol zone.

With the changes requested by Horne, the restaurant would reach 1,400 square feet, as well as hold the exclusive right to sell alcohol on the pier.

On April 6, city attorney Ricinda Perry outlined recommended revisions and reviewed details in the agreement between Horne and the city.

She said the original lease was set to expire in December 2035 but with changes negotiated by We’re Back Inc., AMOB’s corporate entity, the agreement would extend to 2045.

Commissioner Jake Spooner voiced concern about the length of the term.

“It’s a long time,” he said, with Horne in the gallery. “I’m happy with their performance and everything you guys did but I’m a little reserved about doing it for the rest of my life.”

“Say down the road We’re Back sells this location to another operator. Are we still then locked into another 22 years with an unknown operator?” Spooner asked.

Perry said the agreement states if We’re Back were to sell, the city has the right to approve or refuse a new operator, adding that there was no need to vote until everyone felt comfortable with the changes.

Horne, however, asked that a decision be made soon.

“I’ve got a vacant piece of unit that’s not making anyone money,” Horne said, referring to a kiosk

PARKING GARAGE CONTiNUED FrOM PAGE 4

“The county has yet to conduct a survey on the need for additional parking in the city. I am certain if one was accomplished, it would be determined that we would have a bigger traffic and congestion problem than we have a parking problem,” Titsworth wrote.

“The county residents are extremely important to the city of Holmes Beach. My children live on the other side of the bridge as many young families struggle to afford to live on the island. But the main reason we appreciate county residents is because we too are county residents. We are and will always be a part of the solution. I appreciate in advance your willingness to possibly consider this compromise and I thank you for your service to our district,” Titsworth wrote.

Robinson had not responded to Titsworth’s letter as of April 7, according to the mayor.

Ready for summer season?

AMOB will use for a food-and-drink station. “I can’t move forward with the beverage license, etc. There’s a lot of things that are sitting on hold right now. I’m not rushing but this is the second month of meetings. I thought we were all in agreement last month.”

Perry said there’s still a need for the stakeholders to clarify in a drawing where alcohol will be allowed and where it will be prohibited on the pier. Such areas would be marked with signage.

It’s already been decided — per an order from Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby — that there will be no open alcohol containers on the floating dock.

Another revision requires the use of biodegradable, easily identifiable containers to designate pieronly alcohol and to cut down on litter.

Spooner motioned to approve the concessionaire agreement, with revisions from Perry on behalf of the city.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh and passed 3-0. Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole were absent with excuse.

The vote allows AMOB to move forward with implementing the service kiosk, pending the diagram identifying boundaries for alcoholic beverages.

“We’re very grateful and happy that we have what I think is such a great partnership,” Chappie said after the vote.

“We appreciate it,” Horne said. “We’ve got a great team and we want to continue being here for another 25 years.”

for

Casting

Joseph Krumme, 11, visiting with family from Kentucky, casts his net April 5 for bait fish at the Anna Maria City Pier while angling during spring vacation. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Anna Maria Oyster Bar owner John Horne tells Bradenton Beach commissioners about his planned expansion and extended lease for the Historic Bridge Street Pier. islander Photo: robert Anderson

Perfect storm

If you were on Anna Maria Island — visitor, snowbird, resident old-timer or newcomer — but didn’t attend the Easter sunrise service at the Manatee Public Beach, you missed a great morning.

The sunrise was gorgeous, the pastors and participants and the worshippers were warm and friendly, and the tiny-but-mighty Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island outperformed expectations for the 58th annual service on the beach.

Religious preferences aside, the morning had a glorious start before a rain shower arrived to sprinkle some of the beach picnics.

And although we’re still waiting to see if the offertory was as grand as the morning, the Kiwanis members continue to accept funds at their online site, where a streaming video of the service can be viewed.

Yes, the KC of AMI is going “techie,” as club president and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie said.

Standing with Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer near the entry to the beach on the north side of the pavilion, we noted the large (and somewhat tardy) crowd was really filling in the beach nicely — but no where near what appeared to be a record crowd last year.

Maybe it’s due to all the scrapping between state, county and local officials over parking.

Or maybe some people opted to attend Easter gatherings at their local churches?

Or maybe the rows of parking labeled “No Parking” by the county at the Manatee Beach, where construction vehicles are staged for future work, caused people to turn away?

Maybe people stayed home to avoid traffic.

After all, Friday — Good Friday — was an epic day of traffic jams in Holmes Beach.

It was not only the beginning of the Easter weekend, it was check-in/checkout day for weekly rentals on the island — always a big traffic day.

To complete the traffic trifecta, the contractor working on the city center project was paving Gulf Drive and Marina Drive in the “downtown” — choking traffic in all directions while alternately closing one way or the other. It was the Perfect Storm.

Anyone attempting to go north or south of the bottleneck at the city center was stuck in gridlock.

It’s enough to make a person want to stay home and hide under the covers.

Maybe next year we’ll have all the problems solved. (wink-wink-smile)

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Parking access

As a method to monitor street parking availability, the Holmes Beach police chief has been surveying all areas over the past several weekends.

His findings reveal at the highest traffic times there are in excess of 200 unused spots — on average.

This, in addition to the spots agreed upon with two churches, the library and city hall and the possibility of greater accessibility to Anna Maria Elementary’s lot, some 350 new spots can be utilized.

Skimming online

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▼ Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

▼ Editorial Editor lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org

robert Anderson, robert@islander.org

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist

Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org

Jack Elka, jack@jackelka.com

Brook Morrison, brook@islander.org

ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

▼ Contributors

Karen riley-love

Jacob Merrifield

Capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org

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Urbane Bouchet ross roberts

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(All others: news@islander.org)

Two-hundred unused, 350 new possibilities, 427 existing spots at the public beach lost due to construction equals 977 spots compared to 1,500 in a garage taking two years to build at an underestimated cost of $45 million and doing nothing to address excessive traffic to and on the island.

That does not make sense.

House Bill 947 was approved March 31 by a third House committee.

We are told that it will be 30 days before further consideration.

Now is the time to communicate your opinion to state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, and state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton.

Google each and the format to email them will appear on their websites.

Multiple messaging from the public remains our best approach to countering this over reach by the state and county.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Terry Schaefer

Not fooling around

You got me. I made it through half the “Developers set to submit site plans for 3 AMI parking garages” story (March 29) and fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

And then April fools!

What isn’t funny lies in our quasi-dystopian times. This story could very well be true in four or five years.

Only the names and the profiteers will change.

Once Tallahassee takes over home rule —once the brand of the Republican Party — they will pave paradise.

Anna Maria Island is unique. There are other barrier islands but AMI and its once laid-back vibe has become a money mill for Manatee County.

And the politicians are only human — giving them the benefit of the doubt — and with millions of dollars pouring into the kitty, they want more. Greed.

Your opinion

We welcome opinion letters. Please, submit a letter along with a name, address and phone number to news@ islander.org.

What will people pay to park in the proposed Manatee Public Beach garage? Why not charge to park in the public lot now? This would force some carpooling and people would be more apt to take a shuttle from 75th Street and Manatee Avenue in Bradenton.

Watching the evolution of Manatee politics is

looking back

10&20 years ago

From the April 9, 2003, issue

• Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach police officers arrested six people in the 3000 block of Avenue C in Holmes Beach after executing a warrant for narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Four men and two women were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and illegal possession of a controlled substance.

• Vandals in Holmes Beach used a BB gun to shoot out windows of 12 vehicles. Additionally, a police report said businesses also had windows broken by someone using a BB gun.

• Several owners and managers of vacation properties and retail businesses on Anna Maria Island said the war in Iraq caused a downturn in visitors and retail spending, but others said business was normal for a winter season. The county said occupancy of rental units was down slightly in March 2003 from March 2002.

From the April 10, 2013, issue

heartbreaking. If I still lived there, what would I do?

Circulate the names of folks in Tallahassee to flood with calls and emails?

Contact other barrier cities that don’t have the committee chair in their back pocket and fight Will Robinson Jr.’s bill.

Convince the governor to veto the bill if it passes.

But wait: Maybe they have a plan to run the rest of the residents off the island so it’s 100% rental.

David Reid, West Hollywood, California

State contacts

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

Florida Senate: Republican Jim Boyd, 941742-6445, boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov, flsenate. gov.

Florida House: Republican Rep. William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr., District 71, 941-708-4968, will.robinson@myfl oridahouse.gov, myfl oridahouse.gov.

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• Rotten Ralph’s on the Historic Bridge Street Pier announced it would close by the end of April 2013, following a vote by the Bradenton Beach City Commission to send a notice of default to the business for $50,000 in back rent.

• Nourishment of beaches with sand from 78th Street in Holmes Beach to Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach was on track to begin in the summer of 2013 — if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a recommendation from its Jacksonville district office.

• The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage was back to its full 15-member board capacity following elections that saw one longtime member drop out and another voted out.

— lisa Neff

Print Your Own Memories

St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach hosts an antique sale in 1978. islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public library archives

A dinner meeting takes place in 1980 at roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.

HB parks committee reviews wind sculpture sites, costs

By ryan Paice islander reporter

There are a lot of options for the addition of a wind sculpture in Holmes Beach.

But it’s unclear how a final product might turn out.

Anna Maria Island Garden Club member Shawn Mayers presented options April 5 for a sculpture — funded with up to $6,000 from the club — to the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee.

The club also funded $6,000 toward the recent addition of a pair of $6,225 copper wind sculptures created by Utah-artist Lyman Whitaker near the flagpole at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria.

The city of Anna Maria contributed $12,000 toward the sculptures.

The project was the first step in the club’s efforts to support beautification across Anna Maria Island by helping to fund the addition of Whitaker wind sculptures for all three island cities.

The sculptures are wind resistant up to 90 mph, can be taken down for storage, require little maintenance and produce little noise while moving in the wind, according to Missouri-based Leopold Gallery, which sells the art.

Mayer said she and P&B member Debbie Hall met to explore potential locations for one or more wind sculptures in the city.

She said they wanted to find a safe spot where such a sculpture would be a focal point with visibility that “enhances or defines” an area.

Mayer presented a handful of options for such a location, including:

• Outside city hall, 5801 Marina Drive;

• At the corner by the skate park;

• Next to the trolley stop outside the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive;

• At the curve of Gulf Drive near the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, 5313 Gulf Drive;

• In the new medians at the city center along

Marina Drive.

Mayer said some options offered too much visual competition with trees, signage or telephone poles, such as outside city hall or the chamber.

Other spots, such as near the skate park and library, failed to provide the desired visibility.

Mayer said she and Hall ultimately felt the best location for at least one sculpture would be in the new medians in the city center, between a pair of newly added palm trees and landscaping.

The area remains under construction as Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. completes roadway improvements from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina.

Mayer said the location provides visibility and would further upgrade the city center improvements.

“It really transforms that whole area into a welcoming city center,” Mayer said. “With the new sidewalks and lighting it would be icing on the cake.”

Anna Maria island Garden Club member Shawn Mayers

April 5 presents an array of wind sculptures created by Utah-based artist lyman Whitaker for installation in Holmes Beach. The purchase would be funded by up to $6,000 from the club.

Mayer said the garden club was willing to provide up to $6,000 to fund the sculpture but would meet April 21 and vote to ratify the funds.

She proposed one or more “sub-huge” sculptures, at a cost of about $4,000 each, inside the new median.

P&B member Loretta Estabrooks said she would like the sculptures to be shorter than the 19-foot works added in Anna Maria. She said she preferred bringing them down to around 15 feet so they would be more visible to passing motorists and pedestrians.

P&B chair Sage Kamiya said the installation might be problematic due to state laws that dictate what structures can be stationed along roadways.

Mayer said that if palm trees were approved, a sculpture and breakaway post should be allowed.

Kamiya said he would bring committee feedback to the mayor before the next meeting.

The P&B will meet next at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

E-bikes increase in numbers, popularity on AMI

By Thomas Skoloda

E-bikes or electric bikes are fast-tracking on Anna Maria Island.

With increasing traffic and congestion, many island visitors are finding it easier to get around the island via bicycle and e-bikes can make island travel even easier.

Steven Pavina, manager at AMI Beach Fun Rentals, 3228 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, said that since January all 16 of his rental e-bikes are in demand and rented out.

So what are e-bikes? E-bikes have an electric motor that provides power assistance to the rider.

There are three types of e-bikes.

Class 1 e-bikes require the rider to pedal the bike and provide assistance to help move the bike. They’re designed to go a maximum of 20 mph.

Class 2 e-bikes don’t require the rider to pedal. They are self-powered and are limited to 20 mph.

Class 3 e-bikes require the rider to pedal and can go at speeds up to 28 mph.

There are pluses and minuses to e-bikes.

E-bikes allow people to get out and enjoy the outdoors. They also can help bring families together in biking, since weaker riders can keep up with stronger ones.

Some other positives: Riding a bike can help maintain good balance.

E-bikes are more suited to tasks since they can carry heavier loads — such as the grocery bags.

E-bike use can take more cars off roads and help to protect our environment.

With more people riding bikes on island roads, they become more alert to the need for infrastructure improvements, which can result in safety improve-

ments for pedestrians bike riders.

E-bike use helps make people more aware of their vulnerability as a bike rider and encourage them to be more careful motorists.

There also are some negatives with e-bikes.

E-bike riders can travel faster than most regular bike riders, which can create problems, including when riding on sometimes broken sidewalks. This problem is exacerbated on the island bridges, where the sidewalks are narrow and mostly bordered by concrete barriers.

Among the mechanical concerns: E-bikes can be heavy, making them more difficult to maneuver when the rider is walking.

They also can be more difficult to repair. Just changing a flat on a heavy bike can be a challenge and some bike shops don’t perform repairs.

Some of the more serious issues include running out of energy, batteries that can catch fire and the potential for serious injury.

E-bikes are powered by lithium ion batteries, which can overheat and catch fire. So recommenda-

Dick Stevens of Holmes Beach and Connecticut shows off a motorized bicycle in February, when his odometer hit 5,000 miles while on a ride to the Anna Maria City Pier from his home near the Holmes Beach city complex. islander Courtesy Photo

tions include charging batteries outdoors and buying a UL-certified bike from a reputable dealer.

Another problem is on e-bikes, people can go too fast — most recreational cyclists ride at about 8-12 mph, whereas e-bikes can manage 20 mph or more. What might be a minor crash at 8 mph can be a dangerous crash at 20 mph.

Overall, e-bike use is increasing everywhere not just on the island.

So it’s important to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of riding them before you go to the bike shop.

Editor’s note: Thomas Skoloda of Bradenton is an avid cyclist who has pedaled across the United States. He is a former Anna Maria city commissioner and a routine participant in the horseshoe games Wednesdays and Saturdays at Anna Maria City Hall.

islander Photo: ryan Paice

HB launches poster contest for Earth Day

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Earth Day is just over the horizon and the city of Holmes Beach is ready to celebrate.

The city is taking entries for its first annual Earth Day poster contest, themed “Islanders 4 Clean Water,” for 2023.

“This year’s focus will be on sustaining our local ecosystem and keeping our waterways clean,” a city handout reads.

The contest will feature two brackets of competition — one children and one for adults.

There are no rules on how to make a poster for the contest, other than it must be original and 8.5-inches wide by 11-inches tall.

The criteria for selecting a winner includes five factors:

• Artistic merit;

• Poster message;

• Uniqueness to Anna Maria Island;

• Originality;

• Creativity.

The city will accept physical and digital entries, which can be delivered to the deputy clerk at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, or pwadministrator@holmesbeachfl.org.

Contestants — who can only submit one entry each — must provide their name, age and contact information on the back of their poster or on an additional page.

People submitting digital entries can provide such information in the body of their email.

The city will announce winners for children and adult brackets Saturday, April 22, via its Facebook page, facebook.com/cityofholmesbeach.

Winners will receive surprise prizes from the city, according to Mayor Judy Titsworth.

HB planners recommend handful of ordinances

Holmes Beach planning commissioners are moving a few items closer to adoption.

The planning commission unanimously voted April 5 to recommend city commission approval for four proposed ordinances that would move forward to a second and potentially final reading.

The proposed ordinances include:

• A measure to rezone Prince Park, 121 52nd St., and Spring Lake Park, 6807 Holmes Blvd., from R-2 residential to public recreation/open space;

• An amendment to the city’s land development code to add definitions for automobile rentals and warehousing, as well as revise its definition of cannabis and add allowances for CBD and hemp products;

• A change to the future land use classification at 3004 Ave. A, 3005 Ave. B and 3002 Ave. B from lowand medium-density residential to conservation;

• An amendment to the city’s comprehensive plan revising the conservation land use classifi cation to ensure properties with the designation are maintained for the purpose of wildlife and fauna preservation. Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning admin-

Skimming by the Skyway

istrator, said the ordinances were largely housekeeping measures to address zoning and land use inconsistencies.

The planning commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

— ryan Paice

Prince Park, 121 52nd St., Holmes Beach. islander

Photo: ryan Paice

A boater runs on plane April 5 in the waters of Tampa Bay near the Anna Maria City Pier, with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the background. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Island happenings

Compiled by lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Friday, April 14

5-7 p.m. — Art Walk and Shop Stroll, Marina and Gulf drives, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout April, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s exhibit featuring paintings and stained glass by Janet Razze, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786694.

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

OFF AMI

Friday, April 14 6-8 p.m. — Music in the Park presents Kettle of Fish, Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater, 606 Third Ave. W., Bradenton: Information: 941-301-8445.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through April 16, Paranormal Cirque III with acrobats, illusionists, aerial acts and more, Riviera Dunes Marina, 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto. Fee applies. Information: 941-704-8572, paranormalcirque.com.

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

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

Fridays through May 5, 6 p.m., Music in the Park, Riverwalk Mosaic Amphitheater, 606 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Information: 941- 301-8445.

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

April 22, Main Street Live’s Spring Fling, Bradenton. Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Fest, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

ON AMI

Friday, April 14

10 a.m. — Forty Carrots parenting program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Saturday, April 15

1 p.m. — Teen art club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Tuesday, April 18

10 a.m. — Family Storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through May 21, Mote Marine Aquarium’s “Voyage to the Deep” exhibit, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441.

First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

April 20, Family movie night, Island Library, Holmes Beach. April 29, De Soto Grand Parade, Bradenton.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

ON AMI

Wednesday, April 12

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

Thursday, April 13

2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crotchet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Monday, April 17

11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting on clean water issues, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Tuesday, April 18

8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Blood drive, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

Wednesday, April 19

Noon — Sarah Penner, author of “The Lost Apothecary” and “The London Séance Society,” at the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.

Second Wednesdays, noon, Off Stage Ladies meeting and luncheon, various locations. Fee applies. Information:” 941-9322798.

The De Soto National Memorial will hold the De Soto landing event 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15. The event includes a landing reenactment of Hernando de Soto’s arrival to Florida, talks, demonstrations and activities. For more, call the memorial at 941792-0458. The memorial is at 8300 De Soto Memorial Highway. Bradenton. islander File

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.

Fridays, noon, bridge, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 314-324-5921.

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

Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 703582-7755.

OFF AMI

Wednesday, April 12

1-2 p.m. — Veterans’ Canteen, Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Second Fridays, 1 p.m., Parkinson’s Combined Support Group, Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

April 21, Anna Maria Island Garden Club lunch and meeting, Anna Maria.

April 21, Community Connections, Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

April 22, Annual Cortez Picnic, Cortez.

May 4, Paradise Center Kentucky Derby Party, Longboat Key.

May 6, Crawfish Boil, Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

OUTDOORS, FITNESS & SPORTS

ON AMI

Saturday, April 15 11 a.m. — Meditation session, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

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

Photo

‘Landing’ reenactment at De Soto memorial

Local Democratic club to meet on clean water issues

The Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 17, at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

The program will include a work session on clean water initiatives, including the petition drive to place a “Florida Clean Water Amendment” on a statewide ballot in 2024.

Membership in the club costs $25.

To confirm attendance, email Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail.com.

CALENDAR CONTiNUED FrOM PAGE 10 mrbradway@gmail.com.

OFF AMI

Saturday, April 15 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — De Soto Landing, De Soto National Memorial, 8300 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton. Information: 941-792-0458.

Wednesday, April 19 9 a.m. — Oyster shell vertical gardens project, Robinson Preserve, 704 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-747-3031.

Saturdays, 7 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org, mymanatee.org.

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

SAVE THE DATE

April 29, Florida Maritime Museum/Suncoast Remake Learning Days’ Free Hands-On Festival, Cortez.

Oct. 7, Florida Maritime Museum Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

April 15, Tax Day.

April 22, Earth Day.

May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

May 14, Mother’s Day.

May 20, Armed Forces Day.

May 29, Memorial Day.

June 1, Atlantic hurricane season begins. Get listed! Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Island happenings

Island Library welcomes novelist

Sarah Penner, author of “The Lost Apothecary” and “The London Séance Society,” is scheduled to visit the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 19.

Gallery to host reception

A Second Friday Art Walk is set for April 14 in Holmes Beach.

For the event, the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host a reception with its featured artist in April, as well as offer refreshments.

The reception, 5-7:30 p.m., will feature work by Janet Razze, a stained-glass artist and painter.

As of Islander press time, no other businesses had announced art walk plans.

Penner, a graduate of

Author Sarah Penner. islander Courtesy Photo the University of Kansas, worked for 13 years in corporate finance but now writes full-time.

She lives with her husband, Marc, in Florida, where, in “her free time” she “enjoys hiking, running, yoga and cooking. She also sits on the board of directors at her local animal shelter, Friends of Strays,” according to her bio at sarahpenner.com.

“The London Seance Society” debuted at No. 7 on The New York Times bestseller list for hardcover fiction, as did “The Lost Apothecary,” which is being adapted for TV.

The Friends of the Island Library is sponsoring the event.

As of Islander press time, registration was full. For more information, call the library at 941-7786341.

For more information, call the Guild Gallery at 941-778-6694.

Cortez picnic planned

The Cortez Village Historical Society will hold a community picnic at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22.

The lunch will be at the “Miller Dock” at the bay end of 123rd Street West in the village.

Diners are asked to bring a dish to share.

The historical society also is calling “eco-adventurers” to the Cortez Cultural Center 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 29 for “hands-on” learning focused on nature.

Partners include the CVHS, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage and several Manatee County departments.

For more information, email cvhs2016@aol. com.

Community Connections supper set for center

What’s cooking at the center?

A “Community Connections” event.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is inviting people to attend, make new friends and bring a dish to share.

The event will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 21, at

Kiwanis to meet April 15

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island is meeting Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

The programming Saturday, April 15, will include remarks by Charles Hackney, Manatee County’s property appraiser.

Hackney was elected to the position in 1992. Before the election, he worked 15 years as a real estate appraisal professional.

For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.

the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

The center also will host a blood drive 8:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in partnership with the OneBlood donation center of Tampa Bay.

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

LBK center offers April action

The Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy Living invites people to strengthen body and mind this spring.

Programs and activities include stretch and strengthen Mondays; yoga, mahjong and qi gong Tuesdays; tai chi Wednesdays; Zumba, Pilates and mahjong Thursday and tai chi and meditation Fridays.

Special programming includes pickleball instruction at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 20, and instruction in Nordic walking beginning Monday, April 17. Also, the center will host the Veterans’ Canteen — a welcome space for U.S. veterans to connect — 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, April 12.

The center is at 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. For more, call the center at 941-383-6493.

Adventure awaits 4 AME educators in retirement

AmE NEWS

By Brook Morrison

Anna Maria Elementary will have big shoes to fill for the 2023-24 school year.

Longtime kindergarten teacher Kelly Crawford, student support specialist Ivory Graham, media specialist Lynne McDonough and art and drama teacher Gary Wooten are retiring with the end of the 2022-23 school year.

The Islander met with the educators for a conversation March 28 in the school’s media room.

Brook Morrison: What year did you start teaching and where?

Kelly Crawford: In spring of 1993 at Bashaw Elementary in Manatee County. Tim Kolbe was the principal who hired me and, after a few years, he was transferred to be principal at AME.

Ivory Graham: My first teaching experience was at an international school (Colegio Americano) in Torreon, Mexico, in 2000.

Lynne McDonough: I started teaching in 1984 at a private school in Sarasota called Julie Rohr Academy.

Gary Wooten: I volunteered at AME in 1999 with plays and was hired in 2000 as the Phys Ed, art and gifted teacher.

What year did you start teaching at AME?

KC: I transferred to AME in late September 2014 and, after 20 years of teaching at the same school, the thought was scary but it ended up being the best move I could have ever dreamed of. Jackie Featherston was the principal at AME and it was also her first year as she had previously been principal at Stewart Elementary.

IG: I came to AME in 2017 and Jackie Featherston was the principal — a special thank-you to Jackie for bringing me here.

LM: Mr. (Jim) Kronus was the principal who hired

retire at the end of the

Photo: Courtesy AME me in May of 1987 and I taught kindergarten for 10 years, then a multi-age group for several years followed by second- and fifth-grade before becoming a media specialist for the last 18 years. I can thank Mr. Kronus for encouraging me almost weekly to earn a master’s degree in library science to become media specialist. I have always loved working at our school. PlEASE, SEE RETIREMENT, PAGE 13

year.

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Anna Maria Elementary kindergarten teacher Kelly Crawford, left, media specialist lynne McDonough, art and drama teacher Gary Wooten and student support specialist ivory Graham pose March 25 in the marine science room at the Holmes Beach school. All four educators will

school

islander

Teacher Gary Wooten coordinates a school play in 2021. islander File

Photo: ryan Paice

ivory Graham, who serves as the Anna Maria Elementary School student support specialist, signs a poster that hangs near the lobby of the school in 2017. islander File Photo: Sandy Ambrogi

RETIREMENT CONTiNUED FrOM PAGE 12

GW: 2000 was my first year and I wore many hats as the art, drama and gifted teacher and I was hired by principal Tim Kolbe.

What will you miss about teaching at AME?

KC: I will miss everything. The relationships with my present and former students, their families, students and families I never even taught but established friendships with, co-workers I work with now and those who have retired and the loving island community of people and places that are so dear to me.

IG: What I will miss about being at AME is the wonderful students, the amazing staff here and the tremendous amount of community support shown to the school.

LM: Being at AME for 36 years gave me the opportunity to see former students return to AME with their children who became students. I can say I have always loved working at our school and feel so blessed to have had my career here. My own children attended AME and I will certainly miss our little school by the bay.

GW: I will miss my friends.

So what happens next?

KC: After 30 years, Mississippi is calling me home. My parents live on a farm and I’m going to reconnect with my roots.

IG: I want to have a new adventure and stick around for another year to be with my parents, who are in their 90s, before settling in Panama or Ecuador.

• Tuesday, April 25, first-grade play, 6:30 p.m., auditorium; PTO dinner, TBD, 5 p.m., cafeteria.

• May 2-3, English language arts state assessments.

• May 9-10, fifth-grade science assessments.

• Saturday, May 13, spring gala, Bradenton.

• May 16-17, math state assessments.

• Friday, May 19, field day.

• Friday, May 26, last day for students.

• Tuesday, May 30, last day for teachers.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

LM: Well, I’m going to be a grandma this year and being retired will give me the flexibility to visit my new granddaughter as often as possible.

GW: It’s going to be a big change. My plan is to volunteer in soup kitchens or work with people in need at Manatee Memorial hospital.

Asked for words for the educators who will take over their positions at AME, McDonough summed up the advice: “Embrace this community because they are so fortunate to be out here with the parent involvement and exceptional learning environment.”

Crawford, McDonough, Graham and Wooten have collectively taught over 115 years, leaving an indelible mark on their students and colleagues.

The last day of school for AME is May 26.

Fifth-graders lexi Baugher, from left, Mary Tess Bolognone, Asher Patel, Vincent Gollamundi, media specialist lynne McDonough, Alex Serra and lily Guth pose March 10 during a Battle of the Books. The competition is a reading incentive program. islander Photo: Courtesy AME

Kelly Crawford cheers for her class May 17, 2022, during a school production. islander File Photo

St. B installs officers

Tidings

By lisa Neff

Churches call for pantry aid

They’ll pass on the ketchup but share the mayo. Island churches in April are calling for help in restocking the Roser Food Pantry.

The call included requests for the following items:

• Canned meals such as beef stew and hash;

• Canned meats including ham, Vienna sausage and chicken but not tuna;

• Canned fruit including pears, peaches, mixed fruit, oranges and pineapple;

• Condiments such as mustard and mayonnaise but not ketchup;

• Sauces, especially spaghetti;

• Jellies and jams — any flavors;

• Crackers;

• Packaged fruit drinks and punches.

Donations can be made to island churches, including Roser, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, which maintains the pantry.

For more information, call Roser at 941-7780414.

The women’s guild at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, recently announced the installation of officers for 2023.

The guild’s officers include: President, Mary Krupp; Vice president, Margaret Finley; Vice president, Cindi Mansour; Secretary, Mara Curran; Corresponding secretary, Rosemary Treonis; Treasurer, Phyllis McGuire Advisers, Maria DiMenna, Deb Hennebert, Pat Webster.

For more information about St. Bernard, call 941-778-4769.

Annunciation: ‘Safe travels’

With the observation of Holy Week, the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Holmes Beach said thanks and wished “safe travels” to the area’s snowbirds.

“Many of our Northern Lights are returning home or making plans to do so in the coming weeks,” the post on the church website read. “We are grateful for all that you bring to the Church of the Annunciation during the winter months and wish you safe travels as you return north for the summer.”

For more about the church, call 941-7781638.

LBK chapel to celebrate Earth Day

“Nature Talks and Walks” will draw Earth Day celebrants to Longboat Island Chapel.

The daylong event Saturday, April 22, will feature exhibitors, garden tours, bay walks, talks and more.

Tours will take place 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and at the same time, exhibitors will be in the garden, including representatives of the Florida Forest Service, Florida Maritime Museum, Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Suncoast Surfrider Founda-

Fashion show to benefit Palmetto resource center

Strength in Action Inc. will present “Fabulous Fashions: Puttin’ on the Ritz” at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Tickets are $50.

Participating models — wearing fashions from dressy to casual — will include business and nonprofit leaders, as well as elected, appointed and former officials.

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler and former County Commissioners Carol Whitmore and Betsy Benac are set to model fashions.

The event — to help feed the hungry — will benefit the Mt. Carmel Resource Center in Palmetto.

For more information, call the Palmetto center at 941-981-5354.

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tion and Save Our Seabirds.

At 1:30 p.m., the focus shifts indoors at the fellowship hall for a panel discussion on water quality.

The Maine Line Food Truck also will be onsite.

The chapel is at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

For more information, call the Longboat Island Chapel at 941-383-6491.

Obituary

Robert John Hubler

Robert John Hubler, 72, of Bradenton, died March 9. He was one of four children born to the late Robert and Norma Hubler Oct. 21, 1950, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

Compiled by lisa Neff

ON AMI

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., supper; Wednesdays through May 10, Wednesday Night Blast, 6:45 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

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

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

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting; Mondays, 1 p.m., book group.

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

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

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

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., 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 and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Robics; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Store; Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Youth Performing Arts, first and third Wednesdays, 11: 30 a.m., Just Older Youth group programs with brown-bag lunch; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Roser Ringers rehearsal; 7 p.m., Thursdays, choir rehearsal; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school and coffee and conversation sessions. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.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: Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; second Thursdays, women’s guild luncheons; 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, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop; Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Bible study; Mondays, 4 p.m., choir rehearsal.

Hubler

“Dr. Bob” was loved by many, including in his neighborhood of Sunny Shores in Cortez. He was known by many as the “House Doctor,” and he was always willing to give advice or lend a hand to any friend in need. He was always full of compliments and spread his happiness to all with his smile. He was often found at his favorite watering holes on Anna Maria Island.

Mr. Hubler was a proud father who loved to share stories about his daughter and son, but he most loved bragging about his granddaughters.

After a brief stay in Michigan, he returned to Bradenton, where he was happiest among many friends and lots of sunshine.

A private memorial will be held on a later date.

He is survived by daughter Melissa and husband Jerry Harding; son Robert and wife Danielle; brother Donald; sister Kimberly Swearengen; and grandchildren Paige, Ina, Payton and Mila.

Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. Email news@islander.org.

Worship With Us At Our Church Sunday Ser vice 10:00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Nor man Pritchard

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00

Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00

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

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

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

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

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

Through April 13, Passover.

Through April 21, Ramadan.

June 19-22, Vacation Bible School, CrossPointe.

GET LISTED

Send listings and announcements to calendar@islander.org. Also, please, as seasons shift, please send changes in schedules to calendar@islander.org.

Gathering is the religion page for The Islander. Send notices to calendar@islander.org. Please, include a phone number for publication.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:30 AM & 10:00 AM

IN PERSON � in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church

ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation

@RoserChurch

Worship by the water

Worshippers gather for 58th annual Kiwanis Easter service

When the Rev. Dirk Rodgers of Roser Memorial Community Church stepped up to deliver a sermon Easter morning at beach, he told the crowd he was just five years old when the first such service was held.

The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island on April 9 held the 58th annual Easter sunrise service at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For early arrivals, the Anna Maria Beach Cafe served coffee.

The program included:

• Rodgers delivering the sermon;

• the Rev. Matthew Grunfi eld of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation delivering the invocation;

• the Rev. Stephen King of Harvey Memorial Community Church reading Scriptures;

• the Rev. Douglas King of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church delivering the benediction;

• the Rev. Matthew Nowicki of St. Bernard Catholic Church delivering the offertory.

The service also featured music by Morgan Bryant.

New this year for the Kiwanis was the employ-

58th Annual Kiwanis Club of AMI Sunrise Service celebrates Easter

Indigo

Shibori

ment of some digital tools, including a live-streaming video for at-home worshippers, an online program and an online offertory for collecting electronic contributions.

The offering, which wasn’t tallied as of The Islander’s press time April 10, will be shared among participating churches and the club’s SCF Key Club scholarship program.

The reverends Doug King, left, Matt Grunfield, Stephen King, Dirk rodgers and Matt Nowicki stand with Sandy Haas-Martens of the island Kiwanis club and vocalist Morgan Bryant for the hymn, “Joyful, Joyful,” with a sea of people on the sand for the closing of the 58th annual sunrise service.

"76% of workers report being frequently tired at work."

The Boscaino family attends the Easter sunrise service at the beach, where Margaux, 3, and romee, 1, showed off their Easter dresses and bonnets. islander Photo: Bonner Joy

islander

Photo: Bonner Joy

Baskets, bonnets and buffet

The Sandbar Restaurant celebrated Easter weekend with its 35th annual egg hunt and bonnet contest on the beach.

More than 3,000 eggs were placed on the beach at the Spring Avenue-Sandbar access in Anna Maria.

The restaurant also hosted two Easter bonnet contests — one for adults and one for kids — games, crafts and activities for kids, including visits with the Easter Bunny, and refreshments for the morning crowd. Cheers to the Sandbar!

BY DAVID KARP / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

ABOVE: The Sandbar restaurant’s best Easter bonnet winners pose at the April 8 competition, including Hannah Nosco, back row, left, first place adults, the Easter Bunny, Shawn Templeton, second, and Nenita Daguinotas, third, and Ariana Owens, second-place winner among children. Front row, left, Zinnia Crist, third, and the children’s bonnet winner, Stefan Wardega. Judges were Brian Seymour, Christin Chiles Masters and Cory Wright. lEFT: Kids spend time crafting in the pavilion during the Easter festivities at the Sandbar. islander Photos: Dara Caudill

Bradenton Beach chief takes code enforcement under his belt

robert Anderson

islander reporter

The Bradenton Beach Police Department is hiring.

City commissioners April 6 took steps to fill a vacancy created when full-time code enforcement officer Ron Peterson left the city in December 2022.

The commission approved a plan for the police chief to manage code enforcement and also hire a new code enforcement officer.

Mayor John Chappie, addressing commissioners April 6, said he worked with the clerk’s office, BBPD Chief John Cosby and building official Steve Gilbert to gather information about the duties and responsibilities involved in code enforcement.

And, according to Chappie, it was decided that due to increased demands placed upon Gilbert in the building department, Cosby would take over management of the code enforcement department.

He said the increased responsibility would include an annual raise of $5,000 to Cosby’s current $114,507

salary.

Chappie also outlined a pay schedule for the code enforcement position, which would be a maximum of $49,468.

Code enforcement involves the prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement of regulations on public health, safety and welfare, as well as regs relating to public works, commercial activity, consumer protection, building standards and land use.

Also, on AMI, code officers enforce rules protecting wildlife, including sea turtles.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh motioned to approve Cosby as manager of the code enforcement depart

ment and to direct Cosby to hire a code enforcement officer.

Commissioner Jake Spooner seconded the motion, which passed 3-0. Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole were absent with excuse.

“We’re not about cracking people’s knuckles,” Chappie said, referring to code enforcement. “It’s to inform and educate and help them to do what they

Community center welcomes new senior coordinator

By ryan Paice

islander reporter

Anna Maria Island is a welcoming community.

And the Center of Anna Maria Island is welcoming a new senior coordinator.

The community center hosted a meet-and-greet April 6 to introduce Debbie Drummond.

Drummond told The Islander that she and her husband have wanted to make the move with their three children from Pennsylvania to Florida for years, mostly for the weather.

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

After visiting Anna Maria Island in 2021, they decided to make it their home and moved to Holmes Beach in March 2022.

Drummond said she’s worked or volunteered in senior recreation for more than 27 years and is excited to be the center’s new senior coordinator.

“It’s very exciting,” she said. “Everybody’s very kind and welcoming and it’s really nice to ride my bike to work.”

As senior coordinator, Drummond will lead the nonprofit’s Senior Adventures program, which brings the center’s senior members on trips to local attractions or events.

She said she had a couple of ideas for outings, such as visiting local mansions and attending a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game.

Drummond said she also was speaking with Jim

need to do … to help with the quality of life around here in Bradenton Beach and take care of some of these persistent code violations that have plagued us.”

The next commission meeting will be at noon Thursday, April 20, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

Hassett, president of the Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach, about coordinating activities and events for it as well.

The Senior Adventures program originated at the Silver Center.

Drummond said she would like to do activities like arts and crafts or bingo at Annie Silver once a week.

Drummond added that she was currently organizing a trip in May to visit the Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton and was hoping to add a trip to a casino in June.

“I’ve always had a passion for older people,” she said. “I love their wisdom and enjoy helping people. I feel I’m a better me when I’m involved with the older population. … It’s just kind of part of me.”

People can learn more about the community center’s senior offerings by visiting centerami.org.

Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby speaks April 6 to city commissioners about taking code enforcement into the police department. islander

Photo: robert Anderson

-

Drummond

Cops & Courts

Bradenton resident arrested in HB for possessing meth

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested James Stokes, 29, of Bradenton, April 2 on a third-degree felony for possession of methamphetamine, a controlled substance.

At about 3:30 a.m., an officer at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, saw a vehicle parked in the lot, which closed to the public at 10 p.m. the night before.

The officer had called for backup and approached the vehicle when a man, identified as Stokes, introduced himself as the vehicle owner.

After backup arrived, one officer stood with Stokes while another searched databases for wants and war-

Bradenton man arrested by HBPD for drinking and driving

By ryan Paice

islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Stuart Pilsbury, 49, March 23 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence.

An officer saw a motorist at about 9:47 p.m. make such a wide turn that “most of the vehicle had gone into the oncoming traffic lane,” according to a report.

The officer followed the motorist, who began braking erratically.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Pilsbury, who reportedly had slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes. The officer also could smell the odor of alcohol.

When Pilsbury exited the vehicle, as requested by the officer, he was unsteady and leaned against the car for support.

The officer asked Pilsbury to perform field sobriety exercises, which he failed.

The officer arrested Pilsbury and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where he twice refused to provide a breath sample.

The officer transported Pilsbury to the Manatee County jail, where he was released March 27 after posting $120 bond.

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

An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

rants.

During that time, both officers observed Stokes to be nervous and fidgety, so they asked if he “had anything on him that was making him nervous,” according to a report.

The officers asked Stokes if they could search him and he agreed.

During the search, the officers found a plastic bag in a pants pocket that contained a “small white jagged substance” that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

Stokes told police the substance was what remained of his last Adderall prescription but he did not provide proof of such a prescription.

The officers arrested Stokes and transported him to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where the substance was weighed to be 0.5 grams.

An officer then transported Stokes to the Manatee County jail, where he was released April 3 after posting $120 bond.

Stokes’ attorney, Layron Gaither from the public defender’s offi ce, fi led a not guilty plea April 6 on behalf of his client.

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

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, May 12, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Streetlife Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria

April 1, 10002 Gulf Drive, Bortell’s Lounge, larceny. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a complaint involving the theft of a bicycle. A complainant stated his unsecured bicycle was taken while he was inside the bar. An unknown suspect was seen leaving on the bike. A search did not locate the suspect or the bike. The deputy issued an incident report.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach

April 3, 100 block of Gulf Drive South, trespass.

An MCSO deputy responded to a call concerning the trespass of an individual from the Fish Hole Miniature Golf on Bridge Street, where the complainant said a man was sleeping on the course before the establishment opened. The deputy trespassed the man and filed

Homeless man arrested for burglarizing HB home

Holmes Beach police filed a capias request March 30 with the state attorney’s office for a charge of second-degree felony for burglary against Martin Aldridge, 36.

A capias request provides information regarding an incident and potential criminal charge to the SAO, which can then issue a court summons or an arrest warrant for the alleged offender if it decides to pursue criminal charges.

An officer responded around 5:30 p.m. March 30 to reports of a suspicious circumstance and met with the complainant, a homeowner who said a man entered his property’s pool area overnight.

The complainant provided security footage showing a man at the property around 12:30 a.m.. He was checking doorways for entry and took a seat cushion before leaving.

The complainant said he wanted to press charges.

The officer recognized the man in the footage as Aldridge, a homeless man with whom he’d had prior contact.

The officer found Aldridge at about 6 p.m. in front of a gas station-convenience store at 3015 Gulf Drive, where he arrested Aldridge on suspicion of burglary.

After the officer read Aldridge his Miranda rights, Aldridge admitted to being at the complainant’s property and taking the seat cushion, according to a report.

The officer transported Aldridge to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for evaluation.

If convicted, punishment for a second-degree felony charge includes up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

— ryan Paice

a case number.

The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

March 30, 5400 block of Gulf Drive, petit theft. A woman entered the Holmes Beach Police Department to report two bicycles were taken from her carport. She said she found one on the ground at a beach access but could not find the other. The woman provided a serial

PlEASE, SEE STREETLIFE, NEXT PAGE

Bradenton man arrested for DUI in Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach police April 3 arrested Monte Maher, 62, of Bradenton, on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of controlled substances without a prescription.

Bradenton Beach Police Officer Kyle Orms was dispatched to the 100 block of Bridge Street after Maher allegedly struck three bicycles parked along the edge of the roadway.

While completing his investigation of the crash, Orms noticed the smell of alcohol coming from Maher and notified the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which dispatched a deputy to conduct a field sobriety test.

Also, Orms reported seeing a pill fall from Maher’s person when he stepped out of the vehicle for the test. The pill, later identified as Tramadol, a narcotic, was not in a prescription bottle.

Although Maher refused sobriety testing, through the course of the investigation the deputy determined Maher was impaired, according to the report.

He was arrested and taken to the Manatee County jail. He was released after paying a $3,000 bond.

Later at Manatee County jail Maher refused a breath test.

A DUI conviction carries the possibility of a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, loss of a driver’s license for six months and 50 hours of community service.

Possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription is a third-degree felony, carrying a maximum penalty of five years in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.

Maher’s arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, May 12, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.

— robert Anderson

STREETLIFE FrOM PAGE 20

number for the missing bike and said she wanted to press charges if it was located. An officer provided a case number.

March 31, 800 block of Manatee Avenue, civil complaint. A man entered the HBPD to report that his company took two people on an offshore fishing trip but they refused to provide payment at the end of the trip. An officer advised the man that it was a civil matter and directed him to the clerk of court’s office to file a small claims suit.

April 1, 4200 block of Gulf Drive, domestic battery. An offi cer heard a woman “yelling profanity”

Cops & Courts

Juvenile arrested in HB for aggravated assault

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested a Bradenton teenager March 31 on a third-degree felony for aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and a seconddegree misdemeanor for possessing alcohol while below the legal drinking age.

The 17-year-old’s name was redacted in police reports due to the offender’s age.

Two officers responded around 7:22 p.m. to reports of an aggravated assault on the beach between 54th and 55th streets.

The complainant said some juveniles were loud and behaving inappropriately and were asked to stop.

The complainant said the juveniles argued with him and one threatened to shoot him before they left the area.

The officers found juveniles who matched the complainant’s description and tried to approach them, but many began to run away.

Four juveniles who did not run claimed they were not involved in the incident, and an officer let them leave.

But HBPD chased a pair of juveniles who broke off from their group and found them near the Martinique North condos, 5300 Gulf Drive.

One of the juveniles was arrested for a seconddegree misdemeanor for damaging fencing — valued at $200-$1,000 — which collapsed when the juvenile tried to climb it.

The Martinique homeowner’s association president told police he wanted to press charges and provided a complaint affidavit.

An officer transported the juvenile to the Holmes

from a low-speed vehicle and saw her begin pushing a man onto the vehicle. The officer spoke to them. The man said the woman, his wife, was angry about a cut on her finger and took it out on him. However, he did not want to press charges and did not provide a written statement. The officer arrested the woman based on what he saw and transported her to the HBPD, where she was treated by Manatee County emergency medical services. The officer then transported the woman to the Manatee County jail. HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

Beach police station for processing.

After the juvenile was arrested, the 17-year-old approached the officers, who detained him in the back of a police vehicle.

An officer then contacted the complainant, who identified the 17-year-old as the individual who threatened to shoot him. He said he wanted to press charges and provided a sworn affidavit.

The officer transported the juvenile to the station for processing, where police searched his bag and found a bottle of hard lemonade.

An officer transported the two arrested juveniles to the Manatee County juvenile detention center in Bradenton.

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

Punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

The arrested juveniles may be tried in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court’s juvenile court.

Sarasota man arrested for battery in Bradenton Beach

Manatee County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 35-year-old Sarasota man April 3 on a battery charge.

Bradenton Beach Officer Thomas Ferrara was dispatched to a call regarding an assault at the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St.

Ferrara contacted a woman who said she’d been struck in the head with a fish after a verbal argument with a man.

The woman told Ferrara she and the man had an argument while fishing from the pier.

After making a catch, the man allegedly swung a fish, still attached to the line on the pole, in a threatening manner, and then struck the victim in the head, according to an arrest report.

The man fled the pier but was later stopped while driving by the MCSO and taken into custody.

He was transported to the BBPD for processing and then to the Manatee County jail, where he posted $2,000 bail and was released pending trial.

Under Florida law, misdemeanor battery is punishable by up to one year in jail or a year of probation.

— robert Anderson

Harry's features a wide variety of craft cocktails, an extensive wine selection paired with coastal cuisine Breakfast | Brunch | Lunch | Dinner

BB P&Z recommends request for resort bike rentals

By robert Anderson islander reporter

A Bradenton Beach resort is almost ready to wheel out a new service — bike rentals.

The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval April 5 of a special use permit for the Silver Surf Gulf Beach Resort, 1301 Gulf Drive N.

The resort, owned by Angela Rodocker, would be allowed a special use permit for up to 12 rental bicycles on the premises at an automated rack.

The city commission will have the final say on the application.

The Silver Surf needs a special use permit because the property is in the R-3 zone — a multiple-family dwelling district.

City planner Luis Serna and building official Steve Gilbert had recommended P&Z approval of the permit with three conditions.

Staff recommended:

• The rack be substantially in conformance with

Angela rodocker of the Silver Surf resort, 1301 Gulf Drive N., speaks to P&Z board members April 5 at city hall about her application for a bike rental kiosk. islander Photo: robert Anderson

the plans prepared for the applicants by Zoller Autrey Architects.

• The rentals be limited to resort guests.

• The rentals be limited to human-pedal, nonmo-

And BB CRA takes up paid parking study

By robert Anderson islander reporter

The meter’s ticking.

The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency April 5 resumed a discussion about possibly establishing paid parking.

The board, which consists of the mayor, commissioners and two commission-appointed members, took up the conversation last September, seeking to deal with parking problems in the CRA district, which runs from Cortez Road West to Fifth Street South, and the Gulf to the bay.

CRA Chair and City Commissioner Ralph Cole said April 5 that he added parking to the meeting agenda to explore options for a monetized program.

The CRA board and city commission last year heard a proposal from Josh LaRose, owner of Easy Parking Group, which runs a fare-free tram-car shuttle between Coquina Beach and the CRA district under a contract with the CRA.

The shuttle service was created to alleviate parking issues in the district, especially on Bridge Street.

LaRose said the company could install solar-powered pay-to-park machines with no out-of-pocket cost to the city and then operate a parking program.

Cole, at the April 5 meeting, suggested city staff obtain quotes from other vendors, as well as look into whether the city could operate paid-parking without a third party.

“The other thing that I am trying to figure out is do we want to do this as the CRA or is this going to

be done as the city?” Cole asked. “Where the funds are going to go needs to be discussed. Are they going to go into the general coffer? Or are they going to go to the police department to add more (staff)?”

“My goal is to get the most money out of it for the city,” Cole added.

CRA member Ed Chiles responded, “I would hope that our goal would also be to get parking for Bradenton Beach and the downtown area because that’s the biggest deficiency that we have. Making money for the city is great but we need parking down here badly.”

CRA member-Commissioner Jake Spooner mentioned that a metered system would not add parking spaces but it could lead to increased turnover in existing spaces.

Chiles owns the Beach House Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., where he established a privately run pay-to-park lot across Gulf Drive from the restaurant last October. He also opened a pay-to-park lot in Anna Maria to service the Sandbar Restaurant.

“I don’t know how lucrative it is for us but it’s been successful,” Chiles said. “It’s working really well in both places for us.”

Possible locations for municipal paid-parking include lots between First Street North and Bridge Street, the city hall lot at 107 Gulf Drive N. and an unpaved lot between Church and Highland avenues near the police department.

There also has been discussion about paid parking on Bridge Street and establishing a lot near the North Coquina Boat Ramp, 1507 Gulf Drive S., for people

torized bicycles.

The P&Z held a public hearing April 5 on the permit request and engaged in a brief question-andanswer session with Rodoker.

The board agreed the request met criteria identified in the city land development code for special permitting relating to compatibility, property values and traffic.

P&Z member John Burns motioned to recommend the commission approve the permit and was seconded by Fred Bartizal. The motion passed unanimously.

“I would love to see more of these types of opportunities for the people on the island as a whole,” Rodoker said. “So I think this is a great opportunity to see how well this works, to determine whether other people or my other hotel would benefit from them.”

The P&Z is a citizen board that reviews development proposals and recommends land-use policies to the city commission.

The next P&Z meeting will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

who work on or near Bridge Street.

Mayor John Chappie motioned to conduct a city/ CRA study. He was seconded by Chiles and the motion passed unanimously. CRA board member Marilyn Maro, a city commissioner, was absent with excuse.

The study will assess the costs and needs from metered parking vendors, as well as a city-run parking initiative.

About the CRA

The CRA is a special district in the city. The board oversees and approves an annual budget and grant funds for projects in the district. The CRA also provides financial assistance to the city to create public projects. The district was created in 1992 to lead an effort to revitalize the commercial area.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines in Bradenton Beach along Gulf Drive from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South. Motorists can expect a detour and traffic delays. Anticipated completion is fall 2024. For more information, go online to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf and Marina drives in Holmes Beach : Holmes Beach contractor crews continue working near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives on infrastructure improvements. There are marked detours and closures in the city center. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

• Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach: Manatee County is working on a force main project near Holmes Boulevard, which can result in some traffic delays and congestion. As of April 9, the contractor was focused on installing pipeline along 58th Street between Holmes Boulevard and Marina Drive, according to amiprojects.io. Anticipated completion is this month.

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

— lisa Neff

BB commission approves agreement for water taxi

By robert Anderson islander reporter

Bradenton Beach officials are ready for a ride.

Bradenton Beach commissioners voted April 6 to approve revisions to an interlocal agreement with Manatee County for a water taxi service between Bradenton, Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria.

In Bradenton Beach, the water taxi would stop at the floating dock on the Historic Bridge Street Pier and also at the Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp, 1465 Gulf Drive S.

During the April 6 meeting, city attorney Ricinda Perry outlined changes to the agreement.

“I put in there that it had to be in conformity with the sovereign submerged land lease provisions for the city pier,” Perry told commissioners.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection owns the submerged land under the pier, which is leased by the city. Under the lease terms, the floating dock is for public use and, according to Perry, allows for first-come, first-serve use.

Perry also added a revision stating the county would pay for any needed U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the dock.

Commissioner Jake Spooner motioned to approve the agreement with the amendments. Spooner’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh and passed 3-0. Commissioners Marilyn Maro and Ralph Cole were absent with excuse.

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners will consider the agreement next month.

“I am planning on having the agreement between Manatee County and the operator to be approved by the board by early to mid-May and then the interlocal agreements between county and city of Bradenton Beach, the city of Anna Maria and the city of Bradenton on the board agenda for approval no later than early to mid-May,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Conventions and Visitors Bureau, told The Islander April 6.

Falcione is spearheading the effort to establish a water taxi, a looping route between the four stops.

The service would begin with Friday-Sunday operations, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and the 50-foot pontoon style vessels would carry up to 49 passengers.

The ferry would have different price points. An adult one-way pass would be $8, seniors and children older than 3 would be $6. There would also be a $10 hopper pass for multiple rides. Children under 3 would ride free.

“The vessels are being built right now,” Falcione said. “The boatbuilders are hoping to have them completed by the end of June.”

Falcione said the county hopes to launch the service by July.

He said efforts were being made by Manatee County Area Transit to ensure alternate modes of transportation were ready to support taxi riders should

Bradenton Beach Commissioners Jan Vosburgh and Jake Spooner listen April 6 to Mayor John Chappie, center, as he outlines a proposed interlocal agreement with Manatee County.

problems arise, such as inclement weather.

“We work side by side with MCAT,” Falcione said. “If the weather causes the ferry to stop or any kind of mechanical issues, we’ll have the buses nearby that can take the passengers that were planning on being on the water taxi to take them by trolley or bus.”

Falcione said the county also is working on an MCAT app to help people know where the water taxis are and when to be at boarding locations.

“There’s a lot of cooperation, a lot of integration and the goal is to get there by July,” Falcione said.

Tourist council to meet

The next meeting of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council — at the forefront of the effort to establish a water taxi service — will be 9 a.m. Monday, April 24.

The TDC will meet at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

islander Photo: robert Anderson

Falcione

Kids soccer kicks off, dragon boaters medal in Inverness

By Kevin P. Cassidy islander reporter

The dress rehearsals are over and the matches have begun for the youth soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island.

The action kicked off April 3 with games played in two instructional divisions. The 3-4 age group plays in an academy-style format, where players go through drills and then scrimmage, while the 5-7s have six teams and scheduled matches, but there is no record of results or standings.

The 8-10 and 11-14 divisions, however, play for all the marbles. There are six teams in the 8-10s and four teams in the 11-14 division with games played Tuesday nights. The action kicked off April 4 with Sato Real Estate taking on Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control in an 8-10 division matchup.

After battling to a 0-0 tie in the first half, Sato’s Brandon Sato came through with two second-half goals to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over Westfall. Vincent Gollamudi came through with 12 saves to help preserve the victory.

Madeline Kimmons notched the lone goal for Westfall’s Lawn Care, while Jordan Steele and Kason Price combined on seven saves in the loss.

The second 8-10 match saw Cheesecake Cutie cruise to a 4-1 victory over AMI Coconuts behind a hat trick from Gunnar Maize. Silas Whitehead added a goal and Aidan Guess chipped in with an assist. Grayson Hinckle pitched in with five saves in goal.

TJ Hagey notched the lone goal on an assist from Abraham Campero, while Andre Harwood finished with four saves in the loss.

Preston LaPensee scored the only goal of the game and Miles Moss made five saves to lead Island Real Estate to a 1-0 victory over Solid Rock Construction in the final 8-10 match of the night.

Isaac Roadman helped keep Solid Rock in the match with five saves in the loss.

Action in the 11-14 division also kicked off April 4 with Gulf Drive Cafe cruising to an 8-1 victory over Shady Lady Horticultural Services. Theo Aupelle and Kegan McGlade both scored three goals to lead Gulf Drive Cafe, which also received a goal and an assist from Luke Dellenger and Josiah MacDonald, while Cyrus Ryan made nine saves in the victory.

Ryk Kesten scored the lone goal for Shady Lady, which also received five combined saves from goalies Renan Kesten and Elijah Torres in the loss.

AMI

paddlers collect silver

The AMi Paddlers from Paradise, an island-based dragon-boat team, celebrate April 1 after competing in the inverness Dragon Boat Festival in the Citrus County. islander Courtesy Photo

The last match of the night saw Moss Builders and HSH Designs battle to a 5-5 draw. Callin Westfall scored three goals to lead Moss Builders, which also received two goals, an assist and two saves from Mason Moss, as Austin Guess added seven saves.

Sterling Holiday scored three goals and Cecelia Kroth and Krosby Lamison each scored for HSH Designs.

Soccer action resumes April 10 and April 11 with another full slate of games.

Adult soccer action continues

After three weeks of play, there are no unbeaten teams remaining in the adult soccer league at the center, which has resulted in some really tight standings. Duncan Real Estate, Moss Builders, Sandbar Restaurant, Sato Real Estate and Solid Rock Construction all are sporting 2-1 records, while Pool America and Vintage Beach are both 1-2. Gulf View Windows & Doors, which is still seeking a victory completes the standings at 0-3.

Action April 6 kicked off with Sato earning an 8-4 victory over Pool America behind three goals and an assist by Jacek Czajkowski and two goals each from Oisin Crean and Benjamin Sato. Lindsey Styka added a goal and an assist, while Sato also found time to make four saves in goal.

Christopher Klotz scored two goals for Pool America, which also received a goal each from Dean Hinterstoisser and Nate Welch in the loss.

Sandbar Restaurant defeated a shorthanded Vintage Beach team by a 7-2 score behind three goals and two assists by Danny Hampton and a pair of goals by Silas Banyas. Aaron Frech and Jake Parsons added a goal each, while Jessica Ruekberg came through with seven saves in the victory.

Joey Hutchinson paced Vintage Beach with a goal and an assist and Nate Talucci had nine saves in goal.

Moss Builders edged Gulf View Windows & Doors 4-3 in the third match of the night. Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos led the way with a pair of goals, while Adam Bujarski chipped in with a goal and an assist. Nicola Manni added a goal and David Moss finished with five

saves in the victory.

Keith Mahoney scored two goals and had an assist and Greg Ross scored to lead Gulf View, which also received an assist from Raul Loera and 10 saves from Mark Long in the loss.

Kevin Roman and Murat Akay each scored a goal, while Tuna McCracken notched six saves to lead Duncan to a 2-1 victory over Solid Rock.

Thomas Mangotic notched the lone goal for Solid Rock, which received 12 saves from Steve Oelfke in the loss.

AMI Paddlers take medals

AMI Paddlers from Paradise competed in the Inverness Dragon Boat Festival April 1. The local team brought home a silver medal in the senior mixed division, having narrowly missed out on the gold by a mere .16 of a second.

The women’s senior team followed with a bronze medal. Both teams achieved the fastest times for the AMI Paddlers from Paradise.

People interested in finding out more about AMI Paddlers from Paradise can contact coach Melissa Bradway at 941-462-2626 or mrbradway@gmail. com.

Horseshoe news

Horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits was short and sweet April 5. The team of Tim Sofran and Dom Livedoti posted the lone 3-0 record during pool play and were the day’s outright champs.

Three teams advanced to the knockout stage during April 8 action. The lucky bye into the finals went to Tom Farrington and Billy Silver who watched as Bob Baker and Bob Heiger cruised to a dominating 23-6 victory over Bob Lee and Jerry Disbrow.

Baker and Heiger stayed hot in the finals as they held off a determined Farrington and Silver team 22-17 to earn 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 wel-

Warm temps, clear water, gator trout — AMI April trifecta

By Capt. Danny Stasny islander reporter

April fishing around Anna Maria Island is shaping up nicely.

With almost zero rainfall, the bays and inland waters are about as clear and emerald green as they can get —especially along the beaches.

while fishing the inshore waters of Tampa Bay. Fishing over deep grass with live shiners as bait is working well for spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. And, with two-out-of-three species being good table fare, the odds of catching dinner are favorable.

Another inshore species taking the hook is redfish. These reds are being found along sandy beaches where they are lurking for unsuspecting crabs and baitfish.

Stasny

Anglers are enjoying mild 78-degree water temperatures, which is perfectly suited for a quick dip to cool off from the springtime sun. The tranquil, inviting waters of the Gulf of Mexico are hypnotizing as they meet with the white sugar sand on the shore, perfectly suited for an evening walk before sunset.

But wait, the main attraction in April on AMI for us is — of course — fishing.

Anglers from far and wide are finding themselves uncontrollably urging their families to go on vacation to Anna Maria Island in April so that once here they can sneak away and experience some of the best fishing of the year.

Targeting gator trout in April is producing just that. Typically April is favorable for big trout — 20 inches or larger. And with the famous trout waters of Sarasota Bay just a few miles to our south, you stand a good chance of hooking up with a big one.

Even with the grass flats slow recovery from red tide years back, Sarasota Bay is gradually rejuvenating and the gator trout are on the comeback.

Although the trout fishing is very good, don’t limit yourself to just the buck-toothed fish. Explore the man-

grove shorelines and oyster bars, where predators such as snook and redfish can be found prowling around in search of a snack. Both species are prone to eating a live shiner placed properly in front of their noses.

If you like to work slightly deeper water, the wrecks and reefs in Tampa Bay and some of the deeper grass flats are holding Spanish mackerel. These springtime macks are larger than normal, with some reaching 28 inches in length. And, on light spinning gear, a mack of this size can entertain a seasoned angler with dragscreaming runs and erratic, split-second changes of direction. The macks rank at the top among light-tackle sports fishing.

On my Just Reel charters, I am in pursuit of spotted seatrout and I’m finding quality fish from Miguel Bay south to Sarasota Bay. Most catches are falling in the slot of 15-19 inches with many other over-slot fish being released. In fact, I’ve seen many trout in the range of 20-24 inches.

On deeper grass flats, my charter fishers are getting into a mix of mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish — all crowdpleasers on light spinning tackle as they fight hard for their size and bite when schooled up.

Lastly, we’re finding snook and redfish along the mangrove shorelines during the incoming tides and both are eating live shiners.

Capt. David White is finding a variety of species

Moving offshore, White is enjoying the chase for pelagics — African pompano and blackfin tuna. Reef species such as gag and red grouper also are being caught. And all that adds up to full coolers.

Capt. Jason Stock also is in pursuing pelagics with his clients opting to run offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. African pompano are being caught when traveling great distances and amberjack also are present in these deep waters, especially around wrecks and springs.

In shallower offshore waters — in less than 100 feet of water — Stock is finding plenty of action for clients on blackfin tuna. These football-shaped torpedoes are notorious for their runs and a fight to the end. After that, they make great tuna steaks. As a bonus, Stock says kingfish are being found among the tuna, as well as an occasional cobia.

Lastly, bottom fishing is yielding red grouper and an assortment of snappers for Stock’s anglers.

Capt. Warren Girle says spotted seatrout fishing in Sarasota Bay is putting fish in his clients’ coolers for dinner. Free-lining live shiners over deep grass flats is producing limits of the popular fish, with many released for being over the slot of 19 inches.

While targeting trout, Girle is seeing ladyfish and jack crevalle. And while working around the grass flats where sandy potholes are present — as well as mangroves and oyster bars — Girle’s clients are hooking into snook and redfish on live shiners.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says he’s selling more live shrimp for bait than he can keep in the bait tank. Visitors from all over are fl ocking to the R&R in hopes of a cold beer and a leisurely day of fishing. And, with standing-room only on the deck, you can bet fish are being caught.

Pier fishers dropping live shrimp on a weighted rig over the side are still hooking into winter sheepshead, although Malfese says the bite is tapering off as the season is ending.

Spanish mackerel are stepping up to fill the void with bursts of action as passing schools of these highspeed fish stop long enough to ravage the unsuspecting schools of bait fish. Anglers using silver spoons or spec rigs are having the best results on the macks.

And with the schools of bait around the pier, snook are starting to appear. Casting live shiners or pinfish under the pier is attracting them to take the hook. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

come.

KRC golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started with the men’s modified-Stableford system match April 3. Jim Goff earned the day’s bragging rights with a plus-6, edging second-place finisher Dave Richardson by a point. Ron Huibers, Dave McClenahan, Roger Rottschafer and Larry Solberg tied for third place at plus-4.

The women played a nine-hole individual-low-net match in two flights on April 4. Barbara Rincley fired a 4-under-par 28 to earn a three-stroke victory in Flight

A. Linda Dorsey was alone in second place at 1-underpar 31 while Jenny Huibers, who had a chipin on the second hole was another stroke back in third place.

Janet Razze took first place in Flight B with a 1-under-par 31, one stroke ahead of second-place finishers Jackie Gorski and Terry Westby. Jan Turner took third place with a 1-over-par 31.

Johnny Miller and Sandy Pennington of Bradenton along with lane Stevenson of Minnesota spend April 5 on the water chasing cobia with Capt. Jason Stock, holding an 85-pounder.

Preston Cornish, 9, of lawton, Michigan, poses with Capt. Danny Stasny of Just reel Fishing Charters to show off a 23-inch gator trout he caught and released April 5.

Hurricane center introduces, updates tools for season

Storm watchers will get some new tools for the Atlantic hurricane season.

The season runs June 1-Nov. 30 and, with less than two months before the start, forecasts, readiness conferences, preparedness expos and simulation exercises are taking place throughout the region.

In early April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service announced updated products and services for the 2023 season.

A sampling of the new or improved tools:

• Extended outlook. Text and graphical outlook products provide information on disturbances with tropical cyclone formation potential. Beginning this season, the time period covered by the outlook will be extended from five days to seven days.

Reeling in the really big ones

• Peak storm surge forecast. The graphic shows potential inundation values when storm surge watches or warnings are in effect.

• Social media. The NHC is trying out simultaneous livestream broadcast via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter when a storm may pose a threat to land.

The NHC’s Facebook page is “NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center.”

The NHC maintains five Twitter accounts, including @NHC_Atlantic, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; and @NWSNHC, its primary account.

The NHC’s YouTube page is at youtube.com/user/ NWSNHC.

The NHC’s website is hurricanes.gov.

— lisa Neff

lEFT: Capt. Seth Miller shows off two black grouper he reeled up about 125 miles offshore on a five-day trip aboard She’s A Bell, a 52-foot commercial boat. Miller runs the boat for A.P. Bell Fish Co. out of Cortez using only rods and reels to bring in his big catch.

Get tagged

Mates Jorge Vasquez, left, and Alec Davis show off the week’s catch March 29 with Capt. Seth Miller at the A.P. Bell Fish Co. dock after a five-day offshore trip. The 10 black grouper weighed a combined 400 pounds. The crew also brought back a load of mutton snapper. Miller got hooked on fishing with his dad, Keith, a former commercial fisher and currently lieutenant inspector with West Manatee Fire rescue. islander Courtesy Photos

Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby holds a new design for the city’s hurricane tag during an April 6 commission meeting. Bradenton Beach residents and business owners must obtain the new tags in order to pass a checkpoint for return after an evacuation. The city will issue the tags beginning May 1 at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. The new tag is due to an abundance of old hurricane tags in circulation, leading to concerns at city hall about misuse. The Atlantic hurricane season kicks off June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. islander Photo: robert Anderson

A sample of a seven-day outlook from the National Hurricane Center in Miami. islander Courtesy image

By Lisa Neff

See the ‘way’

I go way east to see the Milky Way — about 120 miles to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

The 54,000-acre preserve is a “dark sky park,” Florida’s first such space and a place where the night sky is protected from the intrusion of artificial lights.

I’m thinking about light pollution — and the value of dark skies — for two reasons:

Neff

• International Dark Sky Week will be celebrated April 15-22. The weeklong observance aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution and the solutions that exist and simultaneously celebrate the night.

• Nesting season for sea turtles officially begins May 1 and continues into the fall. And you know the saying, right? Sea turtles dig the dark.

Most islanders also dig the dark during nesting season but AMI has its share of light pollution and, from time to time, The Islander receives a call from a concerned friend of sea turtles, an amateur astronomer or a bird enthusiast.

What to do?

We push for dark skies, lights out, lights shielded, lights replaced.

We don’t have a 54,000-acre preserve on AMI to establish a dark sky park but we could strive to become a dark sky community — or communities, considering we have three distinct cities.

The International Dark Sky Association certifies communities that show “exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies.”

Dark sky communities excel in efforts to promote responsible lighting and dark sky stewardship, as well as set the example for surrounding communities.

Such communities exist throughout the United States: Flagstaff, Arizona; Fredericksburg, Texas; Hawthorn Woods, Illinois; Ketchum, Idaho; Julian, California; Beverly Shores, Indiana; and more.

TideWatch

By lisa Neff

Red tide bloom remains

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis , was detected in Southwest Florida during the week ending April 9.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported K. brevis was observed at was observed at background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Pinellas County and background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County.

From Manatee County, there were reports of fish kills respiratory irritation related to red tide.

For more information, go online to myfwc.com/ research/redtide/statewide/.

What’s up in April nighttime skies

By mid-month, Jupiter will be rising in the predawn hour, making for a quartet of planets, strung out in a line across the morning sky, according to NASA’s “What’s Up” in the skies service.

Heading into the last week of April, Jupiter will be high enough above the horizon in the hour before sunrise to make it more easily observed.

The two brightest planets in the sky, Venus and

Flagstaff became the world’s first International Dark Sky Place in 2001. The city also enacted what’s believed to be the world’s first outdoor lighting ordinance in 1958.

Beverly Shores, east of Chicago, is surrounded to the east, west and south by the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

This dark sky community, with the support of businesses, civic groups, residents and government, controlled the growth of outdoor lighting by retrofitting, replacing or removing residential and commercial light fixtures.

Hawthorn Woods is a village about 40 miles northwest of Chicago that’s grown from about 17 residents since its incorporation in the 1950s to 8,000 residents in 2020.

The village adopted a lighting ordinance in 2019 that aims to reduce light pollution, conserve energy, protect nocturnal wildlife patterns and promote public safety.

I know of at least a half-dozen readers already wondering, how does a community become certified?

Looking up in April

Venus and Jupiter are headed for an ultra-close conjunction April 30.

islander image: Courtesy NASA

Jupiter, are headed for an ultra-close conjunction April 30, similar to the meetup of Mars and Saturn earlier in the month.

In fact, the planets approach to about the same distance. Of course, the planets are actually far apart in space and only appear to move closer, or farther apart, in the sky.

For more, go online to solarsystem.nasa.gov.

It’s a challenge, but generally an applicant reviews guidelines and submits an inquiry to darksky.org. IDSA staff responds within about 45 days and then, depending on interest, will work with community members on an application to be submitted for formal review.

Florida has no dark sky communities — hint, hint.

But the state boasts the impressive dark sky park of Big Cypress National Preserve and the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.

If a lull between the spring and summer tourist season calls you to a road trip — go east to Kissimmee, where the rangers speak poetically about hearing the Eastern meadowlark’s song under a star-studded sky.

About the International Dark Sky Association

The IDSA, a nonprofit based in Tucson, Arizona, “advocates for the protection of the nighttime environment and dark night skies by educating policymakers and the public about night sky conservation and promoting environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.” For more information, go to darksky.org.

MIKE NORMAN REALTY EST. 1978

For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island.

Marianne Norman-Ellis. 941.778.6696

Mike Norman Realty

ITEMS FOR SALE

COMPlETE VErTiCAl BliND system: Draw cord, turn and pull. 108 inches. Excellentplus condition. $89 or best offer. 941-7785542.

AMi SANDOllArS FOr sale! $40 for 100. Call Paula, 605-430-5543.

rECliNEr: VElOUr, TEAl green, good condition, $75, Victorian wash basin, like new, $50. 570-704-8486.

ANTiQUE PArTNEr DESK: All wood, $500. inquire at The islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

individuals may place one free ad of up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FrEE, one week. Email classifieds@islander.org, fax toll-free 1-866-3629821.

Sandy’s Lawn Service Inc.

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

RDI CONSTRUCTION INC.

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

Bella is an 8-year-old mixed-breed lovebug!

She’s neutered and has all vaccinations — ready to meet her new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-3452441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. And for more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

SPONSOrED BY

ANSWERS TO APRIL 12 PUZZLE

GARAGE SALES

MOViNG SAlE! 9 a.m.- noon Sunday, April 16. Bedroom and living room furniture. 313 Poinsettia road, Anna Maria.

PETS

HElP rESCUED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal rescue. Email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

GOlF CArT rENTAlS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartrentalAMi.com.

TWO 2022 150cc Wolf scooters. less than 200 miles each. $1,600 each. 219-8510024.

E-Z-GO GOlF CArT for sale. $3,800 with lester charger. Bright yellow. 248-7652702.

BOATS & BOATING

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

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

HELP WANTED

HOUSEKEEPErS/ClEANErS NEEDED for island resort. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can vary depending on occupancy. Must be available on weekends as needed. Experience a plus! 941-778-7153.

HEriTAGE PArK NUrSiNG Center is now hiring! Open positions CNA, Nurse, rN, wound. Come tour the facility and fill out an application. Call for more information, 941792-8480.

NOW HiriNG HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $15 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

rEPOrTEr WANTED: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE

NEED AN ADUlT night out? Call Maty’s Babysitting Services. i’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. references upon request. 618-977-9630.

KiDS FOr HirE ads are FrEE for up to three weeks for island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.

SERVICES

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

ClEANiNG: VACATiON, CONSTrUCTiON, residential, commercial and windows. licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PrESSUrE WASHiNG, PAVEr sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

SERVICES Continued

BiCYClE rEPAirS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pickup and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

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

APi’S DrYWAll rEPAir: i look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

PrOFESSiONAl WiNDOW ClEANiNG: residential, commercial. Free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-8526163.

AirPOrT riDES: SArASOTA, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

PArADiSE PET CArE: Pet specialist. Walking, sitting, vet visits. Training and love. Jason, 908-720-1688.

ArE YOU CONCErNED about the security of your island home while you’re away? i make weekly visits to check AC and any issues that may occur. Call or text Scott, 941-685-8999.

HANGiN’ ON AMi: We hang artwork, mirrors, TVs, etc. Furniture assembly. local references available. 941-720-3126.

iSlAND liGHTSCAPES & SECUriTY: landscape lighting and home security installation. Quality service by island residents. 941-7203126.

BUSiNESS-TO-BUSiNESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. i make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BEACH SErViCE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-795-7411. CAC184228.

ClEAN TECH MOBilE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, rVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNiE’S lANDSCAPiNG iNC. residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! insured. 941-778-5294.

BArNES lAWN AND landscape llC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COlliNS lANDSCAPE liGHTiNG: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

LAWN & GARDEN Continued

SEArAY SPriNKlEr SErViCES. repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments. 941-920-0775.

SHE ll DE li VE r ED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

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.

TilE -TilE -TilE. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many island references. Call Neil, 941-726-3077.

G ri FF i N’S HOME i MP r OVEMENTS i nc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. i nsured 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 PA i NT i NG. No job too small. Most jobs just right. Call r ichard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

SCrEENiNG SErViCES: replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call lane, 941-705-5293.

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.

SA r ASOTA i NTE ri O r PA i NT i NG: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. instagram: SarasotainteriorPainting.

RENTALS

ANNA MA ri A GU l F beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

PE ri CO i S l AND PAT i O home for rent. 3Br/2BA. two-car garage, fully renovated. 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/gate, two miles to AMi. #bluerockingchair instagram/ fb. 859-771-6423.

CONDO FOr rENT: June through October.

3Br/2BA. Perico Bay Club. Two-month minimum. Community pool and hot tub. One mile from Anna Maria island. Call Dave at 856495-7200 for details.

SEASONA l r ENTA l : AVA il AB l E AprilDecember. Across from bay, 2 miles from beaches, fully furnished, laundry, all utilities. 941-773-1552.

MONTH lY SEASONA l r ENTA l : 55-plus community. Beach across street. 2Br/2BA. $6,500/month. 941-226-4008. A must see!

RENTALS

Continued

ANNUAl rENTAl: UPDATED 2Br/2BA. Ten minutes to Holmes Beach. $2,200/month. No pets/no smoking. 6407 First Ave. W., Bradenton. 941-792-6493.

ANNUA l r ENTA l : FU llY-furnished 2B r /1BA. Washer and dryer. Across from bay, off Cortez. Two miles to island. $2,250 per month plus utilities. Call 941-773-1552. Available mid-June.

FU r N i SHED ANNUA l r ENTA l : Anna Maria island 2Br/1.5BA. Over 50 community. $3,200 per month includes garbage, water, electricity, WiFi, cable. No smoking, no pets. Contact Tim, 507-382-8880.

ANNA MA ri A 3B r /1BA historic cottage, half-block to Gulf beach and one block to Pine Avenue shopping and restaurants. Available April and May, $2,800/month. 941778-8456. terryaposporos@gmail.com

ANNUAl 2Br/1BA iN Bradenton Beach. 150 yards to Gulf. $2,950/month includes utilities and appliances. No smoking or pets. First/ last/security. 508-496-8480. williamshomes@ yahoo.com

T r OP i CA l WATE r F r ONT PA r AD i SE on Anna Maria island. Annual rental 2Br2BA, two-car garage. Pool with spa. Country club with executive golf course. $6,500 per month. Available April 24. 941-704-7336.

ANNUA l r ENTA l : $2,200/month.

1B r /1BA north Holmes Beach. Available June 1. r enovated and beautifully furnished. Great for part-time resident. Small, fenced yard, steps to beach. Must have good credit. 305-793-8980.

OFF-SEASON r ENTA l 2B r /1BA turnkey furnished condo. $1,250 monthly. r eal Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

REAL ESTATE

W i NN i E MCHA l E, r EA lTO r , 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.”

4B r /2.5BA WEST Br ADENTON home. Waterfront, enlarged lanai, whole-home solar system, hurricane windows/doors. Flexible floorplan, numerous upgrades. Desirable Palma Sola Trace. Call Judy liestman, Keller Williams, 203-209-7188.

2B r /2BA l AKEHOUSE i N Mount Vernon. Water views, renovated, move-in ready. ivory cabinets. Open floor plan. Ground-floor end unit. Docks available $25 annually, community pool, under 5 miles to AMi. Owners motivated. Call Judy liestman, Keller Williams on the Water, 203-209-7188.

REAL ESTATE Continued

WATErFrONT 2Br/2BA CONDO: For sale by owner. 248-765-2702 or Zillow.

ClASSiC GOlF COUrSE home: 3Br/2BA, panoramic views, pool. $719,000 or best offer. real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456. M i NUTES TO S i ESTA Key beach: Totally updated condo. 2Br/2BA, carport. $249,000. real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

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

Landscape Design Lawn Care Cleanups Stone Paths

Licensed and Insured

Rick Turner Personal Driver 941.504.2894

isl biz

Wagner welcomes agents

Taylor Bernard has joined the Wagner Realty Anna Maria Island office.

As a lifelong resident of AMI, Taylor has enjoyed every inch of the island. From Anna Maria Elementary, Bernard progressed through school to become a land surveyor and home inspector.

His love for the area motivated him to obtain his real estate license in 2020.

Now, with his extensive knowledge of AMI, he’s anxious to show potential buyers around the place he calls “home.”

Bernard said he chose Wagner because he’s acquainted with others at the company.

When not working on real estate, he enjoys woodworking but the center of his attention is his 11-yearold daughter, Abby, who swims competitively for Manatee Tsunami.

Bernard can be reached at Wagner-AMI at 2217 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, at 941-224-6878 or taylorbernard@wagnerrealty.com.

Ursula Stemm also has joined the Wagner island

BizCal

By lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

MarketWatch

Anna Maria

Wednesday, April 12

11:30 a.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce Headliners

Luncheon: Transportation in Our Area, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-3411.

Thursday, April 13

11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce lunch, Floridays Woodfire Grill and Bar, 12332 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island. Fee applies. Info: 941-778-1541.

SAVE THE DATES

April 27, 5 p.m., AMI Chamber business card exchange, Anna Maria Island Historical Society museum, Anna Maria.

May 11, Manatee Chamber of Commerce Spring Expo, 4-7 p.m., Bradenton Area Convention Center, Palmetto.

May 12, 11:30 a.m., AMI Chamber Golf Tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, Bradenton.

team, providing real estate services in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Stemm, who formerly resided on the island, is established in Bradenton. She obtained her real estate license in 1983 and, while she has seen many changes, she is consistent in helping families find their perfect home.

“Not only does Wagner Realty have a great name in the community but it is the perfect-sized company to enjoy a family environment,” Stemm said.

She also enjoys gardening and browsing antique shops.

Stemm can be reached at the Wagner office, 941545-6426 or ursula@wagnerrealty.com.

A Beach

By lisa Neff

Median listing home price: $2.8 million, trending down 24.6% year-over-year.

Median sold home price: $2 million.

Listings: 81 properties, $699,000-$23 million. Bradenton Beach

Median listing home price: $647,000, trending down 44.9% year-over-year.

Median sold home price: $552,500.

Listings: 48 properties, $295,000 to $8.5 million.

Holmes Beach

Median listing home price: $1.2 million, down 22.5% year-over-year.

Median sold home price: $1.2 million.

Listings: 145 properties, topping at $25 million.

Source: realtor.com

By Carol Bernard

Does

Anna Maria Island Tides

“When it Comes to Buying or Selling Your Home, CALL ME FIRST!

my 30+ years of experience work for you.”

Bernard Stemm