The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023

BB addresses absent commissioner. 2

Veterans Day parade planned. 2

August tourist tax reported. 3

Q&A 101123

3

consolidation talks absent from meeting. 4

Meetings 5

Opinions 6

Looking back. 7

Leak forces force main project into November. 9

BB boardwalk awaits county bucks. 9

Save the date. 10

What’s up on AMI? 11

School zone. 12-13

Obituaries 14

GoodDeeds 15

Outdoor shopping with a water view

A drone camera captures the waterfront scene Oct. 4 at coquina Beach, where the first beach market of the season — and the first market in more than a year — took place. the market operates 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and noon-sunset Sundays at the south end of the beach at Longboat Pass. More market pics, page 18.

Chop, chop: More trees will fall at Coquina

During the Manatee county multiuse trail remodel project, trees within 3 1/2 feet of the trail along coquina and cortez beaches will be removed. the Australian pine removals in Bradenton Beach are in preparation of a $1,305,433 replacement of the trail, a new 8-feet-wide paved path that runs from the south end of the coquina Beach parking lot and about 1.5 miles north to cortez Beach near Fifth Street South. county strategic planning manager Ogden clark told the Islander Oct. 5 that 20 trees were removed Sept. 25 at coquina Beach. Another 76 trees will be removed along the coquina and cortez Beach sections of the trail. As of Oct. 5, the county did not have a work date. Islander

Welcome to city government celebration

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

cortez hosts nautical sale. 18

county guts wetlands protections. 18

Streetlife 20

Wind sculpture finds home in HB. 22

Get in the Game. 23

Soccer recap. 24

cold fronts trigger migration. 25

Waterfront workplace. 26

Ring of fire. 27

NYT puzzle 27

CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29

Isl Biz: 30

PropertyWatch. 30

Holmes Beach is celebrating Florida City Government Week and the public is invited.

The city will host an open house 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 17, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive, where people will get a chance to meet municipal staff and elected officials.

Florida City Government Week is a weeklong celebration sponsored by the Florida League of Cities to raise awareness about the importance of municipal government. It will run Monday-Sunday, Oct. 16-Oct. 22.

This year’s theme is, “My city: I’m part of it, I’m proud of it.”

“Florida City Government Week is an opportunity to help our residents become more informed about the many services we

provide, which will lead to more knowledgeable citizen participation in the future,” Mayor Judy Titsworth wrote in an Oct. 5 news release. “We are excited about this year’s activities and hope to engage students, residents, senior citizens, visitors and the business community in our open house.”

“We will have a lot of info available about the city and each of the different departments,” city clerk Stacey Johnston wrote in an Oct. 5 email to The Islander.

“All staff, city commission, and representatives from each board or commission will be available to provide info,” she added.

People can learn more about the Holmes Beach celebration on the city’s website at holmesbeachfl.org.

Strolling and strumming on the shore

Robert Burck aka “the Naked cowboy” strolls the shore Oct. 8 at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. the times Square street performer, known for strolling his stuff, strumming guitar and posing for tips on the street, said he was working on his tan prior to the winter tourist season in New York city. He also was handing out cards with ways to follow on social media, including @thenakedcowboy on Instagram.

Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

Viewing the eclipse

An annular solar eclipse is taking place Saturday, Oct. 14.

The annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth.

The path of the annular eclipse in the United States is from the coast of Oregon to the Texas Gulf Coast but a majority of the United States will be able to view a portion of the “ring of fire” eclipse.

Locally, people will see a partial eclipse, beginning at about 11:50 a.m.

For more on the eclipse, go to Sandscript, page 27.

Islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield

Photo: Robert Anderson

BB commission addresses commissioner absences

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach is taking action on the absences of one member of the city commission.

Commissioner Marilyn Maro has been absent from the dais at Katie Pierola Commission Chambers in city hall — and at all functions of her elected office — since the start of 2023.

City attorney Ricinda Perry raised the issue with commissioners Oct. 5, another meeting that Maro did not attend.

“As you know, Vice Mayor Maro has been absent with excuse and I am not getting into any sensitive conversation about that but I do want procedurally to

address this particular matter based on communications the clerk’s office has been having with the state of Florida,” Perry said.

Perry said the city was checking with the state regarding assisting Maro in meeting requirements for financial disclosure and ethics training.

“There needs to be certain obligations given to the city clerk’s office to make sure that we are carrying out our procedural requirements,” Perry said. “The position, as elected officials, is a position that has been given to you by the electorate. It is an office that carries with it responsibilities to the public.”

Sign up now for Anna Maria’s Veterans Day parade

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Veterans Day is coming up Nov. 11.

And the city of Anna Maria is ready to honor vets with its annual Old Soldiers and Sailors Parade.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and run down Pine Avenue from city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, to City Pier Park, 101 N. Bay Blvd., where a ceremony will be held to recognize veterans and their significant others.

Veterans will lead the procession, according to

Mayor Dan Murphy, a Vietnam War veteran who served 1968-1969 in the U.S. Army.

Murphy has said the event was scheduled early this year due to a statewide band competition.

He also said the event will not include a military flyover.

“Let’s keep it simple and easy,” Murphy said. “The flyover became a little bit complex.”

The city encourages participation from all veterans and veteran service organizations, as well as civic organizations, businesses, school bands and sports teams.

An application form for participating in the parade is on the city’s website at cityofannamaria.com.

Entry is free but application forms must be submitted by Nov. 1.

On the day of the event, participants must arrive at city hall by 8 a.m. for staging and are not allowed to display political or protest signage, use water guns or balloons, or throw hard or sharp objects during the parade.

For more information about the event, people can contact deputy clerk Fransheska Berrios at 941-7086130, ext. 110 or at parade@cityofannamaria.com.

Perry asked commissioners for a motion to direct city clerk Terry Sanclemente to prepare correspondence to Maro in accordance with the state’s direction to determine if further accommodation or assistance should be provided to Maro.

“If no further accommodation is requested, the new step would be to bring that back to the city commission at the next meeting to provide notice regarding roll call attendance of Mrs. Maro and to identify future absences with or without excuse based on the response that the city receives,” Perry said.

Under the city charter, a commission seat can be forfeited if an elected official fails to attend three consecutive regular commission meetings without a formal excuse by the commission entered into the minutes.

Commissioners Oct. 5 approved two motions in the matter:

• Commissioner Ralph Cole motioned to direct Sanclemente to prepare correspondence to Maro in accordance with the Florida Commission on Ethics allowing 15 days for a response.

Commissioner Jan Vosburgh seconded the motion, which was approved 3-0.

Commissioner Jake Spooner was absent with excuse.

• Cole also motioned to direct the city clerk and the city attorney to work with the state on behalf of Commissioner Maro to determine if further assistance is needed from the city.

The motion was seconded by Vosburgh and passed 3-0.

Maro ran uncontested for her seat in 2022.

She has served as Ward 2 commissioner for three consecutive terms. She was appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and was elected in 2018, 2020 and 2022.

Commissioners also serve on the community redevelopment agency and Maro has not attended a CRA meeting since January.

Veterans Day 2022 in Anna Maria. Islander File

Photo: Jacob Merrifield

August tourist tax tops 2022 dollars

Tourists continued to shell out for Manatee County rentals in August.

The county collected $1,609,103 from its monthly “bed tax,” a 5% levy on overnight accommodations of six months or less.

The figure represents a 3.95% increase from the August 2022 tourist tax revenue.

Heading into the final month of its fiscal year, the county had earned $29,342,912 and was expected to pass the $30 million mark for fiscal 2022-23, which ended Sept. 30.

Historically, unincorporated Manatee County and Holmes Beach have jockeyed for the top collection.

In August, unincorporated Manatee accommodations yielded $646,896 or 40.2% of the earnings pie, while Holmes Beach accommodations generated $480,480 in tax dollars or 30%.

Anna Maria sleepovers produced $150,459 or 9.35%, and Bradenton Beach accommodations generated $78,824 or 4.9%.

Bradenton generated $132,640 or 8.24%, Longboat Key grossed $114,880 or 7.14%, and Palmetto held down the reporting at $4,923 or 0.31%.

The revenues do not go directly to the municipali-

ties where the accommodations generating the taxes are located but instead to a pot that gets portioned out by the county under the advice of the tourist development council.

Per state law, the tax dollars must be used to drive tourism-bolstering initiatives and have funded beach renourishment projects on the island, as well as the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the commissioning of two boats for a ferry service.

The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Bradenton Area Convention Center; Realize Bradenton, a nonprofi t dedicated to developing downtown Bradenton, and the Pittsburgh Pirates also receive bed tax dollars.

September resort tax data will be released in early November.

The next TDC meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the county administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Know your TDCs

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council recommends to county commissioners how to spend the tourist development tax — the 5% tax collected on

Northern wildfires cause poor local air quality

Smoky skies Oct. 3 signaled poor air quality.

Manatee County that evening issued an advisory, warning that elevated particulate matter — PM2.5 — levels fell within the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.

PM2.5 are particles that are small enough to be inhaled and enter the bloodstream and people with respiratory ailments can experience health effects.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

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

monitoring stations in Sarasota and Hillsborough counties detected elevated levels Oct. 3.

PM2.5 is not typically monitored in Manatee County but the county, in a news release, said “the nearby elevated levels are indicative of issues here.”

In fact, PM2.5 concentrations were present across the Florida peninsula. Their presence was the result of emissions from Canadian wildfires paired with predominate northeasterly winds.

Wind conditions overnight Oct. 3-4 continued to bring the emissions into Manatee County, leading to air-quality indices outside what the county described as a “typical good range.”

— Lisa Neff

AMI TOURISM:

Endless Season

August tourist tax collections:

August 2019: $909,639

August 2020: $1,185,575

August 2021: $1,448,333

August 2022: $1,547,956

August 2023: 1,609,103

Source: Manatee county tax collector

overnight accommodations of six months or less. TDT spending must boost and develop tourism. TDC members include County Commissioner James Satcher as chair, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Bryant, hoteliers Jiten Patel, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns and Rahul Patel and interested citizens Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.

— Lisa Neff

Q&A 101123

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa Neff

Best social media app for seeing AMI imagery?

58%. Facebook

33%. Instagram

0%. TikTok

9%. X

This week’s question

My favorite in the tampa Bay Rays 2023 lineup is …

A. Christian Bethancourt

B. Randy Arozarena

C. Yandy Díaz

D. Isaac Paredes

E. Other

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

Consolidation talks absent from state-local delegation meeting

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Talk about anticlimactic.

Despite weeks of build up ahead of the Oct. 5 Manatee County Legislative Delegation meeting, the matter of potentially consolidating Anna Maria Island’s three municipal governments was not brought up throughout the three-hour meeting.

The delegation comprises local representatives to the state Legislature, Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, and Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch.

They entertained presentations from local elected officials, businesses and organizations.

It also promised in the advance weeks to include discussion on consolidation following an Aug. 21 letter from Boyd and Robinson to the three island mayors threatening to revisit a potential study into “combining the three municipalities.”

The letter refers to a study Robinson proposed at a January legislative delegation meeting, when he questioned the number of governments needed to govern the island.

Robinson motioned to commission a Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study on the island’s governing structure and to present options to the delegation for its 2024 legislative session.

OPPAGA is a research arm of the Florida Legislature that supports lawmakers by providing data, research and analysis to assist them in their budget and policy deliberations.

The delegation unanimously approved Robinson’s motion.

However, legislators tabled the proposed study in February and requested the island mayors discuss options for limited consolidation among themselves.

Nevertheless, the mayors’ had not yet responded when Boyd and Robinson called for their feedback in

the Aug. 21 letter.

After the notice, the mayors responded by agreeing to embrace the study in the hopes of reducing taxes or improving municipal services, while pushing to change the scope of the study to explore consolidation of services — not municipalities.

“Our city opposes both governmental consolidation or de-annexation of the local governments on our island,” Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy wrote in a Sept. 29 letter to Robinson and Boyd. “Each city on this island presents a distinctly different environment to both full-time residents and visitors alike.”

“Combining these three unique and culturally diverse communities into one ‘vanilla community’ would result in the loss of the most valuable asset our island offers, our diverse cultural differences. One size would not fit all in this instance,” he continued.

Despite the feedback, as well as the attendance of Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Commissioner Terry Schaefer, the matter of consolidation was not broached during the delegation meeting.

Titsworth told The Islander Oct. 5 that she had recently spoken with Robinson about the matter and was happy it didn’t come up during the meeting.

“I think they must have been happy with all of the responses they got from the mayors,” she said. “I was hopeful that enough progress has been made that consolidation would not be a pressing issue this year.”

Titsworth said she’s had no input from Robinson or Boyd on the OPPAGA study since the delegation meeting.

The 2024 legislative session will begin Jan. 9, 2024, and is set to run until March 8, 2024.

Boyd and Robinson did not respond to Oct. 6 calls from The Islander.

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Simply stated, we take care of our residents for life.

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Find the Islander dating to November 1992 online at the UofF Digital Newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

the Manatee county Legislative Delegation meets Oct. 5 at Bradenton city Hall, 101 Old Main St. Islander

Photo: Ryan Paice

Crabbers, diners prep for launch of stone crab season

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Crabbers are hustling to prepare and pull the first traps of the stone crab season.

Recreational and commercial stone crab harvesting season will begin Oct. 15 and continue to May 2, 2024.

Starting Oct. 5, local crabbers were dropping baited traps, but the harvest must wait for start day.

Crabbers have faced tighter restrictions since at least 2020, when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shortened the harvest season by 14 days, increased minimum claw size by 1/8 inch and set a limit of two checker boxes for quick handling of the catch on boats.

This season, crabbers are required to install an unobstructed 2 3/16-diameter escape ring on recreational and commercial traps.

A week before the season opened, the FWC issued a clarification on cull ring placement for the 2024-25 season: An unobstructed escape ring 2 3/16 inches in diameter must be located within a vertical exterior trap wall for both recreational and commercial plastic and wood traps.

The addition of cull rings reduces bycatch and on-

Meetings

By Lisa Neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

Oct. 19, 6 p.m., commission.

Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-7086130, cityofannamaria.com.

BRADENTON BEACH

Oct. 18, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

Oct. 19, noon, commission.

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

HOLMES BEACH

Oct. 11, 9 a.m., clean water.

Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-noon, city hall open house.

Oct. 24, 5 p.m., commission.

Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m., police pension.

Oct. 28, 9 a.m., Manatee Moves celebration, city field.

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

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

Oct. 17, 6 p.m., commission.

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

MANATEE COUNTY

Oct. 17, 9 a.m., commission (work session).

Oct. 16, 9 a.m., tourist development council.

Oct. 18, 6 p.m., Commissioner James Bearden town hall, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Make the most of autumn

Is your business ready to make the most of the fall season? Improve your odds of success with The Islander readers looking to shop and dine, as well as seeking indoor and outdoor fun. For ad info, call or text 941778-7978.

vessel cull times, which benefit crabbers and crab.

It also reduces the consumption of juvenile crabs by larger mature crabs while crabs are caught in the trap.

The FWC’s tighter regulations were in response to a decline in crab stocks reported since the late 1990s.

Cortez Capt. Jacob Reeder, who fishes mostly for blue and stone crabs, said the addition of the rings is good for the fishery.

“Honestly, I think it will help in the long run,” Reeder said of the cull rings. “Most of the new traps already have them to begin with.”

Reeder said it was difficult to make a prediction about this year’s harvest.

“You know, it’s always hard to call,” he said. “I think it’s going to be productive. I’m not sure if it’s going to be a slam or not.”

Crabbers, he said, would have a better idea for the season as cooler weather arrives.

“The crabbing doesn’t usually get really good until about November, when we start to get cold fronts,” Reeder said.

Another Cortez crabber, Nate Meschelle, was leaving a dock Oct. 6 when he stopped to speak with The Islander about the season.

“Oct. 5 is when you set out and then you have

County commissioner to hold town hall on AMI

Manatee County Commissioner James Bearden will hold a town hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Bearden is in his first term on the board of county commissioners, having defeated islander Carol Whitmore in the Republican Party primary in 2022 and facing nominal challenges in the general election.

He’s an at-large commissioner, meaning he’s elected countywide.

For more information, email jason.bearden@ mymanatee.org or call the county at 941-748-4501.

— Lisa Neff

Oct. 24, 9 a.m., commission.

Oct. 16, 9 a.m., tourist development council.

Oct. 26, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m., commission (with Longboat Key).

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

ALSO OF INTEREST

Nov. 10, Veterans Day observance. Most government offices will be closed.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving, a federal holiday. Most government offices will be closed. And many also will be closed Nov. 24.

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

a 10-day soak,” Meschelle said. “Then you can start hauling on Oct. 15.”

He also said cooler, rougher weather should create good conditions to crab.

“Weather stirs up the water and predators can’t see them as well as they are out foraging,” Meschelle said.

“We are ready and waiting to see what happens,” he added.

Bridge Street gets Xmas boost

Santa Claus is coming to town … again.

Bradenton Beach commissioners Oct. 5 voted to approve Christmas on Bridge Street.

The commission and community redevelopment agency both contributed $1,000 to the celebration.

“I’ve been on the street now for 10 years,” said event coordinator and Bridge Street businessman Sherman Baldwin. “During those 10 years, I have been involved in major events on the street. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. I see really good things this year.”

Plans include a tree lighting at the post office, 116 Bridge St., 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18.

Word has it Santa will make an appearance. Then the lighted boat parade and street party organized by the Bridge Street Merchants will be noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

Boaters who want to enter the parade will fi nd more information online at bradentonbeachmarina. com.

Street party festivities will include visits by the Anna Maria Island Privateers and Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as music by The Dickens Carolers.

Trimmers Holiday Decor will begin decorating in the next few weeks.

— Robert Anderson

Come

A tray of stone crab claws from last season’s harvest at cortez Bait and Seafood, 12110 cortez Road W. Stone crab is one of Florida’s most soughtafter delicacies. Islander Photo: courtesy John Banyas

Coming up … Gourmet season!

I say “pooh” to the folks who say they don’t want to live in Florida because they would miss the four seasons — spring, summer, fall and winter.

We see many seasons in Florida.

Tourist season, which brings multi-colored license plates on cars and SUVs to the island. Sea turtle season — with loggerheads and green turtles nesting and hatching on our beaches. Snowbirds in flocks of colors — including flamingos that blew in from Mexico and Costa Rica on the winds of a hurricane that pushed through the Gulf of Mexico and folks in Airstreams and fancy RVs looking for a spot to park.

We’ve only cracked the surface of our winter season, the six-month October-March snowbird season that now encompasses hundreds (almost 70% of homes on the island) of vacation rental homes.

Next week brings the beginning of stone crab season. And what a delicious season it is.

Being somewhat expert at stone crab cooking, cracking and serving, I naturally have 2 cents to put in on the subject. You’ll notice I wisely leave the catching to others. (Those crabs can b-i-t-e.)

I discovered the microwave is terrific for heating up precooked claws and preparing your own rewards, raw claws, if you dive or trap them yourself.

Raw stone crabs are tan, cream and brownish. The “meat” is an almost opaque, pale peach and it’s the consistency of half-set Jell-O before it’s cooked.

You know by now, of course, that it is illegal to harvest the crab — only claws may come ashore.

Local commercial crabbers and fish houses are required to cook their claws prior to retail sale. If you catch your own, you’ve probably boiled them in the past.

But the microwave can produce excellent results for reheating and raw claws: manageably hot shells with hot, moist meat inside.

Just spread the claws in a flat dish with a sprinkling of water. Cover with a moistened towel and zap for 3-5 minutes depending on precooked or raw and quantity. Great results, fast.

Dipping sauce? Heated sweet butter with key lime juice and a sprinkle of hot sauce.

Now... bring on the claws!

Popsicle, anyone? The best part of the stone crab claw to many folks is the large arm with the pinchers attached — aficionados call it a popsicle — although the knuckle is tops to others.

It’s gourmet season. Get cracking!

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Stop cutting trees

Perfectly smooth paved recreation paths with scanty vegetation are characteristic of urban landscapes everywhere.

It is sad that our county officials are compromising the rural feeling of this island by removing 96 trees at Coquina Beach to change a beautiful path from natural to urban standard.

Skimming online

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Large shade trees serve many purposes, including reducing the temperature, removing CO2 from the air, blocking harmful UV rays and holding the nests of large birds.

Aesthetically, they indicate a community has history, in a way that new plantings do not. These uniform masses of pines gave a beautiful visual integrity to a sprawling park filled with hundreds of cars.

The fact that they are not native seems less important when all other aspects of the park are highly engineered.

Many beloved paths through nature have roots on them and it would have been reasonable to accept this as one of those trails or to find other solutions.

Such disruptive government projects make me think taxes and budgets must be way too high.

A project is done, and then, before you know it, they are tearing it out and starting over.

It’s time to value what we already have and to stop spending so much on the destruction of our history, wildlife and natural beauty.

Maro Lorimer, Holmes Beach

Editor’s note: The paved multiuse path at Coquina Beach is used for exercise activities, including walking and bicycling. The path is being replaced with a path in the same footprint.

Letters to the editor We welcome opinion letters. Submit comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number for verification to news@islander.org.

Connections, AMI & beyond

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

Bradenton Beach : Mayor John Chappie, 941778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org, mayor@cityofbradentonbeach.com.

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

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

Florida Governor : Republican Ron DeSantis, 850-717-9337 for staff, flgov.com for email, @GovRonDeSantis via X.

Florida Senate: Republican Jim Boyd, 941-7426445, boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov, flsenate.gov, @JimBoydFL via X.

Florida House : Republican Rep. William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr., 941-708-4968, will.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov, myfloridahouse. gov, @will_robinsonjr via X.

On the Gulfside

People join a few pelicans on the pier at the Manatee Public Beach in the 1990s. there’s been renewed interest on the island in building a new pier at the Holmes Beach location. Islander Photos: courtesy Manatee county Public Library Archives

Looking back

An aerial photo from 1964 shows a pavilion and pier at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. the pier was closed for good after an engineer’s report deemed it unsafe in February 2009. Manatee county commissioners approved a proposal March 3, 2009, to build a new pier but subsequent county and Holmes Beach commission actions went against the plan. And, when the old pier was removed, nothing went up in its place.

In the archives

Check The Islander archives 24/7

Some years ago, The Islander was invited to take part in a pilot project with the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. We donated the collection of newspapers beginning with the first edition in 1992. It took some time but it’s all maintained on the library site. Look for The Islander in the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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10&20 years ago

From the Oct. 8, 2003, issue

• Legal woes for the Tidemark hotel-marinacondominium project in Holmes Beach increased when Brasota Mortgage Co. filed foreclosure against the owners for $1.7 million. Just weeks earlier, Regions Bank filed a $1.45 million foreclosure against Tidemark.

• Restoration work on the Belle Haven Cottage at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society museum began after the cottage building was towed from its Oak Avenue location to 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. The cottage — built in 1920 at the end of the Anna Maria city pier — sank into Tampa Bay in 1926. It was retrieved from the water and hauled to Oak Avenue.

• Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 27-year-old Bradenton man for the robbery of a Bradenton bank following a 30-minute chase in the village of Cortez.

From the Oct. 9, 2013, issue

• Island churches stepped up to aid Rod & Reel Pier employees following an electrical fire that closed the Anna Maria attraction for weeks.

• The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website announced early voting is offered only when a state or federal candidate is on the ballot. So there would be no early voting in the 2013 island city elections.

• The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau was planning Symphony on the Sand for Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, announcing it would be a formal attire affair.

— Lisa Neff

Holmes Beach details 2023-24 capital improvement projects

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The latest phase of stormwater improvements in the city of Holmes Beach is underway.

But that’s not the city’s only capital improvement project in the new fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

City engineer Sage Kamiya presented an update on the municipality’s capital improvement projects and plans at a Sept. 26 commission meeting.

The plans include a handful of stormwater drainage projects, the addition of a multiuse path along Gulf Drive and the completion of the city center improvement project.

City center improvements

Kamiya said Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. has reached substantial completion on the city center project but finishing touches are to come.

The project began last year in September and the bulk of the work was done by May.

The $3,001,460.85 project involved improving drainage infrastructure and adding roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina.

The only remaining work on the project involves replacing vegetation damaged or displaced by Hurricane Idalia and one malfunctioning lighting stanchion, as well as applying thermoplastic striping along the corridor, according to Kamiya.

He said C-Squared has some issues with its subcontractor for the striping work but he hoped it would be finished within the next couple of weeks.

“Our project is just about in,” Kamiya said. “I’m very pleased with it.”

Stormwater drainage projects

The city has extensive plans — many in the works for years — for improving stormwater drainage by installing infiltration trenches along roadways.

Kamiya said the improvements will be made in phases, including:

• Phase F: Marina Drive between 56th and 58th streets, as well as 58th, 59th and 60th streets between Marina Drive and Holmes Boulevard;

• Phase G(a): a drainage triangle bordered by Marina Drive, Gulf Drive and 77th Street;

• Phase G(b): a drainage square bordered by Avenues B and Avenue C, as well as 27th and 28th streets;

• Phase H: Marina Drive between 59th and 65th

streets, as well as 61st and 62nd streets from Marina Drive to Holmes Boulevard;

• Phase I: Gulf Drive between 69th and 76th streets;

• Phase J: the intersection of Palm Drive and 85th Street just south of CrossPointe Fellowship;

• Phase K: Gulf Drive between 52nd and 45th streets;

• Phase L: Marina Drive from 65th Street to Clark Lane.

C-Squared has been working on Phase F, which also includes the installation of new sidewalks along Marina, and completion is projected for the end of the month.

“We are very, very close to being done with this one as we speak,” Kamiya said.

C-Squared also began work on Phase I in June and initially projected completion by October, but the timeline for completion was pushed to the end of the year due to Hurricane Idalia.

Design work on Phases G(a) and G(b) has been completed, so the city plans to issue a request for proposals by the end of the month for a contractor to carry out the project, according to Kamiya.

Work on designing Phase H also is done but the city doesn’t plan to issue an RFP for a contractor until September 2024.

Phases F, G(a), G(b) and H will be funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, so the city will need to street-sweep the impacted roadways to meet Swiftmud standards.

“The plan is to spread the funds out over three

Employees from Sarasota-based c-Squared cGc Inc. work Sept. 28 on setting a concrete sidewalk on the east side of Marina Drive in Holmes Beach, fronting city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

years to get the most out of our Swiftmud funding,” Kamiya said.

Phase I will be funded with a $750,000 state appropriation.

Phase J will be funded by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection resiliency grant but the city is still seeking funding for phases K and L.

Gulf Drive multiuse path

A path is being added to Phase I as another improvement for Gulf Drive from East Bay Drive to Manatee Avenue.

The project will involve adding a multiuse path and installing stormwater infrastructure improvements along the curving stretch of roadway.

The work will be partially funded with the remainder of the money the city received from the U.S. American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $2,156,176.

About half of the city’s ARPA funds remained as of Sept. 26, according to Kamiya.

Kamiya said design work was set to begin “very soon.”

TDC request

The city also is seeking funds from the Manatee County Tourist Development Council to add another section of multiuse path that would run along Gulf Drive, 65th Street and Marina Drive.

The path would stretch north along Gulf Drive’s S-curve and up to 65th Street, where it would run northeast to Marina Drive, then down Marina to 58th Street.

The path also would connect to a beach access path at the west end of 65th Street.

TDC funding would cover the addition of beach access and educational signage along the pathway.

Kamiya said there were some areas where the city may need to request easements, so he was hoping property owners would be cooperative.

There was no public comment.

The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

A livestream of the meeting can be found on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

RoadWatch Bridge Road

• Anna Maria Island Bridge on State Road

64/Manatee Avenue : Single-lane closures can be expected 7 p.m.-6 a.m. through December. For more, go to www.swflroads.com.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Work on the city’s project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives continues. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

Manatee County’s work on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets continues and traffic patterns can change. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines along Gulf Drive South near 13th Street South, which is closed to traffic. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

— Lisa Neff

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

BB pier boardwalk project awaits county nod, money

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach is planning to build a boardwalk and park for comfort and convenience for people waiting for a planned ferry service.

The city’s community redevelopment agency Oct. 4 approved a $325,000 boardwalk to connect the Historic Bridge Street Pier to the city’s dinghy dock adjacent to the Bridgetender Inn & Dockside Bar, 135 Bridge St.

CRA members voted 4-1 for the project contingent on Manatee County Tourist Development Council funding.

The CRA is working with the county on the boardwalk and park, which will serve as a staging area for the ferry riders when it launches.

The county-funded ferry will include stops in downtown Bradenton, the Anna Maria City Pier, the Bradenton Beach floating dock at the Bridge Street pier and also the south boat ramp at Coquina Bayside.

Bradenton Beach city attorney Ricinda Perry Oct. 4 shared engineering plans drawn by MEA Engineers Inc. of Sarasota with members of the CRA board, which decides spending and projects for a district bounded by the bay, the Gulf, Fifth Street South and Cortez Road.

The plans include a pocket park, a pergola, a deck with tables and possibly a gazebo.

“The purpose of this is to give those people who are getting on and off … the ferry a spot that’s safe, away from traffic, to wait,” Perry said.

County commissioners — who have the final say on TDC spending — were expected to consider project funding Oct. 10, after The Islander went to press.

“Money has been earmarked in our current agreement with the TDC.”

Perry said it has been bumped from a 50/50 match to full reimbursement to the city.

Perry said the funding would free up CRA funds for the other improvements.

Duncan Seawall submitted a proposal Sept. 11 for a $325,000 boardwalk and a $78,900 pergola.

Mayor John Chappie motioned to approve the proposal contingent upon the county funding.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jan Vosburgh and passed 4-1.

Member David Bell attended the meeting by phone and voted no because he did not have access to documents. Marikyn Maro and Ed Chiles were absent.

The next CRA meeting will be at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

About the CRA

The CRA funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism in the district bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico.

The CRA funds the projects with incremental tax revenue collected by Manatee County since 1992, when the area was declared blighted.

Leak forces county-Holmes Beach force main project into November

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

It’s been a long time coming, but Manatee County’s Holmes Boulevard force main replacement project is finally in the final stretch.

However, a leak extended the timeline into November.

Project manager Brett Gocka wrote in an Oct. 6 email to The Islander that Sarasota-based Spectrum Underground plans to reach substantial completion by the first week of November due to the leak.

The county’s $3,492,035.25 project began in March 2022 and was aimed at replacing PVC piping on 4,000 feet of 16-inch force main along Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach and 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main along 58th Street.

The project also involved replacing existing water services and upsizing potable water lines along the

stretch from 2-inch and 4-inch diameter pipes to 6-inch diameter pipes.

Construction was initially projected to end last November.

However, the timeline was delayed multiple times due to complications with Holmes Beach’s nearby city center improvement project over the past year, Hurricane Ian in September 2022 and Hurricane Idalia in August.

Most of the work has been completed but plenty remained unfinished as of Oct. 6.

Gocka wrote that Spectrum utilities was testing the new pipelines when it discovered a failed section of force main on Holmes Boulevard from 52nd Street to Gulf Drive, resulting in the excavation of pipe joints in the area to search for the failure.

“They are currently looking for a leak,” he wrote. “As of this email there are only a few joints left that

need to be evaluated.”

The new timeline for completion in November — a year after the initial projection — will depend on what repairs will be needed to fix the failed section of force main.

After those repairs are made, Spectrum must connect the sections of force main, complete two water line crossings, test the completed pipelines, then mill and resurface Holmes Boulevard and 58th Street.

The contractor also must replace damaged sod and sidewalks.

Gocka wrote that he met Oct. 4 with Holmes Beach staff, who requested the contractor extend the road resurfacing efforts down 52nd Street and past Second Avenue.

People can learn more about the force main replacement project at a county site for AMI, amiprojects.io.

compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Wednesday, Oct. 11

6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club meeting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. Friday, Oct. 13

5-7:30 p.m. — Holmes Beach Merchant Market Night, Gulf and Marina drives in the city center. Information: 941-778-6694.

ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout October, Artists’ Guild Gallery exhibit, “Yummy for the Tummy, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6694.

Through April, Artists’ Guild Gallery “Paint the Town” sidewalk demonstrations and sales events, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Oct. 15, “Lorna Bieber: Natural World” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through October, “Walk on the Wild Side” paintings by Jody Goldman, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.

Oct. 14-Jan. 7, “Guercino’s Friar with a Gold Earring” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

Through June 23, 2024, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling.org.

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.

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

SAVE THE DATE

Nov. 2-12, Island Players’ “Later Life,” Anna Maria.

Nov. 3-4, Village of the Arts’ Dia de los Muertos, Bradenton.

Nov. 4, Bash at the Bishop: A Celestial Affair, Bradenton.

Nov. 5, Island Players’ “The Mousetrap” auditions, Anna Maria.

Nov. 8, Island Library’s Island Time Book Club discusses Curtis Sittenfeld’s “Romantic Comedy,” Holmes Beach.

Nov. 11-12, Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival, Cortez.

Nov. 11, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Symphony

on the Sand at Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach.

An entry in the classic car show at the 2022 Bayfest on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. this year’s Bayfest will be Saturday, Oct. 21, again on Pine Avenue. the Anna Maria Island chamber of commerce presents the event.

Bayfest set for Oct. 21

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will bring a big block party to Anna Maria this month. Bayfest — “the island’s largest and longest-running festival” — will fill Pine Avenue Saturday, Oct. 21.

The chamber’s 22nd annual celebration of community, music, food and fun will begin at 10 a.m. and close about 9 p.m.

Bayfest offerings will include a car show 10 a.m.-3 p.m., arts and crafts vendors, a food court with beverages and entertainment.

Singer-songwriter Mike Sales will emcee, as well as perform, on the event stage.

Four other musical performances will take place at Bayfest:

• Memphis Rub, 11:15 a.m.;

• Trevor Bystrom Band, 1:45 p.m.;

• Karen & Jimmy Band, 4:30 p.m.;

• Dr. Dave Band 7 p.m.

Businesses and nonprofits with Pine Avenue addresses also welcome festivalgoers.

Admission to the festival is free.

For more information, contact the chamber at 941778-1541.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Nov. 18-April 28, 2024, the Dali Museum’s “Dali & the Impressionists: Monet, Degas, Renoir and More,” St. Petersburg.

Dec. 1-2, Bradenton Blues Festival, Bradenton.

Dec. 9, Jan. 14, Jan. 26, April 6, Center of Anna Maria Island concert, Anna Maria.

MARKETS & SALES

ONGOING ON AMI

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

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays through May 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-301-8445.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 22, Palma Sola Botanical Park’s Fall Plants and More Sale, Bradenton.

KIDS & FAMILY

Friday, Oct. 13

ON AMI

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

Saturday, Oct. 14

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

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

Tuesday, Oct. 17 10 a.m. — Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

Select Thursdays — Oct. 26, Nov. 16, Dec. 14 — Shark Pups and Grownups preschool program, Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on Anna Maria City Pier, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: mote.org.

OFF AMI

Friday, Oct. 13 5:30-8 p.m. — Goblin Gathering, G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923.

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

Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

Second Saturdays, Quest for kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 21, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Oct. 23, Island Library’s “Haunted Manatee County,” Holmes Beach.

Oct. 28, Island Library’s temporary tattoos, Holmes Beach.

Oct. 31, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Trail of Treats, Holmes Beach.

Dec. 2, Center of Anna Maria Island Lester Family Fun Day, Anna Maria.

Dec. 9, Winter Wonderland Celebration, Bradenton.

Dec. 9, Florida Maritime Museum’s Christmas in Cortez, Cortez.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, Oct. 12

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

Monday, Oct. 16

11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: bbeckwith02@gmail.com, 941-301-4336.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

6 p.m. — Manatee County Commissioner James Bearden’s town hall, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

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, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Informa-

Islander File

Photo

tion: 941-718-5583.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

OFF AMI

11:45 a.m. — Off Stage Ladies luncheon and meeting, Modern Chop Restaurant, 1830 59th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-932-2798.

1 p.m. — Paradise Center For Healthy Living Veterans’ Canteen, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-3836493.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., October-April, Manatee Audubon Society meetings, First United Methodist Church of Palmetto, 330 11th Ave. W., Palmetto. Information: manateeaudubon@gmail.com, 941-729-2222.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 21, Longboat Key Make Strides Against Breast Cancer, Longboat Key.

Oct. 28, Annie Silver Community Center Book Sale and Potluck Lunch, Bradenton Beach.

Nov. 3, FISH Preserve ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cortez.

Nov. 10, Old Soldiers and Sailors Parade, Anna Maria.

SPORTS & FITNESS

ONGOING ON AMI

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

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

Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

SAVE THE DATE

Dec. 1, Manatee Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, Sarasota.

Dec. 9, DeSoto Cornhole Tournament, Bradenton.

LESSONS & LEARNING

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 20, Nov. 15, Island Library/Jewish Federation of SarasotaManatee Holocaust Speaker Series, Holmes Beach.

OUTDOORS & NATURE

OFF AMI

Island happenings

compiled by Lisa Neff

Gwen Kodad’s “tropical thanksgiving” is featured in “Yummy for the tummy” at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Islander courtesy Photo

paintings in a “paint-a-round.”

• Throughout October, gallery visitors will nominate their three favorite artworks and the artists with the most “people’s choice” votes will win ribbons.

AGAMI welcomes new season

The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island launched its 2023-24 season of events with the opening of an October exhibit — “Yummy for the Tummy” — featuring food-focused artwork.

The window exhibit is at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

AGAMI also began October with the launch of its expanded “Paint the Town” celebration, which features monthly activities at the gallery, including:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 11-12, sidewalk art demonstrations and sales.

• 3-5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13, artists collaborating on

10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

SAVE THE DATE

Oct. 17, Coquina Beach Seashell Shore Walk, Bradenton Beach.

Oct. 19, Robinson Preserve TreeTots: Night Nature program, Bradenton.

Oct. 19, Robinson Preserve Living with Alligators program, Bradenton.

Oct. 21, Robinson Preserve Starry Night Astronomy, Bradenton.

Oct. 25, Robinson Preserve Explore Nature: Tower Talk, Bradenton.

Oct, 26, Perico Preserve Green Explorers outing, Perico Island.

Oct. 27, Robinson Preserve volunteer day, Bradenton.

Oct. 28, Robinson Preserve Sunrise Paddle, Bradenton.

CALENDAR NOTES

KEEP THE DATES

Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out.

Oct. 31, Halloween.

AGAMI also will offer a class this month, the first in a series.

The drawing workshop with Marge Kelly takes place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. The cost to attend is $30.

In addition, AGAMI is involved in the monthly Merchants Night Market along with other city center businesses, including D.Coy Ducks, Small Town Creamery, HowLuckiAMI, Pizzano’s Pizza & Grinderz, Hurricane Hanks, Freckled Fin Irish Pub and the Doctor’s Office, Irene’s Clothing, Sand Dollar and The Feast.

Businesses will offer refreshments, entertainment and demonstrations and some will offer extended hours.

The first market will be 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Other dates include Nov. 10, Dec. 1, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 8 and April 12.

For more information about AGAMI, call the gallery at 941-778-6694.

Historical society sets hours

The Anna Maria Island Historical Society set a new schedule for October-December at its museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

Hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. AMIHS will expand hours of operation JanuaryMarch.

There is no fee to tour the museum and grounds but AMIHS accepts donations.

For more information, call the museum at 941778-0492.

WE’VE

Saturday, Oct. 14

11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. — Solar eclipse watch party, Robinson Preserve at the NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve,

Wearable T-shirt art by local artist Connie Wolgast. Scan here shop! etsy.com/shop/OddDuckDesignsShop 941-224-1897 to

Nov. 5, daylight saving time ends.

Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

Nov. 23, Thanksgiving.

Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared. Send notices for the calendar to calendar@islander.org.

Exercise in red, white and blue amE pre-K kids show off their red, white and blue for Freedom Week at the “little school by the bay.” Islander

PTO family rolls into skate-social fun at HB park

Who wants to get together for play?

Anna Maria Elementary students, staff and families got together Sept. 22 to skate and play at the Holmes Beach Skate Park.

“The social had about 70 kids and we got multiple compliments on how great it was to get families together,” AME-PTO president Jen Serra wrote in an email to The Islander Sept. 27.

Students brought their scooters and skate boards, ate pizza from Domino’s in the park and later walked across the street to Frosty Oasis, 5602 Marina Drive, for ice cream.

The next social will be a book swap 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at city fi eld in the 5800 block of Marina Drive.

— Brook Morrison

AME Calendar

• Thursday, Oct. 12, end of first quarter.

• Friday, Oct. 13, record day, no school.

• Saturday, Oct. 28, Fall Festival, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

• Sunday, Nov. 12, 3-5 p.m., PTO Family Social, book swap, city field, 5800 block of Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

• Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., fourth-grade play.

• Nov. 20-24, Thanksgiving break, no school.

• Thursday, Nov. 30, 3:45 p.m., SAC meeting.

• Dec. 4-7, scholastic book fair.

• Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m., STEM night.

• Sunday, Dec. 10, 3-5 p.m., PTO Family Social, gingerbread house-making, Center of Anna Maria Island.

• Tuesday, Dec. 12, PTO staff luncheon.

• Dec. 14-15, PTO school holiday event.

• Friday, Dec. 15, holiday cookie exchange.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

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

SARASOTA GEM

We have been a new and used GEM dealer for 20 years. We welcome our long-time friends and encourage new patrons from Anna Maria Island to shop here!

CASTNER

amE students run and scoot Sept. 22, during the PtO’s family social at the Holmes Beach Skate Park. the next social will be Sunday, Nov. 12. Islander Photo: courtesy Jen Serra

amE families try out the pizza Sept. 22, during the PtO’s social at the Holmes Beach Skate Park. Islander Photo: courtesy Jen Serra

Etta Hopkins, left, mina messinger, alianna Hopkins, cynthia Funderburk and Violet Sanger pose with their scooters Sept. 22 at the PtO family social in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: courtesy Jen Serra

amE students and family members pose Sept. 22 during the PtO’s family social. Islander Photo: courtesy Jen Serra

Photo: Courtesy amE

amE fourth-grader Sawyer Leibfried and fifth-grader Asher Patel work together Sept. 30 in the school district’s STEm fair catapult contest.

amE firstgrader Lemon

Blackburn Sept. 27 models a 2023-24 PtO t-shirt displaying sponsors on the back. “We are so thankful to all our sponsors,” PtO president Jen

Serra said Sept. 27. Islander

Photo: courtesy amE

amE fifth-grader Trinity miller, left, fourth-grader Sawyer Liebfried and fifth-grader Jacob Winstead compete in the district STEm fair in Bradenton.

Building STEM

amE fifth-graders Jacob Winstead, left, Trinity Miller, fourth-grader Sawyer Liebfried, and fifthgraders Luke Willing and Asher Patel pose Sept. 30 during the manatee County School District STEm Fair at Johnson K-8 School of International Studies, 2121 26th ave. E., Bradenton. Islander photos: Courtesy amE/pidge Barreda

Find the Islander dating to November 1992 online at the UofF Digital Newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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By Lisa Neff

Annunciation adds service

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation has returned to its fall-winter schedule, with two worship services on Sunday.

Worship will be at 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. at the church, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the church at 941-7781638.

Chapel to host pet blessings

The Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, will hold a Blessing of the Animals 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21.

Also, the chapel is planning its annual golf outing — at Peridia Golf and Country Club in Bradenton — for 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29.

For more information, 941-383-6491.

Christ Church plans food drive

Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will hold a food drive in November to benefit Our Daily Bread of Bradenton, which serves daily meals and operates a food pantry.

The church will collect donations of nonperishables, as well as monetary donations, 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in the parking lot.

For more information, call the church at 941-3838833 or go online to christchurchlbk.org.

Grief group to meet at Roser

Roser Memorial Community Church will host a “Surviving the Holidays” grief support seminar at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.

Attendees will receive a holiday survival guide with strategies, encouragements, exercises and journaling ideas.

The program includes a light lunch.

A $5 donation is suggested.

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

Roser gathering gifts

Roser Memorial Community Church invites people to join an early gift-giving effort to brighten the holidays.

Church volunteers wrapped shoeboxes, which can be picked up in the chapel and fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, to be taken home and filled for the holidays.

Boxes to support Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child must be returned to Roser by Sunday, Nov. 12.

People also can donate $20-$30 to purchase a box.

For more info, call the church at 941-778-0414.

Tidings compiled by Lisa

ON AMI

Neff

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

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast supper and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

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

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

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast.

Also: Nov. 5, potluck brunch following worship; Dec. 2, breakfast with St. Nick.

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

Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellowship.

Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering.

Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

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

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

Ongoing: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., RoserRobics; first and third Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Just Older Youth group.

Also: Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m., “Surviving the Holidays” program; Dec. 17, 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., Christmas cantata.

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.

S INGERS I NVITED F OR M ESSIAH

On Sunday, December 10th at 10:00 AM

Christ Church of LBK (Presbyterian USA) will Present The Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah with Professional Soloists and Orchestra.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS JOYOUS EVENT. LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED CHORAL SINGERS. ALL VOICES

Gathering is the religion page for The Islander. Please, send notices to calendar@ islander.org.

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

OFF AMI

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

Also: Nov. 9, 9 a.m., food drive.

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Mondays, 4 p.m., choir practice.

Also: Oct. 16, noon, book club at Lazy Lobster restaurant on Longboat Key; Oct. 21, 11 a.m., blessing of the animals; Oct. 29, 1 p.m., golf outing at Peridia Golf and Country Club in Bradenton.

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

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

GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS

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

Obituary

Richard ‘Dick’ Grimme

Richard “Dick” Grimme, 95, of Holmes Beach, died Aug. 23.

He was born Sept. 27, 1927, in Dayton, Kentucky.

Mr. Grimme was a resident of Holmes Beach since 1987. He enjoyed following the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and also following news and current events.

An avid golfer, he was a member of the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, where he enjoyed playing golf and socializing with friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota FL 34238, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donatetoday.

Mr. Grimme is survived by his sons, Tom and wife Cindy of Bradenton and Greg and wife Karen of Kettering, Ohio; grandchildren Brad and wife Stephanie, Jackie and Christine and husband Greg Vereb; and great-grandchild James.

At your service

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

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)

SUNDAY WORSHIP

your

“...a

8:30 AM in the Chapel 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER RoserChurch.com

Sign up to receive the eBulletin at RoserChurch.com/contact-us

The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414

Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

GoodDeeds

AMI family plans epilepsy walk

A Holmes Beach family seeks to hold a fourth annual Chase Away Epilepsy Walk in Bradenton Saturday, Nov. 4.

The walk, set to step off at 9:30 a.m. at G.T. Bray Park amphitheater, 2811 51st St. W., is in “honor of our son Chase, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at 5 years old,” said Meme Signor. “He is now 14.”

She said the family “would love to have as many people as possible walk with us to advocate, educate and raise epilepsy awareness.”

The walk will raise money for the Josh Provides Epilepsy Assistance Foundation in Sarasota, which Signor said seeks to “improve the lives of those living with and affected by epilepsy or other seizure disorders.”

To support the effort, go online to https://givebutter.com/gulz4k.

For more info, call Signor at 716-474-7224.

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers for the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17, 2024, in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824.

• The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island welcomes members to support the gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: amiartistsguildgallery. com, 941-778-6694.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers for the 75th season of shows. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-941 778-5755.

• The Anna Maria Island Historical Society, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, seeks volunteer docents and bakers. Info: 941-778-0492, amihs.org.

• The Friends of the Island Library welcomes members to support the Holmes Beach branch, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, friendsoftheislandlibrary.org.

• Wildlife Inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured animals. Info: 941-778-6342.

• Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Info: 941-778-0414.

Assistance offered on AMI

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

• AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the

Skyway to turn purple for TIFF’s Initiative

The Florida Department of Transportation will turn the Sunshine Skyway Bridge purple Oct. 16-21 to observe the anniversary of To Inform Families First.

The service provides a way for people to register and update emergency contacts using their Florida driver’s license number or state ID card.

The service dates to October 2006.

That month, island worker Christine Olson created and founded the emergency contact campaign with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Since then, the service has registered more than 20 million Floridians and has been adopted by 18 other states as a way for law enforcement to know who people want them to reach out to and notify on their behalf.

On Dec. 7, 2005, Olson’s daughter, Tiffiany, was killed in a crash caused by an impaired driver who ran a stop on U.S. Highway 19 in Palmetto. Tiffiany was 15 minutes away but Olson was not notified for more than six hours, a national average.

Tiffiany’s license did not show her current address and the police had no way to contact her next of kin.

Over the next year, Olson went to work getting the idea of TIFF’s initiative implemented.

Also, To Inform Families First will staff a booth at the street festival Bayfest, set for Saturday, Oct. 21, on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.

TIFF will “hand out bracelets and flyers and would love to meet you and hear your story of how being registered has provided you a sense of peace of mind,” Olson wrote in a notice to The Islander.

In addition, purple bracelets and flyers are available at the HowluckyAMI store, 5204 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, where Olson works.

“Will you register?” Olson asked. “Two minutes is all it takes. It’s one of those things you just can’t put off till tomorrow and I hope you won’t.”

To register an emergency contact or for more information, go online toinformfamiliesfirst.org. For more information, call 941-795-1869.

island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.

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

the Sunshine Skyway Bridge shines purple for tIFF’s Initiative in 2021. the state transportation department again will light the bridge in purple Oct. 16-21 to promote tIFF’s Initiative to register emergency contacts. Islander courtesy Photos

tiffiany Olson swims with a dolphin at Key Largo to celebrate her 18th birthday. tiffiany was killed in a crash in December 2005. Delayed notification of the crash drove her mother to create an emergency contact service.

CUSTOM C AKES DELI C IOUS DESSERTS 10-5, Mon-Sat @ 2 locations … 507B Pine Ave, Anna Maria 941.896.3167 Facebook.com/hometowndesserts

WE ARE SO MUCH MORE WE ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN DELICIOUS THAN DELICIOUS CHEESECAKE! CHEESECAKE!

941.504.7821 william@annamariaislandrealproperty.com

We speak bagel, egg-el, breakfast muffins, lunch salads, platters, sandwiches... and more!

PARADISE BAGELS CAFE & CATERING 3220 E. Bay Drive, Anna Maria Centre Shops 941-779-1212

Shopping resumes at the beach

Jacob Merrifield captures the Oct. 4 market at coquina Beach with a drone, while shoppers are catching the first bargains of the market season at a new location near Longboat Pass at the southernmost end of the island. Dottie Deerwester, administrator of the market, called opening day a resounding success. “Everybody was excited,” she said in an Oct. 5 interview with the Islander. “We had great vendors. the weather was perfect. It was a beautiful morning and it was jumping from the start.” the county redefined the market with an improved layout alongside the multipath for easy access, a large parking lot and a stage for music events. the market operates 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and noon-sunset Sundays.

Vendor Marie Rouanet, owner of Apana by Marie handmade jewelry, waits on a customer Oct. 4, the first day of the coquina Beach Market in Bradenton Beach. Islander

Illene and John Baker pause their shopping to sip coconut drinks purchased at the market. the couple visited the market while on vacation from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Islander

And sailors, sellers and landlubbers gather for annual nautical sale

Photo: Robert Anderson

A marketgoer looks over pastries and breads offered by Izzy’s Bakery on the opening day of the new coquina Beach Market at coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Islander

Photo: Robert Anderson

Photo: Robert Anderson

Shoppers visit various vendors Oct. 7, during the 26th annual Florida Maritime Museum Nautical Flea Market on the museum and cortez cultural center grounds in cortez. the market is a marine-themed yard sale where vendors pay to sell fishing gear, boating and diving equipment, nautical trinkets and other maritime flotsam and jetsam. Islander Photos: courtesy FMM/Ana Juarez

Florida Maritime Museum board members David Berry, left, Greg Humphrey and Ana Juarez work a table Oct. 7 at the Nautical Flea Market in cortez. the event was held on the museum and cortez cultural center grounds, with vendors selling nautical items, arts and crafts.

County commission votes to gut wetland protections

By Dennis “Mitch” Maley the Bradenton times

A sizable congregation of well-intentioned citizens assembled Oct. 5 in the Manatee County commission chambers to bear witness and enter testimony before their elected representatives went forward with a predetermined plan to gut our wetland protection policies, despite woeful water conditions and broad public disapproval.

The crowd was not as large as when the item failed to get enough votes from the planning commission or when the county commission voted to transmit the proposal to the state, despite its advisory committee’s negative recommendation. Most likely, that was owed to the obvious futility of pleading with crooked politicians to exercise reason and the board issuing a notice Oct. 4 that the item would no longer be time certain.

Nevertheless, it was another impressive showing from the engaged members of a community that has found itself relentlessly beaten and battered by a bought-and-paid-for county commission and the stooges and cronies it has installed in local government while ridding it of its best and brightest personnel.

I won’t bother rehashing all of the particulars as to why the policy is asinine and how members of the community schooled the board as to the many holes in the pretzel logic commissioners employed in its defense. If you haven’t been following along, you can get all of that here.

The short version is that the two local developers who own our county government have never liked the idea that the county requires a buffer between their developments and the wetlands that filter our waterways, despite the fact that they are extremely reasonable and — judging from the putrid state of our treasured waters in recent years — already inadequate.

One of the developers, Carlos Beruff of Medallion Homes, even tried to sue the county on multiple occasions, arguing that the buffers somehow amounted to an unconstitutional taking of private property.

Each time, Beruff lost.

Never one to give up easily, he simply began pouring more money into county commission campaigns and dark money PACs.

Once content to enjoy influence over traditional candidates he helped get and keep a seat, the developer seemingly realized that in order to enjoy full compliance, he would need to start running a different kind of candidate, namely right-wing ideologues who didn’t understand or care about growth issues but wanted a platform to grandstand about hot-button culture war

Editor’s note: The following is from The Bradenton Times and is published with permission from the digital news outlet, which has been at the forefront of coverage of countywide issues, including the move to reduce wetlands protections. TBT is online at thebradentontimes.com. Their opinion piece was edited for length.

nonsense unrelated to the board’s work.

You know, things like abortion, gun rights and what books are in the libraries. Most also had another thing in common in that they desperately needed a job and were willing to do and say almost anything if given one.

Once Beruff had his clown puppet board in place, getting his way got much easier.

In the wake of the 2022 elections, it got easier still and it became a safe bet that even something so publicly reviled as gutting wetland protections was sure to sail through.

Yes, there will likely be at least some political consequences, but what does it matter?

If the stooges had revolted against their sugar daddy, the price would have been even greater as they would have not only found themselves primaried but without anyone rich and powerful who owed them a favor and might soften the blow by way of a consolation gig of some sort.

All of that is of no matter to the developers.

By the time next November rolls around, they will have ticked off their entire wish list and will surely be able to absorb a loss or two on the seven-member board — six of whom are currently marching in lockstep. Puppets are both expendable and replaceable. Besides, any efforts to undo the damage are unlikely to be in place and enforced before they have built out all their parcels and flown off like a blood-fattened mosquito in search of a new host.

Nevertheless, the mood of the commissioners was foul Oct. 4 and instead of meaningfully addressing the concerns of the public, one after another, they explained why they were the actual victims, having had to endure what they found to be unreasonable public backlash. The majority even united around a hilariously Orwellian narrative that the massive opposition was no less than a George Soros-backed communist coup that was seeking to infiltrate Manatee County and seize private property to advance the Green New Deal.

At one point, Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge called Brice Claypool, a 15-year-old local who penned a thoughtful guest op/ed for TBT, a “political

pawn,” as the young man sat in the first row with his family. In more than 13 years of covering this board, I have never witnessed such vile behavior from one of its members.

No commissioners, your community does not loathe you because you are “conservatives” or they are “communists,” as Van Ostenbridge and others suggested. They loathe you because you are spineless cowards in league with special interests that are intent on destroying our quality of life for the sake of a few more McMansions and a slightly fatter bottom line.

Commissioner Jason Bearden did his best to be a good boy and do as Van Ostenbridge wanted, offering his painfully incoherent and imbecilic word salad, all of which danced around his repeated statement that wetland buffers are unconstitutional.

When it was pointed out that the county’s legal victories were by way of the courts roundly ruling that the policy was not unconstitutional, he actually pointed out that courts are sometimes overturned 50 years later, ie. Roe v Wade. So, in Bearden’s rusty hamster wheel of an inner cranium, the Constitution is important except for its provisions as to the court’s role in interpreting it. Do yourself a favor, folks, and don’t try and make sense of it.

Strip club evangelist James Satcher, whose district is likely to be most impacted by the policy, also pitched in his share of nonsense. What did you expect? Satcher has proven himself a garden variety goldbricker who desperately needs the paycheck developers could easily rescind should he go rogue and exercise a modicum of free thought.

Once more, only Commissioner George Kruse voted against the policy.

Ray Turner didn’t show but enthusiastically voted for the transmittal.

Mike Rahn, another developer install with ties to the BIA—a developer lobbying group that also has had ties with Vanessa Baugh, Amanda Ballard and Turner — did his best to try and make it look like he was casting an informed vote but it was a thin veil that couldn’t obscure the puppet strings on his back.

BIA director Jon Mast, a vacation buddy of Rahn, even acknowledged that it was a BIA white paper that led to us being there Oct. 5.

As I’ve said many times, we are not currently living in a democratic republic here in Manatee. We are in the midst of what is called elite capture, in which a small group of wealthy people have managed to use the post-Citizens United political landscape to take over a government body and its bureaucracy and then use the power of those institutions to reshape the rules in their favor.

Change will only be delivered at the ballot box and it cannot arrive quickly enough.

Dennis “Mitch” Maley is an editor and columnist for The Bradenton Times and host of a weekly podcast. He has covered county government since 2010.

BB P&Z to hold hearing on permeable surface credits

Give credit where credit is due.

That’s the thought behind a Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board consensus Oct. 4 to hold a hearing on a draft ordinance for credits for permeable surfaces at one- and two-family dwellings.

City building official Steve Gilbert reviewed Oct. 4 language revisions previously made by the board for the proposed ordinance.

Impervious surfaces would be redefined to include “shell of any size, rock and other landscape materials not installed over infiltration systems, compacted sands, manufactured or natural steppingstones as well as conventionally surfaced streets, roofs, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots.”

“Green space” would be described in the LDC as “land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs or other vegetation. Green space includes parks, community gardens and private gardens.”

Gilbert said Residential-l, R-2 and R-3 developments using city-approved methods, such as permeable surfaces over an infiltration system, could qualify for credits in the proposal.

The board agreed to advertise and hold a hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6.

— Robert Anderson

Shoppers check out nautical salvage and decor during the Nautical Flea Market at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., cortez. the museum’s main building houses exhibits, boat models, tools and other fishing equipment celebrating the maritime history of cortez and the surrounding waterways.

Holmes Beach men arrested in FLA Keys for drug possession

By Ryan Paice

Islander Reporter

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Holmes Beach residents Christian Chamberlain, 33, and Stephen Orlando, 31, Oct. 3 on third-degree felonies for alleged possession of controlled substances, ecstasy and fentanyl, and alleged destruction of evidence.

A deputy saw a motorist around 1 a.m. driving a vehicle with an obstructed tag in the left lane when there was no traffic in the right lane, according to a law enforcement report.

According to the report, the deputy conducted a traffic stop and called for backup before speaking with the driver, Orlando, and his passenger, Chamberlain.

While the deputy asked for documentation, two K9 officers from the Key West Police Department had a dog conduct an air sniff of Orlando’s vehicle. The dog provided a positive alert to the presence of narcotics inside.

Law enforcement offi cers searched the vehicle while another office stood with Chamberlain and Orlando.

Streetlife

They found a plastic bag containing a 1.07 grams of a brown substance which field-tested positive for fentanyl inside a soda can in the driver’s side cupholder.

Police also found a grocery bag containing a rocky white substance which field-tested positive for MDMA mixed into a cup of ice cream in the passenger-side cupholder.

They both admitted to trying to conceal the bags, according to a report.

The deputy arrested Chamberlain and Orlando and transported them to the Monroe County Detention Center, where they were released the same day after posting $20,000 bonds.

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

An arraignment for Chamberlain was set for Oct. 10 at the Monroe County Courthouse, 302 Fleming St., Key West.

An arraignment for Orlando will be at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the courthouse.

By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice

Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

Sept. 29, 2502 Gulf Drive N., Anna Maria Island Dream Inn, larceny. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to a call concerning the theft of alcoholic beverages. A complainant said teens took margaritas and beers from a poolside table and fled in vehicles. The deputy issued a case number and filed an incident report.

Oct. 4 107 Gulf Drive N., city hall, trespass. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a call concerning a trespass for an individual. The deputy trespassed the person. An incident report was filed.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Holmes Beach

Sept. 28, 3000 block of Gulf Drive, Marchman Act. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department saw a man sitting on the edge of the road around 1 a.m. The officer contacted the man, who had an open bottle of alcohol, and displayed “watery, bloodshot eyes” and slurred speech. The officer asked the man

Underage drinker arrested for DUI in Holmes Beach

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Bradenton resident Alexander Moone, 18, Oct. 1 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer saw a motorist around 11 p.m. accelerate after turning from Gulf Drive onto Marina Drive, then begin tailgating another vehicle that was going the speed limit, according to a Holmes Beach police report.

Also, according to the report, the officer followed the motorist northbound and saw them overtake the other driver by driving into oncoming traffic in the southbound lane, resulting in a motorist slamming on brakes to avoid a collision.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, Moone, who had slurred speech and could not provide any requested documents.

He asked Moone to exit the vehicle and Moone complied but was unsteady on his feet.

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

to stand up and move off the roadway, but he was unable to stand even with the officer’s assistance. The officer asked for phone numbers of people he could call to pick the man up due to his intoxication. The man provided two phone numbers but neither contact answered when the officer called. So the officer placed the man in protective custody under the Marchman Act and transported him to Centerstone Behavioral Hospital in Bradenton.

Sept. 29, D.Coy Ducks Bar & Grill, 5410 Marina Drive, trespass warning. An officer responded to reports of a trespasser at the bar. A bartender asked that a man who had just left the property be trespassed. The officer found the man at a nearby business and issued a trespass warning.

Oct. 1, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, vehicle burglary/credit card fraud. An officer responded to reports of a burglarized vehicle and found two complainants, who said a vehicle window was broken while they were at the beach and several items were missing. One complainant said stolen credit cards had been used. The officer swabbed the vehicle for DNA and dusted for fingerprints. The case remains under investigation.

Oct. 2, Grooms Auto Repair, 5608 Marina Drive,

The officer arrested Moone and transported him to the police department, where he registered breath samples with results of 0.176 and 0.166 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.

The state’s legal blood alcohol limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.

The offi cer transported Moone to the Manatee County jail, where he was released Oct. 4 without bond under the pretrial release services program and transported to the Centerstone Behavioral Hospital in Bradenton to complete a substance abuse program.

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. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

theft. An employee went to the HBPD to report the theft of scrap metal. He said two men with a rental van took about 25 scrapped brake rotors from outside the building. The mechanic provided Ring camera video. The officer issued the man a case number and victim’s rights pamphlet.

Oct. 3, 700 block of Manatee Avenue, road rage. A woman went to the HBPD to report a road rage

pLEaSE,

Holmes Beach police arrest Haines City resident for DUI, drugs

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Haines City resident Rosely Padilla-Najera, 33, Oct. 1 on a third-degree felony for alleged possession of cocaine and a seconddegree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Padilla-Najera also faces a charge of another thirddegree felony for allegedly bringing contraband into a detention facility, as well as two additional seconddegree misdemeanors for allegedly driving without a license and driving while license suspended.

An officer saw a motorist sit at a flashing red stoplight at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue for about a minute around 3 a.m. despite there being no other traffic.

The motorist then drove into Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, ignoring signs stating the park is closed at night, according to a Holmes Beach police report.

According to the HBPD report, the officer activated emergency lights to get the motorist’s attention

incident on Manatee Avenue. She said she honked her horn and waved at a motorist who attempted to cut her off. The motorist sped alongside her, driving on the median and trying to run her off the road. The woman continued driving and called 911. She provided a license plate number and took photos of the driver while at a stoplight. The officer issued the woman a case number.

Oct. 4, Publix, 3900 E. Bay Drive, trespass warning. An officer responded to reports of a trespasser at the store and spoke to employees, who asked him to trespass two people sitting at the store’s outdoor tables. They said the pair had been caught stealing in the past. The officer supervised while one of the employees trespassed the two from the property. They left the area without issue.

HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

and remind them about park hours but the driver did not look at him when she passed.

The motorist approached the intersection again, entered the left turn lane but proceeded straight, then activated the vehicle’s right turn signal but did not turn until East Bay Drive.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, Padilla-Najera, reporting she ad slurred and “confusing” speech, “watery” eyes and breath that smelled of alcohol.

The officer also saw two open cases of beer and several open beer bottles on the back floorboard.

He asked Padilla-Najera for her driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. She said she did not have a license.

When her passenger —also allegedly intoxicated — opened the glove box, a glass pipe fell out.

When the officer went around the vehicle to investigate, the passenger tried to conceal the pipe with his foot, then threw it under his seat. The officer detained the passenger and later arrested him for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Backup arrived and observed the man while the officer continued his investigation.

The officer asked Padilla-Najera to perform field sobriety exercises and she twice refused and she was

arrested for suspicion of DUI.

The officer searched the vehicle and found a plastic container of almost 28 grams of marijuana. Neither of the vehicle’s occupants claimed the substance.

The officer transported Padilla-Najera to the Holmes Beach Police Department, where she registered breath samples with results of 0.145 and 0.142 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.

The state’s legal blood alcohol level limit for driving under the influence is 0.08.

The officer transported Padilla-Najera to the Manatee County jail, where Manatee County sheriff’s deputies found a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance in her phone case.

The substance field-tested positive for cocaine. Padilla-Najera was released Oct. 1 after posting $3,360 bond.

If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony 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, six months of probation and a fine of up to $500.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Working the curve

Woodruff & Sons works Oct. 4 on a sewer line near the corner of 13th Street South and Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. Manatee county said 13th Street South is closed to traffic but its residents are able to park overnight at cortez Beach and use a free shuttle to reach their residences. the county’s $7.1 million sewer project started in January and is expected to wrap up in fall 2024.

streetlife from pagE 20

Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Holmes Beach orders kinetic wind sculpture, prepares arrival, installation

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Anna Maria Island Garden Club’s mission to help fund the addition of wind sculptures in all three island cities is almost two-thirds complete.

City engineer Sage Kamiya, chair of the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee, said Oct. 4 that the city followed through on the P&B’s recommendation to purchase an $8,145 wind sculpture created by Utah-based artist Lyman Whitaker and partially funded with $6,000 from the garden club.

The P&B is a mayoral advisory board focused on maintaining public parks and green spaces, as well as beautifying the municipality.

The committee has been discussing adding a wind sculpture since last March, when P&B member Mary

So cute — and sticky!

Emma raulerson, 16, of Holmes Beach, and brother Samuel, were surprised to find a tiny octopus clinging to a shell Sept. 22 on the beach. they were shell-hunting around 73rd Street in Holmes Beach when Samuel said he found one with a “sticky thing on it” — a tiny octopus. they released the octopus in deeper water than where they found it, “so it would be safe,” according to Emma, who took the photo.

Lange, also a member of the garden club, informed the board about the group’s effort to beautify the island by

Wind sculptures by artist Lyman Whitaker are installed at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in texas. P&B members have discussed a proposal from the Anna Maria Island Garden club to help fund the purchase of a Whitaker sculpture for installation in the city. Islander Photo: courtesy Leopold Gallery

partially funding wind sculptures in all three cities.

So far, the club has funded $6,000 of the city of Anna Maria’s $18,000 purchase of two Star Dancer wind sculptures at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.

Before its annual summer break, the P&B recommended the city, along with garden club funding, add a “Double Dancer” sculpture in a stretch of lawn near the trolley stop at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive.

The 16-foot-tall 5-foot-wide sculpture cost $6,600 but the $8,145 purchase includes the cost of a pole for the sculpture, as well as shipping and a warranty. The garden club pledged to fund up to $6,000 of the cost.

The remaining funds will be covered with $3,000 from the P&B’s annual $10,000 budget, which also might be used to fund landscaping at the base of the sculpture.

City treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer said the sculpture, which was ordered in August, was to be shipped by Oct. 25.

Kamiya said shipping would take another few weeks, then public works employees would begin installation.

P&B members suggested the city or garden club hold a small ceremony to celebrate the installation.

Garden club member Shawn Mayers, who was in the audience for the P&B Oct. 4 meeting, said she would bring the matter to the club for consideration.

Mayers suggested that she and Kamiya should arrange to scope out the exact location to install a base for the sculpture.

The P&B will meet next at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

People can watch livestream video footage of the meeting on the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

Youth-adult soccer recap, plus golf at KRC, horseshoes in AM

By Kevin P. cassidy Islander Reporter

After five weeks of action in the adult soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Moss Builders is on top of the standings with a perfect 5-0 record.

Ross Built at 4-1 and Gulf Drive Cafe at 3-1-1 are right on their tails, holding down second and third place.

saves for Le Creperie in the victory.

Chandler LaPensee scored the lone goal for Isola Bella, which also received three saves from Trinity Miller in the loss.

The evening’s last 8-10 match saw Solid Rock Construction cruise to a 4-1 victory over the Porch. Matthew Darak led the offense with two goals, while Sam Raulerson and Carson Long, who also made three saves, finished with a goal each.

cassidy

Sato Real Estate is alone in fourth place at 3-2. Pool America and Sandbar Restaurant are tied for fifth with matching 1-3-1 records, just ahead of Gulf View Windows & Doors at 1-4. Slim’s Place is still in search of a victory at 0-4-1.

Action Oct. 5 kicked off with Pool America earning a 7-0 shutout victory over Slim’s Place behind three goals and two assists from Luca Vecchio. Nate Welch also had a strong game with two goals, while Austin Nutting and Sam Parker each scored one goal. Chris Klotz earned the shutout with nine saves.

Steve Oelfke had eight saves for Slim’s Place in the loss.

Kevin Roman exploded for five goals to lead Gulf Drive Cafe to a 6-1 victory over Sato Real Estate in the second game of the evening. Alejandro Aviles added a goal and an assist, while Tuna McCracken finished with 14 saves in the victory.

Lynn Clarke scored for Sato on an assist from Amy Ivin, while Benjamin Sato made 10 saves in the loss.

Ross Built outlasted Gulf View Windows & Doors 7-6 behind two goals each from Daniel Hampton, Ethan Hampton and Greg Ross. Selena GonzalezSalinas added a goal and Max Gazzo finished with seven saves in the victory.

Keith Mahoney and Jesus Martinez both scored three goals and Raul Loera finished with six saves.

The last match of the evening saw Moss earn a 7-4 victory over Sandbar thanks in part to three goals and two assists from Dean Hinterstoisser and two goals and two assists from Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos. Rex Kesten and James Lynch each added a goal and Ryan Moss finished with 10 saves for the win.

Matthew Staggs and Aaron French each scored two goals and Robb Marshall had seven saves.

Youth soccer continues

Halfway through the youth soccer season at the community center, the standings are pretty tight in both the 8-10 and 11-14 divisions.

Moss Builders is unbeaten at 3-0, but Le Creperie is on their heels at 2-1-1. Solid Rock Construction follows at 2-1, just ahead of Isola Bella Italian Eatery at 1-1-2. Adrian Griffin Interiors holds down fifth on a 1-2-1 record, while Am I Coconuts and the Porch Restaurant are at 0-2-1.

Cheesecake Cutie is 2-0-2, a narrow lead over Gitt Team’s 2-1-1 record in the 11-14 division. Solid Rock Construction is alone in third place at 2-2, while HSH Designs at 0-3-1 is still in search of a victory.

Action for the 8-10s kicked off Oct. 3 with Moss Builders earning a 1-0 victory over Adrian Griffin Interiors. Gunnar Maize scored the only goal of the game and Miles Moss had five saves in the shutout victory.

Goalie Andre Harwood helped keep Griffin Interiors in the game with nine saves.

Le Creperie received a goal each from Aidan Guess, Sawyer Leibfried and Toby Pelletier to earn a 3-1 victory Oct. 3 over Isola Bella in the second 8-10 division match of the night. Henry Leibfried made two

Luke Willing notched the lone goal for the Porch, which also received eight saves from Santiago Cantero in the loss.

Action in the 11-14 division got started with Solid Rock Construction cruising to a 7-1 victory over HSH Designs behind three goals from Luke Dellenger and two goals from David Zupa. Jesse Zaccagnino and Dominik Zupa each added a goal and Jack Zaccagnino made one save in the win.

Sterling Holiday scored for HSH Designs, which also received four saves from Cyrus Ryan in the loss.

The final match of the evening saw Gitt Team and Cheesecake Cutie battle to a 1-1 tie. Callin Westfall scored a goal on an assist from Renan Kesten, and Austin Guess made six saves to lead Gitt.

Gunnar Maize scored a goal and Thomas Holly made four saves for Cheesecake Cutie.

KRC golf news

Jim Bailey carded a plus-7 to earn a two-point victory during the Oct. 2 modified-Stableford golf match at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach. Jim Hill was alone in second at plus-5, while Don Grau and Ron Vandeman tied for third at plus-4.

Terry Westby’s 1-over-par 33 earned her first place in the Oct. 3 women’s individual-low-net match. Helen Pollock and Jana Samuels tied for second at 2-over-par, while Pam Alvord was another stroke back in third.

Members played a scramble/shamble combo Oct. 5 that ended in a tie for first place at 1-under-par 63 for the team of Dom Livedoti, Gary Risner, Jana Samuels and Joe Tynan and the team of Nelson Eagle, Marty Hicks and Warren Stevens.

Horseshoe news

Horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits Oct. 4 was short and sweet. Tim Sofran and Bob Heiger teamed up and posted the lone 3-0 pool play record and were named outright champs for the day.

Two teams advanced to the knockout stage Oct. 7 as the team of Sofran and Rick Martinez squared off against Tom Farrington and Neil Hennessey. Trailing 17-16, Martinez put an emphatic end to the match with a game-winning double-ringer, giving him and Sofran the day’s bragging rights.

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

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Slim’s Place forward Lindsey Styka makes a run up the left side Oct. 5 as Pool America’s Jess Kelly defends during adult soccer action at the center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Kevin P. cassidy

Cold fronts trigger fish migration, changing anglers’ targets

By capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

With October bringing in the first cold fronts of the fall, Anna Maria Island anglers are changing strategies.

Cold fronts will impact what species will be the most apparent. For example, water temps dropping to the mid-70s will trigger a migration of kingfish, always a welcome sight.

Large migrations of bait are pushing through Tampa Bay and along the Gulf beaches, a perfect recipe to serve migratory fish, such as Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, jack crevalle and especially kingfish.

And when the bite is on, it can be some of the most exciting fishing of the fall season. All of those fish are high-speed predators worthy of dumping a spool of line shortly after taking the hook. And, with all of their commotion, you can bet sharks aren’t far behind. In fact, they’ll be eating your fish off the hook if you take too long to reel them in.

And don’t forget about the back country. A couple of decent cold spells should send snook staging on the flats, where they gorge themselves on bait in preparation of the cooler months.

The same applies for spotted seatrout. When targeting trout, don’t hesitate to toss a topwater plug in the area for explosive action. Seeing a large trout eat a lure can be satisfying to any angler.

Lastly, don’t forget about fishing the piers in October. With large schools of bait gathering around the structures, you can bet on encountering all sorts of species. Jack crevalle, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel will be targets, as well as bluefish, ladyfish and blue runners. You may encounter snook, redfish and black drum while casting baits under the piers. So come prepared with heavier rods, as well as the lighter stuff, for the migratory fish.

Capt. David White is finding good action fishing the shallow flats of Tampa Bay southward to Sarasota Bay. Fishing mangrove edges with live free-lined shiners is leading to hookups on snook and redfish. Both species are being caught side-by-side, with some areas yielding more snook than reds and others just the oppo-

site. Either way works for most anglers. White says working the deeper grass flats is resulting in action on spotted seatrout with the usual suspects in the mix — jack crevalle and ladyfish. Again, freelined live shiners are working best for bait.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel pier says he’s seeing plenty of black drum being caught by anglers using live shrimp as bait.

“Timing is everything when wanting to be part of this bite,” says Malfese. “The drum will turn on for a couple of hours and then the bite will turn off.”

He says redfish are being caught during the excitement, although the black drum are dominating the bite.

Pier fishers using artificials such as jigs and spoons are finding action. Migratory species such as Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish are being caught when bait schools are present.

So proud! cameron Lee White, 5, daughter of capt. David White, shows off her first-ever catch Oct. 5. Her catch, a spotted seatrout, was released. Dad said that after the fish swam away, cameron asked him repeatedly, “Aren’t you so proud of me?” to which he replied, “Sooooo proud.”

capt. Johnny Mattay, left, of Anna Maria charters, and Giedrius Madelis of Lakewood Ranch show off their “catch of a lifetime” — a sailfish caught Oct. 7 about 8 miles off of Anna Maria Island.

Lastly, some large snook are present and can be seen cruising around the pier. Large baits such as ladyfish or pinfish are a good bait to coax the large fish to eat.

Capt. Warren Girle says he’s impressed with the numbers of trout he’s catching in Sarasota Bay. Although most are falling just short of the 15-inch minimum, Girle is getting limits of keeper-size fish for his clients. While targeting the trout, ladyfish and jack crevalle are filling in the gaps, adding some variety to the bite.

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is yielding mangrove snapper around the artificial reefs. Girle reports the bite is tapering off slightly but there are still some snapper to be had.

Lastly, snook are producing action in Sarasota Bay during swift moving tides.

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

chris Duncan shows off a goliath grouper in the 70-pound range that he caught and released Oct. 6 in 120 feet of water offshore of Anna Maria Island while on a guided trip with capt. David White.

Stasny

Nesting notes

By Lisa Neff

Waterfront workplace

The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring team is in its seventh month of monitoring the beaches, checking for signs of sea turtle activity.

With just a couple of weeks to go until the end of the nesting season on AMI, The Islander connected with first-year AMITW executive director Kristen Mazzarella to talk about working on the waterfront.

The Islander: You and the team have logged a lot of beach hours since AMITW fi rst hit the shore for the nesting season in April. Not a bad place to work. What’s your most awesome sight of the season?

KM: Every day I was on the beach, I saw awesome sights, be it a moonset or a sunrise, dolphins swimming by or seeing signs of a hatch going directly to the water.

I think my favorite was the morning we watched the satellite-tagged turtle “Suzi” make her way back to the ocean surrounded by so many onlookers that we were able to engage with and who learned from Suzi and were wishing her well.

The Islander: What’s it like, becoming so familiar with the shoreline of an island?

KM: Each island is different but as you mark sea turtle nests along the shoreline, you begin to notice landmarks and to recognize important areas.

I’ve become familiar with areas where we had lots of turtle nests and areas where hatchlings commonly disorient, for example.

Many of the locals and volunteers already knew these areas well and could tell me what to watch for this season.

Familiarity with the beach was helpful for when I received calls from the public so I could provide prompt and informed answers to their questions.

Knowing the beach well also allowed me to see the changes the beach went through over the season, especially the changes after a storm.

The Islander: You must see some folks, regular morning walkers or anglers, to give an AMI howdy?

KM: Yes, we often see the same folks walking on the beach and say “hi” every morning. Lots of them are picking up trash or filling in holes.

They often will help us when we have a disoriented nest and educate visitors to the island about being respectful towards sea turtles.

We really love seeing their smiling familiar faces every morning and appreciate all they do to help sea turtles.

The Islander: Sunset is a big deal on AMI but I’m partial to sunrise on the beach and the bay. Have you noticed how the sunrise changes — location and colors — through the summer?

KM: Yes, it’s one of the benefits of being on the beach at sunrise every morning. You see and learn the nuances of the natural environment that you may not notice otherwise, whether it’s the location or color of

Tracking Suzi the sea turtle

A map shows where Suzi, a loggerhead outfitted June 27 in Bradenton Beach with a tracking device, traveled through Oct. 6. Suzi is the island’s entry in the Sea turtle conservancy’s tour de turtles hard-shell marathon, which began Aug. 1 and involves tracking 12 sea turtles using satellite telemetry to boost science, research and education. Suzi’s distance as of Oct. 6 was 873 miles. Suzi’s ranking in the swim “marathon” was sixth. People can follow Suzi’s journey at tourdeturtles.org. Islander

the sunrise, what is happening with the tide or watching a storm and knowing whether it’s going to come onshore or stay out at sea.

The work we do allows us the opportunity to become in tune with nature.

The Islander: This is your first year working on AMI with turtle watch. Any observations about the island beaches?

KM: I really love the AMI beaches, especially the beautiful blue-green waters on the calm mornings — they give me such peace.

The thing I notice most about AMI are the locals and how friendly, informed and supportive they are of AMITW.

This is a tight community and as a newcomer, it has been so wonderful to be welcomed so warmly by such a kind group of people.

Anna Maria Island turtle Watch executive director Kristen Mazzarella introduces herself April 19 to people attending Holmes Beach’s sea turtle workshop. Islander File Photo: Ryan Paice

By Lisa Neff

Ring of fire

Don’t look into the ring of fire.

That’s the advice from moms and medical professionals, scientists and stargazing enthusiasts ahead of the annular solar eclipse aka “the ring of fire” Oct. 14.

You might have seen photos of some high-profile people looking directly at past solar eclipses but it’s just not a bright idea to look directly at the sun without eye protection.

For watching partial phases of a solar eclipse — which is what a lot of us will be doing Saturday afternoon — NASA says, “You must look through safe solar viewing glasses — eclipse glasses — or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times.”

These glasses are not regular sunglasses but are thousands of times darker and made to comply with an international standard.

Another option for observers is to use an indirect viewing method, such as using a pinhole projector — something as simple as an index card with a hole punched — to project the image of the sun onto a nearby surface.

Do not, warns NASA, look at the sun through the pinhole. Instead, use the pinhole projector with the sun at your back.

So just what are we preparing to see Oct. 14?

An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the moon is farther from Earth, it appears smaller than the sun and does not completely cover the star.

This creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky.

The eclipse will be visible to millions of people in the Western Hemisphere. People in the 48 contiguous U.S. states and Alaska will see a partial eclipse.

County to host eclipse party and more in October

An annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central and South America and Manatee County is planning a watch party.

The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department will host a solar eclipse watch party 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the NEST in Robinson Preserve.

The NEST is in the expansion area, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton.

The county, in partnership with Suncoast Stargazers, will offer opportunities to look through a hydrogen alpha solar telescope to observe solar granulation, filaments and more, as well as outfit the first 100 registrants with eclipse-viewing glasses.

The partial eclipse will begin at 11:50 a.m., reach a maximum partial eclipse at 1:25 p.m. and end at 3:03 p.m.

To make reservations to attend, go online to EventBrite at www.eventbrite.com/e/726075369977.

Another “look up” event on the parks’ calendar is Starry Night Astronomy, which will be 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, also in the expansion area.

An announcement said, “Join us for an astronomical extravaganza! Dozens of local astronomers will be set up in the Robinson Preserve expansion with telescopes at the ready.”

Suncoast Stargazers and the county again are partnering on the event.

Other events of note on the calendar include:

• 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct 17, Seashell Shore Walk at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

The event includes a “relaxing walk on the beach to search for seashells and learn to identify them.”

• 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, “Living with Alligators” program at the NEST.

The parks department and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast will host a “lecture-style session for teens and adults” on “the fascinating life his-

Here, the event will begin at 11:50 a.m., reach a maximum partial eclipse at 1:25 p.m. and end at 3:03 p.m.

The next annular solar eclipse visible from the United States will be June 21, 2039, but to witness that event you’ll have to go north — to Alaska.

BY JOEL FAGLIANO AND CHRISTINA IVERSON / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

tory of alligators.

• 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, “Explore Nature: Tower Talk” at Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. NW, Bradenton.

A naturalist will accompany hikers to talk about the preserve’s history, as well as its plants and wildlife.

• 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct, 26, “Green Explorers: Creepy Senses” program for grade school-aged kids at Perico Preserve, 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island.

• 8-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, work day at Robinson Preserve, when volunteers will drill holes in oyster shells to create a habitat restoration project.

• 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, Sunrise Paddle at Robinson Preserve.

Kayakers will paddle to the mouth of the Manatee River for views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Tampa Bay and a possible viewing of the full moon setting over the Gulf as the sun rises in the east. The county will loan some equipment.

The program is sponsored by Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast. Reservations are required at www.eventbrite.com/e/720765136927.

For more information about events or registration details, call the parks and natural resources department at 941-742-5923.

— Lisa Neff

and

the path of the annular solar eclipse over North America. Islander Image: courtesy Great American Eclipse

ITEMS FOR SALE

USED prESSUrE-TrEaTED lumber: 2- x 6, 8 and 10 inches. thirty cents a foot or best offer. 941-778-5542.

paNINNI maKEr: CUISINarT, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

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aNTIQUE parTNEr DESK: all wood, $500. Inquire at the Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

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

Paradise Improvements

941.792.5600

AdoptA-Pet

Oh, those eyes!

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

GARAGE SALES

garagE SaLE: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, oct. 14. two Jet-Skis with trailers, furniture, housewares, linens. 206 82nd St., Holmes Beach.

LOST & FOUND

foUND BIKE IN Holmes Beach. Call 214769-9483 with description.

TRANSPORTATION

goLf CarT rENTaLS: fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfcartRentalAMI.com.

ELECTrIC E BIKE: Excellent condition, fun to ride. Great Island transportation. Lew, 352-339-3478.

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.

FISHING

FUN AND FISH: Skiff rental. 24-foot carolina skiff. Live bait and fi shing equipment included upon request. call 941-704-9382.

HELP WANTED

HELp WaNTED: EXpErIENCED hair stylist, full or part-time. A Hair Day salon. 9516 cortez Road, W., #7, Bradenton. 941795-5227.

SEEKINg CaNDIDaTE INTErESTED in sales of health and wellness, high-technology equipment. Excellent commission, training. Residual income potential. Full- or part-time. Retirees welcomed to respond. call or text. 724-290-9800.

oLIVE oIL oUTpoST on pine avenue seeks part-or full-time retail associate. Flexible hours, seasonal OK. Bill at 941-544-5400 or Kelly@oliveoiloutpost.com

NOW HIRING HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $18 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

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.

More ads = more readers in the Islander.

HEALTH CARE

pEaCE of mIND. Comfort. Care. Support. Reliable. Private duty home health care in your home, hospital or facility. Call Elle Jones to schedule a free in-home assessment today. Starting at $25/hour. 941-800-6532.

SERVICES

IS YoUr HomE or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

CLEaNINg: VaCaTIoN, CoNSTrUCTIoN, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

prESSUrE WaSHINg, paVEr sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

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

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

apI’S DrYWaLL rEpaIr: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

aIrporT rIDES: SaraSoTa, St. pete, tampa. call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555. rIDES NEar aND far, car transport. Based in Palmetto. 715-292-8692.

CLEaN TECH moBILE Detailing. at your location. cars, boats, RVs. call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

rIDEEaSY247: a local ride service providing a professional car service to all local airports and venues. References on request. Eamonn fortune, 941-447-7737.

gorILLa DrYWaLL rEpaIr LLC: 15-plus years’ experience. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. 941-286-0607.

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, 941-720-7411. cAc184228.

LooKINg for aN EarLY BIrD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on tuesday at islander.org. and it’s frEE!

LAWN & GARDEN

CoNNIE’S LaNDSCapINg INC. residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

CoLLINS LaNDSCapE LIgHTINg: outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJc24373@ gmail.com.

mp LaWN maINTENaNCE now accepting new clients. call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VAN-GO PAINtING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

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

grIffIN’S HomE ImproVEmENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. call Jay, 941-962-2874.

HANDYMAN AND PAINtING. No job too small. Most jobs just right. call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.

SCrEENINg SErVICES: replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.

LOOKING FOR ANY home improvement?

JRcc Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.

CaLL HYDro CLEaN. full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

RENTALS

ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

BEaUTIfULLY fUrNISHED, aNNUaL rental in Beach Harbor club, Longboat Key. 2BR/2BA with views of the bay, laundry and condo amenities include pool, grill, with both bay and beach access. $200 application required. $3,800 month plus fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. call Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 3101 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

RENTALS Continued

pErICo ISLaND paTIo home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. January, 2024 available. call or text, 859-771-6423.

2Br/2Ba LoNgBoaT KEY annual rental. Penthouse with jaw-dropping view of the bay. completely upgraded and elegantly decorated. Fully equipped and all amenities are included. $5,500/month plus tax, fi rst and last month’s rent and $1,000 deposit. Available now. 407-451-7179. Luznava@ bellsouth.net

WINTEr SEaSoN rENTaL: available December-May. 2BR/1.5BA elevated townhouse, sleeps four. Located in Holmes Beach, only two blocks to the beach. No pets. $5,000/month plus tax and fees. call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259. Dina@ annamariareal.com

BEaUTIfULLY rEfUrBISHED

1BR/1BA coastal vintage-style vacation rental less than three-minute walk to the beach. One week minimum. Available Aug. 16. Late summer/fall special rates. Available January, February, March 2024. 941-8071405 or carlesvacationrentals@gmail.com.

aNNUaL rENTaL: LoVELY Hidden Lake condo. Furnished, 3BR/2BA, one-car garage. clubhouse, pool, gym. Minutes to the beach. First, last and security. Rent $3,500/month. Wagner Realty 941-778-2246.

LUXUrIoUS WaTErfroNT WINTEr rental: 2BR/2BA waterfront condo available for January, February, March 2024. One month minimum. contact Anthony, 917-816-8298 for pricing. Email reelblessingami@gmail. co m . to see pictures and full description visit website: sites.google.com/view/reelblessing-ami.

3Br/1Ba fUrNISHED aNNUaL: rent includes internet, cable, power, water and electric! $3,300/month. Mike Norman Realty, 941-778-6696. 4507 123rd St. W., cortez Village.

moUNT VErNoN CoNDo, 55 and older. 2BR/2BA. View of Sarasota Bay. Fully furnished with lots of amenities. Eight-month minimum at $3,000/month. call or text, 941730-5645.

WESTBaY CoVE CoNDo: Holmes Beach. Second floor, 2BR/2BA. Pools, tennis, one block to Gulf. November, December, $3,200/ month. 30-day minimum. terryaposporos@ gmail, 941-778-8456.

“Anna Maria Island,” a signed pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the Islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, or by mail. Visit islander.org or call 941-778-7978. $20 plus postage, if mail order.

RENTALS Continued

ANNA MARIA 3BR/1BA historic cottage. Half block to Gulf beach and one block to Pine Avenue shopping and restaurants. Available November, $3,200/month. terryaposporos@ gmail.com. 941-778-8456.

REAL ESTATE

WINNIE mCHaLE, rEaLTor, 941-504-6146. 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.”

THE pEarL of Northwest Bradenton. This 3BR/2.5BA sits on a very private, large, fenced lot. Upgrades everywhere. It’s move-in ready. No HOA fees. Minutes to Gulf beaches, Robinson Preserve and DeSoto park on the river. $939,000. real Estate mart, 941-356-1456 or 941-720-7519.

By Lisa Neff

Key recruitment

In a do-good campaign, AMI Dolphin Tours recruited boatloads of volunteers for an Egmont Key Beach Cleanup, which is set for the morning of Saturday, Oct. 28.

The island tour company dedicated five vessels to transport volunteers to Egmont, as well as committed to providing cleanup supplies, snacks and water.

A notice on Facebook said, “Can’t wait to see y’all!”

For more, call AMI Dolphin at 941-281-3461.

Get sweets for Trail of Treats

Time to stock up on a supply of treats and possibly schedule some extended office hours for Oct. 31.

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and island businesses will continue a Halloween tradition with the Trail of Treats and costume contest.

The celebration begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, with judging for a costume contest at the chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

Then kids will go trick-or-treating at businesses in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.

Businesses that register to participate will be listed on maps for the trail provided at the chamber office.

For more information, call the chamber at 941778-1541.

Mike Norman Realty

INC

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

www.mikenormanrealty.com

31o1 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach 800-367-1617 | 941-778-6696

BizCal

Thursday, Oct. 12

By Lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541.

SAVE THE DATES

Oct. 18, 11 a.m., AMI Chamber ribbon-cutting, Salt Bar and Table, Bradenton Beach.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber Bayfest, Anna Maria.

Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m., AMI Chamber business-card exchange with Total Life Care at the chamber, Holmes Beach.

Nov. 9, 4-7:30 p.m., Manatee Chamber of Commerce Expo, LECOM Park, Bradenton.

PropertyWatch

By carol Bernard

Island real estate transactions

243 Willow Ave., Anna Maria a 2554 sq ft 3BR/4BA pool home on a 11,099 sq ft lot built in 1985 sold 8/22/23 by Honeywood LLC to 243 Willow LLC for $2,500,000, list price $2,590,000.

1801 Gulf Drive, #287, Bradenton Beach, a 1,080 sq ft 2BR/2BA Runaway Bay condo built in 1978 sold 8/17/2023 by Willcock to Bush for $549,000, list price $559,000.

4307 Gulf Drive, #206, Holmes Beach, a 1,027 sq ft 2BR/2BA Cayman Cay condo built in 1974 sold on 9/5/2023 by Retus to Hudson for $590,000, list price $599,000.

5300 Gulf Drive, #208, Holmes Beach, a 1,169 sq ft 2BR/2BA Martinique North condo built in 1971 sold

Once Upon A Beach

Adding punch to lunch

Richard curtis of Keller Williams commercial real estate, Russell Ireland III of Gulfcoast Pressure Washing, Russell Ireland Jr. of Advanced Laser Restoration and Dennis Butt of Hr Elements connect at the Manatee chamber lunch Oct. 4 at the central cafe event space, Urban Loft, 906 Manatee ave. E., Bradenton. Loft manager Julie Linnenbrink presented event options. the next power lunch is Oct. 18 at Mean Deans Local Kitchen. Islander

Photo: toni Lyon

9/8/2023 by Grove Trust to Giangrante for $975,000, list price $975,000.

611 Concord Lane, Holmes Beach a 1,590 sq ft 2BR/2BA home on a 10,846 sq ft lot built in 1966 sold 9/7/2023 by Hibbs to Ellis for $1,100,000, list price $1,175,000.

3306 Fourth Ave., Holmes Beach, a 2,371 sq ft 4BR/4BA pool home on a 5,000 sq ft lot built in 2007 sold 9/8/2023 by Lazy Loggerhead LLC to LL HB, LLC for $5,500,000, list price $5,950,000.

722 Holly Road, Anna Maria, a 2,098 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 5,249 sq ft lot built in 2020 sold 9/19/2023 by Wilson to Marquez Trust for $3,225,000, list price $3,799,000.

1603 Gulf Drive, #14, Bradenton Beach, a 540 sq ft 1BR/1BA Tradewinds condo built in 1971 sold 9/20/2023 by Cole to Rambomarko LLC for $405,000, list price $475,000.

1007 Gulf Drive N., #206, Bradenton Beach, a 1,357 sq ft 2BR/3BA Summer Sands condo built in 1982 sold 9/19/2023 by Johnson Trust to Stein for $725,000, list price $799,999.

101 25th St., #2, Bradenton Beach, a 720 sq ft 2BR/2BA Seagrass Flats condo built in 1967 sold 9/15/2023 by BTZ Properties LLC to Kennedy for $800,000, list price $799,000.

201 25th St., #4, Holmes Beach, a 810 sq ft 2BR/2BA Anna Maria Beach Place condo built in 1969 sold 9/15/2023 by Andersen HB LLC to Vanderpool and Tombash Trust for $925,000, list price $949,000.

5621 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, a 1,564 sq ft 3BR/2BA pool home on a 6,090 sq ft lot built in 1959 sold 9/19/2023 by Turberville to 205 Peacock LLC for $1,550,000, list price $1,599,000.

8017 Marina Isles Lane, Holmes Beach, a 3,593 sq ft 3BR/4BA pool home on a 15,382 sq ft lot built in 2016 sold 9/15/2023 to Youngblood to Zen City Trust for $5,000,000, list price $5,495,000.

507 83rd St., Holmes Beach, a 4,168 sq ft 5BR/7BA pool home on a 9,810 sq ft lot built in 2021 sold .9/15/2023 by Dillon Trust to Stoltzfus for $5,200,000, list price $5,950,000.

Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.

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