The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, June. 12, 2024

Summer campers build ‘Green’

Commissioner sparks competition for AM mayor’s seat

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

There will be a political race in the city of Anna Maria in November — the first race since 2017.

Former City Commissioner Brian Seymour filed forms June 3 with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Offi ce to qualify to run for mayor.

Seymour owns the Anna Maria General Store, 503 Pine Ave., as well as operates the City Pier Grill and Bait Shop on the cityowned pier.

He also spent time on the city commission. Seymour was first elected to the board in 2016, became chair in 2018 and served in that role until he resigned due to personal reasons in August 2019.

Mayor Dan Murphy, who has served in the office for a decade, announced in May that he would not seek reelection.

Commission Chair Mark Short was the first to file forms with the SEO to qualify for the post.

Short originally was a member of the 2019 charter review committee. He was appointed to the city commission later the same year and reelected without opposition in 2020 and 2022.

While the SEO had yet to qualify the pair as of June 7, they have set the stage for the first election the city has had for an elected official in seven years.

Former elected official makes bid for HB seat

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A familiar face might return to the Holmes Beach City Commission for the first time since 1998.

Carol Whitmore, a former city commissioner and mayor, told The Islander June 7 that she filed forms with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office announcing her intent to run for commissioner in the Nov. 5 election.

Whitmore was elected in 1991 to the city commission, which she served until 1998, when she was elected mayor.

She was reelected three times and served as mayor until 2006, when she won a seat on the Manatee Board of County Commissioners.

Whitmore, a Republican, served on the county board until 2022, when she lost the at-large District 6 GOP primary race to Jason Bearden.

She told The Islander that she had many existing relationships with people at the federal, state and local levels due to her experience and wanted to help the city repair some of its own relationships.

“I love where I live, so I figured I’d throw my name in the hat,” Whitmore said. “I’ll help however I can to close my political career.”

Whitmore will face competition in the general election for the city commission.

Shooting in Cortez, local man arrested

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Manatee County sheriff’s deputies arrested Kevin R. Armstrong, 47, June 6 in connection with a shooting in the 3900 block of 116th Street West, Cortez.

A verbal altercation escalated when Armstrong confronted a 33-year-old woman as she arrived with two men on a golf cart to retrieve personal items from a residence in Sunny Shores, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

According to the release, Armstrong fired a shotgun at the woman as she and two men who accompanied her to the residence attempted to flee.

Armstrong allegedly continued fi ring and one of the men grabbed a handgun from the golf cart and fired in Armstrong’s direction.

During the exchange of gunfire, the woman was shot in the chest, the MCSO said.

The two men who arrived with the injured woman at Sunny Shores then drove PLeASe, See SHOOTING, PAGe 3

The Islander’s Capt. Danny Stasny, who writes the weekly fishing column, looks back at a rainy day when, at age 10, he faked being sick to get a day off school and got a surprise — a day of fishing on AMI with his dad. Read his reflection on page 21. And, from The Islander to dads, Happy Father’s Day.

Olivia Sholey, 9, left, Vivianna Harwood, 7, and Simon Messinger, 8, smile June 6 as “Team Green” competes in a friendly Lego-building competition during the Summer My Way Camp at the Center of Anna Maria Island. The youth summer camp will include a four-day Lego-building competition July 8-11. Islander Courtesy Photo

April tourist tax revenues drop nearly 10%

By Lisa neff Islander editor

April’s tourist development tax dollars dropped nearly 10% compared with April 2023’s collection in Manatee County.

The 2023 collection was $3,227,222 compared with the $2,915,794 collected this April.

High season for tourism usually coincides with spring break from area schools and Easter, both of which arrived this year in March, when tax revenues topped $5.3 million.

The tax, also known as the bed tax, is the 5% collected on overnight rentals of six months or less. Manatee County is considering raising the tax to 6%.

The April tax revenues were gathered by the county tax collector’s office from accommodations agents throughout May and then reported June 4.

Some details for April:

• Holmes Beach’s accommodations generated $800,053 or 27.44%;

• Anna Maria’s generated $419,643 or 14.39%;

• Bradenton Beach’s generated $136,217 or 4.67%;

• Longboat Key, $248,464 or 8.52%;

• Bradenton, $222,330 or 7.62%;

• Palmetto, $6,556 or 0.22%.

Unincorporated Manatee County accommodations generated the largest share of the tax revenues

Getting check-in ready

The Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, 600 u.S. Highway 41, Palmetto, near the Bradenton Area Convention Center, hosts a ribbon-cutting celebration May 30. The hotel, which already employs more than 100 people, is set to open later this month. The property will offer 252 guest rooms, two resort pools, a spa, amphitheater and on-site dining. “The city of Palmetto has waited nearly 40 years for a hotel like the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa and its tax impact in the first year alone is projected to benefit the city of Palmetto by almost $5 million,” a news release stated. Islander David Teitelbaum, a hotelier, developer and member of the county tourist development council who died in March 2020, championed building a hotel at the Marriot site. Islander Courtesy Photo

— $1,082,631 or 37.13%.

After the tax collector’s 3% administrative fee, the county’s net revenue for April was $2,828,417.

Later this summer, the opening of a 200-plus room Marriott hotel near the Bradenton Area Convention Center is expected to boost the tax dollars generated in Palmetto, which has long generated the lowest amount of TDT revenues.

The revenues, however, do not go back to the cities where they were generated but instead are spent at the county level.

The county’s tourist development council is the advisory board that recommends how to spend the revenue and the elected county commission decides the expenditures.

Revenue must be used to bolster tourism, according to state law.

Tourism-related institutions that receive tax funding include the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bradenton Area Convention Center, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit dedicated to developing downtown Bradenton. Tourism-related projects that have been funded by the tax include island beach renourishment and the construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier. May revenue data will be released in early July. The TDC was set to meet in Anna Maria June 10, the day The Islander went to press.

▼ Modern Chop Happy Hour 11:30-6 Light Bite Specials 4-6, lounge only.

▲ Martini Monday: Signature Martinis, $7, plus 1/2 price lite bites -- lounge only.

▼ Prime Rib Tuesdays, plus $3 Tacos and Margaritas -- 4-9, lounge only.

▲ Wine Down Wednesday, 5O% OFF Wines by the Glass

▼ Live Maine Lobster Thursdays, plus Happy Hour all nite in the lounge.

Demolition deadline approaching for beachfront treehouse

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The end of the controversial Holmes Beach treehouse might be right around the corner.

As of June 6, the city had not received a permit application to demolish the unpermitted treehouse at the residence and Angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 Ave. E, owned by Richard and Lynn Tran-Hazen, according to planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor.

The Hazens have less than a month — until July 3 — to demolish the structure.

If they fail to remove the treehouse by then, the city can remove it at the expense of the owners after providing notice of at least 72 hours.

The treehouse was built in 2011, has been at the center of controversy and litigation since 2013, when the city issued code violations for the structure and the property owners filed their first lawsuit.

After more than a decade and a handful of lawsuits, Judge Edward Nicholas of the 12th Circuit Court

SHOOTING COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

her in the golf cart to the intersection of 119th Street West and 45th Avenue West in Cortez, where they were met by county emergency medical services and West Manatee Fire Rescue personnel.

WMFR marshal Randy Kwiatkowski told The Islander June 6, “Upon our arrival, we found and treated an adult female for a gunshot wound to the chest.”

The woman was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton and, as of June 7, she remained in stable condition.

MCSO deputies arrived at Armstrong’s residence in Cortez and took him to the Manatee County jail in Palmetto.

The MCSO said Armstrong had been involved in a domestic relationship with the woman and had slapped her in the face earlier in the evening.

Armstrong faces three counts of aggravated assault

ruled Feb. 28 that the property owners must remove the treehouse — or the city can step in.

While the property owners appealed Nicholas’ ruling May 7 to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, an order would be required from that court to stay the demolition order.

So far, the appeals court has taken no action on the case.

In the meantime, Nicholas is calling for a status check on the treehouse’s demolition.

He will oversee an 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, compliance status conference over Zoom.

The property owners also must reimburse the city $4,040 for attorneys fees incurred responding to “frivolous and untimely motions” by June 26, according to an April 17 order by Nicholas.

“Failure to do so will result in additional sanctions, including, potentially, incarceration,” Nicholas wrote.

Tran-Hazen wrote in a June 6 email to The Islander that they had hired a contractor to handle the demoli-

with a firearm and battery.

Aggravated assault with a firearm is a third-degree felony and can be punished by incarceration of up to five years and a fine up to $5,000.

Battery is a first-degree misdemeanor that can result in up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Manatee Clerk of the Court records show an ex parte risk protection order was filed June 7 for Armstrong. The temporary order can be issued without notice if there is evidence the person poses a danger of personal injury to themselves or others.

No date for arraignment was listed on the Manatee Clerk of the Court website as of June 7.

According to MSCO jail inmate records, Armstong was released June 8 on $7,500 bond for the assault charge and $2,500 bond for the battery charge.

tion process.

“We have a demolition contractor to do all the required permits and documentation. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has sent a field demo permit with conditions. I’m waiting for the contractor to complete the next steps,” she wrote.

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

I get to AMI’s beaches by… 49%. Foot. 5%. Pedal bike. 3%. Trolley. 44%. Motorized vehicle. This week’s question

By Lisa neff

What did you hear most the past two weeks around AMI?

A. “We need rain.”

B. “It’s too hot.”

C. “Gonna be an extremely active hurricane season.”

D. “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.

Richard and Lynn-Tran Hazen in court in 2019. Islander File Photo

BB Ward 2 race — or no race — awaits incumbent nod

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

As Bradenton Beach gears up for the upcoming election, a fresh face has entered the race.

Scott Bear is in the running for the Ward 2 seat. But will there be a contest in November?

Marilyn Maro, in her fourth two-year term after being reelected in 2022, has had no response to The Islander about her candidacy.

However, city clerk Terri Sanclemente, in a June 5 email to The Islander, wrote, “We have spoken with Marilyn and she stated that she is interested and will reach back out to us after making her decision.”

The Islander has no current phone number or clear indication of the status of Maro, who has not declared the nature of the reason why she does not attend meetings.

ELECT AM COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

During that time, all new city officials have been appointed by existing commissioners, including Seymour and Short.

Meanwhile, this year’s charter review committee chair, Christopher Arendt, might follow Short’s footsteps and become the second chairperson in recent history to join the city commission.

There are two commission seats up for grabs this year, including Short’s and Commissioner Gary McMullen’s.

McMullen was appointed by commissioners in January to serve the remainder of a term expiring in December. He has filed with the SEO to run for reelection.

Since Short’s pursuit of the mayoral post frees up his spot on the commission, Arendt may walk into the role unless additional competition steps up.

Coquina Beach Market

NEW HOURS

10 AM - 2 PM

Election 2024

She has missed the majority of city commission and community redevelopment agency meetings since January.

Meanwhile, the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office showed Scott Bear as “active — filed” for the seat.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Bear has called Bradenton Beach home for 12 years and became a full-time resident two years ago.

He cited concerns about home rule and stormwater resiliency as reasons for his candidacy.

The qualifying window was to open at noon Monday, June 10, and closes at noon Friday, June 14.

This year, due to ward boundary and numbering

Arendt filed candidacy forms June 5 with the SEO.

If Arendt and McMullen are the only candidates to qualify for the two seats, they will win the spots without contest.

No candidates had reported any campaign contributions or expenditures as of June 7, according to the SEO’s website, votemanatee.com.

The window to qualify to run for a commission seat opened June 3 and will close at noon Friday, June 14.

Anna Maria mayors earn a $19,600 annual salary.

Commissioners receive a $4,800 annual salary. Both offices have two-year terms.

There were 836 registered voters in Anna Maria as of May 31, according to the SEO.

Wed, Jun 12th; Fri, Jun 14th; Sun, Jun 16th

Come and support your local artists and crafters.

Here is what you will find at our Market: jewelry, fresh lemonade, apparel, custom & creative artwork, pet items, metal artwork, stuffed turtles, sunglasses, Celtic jewelry, caps, skin care products, water totes & bags, t -shirts, guacamole, windchimes, bracelets, eco friendly bug spray, aloe vera lotions, jerky, fresh coconut drink, licorice, toys and MORE. Varies each day.

Music 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Mike Sales on Wed

Chuck Davis on Fri & Sun

NEW LOCATION: The Coquina Beach Market is located on the very South end of Anna Maria Island. If driving, take the South entrance to the park before the Longboat Pass bridge. If taking the trolley, walk South from the Café to the end of the island.

Follow us on Face Book and receive daily vendor roster, weather cancellations or

www.coquinabeachmarket.org 941 -840-0789 https://www.facebook.com/CoquinaBeachMarket

changes approved by the commission in February, only the Ward 2 commission seat is up for grabs. Ralph Cole, whose seat would normally be up for election this year, was granted another year in office due to the rotation.

Excluding one city block between Avenues C and B, from 25th Street North to 24th Street North, Ward 2 begins at the intersection of 25th Street North and extends south to the southern property line of the La Costa condominiums. It is bordered on the east and west by Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

City commissioners receive $400 a month.

Bradenton Beach has 592 registered voters as of May 31, according to the SEO.

For more information about candidacy requirements or the election go online to the SEO website, at votemanatee.com.

Chamber sets forum

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce will hold a forum for people to meet candidates in the Aug. 20 primaries.

The event will be at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, 7051 Wireless Court, Sarasota, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30.

Reservations for the free event are required. For more information, call the chamber at 941748-3411 or go online to manateechamber.com.

Voter registration continues

Voter registration is open for the August primary election in Manatee County.

The deadline to register ahead of the primary is Monday, July 22.

For more information, go to votemanatee. com.

— Lisa neff

Maro

5602 Marina Drive Unit A and Glitter Tattoos

Write-in joins District 3 county race

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A fourth player has entered the race for the Manatee Board of County Commissioners’ District 3 seat. Bradenton resident Jeffrey Gray filed candidate forms June 3 with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Offi ce, signaling his intent to run as a write-in candidate for the District 3 commission seat this November.

District 3 covers the western side of the county, including all of Anna Maria Island and part of Longboat Key.

County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge currently holds the District 3 seat and initially filed for reelection but recently redesignated his campaign to run for the District 7 at-large commission seat.

George Kruse, Republican, is the incumbent in the D-7 seat, representing the entire county and he has committed to running for reelection.

Gray, who had not reported any contributions or expenditures to the SEO as of June 8, will join three others in the race to claim Van Ostenbridge’s seat.

Gray listed “closefl primaries@ gmail.com” as his campaign’s email address, according to the SEO’s website, votemanatee.com.

This year’s commission election will have a closed primary Aug. 20 to determine which of the qualified Republican candidates make it to the Nov. 5 general election.

The Republican primary has a contest between Talha “Tal” Siddique and April Culbreath. Culbreath

ELECT HB COnTInueD FROM PAGe 1

The mayoral post and two city commission seats are up for grabs in the upcoming nonpartisan general election.

While incumbent Commissioner Greg Kerchner will not seek reelection, Commissioner Dan Diggins has filed forms with the SEO declaring his intent to run for a second term.

Additionally, planning commissioner Steven Oelfke fi led candidacy forms June 7 with the SEO to declare his intent to run for a commission seat — meaning there would be at least three candidates for two spots.

Oelfke did not respond to a June 7 call from The Islander.

Mayor Judy Titsworth — granddaughter of the city’s namesake John Holmes Sr. — also will face competition in her pursuit of a fourth term.

Titsworth, a lifelong islander, was elected as mayor in 2018 and reelected without opposition in 2020 and

flipped her campaign from the District 7 race to District 3 after Van Ostenbridge made his switch.

Meanwhile, Diana Shoemaker was running unopposed for the Democratic nomination as of June 8, and a primary will not not be needed unless another Democrat qualifies for the nomination.

Gray contributed $20 to Culbreath’s campaign Mach 29, when she was still running for the at-large District 7 seat, according to financial reports.

Gray did not respond to a June 8 call from The Islander.

Manatee County commissioners earn a $98,743 annual salary and serve a four-year term.

The window to qualify for the District 3 county commission seat opened June 10, as The Islander went to press, and will close at noon Friday, June 14.

Island Dems to meet

The Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club will meet Wednesday, June 26, for a “get out the vote” work session.

The meeting will be at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

For residents on summer break, the club also plans to provide opportunities for remote volunteerism, according to an email notice.

Also, the club will hold a “meet the candidates” Zoom forum in July.

For more information, contact club president Barb Ehren at barbara.ehren@gmail.com.

People also call the party headquarters at 941-3014336.

— Lisa neff

2022.

Michael “Mike” Roth, a political newcomer to the city, filed forms with the SEO in January declaring his intent to run for mayor.

As of June 7, Titsworth was the only candidate with reported campaign contributions or campaign expenses.

According to the SEO’s website, votemanatee. com, Titsworth reported a $1,000 contribution to herself, as well as a $3 expense for temporary checks at a bank.

The city’s qualification period began June 10 and will end at noon Friday, June 14.

Holmes Beach mayors earn a $28,160 annual salary.

Commissioners receive an $8,080 annual salary.

Both offices have two-year terms.

There were 2,440 registered voters in Holmes Beach as of May 31, according to the SEO.

No contest for WMFR board — yet

A pair of incumbent West Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners might have an easy time reclaiming their seats.

Only Commissioners Robert Bennett and Larry Jennis had filed with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office to declare their intentions to run for reelection as of June 7 — only days before the qualification window was to open.

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

WMFR’s fire commission consists of five at-large representatives who reside in the district.

The qualification period to run in the Nov. 5 general election for two commission seats was to begin June 10, as The Islander went to press, and will end at noon Friday, June 14.

Current commissioners include Jennis in Seat 1, Derrick Warner in Seat 2, Billy Burke in Seat 3, David Bishop in Seat 4 and Bennett in Seat 5.

Bennett’s and Jennis’ terms expire in November.

Neither candidate had reported any contributions or expenditures, according to the SEO’s website, votemanatee.com.

West Manatee Fire Rescue District commissioners receive a $6,000 annual salary and serve a four-year term.

— Ryan Paice

Election qualifying

With the exception of the residency requirements, qualifying rules and terms for the island cities are the same.

To qualify with the SeO, candidates must open an official campaign bank account, appoint a treasurer and file a designation of campaign depository form before accepting contributions or spending money. Within 10 days of filing the financial forms, a candidate must file a statement of candidacy with the SeO.

Finally, candidates must pay a filing fee of 4% of one year’s salary of the office sought or present certification of petition signatures equal to 1% of the voters from the municipality’s last general election. Municipal candidates who cannot pay the fee to qualify can file an affidavit of undue burden, stating they are unable to pay the election assessment fee for that office, according to SeO chief deputy Sharon Stief. It must be signed by the candidate and notarized.

If prospective candidates fail to qualify with the SeO before the end of the qualifying window, they cannot run in the nov. 5 general election.

All city elections and the election for the West Manatee Fire Rescue District Commission are nonpartisan races.

The deadline to register to vote in the general election nov. 5 is Monday, Oct. 7.

For more information, go online to the SeO website at votemanatee.com.

— Bonner Joy

Plan now for the next holiday!

Is your business ready to make the most of 2024? Improve your odds of success with Islander newspaper readers looking to shop and dine, seeking indoor and outdoor fun, and a place to stay for their next visit. For ad info, call or text 941778-7978.

!

Van Ostenbridge

Kruse

Shoemaker

Siddique

Culbreath

Happy days to you

It’s that season where if you’re outdoors much, you can smell the neighbor’s grill. You can hear kids splashing and squealing in the swimming pools up and down the street. The sun sets so late, you sometimes need a nap to make it to the nightly ritual of sunsetwatching on AMI.

Yep. It’s nearly officially summer.

And that means it’s coming up on Father’s Day. You can probably still hear your mom’s voice … “No ties and no cologne. Dad doesn’t need it.”

My stepfather played golf, which made gift-buying easy — no matter the holiday. It was golf balls ... or golf balls. Or ... how about some golf balls?

I can recall as a kid being “assigned” to clean his clubs and I was “allowed” once to ride along on a round of golf at the Danville Country Club. But it was the 19th hole — the clubhouse lounge — that impressed me most.

It had an old leather, cut-grass and bourbon smell and it was dark, dark, dark and cool inside. It was a forbidden place for me but, as a kid, I never once thought about playing golf. And did I even have a care about what adults did there? No. I just felt good there.

When I was even younger, living mostly with my grandparents in Churchland, a community in Portsmouth, Virginia, where, yes, there seems to be a church on every corner, I grew up admiring their neighbors, Essie and Chandler Harper.

He was a golf pro, and while at age 5 I had no idea what that meant, I recall a very lush home and two Cadillacs in the driveway. Hers was a convertible.

Thankfully, she loved to have me visit and I spent time there admiring her snow globes and looking at books and marveling over the putting green in the back yard. Still, no inspiration to play golf.

My grandfather’s recreation consisted of reading in the attic, where he had a library of paperbacks — a collection of mystery novels with sultry, half-naked women on the covers — that I wasn’t supposed to know about.

I’ve read them all by now, having become especially interested in the John D. MacDonald genre of a knight in rusty armor saving damsels in distress.

So maybe my grandfather instilled that love for detectives and mysteries. I’ll never really know.

But I admire the passion Danny Stasny learned as a boy from his dad. Fishing is a great lifelong gift. Be sure to read his story this week in The Islander.

I think of fishing as an art, but I prefer to visit the fish market in Cortez for a “sure thing” for dinner.

Here’s to all the dads — and their inspiration.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Your

Opinion

Catching attention

Aside from pollution in Palma Sola Bay, which is very concerning, why are we not talking about traffic and crashes caused by the horse distraction?

We have all seen it going on and off the island. Craig, Holmes Beach

Swinging success

Skimming online

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Connections, AMI & beyond

▼ Publisher, Co-editor

Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

▼ Editorial editor Lisa neff, lisa@islander.org

Robert Anderson, robert@islander.org

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist

Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org

Masha Dolgoff, masha@islander.org

Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com

Robyn Murrell, robyn@islander.org

Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

▼ Contributors

Karen Riley-Love

Jacob Merrifield

Capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org

▼ Advertising Director

Toni Lyon, toni@islander.org

▼ Webmaster Wayne Ansell

▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams

info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org

▼ Distribution

urbane Bouchet

Ross Roberts

On behalf of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, we extend a big thank-you to the golfers, sponsors, prize donors, business vendors and volunteers at our 25th Annual Golf Tournament for Scholarships May 10 at Bradenton’s IMG Academy Golf Club.

Judy Loden Wasco All others: news@islander.org

Monies received from the tournament go toward our annual scholarship program. The chamber awards three scholarships each year to Manatee County high school seniors who wish to further their education by attending either a college or trade school.

To our sponsors and prize donors, thank you for donating to this very worthy cause and making a difference!

To our volunteers, thank you for your time and welcoming smile that participants look forward to seeing!

To our business vendors, thank you for sharing your services and promotional items with the tournament’s golfers.

Through your contributions, we can continue providing scholarships.

We are very appreciative that you helped make this year’s tournament a success!

Terri Kinder, president, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

U.S. House : Republican Vern Buchanan, 941951-6643, rep.vern.buchanan@mail.house.gov.

U.S. Senate: Republican Marco Rubio, 305-5964224; Republican Rick Scott, 786-501-7141.

President: Democrat Joe Biden, 202-456-1111, whitehouse.gov/contact.

Sending letters We welcome letters to the editor. Submit comments — 250 words or less — along with a name, city of residence and phone number to news@islander.org. Longer letters will be edited for space limitations.

JUNE 12, 2024 • Vol. 32,

Ramped for recreation

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10, 20, 30 years ago

From the June 9, 1994, issue

• Cuban-Americans protested the Sarasota Sailing Squadron’s Sarasota-to-Havana regatta, saying the race would benefit Fidel Castro’s government in Cuba. About 100 boats were set to depart from Lido Beach.

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection raised concerns about the proposed southern alignment for a high, fixed-span bridge on Manatee Avenue to the island.

• Secretary of State Jim Smith, running for the Republican nomination for governor, campaigned on Anna Maria Island and suggested spending $14 million “somewhere else” than a new Anna Maria Island Bridge.

From the June 9, 2004, issue

• An islandwide blood drive raised $22,000 for local nonprofits, including Wildlife Inc., the Anna Maria Island Community Center, Anna Maria Island Privateers and the West Manatee Fire Rescue volunteers.

• A girl whose mother said she developed an itch and a fever after swimming in the bay off Bayfront Park in Anna Maria was diagnosed with salmonella poisoning but the source of contamination was not identified.

From the June 11, 2014, issue

• More than 200 people attended a “Save our Center” meeting to help raise money for the cashstrapped Anna Maria Island Community Center, which was facing the possible closure of doors due in part to a loss of major donors.

— Lisa neff

An aerial photo shows the Kingfish Boat Ramp and the Anna Maria Island Bridge in 1974 — with palm trees lining the shoreline — before the Australian pine trees proliferated.

Vehicles and boat trailers are parked along the palm-tree lined Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach in 1973.

Sail boats race in Palma Sola Bay in 1980. Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library System

BB commission OKs Form 6 accounting reimbursements

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach elected officials might get a helping hand from the city as they work to file financial disclosure forms with the state.

During a June 6 city commission meeting, Bradenton Beach city attorney Ricinda Perry broached the idea of financial reimbursement for officials needing professional assistance in completing their Form 6 disclosures.

Form 6 is a financial disclosure statement that elected officials in Florida must complete and renew periodically, aiming to enhance transparency for officials making spending decisions with taxpayer funds.

State legislators expanded the Form 6 requirement this year to include local elected officials, necessitating public disclosure of personal wealth and assets.

The bill was signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in May 2023.

This disclosure includes specific amounts of an official’s net worth, income and asset values and requires they be a matter of public record.

Municipal elected officials had been required to file Form 1, a more limited financial disclosure form.

“Form 6 to me is a very onerous requirement and an invasive requirement on the elected officials serving around our state,” Perry said. “To me this has gone beyond the bounds of what you should have to disclose to the public.”

“Staff has had a number of discussions about the burden that it places and it’s a challenge to identify

every single thing that is in your possession that may trigger Form 6 requirements,” she added.

Perry said city staff identified funds in the budget that could be used to cover expenses elected officials might incur when hiring professional services to help determine their net worth for the disclosure form.

“You should not be out-of-pocket to serve the people that you represent,” Perry said. “We think that if you should have to hire somebody to assist you that that should be paid for by the city.”

Commissioners discussed their concerns about financial privacy at the June 6 commission meeting.

“I used to fill out Form 6 for the county,” Mayor

Jewfish HOA withdraws deannexation petition

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Jewfish Key residents have withdrawn a petition to withdraw from the town of Longboat Key.

The May 31 withdrawal resulted in the cancellation of a June 3 public hearing for the potential deannexation of Jewfish Key.

Jewfish Key is a 38-acre island off the north end of Longboat Key that is home to 21 parcels owned by 11 entities, according to the Manatee County Property Appraiser website. There are nine residences.

The Jewfish Key Preserve Association, a homeowner’s association, in January requested disengagement from the municipal boundaries of Longboat Key to fall under the authority of Manatee County.

JKPA’s submission required the town to complete a feasibility study and schedule a public hearing within six months of the petition submission.

An email from Aaron Thomas, an attorney with the Najmy Thompson law firm of Bradenton, to the town of Longboat Key Jan. 16 stated that more than 15% of eligible JKPC voters favored deannexation.

However, Thomas sent an email May 31 to town attorney Maggie Mooney retracting the petition.

“This decision comes as we are currently in the

process of reassessing the Voluntary Contraction Petition in light of the findings and recommendations contained within the requested Voluntary Contraction of Jewfish Key Feasibility Study conducted by the Town of Longboat Key,” Thomas wrote.

So the town held its scheduled meeting, but not a public hearing.

Mayor Ken Schneier spoke at the meeting about the cost of time and resources to prepare for the hearing to an audience of just under 10 people.

Schneier also said more than 200 residents opposed deannexation on a petition circulated in the town.

Commissioner B.J. Bishop said the town might ask the Florida League of Cities to consider proposing legislation to protect municipalities from frivolous deannexation petitions.

“There are a number of other small communities that this could have a serious impact on,” she said.

She added, “The whole way the process is set up right now it is to the benefit of the petitioner, which in most cases is a developer. It put a lot of burden on our town staff, our town attorney and the extra legal counsel that we brought in. I truly believe there should be a financial consequence.”

“Why are we, the taxpayers, spending money for the benefit of someone? And then they go, oh no, just kidding,” she continued.

Jim Haft, a Longboat Key resident who attended the meeting, suggested a town fee for the filing of a deannexation petition.

“I am afraid these guys might be back. As much as I like to think this is the end of it, it’s probably not,” he said.

One possible reason the deannexation was proposed might lie in the difference between Longboat Key and unincorporated Manatee County policies on short-term rentals.

In residential zoned districts of Longboat Key, a short-term rental minimum stay is one month. And Jewfish Key is zoned as an island preserve residential district, meaning stays must comply with the onemonth interval.

Meanwhile, Manatee County has no limits on short-term rentals.

“While no reason was given for the withdrawal, it’s my sincere hope that having reviewed the extensive study prepared by the town, our staff’s analysis of that study and the overwhelming opposition, the petitioners saw the wisdom of terminating this matter and remaining a part of our community, as they have been since its founding in 1955,” Schneier said.

commissioners discuss state-mandated Form 6 financial disclosures June 6 during a meeting at

John Chappie said, referring to his tenure as a county commissioner. “Just to cover all the bases, I attached my tax returns. It’s an open book.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole spoke about the difficulties in identifying his exact net worth.

“You have to know legally what they are asking for,” Cole said. “There’s a lot that you have to go through. I’ve worked like a week identifying all the stuff that my name is on.”

“I would feel more confident having a lawyer look it over,” he added.

“This is new to me as a whole and it is confusing,” Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce said. “It’s not a bad idea to have the ability to reach out to someone and get assistance. To have that option.”

Scaccianoce was appointed to her seat after Jacob Spooner resigned his Ward 1 seat, citing the new financial disclosure requirements as his reason for leaving the commission.

As the meeting drew to a close, Cole motioned to authorize reimbursements for professional services utilized by elected officials for filing Form 6, Scaccianoce seconded him. The motion passed 4-0. Commissioner Marilyn Maro was absent with excuse.

Form 6 disclosures are due July 1.

Meetings

By Lisa neff

AnnA MAriA City

June 13, 2 p.m., commission.

June 27, 6 p.m., commission.

City hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria. com.

BrAdenton BeACh

June 19, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVeS.

June 20, noon, commission.

City hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.

holMeS BeACh

June 12, 9 a.m. clean water.

June 25, 10 a.m., code compliance.

June 25, 2 p.m., commission.

City hall, 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl. org.

WeSt MAnAtee Fire reSCue

June 18, 6 p.m., commission.

Administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-7611555, wmfr.org.

MAnAtee County

June 13, 9 a.m., commission, budget.

June 18, 9 a.m., commission, budget.

June 19, 9 a.m., commission, budget.

June 20, 9 a.m., commission, land use.

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

AlSo oF intereSt

June 19, Juneteenth, most government offices will be closed. July 4, Independence Day, most government offices will be closed.

Sept. 2, Labor Day, most government offices will be closed. Send meeting notices to calendar@islander.org.

Bradenton Beach

city hall, 107 Gulf Drive n. Islander

Photo: Robert Anderson

Jim Haft of Longboat Key speaks to town commissioners June 3, during a meeting about Jewfish Key. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

BB tour operator calls for tighter docking regs at city pier

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

One Bradenton Beach business owner is calling for city officials to enact rules for commercial tour boats and charter fishing vessels using the dock at the Historic Bridge Street Pier.

Shermin Baldwin, owner of Bridge Street Bait Shop and Paradise Boat Tours and a tenant at the city pier, gave a presentation to city commissioners June 6 about problems and liability issues he sees at the dock.

Baldwin, a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain for more than 50 years, said he has held a master captain’s license for 24 years and run a passenger-based business for more than two decades.

He leases his business space from Anna Maria Oyster Bar owner John Horne, who has a concessionaire agreement with the city.

He recently accepted a vice chair position with a Sarasota County task force on charter fishing and tour boat operations.

“Regulation is going to happen down there. We’ve been asked to formulate what the regulations would look like and then provide it to the county commission for their ultimate approval,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin spoke to city commissioners about the need to consider liability issues surrounding the commercial use of the city’s floating dock, as well as making sure operators follow state and federal maritime laws.

“I have studied this issue not only for Sarasota County as vice chair of the task force but also in regards to the operations here,” he said.

Baldwin said the big issues involve violations by uninsured, uninspected and unprofessional tour boat operators.

He said unscrupulous vessel operators will operate without correct licensure or insurance, overload vessels beyond regulation and jeopardize the safety of passengers.

He also said these operators often capitalize on preexisting businesses.

“Do you realize that businesses that are not sanctioned to do business on the fl oating pier are actually using 200 Bridge St. as their business address?” Baldwin asked commissioners, referring to the pier

address.

He showed a slide of businesses listing the pier as the location of their operations on Google. One business even used the address for Baldwin’s business.

“I do not have any relationship with this company and yet, they use that address. They don’t pay rent. They don’t file business taxes. They don’t have licenses with the city of Bradenton Beach to conduct business and yet by anybody’s standpoint, an outsider coming in will look at this business and say, ‘Wow, they are operating in Bradenton Beach and I like that,’” he said.

Baldwin said boats operating at the city dock should be able to show Coast Guard certifi cates of inspection and other credentials.

“In addition, I believe that a tour boat or charter fishing operation should have a Bradenton Beach business license,” he said. “I also think that we would have a certificate of general liability insurance to what I call municipal levels and we should be naming Bradenton Beach and Manatee County as additional insured.”

He said proving licensure could be something as simple as a sticker on a boat’s hull.

Baldwin said it was important to point out that legally operating commercial charter and tour boat operations represent a source of income for the local

economy.

Using numbers from his own business and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Baldwin said people on tour boats over the past 10 years brought roughly $243 million in revenue to Bradenton Beach businesses.

“I think it is time that we step up to the plate and have good solid operators in what I think is a huge asset to the community,” he said.

While he agreed with Baldwin, Mayor John Chappie said the dock is part of a public pier system open to anyone.

Chappie also said the city has been working on guidelines for how to best operate the docks.

“As you know we have been discussing rules and regulations and how we operate the floating dock and pier facility,” Chappie said. “We will be having a workshop of the city commission where the decisions have to be made.”

Commissioner Ralph Cole said, “The fact that we have a parking issue and that pier, I believe, allows people to bring their boats from Sarasota and St. Pete, and then come use Bradenton Beach as an alternative to bringing their car here. Whatever we do, we need to preserve that part of it. It wasn’t put there to put people into business.”

Musical welcome

Scott Furlong of Louisville, Kentucky, plays his guitar and harmonica June 7, serenading passengers on the Gulf Islands Ferry arriving to the Anna Maria City Pier. Furlong was singing “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel. Islander

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are leading the way to their favorite shops and boutiques for summer fun.

T&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.

You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters and anyone seeking antiques and unique decor. You don’t want to miss this collection.

We’ll definitely make a stop next door at Blue Flamingo , home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.

We promise you will find treasures aplenty.

Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting, you’ll want to pull up a chair

— with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.

Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.

oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.

And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building

Photo: Ryan Paice

Compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT on AMi

Monday, June 17

2 p.m. — digital sketchbooking, island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Tuesday, June 18

3 p.m. — hollywood Comes to AMi, island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

onGoinG

oFF AMi

• Through June 23, “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.

• Throughout June, “Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe,” Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.

• Throughout June, Island Gallery and Studios “Walk on the Wildside” exhibit featuring Jody Goldman’s paintings, 456 old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.

• Through Aug. 15, “To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA,” the Bishop Museum of Science and nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

• Through Aug. 16, Ringling College of Art and Design Galleries “Jack Dowd: Last Call” installation, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Information: 941-359-7563.

• Through Aug. 31, Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 9 p.m., Laser light nights, the Bishop Museum of Science and nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

• Through Oct. 20, “Reimagining Nature: Dali’s Floral Fantasies,” the dali Museum, 1 dali Boulevard St., St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 727-823-3767, thedali.org.

‘Last Call’ on exhibit

“Last Call,” crafted by Sarasota artist Jack Dowd, emerged over two years and was finalized in early 2001. The sculpture debuted at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in 2001 and is on exhibit through Aug. 16 in “Jack Dowd: Last Call” at the Lois and David Stulberg Gallery, Ringling College of Art + Design, 2700 n. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. “Last Call” features 13 life-size sculptures engaging along a 22-foot mahogany bar. Gallery hours are noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Islander Courtesy Photo

oct. 8, Manatee Performing Arts Center’s tribute tuesday concert, Bradenton.

oct. 19, Anna Maria island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.

nov. 14-24, island Players’ “A doublewide, texas Christmas,” Anna Maria.

MARKETS & SALES

onGoinG on AMi

• Most Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Coquina Beach Market, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941840-0789, coquinabeachmarket.org.

onGoinG oFF AMi

• Second Saturdays through Aug. 10, 8 a.m.-noon, Summer Mini-Markets, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, 941-301-8445.

SAVe the dAteS

July 18, Bridge Street Merchants’ Sun down Get down, Bradenton Beach.

Tuesday, June 18

10 a.m. — Family storytime, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

oFF AMi

Friday, June 14

6:30 p.m. — Summer Game Night, the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

onGoinG oFF AMi

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

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

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

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

on AMi

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

• Saturdays, 10:30 a.m., art demos, island Gallery and Studios, 456 old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648, islandgalleryandstudios.org.

• Second and fourth Saturdays, 2 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 dAteS

KIDS & FAMILY

on AMi

Wednesday, June 12

10 a.m. — let’s recycle!, island library, 5701 Marina drive, holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Thursday, June 13

10 a.m. — Jiggleman! entertainment, island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Friday, June 14

10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

2 p.m. — rock garden painting, island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Wednesday, June 12

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — oneBlood donations, island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Thursday, June 13

1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

onGoinG on AMi

• Most Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria island meeting, Bradenton Beach City hall, 107 Gulf drive n., Bradenton Beach. information: 941-778-1383.

Sept. 19-29, island Players’ “Crimes of the heart,” Anna Maria.

wellness center and spa

• Second Mondays, 2 p.m., Center of Anna Maria Island Adult Book Club, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information:

SAVe the dAteS

July 20, Anna Maria island Privateers Christmas in July party, Bradenton Beach.

LESSONS & LEARNING

on AMi

Thursday, June 13

10 a.m.-noon — tech help, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Saturday, June 15

10 a.m. — Meditation class, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Wednesday, June 19

2-4 p.m. — tech help, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

onGoinG on AMi

• Tuesdays through August, 10 a.m., Anna Maria Island and Shorebird Monitoring turtle tracks and Shorebird Facts, holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Note: Time change to noon June 25. Information: islandturtlewatch.com, info@ islandturtlewatch.com, 941-301-8434.

SAVe the dAteS

SPORTS & FITNESS

onGoinG on AMi

• 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.

• Most Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.., mahjong club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

onGoinG oFF AMi

• Through Sept. 1, Bradenton Marauders home games, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee apples. Information: 941747-3031.

SAVe the dAteS

June 21, Anna Maria island Privateers and Bradenton Marauders Crewe night and Scholarship Awards, Bradenton.

OUTDOORS & NATURE

Tuesday, June 18

10 a.m. — escape the neSt adventure scenario, the neSt, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.

onGoinG oFF AMi

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

CALENDAR NOTES

KEEP THE DATES

Submit social news to news@islander.org. Please, include time, date and location for events, as well as a contact and phone number for publication. And, thanks for sharing! 941-778-1908.

through oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. lights out! through nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared!

June 14, Flag day.

June 16, Father’s day.

June 19, Juneteenth.

June 20, summer solstice. July 4, independence day.

Get liSted!

Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Island happenings

Painting party planned

A rock garden is “growing” outside the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, which this month continues to celebrate summer break for kids with reading incentives and activities, including “rock garden painting” at 2 p.m. Friday, June 14. The event is for kids ages 4-7 and registration is required. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341. Islander Photo: Lisa neff

Laser Light Nights continue

Laser Light Nights continue Thursdays-Saturdays through Aug. 31 at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton.

Tickets to the laser-light shows cost $15. Refreshments will be sold at the museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton.

Upcoming shows include:

• Aerosmith, 7 p.m. Friday, June 14;

• Rock Monsters Medley, 9 p.m., June 14;

• Jimi Hendrix, 7 p.m., Saturday, June 15;

• Queen, 9 p.m., June 15.

For more information or ticket sales, go to bishopscience.org or call the museum at 941-746-4131.

Shell collectors to stroll shore

The Manatee County Natural Resources Department will host a “Seashell Shore Walk” at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 20, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

A notice from the county invited people to join “a relaxing walk on the beach to search for seashells and learn to identify them.”

Participants also will learn about ethical seashellcollecting methods.

Reservations are required.

For more, contact Elena Burke at elena.burke@ mymanatee.org and 941-742-5923, ext. 6036.

Summer social set for Cortez

The Florida Maritime Museum and the Cortez Village Historical Society will mark the summer solstice with a summer social.

The event will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez.

A newsletter from the museum said the event will include storytime, craftmaking and games, such as a scavenger hunt.

For more information, call the FMM at 941-7086120.

Center offers piano lessons

The center is taking reservations for one-on-one “88 Keys Piano Lessons” this summer.

The instructor is Beverly Kapanjie, who has been teaching piano for more than 40 years.

Lessons are open to players of any age and skill level.

Session one students will take lessons through June and session two students through July at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

For more, contact the center at 941-778-1908.

Privateers: Break out the red, white and blue

Deck the rides in red, white and blue streamers.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will present their Independence Day Parade, which is set to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and travel north on Gulf Drive.

In Holmes Beach, the parade will travel on Gulf, Marina and Palm drives to Anna Maria, continuing on Gulf Drive, east on Pine Avenue, then north on Bay Boulevard to Bayfront Park.

Participants must be on wheels, as the route is long and the parade moves too fast for walkers.

Also, the parade rules state, “As a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization, we cannot allow any activities related to political advertising, solicitation, campaigning or endorsements.”

Entry is free but donations for the Roser Church Food Pantry will be collected.

Staging at Coquina will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is conducted online at amiprivateers. org.

For more information, call Terry “Cookie” Rapert at 941-705-0199.

Save the date for Bayfest

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce encourages people to save the date — Saturday, Oct. 19 — for its annual Bayfest.

The free family-friendly street fair will return to Pine Avenue in Anna Maria with music, crafts, food and fun.

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

Odd Duck Designs Shop

Wearable T-shirt art by local artist Connie Wolgast. Scan here shop!

Island happenings

New photo contest launches July 10

The Islander’s Top Notch contest begins anew.

The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology.

Look to Friday, July 5 for the first deadline and don’t forget your July 4 holiday photos in the coming weeks.

The contest includes six weekly front-page winners. Each will claim an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt.

One weekly shot will take the grand prize in the contest, earning the photographer a $100 prize from The Islander and certificates from local merchants.

There also is a pet photo contest for weekly submissions and a winner announced in the final week.

Look online this week for complete rules and details.

Please, note, each original JPG must be included in a single email with the name of the photographer, date the photo was taken, location and description,

names of recognizable people and the address and phone number of the photographer.

All rules at islander.org must be observed.

Manatee County Area Transit: Island Trolley

Top Notch

RideFREE

Penny Frick’s patriotic shot taken at the Anna Maria City Pier was a favorite Top notch winner in 2009.

Susan “Tootie” Patrick of Anna Maria was the winner of the pet photo contest in 2023. Islander File Photo

Cortez nonprofit unveils preserve improvement plan

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage June 3 released a design for improvements to its FISH Preserve on the east side of Cortez.

The preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W., spans 95 acres and was created by the nonprofit to protect coastal estuary habitat and serve as a buffer for the village to development from the east.

FISH treasurer Jane von Hahmann said a $165,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation of Sarasota and $10,000 remaining from a 2023 grant from the Bradenton Kiwanis Club would be used to enhance public access to the preserve.

During a June 3 board meeting at Fishermen’s Hall, 4515 124th St. W., Cortez, member Allen Garner showed a design with color renderings for proposed trails and areas of interest in the preserve.

Garner, a retired landscape architect, created the design with input from the board and offered to perform the site work.

“We went through that exercise in the last couple of months, getting the ideas together,” Garner said.

He reviewed a map showing proposed shell and wooden deck trails and 11 proposed bridges. The design also includes picnic pavilions, kayak trails and a possible amphitheater

The preserve currently has basic trails cut for maintenance work and foot traffic.

Garner said the site work needs to take place in a window opened by the Barancik grant and added that he could begin in July.

He told the board many contractors hired to work in the preserve had failed to complete their work within timelines and outside contractors likely would create delays by waitlisting the project.

There was confusion among board members as to the time required to use the grant money.

Von Hahmann said the grant, issued Feb. 13, had an 18-month window but she would verify her information with the foundation. She also said she felt confident there could be an extension if needed.

Board members also expressed concern over Garner’s request that he be allowed to work off a basic invoice system without oversight.

Concrete dollar numbers were not discussed for the project during the meeting.

“I’m really not interested in doing it if I have to be micromanaged,” Garner said. “I’m willing to go in, grab it, take it and get it done. I have been doing this for 60 years.”

“The time frame with the grant money is the thing we are concerned about,” FISH board member Nate Meschelle said. “If something happens, you get ill or something like that and we lose the grant money, then what happens?”

Garner said he would not be paid for his work if that happened.

He said with board approval he could complete the work by January 2025.

As the meeting concluded, board members expressed the need to review the Barancik grant agreement and verify the timeline.

Although no decision was made to hire Garner, in order to keep on par with his proposed timeline, the board agreed to convene a special meeting to discuss the contract at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 17.

LeFT: Allen Garner points out features of a design he created to improve the FISH Preserve in Cortez June 3, during a FISH board meeting. Islander

Photos: Robert Anderson

BeLOW: Allen Garner’s proposed plan includes a trail and other amenities to enhance the FISH Preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez.

Walk this way … People watch a pelican waddle on the walkway June 7 at the Anna Maria City Pier. The pier, which was ranked a top attraction in Manatee County when such records were maintained, includes views of Tampa Bay, fishing, a restaurant, a bait shop and the Mote Marine Science education and Outreach Center.

The City of Holmes Beach and Mr. Shawn T. Kaleta wish to publicly express their shared regret concerning any real or perceived animosity or ill-will between them. Although the current mayor and commissioners do not believe they have personally acted in this regard, no favor is gained by any city employee or official treating Mr. Kaleta or his partners and related entities differently than anyone else or unequally, and targeting Mr. Kaleta and his properties will not be permitted as may have happened in the past. No benefit is gained by violating the city’s ordinances or performing work without appropriate permits. Compliance with all applicable statutes, ordinances and regulations is expected of every citizen, property owner, business, visitor and the city. The city and Mr. Kaleta are committed to moving forward to working together to balance and advance the interests of all the city’s residents, visitors, tourists, businesses, property owners and stakeholders.

Mayor Judy Titsworth Mr. Shawn T. Kaleta

Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Gathering

By Lisa neff

Gloria Dei joining group party

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Holmes Beach will be joining a multi-group gathering noon Sunday, July 7, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 6311 Third Ave. W., Bradenton.

The celebration will include fellowship, food and music.

Other party invites went to the Arc of Grace and Magic of Manatee.

For more information, contact Gloria Dei at 941778-1813.

Roser to host grief support

Roser Memorial Community Church will offer GriefShare: Hope and Healing, a program to help people through loss, at 1 p.m. Wednesdays July 10-Oct. 2. A notice on the church website, roserchurch.com, said, “You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult days ahead.”

A workbook for the 13-week program costs $20.

Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

For more information about the program, call the church at 941-778-0414.

St. B offers opportunities

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, invites people to get involved in ministries and programs, including tending the memorial garden, teaching, as well as serving as ushers and Eucharistic ministers.

For more information, contact the church at 941778-4769 or office@stbernardcc.org.

Tidings

Compiled by Lisa neff

Wednesday, June 12

5:30 p.m. — Tech Night, Roser Church. 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414.

SAVe the dAteS

July 10-oct. 2, roser Church Grief Share program, Anna Maria.

July 17, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Aug. 7, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Sept. 18, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Oct. 23, Christ Church book club resumes, Longboat Key. Feb. 25-26, 2025, Christ Church of Longboat Key Men’s retreat, tBd.

April 2-3, 2025, Christ Church of Longboat Key Women’s retreat, tBd.

onGoinG on AMi

CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf drive, holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719.

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Beach Night; 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, 9:15 a.m.

Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast; Mondays, 1 p.m., book club.

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

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

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

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

Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.

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

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

Ongoing: Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study.

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. harbor drive, holmes

Gathering Gathering is the religion section. Please, send announcements, calendar listings and photos to calendar@islander.org.

Milestones

HB student makes dean’s list

Charles Strine of Holmes Beach made the dean’s list for the spring semester at James Madison University in Virginia.

Strine, who is seeking a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, also made the dean’s list in the fall 2023 semester.

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events.

Submit announcements and photographs with captions for publication — along with contact information — to news@islander.org.

Also, visit us on Facebook and join the 21,000plus friends who “like” The Islander and share their social news.

Brielle Langley, left, and daughter Millie read books with Charlee, Libby, and Judy Hagemeier in June 2023 at the Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach. The library has issued a call for volunteers to assist on morning and afternoon shifts. For more information, contact the library at 941-779-1208. Islander File Photo: Robert Anderson

Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.

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

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

onGoinG oFF AMi

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., women’s Bible study; Mondays, 9 a.m., men’s Bible study.

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

Summer scheduling? Please, send notices of changes to schedules for worship and other events during the summer to calendar@islander.org.

GoodDeeds

By Lisa neff

Assistance sought on AMI

• Tingley Memorial Library in Bradenton Beach seeks volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts in the “fun and friendly” atmosphere. Info: 941-7791208, bradentonbeachlibrary@gmail.com.

• The Anna Maria Island Privateers group seeks members to build up the crewe and an indoor port for their boat-float. Info: 941-896-0797.

• Wildlife Inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured and sick 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.

• The Islander seeks donations on behalf of Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton, injured when struck by a truck while walking to his workplace. Information: “Please help — Unexpected Medical and Care Costs” on gofundme.com.

• The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, seeks volunteers for the 76th season of shows. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-941 778-5755.

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live, work or attend school on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

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

Blood donors called to library

The Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host a blood drive with OneBlood 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, June 12.

The blood drive will be in the library parking lot.

Appointments are not needed.

OneBlood, on its website at oneblood.org, said there is an increased need for type O and type O-negative donations.

For more, call the library at 941-778-6341.

Wharff Piermont, Pastor

Community center teeters into red, requests municipal funds

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Center of Anna Maria Island is back into the red — but just barely.

The nonprofit was $3,506 in the red through April, with two months left to go in fiscal 2023-24, which closes June 30.

The community center fell into a $164,755.25 hole after the first three months of fiscal 2023-24 but proceeded to record a positive net income in five of the next seven months.

The nonprofit had dug out of the hole and was $26,731.12 in the black through March but a $30,237.25 loss for April brought it back down to earth.

That loss was largely due to middling program income and high expenses despite $25,806.64 in fundraising income for the month.

The center raised $66,238.50 in program revenue in April, which is a little less than the monthly average for the year, but it spent $49,787.85 on program costs.

That is the second-highest monthly program cost total of fiscal 2023-24, only behind an outlier $70,790.20 in July 2023.

The center also racked up $69,042.60 in general and administrative expenses in April, more than offsetting the month’s $25,806.64 fundraising income.

In the meantime, the city of Anna Maria is mulling an annual funding request from the nonprofit.

Executive director Chris Culhane attended the May 23 city meeting to request $78,000 — including $50,000 the center failed to collect last year.

City commissioners unanimously voted last April to approve a $50,000 donation from the municipal contingency fund toward installing new air conditioning at the center facility, 407 Magnolia Ave.

However, the nonprofit failed to collect the $50,000 before the end of the city’s fiscal 2023-24, which ended Oct. 1, 2023.

Mayor Dan Murphy clarified that the city notified

the center in April 2023 to use the funds by September 2023 or they would no longer be available, but the nonprofit did not follow through.

Culhane said the center could not find enough money to back up the city’s funds toward air conditioning improvements until the Bradenton-based Bishop-Parker Foundation recently pledged to match the municipality’s $50,000.

The work is projected to cost $132,000$149,000.

Now that the nonprofit has found funding, Culhane said it is hoping the city can fulfill its original $50,000 donation, as well as chip in another $28,000.

Murphy asked commissioners to give him time to review the municipal budget with staff and consider if the city could fulfill the center’s $78,000 request.

He said he would return to their next meeting with the results of his review.

“I firmly believe that improving our own property

Quacky — mascot of the Pace Center for Girls, Manatee — hands the People’s Choice Award for its “Best Dressed Duck Contest” May 20 to the Center of Anna Maria Island’s director of customer service Morgan Blackburn, left, and Pace’s community engagement coordinator Katie Reeves. The contest was aimed at raising awareness for the Pace Center, a nonprofit that provides academic, career-building and social services to girls. Islander Courtesy Photo

is the right thing to do,” Murphy added.

Commissioners reached consensus on Murphy’s recommendation to table the request so he could review the city’s budget.

The next city meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Bradenton Beach commissioners also discussed fundraising for the Center of Anna Maria Island during their June 6 meeting.

“I figured out that we didn’t send any money to the community center and we had approved, at one point, $5,000 a year,” said Commissioner Ralph Cole, the city’s liaison to the nonprofit.

“So now I am bringing it back up to see if we indeed wanted to donate to the community center,” Cole said. “We had $5000 approved, and we took $750 of it and gave it to Annie Silver. So that leaves whatever’s left in our donation.”

However, Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce, liaison to the Annie Silver Community Center, said the Bradenton Beach-based center could benefit from a larger donation.

“I think Anna Maria has a lot more funding sources available to them than Annie Silver does,” she said. “I would like to see more money from us go directly to Annie Silver instead of through the Anna Maria community center.”

Mayor John Chappie asked the city clerk to put the issue on a meeting agenda so representatives from both centers could make their appeals.

Silver Center members to discuss charter review, safeguard future

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

A former president of Bradenton Beach’s Annie Silver Community Center is looking to ensure the 72-year-old nonprofit’s future.

Founded in 1952 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1955, the center is housed at 103 23rd St. N. in an unassuming white concrete building with an A-frame roof.

Annie Silver is old AMI and continues to serve as a hub for community gatherings and goodwill.

And one long-term member and former board president wants to safeguard its status for future generations.

Jim Hassett, Bradenton Beach resident and longtime center member, suggested reviewing the charter during a May 23 membership meeting.

“It’s been my concern all along, the future of Annie Silver,” Hassett said in a May 24 interview. “We are operating from a charter from 1955 and maybe it’s long overdue to review the charter and establish and upgrade it … to protect the rights of Annie Silver.”

The charter was written in 1955 and listed Annie Silver, Floyd Myers, Joseph Franzoni, George Fowler and Virgil Messimer as founding directors.

As stated in the charter, “The by-laws of the club shall be made, altered of rescinded by the board of directors and ratified and passed by the two-thirds vote of all regular members of the center present at any duly called meeting of the membership.”

Hassett said reviewing the charter is now neces-

“Anna Maria Island,” a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at The Islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach. Call or text 941-778-7978 for hours or purchase at islander.org. Joy is publisher of The Islander.

Hassett said center members are working with attorneys to decipher what components of the charter might need to be modernized.

The center’s namesake, Annie Silver, was an early island resident who, in 1922, became the first private citizen to traverse the bridge connecting the island to the mainland, according to Hassett.

Silver donated the land for the center’s construction.

Her vision was clear: a space owned by the people, fostering camaraderie through activities like bingo, book club meetings, garden shows and shared suppers.

Interim president Bruce Butler, who took over in January, agreed with Hassett’s initiative.

sary given how much the island has changed, with increases in short-term rentals and decreases in residential population. He said increased demand for real estate and a lack of full-time residents to participate in center functions might threaten the center’s future.

He voiced concerns over the center’s declining membership.

“We are down to a handful of people,” Hassett said. “After all this time, we need to review the charter.”

The center has about 40 members but only a handful of people regularly show up.

Under Florida law, a nonprofit must have a board of directors consisting of three or more individuals who typically serve on a volunteer basis.

“I support having a legal charter in place so it makes sense to have a legal opinion given about its current status and any future issues with it,” Butler told The Islander May 30 by text message.

“I grew up in a small town with an active community center. So I recognize the importance of having a community center.”

The center welcomes individuals and families to join for $3 per person or $5 per family.

To join, contact Hassett at 413-441-6823 or Butler at 513-368-6454.

Members are scheduled to discuss the charter at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the center.

Jim Hassett draws the first number of the first game Jan. 18 in the 2024 bingo season at Annie Silver. Islander File Photo: Robert Anderson

Cops & Courts

NY woman arrested for DUI

Holmes Beach police arrested Nikki Stocker, 21, of Kings Park, New York, May 31 on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

An officer saw a motorist driving at a high rate of speed around 2:30 a.m. and began to follow, observing as the motorist drove through the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue, where there were flashing red signal lights.

During a traffic stop, Stocker displayed signs of impairment, according to a police report, and she failed field sobriety exercises. She registered breath samples with results of 0.187 and 0.184 milligrams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.

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

She was arrested and transported to the Manatee County jail, where she was released May 31 after posting $500 bond.

Stocker is an active military service member and an officer notified her command of her arrest.

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

The charge had not been filed against Stocker in the 12th Circuit Court as of June 5, according to the court website, records.manateeclerk.com.

— Ryan Paice

DUI leads to probation

Sonja Wasmuth, 53, of Bradenton, is on probation through April 2025 as part of her sentence for a second-degree misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol after prior convictions.

Holmes Beach police arrested Wasmuth Aug. 24, 2023, following a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue.

Wasmuth left the scene of the crash but a witness identified her as the driver of the crashed vehicle.

Wasmuth displayed signs of impairment, so police asked her to perform field sobriety exercises, which she failed. She refused to provide a breath sample.

Wasmuth was charged with second-degree misdemeanor for DUI after prior convictions, as well as a first-degree misdemeanor for DUI property damage.

The prosecutor dropped the first-degree misdemeanor charge in October 2023 and Wasmuth pleaded no contest at an April 4 hearing — only four days before the start of a jury trial — where Judge Melissa Gould of the 12th Circuit Court ruled to find Wasmuth guilty of the second-degree misdemeanor charge.

Gould sentenced Wasmuth to 10 days in jail and 12 months of probation, as well as suspended her driver’s license for five years.

— Ryan Paice

Helicopter pilot cited for landing in Egmont bird sanctuary

No choppers on the beach!

A 53-year-old Bradenton man is facing citations and a second-degree misdemeanor charge in connection with disturbing protected bird nests on Egmont Key.

Egmont, visible from the north end of Anna Maria Island, is at the mouth of Tampa Bay and accessible by boat or ferry.

According to court documents, the man landed a helicopter May 14 on the southern tip of Egmont Key State Park.

Bibeau described the pilot as cooperative and polite and wrote that he said he landed to check for a fuel leak.

The man pleaded not guilty to harassing statethreatened species, landing an aircraft in a state park and entering into a closed area.

The helicopter had taken off from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg.

A court hearing is set for July 1 in Tampa.

An incident report filed by Lt. Michael A. Bibeau with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stated, “The area is closed to entry and is a marked shorebird nesting site with 50,000 breeding pairs of protected shorebirds. It is a violation to harass any listed species, to land in a state park and to enter a closed area.”

— Lisa neff

Streetlife

By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice

Island police reports

Anna Maria

May 30, 600 block of Rose Street, overdose/ poisoning. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy concerning an overdose. A caller said they consumed edible cannabis products and felt unwell. County emergency medical services was called to assist. An incident report was filed.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

May 28, 103 Gulf Drive S., Circle K, reckless driver. A complainant said a motorist tried to back into a parking space and a ladder attached to their vehicle hit the store deck and caused damage. An MCSO deputy wrote a report.

June 1, Coquina Beach, 1600 Gulf Drive S., burglary. A Bradenton Beach police officer responded to a vehicle burglary. The owner said they returned to their vehicle from the beach to find a portable TV and prescription medication missing. The officer filed an incident report.

June 1, 201 Gulf Drive N., Oma’s Pizza, disturbing the peace. A complainant said an intoxicated man harassed a female employee in the parking lot. A coworker asked the man to leave and when the man got closer, he was pushed. The man left and, when located by police, was verbally abusive toward an officer. Back at the restaurant, he again was threatening toward an employee. He was arrested and taken to the Manatee County jail.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

May 29, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, domestic battery/property damage/obstruction without violence. Holmes Beach police officers responded to

reports of a domestic incident involving a couple at the beach. An officer spoke to a woman, who said her husband broke the handles off her vehicle doors, threw her purse into the Gulf and pulled her to the ground. Police later found the man, who was tased after running from police and refusing to cooperate. Manatee County Emergency Medical Services transported the man to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. After he was cleared, an officer transported him to the Manatee County jail.

May 29, 100 block of 77th Street, domestic disturbance. An officer responded to reports of a fight and found a mother and two daughters arguing. The mother told police she slapped a daughter in the face. The daughter had no visible bruises or marks and told police “the slap was in discipline and not out of anger or violence,” according to a report.

May 31, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, marijuana. An officer found people parked at the beach around 11 p.m., including an adult and a juvenile. The officer smelled marijuana and saw a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance inside the vehicle. A vehicle search also found partially smoked marijuana cigarettes and paraphernalia. The officer issued the adult driver a court summons for possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana. The juvenile’s guardian responded and drove both the man and juvenile home.

June 2, 6200 block of Marina Drive, vehicle issues/ property damage. An officer responded to reports of a reckless driver and found a motorist parked on the roadside. She told police she was driving when a wheel came off. The officer searched the area and found a vehicle possibly damaged by the runaway tire. The officer left a case card with the vehicle and took photos of the damage. Bakers Towing removed the woman’s vehicle.

Island watch

In an emergency, call 911.

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

June 2, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, suspicious circumstances. An officer found about a dozen vehicles in the beach lot around midnight. The officer approached a vehicle with an open door and spoke to two occupants who said a bag containing valuable items was stolen when they were swimming. They said they had called one of their phones and a mother and a son answered it. They set up a place to meet and got their phones back but told police the devices had been accessed. No fraudulent activity was reported from their bank accounts. The officer provided case cards.

June 2, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, PLeASe, See STREETLIFE, neXT PAGe

Sambal Clams

Holmes Beach sewer project slows down central corridor

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Travel through the city of Holmes Beach may seem like winter season traffic this summer.

City engineer and public works superintendent Sage Kamiya told The Islander June 5 that the municipality’s $1,733,541.03 storm sewer upgrade project will require construction on Gulf and Marina drives through Oct. 1.

The project involves repairing and/or replacing portions of the city’s stormwater infrastructure, which Kamiya has said is at risk of a catastrophic failure.

Such failures could include the collapse of an underground structure, which can lead to sinkholes.

The city hired Tampa-based Sun Civil LLC in April to complete about $1 million in improvements, which will be funded with U.S. American Rescue Plan Act funds and stormwater assessment money.

So far, work has involved the replacement of a 30-inch stormwater drainage pipeline across Gulf Drive, at its intersection with 52nd Street, over the last week of May.

That work resulted in a one-lane roadway for northbound motorists on Gulf and a detour across 52nd Street and down Second Avenue for southbound motorists — bringing traffic on the central corridor to a crawl.

Kamiya said the contractor also found old asbestos piping that needed to be removed, resulting in some additional time to complete work in that area.

In the week beginning June 3, Sun Civil began stormwater upgrades and replacements along Marina Drive, between 74th and 85th streets.

That work was projected to run 7 a.m.-7 p.m. until July 2.

Kamiya said the bulk of the initial $1 million

criminal mischief. An officer responded to reports of a vehicle crash and found the complainant, a man who said he parked in a spot despite another motorist trying to cut him off. A witness told police a man then went over to the complainant’s parked vehicle and keyed it.

June 2, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, animal neglect. An officer responded to reports of a dog left inside a vehicle. The officer found a vehicle with its windows up and a dog inside that appeared to be in distress. A code officer told police the dog had been removed from the beach and the dog’s owner was still on the beach without it after several hours.

“Yes, it’s kind of annoying and frustrating to be stuck in traffic or have to go through that,” Kamiya said. “But it’s a lot less annoying than it would be if we had an instantaneous failure … We’re proactively taking care of items now.”

Other improvements will include work on the north end of Holmes Boulevard — where Manatee County’s force main replacement project is coming to a close after more than two years — and Marina Drive, north of Key Royale.

After the $1 million initial phase is completed in the fall, there might still be more to come.

Kamiya said the first stretch of sewer upgrades would only cover about half of the stormwater infrastructure identified as in need of improvement by the city.

Additional improvements will be completed via work assignments approved by the city commission.

“We’ve got some improvements we need to do,” Kamiya said.

The Holmes Beach City Commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

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

RoadWatch

portion of the project would take place on Gulf and Marina drives, requiring occasional detours and lane closures.

He added that segments of Marina Drive will be closed during construction, with traffic redirected to Palm Drive.

The vehicle was opened and a person provided water for the dog. Its owner was given a citation for animal neglect.

June 3, 3500 block of Sixth Avenue, harassment. A woman reported her ex-boyfriend would not stop trying to contact her. She told him not to contact her and blocked multiple phone numbers. She told police he had been violent in the past.

Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach.

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

Eyes on the road

• South Bradenton Beach: Manatee County is working on sewer lines on side streets off Gulf Drive South. Paving on Sixth Street South and Seventh Street South will be the week beginning June 10, along with road restoration on Gulf Drive. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s final work on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets continues. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Marina Drive in Holmes Beach: Through July 2, the city is working on stormwater maintenance and upgrades crossing Marina Drive from 85th to 74th streets, which might impact roadway traffic and disturb rights of way. Work will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. For more, call city hall at 941-708-5800.

Did you know?

Traffic cameras at the Anna Maria Island and Cortez bridges, mainland intersections on Manatee Avenue and Cortez Road and other locations are at smarttrafficinfo.org and mymanatee.org.

— Lisa neff

Tampa-based Sun Civil employees work June 7 on pouring concrete at the corner of 74th Street and Marina Drive in Holmes Beach as part of a $1.7 million sewer improvement project. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

CRA considers bigger picture, future district landscape needs

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

After feeling the heat, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is making summer landscape plans.

Mayor John Chappie told other CRA board members June 5 that 19 coconut palms planted in the Florida Department of Transportation rights of way were removed and some were replanted.

The $50,000 initiative — a partnership with developer Shawn Kaleta, who agreed to contribute toward the trees and pay for maintenance in exchange for any coconuts produced by the trees — was approved in April. The CRA contracted M&F Landscape of Bradenton to plant 80 coconut palms along Bridge Street and Gulf Drive.

“I did a bit of auditing and inventory to see where we are at, what’s been planted,” Chappie said June 5. “I did make a mistake at the beginning and that’s all on me,” he said, referring to the decision allowing the coconut palms on DOT rights of way at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Bridge Street.

He said DOT landscape architect Darryl Richard had reached out to him and explained coconut palms are not an approved tree under DOT guidelines and if the city did want to plant on DOT land it would first have to procure a permit from the DOT.

“We got the palm trees out of there,” Chappie said. “There were a total of 60 palms that have been delivered. We planted 56 palms on Bridge Street, on First Street, the pier dock area and four palms were taken back to M&F’s yard.”

The city also planted 40 1-gallon pots of pampas grass at the roundabout, which the DOT OK’d.

Also, 21 cubic yards of white river rock was spread in easements along Bridge Street.

Chappie said the CRA is considering dedicated irrigation for the landscaping and would rely on public works for ideas on installation.

In a related matter, police Chief John Cosby gave a public works report. He has taken on the public works department since the director, Tom Woodard, left his position.

Cosby said public works is obtaining quotes for the construction of pressure-washing equipment capable of cleaning the floating dock and piers, as well as signs

DOT sets design meeting on Cortez Road traffic signal

The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a design workshop Thursday, June 13, for a Cortez Road/State Road 684 project at the intersection with Royal Palm Drive.

A map shows Cortez Road and Royal Palm Drive, where the Florida Department of Transportation plans to implement a traffic signal/median modification project to improve safety and reduce crashes. Islander Courtesy Image

The workshop, where the public is welcome, will be 5-7 p.m. at the Bridge Church, 4000 75th St. W., Bradenton.

The DOT proposes a traffic signal on Cortez Road at Royal Palm Drive with protected left turns, a signalized pedestrian crosswalk with a raised refuge island and full-turn lanes with raised traffic separators “to reduce conflict points and improve safety,” according to a post on Facebook.

Work on the project would impact access to 102nd Street West and Valeria Avenue.

For more information, contact the DOT’s project manager, Walter Breuggeman, at walter.breuggeman@dot.state.fl.us or go online to swflroads. com/454032-1.

The project webpage also contains a link to send questions or comments.

— Lisa neff

Milestones

The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Submit information to news@islander.org.

and walkways in the district.

The unit will include a tank for portable landscape watering, negating the need to rent a water truck. He said the machine would allow the utilization of water collection from hydrants.

“We are paying $3,500 for the water truck to do this. By the time we are done with what we are doing we could have bought this system,” Cosby said.

In other news, the CRA canceled its July 4 meeting.

The next meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

About the CRA

The Bradenton Beach CRA funds capital improvement projects to promote restoration, growth and tourism for the district and is made up by the commission, mayor, a resident board member seat, which is vacant, and restaurateur Ed Chiles.

The CRA district, bordered by Cortez Road, Sarasota Bay, Fifth Street South and the Gulf of Mexico, was deemed blighted in 1992, allowing for incremental tax revenue to promote restoration and growth, including tourism.

Chappie

Coconut palms are planted alongside other landscaping in the city easement fronting Blue Marlin restaurant, 121 Bridge St. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Lawsuit over closed HB beach access path amended

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

As vegetation continues to grow over a former beach access path at the end of 78th Street in Holmes Beach, a legal battle over the path’s fate is entering a new phase.

Plaintiffs Linda Carmon and 107 78th Street Investments LLC filed a second amended complaint May 20 in their suit against defendants Travis Resmondo, Michael Fronk and the Oceana Condominium Association of Holmes Beach to reopen the path.

The dispute began in April 2022 when Resmondo, owner of properties at 99, 100 and 101 78th St., posted signs, planted foliage and added ropes and bollards blocking the path and claiming it as private property.

The path begins on Resmondo’s vacant lot at 99 78th St. and continues onto Fronk and Oceana’s vacant lot at 98 78th St Over the past year, Resmondo also had a fence built along his property that enclosed several dozen feet of a walkway easement where the beach access path had been located — further blocking the path.

The city found the fence was illegally installed. So it was adjusted earlier this year and removed from the walkway easement.

In lieu of the fence, additional vegetation has been planted to obstruct the former beach access path.

Carmon, Minh Vu and 107 78th Street Investments LLC, local property owners, filed a lawsuit in May 2022 to counter Resmondo’s private property claim and reopen the path.

The plaintiffs filed for a temporary injunction to reopen the path, which Judge Charles Sniffen of the 12th Circuit Court denied in August 2022.

Vu voluntarily dismissed her claims without prejudice following Sniffen’s decision.

The plaintiffs have since amended their lawsuit twice.

The fence at 99 and 101 78th St. also blocked the former path until it was modified and removed from the path’s easement. Islander

Photo: Ryan Paice

The latest iteration of the complaint drops the plaintiffs’ claims for slander of title and clarifies its causes of action.

The second amended complaint asks the court to grant:

• A declaratory judgment that the beach parcels are “burdened” by a prescriptive easement over the walkway to the beach;

• A declaratory judgment that the plaintiffs are the beneficiaries of that easement;

• A permanent injunction barring the defendants from interfering with the rights of the plaintiffs to use the walkway easement;

• A mandatory injunction requiring the defendants to remove any obstructions to the plaintiffs’ use of the walkway easement.

They also called for the court to grant any further relief it “deems proper.”

The defendants have yet to respond to the second amended complaint.

There were no upcoming court dates scheduled for the case as of June 8, according to the clerk of circuit court’s website, records.manateeclerk.com.

Health dept. issues Palma Sola ‘no swim’ advisory

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County issued a water quality advisory June 7 for Palma Sola South, located on the east end of the Palma Sola Causeway and the south side of Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton.

Tests completed June 4 and June 6 indicated the water quality at Palma Sola South exceeded the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health.

DOH-Manatee advised against water-related activities at the location due to an increased risk of illness to swimmers.

The advisory was to continue until bacteria levels drop below the accepted health level. Test results are at fl oridahealth.gov/healthybeaches.

For more information, call the health department at 941-714-7596 or visit www.manatee.floridahealth.gov.

— Lisa neff

Vegetation grows June 7 around a “no Beach Access” sign posted to prohibit people from using a former beach access path at the end of 78th Street in Holmes Beach.

Runner stays on top, adult soccer down to 2, horseshoes and golf

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

Local runner Mickey Hooke finished up an 11-month season May 25 in the Summer Heat 5K in Thonotosassa.

Hooke got out of the initial pack in about 13th place on the mostly shady course. A she moved to a part of the course that was a horse trail, he said he moved up to 11th place, following an older guy “probably my age” through the horse trail. When the course transitioned to a paved trail, Hooke caught up to him for a half mile and then surged ahead to finish in 10th place overall with a time of 23:29.

He was rewarded with the grandmaster title, while also setting two course records in the grandmaster and senior grandmaster divisions.

Hooke persevered through a difficult year, dealing with a foot injury along with other ailments that limited his training. Despite that, Hooke had one overall victory, eight top five finishes in 10 races and set 14 individual records.

Adult soccer down to two teams

Semifinal action in the adult soccer league at the Center of Anna Maria Island saw one upset and one close game June 6, starting with No. 4 seed Ross Built cruising past No. 1 Pool America by a 6-1 margin.

Five players scored for Ross Built, which was led by Jake Ross’ two goals, while Dean Hinterstoisser, Tim Holly, Andrew Ross and Greg Ross each scored one goal. Max Gazzo came through with six saves to

Longtime islander David Bouchard and Capt. David White show off a large American red snapper caught June 7 — back in season as of June 1 — that ate a live pinfish in 160 feet of water offshore of Anna Maria.

Mickey Hooke stops long enough for a photo May 25 at the finish — a 23:29 run in the Summer Heat 5K in Thonotosassa. He earned the Grandmaster’s title and the finish was good for 11th place overall.

Islander Photo: Courtesy Kathy Johnson

help preserve the victory for the Ross team.

Brandon Rolland notched the lone goal for Pool America, which received six saves from goalie Jessica Reukberg in the loss.

The second semifinal match saw No. 2 Progressive Cabinetry hold on for a 6-5 victory over No. 3 Salty Printing behind three goals from Keith Mahoney and a pair of goals from Junior Martines. Osvaldo Cabello added a goal, Alex Aviles, Leo Gonzalez and Raul Loera each had an assist, while Tyler Bekkerus came through with seven saves in the victory.

Tyler Brewer scored the only goal for Salty

Continued

vehicles accurately.

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Printing, which received a strong game from Tuna McCracken, who finished with 14 saves in the loss.

The championship match between the victors of the June 6 semifinal matchups, Ross Built and Progressive Cabinetry, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at the center.

Head over to the center pitch, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, for the season-ending match.

KRC golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started June 3 with the men’s weekly modified-Stableford system match.

Ron Buck and John Purcell combined on a plus-5 to finish in first place. Mike Cusato and Warren Stevens were 2 points back in second place.

The women played a nine-hole individual-lownet match June 4, that resulted in Jenny Huibers and Janet Razze both carding 1-under-par 31s to tie for first place. Sue Wheeler had a chip-in birdie on the first hole on her way to a 2-over-par 34, while Sue Christenson and Ann Klein tied for third place at 4-over-par 36.

Members got back on the course June 6 for a ninehole scramble. The team of Bruce Christenson, Mike Clements, Marty Hicks and Jana Samuels matched the 4-under-par of John Kolojeski, Chuck Patrick and Terry Schaefer for a tie for first place on the day.

Horseshoe news

Two teams emerged from pool play and settled things in a championship horseshoe match June 5 at the Anna Maria City hall pits.

Bob Hawks walked his way to the winner’s circle with a close 22-20 victory over Tim Sofran and Tom Skoloda in the championship game.

Action June 8 was short and sweet as Herb Schutt and Tom Farrington posted the lone 3-0 record in pool play, making them the day’s outright champs.

Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warm-ups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Bob Hawks, left, “walked” his way to the winner’s circle during the June 5 games at the Anna Maria City Hall pits with a 22-20 victory over Tim Sofran and Tom Skoloda. Herb Schutt and Tom Farrington found themselves in the winner’s circle after posting the only 3-0 record in pool play during June 8 action at City Hall. Islander Photo: Courtesy AMI Pitchers

SportsShort

Cheerleading clinic set

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host a threeday clinic on cheerleading stunts.

The clinic, led by coaches Brooke Svoboda and Erica Nielsen, will be 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. TuesdayThursday, June 24-28.

The clinic is open to kids first- to ninth-grades. The cost is $40 for center members, $50 for nonmembers.

A social media announcement said, “The clinic is perfect for beginners and experienced cheerleaders alike. Learn stunt basics, proper techniques and have a blast in a safe, supportive, environment.”

Cheerleading experience is not needed.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more, call the center at 941-778-1908.

Cassidy

Rainy days, rods and reels, and time with dads

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

It was a cloudy morning in November 1985 — I was 10 — and I sat in the living room getting ready to watch morning cartoons. I moved to the TV and turned to channel 44, hoping I wouldn’t have to go outside and adjust the antennae to get a good picture.

I had faked being sick that morning so I could get a day off from school and I found pleasure knowing that I had the house to myself. My mother was at work and so was my father.

I settled into the couch in my pajamas and commenced to watching Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny around when I heard the latch on the door to the patio open.

It was my dad.

He was home for some reason.

When he saw me on the couch, he asked, “Danny, why are you home from school?”

“I didn’t feel good, so mom let me stay home. Why are you home from work?” I asked.

“I got rained out. So I can’t paint today.”

My father owned his own painting business, Afterglow painting, and had been working on an exterior job.

Although it was raining, it was just intermittent showers — a few sprinkles here and there and no large storms. In other words, it was bad painting weather.

My father headed out to the garage and I could hear him moving stuff around. I got up to see what he was doing and saw he was readying his fi shing tackle.

I stood at the door to the garage, watching as he gathered his rods and a 5-gallon bucket with the cast net in it, another 5-gallon bucket with his tackle, pliers, hooks, leader material, rags and the aerator.

“Are you feeling better already?” he asked.

I smiled and nodded yes.

“OK, get your rod and let’s go,” he said.

I ran to my room, got dressed, went back to the garage, grabbed my rod and ran outside.

My father was loading his tackle into his work vehicle, a light-blue 1974 LTD Ford station wagon. He was busy unloading the extension ladders from the roof and putting them on the side of the house. The back window of the wagon was down so I slid my rod into the back next to his rods among all of the painting tools.

It was a tight fit to get the rods on top of all the drop cloths, paint buckets, rollers, extension cords and brushes.

The smell of paint, mineral spirits and sweat emanated out of the car as I opened the front door and slid into the dark blue vinyl seat — usually scorching hot from the sun. Instead, it was cool on my legs.

My dad entered the old wagon, cranked her up and the big V-8 rumbled as he put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. He turned on the radio, which was tuned to 1040 WHBO — his favorite oldies channel.

Gene Chandler was singing the “Duke of Earle” as we cruised west down Cortez Road toward the island. I didn’t know where we were going fi shing and I didn’t care, as it sure beat being in school.

Checking in with captains: snook, snapper, tarpon and more

Capt. Johnny Mattay says he’s fi nding good action on catch-and-release snook while fishing the fl ats of Tampa Bay. Casting baits along shallow flats and mangrove shorelines is leading to multiple hookups on linesiders.

Fishing along the sandy beaches in the Gulf of Mexico and in the passes is providing good results. On deeper flats in 5-8 feet of water, Mattay is catching spotted seatrout. The trout, along with a mix of other species — Spanish mackerel and ladyfish — provide plenty of entertainment for Mattay and his clients. Plus, the trout and macks provide fish to take home for dinner.

Moving offshore, Mattay is targeting American red snapper. Using live pinfi sh as bait combined with a bottom rig is leading to limits of the aggressive fish. Also, while offshore, Mattay is catching yellowtail and mangrove snapper as well as plenty of red grouper.

Capt. David White is spending most of his days tarpon fi shing along the Gulf beaches and in the passes. Most catches are 80-150 pounds, with several hookups per charter. Casting live crabs during outgoing tides is producing the best action, although live threadfins as bait during morning tides works, too.

When he’s not tarpon fishing, White is offshore catching American red snapper. Limits of fish are being caught in depths exceeding 100 feet of water. After limiting out on red snapper, White is fi nd-

At the end of Cortez Road, we turned south on Gulf Drive and arrived at the 3 piers in Bradenton Beach. The dirt parking lot was covered in coffeecream colored puddles as we splashed in and parked under the Australian pines.

Since it was cloudy with chances of rain coming in and out, the beach was empty and so was the pier we had chosen to fi sh. That day we would fi sh the southern-most pier. It was always best when we had the pier to ourselves and so far, it looked like we would.

We grabbed our gear and walked out over the white sugar sand to the base of the pier. I took the rods and the landing net while my dad carried the cast net and the bucket with all our terminal tackle.

The bait was thick around the pier as the large schools swirled up and down the sides in the clear Gulf water.

We set down our gear and my dad prepared to catch bait. The 5-gallon bucket with the cast net in it would act as our baitwell. We had a piece of rope attached to the handle that was long enough to drop the bucket over the side of the pier, fill it with water and haul it back up.

After placing the battery-powered aerator on the lip of the bucket, I turned it on and heard the gentle hum as the bubbles began to form in the water. While doing this, my dad loaded the cast net and tossed it in the water over a large school of bait. It landed in the water in a perfect circle, “a pancake,” and it sank to the bottom, engulfing the baitfish. He pulled the line tight to close the net and then hauled it on the pier to empty the bait where I stood waiting to gather it and put it in the bucket.

The snowy egrets, white egrets and a big blue

paddle nose May 22 off the south end of the Palma sola Causeway. The catch was released.

ing action on red grouper and mangrove snapper around swiss-cheese bottom.

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

heron gathered around as the small baits flipped on the cement slab of the pier. As the birds darted in and out snatching their breakfast I started putting baits in the bucket.

“Not too many,” my father warned. “They’ll all die if we overload the bucket.”

Out of the 40-50 baits we caught, I put about two dozen in the bucket. The rest we pushed back over the pier into the water and the birds quickly cleaned up any we missed.

Now it was time to fish.

It was a struggle to carry that 5-gallon bucket of water and bait the rest of the way to the end of the pier but through a lot of huffing and puffing I managed to make it.

“What are we fi shing for today?” I asked, still breathing heavy from carrying the bucket.

“Well,” my father replied, “Let’s see if there’s any mackerel around.”

He was excited to target mackerel as he had been working on a new rig to catch the toothy fish.

Using a regular monofilament leader always left you at the mercy of getting their sharp teeth and trying to use a metal leader resulted in few to no bites, as it was just too visible, which deterred the mackerel.

The dilemma was finding a leader that was wire but not as visible as the leaders you could purchase at the local tackle shops.

And my dad figured it out. He found some very thin copper wire at a hardware store and made some short 3-inch leaders with a small black swivel on one end and a small hook on the other.

We tied a couple of these experimental leaders on our lines and cast out baits. Within a minute or so,

Stasny

Gabe Bragg, 13, of Perico Island, gives a thumbs up for his catch, a cownose ray, caught on a 3-inch

PLeASe, See FISHING, PAGe 23

Nesting notes

By Masha Dolgoff

Sea turtle false crawls up

A higher proportion of false crawls to new nests than is typical is being observed on beach patrols by the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring team.

AMITW patrols the beach daily during sea turtle nesting season. Through Oct. 31, female sea turtles come ashore on Anna Maria Island to deposit their eggs and, beginning in a few weeks, after incubating on their own, hatchlings will emerge from nests and crawl to the Gulf.

The Islander joined a turtle watch patrol on its June 5 route from Holmes Beach’s Manatee Public Beach to Anna Maria’s Bean Point. Two new nests were marked and 12 false crawls documented. In total, there were four new nests and 14 false crawls that day.

The usual relation of false crawls to nests is 1:1.

“We never really know for sure what causes a sea turtle to false crawl,” Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of AMITW, wrote in an email June 6.

There are two possible reasons for the increase in false crawls, one of them is a lack of rain so far this season, which causes the sand to be very dry.

“When turtles try to dig into really dry sand, their nest cavities cave in,” Mazzarella said. The sea turtles, therefore, have a hard time finding a good place to dig a nest on the beach.

A second possible reason is the turtles might be

As of June 7, AMITW had documented 184 nests and 267 false crawls on AMI beaches.

disturbed by the approach of people or lights on the beach at night. People walking the beach at night could bump into or otherwise surprise or shine a light on a nesting sea turtle.

Also during the June 5 patrol, AMITW came across a golf cart stuck in the sand on the 65th Street beach access in Holmes Beach. Unauthorized vehicles on the beach are another threat to sea turtles and nests.

To help assist its efforts in protecting sea turtles, AMITW has a new office in Holmes Beach.

Mazzarella said they are happy with a central location and their ability to access equipment and educational materials.

The organization works to strike a balance between involving people with an interest in protecting sea turtles and their habitat while making sure nature takes its course.

“I love educating people and being out on the beach,” Mazzarella said.

About shorebirds

AMITW was monitoring a least tern colony in Bradenton Beach, where 19 nests had been joined by “another pair working on Nest #20,” according to Kristen Mazzarella.

Turtle Talks on Tuesdays

Turtle Talks are held Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5701 Marina Drive.

An LSV is parked on the sand early June 5 near the 65th Street beach access in Holmes Beach. AMITW was patrolling the beach, came across the abandoned vehicle and notified the police department. Vehicles, which are not allowed on the beach, can be a threat to nesting sea turtles and the nests in the sand.

Islander Photo: Masha Dolgoff

Sea turtle tracks lead the eyes June 7 from the shore to a new nesting site in the dunes at Bean Point — where the nesting turtle appears to have wiped out some stakes on a previously marked nest to the right of the new nest. Islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield

Drought intensifies

By Lisa Neff

There weren’t enough April showers. Or May sprinkles.

And the rainy season has yet to get going, leaving us still in a drought.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported for the first week of June:

• 100% of people in Manatee County were affected by drought;

• And there was no change from the week prior.

NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System at drought.gov said about 95% of the county was experiencing moderate drought, 4.82% experiencing severe drought and 0.15% abnormally dry.

Across Florida, about 7.2 million residents of 29 counties are affected by drought, with counties to the south seeing severe conditions.

Florida’s five water management districts monitor drought through the evaluation of surface water flows, groundwater levels, regional water supply and precipitation. Hydrologists in each district evaluate conditions, as well as short and medium-term rainfall projections, to inform policy decisions.

FISHING FROM PAGe 21

my dad was hooked up. The drag screamed off his old Mitchell 302 saltwater spinning reel and the rod bent over double as he held it high to battle the fish.

As the fish neared the pier, we could see through our polarized sunglasses that it was a hefty-sized Spanish mackerel.

I reeled on my Mitchell 300 to retrieve my bait so I could grab the landing net to hoist the fish up on the pier. The net — a 4-foot landing net with a 10-foot wooden dowel attached as the handle to make it long enough to reach the water — was awkward in my hands but on the second try I managed to net the fish.

The rig worked.

The copper wire held up to the mack’s teeth and we landed the fish.

A map from drought.gov shows conditions in Florida, where 29 counties, including Manatee, are experiencing drought conditions. Islander Screenshot

The Southwest Water Management District, which includes AMI, has kept in place Phase 1 water-shortage restrictions since December 2023, which states:

• Lawn watering is limited to no more than twice per week.

• Even addresses may water Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

• Odd addresses may water Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

• Locations without a discernable address, such as rights-of-way and communal areas in a subdivision, may water Tuesday and/or Friday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

• Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants — other than lawns — can be done on any day and any time.

Swiftmud June 4 also announced a prohibition on campfires and other open flames on its conservation

Upon removing the hook, my dad slit the throat of the mackerel to bleed it and laid it on the pier.

Over the next hour or so, we commenced to catching one mackerel after the other, feeling triumphant that not only were we catching fish but that my dad’s leader invention worked perfectly.

Having a half-dozen mackerel for dinner and releasing three times that many as to not waste them, we decided to head home in time to be there before my mother got home from work.

We packed the mackerel on ice in a cooler and loaded our gear in the wagon just as it was starting to rain.

Back home, I watched my father clean the fish on a board over the laundry tub in the garage. His wood-

lands, as well as asked motorists to stay on pavement or gravel and avoid driving or parking on dead grass. Meanwhile, due to dry, hot conditions, Manatee County commissioners voted to impose a ban on outdoor burning and the use and discharge of fireworks and sparklers into this week.

The county created some allowances, including grilling if attended by “a responsible adult,” and permitted public fireworks displays and flares discharged over the Gulf of Mexico.

County public safety director Jodie Fiske said the move was made after consulting with the Fire Chief’s Association and the Florida Department of Forestry.

Whether the ban will be extended might depend on the weather, though even a rainy week likely won’t eliminate drought conditions.

A burn ban went into effect about a month earlier in Sarasota County, where an ordinance provides for an automatic ban on almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — a scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers — meets or exceeds 500.

The KBDI increases for each day without rain — the amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature — and decreases when it rains.

The scale ranges from 0 — no moisture deficit — to 800 and the range of the index is determined by assuming that there is 8 inches of moisture in a saturated soil that is readily available to the vegetation.

On June 6, in the Manatee River District, Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Charlotte counties were in the 650-699 range and Hardee County was in the 700-749 range.

For the week prior, there were 25 fires in the district, including several that had west Manatee folks waking to the scent of smoke.

handled fi let knife easily sliced the macks, cutting them into steaks.

We talked about how good the fish were biting and how our mackerel rigs worked. It was a feeling of satisfaction, of having achieved something, especially on a day when we weren’t supposed to be fishing.

It was a feeling of spending time with my father that I would never forget.

In fact, I still use his rigs. And they still work. And more importantly, I have the memories of spending days on the water fishing my with dad — learning how to be a man and a good fisherman — memories that I can cherish forever.

Happy Father’s Day, dad. Thanks for rainy days and for taking me fishing.

And all of you grown-up kids out there, don’t forget to call dad on Father’s Day and thank him for simply being dad. And hopefully, dads, you can create memories with your kids that will last a lifetime.

neff

ITEMS FOR SALE

DI n I n G TABL e : LARG e 102 by 42-inches with leaves and six high-back cane chairs. Cabernet by Drexal. excellent. $1,000. northwest Bradenton, 941-798-3842.

ABOVe-GROunD POOL cover: 24-foot, in package, warranty. $49 or best offer. 941778-5542.

FRee: HP952 InK. Two black XL, one each magenta, cyan, yellow. 586 243-6317.

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. FR ee , one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org. (limited time offer).

The Islander website offers essential news for residents and visitors. Check it out: islander.org.

GARAGE SALES

LAST SAL e B e FOR e moving. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 14-15. no reasonable offer refused on most items. Rain or shine. 10115 Bud Rhoden Road, Palmetto.

LOST & FOUND

LOST BRAC e L e T: May 10. $100 reward. Sterling silver cuff, gemstones. Sunset between Cedar Avenue beach access to shoreline. 727-687-0977.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CART R en TALS: Fun for residents and tourists! 212-941-2402. www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.

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.

S un COAST BOTTOM PAI n TI n G: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

CAPTAIn FOR HIRe and boat caretaker services: If you need help with your boat on or off the water, call Captain Dan. u SCG, retired. 772-486-8085.

WeLCOMe ABOARD JOYFISH Charters for private fishing, sunset cruises, and dolphin watching. Check out joyfishcharters.com or follow us on Facebook. Call to reserve, 941840-3181.

HELP WANTED

WAnTeD: eXPeRIenCeD nAIL tech, great personality. Part and full-time. Looking for a change, come join our salon! Call 941-5453305.

nOW HIRInG HAnDYMAn: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

R e PORT e R WA n T e D: 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.

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.

PR e SS u R e WASHI n G, PAV e R 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.

SERVICES Continued

API’S DRYWALL RePAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

CL e A n T e CH MOBIL e Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

PC OR T e CH issues? n ot sure where to start? With years of experience, I’ll come to you with reliable solutions. Contact Gavin at 928-587-1309. www.gse.codes.

PAInTInG: InTeRIOR/eXTeRIOR: Sarasota interior painting. Call or text Don, 941-9009398. We are the best high-end painting! Just ask our AMI clients! I’m the owner and the painter. Free estimates. Fully insured licensed business.

u PLuS Me LLC: Provides quality coatings for pool decks, driveways, garage floors, patios. Don’t miss out on our pro polishing services, concrete, terrazzo, travertine. 727623-5050.

AFFORDABLe PReSSuRe WASHInG and vacation cleaning service. 941-356-1456.

RIDeeASY 247 YOuR professional, reliable and courteous car service to airports and events since 2015. You can reach us via text 941-447-7737 or email to mrfort5001@gmail. com We are available 24/7.

LOOK n O MOR e ! Residential, vacation rental and commercial cleaning. Give us a call, 941-250-8548.

LOOKInG FOR SOMeOne who needs me: Clean, house-sit. I can cook, make sandwiches. I can do anything you can do but better! I can run to the grocery store for you. I can walk pets or go out to lunch with you. Looking for a part-time job caregiving companion, I am your right arm! I love people and I love helping others. I have references and I’m reliable and dependable. My name is Dena Gray a.k.a. Sparkles! 941-704-9948.

WInDOW CLeAnInG: COMMeRCIAL/residential. Free estimates/insured. We want to earn your business! 207-852-6163.

B u SI ne SS-TO-B u SI ne SS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

LAWN & GARDEN

COnnIe’S LAnDSCAPInG InC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-713-1965.

COLLInS LAnDSCAPe LIGHTInG: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

SHeLL DeLIVeReD AnD spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, or “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

I SLA n D e R ARCHIV e. u ofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

GRIFFIn’S HOMe IMPROVeMenTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

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

LAne’S SCReenInG SeRVICeS: Replace your window, door or lanai screens. Many screen options available. Retired veteran serving our community! Free estimates, call 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.

TILe-TILe-TILe: LVT vinyl flooring, all variations of porcelain and ceramic tile supplied and installed. Total bathroom remodels. Many Mt. Vernon references. Licensed and insured. Operations manager, 941-2269671.

DOnALD PeRKInS PAInTInG LLC. Interior/exterior/pressure washing. Island references. dperkinspaint@hotmail.com. 941705-7096.

CALL HYDRO CLeAn. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

RENTALS

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

PeRICO ISLAnD PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. Call or text, 859-7716423. http://pericoislandrental.com/

AVAILABLe nOW AnD season: 1BR/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals.com. Special rates available. 941-8071405.

AnnuAL RenTAL: VILLA home in Perico Bay Club, Bradenton. Gated and 24-hour security. 2BR/2BA, updated. updated kitchen, screened deck and two-car garage. unfurnished. Text 908-875-0299 for information.

SeASOnAL OR AnnuAL rental: 55-plus, friendly community, bottom floor. Sleeps four, 1.5BA. Beach access. $3,400/month. 847-769-9080.

RENTALS Continued

FOR RenT: MAY to December. Anna Maria Island condo. Great value, beautiful upgraded 2BR/2BR. Incredible water view. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. excellent rental terms. Owner/ renter. Call/email for pictures, 570-239-0431. marketreps@aol.com

2BR/2BA HOLMeS BeACH. Westbay Point. Second-floor, furnished condo, beautiful bay views. no pets, no smoking. Six months, $2,850/month. 941-778-2824.

HOLMeS BeACH 2BR/2BA elevated furnished duplex with one-car garage. no pets, no smoking. Six months, $2,850/month plus utilities. 941-778-2824.

FOR RenT: HOLMeS Beach 2BR/2/BA ground-level. Five-minute walk to beach, quiet area. no animals, one parking spot. Available June, July, August. Summer rate, $2,300/month plus tax. Please, text or email for more information. Louann Lehto, +1 403512-2350. dlehto@telus.net

FLAMInGO BY THe Bay condo for rent on Palma Sola Bay. Second floor with a view. 1BR/1BA with boat dock. Annual rental, $1,800/month. 941-224-0836.

PeRICO BAY CLuB deluxe villa. 2BR/2BA, garage, turnkey furnished. $3,000 monthly. Real estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

SeASOnAL RenTAL: Bradenton 55-plus community. Large 2BR/2BA condo on bay, exceptional views. elevator and five minutes to bridge. no smoking, no pets. $4,650/month. Three-month minimum. Photos at https://barbaragillespie.wixsite. com/47872024. 732-748-0759

SeASOnAL RenTAL In Holmes Beach available January-April 2025. elevated townhouse 2BR/1.5BA. Three-month minimum. $4,100/ month plus tax, fees. Call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259 or email dina@annamariareal. com

JAnuARY OnLY: 2BR/1BA. Close to Cortez Village, 2 miles to beach. Quiet neighborhood but close to great restaurant and shopping, across from Sarasota Bay. 941-773-1552.

JuLY RenTAL: HOLMeS Beach. 2BR/2BA bayside condo. Pool, tennis, pickleball, beautifully updated. Call Julie at 312-8353054 or email shellpointhaven@gmail. com for photos and details.

REAL ESTATE

WInnIe MCHALe, ReALTOR, 941-5046146. Dalton Wade Real estate. 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.”

More ads = more readers in The Islander.

REAL ESTATE Continued

2BR/2BA HOMe for sale. 3,000 sfur. 1,100 sf garage. Steps to beach. $1,449,000. 941518-6329.

COnDO FOR SALe or lease. 2BR/2BA at the west end of Bradenton Riverwalk. Downtown walk-a-bout community features library, performing art center, creative art center and galleries. Shoppes, fine and casual dining. $280,000. Florida Suncoast Real estate, Geri Kenyon, 941-725-4374. AFFORDABLe, CLOSe TO beach. Single-story, no steps. 2BR/2BA villa. Totally upgraded. Clubhouse and heated pool. $285,000. Call agent direct, 941-356-1456. Real estate Mart.

Mark Kimball

By Robyn Murrell

Good ink

Oddity and artistry meet in a corner shop at the AMI Plaza, 5337 Gulf Drive, Suite 100, Holmes Beach, where visitors will see a funky crab holding a sign on an island. If that isn’t intriguing, they also will find two artists inside, inking up lifetime souvenirs.

Owners Matt Helmer and Jesse Benson, with founder Travis Franklin, have opened Oddity Tattoo in Holmes Beach.

Helmer is from Bradenton and his mom owns two boutiques on AMI, while Benson’s family moved to Holmes Beach when he was a teen.

The shop sees a range of customers.

“We get a lot of traffic from vacationers and it’s fun to hang out with everybody and hear their stories. It’s a different group of people every week. It’s fun to give those people souvenirs to take back with them,” Benson told The Islander May 29.

“We’ve tattooed in this area our whole careers so, that’s a lot of vacations to build those relationships over the years,” he added.

The shop’s pricing is hourly and hours are daily by appointment, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

For more information, call 941-405-4003, or go to odditytattoo.com

Oddity Tattoo owners Matt Helmer, left, and Jesse Benson sit May 29 in the lobby of their tattoo shop in the AMI Plaza, 5337 Gulf Drive, Suite 100, Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Robyn Murrell

Welcome to AMI Chamber

The Islander newspaper joins the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce in welcoming new business members to the nonprofit in May, including:

• ADP, Hannah Grill, Sarasota, 352-431-4684;

• Save Our Seabirds, Brian Walton, Sarasota, 941388-3010;

• Golf Boot Camp, Cathy Schmidt LPGA, Bradenton, 941-794-8381;

• EB5 Investors, Natali Aun Santiago, 949-7760552;

• Mr. Handyman, Al and Marisa Lembo, Bradenton, 813-344-2677;

• Patriot Watersport Jet Ski Rentals, Carlos Beltran, 813-373-8888;

• Pane E Amore Italian Cafe, Maurizio Pinto, Bradenton Beach, 941-310-3068;

• SeaMonkey Apparel, Alexandra Lowe-Mains and James Mains, 883-370-6187.

For more, call the chamber at 941-778-1541.

Nominate the best

The Manatee Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations for its 44th annual Small Business of the Year awards presented in October.

The chamber seeks businesses, including nonprofits, that embody diversity, spirit and communitymindedness.

To nominate, go online to manateechamber.com/ smallbiznomination/ by July 12.

For more information, call the chamber at 941748-3411.

PropertyWatch

By Carol Bernard

Island real estate

1325 Gulf Drive, #153, Bradenton Beach, 913 sq ft 2BR/2BA Tortuga condo built in 1976 sold April 15 by Six to RHABAM LLC for $759,000, list price $759,000.

6250 Holmes Blvd., #53, Holmes Beach, 1536 sq ft 3BR/3BA North Beach Village condo built in 1992 sold April 11 by Geneau to Beach Chair Money LLC for $920,000, list price $995,000.

228 85th St., Holmes Beach, 1529 sq ft 3BR/3BA home on a 8,999 sq ft lot built in 1971 sold April 12 by Richardson to Brown for $1,010,000, list price $1,095,000.

214 Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, 1603 sq ft 3BR/2BA pool home on a 6708 sq ft lot built in 1953 sold April 9 by Bucheit to SVI 214 S. Harbor LLC for $1,500,000, list price $1,560,000.

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

Networking over croissants

Joanna Baker of united Community Bank and elizabeth Owen of Coquina Concierge take a moment from their breakfast conversation June 6 at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce networking event at Mademoiselle Paris French Restaurant & Bakery, 9906 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. The next chamber mixer is a June 13 lunch at Westminster Manor in Bradenton. Islander Photo: Robyn Murrell

business luncheon, Westminster Manor, 1700 21st Ave. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-1541, ingrid@amichamber.org.

SAVE THE DATES

June 27, 5-7 p.m., AMI chamber business card exchange with Dr. Hutch, Turning Tides, 6672 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI chamber BayFest, Pine Avenue, Anna Maria.

4103 GULF DRIVE, HOLMES BEACH

KUMQUAT DRIVE, ANNA MARIA

104 77TH ST, HOLMES BEACH