Mr. and Mrs. claus welcome a child Dec. 14 to visit and share her christmas wishes.
Santa gave each child gifts for christmas at the Sandbar Restaurant’s 27th annual Lawton chiles christmas for Kids Party. More, page 13.
Islander Photo: courtesy Dara caudill
Holmes Beach city officials and legal representatives held a Dec. 12 shade meeting regarding developer Shawn Kaleta’s federal lawsuit against the city for its alleged “antiKaleta policy.”
Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine law provides public access to governmental proceedings.
However, the state Legislature amended the law in 1993 to allow government bodies to meet privately — in the “shade” — with legal representation to discuss pending litigation.
The city’s shade meeting was to be attended by Mayor Judy Titsworth, city commissioners, attorneys Jay Daigneault and Randy Mora from Clearwater-based Trask Daigneault LLP, the city’s legal representation through its insurer, as well as a court reporter, according to the city website, holmesbeachfl.org.
The meeting was to pertain to “settle-
ment negotiations … and strategy related to litigation expenditures,” according to the website.
Titsworth and Daigneault both declined to comment about the shade meeting in Dec. 15 phone calls with The Islander.
City attorney Erica Augello did not respond to a Dec. 15 phone call from The Islander.
The shade meeting comes shortly after attorney Michelle Grantham from the Bradenton-based Najmy Thompson law firm refiled Kaleta’s federal lawsuit Oct. 31 against the city. The original lawsuit was filed in 2021.
The lawsuit asks the court for a jury trial and a declaratory judgment finding the city’s actions violate Kaleta’s constitutional rights, grant injunctive relief ordering the city to cease “unlawful practices,” order the city to engage in corrective measures and award Kaleta damages.
Kaleta owns many properties in the city, including Bali Hai Beachfront Resort,
Lacking competition, Anna Maria has filled several empty city commission seats with appointments over the past half-decade.
Even those selected through the process thought it could be improved.
City commissioners unanimously voted Dec. 15 to approve a proposal from Mayor Dan Murphy to revise the appointment process before the selection of former Commissioner Carol Carter’s successor.
Carter and her husband, Bob, bought their home in Anna Maria in 2001 and became full-time residents in 2006. She was elected to the commission in 2013 and served as chair from 2019.
Carter alerted friends and city commissioners in August that she was planning to move to Sarasota County and submitted a letter of resignation to the mayor in November.
Murphy presented a key to the city and plaque recognizing Carter’s service at the Dec. 15 meeting — her last before moving.
Carter’s term would have expired in November 2023.
Previously, the commission appointed new members to fill vacant seats by voting on applicants following introductions and
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch executive director Suzi Fox stands by her ATV on the beach where she monitored and cared for sea turtles for decades. Fox died Sept. 30. On Dec. 13, the city of Holmes Beach recognized her contributions, awarding her posthumously the city’s 2022 Louis Strickland citizen of the Year Award. More, page 4. Islander File Photo
Christmas will be observed Sunday, Dec. 25, which means some closings will create a long weekend.
Most government offices will be closed Dec. 23-26, including city halls in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.
The island trolley will operate throughout the holiday weekend but service will end at 7 p.m. Dec. 24.
Other Manatee County Area Transit buses will not operate Dec. 25.
Manatee County parks, preserves and beaches will be open to the public but some amenities will not be open.
Also, the county’s libraries, including the Island Library, will be closed Dec. 23-26.
cONTINUeD FROM PAGe 1five-minute speeches at a city meeting.
The city’s last appointment was in 2021, when commissioners unanimously selected Robert Kingan to fill Doug Copeland’s seat on the board.
However, Murphy said he wanted to make the process more inclusive by accepting questions and discussion topics from the public for candidates to address at a public meeting ahead of a vote.
His new schedule for the process includes:
• Ongoing: solicit and begin acceptance of candidates for commission vacancy, as well as questions and/or discussion topics for candidates to address;
• Jan. 1, 2023: deadline for submission of questions and discussion topics;
• Jan. 16, 2023: deadline to apply for vacant commission seat;
• Jan. 17, 2023: provide candidates, commissioners and press with summary of questions and discussion topics;
• Jan. 23, 2023: hold public meeting for candidate presentations and to address questions and topics;
• Jan. 26, 2023: city commissioners vote to fill vacant seat.
Murphy said candidates would be given time to address questions and topics compiled before the Jan. 23 meeting from the dais while commissioners and the general public listen from the gallery.
His proposal specifies that if there is a tie on the first ballot, a second vote will be taken.
If there is a tie on the second ballot, there will be a drawing from a deck of playing cards.
Several commissioners voiced support, including Jonathan Crane and Deanie Sebring.
Sebring said when she sought an appointment in 2020, people only knew about her because of local press. She said she welcomed Murphy’s proposed changes so people could get to know the people seeking to serve them.
“I’m hopeful this elicits a little bit more public feedback,” Crane said. “I’ll sit on my skepticism and
Anna Maria commissioner carol carter, left, accepts a plaque from Mayor Dan Murphy Dec. 15 at carter’s last meeting as a city commissioner. She’s moving to be closer to family in Naples. carter joined the commission in 2013 and served as chair since 2019.
think we ought to give it a try.”
Commission Chair Mark Short supported the idea but added that the three-day time frame between the Jan. 23 and Jan. 26 meetings wouldn’t provide adequate time for local press to cover the candidate presentations.
Short proposed advancing the meeting date so members of the public who do not attend would have a chance to read about the candidates.
Commissioners agreed to reschedule the Jan. 23 meeting to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at cityofannamaria.com.
Murphy said people could email questions for the candidates to city clerk LeAnne Addy at amclerk@ cityofannamaria.com.
Carter moved to approve the proposed appointment process with Short’s recommended change.
Kingan seconded the motion, which passed.
There was no public comment.
Mote Marine Laboratory has the green light to begin construction on an educational outreach center for the Anna Maria City Pier.
But it may find it has little leeway for mistakes, given city officials’ frustrations with past delays.
Mayor Dan Murphy emailed city commissioners and local press Dec. 16 to announce the city had received bond documentation from Mote that morning — the last item needed for a building permit.
“It has been reviewed and approved by the city clerk and city attorney. The building permit for construction has been issued,” Murphy wrote.
Mote reached a contract with the city in September 2021 to lease the 1,800-square-foot empty building on the T-end to house the center, including a handful of live exhibits, interactive exhibits and a livestream display of waters beneath the pier.
But Mote failed to meet the city’s initial March 29 deadline, although city commissioners voted in April to extend the contract through March 1, 2023, with several new deadlines.
City commissioners then voted Nov. 10 to authorize the city’s building department to execute a construction permit for Mote’s proposed outreach center.
However, Mote took more than a month to deliver
Anna Maria Beach Resort, Coconuts Beach Resort, the Islands West Resort, 305 73rd St. and 102 48th St.
Kaleta’s first lawsuit, filed Dec. 31, 2021, claimed the city discriminated against the developer and set out to destroy his “business reputation and goodwill” by stalling development plans, denying access to public hearings and failing to respond to record requests.
The developer voluntarily dismissed the complaint over the summer but filed an amended complaint 75 days later.
There hasn’t been much action in the new case
the required bond documents Murphy said he had been prepared to present a “doom-and-gloom report” to the commission about the situation but spoke earlier that day to Mote president and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby, who assured him the bond would be delivered — and it was.
Murphy added that Crosby told him some of the displays that will be used at the outreach center were being built off-site to expedite construction, which he said could be completed by the end of March.
“I’m optimistic and will take him at his word until proven otherwise,” Murphy said.
Nevertheless, several city commissioners expressed frustration with Mote.
Commissioner Jonathan Crane said he has been a “strong supporter” of the project but is concerned with Mote’s “cavalier attitude” toward the city.
“Hopefully, that wrinkle will iron out but it is annoying,” he said.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring said if Mote were to present its proposal again, she’d “probably” change her mind.
“I feel like a red-headed stepchild,” Sebring said. “They’re only interested in what they’re building in Sarasota. … I feel like we’re getting shafted.”
since it opened, other than a Dec. 6 motion filed by Mora on behalf of the city to stay proceedings during the pendency of related state court litigation.
Mora’s motion argues that, of at least 46 civil and administrative actions involving the lawsuit’s parties, 30 have been closed without a “single judgment or appellate order in their favor.”
The remaining 16 pending actions include 14 code enforcement appeals awaiting judicial decision and a handful relating to the federal lawsuit.
Kaleta did not respond to a Dec. 15 text message from The Islander.
Commission Chair Mark Short said he reread Mote’s lease for the T-end building and the bond requirement was clearly established, so it should have been no surprise for the nonprofit.
Former Commissioner Brian Seymour, owner of the Anna Maria General Store, 503 Pine Ave., and the City Pier Grill & Bait Shoppe on the pier, also voiced frustration.
“I support Mote fully but I just wish this had happened already,” Seymour said. “I want it to happen. We need it to happen. We’ve been open two years with no support out there, or another reason for people to come and visit.
“They were in such a hurry to eliminate our storage space in August and it’s now December,” he added.
With the construction permit in hand, Mote has until Dec. 23 to begin work on the pier or risk violating contractual deadlines.
Last week’s question
By Lisa Neff
Time to put the year in review. The biggest 2022 news on AMI?
1%. Lack of local elections.
26%. Traffic and parking woes. 42%. Overdevelopment.
13%. Loss of populations.
18%. Hurricane Ian. This week’s question
In the new year, I resolve to …
A. Be kinder.
B. Make more money.
C. Get fit.
D. Travel.
E. Other.
To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.
The contest for the city of Anna Maria’s 2022 Citizen of the Year award is down to two.
City clerk LeAnne Addy told The Islander Dec. 16 that the city received two nominations for the award by the Dec. 15 deadline for submissions — one for former Commissioner Carol Carter and another for the late Suzi Fox, executive director of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
The award recognizes residents and entities that have existed within Anna Maria for at least two years for their contributions to the community.
Carter became a full-time resident in 2006, was elected to the city commission in 2013 and appointed chairperson in 2019.
city’s 2022 employee of the Year award from city clerk Stacey Johnston, left, and Mayor Judy Titsworth. city staff selected nominees and voted to name Thorp, who began with the city in October 2021 and puts her “heart and soul into the job,” as the winner, according to Titsworth.
She attended her last meeting Dec. 15 and was set to move the next day from her island home to Sarasota County.
Commission Chair Mark Short, who joined the commission while Carter was chair, made the nomination.
Kendra, left, and Nanci Fox hold a plague Dec. 13 honoring their late sister, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox, as the city of Holmes Beach’s 2022 Louis Strickland citizen of the Year for her efforts with the nonprofit conservation group. Fox, who became AMITW’s director after volunteering in the 1990s, died Sept. 30 from health complications following a May car crash. Mayor Judy Titsworth said Fox was a “truly great individual” who made a “great impact” on island wildlife as head of AMITW. Islander
city clerk Stacey Johnston holds the Making a Difference community Partnership award honoring the Hagan Family Foundation Inc. for its support in funding park improvements, including fitness equipment and a new surface for the pickleball court at city field.
Fox, a past city resident, volunteered for AMITW in the 1990s before becoming executive director, and led the nonprofit organization in its mission to protect the sea turtle’s beach habitat and support turtle nesting and shorebird populations on the island for about 30 years.
Fox died Sept. 30.
Bonner Joy, publisher of The Islander, nominated Fox.
The city of Holmes Beach Dec.13 awarded Fox its own 2022 Citizen of the Year award for her efforts with AMITW.
Last year, Anna Maria awarded both Anna Maria Island Historical Society vice president Barbara Murphy, the mayor’s wife, and Joan Voyles, a founder and past president of the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island.
Murphy and Voyles are on the selection committee with Kathy Donnar, and will meet to determine a winner, according to Addy.
The city will then announce the winner at the commission meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at cityofannamaria.com.
Terri Kinder smiles on assuming the role of vice chair Dec. 7 after a unanimous vote from Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVeS members. Kinder succeeds Terry Gebhard, who moved from the area. Kinder, who hails from Ohio, has lived in Florida for more than 22 years. She is president of the Anna Maria Island chamber of commerce. The next ScenicWAVeS meeting will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Dec. 14
the commission cham-
On AMI, we celebrate many seasons — some driven by snowbirds, others by sea turtles, some noted on calendars, others etched in our minds.
In this season of giving, we hope you find joy and goodwill and, in the new year, we hope you find prosperity and good health.
In the holiday spirit and keeping a newspaper tradition, The Islander offers its “12 days of an Anna Maria Island Christmas.”
The original song refers to the days from the first day of Christmas, Dec. 25, to the eve of the epiphany. We’ve changed it up, as we like to do on AMI.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love showed to me a parrot in a palm tree.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love showed to me two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love showed to me three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love showed to me four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love showed to me five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love showed to me six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love showed to me seven rays a-schooling, six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love showed to me eight boats a-sailing, seven rays a-schooling, six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love showed to me nine birds a-skimming, eight boats a-sailing, seven rays a-schooling, six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love showed to me 10 dudes a-surfing,
nine birds a-skimming, eight boats a-sailing, seven rays a-schooling, six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love showed to me 11 dolphins diving, 10 dudes a-surfing, nine birds a-skimming, eight boats a-sailing, seven rays a-schooling, six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love showed to me 12 islanders lounging, 11 dolphins diving, 10 dudes a-surfing, nine birds a-skimming, eight boats a-sailing, seven rays a-schooling, six fish a-jumping, five sandy shells, four beach cabanas, three wooden piers, two swimming turtles, and a parrot in a palm tree.
Happy holidays from The Islander crew.
On behalf of the Friends of the Island Library, I want to wish you a happy holiday!
I would like to thank all of you who recently joined or renewed their membership or volunteered time and talent to benefit our organization.
And I would like to thank The Islander for its support to share our mission with the community.
While most of you know about us and our efforts to help the Island Library, some may be unfamiliar with what we accomplish and how we do it!
First, we plan a lot! How can we raise funds for the library to expand its budget and provide our community with fun and interesting experiences?
The Friends have sponsored book sales and dozens of lecture and travel sessions.
We’ve celebrated the library’s 40th anniversary, purchased new furniture and responded to library staff requests for supplies, books and guest speakers for adult, teen and child-related programs.
In 2023, the Friends plan a gigantic gently-used jewelry sale along with the return of its Lecture & Travel Series.
Second, we reach out to you to join us in our endeavors by becoming members. For as little as $10, you can support us.
You deserve opportunities that are educational, interesting, and promote a love of reading.
The Friends, as partners with the Island Library, plan to achieve that goal with your help.
We wish all of you a peaceful and joyful holiday.
Jan Riggs, president, Friends of the Island Library
The Islander welcomes your opinion letters. Submit your opinion along with name, address and phone number to news@islander.org.
• Holmes Beach Commissioner Roger Lutz called a proposed interlocal agreement with Manatee County for a skate park a “sham.” He said the agreement was ambiguous and only committed the county to paying $5,000.
• Seven Anna Maria residents formed the Residential Community Association of Anna Maria to focus on issues, in particular opposing public parking on city streets.
• Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn changed procedures for public comment at city commission meetings, limiting a person to three minutes on an agenda item.
• Investors, developers and real estate agents attended a Holmes Beach commission meeting wearing green T-shirts that read “No Construction Means No Jobs” in opposition to a proposed building moratorium.
• A five-year plan for Florida Department of Transportation projects in the area did not include a crosswalk for golf carts at the intersection for State Road 789/East Bay Drive and Gulf Drive.
• Holmes Beach Mayor Carmel Monti announced Lt. Dale Stephenson would become the city’s interim police chief following the resignation of Jay Romine. Stephenson indicated he wanted to serve until his retirement in 2016.
— Lisa Neff
Find The Islander dating to November 1992 online at the UofF Digital Newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.
Add some minutes to the travel time in Bradenton Beach in 2023.
Construction of a new gravity sewer system is on tap to impact traffic conditions in the city for up to 18 months.
Manatee County’s public information officer, Bill Logan, shared details Dec. 12 of the project that is set for completion in July 2024.
The county next month will begin the work, which includes replacement of gravity sewer lines — conduits utilizing the energy resulting from a difference in elevation to remove unwanted water or sewage — from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South.
The county hired a contractor to complete the work, which is expected to cost $8,101,504.
The project entails relocating infrastructure from private property to public rights of way, digging trenches along Gulf Drive and on side streets to connect the main line to residential lines from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South.
Parking will become an issue, as portions of the Cortez Beach lot will be converted to provide detour lanes for north- and southbound traffic to give construction crews access to Gulf Drive.
Other parking places along Cortez Beach will be used for construction staging — machines and materi-
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
als — as well as alternate parking spaces for residents on the side streets, who will not have access to the roads during construction.
Contributing to the parking crunch is an ongoing project at Coquina Beach. The sewer work will begin
before the March 2023 completion of the Coquina parking lot remodel that began in 2019.
Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said Dec. 15 there is no way around doing the project.
“It has to happen, the system is old,” Cosby said. “Better to do it before it fails.”
Cosby voiced concern for those who live on the side streets.
“They are not going to have access to the road,” he said. “My concern is for the elderly or handicapped who live along those roads. It’s going to be quite a trek.”
Cosby said the trenching across Gulf Drive and down the side streets most likely will occur in March or April.
“We’ve had some discussion about trams and some other things,” the chief said.
He continued, “After the fi rst of the year, I am going to have some of my officers do a door-to-door down each of those streets so we can plan accordingly to figure out a way to help them get to and from their residences to their cars.”
The county also plans to hold a public outreach meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Logan told The Islander: “Work will begin after the January meeting but we anticipate the construction starting before the end of January.”
A “complete streets” project is on the horizon in Bradenton Beach.
The scope of the Florida Department of Transportation project includes the city’s scenic highway corridor on Gulf Drive / State Road 789 and will connect with work from SR 789 in Holmes Beach to Longboat Club Road on Longboat Key.
“Complete streets are roadways designed and operated to enable safe access and travel for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, transit users, and travelers of all ages and abilities will be able to move along the street network safely,” according to the National Complete Streets Coalition, established in 2005.
Complete streets elements can include sidewalks, bicycle lanes, paved shoulders, multiuse paths, designated bus lanes, safe and accessible transit stops and safe crossings for pedestrians, including median
islands, pedestrian signals and curb extensions.
Details of the Bradenton Beach project are still being decided.
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, in a Dec. 15 interview, said the DOT initiative is at the project development and environment study stage, which is when the DOT will identify the needs of residents and businesses in the project area, which extends north into Holmes Beach and south on Longboat Key.
According to the DOT website, there are five steps in the complete streets planning process:
• Long-range planning: The DOT and local governments conduct long-range planning to identify and prioritize individual projects;
• PD&E study: Design options are examined and impacts determined;
• Design: Construction plans are prepared;
• Right-of-way acquisition: Acquisition of any property necessary based on construction plans takes
place;
• Construction: The project is built.
“The PD&E will go through that phase with some public hearings to reach out to the community, gathering a lot of data about everything in the FDOT corridor to setup going into the next phase, for the design and engineering of the project,” Chappie said. “Typically, after the PD&E is done, they go right into the design and engineering phase of it.”
The mayor said the project would bring safety and design features to the corridor.
“Traffic calming, landscaping, bikeways, sidewalks, improving intersection visibility, the lighting,” Chappie said. “It’s a whole slew of things that would be brought into the corridor to make it more pedestrian friendly. Safety is always a top priority with every FDOT project, and we try to make it a top priority for us as well.”
“It’s a great project, it’s going to improve the whole look of the corridor,” he added. “We’re just waiting to see what they come up with through the PD&E.”
The study should begin after July 2023, as July 1 is the beginning of fiscal year 2023-24 for the DOT.
“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.
There’s more road work ahead for Holmes Beach.
City commissioners unanimously voted Dec. 13 to approve a $424,600 contract and work order with Tampa-based Cardinal Engineering Collective to design and engineer a Gulf Drive improvement project.
The agreement stipulates Cardinal will provide survey, construction administration and inspection services.
The project involves adding a multiuse path and landscape buffers to both sides of Gulf to improve pedestrian safety and walkability.
The work will be divided into two phases covering different portions of the road.
The first phase will cover Gulf Drive north from the intersection with Holmes Boulevard to the merger with Palm Drive, while the second phase will cover Gulf from Manatee Avenue to East Bay Drive — altogether about two miles of roadway.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said the project would be paid with remaining funds from the U.S. American Rescue Plan Act, which provided the city $2,156,176.
She said the roadways currently have a small sidewalk and no bicycle lanes, resulting in an unsafe situation for the people living along the corridor.
City engineer Sage Kamiya said their plans for city center improvements would use about $1 million of the ARPA funds and the remainder could be used to improve Gulf Drive.
Titsworth said if the design is fi nished and the work is estimated to cost more than expected, the city could seek other funding sources.
She added that an advantage of handling the work
The traffic pattern in Holmes Beach’s city center as of the week ending Dec.
18. Islander Graphic: Facebook
Proposed improvements for Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach include the addition of landscaped buffers on both sides of the roadway, with a sidewalk or multiuse path on the far side of the wider buffer. Islander
Graphic: courtesy Holmes Beach
themselves — instead of waiting for the Florida Department of Transportation to improve the state road — is that they would not have to use DOT design criteria.
The city’s request for proposals included an anticipated overall project schedule, including:
• Final design completion by March 3, 2023;
• Advertise construction contract notice to bidders by April 2023;
• Award a contract for construction by June 2023;
• Construction starts by August 2023.
Commissioner Dan Diggins moved to approve the contract.
Commissioner Pat Morton seconded the motion, which passed.
City commissioners also:
• Unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance amending the city’s future land use map to change the use of 10 city-owned lots totaling more than 33 acres from residential to conservation, recreation and open space;
• Unanimously voted to approve a resolution adopting the city’s public information program to earn more points in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System, which provides communitywide flood insurance savings based on CRS grade;
• Unanimously voted on motions to change Kim Garguile from an alternate to full-time member of the city’s parks and beautification committee, as well as appoint Debbie Hall and Loretta Estabrooks as the committee’s first and second alternate members;
• Unanimously voted to change Lisa Pierce from an alternate to full-time member of the city’s planning commission, and voted 4-1 to appoint Steven Oelfke as the planning commission’s second alternate;
• Unanimously voted to terminate the city’s agreement for lobbying services with Tallahassee-based Ramba Law Group and enter into an agreement with Lakeland-based Rushmore Consulting for lobbying services ahead of the 2023 state legislative session;
• Unanimously voted to execute an agreement for continued consulting services from Coconut Creekbased CRS Max Consultants;
• Unanimously voted to execute an agreement with Bradenton-based Kern Construction to repair the city’s trolley shelters.
The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.
• Holmes Beach contractor crews are working near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to include new amenities and improve stormwater flow. So there are marked detours and closures.
The traffic pattern announced Dec. 13: Northbound traffic is being directed through a channelized path on Marina Drive. Southbound traffic is diverted on Gulf Drive and Holmes Blvd utilizing 52nd Street.
• The Manatee County utilities department is working on a force main project along Holmes Boulevard, which can result in some traffic delays and congestion.
For the latest road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511.
To check traffi c via road cameras, go to fl 511. com.
— Lisa Neff
Is your business ready for the high season on AMI? Improve your odds of success with
The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking to shop and dine, as well as indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.
Throughout December, “Holiday Treasures, Treasured Holidays” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest.com, 941-778-6648.
Throughout December, Artists’ Guild Gallery Handmade Holiday Ornaments exhibit and sale, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.
Throughout January, Artists’ Guild Gallery exhibits Judy Vazquez’s mosaics, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.
Second Fridays through April, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Art Walk and Shop Stroll, Gulf and Marina drives, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6648, 941-778-6694.
Tuesdays through May 9, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.
Tuesdays through March 7, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier Park, North Bay Boulevard and Pine Avenue, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.
Mondays in January, 6 p.m., Mote Lecture Series, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-388-4441.
“Caught in the Storm: 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes” exhibit, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.
Through March 26, “True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism” exhibit Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 941-896-2667.
Through May 28, “Gods and Lovers: Painting and Sculpture from India,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Info: 941-360-7390.
First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.
Saturdays through May, 9 a.m-2 p.m., downtown Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-9329439.
Second and fourth Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com.
Dec. 31, Realize Bradenton’s Main Street Live/New Year’s Eve
Anna Maria continues its Tuesday night movies in the park with a screening Dec. 27 of “Sing 2.” Here’s the plot: Koala Buster Moon and his all-star animal performers plan to launch a stage extravaganza but there’s a hitch, as Buster needs the world’s most reclusive rock star to join them. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and snacks. For more information, call the city at 941-708-6130. Islander courtesy
Photo
Extravaganza, Bradenton.
Jan. 12-29, Island Players’ “The Odd Couple,” Anna Maria. Jan. 14-15, Anna Maria Winter Art and Craft Show, Holmes Beach.
Feb. 18-19, 2023, Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
10 a.m. — Storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341.
First Wednesdays, “SOAR in 4” family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.
Through March 18, “Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks,” the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.
Thursday, Dec. 22
2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.
Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee. org/library, 941-778-6341.
Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341.
Second Fridays, 1 p.m., Parkinson’s Combined Support Group, the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.
Mondays, 1 p.m., Thinking Out Loud discussions, the Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-3836493.
Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch meeting, Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 512-944-4177, amirotary.org.
Second Tuesdays, 4 p.m., Cortez Village Historical Society meetings, Cortez Cultural Center, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-840-0590, cortezvillagehistoricalsociety.org.
Jan. 9, Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club meeting, Holmes Beach.
Feb. 11, Center of Anna Maria Island beach cleanup, Anna Maria.
March 9-11, Friends of the Island Library jewelry sale, Holmes Beach.
Tuesdays, noon, starting Jan. 3, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 703-582-7755.
AMI Dragon Boat Team-Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@gmail.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
10 a.m. — Wonder Walk exploration, Neal Preserve, 12301 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.
Saturdays, 9 a.m., Robinson Runners run, walk stroll, Robinson Preserve NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, crystal.scherer@mymanatee.org, mymanatee.org.
Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW., Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.
Jan. 21, Big Bill 5K, Bradenton.
Feb. 25-March 28, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training season, Bradenton.
March 12, Skyway 10K, Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
April 7, Bradenton Marauders home opener, Bradenton.
Through Dec. 26, Hanukkah.
Dec. 21, winter begins.
Dec. 25, Christmas.
Dec. 26, Kwanzaa begins.
Dec. 26, Boxing Day.
The Beatlemania Now! tribute band performs Dec. 10 outdoors on a stage on the field at the center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. The concert was the first performance in the 2022-23 Bradenton Gulf Island concert Series, which is sponsored by the Bradenton Area convention and Visitors Bureau and hosted at the community center. For more details, go online to www.centerami.org/events.
Islander Photos: courtesy cofAMI concertgoers dance at the stage Dec. 10 as
concert series will continue into 2023 with Tommy
Feb. 25 and the Orchestra March 21, featuring
can be purchased at the center and online.
The Artists’ Guild Gallery will feature Judy Vazquez’s mosaics in an exhibit throughout January. Vazquez creates beach-themed wall hangings, stepping stones, mirrors and jewelry. A reception with the artist will coincide with the art walk set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. The gallery is at 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the gallery at 941-778-6694. Islander courtesy Photo
Duplicate bridge will resume Jan. 3 for the winter-spring season at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
Bridge play will be Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. Players should arrive by noon.
The cost is $3 per person as a donation to the church.
For more, call Tom Bode at 703-582-7755.
GET LISTED Send announcements to calendar@islander.org. Please include the date, time, location and description of the event, as well as a phone number for publication.
Participants in clancy’s 2022 Shamrock Shiver charity Plunge rush into the Gulf of Mexico on New Year’s Day in Bradenton Beach. For info about the 2023 plunge, call 941-794-2481.
Islander File Photo
The tourism director referred to pennies.
The tax collector talked about nickels.
But neither was dealing with small change, as they indicated Manatee County’s tourist development tax revenues might reach $30 million in 2023 or 2024.
They addressed Manatee County commissioners and members of their advisory tourist development council during a joint workshop Dec. 13 at the county administration building in Bradenton.
The focus was on branding and building tourism countywide, as well as producing and collecting tourist taxes during what was described as the first meeting of the county board and tourist council since the county began levying a tourist tax in the 1980s.
The tourist development tax, also known as the resort or bed tax, is the 5% tax collected on accommodations for six months or less.
Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, led the presentation, which included remarks from Mark Stuckey, executive vice president at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, as well as Michele Schulz, director of field services and collections at the county tax collector’s office, and tax collector Ken Burton.
Decades ago, one of Burton’s roles in the tax collector’s office was to learn how other counties administered the tourist tax and implement a program for Manatee.
“We were hoping to collect a million and a half that very first year,” Burton said. “A lot has changed.”
“I really do not see this tourist tax slowing down,” he added. “We’re ripe. We’re talking maybe $30 million in the coming years.”
The $30 million could be reached this fiscal year, according to Schulz.
The tax is collected monthly in arrears and reported
for a fiscal year calendar that begins in October.
So the most current collection report available is for October, the first month of 2022-23, when $1,792,372 was collected.
“We are up 24%,” Schulz said. “So we are already on track to probably hit that $30 million marker this year.”
She charted changes in the tax revenues over the past five years: $14.7 million in 2017-18, $15.9 million in 2018-19, $14.7 million in 2019-20 despite the coronavirus pandemic, 22.8 million in 2020-21; and $28.5 million in 2021-22.
The numbers prompted a few questions, observations and some speculation, including from Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, who said he thinks there are a lot of tax scofflaws.
“We’re collecting maybe only half the money we should be collecting. … I do believe that we are leaving a lot of money on the table,” Brown said.
Falcione reviewed how the tax revenues are spent — a penny out of every five cents goes for projects related to beach renourishment and another $900,000 annually is budgeted for beach maintenance.
Falcione, as well as Stuckey, also reviewed ongoing projects and expansions, including:
• The launch of the Gulf Islands Ferry, with two 49-passenger boats, is set for early 2023, connecting travelers to stops in downtown Bradenton and the Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach bayfront piers.
Falcione said the boats are ordered, cities are on board and the BACVB will seek approval of an agreement with Clearwater Ferry from commissioners;
• Eleven airlines operate from SRQ, offering 56 nonstop destinations, up from six airlines and 12 nonstop destinations in 2018;
• Construction continues on a 252-room Marriott hotel in Palmetto near the Bradenton Area Convention Center, where planned improvements include a ballroom and a walkway to the hotel.
Resort tax revenues must be used to boost and develop tourism. In Manatee, the tax revenues are used for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Bradenton Area Convention Center and tourism-related entities such as Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as supporting projects, such as island beach renourishment.
The TDC recommends how to spend the money to the county commission.
Kelly Headley owner of cOVe, a Bradenton Beach art and gift boutique, pitches in at the Turnings Point raffle table Dec. 17 at Bradenton Beach’s christmas on Bridge Street. Merchants donated gift cards for a prize valued at $2,300. The raffle proceeds will benefit Turning Points charity, which helps assist the homeless and near homeless. The drawing was set to be held Dec. 20.
and mingle
14 in
Anna Maria Island Privateers Adam “Duck” cross, Kevin “Squeegee” Avalone and John “capt. One eye” VanDeusen invade the Dec. 17 christmas On Bridge Street celebration, while hosting their annual christmas party at the Drift In. The Privateers event included a lotto board, raffle baskets and buffet. Islander
during the
The party is named after Sandbar owner ed chiles’ late father, Lawton, who served as Florida governor 1991-98 and U.S. senator 1971-89. children from the RcMA Palmetto child Development center and the Bradenton branch of the Head Start early Rise and Shine program were invited to the party and each received new clothes, a pair of shoes and a toy to open on christmas morning.
tesy Dara caudill
’Tis the reason for the season, they say from the altars.
Island churches will hold special worship services on Christmas Eve, which is Saturday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25.
CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, will hold a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. and a service Christmas Day at 9 a.m.
The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, will gather for worship at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and 9 a.m. Christmas Day.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church will hold Christmas Eve candlelight services at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Christmas Day worship will be at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 6606 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, worships at 9:15 a.m. Sundays but this week will worship at a candlelight service at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Roser Memorial Community Church’s celebration will continue at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, with an outdoor “Sounds of the Season” concert featuring saxophonist Eirinn Abu.
On Christmas Eve, Roser will hold a 4 p.m. outdoor children’s service and then a candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Roser’s Dec. 25 service is at 10 a.m. Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.
St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, will hold Christmas Eve Mass at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
On Longboat Key, the Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will hold a candlelight service at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve and worship at 10 a.m. Christmas Day.
Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, will hold Christmas Eve worship at 5:30 p.m. and Christmas Day worship at 10 a.m.
Please note, holidays and weather can cause schedule changes.
Anna Maria’s Pine Avenue became the setting Dec. 11 of a christmas reenactment as people gathered after sunset for Roser church’s annual Bethlehem Walk. Participants walked the neighborhood as “Mary,” portrayed by Sophia Bernet, and “Joseph,” portrayed by Noah Goodkind, searched for a place for Jesus’ birth and then returned to the church, 512 Pine Ave., to celebrate the child, portrayed by Riley Prince. Islander courtesy Photo
CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church.
Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., supper; Wednesdays, Night Blast, 6:45 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.
Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.
Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s meeting; Mondays, 1 p.m., book group; Tuesdays, 6 p.m. first and second, 5 p.m. third and fourth, Terrific Tuesdays.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.
Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., social gathering, Manatee Public Beach; Sundays, 10:15 a.m., coffee and fellowship.
Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.
Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.
Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.
Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Robics; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Store; Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m., Youth Performing Arts, second and fourth Thursdays, 11 a.m., Just Older Youth group programs with brown-bag lunch; Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Roser Ringers rehearsal; 7 p.m., Thursdays, choir rehearsal; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., adult Sunday school and coffee and conversation sessions.
St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.com, @stbernardcc.
Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Ongoing: Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m., rosary at Manatee Public Beach; second Thursdays, women’s guild luncheons; Saturdays, 3:30 p.m., confession.
Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoflbk.org, @CCLBK.
Salvatore “Sal” Mannino Jr., 50 of Bradenton Beach, died unexpectedly Dec. 7.
He was born Aug. 22, 1972, in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Mr. Mannino was a dedicated chef and restaurant manager at Oma’s Pizza in Bradenton Beach.
The Roser Women’s Guild donated $1,100 to the Center of Anna Maria Island’s annual giving challenge, which has a goal of raising $100,000 for the nonprofit.
The guild’s contribution will be matched by an anonymous donor, as will other donations to the giving challenge at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
Mannino Jr.
When he wasn’t working, he could be found fixing cars and going to car and motorcycle shows.
He loved to make people smile and laugh.
He was a kind soul who would give the shirt off his back and never hold a grudge.
Service was Dec. 15 at Skyway Funeral Home and Memory Gardens in Palmetto. Online condolences at skywaymemorial.com
Mr. Mannino is survived by his children Anthony, Alessandro, Joseph and Andretti and their mother Nicole; parents Salvatore Sr. and Crocifissa Amato; siblings Elisa Mannino Bartley and Daniella and their families; as well as a host of other family and friends.
Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper.
Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.
FROM PAGe 14
Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Women’s Bible Study; Mondays, 9 a.m., Men’s Bible Study.
Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org,
Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lord’s Warehouse Thrift Shop; Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Bible study; Mondays, 4 p.m., choir rehearsal.
Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-3428.
Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Fridays, 6:45 p.m., choir call.
Through Dec. 31, 5-9 p.m., Longboat Island Chapel’s Christmas in the Garden: A Celebration of Lights and Music.
Through Dec. 26, Hanukkah.
Dec. 21, 4 p.m., Roser Christmas Concert. Dec. 25, Christmas.
The center, as of Dec. 9, had raised $57,588.
Donations this year will support the center’s Beyond the Classroom Scholarship program, staff salaries and benefits.
The campaign launched Nov. 21 and continues through Jan. 13 but donor matching continues only until Dec. 31.
For more information about the campaign, go online to centerami.org/support or call the center at 941-778-1908.
• The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, is conducting its end-of-year fundraising campaign. Info: centerami.org, 941-7781908.
• The Friends of the Island Library is collecting jewelry for a fundraising sale in March. The drop-off is at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.
• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals, as well as assist with technology. Info: 941-345-2441.
• 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.
• Roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live and/or work on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941778-0414.
• AID offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.
The Wish Book is available at The Islander office, 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes Beach, as well as at islander.org. The Wish Book contains wish lists from AMI organizations.
Laura Doughty, left, Barbara Dohner, Jim McDaniel, cherrie Birkman and Peggy Nash celebrate the presentation Dec. 7 of the Roser Women’s Guild’s contribution to the center of Anna Maria Island. McDaniel is the center’s director of development. The guild’s $1,100 contribution to the center’s annual $100K giving challenge will be matched by an anonymous donor. Islander courtesy Photo
Down By The Bay Homeschoolers of Anna Maria Island gather for a photo at their Dec. 13 christmas Party at crosspointe Fellowship in Holmes Beach.
AMe fifthgrade students Lexi Baugher, left, and Alba Larson take a break for pizza in the cafeteria Dec. 7 during STeM night.
Siblings Parker, left, and caroline Svoboda, two of the 56 kids in the co-op Down By The Bay Homeschoolers of Anna Maria Island help Santa deliver his message, “Jesus is the real gift,” at the group’s Dec. 13 celebration, where they made gingerbread houses, ornaments and played christmas games.
• Through Dec. 21, holiday shopper.
• Dec. 23, winter break begins.
• Tuesday, Jan. 10, school begins.
AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.
A prime harvest deserves a fine presentation.
Having harvested their crop Dec. 13, Anna Maria Elementary fourth-graders dined Dec. 16 on a menu comprising the “fruits of their labor” that was planned, prepared and served by the chef and staff at the Doctor’s Garden, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach.
Sean Murphy and Susan Timmons, owners of the Doctor’s Garden, opened their restaurant to teach students the pleasure and pride in a farmto-table experience.
The tradition began 16 years ago when the couple’s daughter attended AME and Timmons wanted to give students the opportunity to understand how food is grown and then prepared by local chefs.
Murphy and Timmons also provide much of the garden supplies needed for the fall and spring harvest projects.
ABOVe:
LeFT: AMe fourth-graders wait to taste dishes made from the herbs, fruits and vegetables they tended at school Dec. 16 at the Doctor’s Garden, 5312 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach.
Jurors seated for the trial of a Bradenton resident accused of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a crash in Cortez were deadlocked Dec. 15, resulting in a mistrial.
When a jury cannot agree on a verdict on one or more counts, the court can declare a mistrial.
The trial of David L. Nichols of Bradenton ran Dec. 12-15 with the state represented by prosecuting attorneys Garrett Franzen and Charlie Lawrence. Defense attorney Jennifer Fury represented Nichols before 12th Circuit Judge Frederick P. Mercurio.
Nichols is accused of hitting and dragging Fred Gilliland of Cortez underneath his vehicle for nearly a block in the area of 101st Street West near Cortez in November 2019.
According to law enforcement reports, a verbal dispute occurred outside a residence between Gilliland and Nichols. As Gilliland left on foot, walking
Anna Maria
Dec. 10, 407 Magnolia Ave., Center of Anna Maria Island, Marchman Act. Manatee County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call concerning public intoxication. Deputies contacted a concertgoer at the center who appeared intoxicated. The man was belligerent and, after examination, was transported to a mental health facility under the Marchman Act, a Florida law that provides a means of assessment, stabilization and treatment of a person allegedly abusing alcohol or drugs. An incident report was filed.
The MCSO polices Anna Maria.
Bradenton Beach
Dec. 7, 200 block of Gulf Drive North, overdose death. MCSO deputies and Bradenton Beach police officers responded to a call concerning an overdose. The caller told dispatchers she believed a man in an apartment overdosed. Paramedics arrived but the man could not be resuscitated and he was pronounced dead at the scene. An incident report was filed.
Dec. 13, 200 block of Gulf Drive North, Marchman Act. A BBPD officer observed a man sitting on the roadside. The man showed signs of intoxication and was confrontational with the officer. After an examination, he was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital under the Marchman Act. An incident report was filed.
The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.
southbound on 101st Street West, Nichols allegedly struck him with his vehicle, dragging him for nearly a block.
Gilliland, known in Cortez as “Fat Freddy,” sustained critical injuries that resulted in amputation of his right arm, injuries to his spleen, a lacerated liver, rib fractures, a collapsed lung and facial lacerations.
A jury, selected Dec. 12, could not agree on a verdict for either charge.
Nichols had been out on a $150,000 bond but since Nov. 4 was in custody after being denied reinstatement of bond stemming from an Oct. 14 citation for driving with a suspended license. The citation is a violation of Nichol’s pretrial release.
The Islander reached out by phone to the state attorney’s office but there was no comment.
A new trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
If convicted, Nichols faces a mandatory prison sentence with a maximum penalty of 15 years.
No new reports.
The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach
Dec. 7, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, lost property. A Holmes Beach police officer responded to reports of lost property and met with a woman who said a bag containing personal items went missing while she was in the gift shop at the public beach. She said she canceled a debit card that was in the bag and no fraudulent charges had been made. The officer issued a case number.
Dec. 9, 5100 block of Fifth Avenue, resisting law enforcement without violence. Two officers responded to reports of a public disturbance and found a man who said a group of juveniles threatened him with violence, so he called police and left the area. The officers found a group of 11 juveniles who tried to walk away from them. One juvenile urinated in public, then disobeyed orders, so an officer handcuffed him and called his father. The officers also contacted the other juveniles’ parents or guardians.
Dec. 10, 600 block of Dundee Lane, property damage. A woman called the HBPD to report a construction vehicle cracked a concrete stormdrain inlet while installing palm trees. She provided photos.
HBPD polices Holmes Beach.
Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.
The FBI’s Tampa field office is investigating the discovery of a woman’s body found floating off Egmont Key.
The woman, found Dec. 10, was identified as Heather Rose Strickland, 34, of Pinellas County.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a call shortly before noon that day from a group of fishermen who discovered the body, wrapped in bedding and placed inside a plastic trash bag.
Egmont Key is north of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County and west-southwest of Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas.
The FBI is investigating because the body was found in federal waters.
Strickland was last seen Dec. 5 leaving HCA Florida Largo Hospital in Largo.
Originally from the North Florida region, she had spent the past five years in the Clearwater-St. Petersburg area.
The FBI is asking the public to assist with any information that helps law enforcement piece together the events that led to Strickland’s death.
A cause of death was not released as of Dec. 16.
The FBI asked people to contact them at 813-2531000 or tips.fbi.gov.
— Lisa Neff
It’s time to get your hands on some claws.
John Banyas, owner of the Swordfish Grill & Tiki Bar and the Cortez Bait and Seafood fish house in Cortez, assessed the stone crab season more than a month in. He said it’s “doing pretty decent. It’s not one of the best, but it’s holding good steady catches.”
Banyas, who also owns N.E. Taylor Boatworks and Killer Bait in the fishing village, said captains are facing challenges on the water, including pockets of red tide in the Gulf of Mexico.
Red tide is an algal bloom caused by microscopic algae that produce toxins, killing fish and other marine life and making the air difficult to breathe.
“Yeah, the red tide is everywhere around us,” Banyas said Dec. 1. “Seems like it’s coming up from
A tray of stone crab claws is ready for sorting Dec. 1 at cortez Bait and Seafood, 12110 cortez Road W., cortez.
Stone crab season continues to May 1. Islander Photos: courtesy John Banyas
the south. It’s already off of Anna Maria. Now it’s over off of St. Pete. We’re seeing fish dying, which is never a good thing.”
Banyas said red tide can impact stone crab popula-
tions: “It will kill the crabs. They’ll move or bury up or die. One of the three.”
The season runs Oct. 15-May 1 and involves the use of baited traps to harvest crabs from which a single claw is removed and the crab released to the water.
Crabs and their coveted claws have a short harvest period. Not to mention, there are strict rules around stone crabbing. It results in a premium price for claws can at markets and restaurants.
Banyas works with 10 captains who harvest traps off the coast of west central Florida. They operate from Cortez, which started as a rural community of fishing families in the 1890s. Descendants of those settlers still live in the village and a few dozen of the original homes still exist.
The stone crab harvest is vital to village operations, as is the annual mullet run.
Smoke from a fire at Kleensoil International, a large scrap yard at 13838 Harlee Road, near the Manatee county port and jail, is viewed Dec. 16 from the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach. North River Fire Rescue responded to the fire with support from Bradenton and Hillsborough county firefighters. No injuries were reported but a section of Harlee Road was closed. The cause of the fire was said to be contaminants in a scrapped vehicle. The fire was extinguished Dec. 17. Islander Photo: courtesy Pete Maze
Growing up with blue spaces can help keep the blues at bay, according to new research based on data from 18 countries.
The research indicates adults with better mental health are more likely to report having spent time playing in and around coastal and inland waters — blue spaces — as children.
The data came from the BlueHealth International Survey, a crosssectional survey coordinated by the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Environment and Human Health and involving more than 15,000 people.
I took an interest in “blue spaces” and related research after the Center of Anna Maria Island hosted a forum on “Being a Blue Island Economy: AMI Sustainability Forum” in November.
I think we’ll be hearing and reading a lot more about “blue living” on this island.
By now, you are probably familiar with research indicating that spending time in and around green spaces — parks and woodlands — is associated with stress reduction and better mental health.
But what about the benefits of blue spaces?
For the study, respondents were asked to recall their blue space experiences between the ages of 0-16 years, including how local they were, how often they visited them and how comfortable their guardians were with them playing in these settings.
Researchers also asked participants about recent
What’s Ian’s impact on Sarasota Bay?
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Dec. 9 published its assessment of the storm, which made landfall Sept. 28 west of Fort Myers.
The SBEP is working with local governments and the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Environmental Science Associates and Benchmark Laboratories to monitor human health risks associated with impacts from Ian, as well as the impacts to the health of Sarasota Bay, Lemon Bay, Charlotte Harbor and the Peace and Myakka River watersheds.
Some points in the report:
• Because of the way the hurricane passed through Florida, the Sarasota Bay watershed did not see appreciable storm surge;
• The watershed area saw wind damage but not the widespread defoliation experienced in 2004 with Charley to the south in Lee and Charlotte counties;
• Areas received nearly twice the amount of rain in three days than they usually receive over 30 days. So bays and estuaries received a large pulse of freshwater, which can increase salinity stratification;
• Sarasota and Manatee counties saw more than 18 million gallons of wastewater overflow as a result of Ian.
To read the assessment, go online to sarasotabay. org.
ences in blue spaces tended to place greater intrinsic value on natural settings and visit them more often as adults, resulting in better mental wellbeing.
The blue skies, blue waters and golden glow at the Rod & Reel Pier. Good for mental health? Islander
File Photo: Jack elka
encounters with the outdoors — in green and blue spaces — and their assessment of their mental health over the past two weeks.
The research — published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology under the title “Mechanisms underlying childhood exposure to blue spaces and adult subjective well-being: An 18-country analysis” — found people who recalled more childhood experi-
“In the context of an increasingly technological and industrialized world, it’s important to understand how childhood nature experiences relate to wellbeing in later life,” said Valeria Vitale, a study author. “Our fi ndings suggest that building familiarity and confidence in and around blue spaces during childhood may stimulate an inherent joy of nature and encourage people to seek out recreational nature experiences, with beneficial consequences for adult mental health.”
Leanne Martin, a coauthor and postdoctoral research associate at the University of Exeter, said the research suggests that guardians helping kids feel comfortable in and around water and developing skills results in lifelong benefits.
Conversely, the researchers raised this notion for discussion: Growing detachment from the natural world, during childhood and adulthood, may have a negative impact on mental health.
What say those who grew up on “blue” AMI?
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Mote Marine is creating an opportunity for those resolving in 2023 to build their knowledge base.
Sarasota-based Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium will hold its 2023 Special Lecture Series in January.
The series will feature Mote scientists sharing their research at 6 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 23 and Jan. 30.
Tickets are on sale at mote.org/lecture.
Programs include:
• Rising to the challenge of coral reef restoration, Jan. 9 with Dr. Jason Spadaro, who joined Mote in December 2021 as a postdoctoral scientist to integrate an ecosystem approach in Mote’s coral reef restoration program.
His research focuses on manipulating ecological processes to support the restoration and recovery of Florida’s coral reef.
In his lecture, Spadaro will talk about why coral reefs are in trouble and how Mote scientists are pioneers in coral reef restoration.
• Diving Deep to explore the Gulf of Mexico Blue Holes, Jan. 16 with Dr. Emily Hall and Jim Culter. Hall joined Mote in the chemical ecology program in 2005 and is involved in research and monitoring of nutrient patterns in relation to harmful algae blooms along the west coast of Florida, and investigating sources of nutrients in aquatic systems.
Culter joined Mote in 1979 to develop the benthic ecology program, specializing in marine and estuarine ecology and environmental assessment with an empha-
The winter solstice is at 4:47 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year, as well as the arrival of winter.
Daylight duration will be 10 hours and 23 minutes, with sunrise at 7:16 a.m. and sunset at 5:40 p.m.
sis on benthic habitats and invertebrate ecology.
In their lecture, they will answer the question “what are blue holes?”
• Red Tide Demise: Mitigation Initiative, Jan. 23 with Drs. Cynthia Heil and Richard Pierce. Pierce joined Mote in 1981 as a senior scientist, developing a research program focusing on the source, fate and effects of toxic chemicals in the marine environment.
Heil is a senior scientist and director of Mote’s Red Tide Institute and has more than 25 years of experience with the science and management of marine and freshwater harmful algae bloom species.
Their lecture on Florida red tide will explain its negative impacts on the environment, economies and human health along Florida’s Gulf coast.
• Farming the Future: Aquaculture’s Role in the
Global Food Security Agenda, Jan. 30 with Dr. Nicole Rhody, who has more than 20 years of experience in the field of aquaculture and is based at the 200-acre Mote Aquaculture Research Park.
Rhody will lecture on aquaculture, the fastestgrowing food production sector globally and a sustainable option for attaining food security.
Mote is at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway on City Island in Sarasota.
For more information, call Mote at 941-3884441.
By Lisa Neff
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 69 samples the week ending Dec. 18, including in two samples from Manatee County where bloom concentrations were greater than 100,000 cells per liter.
K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, very low to high concentrations in and offshore of Hillsborough County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, low concentrations in Charlotte County, background to low concentrations in Lee County and background concentrations in Collier County.
K. brevis was not observed elsewhere in the state.
Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties.
In Manatee, reports included dead stingrays at Coquina and Cortez beaches in Bradenton Beach and unidentified species on the Gulf coast in Holmes Beach.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Manatee, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com.
Five teams forged 3-0 records during Dec. 14 preliminary action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits.
Gary Howcroft drew the bye into the second round and watched as Tom Farrington and Rod Bussey advanced with a 21-12 victory over Ron Hooper and Bob Palmer. Bob Lee and Bob Heiger advanced thanks to a 23-9 victory over Adin Shank and Karl Thomas.
Lee and Heiger drew the bye into the finals and watched as Farington and Bussey eliminated Howcroft 21-15. Farrington and Bussey earned the day’s bragging rights after a 22-13 victory over Lee and Heiger.
Four teams advanced to the knockout stage during the Dec. 17 horseshoe action at the AM pits. The team of Bob Mason and Bussey advanced to the finals by defeating Heiger and Farrington 22-18, while Lisa Allen and Lee eased their way past Howcroft and Palmer by a 21-18 score. Mason and Bussey cruised into the winner’s circle with a 22-6 victory over Allen
and Lee.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups at 8:45 a.m. are followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach got started for the week with the men’s weekly modified-Stableford System match Dec. 12. Tom Nelson carded a plus-6 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day with a one-point victory over secondplace finisher Buddy Foy. Chuck Patrick, Larry Pippel,
James Malloy of Bradenton Beach reads the surf conditions at cortez Beach Dec. 15 before hitting the waves in Bradenton Beach. Severe weather warnings with westerly winds kicked up the conditions for surfers along the west central Florida coastline.
Robert Anderson
Bob Rowley and Kurt Snouffer finished in a tie for third place at plus-3.
The women took over the course Dec. 13 for a team best-ball match. Remi Drigan, Ann Hackinson, Jenny Huibers and Terry Taylor combined on a 2-overpar 34 to win clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Helen Pollock, Meredith Slavin and Sue Wheeler took second place with an 8-over-par 40, while Peggy Clauhs, Jana Samuels and Mary Wilke tied for third place at 9-over-par 41 with the team of Pam Alvord, Marty Clark, Susan VanOrsdel and Sally York.
By capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter
Hello cold front.
Anna Maria Island anglers, brace yourselves as winter has arrived, and, with the cold, we usher in some new species to target, as well as changes in technique and locations to fish.
With temperatures in the mid 50s to upper 60s for the next several days, you can bet on water temperatures to drop.
Alas, the days of catching snook and redfish on the flats will be over until springtime in March.
It’s time to transition from baiting live shiners to shrimp. With this change, comes a change in the species we target. Sheepshead come to mind as winter settles in, as the fish flourish in cooler water temps. The same applies for black drum, pompano and whiting. These species feed heavily on shrimp throughout the winter.
The use of artificials — such as soft plastics on a jig head — also comes into play as spotted seatrout tend to feed on baits near the bottom and in close proximity to preserve energy. They tend to remain dormant during the cooler months.
As for redfish, they tolerate cooler water temps just fine, although typically won’t be found on the flats. Areas of structure such as docks and canals appeal to wintertime redfish, as they slow down their hunting routine and lay and wait for a meal to pass in front of their noses. Live shrimp and crabs are a delicacy for the reds and will prove beneficial as bait.
Lastly, we should start seeing more frequency in the flounder bite, although with the recent red tide and water quality issues, the flounder populations in our area seem to have suffered.
When targeting flounder, try fishing sandy areas where structure exists. The Berkeley Gulp shrimp on a jig head is irresistible for the flat fish, so if you have a hankering for a fl ounder dinner, try the artifi cial baits.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m spending most of my time jigging the flats with DOA Cal jigs. Spotted seatrout and pompano are being caught with this method, as well as a host of other species, including
The Bowes Imaging center baseball team with Manatee West Little League is the Majors Division champion. Bowes was trailing 4-0 after two innings but came back to earn a 5-4 win. Members of the team, including some islanders, are Bud Roberts, Sam Herrington, colton Werner, Ben Kaleta, Rafe Tucker, ethan Whitton, Andy Villafranca, Patrick Burnette, carter Hey, Paige Lindner, Jackson Kennedy and Noah Holmes. coaches are Shawn Kaleta and courtland Hunt. Islander courtesy Photo
bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Using shrimp as bait over the artifi cial reefs is producing action on snapper and sheepshead, as well as the usual suspects — grunts and juvenile grouper.
Capt. David White reports he’s working offshore for a variety of species. Staying within 20 miles of shore and fishing wrecks, reefs and hard-bottom areas is yielding numerous gag grouper. Live pinfish for bait is working well, although if red tide patches are present while in route to the offshore spots — which will knock out your live bait — White says frozen sardines will produce action.
Kingfish also are present offshore, with most being caught while trolling lipped plugs at high speeds.
Moving inshore, live shiners as bait are still producing action. Snook and redfish are responding to live shiner offerings.
Finally, jigging the flats along the beaches is producing pompano for White’s anglers. Tipping the jigs with shrimp is advantageous for some other species — sheepshead, black drum and whiting.
capt. Johnny Mattay of Anna Maria charters joins former Tampa Bay Rays player Austin Meadows — acquired by the Detroit Tigers in April — in showing off some Tampa Bay gag grouper caught while on a guided fishing trip Dec. 9 with capt. David White of AM charters. Meadows is a lefty, outfielder and designated hitter for the Tigers. Looks like he can catch, too. Fish on!
Capt. Jason Stock is enjoying the offshore gag grouper bite in the Gulf of Mexico. Using pinfish as bait around reefs and hard-bottom areas is working best and yielding gags up to 15 pounds, with bigger fish mixed in.
While bottom fishing for gags, Stock is encountering red grouper and mangrove snapper. Fishing baits toward the surface is yielding action. Kingfish and amberjack are the targeted species for this technique and Stock he’s especially impressed with the size of the amberjack catches.
Capt. Warren Girle is spending his days working the flats of Sarasota Bay. Artificials — soft plastics on a jighead or pompano jigs tipped with shrimp — are accounting for a majority of Girle’s charter fishing action. Spotted seatrout are the primary catch, with numerous other species mixed in. Bluefish, jack crevalle, lady fish and pompano are good examples of his angler’s bycatch. All of these species are accommodating and thrilling on light spinning gear.
The use of live shiners as bait is leading action for Girle. Snook and redfish are being caught on shallow flats during the warmer days between cold fronts. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
eARLY cLASSIFIeD DeADLINe: The Islander office will be closed to observe christmas, Monday, Dec. 26! The classified ad deadline for the Dec. 28 newspaper will be noon Friday, Dec. 23.
TWIN BeDS: eXceLLeNT condition. Adjustable with electric controls, $75 each or best offer. 941-778-5542.
cHANDeLIeR, MeTAL like-new, $20, chairs, black, soft cushion, $15, white office chair, $15. 941-920-2494.
SIDe TABLeS: BROWN with glass top. Two for $25. 941-920-2494.
THRee-WHeeL eLecTRIc scooter. Red, basket, good condition. $995 firm. 941-7924312.
ONe LARGe, ONe small, mounted bass. $50 each. Pictures on request. 724-986-0314.
ANTIQUe PARTNeR DeSK: All wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.
ANTIQUe OFFIce cHAIRS: Perfect for eclectic dining set. circa 1950 from Anna Maria city Hall. Inquire at The Islander newspaper, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.
VIcTORIAN BABY cARRIAGe: Wood/wicker, great photo or theater prop. Benefits Moonracer Animal Rescue. For photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.
Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FRee, one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org , fax toll-free 1-866-362-9821. (limited time offer)
eARLY cLASSIFIeD DeADLINe: The Islander office will be closed to observe christmas, Monday, Dec. 26! The classified ad deadline for the Dec. 28 newspaper will be noon Friday, Dec. 23.
HeLP ReScUeD PeTS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.
GOLF cART ReNTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfcartRentalAMI.com.
2001 SATURN LW-30 wagon. 126,300 miles. New tires, lifts, air conditioning. $2,350 or best offer. 941-778-4590, 7 a.m-7 p.m.
Bella is an 8-year-old mixed-breed lovebug! She’s neutered and has all vaccinations — ready to meet her new family! Call Lisa Williams at 941-3452441 or visit The Islander office in Holmes Beach. And for more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.
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.
KAYAK FISHING! PReMIeR condition Hobie 2018 Revolution 16. Fast and comfortable. $1,850 ($2,950 new). 503-704-8897.
BOAT WALK BOARDS: 15½-inch wide x 24-feet long. Pair, $1,200. call or text, 941232-6042.
SUNcOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. call 941704-9382.
NOW HIRING HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $15 an hour and up, based on experience. call JayPros, 941962-2874.
RePORTeR WANTeD: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.
eARLY cLASSIFIeD DeADLINe: The Islander office will be closed to observe christmas, Monday, Dec. 26! The classified ad deadline for the Dec. 28 newspaper will be noon Friday, Dec. 23.
NeeD AN ADULT night out? call Maty’s Babysitting Services. I’m 16, love kids and have lots of experience. References upon request. 618-977-9630.
KIDS FOR HIRe ads are FRee for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed in person at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach.
IS YOUR HOMe or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.
cLeANING: VAcATION, cONSTRUcTION, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.
PReSSURe WASHING, PAVeR sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.
BIcYcLe RePAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.
cOMPANION/HOMeMAKeR: Honest and reliable offering help with running errands, grocery shopping, house sitting, pet and plant care, light cooking/cleaning, transportation. References available and licensed. call Sherri, 941-592-4969.
API’S DRYWALL RePAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.
HANDYMAN OR cLeANING services: Affordable rates. Fred, 941-356-1456.
PROFeSSIONAL WINDOW cLeANING: Residential, commercial, Free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-852-6163.
BUSINeSS-TO-BUSINeSS JD’s Window cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.
BeAcH SeRVIce air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee county and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill eller, 941-795-7411. cAc184228.
cONNIe’S LANDScAPING INc. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.
BARNeS LAWN AND Landscape LLc. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.
cOLLINS LANDScAPe LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJc24373@ gmail.com.
SeARAY SPRINKLeR SeRVIceS. Repairs, additions, drip, sprinkler head/timer adjustments. 941-920-0775.
More ads = more readers in The Islander.
ANGeLO’S LAWN cARe: Mow, edge, string trimming, blow. Starting at $20/cut. Licensed/insured. 941-217-9000.
VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.
TILe -TILe -TILe. All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. call Neil, 941-726-3077.
GRIFFIN’S HOMe IMPROVeMeNTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.
BLINDS, SHUTTeRS, SHADeS: Motorization. 30 years on AMI. call Keith Barnett, Barnett Blinds, 941-730-0516.
ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. call Jay, 941-962-2874.
HANDYMAN AND PAINTING. No job too small. Most jobs just right. call Richard Kloss. 941-204-1162.
ScReeNING SeRVIceS: Replace your old or ripped window, door or porch screens. Many screen types available. Retired veteran here to serve our community! Free estimates, call Lane, 941-705-5293.
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.
SARASOTA INTeRIOR PAINTING: We specialize in high-end properties. We love to paint! Owner operated. Fully insured/ licensed. call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Instagram: SarasotaInteriorPainting.
DONALD PeRKINS’ ABRAcADABRA Painting LLc. Interior/exterior. 30 years of experience. 941-705-7096.
eARLY cLASSIFIeD DeADLINe: The Islander office will be closed to observe christmas, Monday, Dec. 26! The classified ad deadline for the Dec. 28 newspaper will be noon Friday, Dec. 23.
ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.
eARLY cLASSIFIeD DeADLINe: The classified ad deadline for the Dec. 28 newspaper will be noon Friday, Dec. 23.
cOMMeRcIAL LeASe: 419 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Island Real estate, Larry chatt, 941 345-1288.
SMALL eXecUTIVe OFFIce available. Approximately 550 sf. Gulf Drive exposure. Water and electric included, $850/month. $500 deposit. 5386 Gulf Drive, Suite 101, Holmes Beach. 941-746-8666.
2BR/2BA GULF VIeW! Annual, furnished, elevated Island house, Bradenton Beach. Minimum six months, $3,500/month. First, last, security deposit, $1,500. No pets. Send detailed household information to LHB747@ gmail.com or 941-778-1098.
ANNA MARIA 2BR/2BA. Minimum six-month rental. Just over the bridge, beautiful community of the highly sought-after gated Perico Bay club. Furnished villa with garage, includes water, WIFI, Spectrum, pest control, trash, and lawn care. No pets/no smoking. Available April 1. $3,000/month, plus electric. 310-971-7210. VRBO 9422180ha.
SeASONAL: 4BR/2BA, pool, large sunroom, garage, laundry, $10,000/month. Walk to beach or cross street to beach. 3BR/2BA sunroom, porch, garage, washer and dryer. $12,000/month. call 347-510-8417.
ANNUAL ReNTAL: TWO large bedrooms, two bath. Lanai, extra parking. Five minutes to coquina. $1,975/month, plus utilities. 941-266-0439.
AVAILABILITY JAN. 1 to Jan. 31, 2023. 3BR/2BA single-level home located on the canal in the city of Anna Maria. $4,500 plus taxes and fees. call Anna Maria Realty Inc., 941-778-2259.
SeASONAL 2BR/2.5BA UPDATeD townhouse. Pool, boat slip. $1,100/week. Dates available Jan. 15-30 and April 1-30. Real estate Mart, 941-356-1456.
1BR/1BA AT 55-PLUS park. No pets. 30-day rental. Dec. 30 to Jan. 29, 2023 (only). Pool, bay and beach, a one-minute walk to all. Vetting required. 831-212-2606, Sandpiper Resort.
WINNIe McHALe, ReALTOR, 941-5046146. Rosebay International Realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams come True.”
LOT FOR SALe. 10,000 sf buildable waterfront lot with utilities in Bradenton. Dock with boat lift. Seawall maintained by city. $500,000. 917-860-1917.
AFFORDABLe VILLA: 2BR/2BA, community pool, in Bradenton, near IMG Academy. $225,000 or best offer. Real estate Mart, 941-356-1456.
eARLY cLASSIFIeD DeADLINe: The classified ad deadline for the Dec. 28 newspaper will be noon Friday, Dec. 23.
Vinny Esposito, owner and chef at Vinny’s Italian Kitchen in Holmes Beach, needed a Christmas gift for his significant other.
He followed the “shop local” rule and looked across the street — from Gulf Drive at Holmes Boulevard — to artist-entrepreneur Emerson Quillin’s new shop in the Holmes Beach Post Office. Quillin this fall relocated from Pine Avenue in Anna Maria.
Esposito tells the story:
I wanted to give a Christmas gift to Virginia and I didn’t know what to get her.
She has two dogs, the boy Fig Isaac and the female Maple Syrup. Back in May, Maple Syrup died having puppies and Virginia has been sad since about the loss of Maple.
I heard the famous Emerson from Pine Avenue moved across the street and Virginia loves art very much.
So I came to a great idea — “Art by Emerson.”
I told Emerson what I wanted and that I needed it by Christmas — four days later it was ready.
Wow!
And he did great work.
I gave the painting to Virginia and she was very emotional and so happy.
A happy Christmas for us all.
For more information about Quillin, visit the shop at 5354 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, or call 941-8969888.
Or visit Vinny’s Italian Kitchen and market, 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, or call 941-896-9754.
Island Therapeutics owner Karen Abel is reaching the conclusion of her drive to collect items for hurricane relief in Fort Myers Beach.
Abel wants to deliver donations by Thursday, Dec. 22, to the Beach Baptist Church in Fort Myers, which is assisting people recovering from the impact of Hurricane Ian.
She’s collecting canned food, boxed milk, cereals and snack bars, toiletries, cleaning supplies and more. Donations can be dropped off at Island Therapeutics, 6000 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
For more information, call Abel at 941-2168884.
And … as always, if you have business news to share, email news@islander.org. And a very merry Christmas to all.
Second Fridays through April, 5:30-7:30 p.m., City Center Artwalk and Shop, Gulf and Marina drives, Holmes Beach. Info: 941778-6648.
Jan. 5, 7:30 a.m., Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, Judy’s Restaurant, Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541.
Jan. 14-15, Blue Ribbon Events’ Anna Maria Winter art and Craft Market, Holmes Beach. Vendor fee applies. Information: 231350-8277.
Feb. 2, 5 p.m., Manatee Chamber of Commerce 60th Annual Dinner, Bradenton Area Convention Center, Palmetto. Fee applies. Information: 941-748-3411.
For professional real estate sales, call a true island native, born and raised on Anna Maria Island. Marianne Norman-Ellis. 941.778.6696
