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

Stars, stripes, squirts Captains, FWC thwart poaching in Sarasota Bay

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Shellfish poachers were cited over the July 4 holiday with credit due to the observations of tour boat captains and the efforts of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.

Capt. Joey Sweet, owner and operator of Sweet Sunsets and Dolphin Tours, operating tours in Sarasota Bay, told The Islander July 5 that area captains worked with the FWC to stop illegal harvesting of shell life and other marine organisms in the sandbars and shallow waters of Sarasota Bay.

A passenger on the Solid Rock Air Conditioning float douses a child July 4 during a water battle along the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade route. Turn to pages 8, 9 and 12 for more on the Privateers. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson The Anna Maria Island Privateers roll along at the head of their July 4 parade.

Top Notch

Week 1: Joyful abandon

Shauna Carver of Massapequa, New York, wins the first week of The Islander’s 2023

Top Notch photo contest with this photograph taken May 2 from Bayfront Park in Anna Maria of Anthony and Addison Chieco at play in the waters of Tampa Bay. The photographer wins an Islander “More-than-a-mullet wrapper” T-shirt and entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from The Islander and gift certificates from Islander advertisers. To enter photos, review the rules at islander.org.

“I and other charter captains had been noticing that sea life was disappearing from our sandbars,” Sweet said. “We do a lot of educational stuff. So when we start seeing things missing, it’s obvious that something is going on.”

Sweet said one group was seen over a period of months taking more sea life and shellfish than allowed by state law.

In Manatee County, people cannot harvest or possess more than two live shells, including echinoderms such as sand dollars

Law enforcement marks noisy, quiet July 4 holiday

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Despite some complaints about “booms” and “blasts” of fireworks, first responders described the Fourth of July week on Anna Maria Island as a quiet holiday.

“Overall, we had no major incidents,” Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby said.

The chief said the combination of boosted local law enforcement and Manatee County personnel made for a quiet holiday on land and water.

“We had one disorderly intoxication on Saturday,” Cosby said, referring to a July 1 incident on Bridge Street.

Cosby said fireworks complaints were minimal and no confi scations or citations were made.

“We had some minor noise complaints but nothing serious,” he said.

“Our new code enforcement officer was out enforcing, checking the turtle nests and making sure there was no construction on the holiday,” Cosby added. New hire Evan

County waterline catastrophe followed by records failure

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A records request may have uncovered negligence in maintaining the fallen waterline across the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue.

At the request of Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins, city engineer Sage Kamiya emailed Manatee County utilities director Evan Pilachowski June 28 for copies of the past 10 years of inspection reports for the pipeline.

However, Pilachowski wrote in a July 6 email response that the county has no inspection records.

“The inspections performed have been visual by in-house personnel on a regular but not defined time interval. No records from those inspections are created that I’m aware of,” Pilachowski wrote.

He added, “Based on the memory of people in the office, repairs to the hangers were identified and performed sometime around the 2007-08 timeframe.”

About 1,000 feet of the bridge’s 16-inch main that feeds water to Anna Maria Island — which was installed in 1982 — fell June 19 into the Anna Maria Sound after support hangers on the underside at the east end of the bridge failed.

The collapse left the 24-inch water main across Cortez Bridge as the sole water source on AMI, resulting in low water pressure and a call from the county for islanders to conserve water during repairs.

Following the pipeline collapse, Diggins, who retired from investigating aircraft accidents, was critical of the county’s infrastructure management.

Diggins said the hangers holding the main had rusted over and an inspection would have determined they needed replacement or reinforcement.

“This was totally preventable,” Diggins said. “This would have been an easy thing to fix. … If they saw the rust over time, they should have done something about it.”

“If they visually inspected and didn’t do anything about it, that’s bad. If they didn’t inspect it, that’s bad,”

he added.

The bridge is inspected every three months by the Florida Department of Transportation.

The pipeline is monitored by the county, which inspects all pipe crossings after major storms.

Pilachowski wrote that the county is reassessing its inspection program following the Manatee Avenue waterline collapse.

“Based on our experience in this pipe hanger failure, we will be evaluating a more formal inspection program moving forward for all aerial pipe crossings,” he wrote.

Diggins called for the county to establish a strict inspection regimen to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.

“Maybe if they spent time maintaining their current infrastructure, instead of building more, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened,” Diggins said. “We can do better than this.”

Water flows, repairs still to come

In the meantime, a new water main is up and run-

ning across the bridge.

Manatee County chief utilities engineer Jim Renneberg gave the go-ahead July 6 to activate water services to a newly installed main on the bridge, according to county information outreach manager Bill Logan.

Bradenton-based Woodruff & Sons began repair work June 26 and finished installing a new pipeline on the underside of the AMI Bridge by June 30.

Now that the new main is active, the county is no longer requesting islanders to conserve water.

However, the repairs aren’t finished yet.

Phase 2 of repairs will involve removing the fallen pipeline from Anna Maria Sound and securing new hangers along the bridge to hold the main, which will need to be permanently repositioned as repairs proceed.

That work is expected to require lane closures that were not scheduled as of July 7.

“Details of that work have yet to be finalized,” Logan wrote in a July 6 news release. “Residents and visitors will be notified of any road closures or traffic impacts associated with those activities.”

A disconnected water main attached by straps to the underside of the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue leaks June 19 where the pipeline failed earlier that day. Islander

▼ Modern Chop Happy Hour 4-6

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

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

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

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

File Photo: Courtesy Manatee County

Harbus was sworn into office June 9 and the Fourth of July was his first holiday patrol for the city.

Cosby said the BBPD wrote 34 tickets for parking over the weekend and holiday. Parking tickets were less of an issue than in years past due to the completion of the parking lot remodel at Coquina Beach, the largest parking lot on the island.

“We had had meetings with the county about making some overflow parking … and it worked out really well,” Cosby said. “We didn’t start having issues until later in the day.”

Cosby said he appreciated the county, marine rescue and city code enforcement being on the job. “That makes a big difference,” the chief said.

He noted that the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade went off without a hitch — although it slowed traffic.

And there were no concerns about traffic delays at the county sewer line replacement project as construction was halted July 1.

“They actually wound up shutting down a day earlier than we anticipated,” Cosby said.

In Holmes Beach, Police Chief Bill Tokajer reported a crowded but relatively uneventful holiday.

July 1-4, 166,364 vehicles passed the license tag cameras coming onto the island, Tokajer said.

“The parade was great,” he added. “We had a lot of people out there and a lot of fun. I know it does impede the traffic flow, but the benefits outweigh the time delay.”

Tokajer said the city used social media and electronic message boards to inform people of the parade and they received no complaints about parade traffic.

The chief also said HBPD had no fireworks confiscations.

Parking citations, however, were issued.

Tokajer said HBPD wrote 374 parking citations June 30-July 4 — roughly 75 citations a day. On a typical weekday, HBPD might issue 25 tickets.

City code enforcement officers also were working through the holiday, but no wildlife or code violations

were reported.

The worst problem HPBD officers faced was a large party of underage drinkers, according to the chief: “There were about 150 kids at the north end of our beach that were unruly right after the parade and we had members of the sheriff’s office come up and give us an assist. We had them all leave the beach and confiscated their coolers. They were being disorderly, drinking and fighting among themselves.”

The crowd dispersed and no citations were issued.

In Anna Maria, which is policed by the MCSO, there were increased patrols on the beaches and streets for the holiday.

The MCSO dispatch confirm deputies responded to five complaints for loud noise with only two resulting in citations. Deputies also responded to two fireworks complaints, both of which resulted in no citations.

The MCSO also dealt with an arrest in Anna Maria after responding to complaints of a man exposing himself to beachgoers while rafting in the Gulf at Spruce Street on the beach. Deputies arrested the man for misdemeanor exposure of sexual organs and transported him to Manatee County jail.

Manatee County Beach Patrol Capt. Marshall Greene told The Islander July 6 that the beaches were crowded but lifeguards had no major rescues.

“We had a few lost children, that comes with a lot of busy days,” he said.

Greene said the biggest issue was heat exposure: “People fainting, heat exposure. It took a toll on our guards, too. Being out in that sun for 10 hours, those are a long few days.”

July 1-2, MCSO marine and traffic units participated in Operation Dry Water with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard, resulting in two water rescues, two arrests for boating under the influence and one motorist arrested for driving under the influence.

The MCSO also issued three boating citations and wrote 96 warnings for various maritime violations.

Also, MCSO mounted patrol and special response teams patrolled Coquina Beach July 1-2.

Enter photo, win contest

Look to July 13 for the second of a series of weekly deadlines for The Islander’s Top Notch contest.

Each will claim a front-page position, an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt and each will be entered in the competition for the grand prize.

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

There also is a pet photo contest with a prize-winner announced in the final week and we’ll shout out the honorable mentions as well.

Look online for rules and details.

Note, each 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/ phone number of the photographer.

Entries should be sent to topnotch@islander.org.

— Bonner Joy

Q&A 071223

The Islander poll

Last week’s question

By Lisa Neff

Where do you park at the beach?

38%. Public beach space.

27%. Side street space.

4%. Nearby business.

27%. Walk or bike over.

4%. Trolley over.

This week’s question

Two supermoons in August! Do you look up?

A. Always.

B. If I’m out.

C. Usually forget.

D. Not interested.

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

Barbie goes shopping

Two youngsters — both age 12 — zipped across Gulf Drive at Marina Drive on Barbie-like scooters and parked in the S&S Plaza, where they went shopping at Island Trader gift shop before meeting up with Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer. Tokajer nixed the ride home on the scooters, called a parent and reassured the girls, but arranged for other officers to escort the kids to their vacation home. HBPD also transported their scooters — toys, according to Tokajer, that do not belong on the streets with other vehicles. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy

Golf cart bill makes little impact in HB

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach is driving ahead of the curve on golf cart regulations.

Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer told The Islander July 5 that House Bill 949, which requires people under the age of 18 to have a driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate a golf cart, will result in few changes for the city.

HB 949 was filed by Cyndi Stevenson, R-St. Johns, and Fabian Basabe, R-North Bay Village.

The bill not only requires young people to obtain licensing, it also requires people over the age of 18 to have a valid form of government-issued identification to operate a golf cart and prohibits people from operating the vehicles on state roads.

A violation is a traffic infraction punishable with a citation.

HB 949 passed through the House of Representatives and Senate without a vote of opposition and was signed May 11 by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill will become effective Oct. 1.

HB cleans up after holiday

Tokajer said the bill would have little impact since the city adopted an ordinance last year that implemented several golf cart regulations in an attempt to improve roadway safety.

The city ordinance requires all golf cart operators to be city residents and at least 16 years old, as well as register their vehicles with the city and install mandatory safety equipment.

The regulations do not apply to low-speed vehicles, which state and federal law classifies and regulates differently than golf carts.

“The state law said at the time that you could be 14 years old and be driving a golf cart. We thought 14 years old is just ridiculous, so we changed ours to 16, figuring that at 16 you at least have a learner’s permit,” Tokajer said. “So (HB 949) won’t have much impact on the city.”

Tokajer said the city would revise its code to reflect the new state law by requiring golf cart operators under the age of 18 to have a license or learner’s permit.

In the meantime, Tokajer said police will continue to uphold city code by stopping and confirming the age of young golf cart and LSV operators.

2023 elections

Qualifying dates set

Qualifying for elected office in Anna Maria Island’s cities will take place in August.

This year’s elections include:

• Anna Maria: Three city commission seats, which are two-year terms. The terms of Jonathan B. Crane, Charles Salem and Robert Kingan are expiring in November.

• Bradenton Beach: Mayor and two commission seats — Ward 1 and Ward 3, all two-year terms. The current mayor is John Chappie. Current commissioners are Jacob “Jake” Spooner in Ward 1 and Jan Vosburgh in Ward 3.

• Holmes Beach: Three commission seats, all expiring two-year terms. Pat Morton, Terry W. Schaefer and Carol Soustek currently hold the seats.

Qualifying will be noon Aug. 14-noon Aug. 25 in Anna Maria; and noon Aug. 28-noon Sept. 1 in Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

For more information, go to votemanatee.gov.

Local Dems to meet

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

The club is organizing around clean water and reproductive rights and petition drives to place constitutional amendments on an election ballot.

An announcement read, “Come join us … for this nonpartisan work session to get essential amendments on the ballot.”

For more information, contact Barbara Beckwith at bbeckwith02@gmail.com.

— Lisa Neff

Meetings

ANNA MARIA CITY

July 13, 2 p.m., commission.

July 27, 6 p.m., commission.

By Lisa Neff

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

BRADENTON BEACH

July 18, 10 a.m., CRA.

July 19, 1 p.m., ScenicWAVES.

July 20, noon, commission.

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

HOLMES BEACH

July 18, 9 a.m., commission (budget).

July 18, 5 p.m., commission.

July 19, 5 p.m., planning.

July 25, 10 a.m., code enforcement.

July 27, 11:30 a.m., police pension.

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

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

July 18, 6 p.m., commission.

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

MANATEE COUNTY

July 24, 9 a.m., commission (workshop).

July 25, 9 a.m., commission.

July 27, 9 a.m., commission (budget).

July 31, 1:30 p.m., commission (with school board).

Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m., Tourist Development Council, Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. County administration building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

ALSO OF INTEREST

Aug. 9, 3:30 p.m., Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity meeting, Bradenton Public Works, 1411 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.

4

Labor Day, a federal holiday, is Sept. 4. Most government offices will be closed.

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

Holmes Beach resident Robin Hamilton, left, readies her trash picker July 5 alongside City Commissioner Carol Soustek, code compliance officer Jayson Clayton and resident Lynn O’Brien, right, at a city-organized beach cleanup following the July

holiday.

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek, right, holds Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign shirts July 5 with former city attorney Patricia Petruff and friend Debi Visel during a beach cleanup. The campaign is an effort by the three island cities to promote water quality stewardship. People can learn more about the campaign at holmesbeachfl.org. Islander

Photos: Courtesy HB Code Compliance/JT Thomas

‘Dug-up’ sea turtle nest, disorientation mark start of hatches

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Sea turtles nests are hatching on the shores of Anna Maria Island.

But a couple of things didn’t go so swimmingly.

During the July 4 holiday week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opened an investigation into a “dug-up” nest and, in a second incident, local volunteers and city staff teamed up to rescue a group of disoriented hatchlings.

Florida’s shores are home to annual nesting sites for three species of sea turtles — including loggerheads, green turtles and leatherbacks, all of which are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to declining populations.

Sea turtle nesting season on AMI began in May and runs through October. Nests started hatching in late June.

Kristen Mazzarella, the executive director of the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, told The Islander July 6 that they have documented more than 300 nests along the island’s shores about halfway through the season.

Sea turtles will continue laying nests into AugustSeptember, so that number will rise as the season goes on.

AMITW is a nonprofit with a team of 15-20 volunteers trained by the FWC to monitor sea turtle nesting activity on the island.

So far, Mazzarella said there have been some “usual” issues, such as people removing AMITW nest stakes or using lights on the beach at night but AMITW and the island cities are addressing them.

“(The cities) have been great. They’ve been very helpful,” Mazzarella said.

Nevertheless, some things haven’t been “usual.”

FWC investigation

FWC public information officer Forest Rothchild wrote in a July 7 email to The Islander that the commission was investigating a “dug-up” turtle nest on the island.

However, much remains unknown about the incident.

“Despite immediate investigation in partnership with the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear due to the absence of eyewitnesses,” Rothchild wrote. “The FWC views this incident with utmost gravity. Interfering with wildlife, particularly species like sea turtles, which are protected by federal law, is not only unethical but also illegal.”

Rothchild did not respond to a July 7 email from The Islander asking if any of the nest’s eggs were salvageable following the incident.

Mazzarella declined to comment on the nest during an ongoing FWC investigation.

Rothchild called for the public’s help in determining what happened to the nest.

Seven rescued sea turtle hatchlings crawl July 5 toward the Gulf of Mexico after they were disoriented and fell through a drainage grate. Disorientations are caused when factors such as artificial lights, beach furniture and holes prevent or distract sea turtles from reaching the water.

“If you were in the area over the (July 4) holiday and saw anything suspicious or have any information that could be of help to the investigation, we urge you to contact the FWC,” Rothchild wrote. “Please, remember, your tips may be instrumental in preserving our state’s rich and diverse wildlife. The protection of these creatures is a responsibility we all share.”

People can call the FWC’s wildlife alert number at

888-404-3922 or submit anonymous tips to its website, myfwc.com/wildlifealert.

Disorientation

In other news, AMITW and staff from the cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach teamed up July 5 to save a group of disoriented hatchlings.

Mazzarella said two women reported finding disoriented hatchlings that morning on a sidewalk in Bradenton Beach, which brought AMITW volunteers to the scene, where they found a hatched nest nearby.

They followed several hatchling tracks from the nest over the dunes — away from the shore — toward Gulf Drive, where they found seven hatchlings stuck below a drainage grate near the intersection with Cortez Road.

Holmes Beach code compliance supervisor JT Thomas told The Islander July 6 that he got a call to help at the scene along with Bradenton Beach police and code enforcement.

Thomas said they struggled with the drainage grate until they reached Holmes Beach public works employee Scott Roscoe, who also went to Bradenton Beach to help the sea turtles. He lifted the grate so AMITW volunteers could reach in and remove the hatchlings.

The rescuers took the hatchlings to the beach and guided them to the water.

“I thought it was a great situation of everyone working together,” Thomas said.

Disorientations are caused when factors such as artificial lights, beach furniture and holes prevent or distract hatchlings from reaching the water.

Disoriented hatchlings can wander into roadways or exhaust themselves before reaching water, which can result in their death. Predation by other animals also becomes a problem, especially by birds during daylight hours.

Holmes Beach code compliance offi cer Jayson Clayton told The Islander July 6 that beachgoers can help prevent disorientations by removing their furniture from the beach, filling in holes left on the shore and minimizing light visible from the beach.

People can learn more about AMITW on its website, islandturtlewatch.com.

Mazzarella asked for people who find hatchlings roaming away from the shore to immediately call AMITW for help at 941-301-8434.

About AMITW

AMITW is a nonprofit focused on collecting data on threatened or endangered sea turtles. The organization also collects data on shorebirds. The nesting data is required to meet beach renourishment contracts and AMITW is compensated by the county for its service.

A couple of disoriented sea turtle hatchlings can be seen July 5 through a grate where they fell near the intersection of Gulf Drive and Cortez Road in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photos: Courtesy AMITW/ Kristen Mazzarella

Amateurish county

I’m just going to say it: I think Manatee County is about as backward as it gets. It’s slow coming into the 20th century — and you read that right. We’re in the 21st century and MC is woefully lagging.

Years ago, as my youngest was finishing up high school, I did some graphic design and publishing work for the Sarasota County School Board and, after having both kids progress through Manatee schools before that, and my daughter in college, I found myself ashamed that I was living in Manatee County.

I found the schools to be straggling behind Sarasota in academics and sports opportunities and the students were lacking support. For instance, there was only one counselor for all high schools in Manatee but one in each of the Sarasota high schools, plus computer resources and in-house publications for more guidance. And that’s just one example. I found it indicative of the differences between the two counties.

Also, I saw disparaging differences in county government offices, where professionalism was lacking in Manatee County, including the elections offices, where efficiency and accuracy in Sarasota County far exceeded the sad tangle of late-night election returns for Manatee voters.

But, as we learned this week, I didn’t realize our county government was so neglected, so much a part of a “good-old-boy” past, and so behind the times that they didn’t even keep records for the operation and maintenance of our most fragile infrastructure.

On joining a public records request made by Holmes Beach to county public works at the urging of Commissioner Dan Diggins, we learned the county has no record of its water main maintenance and has only conducted random visual checks of the waterline and, even then, no records were made.

So we ask: What about other vital infrastructure for the barrier island communities? Do we know the condition of the sewer lines that cross the bays? The electric and cable service lines?

We know the Longboat Key-to-mainland sewer service line, buried under the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay, failed in 2020 at a great cost to the environment and the town.

That service line was installed around the same time as the Anna Maria Island service connection — 1975.

So we’re asking: Will the county be accountable to the taxpayers in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach in the future?

Or is the county board more focused on building a $45 million boondoggle parking garage?

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

We’re islanders, after all

I have been a resident of Anna Maria Island off and on since my parents bought their home in 1953, when I was 8 years old.

My parents gave me a wonderful childhood on these powdered shores. In those days of sandy roads and plenty of places to park, residents were careful (in the 1970s) to put limits on the high-rise growth.

Skimming online

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Our government officials protected us from overbuilding and the results have been that while some islands to our south have buildings almost to heaven, we are the island everyone really loves.

If you live here, you probably feel like I do about the overflow of tourists. But the magic of this island is hard to escape. I accept that tourists will continue to find us but I do not believe we should let the growth of the island be controlled by a few who build huge rental houses.

We must remember that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Those of us who have been lucky enough to have lived on such a joyful spot, must work hard to protect it.

Certainly the quaintness of the island must be preserved.

One wonders where the Ernie Cagninas of this island are when we need them.

There are lots of ideas about how to protect this island, including: one-way traffic on Gulf Drive, resident passes for bridge travel, a parking lot on the mainland with a shuttle to the island, making better

use of Coquina Beach parking and even a committee of residents and small business owners to develop a master plan to protect what makes this island so special.

One worries if a parking garage won’t be followed by buildings beyond the height limits.

We need to do our part to be respectful of Anna Maria Island and its lifestyle. We are islanders, after all.

Janice Mattina, Holmes Beach

Connections on, off AMI

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

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

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

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

Looking back

10&20 years ago

From the July 9, 2003, issue

• The demolition of 17 live oaks at Anna Maria Elementary to make room for construction of a new school brought a wave of protest by school advisory committee member Judy Holmes Titsworth, who said the committee had made it a priority to save as many trees as possible. Titsworth is now mayor of Holmes Beach.

• Sections of the shore in Bradenton Beach had marine scientists stumped because people walking along a hard-packed beach were sinking waist-deep in sand. A rep with Coastal Planning and Engineering said in his 25 years working for Manatee County he had never observed the phenomenon.

• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection gave a dredging project in Bimini Bay a clean bill of health and allowed dredging of the marina channel to resume. Dredging was halted after lead batteries and other waste were found in the water.

From the July 10, 2013, issue

‘Christmas’ and commerce

LEFT: Santa takes the megaphone and a seat on the curb outside the S&S Plaza at Marina and Gulf drives in Holmes Beach in July 1977 during a Christmas in July celebration sponsored by island businesses.

RIGHT: Christmas in July is celebrated at a Holmes Beach business in 1977. The description of the photo in the Manatee County Library archives reads, “It might be in Pete Reynard’s Yacht Club Restaurant.” Decades ago, when summer was an off-season, island businesses rallied around Christmas in July sales and events. The Anna Maria Island Privateers still hold a Christmas in July event in collaboration with the Drift-In in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photos: Manatee County Public Library System

Read the archives The Islander newspapers are archived with the university of Florida — searchable by key word, name or date. Look online for The Islander at the uofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

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• A teen visiting Anna Maria with family from Winter Haven disappeared in the Gulf of Mexico during an afternoon visit to the beach and was found drowned the next day.

• Twelve young swimmers were pulled from the Gulf of Mexico by rescue teams near Sycamore Avenue in Anna Maria after they were unable to swim some 300 feet back to shore.

• Bradenton Beach commissioners dispatched the first public hearing to amend the city’s zoning map and change a portion of a city parking lot from residential to public and semi-public use.

— Lisa Neff

AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!

The Islander is proud to sponsor the Privateers efforts to bring cheer, joy and fun to the off-holiday season. Merry Christmas in July, y’all. And a happy rest of the year!

All-American outing on AMI Privateers bring parade to island streets for Independence Day

Tiki & Kitty’s

Tiki and Kitty are heating up their shopping plans, looking for a summer day or two to make a round of visits to the best shops.

They’re starting at Blue Flamingo, home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. Blue Flamingo also offers Dixie Belle paints.

Cat’s Meow has 7,700 square feet of vintage, unique and repurposed items. You may want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. Plus, there’s a mancave and a cool clothing boutique. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

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 invites you to visit its many vendors at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301, where a portion of your purchase benefits Moonracer

No Kill Pet Rescue — our favorite pet rescue group. Founder Lisa Williams leads the rescue efforts and also works at The Islander as office manager.

FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints. The Vintage Vine Market offers fine vintage

wares and more with a whimsical twist in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm — high ceilings, exposed brick and tons of natural light and greenery. And they take select consignments by appointment.

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

Children with squirt guns are ready for battle as the Anna Maria Island Privateers July 4 Parade passes on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.

A parade Jeep outfitted with a water hose takes on several children, who were armed and ready with dock hoses at the Waterline marina-basin in Holmes Beach. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson

An unsuspecting parade attendee “yelps” after taking a jet of water to the back. This year’s parade featured a water battle, with many observers catching a blast from the super-soakers from participants and onlookers.

The Clearwater-based Ye Mystic Krewe of the Santa Margarita “sails” on Marina Drive in Holmes Beach

New president retakes office, eyes Privateers’ resurgence

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Ahoy, me hearties!

A familiar face is hoping to reinvigorate the Anna Maria Island Privateers of old as its president.

MaryAnn “Maz” Zyla told The Islander July 6 that she has high hopes for the nonprofit heading into her second turn at the helm.

The Privateers are a pirate-themed nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers who host events and raise money to provide scholarships for children.

Zyla became the nonprofit’s first woman president when she was elected to serve 2013-14. She previously served as vice president.

This year, Zyla will return to the presidency without an election. She was unopposed.

“It was kind of anti-climactic this year,” Zyla said. “Unlike in 2013, when we actually had a lot more members and people ran against each other for different positions, unfortunately this year nobody ran against anybody.”

This year’s “election” season also resulted in the Privateers’ second woman as captain, longtime member Terry “Cookie” Rapert.

Captains are no longer responsible for driving the Privateers’ ship, the Skullywag but Zyla said Rapert is one of the nonprofit’s best at navigating the high seas of island traffic.

“I think she’s going to embrace that role and she’s going to be awesome,” Zyla said.

The women are stepping into their new roles at a relatively low point for the nonprofit, which Zyla said has struggled to maintain membership and community relevancy in recent years.

“We fell off the radar for a little bit,” she said. “Membership has really dropped off over the last couple years. It’s easy to say we want to do all these

different events, but when it actually comes down to having the manpower to put it all together and run it, we weren’t able to as much.”

“We need to reintroduce the Privateers to our community,” she added.

Moving forward, Zyla said the first thing she wants to address is the dwindling crew with the launch of a membership drive.

Next, she wants to improve the nonprofit’s visibility by using the additional members to increase community involvement and provide a more active social media presence.

Zyla said the Privateers regularly participate in and host events that aren’t adequately publicized. So improving the nonprofit’s social media presence will be a “big” focus.

She also wants the Privateers to push for recognition from the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce with a run at the annual small business of the year awards, which recognize exemplary local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Zyla said she is looking forward to discussing her ideas with the new board of directors at its meeting in August.

She and Rapert, as well as other “elected” officers and board members, will transition into their new roles at the their next meeting — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Bradenton Moose Lodge, 310 44th Ave. E., Bradenton.

The induction ceremony and meeting will be open to the public.

People can learn more about the nonprofit at its website, amiprivateers.org. To reach out to Zyla, call or text, 941-650-8673.

Cheers for Privateers

Three youth from Wesley Chapel — Elise Willis, 7, Lochlan Mazzaro, 7, and Maggie Willis, 10 — return each July with family to celebrate July 4 and take in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade. They had small water pistols — under-powered for this year’s mega-water battle. Islander

Courtesy Photos

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Privateer Mary Ann “Maz” Zyla, front, takes part in the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival in 2022.

Islander File Photos

Privateer MaryAnn “Maz” Zyla takes office as the first woman leader for the nonprofit in 2013.

by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Wednesday, July 12

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

ONGOING ON AMI

Throughout July, Artists’ Guild Gallery allAmerican exhibit, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Throughout July, Island Gallery and Studios “New Kids on the Block” exhibit, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-7786648, islandgalleryandstudios.org.

Last Saturdays through Aug. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Bradenton Public Market, Old Main Street. Information: 941-3018445.

July 22-Sept. 17, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ “John Pirman: Diving into Nature” exhibit, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.

Through Sept. 2, Thursday-Saturday, Laser Light Nights musical shows, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.

Through Sept. 3, “Eco Engineers” exhibit, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131, bishopscience.org.

Through Sept. 4, “Reclaiming Home: Contemporary Seminole Art,” the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390, ringling. org.

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

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

Sept. 14-24, Island Players’ “Farce of Nature,” Anna Maria.

Oct. 3-May 7, Anna Maria Farmers Market, Anna Maria.

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

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

& FAMILY

ON AMI

Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

Wednesday, July 12

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

ONGOING OFF AMI

Thursday, July 13

10 a.m. — “Recycling Truck” special program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Friday, July 14

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

Tuesday, July 18

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

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

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

LESSONS & LEARNING

Wednesday, July 12

ON AMI

2 p.m. — Journal writing class, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY

Thursday, July 13

ON AMI

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

Monday, July 17

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

Noon-5 p.m. — Keep Manatee Beautiful and Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce tree giveaway, chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1541.

Tuesday, July 18

9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Keep Manatee Beautiful and Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce tree giveaway, chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1541.

ONGOING ON AMI

Saturday — July 29, Aug. 26 in the summer — 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.,

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.

SAVE THE DATE

July 22, Anna Maria Island Privateers-Drift In Christmas in July party, Bradenton Beach.

July 26, Suncoast Waterkeeper’s World Mangrove Day Celebration and Happy Hour, Perico Island.

SPORTS & GAMES

ONGOING ON AMI

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

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

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

ONGOING OFF AMI

Through Sept. 3, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-7473031.

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

OUTDOORS & NATURE

ONGOING ON AMI

Fourth Wednesdays through August, 7 a.m., Manatee Audubon Society “Birds and Breakfast,” at various locations. Information: 941592-7622.

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

GOOD TO KNOW

KEEP THE DATES

Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day.

Sept. 4, Labor Day.

Sept. 10, Grandparents Day.

Sept. 11, Patriot Day.

Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out. Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared.

GET LISTED

CALENDAR & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Send listings for the calendar to calendar@islander.org. Please, include a contact phone number for publication.

Also, send listings for the Island Happenings sections to calendar@islander.org. Please, include a contact phone number and name for publication, as well as event details — times, dates, locations and plans.

Compiled

Island happenings

Island Players announce 75th season, ticket sales

The curtain will open in September on the Island Players’ 75th season.

The first production of the new season at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, will be “Farce of Nature,” written by Jones, Hope and Wooten and directed by Mike Lusk.

The play will open Thursday, Sept. 14.

Performances will continue through Sunday, Sept. 24, with the cast taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The theater is dark Mondays.

The season’s lineup also includes

• A.R. Gurney’s “Later Life” Nov. 2-12;

• Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” Jan. 11-28;

• Alan Ayckbourn’s “Communicating Doors” March 7-24;

• “The Woman in Black” by Susan Hill and Stephen Mallatratt.

Debut at VOTA venue

Nora Green, known to fans as “Nora Bear,” 10, makes a debut performance July 1 at Birdrock Taco Shack in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. She was sandwiched between performances by the Trevor Bystrom Band and another singer and performed two covers and an original, “Mountains to Climb.” Nora’s audience includes her musical influencer, step-dad Trevor Bystrom of the island veterinarian family, mom Katrina Lathrop Bystrom, dad Alex Green and step-mom Meg. Islander Courtesy Photo

Season tickets on sale

The theater group is selling season tickets through Sept. 1.

Season ticketholders can attend five productions for $125.

Individual ticket sales will begin Sept. 5. For more information about tickets, go online to www.theislandplayers.org or call the theater’s box office at 941-778-5755.

Keep Manatee Beautiful, AMI chamber set tree giveaway

First come, first to plant. Keep Manatee Beautiful is partnering with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce to give away small native trees over two days.

The giveaway will be at the chamber office, 5313 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach, July 17-18.

Hours July 17 will be noon-5 p.m. and then 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 18

Tree offerings include:

• Pigeon plums, which can reach heights of 15-25 feet with a spread of 20-35 feet. The fruit in late summer or fall can attract birds;

• Silver buttonwoods, which reach heights of 15-20

Drama camp registration open

As kids’ summer vacation enters a final act, the Center of Anna Maria Island’s drama camp begins. Camp dates are July 17-20 and July 24-27, followed by performances at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 27, and 6 p.m. Friday, July 28.

Kids must be registered by Thursday, July 13.

Camp, taught by Brianna Shaughnessy, is open to kids as young as kindergarten up to the sixth-grade for the 2023-24 school year.

Campers will learn about film and theater acting, as well as the auditioning process.

The cost to attend is $260 for members, $275 for nonmembers.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, call the center at 941-7781908.

New to the gallery

“Woodstork II” by Gwen Kodad, showing at Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Kodad is a new member of the gallery previously located on AMI. Also new to the gallery are Cosette Kosiba, Lynn Coppinger, Debbie Snow, Cheryl Sudbury-Buerger, Lisa DiFranza and David Tejada. Their work is being featured throughout July in a “New Kids on the Block” exhibit. The gallery also is hosting art demonstrations, including one on macrame with Carol Farkas at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29. For more, call the gallery at 941-778-6648. Islander Courtesy Photo

Odd Duck Designs Shop

feet. The species is popular because it is relatively lowmaintenance;

• Thatch palms, which reach heights of about 20 feet and produce fruit.

Twenty of each tree will be available.

For more information about the trees, call KMB at 941-795-8272.

A Hair Day Salon & Spa

Privateers meet Marauders

Home-field celebration for scholars and crewe

Anna Maria Island Privateers and their 2023-24 scholars line up along the first baseline at LECOM Park in Bradenton June 30 for Crewe Night with the Bradenton Marauders. The evening included the introduction of the Privateers’ scholars and nine innings of Minor League Baseball between the Marauders and the Clearwater Threshers. The home team lost 14-1. Islander Photos: Courtesy AMIP via Facebook and Bradenton Marauders

Privateers 1st pitch

Anna Maria Island Privateer Brian “Marco” Olsen tosses a first pitch June 30 to start a Minor League Baseball game between the Bradenton Marauders and Clearwater Threshers at LECOM Park. The Marauders hosted the Privateers for Crewe Night and celebrated the nonprofit’s scholarship awards. The Threshers took an early lead and held it to defeat the Marauders 14-1.

BY JOHN WESTWIG / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ

Marty the Marauder welcomes representatives from the Early Learning Coalition to the infield June 30 at Bradenton’s LECOM Park for a check presentation. The events of the evening included scholarship awards and baseball. Islander Photos: Courtesy Bradenton Marauders

Correction

A headline on an announcement for the scholarship awards in the July 5 issue contained the wrong scholarship total. The Privateers awarded $7,500 in scholarships.

No.

Brian “Marco” Olsen comes out of his windup on the first pitch of the night at the June 30 Bradenton Marauders game.

Summertime scientific study

Kids and staff engage in a marine-focused classroom lesson earlier this summer at Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach.

AME was a host site for School District of Manatee County students attending summer programs. At AME, kids participated in studies at the Guy Harvey Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Islander Photos: Courtesy School District of Manatee County

AME Calendar

Aug. 2-9, teacher workdays.

Aug. 8, back-to-school night.

Aug. 10, first day of class.

Aug. 10, parents’ “welcome” coffee.

Sept. 4, Labor Day, no school.

Oct. 12, end of quarter.

Oct. 13, record day, no school.

Oct. 28, fall festival.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more, call the school office at 941-708-5525 or go online to www.manateeschools.net/annamaria.

Achievements We welcome announcements of scholastic achievements and celebrations. Share honors by emailing news@islander.org.

On

students — the next generation of

Kids and staff engage in a lesson earlier this summer at AME’s Guy Harvey Academy. The academy’s inaugural year at AME was 2022-23. The school district plans to expand the program, including at King Middle and Manatee High.

the bayside at Anna Maria Elementary,

marine biologists? — take part in a summer camp, a Guy Harvey Academy of Arts & Sciences program.

By Lisa Neff

Shoe drive kicks off

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is collecting shoes for Project Heart to help outfit kids for the new school year.

The mission of Project Heart is to provide Manatee County students living in housing transition with support and resources needed to enroll, attend and succeed in school.

New shoes can be donated mornings, SundayThursday, this month, at the church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

A notice from the church read, “This collection of new shoes gives kids facing housing transition a chance to put a good foot forward in the upcoming school year. All sizes are needed, especially teens.”

For more information, call the church offi ce at 941-778-1813.

For more information about Project Heart, go online to manateeschools.net.

Picnic in the parish

The Women’s Guild of St. Bernard Catholic Church will hold a brown bag lunch in the parish hall, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 13.

An announcement in the church bulletin said, “We welcome guild members and all women of the parish. Please join us for this casual social ‘Summer Picnic.’ Bring your own lunch and beverage. We will supply the watermelon!”

For more information, call the church at 941-7784769.

GoodDeeds

Assistance offered on AMI

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

Young’uns build on the beach

The 27th annual Busciglio Family and Friends July 4 Pyramid is in the books and for 2023 it’s a kid-cousins edition. The fifth-generation islanders pictured range in age from 2-15 years old — all from the extended Busciglio, Sheridan, Díaz, Bryant, Waygood, Smith and Porter families. The family has been lining up generations on the beach and sharing them with The Islander for 27 years. Islander

Family celebrations

Charles Wade, the longtime facilities administer at Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria, gathers with family June 25. Wade was ordained that day and delivered a sermon at his mother’s church, Bradenton’s Trinity Multicultural Church, according to a news release from Roser. The next day brought another milestone for the family, Arianna Wade, 7, daughter of Charles and Brenda, had her trach removed. The Roser family rallied around Arianna when she was born three months premature. In the photo are Brenda, left, Theresa, Davonte, Charles, Iris, Trevon and Arianna. Islander Courtesy Photos

Tidings

Arianna Wade, 7, and Dr. Luis Montes following surgery June 26. Arianna was born April 19, 2016, three months premature. At the time, she was the smallest baby born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Compiled by Lisa Neff

ON AMI

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

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m., followed by life group.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Youth Summer activities; 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. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes

Assistance sought on AMI

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

• Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals, as well as assist with technology. Info: 941-345-2441.

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: Wednesdays, 2:45 p.m., July 21, Aug. 9, Golfing for God, Bradenton; Wednesdays through Aug. 30, 1 p.m., GriefShare; Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study.

St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.

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

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

OFF AMI

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

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

Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.

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

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

SPECIAL DATES & EVENTS

July 17, 10:30 a.m., Gloria Dei book discussion via Zoom.

Sept. 15, Rosh Hashanah.

Sept. 24, Yom Kippur.

GET LISTED, CHANGE LISTINGS

Send listings and/or changes in worship calendars and other events to calendar@islander.org.

Photo: Dina Sheridan

Wildlife, rescuers cope with 4th fallout

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Not all walks or flights of life enjoy fireworks on the Fourth of July.

“I wish they would just make them illegal,” Gail Straight of Wildlife Inc. told The Islander in a July 6 interview.

Fireworks generally are illegal in Florida most of the year but due to the signing of Senate Bill 140 by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2020, fireworks are legal on three holidays: Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Straight said the shock of fi reworks can cause wildlife to flee, landing in roadways, crashing into buildings and even abandoning nests.

“Someone on Avenue C had them going for hours and they were big,” said Straight, whose rescue is at her home, 2207 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach.

Straight said the rescue took precautions to keep animals in their charge as safe as possible over the long holiday — celebrated July 1-9.

Obituary

William L. ‘Bill’ Snow

William L. “Bill” Snow, 98, of Anna Maria, died at his home May 15.

Snow

A father, small business owner, entrepreneur and lover of airplanes and boats, Mr. Snow was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Detroit. He attended Cooley High School until his life plan was forever changed by the start of World War II.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at 17, learned to fly and became a pilot of B-17s and was flying missions over Germany by the age of 19.

He never looked back.

He married his partner, fi rst mate and co-pilot, Verna Niemonen in 1944 and they enjoyed 70 years of adventures flying, boating and exploring the world.

Mr. Snow held a number of patents in the precast and cremation industry. Always ahead of his time, he identified the future of cremation and the need for providing dignified resting places to honor the departed.

After retiring to their Anna Maria home, Mr. Snow was an active participant with the city in the early road/ sewer infrastructure planning. He also was a weekly racquetball player until his late 80s and rode his bike to the Anna Maria post office every day into his 90s.

A military service is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at Sarasota National Cemetery and a celebration of life is being planned in Michigan. Memorial donations may be made to Wreaths Across America: wreathsacrossamerica.org or Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County at bgcmanatee.org

Mr. Snow is survived by his children, Debra Dykema of Traverse City, Michigan, Valerie Snow of Bradenton, William P. and wife Pam of Gaylord, Michigan, and Barbara Zdravecky of Anna Maria Island; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Mr. Snow’s caregivers, Kim, Jason, Kelly, Erica,Vickie and Von and are grateful to Ariel and Tavon of Tidewell Hospice.

At your service

Obituaries are offered as a free community service to residents and families of residents, as well as to people with ties to the island. Submit to news@ islander.org. Paid obituaries can be discussed with ad consultant Toni Lyon at 941-778-7978.

The rescue as of July 7 was rehabilitating six young deer, which on July 4 were cushioned with hay to prevent them from dashing into obstacles.

Straight said the number of rescues over the holiday was lower than the previous year.

She credits the lack of permitted firework shows as the reason.

“I really have to give credit to the Sandbar for deciding that the environment and the animals are a little more important than the fireworks,” Straight said.

The Chiles Hospitality Group, which owns the Sandbar, opted not to hold a July 4 fireworks display in Anna Maria.

Straight said Wildlife Inc. was housing some birds that arrived after the holiday, including doves, mockingbirds and blue jays.

But not just nesting birds are affected by fireworks.

Straight said the rescue also took in a moorhen that lost the use of its legs. She thinks the bird ran from exploding fireworks and collided with something.

Moorhens — sometimes called marsh hens — are medium-sized water birds typically found in freshwater ponds.

About Wildlife Inc.

Founded in 1987, Wildlife Inc. is a rescue and rehabilitation center run by Gail and Ed Straight at their residence in Bradenton Beach. It is the largest such center in Manatee County, treating thousands of birds, mammals and reptiles since its founding. Volunteers help run the center, which operates as a nonprofit.

A cool 48F away from the lower 48 Kathy and Vic Caserta of Holmes Beach show off The Islander July 5 at the Skutulsfjordur waterfall while on a Tampa-Boston-Iceland cruise. They said they managed to show off The Islander to all the passengers on board. They also sent a weather photo showing the temp at 48 degrees and the “feels like” temp of 40. Brrrrrr. Meanwhile, temps on AMI rose to 96 over the July 4 holiday.

Milestones The Islander welcomes news about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives. Email news@islander.org.

Port Charlotte man arrested with cocaine by HBPD

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested Port Charlotte resident Troy Lantz, 52, July 2 on a third-degree felony charge for allegedly possessing cocaine, a controlled substance.

Lantz also was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for allegedly resisting or obstructing police without violence.

An officer saw a motorist proceed through a flashing red traffic light at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue without stopping around 1 a.m., according to an HBPD report.

The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, Lantz, who spoke with a slurred voice and had “red and glassy” eyes, according to the report.

The officer reported seeing Lantz grab a small plastic bag containing a white substance from the vehicle’s center console and place it on the floorboard.

The officer asked Lantz to exit the vehicle and went to handcuff him, but Lantz pulled away and tried to get back in his vehicle.

Streetlife

The officer called for backup and continued to struggle with Lantz until additional officers arrived and helped remove Lantz from the vehicle.

The officers handcuffed Lantz and searched his vehicle, finding 1.1 grams of a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

The officers arrested Lantz and brought him back to the HBPD, where Manatee County Emergency Medical Services medically cleared Lantz.

The substance was placed in police storage.

An officer then transported Lantz to the Manatee County jail. He was released the same day after posting $2,000 bond.

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

Punishment for a first-degree misdemeanor include up to one year in jail, one year of probation and a fine of up to $1,000.

An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice

Island police reports

Anna Maria

July 1, 100 block of Palm Avenue, noise. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded at 10:24 p.m. to a noise complaint. A complainant stated that loud music was coming from a neighboring house. The deputy issued a citation for a noise ordinance violation to the offender.

July 2, 200 block of Willow Avenue, noise. A deputy responded at 1:31 a.m. to a noise complaint. A complainant reported a loud party in violation of a city noise ordinance. A deputy issued a citation for a noise ordinance violation to the offender.

July 2, 100 block of Spruce Avenue, lewd and lascivious. A deputy responded to reports of a man exposing himself to beachgoers, including minors, while floating on a raft at the beach. Deputies arrested the 70-year old for misdemeanor exposure of sexual organs and transported him to Manatee County jail.

The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach

July 1, 1507 Gulf Drive S., Coquina North Boat Ramp, lost/stolen property. A Bradenton Beach Police Department officer was dispatched to a call concerning a missing license plate for a boat trailer. A complainant said they returned from the water to find the trailer tag missing. An incident report was filed and a case number issued.

July 3 118 Bridge St., Sports Lounge, disorderly conduct. BBPD officers were dispatched in reference to a physical disturbance between two individuals.

Holmes Beach resident arrested for fleeing police

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested resident Tim Stephens, 58, July 4 on a third-degree felony for fleeing/ evading police.

Stephens also was charged with a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving an unregistered vehicle.

An officer was directing traffic at the intersection of 43rd Street and Gulf Drive due to a vehicle accident when he saw a motorist driving a scooter in a bicycle lane and crossing the double-yellow median to pass other motorists.

The officer contacted the driver and asked him to pull over, but the driver “immediately fled east on 43rd Street,” according to a police report.

The officer returned to his vehicle, activated his lights and siren, then followed after the motorist, who accelerated and ran multiple stop signs.

The officer followed the motorist until he came to a stop at the end of Avenue E.

There, the officer arrested the motorist, later identified as Stephens, who said he did not want to get a ticket for driving an unlicensed scooter.

Andre’s

Dog

Look for the BLUE market at the light . 51st & Manatee

5104 Manatee Ave W . Bradenton . 941.896.6245

Bar staff asked for a man to be trespassed. The man became verbally abusive and refused to comply. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and transported to the Manatee County jail in Palmetto.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach. Cortez

No new reports.

The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach

June 28, Publix Pharmacy and Liquor Store, 505 Manatee Ave. W., trespass. An officer from the Holmes Beach Police Department responded to reports of a suspicious person sleeping on a sidewalk. The officer spoke with a manager, who asked to trespass the man. The officer found and woke the man, then trespassed him from the property. The man left without issue.

July 1, Anchor Inn, 3007 Gulf Drive, trespass. An officer responded to reports of a fight and spoke with a manager who said a bargoer had been involved in a fight and asked for him to be trespassed. The officer spoke to the man and trespassed him. He left without issue.

July 3, 200 block of 72nd Street, domestic battery. Multiple officers responded to reports of a domestic battery in progress and found a woman who said her boyfriend hit her and she wanted to press charges. Officers located the man, who denied hitting the woman. He was arrested and transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, then the Manatee County jail.

July 4, Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, towed vehicle. An officer responded to reports of a parked vehicle blocking in a motorist. The officer

The officer found the scooter was not registered in any U.S. state and called Elmers Towing to have it removed.

The officer issued several citations to Stephens and transported him to the Manatee County jail, where he was released that day after posting $1,620 bond.

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

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

An arraignment was not scheduled as of July 5.

found the complainant blocked in by two doubleparked vehicles. He issued citations and called Elmers Towing to remove the vehicles.

July 5, 400 block of 28th Street, false report. The HBPD received a call about an out-of-control motorist who crashed into mangroves. Multiple officers responded and found a vehicle parked near mangroves with no signs of a crash. An officer called the complainant, who was uncooperative, but the complainant was found at a nearby property. The man again refused to cooperate, went inside and refused to answer the door. An officer filed a capias request to the state attorney’s office for a misdemeanor charge against the man for reporting a false crime to the police.

The HBPD polices Holmes Beach.

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

and starfish, containing live organisms of any single species except for oysters, hard clams, sunray venus clams and coquinas per day, according to FWC regulations.

Other shellfish, such as crabs, are subject to seasonal regulation, while whelks and conchs have protected status. It is not, however, unlawful to collect their shells, as long as the shell does not contain a living organism.

Sweet said the situation with the collectors came to a head July 1, when Capt. Katie Tupin of Cortez-based Scarlett Boat Tours saw a group with nets and pockets full of sea life.

Tupin called the FWC and made a report and the FWC officers were on the water in proximity of the incident to catch the poachers in the act, according to Sweet.

Tupin posted to Facebook July 4: “Illegally harvesting 250 plus sea urchins and hundreds of live

conchs/whelks etc. … is despicable. Stop coming out here and wiping the bay clean.”

Ashlee Sklute, a public information coordinator for the FWC, shared a news release July 5 stating the agency acted after receiving several reports of individuals illegally harvesting marine life near Longboat Pass.

FWC officers inspected multiple vessels throughout Sarasota Bay, according to the release.

“In total, six individuals were issued 18 criminal citations and multiple warnings for resource viola-

tions,” the release stated. “The violations included the harvest of more than two live shellfish per species per day in Manatee County, the harvest of more than 20 individuals per day of tropical marine life species, the possession of undersized stone crab, the possession of egg-bearing stone crab, the possession of whole-condition stone crab, the possession of stone crab during closed season, and fishing without a valid saltwater fishing license.”

The FWC also said 10 species and more than 200 live specimens were returned alive to area waters as a result of the inspections.

For more information on species bag limits, go online to myfwc.com

To report a violation, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.

County Sheriff’s Deputy Lauren Bradley, left, riding Deputy Blue and Deputy Serissa Thompson, riding Deputy Gunny, chill July 3 in the waters of Longboat Pass at the south end of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.

An FWC officer inspects marine life found on a PWC July 1 in Bradenton Beach waters near Longboat Pass. Islander Photo: Courtesy Katie Tupin

Manatee

Islander Photo: Courtesy MCSO

Oyster production, protection at top of seawall study

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Unlike a lot of hipsters, oysters don’t care for vinyl.

Initial data from a study being conducted by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program indicates vinyl seawalls might result in a loss of oyster habitat when compared with oyster habitat on concrete seawalls.

Oysters are a “keystone species” in that their health can define an entire ecosystem. Without keystone species, an ecosystem would be different or cease to exist, according to the Coastal Conservation Association.

For example, without an oyster’s filtration, which clears the water for light to penetrate, bay grasses struggle to grow. In turn, without healthy grass beds and reef habitat, juvenile fish and crabs might not survive to adulthood.

Concrete seawalls can be an excellent breeding ground for oyster beds.

However, Dave Tomasko, executive director of the SBEP, said July 5 that vinyl seawalls might inhibit the growth of oysters and contribute to a loss of marine habitat.

Tomasko and SBEP scientists are investigating the difference between oyster populations on vinyl and concrete seawalls in the bay area.

“We did a couple days in the field, visited 32 seawalls, divided into 16 concrete and 16 vinyl ones,” he said. “On the concrete seawalls, every single one

of them had oysters. On the vinyl ones, of the 16 we visited, 10 had nothing growing on them and six had a very small abundance of oysters.”

Tomasko said scientists are undecided as to why oysters do not take root on vinyl but there are theories.

One theory is vinyl is too slick.

Another theory has to do with the chemicals used to protect the vinyl from UV light damage.

Tomasko said their data is too new to know if there will be a significant impact on the ecosystem with a shift to vinyl.

“We don’t know exactly how big a deal this is

but it does seem that it is not a great idea to be losing oysters in these canals,” he said, referring to canals in Sarasota Bay.

“Oysters growing on these seawalls might be more than the amount of natural oyster reef habitat. There’s not an awful lot of oyster reef habitat in Sarasota Bay. There are some that have been built by the estuary program and its partners. There are some that are natural. But the vast majority of the shoreline is hardened.”

Tomasko estimated that seawalls in the bay area might provide dozens of miles of habitat, if not more.

“If we replace every concrete seawall in Sarasota Bay with vinyl and 10-15 years from now, we don’t have oysters on them, the result will be a substantial reduction to the filtering.”

Tomasko observed that some governments are shelling out funding for bivalve restoration, as clams are thought to be helpful to bay water quality. Yet allowing the loss of concrete seawall habitat works against their restoration initiatives.

If the SBEP research does conclude oysters won’t grow on vinyl, Tomasko said the SBEP already is working on ways to mitigate oyster loss with the installation of mangrove panels, fabricated concrete panels infused with fibers from coconut and palmetto trees to mimic the form and function of red mangrove tree roots and oyster reefs.

Such panels are used in areas where ecosystems have seen a decline due to urban development.

“This is not just a Sarasota Bay issue,” Tomasko said. “This is happening all throughout Florida.”

A manufactured mangrove panel mimics mangroves in areas that have suffered environmental decline due to development, according to Dave Tomasko of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. Islander Photo: Courtesy SBEP

Tomasko

HB planning commission reviews pools, landscaping

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Holmes Beach Planning Commission’s review of the land development code has moved to the backyard.

Planning commissioners July 5 discussed potential changes regarding pools and landscaping in the LDC, such as prohibiting pool slides throughout residential zones and making the code more user-friendly.

The planning commission is an advisory board that reviews proposed ordinances and regulations.

Planning commissioners completed a review of the city’s comprehensive plan last year and began their review of the LDC in May after the city hired Fort Myers-based Morris-Depew Associates to assist in the process.

The city’s LDC provides specific regulations for zoning, development and land use. It was adopted in 2007 and last revised in 2014.

The planning commission began discussing the LDC’s pool section at a meeting in June. So MorrisDepew planning director Ben Smith returned in July with several potential changes to the code.

Resident Margie Motzer said during public comment that she read in meeting minutes that one potential change might be to allow pool slides in more residential zones.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• City center in Holmes Beach: Work on the city’s road improvement project near the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives is not concluded. Traffic patterns can change. For the latest, check the city’s page on Facebook.

Manatee County’s work on a force main project also continues in the city center area. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is relocating and replacing sewer lines along Gulf Drive from Sixth Street South to 11th Street South, as well as on side streets. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

For road watch info, go online to swflroads.com

— Lisa Neff

Planning commissioners James Harrison, left, Joseph Ireland, Gale Tedhams, Steve Oelfke and James McIntire pose July 5 for the first time after Harrison and Ireland were sworn in as alternate commissioners. Planning commissioners Richard Brown and Lisa Pierce were absent. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice

Pool slides are prohibited in the city’s R-2, R-3 and R-4 residential zoning districts, where seven-night minimum vacation rental stays are allowed.

They are permitted in the city’s R-1 and R-1AA residential zoning districts, where 30-night minimum stays are required.

Motzer said pool slides are dangerous and allowing them in R-2, R-3 and R-4 zones would lead to noise issues for residents since they raise people above common noise buffers, like fences.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” Motzer said. “I live in an R-2. It is still residential. On my immediate block, we are almost all permanent residents. … We want to retain our residency and preserve our neighborhoods.”

“So, please, do not move backward on this by removing the current prohibition on slides,” she added.

Smith said the changes he returned with would not remove the existing prohibition, which had been

established by ordinance, but establish it in the LDC.

Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, said the planning commission could expand the prohibition into the city’s R-1 and R-1AA zones.

Chair Gale Tedhams said the minutes about removing the city’s prohibition on pool slides must have been incorrect.

She added that she is concerned about noise issues caused by such structures.

Planning commission alternate James Harrison agreed that noise is the crux of the issue and supported expanding the prohibition across all residential zones.

Planning commissioners reached consensus to expand the prohibition on pool slides to the city’s R-1 and R-1AA zones.

Morris-Depew senior planner Lindsay Robin said the city adopted a “comprehensive” ordinance in 2020 that mirrors best management practices identified by the state, so she recommended few changes in the LDC’s landscaping and fertilizer section.

Robin presented some changes to make the LDC more user-friendly, such as providing illustrations and charts, clarifying definitions, as well as providing lists of prohibited plants and exotic invasive species.

There was no public comment about the landscaping and fertilizer section of the LDC.

The planning commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Live stream video of the meeting is available o the city’s website, holmesbeachfl.org.

At midseason, 1 flag football team remains undefeated

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

At the midpoint of the adult flag football season at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Luxury Services appears to be the team to beat.

They’ve posted double-digit victory margins in three of their four victories on the way to a 4-0 record.

Royale Club in Holmes Beach was the annual Fourth of July golf scramble. The team of Art McMillan, Deb and Dave Richardson and Quentin Talbert captured first-place with a 5-under-par 27 to edge second-place finishers Chuck Patrick and Adam, Karen & Scott Mitchell by a stroke. Third-place went to Mike Clements, Ken Nagengast, Sean Purcell and Debi Wohlers, who finished at 3-under-par 29.

Cassidy

Moss Builders is on their heels at 3-1, followed by Cortez Deep Sea Fishing, Salty Printing and Sandbar Restaurant, all at 2-2. Gulf Drive Cafe, Solid Rock Construction and Banks Home Lending complete the standings at 1-3.

Action July 6 got started with Luxury Services taking on Gulf Drive Cafe. The Cafe hung tough with Luxury Services for a while, trailing by only 4 points at the 14-minute mark of the first half, but Luxury Services outscored Gulf Drive 19-6 on the way to a dominating 41-24 victory.

Quarterback Chase Richardson turned in another strong performance, finishing with four touchdown passes and a touchdown run to lead Luxury Services, which also received 12 catches, including two for touchdowns from Tim Holly, who also added a rushing touchdown and a pair of extra points. Alonzo Leemus added two TD grabs and a pair of 2-point conversions, while Jasmine Muldoon completed the scoring with a 2-point conversion in the victory.

Dominick Otteni threw three TD passes, including two to Jacob Ferda and one to Dallas Buchholtz for the Cafe, which also receive a TD run from Steven Pavina in the loss.

Cortez Deep Sea Fishing outscored Sandbar Restaurant 39-31 behind a strong performance from Anthony Mannino, who finished with eight catches, including two for TDs, while also running for a score and throwing a pair of TD passes. Matt Manger added three TD passes for Cortez Fishing, which also received two TD receptions from Cole Carter and a TD grab from Anthony McCance in the victory.

Zachary Routh threw five TD passes and Wes Coleman had three TD catches for Sandbar, which also received TD catches from Cody Allen and Brad Coleman in the loss.

Moss Builders edged Salty Printing 25-20 in the third game of the night behind three TD passes from Ryan Moss and a TD run and two TD catches from Greg Moss. Peggy Smith completed the scoring for Moss with a touchdown grab.

Zaon Williams ran for a TD, threw a TD pass and

had a pick-six on defense for Salty Printing, which also received a TD reception and a pair of extra points from Brandon Rolland in the loss.

Banks Home Lending emphatically won its first game of the season with a 46-29 victory over Solid Rock Construction in the last game of the night. Cruz Rodriguez had a huge game, finishing with 10 catches, including four for TDs, while also adding a pair of TD passes. Cory Banks added five TD passes for Banks Home Lending, which also received two TD catches from Sequiel Marintez and one TD from Dan O’Connor in the victory.

Tuna McCracken paced Solid Rock with three TD passes on offense, while adding a pick-six interception on defense. Connor Ludwig chipped in two TD receptions, while Tyler Brewer completed the scoring with a TD reception, an extra point and a sack for a safety in the loss.

Key Royale news

The recent highlight for members at the Key

Wohlers also captured the women’s long-drive competition, while Chris Nelson won the men’s contest. Art McMillan’s tee shot on the third hole settled to within 3 feet, giving him closest-to-the-pin, while Jody Maleeny and Chuck Patrick won the women’s and men’s putting contests.

In addition to golf, Chris and Tom Nelson won a friendly corn hole contest, while Mike Clements, Ken Nagengast, Sean Purcell and Debi Wohlers won the Family Feud contest.

Following the event, players chowed at a cookout of burgers, hot dogs, chicken, salads and desserts on the Key Royale patio.

Regular golf action July 3 saw John Kolojeski card a plus-2 to win the weekly modified-Stableford match. Nelson Eagle and Art McMillan were both a point back in second.

Action July 6 saw Jim Hill, Hoyt Miller, Tom Nelson and Terry Schaefer combine on a 4-under-par 28 to win the weekly scramble. The team of Don Grau, Dom Livedoti, Art McMillan and Quentin Talbert was a stroke back in second place.

Horseshoe news

The week was short and sweet at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits with two outright winners. Tom Farrington and Bob Hawks posted the lone 3-0 record during July 5 pool play and were crowned as champs for the day. Farrington was back in the winner’s circle on July 8, this time teaming up with Tim Sofran to forge the only 3-0 record in pool play giving Farrington bragging rights for the week.

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

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Sweating for soccer

Palm Harbor resident Nick Hastings practices soccer skills despite the summer heat with a kick on goal July 5 at Holmes Beach city field, between 59th Street, Flotilla Drive and 62nd Street. Islander

Photo: Ryan Paice

Alonzo Leemus catches one of his two TD receptions for Luxury Services’ 41-24 victory over Gulf Drive Cafe during football action at the Center of Anna Maria Island. Islander Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

Gulf Drive Cafe player Steven Pavina eludes Luxury Service defenders Chase Richardson and Alonzo Leemus to score a TD during adult flag football action at the center. Islander

Photo: Kevin P. Cassidy

High heat drives anglers to fish early, seek shade and swift tide

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Although fishing in July around Anna Maria Island can be productive, outdoor heat and high water temperatures can deter even the most motivated anglers.

Those willing to brave the heat are scheduling their fishing sessions during the cooler parts of the day.

Fishing early, at fi rst light until 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., is advantageous. You may fi nd the fi sh following suit, as they will be more active during the cooler periods of the day.

Stasny

Don’t forget, tides play a major role in how the fi sh bite. So try to time morning excursions with a swift moving tide. The same applies in the evenings. Although water temps will be higher than desired, a swift tide might be enough to get the fish motivated to feed before sunset.

And don’t forget about night fishing. Targeting catch-and-release snook around green underwater lights or around bridges and passes can be productive in the dark. Again, you want to time your fishing during the best tides.

Finally, if you’re planning on being out in the heat of the day, carry an ample amount of water. Shade is always a good option, too. If no shade is available, which it often isn’t when you’re out on the water, cover up by wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, hat and sunglasses. The less exposure you have to the sun’s rays, the better you’ll feel.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m trying to get on the water as early as possible. Flats fishing for catch-andrelease snook is quite good during the first couple of hours after sunrise but as the shallows heat up I’m finding the bite diminishes. That signals it is time to fish the deeper grass flats for trout and mackerel. The fish seem to be more comfortable there as they are able to retreat to slightly deeper, cooler water.

Lastly, mangrove snapper are being caught when fishing structure in depths of 15-20 feet of water.

Capt. David White is working a summertime pattern while trying to find a bite and beat the heat.

Catch-and-release snook fishing is productive for White’s charter clients. Targeting linesiders along the Gulf beaches and passes works best and snook are

Community center offers volleyball, fishing camps

Get skilled to bump, set, spike.

The center’s volleyball camp will run July 24-27 in the gym, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Camp is open to kids in fifth- to ninth-grades. The cost is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers.

Registration is required by Thursday, July 20. Fishing camp will be July 24-27 at island fishing piers.

The age groups are kindergarten to second-grade and third- to fifth-grade.

The cost for the camp is $70 for members and $90 for nonmembers.

The center offers reduced fees for some campers.

Registration is required by Thursday, July 20. For more information about summer camps, call the center at 941-778-1908.

being caught in all size ranges. Free-lining live shiners as bait is producing the best action.

Mangrove snapper also are being targeted by White. Bottom fishing around wrecks and reefs is yielding clients enough mangrove snapper to put a fish fry together. Smaller shiners are the best for bait. In some instances, White is chumming the snapper. In these scenarios, he’s free-lining baits in the chum to get a bite.

Lastly, with the abundance of sharks frequenting the warm waters surrounding Anna Maria, White is hooking up his share. For clients who wish to pull on a big fish, White is leading them to bull and blacktip sharks with fresh-cut chunks of mackerel, ladyfish or jack crevalle as bait.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier is still on the

Longtime client Conner Vincent of Baltimore shows off a blacktip shark caught and released July 3. The shark ate a live Jack Crevalle on the hook. Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters guided Vincent. Islander Courtesy Photo

mend from a broken knee, but that isn’t stopping him from frequenting his favorite spot on the north end of Anna Maria Island. While at the R&R, Malfese says he’s seeing some fish being caught despite the recordbreaking heat. Pier fishers using live shrimp as bait are hooking up with mangrove snapper as well as an occasional redfish. Catch-and-release snook are being caught on live shrimp, although preferred baits are pinfish, large shiners or mojarras. The snook being caught are running 20-40 inches.

Spanish mackerel also are being reeled up to the pier deck. Malfese says using speck rigs and silver spoons is working well to attract the mack bite. On a fi nal note, Malfese suggests fi shing early morning or late evening to beat the heat — and the bite is the best.

Capt. Mike Greig

Cameron White, 4, second daughter of fishing guide Capt. David White’s three girls, is outfitted with her trusty water pistol for the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade. Islander Photos: Candi Buchanan

Family, fireworks and a water fight Layla White, 6, is draped in a u.S. flag banner July 4 for a boat ride on the Manatee River with family and friends to see a fireworks display at the Green Bridge in Palmetto. Layla is the daughter of fishing guide Capt. David White.

Going on-road

Nesting notes

By Lisa Neff

Hatchlings to the sea

The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring team is keeping tabs on tiny turtles, with 340 loggerhead hatchlings to the sea as of July 8.

AMITW tracks the number of “hatchlings to the sea” based on the number of hatched eggs in excavated sea turtle nests.

The Islander connected with AMITW executive director Kristen Mazzarella during a busy holiday week to ask about life — and the struggle for survival — as the hatchlings depart the island.

The Islander: How far might they travel on that first swim?

Kristen Mazzarella: It depends upon how far out the sargassum seaweed line is. It takes approximately three-six days for them to swim to their home among the sargassum.

The Islander: The survival rate for hatchlings to adulthood is one in 1,000. Why so low?

KM: It takes loggerheads approximately 25 years to reach adulthood. So it’s a long time to survive before becoming an adult.

As hatchlings, turtles are prey to most anything in

the ocean.

As they grow, older predators are less of a threat but they have to deal with human threats like pollution, boat strikes and entanglement hazards for the rest of their lives.

If they survive to adulthood, they produce the next generation.

That’s why our adult turtles are so important.

The Islander: Has this survival rate changed much over the past 20 or 30 years?

KM: There may be an answer in the scientific literature, but I would need to research it further.

But their nest numbers have been increasing, which we’d like to think has something to do with our conservation efforts.

The Islander: In the nesting-hatching season, how do duties change for the AMITW team?

KM: The AMITW team has double duty at this time of year.

We are still watching for new nests and checking every nest every day but we also are documenting hatches, responding to disorientations and excavating hatched nests to determine how well they did.

The Islander: Do you expect to hold some public nest excavations this summer?

As of July 8, AMITW had identified 332 nests, 376 false crawls, 9 hatched nests and about 340 hatchlings to the Gulf of Mexico.

We’re Celebrating Again

KM: The public is always welcome to watch us do our work on the beach.

Often seen in the mornings monitoring the beaches via ATV, Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, and passenger Derek Faubel motor along Marina Drive during the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

We don’t advertise any of our excavations but we are always happy to share our experiences and educate the public while we are conducting our patrols.

The Islander: What does turtle watch learn from the excavations? How is the data used?

KM: Excavations are when we dig up the contents of the nest to determine how well the nest did.

We determine how many hatchlings made it out of the nest and the percentage of eggs that hatched.

The data we collect from excavations tells us how many hatchlings are being produced on Anna Maria Island each year, which is our conservation goal — to get more hatchlings to the ocean to grow up to lay more nests.

For more information about AMITW, call the nonprofit at 941-301-3484, email info@islandturtlewatch. com or go online to islandturtlewatch.com.

Do’s, don’ts for nesting season

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends people follow these guidelines for sea turtle safety:

• DO turn off or adjust lighting along the beachfront to prevent nesting sea turtles from becoming disoriented and moving toward the glow of light on land, instead of natural light reflecting on the surface of the water.

• DON’T use flashlights or camera flashes on the beach at night. They can distract nesting sea turtles and cause them to return to the water.

• DO clear the way at the end of the day. Nesting female sea turtles can become trapped, confused or impeded by gear left on the beach at night.

Call code enforcement to report unattended property or large holes on the beach.

Anna Maria — 941-708-6130, ext. 139. Bradenton Beach — 941-778-1005, ext. 280. Holmes Beach — 941-708-5800, ext. 247. Report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline, at 1-888404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

For more information, reach out to annamariaturtlewatch@gmail.com or 941-301-3484.

By Lisa Neff

Hotter than hot

An alarm on my iPhone sounded at 3:41 a.m. July 6 — a good 90 minutes ahead of my “wake” alarm.

The phone notifications showed a call and a text from Manatee County announcing a heat advisory for the area, with the heat index expected to exceed 110 degrees F.

The county issued additional advisories throughout the week.

Similar advisories went out across the country to cover an estimated 38 million people, and other warnings went out elsewhere in the world.

As I type, my watch shows the local temp is 92 degrees and the “feels like” temp is 112 in the sun and 99 in the shade.

My mail “inbox” is getting bombarded with alerts, news releases and news blasts about “climate change,” “extreme heat” and “sweltering summer nights.” One e-blast from CNN is headlined, “The planet saw its hottest day on record this week. It’s a record that will be broken again and again.”

I can’t say the headline contained hyperbole. One heat record was set July 3, only to be broken July 4.

The Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer tool showed the average temperature on Earth July 3 was 62.6 degrees F, a record broken July 4, when the average temp was 62.9 degrees.

Meanwhile, Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators, in early July reported that 71% of 195 U.S. locations analyzed now experi-

The Climate Reanalyzer’s color-coded globe indicates temps for July 6.

ence at least seven additional extremely hot days per year compared with stats for 1970.

An “extremely hot” temp, of course, isn’t the same in Anna Maria, Florida, and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Climate Central defines an “extremely hot day” as exceeding the 95th percentile of that location’s average maximum summer temperature rounded up to the nearest 5 degrees.

So an extremely hot day temperature in Juneau, Alaska, is 70 degrees and in Phoenix its 110.

Climate Central also reported:

• In 2022, the average global temperature was 2 degrees warmer than a 1881-1910 baseline, noting that even relatively small increases in average temperatures cause relatively large increases in extreme temperatures;

• The South and Southeast are risky heat hot spots but increases in days above the local minimum mortality temperature have been observed in every U.S. region.

The area nearest AMI that’s analyzed in Climate Central’s work is Sarasota, where there were 54 more “risky heat days” in 2022 compared with 1970.

Why do we get advisories when the heat index

Saharan dust up heads Florida’s way

A plume of Saharan dust was headed toward Florida the week ending July 9, while a second, larger plume was moving west from the coast of Africa.

What’s Saharan dust?

It comes from the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa.

Thunderstorms and cyclones can produce highspeed winds that lift the dust and transport it thousands of miles through the air. The dust can travel around the globe to Europe, South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the United States.

Saharan dust transported to the United States usually peaks from late June through mid-August, with

Deeds, needs after a storm

After a storm strikes, people in disaster zones can find help and people outside the zones can lend aid using the following resources:

• Florida’s volunteer, volunteerflorida.org.

• National Voluntary Organizations Active, www.nvoad.org.

• Before collecting supplies to donate, people should connect with organizations in an affected area to identify what is needed.

its impact felt mainly in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas and Florida.

Saharan dust can be harmful to human health, as the particles can be breathed in and enter the lungs and blood stream, potentially triggering asthma attacks or aggravating other respiratory conditions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Saharan dust worsens air quality and increases the levels of particulate matter in the air.

If there’s a positive, it’s that the dust can block sunlight, causing a decline in sea surface temps contributing to diminished hurricane activity.

— Lisa Neff

climbs?

Because extreme heat is a health hazard, one of the most serious health risks in our warming climate.

Exposure to extreme heat makes it difficult for bodies to cool off, resulting in heat-related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even fatal medical emergencies such as heat stroke.

Heat — not tornadoes or floods or hurricanes — is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.

Summer heat also can worsen air quality, trapping pollutants that can exacerbate respiratory health issues in people with asthma and other lung diseases.

So what do my early morning advisories recommend?

• Drink plenty of fluids;

• Stay in an air-conditioned room;

• Stay out of the sun;

• Check on relatives and neighbors;

• Reschedule strenuous outdoor activities;

• Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

In the zone

• Donating cash can be the best way to help after a disaster.

• After a storm, turn to The Islander’s social media and website — islander.org — for local connections.

• Also, find other resources for help at mymanatee.org, floridadisaster.org and fema.gov.

Neff

A map shows a voluntary “sea turtle protection zone” announced July 5 by Mote Marine Laboratory. The initiative involves Mote, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research at the university of Florida. The goal is to reduce harm to sea turtles in a hot spot for boat-strikes, according to Mote. The zone stretches from Longboat Key to Siesta Key, including Sarasota Bay and 1.5 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Islander Image: Courtesy Mote Marine Laboratory

A graph shows an increase in local “risky heat days.” Islander Images: Courtesy Climate Central/Climate Reanalyzer

ITEMS FOR SALE

FLY FISHING ROD, St. Croix Reign, R909.4. Nine-foot, nine-weight, with tube. $90. Call 941-761-1393. No text.

FOuR BIKES FOR sale each under $100. Male and female. Text me at 816-7215624.

uSED POOL FILTER system, Pentair, core fi lter, $49, beautiful faux fi replace, $49 or best offer, 941-778-5542.

PANINNI MAKER: CuISINART, stainlesssteel, like new, $45. 941-920-2494.

CHAIR: BLACK, SOFT cushion $15/ each and office chair, white, $10. Spice rack, three-tier clear plastic, $20. 941-920-2494.

ANTIQuE PARTNER DESK: All wood, $500. Inquire at The Islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes Beach. 941-778-7978.

Paradise Improvements 941.792.5600

AdoptA-Pet

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPECIALIZING IN BACHELORETTE parties. Call Michael Sue Scott. Intuitive reader. 941726-1234. www.michaelsuescott.com.

MANY THANKS TO Jesus, Mary and St. Jude for prayers answered. g.h.

GARAGE SALES

HuGE YARD SALE: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 15. 627 Concord Lane, Key Royale, Holmes Beach.

PETS

HELP RESCuED PETS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! Moonracer Animal Rescue. Email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CART RENTALS: Fun for residents and tourists! www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.

BOATS & BOATING

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

SuNCOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

FISHING

FuN AND FISH: Skiff rental. 24-foot Carolina skiff. Live bait and fi shing equipment included upon request. Call 941-704-9382.

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING HANDYMAN: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941962-2874.

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

LOOKING FOR AN EARLY BIRD? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on Tuesday at islander.org. And it’s FREE!

KIDS FOR HIRE

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

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

SERVICES

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

CLEANING: VACATION, CONSTRuCTION, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PRESSuRE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

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.

PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING: Residential, commercial, free estimates. “We want to earn your business!” 207-8526163.

AIRPORT RIDES: SARASOTA, St. Pete, Tampa. Call/text, Vita, 941-376-7555.

EXTRA HELP AT home or on vacation. organization, cleaning, sitting, errands. very competent. Gemma, 805-570-1415.

RAINY DAY AT the beach? Sunburned? Have fun inside. Tarot card reading for individuals or groups. Phone or video by St. Louis’ top psychic, CBS radio’s #1 fortune teller. As seen on MTV and Nickelodeon. $50 for 15 minutes. Call or text, Julia GordonBramer, 314-517-0158.

PRIORITY GuEST HOSTING By Bettina. Excellent five-star ratings for over five years. Vacation rental hosting. Call me, 240-4645898.

RIDES NEAR AND Far, car transport. Based in Palmetto. 715-292-8692.

CLEAN TECH MOBILE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

SERVICES Continued

BuSINESS-TO-BuSINESS JD’s Window

Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BEACH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-720-7411. CAC184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

CONNIE’S LANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-778-5294.

BARNES LAWN AND Landscape LLC. Design and installation, lawn and landscape services, tree trimming, mulch, rock and shell. 941-705-1444. Jr98@barneslawnandlandscape.com.

COLLINS LANDSCAPE LIGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.

SHELL DELIVERED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

MP LAWN MAINTENANCE now accepting new clients. Call Dante, 941-730-9199. mp@ mplawnmaintenance.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

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

GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc.

Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

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

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

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

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.

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, 859771-6423.

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

SEASONAL RENTAL: HOLMES Beach. One room studio. Large bathroom, kitchen, bed alcove. Private patio and parking. Dec. 15-April 15. No pets, no smoking. Total, $8,400. 908-914-1182.

WESTBAY POINT: SECOND floor 2BR/2BA furnished condo. Full bay views. No pets, no smoking. $3,200/month, six-month minimum. 847-530-8833.

SHORT-TERM FuRNISHED condos. West Bradenton. 2BR/1BA. $1,300/month. 2BR/2BA, $1,800/month. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

LOVELY, SECOND FLOOR duplex for rent: 3BR/2BA partially furnished, can accommodate your needs. Washer/dryer. Five minutes to AMI, quiet, safe. Rent includes all utilities except electric. Annual, $2,800/month. Will consider three-month, six-month. No smoking, Call Kelly, 941-301-9938.

BEACH LIFE! 55-plus park: 1BR/1BA. Beach just across the street! Furnished, pool, parking, six-month or annual rental. $1,499 month. Vetted by office. No pets. 831-2122606.

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

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

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.”

CLASSIC GOLF COuRSE home: Panoramic views on a private half-acre lot. House features high ceilings, caged pool, circle drive. Minutes to beaches and airport. $659,000. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

Limousine

Transportation Prompt, Courteous Service New Vehicles 941.779.0043

By Lisa Neff

Take a lunch meeting

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon will be 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Pesto Bistro and Wine Bar, 8799 Cortez Road, Bradenton.

The cost to attend is $22 for members, $30 for nonmembers.

Menu options include blackened tuna salad nicoise, eggplant napoleon or chicken Milanese, as well as appetizers upon arrival and chocolate cannoli for dessert.

Reservations are required.

For more information or reservations, contact the chamber at 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber. org.

Schooled on service?

Anna Maria Elementary’s PTO this month is rallying business sponsors for the 2023-24 academic year, which begins Aug. 10 for students at the Holmes Beach campus.

Sponsorship levels include:

• Dolphin, Above $5,000;

• Starfish, $2,500-$5,000;

• Turtle, $500-$2,500.

The organization also seeks in-kind contributions, especially to help with organizing a breakfast welcoming new families at the school and the annual fall festival, as well as teacher appreciation week and student read-a-thons and walk-a-thons.

To become a sponsor, go online to amepto.org/

Bins makes a splash…

A paradegoer gets more than she bargained for as a crew member on the Bins Be Clean truck showers a bucket of water on the crowd in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade, held July 4 from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to City Pier Park in Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

ame-sponsor.

For more information about AME or the PTO, email the PTO at amepto@gmail.com or call the school at 941-708-5525.

BizCal

By Lisa Neff

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, July 12

11:30 a.m. — Manatee Chamber of Commerce’s Headliners luncheon with Sarasota Bradenton International Airport execs, Peridia Golf and Country Club, 4950 Peridia Blvd., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info and reservation: 941-748-3411.

Thursday, July 13

11:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Pesto Bistro & Wine Bar, 8799 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info and reservation: 941-778-1541.

SAVE THE DATE

July 27, 5 p.m., AMI Chamber’s business-card exchange at the office with Your CBD Store, Holmes Beach.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AMI Chamber Bayfest, Anna Maria. Please, send calendar listings to calendar@islander.org.

May bed tax collection pushes 2022-23 gross over $22M

By Lisa Neff Islander Editor

Manatee County pulled in $1,997,077 in “bed tax” revenue in May — a new record for the month, although not by much.

The story was the same last May.

The May 2023 figure topped last year’s recordsetting May by 0.32%.

The May 2022 amount of $1,990,641 topped the May 2021 amount by just $8,992.

Still, tourist development tax revenues continue to climb and now exceed $22 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year that began in October, according to data released July 3 by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office.

The bed tax or tourist development tax is a 5% levy on accommodation rentals of six months or less.

The county grossed $22,113,246 in tax revenue from October 2022 to May 31.

Unincorporated Manatee County was the highest-grossing region in May, bringing in $743,210 or 37.21% of the total.

PropertyWatch

By Carol Bernard

Island real estate sales

308 Hardin Ave., Anna Maria, a 2,610 sq ft 3BR/2BA Sackett Villa condo built in 2013 sold 5/15/2023 by Sackett Trust to Fabjans Const/Prop Mgmt for $975,000, list price $1,150,000.

401 Pine Ave., #R, Anna Maria, a 2,000 sq ft 3BR/2BA pool home built in 2010 sold 5/1/2023 by Buky Family Business LLC to Sparky HS LLC for $1,550,000, list price $1,775,000.

103 Gull Drive, Anna Maria, a 1,640 sq ft 4BR/3BA pool home on a 7,501 sq ft lot built in 1973 sold 6/9/2023 by Wood Trust to Whitcomb for $1,775,000, list price $1,997,000.

515 Villa Rosa Way, Anna Maria, a 3,007 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 7,566 sq ft lot built in 2018 sold 6/21/2023 by Donnar to 1902 Land Trust for

Holmes Beach brought in $558,286 or 27.95%.

Anna Maria grossed $189,303 or 9.48% and Bradenton Beach gleaned $118,815 or 5.95%.

More May statistics:

• Longboat Key generated $200,228 or 10.03%;

• Bradenton generated $182,343 or 9.13%;

• Palmetto generated $4,910 or 0.25%.

The tax collector receives a 3% administrative fee, putting the county’s net revenue for May at $1,937,165.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council advises the county commission on how to spend the resort tax revenue, which by state law must go to bolstering tourism.

TDT money supports the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and also goes to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

TDT money also is used to renourish beaches, as well as for special projects, including the planned launch of a ferry service between the island and downtown Bradenton.

$5,200,000, list price $5,500,000.

1800 Gulf Drive, #221, Bradenton Beach, a 1,030 sq ft 2BR/2BA La Costa condo built in 1979 sold 6/15/2023 by La Costa 1800 LLC to Vivo A. Marie 2 LLC for $490,000, list price $549,900.

2302 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach, a 2,145 sq ft

2BR/2BA pool home on a 5,001 sq ft lot built in 1950 sold 6/14/2023 by 40th Parallel Prop LLC to Hey for $1,200,000, list price $1,350,000.

2408 Ave. C, Bradenton Beach, a 2,821 sq ft 7BR/8BA pool home on a 5,000 sq ft lot built in 2023 sold 6/15/2023 by 2406 Paradise Palm LLC to Werth for $4,200,000, list price $4,200,000.

600 Manatee Ave., #218, Holmes Beach, a 1,179 sq ft 2BR/2BA Westbay Cove condo built in 1977 sold 6/16/2023 by McFarlin to Chaplin for $548,000, list price $579,900.

3805 E. Bay Drive, #207, Holmes Beach, a 1,121

AMI TOURISM:

Endless Season

May tourist tax collections

May 2019: $1,093,870

May 2020: $558,014 (pandemic year)

May 2021: $1,981,649

May 2022: $1,990,641

May 2023: $1,997,077

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

June data will be released in early August. The next TDC meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

Top month for tourist taxes?

To date, the highest grossing month for Manatee County’s tourist development tax collection in 2022-23 was March, with $4,282,499 collected.

sq ft 2BR/2BA Sunbow Bay condo built in 1979 sold 6/16/2023 by Elgram to Harrison for $625,000, list price $664,900.

4001 Gulf Drive, #102, Holmes Beach, a 1,106 sq ft 2BR/3BA Beach Townhouse condo built in 1984 sold 5/26/2023 by Geis to Similuk for $669,000, list price $669,000.

6400 Flotilla Drive, #88, Holmes Beach, a 1,233 sq ft 2BR/2BA Westbay Point & Moorings condo built in 1978 sold 5/12/2023 by Tennill to Iyer for $800,000, list price $829,000.

622 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, a 1,972 sq ft 2BR/2BA home in a 9,975 sq ft lot built in 1967 sold 5/12/2023 by Prieto to Warfel for $850,000, list price $1,194,500.

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

SANDPIPER RESORT

Move-in ready 1BR/1BA updated 55+, bayfront co-op conveniently located just steps to the beach. This lovingly maintained home offers comfortable turnkey furnishings, new mini-split A/Cs, new windows and flooring, updated bath and private lanai with storage. Sandpiper community offers a heated pool, shuffleboard, coin laundry, library, recreation hall and a community dock. $350,000

SPACIOUS ISLAND CONDO

“La Playita” bright & airy townhouse condo, 1 block to the beach. Updated 2BR/2BA offers two-story ceiling in living room, comfortable turnkey furnishings, updated bathrooms, new A/C and water heater in 2021. This smaller complex offers a private heated pool, recently installed hurricane rated-doors, windows and siding, and a new roof in July 2023. $654,900

3

BEDROOM POOL HOME. STEPS TO BEACH

Elevated, 1745 SF, just steps from the beach. Home offers NEW A/C, elevator, open floor plan, 10-foot vaulted ceilings, 2 balconies, on-demand hot water, 2+ car garage, room for workshop, ample storage. Heated pool, Cobo sun shelf, covered paverpatio and bar. Hurricane-impact windows & doors. Zoning: R1. ASKING $1,750,000