The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2022 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper

FEB. 2, 2022 FRee

VOLUME 30, NO. 15

the best news on anna maria island Since 1992 astheworldterns. 6

Q&A 020222.

Game nights kick off

glance at ’22 elections. 4 cortez stilt-house case could be dismissed. 4

am defers decision on clam project. 5

Opinions. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

am honors 2 citizens. 8 Hb preps for county workshop. 9

Save a date. 10-11

Happenings community events. 10-13 Library friends fundraise.

Gathering. 14 Obituaries. 14 GoodDeeds. 15 chamber presents trolley grants. 15 Where’s Tuna Street.

Jim Hassett calls a bingo game Jan. 27 at the annie Silver community center, 103 23rd St. n., bradenton beach. bingo games are played at 6 p.m. thursdays into the spring at the center. the center also plans to host community dinners this season. For more information, call Silver president Hassett at 413-441-6823. For more photos, turn to page 13. islander Photo: Lisa neff

The island’s top dog is taking a big bite. Developer Shawn Kaleta has purchased Anna Maria Vacations, a Holmes Beach rental property management company, and Anna Maria Beach Resort, bringing the total number of vacation rentals under a Kaletaowned umbrella of businesses to more than 800 units. Kaleta bought Anna Maria Vacations and the company’s annamaria.com URL from Joe Varner, a former business partner, for an undisclosed sum in November 2021. Varner But The Islander does know the price for Anna Maria Beach Resort, 6306 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. It cost the developer $46 million. Varner purchased the 50-year-old resort in 2017 — then-Blue Water Beach Resort — and took it down to the studs and added a resort pool in an 18-month multimillion dollar remodel. turn to DeVeLoPeR, Page 3

Mote dumps live tanks, revises plan for Anna Maria pier outpost

Bistro ‘magic’ changes hands

by ryan Paice islander reporter

by Kane Kaiman islander reporter

Engineering concerns could water down Mote Marine Laboratory’s proposal for an 16-17 educational outreach center at the Anna City Pier. Cops & Courts. 20-21 Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said Jan. 27 that Streetlife. 21 Mote sent the city new conceptual plans for the outreach center that day but city comShark bites increase in missioners could not yet consider them 2021. 22 since they were not included on the meeting agenda, which must be prepared at least Winter color in Florida. 23 a week in advance. The city built the new pier at the end adults dominate center of Pine Avenue to replace the historic pier, gridiron. 24 which opened in 1911 but was removed by the city after damages from Hurricane Irma Winter settles in on the in September 2017 and a declaration from water. 25 the insurance company that it was beyond amob takes on St. repair. armands cafe. 26 The new pier features two buildings at the T-end, one of which was filled by the CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29 City Pier Grill & Bait Shop in late 2020. PropertyWatch. 30 The city has been working to lease the second building, an empty 1,800-squarepuzzle. 31 foot 42-by-40-foot space, since after com-

NYT

Developer devours vacation units by Kane Kaiman islander reporter

Meetings. 4

School days. 13

islander.org

missioners decided the space would not be used for a restaurant. While Mote entered a 10-year lease agreement with the city in September 2021 to build and operate an outreach center in the shell building, on Jan. 28 it remained empty — and the plans continue to change. Mote’s first proposal included four dis-

It’s all over but for dessert and a clink of the glass. After operating the Beach Bistro for more than 36 years, husband-and-wife founders Sean Murphy and Susan Timmins have sold the renowned surfside eatery at turn to Mote-aMCP, Page 2 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, to developer Shawn Kaleta and attorney Louis Najmy for an undisclosed sum. The deal was inked Jan. 25, Murphy said, after a yearslong courtship that included a few other suitors. “It was a combination of age — it’s time for Kaleta Susan and I to lighten up a little bit. The second part was probably the continuing COVID environment, a drawing provided Jan. 27 by mote which was creating extra marine Laboratory depicts the educational stress,” Murphy told The outreach center being planned for the Islander Jan. 28. t-end of the anna maria city Pier. islander najmy graphic: courtesy anna maria

turn to BIStRo, Page 27

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A pelican enjoys the sun Jan. 27 on the walkway of the Anna Maria City Pier as people take in the Tampa Bay view and fish at the T-end. Islander Photo: Ryan Paice Blueprint plans for a Mote Marine Laboratory educational outreach center at the T-end of the Anna Maria City Pier. The plans, submitted Jan. 27 to the city, do not include live display tanks as Mote previously proposed. Islander Photo: Courtesy Anna Maria

Mote-aMCP continued from page 2

play tanks featuring live juvenile sportfish, schooling fish and stone crabs, as well as an exhibit where visitors could touch sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, horseshoe crabs and lobsters. However, Murphy has said concern over the size and weight of the tanks — the largest tank would be 15,000 pounds — led Mote to revisit plans, propose a second, tankless option and push back the expected opening date to March-April. Mote’s latest proposal removes the four marine live display tanks, according to public records received by The Islander. While the plans state that Mote will continually develop the outreach center, plans for opening day include: • A livestream underwater video feed from beneath the pier to show marine life; • A mangrove column to highlight the plant’s

importance in providing habitat for marine life; • An interactive microscope; • Educational panels highlighting Mote’s research; • An educational area for Mote staff to engage visitors; • Textured rubbing plates of animals found at the pier; • Activity stations for gamefish identification, drawing sea creatures and listening to fish sounds. Murphy wrote in a Jan. 28 email that the options would be considered equally but also would be subject to evaluation by the city engineer and building official. He said the plans are the first Mote presented that provide size and weight for the live tanks and until staff reviews the options, it is unclear if the tanks would be feasible for the outreach center from an engineering standpoint.

“Naturally, we will not approve any plans for tanks or equipment on the pier that would compromise the pier’s structural integrity,” Murphy wrote. Commissioners will discuss the plans at a future meeting. The city’s lease with Mote allows commissioners to cancel the contract if they find its design proposal unsatisfactory. The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The meeting is open to the public, with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at cityofannamaria.com.

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Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 3 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

the swimming pool at anna maria beach resort, 6306 gulf drive, Holmes beach, Jan. 27. developer Shawn Kaleta acquired the property for $46 million in november 2021. islander Photos: Kane Kaiman

Q&A 020222

by Lisa neff

The Islander poll This week’s question

i celebrate Valentine’s day with…

A. A beach stroll B. Dining out. C. Candy. D. Flowers. E. Other. Last week’s question

best Super bowl halftime show in the past decade?

21%. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, 2020 17%. Lady Gaga, 2017 28%. Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2014 a Jan. 28 view of the anna maria Vacations office, visible from east 5%. Beyonce and Destiny’s Child, 2013 bay drive in Holmes beach, now part of Shawn Kaleta’s portfolio. 29%. Other DeVeLoPeR continued From Page 1 Island, a whole different ballgame, and I guess time To answer the poll, go online to islander.org. The only other property included in the sale was will tell if that business model is successful or not the Anna Maria Vacations office building, 3108 Ave. here,” Varner said. C, Holmes Beach. Larry Chatt, owner of Island Real Estate, which manent residents and tourists and, if a larger outfit was The sale was confirmed Jan. 24. manages 87 vacation rental properties, said he didn’t able to upset the balance, the character of the island Kaleta did not respond to a Jan. 25 phone call and believe the consolidation would worsen the rental would be in jeopardy, Chatt said. Kaleta is embroiled in five circuit court cases and a text messages from The Islander about the purchase. market for property owners or renters. He owns two other vacation rental property man“I think it’s still relatively healthy for customers, $3.125 million federal lawsuit with the city of Holmes agement companies — AMI Locals and Anna Maria guests and owners alike. I think there are enough com- Beach related to the development of Bali Hai Beach Island Accommodations, also known as the Flip-Flop panies in place that there’s still healthy competition to Resort, which he purchased in 2019 for $20 million. The resort is rented under the Anna Maria Vacacompany for its colorful flip-flop logo. make sure that we lean into property management as He purchased the latter company sometime before well as lean into helping guests with booking stays on tions umbrella. Anna Maria Beach Resort rates have appeared to September 17, 2021. the island,” he said. Kaleta’s stable of rental units dwarfs that of the However, Chatt said he has concerns about the rise since Kaleta took over in November. Baleigh Mendez, a Kansas native, told The Islander other leading companies on the island, including legal pressure a larger outfit could put on the cities to Jan. 28 she stayed at the resort with her husband in Vacasa, Mike Norman Realty and Island Vacation change ordinances related to tourism. Properties, which offer about 160-200 rentals each. “The worry is somebody getting big enough to June 2021 in an “Oceanview King Island Room” for The island has never experienced a rental property litigate their way through to create a short-term gain four nights, paying $295 per night. According to the resort’s website, booking that management company consolidation of this magni- and not respect the long-term character the island has room for the same duration and number of guests in tude, Varner said Jan. 26. created,” Chatt said. “This is a whole new dynamic to Anna Maria Current ordinances ensure a healthy mix of per- June 2022 will cost $895 per night.

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941.778.1515 | 111 South Bay Blvd | Anna Maria Island, FL.

Page 4 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

the eastern exposure of raymond “Junior” guthrie’s Sarasota bay stilt-house Jan. 26. guthrie built the structure in 2017 just yards off the commercial docks in cortez. islander Photo: Kane Kaiman

Cortez stilt-house case could be dismissed by Kane Kaiman islander reporter

The prosecution rests … and rests and rests. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has not made a court filing in a lawsuit against Sarasota Bay stilt-house builder Raymond “Junior” Guthrie in nearly a year. The agency’s inactivity could lead to dismissal of the case, according to a court employee. The DEP successfully sued Guthrie in 2018 for building the 1,200-square-foot structure over state-owned submerged land a short distance from the A.P. Bell Fish Co. docks in Cortez. The structure remains standing guthrie thanks to a series of extensions on a court order it be removed from the bay by June 3, 2020. On May 11, 2021, Guthrie’s attorney, Robert Schermer, filed a second motion for a stay of enforcement on the demolition order, citing letters of bell support for the structure written by Manatee County commissioners and state legislators in April 2021. The DEP had not responded to the motion as of The Islander’s press time Jan. 31. According to a Jan. 18 email to The Islander from Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller probate supervisor Nikki Monfils, cases are typically reviewed for lack of prosecution around the 11-month mark. “The court will review cases to set for hearing around that time. If the plaintiff fails to show good cause, the case can be dismissed,” she said. Following Monfils’ 11-month timeline, the court could review the Guthrie case sometime around April. Stetson University College of Law professor Paul

Meetings

Boudreaux told The Islander Jan. 20 that, in instances of prolonged inactivity, judges have discretion about the future of cases. In the absence of a response to a motion, a judge can rule in favor of either party based on the judge’s interpretation of the motion, Boudreaux said. A judge also can extend the amount of time a party has to respond to a motion or simply let the case remain in limbo. Boudreaux said it’s possible the DEP and Guthrie’s representatives are in the process of making a deal. “The fact that nothing has happened for the better part of a year maybe makes me think that there’s something going on, perhaps that we don’t know about, that the parties have gotten together and maybe they’re trying to work out a settlement,” Boudreaux said. Guthrie built the stilt-house in 2017 near a former net house he said had been in his family for three generations. Guthrie and Karen Bell, A.P. Bell Fish Co. owner, who has been assisting Guthrie in his fight against the DEP, and the April 2021 support letters characterize the stilt-house — built with the amenities of a residence, including utilities, sliding glass doors and a steel roof — as a historic net camp or net camp replica. Net camps were barren shacks built over the water in the 19th century to store cotton fishing nets, which were vulnerable to the elements. The advent of durable monofilament nets in the 1960s rendered the camps obsolete and a hurricane destroyed most of the camps on the Cortez waterfront. According to Guthrie and Bell, Guthrie transferred ownership of the stilt-house to Cortez Core, a nonprofit Bell founded in 2019. The transfer, which allegedly took place in late May-early June 2021, was part of a stilt-house preservation plan laid out in the April 2021 support letters. There is no record with the clerk’s office or the property appraiser’s office of the transfer.

compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org

Anna Maria City West Manatee Fire Rescue Feb. 10, 2 p.m., commission. None announced. Feb. 23, 2 p.m., commission. WMFR administration building, 701 63rd St. W., Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, 941- Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org. 708-6130, cityofannamaria.com. Manatee County Bradenton Beach Feb. 3, 9 a.m., commission (land use). Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m., CRA. Feb. 8, 8:30 a.m., commission. Feb. 2, 2 p.m., ScenicWAVES. Feb. 14, 9 a.m., tourist development council. Feb. 3, 6 p.m., commission. Feb. 15, 9 a.m., commission (work). Feb. 16, 1 p.m., planning and zoning. County administration building, 1112 Manatee Feb. 17, noon, commission. Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., org. 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com. Also of interest Holmes Beach Feb. 9, 3:30 p.m., Palma Sola Scenic Highway Feb. 2, 10 a.m., parks and beautification. committee, Bradenton Public Works, 1411 Ninth St. Feb. 8, 5 p.m., commission. W., Bradenton. Feb. 9, 10 a.m., clean water. Feb. 14, 9 a.m., Manatee County Tourist DevelFeb. 9, 5 p.m., planning. opment Council, county administration building. Feb. 10, 10 a.m., code. Feb. 15, 2 p.m., Coalition of Barrier Island Feb. 22, 5 p.m., commission. Elected Officials, Holmes Beach City Hall. Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Please, send meeting notices to calendar@ 941-708-5800, holmesbeachﬂ.org. islander.org and news@islander.org.

2022 Elections Glance at ’22 ballots

Islanders won’t cast their first ballots in the 2022 elections until August but some races are taking shape. Manatee Board of County Commissioners: Seats up for election include District 2, held by Democrat Reggie Bellamy; District 4, held by Republican Misty Servia; and at-large District 6, held by Carol Whitmore of Holmes Beach. Bellamy is an active candidate, facing a potential challenge from Charles B. Smith. Servia is an active candidate, facing potential challenges from independent Timothy Norwood and Republican Mike Rhan. Whitmore is an active candidate, facing potential challenges from Republicans Jason Bearden and Carol Ann Felts. Meanwhile, County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has said she might resign before the end of the year, but her seat in District 5 isn’t up for election until 2024. She’s also said she might run for state representative in a district that would include Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota County. Manatee County School Board: Seats on the ballot include District 2, currently represented by Charlie Kennedy; District 4, represented by Chad Choate; and District 5, represented by the Rev. James Golden. West Manatee Fire Rescue District: Three commission seats are up for election. They’re held by George Harris, Al Robinson and David Bishop Jr. Anna Maria: The mayor’s post, held by Dan Murphy, is up for election, as are commission seats held by Deanie Sebring and Mark Short. Bradenton Beach: Two commission seats — Ward 2, held by Marimurphy lyn Maro, and Ward 4, represented by Ralph Cole — are up for election. Holmes Beach: The mayor’s office, held by Judy Titsworth, is up for election, along with commission seats held by Jayne Christenson and Kim Rash. State ofﬁces: There will be races titsworth for governor and lieutenant governor — offices held by Republicans Ron DeSantis and Jeanette Nunez; as well as attorney general — held by Republican Ashley Moody; chief financial officer — held by Republican Jimmy Patronis; and Agriculture Commissioner — held by Democrat Nicole “Nikki” Fried. State legislative offices on island ballots will include Senate District 21, represented by Republican Jim Boyd, and House District 71, represented by Republican Will Robinson Jr. Both are active candidates. Federal ofﬁces: The Senate seat held by Republican Marco Rubio and the House seat held by Republican Vern Buchanan in Congressional District 16, which includes AMI, are on the ballot. Key dates The primary election in Manatee County will be Tuesday, Aug. 23. The deadline to register to vote in the primary will be Monday, July 25, and the deadline to request a mail ballot will be Saturday, Aug. 13. The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 8. The deadline to register to vote will be Monday, Oct. 11, and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot will be Saturday, Oct. 29. For more information, go online to votemanatee. com. — Lisa neff

Find the islander dating to november 1992 online at the uofF digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl. edu.

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 5 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Anna Maria again defers decision on clam project

by ryan Paice islander reporter

It’s unclear if Anna Maria will clam up or embrace clamming. But a new proposal to seed the shoreline with clams possibly sweetened the deal for the city. Mayor Dan Murphy said Jan. 27 that the city received a new proposal earlier in the week from the Palmetto-based Gulf Shellfish Institute — a nonprofit that would oversee the clam-seeding project — but city commissioners did not consider the pitch since it was not included on the meeting agenda. Agendas must be prepared and published at least a week before their corresponding meeting in Anna Maria. So the Jan. 24 proposal arrived too late for placement on the Jan. 27 agenda. The city has earmarked $50,000 of the $740,432 it received from the U.S. American Rescue Plan to spend on addressing environmental issues such as red tide. GSI, along with four partners, proposed in January using the money to seed 20,000 southern hard and Venus sunray clams and plant cultivated seagrass along the city’s northern shoreline on Tampa Bay and Bimini Bay. Proponents say seeding filter feeders such as clams could improve water quality and marine resilience to red tide, a higher-than-normal concentration of naturally occurring algae, specifically Karenia brevis, which produces brevotoxins that can kill marine life and be harmful to humans. Local restaurateur Ed Chiles, vice president of GSI, wrote a Jan. 7 email to Murphy, stating that if the city agreed to the project, the Chiles Group would announce a $50,000 matching challenge to increase funding to $150,000. City commissioners agreed in January to defer a decision so they could hear from experts and, to that end, Commissioner Jonathan Crane invited Kevin Claridge, Mote Marine Laboratory associate vice president for sponsored research and coastal policy programs, to speak Jan. 27. Claridge provided insight into Mote’s research on red tide mitigation, which is funded through the state, as well as six mitigation options he said would be more “favorable” than the clam-seeding project in Anna Maria. Randy Edwards, a retired marine scientist who worked at Mote and resides in Anna Maria, also shared an opinion. He wrote a Jan. 17 email to Crane stating clams would be “unlikely to have much or any positive impact on protecting and conserving the bay.” “First of all, 20,000 clams would filter an infinitesimally small volume of the bays,” Edwards wrote. “Their filtration effect would be so small, compared to the volume of water in the bays, to be totally insignificant and would have no meaningful positive impact.” “Thus, $50,000 would likely be pouring money into a hole into which money has already been poured into with no meaningful results,” he added.

Ready for Season? Are you taking full advantage of the winter season on AMI? You can improve your odds for success and reach The Islander’s readers — residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers — looking for things to do. Shop, dine, events and indoor and outdoor fun. For advertising info, call or text 941-778-7978.

a map shows seeding locations for 1 million-2 million clams along anna maria’s northern shoreline on tampa bay and bimini bay. islander image: courtesy anna maria

However, the Jan. 24 proposal could change the game. The proposal includes 1 million-2 million southern hard clams — a 5,000%-10,000% increase over the originally proposed 20,000 clams — to seed at the same $50,000 price, according to public records received Jan. 27 by The Islander. The proposal, prepared by the Diatom Initiative in Terra Ceia, one of GSI’s partners, does not include Venus sunray clams. The proposal does not provide an explanation

behind the increase in the number of clams for seeding and GSI executive president Stephen Hesterburg, who spoke Jan. 27 during public comment, also did not explain the increase. Commissioners reached consensus to revisit the matter, as well as invite Edwards to speak. The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive. The meeting is open to the public, with masks recommended. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at cityofannamaria.com.

Manatee County seeks applicants for lands committee

Maybe it’s time to step up? Residents who want to help protect land and water resources can apply to serve on the Manatee County Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee. The county has been working on implementation of the referendum approved by voters in November of 2020 authorizing up to $50 million in tax proceeds for the acquisition, improvement and management of land to protect natural resources and provide parks. The committee will make recommendations to the county commission on land acquisition, as well as management issues. Currently there are 12 vacancies, including one to represent District 3, which encompasses Anna Maria Island, north Longboat Key and much of west Manatee. Other vacancies are for applicants: • With an education in a natural science.

• Engaged in business in the agricultural community. • A member of Keep Manatee Beautiful. • A member recommended by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. • Three county residents. • Representatives from the other county districts. Commissioners will appoint the members, who will serve initial terms of one, two and three years. The committee meets the first Monday of every other month at 6 p.m. at G.T. Bray, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton Applications, due by Feb. 18, are online at mymanatee.org. For more information, contact ELMAC liaison Debra Woithe at 941-742-5923, ext. 6052 or debra. woithe@mymanatee.org. — Lisa neff

You can read it all online at islander.org

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Opinion

Our

Pass me the golden spoon

If you have a slight focus on the restaurant world, you might say January was a whirlwind month. John Horne and wife Amanda — of Anna Maria Oyster Bars — added Café L’Europe on St. Armands Circle to their roster in January. My heart sank a wee little bit — until I learned the Hornes plan to keep L’Europe much the same. From my hotel background in Illinois, I transitioned into a job at Far Horizons on Longboat Key in about 1975-76, where guests were treated like royalty and the only local restaurant we recommended (when guests tired of the Raft and Reef Room) was the Café L’Europe. The Café was relatively new then but it excelled on every level. A year or so into my Florida life, a friend from Illinois showed up to visit and sniff around the local restaurant scene for a job and a change of life. I pushed him to the Café and it paid off — owners Titus and Norbert snatched up the chance to put Augie in their kitchen. This was a kid who was cooking alongside the chef — his dad — in Springfield at a top-rated convention hotel before he was in middle school. He could stir up a fine French sauce, bake, butcher, churn out bouillabaisse or beef Wellington for 2,000 people — or delight you with his original recipes for bean cakes and potato-crusted grouper. Soon after, he was the first to earn the title chef — previously Norbert’s forte at the Café. He was there 25 years, including mentoring my son in the kitchen. But that wasn’t all. Another Illinois friend who moved to Florida with me in ’75 and went to work at the Colony Beach Resort met her future husband there in the kitchen. D’Arcy and Ray Arpke wound up owning Euphemia Haye. And you will read in the coming weeks that Euphemia also has sold. Now for a shock: the Beach Bistro has sold. All was revealed in the past week. Sean Murphy lifted his finger off the bistro — with much angst, I imagine. What a great friend he has been to his community. Always generous. Always willing to step up. Always an Irish tale to share with a familiar clink of a fork on his glass. You can count on the “magic” to continue at Murph’s Doctor’s Office. And I think I can guarantee he won’t stop giving. And caring. Meanwhile, thank you all for the memories. Now raise your glasses to the new (and old) blood at the area’s very best, most renowned restaurants. — bonner Joy, news@islander.org

FEB. 2, 2022 • Vol. 30, No. 15 Publisher, Co-editor bonner Joy, news@islander.org ▼ Editorial editor Lisa neff, lisa@islander.org Joe bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com Kane Kaiman, kane@islander.org ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org ▼ Contributors Karen riley-Love Samara Paice amber Sigman capt. danny Stasny, fish@islander.org nicole Quigley ▼ Advertising Director toni Lyon, toni@islander.org ▼ Webmaster Wayne ansell ▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org ▼ Distribution urbane bouchet ross roberts Judy Loden Wasco (All others: news@islander.org) ▼

Single copies free. Quantities of five or more: 25 cents each. ©1992-2022 • Editorial, sales and production ofﬁces: 315 58th St., Suite J, Holmes beach FL 34217 WebSite: islander.org text or call: 941-778-7978

Your

Opinion

Best sponsors, best in show

In these uncertain times, we need those things that bring us comfort, joy and enrichment. Now, more than ever, people need to reconnect with the arts and experience the healing power of art. The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island has been a bedrock in the arts community of Manatee County for 33 years and we look forward to providing our community with many more years of enriching experiences. But we need your help. We are planning our 13th annual Fine Arts Exhibition for March. We will have the show online, as we did last year. We are pleased with the support we received from our friends and art lovers around the world. Last year’s online show had 2,595 unique visitors from 683 cities. We are hopeful this year will match or exceed last year’s show. We would be most grateful if you would consider a sponsorship for this event to help with awards for best in show, first, second and third place and honorable mentions. Can you help us? Please, contact Marianne Hiland at 941-896-6715 or Karen Constabile at 302-588-3932 with questions. Donations can be sent to Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217. AGAMI membership

Have your say

Skimming online …

Web (register for free news alerts) islander.org Facebook @islandernewspaper Twitter @ami_islander Instagram @theislanderami Pinterest @islandernewspaper E-edition For $36 a year, e-edition subscribers have access to the weekly e-edition with page-by-page views of all the news, photos, columns, community announcements and advertisements. And subscribers receive breaking news notices. To subscribe online, visit islander.org. For other subscriber services, call our newspaper office at 941-778-7978.

The Islander accepts original letters of up to 250 words and reserves the right to edit for grammar and length. Letters must include name, address and a phone our theme, “We’re glad You’re Here,” originated in number (for verification). Email: news@islander.org. the 1980s with a restaurant trade group. We hope Anonymous letters will not be printed. everyone feels welcome on ami. — the islander

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

10&20 years ago

From the Jan. 30, 2002, issue

At the pump

In the PD

the bay Service Station stands at the north end of bradenton beach near the Shop and go on gulf drive. the photo is dated december 1982.

roy Little takes charge of the bradenton beach Police department. the photo is dated november 1985.

On the circle a sign promotes the location of cafe L’europe on St. armands circle in Sarasota in September 1980. islander Photos: manatee county Public Library System

We’d love to mail you the news!

• A fire at the Sandbar Restaurant office resulted in about $40,000 in damages. The office was empty when the fire broke out but, due to interruptions in the dining room, customers that night were not charged for their meals. • Anna Maria commissioners voted 4-1 to pay for signs on the backs of island trolley benches rather than accept Manatee County Area Transit signs at no cost. Anna Maria residents had complained the MCAT signs featuring a cartoon image of a manatee were out of character with the city. • Bradenton Beach residents gathered petition signatures to challenge the city commission decision allowing construction of the Old Bridge Village residential-office project on Bay Drive South.

From the Feb. 1, 2012, issue

• A page 1 headline read, “Prep begins for new Cortez bridge.” The story said, “Islanders and Cortez residents may soon have to face the fact the Cortez Bridge will be torn down, or at least closed to vehicular traffic, and another bridge built.” • The Holmes Beach Police Department took part in an investigation that resulted in 19 charges against a local man for alleged child pornography. • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection advised the owners of a private beachfront treehouse that the unpermitted structure must be removed and the beach area restored. Read island history in these issues and more in the UofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.uﬂ.edu. — Lisa neff

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Anna Maria honors Citizens of the Year

anna maria resident Joan Voyles, left, holds a key to the city Jan. 27 after being named one of the city’s two 2021 citizens of the Year. citizen recognition committee members marsha mcallister, middle, and Kathy Patten, right, presented the award to Voyles, a founder and past president of the artists’ guild of anna maria island, for her volunteer work and role as a “major community supporter” for island artists. anna maria resident barbara murphy, left, holds her key to the city Jan. 27 having been named one of two 2021 citizens of the Year by committee members Kathy Patten, middle, and marsha mcallister, right. mcallister and Patten said murphy was chosen for her community involvement, including her work as vice president of the anna maria island Historical Society. murphy is the wife of mayor dan murphy. islander Photos: ryan Paice

GoodDeeds

All in a day’s work Jennifer Francis, left, assistant manager of Sun and Surf beach Shop in the island Shopping center in Holmes beach, and Janet Kaesberg of bradenton met by accident after Kaesberg shopped at the store Jan. 23 and lost her small “mad money” wallet. Kaesberg said she was “juggling” items in her purse as she paid for a purchase — “and my phone rang.” Her attention was averted and the wallet fell without her knowing. “a lesson well learned,” she said. “i am one very grateful snowbird.” Francis found the wallet and attempted to call customers to find the owner to no avail, when Kaesberg called to inquire if her wallet had been found. She claimed her cash and wallet and offered Francis a reward but Francis declined. it was her “good deed.” islander courtesy Photo !"#$%&'(%)*+,-%./%*01*,"*23*%"2%,*-"4*2#"+5%,*6.4*5"278%4*-"72%+24%3.2-#,93#".28 5*#%9-%4*-"72%+%6.,*%:*+9#"/95%+24%/923#".2+5%-1+3*%/.,%).9,%5"/*-#)5*

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Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 9 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holmes Beach preps for joint ‘issues’ workshop with county by ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach and Manatee County have been in a kerfuffle for more than a year over parking restrictions in the island city. Now, city and county officials plan to talk through issues that led to the conflict. City commissioners reached consensus Jan. 25 to approve agenda items for a workshop with county officials to discuss intergovernmental issues, such as parking restrictions on residential streets. Van ostenThe city implemented a park-bybridge permit system in the summer of 2020 to reduce parking along some residential streets when people flooded the local beaches as many other beaches in the state remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, soon after becoming elected in November 2020, County titsworth Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge swore to withhold renourishment funds — and

Catch The Islander’s $100 Super Bowl contest Look to The Islander’s Feb. 9 issue for an entry into the newspaper’s annual Super Bowl contest. Super Bowl LVI will be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles Sunday, Feb. 13. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL championship and Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar will entertain during the halftime show. Kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m., with NBC broadcasting on TV and fuboTV streaming on the internet. The Islander will be rewarding the score winner $100 in its annual contest.

all other funding — from the city if it didn’t reverse the parking changes. After much back-and-forth, county commissioners scheduled a Jan. 4 joint meeting with city officials to discuss the issue, but city commissioners balked at the date. They voted to postpone the meeting to March or April to take ample time to prepare. The city compiled a list of items to discuss, including: • County funding for beach patrol; • Use of tourist development taxes; • Adjustments to the county’s plans to redevelop Kingfish Boat Ramp; • Funding from the West Coast Inland Navigational District for a full-time water patrol officer; • Restoration of local water quality by seeding filter-feeding marine, life like clams and oysters; • Dredging channels clogged with silt; • Using American Rescue Plan Act money to fund new communication radios for Holmes Beach police officers. Mayor Judy Titsworth said she also expects discussion on a county proposal to revise an interlocal agreement with the city to increase the required number of city-provided beach parking spaces from 500 to 1,000-1,200 — or “whatever magical number they decide they deserve.” “They’re not happy that we finally have limits. They want us to still be an unlimited parking lot for everyone to use, but it’s obvious that we can’t for safety and public health,” she said. Titsworth said the city is required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide 324 beach parking spaces to receive renourishment funding. “We don’t need any more parking. We’re already at capacity for what our beach can handle and the resources that our beach provides,” Commissioner Jayne Christenson agreed. “We’re going to destroy it if we add more people.”

Titsworth said she hopes all five commissioners will speak at the meeting to show solidarity. “I would love for everybody here to be prepared to speak so they know we’re a united front,” Titsworth said. A joint workshop is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, but Titsworth suggested the city request another postponement if it does not receive the county’s agenda items ahead of the meeting.

Council of governments to tackle water taxi, ‘hot topics’

The Manatee County Council of Governments was set to navigate discussions on a water taxi and Holmes Beach “hot topics.” The meeting was set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, after The Islander went to press, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. The council consists of county elected officials, as well as from island and mainland municipal governments. People can watch the meeting on cable TV, as well as on mymanatee.org and they can participate via Zoom. The agenda includes: city of Holmes Beach hot topics, affordable housing, school district capital projects and an update on a proposed water taxi between the mainland and the island communities. Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth will open the meeting and welcome attendees. The next council meeting will be Tuesday, May 3, also at the convention center. — Lisa neff

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Island happenings

Page 10 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

KIDS & FAMILY compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org.

ON AMI

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, Feb. 4 10 a.m. — Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Tuesday, Feb. 8 10 a.m.— Family storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/ library, 941-778-6341.

ON AMI Thursday, Feb. 3 2 p.m. — Friends of the Island Library lecture series continues, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-6341. ONGOING ON AMI Throughout February, Anne Abgott exhibit, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694. Throughout February, Joanna Karpay’s “For the Birds” exhibit, Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandgallerywest. com, 941-778-6648. Second Fridays, Art Walk, downtown Holmes Beach around Gulf and Marina drives. Information: 941-778-6648, 941-7786694.

ONGOING ON AMI Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., Anna Maria Movies in the Park, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. ONGOING OFF AMI

At the movies

“the Kid Who Would be King” will be screened tuesday, Feb. 8, as part of the movies in the Park Feb. 11, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna series presented by the city of anna maria. the Maria. internet movie database describes the film: “old Feb. 12, Anna Maria Island Moose school magic meets the modern world” in an epic Lodge Valentine’s party, Bradenton adventure. the show will begin about 6:30 p.m. at Beach. city Pier Park, 103 n. bay blvd. For more informaFeb. 18-19, Center of Anna Maria Island murder-mystery night, tion, call city hall at 941-708-6130. islander courAnna Maria. tesy Photo Feb. 20, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Don Felder, mers session, presented by the Florida Maritime Anna Maria. March 11, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, outdoors, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: ﬂoridamaritimemuMaria. March 19-20, Art League of Anna Maria Island’s Springfest, seum.org, fmminfo@manateeclerk.com. “Battles of the Boneless” exhibit, the Holmes Beach. March 23, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Richard Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Marx, Anna Maria. March 23, Friends of the Island Library 40th anniversary open Info: bishopmuseum.org, 941-746-4131. Through August, “Seeing the Invishouse celebration, Holmes Beach. April 2, Center of Anna Maria Island concert with Felix Cava- ible” augmented reality exhibit, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Saraliere’s Rascals, Anna Maria. April 8, Center of Anna Maria Island bingo night, Anna Maria. sota. Fee applies. Information: selby.org, 941-366-5731. ONGOING OFF AMI AHEAD OFF AMI First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays ArtFeb. 19-20, Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Cortez. walk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. InformaMarch 5, Manatee Pride Festival, Bradenton. tion: villageofthearts.com. March 12, Palma Sola Botanical Park Spring Plants and More Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Farmers Market, Main Street, downtown Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, Sale, Bradenton. March 12, Mote Marine Party on the Pass, Sarasota. 941-301-8445. Second and fourth Saturdays, noon-2 p.m., Chickee Hut JamAHEAD ON AMI

First Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., “Soar in 4 Family Night, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: soarin4.org, 941-746-4131. Saturdays and Sundays, 3 p.m., Tales Under the Tree, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: bishop.org, 941-746-4131.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI Thursday, Feb. 3 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — One Blood blood donation drive, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. 2 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Saturday, Feb. 5 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Ask a Master Gardener, Island Library. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Wednesday, Feb. 9 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. ONGOING ON AMI Thursdays, 6 p.m., bingo night, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-757-6029. Fridays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: mymanatee.org/library, 941-778-6341. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Info: 941-778-1383. Mondays, 12:30 p.m., Anna Maria Bridge Club, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., PLeaSe, See CaLeNDaR, Page 11

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Island happenings

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Kiwanis to hear about Take Stock of Children

Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island will hear from Take Stock of Children representative Anne Heller during its morning meeting Feb. 5. Take Stock provides mentors and college scholarships to low-income students in Florida. A board meeting is tentatively set for Feb. 12. The club meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383. AHEAD OFF AMI Feb. 12, Sarasota Bay Watch “Scallopalooza, It’s Clamtastic,” Sarasota. Feb. 16, Paradise Center of Longboat Key memory screenings, Longboat Key.

OUTDOORS & SPORTS ONGOING ON AMI

‘Florida and Fauna’ featured at gallery the artists’ guild gallery is featuring anne abgott’s “Florida Foliage and Fauna” exhibit throughout February. a reception with the artist will coincide with the Holmes beach art Walk set for Friday, Feb. 11. the gallery is at 5414 marina drive, Holmes beach. For more information, call the gallery at 941-7786694. islander courtesy Photo Anna Maria. Information: 205-910-6344, 941-778-0414. Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Farmers Market in the Park, City Pier Park, Pine Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130. Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., Mahjong Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: mymanatee.org/library, 941778-6341. Tuesdays, noon, duplicate bridge, Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Fee applies. Information: 703-582-7755. Through March, Friends of the Island Library 40th anniversary celebration, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and other venues. Information: 941-778-6341. AHEAD ON AMI

AMI Dragon Boat Team—Paddlers from Paradise practices and meetups, various times and locations. Information: 941-462-2626, mrbradway@ gmail.com. OFF AMI Saturday, Feb. 5 6:30 p.m. — Seeing Stars night sky observation, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923. ONGOING OFF AMI Wednesdays, 4 p.m., Tortoise Talk education program, Robinson Preserve north, 1704 99th St NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923. Saturdays, 8 a.m., Robinson Runners running club, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923, ext. 6047. Saturdays, 9 a.m., Saturday Mornings at the NEST nature exploration, Robinson Preserve expansion, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Information: mymanatee.org, 941-742-5923, ext. 6047. Saturdays once a month, Manatee County Audubon Society workday, Felts Preserve, 4600 24th Ave. E., Palmetto. Information: manateeaudubon.org, zholmes003@gmail.com.

AHEAD OFF AMI Feb. 26, Friends of the Island Library Book Sale, Holmes Beach. Feb. 12, Bradenton Area River Regatta, Bradenton and PalFeb. 16, Anna Maria Island Historical Society members’ lunmetto riverfronts. cheon, TBD. Feb. 26, Pittsburgh Pirates spring training home game, BraFeb. 16, Anna Maria Island Garden Club member meeting and denton. luncheon, Anna Maria. April 12, Marauders home opener, Bradenton. March 15, AMI Historical Society Heritage Day, Anna Maria. March 16, AMI Garden Club Flower Show, Anna Maria. GOOD TO KNOW April 20, AMI Garden Club meeting, luncheon, Anna Maria. KEEP THE DATES ONGOING OFF AMI Monday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island lunch Monday, Feb. 21, Presidents Day. meeting, Compass Hotel by Margaritaville, 12324 Manatee Ave. Thursday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. W., Perico Island. Second Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Info: 941-920-2505. Sunday, March 13, daylight saving time begins.

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Tickets to murder-mystery night go on sale

Whodunit? The Center of Anna Maria Island. The center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, scheduled its 13th annual evening of murder mystery for Friday-Saturday, Feb. 18-19. The evening will include a performance of a play with a “Space Odyssey” theme, dinner, a cash bar, raffles and a space-themed costume contest. Brianna Roberts wrote the play with “help and inspiration from her mother, Beth Shaughnessy.” The cast includes Don and Leah Purvis, Ray and Jillian Gardner, Monica Simpson, Mike Shaughnessy, Chris Scott, Clay Spangler and Caleb and Brianna Roberts. Tickets are $55 per person or $400 for eight. For more information, call 941-778-1908.

Visit islander.org for the best news on AMI.

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Island happenings

Page 12 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Toast to learning Restaurants feed ‘Appetite for books’ to beneﬁt library

dr. tim berra gives a presentation Jan. 27 about bourbon and other alcohols to a roomful of Friends of the island Library guests at the roser memorial community church, 512 Pine ave., anna maria. the lecture was a part of the 2022 Winter Lecture and travel Series sponsored by the Friends. For more, read below. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Friends to ‘dive into reading’ during winter lecture series

The Friends of the Island Library will continue its winter Lecture and Travel Series with a talk Thursday, Feb. 3, on a local summer reading program. John and Amanda Horne, who own the Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants and hospitality group, also are promoting reading programs, especially the Dive Into Reading campaign they launched to help young students avoid the “summer slide.” The lecture will be at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. The Thursday, Feb. 10, lecture will feature Mary Scharf representing the Southeastern Guide Dogs service program. For more information, call the library at 941-7786341.

Book donations sought for Friends of Island Library sale

The Friends of the Island Library, planning its 40th anniversary book sale, continues to collect “gently used” books and other items. Books can be dropped off at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. If the library is closed, donations can be dropped in the book deposit. The sale will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, outside the library. An early-access sale for friends members will be at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the annual sale support the nonprofits’ campaign for library improvements and enrichment. For more information, call the library at 941-7786341.

Don Felder of Eagles fame to play the center Don Felder of Eagles fame will headline the next show in the 2021-22 Bradenton Gulf Island Concert Series at the Center of Anna Maria Island. The concert will be Saturday, Feb. 20, with gates to the city field opening at 6 p.m. and the music beginning at 7 p.m. Other performers in the series include Grammy winner Richard Marx March 23 and Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals April 2. Felder will play outdoors, Marx and Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will perform in the gym. For the outdoor concerts, people should bring their own chairs or blankets for seating. For more information and ticket, go online to centerami.org or call the center at 941-778-1908.

a r ia Anna M

don Felder, who played lead guitar for the eagles, will perform at the center of anna maria island Saturday, Feb. 20. the outdoor concert will begin at 7 p.m. islander courtesy Photo

Is la n d

A K EL

2022

#IRCA

Paul Foster savors a good biography. Tammy Foster relishes a good romance. And the island business owners also enjoy the company of “friends,” as evidenced by the convivial atmosphere of Ginny’s and Jane E’s cafe, bakery and store, 9807 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. And so the Fosters reserved a week for Ginny’s and Jane E’s to participate in the Friends of the Island Library’s “Appetite for Books” fundraising campaign in February. “Libraries are important centers of learning for everyone,” said Tammy Foster. “They are still, even in today’s world with the web.” The Friends of the Island Library and the Island Library are celebrating 40 years at the 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, location with a series of events and fundraisers. With “Appetite for Books,” the Friends are partnering with four island restaurants that either directly donated money to the nonprofit or plan to raise money with a percentage of sales. “By supporting them, you support your Island Library,” Friends board president Julie Perry said. Ginny’s and Jane E’s is celebrating an “Appetite for Books” through Saturday, Feb. 5. Pizza Social, 308 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, is celebrating Thursday, Feb. 10. Hometown Desserts, 507 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, is celebrating “Appetite for Books” Feb. 13-19, and the Blue Marlin, 121 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, is participating Feb. 20-26. Perry said Ginny’s and Jane E’s, Hometown Desserts and Blue Marlin “have provided us with a generous donation” and Pizza Social will contribute 10 percent of proceeds Feb. 10 to the group. During the 40th anniversary year, the 300member Friends group wants to register $40,000 in the bank to fund interior improvements at the library, including new furniture and a new circulation desk. For more information, call the library at 941778-6341 — Lisa neff

Pirates hold anthem auditions

The Pittsburgh Pirates are readying for spring training in Bradenton and that includes lining up singers for the American and Canadian national anthems. Vocalists can submit a cappella audition videos or YouTube links to marketing manager Rebekah Rivette via email at rebekah.rivette@pirates.com by Feb. 18. For more information, call the Pirates operation in Bradenton at 941-747-3031.

it’s a treasure! marKed doWn For FebruarY! Some island stores — the ugly grouper restaurant and island mail & Print — are stocked with Jack elka 2022 calendars, or you can mail order from the islander. We ship fast! order at info@islander.org or call 941-778-7978. mail orders: $15.

the islander office is at 315-58th St., Suite J -- in Jack elka’s former studio!

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 13 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AME Calendar

Bingo’s back in Bradenton Beach

• Feb. 2, early release day. • Feb. 7, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • Feb. 19, 8 a.m., Dolphin Dash 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run. • Feb. 21, Presidents Day, no school. • March 1, 5:30 p.m., 3rd-grade play, no dinner. • March 7, 3:30 p.m., PTO board meeting. • March 11, record day, no school. • March 14-18, spring break. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

dianne coates marks her cards Jan. 27, during a bingo game at the annie Silver community center in bradenton beach. coates, who serves as aScc treasurer, sells cards and daubers to players before the thursday night games. islander Photos: Lisa neff

Privateers seek scholar apps

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will collect applications for the nonprofit’s 2022 scholarship awards until March 1. Jim Hassett, president of Students graduating from high school in 2022 or the annie Silver commu- attending a post-secondary school can apply for scholnity center, sells 50-50 arships for the 2022-23 academic year. raffle ticket chances to An announcement stated the Privateers award winter resident cindy scholarships to deserving Manatee County youth in boyd on bingo night at need of financial assistance, who support their comthe bradenton beach munity and are pursuing post-high school education social club, 103 23rd St. opportunities. n. For more, call Hassett Applications must be posted by March 1. at 413-441-6823. For more information, go to amiprivateers.org.

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Gathering

Roser postpones breakfast

Roser Memorial Community Church canceled its January pancake breakfast but plans to host a breakfast Saturday, Feb. 26, in the fellowship hall, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. The church seeks volunteers to prepare and serve breakfast, as well as ready and clean the dining room. For more information, call the church at 941-7780414.

by Lisa neff

St. Bernard’s guild to meet

The Women’s Guild at St. Bernard Catholic Church will meet Thursday, Feb. 10, in the parish hall. The meeting will begin about 11:30 a.m. and plans include a catered lunch. Reservations are required. Meanwhile, the church announced that a pancake breakfast is postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and health concerns. The church is at 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. For more, call Terry Campbell at 941-794-3908.

Tidings

LBK Chapel plans Super Bowl Sunday barbecue

The Longboat Island Chapel will host a Super morning sunlight streams through a stained-glass Bowl luncheon following the 10 a.m. worship service window to grace the roser chapel, 512 Pine ave., anna maria. islander courtesy Photo Sunday, Feb. 13. Tickets for the barbecue rib lunch are $15. April 15, Good Friday. The chapel is at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, LongApril 15, Passover. boat Key. April 17, Easter. For more information, call June Hessel at 941-3836152.

Gathering is the religion page for The

ONGOING EVENTS Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., St. Bernard Rosary on the Beach, Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach. Wednesdays, 7 a.m., CrossPointe men’s Bible meeting. Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., Annunciation men’s meeting. Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Roser Church Hope Seeds packing. Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Roser faith meditation program. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., Gloria Dei social gathering, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, Holmes Beach. Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m., CrossPointe Wednesday Night Blast. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Roser Thrift Shop sales. Thursdays, 4 p.m., Roser Church handbell class. Thursdays, 7 p.m., Roser Church chancel choir rehearsals. Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roser Thrift Shop sales. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., Roser Church Roser Robics ﬁtness. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Gloria Dei Pastor’s Book Group.

REGULAR WORSHIP

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.com. Thursdays 9:30 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org. Saturdays 4 p.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. Sundays 8 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 8:30 a.m. — St. Bernard Catholic Church. 8:30 a.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com. 9 a.m. — CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-0719, crosspointefellowship.church. SPECIAL EVENTS 9:15 a.m. — Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Feb. 6, 2 p.m., Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912. (USA) Winter Concert Series continues with Sam Nelson. 9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive. Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com. SAVE THE DATES 10 a.m. — Roser Church. Feb. 20, Roser Winter Concert with Brandon Kouri. 10 a.m. — Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, March 1, Shrove Tuesday. 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903. March 2, Ash Wednesday. 10 a.m. — Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, March 20, Roser concert with Barry and the Boomers. Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org. March 27, March Madness Basket Bonanza at St. Bernard. 10:15 a.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. April 10, Palm Sunday. 10:30 a.m. — St. Bernard.

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Worship With Us at Our Church Sunday Service 10:00 AM The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard Masks Are Optional

Watch Our 10:00 AM Service Live: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchlbk.org (follow YouTube link)

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At your service

Obituaries are offered as a community service to residents and families of residents, both past and present, as well as to those people with ties to the island. Submit to news@islander.org. Obituaries are provided free — a service of your community newspaper. Paid obituaries can be discussed with advertising specialist Toni Lyon at 941-7787978.

Islander. Send announcements to calendar@ islander.org.

Obituary

Ronald Ray Cook

Ronald Ray Cook, 88, of Grandville, Michigan, and a winter resident of Anna Maria since 1964, died Dec. 7, 2021. He was born in 1933 alongside his identical twin and best friend, Don. He graduated as a three-sport athlete from Wyoming Park High School, where he met his wife, Jo. He worked for the family block business, carrying the bricks that built what became Cook Funeral Home in Grandville. After the death of his father at a young age, he wanted to serve grieving families with compassion and empathy. Mr. Cook and his wife opened Cook Funeral Home in 1957 after his graduation from Grand Rapids Junior cook College and Wayne State University, his service in the U.S. Army, and the birth of his son. The funeral home expanded under the leadership of Mr. Cook and his sons and, in 1989, he opened Byron Center Manor to provide a home for seniors. He was a devoted husband, caring for his wife during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. After her death, he remarried and Dottie was a wonderful partner during the final chapter of his life. They enjoyed winters on Anna Maria Island. Mr. Cook loved fishing at Barlow Lake and along the coast of Anna Maria Island and hunting at Cook’s Camp in the Upper Peninsula. He made many friendships throughout his life with his charming, outgoing personality. He was loved dearly, and while he will be missed, his memory will live on through his family, friends and all the lives he touched. Services were held in Grandville. Memorial donations may be made to the First Reformed Church of Grandville Scholarship Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be made online at cookcaresgrandville.com. Mr. Cook is survived by his wife of seven years, Dorothy; sister-in-law Donna Cook; children Fred and wife Kathy Van Zytveld, Brad and wife Jeanne Oosterbaan, Lee and wife Mary Goffe, and Jean Alice and husband Jon Van Den Beldt.

Roser Church

“...a beautiful place to explore your faith...”

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM IN PERSON in the Sanctuary Nursery • Children’s Church ONLINE � Watch LIVE or LATER

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Text ROSER to 22828 to receive the weekly eBulletin The CHAPEL is open during office hours for prayer and meditation 941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria • FOLLOW us on Facebook @RoserChurch

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 15 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Chamber doles out trolley grants to island-centric nonproﬁts by Kane Kaiman islander reporter

The island trolley continues to go the extra mile. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce awarded grants to 13 nonprofits through the Trolley Giving Back Program Jan. 26 during a combined business card exchange and awards celebration at the Seafood Shack in Cortez. Together, the grants amount to $19,396 and represent the chamber’s surplus island trolley advertising

GoodDeeds

compiled by Lisa neff

Assistance sought on AMI

• The Island Players group seeks volunteers for the theater, including house managers, backstage and prop crews, website experts and actors. Information: 508 965-5665. • Moonracer Animal Rescue seeks volunteers to offer foster and forever homes for rescued animals. Information: 941-345-2441. • The Roser Food Bank seeks donations. Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry, supported by All Island Denominations. Information: 941-778-0414. • Keep Manatee Beautiful seeks volunteers for cleanups and other efforts. Information: 941-7958272.

revenue in 2021. To help keep the trolley service fare-free, the chamber sells advertising space on the trolley. Each year, after subtracting funds for the trolley and program management, the chamber disperses excess ad revenue to nonprofits with missions benefiting Anna Maria Island and Cortez. The program is a joint undertaking between Manatee County government and the chamber, which has awarded more than $428,000 to nonprofits since 2014. This year’s award winners included: • Anna Maria Island Elementary PTO; • Anna Maria Island Art League; • Anna Maria Island Historical Society; • Anna Maria Island Privateers; • Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island; • Friends of the Island Library; • Island Players; • Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island;

• Roser Food Pantry; • Roser Memorial Community Church; • Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island; • Center of Anna Maria Island; • Wildlife Inc. Nonprofits apply for the grants between early October and early December, with each organization outlining a plan for how the funds will be used. This year’s award-winning nonprofit initiatives include supplying children with early learning backpacks, a Friends of the Island Library proposal; and building bathrooms and showers that comply with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act at the Center of Anna Maria Island. The chamber does not disclose the award amounts. For more information about the program, visit annamariaislandchamber.org/trolley-giving-backprogram/.

Assistance offered on AMI

• The 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. • AID offers help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Information: 941-725-2433.

Resources for COVID-19 Testing the Florida department of Health provides free testing for coVid-19 — rapid or Pcr — at the bradenton area convention center, 1 Haben blvd., Palmetto, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. the doH offers free,

testing in bradenton at 13801 eighth ave. W., 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Vaccines the doH offers free vaccines by appointment 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 410 Sixth ave. e., bradenton. call 941-242-6646.

aboVe: representatives of local nonprofits receiving grants through the trolley giving back Program pose Jan. 26 in the neptune room at the Seafood Shack in cortez. islander Photo: Kane Kaiman rigHt: the mcat-run island trolley carries advertising — sold by the ami chamber of commerce to help maintain a fare-free service, with an overrun from the advertising sales going to local nonprofits. islander File Photo

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Page 18 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

MPO to vote on 2022 roadway project priorities in February

Each year, MPO member jurisdictions, including the island municipalities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach, submit projects to the organization for review. MPO staff evaluate the projects based on standardized criteria to create the draft. The next MPO board meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at the Holiday Inn Sarasota-Airport, 8009 15th St. E., Sarasota. For more on the MPO, visit mympo.org.

By Kane Kaiman Islander Reporter

It’s time to update the road map. Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization staff presented the organization’s board with a draft of the MPO’s project priorities for 2022 during a Jan. 24 meeting in Sarasota. The board is set to vote Feb. 28 on a finalized version of the list, which must be delivered to the Florida Department of Transportation by March 15. The DOT will consider projects on the list for funding in the agency’s upcoming five-year work program. In the draft document, projects are divided by category. The No. 1 “Multi Modal Emphasis Corridor” initiative is a complete streets study of Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach from end to end, from the Longboat Pass Bridge to 27th Street North. The $1.25 million study, which will identify Gulf Drive improvements, including the addition of bike lanes and roundabouts, is funded and programmed for 2025 in the DOT’s tentative 2023-27 work program. Unfunded, lower ranked projects include: • A roundabout study at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach; • A roundabout study at the intersection of Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue in Holmes Beach; • A complete streets study of Gulf Drive from the

Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization planning manager Ryan Brown provides the MPO board with background information about a draft 2022 project priorities list during a Jan. 24 meeting in Sarasota. Islander Screenshot

city line at 27th Street North, northward to the intersection of Gulf and Palm drives in Holmes Beach; • A roundabout study at the intersection of East Bay and Gulf drives — at the signal next to Walgreens — in Holmes Beach. Funding for roundabout construction at the intersections of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue, Gulf Drive and Manatee Avenue and Gulf Drive and Cortez Road in Bradenton Beach could be available in 2030, according to the MPO’s 2020-45 long-range plan.

About the MPO The Sarasota/Manatee MPO is the regional transportation planning entity for Sarasota and Manatee counties. MPOs are established by state and federal laws and through interlocal agreement to provide a process for local governments to coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. The Sarasota/Manatee MPO is governed by a 17-member apportioned board comprising elected officials representing both counties, local cities and a representative of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. Anna Maria Island’s representative, which rotates among the cities, is Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, who currently chairs the Island Transportation Planning Organization. The DOT District 1 secretary serves as an adviser.

HB commissioners OK contracts, engineer provides updates By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

A map shows Holmes Beach roadways set for paving repairs highlighted in red. Islander Graphic: Courtesy Holmes Beach

Grab a hard hat. Between a slew of capital improvement projects, repairs and plans for future work, Holmes Beach residents will see plenty of construction over the rest of the 2021-22 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. Here’s what people need to know about some of the projects the city has lined up: Citywide street repairs City commissioners unanimously voted Jan. 25 to hire Oneco-based Superior Asphalt to complete five paving projects, including milling, resurfacing and restriping for a combined $202,089. The paving projects include: • $118,733 for repairs on Gulf Drive from 67th Street to Palm Drive; • $15,355.50 for repairs on Avenue C from 30th Street to Grassy Point Preserve; • $7,990 for repairs on 68th Street from the west end to Gulf Drive; • $45,279.50 for repairs on Dundee Lane on Key Royale; • $14,731 for radius paving at the intersections of Gulf Drive and 65th, 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th and 75th streets. City engineer Sage Kamiya said the work, which could extend to additional roadways depending on funding, should be completed by the end of the year. Seawall repairs Commissioners also unanimously voted to approve a contract with Sarasota-based Florida Shoreline and Foundation for $49,614 to construct waterfront improvements, including 63.5 feet of new seawall between two locations, Spring Lake and 63rd Street, west of the boat ramp. Work will involve removing the seawall cap, installing vinyl sheets, pouring concrete between the old and new walls, then adding a concrete seawall cap. Florida Shoreline and Foundation’s quote for the project states that a crystalline additive in the concrete could self-heal cracks up to 0.4 millimeters wide and prevent corrosion. Kamiya said FSH was the only contractor to respond to the city after two requests for proposals failed to elicit bids. He said work should begin by this summer, but did not provide a timeline for completion.

walks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping. Improvements would stretch along Marine Drive south of city hall to its intersection with Gulf Drive and cost $1.2 million. The project will be funded in part by $455,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, as well as money collected with the discretionary half-cent sales tax and local option fifth-cent gas tax. Kamiya said design work for the project has been completed and the city has issued a request for proposals seeking bids for construction. He said bids would be opened Feb. 3 and construction should begin this spring.

Stormwater improvements The city has seven stormwater improvement projects, each involving the addition of roadside infiltration trenches, slated for completion over the next several years, including • Phase F: Marina Drive between 56th and 58th streets, as well as 58th, 59th and 60th streets between Marina Drive and Holmes Boulevard; • Phase G: a drainage triangle between Marina Drive, Gulf Drive and 77th Street, as well as a square between avenues B and C, 27th and 28th streets; • Phase H: Marina Drive between 59th and 65th streets, as well as 61st and 62nd streets from Marina Drive to Holmes Boulevard; • Phase I: Gulf Drive between 69th and 76th streets; • Phase J: the intersection of Palm Drive and 85th City center improvements Street just south of CrossPointe Fellowship; The city’s most expensive improvement project • Phase K: Gulf Drive between 52nd and 45th involves adding roadway markings, bicycle lanes, side- streets;

• Phase L: Marina Drive from 65th Street to Clark Lane. Design and engineer work for phases F, G and H were handled together, but the phases will be completed sequentially over the next three years. Kamiya said the designs would be ready by March, and construction on phase F could begin by June. The cost for phase F is $439,167, which will be at least partially funded with $256,250 from the Southwest Florida Water Management District Surface Water Improvement and Management program. Kamiya did not provide costs for phases G and H. City commissioners also: • Unanimously voted to approve a resolution allowing city commissioners to participate in three joint meetings with the Council of Governments. The meetings are Tuesdays, Feb. 1, May 3 and Nov. 29; • Reached consensus to approve an ordinance that would make changes to the city’s home occupation codes for a second and final reading; • Unanimously voted to hire Coconut Creek-based CRS Max Consultants for $13,000 to consult on flood insurance; • Unanimously voted to approve a resolution urging the state division of recreation and parks to resolve the conflict between recreational fishing and pelicans at the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The resolution states that fishing at the park results in the injury or death of many pelicans that go on to negatively impact local wildlife. The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public, with masks required. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at cityofannamaria.com.

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 19 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Holmes Beach explores citywide 25-mph speed zone by ryan Paice islander reporter

On your marks … Get set … Go 25 mph. Holmes Beach city commissioners reached consensus at a Jan. 25 work session to move talks forward on a resolution that would establish a citywide speed limit of 25 mph in an attempt to improve traffic safety. The current conversation began last August, when commissioners approved a six-month moratorium on new golf cart and low-speed vehicle rental businesses due to concerns about the safety of the vehicles in conventional traffic. The moratorium was to expire Feb. 1, after The Islander went to press for the week. After months of discussing how to best improve traffic safety, city engineer Sage Kamiya and Police Chief Bill Tokajer proposed a citywide reduction for the speed limit. They have said reducing the speed limit would eliminate confusion for golf cart and LSV drivers since they could be driven almost anywhere, as well as improve traffic safety by setting a slower pace. The change would impact three stretches of heavily trafficked roadways — Gulf, Marina and Palm drives — where the city-controlled speed limit is 35 mph. Golf carts and LSVs would remain illegal to drive on Manatee Avenue and East Bay Drive, which are state roads regulated by the Florida Department of Transportation with 35-mph speed limits. The DOT has stated in memos to the city that LSVs and carts are not permitted on the two state roads. The proposed ordinance has some support from the public. Of eight people who spoke during public comment, all voiced support for reducing the speed limit. “It’s a great first action,” resident Jay Calhoun said. “I will say, when chief first proposed this idea a couple years ago, I was against it. … But now that I’ve lived here five years, I understand. You can just

an LSV leads traffic Jan. 27 along gulf drive in Holmes beach. islander Photo: ryan Paice

slow down and enjoy the paradise that we have.” Several people encouraged the city to consider additional measures to ensure traffic safety. Win Bishop of Key Royale supported the reduced speed limit but said more needed to be done to address the dangers caused by golf carts and LSVs. He encouraged commissioners to entirely prohibit golf carts from city roads since they don’t travel fast enough to keep up with conventional traffic. “I agree with reducing the speed to 25 mph but it doesn’t address, at the end of the day, the inherent issues involved when you introduce golf carts and cars on a main thoroughfare,” resident John Mayers said. Mayers said he has a background in manufacturing

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golf carts, stating that many “were never designed to be on the road,” and could not withstand collisions at 15 mph or even 10 mph. He asked commissioners to establish additional rules for the vehicles. He added, “Is it going to take us having dead bodies on the street to say, ‘Hmmm. Maybe this isn’t the wisest thing to do?’” Commissioner Jayne Christenson agreed that reducing the speed limit would not address the dangers caused by golf carts and low-speed vehicles and on main thoroughfares. “By lowering the speed … you now are going to allow golf carts that are not licensed to be allowed on Gulf Drive and Marina and Palm,” Christenson said. Commissioner Terry Schaefer said he wants to see the impact of the city’s new stickers on traffic safety before taking “more severe action” about the vehicles. The stickers advise vehicle users of the city’s rules for golf carts and LSVs and must be placed on all rental vehicles registered within the city. Commission Chair Carol Soustek voiced appreciation for the public involvement and support for the resolution. “I think by lowering it to 25 we will achieve a better control of things,” Soustek said. “You shouldn’t be speeding around anyways. You should be relaxing. So we’re going to force you to relax.” A speed change from 35 mph to 25 mph on a single mile from the Manatee Avenue-Gulf Drive intersection to Holmes Beach City Hall occurred in August 2015. However, the short-lived change, arrived at by Tokajer and then-Mayor Bob Johnson, occurred without public discussion and the city commission restored the speed limit to 35 mph, in spite of studies and state laws recommending the lower speed. The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. The meeting will be open to the public, with masks required. Directions to attend via Zoom can be found online at cityofannamaria.com.

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Page 20 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Cops & Courts

A deputy’s day in Anna Maria

Staff reports

manatee county Sheriff’s office deputy Steve Stewart, left, holds a plaque Jan. 27 proclaiming the day “deputy Steve Stewart day” in anna maria. mayor dan murphy read the proclamation, which celebrated Stewart’s service to the city while assigned to the anna maria-mcSo substation. Stewart began a new post at the manatee county courthouse. islander Photo: ryan Paice

HB woman arrested for aggravated domestic battery by ryan Paice islander reporter

Holmes Beach police arrested resident Stephanie Schmitt, 45, Jan. 20 on a second-degree felony for aggravated domestic battery involving a relative. Two officers responded Jan. 19 to reports of a domestic disturbance and found a man who said Schmitt was intoxicated and attacked him for recording her during an argument. The man said Schmitt struck him several times and hit him with a wooden board. The officer observed a laceration on his cheek. The man provided a written statement and video of the incident, but said he did not want to press charges. An officer gave the man a case number and a victim’s rights brochure. The officer also searched the area but could not find Schmitt, so he began filing a capias request for her arrest. However, police were dispatched the next day to the home of Schmitt’s boyfriend, who told officers she came home the night before intoxicated and locked herself in a room. He said his cellphone and vehicle keys were locked in the room with Schmitt, who was not responding to him. The man allowed the officers to enter the home and they attempted to pry open the door, but Schmitt held it closed from the inside and would not respond to questions. The officers confirmed Schmitt’s involvement in the felony battery the night before, although the capias request had not been finalized, and set about to remove

the door. One officer removed the pins from the door hinges and opened the door, at which point Schmitt tried to escape out a back door, but a second officer was waiting outside. The officers arrested Schmitt, who physically resisted, and transported her to the Manatee County jail. During transport, Schmitt threatened the officer and threatened family members with physical violence, according to a police report. She was released Jan. 21 after posting $7,500 bond. If convicted, a second-degree felony charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation and a $10,000 fine.

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

Conviction in bike theft

A man arrested for allegedly stealing bicycles across Manatee and Sarasota counties pleaded no contest Jan. 26 to charges of dealing in stolen property and burglary. Caleb Hatfield Jr., 30, of Bradenton, was convicted of burglarizing an occupied dwelling and two counts of dealing in stolen property. He was sentenced to time served in jail — 11 months and 29 days. Hatfield was arrested Feb. 2, 2021, by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in an investigation that involved the Bradenton Beach Police Department. A probable cause affidavit from the BBPD said Hatfield posted on social media an offer to sell a bicycle that had been stolen from a BB resident.

You can read it all online at islander.org

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Streetlife

Island snowfall

Staff reports

Island police reports

Anna Maria Jan. 14, 10000 block of Gulf Drive, theft. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint regarding the theft of “flamingo” yard art with an estimated value of $50. Jan. 17, 200 block of Palm Avenue, property damage. The MCSO responded to a complaint regarding property damage, including a fence and gate “pushed in” overnight. A deputy investigated and found no signs of forced entry to the residence. Jan. 22, 200 block of South Bay Boulevard, noise. The MCSO responded to a complaint about people yelling around a pool at about 1 a.m. The deputy issued a citation for violation of the noise ordinance. Jan. 23, 200 block of Gladiolus Street, domestic battery. MCSO deputies arrested an Ohio man on a misdemeanor charge of battery after he allegedly became physically violent during an argument with his girlfriend. The MCSO polices Anna Maria. Bradenton Beach Jan. 15, Coquina Bayside, injury. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office answered a call about an injured person who was “stabbed” by a fish and “gushing blood” from the hand. The person did not require emergency treatment, however. The Bradenton Beach Police Department patrols Bradenton Beach. Cortez Jan. 19, Bradenton Boat Club Marina, 12160 Cortez Road W., theft. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint that part of a boat motor was stolen. A case number was assigned for an investigation. The MCSO polices Cortez. Holmes Beach Jan. 18, 5500 block of Holmes Boulevard, tres-

Snow fell in Holmes beach in 2008 at the annual christmas open house at the islander, where Saggy aggy, Santa and dozens of children delighted in the wintery event — thanks to a snow-making machine. the low reported on ami was at 34 degrees early Jan. 30.

passing. Two Holmes Beach police officers responded to reports of people trespassing at a vacation unit. The officers found a bag of unidentified white powder and a handgun in the unit and spoke with a witness who identified three people. The officers placed the items in evidence and trespassed the suspects. Jan. 19, 310 block of 21st Avenue West, Bradenton, assisting MCSO. An HBPD officer responded to a Bradenton crime scene to assist the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in a homicide investigation. The officer assisted with security and helped execute a search warrant for a vehicle. Jan. 21, 8500 block of Gulf Drive, property damage. An officer reported a Manatee County Area Transit stop “damaged in unknown manner.” The officer called public works to secure the scene . Jan. 21, Publix Super Market, 3900 E. Bay Drive, theft. A manager called the Holmes Beach Police Department to report a man left the store without paying for items. Management provided video of the

incident and a license plate number of a vehicle in which the man was traveling. Jan. 22, Waterline Resort, 5325 Marina Drive, theft. An officer responded to reports of theft and met with a manager who said a guest stole several items from a room, including two televisions, and caused property damage. The officer confirmed the missing items, found drug paraphernalia and paperwork identifying three men. The officer also found two syringes containing what appeared to be blood. The officer logged the items into evidence. Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach. Streetlife is based on incident reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO. Island watch: In an emergency, call 911. To report information, call the MCSO Anna Maria substation, 941-708-8899; Bradenton Beach police, 941-778-6311; or Holmes Beach police, 941-708-5804.

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Shark bites increase globally in 2021 After three consecutive years of worldwide declines, the number of shark bites picked up in 2021, with 73 unprovoked incidents. The data, published in January by the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, also included 39 provoked shark bites and nine fatalities that occurred throughout the year. The number of unprovoked bites in 2021 aligns with the five-year global average of 72 annually but is in contrast to the 52 confirmed bites recorded in 2020, which were the lowest documented in over a decade. While the cause of the reversal is unclear, International Shark Attack File manager Tyler Bowling attributed a portion of the trend to beach closures associated with COVID-19 restrictions. “Shark bites dropped drastically in 2020 due to the pandemic. This past year was much more typical, with average bite numbers from an assortment of species and fatalities from white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks,” Bowling said in a news release. The number of unprovoked fatal encounters with sharks also remained high in 2021, with most taking place in the South Pacific. There were six confirmed deaths in Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand, while single incidents occurred in South Africa, Brazil and the United States. Great white sharks were characteristically the primary culprit for unprovoked fatalities. The IFAS investigates all reported shark bites but emphasizes those that were unprovoked — defined as incidents which occurred in the shark’s natural habitat without human provocation. The information helps researchers understand the natural behavior of sharks. The United States continues to lead the world in the annual number of shark bites, with 47 in 2021, representing 64% of global cases. Of these, all but five took place along the Atlantic seaboard. While last year saw a dramatic increase in shark bites and a high number of mortalities, both remain well within the long-term averages. As more people have flocked to warm beaches, encounters with sharks have become more common, especially in Florida, which has the second-highest rate

Reporting from Florida

For decades, Florida has topped global charts in the number of shark bites and the trend continued in 2021. Florida’s 28 cases represented 60% of the United States total and 38% of unprovoked bites worldwide. Volusia County had the most shark bites with 17, representing 63% of the state’s total. The remaining bites occurred in Brevard, 2; Miami-Dade, 2; St. Lucie, 2; and single incidents in Manatee, Broward, Martin, Palm Beach and St. Johns counties. — Lisa neff

of population growth in the United States. Yet deaths, in the long run, are becoming less frequent. “The overall decline in mortalities from shark bites is likely due to a combination of improved beach safety protocols around the world and a diminishment in the number of sharks of various species in coastal waters,” said Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum’s shark research program. “The spike in 2020 and 2021 is almost certainly because of the expanding numbers of white sharks, which have been increasing in various localities likely in response to a boom in the seal populations they feed on.” The majority of individuals bitten by sharks were surfers or boarders, who spend a significant amount of time on the water in and around surf zones. The thin strip of water, where inbound waves that may have traveled for hundreds of miles finally snag on the rising coastal seafloor and topple over, creates the perfect environment for surfers and sharks alike. Marine coasts and estuaries are a favorite feeding ground for a variety of fishes, which take advantage of the tides to scope out new food and rummage near the shallow seafloor for plants and invertebrates. These smaller fishes, in turn, attract sharks, which sometimes mistake humans for prey. “For blacktip sharks in Florida, it’s most often a case of mistaken identity,” Bowling said. Blacktip sharks are likely responsible for the majority of bites in Florida, which has consistently

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Florida characteristically had the highest number of shark bites of any geographic region in the world and made up 60% of bites that occurred along u.S. coasts.

there were 73 unprovoked shark bites, represented by blue dots, and nine fatalities, represented by pink dots, in 2021. islander images: courtesy Jane dominguez/ university of Florida

had the highest bite count of any geographic area for the past several decades. The one bite reported from Manatee County in 2021 — which occurred Dec. 22 near the Anna Maria City Pier — was believed to be from a blacktip shark. Local Erika Lane was wing foiling on the bayside of Anna Maria Island when she felt a bite on her thigh that punctured her wet suit and left a gash in her leg that she self-treated. The relatively small blacktips hunt in warm waters near shorelines, where they use shallows to avoid predators, including great hammerheads and bull sharks. The shallow water and turbulent waves in surf zones kick up sediment that make it hard for sharks to sight their prey, Naylor said. “About 60% of all bites we record are in low visibility water.” — Lisa neff

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We asked, ‘How cold?’

During the weekend cold snap, the National Weather Service in Ruskin recorded a low of 26 degrees for the Bradenton area early Jan. 30. On Anna Maria Island, a home-based station in Bradenton Beach reported a low of 34 degrees early Jan. 30. A forecaster with the NWS said that low probably was representative of the island. Elsewhere, recorded lows Jan. 30 included: 25 degrees at North Port, 26 at Land O Lakes, 28 at Arcadia, 28 at Lakeland, 27 at Tampa and 28 at Port Richey.

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By Lisa Neff

Winter color in Florida

What? Groundhog Day has arrived but due to a pathetic case of procrastination, my Christmas tree remains on the back porch. The ornaments are packed away and the lights removed but the Christmas tree remains in the stand. So long past the 12th day of Christmas, I’ve got to find a place to dispose of the balsam fir — which strangely is still green, with soft needles. If I lived up north, I’d drop the tree along a fence in the yard and let neff the snow pile on, building a mystery about what might be found after the March thaw. But a cut evergreen isn’t easy to hide in a patch of ferns and certainly cannot be concealed behind a palm tree, especially not in a condo community. January just got away from me. I’m blaming an obsession with following news of the omicron wave, a personal bout with a cold, visiting relatives and the need to binge-watch the old “Dexter” before dedicating

Poinsettias fill orban’s nursery growhouse in northwest bradenton during an annual post-thanksgiving poinsettia sale. now it’s time for those who purchased the plants — or those who received them as gifts — to consider planting the ornamentals. islander File Photo

a new month to “Dexter: New Blood.” So, not only does the Christmas tree remain in its stand but several plants need cutting back, the fern patch needs care and two gorgeous gifted poinsettias need to go in the ground.

I can’t repurpose the Christmas tree, but I can transplant the poinsettias. They aren’t considered native plants but the perennials were — for all practical purposes — grown in my neighborhood at nurseries in west Manatee. Gardening experts with the University of Florida/ Florida A&M University extension service offer these tips to transplanting poinsettias, which can bloom year after year: When leaves begin to yellow or when the plant is no longer desired as a holiday accessory, gradually withhold water. The leaves will pale and fall off. The bracts — the colorful leaves just below the true flowers — will be the last to drop. Store the plant in its pot in a cool, dry, dark area, watering just enough to keep the stems from withering. To transplant, cut the main stems about six inches above soil level, remove the plant from the pot and wash away the old soil from the roots. Plant the poinsettia in a bed that gets some shade during the hottest part of the day and water liberally when the top of the soil feels dry. Because the poinsettia is long-night plant, it needs darkness for about 14 hours during a four-week period in the fall to form flower buds. So keep the poinsettia away from even artificial light after nightfall in the weeks before Thanksgiving when, yes, it’ll be time to get a fresh, new Christmas tree.

Drive in, drop off

items that cannot be disposed of with household garbage are collected Jan. 29 during the annual e-scrap and Hazardous Waste collection at coquina beach in bradenton beach. manatee county coordinates the event with island cities and contractors that can recycle or dispose of the items. For more information, call manatee county Solid Waste at 941-798-6761 or go online to www.mymanatee. org/escrap. islander Photos: Lisa neff

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Adults dominate center gridiron, KRC links, pits in AM by Kevin P. cassidy islander reporter

tom Farmington, left, and tim Sofran teamed up for the win Jan. 26 at the anna maria city Hall pits. then bob Palmer went solo Jan. 29, walking his way to the day’s championship to close out the month at the pits. Players gather Wednesdays and Saturdays in anna maria at 8:45 a.m. for warmups and random team selection. everyone is welcome. islander Photo: courtesy ami Pitchers

The thermometer may have taken a dip, but the games continue on Anna Maria Island. After three weeks of action in the adult flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island, Solid Rock Construction has soared to the top of the standings with a 3-0 record. Moss Builders and Prosper Bradenton share second with matching 2-1 cassidy records, while TBT holds down third place at 1-1-1. Cortez Deep Sea Fishing follows at 1-1, followed by Shady Lady and Sandbar Restaurant at 1-2. Beach Bums completes the standings at 0-1. The games got started Jan. 27 with TBT edging Sandbar 22-20 thanks to a strong all-around game by Nick Cinelli. Cinelli had six catches, including one for a touchdown, while also chipping in a pick six on defense. Quarterback Matthew Briley threw two touchdown passes, including one to Joshua Overton, while Javier Rivera finished with three sacks and a safety to spark the defense. Matt Manger threw for two scores and rushed for another touchdown for Sandbar in the loss. The second game of the night saw Prosper Bradenton cruise to a 24-6 victory over Shady Lady behind three TD passes from Jonathan Moss and a rushing touchdown and two TD receptions from Karri Stephens. Jonathan Soutatos connected with Jasmine Muldoon for the lone score by Shady Lady in the loss. Solid Rock Construction won the battle of undefeated teams 18-9, thanks to a pick-six from Christian Hampton and a touchdown pass from Anthony Mannino to Octavious Cole. Ryan Moss ran for a touchdown to carry Moss Builders, which also received a safety to complete the scoring in the loss. Sir Williams threw touchdown passes to Luis Campos and Shepard Condon and Tuna McCracken ran for a touchdown to lead Cortez Deep Sea Fishing to an 18-12 victory over We The Best Lenders to close out the night’s flag football action. Jaret Rojas connected with Brandon Kull and Dominick Otteni for touchdowns for We The Best Lenders in the loss.

hole five. Janet Razze had the low-net round of the day with a 3-under-par 29 to grab first place in Flight B. Peggy Clauhs, Judy Todd and Jackie Gorski finished in a three-way tie for second with matching 1-over-par 33s. The women played a nine-hole, member-member tournament Jan. 26 and, despite chilly weather, 33 players participated. In the blue flight, a three-way tie for first place was broken by a scorecard playoff, which ended with Jenny Huibers and Ann Hackinson in first place. Laura Purcell and Jackie Gorski finished second. Both twosomes finished the round with a score of 26.5. Another scorecard playoff took place in the yellow flight, and Sue Ford and Pam Lowry emerged as champs with a score of 5-under-par 27. Roxanne Koche and Connie Livanos had to settle for second place. Annette Hall and Billy Jean Pinson captured first place in the purple flight on a 5-under-par 27, two strokes ahead of second-place finishers, Debbie DuVernay and Peggy Cummings. Lisa Edmonds won the longest putt on the third hole, while Lowry won the closest-to-the-pin contest at the eighth hole. A clubhouse lunch followed the tournament play and the women were looking forward to the event in 2023. Members placed a nine-hole shamble Jan. 27 with Key Royale news Golf action at the Key Royale Club in Holmes the two best scores from each group counted to close Beach got started Jan. 24 with the men playing a nine- out the week of golf action. hole modified-Stableford system match. The team of Jon Holcomb, Hoyt Miller, Dave Rincke and Blake Ress combined on a plus-6 to earn the team title. Rincke and Gary Alvord both finished at plus-5 to tie for first place individual honors. John Cassese, Larry Brattain and Quentin Talbert were two points back in second place. The women played a nine-hole individual-lownet match in two flights Jan. 25. Marcia Friesen fired a 2-over-par 24 to earn first place in Flight A by one stroke over Jenny Huibers, who had a chipin birdie on

Anna Maria Island Tides

Date

HIGH

Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 9

2:03p 12:26a 1:18a 2:11a 3:10a 4:24a 6:18a 5:17p

1.1 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.1 0.9 1.8

— 2:16p 2:33p 2:54p 3:21p 3:53p 4:31p —

— 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 —

7:06a 7:38a 8:07a 8:34a 8:59a 9:22a 9:38a 12:48a

LOW

-0.8 6:01p 0.7 -0.5 7:00p 0.5 -0.2 7:59p 0.4 0.0 9:01p 0.3 0.3 10:09p 0.2 0.5 11:26p 0.0 0.7 — — -0.1 — —

Moon

1st

AM City Pier tides; Cortez high tides 7 minutes later — lows 1:06 later

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The team of Eric Lawson, Nub Turner and Tom Young combined on a 2-under-par 62 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day. The team of Alvord, Ken Butler, Rich Salzburg and Greg Shorten matched the 1-under-par carded by the team of Dean Christensen, Tim Donnar, Tom Solosky and Talbert for a tie for second place. Horseshoe news Three teams emerged from pool play during Jan. 26 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits and battled it out in a playoff. Bob Heiger and Bob Brown drew the bye into the final and watched as Tim Sofran and Tom Farrington advanced with a 23-13 victory over Bob Mason and Gene Bobeldyk. In the finals, Brown and Farrington stayed hot, earning a 23-7 victory over Heiger and Brown. No teams managed 3-0 pool play records and five teams battled it out Jan. 29 for the day’s championship. The bye to the second round went to Bob Mason and Bob Lee, who watched as Bob Palmer walked his way past Jay Disbrow and Tom Anderton by a 23-6 score, while Heiger defeated Farrington and Tom Betty 21-10. Heiger drew the bye into the finals and watched Palmer advance with a 21-14 victory over Mason and Lee, setting up a battle of walkers. Palmer captured his third playoff victory in a row with a 21-13 victory over Heiger to earn the day’s bragging rights. Play begins at 9 a.m. at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.

Court action People warm up with a volley Jan. 21 for a pickleball game on the court at Lou barolo Park near the intersection of Highland avenue and Fourth Street north in bradenton beach. islander Photo: ryan Paice

Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 25 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Winter settles in, pick days, location for fishing success By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Trying to find a window of opportunity to fish around Anna Maria Island is challenging as winter settles in. Numerous cold fronts occurring every 4-5 days bring high winds, rough seas and send the water temperature plummeting, making boating uncomfortable and harder to find fish receptive to your offerings of either Stasny live bait or lures. Timing is everything, so plan accordingly. Try to schedule your excursions between the cold fronts. Sometimes the longer you wait before the next front, the better the fishing. On days when the winds are from the east, fishing along the beaches can be productive. Soaking live shrimp on a bottom rig can lead to action from black drum, sheepshead and whiting. And, if you’re not into sitting around waiting on a bite, you can try jigging. Casting small jigs tipped with shrimp will attract pompano, as well as the other mentioned species. For those who live on a canal, this time of year can be your productive season. Casting live shrimp into the canals can lead to action on spotted seatrout, redfish and even an occasional snook. You also might hook up with some sheepshead, black drum and mangrove snapper. But, if you just have to be in the boat, be selective with your days. The artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico are holding sheepshead, snapper and grunts, but it has to be fairly calm to be comfortable enough to fish those areas. If it’s not, you can migrate into the canals to dock fish or into the back reaches of the bays — Terra Ceia, Palma Sola or Sarasota. Fish migrate into these areas to find warmer, calmer water. And, if you time it right, you may find success. On my Just Reel charters, I’m adjusting my daily plan to suit the weather pattern. On calm days, fishing structure in the Gulf around ledges and artificial reefs is productive for sheepshead, snapper and grunts. On

Avid fisher Pete Schlener shows off a 32-inch redfish he caught Jan. 19 from his dock in Bradenton Beach. Wife Deborah said they nicknamed the fish “butterball.” “It was really quite something!” Schlener used a live shrimp to attract the fish to the hook and then released it shortly after the trophy photo. Islander Courtesy Photos

windier days, I’m sticking to fishing docks in canals or sheltered areas around mangrove shorelines to find a bite. In these areas, I’m seeing redfish, black drum and an occasional under-slot snook. Lastly, drifting and jigging in Sarasota Bay is producing some action on pompano, although that bite has been hit or miss.

Capt. Warren Girle is working the inshore waters of Sarasota Bay. Using live shrimp as bait is producing action on a variety of species for Girle’s clients. Fishing residential canals around seawalls and dock pilings is leading Girle to some black drum, sheepshead, redfish and snook. He’s also seeing some keeper-size mangrove snapper while fishing select docks. Out in Sarasota Bay, Girle is casting jigs tipped with shrimp, which is working. Pompano and spotted seatrout are reacting, as are bluefish and jack crevalle. Capt. David White is working nearshore structure in the Gulf of Mexico on his charters. Fishing over areas where ledges and hard bottom exist is leading his anglers to a bite from a variety of species, including sheepshead, mangrove snapper, Key West grunts and an occasional hogfish. Fishing the artificial reefs in the Gulf is producing similar action, excluding the hogfish. Live shrimp as bait is preferred. When the Gulf is rough, White is taking anglers to the inshore bite, casting live shrimp around residential docks and canals for action on redfish, black drum and sheepshead. Capt. Jason Stock is still working offshore — when the seas are calm and the winds light. In depths of 100 feet, Stock is finding some big red grouper willing to take his clients’ offerings of live pinfish. Fishing slightly deeper with the same bait is yielding large American red snapper for Stock’s anglers. Also offshore, Stock is finding plenty of yellowtail and mangrove snapper to round out the bite. Live shrimp as bait works well for those two species. Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier reports that although the cold weather and high winds at the northernmost AMI pier are discouraging some anglers from fishing, determined pier fishers are being rewarded with a variety of species. Live shrimp as bait is attracting black drum, redfish and sheepshead. A few mangrove snapper and an occasional under-slot snook also are taking the hook. Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

Todd Miller, visiting from Ohio, shows off a small redfish he caught Jan. 14 in Sarasota Bay. Guided by Capt. Warren Girle, Miller caught several redfish and snook using shrimp. All fish were released after a quick photo. Capt. David White shows off a sheepshead Jan. 27 with fisher Craig Sabatino of Philadelphia. Sabatino caught the fish in Tampa Bay.

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Page 26 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

isl

biz

By Kane Kaiman

Oyster expansion, piano parties, Target timing

A growing chain of pearls The Anna Maria Oyster Bar hospitality group added another pearl to its collection Feb. 1. Cafe L’Europe, an iconic finedining establishment on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, is the latest addition to the five-restaurant outfit, led by Amanda and John Horne. Founded in 1973, Café L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle, is known for Kaiman its European cuisine, including Dover sole meuniere, chateaubriand and shrimp pernod. The Hornes purchased the restaurant from Julie and Ron Milton for an undisclosed sum.

amanda and John Horne take their place on St. armands circle at cafe L’europe. islander courtesy Photo

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“Amanda and I consider it an immense honor to be entrusted with the rich culinary legacy of Cafe L’Europe,” John Horne said in a statement on the AMOB website. At one time in the past, a portion of the storefront served as John Ringling’s sales office. AMOB has locations at the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach, on Cortez Road and U.S. 41 in Bradenton and Ellenton. For more information, visit AMOB online at oysterbar.net or call the corporate office at 941-7617797.

Special operations 88 Live Piano Bar in Bradenton hired Emily Harpp of Rockledge Jan. 27 as the establishment’s party operations manager. Harpp will manage a happy-hour party program, granting customers access to drink and food specials, as well as free 88 Live merchandise — all without the establishment’s standard cover charge. The program is tentatively set to begin March 1. The happy hour will be noon-7 p.m. daily. Drink specials will include $3.88 glasses of house wine, 16-ounce domestic draft beers and well drinks. Food specials will include a $5 discount on a pizza. Harpp, who occupies the same role at Orlando music bar Howl at the Moon, brings three years of hospitality experience to the position. “The atmosphere is so friendly and welcoming. Once you walk in everyone feels like they’re part of the family,” Harpp said of 88 Live. “It’s already a great place. I’m just trying to get some more people in there.” When the program is up and running, customers will sign up online at the bar’s website or in person and receive a call or message from Harpp to make reservations. To check on the status of the program, visit 88livebradenton.com or the 88 Live Piano Bar Facebook

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88 Live Piano bar co-owner Sherry elliott, right, and emily Harpp, the outfit’s new party operations manager, smile for a photo Jan. 27 in the bar, 6640 cortez road, bradenton. islander courtesy Photo

page or call 941-900-1133. Target date: 2022 The parking lot of a future Target at the Beachway Plaza, at the corner of Manatee Avenue and 75th Street West in Bradenton, was under demolition in mid-January, preparing for what appeared to be construction. The store will open later this year, a Target spokesman said in a Jan. 25 email to The Islander. A Kmart used to occupy the space at 7350 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Permitting for the project is through Manatee County. For more information, visit corporate.target.com/ about/locations/upcoming-stores. Welcome We join the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce in welcoming seven new member businesses in January: Florida Vacation Homes serving Anna Maria Island; Sun & Sand Medicare Plans of Holmes Beach; Alex’s Sliding Glass Door Repair of Sarasota; YoWash of Bradenton; Twin Angels of Palmetto; Bayside Pet Resort of Sarasota and Cat Depot of Sarasota. For more information, go to annamariaislandchamber.org or call 941-778-1541. And as always… …Got biz news? Contact Kane Kaiman at kane@ islander.org or call The Islander office at 941-7787978.

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Feb. 2, 2022 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Page 27 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BizCal

COMPILED BY KANE KAIMAN

AMI Chamber THIS WEEK

Thursday, Feb. 3 7:30-9 a.m. — Sunrise Breakfast, Compass Hotel, 12324 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island. Save the date Feb. 10, member luncheon, Harry’s Grill, Anna Maria. Feb. 23, Business Card Exchange and “Meet the Directors,” the Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria. Fees may apply for events. RSVP for the networking events by contacting the chamber at 941-778-1541 or info@amichamber.org.

the Sean murphy bistro icon may now shuffle to the doctor’s office with him, where he will likely be found clinking his glass and telling irish tales — and wearing a protective mask.

Josh Fleischer, left, shoots a selfie with wife alana, anna maria elementary Parent teacher organization In July 2021, Murphy and Timmins implemented vice president, and ame principal michael masiello LBK Chamber vaccine requirements for Beach Bistro customers, who at the anna maria island chamber of commerce THIS WEEK could not secure a reservation unless they told staff celebration on winning a trolley award to fund Stem Wednesday, Feb. 9 programs at ame. islander courtesy Photo they had received a shot. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — Networking @ Noon luncheon, Zota They also required staff to wear masks and be vacBeach Resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Murphy said of the Doctor’s Office. cinated. Improvements will include a refined reservation Save the date “It worked and it worked very Feb. 15, Business Before the Bell, Turtle Coffee Bar, Longboat system and the addition of upscale dining options on well. For the last two years, we had Key. virtually no COVID contacts that the menu. Feb. 19, Savor the Sounds Concert, Longboat Key Town Center Murphy, 70, also said with a laugh that he was originated in the restaurant and we’re Green. looking forward to a hockey career. very proud of that,” Murphy said. Feb. 24, annual meeting, chamber ofﬁce, Longboat Key. Neither Kaleta nor Najmy responded to Jan. 29 Parting ways with the bistro’s Fees may apply for events. murphy staff was as tough as relinquishing phone calls and text message inquiries about the purFor more LBK Chamber information, visit longboatkeychamber. chase. control of the restaurant, he said. A Jan. 29 phone call to the restaurant was answered com or call 941-383-2466. “It was difficult for us to let go BIStRo From Page 1

because we’re very attached to the staff. I don’t think people realize how much the team matters to making a great restaurant,” he said. timmins Murphy-Timmins will focus on their other establishments, the Doctor’s Office cocktail bar, 5312 Holmes Blvd. #B, Holmes Beach, and the adjacent Doctor’s Garden event venue. “I think it’s easily the best craft cocktail bar in the two-county area south of Tampa Bay. It will be our objective to make it better and more desirable,”

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by a reservationist who said a trio of employees manage the bistro. Joe Egan remains the head chef, she added. Murphy and Timmins said they were fortunate to spend years shaping and growing the bistro, a toes-inthe-sand fine-dining establishment that has received praise in national publications, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Zagat. Add to that many accolades from Wine Spectator and Florida Trend as well as a James Beard Award semifinalist. “For Susan and I, it was our life’s work. We thought

about it every day and it got our first attention every day, after our children. We raised our family there. It was a rich and happy experience,” Murphy said. “Our staff was like family. Customers became like family, it was a big family. So we will miss a lot of people,” Timmins said. “We just have a lot of gratitude that we had such a great run. We had phenomenal staff, we had phenomenal guests. It was a magical little place,” she said. For more on the bistro, visit beachbistro.com or call 941-778-6444.

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Page 28 THE ISLANDER | islander.org Feb. 2, 2022 ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I S L A N D E R C L A S S I F I E D S ITEMS FOR SALE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

KIDS FOR HIRE

neW, tWin mattreSS, $100, cruiser bike, helmet, seven gears, $75, chandelier, brown metal, bulbs included, $20. 941-920-2494.

Wanted, garage For storage of golf cart and bikes. need electric. call dave, 716545-0887.

dePendabLe, reSPonSibLe, Fun babysitter for hire. 13 years old, island local. available in June. 941-526-9090.

antiQue babY carriage: Wood and wicker. Proceeds benefit moonracer animal rescue. email for photos: moonraceranimalrescue@gmail.com.

GARAGE SALES SaLe: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4-5. Housewares, golfing, fishing, furniture. 505 bayview drive, Holmes beach.

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.

LOST & FOUND

HEALTH CARE

Found: Wedding ring. Found at Walmart on cortez road, bradenton. 518-8227315.

good grieF: eXPerienced Licensed clinical Social Worker (LcSW) providing help for individuals and families working through end-of-life issues. also offering assistance crafting your advance care directive. call or email dawn, 207-615- 5876. goodgrief. dawn@gmail.com.

antiQue Partner deSK: all wood, $500. inquire at the islander office, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes beach. 941-778-7978. antiQue oFFice cHairS: Perfect for eclectic dining set. circa 1950 from anna maria city Hall. inquire at the islander newspaper, 315 58th St. Suite J, Holmes beach. 941-778-7978.

PreScriPtion SungLaSSeS in gucci black case lost thursday, Jan. 27. along the beach. call 847-563-8365.

LooKing For an earLY bird? You can read Wednesday’s classifieds on tuesday at islander.org. and it’s Free!

PETS

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HeLP reScued PetS! Volunteer, foster, computer help needed! moonracer animal rescue. email: moonraceranimalrescue@ gmail.com.

Residential & Condo Renovations Kitchens • Bath • Design Service Carpentry • Flooring • Painting Commercial & Residential

References available • 941-720-7519

AdoptA-Pet

2011 gem eLectric golf cart: 3,900 miles, red and white with trunk storage, runs well and maintains charge. 719-291-1798 to schedule showing on ami. 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 HELP WANTED roSer cHurcH iS searching for a full-time community engagement coordinator to join our ministry staff. Visit the ‘Staff & Leadership’ page on roserchurch.com for more information. LocaL Long-Standing island business looking for an experienced full-charge bookkeeper/accountant. Pay commensurate with experience. Please, send your resume to info@gaunt.com.

Bobby needs YOU!

Bobby is a male lab/dobie mix, 8-9 months old, about 50-pounds and needs a caring family. To meet this cutie, call Lisa Williams at 941-345-2441 or visit The Islander ofﬁce in Holmes Beach. For more about pet adoption, visit moonraceranimalrescue.com.

rePorter Wanted: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org. more bang For Your bucK? it’s an old saying, but still true when it comes to islander ads. Look for more online at islander.org.

eXPerience cna For hire! 1. Skilled. 2. respite. 3. Long-term 4. Home health. i have 22 years in the medical field, i love what i do, serving the elderly. contact information: 941-580-4440. tee0123@yahoo.com. breaKtHrougH counSeLing center: Jim rimi, Karen gallo rimi, Licensed christian counselors. marriage, anxiety, depression, life coaching. breakthroughcounselingcenter.org. Free initial consultation. email breakthroughcounselctr@gmail.com. call 908-689-2021. SERVICES need a ride to airports? tampa $65, St. Pete, $55, Sarasota, $30. gary, 863-4095875. gvoness80@gmail.com. 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. 941-744-7983. PreSSure WaSHing, PaVer sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931. iSLand PHoto SHootS WitH gemma. Family, children, engagement, commercial. instagram: @silvernestphoto. 805-5701415. nannY, babY/PetSitting, cleaning, organizing, errands, assistance. 20 years’ experience. reliable and trustworthy, local. 805570-1415.