By ryan Paice islander reporter
Vacation rental regulations are safe — for now.
After 10 days on the governor’s desk, Senate Bill 280, which would have reshaped the statewide vacation rental landscape, was vetoed June 27 by Ron DeSantis.
SB 280 was filed last November by state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, and an amended version passed through the Legislature by the time session ended March 8.
The bill would have preempted municipal vacation rental regulations adopted before June 1, 2011, to the state — other than for Flagler county, which was exempted in the proposed legislation.
The measure would have established statewide maximum overnight occupancy limits, limited the number of inspections at each property and capped fines for rental violations to $500.
state legislative officers signed SB 280 June 17 and presented it to DeSantis, who could have signed the
bill or taken no action, allowing it to become law 15 days after its presentation.
However, DeSantis vetoed the bill, effectively killing it unless the Legislature overrules his decision with a two-thirds vote from members in each chamber.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, who led efforts to oppose SB 280, sent a June 27 email to city commissioners, staff and the media celebrating the veto.
“I so much appreciate all of your support with our campaigns and efforts to stop this poorly thought-out piece of ‘Pork Chop’ legislation,” Murphy wrote.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
The end of the controversial beachfront treehouse might be on the horizon.
Judge Edward Nicholas of the 12th Circuit Court oversaw a June 26 compliance status conference to discuss progress on the court-ordered demolition of the treehouse at the Angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 Ave. E.
The treehouse was built in 2011 and has been at the center of controversy and litigation since 2013, when the city issued code violations for the structure and the property owners filed their first lawsuit.
Nicholas ruled in February that the treehouse must be demolished by July 3.
If the property owners fail to remove the
By lisa neff islander editor
A red, white and blue procession will roll from Anna Maria Island’s end to end on Independence Day.
The all-American holiday will be celebrated on AMI on Thursday, July 4, with the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, with participants due to begin staging at 8 a.m.
The parade will travel north on Gulf Drive.
In Holmes Beach, the parade will travel on Gulf, East Bay, Marina and Palm drives.
In Anna Maria, the parade will travel on Gulf Drive, then Pine Avenue east to Bay
Boulevard, then north to Bayfront Park. Participants must be on wheels.
Roller skates or tractor tires — wheels are dictated by the length of the parade.
Some other encouragements and cautions:
• Entries with a generator must be equipped with a fire extinguisher;
• Entries must feature a banner identifying representation;
• political advertising and campaigning is not allowed and;
• Entries should be decked out for the holiday.
Entry in the parade is free but the Privateers welcome donations, which will support the Roser Food Pantry.
allowed.
For more information about the island parade, go online to amiprivateers.org or call Privateer Terry “Cookie” Rapert at 941-7050199.
there are no fireworks shows planned on AMI beaches, which are home to nesting sea turtles and nesting shorebirds.
Off-island fireworks and more Celebrations also are planned on Longboat Key and on the mainland, including:
• the Bradenton marauders will celebrate the holiday Wednesday, July 3, at LECOM Park.
The team, decked out in “patriotic jerseys,” will take on the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in a minor league baseball game.
• Water guns are allowed but water balloons and high-powered sprays are not PleaSe,
veto continued from Page 1
In a June 28 interview with The Islander, Murphy gave some credit for the veto to Anna Maria’s efforts, which included the use of a city website, homerulefl. com, and lobbying by Matthew Blair of Tallahasseebased Corcoran Partners.
The website facilitated public involvement by providing a system to deliver thousands of calls and prewritten emails opposing the bill to state officials and the governor’s office.
Murphy said Blair helped steer the website’s messaging by pinpointing concerns with the bill — such as the carveout for Flagler — using his connections with the governor’s office.
He also credited the efforts of the many people who helped reinforce the city’s messages.
“It shows the power that people have when they
treehouse continued from Page 1
treehouse by then, the city will be able to remove it at the expense of the owners after providing at least 72 hours’ notice.
However, that might not be necessary.
Attorney Fred Moore of the Bradenton-based Blalock Walters law firm represented property owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran-Hazen during the June 26 compliance conference.
Firstly, Moore said his clients had complied with Nicholas’ April 17 order granting the city’s motion for sanctions by reimbursing the municipality $4,040 for attorneys’ fees it incurred responding to “frivolous and untimely motions.”
Moore added that they were working in good faith toward the demolition and had applied with the city for a demolition permit that week after only recently receiving approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
According to city records obtained by The Islander, the DEP issued a permit to demolish the two-story treehouse on June 11. the permit will expire July 31.
While a permit application was submitted June 24 to the city, planning and zoning administrator Chad
pull together,” Murphy said. “This was not an individual effort. … It was all of the island together, and not just the island, but beach communities from all over the state.”
“(DeSantis) got the message loud and clear that this was not good policy,” he added.
While Murphy called the veto a “tremendous success story,” he acknowledged the threat of vacation rental preemptions would likely return next year.
By then, murphy, who will leave office later this year after serving 10 years as mayor, will not be around to lead the effort.
Former Commission Chair Brian Seymour and current Commission Chair Mark Short will vie for the mayoral post in the Nov. 5 general election.
murphy expressed confidence in both candidates’ ability to carry on and refine the city’s efforts to oppose legislation like SB 280.
Minor said the application remained incomplete as of the hearing date.
The permit application lacks an estimated total value of work, detailed scope of work and a site plan, general contractor’s license, as well as signatures from the applicant and contractor, Tampa-based Allied Wrecking LLC.
Additionally, the property owners have not signed an owner consent form — which must be notarized — for the proposed work.
Moore acknowledged that the demolition “may or may not” occur by the July 3 deadline.
“I have no indication other than we are moving forward with demolishing the treehouse,” Moore said.
Nicholas asked attorney Randy Mora of the Clearwater-based trask daigneault law firm, who represents the city, if the city would pursue its right to demolish the structure if the property owners did not complete the job by July 3.
Mora said the city currently did not have plans to enter the property and remove the structure on its own accord after the deadline, as Nicholas’ order allows.
“At this stage, we have some indication of what we
“Hopefully, we got it to the point where they can pick it up and fine-tune it to their needs and likes and make it even more effective than it is today,” Murphy said. “I feel comfortable with either (mayoral candidate) driving that car — giving them the keys to the Oldsmobile.”
In the meantime, Murphy can breathe a sigh of relief, sit back and relax.
“i’m exceptionally happy that the governor was wise enough to veto this piece of pork chop legislation,” he said. “Once again, we’ve dodged another bullet.”
Editor’s note: In the 1950s and ’60s, thanks to malapportioned legislative districts, a bloc of rural Democratic lawmakers known as the Pork Chop Gang controlled both chambers of the Legislature with their priorities to uphold segregation and enrich themselves. — Reason magazine, reason.com.
will consider to be a good faith effort to resolve this,” Mora said. “We will seek voluntary compliance that does not require the city to expend taxpayer resources to do what Mrs. Tran and Mr. Hazen are purportedly willing to do voluntarily.”
However, he added that the city was “concerned and disappointed” that the time since Nicholas’ order in april proved insufficient for the property owners to complete the demolition process.
Mora recommended scheduling another compliance status conference to discuss the demolition’s progress, at which point other resolutions could be revisited if the job was not done.
Nicholas scheduled that conference for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
Tran-Hazen wrote in a June 28 email to The Islander that they may host an event July 4-5 on the beach at their residence where “fans of the ‘treehouse’ can visit, say goodbye, hug the tree,” and take pictures with it.
“It will soon be gone but will never be forgotten,” Tran-Hazen said.
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By robert anderson islander reporter
On Independence Day, Americans gather at the beach to celebrate their nation’s birthday with sun, sand and coastal festivities.
For many first responders, the holiday is a time of vigilance on behalf of the public.
cosby
Bradenton Beach police Chief John Cosby June 26 said the Manatee county sheriff’s Offi ce would collaborate with Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach to reinforce patrols July 4-7.
As with most holidays on AMI, first responders expect crowded beaches, traffic congestion and parking crunches.
Cosby said in Bradenton Beach people will be able to park at Cortez Beach, as well as Coquina. Parking at Cortez Beach was taken up by construction equipment and resident parking in connection with a sewer project that began in January 2023 but that wrapped up in June.
“Come early. Parking is limited even though we have the extra spaces back. it will still be crowded,” Cosby said.
He asked for patience and emphasized adherence to parking regulations, as a $75 fine is imposed for illegally parking in a state right of way.
Cosby also cautioned people to be vigilant in the water, advising adults to keep an eye on children and adhere to beach flag warnings. manatee county has lifeguards at Coquina and Manatee Public beaches.
“Educate yourself before you come out as to what a riptide looks like,” Cosby said. “Be careful where you are swimming and, if you are caught in one, don’t swim against it, swim parallel to it.”
Cosby said Bradenton Beach code enforcement officer Evan Harbus will work with anna maria island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring to ensure the safety of nesting turtles and shorebirds.
tokajer
Extra law enforcement personnel are scheduled for all four days of the holiday in the city.
In Holmes Beach, Chief Bill tokajer said extra officers would be staffed to monitor beaches and parking. He urged people to comply with regulations to avoid fines.
tokajer said the HBpd is expecting high traffic based on numbers collected from license plate readers over Memorial Day weekend.
“Vehicles that entered the island over the two-day Memorial Day weekend amounted to just under 54,000 cars coming onto the island,” Tokajer said. “I would say July 4 is usually one of our busier weekends.”
He said people can visit the city’s website at holmesbeachfl.org to see a map of available parking. HBpd officers will hand out cards with a Qr code that, when scanned, shows the city’s parking maps.
“We expect that it is going to be a busy four-day weekend,” Tokajer said. “Visitors must remember that we are in turtle season and the fireworks could be detrimental to sea turtles that are trying to nest.”
there are no permitted fi reworks shows on the island and private fireworks are prohibited. sparklers, smoke devices, party poppers, snappers and snakes are allowed but exploding, launching and projectile fireworks are illegal.
Tokajer also urged people to pack out their trash and be mindful of noise levels, emphasizing respect for residential areas.
As for the MCSO, which operates a substation in Anna Maria and contracts to provide law enforcement for the city, island patrols will be expanded and special response teams will be present, including horseback patrols on the beach and motorcycle units for traffic.
Also, county marine patrol units will be in the Gulf of mexico and bay waters keeping a look out for reckless and impaired boaters.
In addition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Com-
mission, in a June 24 news release, said its officers also will patrol waterways on Independence Day in Operation Dry Water.
The initiative involves volunteers and law enforcement personnel collaborating to educate boaters on safe boating practices at marinas and on the water.
The FWC will work to identify and remove impaired vessel operators as part of the holiday initiative.
Last year, FWC officers removed 94 impaired operators from Florida waterways during Operation Dry Water.
Meanwhile, West Manatee Fire Rescue is running a drowning awareness campaign with electronic signs near entrances to the island to remind people of dangers associated with water activities.
Fire marshal Randy Kwiatkowski told The Islander June 27 by text that the initiative has been running since spring break.
By lisa neff
Last week’s question
How do you want to celebrate independence day?
6%. Cheering a parade.
17%. Oohing over fireworks.
13%. Going to the beach.
35%. All of the above.
29%. None of the above.
This week’s question
Shark Week begins July 7 …
A. Look forward to it.
B. Just watch “Jaws.”
C. Don’t have cable.
D. Get out and see them in nature.
To answer the poll, go online to islander.org.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
One of five proposed amendments to the city of Anna Maria’s charter will not make it to a ballot.
Mayor Dan Murphy announced in a June 24 email to city commissioners that he vetoed a proposed charter amendment that would have added a mission statement about the protection of municipal home rule.
The amendment would have been to Sec. 1.02 of Article I, Creation and Powers, adding language that, “The city of Anna Maria will take steps to see that the single-family detached residential character and home rule of the city is maintained and protected …”
The charter review committee completed its quinquennial review in March and unanimously recommended the amendment for commission approval.
However, the proposed amendment received less love from the commissioners, where the ordinance was approved for ballot inclusion on a 3-2 vote in June.
Commissioners Jonathan Crane and Mark Short voted “no,” citing concerns about the nature and necessity of the amendment.
murphy explained his reasoning for vetoing the proposed amendment in his June 24 email. He wrote that the amendment was unnecessary, could not be effectively enforced, could potentially harm the city and should instead be addressed in the city’s comprehensive plan.
Murphy told The Islander June 28 that the potential
risks of putting the ordinance on a ballot outweighed its possible benefits since, if it failed, it would give the state ammunition in its efforts to consolidate the three island cities.
“Just the mere possibility of putting this amendment on the ballot, then having someone who has enough money to put together a misinformation cam-
Time to celebrate the rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Independence Day will be observed Thursday, July 4.
most government offices will be closed, including in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.
paign and have it turned down, would really be a tremendous backfire for the city,” murphy said. “it’s not something to gamble. And I’m not the midnight gambler.”
Crane, the proposed amendment’s most vocal opponent, reiterated his belief that it was an “aspirational” item that did not belong in the city charter during a June 28 interview with The Islander.
The city charter is akin to a municipal constitution and establishes city limits, government structure, election procedure and more.
Crane said he supports efforts to perverse the city’s home rule and residential character but added that such language should be established elsewhere.
the island trolley and beach express will operate but Manatee County Area Transit will not operate other services.
Residential trash or recycling pickups regularly scheduled for Thursdays will be delayed a day and other collection services might be pushed back.
Manatee County parks, preserves and beaches will be open to the public but the Island Library will not be open.
— lisa neff
“Charters are much more nuts and bolts,” Crane said. “There’s nothing wrong with being aspirational. Just not in a charter.”
“I’m one of those guys who likes things to be done right, and this wasn’t doing it right,” he added.
On the other hand, Commissioner Charlie Salem, the proposed amendment’s most vocal supporter on the dais, told The Islander June 27 that he was “very disappointed” in Murphy’s veto.
Regardless, Salem added that he hoped the city would pursue other ways to preserve its residential character, such as a suggestion from Short to increase taxable value exemptions for elderly property owners in the municipality.
The Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host a blood drive with OneBlood 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.
The blood drive will be in the library parking lot.
Appointments are not needed.
OneBlood, on its website at oneblood.org, said there is an increased need for type O and type O-negative donations.
For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
compiled by lisa neff islander editor
With a couple of weeks remaining for island voters to register for the Aug. 20 primary, Republicans outnumber Democrats on Anna Maria Island and in each of the island cities.
independents or unaffiliated voters, meanwhile, represent a sizable voting bloc.
Republicans have held consistent leads on AMI at least going back to 2008.
Among Anna Maria’s 830 registered voters, there were 410 Republicans, 218 Democrats and 202 others as of June 25.
In 2020, Anna Maria had 1,055 registered voters, including 478 Republicans and 323 Democrats.
In 2008, Anna Maria had 1,434 registered voters, including 651 Republicans and 451 Democrats.
In Bradenton Beach, with 586 registered voters as of June 25, there were 137 Democrats, 288 Republicans and 161 others.
There were 750 registered voters in 2020 in Bradenton Beach and 887 in 2008.
Bradenton Beach’s registered Republicans numbered 320 in 2020 and 312 in 2008, while there were 222 Democrats in 2020 and 300 in 2008.
In Holmes Beach, with 2,436 registered voters, there were 517 Democrats, 1,311 Republicans and 608 others as of June 25.
There were 2,815 registered voters in the city in
“i’m not the midnight gambler.” — mayor dan murphy
AM ChArter continued from Page 4
“Things like that might help people afford to stay here longer,” he said.
Christopher Arendt, who chaired this year’s CRC, told The Islander June 28 that he was hopeful for the amendment but had less confidence in it than the other proposals.
He said he understood most of Murphy’s concerns with the proposed amendment and acknowledged it was an aspirational item that lacked teeth.
“I’m actually very happy and proud of the fact that the good work that our CRC did end up in four items that are going to be put to the vote of the people,” Arendt added.
The surviving four proposed charter amendments will be included on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election and decided by the electorate.
Is
2020, including 1,320 Republicans and 746 Democrats.
There were 3,376 registered voters in Holmes Beach in 2008, including 1,564 Republicans and 992 Democrats.
The island’s registration total as of June 25 was 3,852, down from the 4,620 voters registered ahead of the presidential election in 2020, when Democrat Joe Biden defeated incumbent Republican Donald Trump.
The island registration totals have declined during presidential election years since 2012. In 2016, there were 4,810 registered voters on AMI and there were 5,534 in 2012.
The registered voter tally in Manatee County as of June 25 was 271,734, including 129,182 Republicans, 69,809 Democrats and 72,743 others.
the three island cities each have an inclusive voting district. islander graphic: votemanatee.org
The city of Holmes Beach is hosting a “First Responders” blood drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Donors will receive a $20 gift card, T-shirt and wellness checkup. Registrants at oneblood.org can use the sponsor code 27373.
For more information, call city hall at 941-7085800.
Do your photos get lots of love on Instagram?
Do you get praised for your eye on TikTok or Facebook?
See how you fare in The Islander’s Top Notch photo contest, a summertime tradition with six weekly winners and a grand-prize award for the best photo entry, as well as props and prizes for pet pix.
We have some rules and guidelines.
See details online and on page 12.
start checking the mailbox.
Florida’s deadline to send primary ballots to people overseas who vote by mail is Saturday, July 6.
The state’s period to send mail-in ballots to domestic voters is July 11-18.
The deadline for people to request a mail-in ballot is Thursday, Aug. 8.
Local voters who previously cast ballots by mail should check their status at votemanatee.com because a change in state law requires people to sign up for mail ballots each election cycle.
The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections will hold early voting hours for the Tuesday, Aug. 20, primary Saturday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Aug. 17.
Early voting will be daily 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at eight locations in the county.
The location nearest Anna Maria Island is G. T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. W., Bradenton.
Voters must present a valid photo and signature ID
For more information, go to the SEO website at votemanatee.com.
What races are on the Aug. 20 primary ballots?
In the Republican primary, local voters will cast ballots to nominate candidates for u.s. senate, u.s. House, Manatee County commission in District 3, county commission in District 7 and supervisor of elections, as well as elect a District 3 school board member and GOP state committee members,
In the Democratic primary, local voters will cast ballots to nominate u.s. senate and u.s. House candidates and elect a District 3 school board member.
• July 15, 11:30 a.m., anna maria island and West Manatee Democratic Club Meet the Candidates forum via Zoom.
• July 22, voter registration deadline for primary.
• tuesday, aug. 20, primary election.
• monday, Oct. 7, registration deadline for general election.
• tuesday, Nov. 5, general election.
— lisa neff
The Islander welcomes stories about islanders and island life, as well as photographs and notices of the milestones in readers’ lives — weddings, births, anniversaries, travels, obituaries and other events. Submit your story with contact information to news@islander.org.
It’s the holiday that some people love and others loathe, mostly because of the boom.
I saw a news story over the weekend about Fourth of July drone celebrations — no fireworks, just lighted drones performing in synchronized patterns in the sky to oohs and aaahs from the crowds on the ground.
No trailing embers and ash, no debris falling. No risk of delayed or wayward explosions — and no big boom to scare pets and wildlife.
Apparently, some people thought the boom was missing from the drone shows and some creators are adapting fireworks to their patriotic presentations. i saw a giant colorful all-American multi-drone eagle with rockets shooting from its talons as an example of the adaptions to come for celebrations in cities and at events across the united states on July 4.
But I’m not a fan of the boom.
Having dealt with pets who react with great fear to the loud unknown threat of fireworks, living in the shadow of an osprey nest, having seen first-hand the problems encountered by sea turtles confronted by crowds, lighted skies, debris and loud noise and that shun their habitat as a result and, especially, the tiny newborn shorebirds that are learning to stand and fly, well, i think it’s easy to see why fireworks should be prohibited on beaches and at preserves.
in fact, i tried some four-six years ago to interest Holmes Beach and county officials in establishing a buffer zone for preserves, where no gunfire or fireworks would be allowed.
Much to my chagrin, they did not offer so much as a response and, as a resident whose property abuts a preserve and a constituent — a voter — I thought my suggestion at least deserved a reply.
And so, maybe this go ’round I’ll spark a dialogue — or maybe, dare I hope, action?
After seeing the great wash of people shooting bottle rockets and mortars on the beach and little to no regard for others, I pretty much gave up hope.
I prefer to watch the presentations from across the nation at home on my “big screen” with the sound appropriate to my companion(s). This year will be the first July 4 with my Norwich-yorkie-cairn terrier, named “It was a dark and Stormy night” but adapted to “Normie” by my GGB.
remember, if you have fireworks that go boom or shoot in the air, they’re illegal.
And remember, too, this holiday is not about blowing up America, it’s about our spirit of independence. Let the celebrations begin.
Don’t tell, but shark week starts July 7. Boom! — Bonner Joy, news@islander.org
I would like to address a jaywalking problem on AMI, especially on Gulf Drive.
While we have numerous new crossings with yellow signs and fl ashing lights when activated, it seems not too many people use them.
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Florida law requires drivers of motorized vehicles to stop for pedestrians only when they are in a marked crosswalk. So, please, start using them.
JULY 3, 2024 • Vol. 32, No. 37
▼ Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org
▼ Editorial editor lisa neff, lisa@islander.org robert anderson, robert@islander.org
Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist
Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org
masha dolgoff, masha@islander.org
Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com robyn murrell, robyn@islander.org
ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org
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ross roberts
I suggest that rental accommodations include some kind of notice to their tenants concerning this and maybe include the laws that govern licensed golf carts on local roads.
Judy loden Wasco
All others: news@islander.org
Gail Roberts, Cortez
Editor’s note: Regardless of who has a right of way, motorists should do everything they can to avoid hitting a pedestrian — even if a pedestrian is walking outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
We welcome your opinion — letters to the editor. Submit them along with a name, city of residence and phone number to news@islander.org. Only your name and city are published.
Anna Maria: Mayor Dan Murphy, 941-7086130, cityofannamaria.com, ammayor@cityofannamaria.com.
Bradenton Beach: Mayor John Chappie, 941778-1005, mayor@cityofbradentonbeach.com.
Holmes Beach: Mayor Judy Titsworth, 941708-5800, hbmayor@holmesbeachfl.org.
Manatee County: Republican Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, 941-745-3705, kevin. vanostenbridge@mymanatee.org.
Florida Senate: Republican Jim Boyd, 941742-6445, boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov.
Florida House : Republican William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr., 941-708-4968, will.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov.
Florida Governor : Republican Ron desantis, 850-717-9337, flgov.com.
U.S. House: Republican Vern Buchanan, 941951-6643, rep.vern.buchanan@mail.house.gov.
U.S. Senate : Republican Marco Rubio, 305-596-4224; republican rick scott, 786-5017141.
President : Democrat Joe Biden, 202-4561111, whitehouse.gov/contact.
“We’re glad you’re Here,” originated in the 1980s with a restaurant trade group. We hope everyone feels welcome on ami.
Eye-catching on AMI
left: Harry c. ditmas, anna maria’s mail carrier in the 1930s and ’40s, shows of the artwork on his mail truck. the photo is dated 1930-40. rigHt: artist robert mcgeehan adjusts a painting on an easel on the beachfront in anna maria in July 1980. islander Photos: courtesy manatee county Public library System
Wes and dorothy Pritchard, creators of the manatee county central library sculpture of children reading, get some beachtime in february 1978.
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From the June 30, 1994, issue
• Owners of the Bradenton Beach marina announced a plan to make $1.1 million in improvements, including parking, workstations and enclosed boat storage.
• a campaign was underway to convince anna Maria commissioners to deny a request from the Sandbar that the city vacate an alley alongside the property.
• an architectural firm headed by the late Gene Aubry of Anna Maria was hired to study the remodeling of Sarasota’s Van Wezel performing arts center.
From the June 30, 2004, issue
• Bradenton Beach commissioners were set to hold a hearing on possible charter questions to go to the electorate, including one to change to a city manager-form of government.
• Holmes Beach commissioner rich Bohnenberger suggested the city consider making the turtle watch program part of municipal government. “We have responsibility but no authority,” he said.
From the July 2, 2014, issue
• a Holmes Beach woman died from a gunshot wound after her revolver fired while she was cleaning the weapon.
• a sculpture outside Holmes Beach city Hall was removed at the request of the artist, who said it was not a permanent donation and she wanted to take the aluminum artwork to art shows.
— lisa neff
By ryan Paice islander reporter
Work on the city of anna maria’s fiscal 2024-25 budget has begun.
At a June 27 city commission meeting, Mayor Dan Murphy detailed $18,194,489 in income for the upcoming fiscal year, which will begin Oct. 1. Every summer, the city begins its budgeting process for the next fiscal year with separate reviews for income, spending and capital expenses.
The proposed revenues for fiscal 2024-25 are inflated by about $6 million in carryover from projects that were budgeted but will not be completed this year.
That includes about $1.28 million in stormwater drainage funding, almost $2.7 million in an outstanding state appropriation to reimburse Pine Avenue improvements and about $1 million in lump-sum carryover.
With all the carryovers, Murphy said work on the proposed 2024-25 budget is based on a 1.8245 rollback rate — the millage at which the city would raise the same amount of ad valorem revenue as it collected this year.
The millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of property value used to calculate property taxes.
The owner of a property appraised at $500,000 with the city’s current 2.05 millage rate would pay $1,025 in property taxes before exemptions.
Anna Maria by the numbers…
The owner of the same property would pay $912.25 in property taxes under the 2024-25 rollback rate.
However, Murphy added that he is hoping the city could adopt a millage less than the rollback while still maintaining or improving quality of life.
Other notable income for the upcoming fiscal year includes $185,000 in u s american rescue plan act funds to improve lighting on Pine Avenue, more than $2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair stormwater infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Idalia and $288,000 to build a comfort station near the beach.
In total, Murphy said the city had $12.8 million
in earmarked revenues and $5.3 million that was not earmarked.
He said it was unclear if the city could even spend the projected revenues due to uncertainties with weather and bidding.
Commission Chair Mark Short cautioned against spending all they could and overburdening city staff with managing and monitoring too many projects. Murphy also broke down the city’s plans for its budget review process.
He will unveil the municipality’s proposed spending plan for fiscal 2024-25 at a 1 p.m. meeting thursday, July 18, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. the next step will be a discussion about proposed capital expenses, as well as a tentative millage rate, at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 25.
In August, the city commission will meet at least once — at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, and possibly at 5 p.m. thursday, aug. 22 — to review a final budget. the city will hold a first reading for a final budget ordinance, as well as set the final millage rate for fiscal 2024-25, at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. a second and potentially final reading and vote for the budget ordinance will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.
There was no public comment.
Directions to attend the city’s meetings via Zoom can be found on its website, cityofannamaria.com.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
Bidding for the second step of Pine Avenue improvements in Anna Maria has begun.
City commissioners voted 3-0 June 27 to issue a request for proposals to complete the second phase of sidewalk improvements along Pine Avenue from North Shore Drive to Crescent Drive.
Commissioner Charlie Salem recused himself from the vote due to his ownership of the commercial property housing the Olive Oil Outpost and AMI Outfitters at 401 pine ave.
After four previous RFPs proved unsuccessful due to a lack of bids, city officials agreed to pursue piecemeal improvements to the corridor, beginning with block-by-block sidewalk upgrades.
Those upgrades would involve installing meandering paver sidewalks along Pine to improve drainage, walkability and safety.
the city issued an rFp June 14 for the first phase of the Pine Avenue sidewalk from Gulf Drive to North
Shore Drive.
Contractors can submit bids for Phase 1a until July 17.
c ity officials will select a winning bid by July 23.
For the second phase of sidewalk improvements, the city will collect bids until July 30 and select a winning bid by Aug. 6.
City commissioners will consider issuing RFPs for the third and fourth phases of sidewalk improvements by the end of July.
Work on the different phases of sidewalk improvements is projected to be completed September-November.
After sidewalk improvements have been completed, the city will pursue block-by-block improvements to crosswalks and lighting along the corridor.
Commissioner Jonathan Crane moved to issue the RFP for a second phase of Pine Avenue sidewalk improvements.
Other projects
Commissioner Gary McMullen seconded the motion, which passed.
Commissioners also:
• reached consensus to approve a $45,000 bid to install a new asphalt roof on the Island Players building at 10009 Gulf Drive, which is owned by the city and leased to the nonprofit;
• unanimously voted to approve a $72,700 bid to install a new shade sail over the playground at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.
There were no public comments.
the commission will meet next immediately following a budget meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Directions to attend the meeting via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.
The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County’s “no swim” advisory for the Palma Sola South beach, located on the east end of the Palma Sola Causeway and the south side of Manatee Avenue West, was lifted June 28.
Tests June 17 and June 19 indicated water quality did not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health.
Tests completed June 26 indicated the water quality at the Palma Sola South beach contained an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria.
Enterococci are indicators of the presence of fecal material in water. The bacteria can sicken swimmers and others who the water for recreation or eat raw shellfish or fish.
to see test results, go to floridahealth.gov/healthybeaches.
For more information, call the health department at 941-714-7596 or visit manatee.floridahealth.gov.
— lisa neff
“Anna Maria Island,” a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach. call or text 941-778-7978 for hours or purchase at islander.org. Joy is publisher of the islander.
By ryan Paice islander reporter
A few changes have been made to the city of Holmes Beach’s swimming pool regulations.
City commissioners unanimously voted June 25 to adopt an ordinance that reduces redundancies and streamlines pool regulations in the municipality’s land development code.
Planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor highlighted some changes in a June 27 email to The Islander.
The changes include:
• simplifying several pages on pool fence safety requirements by stating pool installations must comply with the Florida Building Code for barrier requirements;
• amending a section on nonconforming lots to allow administrative changes to maximum impervious surface area and setbacks on nonconforming lots, instead of requiring a city commission public hearing process;
By lisa neff
AnnA MAriA City
July 18, 1 p.m., commission, budget.
July 25, 5 p.m., commission, budget. 10005 Gulf Drive, 941-708-6130, cityofannamaria.com.
BrAdenton BeACh
July 10, 9 a.m., commission.
July 16, 9 a.m., commission, budget. 107 Gulf Drive N., 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.com.
holMes BeACh
July 9, 2 p.m., commission.
July 23, 2 p.m., commission.
July 24, 5 p.m., planning commission.
July 31, 10 a.m., special magistrate. 5801 Marina Drive, 941-708-5800, holmesbeachfl.org.
• refining the maximum elevation of pools and spas to the first finished floor of a property or 29 inches above the crown of the road, whichever is less;
• including graphics for potential pool locations on interior and corner lots;
• retaining a prohibition on waterfalls but clarifying an allowance for spa and pool overflows with sheer descents of no more than 36 inches.
The city’s planning commission unanimously voted June 5 to recommended city commissioners adopt the ordinance.
Municipal staff also recommended its adoption, according to Minor.
There was no public comment.
Commissioner Dan Diggins moved to adopt the ordinance.
Commissioner Carol Soustek seconded the motion, which passed.
the commission will meet next at 2 p.m. tuesday, July 9, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. a livestream will be at holmesbeachfl.org.
West MAnAtee Fire resCue
July 16, 6 p.m., commission. 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton, 941-761-1555, wmfr.org.
MAnAtee County
July 30, 9 a.m., commission.
Aug. 1, 9 a.m., commission, budget. 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org.
Also oF interest
July 4, Independence Day, most government offices will be closed.
July 11, 9:30 a.m., Manasota league of Cities, longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Send meeting notices to calendar@islander.org.
chris Powers of Bradenton trims a coconut palm June 27 at the Bridge tender inn dockside & tiki Bar, 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Powers said their palms are trimmed regularly to remove the threat posed by falling coconuts. coconut palms can grow to 80-100 feet tall in florida and a fullsized coconut can weigh 3 pounds. a large coconut falling from a mature tree can impart an impact force of up to 1 metric ton, according to the national library of medicine website. Statistically, people are more likely to be killed by a coconut than a shark. Worldwide, about 150 people die from falling coconuts annually while, in 2023, 10 people were killed by sharks. islander Photo: robert anderson
compiled by lisa neff, calendar@islander.org
Thursday, July 4
10 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight, Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. Information: moespride@verizon. net, 941-705-0199.
Friday, July 5
9 a.m. — Holmes Beach-Keep Manatee Beautiful post-holiday beach cleanup, 52nd Street beach access, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-708-5800.
Wednesday, July 3
6:30 p.m. — Bradenton Marauders independence day Celebration with baseball and fireworks, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. information: 941-747-3031.
Thursday, July 4
9 a.m. — Freedom Fest, Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico drive, longboat Key. information: 941-383-2466.
3-9 p.m. — Bradenton 4th of July Independence Day Celebration, Riverwalk, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Information: 941-9329400, bradentonalive.com.
5 p.m. — Thirteenth Annual City of Palmetto 4th Fest, Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, Palmetto. information: 941-723-4570.
8:30 p.m. — Fourth of July Fireworks, Green Bridge, Palmetto and Bradenton riverfronts. Information: 941-723-4570, 941-932-9400.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.
• Second and fourth Saturdays, 2 p.m., Music on the Porch jam session, presented by the Florida Maritime Museum and Cortez Cultural Center, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez. Information: floridamaritimemuseum.org.
• Through July, Artists’ Guild Gallery window show featuring 50 area artists, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786694.
• Throughout July, Island Gallery and Studios “Color and Texture” by Jim Wheeler, 456
Book club to meet the island time Book club will meet at the island library, 5701 marina drive, Holmes Beach, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, to discuss nina Simon’s best-selling debut novel “motherdaughter murder night.” “think: ‘gilmore girls,’ but with murder,” read one description of the novel, which is a lighthearted whodunit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths. the library also hosts other reading programs, clubs and activities. for more information, call the library at 941-7786341. islander courtesy Photo
old Main st., Bradenton. information: 941-778-6648.
• Through Aug. 15, “To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA,” the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. information: 941-746-4131.
• Through Aug. 16, Ringling College of Art and Design Galleries “Jack Dowd: Last Call” installation, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. information: 941-359-7563.
• Through Aug. 31, Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 9 p.m., Laser Light Nights, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. information: 941-746-4131.
• Through August, by appointment, Cortez Cultural Center Museum, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Information: 941-840-0590, cvhs2016@aol.com.
• Through Oct. 20, “Reimagining Nature: Dali’s Floral Fantasies,” the Dali Museum, 1 Dali Boulevard St., St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 727-823-3767, thedali.org.
sAVe the dAtes
July 20-Sept. 15, Selby Gardens’ “The Florida Highway Men: Interstate Connections,” Sarasota.
Sept. 19-29, Island Players’ “Crimes of the Heart,” Anna Maria.
Oct. 8, Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Tribute Tuesday concert series begins, Bradenton.
Oct. 19, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest, Anna Maria.
Nov. 14-24, Island Players’ “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas,” Anna Maria.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Second Saturdays through Aug. 10, 8 a.m.-noon, Summer Mini-Markets, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: realizebradenton.com, 941-301-8445.
sAVe the dAtes
July 18, Bridge Street Merchants’ Sun Down Get Down, Bradenton Beach.
on AMi
Wednesday, July 3
10 a.m. — summer learning: reactory Factory Rocks: The Sound of Science, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786341.
Tuesday, July 9
10 a.m. — Family storytime, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
2 p.m. — Musical Motion, island library, 5701 Marina drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• First Wednesdays, SOAR in 4 family night, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
• Third Fridays, Teen Nights, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. information: 941-746-4131.
• Second Saturdays, Quest for Kids, the Bishop Museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Information: 941-746-4131.
&
on AMi
Wednesday, July 10
10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Blood drive, island library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341. 6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
ONGOING ON AMI
• Second Mondays, 2 p.m., Center of Anna Maria Island Adult Book Club, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-7781908.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Throughout July 6-21, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Eyes on seagrass monitoring, sarasota Bay.
sAVe the dAtes
July 13, Rise up for River health benefit, Anna Maria. July 13, Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bradenton Beach. July 20, Anna Maria Island Privateers Christmas in July party,
Send listings to calendar@islander.org
ONGOING ON AMI
• Tuesdays through August, 10 a.m., Anna Maria Island and Shorebird Monitoring Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: islandturtlewatch.com, info@islandturtlewatch.com, 941-3018434.
ONGOING ON AMI
• Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941778-6341.
• Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
• Most Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Through Sept. 1, Bradenton Marauders home games, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee apples. information: 941-7473031.
sAVe the dAte
July 13, Bradenton Marauders Pride Night at LECOM Park, Bradenton.
ONGOING OFF AMI
• Saturdays, 9 a.m., Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 10299 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton. Information: 941-742-5923, mymanatee.org.
CALENDAR NOTES
KEEP THE DATES
Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season. Lights out! Through Nov. 30, Atlantic hurricane season. Be prepared! July 4, independence day.
Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day. Aug. 30, Jimmy Buffett day.
sept. 2, labor day.
Laser Light Nights continue at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton.
Tickets to the laser-light shows cost $15.
Refreshments will be sold at the museum, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton.
upcoming shows include:
• pink Floyd from “dark side of the moon,” 7 p.m. Friday, July 5;
• pink Floyd from “the Wall,” 9 p.m. July 5;
• Elton John, 7 p.m. saturday, July 6;
• Queen, 9 p.m. July 6;
• michael Jackson, 7 p.m. Friday, July 12;
• lizzo, 9 p.m. July 12;
• taylor swift, 7 p.m. saturday, July 13;
• Britney/Gaga/christina and more, saturday, 9 p.m. July 13;
• the Beatles, 7 p.m. thursday, July 18;
• Journey, 9 p.m. July 18.
For more information, go online to bishopscience. org or call the museum at 941-746-4131.
The Cortez Cultural Center administered by the Cortez Village Historical Society is on a summer schedule through August.
The center museum, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez, is open by appointment, which can be arranged by emailing cvhs2016@gmail.com or a message left at 941-840-0590.
In September, the center will resume regular hours — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island is on a summer schedule and meeting monthly instead of weekly until September.
The club will gather at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, and Saturday, Aug. 10, at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
The Manatee County Public Library System’s Summer Learning Program for kids up to age 17 continues this month, including at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
The theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
During the campaign, library adventurers can read for at least 20 hours or more through July 31 to win prizes.
For more information, call the Island Branch at 941-778-6341.
ISLAND PLAYERS Players announces season subscriptions ‘on sale’
The Island Players are selling subscriptions for the 76th season, with forms available at theislandplayers.org.
Subscription sales will close Sept. 1, when the theater group will begin regular ticket sales for the season.
The season will open at the Anna Maria playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive, with “Crimes of the Heart,” Sept. 19-29.
Other shows in the lineup include “A Doublewide, texas christmas” Nov. 14-24, “Birthday suite” Jan. 9-26, 2025; “death by design” march 13-30, 2025; and “Grace and Glorie” may 8-18, 2025.
For more information, leave a message at the box office at 941-778-5755 or go to theislandplayers.org.
Submit social news to news@islander.org. Please, include time, date and location for events, as well as a contact name and phone number for publication. And, thanks for sharing! Bradenton Beach.
Weekly meetings will resume Saturday, Sept. 14. For more information, call Sandy Haas-Martens at 941-778-1383.
Sept. 8, National Grandparents Day. Sept. 11, Patriot Day.
Send listings to calendar@islander.org. Please, include a phone number for publication and a contact name.
art prints
need a good laugh? visit the NEW emerson quillin signature store. humor, art, gifts NEW LOCATION: HB Post Office, 5354 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach • emersonshumor.com
“Anna Maria Island,” a signed pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach, or by mail. Visit islander.org or call 941778-7978. $20 plus postage.
After the game, the team will celebrate with a fireworks display.
Tickets are $15 per person and include a ballcap and drink voucher.
The game will begin at 6:30 p.m.
For tickets, go to milb.com/bradenton and for more info call 941-747-3031.
• longboat Key’s Freedom Fest will begin at 9 a.m. July 4 at Bicentennial park, 2730 Gulf of mexico Drive.
Plans include a parade into the park, games and crafts and a butterfly release.
For more information, call the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce at 941-383-2466.
• On July 4, fireworks will begin after dark along the Bradenton and Palmetto riverfront with the show originating from the Green Bridge that links the two cities over the Manatee River.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the city of Bradenton will host the Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration at the Riverwalk, featuring a classic car show, food and merchant vendors, and musical performances by Emmet Stevens Jr. and 22N.
For more, go to bradentonalive.com or call 941932-9400
Beginning at 5 p.m., the city of Palmetto will host Fourth Fest at Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, featuring music by One Night Rodeo, Scarlet Drive and the Beatdown Band, food vendors and a kids’ zone.
For more information, call the city at 941-7234570.
the anna maria island Privateers want you! the pirates are looking for new blood to join them in their pursuit of good deeds for kids and community. call amiP president maryann “maz” Zala at 941-6508673 or information laision Valerie “dallas” mabry, 941-896-0797.
advertising sponsor:
left: Penny frick’s photo at the anna maria city Pier is a top notch weekly winner from 2014. middle: terry marstolf’s 2023 photo, taken bayside in Holmes Beach in 2023, is a contest winner. rigHt: dana guess of Bradenton wins the third week of the islander’s six-week 2022 top notch photo contest with this photograph kids celebrating July 4 at sunset near 73rd Street in Holmes Beach. What’s on your “camera roll”? islander file Photos
The Islander’s Top Notch contest begins anew.
The contest celebrates what still is known as the “Kodak moment,” despite Kodak’s downfall in the switch from film to digital technology.
look to Friday, July 5, for the first deadline and don’t forget to submit July 4 holiday photos in the coming weeks.
the contest includes six weekly front-page winners. Each will claim an Islander “More than a mullet wrapper” T-shirt.
One weekly shot will take the grand prize in the contest, earning the photographer a $100 prize from the islander and certificates from local merchants.
There also is a pet photo contest for weekly sub-
missions and a winner announced in the final week. Look online this week for complete rules and details.
Please, note, each original JPG must be included in a single email with the name of the photographer, date the photo was taken, location and description, names of recognizable people and the address and phone number of the photographer.
All rules at islander.org must be observed.
— Bonner Joy
By robyn murrell islander reporter
Mary Foreman took her District 3 seat on the Manatee County School Board in 2020, defeating incumbent Dave “Watchdog” Miner, who died in November 2023, in a runoff.
After serving four years, she decided not to run for reelection in August. Miner died in November 2023.
Three others are vying for her seat, including former board member Charles Kennedy, Jonathan Lynch and Perri Ann Parkman.
The district they seek to represent includes 12 schools, among them Anna Maria Elementary, Palma Sola Elementary, King Middle and Manatee High.
Foreman told The Islander via email June 21 that she decided not to seek reelection to focus on her family.
“this was a difficult decision for me,” she said. “i struggled to prioritize my family and personal matters while attempting to influence current public school issues at the state and local levels.”
Foreman endorsed Kennedy, highlighting his eight years of experience on the board, during which she
worked with him for two years.
“charlie has experience that none of the candidates or existing board members can come close to replicating,” she said.
Foreman said Kennedy “served as board chair twice and as vice-chair twice. He routinely visited the schools and developed strong relationships with principals, staff and students. He is a certified teacher and spent many years in the classroom.”
Foreman said being a board member requires a deep understanding of the district’s operations and the roles of the board and management.
“Even with my background as a CPA and many years serving on the audit committee, it was an eyeopening experience to deal with school district finance at the board level,” she said.
Kennedy has been an educator for 20 years. He has taught at Manatee High School, IMG Academy and Daughtrey Preparatory School of Arts and Sciences.
He led efforts for additional millage funds to support teachers, staff and academic enrichment and, as a result, Manatee County teachers are among the highest-paid in the state, according to Kennedy.
Kennedy also voted to approve funding to place the Guy Harvey Academy of Art and Science at Anna maria Elementary, which has expanded to manatee
Diving into summer
a swim class using noodles gets pool time in late June at the Bradenton ymca, 3805 59th St. W., Bradenton. the rotary club of anna maria island, under program leader Judy rupp, drives the learn to Swim effort with the y and the Boys and girls clubs of manatee county. club president Kathy rylander said a second session will begin monday, July 8, and continues through thursday, July 15. for more information, call the ymca at 941-798-9622 and go online to amirotary.org. islander Photos: courtesy Kathy rylander
a learn to Swim summer class gets instruction along the edge of the pool at the Bradenton ymca. about 35 kids participated in the first summer session, which ended in late June. the rotary club of anna maria island partners with the y on the program.
High and King Middle Schools.
Foreman did not comment on other candidates in the race as she made her endorsement.
Parkman is a mother of three. She is a retired small business owner who lives in Anna Maria but still runs the Mac Parkman Foundation for Adolescent Concussive Trauma, named after her late son. Parkman also is a yoga instructor at Roser Memorial Community Church and Island Yoga Space in Anna Maria.
She said she is passionate about children and current issues in the world and decided to run for the District 3 seat to give parents another voting option.
Lynch has owned the Cortez Cove Marina for 14 years and lives with his family in Palma Sola.
The school district has new leadership with superintendent Jason Wysong, who has been in his position for a year. as for the board, three of the five seats will be filled by new members taking seats held by Foreman; richard tatem of district 5, who submitted his resignation in may; and Gina messenger’s district 1 seat. Messenger also is not seeking reelection.
The vote will be on the Aug. 20 primary ballot. To win, a candidate will need at least 50% of the vote. If no candidate achieves 50%, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff Nov. 5 in the general election.
Voting is restricted to D-3 residents.
• Monday, Aug. 12, first day of 2024-25 for students. Anna Maria Elementary is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525. ATTENTION RENTAL OWNERS!
We meet all your linen and cleaning needs with 5-star service. 18-plus years serving AMI. Our fleet will pick up/drop off daily. www.allin1home.com
The Islander newspaper is Free at Publix Holmes Beach. Just stop by the customer service desk, hold out your hand and say, “Islander, please!” And maybe remind staff you’d like the serveyourself community news returned to the lobby.
Kindergarten enrollment is open for Anna Maria Elementary and other schools in the Manatee County district.
To enroll, a child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1.
Enrollment can be completed online, requiring the creation of a Focus login. Instructions for enrollment are provided after signing up for Focus.
Documents needed to enroll include a parent or guardian photo id, copies of the child’s birth certificate or passport, as well as the child’s Social Security card, two proofs of address and physical examination and immunization records.
Go to manateeschools.net/registration
By lisa neff
Christ Church of Longboat Key will hold a special worship service Sunday, July 7, to mark Independence Day.
The church will hold the Festival of American Hymns at 10 a.m.
The event, to praise God and celebrate American contributions to Christian worship, will “be a festive hour of song,” according to a notice.
the church is at 6400 Gulf of mexico drive, longboat Key.
For more information, call the church at 941-3838833.
The Longboat Island Chapel houses a “medical gifting closet” to store equipment that can be loaned to people in need.
“If you have unused medical equipment you would like to donate or if anyone you know is in need of these items — at no cost — please have them call the chapel office,” a notice read.
The number to call is 941-383-6491. the chapel is at 6200 Gulf of mexico drive, longboat Key.
Sunday, July 7
by lisa neff
10 a.m. — A Festival of hymns special worship, Christ Church of Longboat Key, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-8833.
Wednesday, July 10
1 p.m. — Roser Memorial Community Church Grief Share healing support, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-7780414.
July 16, Longboat Island Chapel Gather and Give Social. July 17, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. July 18, Christ Church of Longboat Key lunch outing, Cortez. Aug. 7, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Sept. 18, Roser Church Golfing for God, Bradenton. Oct. 23, Christ Church book club resumes, Longboat Key. Feb. 25-26, 2025, Christ Church of Longboat Key Men’s retreat, tBd.
April 2-3, 2025, Christ Church of Longboat Key Women’s retreat, tBd.
CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. info: 941-778-0719.
Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Beach Night; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.
Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.
Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 9:15 a.m.
Ongoing: Most Wednesdays, 8 a.m., men’s breakfast; Mondays, 1 p.m., book club.
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina drive. holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1813, gloriadeilutheran.com.
Worship: Sundays, 9:30 a.m., followed by coffee and fellow-
Roser Memorial Community Church will offer GriefShare: Hope and Healing, a program to help people through loss at 1 p.m. Wednesdays July 10-Oct. 2.
A notice on the church website, roserchurch. com, said, “You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult days ahead.”
A workbook for the 13-week program costs $20.
The program, according to Roser, is “designed to be repeated in cycles throughout the year” and the sessions are “Christ-centered, Biblically based.”
Roser is at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.
For more information about the program, call the church at 941-778-0414 or go online to roserchurch. com/griefshare.
ship.
Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., women’s social gathering.
Harvey Memorial Community Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-779-1912.
Worship: Sundays, 9:15 a.m.
Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-0414, roserchurch.com.
Worship: Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study. St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 s. harbor drive, holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-4769, stbernardcc.org, office@stbernardcc. org.
Worship: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturdays, 4 p.m.; Sundays, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
Ongoing: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m., rosary; Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m.; Rosary on the Beach at Manatee Public Beach; Saturdays, 3 p.m., confession.
Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903, christchurchoflbk.org.
Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.
Ongoing: Wednesdays, 10 a.m., women’s Bible study; Mondays, 9 a.m., men’s Bible study.
Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-383-6491, longboatislandchapel.org.
Worship: Sundays, 10 a.m.
Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay isles road, longboat Key. info: 941-383-3428.
Worship: Fridays, Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.
Please, send notices of changes to schedules for worship and other events during the summer to calendar@islander.org.
Gathering Gathering is the religion section. Please, send announcements, calendar listings and photos to calendar@islander.org.
By lisa neff
• tingley memorial library in Bradenton Beach seeks volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts in the “fun and friendly” atmosphere. Info: 941-7791208, bradentonbeachlibrary@gmail.com.
• the anna maria island privateers group seeks members to build up the crewe and an indoor port for their boat-float. info: 941-896-0797.
• Wildlife inc. rescue and rehabilitation in Bradenton Beach seeks help tending to injured and sick animals. Info: 941-778-6342.
• roser Food Bank seeks donations. roser memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, administers the pantry supported by All Island Denominations. Info: 941-778-0414.
Obituaries are offered as a 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 our advertising consultant at 941-778-7978.
• the islander seeks donations on behalf of Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton, injured when struck by a truck while walking to his workplace. Information: “please help — unexpected medical and care Costs” on gofundme.com.
• the island players, 10009 Gulf drive, anna Maria, seeks volunteers for the 76th season of shows. Info: theislandplayers.org, 941-941 778-5755.
• roser Food Bank welcomes applicants who live, work or attend school on Anna Maria Island for food assistance, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.
• aid offers financial help to those who live on the island, go to church on the island, attend school on the island and work on the island. Info: 941-725-2433.
The Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage June 17 voted to hire FISH member Allen Garner as project manager on a $165,000 grant to improve the FISH Preserve on the east side of Cortez.
The preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W., spans 95 acres and was created by the nonprofit to protect coastal estuary habitat and serve as a buffer to development.
Garner, a retired landscape architect and longtime member of FISH, created a project design map with input from the board and offered to perform the site work in the design.
The design shows shell and wooden deck trails and 11 bridges, as well as picnic pavilions, kayak trails and amphitheater.
Fish board members June 17 voted unanimously to select Garner as the project manager.
During the meeting Garner said the work would begin this month and end by January 2025.
— robert anderson
a map of the fiSH Preserve, 11655 cortez road W., cortez, indicates improvement plans. islander courtesy image
Suncoast Aqua Ventures plans a water-based cleanup in August of Perico Bayou to the opening of Palma Sola Bay.
The event will be 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 3, and volunteers will assemble at the Robinson Preserve parking lot on Manatee Avenue/State Road 64.
Suncoast Aqua Ventures is seeking volunteers who have kayaks and shallow draft boats but shoreline work also is available.
For more information, call Suncoast Aquaventures at 941-962-1488 or go online to suncoastaquaventures. com.
“Anna Maria Island,” a pictorial history book of the island by Bonner Joy, is available for $20 at the islander office, 315 58th St., Holmes Beach. call or text 941-778-7978 for hours or purchase at islander.org. Joy is publisher of the islander.
Volunteers are called to the beach Friday, July 5, for a post-holiday cleanup.
The city of Holmes Beach announced the event, asking people to arrive about 9 a.m. to the 52nd Street beach access.
Partners in the cleanup include Keep Manatee Beautiful and WastePro.
For more information, call city hall at 941708-5800.
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is seeking citizen scientists to participate in Eyes on Seagrass, a campaign to survey seagrass beds in July.
Eye on Seagrass volunteers — with training provided — will monitor macroalgae by snorkeling in an assigned area, estimating the coverage of seagrass and macro algae and collecting samples.
The survey will take place July 6-21 and registration is required.
To register, go to sarasotabay.org.
For information about SBEP, call 941-9558085.
left: Holmes Beach city officials and staff pose June 29 with members of the anna maria island garden club and Keep manatee Beautiful before planting sea oats on the beach near 77th Street. the project was the result of a partnership between the amigc and KmB and the sea oats were obtained with a contribution from the garden club. islander Photos: courtesy Keep manatee Beautiful
A ban on the intentional release of balloons was to take effect July 1, as The Islander went to press.
Local wildlife and conservation groups have long discouraged the release of balloons, including on Anna Maria Island beaches, because balloons, attached plastic ribbons, tie-off disks, clips and other attachments can be ingested and swallowed by sea turtles, seabirds and other wildlife, and can lead to death for wildlife and marinelife.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the ban into law June 24 without issuing a statement.
State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-St. Petersburg, and state Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, led the statehouse effort to pass House Bill 321 with bipartisan support.
Chaney said the ban is especially important for coastal communities.
“Our area knows all too much about the devastation that the intentional release of balloons can cause,” she said.
People who intentionally release a balloon can be fined for littering. the law includes an exemption for children under age 7.
— lisa neff
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
Manatee County is nearing completion on a nearly 18-month long sewer project along Gulf Drive South in Bradenton Beach.
County public information officer Bill Logan, in a June 24 email to The Islander, said public works would complete its final walk-through this month.
The $7.1 million project, which commenced in January 2023, involved the installation of a mile of new 10-inch and 8-inch gravity mains, 21 sewer holes and around 100 6-inch laterals extending to homes on the side streets from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South along Gulf Drive
The goal was to minimize the risk of pipe failures and leaks.
The result was an almost daily north-south traffic snarl during peak traffic from and to Longboat Key and Coquina Beach.
A county update June 21 said repaving on Sixth Street South and Seventh Street South was complete and the roadways were open to traffic. Residents now have access to their driveways.
Logan said the project as of June 24 was 2-3 months ahead of schedule.
Additionally, Gulf Drive South from Sixth Street South to 13th Street South, underwent paving and reopened to traffic June 19.
The project also included the installation of new rectangular rapid-flashing beacon crosswalks at 11th Street South and Ninth Street South, which are expected to be operational later this month.
Gulf Drive South is resurfaced and a parking lot at Cortez Beach is back in use June 23. Parking along Cortez Beach had been closed since early 2023 while Manatee County contractors replace a gravity sewer system and linked it to homes along Gulf Drive South. Islander
The county advises pedestrians to use activated crosswalks at Fifth Street South and south of 13th Street South near the Coquina North Boat Ramp, 1507 Gulf Drive S. when crossing Gulf Drive.
The remaining project phases will focus on sidestreet improvements and the restoration of parking areas on the west side of Gulf Drive South.
of some movement names
Neighbor of 74-Across, on a Risk board
with
Onetime Britney Spears partner, in the tabloids
Jonathan Van ____ of ‘‘Queer Eye’’
CERTIFIED, FUNKY, MINTY,
By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice
Island police reports
Anna Maria
June 21, 200 block of Palmetto Avenue, 2:36 a.m., noise. A Manatee County sheriff’s deputy responded to reports of loud music coming from a house and issued a citation for violation of the city noise ordinance.
June 21, 200 block of Willow Avenue, 7:25 p.m., noise. A deputy responded to a complaint about noise at a construction site. The officer issued a citation for construction work after 6 p.m.
The MCSO polices Anna Maria.
Bradenton Beach
June 21, 103 Gulf Drive S., Circle K, trespass. An MCSO deputy was dispatched to a complaint of trespassing but the person left before the deputy’s arrival. An incident report was filed.
The Bradenton Beach Police Department polices Bradenton Beach.
Cortez
No new reports.
The MCSO polices Cortez.
Holmes Beach
Holmes Beach
Special magistrate Michael Connolly ruled June 25 to uphold a $250 parking citation against Brandon resident Ameera Evans for double parking in Holmes Beach.
June 20, 100 block of 30th Street, dating violence/ battery. An officer responded to reports of a domestic disturbance and found a man and woman near the beach. They denied any argument or physical contact with each other. Another officer spoke to witnesses, who said the man threatened to kill the woman, at which point a physical altercation began. Witnesses said the woman ran away and the man chased after her. An officer arrested the man and transported him to the Manatee County jail.
June 20, Publix Super Market, 3900 E. Bay Drive, trespass warning. An officer responded to reports of a trespasser at the store and spoke with the complainant. He told HBPD a man had caused issues with his staff and requested he be trespassed from the property. The officer located the man and supervised as the manager issued him a trespass warning and the man left.
June 21, Dollar Tree, 3260 E. Bay Drive, petit theft. An officer responded to reports of a past theft and spoke with the complainant, who said she believed an employee took money. The employee had been terminated but was requested to return a key to the store. Another employee said the woman had come in and completed a shift later that week. He said the cash total for that night was $810, but a deposit ticket filled out by the woman only accounted for $437.74. The complainant later found $200 of the deposited funds were counterfeit $100 bills. The officer received reports that the woman was at a nearby store, so he conducted a search and found her. She denied all allegations. Since
June 18, Alvin’s Island, 3602 E. Bay Drive, shoplifting/warrant. A Holmes Beach police officer responded to reports of a shoplifter who fled westbound. A complainant provided video footage of a woman leaving the store without paying for multiple items. The complainant did not want to press charges but wanted the items returned and for the woman to be trespassed from the property. The officer found the suspect back at the store. There was a warrant out of Sarasota County for her arrest, so the officer arrested her. She was searched but police did not find the missing items. The woman was transported to the Manatee County jail.
“There
Evans was absent from the hearing.
City attorney Erica Augello, who attended via speakerphone, said Evans had requested a second continuance since she was unable to attend.
The city planned to bring the case before Connolly in May but granted a continuance to the June 25 hearing upon Evans’ request.
Connolly opted to move forward with the case.
Police Chief Bill Tokajer said an offi cer found Evans’ vehicle double parked across a handicapped spot and a Purple Heart spot, and a citation was issued.
Evans chose to contest the citation, so the matter was brought to the city’s magistrate.
Connolly found Evans was in violation of the municipal code and ruled to uphold the $250 citation, as well as $127.24 in administrative fees.
The city’s next special magistrate hearing will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
The hearing will be open to the public.
— Ryan Paice
there were no witnesses or video of the alleged crime, the officer took no action. The complainant was provided with a victim’s rights brochure and the counterfeit bills were placed in storage.
of food.” — G.B. Shaw
June 22, 100 block of 69th Street, domestic battery. Officers responded to reports of a domestic disturbance and found the complainant, a man who said his girlfriend hit him during an argument while he was driving. He did not want to press charges and refused to complete an affidavit. The woman denied hitting him. An officer arrested the woman and transported her to the Manatee County jail.
June 22, 500 block of Manatee Avenue, obstruction without violence. An officer found a man recognized for past brushes with police in possession of five bicycles, including two kid’s bikes. The officer approached the man, who became aggressive. The officer handcuffed the man with the help of backup. He told police the bikes were given to him. An officer arrested the man and transported him to the Manatee County jail. The bikes were placed in storage.
The HBPD polices Holmes Beach.
Streetlife is based on reports and narratives from the BBPD, HBPD and MCSO.
By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter
Judge Melissa Gould ruled June 21 to terminate probation for Sonja Wasmuth, 53, of Bradenton, who was found guilty of a second-degree misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Holmes Beach police arrested Wasmuth Aug. 24, 2023, after witnesses identified her as the driver in a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Manatee Avenue.
Witnesses saw Wasmuth leave the scene of the crash and reported her description to police.
An officer found Wasmuth, who failed field sobriety tests and refused to provide breath samples.
Once arrested, she was transported to the Manatee County jail, where she was released after posting $620 bond.
Wasmuth was originally charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for DUI property damage, in addition to the second-degree misdemeanor for DUI.
The State Attorney’s Office dropped the first-degree misdemeanor charge last October.
Four days ahead of an April 8 jury trial, Wasmuth pleaded no contest to the second-degree misdemeanor charge.
Gould ruled the same day to find her guilty of the DUI charge. She sentenced Wasmuth to serve 10 days in jail, complete 12 months of probation, as well as complete advanced DUI school.
However, by June 12, Bradenton-based attorney Peter Lombardo filed a motion to terminate probation on behalf of his client, Wasmuth.
The motion argues that Wasmuth had completed all probationary conditions other than a 30-day vehicle impound, and the probation office did not object to early termination pending the completion of that item.
It also states that Wasmuth sold her vehicle and she did not own one and “will likely not buy a new car for a few years.”
Gould ruled June 21 to grant the motion to terminate Wasmuth’s probation.
Holmes Beach police arrested Chad LaRoche, 47, of Ocala, June 23 on a third-degree felony charge for domestic battery by strangulation.
Three officers responded to reports of an abandoned 911 call and searched the area, eventually finding a woman who burst out of a house crying.
The officers spoke with the woman, who said her husband, LaRoche, had gotten upset and started “beating her.”
She told police LaRoche punched, slapped and strangled her during the ordeal.
Police observed the woman to have a bloody lip and a small laceration on her forehead.
Holmes Beach police arrested Michael Powell, 27, of Hickory, North Carolina, June 23 on a seconddegree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Two officers pursued and stopped a motorist who pulled out of the Anchor Inn parking lot in front of oncoming traffic, then swerved across lanes on East Bay Drive.
Powell, who showed several indicators of impairment, told police he’d had several alcoholic drinks at the bar.
Powell twice refused to perform field sobriety exercises and was arrested on suspicion of DUI. He also refused to provide a breath sample.
He was transported to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $500 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a second-degree misdemeanor includes up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice
She provided a statement about the incident and was issued a victim’s rights brochure and domestic violence pamphlet.
The officers arrested LaRoche and transported him to the Manatee County jail in Palmetto, where he was released June 24 after posting $10,000 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice
• South Bradenton Beach: Manatee County is nearing the completion of its sewer project on Gulf Drive South but, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday, the contractor suspended construction activities through Friday, July 5. Work will resume Monday, July 8. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.
• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s final work on a force main project on Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets remains open. A project walkthrough was performed and the contractor is completing punch-list items and cleanup. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.
For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511
— lisa Neff
you can explore The Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992, at ufdc.ufl.edu.
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
The Bradenton Beach Pier Team reviewed a list of items June 26 on revitalization of the Historic Bridge Street Pier from restaurant concessionaire John Horne.
Horne attended the meeting at city hall along with Mayor John Chappie, Commissioner Debra Scaccianoce and police Chief John Cosby.
Horne reviewed the “Pier Cheer” campaign, which involved decor on a privacy fence between the restaurant and the Pines Trailer Park, new landscaping and lighting, outdoor seating and signage.
“We’ve been doing quite a bit and just changing the look of everything. It’s been very positive,” Horne said. “We’re getting a lot of feedback from people who come in on the ferry. They absolutely love to hop off that ferry and be right in the middle of Bridge Street and Bradenton Beach.”
However, Horne said, there are concerns with the city’s reconfiguration of parking spaces at the pier.
“We have lost two spaces down at the end of the pier. When we signed the lease, we had four at the end and now there are two,” he said.
Chappie replied that the spaces had been slotted
By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter
A few proposed code changes are ready for second hearings and potentially a final vote.
The Anna Maria Commission held first readings June 27 for three proposed ordinances, which would revise municipal code regarding walls and fences, visibility triangles and special event permits.
The proposed legislation includes:
• An ordinance that would prohibit moveable portions of walls or fences, such as gates, from swinging outside of property lines and allowing walls and fences within visibility triangles if they are at least 50% transparent more than 3 feet above the existing grade;
• An ordinance that would allow trees within visibility triangles if their branches are at least 8 feet above the surrounding grade, instead of 7 feet
as code currently establishes;
• An ordinance adding definitions for commercial vendors and multi-vendor commercial vendors, as well as amending permitting requirements for special events.
Since the ordinances were presented for a first reading, a commission consensus or vote was not required to move the proposed legislation forward.
However, commissioners did agree to table the visibility triangle ordinance until the first phase of Pine Avenue improvements is completed, since such changes might result in new perspectives on the item.
The city commission will meet next immediately following a budget meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
Directions to attend the meeting via Zoom can be found at cityofannamaria.com.
A view June 26 from the shore on Bay Drive of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
by the city to become parking for golf carts.
“That’s part of my leased property and we are changing that without notifying the tenant?” Horne asked.
Chappie said he would review the plan and discuss the issue later with Horne.
Horne also identified an issue with the waste removal company, Waste Pro, which began charging fees for curbside trash removal, a service that previously was provided free.
Horne said the city is under contract with Waste Pro and needs to address why the company is charging $25 per collection.
Cosby, who is temporary public works manager in addition to other duties, asked city code enforcement officer Evan Harbus to connect with Waste Pro.
In his own update, Cosby said missing floats under the floating dock were replaced.
Cosby also mentioned that parking at the pier will be affected by road closures for the Sundown Get Down events on Bridge Street. The city commission in June approved the events, which begin at 4 p.m. the third Thursday of every month beginning July 18.
Bridge Street will be closed to vehicle traffic at noon on the days of the events.
The next pier team meeting was not scheduled as of The Islander’s press time July 1.
Tiki and Kitty are leading the way to their favorite shops and boutiques for summer fun.
T&K love Cat’s Meow, an 8,000 square-foot marketplace! Their vendors offer coastal, cottage, beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage albums.
You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters and anyone seeking antiques and unique decor. You don’t want to miss this collection.
We’ll definitely make a stop next door at Blue Flamingo , home to hip and trendy upcycled and repurposed goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans. They also offer Dixie Belle paints.
We promise, you will find treasures aplenty.
Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting you’ll want to pull up a chair —
with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.
Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet at the Palmetto store, 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.
FYI: Scavengers also carries Fusion Paints.
The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the newest section of the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the 1910 building oozes charm. And they take select consignments by appointment.
And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”
By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter
Bradenton Beach is wading into a study on coastal vulnerabilities.
The city hosted a drop-in style town hall meeting June 27 as part of a vulnerability assessment aimed at quantifying risks posed by rising sea levels and storms.
“This is really an inventory of what’s out in the city’s jurisdiction — public utilities, assets, roadways and where are they sitting today with respect to elevation, established shoreline and low-lying areas that might be prone to flood,” said Brett Solomon, senior environmental scientist for Tampa-based consulting firm Environmental Science Associates.
Solomon reviewed the project’s scope.
He also presented projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showing an expected 10-12-inch rise in sea levels along U.S. coastlines over the next 30 years.
“As NOAA does its projections out to 2100, a lot of people look at 2060 as that kind of critical threshold,” Solomon said, referring to the inundation of low-lying coastal land. “I believe that the sea level rise (projection) is somewhere around 2 feet above the mean high today from 2016 projections.
“As you can see, the over-arching trend is not a good one,” he added. “Everything is going up as far as sea level rise relative to 2005. These are the things that the city and citizens will need to look at, contemplate and see how this vulnerability assessment will lay the foundation for where the city needs to go for resiliency.”
Solomon said collecting data from previous years charts is key to showing trends in sea level rise and storm impacts.
The assessment, funded with a $46,875 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, was authorized by city commissioners in October 2023, to identify areas vulnerable to climate
impacts.
ESA is gathering data on city assets, analyzing exposure in flood scenarios, conducting sensitivity assessments to determine the degree to which a system is affected by changes in climate conditions or natural hazards and producing a report.
A completed assessment will allow the city to apply for funding for infrastructure construction projects to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Mayor John Chappie said the city will need to coordinate its resiliency work with other entities, including state and county governments.
“The challenge is how will we go after funding and partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation,” Chappie said. “A big part of the source (of stormwater runoff) is from Gulf Drive.”
Chappie said the city intends to work with the DOT as it implements a complete streets program
ESA representative Brett Solomon, right, speaks June 27 to Bradenton Beach Commissioner-elect Scott Bear and Bear’s wife Deb at city hall during a drop-in style town hall meeting on a vulnerability assessment. Islander
Photo: Robert Anderson
in Bradenton Beach to ensure storm water needs are met.
The initiative by the DOT is to ensure roads are designed to accommodate safe and accessible travel for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transit riders. A DOT PD&E study on the initiative is underway.
Solomon said a draft of the vulnerability assessment will be completed later this month. ESA will work to finalize a document for consideration.
“The goal would be to try and have it in the hands of the city commission by mid-August,” he said.
By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter
A season of flag football kicked off for adults June 27 with four games played at the Center of Anna Maria Island.
The regular season runs through Aug. 15 with playoffs starting Aug. 22. The championship game is Sept. 5. And if the opening night scores are any indication, this should be an exciting season.
Action started June 27 with Floridian Mortgage taking on Moss Builders and the game did not disappoint.
Floridian Mortgage outlasted Moss Builders 26-24 behind four TD passes by QB Chase Richardson to teammates. Richardson connected with Rex Kesten, Tim Holly, Tyler Brewer and Cory Banks, who added a 2-point conversion in the victory.
Ryan Moss threw three TD passes, including two to Greg Moss and one to Evelyn Long. Ryan Moss also had a big game on defense, finishing with two flag pulls and an interception that he returned for a TD.
The second game saw Fishing With Salty outscore Solid Rock Air Conditioning 26-21 with three TD passes from QB Miguel Rodriguez, including two to Anthony McCance. Jonathan Soultatos added a TD reception and Matthew Briley chipped in with a touchdown run.
Dominick Otteni threw three touchdown passes to lead Solid Rock, which received two touchdown grabs by Angelie Collazo and a touchdown catch from Zaon Williams in the loss.
Prosper Bradenton edged Salty Printing 27-25 in the
third game of the evening. Ray Gardner led the way with four touchdown passes, including two to Ramon Guerrero IV. Dina DeJesus and Tony Giammari both added TD catches, while Connor Ludwig had three sacks on defense, including one for a safety that provided the winning margin of victory.
Blake Balaise threw for a score and added two TD receptions to lead Salty Printing, which received a pair of touchdown passes by Matt Manger in the loss. Christian Hampton had a big game, finishing with a touchdown catch, four flag pulls and a pair of interceptions.
Solid Rock Electrical cruised to a 41-25 victory over Slim’s Place in the last game of the evening. Jonathan Moss threw five touchdown passes to Ben Robinson, who led the team with seven catches. Zachary Long added three extra points and Brandon Rolland had an interception return for a touchdown in the victory.
Anthony Mannino had 11 catches, including three for touchdowns, to lead Slim’s Place, which also received four TD passes from Cruz Rodriguez and a TD grab from Jaden Grant in the loss.
Kicks for kids
Indoor soccer kicked off June 24 with a pair of games in the four-team 11-14 age division. Solid Rock Construction got its season off to a positive start with an 8-5 victory over Cloud Pest Control behind seven goals from Sisto Price and one goal from Obi Roadman. Isaac Roadman added an assist to go along with seven saves in goal, while Hayden Eurice came through with nine saves in his tenure between the pipes.
Dominik Zupa paced the Cloud offense with five saves, while Ashton Bennett added two assists. Kyle Castanga had 11 saves in the loss.
Jiffy Lube and AMI Outfitters battled to an 8-8 tie behind four goals from Callin Westfall. Gunnar Maize added two goals and three assists and Hudson West finished with a pair of goals and an assist. Nolan Anderson, Maize and Parker Svoboda combined to make nine saves.
Wes Saxon scored six goals to lead AMI Outfitters, which received a goal and two assists from Grayson Cohen. Matthew Darak finished with a goal and an assist, while Grayson Cohen, Mackenzie Cohen, Mckenna Darak, Maggie Neidzwick and Jordan Tobey combined to make
and innovation within the
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Bob Heiger, left, and Gersey Fernandez teamed up to win the June 26 games, while the team of Steve Kriebel and Dom livedoti captured the June 29 bragging rights.
12 saves.
Action for the 8-10s kicked off June 25 with Positive Waves outscoring Progressive Cabinetry 5-2. Ryan Greenberg scored three goals to lead the Waves, which received a goal each from Sebastian Cordova and Silas Whitehead. Kellen Reed added five saves for the Waves.
Ellison Maynard and Rafa Price each scored one goal to lead Progressive Cabinetry, which received a combined 18 saves from Jackson Griffin and Wesley Bekkerus.
The second match saw Gulf Drive Cafe and Solid Rock Construction battle to a 10-10 tie.
Dallas Biggers had six goals and two assists and Joseph Caballero had three goals to lead the Cafe, along with a goal and three assists from Leo Burns. Everett Hood and Titus Moss combined on 17 saves.
Matthew Darak scored nine goals and Samuel Raulersons added one to lead the Solid Rock offense. Elijah Roadman had 13 saves and Carson Long had six saves for Solid Rock Construction.
Key Royale news
The men’s weekly modified-Stableford system match June 24 at the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach saw Terry Schaefer earn bragging rights with a score of plus-5, 2 points ahead of second-place finisher Dale Miller. Mike Clements and Rich Salzburg finished in a tie for third place at plus-2.
Janet Razze fired a 1-under-par 31 June 25 to take first place in the women’s nine-hole individual-low-net match. Debbie Milder, Helen Pollock and Sue Wheeler finished in a tie for second at 2-over-par 34s. Members played a nine-hole scramble June 27 with the team of Mike Gillie, John Purcell and Warren Stevens combining on a 4-under-par 28 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day.
Horseshoe news
In horseshoe action at the city of Anna Maria pits, the team of Bob Heiger and Gersey Fernandez posted the lone 3-0 record June 26 to earn a trip to the winner’s circle.
The June 29 games saw Steve Kriebel and Dom Livedoti earn the day’s bragging rights with the only perfect record in pool play.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m.
By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter
As we settle into the first week of July, Anna Maria Island anglers are anticipating the arrival of mangrove snapper.
We already should be seeing mangoes around the passes and bridges, but this year they seem to be running a late.
Most anglers hope that by the full moon July 21 — the buck moon — the snapper bite will be in full swing. The snapper will be found in mass numbers around the passes, bridges and piers and even on the flats.
The buck moon is so named for the full antlers on the male deer — bucks — by June.
It’s time to start checking the nearshore and inshore reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. With the mass quantities of hatch that arrived after the last full June moon, it should only be a matter of time before the mangrove snapper make a good showing.
As we’re waiting on the snapper, we’re concentrating our efforts on the top inshore trio of spotted seatrout, redfish and catch-and-release snook.
Right now, the deeper grass flats are holding plenty of trout. Although there are multitudes of smaller fish, 13-14 inches, determined anglers are catching limits of slot-sized fish measuring 15-19 inches.
Larger trout are being caught, especially in areas closer to the beaches. For bait, live shiners work best but the fish are not picky on the sizes of the bait. Small shiners or “hatch bait” work as well as large shiners.
For the reds, casting baits along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars works best. Shiners as bait are good, although many catches are occurring using cut threadfin herring or pinfish. In many instances, once a redfish is caught, there are several more in the area, resulting in multiple hookups. Slot-size fish seem to be the norm, with some smaller examples mixed in.
As for catch-and-release snook, the passes and beaches are the most productive locations, where sight casting to snook during swift tides is yielding catches of all sizes. Live shiners work best as bait in this instance, although for the larger linesiders, a large hand-sized pinfish will get the job done.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m following the trout bite in the backcountry toward the beaches on the tail end of the June full moon.
Youth fishing event makes a splash
Holmes Beach Police lt. Brian Hall, left, code compliance officer
Nate Brown, Sgt. Brian Copeman and Detective Josh Fleischer, right, pose June 18 during the Manatee Bridging the Gap Fishing Tournament for youth ages 10-17 on the Palmetto side of the Green Bridge. Bridging
Deeper grass flats in Tampa Bay hold plenty of trout, although most catches are 13-16 inches. As of a week ago, there were plenty of upper-slot fish in the same areas, although after the June full moon, they seem to have migrated toward the Gulf.
Fishing areas with structure along the beaches is yielding trout 18-22 inches. This is great action, as well as the opportunity to put a few upper-slot fish in the cooler and take a few trophy pictures of the ones that are too big to keep before release.
We are targeting mangrove snapper, which are being caught, although the large quantities of fish have yet to make a showing. Small shiners are attracting snapper up to 15 inches.
Catch-and-release snook are taking a hook during swift tides around the passes, with catches measuring 20-30 inches.
Capt. Todd Romine of Back Country Sport Fishing says he’s seeing plenty of action on spotted seatrout as his clients free-line live shiners as bait over the deeper grass flats of Tampa Bay. Many catches are within the slot limit of 15-19 inches, with larger catches reaching lengths of 23 inches.
After their limits of trout are met, Romine sets his sights on redfish and he reports the best results are occurring during the “hill tides” or the highest stages of the tide. Casting baits around oyster bars or other structure on the flats is yielding action for his anglers,
the Gap’s mission is to bring at-risk youth and law enforcement together to build a community partnership. The youngsters attending the event were given fishing poles and reels, training and T-shirts. Islander Photos: Courtesy HBPD
Amy Haley of Georgia shows off a 21-inch trout she caught June 26 while fishing with Capt. Danny Stasny of Just Reel Fishing Charters.
with most reds falling in the slot of 18-27 inches.
Romine is then putting his charters on the catchand-release snook bite, with larger shiners cast around the passes and along the beaches attracting the most attention. Snook catches 20-30 inches are coming to the boat, with some larger examples being caught by lucky anglers.
Capt. David White says he’s patrolling the beaches and passes for Tarpon. Early morning and early evenings in the passes are yielding good action on live crabs as bait.
In between these times, locating schools on the beaches is proving good. For the beach fish, White is casting live threadfi n herring to the silver kings, which is yielding quite a few hookups of fish averaging 80-120 pounds.
While targeting tarpon, White says he’s also seeing a volume of sharks in Tampa Bay. Blacktip and sandbar sharks are the norm, with an occasional bull or hammerhead being sighted.
His clients are getting a taste of a big catch by casting fresh-cut chunks of bonito or mackerel, which is luring the sharks to the hook.
Lastly, White is finding some action on mangrove snapper. Using hatch bait is working good to get limits of these fish into the boat.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
By Masha Dolgoff
Hailing from Chicago, one of the fi rst things I noticed on Anna Maria Island is how clear the skies are at night.
On July 4, I’m looking forward to seeing them light up with fireworks in Bradenton.
However, on the island, the celestial backdrop serves as an important constant for wildlife and marinelife and there will be no fireworks displays on AMI beaches, where the first round of sea turtle nests soon will hatch.
The first turtle nest was discovered April 27 and eggs typically incubate for about two months so the hatch date is anticipated at the beginning of July.
Sea turtle nesting season runs May 1-Oct. 31 and is when female sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs.
A least tern chick attempts to fly the week of June 24. AMITWSM observed seven chicks in the colony as of June 28.
A least tern offers a chick, learning to stand, some nourishment. AMITW is monitoring a least tern colony nesting in Bradenton Beach. Islander Photos: Courtesy AMITWSM/Kathy Doddridge
Shorebird nesting season overlaps, happening Feb. 15-Sept. 1.
Unlike sea turtles, which had dug nearly 500 nests on the island as of June 27, the occurrence of a nesting shorebird colony is rare.
However, there is a least tern colony on the island, discovered by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring the week of May 6 near the 27th Street beach access in Bradenton Beach. Least terns last nested on the island in 2021 and previous colonies have failed because of the presence of cats and crows.
As of June 28, there were 22 total nests in the colony, with six-seven birds still sitting on eggs and seven chicks varying in age from one to two weeks.
According to an AMITW news release, the older chicks were gaining their flight feathers and practicing flying. Least tern chicks typically fly in 19-20 days.
The hatching and maturation process are when sea turtles and shorebirds are at their most vulnerable.
Loud noises and bright lights, such as those from fireworks, can cause birds to abandon their nests.
Although shorebirds are most susceptible to disruption by fireworks, they also pose a danger to sea turtles.
“Light of fireworks can disorient sea turtles,” Kris-
ten Mazzarella, executive director of AMITW, wrote in an email to The Islander June 27.
Mazzarella said sea turtles also can crawl over fireworks, which might burn them.
So don’t use them on the beach.
AMITW has some other advice:
• Shield or turn off outdoor lights visible on the beach;
• Remove beach furniture and toys from the beach at night;
• Fill in holes in the sand;
• Respect posted areas;
• Avoid using flashlights, cellphone lights or flash photography on the beach at night.
Respecting the physical boundaries of sea turtles and shorebirds on the beach during the holiday is key to helping them reach independence, while we celebrate our independence.
Signage alerts beachgoers to the dangers of setting off fireworks next to a shorebird colony. Bright lights and loud noises can cause birds to abandon their nests.
As of June 28, AMITW identified 492 nests, 587 false crawls and, as that date, no hatchlings had emerged on AMI beaches.
This inviting vacation investment property is located just steps away from the sandy shores of Anna Maria Island’s world renowned beaches. With its prime location near trolley stops, ice cream shops and a variety of local restaurants, breathtaking views, and impeccable design, this luxury retreat promises treasured family times and a lucrative return on investment It is certainly a standout choice in the realm of exclusive Anna Maria Island vacation properties
421 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria 6 BD 7 BA 3016 SF $3 925 000 Memories are made at The Oar House! Nestled on Pine Avenue in the heart of Anna Maria Island, this luxury home is the ideal sanctuary providing easy access to the pristine beaches, charming shops, and all the fabulous restaurants that Anna Maria has to offer With such attention to detail, exquisite craftsmanship, and unparalleled amenities this property is a true gem in the heart of paradise Enjoy yourself or reap big returns with its extraordinary short term rental program 6300 Flotilla Drive 2 BD 2 BA 1151 $650 000
By Lisa Neff
What to do on a hot, humid summer night? Brew an iced tea, grab the remote and power on the tele.
Discovery Shark Week begins Sunday, July 7, and brings 21 hours of sharky programming into the home.
Actor-rapper John Cenna usually spends Shark Week like us, on the couch. But this year he’s hosting and promising “a wild week of shocking new footage, new discoveries and lots and lots of teeth,” according to Discovery promo materials.
For the uninitiated, Shark Week includes a weeklong celebration of sharks with shows like “Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier,” offering a look at a great white feeding frenzy; “Monster Hammerheads: Species X” about a potential new hammerhead species; and “Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood” about a massive shark that terrorizes a local village.
Shark Week viewing is entertaining, like watching a scary movie, though none of the Shark Week shows I’ve seen can rival the terror in “Jaws.”
I have conservationist friends who despise Shark Week for perpetuating the “Jaws” myths and depictions of sharks as ferocious killers. Certainly a viewer needs to watch knowing that a lot of what they are seeing is graphic, sensationalized footage and the purpose of a show called “Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood” is to titillate.
bringing marine education to masses, making science cool and promoting conservation efforts.
“Given its significant viewership and media influence, Shark Week has a responsibility to strike a balance between entertainment and education and not stray from science for the sake of sensationalism,” according to the nonprofit Shark Stewards, a project of the Earth Island Institute.
2 bed, 2 bath Cortez home, 1,826 sqft, 1/3 acre on deep-water canal with boat house. $1,095,000.
Ryan Hackney Realtor 941.720.5267
ryansellsami@gmail.com 317c Pine Ave., AM
lEFT: “Jaws vs leviathan” premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 7, during Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and explores whether orcas or great whites are “the ultimate predator.” lEFT BElOW: “Shark Attack Island,” premiering at 10 p.m. Friday, July 12, on Discovery, focuses on a South Pacific shark attack hot spot. Islander Photos: Courtesy Discovery
Shark Stewards would like Shark Week viewers to know that the sharks villainized in many programs are really victims. At a global level, one-third of shark, skate and ray species are threatened with extinction and annually, as many as 100 million sharks and cousins are killed by commercial fishing, shark finning and as bycatch. To do some math — during Shark Week an estimated 192,000 sharks will be killed.
So what can you do on commercial breaks during “Expedition Unknown: Sharks vs. Nazis in Paradise”? Advocate for sharks.
Shark Stewards, at sharkstewards.org, invites you to get involved in campaigns to ban the fin trade to Asia, protect reef marine life from the aquarium trade, halt plastic pollution, halt the endangered shark trade on eBay and respect marine sanctuaries.
And when Shark Week is over, you can further an understanding of sharks. I recommend reading Jonathan Balcombe’s “What A Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of our Underwater Cousins.”
I also recommend getting out and talking about sharks with our local charter fishing captains and tour guides — the ones who know our waters and love what’s in them.
That’s right, sharks are right out there off our coast, just doing their thing and villains to none of us.
$1,995,000
CAMPBE ll HA u SFE l D AIR compressor: Never used. 5hp 13-gallon tank, $425. 941730-4097.
CRAFTSMAN lAWN MOWER, $85, propane patio space heater, $50, 10-speed racer bike, $50. 941-356-1456.
BOSu HOME GyM, $35, exercise ball, $25, side tables, round, glass top, 2/$19, black chairs, soft leather 2/$20. 941-920-2494.
ABOVE-GRO u ND POO l cover: 22-foot, for 18-foot pool, in package, warranty. $49 or best offer. 941-778-5542.
Specializing in up to 3-yard deliveries of washed shell, crushed concrete, gravel, sand and mulch. Easy delivery. Call for pricing! Credit cards, cash or check. Local business for over 30 years. M-F 8-5, 8-noon Saturday. Closed Sunday. curliejoes.com 941-753-8772
Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FREE, one week, must be submitted online. Email classifieds@islander.org. (limited time offer).
ESTATE/MOVING SAl E: 9:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 4, 5, 6. Bedroom sets, stunning daybed, living room, kitchen set, refrigerators, pots, pans, dishes, clothing, bikes, tools, fishing, many nice miscellaneous items. 400 Bay Drive S., Bradenton Beach. 917-548-0992.
GOlF CART RENTAlS: Fun for residents and tourists! 212-941-2402. www.GolfCartRentalAMI.com.
2018 CluB CAR: street-legal, high-speed gear box to 25 mph, lED lights with nearly new batteries, bluetooth sound system, rolldown canvas rain protection. In excellent condition. 303-944-8300.
HAVE A BOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.
SuNCOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941-704-9382.
CAPTAIN FOR HIRE and boat caretaker services: If you need help with your boat on or off the water, call Captain Dan. uSCG, retired. 772-486-8085.
WElCOME ABOARD JOyFISH Charters for private fishing, sunset cruises, and dolphin watching. Check out joyfishcharters.com or follow us on Facebook. Call to reserve, 941840-3181.
WANTED: EXPERIENCED NAI l tech, great personality. Part and full-time. looking for a change, come join our salon! Call 941-5453305.
NOW HIRING HANDyMAN: Full-time professional services. $18 an hour and up, based on experience. Call JayPros, 941-962-2874.
REPORTER WANTED: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@ islander.org.
KIDS FOR HIRE ads are FREE for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. The Islander, classifieds@islander.org.
IS y O u R HOME or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! l ocal, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.
C l EANING: VACATION, CONSTR u CTION, residential, commercial and windows. licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.
PRESSuRE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. licensed and insured. 941-565-3931.
I S l ANDER ARCHIVE u ofF Florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.
BIC y C l E REPAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.
API’S DRy WA ll REPAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.
ClEAN TECH MOBIlE Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.
PC OR TECH issues? Not sure where to start? With years of experience, I’ll come to you with reliable solutions. Contact Gavin at 928-587-1309. www.gse.codes.
SARASOTA PAINTING: INTERIOR/exterior/ cabinets: Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Free estimates. Fully insured licensed business.
u PluS ME llC: Provides quality coatings for pool decks, driveways, garage floors, patios. Don’t miss out on our pro polishing services, concrete, terrazzo, travertine. 727-623-5050.
AFFORDAB l E PRESS u RE WASHING and vacation cleaning service. 941-356-1456.
RIDEEASy 247 yOuR professional, reliable and courteous car service to airports and events since 2015. you can reach us via text 941-447-7737 or email to mrfort5001@gmail. com We are available 24/7.
lOOK NO MORE! Residential, vacation rental and commercial cleaning. Give us a call, 941250-8548.
lOOKING FOR SOMEONE who needs me: Clean, house-sit. I can cook, make sandwiches. I can do anything you can do but better! I can run to the grocery store for you. I can walk pets or go out to lunch with you. looking for a part-time job caregiving companion, I am your right arm! I love people and I love helping others. I have references and I’m reliable and dependable. My name is Dena Gray a.k.a. Sparkles! 941-704-9948.
WINDOW ClEANING: COMMERCIAl/residential. Free estimates/insured. We want to earn your business! 207-852-6163.
O u R SERVICES: C l EANING, home repairs, tile, concrete, remodeling, decks, steps, flooring, water drainage solutions, rental 24-hour services. Hurricane shutters and pre-storm service. New, low-cost generator and insulation (starts and runs on propane when power off). No permits needed. Islander, over 40 years here! Call 941-404-9163.
B u SINESS-TO-B u SINESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.
BEACH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-720-7411. CAC184228.
CONNIE’S l ANDSCAPING INC. Residential and commercial. Full-service lawn maintenance, landscaping, cleanups, hauling and more! Insured. 941-713-1965.
LAWN & GARDEN Continued
CO ll INS l ANDSCAPE l IGHTING: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com.
SHEll DElIVERED AND spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call larry at 941-795-7775, or “shell phone” 941-720-0770.
VAN-GO PAINTING residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www. vangopainting.net.
GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc.
Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.
ISlAND HANDyMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.
lANE’S SCREENING SERVICES: Replace your window, door or lanai screens. Many screen options available. Retired veteran serving our community! Free estimates, call 941-705-5293.
l OOKING FOR AN y home improvement? JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.
TIlE-TIlE-TIlE: All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Robert, 941-726-3077.
DONA l D PERKINS PAINTING ll C. Interior/exterior/pressure washing. Island references. dperkinspaint@hotmail.com. 941705-7096.
KITCHEN CABINETS DIRECT. Wholesale, installations from licensed contractor. Free quote, references available. Old cabinet removal! 941-465-3045.
GORI ll A DRy WA ll REPAIR ll C. l et’s solve your drywall problems together. Give us a call at 941-286-0607.
CAll HyDRO ClEAN. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.
ANNA MARIA GulF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941-7783143.
PERICO IS l AND PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/ gate, two miles to AMI. Call or text, 859-7716423. http://pericoislandrental.com/
AVAI l AB l E NOW AND season: 1BR/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. co m Special rates are available. 941-8071405.
ANNuAl RENTAl: VIllA home in Perico Bay Club, Bradenton. Gated and 24-hour security. 2BR/2BA, updated. updated kitchen, screened deck and two-car garage. unfurnished. Text 908-875-0299 for information.
FOR RENT: Anna Maria Island condo. Great value, beautiful upgraded 2BR/2BR. Incredible water view. Pool, tennis, walk to beach. Private carport. Excellent rental terms. Owner/renter. Call/email for pictures, 570-239-0431. marketreps@aol.com
2BR/2BA HOlMES BEACH. Westbay Point. Second-floor, furnished condo, beautiful bay views. No pets, no smoking. Six months, $2,850/month. 941-778-2824.
HOlMES BEACH 2BR/2BA elevated furnished duplex with one-car garage. No pets, no smoking. Six months, $2,850/month plus utilities. 941-778-2824.
FOR RENT: HOlMES Beach 2BR/2/BA groundlevel. Five-minute walk to beach, quiet area. No animals, one parking spot. Available June, July, August. Summer rate, $2,300/month plus tax. Please, text or email for more information. louann lehto, +1 403-512-2350. dlehto@telus. net
F l AMINGO B y THE Bay condo for rent on Palma Sola Bay. Second floor with a view. 1BR/1BA with boat dock. Annual rental, $1,800/month. 941-224-0836.
SEASONA l RENTA l : Bradenton 55-plus community. l arge 2BR/2BA condo on bay, exceptional views. Elevator and five minutes to bridge. No smoking, No pets. $4,650/month. Three-month minimum. Photos at https://barbaragillespie.wixsite.com/47872024. 732-7480759
SEASONAl RENTAl IN Holmes Beach available January-April 2025. Elevated townhouse 2BR/1.5BA. Three-month minimum. $4,100/ month plus tax, fees. Call Anna Maria Realty, 941-778-2259 or email dina@annamariareal. com
JANuARy ONly: 2BR/1BA. Close to Cortez Village, 2 miles to beach. Quiet neighborhood but close to great restaurant and shopping, across from Sarasota Bay. 941-773-1552.
l ONG-TERM RENTA l : Recently renovated home on canal. 3BR/2BA, outdoor shower, dock with boat lift. Available June 21. Please, call 617-640-0289.
VACATION RENTAlS: CHEAPER than hotels. Palma Sola Bay townhouse. 2BR/2BA pool, boat dock, minutes to beach. $1,100/weekly. Deluxe Perico Bay Club villa. 2BR/2BA garage, gated community. $2,800/month. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.
ANN u A l RENTA l : HO l MES Beach. Two blocks to beach. 2BR/2BA. $2,500/month. Internet and basic cable included until March 2025. 920-763-2800.
CONDO TO RENT in gated community (five miles from Anna Maria). Available July until end November, all included! 704-993-0288. www. floridarentals.com/10943/
WINNIE MCHA l E, REA lTOR, 941-5046146. Dalton Wade Real Estate. you need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”
CONDO FOR SAlE or lease. 2BR/2BA at the west end of Bradenton Riverwalk. Downtown walk-a-bout community features library, performing art center, creative art center and galleries. Shoppes, fine and casual dining. $280,000. Florida Suncoast Real Estate, Geri Kenyon, 941-725-4374.
AFFORDABlE, ClOSE TO beach. Single-story, no steps. 2BR/2BA villa. Totally upgraded. Clubhouse and heated pool. $285,000. Call agent direct, 941-356-1456. Real Estate Mart.
PRIVATE SAlE: THE perfect VRBO or private vacation home. Beautiful beachside bungalow direct marina front with peek-a-boo views of Palms Sola Bay. Private boat docks are available. Just off the SR 64 causeway at Palms Sola Bay in the highly sought-after community of Palma Sola Park. This beautiful 2BR/2BA, sleeps 8 with heated salt pool and large tiki bar. $1,200,000. Contact owner, 941-661-6196.
By Robyn Murrell
June brought the end of Peach’s Restaurant’s time in Holmes Beach but September will bring another breakfast spot in its place.
Toasted Mango Cafe will move into the space occupied by Peach’s at the Anna Maria Island Center, 3240 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.
Jennifer Hester, CFO at Peach’s, told The Islander their locations in Holmes Beach and Ellenton would close due to non-renewal of their lease. Peach’s closed its doors on AMI on Father’s Day.
However, the smell of bacon will return in September, when Toasted Mango Cafe, also a breakfastlunch restaurant, takes over the location. Established in Sarasota in 2011, Toasted Mango has locations on Siesta Key and in downtown Sarasota.
Sandi Wagner and Kimberly Brunatti-Duffy own the restaurant. Wagner told The Islander June 19 that they were receiving a key to the space July 1. She said they would assess the space and then decide on renovations.
Wagner said they will bring some staff from the Sarasota location to get things up and running but will also make new hires.
For more information, contact the Toasted Mango Cafe at 941-388-7728 or go online to toastedmangocafe.com.
By Carol Bernard
212 Gladiolus St., Anna Maria, 1,234 sq ft 2BR 2BA 7336 sq ft lot built in 1967 sold 5-28-2024 by Veon to Vibe Acquisitions LLC $950,000 list price
$1,095,000.
127 Crescent Drive, Anna Maria, 1,922 sq ft 3BR 2BA 7501 sq ft lot built in 1994 sold 5-24-2024 by Dimasi to Morelli Investments $1,145,000 list price
$1,175,000.
1800 Gulf Drive, #111, Bradenton Beach 952 sq ft 2BR 2BA La Costa condo built in 1979 sold 5-282024 by Snyder to Weaver Trust $850,000 list price $879,000.
5400 Gulf Drive, #6, Holmes Beach, 810 sq ft 1BR
‘Pizzaversary’ AMI Pizza Social owners
Ammanda and Andrew Simonetti pose June 23 with sons Jordan, 5, and Owen, 1, at the pizza shop, 308 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. They celebrated four years in business June 17.
Islander Photo: Courtesy Andrew Simonetti
1BA 5400 Gulf Drive, Apartments built in 1964 sold 5-29-2024 by Barranger to Pavluk $355,000 list price $424,900.
414 80th St., #B, Holmes Beach, 866 sq ft 2BR 2BA 7253 sq ft lot built in 1978 sold 5-31-2024 by Vanlieshout to Smith $795,000 list price $875,000.
6500 Flotilla Drive, #223, Holmes Beach, 1,793 sq ft 3BR 2BA Westbay Point & Moorings condo built in 1979 sold 5-15-2024 by Silber to Bayard $854,000 list price $849,000.
615 Concord Lane, Holmes Beach, 2,023sq ft 3BR 4BA 10846 sq ft lot built in 1966 sold 5-29-2024 by Cole to Tres Amigos Ventures LLC $1,100,000 list price $1,495,000.
Compiled by Island Real Estate staff. IRE can be reached at 941-778-6066, islandreal.com.
