The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, March. 06, 2024

HB treehouse ‘coming down,’ judge ends ‘saga’

By ryan Paice islander reporter

“The saga of the treehouse is over,” said Judge Edward Nicholas of the 12th Circuit Court. “The treehouse is coming down.”

Nicholas ruled Feb. 28 that the beachfront treehouse at the Angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 Ave. E, Holmes Beach, must be removed within 90 days of the publication of his order.

He also ruled that the city can enter the

property after providing reasonable notice — 72 hours — to remove the structure at the cost of the owners if it is not removed within 90 days.

“This is not about taking anyone’s property,” Nicholas said. “Ultimately, this is no more complicated than a respondent’s unwillingness to accept the fact that they built the structure in violation of the code.”

Property owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran-Hazen began building the tree-

Fatal crash prompts lawsuit

house in an Australian pine tree on the beachside of Angelinos in May 2011.

The structure was mostly completed by November 2011, when the city received an anonymous complaint.

The treehouse is within 30 feet of the erosion control line — a state-set boundary between private land and public property on nourished beaches — within the 50-foot construction setback for the ECL.

Lynn tran-hazen addresses the judge feb. 28 in court. islander Photos ryan Paice

the treehouse remains as of feb. 29 at the angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 ave. e, holmes Beach.

deborah trotter, second from left, speaks feb. 27 to the media during a news conference at gulf and Marina drives in holmes Beach, while holding a framed photo taken in 2023 with her mother, Miriam trotter. She is accompanied by wife Michelle trotter, left, attorney douglas Mccarron and media consultant J.P. hervis, right. trotter and her mother were struck by a pickup in the crosswalk at the intersection in May 2023. Miriam trotter died from her injuries. right: Michelle and deborah trotter pause at the memorial for “Mom” at the crosswalk. Story, page 2. islander Photos: robert anderson

Fatal crash at Holmes Beach intersection prompts lawsuit

By robert anderson islander reporter

The intersection of Gulf and Marina drives in Holmes Beach is the site of sorrow and remembrance.

And on Feb. 27, Deborah Trotter, the Holmes Beach woman who was injured and whose mother was struck by a vehicle and killed while they were in the crosswalk at the intersection, chose the site to announce a wrongful death suit intended to hold a driver and a construction company accountable.

Pink flowers and a white cross bearing the word “Mom” mark the location as a memorial to Deborah Trotter’s mother, 86-year-old Miriam Trotter.

Both were struck May 12, 2023, by Michael Ritchie, 43, of Bradenton, who was at the wheel of a truck, making a left turn on a green light from southbound Marina Drive onto Gulf Drive.

Miriam Trotter never regained consciousness, having suffered irreversible brain damage, and died May 17, 2023.

Deborah Trotter was treated and discharged from the hospital the day of the crash, suffering partial hearing loss, tinnitus and a permanent soft spot on her skull

Spring ahead, time change

Got the time?

Daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10, with most of the country springing forward an hour.

And when’s the fall back?

Sunday, Nov. 3.

Though some U.S. territories and states do not observe daylight saving time, about 70 countries observe a time change.

Officials remind people to also change batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.

— Lisa neff

$50,000.

Trotter’s attorney, Douglas McCarron, said C-Squared inadequately secured the construction area.

The complaint reads, “The negligent design, construction and approval of the maintenance of traffic plan and traffic signals for the area … particularly as to pedestrians forced to negotiate their way through the construction zone, created a highly dangerous but easily preventable trap for both pedestrians and the motoring public. But for the dangerous and preventable condition, the fatal collision … would never have happened.”

Ritchie was cited by the Holmes Beach Police Department for failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians.

He contested the citation and, on Aug. 9, 2023, 12th Circuit Judge Robert Farrance found him guilty of failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians.

from the impact.

During the Feb. 27 news conference, she spoke about her mother’s life and the impact of her mother’s death on family and friends.

“She was the light of our family. She was the matriarch. She was everybody’s best friend. She loved life,” Deborah said, holding back tears. “You would be hard-pressed to find her ever not smiling. She was just so happy to be here. And the fact that she will never be here in person with me to enjoy it. I still have trouble understanding that.”

The crash occurred during a long-ongoing city construction project at the intersection and throughout the city center that included new traffic signals, sidewalks, new roadways, bike paths and lane markings.

Now Deborah Trotter is taking legal action against C-Squared, the company that administered the construction project for the city of Holmes Beach, as well as Ritchie.

The suit, alleging negligence, is filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit and seeks damages exceeding

Ritchie was ordered to pay $166 for the citation and $21 in subpoena costs, as well as complete a fourhour basic driver improvement course.

In the complaint, the negligence claim against Ritchie says he failed to yield the right of way, failed to maintain a proper lane of traffic, drove carelessly and recklessly, failed to brake or reduce speed prior to impact and committed “other negligence or reckless acts.”

McCarron said in addition to pain and suffering, the lawsuit is about ensuring public safety.

“She just doesn’t want this to happen to anybody else,” McCarron said, referring to Deborah Trotter.

The traffic signals at the intersection were not coordinated with the crosswalk signals, allowing Ritchie to have a green light while also allowing pedestrians a “cross now” signal, McCarron said.

“Contractors are responsible for making sure the signalization of the lights are proper to keep people safe, it’s that simple, and that’s not what happened here,” he said.

deborah trotter and her mom, Miriam, pictured in 2023 before the crash that took Miriam trotter’s life. islander courtesy Photo

Garden Club named Anna Maria Citizen of the Year

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Anna Maria has decided a winner for its 2023 Citizen(s) of the Year award: the Anna Maria Island Garden Club.

This year’s citizen recognition committee — residents Doug Copeland and Darcie Duncan — unanimously voted Feb. 29 to give the award to the club.

City Commission Chair Mark Short nominated the club for its focus on beautification and environmental education.

The club has helped fund wind sculptures in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach and is working to do the same in Bradenton Beach.

Mayor Dan Murphy, who attended the Feb. 29 meeting, said the club also helped the city by providing advice on pruning and native plants.

Nominees for the award included both island newspapers, The Islander and the Sun, as well as Christine Olson, founder of the To Inform Families First campaign.

Copeland and Duncan praised the nominees but agreed the garden club was the only nominee that qualified as a citizen or citizens of the city.

Copeland noted the newspapers are in Holmes Beach and Olson, who works in Holmes Beach, has no direct ties to the city, so he leaned toward selecting the club for the award.

He called for the city commission to clarify a definition for “citizen(s)” to use in future discussions, since the city does not currently define the term.

Duncan nominated the garden club as her selection for the city’s 2023 Citizens of the Year award.

Copeland seconded the nomination, which the pair approved.

The award will be presented during the city meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

Longboat Pass Bridge meeting March 14

The Florida Department of Transportation will host a workshop Thursday, March 14, to review proposed alternatives for the Longboat Pass Bridge.

The workshop on the project development and environment study will be 5-7 p.m. at Christ Church, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

Also, a live online workshop will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, with registration required.

The DOT launched the study in February 2020 to evaluate options for the drawbridge that spans the pass

and connects Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key via State Road 789.

Materials for the workshops were to be released March 5, after The Islander went to press.

More information about the project is at swflroads. com/sr789/longboatkey.

The project manager is Patrick Bateman, who can be reached via email at patrick.bateman@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at 863-519-2792.

— Lisa neff

Ferry service expanded

Manatee County added a fourth day — Thursday — to the Gulf Islands Ferry service operating between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.

The county launched its Thursday operation Feb. 29, adding to the Thursday-Sunday service, weather permitting, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Each of the two catamarans in the fleet can carry 49 passengers between the Bradenton riverfront, the City Pier in Anna Maria and the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.

For information about tickets and schedules, call 941-357-2587, text 727-200-6487 or go online to gulfislandsferry.com.

— Lisa neff

Last week’s question

By Lisa neff

daylight saving time, when we spring ahead an hour, is March 10.

17%. Looking forward to the time change.

31%. Abolish daylight saving time.

44%. Make daylight saving time standard and permanent.

8%. Matters not to me.

This week’s question

the academy awards are March 10. how many best picture nominees have you seen?

A. All of them.

B. More than half.

C. One or two.

D. None.

E. Don’t know.

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

anna Maria citizen recognition committee chair doug copeland, right, speaks feb. 29 about the choices for 2023 citizen(s) of the Year. islander

Photo: ryan Paice

Holmes Beach digs further into mangrove protections

By ryan Paice islander reporter

Mangroves have been mapped throughout the city of Holmes Beach.

But questions remain how to protect the trees.

Planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor told city commissioners Feb. 27 that staff recently took a boat tour of the municipal waterways to identify properties that have mangroves.

The discussion was sparked by the removal of mangroves on a canal where a seawall was being installed at 111 Gull Drive, Anna Maria.

Mangroves provide environmental benefits, including providing a unique ecosystem for marine life, decreasing land erosion and improving nearshore water quality.

The 1996 Florida Department of Environmental Protection Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act establishes regulations to protect coastal vegetation, including standards for trimming mangroves.

Most alterations require DEP permitting.

City staff’s search for mangroves turned up the largest numbers within two conservation areas: the waterfront at the Grassy Point Preserve, 3021 Ave. C, and the north end of the Marina Isles subdivision.

Staff also found mangroves at two recreational properties — the Key Royale Club, 700 Key Royale Drive, and the Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. — and two institutional properties — Anna Maria Elementary, 4700 Gulf Drive N., and the St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive.

Treehouse continued froM Page 1

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provided a notice of violation Nov. 29, 2011, and the owners were unable to obtain an after-the-fact permit for the structure because they lacked a letter of no objection from the city.

The city never provided such a letter and instead issued notices of code violations in April 2013.

The owners filed their first lawsuit against the city June 13, 2013, challenging the constitutionality of the city’s setback restrictions that prohibit the treehouse.

In July 2013, the city’s code enforcement board ruled against the owners and fined them. The board ordered the Hazens to comply with city code or remove the structure.

The ruling was upheld in the 12th Circuit Court in 2014 and in 2nd District Court of Appeal in 2015.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied two petitions from the Hazens to hear the case.

Nevertheless, litigation by the Hazens’ attorney and pro se — acting as attorneys for themselves — continued for years on a handful of cases.

The owners’ initial 2013 lawsuit against the city concluded in January 2023, when Nicholas issued a final ruling in favor of the city and deemed municipal code prohibiting the treehouse did not violate the Hazens’ constitutional rights.

In November 2023, the DEP and the owners agreed on a judgment allowing the treehouse to remain provided wood and concrete pilings were replaced with an engineered alternative support system.

Final hearing

By 2024, the only remaining case not resolved or undergoing appeal was City of Holmes Beach v. property owners, which the city filed in 2018, asking the court to enforce the code board’s order to remove the treehouse.

An almost four-hour hearing was held Feb. 28 before Nicholas.

Attorney Randy Mora represented the city with the help of testimony from planning and zoning administrator Chad Minor and code enforcement administrator Kim Charron.

Tran-Hazen represented Hazen and herself at the hearing, which began with a discussion on the owners’ Feb. 20 motion to void and vacate the code enforcement board’s order.

Tran-Hazen argued that former building inspector Bob Shaffer cleared the treehouse for construction without a permit in April 2011.

Tran said it was not until they asked for a letter of no objection in 2013 that the matter became an issue for the municipality.

Mangroves also were reported at four multifamily properties, including Westbay Point & Moorings, 6200 Flotilla Drive, Westbay Cove condominiums and Sunbow Bay condos, 3705 E. Bay Drive.

Minor said the remaining mangroves were located at 85 properties, primarily along avenues A, B and C in the waterfront area south of Grassy Point.

Fifty of those properties were vacant as of Feb. 27 and seven are owned by the city.

“This kind of gives us a sense of what we’re dealing with, as far as the extent of our mangrove population,” Minor said.

Mayor Judy Titsworth noted there are inland mangroves along Spring Lake and at the Benderson-owned Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza.

“This is enough evidence in my opinion to consider enforcement and protection of what remains,” said Commission Chair Terry Schaefer, who called for staff to provide further input on whether the municipality has the resources to handle enforcement of mangrove regulations.

Minor said he reached out to DEP to request a presentation.

He said DEP staff might be able to make such a presentation in April.

In the meantime, Minor suggested the city pursue other methods to protect mangroves, such as creating a mailing list to educate owners of properties with mangroves and to consider purchasing additional vacant lots where mangroves are located.

Two residents spoke about the issue during public

Mora, however, said the code board’s order was settled law and called the owners’ motion to vacate the order “without legal or factual basis.”

Nicholas denied Tran-Hazen’s motion.

“There is no reasonable judge in the state of Florida that would not consider this most recent filing redundant, duplicitous, dilatory, repetitive, untimely, collaterally stopped, and filed solely for purposes of delay,” Nicholas said. “The arguments Mrs. Tran has made here have been made for a decade.”

In denying the owners’ motion, the judge granted the city’s motion for sanctions, ordering the owners to pay $2,800 to refund the city’s legal fees.

Mora also asked Nicholas for sanctions to prevent the owners from taking additional legal steps regarding the treehouse, but the judge said he would have to give such an “extreme” remedy further consideration.

The parties then made arguments on the city’s petition for an order to compel compliance, which would require the removal of the treehouse.

Mora argued the treehouse cannot be allowed under code, so it must be removed.

He asked Nicholas to order the removal of the treehouse.

“That structure still stands because the respondents refuse to respect the orders of this court and its sister courts,” Mora said.

“Nothing will be enough until this court compels it. … It’s time to resolve this. All litigation must come to an end. This is that end, your honor,” he added.

comment.

Robert LaMura supported Titsworth’s suggestion to create a task force to provide additional oversight for mangrove trimming and removal.

Dennis Groh questioned the effectiveness of state law and what the city would gain from claiming enforcement authority.

“I don’t really think that there is wisdom in accepting responsibility for enforcement in a law that is unenforceable,” Groh said. “The law is just too looseygoosey.”

“I agree, but I think we also, as a city and a community, would be remiss if we didn’t continue the search and determination of whether it’s appropriate for us to take on this responsibility,” Schaefer said.

In other matters…

City commissioners:

• Voted to adopt a noise ordinance establishing clearer and more objective standards for determining violations;

• Voted to adopt a sign ordinance removing content-based regulations previously determined to be in violation of the First Amendment right to free speech, as well as prohibiting most temporary signage in the city’s R-1AA, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, A-1 and PUD zoning districts;

• Voted to adopt an ordinance modifying the city’s five-year capital improvements schedule.

The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

Nicholas granted the city’s request to compel removal within 90 days of his order, as well as to allow the municipality to enter the property and remove the structure if it remains after 90 days.

“Ultimately, the bottom line is that the structure remains within the impermissible setback,” Nicholas said. “The treehouse is, was and remains in violation of the city code.”

“Noncompliance of this unpermitted structure has gone on far too long,” he added.

Nicholas said the only way to stop the removal would be for the owners to secure a stay from the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

Reactions

Tran-Hazen, March 1, said she and Hazen were unsure if they would appeal Nicholas’ ruling.

“I’m taking a mind break and meditating in the treehouse for a few days for a good answer,” she wrote.

Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander March 1, “I was hoping I would see a conclusion while I was still in office. So it feels really good that we finally got there. … It’s been forever.”

She said the city has not arranged to remove the treehouse.

“I am hoping (Hazen) is going to comply with the order,” Titsworth said. “If we get to that point, that’s a bridge we’ll have to cross at that time.”

Accruing fines

In the meantime, city fines against the owners continue to pile up.

A special magistrate updated the code board’s 2013 order in 2016 to assess the owners a $50 daily fine that began July 22, 2015.

A magistrate also ruled in April 2021 to fine the owners $125 per day from March 18, 2021, until they obtain a valid vacation rental certificate from the city for the rental units they operate at the lodge, where they also reside.

Despite lacking a city-issued rental certificate since 2021, the property has continued to be used for rental activity, with a $205 per night pre-tax rate to stay in the most affordable of four cottages as of March 1, according to angelsealodge.com.

More than $292,125 in total fines have accrued against the property owners as of March 1, adding to an almost $200,000 litigation bill.

City treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer did not respond to a March 1 email from The Islander asking for the city’s cost of litigation by the newspaper’s press deadline.

Judge edward nicholas, right, listens feb. 28 as the city of holmes Beach argues for removing the hazen treehouse at the angelinos Sea Lodge, 2818 ave. e islander Photos: ryan Paice

Community fundraises for recovering HB commissioner

was struck Jan. 25 by a motorist while walking into work at ace hardware, 3352 e. Bay drive. the accident left Morton, who is the caregiver for his wife, with serious injuries and unable to work. islander Photos:

Pat Morton speaks feb. 27 about his experience in a crash that left him with serious injuries and about the support from his community “family.” Morton also unveiled his new nickname, “Speedbump.”

holmes Beach resident Becky tolerton writes her bid for a basket of gourmet goodies donated by the city of anna Maria for auction at a fundraiser for holmes Beach commissioner Pat Morton. the baskets were donated by local businesses and the three island cities to auction at the event, with proceeds going to holmes Beach commissioner Pat Morton.

Sean Murphy, co-owner with wife Susan timmins of the doctor’s office and garden, thanks community members for attending the feb. 27 fundraiser to support holmes Beach commissioner Pat Morton. the benefit raised about $6,000, according to Bonner Joy, islander publisher and event organizer. a gofundme account is still accepting donations.

Election 2024

Early voting to begin

Early voting in the closed presidential primary — only registered Republicans can cast ballots — will begin Saturday, March 9, and continue daily through Saturday, March 16.

Hours will be 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Voting locations include the Braden River Library, G.T. Bray Park, Lakewood Ranch Library, Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, Palmetto Library, Rocky Bluff Library and the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

The polling spot nearest AMI is G.T. Bray, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton.

Voters should bring a current ID that includes a photo and signature.

For more info, go online to votemanatee.com.

Key election dates

• Tuesday, March 19, presidential primary.

• June 3-14, qualifying in Anna Maria.

• June 10-14, qualifying in Bradenton Beach.

• June 10-14, qualifying in Holmes Beach.

• Tuesday, Aug. 20, primary election.

• Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election.

— Lisa neff

Meetings

By Lisa neff

ANNA MARIA CITY

March 13, 9 a.m., planning and zoning.

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

BRADENTON BEACH

March 6, 9:30 a.m., CRA.

March 6, 1 p.m., planning and zoning.

March 7, 6 p.m., commission.

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

HOLMES BEACH

March 6, 10 am., parks and beautification.

March 6, 5 p.m., planning.

March 12, 2 p.m., commission.

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

WEST MANATEE FIRE RESCUE

March 19, 6 p.m., commission.

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

MANATEE COUNTY

March 7, 9 a.m., commission (land use).

March 12, 9 a.m., commission.

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

ALSO OF INTEREST

March 11, 2 p.m., ITPO, Anna Maria City Hall.

NOW OFFERING PERMANENT JEWELRY !

holmes Beach commissioner Pat Morton, left, talks feb. 27 with resident dennis groh and Police chief Bill tokajer, right, during a fundraiser hosted by the doctor’s garden, 5312 holmes Blvd., holmes Beach. the event was a joint effort by the islander and the restaurant to support Morton, who

ryan Paice

Treehouse? ... Hug it now

The judge emphasized his final ruling on the 13-year legal battle between the city and the couple who ran afoul of regulations and fought to keep the dream treehouse they built in an Australian pine tree on the beach. He said it twice: “The treehouse saga is over.”

Yes. With emphasis, I’m glad it’s over.

I can only hope that by now Richard and Tran are resolved to obey the court order, end the turmoil and take the treehouse down.

Once, long ago, I chatted with Richard at a community event and he asked what I thought about the treehouse.

Without expressing my opinion that it was built illegally, without permits and violating the erosion control line — established by the state to protect the beach — and the egregious addition of bored concrete pilings disguised to look like tree trunks, I kept my answer pretty simple.

I said that if I could build a treehouse at my home, and if everyone else on the island was entitled to build a similar treehouse, then, yes, I would support them in their fight to keep their treehouse.

So … I’m pleased to say, “the saga is over.”

There is so much more worthy of our attention.

Take for example, the gift of $1 billion from Ruth Gottesman to Albert Einstein College of Medicine allowing free tuition for all students.

Compare that to the $44 billion Elon Musk spent to by Twitter, now branded as X.

Or the $250 million Jeff Bezos spent on the Washington Post, and the four minutes of weightlessness in suborbital space that cost him $5.5 billion.

Thank you, Ruth, for investing in the future of others.

And I’d like to thank all of you for helping raise funds — now more than $13K — to help Holmes Beach Commissioner Pat Morton recover from the serious injuries and financial setback he suffered when a pickup truck struck him as he walked into work.

I know it means a lot to Pat, and to Sean Murphy and Susan Timmins, who offered up the Doctor’s Office Garden and food and libations for a flurry of guests to bid on baskets of goodies — all donated by Pat’s friends at the three island cities, the island chamber, Privateers, Ace Hardware and the community center. Donations continue at GoFundMe.com.

No doubt, it feels like a billion dollars worth of hugs and love to Pat and his wife.

What a great, caring, generous community we have on Anna Maria Island.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Mad about mangroves

Readers on The Islander’s Facebook page had the following to say about reporter Ryan Paice’s Feb. 28 report on the clear-cutting of mangroves at a canalfront property in Anna Maria.

“It’s starting to seem like all environmental laws are being bypassed everywhere!”

— Christine Bucca Cacioppo

Skimming online

Website: islander.org

Facebook: islandernewspaper

X: @ami_islander

Instagram: @theislanderami

Pinterest: @islandernewspaper

News alerts: Register at islander.org

“The wealthy have taken over AMI and do as they please is what I’ve found.”

— Wendy Dolezal

E-edition: Subscribe at islander.org MARCH 6, 2024 • Vol. 32, No. 20

▼ Publisher, Co-editor Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

▼ Editorial editor Lisa neff, lisa@islander.org robert anderson, robert@islander.org Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist Kevin cassidy, kevin@islander.org Masha dolgoff, masha@islander.org Jack elka, jack@jackelka.com robyn Murrell, robyn@islander.org ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

▼ Contributors

Karen riley-Love Jacob Merrifield capt. danny Stasny, fish@islander.org

▼ Advertising Director toni Lyon, toni@islander.org

▼ Webmaster Wayne ansell

▼ Office Manager, Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org

▼ Distribution urbane Bouchet ross roberts Judy Loden Wasco All others: news@islander.org

“The island prioritizes construction over conservation. It’s not ignorance.”

— Drew F Phillips

“Entitlement. Greed is out of control!”

— Gay Rosnett

“Another out-of-state investor destroying Florida’s environment.”

— Roberta Kuhn Loman

Sending letters

We welcome letters to the editor. Submit comments along with a name, city of residence and phone number to news@islander.org. Please, keep letters to less than 200 words.

“We’re glad You’re here,” originated in the 1980s with a restaurant trade group. We hope everyone feels welcome on aMi.

Connections, AMI & beyond

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the key a postcard dated to the late 1950s shows the Longboat Pass Bridge. the back of the card reads, “new bridge connecting tropical Longboat Key to anna Maria island, florida.” a 1925 bridge at the location washed away in 1932 and the replacement was built in 1957.

a postcard promotes the “White Sands of Longboat” on LBK in the 1980s. the card boasts of “motel rooms, air conditioned and heated, cable tV, telephones in all units, two heated fresh water pools, shuffleboard, championship tennis court, card and social room, washerdryer on premises, private white sand beach.”

We’d love to mail you the news!

We mail The Islander weekly for a nominal $54 per year. We also offer online e-edition subscriptions — a page-by-page view of the weekly news for only $36 per year, but you must sign up online. It’s the best way to stay in touch with what’s happening on Anna Maria Island.

We bring you all the news about three city governments, community happenings, people features and special events … even real estate transactions … everything you need if your “heart is on Anna Maria Island.”

If you don’t live here year-round, use this form to subscribe by snail mail for yourself or someone else. Sorry, we do not suspend mail subscriptions — you get The Islander free while you’re here!

BULK MAIL U.S. SUBSCRIPTION Allow 2 weeks for every week’s delivery.

❑ 1 year: $76 ❑ 3-6 Months: $48 ❑ 1-3 Months: $36

U.S. FIRST CLASS AND CANADIAN MAIL SUBSCRIPTION

❑ 1 year: $180 ❑ 3-6 Months: $120 ❑ 1-3 Months: $70

❑ Single Issue: $5 FIRST CLASS MAIL, U.S. ONLY, maximum four weeks

MAIL TO:

ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

Credit card: ❏ d ❏ u No.

Name shown on card:

Credit card billing address:

MAIL START DATE:

Exp. Date

315 58th St. • Holmes Beach FL 34217

SINCE 1992

CHARGE BY PHONE 941.778.7978

ONLINE (secure server) islander.org

E-MAIL subscriptions@islander.org

a postcard depicts the “gulfshore trailer city” on Longboat Key in the late 1950s. three investors from indiana opened the park in 1948, according to the archives. islander

Photos: courtesy Manatee county Public Library System

Look for the islander archives, dating to 1992, in the university of florida digital newspaper collection at ufdc.ufl.edu.

10, 20, 30 years ago

From the March 3, 1994, issue

• Holmes Beach announced Lt. Jay Romine would become the city’s new police chief. He had served as acting chief following the departure of Rick Maddox in July 1993.

• Organizers of an inaugural island tour of homes to benefit the Anna Maria Island Community Center issued a call for help, seeking “Betty Crockers” to stock the tour boutique.

• Roser Memorial Community Church was organizing its annual Sea Grape Festival, featuring baked goods and handmade crafts.

From the March 3, 2004, issue

• Arvida Corporation submitted a new site plan to Bradenton for a housing project on Perico Island that reduced the number of condominiums from 898 to 686. Arvida said the plan would reduce traffic on Manatee Avenue by 23%.

• Brasota Mortgage purchased the $1.6 million first mortgage on the Tidemark hotel/condominium/marina project in Holmes Beach from Regions Bank. Brasota already held a second mortgage for $1.7 million against Tidemark. Company officials said they would submit a new plan for construction financing to the bankruptcy court.

From the March 5, 2014, issue

• Holmes Beach commissioners began discussing raising fees for events held at city field in hopes of discouraging multiday events they said where taxing the city budget.

• Holmes Beach commissioners voted to establish procedures and regulations associated with outdoor dining.

— Lisa neff

on Saturday, March 23, to benefit the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum

Holmes Beach approves settlement agreement with developer

By ryan Paice islander reporter

The city of Holmes Beach and developer Shawn Kaleta have been at odds for years.

But a settlement agreement has wiped the slate clean.

City commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 27 to approve a settlement with Kaleta to resolve his 2022 federal lawsuit against the municipality — Kaleta et al v. City of Holmes Beach — and all claims involving its alleged “anti-Kaleta policy.”

In exchange, the city agreed to approve a site development plan permitting a spa and bar/lounge at the Bali Hai Beach Resort, 6900 Gulf Drive, as well as waive and release 15 code enforcement fines and liens against the developer’s properties.

No money changed hands in the deal, which required both parties to be responsible for their own legal fees.

Kaleta owns numerous vacation homes and the Bali Hai, Anna Maria Island, Coconuts and Islands West resorts.

While battling with the city in a variety of circuit court cases and appeals, Kaleta filed a federal lawsuit Dec. 31, 2021, alleging the municipality has an “antiKaleta policy” in which the city discriminates against the developer, violating his constitutional rights under the Equal Protections Clause.

He dismissed and refiled an amended version of the suit in October 2022.

The amended lawsuit claimed the city “unlawfully focused … inordinate and unconstitutional over-regulatory attention solely upon plaintiffs by stalling development plans, denying access to public hearings and

failing to respond to record requests.

The suit asked the court to order the city to cease any unlawful practices, engage in corrective measures and award the developer damages.

The lawsuit also cited the city’s handling of proposed development and operations at Bali Hai as evidence of mistreatment.

The resort opened in 1971 but was purchased in 2019 for about $20 million by Kaleta, who renovated the property.

The city, claiming the business was not permitted to operate a bar, issued a stop work order for construction of a bar/ lounge on the property in January 2020 due to a lack of permits and an updated site plan.

Kaleta claimed that Bali Hai was previously permitted to operate a bar/lounge and the allowance should have continued under Kaleta’s ownership.

The resort filed a site plan detailing changes and operations for a spa and bar/lounge.

However, city commissioners voted in October 2021 to approve a site plan that prohibits live music, special events and the bar/lounge, and allowed the spa for guests only, largely due to the motel’s limited parking.

The dispute led to extensive litigation between the business and municipality, which snowballed into the federal lawsuit.

The settlement includes three exhibits:

• Conditions for minor site plan approval for a spa and bar/lounge at the Bali Hai;

• A list of outstanding code enforcement fines and liens, including associated administrative costs, set to be waived or released by the city;

• A joint statement from the involved parties.

The first exhibit, which provides conditions for a site plan that permits a spa and bar/lounge at the Bali Hai, resolves one of the many issues stoking litigation between the parties.

Conditions limit the use of the spa and bar/lounge to motel guests only, closing the bar/lounge 10 p.m.-6 a.m., as well as prohibiting outdoor amplified music unless authorized by a city-issued special event or temporary use permit.

The settlement agreement states that the developer will submit an updated site plan that complies with the city’s conditions, and the municipality will “timely receive, process and approve” the application.

Attorney Jay Daigneault, of the Clearwater-based Trask Daigneault law firm, told The Islander Feb. 29 that the Bali Hai site plan was a “primary” part of the settlement.

“It’s going to have one of those under conditions that are favorable to protecting the interests of the adjoining property owners, the city and the property owner himself,” Daigneault said.

While no money was exchanged in the agreement, the city is set to waive or release 15 outstanding code enforcement fines and liens, including associated administrative costs, listed in the second exhibit.

Of those outstanding fines and liens, 11 were against the Bali Hai, two were against the Islands West Resort and another two were against a pair of units at the Coconuts Beach Resort.

The settlement also establishes the Islands West Resort, 3605 Gulf Drive, as a legally nonconforming structure, allowing the property’s eight units to be used as nightly rentals.

The third exhibit, the joint statement, was set to be released in The Islander within 90 days of the agreement’s execution.

The statement reads, “The City of Holmes Beach and Mr. Shawn T. Kaleta wish to publicly express their shared regret concerning any real or perceived animosity or ill-will between them. … The city and Mr. Kaleta are committed to moving forward to working together to balance and advance the interests of all the city’s residents, visitors, tourists, businesses, property owners and stakeholders.”

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Carol Soustek moved to approve

Kaleta

najmy

titsworth

DOT finalizing Cortez corridor ‘vision’ study

The Florida Department of Transportation is sharpening its vision on Cortez Road.

The DOT launched the Cortez Road Vision and Action Plan study in June 2023, seeking to examine land-use, safety, congestion and multimodal issues along a 10-mile corridor of State Road 684/Cortez Road that stretches from 121st Street Court West in the village of Cortez eastward to 301 Boulevard.

The study has involved workshops, data collection, analysis and a series of interviews, including with Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and representatives of the Cortez Village Historical Society.

DOT representatives on Feb. 27 updated Manatee County commissioners on the status of their work.

seTTLeMeNT continued froM Page 8

the settlement agreement.

Commissioner Greg Kerchner seconded the motion, which passed.

Reactions

Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander March 1 that she was happy with the settlement, which she believes addressed the root causes of the city’s conflict with Kaleta rather than merely relieving symptoms.

“Even if the city won, which we felt we had a very strong case, it wouldn’t have handled any of the code compliance issues that we still had. So this was a win-win for everybody,” Titsworth said. “Winning the case would have just been, “Oh, OK, you win. You win your attorneys fees and the other one pays the other. Then we’re still at square one.”

Daigneault, the city’s lead attorney on the case, said he was relieved to bring litigation between the developer and municipality to a mutually beneficial conclusion.

“I think the settlement is a really good thing for the city,” he said. “I think it’s a very rational, reasonable and beneficial way to end all this litigation.”

Attorney Louis Najmy, a partner with the Bra-

The DOT has identified nine intersections on Cortez Road that exceed service standards during peak hours and predicted the number will grow to at least 12 in 2025 without improvements.

The DOT also reported:

• Cortez Road experiences high crash rates, especially in the eastern portion of the corridor.

• Transit ridership is growing and will play an increasingly important role in mobility in the corridor.

• The corridor is suitable for development that intensifies and diversifies land uses.

The DOT also identified “opportunities and desires” in the corridor, including dedicated transit lanes, protected bicycle infrastructure, wider sidewalks and abundant crosswalks.

The DOT plans to complete the study this year.

— Lisa neff

denton-based Najmy Thompson law fi rm, attended the Feb. 27 meeting on behalf of Kaleta. He wrote in a Feb. 28 text message to The Islander that he too was satisfied with the settlement.

“We are pleased that both parties came together to get this settled. With this settlement, Mr. Kaleta was able to achieve obtaining over $10 million in land entitlements from the city and, more importantly, the city has now condemned prior practices of targeting Shawn and his businesses and therefore, hopefully, this will eradicate the toxic culture that unfairly existed within the city operations against him,” Najmy wrote.

“No citizen would ever want a city to operate in that fashion. At the same time, both parties are moving forward to work together without the existence of such negative culture. It was great to see the mayor and city leaders make concessions to achieve this. It’s a positive result for all.”

Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives. Send notices to news@islander.org.

RoadWatch

Eyes on the road

• Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach : Manatee County is working on sewer lines along Gulf Drive South. Motorists can expect lane shifts on Gulf Drive and the closures of some side streets. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

• City center in Holmes Beach: Manatee County’s work on a force main project in the area of Holmes Boulevard, Marina Drive and side streets continues but is expected to wind up this spring. For the latest, go to amiprojects.io.

For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511

— Lisa neff

Bradenton discharges sewage into Manatee River

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued a notice that about 1.2 million gallons of partially treated wastewater was discharged Feb. 28 into the Manatee River.

The discharge occurred at about 12:10 p.m. from 1810 First St. W., Bradenton, at the city’s water reclamation facility, according to the DEP.

The state said the facility “experienced an operational failure. The filter system had a blockage of the media causing 1.2 million gallons of partially treated wastewater to be bypassed into the Manatee River.”

The incident ended at about 5:10 p.m., when river sampling was started.

“City staff cleaned the areas affected and a normal operation resumed,” according to the DEP.

— Lisa neff

compiled by Lisa neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Sunday, March 10

7:30 p.m. — Island Players’ “The Woman in Black” auditions, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria. 941-778-5755.

Wednesday, March 13

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

ONGOING ON AMI

March 5-8 — Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island Paint the Town celebration, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

March 12-24, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Island Players’ “Communicating Doors,” 10009 Gulf Drive Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-5755.

Throughout March, Carolann Garafola exhibit, Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-7786694.

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 March, “My World” exhibit by Cheryl SudburyBuerger, Island Gallery and Studios, 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Information: 941-778-6648.

Through April 28, “Dali and the Impressionists,” the Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg. Fee applies. Information: 727-823-3767.

Through June 23, “Mountains of the Mind: Scholars’ Rocks from China and Beyond” exhibit, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-360-7390.

Through June 30, “Yayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia O’Keeffe,” Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-366-5731.

First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Art-

Island happenings

Friday fun

Players check their cards feb. 9 at the center of anna Maria island, 407 Magnolia ave., anna Maria, during the first bingo night of the season. the next night will be friday, March 8. for more information, call the center at 941-778-1908. islander courtesy Photo

walk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Information: villageofthearts.com.

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

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

SAVE THE DATE

March 16-17, Anna Maria Art League’s Springfest, Holmes Beach.

March 23, Center of AMI Wine Tasting, Anna Maria.

MARKETS & SALES ON AMI

Saturday-Sunday, March 9-10

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — City Pier Art Show, City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd.,, Anna Maria. Information: 231-350-8277.

Saturday-Sunday, March 9-10

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Bridge Street Spring Craft Fair, 120 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach.

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Coquina Beach Market, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach. Information: 941840-0789, coquinabeachmarket.org.

Second Fridays through spring, 5-7:30 p.m., Holmes Beach Night Market, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6694.

Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Anna Maria Farmers Market, City Pier Park, Anna Maria. Information: 941-708-6130.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Saturdays through May 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bradenton Market, Old Main Street, Bradenton. Information: 941-301-8445.

SAVE THE DATE

March 14-16, Friends of the Island Library Jewelry Sale, Holmes Beach.

March 23, Cortez Nautical Flea Market, Cortez.

Center puts out bingo call

The Center of Anna Maria Island will hold a bingo night Friday, March 8.

Play will be 6-8 p.m.

Refreshments will be available for donations.

Bingo cards will cost $1.

Prizes will include gift cards to local restaurants.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

For more info, call the center at 941-778-1908.

Pier park site of crafts show

Blue Ribbon Events invites people to shop its City Pier Art Show March 9-10.

The Saturday-Sunday show will be outdoors 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at City Pier Park, 103 N. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria.

An announcement said shoppers will find art, jewelry, bath and body products and more.

Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to support the Roser Food Pantry.

For more information, call Blue Ribbon Events at 231-350-8277.

KIDS & FAMILY ON AMI

Friday, March 8

10 a.m. — 40 Carrots parenting program, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Tuesday, March 12

10 a.m. — Family storytime, 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: 941-7464131.

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.

SAVE THE DATE

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria.

CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, March 7

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

Saturday, March 9

9 a.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island Beach Cleanup, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 941-778-1908.

OFF AMI

Saturday, March 9

8:30 a.m. — Surfrider Foundation Suncoast beach cleanup, Beer Can Island, 100 N. Shore Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-504-7821

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island

ART WORKSHOP: Create shell-inspired wall hanging, 10a-1p Monday March 18. Call us for details!

Island happenings

Springfest ahead at city field

The Anna Maria Island Art League will fill Holmes Beach city field with artists, craftspeople and vendors for its annual Springfest juried art show.

The festival will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the park in the 5800 block of Marina Drive.

A news release said eventgoers will find “a diverse collection of fine art works,” as well as entertainment, educational displays and more.

For more, email artleagueami@gmail.com, go online to islandartleague.org or call 941-778-2099.

Night Market on March 8

Businesses in the city center area will hold a Holmes Beach Night Market Friday, March 8. Hours will be 5-7:30 p.m. — and later at some locations.

Businesses will offer refreshments, entertainment and demonstrations.

One of the organizers is the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, which will host an open house that night at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive. The gallery is presenting “Paint the Town” demonstrations and sales events through March 8.

For more info, call the Guild Gallery at 941-7786694.

Gallery celebrates ‘My World’

Island Gallery and Studios throughout March is displaying “My World,” watercolors and acrylic paintings by Cheryl Sudbury-Buerger.

About her work, Sudbury-Buerger said in a news release, “Art can tell a story, express an emotion and mirror the harmonious dance of nature.”

The gallery is at 456 Old Main St., Bradenton. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

For more info, go to www.islandgalleryandstudios. org or call the gallery at 941-778-6648.

meeting, Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-778-1383.

Most Tuesdays, noon, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island meeting, Bridge Street Bistro, 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941-718-5583.

OFF AMI

Sunday, March 10

4 p.m. — Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy Living’s Celebrate on the Circle fundraiser, Cafe L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. Fee applies. Information: 941-383-6493.

March 15, AMI Garden Club Flower Show, Anna Maria. March 16, Mote Marina Laboratory and Aquarium Party at the Pass, Sarasota.

March 21, Cheese Cake Cutie Kindness Matters Extravaganza, Holmes Beach.

March 22, Annie Silver supper, Bradenton Beach.

March 23, Suncoast Waterkeeper Suncoast Salon, Sarasota. March 23, 10th annual Hot Stove Dinner, Bradenton.

Wednesday, March 6

10 a.m. — Creative Aging: Figurative Drawing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

Wednesday, March 13

10 a.m. — Creative Aging: Figurative Drawing, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING OFF AMI

Mondays, 1 p.m., Longboat Key Paradise Center for Healthy Living Thinking Out Loud discussions, 546 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Information: 941-383-6493.

SPORTS & GAMES ON AMI

Friday, March 8

6-8 p.m. — Center of Anna Maria Island Bingo Night, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1908.

ONGOING ON AMI

Most Wednesdays, 1 p.m., mahjong club beginners, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

Thursdays, 6 p.m., through March 28, Annie Silver Community Center bingo, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach. Information: 941224-1973.

Fridays, noon, bridge, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Information: 314-324-5921.

Most Fridays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong club experienced players, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-

Music Lessons: Guitar, Bass Piano, Ukulele, Saxophone and More

778-6341.

Mondays, 10 a.m., morning yoga, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Information: 941-778-6341.

OFF AMI

Through March 25, Pirates spring training, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-747-3031.

SAVE THE DATE

April 3, Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island Golf Tournament, Bradenton.

OUTDOORS & NATURE

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

CALENDAR NOTES

KEEP THE DATES

March 8, International Women’s Day.

March 10, daylight saving time begins.

March 14, Pi Day.

March 17, St. Patrick’s Day.

A Hair Day Salon & Spa

artist cheryl Sudbury-Buerger’s work is exhibited in March at island gallery and Studios in Bradenton. islander courtesy Photo

Players’ ‘Doors’ delays open

The Island Players’ presentation of Alan Ayckbourn’s “Communicating Doors” will open March 12, and continue through Sunday, March 24.

The opening was delayed due to illness and patrons with tickets for March 7-10 will be contacted by the box office for exchanges or refunds.

Preston Boyd is directing the island production, with a cast that includes Jennifer Kwiatkowski, Rick Kopp, Joseph Smith, Dan Coppinger, Kathi Faulkner and Morgan Powis.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, is dark Monday.

The box office, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, opened Feb. 26 for in person and telephone ticket sales. Hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday and an hour before showtime. Tickets also can be purchased at theislandplayers.org.

For more, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

Auditions for ‘Woman in Black’ March 10

The Island Players will hold auditions for “The Woman in Black” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the theater, 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

Scripts can be found at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

Director Kelly Wynn Woodland is auditioning actors for the play, which will run May 2-12 and close out the 75th season.

Center starts book group

The Center of Anna Maria Island is forming an adult book club, which will hold its first monthly meeting at 2 p.m. Monday, March 11.

The first book the club will discuss is Tara Westover’s “Educated: A Memoir.”

The club will continue to meet the second Monday of the month at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

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

Models wow at garden club fashion show

aBoVe: Models take a final strut on the runway feb. 28 during the anna Maria island garden club fashion Show and Luncheon at the center of anna Maria island in anna Maria. Money raised will go toward beautification projects on the island. BeLoW Left: club treasurer annaMaria Laszlo and former club secretary carol Patterson sell raffle tickets. BeLoW right: club president Kathy Morgan-Johnson is the last model to grace the runway in the show. Morgan-Johnson also is an anna Maria commissioner. next up for the club: a flower show friday, March 15, at roser church in anna Maria. islander Photos: robyn Murrell

$2 @ The Islander, 315 58th St., HB.

Girls, girls, girls … all princesses!

Scholarship boost

Members of the Kiwanis club of anna Maria island, during a feb. 24 meeting at Bradenton Beach city hall, present $1,000 from the club foundation to the take Stock in children Scholarship fund. the donation will be matched by florida Pre Paid. Participants in the presentation include foundation president Lynn Kruse, left, foundation secretarytreasurer Sandy haas-Martens, taking Stock senior Brayan hernandez, taking Stock community liaison ann colonna and foundation VP darrel Shinn. islander courtesy Photo

AME Calendar

• Wednesday, March 6, 1:50 p.m., early release.

• Friday, March 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Boys Night Out.

• Monday, March 11, PTO Walk-A-Thon, playground.

• Thursday, March 14, end of third quarter.

• Friday, March 15, record day, no school.

• Monday, March 25-29, spring break, no school.

• Monday, April 1, students return to school.

• Saturday, April 8, 6:30 p.m., School District of Manatee County Elementary School “Spirit Night” with Bradenton Marauders, LECOM Park, Bradenton.

• Thursday, April 18, school advisory council meeting, Guy Harvey Room.

• Saturday, April 27, 6-10 p.m., PTO Spring Gala fundraiser, the Center of Anna Maria Island, Anna Maria.

AME is at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.

For more information, call the school at 941-708-5525.

— robyn Murrell

Scholarship apps due

High school seniors, don’t be tardy.

The deadlines to apply for college aid offered by two local groups are coming on fast.

The Island Players board of directors will award four $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors seeking to further their education in the arts.

Applications are at theislandplayers.org.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 15.

For more, email scholarshipcommittee@theislandplayers.org.

Also, the Center of Anna Maria Island is accepting applications from high school seniors seeking the John van Zandt Scholarship, which offers tuition assistance for young people planning a career that requires certification, licensing or apprenticeship.

Up to $5,000 is awarded annually.

Applications are due by Monday, April 1. For more, go to centerami.org or call 941778-1908.

Click! The Islander welcomes news of the milestones in readers’ lives. Send notices to news@islander.org.

Tiki & Kitty’s

It’s time you took a road trip with Tiki and Kitty to their favorite shops and boutiques in search of decor and bargains galore. Make this your year to have fun while undergoing retail therapy.

It’s your duty!

We’ll definitely make a stop 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.

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

You may want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain, antique, unique hunters. You don’t want to miss this vast collection of vendors.

Blessed and Distressed is a tastefully designed store — so inviting, you’ll want to pull up a chair — with collectibles and work by local artists at Palma Sola Square, around the corner from Winn-Dixie. It offers 30-plus vintage, upcycled, shabby chic and artsy vendors. You won’t be disappointed.

Scavengers Marketplace 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.

Your

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.”

Wed-Sat 10-5

Palma Sola Square

Winn

Dru Love, Owner

anna Maria elementary K-5 girl students and their partners — mostly dads — dance, dance, dance March 1 at the aMe-Pto annual Princess Ball. for information about Boys night out, friday, March 8, contact the Pto at amepto@gmail.com or call the school at 941-708-5525.

capt. david “dad” White and daughter Layla, an aMe first-grader, show off their dance moves for the camera at a photo backdrop created by the Parent-teacher organization for the annual Princess Ball March 1 in the school auditorium at aMe. islander Photos: courtesy david “dad” White

Gathering

By Lisa neff

Women’s lunch at St. B

The St. Bernard Women’s Guild will hold its final monthly luncheon of the season at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14, in the parish hall, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach.

A notice said, “All women are invited! Please join us!”

The program includes an update on a Honduran mission.

For more information, contact Margaret Finley at 303-588-1995.

Fashion show at chapel

The Longboat Island Chapel’s The Lord’s Warehouse Fashion Show is at noon Thursday, March 7.

The event — tickets cost $50 — includes lunch, cocktails and the fashion show featuring clothing and accessories for the chapel’s thrift store.

The church is at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

For more info, call the church at 941-383-6491.

Organ concert at LBK church

Christ Church of Longboat Key will celebrate the dedication of a new organ with a concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10.

Organist Chris Westfall will perform classic and contemporary music at the church, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The church also will host a guest preacher at the March 10 service, which is at 10 a.m. — former NFL player Rickey Bolden, who is a pastor in the Southeast Christian Fellowship and holds weekly Bible studies with congressional members.

For more info, call the church at 941-383-8833.

Roser hosts Mission Fest

Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, will host Mission Fest coinciding with morning services Sunday, March 10.

People will meet missionaries and fi nd out how to get involved.

For more information, call the church at 941778-0414.

GDL collects pajamas

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, is collecting new pajamas to donate to the Manatee County Safe Children’s Coalition through Sunday, March 17.

For more, call the church at 941-778-1813

Tidings compiled by Lisa neff THIS WEEK

Wednesday, March 6

11:30 a.m. — Alzheimer’s disease awareness program, Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941778-0414.

5:30 p.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation Lenten program, including soup suppers. Info: 941-778-1638.

Thursday, March 7

Noon — Longboat Island Chapel The Lord’s Warehouse Fashion Show, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Fee applies. Info: 941-383-6491.

Sunday, March 10

2 p.m. — Organ concert with Chris Westfall, Christ Church of Longboat Key Presbyterian USA, 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Info: 941-900-4903.

Tuesday, March 12

Noon — Roser Guild Thrift Shop Fashion Show and Luncheon, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Fee applies. Info: 941-778-0414.

Wednesday, March 13

5:30 p.m. — Episcopal Church of the Annunciation Lenten program, including potluck soup suppers. Info: 941-778-1638.

SAVE THE DATE

March 14, St. Bernard Women’s Guild Luncheon, Holmes Beach.

March 22-23, Longboat Island Chapel blood drive, LBK.

Cheesecake Cutie family fosters kindness

Cheesecake Cutie & Cafe, 3324 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, will host the second annual Kindness Matters Extravaganza 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 21.

Plans include a musical performance by Mike Sales, food and drink, fun and games and a live auction for $50 per ticket.

In addition to selling event tickets, the cafe is seeking event sponsors.

Proceeds will benefit at least five families — single-parent, foster and adoptive families — in need.

Also at the event, cafe owners Jennifer and Kane Geils, who are foster parents, will announce the launch of the One ARK Foundation and the nonprofit’s partnership with the cafe.

The One ARK mission statement, in part, says the Christ-centered organization seeks to provide children with programs that foster social skills, life skills and personal development, ultimately growing self-confidence and empowering them to leas successful adult lives.”

The foundation encourages people to be kind. One such act of kindness is for vacationers to drop off leftover food at the cafe for donations to local families in need.

For more, call the cafe at 941-779-2253 or go to cheescakecutie.com.

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

Worship: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Ongoing: Wednesdays, 7 a.m., men’s Bible meeting; Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast supper and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Blast; Fridays, 10 a.m. women’s Bible meeting.

Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638, amiannunciation.org.

Worship: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m., 10:15 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.

Ongoing: First Sundays, food bank collections; Wednesdays,

GoodDeeds

By Lisa Neff

Assistance sought on AMI

• 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 Surfrider Foundation Suncoast seeks volunteers for its beach cleanups, including one at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Beer Can Island on Longboat Key. Info: 941-504-7821.

• The Center of Anna Maria Island seeks volunteers for its beach cleanups in Anna Maria, including at 9 a.m. Saturdays, March 9, April 13 and May 4. Info: 941-778-1908.

• Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota seeks support at its Party on the Pass, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Info: 941-388-4441.

• Cheesecake Cutie and Cafe, 3324 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach, seeks support for its second annual Kindness Matters Extravaganza at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, and the new One ARK Foundation. Info: 941-779-2253.

• Suncoast Waterkeeper seeks support to celebrate World Water Day with the Suncoast Salon benefit Saturday, March 23, at a Sarasota bayfront home. Info: suncoastwaterkeeper.org.

• The Anna Maria Island Art League seeks volunteers for the Springfest Fine Arts Festival March 16-17 in Holmes Beach. Info: 419-450-4824.

• 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.

Assistance offered on AMI

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

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

— Lisa Neff

To list services on AMI or a call for help, email lisa@islander.org with details.

TIDINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

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, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., RoserRobics; Tuesdays, 2 p.m., women’s book study; first and third Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Just Older Youth group; Wednesdays through April 17, 1 p.m., GriefShare; select Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m., Mom’s Cafe; Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Holy Yoga.

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

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

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

ONGOING OFF AMI

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

Parties to benefit groups

The Suncoast Salon, a party set for 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at a Sarasota Bay residence, will raise money for Suncoast Waterkeeper and raise awareness for World Water Day.

For more information, go online to suncoastwaterkeeper.org or call 941-222-2443.

Meanwhile, Party on the Pass, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, will benefit Mote Marine Laboratory’s marine rescue and rehab programs.

Mote promises good food and good fun for a great cause.

The event will be in the courtyard at the aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island, Sarasota.

For more information, call 941-388-4441.

Cleanups focused on LBK, Anna Maria beaches

The Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter is seeking volunteers for a beach cleanup at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 9, on Beer Can Island, 100 N. Shore Road, Longboat Key.

For more information about Surfrider, go online to suncoast.surfrider.org or call 941-504-7821.

The Center of Anna Maria Island also will hold a beach cleanup March 9.

Volunteers will report to the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, and then head out for the cleanup.

For more information, call the center at 941-7781908.

Tickets for Hot Stove Dinner available

Catch this early baseball season pitch: Get a ticket to the 10th annual “Hot Stove Dinner” to support the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA and maybe see a ballplayer or two.

The limited tickets are available for the event, set for 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Bradenton Country Club, 4646 Ninth Ave. W., Bradenton, and organized by Holmes Beach couple Karla and Clint Hurdle. Clint Hurdle had a long career in Major League Baseball as a player and manager and is now serving

Dr. Lee Hoyt Miller

Lee Hoyt Miller, M.D., 87, of Cortez, died Feb. 26.

He was born Nov. 16, 1936, in Danville, Illinois, to G.L. Hoyt and LaVerne M. Miller. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Indianapolis, where, at Howe High School, he met the love of his life, Katheryn A. Wilkens. They married June 20, 1959.

Dr. Hoyt graduated in 1959 from Wabash College, where he sang first tenor with the glee club under the direction of his mentor and close friend, Bob Mitchum.

At Wabash, he was a proud member of Sigma Chi, a social fraternity. In 1963, he graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and, after completing a residency in family medicine at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, he joined Drs. Dan McLaren and Hal Williams in their practice, Devington Family Physicians.

Dr. Hoyt later formed Castleton Family Physicians with his partners. He was a staff officer at Community Hospitals of Indianapolis, where he also served as clinical director of the Family Practice Residency Program. He was a member of the Indianapolis Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, Indiana Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association and was a fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians.

He was a veteran of the Indiana National Guard, 38th Medical Battalion, and served as a medical officer during the Vietnam War.

He was a member of Millersville Masonic Lodge #126, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite and Murat Shriners. For several years, Dr. Hoyt was chairman of the medical clinic at Murat Shriners, which identified children who could benefit from medical treatment at Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

He and wife Kathy purchased a condominium in Cortez upon retirement in 2001 and began wintering in Florida, eventually becoming full-time residents.

Dr. Hoyt obtained his medical license in Florida and staffed the medical clinic for students enrolled at IMG Sports Academy at Bradenton.

as a special assistant to the general manager in the Colorado Rockies organization.

The evening will include a silent auction and raffles, as well as dinner and entertainment.

People also can attend an online version of the event.

To purchase tickets, text the keyword Hotstove2024 to 76278 or go to hotstove2024.givesmart.com.

For more information about the event and the charity, go online to pwsausa.org.

His avocation was music. He and Bob Mitchum formed the “Sound Foundation” at Carmel, Indiana. Their performances raised money to fund an annual college scholarship for teens active in music performances in high school.

In Florida, he formed and led The Sea Notes, which performed in the Bradenton area.

He was a member of Harvey Memorial Community Church in Bradenton Beach, where he sang in the choir and served as deacon, trustee and chairman of the board. He also was a member of the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.

A memorial service in Florida will be announced later. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospitals c/o Murat Shriners, 510 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis IN 46204, or to Harvey Church, 300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach FL 34217.

Dr. Hoyt is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; their children, Gregory Hoyt and wife Laura of Crawfordsville, Indiana, Julie Ann and husband John Phelps of Cortez; Kristen Lynn Ward, M.D. and husband Curt of Empire, Michigan; seven grandchildren; and a greatgranddaughter.

Kaye Bell

Kaye Bell, 82, longtime resident of Cortez, died Feb. 26.

She was a pillar in the village community, known for selfless service and dedication.

She served as president and board member for the Cortez Village Historical Society, where she played a crucial role in shaping the future and preserving the past.

She received the Pioneer Award at the Feb. 17-18 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival as recognition of her lifetime of service to the community.

A friend suggested honoring her by supporting the causes she was passionate about.

A celebration of her life is being planned for spring or summer.

Mrs. Bell is survived by sons Kevin and Nathan, both of New Port Richey; and brother Russell Glidden of Chicato.

Miller

Bell

Blue Ribbon brings arts, crafts, fun to Holmes Beach

Cake

The Kellys — Dad Shea Kelly, left, sons Finn, 8, and Oliver, 10, and daughter Cora, 6 — visiting aMI from cedar rapids, Iowa, test vibration boards made by Tampabased Vibra Plate March 2 while at the Invitational Art Show, a Blue ribbon Events arts and crafts show hosted at Holmes Beach city field.

ABOVE: Perico Bay residents Jim Foreman and wife Janine look and listen March 2 to sand-cast bronze windbells made by Pennsylvaniabased Old Town Windbells and offered at the arts and crafts show at Holmes Beach city field.

RIGHT: Friends Sandy Dinelli, middle left, aubre Duncan and Carey Fagan, right, sample skin cream — made with manuka

Beeswax Barrn co-owner Malinda Barr, right, tells patrons at her craft booth March 2 about her fire-starter strings — a string of tissue paper and beeswax. Another Blue Ribbon show is planned for Anna Maria City Pier Park, March 9-10.

honey — March 2 from Sarasota-based Manuka Gold during the arts and crafts event at city field in Holmes Beach. Islander Photos: Ryan Paice

Charges reduced in LBK

double murder case

A Port St. Lucie woman arrested earlier this year in connection with the 2017 killing of two people at the Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key faces a reduced murder charge.

Ed Brodsky, the state attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit, in February reduced four charges of firstdegree murder against Latoya Hanna to principal to murder in the second degree, a life felony charge.

Latoya Hanna is the sister of Darryl Vaughn Hanna Jr., a man arrested in August 2017 for the fatal shooting of night manager Timothy Hurley, 59, of Sarasota, and Victory Security of Florida guard Kevin Carter, 51, of Bradenton, during a robbery at the resort, 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Until January, Darryl Hanna, who suffered a stroke and traumatic brain injury while awaiting trial and was declared incompetent, was the only person arrested in connection with the killings.

But an arrest warrant executed in January alleges four people were involved in the crime: the Hannas, another man and an unnamed coconspirator who “confessed involvement in the robbery and murders and provided information about the crimes.”

The warrant alleges that Latoya Hanna rented and drove a getaway van, as well as rented a hotel room used before and after the robbery.

The warrant also alleges she was involved in a failed attempt to rob the resort July 21, 2017.

Hanna, 36, of Port St. Lucie, has remained in jail since mid-January. An arraignment will be at 8:55 a.m. March 8 at the Manatee County Judicial Center.

— Lisa Neff

Island police reports

Anna Maria

No new reports.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office polices Anna Maria.

Bradenton Beach

Feb. 25, 1800 block of Gulf Drive South, revoked license. A Bradenton Beach police officer responded to an incident involving a motorist who had a verbal argument with Manatee County employees working at the Coquina South Boat Ramp. The officer located the motorist and determined he was driving with a revoked license. The man was arrested and taken to the Manatee County jail.

The BBPD polices Bradenton Beach.

Cortez

Feb. 22, 10100 block of Cortez Road West, vandalism. A sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of vandalism. A complainant said someone broke into apartments and flooded a room. The officer issued a case number and filed an incident report.

the

2023.

paraphernalia/suspended license. A Holmes Beach police offi cer responded to reports of a suspicious person and found a woman who appeared to be under the influence behind the wheel of a parked vehicle. The woman’s license was suspended. So the officer arrested her and searched her fanny pack, which contained a glass pipe. Another pipe was found inside her vehicle, along with hypodermic needles. The woman was transported to the Manatee County jail.

Feb. 24, D Coy Ducks, 5410 Marina Drive, trespass warning. An officer responded to reports of an intoxicated and aggressive patron. The officer found a staff member restraining a man who, according to staff, started swinging at them after he was told to leave. The officer supervised as the staff member issued a trespass warning to the man, then gave him a ride home.

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

Feb. 29, 4000 block of 124th Street West, overdose. A deputy and county emergency medical services responded to reports of an overdose. A woman was administered Narcan and revived. She was taken to HCA Blake Hospital in Bradenton.

The MCSO polices Cortez.

Holmes Beach

Feb. 23, Domino’s Pizza, 5606 Marina Drive, drug

Feb. 25, Holmes Beach Police Department, 5801 Marina Drive, suspicious circumstance. A man entered the HBPD to report that he believed his ex-wife had been poisoning him during their marriage. He said he was very sick and visited a doctor, who said he was being poisoned with arsenic. He said he only recently started feeling better but wanted to report the situation to police. An officer advised the man to speak with a detective if he wanted to pursue the allegation.

Holmes Beach Police Department polices Holmes Beach.

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

MCSO introduces new AM deputy Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Belt, left, introduces Deputy Mike Lesselroth, right, Feb. 22, as the Anna Maria substation’s newest member. Belt said Lesselroth has served with the MCSO for 19 years and began working in

city in December

Islander Photo: ryan Paice

Proposed Bradenton Beach pier changes spark debate

By Robert Anderson

Islander reporter

A Bradenton Beach meeting Feb. 28 saw some pushback between pier-based restaurant owner John Horne and city officials.

Horne spoke to city staff and officials during a Bradenton Beach Pier Team meeting about potential changes at the Historic Bridge Street Pier, 200 Bridge St.

The group gathered — Mayor John Chappie, city attorney Ricinda Perry, building official Darin Cushing, public works director Tom Woodard, police Chief John Cosby and representatives from pier businesses — addressed possible alterations to the pier facade and maintenance.

Representing We’re Back Inc., the parent company of AMOB, Horne presented “Pier Cheer,” outlining proposed signage upgrades, public art and more.

Horne’s proposal follows the 2023 revision of a concession agreement in which the city allowed AMOB to expand to 1,400 square feet, including a drink station and exclusive rights to alcohol sales on the pier.

The agreement also allowed for the installation of three tiki hut-like covered tables along the pier entrance railing, a decorative fence adorned with crab trap and buoy motifs and photo-op frames with views of the city anchorage area and Sarasota Bay.

During the Feb. 28 meeting, Horne proposed creat-

ing a hand-painted mural to serve as a selfie station and an educational tool, with environmental information sourced from Mote Marine Laboratory displayed on the mural.

Horne also proposed educational signage promoting safe boating, a painted corral for dumpsters and the installation of historical markers.

Not all aspects of Horne’s “Pier Cheer” vision were unanimously cheered.

Chappie expressed reservations with the design and placement of signage, as well as the corral.

“I called the pier team back together after all the issues that I saw that have developed over the years at the pier,” Chappie said. “The signs, that’s an issue for me. How many signs and the color scheme. I don’t want to distract from the natural beauty of what is there.”

Chappie said Horne’s proposed signage for the drink station includes a food menu, which was not agreed upon by the commission in April 2023.

“This was presented as a drink station,” Perry said. She said it could be presented again to the commission, but the pier team could not authorize the change.

Cosby suggested fine-tuning the ideas.

“If you are going to ask for a change in use and you are going to serve food, then present the signs at the time,” Cosby said.

Horne said AMOB would request a presentation at the city meeting at noon Thursday, March 21, at city

hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.

In addition to AMOB’s proposals, Sherman Baldwin of Paradise Boat Tours and Adrienne Cardinale of Shore Thing Tiki Cruises, said there might be a need to control the amount of time boats occupy slips at the finger docks at the pier.

“We want to be absolutely responsible boat tour operators,” Cardinale said. “We work really hard to make sure that everyone follows the rules.”

She said it might be necessary for the city to post 30-minute limits for loading and unloading to keep the docks clear for other boaters.

The idea was met with support from the team.

John Horne, owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, addresses the Bradenton Beach pier team Feb. 28. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

County force main work results in property damages at condo

By Ryan Paice Islander reporter

Manatee County’s new force main and water lines in Holmes Beach are nearly finished.

But a recent stretch of water line tie-ins might have resulted in damages for one community.

North Beach Village Homeowners Association president Rick Johnson told The Islander March 1 that the county project might have caused a water leak and other issues for the community that could cost up to $40,000 to repair.

Sarasota-based Spectrum Underground began the $3,492,035.25 project in March 2022.

The project has involved new PVC piping along 4,000 feet of 16-inch force main on Holmes Boulevard and 1,100 feet of 8-inch force main on 58th Street.

Work has included replacing services and upsizing potable water lines from 2-inch and 4-inch diameters to 6-inch diameter pipes.

Construction was projected to end in November 2022 but work was delayed multiple times and it has bogged down traffic and local business in the area.

For more than two years, Spectrum has laid, connected and tested the pipelines, as well as repaved stretches of impacted roadway.

The contractor was set to complete water tie-ins at several intersections along Holmes Boulevard by the end of February but some issues arose while addressing that work.

North Beach Village Homeowners Association vice president Richard Erikson told The Islander Feb. 29 that a water line leak appeared near the community’s entrance Feb. 19 while the contractor was performing water tie-ins.

“When they connected it to our community on the northern side, we immediately had a water leak,” Erikson said.

The leak began as a “pinky-sized spout,” resulting in noticeable standing water, according to Johnson.

At the same time, water pressure busted the lines

which inspected the leak Feb. 23 and deployed a crew to begin repairs Feb. 25.

The contractor excavated the water line and located one leak, which was repaired March 1, but found another leak about 10 feet further into the community.

Acree was working to repair that leak as of March 1.

In the meantime, it’s unclear if the county will reimburse the community for repairs, which began at less than $15,000 but could run up to $40,000, according to Johnson.

Johnson said Acree had been “noncommittal” about naming the county’s work as the reason for the leak, but added that the timing of the leak was “way too coincidental” to ignore.

He said county staff had recovered parts of the leaking pipeline for inspection to determine if Spectrum’s work caused the damage, but county assistance in paying for repairs remains to be determined.

In the meantime, Johnson said the city of Holmes Beach and the county had sent staff to check in with the community and address the damages.

“It is what it is,” Johnson said. “All in all, I don’t feel bad about it. These guys are all working hard. The county’s here, the city’s here, they’re doing everything they can.”

After the contractor has finished installing manhole linings, grouting abandoned water and sewer lines, as well as striping the roadway, the project will enter its restoration phase.

to at least two toilets in units in the community, temporarily disabling them.

The HOA hired Tampa-based Acree Plumbing,

During restoration, county staff and the contractor will walk the site and compile a list of restoration items, which will be coordinated with the city of Holmes Beach.

Project manager Brett Gocka did not respond to a March 1 email from The Islander.

Bollards and caution tape block off damage Feb. 29 from a leaking water pipe at community mailboxes and entry way to North Beach Village, 6250 Holmes Blvd., Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Courtesy Richard Erikson

Center football enters playoffs, condos challenge in pickleball

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander reporter

The regular season games concluded last week and the seeds are set for playoffs in the youth and adult flag football leagues at the Center of Anna Maria Island.

cassidy

In the youth league, Moss Builders finally lost a game, but still clinched the No. 1 seed in the 8-10 division with a 6-1 record, just ahead of 6-1 Cheesecake Cutie via a tiebreaker. Sato Real Estate and Adrian Griffi n Interiors, with 5-2 records nailed down the third and fourth seeds respectively. Chick-fil-A and Solid Rock Construction finished fifth and sixth, while Beach House and Am I Coconuts follow at seventh and eighth seeds.

The playoffs for the 8-10s will kick off March 5.

The 11-14 division also wrapped up its season and Moss Builders at 7-0 nailed down the No. 1 seed with a perfect run. Shady Lady Horticultural Services and Solid Rock Air Conditioning finished at 5-2, Shady Lady earned second by a tiebreaker. Solid Rock AC came in third, just ahead of 4-3 Solid Rock Electrical. HSH Designs finished at 3-4 for the No. 5 spot, while Progressive Cabinetry and Wings N Things followed as sixth and seventh seeds. Freckled Fin will enter the playoffs as No. 8 seed.

The 11-14 playoffs also get started March 5.

The week saw the 11-14 Solid Rock AC earn a 24-22 come-from-behind victory over Wings N Things behind four TD passes from Hayen Eurice. Isaac Roadman was his favorite target, finishing with eight catches, including two for TDs. Bella Roadman and Luke Willing both finished with TD catches in the victory.

Renan Kesten passed for two touchdowns for Wings N Things, which received TD receptions from Callin Westfall and Ryk Kesten, who also scored on a pick six. Greyson Savchuk completed the scoring with a pair of extra points in the loss.

In other 11-14 action Feb. 27, HSH Designs outlasted Progressive Cabinetry 38-37 thanks to six TD passes from Tanner Miller. Moss Builders cruised to a 35-14 victory over Solid Rock Electrical and Shady Lady obliterated Freckled Fin 52-6.

Wings N Things quarterback Ryk Kesten just gets his pass off to teammate Callin Westfall Feb. 27 before Solid Rock Air Conditioning defender Bella Roadman pulls his flag during 11-14 division flag football action at the Center of Anna Maria Island.

Islander Photos: Kevin P. Cassidy

Regular season action in the 8-10 division concluded Feb. 26 with Sato cruising to a 34-6 victory over Am I Coconuts, followed by Adrian Griffin Interiors handing Moss Builders its first loss with a 6-0 score. The third game saw Cheesecake Cutie ease past Beach House by an 18-12 score, while the game of the night saw Chick-fil-A defeat Solid Rock Construction 22-19 behind a pair of TD passes from Prince Izear to Ruby Kesten. Nolan Anderson scored a TD run while Kesten and Parker Svoboda scored an extra point each.

Adult flag football action

Regular season play in the adult league at the community center came to a close Feb. 29 with four games. Floridian Mortgage earned the No. 1 seed with a 6-1 record with Moss Builders at 5-2 right behind them. Sandbar Restaurant, Salty Printing and Solid Rock Construction all finished with 4-3 records, but

Center registering for youth, adult soccer leagues

The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, is registering adults and kids for its next soccer season.

The youth season will begin Monday, April 1, with evaluations for kids 11-14 at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, and for kids 8-10 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. There is no evaluation for younger players.

Games will be Mondays and Tuesdays.

Registration — due by Friday, March 15 — costs

$20 for members, $150 for nonmembers.

Registration for adults is required by Friday, March 8, followed by a draft Wednesday, March 13.

The season will start March 28, with games played Thursday nights.

The cost to play is $20 for members, $130 for nonmembers.

For more information, call the center at 941-7781908 or go to centerami.org.

tiebreakers put Sandbar at No. 3, Salty Printing No. 4 and Solid Rock Construction No. 5. Slim’s Place finished 3-4 at No. 6 seed, while 2-5 Gulf Drive Cafe and 0-7 Edible Cookie Dough Cafe earned No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.

The adult playoffs will also kick off March 5.

Gulf Drive Cafe defeated Sandbar 27-14 to open the action Feb. 29, followed by Floridian Mortgage’s 32-13 victory over Salty Printing. Slim’s Place outscored Edible Cookie Dough 57-33, but the game of the week was Moss Builders’ 34-29 victory over Solid Rock Construction.

Ryan Moss threw two TD passes and added a TD reception to go along with a pair of extra points to lead the Moss offense. Jonathan Moss also had a big day, finishing with three TD passes. Jesse Skipper finished with two TD grabs for Moss, which also received TD catches from Evelyn Long and Ed Moss.

Dominick Otteni threw four TD passes for Solid Rock, which also received two TD catches from Derrick Carey and a TD each from Rex Kesten and James Roadman in the loss.

Pickleball tourney played

Westbay Point & Moorings and the Shell Point condominium communities in Holmes Beach got together Feb. 24 for their second annual pickleball scramble and potluck picnic.

Liz Montgomery and Jim Carver took first place in the pickleball challenge, just ahead of second-place finisher Norm Ducharme. Bret Kehl and Loren Hancock finished in third place for the day.

After the tournament, residents gathered for a potluck buffet that included pizza donated by Pizzano’s Pizza & Grinderz. Prizes for the challenge were donated by area businesses, including Hurricane Hanks, Fifty Three Fifty, Freckled Fin Irish Pub, Slim’s Place, Breakfast at Victoria’s, Chateau AMI, Ugly Grouper, Duffy’s Tavern, Chiles Hospitality and Island Fresh Market.

Horseshoe pitchers run hot

Three teams advanced from pool play and settled things in a playoff during Feb. 28 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.

Rod Bussey and Steve Kriebel drew the bye into the finals and watched as Tim Sofran and Tom Farrington advanced with a 23-10 victory over Bob Rowley and Bob Lee. The Sofran-Farrington team stayed hot in the final and cruised to a 22-7 victory over Bussey-Kriebel.

There were three teams in the playoffs at the March 2 games with the team of Rowley and Sofran drawing the bye into the finals. The team of Adin Shank and Bob Heiger advanced with a 21-7 victory over Del Reese and Ron Gagnon, but Rowley and Sofran won the day’s bragging rights with a 23-5 victory over Shank and Heiger.

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

March sparks springtime bite on variety of local species

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander reporter

As the month of March roars in, Anna Maria Island anglers are preparing for the springtime bite.

Stasny

Although species such as sheepshead, pompano and black drum are present and being caught on live shrimp, many anglers are switching to live shiners as bait to target spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, snook and redfish.

Determined anglers are carrying shrimp and shiners as bait to fish the species they encounter.

The opening day of snook season March 1 has head out to their favorite snook spots in search of a slot-size linesider.

With water temps in the low to mid 60s, many snook are still in their wintertime hiding places and the ones that are on the move might take a little coaxing to get on the hook.

Fishing afternoon tides, when the water has reached its highest temperature, is advantageous. In many instances, just a few degrees can make a difference in the feeding habits of early spring snook.

If you’re fishing morning tides, look around the deeper grass flats of Tampa Bay south to Sarasota Bay to find schools of spotted seatrout. Free-lining live shiners with the addition of a split-shot to the rig is quite effective in catching trout.

You might encounter jack crevalle, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel in the mix, adding some variety to the bite.

SPORTS FrOM PaGE 20

There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

Key Royale golf news

The Key Royale Club couples golf tournament that concluded Feb. 24 began with 34 couples playing a modified-Pinehurst scoring format. Accumulating four scores over six weeks of action, the team of Monica and Eric Lawson took first place followed by Terry Taylor and Rob Perkins. Carol and Wayne Patterson took third place followed by fourth-place finishers Lisa Edmonds and Tony Donnelly.

Leigh Brattain won the putting contest for the women, while Tom Nelson won for the men. Jim Hitchen won the closest-to-the-pin competition on the third hole, while Larry Brattain won on the eighth hole. Helen Pollock won closest to the rope line on the fifth

Westbay Point & Moorings and Shell Point condominium pickleball players in Holmes Beach gather Feb. 24 for their second annual pickleball scramble and potluck picnic. The tournament winners are Liz Montgomery

And, for those using live shrimp is bait, there are opportunities to catch sheepshead around the piers, bridges, wrecks and reefs. We should be seeing a large influx of sheepies in Tampa Bay, supplying us with a good late-season bite.

Targeting species like pompano are a good option as they love to devour shrimp in their path.

On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding myself all over the place depending on what the winds and tides provide. On days with light winds from the east, I’m venturing into the Gulf with live shrimp in the bait well to fish ledges and reefs. Hogfish, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, porgies, flounder and Key West grunts are all on the menu.

hole, while Rich Salzburg took the prize for the men. Following the event, all enjoyed a buffet luncheon and refreshments on the patio.

The men played their weekly modified-Stableford match Feb. 26. Bill Shuman carded a plus-6, a point better than second-place finisher Marty Hicks.

The women played their weekly nine-hole, individual low-net match Feb. 27. Linda Dorsey and Margret Layh tied for the top spot in Flight A with matching 1-over-par 33s.

Gloria LaDue’s 3-under-par 29 was the low-net round of the day, good for first place in Flight B. Members played a scramble/shamble combo to a par 42 to close out the week of golf Feb. 29. The team of Leigh Brattain, Gary Risner, Bill Shuman and Quentin Talbert combined on a 4-under-par 38 to win the day’s proceedings.

Karen and George Spinella, snowbirds visiting for the winter from upstate New York, show off a pair of permit they caught while using live shrimp for bait 3 miles offshore the morning of March 1 on a guided fishing trip with Capt. David White of Anna Maria Charters.

On breezier days, I’m patrolling the deeper flats in Tampa Bay for spotted seatrout. The fish are taking shrimp, shiners and artificials, such as soft plastics.

On the warmer days, I’m experimenting with targeting snook, which has been a hit-or-miss affair. One day they bite really well, while on other days they seem to be less motivated.

Capt. Johnny Mattay is impressed with the inshore bite while fishing in Tampa Bay. Fishing over deep grass with live shiners as bait is yielding Mattay’s clients many spotted seatrout as well as Spanish mackerel. Both species are readily taking baits, which is providing good action for Mattay and his anglers.

Moving to shallower flats, using live shiners is yielding good action. Both redfish and snook are responding to free-lined baits when cast along the edges of the mangroves.

For the offshore bite, Mattay is venturing into the Gulf of Mexico in search of red grouper, amberjack and mangrove snapper. Using live pinfish, frozen sardines and squid as bait in depths of 80-100 feet is leading to a number of hookups as well as fish for dinner in the cooler.

Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says anglers using live shrimp as bait are finding action on sheepshead and black drum. With the water being clear, Malfese suggests using a light leader and a small hook to trick the fish into biting. He adds that snook are in abundance under the pier and are quite visible in the clear water.

Bait such as threadfin herring and shiners are congregating around the pier, which might attract more migratory fish, such as macks, ladyfish and jack crevalle.

Capt. David White says he’s finding good action along the beaches where his clients are casting live shrimp as bait. Species such as pompano, black drum and sheepshead are being caught most days.

Switching to live shiners as bait works to find a bite and he’s putting his anglers on spotted seatrout and macks over the deep grass areas. An occasional jack crevalle or ladyfish also is being caught.

On the shallower flats, White has his clients targeting snook and redfish, which are being taken along the mangrove shoreline. Lastly, while fishing offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, White is finding action on red grouper and mangrove snapper, as well as hogfish.

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

Capt. Mike Greig

and Jim Carver.

Islander Courtesy Photo

Nesting notes

By Masha Dolgoff

Tabulating turtle strandings

Sea turtle nesting season is less than two months away, but Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring’s stranding and salvage team advises beachgoers to keep their eyes on the shoreline.

Sea turtle strandings — when a sick, injured or dead sea turtle drifts close to land or washes ashore — can occur at any time.

Why do sea turtles strand?

Foundation awards FISH grant

The Florida Institute for Saltwater heritage is receiving a grant to improve the FISH Preserve, 4404 116th St. W., Cortez. The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation of Sarasota announced in mid-February a $165,000 grant to construct bridges, paths, a picnic area and a kiosk in the preserve. The foundation supports education, humanitarian causes, arts, culture, environment and medical endeavors. The grant is to enhance access to the 95-acre preserve, a buffer to development adjacent to the fishing village. Islander Photo: Robert anderson

shark bites, viral or parasitic infection, diseases, red tide and cold water temperatures.

Earlier in February, AMITW released its annual strandings report, which said the stranding and salvage team responded to 20 calls for strandings in 2023.

“The good thing about strandings is that they can also be live turtles,” Karen Anderson, volunteer and stranding coordinator for AMITW, said Feb. 13. “We get there as quick as we can for any stranding if we don’t know if it’s dead or alive.”

If there’s a chance the turtle might survive, Anderson’s team takes the animal to the closest rehab facility.

“We’ve had several that we have rescued,” she said about their progress this year.

If the case involves a deceased turtle, the team evaluates for factors that could have led to its demise.

The first step is to determine its species.

On Feb. 12, Anderson responded to a call for a turtle, likely a green, with no sign of shock wounds or entanglement that could signal human interference.

If further analysis is necessary, AMITW will send the turtle to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for a necropsy.

As for when AMITW will begin patrolling for the 2024 nesting season, Anderson said it’s all down to the temperature of the water and Kristen Mazzarella, AMITW executive director.

The traditional period for nesting season is May 1-Oct. 31 but last year AMITW started monitoring April 15 and identified the first AMI nest April 18.

An early sign of nesting for AMI is when the sea turtles start nesting south of the island in Charlotte County.

Then, they make their way northward to Siesta, Lido, and Longboat keys and eventually, Anderson said, “they make their jump across the bridge.”

While waiting for nesting season, Anderson on behalf of AMITW, encouraged people to report strandings to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-4043922.

‘Blockbuster’ summer?

With about 100 days to go before the start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, I was filling a notebook page with soft storm-related story ideas.

By Lisa Neff Neff

I thought about inviting professional chefs on AMI to share their best storm supper recipes and resurrecting my list of favorite hurricanethemed films.

I thought about polling you all on the must-have item in your readiness kit and polling first-responders on the oddest item they’ve seen floating in floodwaters.

Why not have a little fun writing about hurricane season? I thought.

And then a concerning early look at the 2024 season published on AccuWeather.com took the wind out of my enterprise.

The AccuWeather report headline was loaded with attention-grabbing words: “super-charged,” “alarm bells,” “blockbuster” because, their experts said, “all of the ingredients are coming together for explosive tropical development in the Atlantic this year.”

Our hurricane season runs June 1-Nov. 30 and to issue a caution so early is out of the ordinary.

The AccuWeather experts were taking two factors into account — the expected return of La Nina this summer and historically warm water across the Atlantic Ocean.

• La Nina: AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter said the El Nino pattern in place is expected to transition into a La Nina pattern in the second half of the season.

La Nina’s effects, often opposite of El Nino’s, can mean more tropical storms in the Atlantic due to reduced wind shear. Wind shear is what tears apart hurricanes.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center in February issued an “El Nino Advisory/ La Nina Watch” that said there is a 79% chance of a transition from El Nino to a neutral state by April-

June and a 55% chance of La Nina developing JuneAugust.

“Even though forecasts made through the spring season tend to be less reliable, there is a historical tendency for La Nina to follow strong El Nino events,” the center said.

La Nina was building during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, when there were 31 tropical systems. And La Nina was established in 2020, when there also were 31 tropical systems.

• Historically warm water: Warm water is hurricane fuel and AccuWeather reported “all signs are pointing toward potentially record-shattering warmth across the Atlantic hurricane basin during the summer and fall.”

In February, water temperatures across the Atlantic

Protections sought for horseshoes

Horseshoe crabs at the water’s edge. The Center for Biological Diversity and other groups petitioned the federal government in mid-February seeking protection for the species under the Endangered Species Act. Horseshoe crabs are body-armored arthropods with 10 eyes and long, spiked tails. Each spring along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, the crabs lay eggs in beach spawning events. They are harvested for bait in commercial whelk and eel fisheries. Biomedical companies also harvest crabs for their blue blood, which is used to detect toxins in drugs and medical devices. Habitat loss is another threat.

Islander Photo: Courtesy Gregory Breese/USFWS

were where they typically are in early summer and the temps will only rise.

AccuWeather won’t release its hurricane season forecast until later this month, which will be followed by Colorado State University’s forecast April 4 and then the federal government’s forecast in May.

The expert’s outlook can change.

And perhaps my outlook will change, or soften before the season hits.

Maybe I will solicit chefs — and readers, too — for those favorite storm recipes.

Did you know?

An average year in the Atlantic basin has 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

2024 Atlantic basin storm names, pronunciations

Alberto (al-BAIR toe)

Beryl (BEHR-ril)

Chris (kris)

Debby (DEH-bee)

Ernesto (er-NES-toh)

Francine (fran-SEEN)

Gordon (GOR-duhn)

Helene (heh-LEEN)

WE ROCK ONLINE

islander.org

Isaac (EYE-zik)

Joyce (joyss)

Kirk (kurk)

Leslie (LEHZ-lee)

Milton (MIL-ton)

Nadine (nay-DEEN)

Oscar (AHS-kur)

Patty (PAT-ee)

Rafael (rah-fah-ELL)

Sara (SAIR-uh)

Tony (TOH-nee)

Valerie (VAH-lur-ee)

William (WILL-yum)

Source: National Hurricane center

$2

Direct: 941.713.5458

Email: Shellie.Young@PremierSIR.com

New

Shellie Young, PA, MCNS, IARP, CLHMS Million Dollar Guild

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

Servicing Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key & Waterfront Properties

Waterfront custom-home built by Gagne Construction with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, generator, 500-gallon gas tank, solar panels, elevator servicing all three floors, rooftop deck and 50-foot dock! Located amongst the few canals at the north end of Anna Maria with no bridges to open water. A truly magnificent home for you and your family.

ITEMS FOR SALE

OLIVE OIL FROM my farm in Greece. Olive oil is from olive fruit, not from seeds. Wine bottle size (750ml), $19. Delivered to your AMI address. 203-942-8399.

NO STAIRS TO front door: Selling one-year-old electric lift. Trust-t-lift holds 7,000 pounds. $5,000, new, asking $2,500. Call 941-896-6411.

WHITE VINYL ABOVE-ground pool ladder. Excellent condition, $49. White aluminum screen door 36-inches, $49. 941-778-5542.

BOSU HOME GYM, $50, exercise ball, $25, side tables, round, glass top, 2/$19, black chairs, soft leather 2/$20. 941-920-2494.

PADDLE BOAT SEATS, two, $100, firm. Palmetto, 813-727-8573.

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

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BRIDGE PLAY AT Roser Hall: Noon on Fridays. Call 314-324-5921.

GARAGE SALES

ROYAL RUMMAGE SALE XVI: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friday, March 8, $5 admission and 9 a.m.-noon

Saturday, March 9, free admission. Longboat Key’s biggest and best. St. Mary Star of The Sea, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

TRANSPORTATION

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

2009 CLUB CAR: Customized, street legal. $4,200. Call 813-685-5530.

BOATS & BOATING

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

SUNCOAST BOTTOM PAINTING: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. call 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. 772486-8085.

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

21-FOOT CUDDY cabin: Deep V hull, V6 225hp, Evinrude, Garmin navigation and tandem trailer. $15,000 or best offer. 941-356-1456.

UNIQUE, ONE-OF-a-kind, factory custom 2001 45-foot Trident Tri-Toon. Bar, heat/air, twin engines. USCG Inspected, 21 passengers with crew. Endless possibilities for an Individual or addition to existing business. $149,900.

HELP WANTED

ADD THE SEA Swimwear in Holmes Beach seeks part-time retail associate. Flexible hours. Please, call 941-254-7938. or mn20@sbcglobal.net

AMI TURTLE WATCH OFFICE ASSISTANT. 20 hours/week. Work from home in vicinity of AMI. Scheduling, inventory, purchasing, data entry, website. Local travel required. Email director@ islandturtlewatch.com.

SMUGGLER’S COVE/GULF Stream beach resort: Receptionist/activity person needed. Three days during the week and Saturday, 30-36 hours per week. Please, call 941-779-2804 for more details.

A/C SERVICE TECH: Seasoned, able to work well with others. Input is appreciated, hard work is rewarded, salary negotiable. 40-plus hour work week, paid holidays and vacations. West coast air conditioning and heating, Inc. 941778-9622.

A/C INSTALLER: CHANGE outs experienced. High work ethical standards a must. Year-round work, no layoffs, benefits. West Coast Air Conditioning and heating, Inc. 941-778-9622.

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. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org.

KIDS FOR HIRE

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

HEALTH CARE

SEASONAL: RETIRED RN with over 20 years’ experience can assist with your family members or yourself, can provide care and skilled needs. Please, contact me for further inquiries at 973819-2824.

SERVICES

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

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

PRESSURE WASHING, PAVER sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-565-3931.

BICYCLE REPAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-8967884.

API’S DRYWALL REPAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941-5248067 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.

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

U PLUS ME LLC: Provides quality coatings for pool decks, driveways, garage floors, patios. Don’t miss out on our pro polishing services, concrete, terrazzo, travertine. 727-623-5050.

HANDYMAN: ISLAND BASED. Looking for small jobs the other guys turn down. Call 616-3044187, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PRIVATE CAREGIVER: DO You need help with groceries, doctors’ appointments, cleaning, care for pet, care for elderly or companion. I am looking for a part-time job. I have references and very experienced. I have integrity and I can help you and your loved ones with anything! Sparkles, 941-704-9948.

AFFORDABLE PRESSURE WASHING and vacation cleaning service. 941-356-1456.

GORILLA DRYWALL REPAIR LLC. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. Give us a call at 941-286-0607.

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-9203840.

BEACH SERVICE air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill Eller, 941-720-7411. cac184228.

LAWN & GARDEN

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

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

GRIFFIN’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

ISLAND HANDYMAN: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-9622874.

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

LOOKING FOR ANY home improvement?

JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.

SOUTHWEST HOME IMPROVEMENT: Michigan builder, quality work guaranteed. Affordable, timely, within budget. Call Mike’s cell, 1-616-204-8822.

BMF INTERIORS: HOME repairs and more, no job too small. 786-318-8585.

TILE-TILE-TILE: LVT vinyl flooring, all variations of porcelain and ceramic tile supplied and installed. Total bathroom remodels. Many Mt. Vernon references. Licensed and insured. Operations manager, 941-226-9671.

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

RENTALS

ANNA MARIA GULF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941-778-3143.

PERICO ISLAND PATIO home for rent. 3BR/2BA, 30-day minimum. Privacy fence/gate, two miles to AMI. Now leasing May through December, 2024. Call or text, 859-771-6423. http://pericoislandrental.com/

AVAILABLE NOW AND season: 1BR/1BA, sevennight minimum. carlesvacationrentals.com Special rates are available. 941-807-1405.

ACROSS FROM BAY, Two miles to Anna Maria. 2BR/1BA fully furnished. Available April. All utilities, washer/dryer. $3,900 month. Family owned. 941-773-1552.

AVAILABLE ANNUAL RENTAL: 3BR/2BA raised duplex in Holmes Beach. Great location. $4,000 per month. Phone, 941-778-4410 or 941-5181018.

SEASONAL OR ANNUAL: Furnished 2BR/1.5BA, bottom floor unit. Beach access and two pools. 55-plus. 5400 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. 847769-9080.

ANNUAL RENTAL: KEY Royale: 2BR/2BA, twocar garage, boat lift. Canal home $6,500/month. Phone, 813-624-2664.

RENTALS Continued

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO rent all-inclusive executive office space in Holmes Beach. Great frontage and advertisement visibility. Great for realtors, contractors, accountants, lawyers, etc. Electric and water included. Two offices available. Suite 101, approximately 200 sf. $700/month $500 deposit. Suite 106, approximately 400 sf. $750/ month. $500 deposit. 5386 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Contact Bill at 941-746-8666.

PERICO BAY CLUB: Deluxe villa. 2BR/2BA and garage. Off-season rate starting April. Also, January 2025 available. Call for rates and times. Real Estate Mart, 941-356-1456.

SIX-MONTH RENTAL: Available November 2024 – May 2025. Spacious first floor 3BR/2BA with double carport under condo. Sleeps six. Cable and Internet provided. One block to Manatee Public Beach. Heated pool and pickleball/tennis court. $5,300/month, no additional taxes. 563370-2900 for video link. Holmes Beach.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND: 55-plus community in Bradenton Beach. Totally remodeled 2BR/1.5BA, ground-level cottage with adjacent parking. Stacked washer and dryer, three air/heat mini split s. Heated pool on site. Pickleball courts one block away. Gulf is 300 steps and bay, 200 steps from your porch. Rent includes all utilities and WIFI. Annual rent $2,500/month. Six-month rent is $4,000/month. No smoking and no pets. Call Tim, 507-382-8880.

ANNUAL RENTAL: FURNISHED or unfurnished. 2BR/1BA back-to back duplex. Two miles to beach near Cortez village across from bay. $1,995 per month includes water, basic internet and TV. Locally owned. 941773-1552.

ANNUAL RENTAL: HOLMES Beach. Beautiful 3BR/2BA on canal. Available May 1. Garage, washer, dryer, outdoor pergola, dock, boat hoist. $3,800/month plus utilities. Text/call, 231-6706697.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND: 3BR/2BA on canal. Fiveminute walk to beautiful beach. Available March 8-17 and March 27-Aug. 1. $2,100/week plus $200 cleaning fee. Text/call, 231-670-6697.

AFFORDABLE 2BR/1BA FURNISHED condo. 55-plus, community pool. Six-month lease. $1,100/month. Real Estate Mart, 941-3561456.

LUXURIOUS ANNA MARIA Island condo for rent. Upgraded granite/ stainless-steel kitchen. Incredible water views through floorlength windows. Waterfront patio. Luxury furnishings. 2BR/2BA. King beds. Pool, tennis, walk to the beach. Private carport. Monthly rental, May to November. Owner/renter. Flexible terms. 570-239-0431. marketreps@aol. com

REAL ESTATE

WINNIE MCHALE, REALTOR, 941-5046146. rosebay International realty Inc. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams come True.”

WEST BRADENTON CONDO: resort lifestyle, ground-floor 2BR//2BA. Garage. 6.5 miles, 14 minutes from Gulf beaches. $264,900. Call or text, 941-725-4374.

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

Wicked expansion

isl biz

By Robyn Murrell

Wicked Cantina owners Mike and Janice Dolan opened their third restaurant Feb. 29 at 3650 Tyrone Blvd. N., St. Petersburg.

The couple opened their first restaurant in Bradenton Beach in 2014 and then a second location in Sarasota in 2017.

Janice Dolan, in an email to The Islander Feb. 27, said, “We’re excited to open in St. Petersburg this week after looking for a location in that area for the past seven years or so.”

She added, “The new restaurant will have the same menu offerings as the Anna Maria Island location, as well as vegan and gluten-free options.”

Dolan said there’s plenty to see while sipping on a margarita: “The decor in St. Pete is modern and artsy, incorporating ‘found’ items, upscale seating and elaborate wall tiles.”

She added, “We collaborated with artist Derek

Enjoy open water views of the bay from this 3BR/2.5BA home on deep water with a boat dock. Open floorplan, panoramic water views, spacious screened lanai and in-ground pool. Watch marine life, boats and the opening of the bridge from the comforts of this beautiful, waterfront home. Key Royale offers a 9-hole golf course, restaurant and bar with club membership. $3,575,000

Stunning 2BR/3BA, ground-level home at the north end of the Island. Located on a serene, mangrove-lined canal, completely remodeled with top -of-the-line amenities and tasteful decor. Hop on your boat for a day of fishing, or enjoy watching manatees from the dock. Spacious, screened lanai, turnkey furnishings and just a short walk to the beach! $1,495,000

Call Marianne Norman-Ellis (941) 685-3393

restaurant.”

The restaurant hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, as well as happy hour noon–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday and all day Sunday. There is live music 6-9 p.m. daily.

For more information, contact the restaurant at 727-287-2794 or go to wickedcantina.com.

It’s 9 a.m. somewhere

Whose idea was it to have Bortell’s Lounge open at 7 a.m.?

That would be owner Steve Rose. And previous owners, who set the traditional early morning call.

However, in seeking more beauty rest, Rose changed the hours and Bortell’s, 10002 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, will open at 9 a.m., not 7 a.m.

“There’s just not a lot of business on this side of the island at 7 a.m.,” he told The Islander Feb. 29. “So we’re going to go to 9 for a while and serve some bloody marys at 9.”

Rose also has closed the bar’s kitchen.

According to bortells.com, the lounge, which has been a popular gathering place since 1977, is going back to its roots as a bar.

After the announcement Feb. 20, fans of the lounge took to its Facebook page, urging Bortell’s to keep pizza on the menu.

For now, it’s gone.

But Rose said he is considering bringing it back along with some new items.

“Pizza is on my list, as well as barbecue,” he said. “Part of the reason I’m monkeying with pizza is that I really want to do a slightly different style of pizza. And it’s going to require me to buy a new oven. And that’s one of my considerations right now.”

The bar still serves its signature hot dogs.

Rose bought the lounge in 2016 and closed it in 2018 for renovations, giving it a new look in 2021, as well as the addition of a kitchen.

The bar’s hours are 9 a.m.-11 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-midnight weekends.

To reach Bortell’s, call 941-778-5487.

AMI sells at Bealls

Anna Maria Island artist Kelly Hunt shows off a beach towel from her Charted Waters Florida collection Feb. 28 at the Bealls Florida store at 6355 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Hunt’s collection of Florida-inspired beach towels are now being sold at Bealls stores throughout the state. Islander Courtesy Photo

800-367-1617

941-778-6696

31O1

Donnelly to create not only our Agave Rancher gazing into the sunset on the front of the building but also a sassy pinup girl on both the exterior and interior of the

MIKE NORMAN REALTY EST. 1978

KEY ROYALE BAYFRONT

ANNA MARIA CANAL HOME

Wicked Cantina waitress Sierra Tarrant carries a tray of beverages Feb. 29 at the opening of the new Wicked Cantina at 3650 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg. Islander Photo: Courtesy Janice Dolan

Anna Maria set to explore code changes for hemp

By Ryan Paice Islander reporter

One person’s pleas to the city might lead to changes for hemp regulations in Anna Maria.

Nathan Geller, co-owner of the North Shore Cafe, 304 Pine Ave., stepped up to the lectern at a Feb. 22 commission meeting to address a notice of violation the cafe received for the use of hemp products in some food and drinks.

Geller asked the commissioners to explore code changes to better target THC and CBD products, as well as allow the use of “harmless” products like hemp powder, protein and seeds.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD, or cannabidiol, are two of many cannabinoids in marijuana.

Geller’s comments come less than a month after the city denied Holmes Beach-based Edibles N More from participating in the Feb. 9-10 Feed the Island arts-and-crafts show at Roser Memorial Community Church, 512 Pine Ave.

City attorney Becky Vose found the business’ CBD products, although derived from hemp, violated Section 34-2 of city code, which prohibits the growth, process, distribution and sale of marijuana.

The code defines marijuana as “all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin.”

Hemp is one of three species included in the cannabis genus.

Geller said the cafe also was cited for violating Section 34-2 of city code.

Geller and his wife, Colleen, purchased the property at 304 Pine Ave. — formerly the School for Constructive Play — in 2018 for $1,124,000 and have since remodeled.

The cafe opened in 2020 and has four menu items that include the use of hemp powder, protein and/or seeds, including an acai hemp protein bowl and three smoothies.

The business also sells hemp protein powder as an

Nathan Geller, co-owner of North Shore cafe, 304 Pine ave., anna Maria, speaks Feb. 22 to city commissioners about a notice of violation received for selling hemp products. Islander

add-on ingredient for smoothies and bowls.

Geller voiced support for what he believed to be the code’s intended goal of preventing the distribution of CBD and THC products.

However, he said that hemp powder and protein is derived from seeds, which contain little to none of the chemicals.

Geller pointed to the fact that poppy seeds are not illegal although opiates can be derived from the rest of the poppy plant.

He added that the code was flawed since it provides no restrictions for synthetic cannabis products.

Mayor Dan Murphy said the matter was not included on the city commission’s agenda for the meeting, so the board could not immediately discuss or vote on the issue.

Nevertheless, he said Geller made “excellent points,” and called for commissioners to discuss the matter at its next meeting.

Murphy added that he would contact Geller to discuss the violation and to extend the business’ time for compliance.

The commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Directions to attend via Zoom can be found on the city’s website, cityofannamaria.com.

Thinking about what is best for your rental property? If so, choose QUALITY over quantity, and get in touch with us!

PropertyWatch By Carol Bernard

Island real estate sales

232 Oak Ave., Anna Maria, a 1,974 sq ft 3BR/3BA home on a 11,099 sq ft lot built in 1960 sold 2/5/2024 by McGough to 232 Oak Ave LLC for $2,000,000, list price $2,200,000.

222 17th St. N., #222, Bradenton Beach, a 1,310 sq ft 3BR/2BA Bradenton Beach Club condo built in 2005 sold 2/2/2024 by Bradenton Beach House LLC to Muensterman for $810,000, list price $845,000.

1407 Gulf Drive, #203, Bradenton Beach, a 1,521 sq ft 3BR/2BA Coquina Moorings condo built in 1982 sold 2/6/2024 by Campbell to Peterson for $1,250,000, list price $1,375,000.

3701 E. Bay Drive, #8B, Holmes Beach, a 2,191 sq ft 2BR/3BA Sunbow Bay condo built in 1977 sold 2/2/2024 by DeStafano to Kovach for $600,000, list price $650,000.

401 76th St., Holmes Beach, a 1,484 sq ft 3BR/2BA home on a 7,980 sq ft lot built in 1954 sold 2/2/2024 by Knight to Schembri for $849,000, list price $849,000.

2802 Ave. E, Holmes Beach, a 3,282 sq ft 4BR/5BA pool home on a 10,000 sq ft lot built in 2017 sold 2/1/2024 by Stack to Zarilli 1993 Trust for $7,600,000, list price $8,495,000.

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

BizCal

By Robyn Murrell

THIS WEEK

Thursday, March 7 8-9:30 a.m. — Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce breakfast mixer, Cortez Cafe, 12108 Cortez Road W., Cortez. Fee applies. Information: 941-778-1541.

SAVE THE DATES

March 14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., AMI Chamber luncheon mixer, Isola Bella Italian Eatery, 5904 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

May 10, 12:30 p.m., AMI Chamber golf tournament, IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton.

Photo: Ryan Paice

Shellie Young, PA, MCNS,

Premier