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January 7, 2026
The Shamrock Shiver has raised a halfmillion dollars for local charities since 2009. BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
Taking the plunge at Shamrock Shiver LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event run into the chilly Gulf on New Year’s Day.
BRADENTON BEACH – The spirit of altruism won out over the cold Gulf waters as dozens of participants took the plunge in the annual Clancy’s Irish Pub’s Shamrock Shiver charity event on New Years Day. The participants, many in costumes, gathered donation pledges to jump into the 67-degree water at Coquina Beach to raise funds for local charities. Since 2009, Clancy’s annual charity plunge has raised $470,567 for local non-profit organizations. In recent years, the event has raised more than $30,000 each year. “We at Clancy’s are committed to keeping the ‘Give Where You Live’ spirit alive by supporting local causes, empowering our community and making a lasting impact right where we call home,” the Clancy’s website stated. The proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Healthy Teens Inc., The Blessing Bags Project and Hungers End – three non-profit organizations that help disadvantaged children in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
SEE SHAMROCK SHIVER, PAGE 9
Mullet fishermen reporting a good season Local mullet fisherman are enjoying the 2025-26 mullet season.
Clean Water Committee ready for 2026 The University of Florida PFAS researchers seek additional fish samples from local anglers and fishing captains.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BY JOE HENDRICKS
CORTEZ – Fish house employees and fishermen are calling this mullet season one of the best in recent memory as Cortez fish houses are filling up with mullet brought in by private fishermen. Two of those fishermen, Seth Miller and Wyatt Walker, were pulling in mullet for two straight days to sell at one of the two the Cortez fish houses: Cortez Bait & Seafood and A.P. Bell Fish Co. “We didn’t sleep for the last two days,” Miller said on Dec. 31. “It’s been pretty good this year. We’ve been catching fish in the bay and offshore. We caught some up north last night.”
SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Fishermen Wyatt Walker and Seth Miller sell their haul of mullet to Cortez Bait & Seafood. Miller said it seemed like the season got off to a late start and could go until February. Private fishermen such as Miller and Walker can be seen in local waters pulling up nets full of mullet. Once their boats are loaded, they’re driven
SEE MULLET, PAGE 19
HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach-based Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee heads into 2026 riding a wave of positive momentum created in 2025. Working in unison with the city-funded Islanders 4 Clean Water initiative, the city-funded volunteer committee is chaired by Holmes Beach resident and retired chemist, Dr. Jennifer Miller. The committee includes Holmes Beach residents Marty Hicks, Mike Pritchett and Bill Romberger, Anna Maria residents
ANNIE SILVER Community Center is still going strong. 4 Page 20 Anna Maria Island, Florida
The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
University of Florida researchers Isabella Cioffi, Tommy Sinkway and Dr. John Bowden addressed the Clean Water Committee in September. John Kolojeski and Scott MacGregor and Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps. City Commissioner Terry Schaefer serves as the commission’s committee liaison. He attends the committee’s
SEE CLEAN WATER, PAGE 8
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Drift-In celebrates 2025, welcomes 2026 New York City had its traditional New Year’s Eve ball drop and the Drift-In bar in Bradenton Beach welcomed in 2026 by dropping an illuminated oyster that paid homage to the marine life that surrounds Anna Maria Island and appears on some of the Island’s restaurant menus, including the nearby Anna Maria Oyster Bar. The midnight oyster drop occurred in the Drift-In parking lot as part of the establishment’s all-day New Year’s Eve celebration. The live music began in the afternoon with Dos~Macs playing in the outside tiki bar area that was temporarily enclosed for the day due to the chilly weather. The live music carried into the night and into New Year’s Day with The Cabana Dogs. “Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate New Year’s on Bridge Street with the Bradenton Beach Merchants and Drift-In AMI. Our small businesses appreciate you!” Drift-In-owners Derek and Helena Williams said in a Jan. 1 Drift-In Facebook post.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Drift-In patrons celebrated New Year's Eve early as the celebration to welcome 2026 continued all day and night. Left, The Cabana Dogs played into the morning of New Year’s Day. Below, Dos~Macs performed early on during the day-long celebration at the Drift-In.
DRIFT-IN | SUBMITTED
Top, an illuminated oyster was dropped at midnight. Drift-In owners Derek and Helena Williams rang in the new year.
DRIFT-IN | SUBMITTED
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
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ISLAND NEWS
Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there. JANUARY 7, 2026
Annie Silver Community Center seeks volunteers
IN BRIEF
Annie Silver Community Center was built in 1955. BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Bailey enjoys fetching the ball at Scentral Park.
Dog park on committee agenda Potential improvements to the Scentral Park dog park in Holmes Beach will be discussed during the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Open to the public, the meeting will be held in the city commission chambers. According to the meeting agenda, a new committee member will be sworn in and the committee will also discuss its ongoing Adopt-a-Spot efforts and the currently vacant spots in the Veteran’s Park community garden next to city hall. The committee currently seeks additional members and those interested in serving on the volunteer advisory board that meets once a month are asked to contact the city clerk’s office at 941-708-5800 or email deputyclerk@ holmesbeachfl.org.
Pier funding on commission agenda The Anna Maria City Commission will meet for the first time this year at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8. The meeting agenda contains no action items other than the approval of the multi-item consent agenda. After general public comment, the commission will be asked to adopt the consent agenda that includes special event fee waiver requests for two upcoming concerts at The Center of Anna Maria Island: The Wailers on Saturday, Jan. 24 and the Atlanta Rhythm Section on Saturday, Feb. 14. A special event permit is also sought for the Outstanding in the Field ticketed dinner event at the Sandbar restaurant on Sunday, Jan. 15. The consent agenda includes a $29,500 change work order from Tampa Bay Marine (the firm building the new City Pier walkway) and a stormwater-related $31,200 change work order from C-Squared. The consent agenda seeks commission approval of a service agreement with special magistrate Gerald Buhr and commission approval of an interlocal agreement with Manatee County that will provide up to $2 million in county funds for the city’s City Pier reconstruction project. To access the meeting by phone, call 1-929-2056099 and enter the meeting ID: 85392000280.
BRADENTON BEACH – The board of the Annie Silver Community Center is hoping to extend the community center’s season, increase activities and bring on volunteers to implement some new plans. The Annie Silver Community Center, built in 1955, had its grand opening in January 1956 and was the first community gathering place of its kind in Bradenton Beach. Seventy years after it opened, the community center retains the cozy welcoming atmosphere envisioned by its founder, Annie Silver. The walls are lined with old pictures and news clippings about the community center and Annie Silver. A Jan. 5, 1956, news article stated: “The Annie Silver Community Hall had a grand opening on New Year’s Day, serving 125 for dinner and 70 for supper. During the afternoon there were card games, shuffleboard contests and friendly visiting.” “When they built this there were no schools out here, there were barely any roads, there was no library, there were no restaurants, so they built this by hand as a true community center,” said Bruce Butler, who serves on the community center’s board. “Everything is original.” Butler said the 2024 hurricanes impacted the books in the community center. “Historically, this was the first library on the Island, and we had remained a reading room,” he said. “We had thousands of books and when the hurricane came last year it wiped out just about all our books. We’re going to keep a couple hundred now. We operate book exchange boxes outside and we keep them full of books.” The community center is open to the public for events: bingo on Thursday nights and a monthly dinner at the end of each month – all currently running through the end of March. “We just raised money to replace the windows with hurricane windows, so that’s going to happen in
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Above, Annie Silver Community Center in Bradenton Beach is a welcoming gathering place for the community. Left, Bruce Butler, who serves on the board of the Annie Silver Community Center, discusses upcoming events. Below, a monthly dinner was held at Annie Silver Community Center on Dec. 29.
February,” Butler said. “For the most part, we close in the summer. There’s no ceiling insulation. Even though we have air conditioning, when it gets to be as hot as it gets in July, August and September, it’s just too hot. Part of our five-year long-term plan, starting with the windows, is we’re trying to make it more of a year-round facility.” The Annie Silver Community Center is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers and Butler would like to see more people involved. “The mission here is to support the community; and as we’re looking to make it more year-round, we need people to get on the board, to get ideas, to have people to run things,” Butler said. “As with any volunteer
organization, there may be 25 ideas but you have only a handful of people to implement them. We need people, not only with ideas, but who are willing to help implement those ideas.” Currently, the community center has about 100 members and most of them are on the Island seasonally, Butler said. “We just need people and ideas,” he said. “It’s evolved into seniors; there’s a lot of retirees out here, but by no means are we exclusive to seniors. One of the things we’re trying to do is to attract younger people, families with kids and teenagers.” The Annie Silver Community Center is located at 103 23rd Street N. in Bradenton Beach.
JANUARY 7, 2026
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Bungalow Beach pursuing major development plan City commissioners previously denied a request to use the property for resort fee public parking. BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – A planning and zoning board public hearing to consider a major development plan for the Bungalow Beach Resort property at 2000 and 2104 Gulf Drive will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. at Bradenton Beach City Hall. The proposed major development plan consists of a 15-guest room hotel with two habitable stories over parking, and an outdoor pool area. The planning and zoning board is a recommending body to the Bradenton Beach City Commission. The city commission will hold a public hearing on the matter on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m.
The meetings will be held in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers at 107 Gulf Drive N.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
The property, owned by Gayle Luper and known as Bungalow Beach Resort, has been the subject of quasijudicial hearings and a lawsuit filed against the city. During Hurricane Helene, the older, original waterfront cottages at Bungalow Beach Resort were destroyed and subsequently condemned. On March 14, Luper opened a portion of the razed parcel lot where the cottages once stood and began charging a resort fee of $50 per car to park and use the adjacent beach area. Code Enforcement Officer Evan Harbus told Luper all parking in that lot must cease, as it was in violation of city code. Luper maintained that despite the bungalows being destroyed by the 2024
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
The proposed use of the Bungalow Beach Resort property will be discussed on Jan.7. hurricane, the resort’s other two parcels were continually operational and she was entitled to sell resort passes that include parking, as she had done prior to the hurricanes.
Luper said she was advised by the city that she must file a parking permit to continue to charge a resort fee for parking, but she said City Planner Luis Serna advised her that a permit was not necessary.
On April 17, the city commission voted to require Luper to obtain a temporary use permit for parking, with a series of restrictions attached. The restrictions included no overnight parking and no parking past 9 p.m. Luper filed a lawsuit against the city on April 25. The city then filed a request for dismissal of the lawsuit. That case remains open, according to the Manatee County Clerk of Court website. On July 29, the attorneys representing Luper Enterprises and the city presented their opposing arguments regarding the commission’s decision to ban resort fee-based parking at the Bungalow Beach Resort. Special Master Marisa Powers presided over the quai-judicial hearing and later ruled she did not have jurisdiction to override the city’s decision.
6 THE SUN
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A New Year's resolution: Reclaim our residential neighborhoods It’s no surprise that we have been losing residents for many years. The intent of Holmes Beach being primarily residential is deeply rooted in its history since inception. The city’s comprehensive plan mentions "resident/ residential" 176 times. The first future land use goal "ensures the single-family residential character," and the plan states: "limit tourist development adjacent to the Gulf, ensuring it will not intrude into residential neighborhoods." Yet, there is a mindset in misreferencing our zones and dissuading permanent residents. When searching Holmes Beach zoning, a real estate website surfaces quickly stating: "R2-R4 zones can be rented for a minimum of seven nights. The typical buyer for these zones is one who rents. Warning! If you plan on living in the property, it can be noisy. R2-R4 zones are
primarily filled with seasonal vacation rental homes. Consider the impact later if you plan to live there permanently down the road." Clearly, the comprehensive plan has been undermined. We need to analyze how we got here and cultivate solutions. First, the LAR (living area ratio) was implemented, but it appropriately controls only lot sizes up to 7,500 sq ft. There are larger lots. An example is one that’s almost 23,000 square feet that allows a living area of more than 7,700 square feet, or three adjoining properties with allowable living area of 10,200 square feet and a total occupancy of 46. Average occupancy for a Holmes Beach household is 1.8 occupants, but for a rental the legal occupancy allowance is six to 16. We have seen first-hand that the infrastructure was not intended to support these numbers. We limited the number of bedrooms, but learned later of bonus rooms, lofts, offices and dens providing additional sleeping quarters.
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Some residents had concerns when the seven-day stay was implemented. Since then, there have been stays of one, two and three days. When residents asked for enforcement of the ordinance stating one pool per lot, the city changed the ordinance to allow two pools per lot. Thus, the original concept of the duplex was lost, whereby one side was owneroccupied and the other side was used by family and friends. To address this issue while grandfathering current rentals, the city could establish a short moratorium on new rental certificates (if still allowed by state law), similar to what was done with the building moratorium. If a moratorium is not allowed, the issue still needs to be addressed. Height restriction is one of the best measures taken on this Island. Now we need to develop measures to reclaim the city’s promised character.
The Sun at news@amisun. com and write Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the
Dick and Margie Motzer Holmes Beach
city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length and content.
JANUARY 7, 2026
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Visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information. Thursday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m., City Commission meeting
EVENTS THURSDAY, JAN. 8
Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: Reese Vita, on ‘Planning Your Retirement,’ Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
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BRADENTON BEACH
941-778-1908 www.centerami.org January 15, 2026 2:00 PM FREE
THURSDAY, JAN. 8-25
“Murder by Misadventure,” Island Players Theater, 10009 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria
HOLMES BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1 p.m., Planning and Zoning Board meeting Thursday, Jan. 15, 9:30 a.m., Community Redevelopment Agency meeting Thursday, Jan. 15, 12 p.m., City Commission meeting
Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m., Parks and Beautification Committee meeting Wednesday, Jan. 7, 3:30 p.m., Planning Commission meeting Thursday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m., Code Compliance special magistrate hearing Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m., City Commission meeting Wednesday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m., Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee meeting
FRIDAY, JAN. 9
City Block Party, City Pier Park, potluck and BYOB, 103 North Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, 5-9 p.m. Night Market, Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 57:30 p.m.
THE CENTER 407 Magnolia Ave Anna Maria, FL 34216
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SATURDAY, JAN. 10
Music on the Porch, Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th Street W., Cortez, 2-4 p.m.
TUESDAY, JAN. 13, 20, 27
Anna Maria Community Farmers Market, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
THURSDAY, JAN. 15
Friends of the Island Library Lecture and Travel Series: Peggy Donoho and Ron Prouty, authors of “The Pioneer Tale of Miguel and Frederica Guerrero,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
8 THE SUN
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CLEAN WATER: Committee ready for 2026 FROM PAGE 1 monthly meetings at city hall and later provides the commission with meeting recaps. Adopted in September, the city’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget contains $15,000 for Clean Water Committee expenditures. Each committee member brings different water-related expertise and experience to the committee. Mopps, who was appointed to the committee in mid-2025, along with MacGregor (a retired marine biology teacher), provides the committee with a wealth of knowledge about waterrelated and environmental issues and the inner workings of municipal governments. Dating back to its 2021 inception, the committee’s primary mission remains: “To research means by which to sustain and improve upon the condition and purity of the natural waters and drinking water around Anna Maria Island.”
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee meets next on Jan. 14. The Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee’s monthly meetings sometimes feature guest presenters and the 2025 presenters included Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko in May and a trio of University of Florida researchers in September who spent nearly two hours discussing in great detail the PFAS chemicals present in drinking water and natural waters.
PFAS
The University of Florida researchers provided the committee with a 59-page presentation on the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). The trio included Dr. John Bowden, an associate professor at the University of Florida and the founder and namesake of the university’s Gainesville-based Bowden Laboratory. He was joined by
fourth-year PhD candidate Tommy Sinkway and secondyear PhD Student Isabella Cioffi. Much of their work involves collecting and analyzing drinking water samples and natural water samples. They also collect and analyze flesh samples taken from fish. According to their presentation, 98% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies. PFAS chemicals are found in tap water and natural waters and the potential
health hazards include higher cholesterol, liver damage, kidney cancer, a higher risk of testicular cancer, developmental effects for unborn children, lower birth weight and reduced response to vaccines and more. Bowden said PFAS chemicals have been around since the 1930s and their early uses include non-stick cookware and the the development of the hydrogen bomb as part of the Manhattan Project. PFAS chemicals are now used in pesticides, propellants in various sprays, fast food packaging and wrappers, pizza boxes. clothing, cosmetics, popcorn bags, candy wrappers, shampoo, cleaning products, weather resistant clothing, non-stick cookware, nail polish, paints and solvents, eye makeup, dental floss, Band-Aids, toilet paper, plastic watchbands and much more.
SEE CLEAN WATER, PAGE 11
JANUARY 7, 2026
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SHAMROCK SHIVER: Participants take the plunge FROM PAGE 1 Healthy Teens’ stated mission is dedication to empowering youth to make positive, healthy decisions for their success and wellbeing. “We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices about their physical, mental and emotional health. We do this primarily through the Teen Health Educator Program, training high school students to become peer-educators and mentors serving at-risk youth in their community,” the Healthy Teens website states. The Blessing Bags Project provides basic, critical needs to the homeless and less fortunate. Hunger’s End operates a food pantry and blessing closet serving 500-600 families each month. Hunger’s End also partners with other organizations to provide free groceries, clothing and personal hygiene products to those in need. Following the plunge, an afterparty at Clancy’s on Cortez Road featured live music, live and silent auctions and raffles. Those proceeds also benefited the three non-profit organizations. As of Jan. 2, the final fundraising numbers were still being tallied. Donations are still being accepted at Clancy’s, at 6218 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event run into the chilly Gulf on New Year’s Day.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Participants in Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver charity event come out of chilly Gulf waters.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Costumed participants at the Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver pose before the plunge.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Above, Brady, a participant in the Shamrock Shiver charity plunge, joins the after-party at Clancy’s. Above left, the Shamrock Shiver after-party at Clancy’s’ featured The Dr. Dave Band. Below, attendees at the Shamrock Shiver after-party perused more than 60 silent auction items.
10 THE SUN
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Compass Hotel raises funds for shelter pets The donated funds will assist shelter pets in Manatee County.
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SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
BRADENTON – Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound raised $7,525 in support of the Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare organization. The $7,525 check was presented to Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare board member Caryn Hodge on Tuesday, Dec. 30, during a check presentation ceremony at the Compass Hotel in west Bradenton, near Anna Maria Island. The funds were raised during a Jimmy Buffett Day of Service event in August and a variety of other events and specials that included the Jewelry to the Rescue event, raffle ticket sales for a complimentary hotel stay, dining credits, a sailing experience, guest check roundups and the sale of curated signature cocktails at the Compass Bar & Chill and Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar. Additional donations of pet food and supplies
JANUARY 7, 2026
SUBMITTED
Deneen White, Caryn Hodge, Devin Frank, Cory Travis and the hotel’s canine mascot, Jackson White, participated in the check presentation ceremony, shown from left. were collected from hotel guests, community members and local partners in support of the organization.
SEE SHELTER, PAGE 24
JANUARY 7, 2026
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CLEAN WATER: Committee ready for 2026 FROM PAGE 8 “We don’t like products that leak, we don’t like things that stain. Because of this demand, all these chemicals were made. Unfortunately, once we’re done using those products they get disposed, end up in landfills, get reduced to run-off and wind up in our environment,” Bowden said. He said the chemical bonds in PFAS are among the strongest in chemistry. He said the chemical properties that make PFAS great for the products they’re used in also make them bad for the environment because they take a very long time to break down and essentially stick around forever. He said the most egregious use of PFAS is probably the fire-fighting foam used at airports and military bases to extinguish intense fires. Through rain and runoff, the PFAS contained in the foam later makes its way into the natural waterways. Bowden said in the past 20 years or so scientists began researching the negative health effects of PFAS; and in the past decade or so, PFAS has been identified in drinking water sources. “We’re exposed through our drinking water, we’re exposed through our food,” he said. Bowden said water treatment plants only remove about 10% of the PFAS chemicals and a lot of PFAScontaminated affluent materials end up in natural waterways too. Bowden said he’s also growing increasingly concerned about airborne PFAS, because high levels of PFAS have been found in dust collected in air conditioning filters. He said the higher quality filters remove more of the potentially harmful airborne PFAS.
of your own at our parks,” Mopps told Bowden. Kolojeski, a longtime proponent of in-home reverse osmosis water filtering systems, said, ‘I would never allow a child or anyone of child-bearing age, male or female, to drink my tap water until I had reverse osmosis to eliminate the PFAS.” When asked if plastic water bottles release PFAS into the water they contain, Bowden said, “That’s a good question. I don’t know if it’s from the water or the bottle.” Kolojeski recommends drinking water bottled by companies that use reverse osmosis. He said those companies include Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola and Nestle. “Some of those ‘so-called’ very expensive spring waters do not use JOE HENDRICKS | SUN reverse osmosis. You’re paying a lot of Fish sample kits are available at the Holmes Beach city clerk’s office. money and you’re still getting PFAS,” Kolojeski said. “There are a lot of concerns for PFAS. Bowden and Kolojeski noted one of Sinkway’s portion of the presentaThis is a problem that’s not going to go the drinking water taps with the hightion focused primarily on the inaway,” he said. “Everybody in this room est concentration of PFAS was found creased presence of pharmaceuticals, has PFAS in them. What’s unknown is at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. prescription drugs and “drugs of what that means for your health.” Mopps noted Manatee County abuse” found in natural waters. His Bowden said the researchers use provides the drinking water to Longresearch also focuses on the greater crowdsourcing to increase public boat Key and the three Anna Maria Tampa Bay region – an area he said awareness and garner assistance from Island cities. He suggested testing the includes multiple airports, a military volunteers. Bowden’s team developed drinking water at the mainland point base and has been subjected to standard operating procedures that of origin and testing the water again multiple sewage spills. instruct volunteers how to collect when it comes out of the residential “That heat map is bright red,” he drinking water samples using kits taps on the barrier Island cities to see said of the Tampa Bay area. provided by the Bowden Lab. if the PFAS levels increase as the water The presentation included several travels through the county’s water FISH & PFAS color-coded maps that identify PFAS pipes. Cioffi’s research focuses primarily on hot spots, frequent spill areas and Mopps said the drinking water the presence of PFAS in fish consumed more. The maps show the Tampa Bay transferred to Longboat Key spends in the United States, and particularly area as a PFAS hot spot and Bowden time in holding tanks and the town in Florida. and his team plan to study the greater further enhances the water treatment Cioffi noted commercial and recreTampa Bay area, which by proximity done by the county. ational fishing and seafood consumpalso includes Manatee County and “I have plenty of public drinking Anna Maria Island. spots where you can collect samples SEE CLEAN WATER, PAGE 23
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Friends of the Island Library hosting lecture series The Friends of the Island Library are pleased to announce their 2026 Lecture and Travel Series. The free one-hour programs will take place in the Community Room at the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach, at 5701 Marina Drive. The lecture series will begin on Thursday, Jan. 8, and continue for eight consecutive Thursday afternoons through Feb. 26. The weekly lectures start at 2 p.m., the Community Room doors open at 1:30 pm, seating is limited and free parking is available on-site. The 2026 lineup of speakers includes:
JANUARY 7, 2026
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The eight-week lecture series will take place at the Island Branch Library. Jan. 8: Reese Vita, on ‘Planning Your Retirement’ Jan. 15: Peggy Donoho and Ron Prouty, authors of “The Pioneer Tale of Miguel and Frederica Guerrero” Jan. 22: Jeanette Edwards, on ‘Florida’s Pelicans’ Jan. 29: Carol Ann Felts, on ‘Florida Crackers’
Feb. 5: Ryan Nunez, on ‘Artificial Intelligence: What It Is and What It Can Do for Us’ Feb. 12: Robert Gaglio on ‘The Other Italy’ Feb. 19: ‘Captain’ Scott Moore on ‘50 Years on Anna Maria Island’ Feb. 26: Nate Jacobs, founder of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
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Center concert season is heating up Tickets are on sale for three upcoming concerts at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Reggae legends, The Wailers, will be playing on the outdoor stage on Saturday, Jan. 24. “In 2026, The Wailers celebrate 50 years of ‘Rastaman Vibration,’ marking a defining moment in reggae history and honoring one of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ most influential albums. This special tour, 50 Years of Positive Vibrations, highlights select cuts from ‘Rastaman Vibration,’ alongside the timeless classics that continue to unite audiences across generations,” The Center website says. Tickets for The Wailers start at $50. On Saturday, Feb. 14, Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) will bring their smooth, southern rock sound to The Center. The band experienced significant radio success in the 1970s with their hit songs “Imaginary Lover,” “So Into You,” "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight" and “Champagne Jam.” Tickets for the Atlanta Rhythm Section start at $50.
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On Sunday, March 1, John Oates will perform at The Center. “John Oates is celebrating 25 years as an accomplished solo recording artist. This year, to celebrate this milestone, he will be releasing his newest project, the self-titled album “OATES.” As co-founder of the most successful duo in rock history, Hall & Oates, he is a member of the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame, The American Songwriters Hall of Fame and the recipient of many prestigious awards and award nominations,” The Center website says. Tickets for John Oates start at $65. Tickets for each of these three shows are available at https://centerami.org/concerts. The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
Off Stage Ladies’ luncheons begin soon The first Off Stage Ladies luncheon of the new year will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 11:45 a.m. at The Feast restaurant in Holmes Beach, at 5406 Marina Drive. “We are excited to have Heiko Knipfelberg, director of ‘Murder by Misadventure’ as our guest speaker. Please bring your $26 check
for lunch,” the event announcement says. Anyone interested in joining the Off Stage Ladies can contact Roe Duncan at 941932-2798. Membership dues are $30 per year and run from June through May. All meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month from October through May.
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BRADENTON BEACH DEC. 20, 2:20 p.m., Gulf Drive. Driving while license under suspension. While conducting enforcement, police reportedly observed a vehicle and upon checking the tag found the registration to be suspended. A traffic stop was initiated and police said the driver, a 40-year-old man from Riverview, produced an expired driver’s license. Upon checking with DSHMV, police said the license was suspended in April 2025. The plate from the vehicle and the expired driver’s license were seized by police. He was unable to provide proof of insurance and was issued a citation for failure to provide such proof.
DEC. 25, 10:43 p.m., Manatee Public Beach. Trespassing. While on patrol at Manatee Public Beach, police said they observed a car parked in the parking lot after the park closure at 10 p.m. A female was asleep in the driver’s seat. When police told her the area was closed and she needed to move on, she argued that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. Officers reportedly warned the woman repeatedly that her refusal to leave the area would lead to arrest. According to police, the defendant refused to leave and was removed from the vehicle and placed in handcuffs. She was charged with trespassing and obstructing without violence.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Mike Zeppi On behalf of Anthony’s, I want to thank you all for an incredible 2025 and wish you and yours a Happy and Healthy 2026!
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Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival happens in February The 44th annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, a celebration of the village’s fishing heritage, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15. The festival will feature live music, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, environmental exhibits, locally sourced seafood and beer. All proceeds from the festival will benefit FISH (the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage) and the 98acre FISH Preserve. The preserve is one of the only undeveloped pieces of land left on Sarasota Bay. Visitors to the festival can learn about local marine life during the educational Dock Talks, bid on boats lovingly restored by the FISH Boatworks, wander one of the last true working waterfronts in the state and immerse themselves in local history at the Cortez Cultural Center and the Florida Maritime Museum. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days in front of Star Fish Co. at 12306 46th Ave. W. in Cortez.
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The promotional logo for this year’s festival has been unveiled and the 44th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will be held on Feb. 14 and 15.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Seafood was plentiful at the 2025 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival.
Ice cream floats
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Photographed offshore of 36th Street in Holmes Beach on Dec. 28, this Sarasota-based Tropicool ice cream boat gives new meaning to the phrase “ice cream float.” When sharing his photos and video on Facebook, Perico Bay Club and west Bradenton resident Larry Sutow wrote, “Truly an AMI oddity. The ice cream truck/boat!”
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LARRY SUTOW | SUBMITTED
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OUTDOORS
JANUARY 7, 2026
A New Winter Strategy Reel Time
RUSTY CHINNIS
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inter can have a chilling effect on local anglers and limit their quarry, but those who know how to mine the riches of any season turn their attention to the species that actually thrives in cold water. The best example locally are known for their bait stealing prowess and the stripes they dress in. Sheepshead, while shunned by some anglers, are hard fighting, challenging to hook and excellent to eat. Savvy anglers’ target sheepshead around structures like bridges, hard bottoms, oyster bars and dock pilings, where they feed on barnacles, crabs and other crustaceans. They know to use small, stout, sharp hooks; and for best success, they (tongue in cheek) advise to set the hook a split-second before they bite!
As a fly angler, I’ve caught a few sheepshead over the years, all accidentally while fishing for other species. The times I’ve seen them and actually made a presentation, they never seemed to respond to my efforts. When Ryan Gandy, the new executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, recently mentioned he targeted them with a tiny fly I was slightly skeptical and all ears. Last week, Gandy and his son, Kyle, joined me for a day on the water and a chance for him to show me his technique. We started the day fishing the edge of Long Bar Point in Sarasota Bay, but a south wind had roiled the water, making it off-color and hard to spot fish. The tide was low and incoming all day, so we moved north where the water along the eastern shoreline was clear. For the next four hours, we were plagued by scudding clouds that made spotting fish hard, but we still managed three redfish and a trout. The sheepshead we did find were spooky, and most were not seen until we were so close Gandy had to make
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN
Ryan Gandy (left) with proof that his fly fishing concept works. A penny gives perspective on the size of Gandy’s sheepshead merkin.
a roll cast presentation. While we did get a few follows, the sheepshead that seemed interested were spooked by the boat before making a commitment. After fishing a number of spots, I mentioned that I had seen some sheepshead in shallow water just off a seawall near where I launched the boat, so we decided to try and make that a learning opportunity. Luckily, the sheepshead were obliging; and after two casts, Gandy got
a take and landed a sheepshead just as he had predicted. In the process, I was given a first-hand demonstration of his technique. Key to his strategy was making a cast close enough so the sheepshead could spot the fly, but not too close to avoid spooking them. He mentioned what good eyesight they had and how they could spot a fly at a distance.
SEE REEL TIME, PAGE 24
JANUARY 7, 2026
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MULLET: fishermen reporting a good season FROM PAGE 1 to either Cortez Bait & Seafood or A.P. Bell Fish Co., where the catches are weighed and the fishermen are paid. “I’ve been doing this for 17 years and I would say this is the best mullet season I’ve seen in at least 10 years,” said Linda, an employee of Cortez Bait & Seafood, as she oversaw the weighing of the fish brought in by local fishermen. “There’s been no hurricanes and no red tide, so I think that’s why it’s been really good.” She said on Jan. 1 that Cortez Bait & Seafood was taking a break for several days before accepting any more mullet. “We’re so full right now,” she said. “We have no place to put any more fish. We’ll probably start up again next Monday (Jan. 5).” Linda said the prices paid to the fishermen fluctuate, but
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Wyatt Walker tosses a mullet into a weighing bin at Cortez Bait & Seafood. The mullet with red roe is the most desirable and is shipped to European and Asian markets. a premium is paid for mullet with red roe and the rate was currently at $1.30 per pound. The red roe mullet is sent out to European and Asian markets. Karen Bell, owner of AP Bell Fish Co., closed on Jan. 1 to give her employees the day
off, but that fish house started accepting fish again on Jan. 2. “We have fish staged in coolers right now,” Bell said on Jan. 1. “Tomorrow we will be taking fish from fishermen who have been selling to us this year.”
Adult striped mullet typically weigh about three pounds. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has strict guidelines about how they can be caught. “The use of any gear other than cast nets (no more than
14 feet long, and no more than two per vessel), beach or haul seines (no larger than 500 square feet, and no more than two, may be fished per vessel), hook and line gear; and by spearing is prohibited,” according to FWC.
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REAL ESTATE
ast week’s column was a bit of a downer. I’m not saying it wasn’t true, only that real estate sales need a sunnier pathway in order to encourage motion, so let’s see if we can let the sun shine in. First of all, the fact that homeowners are sitting on more home equity than at any other time in history is not necessarily a bad thing. Not everyone wants to move and many Americans are just as happy to live in their current home atop a mound of equity with a low mortgage rate and wait to retire. Not exactly torture. Second, the ultra-low interest rates we experienced five years ago gave many homeowners the opportunity of owning a home for the first time. This action could easily come back years from now as the one single thing that turned the United States housing market around. Finally, between the years 2003 and 2008, mortgage interest rates floated between 6.5% and 5.87%, getting close to where we are now. And guess what? People
JANUARY 7, 2026
Sunny-side Up Castles in the Sand LOUISE BOLGER
bought houses every day. After the third time this year the feds lowered interest rates, the market is finally starting to respond. As of early December, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate was hovering at about 6.2%. On December 24th, Freddie Mac gave everyone a Christmas gift, lowering the fixed rate to an average of 6.18%. There are, however, buyers out there who think they’re entitled to a 3% rate and will refuse to buy unless they get it. I would direct these buyers to Freddie Mac’s mortgage rate history and they’ll see rates as high as 16%, and we didn’t lose the real estate structure of the country.
The housing market has been stuck in low gear for some time now, however, home sales rose in November nationally for the third straight month. These three consecutive months of rising sales is the longest streak since December 2024. In addition, mortgage rates have been falling in recent months, boosting home buying activity. Buyers are taking advantage of the slight improvement in affordability and more would likely jump into the market if mortgage rates fall further. Florida recorded 17,674 closed sales of existing single-family homes in November, up 3.4% over last year. Condo sales were also up 1.6% in the state, totaling 6,099 sales. Although it’s difficult to transfer the end of year trends into the next year’s spring buying season, the economists are not seeing anything in these sales numbers that give us a reason to be pessimistic as the year turns over. There’s a lot of demand in Florida waiting to be unlocked as affordability
improves – and improvements we do see, if at a snail’s pace. Florida remains a very attractive destination for out-of-staters and the only impediment in the last couple of years has been affordability. All of this offers some hope that the housing market nationally may finally show signs of life in 2026; and I predict Florida will be leading the way. If you’re a homeowner who is clinging to your 3% mortgage and come hell or high water you won’t give it up, you need a reality check: those rates aren’t coming back. Don’t sacrifice your family’s happiness and security because you’re frozen in place. I thought I would end my first column of the new year on the light side. My friend who lives in New York City shared with me something she saw in the window of a liquor store while she was out for her afternoon stroll: “We don’t have flu shots, but we do have wine shots.” So, there it is, it doesn’t get any better than that … Happy New Year.
JANUARY 7, 2026
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Artists' Guild hosting January Night Market
DARLA TINGLER/ANCHOR INN | SUBMITTED
Anchor Inn greets 2026
These folks got started on 2026 while gathered at the Anchor Inn in Holmes Beach on the morning of New Year’s Day.
AGAMI | SUBMITTED
Above, Wendell Graham created this mixed media artwork that depicts being off the beaten path. Left, Wendell Graham called this painting "Something to Crow About." Below, Wendell Graham helped create a previous "Paint Around" painting.
AGAMI | SUBMITTED
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island will host its next Night Market on Friday, Jan. 9, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The participating artists will include Wendell Graham, the awardwinning mixed media artist who is the Guild’s featured artist for January. “Wendell engages her viewers with exciting, colorful and unusual compositions on varied surfaces using oil, acrylic and watercolor paints,” the Guild's press release says of her work being featured in the Artist’ Guild gallery window all month. The Night Market will include a "Paint Around" in which the participating artists, including Graham, will pass around a painting, adding to the previous artists' contributions. A raffle will then be held to select the winner of the painting. Light refreshments will be available and many Guild artists will be on hand to discuss their displayed work. The Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island gallery is located at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach in The Island Shopping Center.
AGAMI | SUBMITTED
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CLEAN WATER: Committee ready for 2026 FROM PAGE 11 tion is a large part of the Florida economy and the national economy – providing more than 121,000 full and part-time jobs and an estimated $24 billion economic impact. “There’s not a lot of information on PFAS and fish,” Cioffi said. “I fish. I grew up fishing. That’s a big part of my life. I don’t want us to stop eating fish. I want us to be able to eat fish in a way that’s healthy. We have healthy fish and Florida should be known for having healthy fish.” “We just want people to know which fish are safe to eat.” Bowden added. “We still eat fish with mercury in it, but we have consumption advisories that say only eat this type of fish once a month, every two weeks or whatever it is,” Cioffi said, noting that her goal is to one day see datasupported, risk assessment-based
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
City Clerk Stacey Johnston swore Charlie Mopps in as a Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee member. consumption advisories issued for fish species containing high levels of PFAS. Cioffi’s research includes analyzing 86 species of fish found in Florida waters. She said recreational anglers, charter captains and seafood markets have been contacted and crowdsourcing is being used to gather additional fish samples from anglers. Cioffi said the lab has already collected 4,000 fish samples and she still seeks more. Her portion of the presenta-
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tion included a chart of the 86 species to be analyzed. She already has enough samples for 45 of those species but she still seeks additional samples for the remaining species; and she particularly seeks additional samples of four species: Atlantic tripletail, mahi-mahi, Gulf flounder and southern flounder. Cioffi said the fish samples only need to be 2-3 grams per fish and should be taken from the fatty muscle tissues rather than the organs. The collected fish samples shipped to the Bowden Lab at the lab’s expense are freeze-dried, pulverized, extracted and concentrated as part of the data processing efforts. Romberger suggested the Bowden Lab send the city fish sampling kits to be made available to local anglers. A short time later, the Holmes Beach city clerk’s office received a couple dozen sampling kits that are now available to local anglers and fishing captains at no cost. Interested angers can learn more at www.bowdenlaboratory. com/florida-fish.
Everybody in this room has PFAS in them. What’s unknown is what that means for your health.” Dr. John Bowden, Associate Professor, University of Florida
“We need more knowledge on this,” Cioffi said Regarding PFAS as a whole, Bowden said, “If we have a better educated community, you can better educate your politicians and maybe get them to understand why this isn’t just a flavor of the month. This is something that’s going to affect your kids, it’s going to affect your pets, it’s going to affect anything exposed to them.”
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REEL TIME: A New Winter Strategy FROM PAGE 18
ANNA MARIA HORSESHOES | SUBMITTED
Skoloda, Doyle end 2025 with a victory Tom Skoloda, left, and Steve Doyle are all smiles after winning the day’s championship at Anna Maria Horseshoes after they posted the only 3-0 record on Dec. 31 and wrapped up the year in the winner's circle. Then, to start the New Year, four teams met in a playoff after each went 3-0 on Jan. 3. In the semi-finals, John Poccynek and Bob Hawks won 22-11, knocking out Billy Silver. Bob Mason and Skoloda beat Tom Farrington and Bob Lee 23-4 to move into the final. Poccynek and Hawks were too hot to handle, cruising to a 24-5 win in the final over Mason and Skoloda to win the day’s competition.
Key Royale Golf Scoreboard DEC. 29 - MODIFIED STABLEFORD
First Place - Ken Nagengast, +5 Second Place - Tim Friesen, +4
DEC. 30 - LOW NET SCORE
First Place - Helen Pollock, 32 Second Place - Carol Patterson, 33 Third Place - Sue Wheeler, 34 Rene Chapman chipped in on Hole # 5
SHELTER: Compass Hotel raises
funds for shelter pets FROM PAGE 10 Deneen White, director of sales and marketing of Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound, said, “It is great to be part of the Margaritaville culture that is deeply committed and rooted to giving back to the community. I am pleased to extend that by presenting this check to Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare.” When expressing her appreciation on behalf of the Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare organization, Hodge said, “We are so incredibly grateful to our friends at Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound. This donation will make a meaningful impact
for the animals who rely on the local community’s support. Support from partners like Compass Hotel helps ensure more animals receive the care they deserve.” Friends of Manatee County Animal Welfare is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the county’s shelter system by raising funds for medical care, resources and shelter enrichments. The $7,525 contribution will help provide meals and comfort, emergency medical care, heartworm treatment and transport fees for pets seeking forever homes, and will directly benefit shelter pets throughout Manatee County.
He demonstrated this by casting about three feet past the intended target and then slow stripping it until the sheepshead spotted it. When the fly was spotted, it rushed over to inspect the perceived prey and that’s when the next critical move, or lack thereof, was employed. Stopping the fly and letting it sink to the bottom mimicked a crab trying to hide from a predator it knew it couldn’t outrun. When the sheepshead rushed over and tipped up on to the fly, Gandy moved it with a small strip. Doing this allowed him to determine if the fly had been taken; and if not, would mimic a crab that had been discovered and was attempting to flee. This happened twice, and on the third strip the sheepshead was hooked. This was a perfect opportunity
to see his strategy in practice; and it reminded me of how a fly angler teases a permit, which is one of the hardest fish to entice to a fly. It also made me aware that sheepshead are predators; and, like when fishing for permit, patience and persistence are key. Gandy ties a small version of the Merkin (a time-tested permit fly) on a #4 hook. Other flies, like the Alphlexo crab, are also effective. It great to get insight on a new angle on sight fishing after so many years of fly fishing. If you haven’t been targeting sheepshead with a fly, I encourage you to give this technique a shot. I saw it in action and can’t wait to give it a try. Use your senses, experiment, be persistent and you can experience a whole new challenge during our cooler winter months.
JANUARY 7, 2026
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Sounds from a chicken coop 7 Spew forth, as oil 11 Cleverness 14 Sell every last copy 15 Not for 16 Slip up 17 Film edition typically longer than its theatrical release 19 Female sheep 20 Performing 21 Mardi Gras city nickname 22 Et __: and others 23 Mine output 24 Big name in nonprescription reading glasses 27 "I inhaled it!" 28 Little kiddos 29 Broadway "Auntie" 32 Courteous 36 Dance venue with a mirror ball
Answers to 12-31-25 Crossword Puzzle
39 Opinion formed when shaking hands, perhaps 42 Scent 43 British baby stroller 44 French head 45 Café au __ 47 Anger 49 Wrestling event with a series of combatants 54 PC "oops" key 57 "Your Friends & Neighbors" actor Jon 58 Insurance co. for mil. families 59 "Inside Out" studio 61 Medium's claim, for short 62 Sister Sledge classic whose second line is "I got all my sisters with me," and a hint to the starts of 17-, 24-, 39-, and 49-Across 64 Sundial three 65 Busy, busy, busy
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66 Increasingly rare web access method 67 Surveillance org. 68 Gets into, as clothes 69 "BoJack Horseman" voice actor Will Down 1 Set of beliefs 2 Pyramid-shaped hotel in Las Vegas 3 Open, as a knot 4 "Fargo" filmmakers Ethan and Joel 5 Martial art practiced by a panda in an animated franchise 6 Time zone wd. 7 Actress Gal 8 Dad's brother 9 E.B. White's "__ Little" 10 Punch 11 Little girl, in the Highlands 12 "Crocodile Hunter" Steve 13 Pay for 18 Nav. rank 22 Adept performer 25 Potent prefix 26 Divine beings 27 Polite affirmation 29 Painter's deg. 30 Run on TV 31 Bodybuilding competition for men since 1965 33 Little scoundrel 34 EMT skill 35 Notable time
37 Camper's bed 38 Single 40 Kite extension 41 Actor Jannings 46 Always there for 48 Put back together
49 Deutschland river 50 Caravan refuge 51 Sprinter Bolt 52 Small shops 53 Sweetie 54 Kick out
55 French "Hi" 56 Burial chamber 60 Somali-born supermodel 62 Bundle of dollars 63 HHS agency
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ANNOUNCEMENTS EFFECTIVE DEC 12TH AT THE CENTER, Bridge games on Friday 12:30 PM. Call 314-324-5921 for seating.
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HOME SERVICE HATE TO COOK? Long time Island resident. Can help with cooking, laundry and many things around your house. Many compliments on cooking. References available. Please Call or Text 941685-0045.
LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
ISLAND RESIDENT. TREE/ BUSH Trimming, removal. Sweeping, blowing, and weeding. Weekly, bi-monthly or monthly schedule. Pressure washing. Call Bill Witaszek 941307-9315 SHELL DRIVEWAYS & LANDSCAPE. Specializing in Old Florida Seashell and Lime rock driveways and scapes. Also River Rock, Sand, Mulch, & Soil. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507 “WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455 DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315 RETIRED LIFETIME PAINTER. Works alone. $27 per hour 502-817-6786
PEST CONTROL ANNA MARIA PEST CONTROL Call 941-7781630
POOL SERVICES
RENTALS: ANNUAL
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657
ANNUAL RENTAL CENTRAL HOMES BEACH 3BR/2BA completely remodeled. Walk to beach, school, trolley, shopping. $2595/mo Call 941-7136743
COLE'S TROPICAL POOL SERVICE Call Cole Bowers for all your pool maintenance needs! Affordable and Dependable!! 941-7131893
PRESSURE WASHING & WINDOWS TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING: Residential, Commercial, Construction, Vacation, VRBO Rentals . Also available Pressure Washing, Roof Cleaning, Paver Sealing and Windows. Call 941-5653931.
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE Have you been thinking of selling? We NEED properties to List for SALE!!! GULF FRONT, CANAL FRONT, BAY FRONT CONDOS or HOMES ASK for BIG Alan Galletto of Island Real Estate to get it SOLD 941-232-2216 LOOKING FOR A highly motivated real estate broker to buy or sell your next home? Darcie Duncan, Broker Duncan Real Estate a lifelong island resident bringing success to her customers for 30 years. Proven track record brings you results! 941-725-1589 WANNA SNOWBIRD? Cute, fully furnished trailer for sale in 55+ active community 2 miles from AMI. 1BR plus room for visitors. 920-344-8271
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BEAUTIFUL PERICO BAY Club Condo! 2BR/2BA, Second Floor Unit $3500/ mo seasonally, $2300/mo annually +Security Deposit Please call 941-7781979 for more details.
SNOW BIRD SPECIAL: DISCOUNT for multiple months. 2BR/2BA 2nd Floor Condo in HOLMES BEACH. POOL, Tennis/Pickleball, in-unit laundry, WIFI, screened lanai, covered parking. AVAILABLE 2025/26 Season beginning December 2025. Beautiful, bayside seating area. Pool/Beach toys, Bikes included. Call Jack 312835-2323 for more info/ photos.
AMI BRADENTON BEACH 6 month or one year lease. Furnished 2BR/1BA. $1700/mo water, cable TV, internet included. Call/ Text 517-548-1327
2BR/2BA W. BRADENTON. December January February March available. Inclusive $3000/mo or $2750. Text 941-962-0971
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION ANNA MARIA ISLAND CONDOS Large pool, beach access, free WiFi, 1&2 Bedroom $900 to $1200 per week redekercondosonami.com Tim 941-704-7525 TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190 `
FEBRUARY-APRIL CONDO RENTAL, near AMI Beaches Delightful 3BR/2BA condo; photos available. Close to pool, hot tub, tennis/pickleball, shopping and restaurants. Walk to beach with Palma Sola views. Covered carport, guest parking. 1 small dog under 30 lbs. considered. $3300/month, utilities included; 3-month minimum. 617-803-4659 zoe.perrywood@gmail. com
TRANSPORTATION ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-779-5095
JANUARY 7, 2026
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JANUARY 7, 2026