FREE
VOL 14 No. 14
January 29, 2014
West Coast Surf Shop has been keeping Island surfers supplied with everything from longboards to flip flops since 1964. BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – There’s plenty to do at the West Coast Surf Shop a few days before its 50th anniversary, but founder Jim Brady is watching the Mavericks Invitational 2014 off the San Francisco coast online while his wife, Ronee Brady, mans the counter. “Big waves,” the characteristically concise local boy says. That translates to 50 feet – think five-story building. The surfers are deploying vests filled with air to bring them to the surface after being held under the crushing waves for several minutes, catching rides on Jet Skis back out to the lineup after each wave and recording it all with Go-Pro cameras mounted on helmets and boards. Surfing has changed a lot since 1964, when Brady opened the shop at its original location near the present site of the Island Chamber of Commerce, the year after Ron Jon’s – officially the oldest surf shop in Florida – opened its Cocoa Beach store. He’s not quite sure of the exact opening date – he was only 16 – but “All Summer Long” had just been released by the Beach Boys, and at the Manatee Public Beach, teenagers were dancing to surf music on the rooftop pavilion.
Ronee and Jim Brady, pictured in the “boardroom” of the West Coast Surf Shop, are celebrating 50 years in business. The original West Coast Surf Shop was located where the Island Chamber of Commerce is today. CINDY LANE | SUN
see SURF SHOP, page 43 SUBMITTED
Anna Maria approves cell tower lease Kevin Barile, of Florida Tower Partners, LLC, says it might take up to nine months before the tower is operational. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – The city commission worked out the details and passed an ordinance making the lease of city owned land for a cell phone tower a
INSIDE NEWS opinion sun survey tom breiter coast lines outdoors real estate classifieds
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reality. The ordinance sets the stage for Florida Tower Partners, LLC to build a tower in the parking lot of Anna Maria City Hall that includes an elevated tier of equipment for the cell phone providers with room for parking beneath. After learning at a previous meeting that the tower could be as high as 162 feet, depending on the number of providers that sign up, they put 162 feet as the maximum height of the structure. There is also language that requires
the cell tower owner to tear down the tower if it becomes unnecessary. Commission Chair Chuck Webb said he wants to make sure the tower matches the Island ambience, City Attorney Jim Dye said he thinks that would be best handled when Florida Tower Partners submits a site plan. Commissioner Dale Woodland moved to accept the ordinance, and CommissionerDoug Copeland seconded the motion. The commissioners voted unanimously for the motion.
Bob Pitt wins the prestigious Florida Folk Heritage Award. 4
Anna Maria Island, Florida
There was some trepidation when the commission saw how much the aborted plan for the six lots at Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard would cost. The project, which included trees, a well for watering the landscape, electrical outlets for festivals, public bathrooms and parking spaces, was to be financed by Pine Avenue Restoration (PAR) and Rex Hagen, a resident who offered to fund the restrooms and parking lot. see CELL TOWER, page 43
Art is everywhere in Art Around the Island. 12 Vote for your favorites in The Sun’s
Readers’ Choice Contest. 19 The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper
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Progress made on pier renovations Contractors will soon submit bids on the pier project and the restaurant is set to open in early February. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON BEACH – January was a productive month in regard to pending renovations to the city pier. During the Thursday, Jan. 16, city commission meeting, commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Manatee County pertaining to the board of county commissioner’s pledge to match dollar for dollar up to $1 million of the city’s expenditures on the pier project. At the same meeting, commissioners approved the expenditure, not to exceed $10,000, for ZNS Engineering to prepare a request for proposals that establishes the project scope and criteria for the construction firms that will bid on the project. Commissioners supported the Pier Team recommendation that the pier’s new composite decking would be gray and the shingles atop the gazebos and pavilion would be white. The roof of the restaurant building will not be re-shingled.
joe hendricks | sun
Repairs to the east end of the Bradenton Beach City Pier will bring back to life a centerpiece for the city. Commissioners also approved an amended lease with Cast and Cage restaurant proprietor Roland Pena. A memo prepared by Building Official Steve Gilbert details some of the specifics associated with the pier renovations. For the area east of the restaurant and encompassing the fishing pier, the task list includes the removal and reconstruction of three gazebos, the pavilion and the superstructure of the existing pier deck, as well as the removal and replacement of all decking, framing and concrete pilings. Wooden swings and picnic tables will
be built for the new pavilion that sits at the end of the pier, and new composite benches will be installed along the length of the pier. The area west of the restaurant will be retrofitted with composite decking, and existing guardrails will be replaced with new rails made of pressure treated wood. In an effort to be judicious with taxpayer dollars, the city will purchase fish cleaning stations and solar lighting fixtures, and the public works department will install them. “Why should we pay the contractor for
something we can do ourselves,” said Police Chief Sam Speciale, during the Wednesday, Jan. 15, Pier Team meeting. The meeting began with Pena introducing Cast and Cage executive chef Tony Savage, a Michigan native with 31 years of restaurant experience. The Siesta Key resident said he hopes to relocate to the Island soon. Summing up his thoughts on the new endeavor, Savage said, “We’re going to blow it right out of the water and have some fun.” He and Pena received tentative Pier Team approval to use Little Sexy, a cast iron outdoor smoker, with the stipulations that an illustrated plan would be submitted to the city; food cooked in the smoker would only be sold inside the restaurant and the concession stand; and the portable configuration would be inspected by the fire marshal. Public Works Director Tom Woodard said repairs to the restaurant’s hood ventilation system would be completed at the city’s expense because the city owns the leased building. Pena said he and his business partners hope to open the restaurant by Saturday, Feb. 1, and no later than Saturday, Feb. 8.
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THE SUN
ISLAND NEWS
in brief
BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
Holmes Beach Mayor Carmel Monti has set a meeting on the city’s dog park for 4 p.m. on Jan. 31. The public is invited to bring their suggestions on what improvements they would like the city to make in the small and large dog sections of the park. Monti said he would take all the suggestions under advisement before deciding how to spend the remainder of the money donated for park improvements. Donations total more than $8,000.
CORTEZ – Whenever you see Bob Pitt, you can bet there’s a boat nearby. Pitt has been awarded a Florida Folk Heritage Award for his traditional boatbuilding skills, and plans to travel to Tallahassee in May to receive the honor from the Florida Secretary of State. The award is conferred on “outstanding folk artists and folk culture advocates who have made longstanding contributions to the folk cultural resources of the state,” according to the Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, which sponsors the program. For eight years, Pitt supervised the volunteer crew of boatbuilders at the Florida Maritime Museum’s boatbuilding shop in the FISH Preserve in Cortez, nationally recognized for craftsmanship. He remains active in the historic fishing village, building boats with volunteers at the former fire station and serving as president of the Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association. Dr. Tina Bucuvalas, curator of Arts and Historical Resources in Tarpon Springs, nominated Pitt for the award. “Pitt has demonstrated a lifelong interest in preserving maritime history by teaching and practicing disappearing skills,” Bucuvalas wrote. “His profound knowledge of regional boat building has not been learned from books, but was passed down to him from knowledgeable, skilled boat builders and refined through a lifetime of experience.”
The AMI Community Center’s annual Tour of Homes is asking donors to support the event by contributing $20 as Friends of the Center. Donor names will be mentioned in the tour booklet. Businesses also can place ads the tour booklet. To place an ad or becoming a sponsor, contact Sandee Pruett at 941-778-1908, ext. 0, or by email sandee@myamicc.com.
Tell stories in Cortez If you are a member of a Cortez fishing family, the Florida Maritime Museum wants you for Voices of the Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries and the Manatee School for the Arts are partnering to collect oral histories from Cortezians on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, 4415 119th St. W. in Cortez. Hour-long interviews will be conducted by high school students and video and audio recorded for publication on NOAA’s website. Each participant will receive a copy of his/her interview. To set up an appointment or for more information, contact the museum at 941-708-6121.
Town settles groin dispute The town of Longboat Key has settled a dispute over its proposed construction of a nonadjustable, concrete erosion control groin at Longboat Pass on Greer Island, better known as Beer Can Island. Former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash and the Sierra Club of Manatee/Sarasota opposed the groin, intended to protect beachfront condos on Longboat Key, maintaining that it would cause, not prevent, erosion and would adversely impact navigation and wildlife. The settlement, announced just before a scheduled administrative hearing last week, allows the town to proceed with construction of two adjustable permeable groins farther south. Beer Can Island, the configuration of which is constantly changed by the elements, is actually a peninsula and is a popular destination for recreational boaters.
JANUARY 29, 2014
Pitt earns Florida Folk Heritage Award
Dog park meeting set for Jan. 31
Tour of Homes seeks donors
Visit our website, www.amisun.com. Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
CINDY LANE | SUN
The Esperanza was rescued by Bob Pitt from its status as a yard ornament wreck. It once brought Cuban refugees to Florida. Bob Pitt is working on restoring the Egret, which dates back to the 1880s, in Cortez. Below, Pitt sits at the helm of the Anna Menendez, wearing his signature straw hat, and he also worked on restoration of the Sallie Adams, bottom, which has won several awards.
All in the family
The saltwater in his veins comes from a family of shipbuilders and captains who lived from the 1750s to 1868, when they arrived in Key West on his great-great-grandfather's schooner, Azorian. His mother's family was immersed in the culture of the islands of Florida, Cuba and the Bahamas, where his greatgrandmother was born. Pitt was born in Sarasota in 1953 and moved to the Bradenton area in 1956, attending Manatee County public schools
until ninth grade and graduating from Prew School in Sarasota. He grew up near 85 acres of piney woods and palmetto and spent his childhood in Florida scrubs and along coastlines with his father, collecting scallops and
crabs to eat and all types of sealife for their saltwater aquariums. Pitt learned sailing from his father, a Pram fleet instructor, and began helping with fiberSEE PITT, PAGE 27
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Get hooked on Cortez fishing festival BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Marinate in some authentic old Florida at the 32nd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival the weekend of Feb.15-16 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. But no matter how many steaming hot dishes of delectable seafood you see, don’t call it a seafood festival. It’s all about the fishermen who have been bringing home the catch for more than 120 years to Cortez, one of the last working fishing villages in the state. The festival will feature live music, nautical arts and crafts, marine life talks and exhibits, videos on commercial fishing, children’s activities and, of course, seafood, with choices for landlubbers. This year’s slogan – “Wishin’ I was Fishin’ ” – will appear on souvenir Tshirts with artwork created by Shannon Perkins, a recent graduate of State College of Florida. The slogan was proposed by and is a tribute to Carol E. "C.P." Pantas, a Cortez resident who passed away last year. Admission is $3 with children under
File photo
“Wishin’ I was Fishin’ ” is the 2014 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival slogan. Seafood was king at last year’s Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival. 12 free. Festival proceeds are used by the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) to expand and restore the 95-acre FISH Preserve east of the village on Sarasota Bay. The festival gate is at the Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W. in Cortez, at the corner of Cortez Road and 119th Street West. Park east of the village in the FISH Preserve or look for Cortez residents allowing people to park in their yards for a fee.
Or avoid the traffic and take a shuttle bus for $2.50 round trip from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach or from G. T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W. in Bradenton. For more information, visit www.
cortez-fish.org/fishing-festival.html.
* Festival music schedule on Page 39.
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THE SUN
OPINION
Mike Field, editor and CEO Mike & Maggie Field, publishers Island Sun Plaza, 9801 Gulf Drive P.O. Box 1189 Anna Maria, FL 34216-1189 Phone: (941) 778-3986 e-mail: news@amisun.com | ads@amisun.com | classifieds@amisun.com
JANUARY 29, 2014
EDITORIAL Can you hear me now?
T
he Anna Maria City Commission last week approved details of a lease agreement that will allow a communications tower to be built at city hall. The move clears the way for Florida Tower Partners, LLC to erect the 162-foot structure, which should be operational sometime within the next nine months. All we can say is "It's about time!" Anyone trying to make a call on the north end of Anna Maria Island will understand our enthusiasm. Service on mobile phones has been spotty at best, with fading signals and dropped calls more the norm than the exception, depending on the carrier. Cell phone calls to emergency numbers were just as unreliable and were simply disasters waiting to happen. Kudos to this commission for using some much-needed common sense in this argument and approving the lease. Hopefully, the tower that finally gets built will be less obtrusive than the hulking, battleship gray spire that dominates the Holmes Beach horizon. Regardless, once the new service is up and running, we're hoping the city's unofficial slogan of "Can you hear me now?" will be a thing of the past.
Worthy achievement
Congratulations to Bob Pitt for earning a Florida Folk Heritage Award for his traditional boat-building skills and for sharing that knowledge with the people of Cortez and all of Manatee County. (See story on Page 4.) Pitt is a master craftsman in the art of building boats by hand, having spent a lifetime honing his skills and preserving techniques that otherwise might have been lost in the dusty ages of history. For eight years, he supervised the volunteer crew of boat builders at the Florida Maritime Museum’s boat-building shop in the FISH Preserve in Cortez, which is nationally recognized for craftsmanship. And he continues his activism in the historic fishing village, building boats with volunteers at the former fire station and serving as president of the Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association. "They don't make 'em like that anymore" applies not only to these classic boats, but also to the man who builds them.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vegan options available To the question “Can you get good vegan food on Anna Maria Island?” the answer is an emphatic “YES!” Of course when people hear our restaurant has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices on the menu, disbelief is the usual response. “You’re joking, right? Baby-back ribs, ½-pound burgers and vegan?” It’s not really such a crazy concept. A more healthful diet is an idea whose time has come—it’s been here a while. People are looking for more variety, a little moderation, menu items with a lot less fat, and yes, delicious vegan preparations. Why not? When people dine out on Anna Maria, when they go out to eat with their extended families, when the kids come in for spring break-- with good reason they have come to expect a range of really great choices. There are so many excellent local eateries it’s really hard to know where to start with the high praise. After all, we are in the hospitality business--we’re trying to give our customers as many options as we possibly can while still maintaining the levels of quality our patrons can rightfully expect. So please, before you decide on that long road-trip to another county, check out the web-sites and menus and specials
offered by your local favorites. We think you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised. Charlotte Mansur Owner, Mr. Bones BBQ
Keeping history alive The Historical Society board, volunteers and membership thank the Chamber for the generous donation we received at the Save The Trolley- Giving Back Event. With the increase in visitors, over 5,500 in 2013, and AMIHS’s desire to keep the museum a free attraction for all visitors, we value all contributions. This donation is particularly special as it signifies the business community’s appreciation of the Island’s non-profits role in the future success of the Island. Our mission at AMIHS “To preserve the history and artifacts of Anna Maria Island” is only possible with the generosity of businesses and individuals. This donation helps us not just keep the doors open but to improve the museum. AMIHS appreciates The Anna Maria Island Chamber’s on-going support of our mission. Maureen McCormick President, Anna Maria Island Historical Society board of directors
Keep music at the Tiki Bar
Please keep the music at the Barefoot Tiki Bar! We are full time Holmes Beach residents and enjoy having an outdoor venue that supports live music and local business. How many people are actually disturbed by this – a handful? What about the rest of us that don't want to be inside in front of a TV? Turn up your TV volume until 10 p.m. and get over it! Terry Stewart Holmes Beach
Another vote for music Yes, yes, yes! Please keep amplified music (at the Barefoot Tiki Bar) and monitor it. The music at the Barefoot Tiki is great and I've never found it to be too loud. The people who complain should be thankful no airplanes are still landing at the airfield. Dick Castle Holmes Beach
To all the music lovers We like music too, but not loud music after 10 p.m. One establishment plays until 1 a.m. (Drift In). We need to sleep and to answer the person who wanted to hear Jimmy Buffet play – rent a hall! Our residential neighborhood needs to have good neighbors who appreciate and practice the quality of life. see LETTERS, page 7
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JANUARY 29, 2014
THE SUN
the sun survey
on the agenda
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Should amplified music be allowed outdoors on Anna Maria Island?
Anna Maria
6%
I don't really care as long they don't play past my 7 p.m. bedtime.
48%
Yes, yes, yes! Just set a decibel limit and monitor it. Any music below that level should be OK, above it not OK.
10005 Gulf Drive
2/4: Planning and Zoning Board, 6 p.m. 2/5: Environmental Education and Enhancement Committee, 6:30 p.m. For information, call 7086130.
Bradenton Beach 107 Gulf Drive N.
2/3: Scenic Waves, 3 p.m. 2/5: Pier team, 11 a.m. 2/6: Community Redevelopment Agency/Capital Improvement Projects Com-
7
mittee, 1:30 p.m. 2/6: City Commission work session, 6 p.m. 2/6: City Commission meeting, 7 p.m. For information, call 7781005.
Holmes Beach 5801 Marina Drive
1/29: Charter Review Committee, 10 a.m. 1/30: City Commission work session, 7 p.m. 2/3: Island Congestion Committee, 9:30 a.m. 2/5: Parks and Beautification Advisory Board, 5 p.m.
mark your calendar Note: Events are free unless otherwise indicated.
8%
Yes but keep those crazy base guitar players on a short leash.
THIS WEEK’S SURVEY What do you think of Anna Maria approving a cell tower?
38%
No. It gets too loud and disturbs our peace and quiet.
• Good idea. Should super powers now? have done it years • Let me move ago. around a little....I • Bad idea. It will be a can't hear you. visual blight on the • Can they make it city. look like an Austra• I like it. Will we all lian pine? be getting mutant
To vote, go to www.amisun.com or scan this code to vote by smartphone. But don't just vote – let us know what else you think. Send your comments about this week's topic to news@amisun.com or post them in the comments section of our website.
Results are printed on this page every week in the Anna Maria Island Sun. LETTERS FROM PAGE 6
As Planning and Zoning Board member John Burns said, “Real time monitoring is something they need to look at.” Eileen Suhre Bradenton Beach
Careful review needed Anti-business? As a Holmes Beach commissioner there are now at least three issues that are being misinterpreted: 1. Parking. As a community of small business owners that depend on having parking nearby, it is important that we consider the now and future parking needs of existing business. If we allow businesses
to start with inadequate parking, and in the future traffic increases, existing business will suffer. 2. Mainsail. There was a hearing and agreement, and when the agreement was put into writing Mainsail attorneys interpreted to make it favorable to their clients (which is the obligation). The commission's obligation is to the citizens of Holmes Beach. We have not changed the game, only demanding that the agreement suit all parties as per agreement. 3. The Tiki Bar. Our current ordinances prohibit any amplified outdoor music. The commission is working with the owners to change that so the Tiki Bar can stay in business. However, before we change the ordinance we need
to know that the rest of Holmes Beach residents are not unfairly impacted. As to the impact of noise, that is an issue that is well researched and the commission has the obligation to consider scientific evidence as well as people’s opinions. There are state and federal sound guide lines; for example, 75 decibels over a period of time will cause hearing damage. We are now working on a draft noise ordinance, and I urge our citizens not to complain but to help with this very important legislation that will be part of the fabric of our city. Looking forward to your input. Marvin Grossman Commissioner Holmes Beach
Wednesday
Jan. 29 Early Settler’s Bread for sale, AMI Historical Museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $5. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 top 6 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044. New moon stargazer paddle, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton,6;30 to 9 p.m. Reserve to 941- 742-5757, ext. 7.
Thursday
Jan. 30 Quilting class, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 top 6 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044. Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, doors open at 6:30 p.m., play at 7 p.m. Refreshments available for purchase.
3 p.m. Beach Market, Coquina Beach, Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
tuesday
Feb. 4 Children’s storytime, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Author lecture by Linda Petrat, “A Great Big Adventure on a Good Little Boat,” Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044.
Wednesday
Feb. 1 Cornhole tournament, Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, noon to 5 p.m.
Feb. 5 Early Settler’s Bread for sale, AMI Historical Museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $5. Gulf Coast Writers, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach,1 p.m.. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044. Mana-Tweens Book Club, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 6 p.m. Registration required.
sunday
Thursday
Saturday
Feb. 2 Bridge Street Market, Bradenton Beach, 10 a.m. to
Feb. 6 Catherine Chapman Smith SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 8
8
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THE SUN
Super Bowl XLVIII happenings
mark your calendar FROM PAGE 7 speaks on her journey on the Idaho Wilderness Trail, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044. Bingo, Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, doors open at 6:30 p.m., play at 7 p.m. Refreshments available for purchase.
FRIDAY
Feb. 7 Forty Carrots program for babies and children to age 5, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Class on smart phones and tablets, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m.
SATURDAY
Feb. 8 Privateers’ Thieves’ Market, Pine Avenue, Anna Maria, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Master Gardener tour, Robinson Preserve, Riverview Pointe Preserve, end of 75th Street, Bradenton, 9 to 11 a.m. Reserve to 941-722-4524.
Naturalist-led 60-minute wagon tours, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 9 and 10 a.m., first come, first served. Origami class, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Social Networking for Small Business, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 1 p.m.
TUESDAY
Feb. 11 Children’s story time, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 10 a.m. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044.
WEDNESDAY
Feb. 12 John Beale of the Florida Martime Museum in Cortez speaks about the museum and its programs, Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 2 p.m. Couch to 5K fitness program, Robinson Preserve, 99th Street Northwest and 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Reserve to 941-748-4501, ext. 6044.
The Flea Market is Back, Sunday Nov 3rd. G&J’s Market Specials -Cool Down With a 16oz Bud light, Bud or AmberBock----1.98 -Try one of our new Grilled sandwiches, Peppers and Onions with Beef, Pulled Pork or The Club, all on our Home made bun - 7.95p -Try our delicious Orange Ice Cream, made with 100% fresh squeezed OJ or our Rich Vanilla, or a Combo Twist….1.99 9807 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria
JANUARY 29, 2014
941-778- 3170
Prices are before tax
For casual and diehard football fans alike, Super Bowl Sunday is a day to party with friends, family, and in some cases, enthusiastic strangers. When the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks square off Sunday evening, some local establishments will close for the sports holiday (Hurricane Hank’s and Blue Marlin); some will conduct business as usual (D Coy Ducks, Duffy’s Tavern and Skinny’s); and some will go all out, including those listed below. Barefoot Tiki Bar - 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, 941-778-4402 Drink specials: $2 drafts. Food: Barefoot style buffet, bring a dish; Nicole supplies the pizza. Entertainment: James Blaine 1 to 2 p.m.; Mumbo Jumbo 2 to 6 p.m. Prizes: quarterly giveaways. Bridge Tender Inn - 135 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach, 941-778-4849 Drink Specials: Happy hour all day, $2.50 Bud and Bud Light bottles Food: Full menu and free halftime buffet. Entertainment: Swamp Donkie, 2 to 5 p.m. Prizes: Raffle – giving away one trip to Mexico and five trips to Las Vegas. Winners announced at halftime. Proceeds go to Cat Depot, Sarasota. Clancy’s - 6218 Cortez Road. W., Bradenton, 941-794-2489
Drink Specials: $10 domestic buckets (6), free Jello shots pregame and halftime. Food: Pig roast and full menu. Entertainment Jack Tamburine Band, 1 to 5 p.m. Prizes: Square game giveaways. Gulf Drive Café - 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, 941-778-1919 Food and drink special: $69.95 buffet, all you can eat through halftime; all you can drink domestic drafts, house wine and well liquor all game long. Full menu also offered. Entertainment: Natural Vibes, 1 to 5 p.m. Reservations required for buffet, recommended for regular dining. Island Time Bar & Grill – 111 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, 941-782-1122 Drink Specials: $4 Smirnoff Bloody Mary’s; $5 Ketel One and Crown Royal; $12 buckets (5) of Bud and Bud Light. Food: 65-cent wings and full menu. Entertainment: Doug Bidwell & Larry Stokes, 2 to 5 p.m. Prizes: Budweiser giveaways. Lobstahs - 5337 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 941779-1000 “Come watch the Super Bowl with us.” Call or SEE SUPER BOWL, PAGE168
JANUARY 29, 2014
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THE SUN
9
Flood concerns lead to height allowance request The special master’s decision could impact other homeowners. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON BEACH – If approved, a variance request for an increased building height allowance in the Sandpiper Resort could alter the landscape of the manufactured and mobile home community. Sandpiper resident Doug LeFevre is seeking the city’s permission to replace an existing mobile home with a single-story manufactured home measuring 14 feet in height, to be placed on 11-foot pilings, resulting in a 25-foot structure with parking underneath. LeFevre stated his case to William Robinson Jr., the Bradenton real estate attorney who serves as the city’s special master, during a hearing that took place at city hall on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Robinson said he would render his decision within 15 days and explained that should anyone wish to appeal his decision, that would have to do so through the circuit court. Located near the city’s northern boundary, the properties inside the Sandpiper Resort Co-op are designated M-1 (Mobile
Home District) by the city’s land development code (LDC). This designation allows for a maximum building height of 15 feet. LeFevre’s request for 10 additional feet is based on a desire to protect his investment at a time when flood insurance premiums are rising and compliance with flood regulations is becoming more challenging. “I’m not expecting it to flood, but if it does, I won’t have to worry about rebuilding the house or flood mitigation,” he said. LeFevre’s request pertains to a single property, but if approved, others are expected to follow his lead. Sandpiper Co-op board president Marie Petersen spoke in favor of the request and said the co-op board voted in favor of it. Sandpiper resident Judy Price pointed out that the Sandpiper board support came in the form of a 3-2 vote. She questioned whether the request should have first been voted on by the resort’s 120 owner-stakeholders. Price also wondered about the precedent that would be set if the height allowance is granted. “Are we opening this up to everyone in the park?” she asked. Sandpiper resident Ted Baird said, “Doug is just the first of the group that’s going to be building new homes in the park. There are those in the park who appreciate his
pioneering efforts to break this height limit of 15 feet and get us up to 25 feet, where we will need to be when the new FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) regulations take effect.” Building Official Steve Gilbert confirmed that a coastal surge study being conducted by FEMA is expected to result in increased base flood elevation requirements within the next two years. Sandpiper resident Charlie Miller recently raised his home to the maximum height allowed by the city. “If I could have raised it 18 inches higher, I could have got a lower insurance rate, because I would have been above the flood plain,” he said. Some of the older units in the resort sit on bases that are 10 to 12 inches above ground, while others sit on bases that are three or four feet tall. Peg Miller lives across the street from the resort. She expressed concerns about elevated homes posing greater risks during storms. Her home was struck by a portion of a roof torn from a Sandpiper home during Hurricane Charley in 2004. Gilbert said state regulations now require manufactured homes and barrier island homes to be built to higher standards. He shared his belief that additional height allowances would not create greater risk.
John Burns, a member of the city’s planning and zoning board, questioned whether LeFevre’s request met the many factors required for variance approval, particularly the height limits specified in the LDC. Planning Official Alan Garrett said the LDC offers two potential interpretations of the height limits: one based on the entirety of LDC Chapter 34, and one based on the multiple zoning districts contained within that particular chapter of city code. Garrett explained that the district zoning designation stipulates a 15 foot height limit, but the maximum building height allowed in the entirety of Chapter 34 allows for 29 feet above the base flood elevation. The property in question has a base flood elevation of nine feet, which equates to a maximum allowable building height of 38 feet. Garrett pointed out that LeFevre is only asking for 25 feet. Garrett and Gilbert agreed that this interpretation of the LDC applies to LeFevre’s request and satisfies the factors required for a variance. The staff analysis prepared prior to the hearing states: “Staff does not object to request to elevate the dwelling to meet the base flood elevation, thereby increasing public safety in the event of a storm or hurricane.”
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Island realty sales reach benchmark Island Real Estate agent Alan Galletto reports the market is as good on the Island as it has ever been. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
Alan Galletto’s prediction came true. The agent for Island Real Estate, who publishes a newsletter that keeps track of sales, reports sales of properties reached 427, just under last year’s total of 431 and more than 400 units for only the fourth year; “Sales in 2013 were strong among all property types and showed average and median sales prices significantly up from 2012,” Galletto wrote in his newsletter. The sales figures for December 2013 were 34 units total, down slightly from 38 for December 2012. Sales by type in 2013 were 13 single-family homes, 10 condominiums, six duplexes and five lots. For December 2012, they were 27 single-family, nine condos, one duplex and one lot. The final figures for 2013 were 237 single-family, 138 condos, 27 duplexes and 25 lots, down one percent from 2012 when they sold 245 single-family, 127 condos, 27 duplexes and 33 lots. Galletto said all indications were positive for continued real estate growth. “Of the 2013 sales only 9 percent or 39 units, were distressed properties (bank owned or short sales)
Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 2013 sales on Anna Maria Island Homes Condos Duplexes Lots Total
# Sold Lowest 237 $145,000 138 $ 114,500 27 $175,000 25 $142,000 427
Highest $3,425,000 $2,622,000 $1,100,000 $2,125,000
Avg. sale price $708,979 $366,078 $500,943 $658,360
Median sale price $571,500 $317,000 $438,000 $480,000
Jan. 1 – Dec, 31 2012 sales on Anna Maria Island Homes Condos Duplexes Lots Total
# Sold Lowest 245 $145,000 126 $ 84,000 27 $199,000 33 $ 68,000 431
Highest $3,000,000 $1,460,000 $ 679,000 $ 875,000
compared to 13 percent, or 56 units, in 2012,” he wrote. “Inventory on the Island continues to remain low at 311. The inventory last month was 321, and for the last six months, the inventory has ranged between 263 and 321.” Galletto said Canadian currency exchange rates have brought Canadians, many of them baby boomers, to Florida to purchase real estate. “We have been seeing more Canadians come into the Island market in the last year than any time since most Canadians who owned property here sold out
Avg. sale price $564,763 $313,965 $379,173 $358,035
Median sale price $500,000 $299,000 $375,750 $335,000
in the 1990s when the U.S. dollar was very strong against the Canadian dollar,” he said. Galletto said there were only five distressed properties on the market as 2014 arrived. He noted the number of single-family sales remains relatively high. He also said sales of properties over the $1 million level have raised from 2-3 percent to 6-7 percent. He summed up the situation with a positive endorsement. “The bottom line is that the current market is as good as the Island market has ever been,” he said.
JANUARY 29, 2014
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Live like a local Respect Wildlife
Wood stork Wild birds are better left unfed – it’s dangerous for both of us. “A fed bird is a dead bird.” Anna Maria Island Sun, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
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BY CINDY LANE
Oil painting demonstration
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Sail painting workshop Friday Watercolorist Mark Polamchak will host a workshop on Friday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. called “Sails in Paradise” at CrossPointe Fellowship Church, 8605 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach. Participants will paint on a watercolor board and have the opportunity to airbrush their work, leaving with a completed painting. The cost is $95 per day for Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island members or $110 for non-members with lunch included. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to download a registration form, visit www.amiartistsguildgallery.com.
Island Gallery West artist Patricia Sorg will give a free demonstration of oil painting on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the gallery, 5368 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach (trolley stop 15). Sorg began painting as a young girl in Guatemala and drew her inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of mountains and oceans that surrounded her. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.islandgallerywest. com, facebook or call 941778-6648. SUBMITTED
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Shepherd-Rains featured at Guild Judith Shepherd-Rains will be the February featured artist at the newly-renovated Artists' Guild Gallery, 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach. A free, public reception will be held Friday, Feb. 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Shepherd-Rains was born in New England into a creative and artistic family and spent the early 60s to mid-90s living in the Caribbean painting the lush colors and vibrancy of the tropics in watercolors and acrylics. After moving to Bradenton, she exhibited her glass paintings in juried shows from Florida to New England. For more information, call 941-778-6694 or visit www.amiartistsguildgallery.com.
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New Guild board From left, Chris Collins, Wendell Graham, David Gaw and Barbara Singer are among the newlyelected Artists' Guild of Anna Maria Island 2014 board members: Wendell Graham, president; David Gaw, first vice president; Chris Collins, second vice president; Leslie Robbins, recording secretary; Barbara Singer, corresponding secretary and Kay Johnson, treasurer.
Botanical artist featured speaker
Learn pastels at League
Author, educator and artist Olivia Marie Braida-Chiusano will speak about the history of botanical art and the influence of the French court period on Monday, Feb. 3, at the Church of the Annunciation’s Lowe Hall at 45th Street and Second Avenue in Holmes Beach. Meetings begin with a social time at 6:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m. Using watercolor, pen and ink and graphite, Braida-Chiusano's work has been said to combine scientific accuracy with aesthetic beauty. She is the founder of the Academy of Botanical Art, which offers botanical certification through the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Artists’ Guild at 941-778-6694 or visit www.amiartistsguildgallery.com.
The Anna Maria Island Art League presents Pastels with Polly on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 5312 Holmes Blvd. in Holmes Beach. Member cost is $25; non-members pay $40. To register, call 941-778-2099 or e-mail ArtLeagueAMI@gmail.com.
Folk art exhibit opens A show by native Florida folk artist RhondaK, entitled “Painted Road, Hainted Heart; New Work, Old Florida” will be exhibited at Divine Excess Folk Art Gallery, 1125 12th St. W. in Bradenton, on Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. RhondaK paints live on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach through May, and displays her work at Star Fish Co. in Cortez, Banana Cabana in Bradenton Beach and other Island locations.
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November resort tax collections Manatee County’s 5 percent resort tax, or tourist tax, is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists. Most of the tax is allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts and beach renourishment. Resort tax increases reflect both increased visitation and improved tax collection efforts. Monthly collection reports do not reflect the fact that some hoteliers pay quarterly, not monthly. Amounts collected in November are paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in December. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit www.taxcollector. com/services_resort_tax_tips.asp. Source: Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office
November visits up November 2013 tourism was up 4.1 percent over November 2012, with 43,300 visitors to Manatee County, according to Research Data Services, the county’s Tampa-based tourism consultant. Direct expenditures were up by 8.3 percent over the previous November, totaling $23,798,100 for the month. Occupancy was 59.2 percent in November 2013, up 1.2 percent from 58.5 the previous year, and room rates averaged $126 a night, up 3.1 percent from $122 a night the previous year. Florida visitors led the rush to the county, accounting for 26.3 percent of visitors, followed by Europeans, 22.7 percent; Midwesterners, 17.9 percent; and
Red tide monitor A new buoy deployed recently in Old Tampa Bay is collecting water quality information that will help researchers learn more about what triggers red tide and other harmful algae species. The buoy, launched by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, collects data on water temperature, salinity, clarity and dissolved oxygen and sends it to scientists every five minutes. It also monitors chlorophyll fluorescence, an indicator of harmful algae blooms. SUBMITTED
Northeasterners,16.1 percent.
Eateries to see growth Restaurants in Florida are expected to enjoy 4.5 percent growth this year, reaching sales of nearly $34.7 million, according to the National Restaurant Association, which ranks the industry as the nation’s second largest private employer, accounting for 10 percent of its total workforce. The hospitality industry, which includes restaurants, is Florida’s largest employer, representing 23 percent of the state’s economy, according to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
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Perception vs. reality A Wish Fulfilled. The Ones You Love.
The Luxury of Time.
Waterfront Resort Living on Florida’s Last Private Island. Start with maintenance-included, energy-efficient homes, designed for care-free coastal living. Combine with resort-style amenities like a planned private clubhouse, kayak launch, pool, cabanas and proposed marina. Top off with the pleasures of Anna Maria Island and the conveniences of Sarasota/Bradenton. It all adds up to the Florida resort lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. A place to gather family and friends today and celebrate all the tomorrows to come.
No CDD Fees at Harbour Isle! Unlike many of our competitors, Harbour Isle has been developed without utilizing Community Development District (CDD) Funding. This means you won’t see annual CDD assessments on your tax bill, which saves you thousands of dollars over the life of your home! Once you compare, the choice is clearly Minto. Award-Winning Designs | Enduring Quality | Incomparable Value
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© Minto Communities, LLC 2014. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission Artist’s renderings, dimensions, specifications, prices and features are approximate and subject to change without notice. Minto, the Minto logo, Harbour Isle and the Harbour Isle logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. Oral representations cannot be relied upon a correctly stating the representations of the developer. For correct representations, make reference to the purchase agreement and homeowner documents, including the documents required by section 718.503, Florida Statutes, to be furnished by a developer to a buyer or lessee in condominium communities. Not an offer where prohibited by state statutes. CGC 1519880. 1/2014.
T
he human psyche is an interesting thing to study, especially in the area of perceptions of the past and future. The differences in how we feel about our prospects are often vastly different than the reality of the situation as measured by hard facts. Of course, each of us is different, so the observations expressed here are meant to describe the general, or majority, opinions of the population, not each individual’s view. In meeting with clients and in having general conversations with others in the course of various meetings or social events, there is still a preponderance of those who feel the U.S. economy is doing poorly, and many think we are still in a recession. The facts just don’t bear this out. The recession caused by the residential real estate bubble bursting and the associated mortgage troubles back in 2007 and 2008, ended in the summer of 2009. That’s four and a half years ago! We have seen positive economic growth in every quarter since that time, and that rate of growth seems to be accelerating a bit recently. Granted, we still have an unemployment rate of about 7 percent, down from about 9 percent at the depths of the last recession. Keep in mind that it is rare for the unemployment rate to go much below the 4 – 5 percent range because there is always a certain amount of natural unemployment, which describes people in between jobs either by their choice or by the normal pace of companies making changes to their business plans. So, while we have some work to do to get back to full employment, we’re not that far away. By other measures the economy is doing great. The level of gross domestic product, which is the total output of all goods and services by the U.S., is now at a higher level than before the Great Recession, and continues to grow. Famously, the U.S. stock market spent most of 2013 making new all-time highs, a pattern that has continued into 2014. I’d like to share the quotes below from the Conference Board’s website. The Conference Board is a non-profit group of economist who measure economic activity. I’ve mentioned their Leading Economic Index before. The Index has an enviable track record of identifying future economic trends, and recessions don’t usually occur
Investment Corner TOM BREITER without a downturn in the index. For the last several years, the index has pointed to improvement, not a new recession. “The LEI continues on a broadbased upward trend, suggesting gradually strengthening economic conditions through early 2014,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, economist at The Conference Board. “Improving labor markets and new orders in manufacturing, combined with strong financial indicators, drove November’s gain. However, consumers’ outlook for the economy and the drop in housing permits continue to pose risks in 2014.” “November data reflect a U.S. economy that is expanding modestly, discounting some renewal in activity after the government shutdown,” said Ken Goldstein, economist at The Conference Board. “The coincident economic index shows the economy expanding at a relatively slow pace. The trend in the leading economic index is stronger, signaling for some time that the economy is developing forward momentum, and will continue to strengthen through early 2014.” (Source: www.conferenceboard.org) The part I find interesting in the quote above is where they identify “consumer’s outlooks” as a risk to continued economic growth. To a certain extent, our perceptions are self-fulfilling. If, as a group, we all feel terrible about our future and reduce our level of economic activity, then we may cause what we fear the most. There is no doubt we have a recession in our future. But at the present time I would hesitate to say its right around the corner. Let’s enjoy the recovering economy we have at the moment and worry about a recession when there is something to worry about. Tom Breiter is president of Breiter Capital Management, Inc., an Anna Maria based investment advisor. He can be reached at 778-1900. Some of the investment concepts highlighted in this column may carry the risk of loss of principal, and investors should determine appropriateness for their personal situation before investing. www.breitercapital.com
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Congestion committee awaits city OK They also are seeking help on how to let visitors know about overflow parking sites.
HOLMES BEACH – Members of the Island congestion committee plan to seek help in getting their message out We need someone in the once they get approval from the city for community with advertising their overflow parking program. The committee has been working and marketing experience to since August of last year on finding ways to address the problem created by increased traffic to the Island. They help us.” propose offering numerous sites for overflow parking including banks, the Bob Johnson elementary school and a church. Island congestion committee They have developed a program scope and a parking agreement that must be approved by the city commission. The In addition, there are the residents. “Part of it is getting people to know commission also must approve allowwhere the available lots are and part ing representatives of the committee to of it is letting them know that the lots pursue agreements with site owners. are available when they come on the At the recent meeting, members Island,” he said. discussed ways to let the public know “That’s what the TDC (Tourist Deabout the program and the location of the satellite parking sites. Ideas include velopment Council) does for a living,” apps, signs, a roadside message sign Manatee County Commissioner Carol and the city’s website. Whitmore told the group. “They have “We need to create a marketing cam- the expertise, but you need a plan.” paign and figure out who we want to Member Pam Leckie asked about using the overhead signs on state roads, target and what to tell them,” member and Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the Bob Johnson said. only message allowed is “heavy con“We need to think about a publicgestion ahead.” ity program. We need someone in the Sustek suggested a roadside message community with advertising and marsign, and Tokajer said the city would keting experience to help us.” have to purchase one. Johnson suggested a sign by the Groups to target road coming on the Island stating, “There are two groups – one that “Overflow parking, follow the arrows” comes from the mainland for the day with arrows leading to the parking lots and doesn’t have the advantage of local and added, “We don’t have to have the information. Then we have the visitors whole answer now. Let’s find a few who come that are on the Island, and things that work that are cheap and we would like to get them to not use simple.” their cars so much. They’re different Manatee County Commissioner John groups with different problems,” Chair Chappie said TDC funds might be Carol Sustek pointed out. available for signs. Tokajer said once Johnson said the first group includes people learn about the program the city those that live in the county and those could list the lots on its website. that come from other areas of the state.
SUPER BOWL: Places to be
Swordfish Grill - 4628 119th Street W., Cortez,
SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 & 11:00 AM 941-778-0414 • roserchurch.com • Find us @ facebook.com/RoserChurch 941-7
SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
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Church School for Children & Youth • 9:00 Adult Bible Study & Book Study • 10:00 Nursery Available • 9:00 & 11:00
MISSION OF THE MONTH: YOUTH FOR CHRIST M
BY PAT COPELAND
FROM PAGE 8 drop by for additional details.
JANUARY 29, 2014
941-798-2035 Drink specials: $5 Blue Huckleberry Lemonade, $5 Orange Crush, $1 Jello shots and Sunday happy hour. Food: Mile-High Bronco Burger, Seattle Sushi Platter, full menu and other specials. Entertainment: Reid Frost 12 to 3 p.m. and The Wheedles, 5 to 8 p.m.
512 Pine Avenue, Anna Maria
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pat copeland | sun
Alvaro Fernandez signs the wing panel, which was brought to his home in Holmes Beach.
Holmes Beach WWII vet honored Last week Holmes Beach WWII veteran Alvaro Fernandez added his name to the list of comrades in arms who have signed the 384th Bombardment Group Commemorative Wing Panel. Fernandez and the other signers served in the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which flew aircraft from Grafton Underwood, Northhamptonshire, England, in the air war over Europe from 1943 to 1945. The Wing Panel Project was initiated and managed by West Coast architect and son of a 384the combat veteran, Christopher Wilkinson. Ten veterans inaugurated the project in 2010 with their signatures at a reunion in Brandon, Mo. Since then, volunteers have scoured the country to locate 384th veterans and
bring the wing panel to them to sign. The culmination of the project will be the dedication and display of the panel at Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base near Ogden, Utah. In addition, Fred Preller, who bought the panel to Fernandez to sign, presented him with a black and white stained glass Triangle P ornament with the group’s wartime motto, “Keep the Show on the Road” across the bottom. The Triangle P was the 384thBomb Group tail symbol throughout the war and is a reminder of the veterans’ service to the country and hard work and sacrifice while they served in the 384th Bombardment Group.
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JANUARY 29, 2014
Divas take on the warden “Delval Divas” runs until Feb. 9 and tickets are sale at the box office, 778-5755. ANNA MARIA – The ladies had the run of the stage during the Island Players’ performance of “Delval Divas” last Friday and it’s a run you’ve got to see. Written by Barbara Pease Weber, this comedy is set in a minimum security prison where the inmates actually run things, and when they are faced with the prison’s closure due to budgetary shortfalls, they do what they have to do to avoid giving up their cushy cells, which they call their “suites,” for a taste of real prison life. Laura Morales as the jailer Lucille is excellent as the person who ties the story and characters together. The play opens as one of the inmates, Jennifer Eddy, who filled in ably as Beth Zeigler when Island Players actress Melissa Anderson had to cancel, is crying because her sentence is up and she has to leave Delval Prison for the real
Tom vaught
From left, Laura Morales, Jennifer Eddy, Sylvia Marnie, Chrissy Abdala, Diane Phinney and Robin Rhodes in a scene from "Delval Divas." world. She, like the others, was convicted for various blue collar, non-violent offenses.
After she leaves, the three other characters – Sylvia Marnie, as Stella Wild; Diane
Phinney, as Rosemary Adams; and Robin Rhodes, as Linda Robinson; are joined by Chrissy Abdala, as Sharon Watson, a weepy woman who is charged with poisoning her ex-husband’s new wife, and she maintains her innocence. The story gets interesting from there and it ties together neatly as the inmates ensure their beloved prison will remain open. Director Heiko Kripfelberg, who took over following the untimely death of veteran actress and director Phyliss Elfenbein, did a great job of tying the inmates’ reactions to situations together. The dialogue is funny and the way they reacted was priceless. The theme of the story is how money has the power to absolutely corrupt almost anyone or anything, and it is money that brought that corruption to an end. The play is entertaining and the cast gives a sterling performance. Once again, the little playhouse by the sea has got itself a winner!
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Football Fever winner collects winnings This year’s champion took home a stellar prize package provided by local businesses. BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON BEACH – After 17 weeks of competition, Bradenton resident Webbie Scronce was declared the winner of the 2013-2014 AMI Sun Football Fever contest. Contestants accumulated points in their season-long attempts to predict the winners of every NFL regular season game and some college games as well. Sun accountant John Reitz tabulated the contest. He said there was a threeway tie at the end of the season, with Scronce and two others each making 168 correct picks. The tiebreaker to determine the season winner was the combined score of the weekly tiebreaker games, which were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ games, except when the Bucs had the week off. According to Reitz, the total combined score for all tiebreaker games was 797, and Scronce came closest to that total with a combined score of 753. Unlike last season, Scronce did not win any of this season’s 17 weekly contests, but he did tie for first place on three occa-
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joe hendricks | sun
Football Fever winner Webbie Scronce is surrounded by representatives of the AMI Sun, Island Time Bar & Grill, Island Time Inn, Island Scooter Rentals, Bridge Street Jewelers and Gulf Coast Eagle Budweiser. From left to are Chuck Williams, Bill Herlihy, Webbie Scronce, Tanya McCormick, Eric Fleishman and Chantelle Lewin. Victoria Sweeney is not pictured sions, only to fall short via the tiebreaker that would later serve him well. Scronce was rewarded handsomely
for his predictive abilities. Wednesday afternoon, he reported to Island Time Bar & Grill in Bradenton Beach to collect a
prize package that included a two-night stay at the Island Time Inn, courtesy of Bill Herlihy; a $40 Island Time Bar & Grill gift certificate, courtesy of Eric Fleishman; a silver and gold Anna Maria Island Destination Bracelet, courtesy of Bridge Street Jewelers and Bradley Smith; a recreational package from Victoria Sweeney and Island Scooter Rentals that included the use of a scooter for two days, a kayak for one day, bicycles for one day, and paddle boards and boogie boards for half a day. Scronce also took home a Budweiser bicycle courtesy of Chuck Williams, accounts manager for Gulf Coast Eagle Budweiser. Accompanied by his wife Kim, who gladly accepted the destination bracelet from sales associate Tanya McCormick, Scronce shared his thoughts on the prize package, saying, “This is fantastic. Thank you very much.” Scronce, the owner of a snack vending route, said his winning strategy included analyzing point spreads, even though that was not part of the contest, and factoring in the home field advantage. “I played every week, and that was the point…to win the thing,” he said. “I’ll play again next year and maybe I’ll win again. Repeat champions are the best, right?”
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Rockin’ on Bridge Street 0 ) 6$7 681 &/26('
Proceeds from merchants' association events assist with local beautification projects.
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SUN CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON BEACH – Despite the cool weather, and some early electrical issues caused by band equipment drawing too much power, Saturday night’s Rock N Roll Party on Bridge Street was a rousing success. The Bridge Street Merchants' Association sponsored the wellattended event that took place in the Bridge Street Market lot on Bridge Street. Bill and Rita Swartz, from Gladstone Mich., were among the many folks who stayed warm by dancing to the live music performed by Luke Andrews and Ted Stevens and the Doo-Shots. “They do a nice job promoting
joe hendricks | sun
Philly's Finest “Grannie Annie� Deans dances with Ted Stevens and bassist Butch Alan the area,� Bill Swartz said of the Bridge Street events. Volunteers from the Bridge
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Street Merchants Association sold pulled pork sandwiches, grilled hot dogs and Italian sausage, baked beans and pasta salad. Sysco food distributors donated the food. Proceeds from the food sales and other event-related revenues assist the merchants association with their street beautification projects, including the recent holiday decorations and future roundabout landscape improvements. The proceeds also provide funds to host future events. The full bar provided by Island Time Bar & Grill assisted in the efforts to keep warm, and provided “liquid courage� for some of the dancers. Although not seen at the bar, city commissioner Janie Robertson joined the dancers as the evening wore down; and Anne “Grannie Annie� Deans, from Philly Finest Bakers, was seen sashaying past the band, clicking her silver tongs to the beat of the music.
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JANUARY 29, 2014
The power of one W
hite birds rise like countless ghosts from a sea of green grass, tilting their wings and disappearing against a white cloud, then tilting back in a game of aerial hide and seek. Once, the Florida Everglades was home to so many birds that hunters reported huge flocks rising from the swamp and blotting out the sun. The hunters won, for a while, seeking feathers and sometimes whole birds as hat decorations. But thanks to one woman and her friend who vocally opposed hunting for hat feathers in the late 1800s, the resulting Audubon Society rallied support for birds, preserving for us the magical opportunity to see sunlight stream through the pink feathers of a roseate spoonbill against an azure sky. It just goes to show what one person can do. A century later, one person may have singlehandedly doomed the birds. Perhaps the pet owner discovered that the cute baby Burmese python can grow to 26 feet long and costs a fortune to feed and a couple hundred dollars to euthanize. It’s cheaper to let it go in the Everglades, where a couple million acres should be enough room for one snake. Or maybe the snake was flushed in Miami, the pet owner never dreaming it would travel to a national park. Anyway, what difference can one snake make? This time last year, they held a python roundup in the Everglades and 1,600 hunters came. They got 68 snakes in 30 days, including a 17-foot-long python carrying 87 eggs.
BY CINDY LANE You do the math. The snakes are here to stay; they’re not even going to bother to repeat the roundup this year. In a five-year study of pythons in the Everglades, 25 percent of the snakes had eaten birds, according to necropsies, and 25 species of birds were identified as their prey. The pythons ate a lot of the same birds that we enjoy watching on Anna Maria Island – great blue herons, white ibis, snowy egrets, magnificent frigate birds – not to mention just about every rabbit and fox south of Alligator Alley, in addition to sea turtles, raccoons, possum, bobcat, deer, bear and even gators. So whatever you do, if you have a python or a lion fish or a monk parakeet or a red-eared slider or a Cuban tree frog or any animal that you don’t want, do not set it free. Take a road trip with your pet to an amnesty day; for dates and locations, visit http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/ nonnatives/amnesty-day-events. Ask a vet or search online for local rescue organizations. Call the Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681); state wildlife officials have a network of people who adopt invasive pets. For good or bad, one person – and one pet – can make a difference.
CINDY LANE
As if these birds don’t already have enough to worry about with gators lurking everywhere in the Everglades, the elusive Burmese python thinks they taste just like chicken.
JANUARY 29, 2014
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JANUARY 29, 2014
Find blues in cooler water Captain Rick Grassett
Anglers fishing with me on my Action Craft flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released trout, blues and Spanish mackerel in Sarasota Bay on flies, CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs and snook and blues at night on flies in the ICW near Venice during the past week. Nick Reding, from Longboat Key, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. He caught and released
trout, blues and ladyfish on Ultra Hair Clouser flies near Bishop Point. Anna Maria and Sarasota winter residents Bill Morrison and Gary Marple also fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday morning. They had steady action fishing deep grass flats with Spanish mackerel and trout at Stephens Point on Ultra Hair Clouser flies. The warmest water of the day is in the evening, especially when an outgoing tide flushes out water that is warmed on shallow flats by the afternoon sun. That was the case on
Wednesday evening when Phil Rever, from Sarasota, and Steve White, from Raleigh, N.C., fished the ICW near Venice with me. They caught and released a dozen or more snook on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. With the water temperature in the low 60s that night, snook were happy, healthy and swimming away strong when released. They also caught and released 5 or 6 blues in the 3- to 4-pound class and lost flies to a few others. Blues are often encountered in the cooler water that we have in winter in the same areas that we find
snook at night. They are sometimes so aggressive in a spot that they can push the snook out, although it’s not a problem since the blues fight as good as or better than the snook! I monitor water temperature closely this time of year and when the water temperature dropped a little more on Thursday, we decided it was best to cancel that night’s snook fly fishing trip. Since snook may become stressed when water temperatures drop into see captains, page 27
tide chart for anna maria city pier jan 22-29 Day Date
A.M. High Time Feet
A.M. Low Time Feet
P.M. High Time Feet
Wed 1/22
2:39a 1.32
8:44a 0.24
3:05p 1.76
Thu 1/23
3:50a 1.10
9:14a 0.46
3:43p 1.84
Fri 1/24
5:26a 0.93
9:45a 0.68
4:29p 1.93
Sat 1/25
7:53a 0.91
12:43a -0.16
5:24p 2.02
P.M. Low Time Feet
Sun Rise Set
Day Date
10:08p 0.20
7:21-6:04
Sun 1/26
11:25p 0.05
7:20-6:05 7:20-6:06
10:23a 0.87
7:20-6:07
A.M. High Time Feet
A.M. Low Time Feet
P.M. High Time Feet
P.M. Low Time Feet
9:55a 1.03
1:55a -0/41
6:26p 2.12
11:43a 1.01
Mon 1/27
10:39a 1.13
2:57a -0.64
7:30p 2.33
1:17p 1.06
Tue 1/28
11:09a 1.19
3:15a -0.81
8:30p 2.32
6:29p 1.00
Wed 1/29
11:37a 1.22
4:36a -0.88
9:26p 2.36
3:31p 0.88
Sun Rise Set 7:19-6:07 7:19-6:08 7:19-6:08 7:18-6:09
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PITT: Earns Florida Folk Heritage Award FROM PAGE 4
captain larry mcguire | submitted
Amberjacks Rick Allair, Ed Morrison, Lorne Kuchma, Clem Belanger, Ron Mihajic and Danny Malleau, from Ontario, Canada, with nice amberjacks they caught using a butterfly jigs, pinfish and sardines in about 120 feet offshore of Anna Maria Island while fishing with Captain Larry McGuire.
glass repairs at age seven, eventually working at Durbeck Yachts. A liveaboard, he augmented his skills with boat carpentry while apprenticing with a Welsh shipwright. He and his wife, Cynthia, moved ashore to the old Manatee County village of Fogartyville in 1978 when their first child was born. Their house, built in 1885, had been the first church in Fogartyville. Pitt’s father had worked with Charlie Fogarty, a descendant of Tole Fogarty, one of three brothers who settled the area in the 1860s. As a youngster, he lived in a house brought over on a barge from nearby Terra Ceia in 1945, where he had played near Bat Fogarty’s (Charlie’s grandfather’s) Boat Works. His grandmother, Naomi Mayolini, had known the Fogarty family from Key West, where she had been born in 1888. In 1993, the Fogarty family donated Bat Fogarty’s Boat Works to the Manatee Village Historical Park, a county historical site. When it opened, employees did not have enough maritime knowledge to identify many of the tools,
so Pitt was brought on board to identify tools and boat parts. He stayed on for 12 years to refurbish the museum, develop a curriculum for school tours and serve as a volunteer. In 2005, Pitt began working for Manatee County as the volunteer/education coordinator at the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez. During his tenure, they logged 8,300 volunteer hours per year building museum displays and boats distinctive to the area. Some of the most culturally significant boats were the Sallie Adams, an 1890s design Cortez 21-foot mullet boat; the Esperanza, a 16-foot Cuban refugee boat, which came into Pitt’s possession decades after it brought a group of Cuban refugees to Florida; the Anna Menendez, a 24-foot Spanish longboat built for DeSoto National Memorial historical reenactments; and the Elizabeth Ring, an 18-foot Bat Fogarty sailing skiff built for three people built to camp and cruise Florida rivers. They also implemented an outreach program to display the boats throughout Florida and as far as Pennsylvania, Maine and Maryland, garnering national recognition and admiration.
captains: Look for reds in potholes FROM PAGE 26
the 50’s, I avoid catching them at that time. More cold air poured in as another reinforcing front passed through on Friday morning and it was cold and windy. Since my fly fishing clients for that day are regulars who are here for several months we decided to wait for more civilized conditions.
It was a little warmer and less windy on Saturday when Marshall Dinerman, from Atlanta, GA, fished Sarasota Bay with me. We fished deep grass flats on both sides of the bay where he caught and released numerous trout and a few blues on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and top water plugs.
Fishing deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay for trout, Spanish mackerel, blues and more should continue to be a good option. Look for reds and big trout in potholes on negative low tides as we approach a new moon this week. They may also feed on shallow grass flats on sunny afternoons when the tide is high.
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Pastor Batey looks back on his Roser years Rev. Gary Batey will be honored at a ceremony at the Anna Maria Island Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 8. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Rev. Gary Batey came to the Island from a small community in Ohio and he has enjoyed that same community feeling as he led the congregation at Roser Memorial Community Church. Now after 14 years, he has retired. Batey said he and his wife are looking to become member of another congregation near where he lives in west Bradenton. While Roser has always been a non-denomination church, Batey said he didn’t start that way. “I was an ordained Methodist minister, appointed by the ecumenical diocese of West Ohio, and I have maintained that status,” he said. “Over the years, a good number of Roser preachers have been Methodists or Presbyterians, but there isn’t a Methodist or Presbyterian church on the Island. “A large number of the congregation comes from Michigan and attended reform churches there, and we have quite a mixture of people from there,” he added. “There have been married couples where the husband and wife came from different Christian religions and they like the non-denominational setting at Roser. We preach you don’t have to practice Christianity one way.” Batey said in the early years of the 100-year-old church, there was no per-
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Rev. Gary Batey greets parishioners following a Sunday service.
manent preacher. “Preachers used to come from the mainland, and you might get one person one week and another the next,” he said. “In the first 20 years of Roser Church, there was no congregation, just a chapel.” Batey said there were differences in the makeup of the church compared to churches in other areas. “Many people don’t live here the full year,” he said. “Here, we probably run between 100 to 200 people attending church in the summer, but that goes to 500 to 1,000 people during season.” Batey said they are reaching the end of an era with the increase in investment properties and a large number of families moving away because of the tourism increase and the expense of living here. “Roser was a neighborhood church and
maybe three-fourths of our people lived on the Island,” he said. “Now about half our people live on the Island. “In fact, our congregation’s most popular zip code is 34209 (west Bradenton) and people are living farther away,” he added, “With the influx of tourism, it’s getting harder to get to the Island in time for church.” Batey said the congregation used to have younger families, but now the demographics show an older base. “Unfortunately, the prosperity and promotion have made it better for businesses, but it’s also worse for families,” he said. “We had few rentals in Anna Maria when we lived here but now it’s a place where people invest in rental properties.” Batey said they still have “wonderful visitors” but it’s harder to sustain a congregation with the economic forces that
are changing the Island. Batey said he is amazed at how all the churches get along. “We have the All Island Denomination group and re-communicate with each other,” he said. “Anna Maria Island is blessed by the churches it has that offer quality programs dedicated to the community.” He said the churches care about each other and when one church does well, the others feel good for it. Asked if he enjoyed his 14 years at Roser’s pulpit, Batey said yes, immensely. He said it’s a good place to serve. He was also asked what his plans are for post retirement. “I have no specific plans,” he said. I recently cleaned out my office and "I’ll probably do some writing. I might fill in for a church where I might be needed, and my wife and I have had little opportunity to worship as part of a congregation.” Asked if he might attend Roser Church, he said no, he doesn’t want to call attention to himself and will leave it up to the transitional preacher, Sung Lee. Has he seen changes he did not like? “One of the hard things is when you stay with a congregation for a long time and they get old, they start to pass away and you miss them,” he said. Batey said the churches on the Island would have to deal with a more transient population as the demographics change. They will have to find ways to appeal to renters and vacationers more as the permanent population decreases.
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Charter group to seek input on four-year terms It also would like input on appointing charter review members instead of electing them and term limits. BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Charter review commission members said they plan to get public input at a future meeting regarding four-year terms for the mayor and commissioners as well as term limits. Members were discussing Article III, Section 3.03, regarding the commission election and terms of office, and member Pam Leckie said, “We have an election every year because of two-year terms. It’s too much. It’s very hard to get things going on a good stable basis. “You just start understanding what’s happening and you have to run for election again. I would like to look at four years.” Chair Bob Johnson said the charter doesn’t state that terms are two years, and City Attorney Patricia Petruff said it is implied, but it should be written. Member David Cheshire said they also should discuss terms limits. Petruff pointed out that Section 3.04 on the commission’s first meeting and election of a chair and vice chair is not clear. City Clerk Stacy Johnston said some of the details are in the city’s administrative code, prompting Johnson to ask, “How specific should the charter be and what should be done legislatively?”
Johnson asked Petruff to draft some new language for that section so they can discuss it at a future date.
Residency requirement
Member Jim Plath asked Petruff to clarify the residency requirement in Section 3.02, and Petruff replied, “It has to do with what you declare as your primary residence. Is your property homesteaded? Are your registered to vote here? It doesn’t mean your body has to be here.” She said she could add a sentence to clarify the issue, and Mayor Carmel Monti asked if they could require the person be homesteaded. Petruff said that would eliminate renters from running for commission seats. On Section 3.06 regarding interference with administration, Leckie said a former mayor refused to allow a commissioner to talk the city attorney to get information and that it should be permitted. Johnston said the administrative code states that the commissioner can talk to the clerk or mayor, who then can talk to the city attorney. Johnston said that keeps others from contacting the city attorney and increasing costs. Petruff said another reason is to avoid duplication in case a question has been answered before, and added, “If somebody does call me, I don’t ask them if they have permission to talk to me. It’s a judgment call for me as well. Nobody has abused it over time.” Monti said his administration has reversed that practice and allows commissioners to call the city attorney
Party for Alice planned Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn announced at a meeting last Thursday that the city would be holding an open house for city clerk Alice Baird, who is retiring after 14 years, at The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, on Friday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. The public is invited.
within reason.
Appointing charter members
The committee discussed Article XIII on charter review, and Leckie asked if the mayor could appoint members to the commission rather than having them elected. Johnson disagreed and stressed, “For me the whole business of this is the voice of the citizens,” but added that they could put it on a future agenda for public input. Petruff pointed out that in Section 13.05 regarding vacancies on the commission, there is no process to fill vacancies and that they could adopt rules of procedure on how to do so. Other suggestions for changes included adding the words “general city” to references to elections so special elections would not be required, to require a super majority to adopt amendments and clarify that the committee is five members. Members reviewed the Florida Statue on charter amendments, and Petruff said it allows vacancies also to be filled by ordinance and that the procedure doesn’t necessarily have to be detailed in the charter. She said she would research case law on the issue.
Ex-parte communications
Petruff advised board members on communicating with others in person or by e-mail, text or phone about their work. “Since you are a board that will be voting on changes to the charter and making recommendations to the city commission, you are under the Sunshine Law,” she explained. She said they must fill out a form to report any communications, announce them at meetings and keep them on file. She told them not to respond to written communications. Regarding oral communications, she said they should advise the person to come to the next committee meeting or e-mail the city clerk to state his/her position. The committee’s next meeting is 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
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town crier Garden Club seeks to donate The Anna Maria Garden Club makes donations each year to organizations that exemplify the club’s purpose of stimulating the love of gardening and protection of plants and birds to encourage civic planting and conservation. AMGC is asking for those parties interested in such a donation to prepare a letter providing their group’s name and purpose, describe the project(s) to which the money would be applied and the contact information for the group. Send the letter to Anna Maria Garden Club, P.O. Box 2046, Anna Maria, FL 34216. All letters must be received by Feb. 28 to be considered. Donations will be distributed in April 2014.
Island Players fight cancer The Island Players is hosting a benefit preview performance of “Mama Won’t Fly” on Tuesday, March 18, at 8 p.m. at Island Players, 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria, at the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue. General addmission seating for this special performance is a $20 donation to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Tickets are available only from Creations by L, 5500 Marina Drive, Suite 2, Holmes Beach, or from Nancy Ambrose at 941799-2181 or 941-518-4431.
Big band romance dance The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island is holding its 22nd Annual Big Band Dance on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia, Anna Maria. The Sophisticated Swing Big Band will provide the music. It’s a BYOB affair. The cost is $15 per person, and you can make your checks out to AMICC. For tickets call Sandy Haas-Martens at 778-1383. Proceeds go to the Community Center.
St. Bernard hosts fashion show St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, is hosting “Hearts, Flowers and Fashion,” a luncheon fashion show in the church activity center at noon on Thursday, Feb. 13. Irene’s Resort Wear will supply the fashions, and church women will model. It’s an afternoon of fun during this time or romance. The cost is a $20 donation. Sign up now at the church or
call 778-4769 for more information.
Boat Smart classes scheduled The Anna Maria Island Sail and Power Squadron is hosting the America's Boating course, a two-part boating safety course on Saturday, Feb. 1 and 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You must attend both dates. The fee is $35 per person or $50 per couple. The course provides an overview of various aspects of boating safety, including Florida boating rules, weather, rules of the road, boat handling and distress signals. This course qualifies you for a Florida boating education certificate. Other courses include: • A Chart Reading Seminar - to learn how to read and use charts correctly for safe boating on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The fee to cover materials is $10 per person. • A GPS Seminar - to learn the basics of how to use a GPS for safe boating, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fee to cover materials is $10 per person. All classes are held at the squadron building located at 1200 71st St. N.W., Bradenton. Pre-registration is required. Contact Gloria or Walter at 941-795-0482 to register.
Outsmart your smart phone If you received a tablet or smart phone during the holidays or if you never bothered to learn about the ones you already have, there’s a class at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. you’ll want to attend. Allison Levy, of We Fix Computers, will cover many of the basic functions and controls of these extremely useful tools. Advance registration is not required, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees should bring their tablet or phone and questions to the library. For more information, call the library at 778-6341.
Photographer visits with writers The Gulf Coast Writers will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 1:15 p.m. at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Rolf Bertram will discuss his electronic book “Anna Maria Island Panoramas” and how to publish with Apple on iPad. Following the presentation, members will read their writings. For further information, contact Sylvia Price at 778-3209
Science made fun The Island Branch Library, at 5701
JANUARY 29, 2014
Marina Drive in Holmes Beach, will host a series of science programs during the month of February. “Here, There, Everywhere” combines libraryproduced and sponsored programs along with exhibits that were developed by the Chandra X-Ray Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and supported by NASA. In addition to the exhibits, the following four programs will take place during the month: • “Astronauts and Space Travel” for children’s story time on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. •”Bats at the Library” for all ages on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. • “Moons and Stars” during children’s story time on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. • “Conservation Properties” for all ages presented by the Manatee County Natural Resources Dept on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Seating is free and will be available on a first come, first served basis. No advance registration is required for any of the programs/events. For additional information, call 941-778-6341.
internationalfellowships.org or e-mail infelwes@gmail.com. You can also call their 24-hour, toll-free line at 1-800647-8839 or their 24-hour line at 1-716326-7277.
Genealogists meet
The West Central Florida area Agency on Aging’s Elder Helpline offers support for the growing numbers of caretakers and their aging parents by helping callers make informed decisions about available assistance. It is the starting point in getting connected with programs or services that can meet the needs of the older adult or caretaker. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96ELDER (1-800-963-5337).
The Manatee Genealogical Society meets on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Manatee County Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton. Drew Smith, Co-host/ producer of “The Genealogy Guys” podcast, will present "Effective Online Queries." The Computer Special Interest Group’s topic will be “Experiences with DNA.” For information on the Genealogist Society, go to http://www.rootsweb. ancestry.com/~flmgs/ or if you have questions about the meeting, email mgs.society@gmail.com.
Bingo played here The Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, hosts smoke free bingo on Thursday nights. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and play begins at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase and memberships will be sold as well. You don’t have to become a member to play bingo. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Kit at 778-1915.
Exchange student families needed International Fellowship, Inc., is looking for families and local representatives as host families for high school exchange students. They also need volunteers to secure host families for high school exchange students. For more information, log onto www.
Volunteer advocates needed Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to join its corps of dedicated advocates who protect the rights of elders who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. The program’s local councils are seeking additional volunteers to identify, investigate and resolve residents’ concerns. Special training and certification is provided. All interested individuals who care about protecting the health, safety, welfare and rights of long-term care facility residents – who often have no one else to advocate for them – are encouraged to call toll-free 1-888-8310404 or visit the program’s website at http://ombudsman.myflorida.com.
Elder helpline available
SHINE Program needs volunteers The Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging need volunteers to join the award-winning SHINE team to help the elderly make decisions on Medicare, health insurance and prescription drug plans. Volunteers may also make educational presentations to community groups and participate in local health fairs, senior fairs and other outreach and educational events. For more information, or to volunteer, call the Elder Helpline at 1-813-740-3888, Ext. 5593.
Have a heart for a child Camelot Community Care is looking for therapeutic foster parents to care for abused and neglected adolescents and children. Call 941-708-9764 to find out if you would make a good therapeutic foster parent.
JANUARY 29, 2014
FUN IN THE SUN
Across 1 Distinguishing feature 7 “Is this __ time ... to talk of Pensions and Grenadiers?”: Sterne 11 Wailing instrument 14 Hit the big time 15 Quote, as a source 16 Dress bottom 17 1966 Monkees hit 19 Bard’s “prior to” 20 Bright star 21 Basic French verb 22 “‘Beware the Jabberwock, __!’” 24 Warehouse stamp letters 26 “Washboard” muscles 27 Briny expanse 28 “M*A*S*H” nickname 31 Put on the hi-fi 34 Wildly eccentric, briefly 37 Sniffling and sneezing cause
Answers to 01-22-14 Crossword Puzzle.
39 __ carte 40 Roll call response 42 How some suits are made 44 Toys __ 45 Wild outbreak 47 Victimized, with “on” 48 Wine bottle datum 50 Original iPod, as it’s now known 52 Narrow inlet 54 Chick __: light women’s fiction 55 Nordic runners 58 Knight’s job 60 Ice sheet 62 Burned, in a way 64 City area, briefly 65 1968 Impressions hit 68 Get older 69 Yemen city on its own gulf 70 Early ascetic 71 State that’s only nine
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mi. wide at its narrowest point 72 Had second thoughts about 73 Put away for later Down 1 Abel’s slayer 2 Knight suit 3 Have a jones for 4 Japanese grills 5 Noted victim of temptation 6 Prefix with vision 7 Biting 8 Fin 9 Meteor ending 10 Contract details 11 1971 Tom Jones hit 12 Related to flying 13 Marvel Comics superheroes 18 Emphatic type: Abbr. 23 “Sho ‘nuff” 25 Earthmoving machine, and hopefully not the one driving it 29 G-and-T part 30 Spills, as from a bucket 32 Sheltered, in a way 33 Place for a sale 34 Nimble 35 Rockers Mötley __ 36 1962 hit attributed to The Crystals but sung by The Blossoms 38 Day of films 41 Like 1-800 numbers
43 “I guess” 46 Last bit 49 Grafton’s “__ for Ricochet” 51 One often bordered an
agora 53 Clashing big-time 56 __ tube 57 Part of an act 58 Campus area
59 Yearning 61 Rams’ dams 63 Scott in an 1857 case 66 Campus URL ending 67 Performer’s suffix
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JANUARY 29, 2014
Historical society documents collection BY CAROLYNE NORWOOD SPECIAL TO THE SUN
ANNA MARIA –The Anna Maria Island Historical Society has embarked on a program to document and preserve its collection of historical artifacts. The main mission of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society is to collect, preserve and exhibit artifacts from the early days on Anna Maria Island. Last year the Historical Society formulated a preservation program, which will be completed this spring. This was made possible by generous grants from Lizzie Vann Thrasher, of Anna Maria, and the Bishop and Parker foundations. Interns Jordan Kearschner, Alexia Tillman and Rebecca Hunter, from New College, are working daily throughout January under the direction of Ashely Burke, of Burke Preservation, to document the entire museum collection. All the documents can be found at https://ehive.com/account/5026. The Facebook link is https://www.facebook. com/pages/Anna-Maria-Island-Historical-Society/106135255307 and features memorabilia and photos for fans to enjoy and comment. “Our next goal is to refresh the exhibit area of the museum," President Mau-
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Left to right, interns from New College have been researching historical materials in the Anna Maria Island Museum. Pictured in historical Belle Haven Cottage are Jordan Kearschner, Alexia Tillman, Rebecca Hunter and Carolyne Norwood, co-founder of the Island Historical Society. reen McCormick said. “We are searching for sources of funding to improve the flow and open the front door of the museum to our updated exhibits.” Admission to the museum at 402 Pine Avenue is free, however, donations are
accepted. Children are encouraged to go on a scavenger hunts and win prizes for discovering all the items on their lists. A volunteer staff mans the museum. Volunteers are needed so the museum's
Beachfront residents to trim plants The residents say they need to trim the plants on a regular basis or the cost will become too high. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Three families who own beachfront property received permission from the city on Thursday, Jan. 24, to take out exotic plants and trim sea grapes behind their land at Gulf Front Park. “Sea grapes take out sea oats, and we want to trim the sea grapes,” said Sam Pakbaz, who owns one of the homes with his wife, Julie. “They are threatening to take over the area.” Pakbaz said the city used to trim back unwanted growth in the park, but it quit six or seven years ago. “We have chosen a company (Suncoast Environmental Group) that has done work for the city,” Pakbaz said. “We want to cut back the plants on an annual basis.”
Commissioner Dale Woodland said there is no proof the families’ plan is compatible with the city’s plan, but Commissioner Doug Copeland said the city has a plan, but it has no standards for trimming. Mark Ebling, of Suncoast Environmental Group said the sea grapes grow the fastest. If there is a lot of rain, they grow at an astounding rate. “The growth is getting out of control,” he added. One of the applicants, Dan Riley, asked if they could give it a try without the standards since Ebling has experience along the shore. “Please, don’t wait too long or we might not be able to afford what it would cost to trim them,” he said. Copeland said the city is fortunate to have residents like the three couples who would step in and help the city do what it cannot afford. He moved to accept the work permit application, and the commission agreed unanimously.
open hours can be extended. Doors are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. One distinguished docent is the great grandson of George Emerson Bean, who was the first Island homesteader in 1893. John Bean and his wife, Vilma, can be seen showing visitors around the museum and might include information about their celebrated great grandfather. Funds are raised by the sale of Early Settlers Bread baked by members and available on Wednesdays, and the sale of two books about the Island, “The Early Days” and “Tales of Three Cities,” by Island author Carolyne Norwood boost the coffers. Island T-shirts and souvenirs also are sold in the gift shop. Currently there is a limited edition Postcard Series T-shirt for sale. In 2013, 5,500 visitors from around the world enjoyed viewing the many unique Island artifacts in the museum and strolled along the mangrove walk to the Belle Haven Cottage, which has been restored after falling into the bay in 1926. To become a volunteer at the museum, make a monetary donation or donate an artifact or old photos, call 778-0492.
Yearbook sponsors needed Anna Maria Elementary School needs sponsors to pay for the production of the yearbook so that it is free to students and staff. Sponsors pay $100 and get their names listed on pages. Sponsors could be individuals, businesses, families or groups. To donate, call the school at 708-5525.
City to enforce sign code Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn announced at a recent city commission meeting that after enacting the sign code in January, the city is giving owners of illegal signs that swing from a frame until March 1 to come into compliance. Anybody caught displaying a swinging sign will be given a citation and will have to pay a fine.
Happy anniversary Bob and Mary Jo Forney will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary on Feb. 1. They got married in Ohio in 1947 and lived on Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island for 40 years. Bob was a contractor in Cleve-
land. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
Friends Book Sale moves The Friends of the Island Branch Library are holding their book sale at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8606 Gulf Drive, at the Anna Maria/Holmes Beach border. The Friends said they had so many books for sale they could not fit the sale into the library, and Pastor Ed Moss stepped up to offer his church. The sale will be held Friday, March 7, for Friends members only from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Persons wanting to join the Friends may do so on Friday and shop early. This is the Friends’ biggest fund-raiser and the money is used to expand the library’s outreach and purchase extra materials not provided for in the county budget. If you have any books, tapes or CDs you would like to donate, bring them to the library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
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AMICCO concert Members of the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra play selections from Bach and Vivaldi during their performance Sunday, Jan. 26. The next show will be Giuseppe Verdi’s opera La Traviata on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at CrossPointe Fellowship Church, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Tickets are $25 each. For more information call (941)896-3899. SUBMITTED
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Author finds Island inspiration Pierre Chatillon lives in Quebec, writes in French and vacations on Anna Maria Island, where he finds inspiration for writing books and musical compositions. BY TOM VAUGHT SUN STAFF WRITER | tvaught@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Thousands of people have written millions of words about the beauty of Anna Maria Island, but Pierre Chatillon has been inspired by the Island since 1974. His latest book is a tribute to Anna Maria Island, which serves as the location for “Wild Red Love.” The book, which is available at the Anna Maria Historical Society, Anna Maria General Store and Deli and Ginny and Jane E’s, is about a 69-yearold house painter that learns that he probably has an incurable disease. He travels to Florida to spend his final days in the sunshine. As he remembers his life, he dreams about a young red-haired woman who was the love of his life. “Wild Red Love” is a colorful book
SUBMITTED
Pierre Chatillon at the beach on Anna Maria Island. filled with passion about a fiery love in Nicolet, near Quebec, in the 1920s. Chatillon has been coming to Anna Maria Island for 40 years because the Island’s beauty inspires him. “I have written a number of books and musical compositions while I was here,” he said. “The story was supposed to be set in Russia and the Ukraine, but I changed it to Anna Maria Island.” Chatillon said he remembers the first time he saw the Island. “I rented a car in Tampa and I drove up and down the coast,” he said. “When I got to Anna Maria Island, I said this is my place. I love Anna Maria Village, it is pretty well preserved.” He said the Gulf of Mexico talks to
him. “I tell people I listen to the sea, and it tells me what to write.” He said, “My music comes from the sea; it is the oldest music, the music of the origin.” Chatillon said his main character comes to the Island to find that love of his past, like explorer Ponce de Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth.
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REAL ESTATE
nce upon a time, states like Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas were states that appealed to retirees and young people wanting a warmer climate and lower taxes, making everyone think that Florida’s day had passed. Well guess what, not only has Florida’s day not passed, according to Gov. Rick Scott, “Florida is on a roll.” In December, Florida almost surpassed New York state in population making Florida the almost third most-populous state. According to the University of Florida, it wouldn’t be a surprise and indeed it’s expected that Florida will surpass New York in the near future something that probably would have happened already if not for the financial crisis. Scott credits this continuing increase to a lot of new jobs that have been added over the years, thanks to lower taxes and reduced red tape for businesses wanting to operate in Florida. Most of the population increase was in Orlando, which grew
JANUARY 29, 2014
Florida on a roll Castles in the Sand Louise Bolger
at an annual rate of 4.7 percent as well as Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties, growing just under 4 percent each. And speaking of Miami, its real estate market has been booming with nearly all of the once vacant condo units created as a result of the housing bubble being sold. In addition there are 118 condo towers proposed in the Miami area with 35 already under construction. Much of this activity is being fueled by foreign investors, which initially won’t add to the state’s population, but when all the thousands of units are built out, Miami’s population will show the affects. Nationally, there is a tilt toward multi-family apartment buildings and
condominiums in the new construction market. Although single-family homes still dominate the marketplace, there is a definite surge in multi-family based on Commerce Department data related to the number of permits being applied for and issued. In spite of all of or because of the increase in multi-family construction going on around the country, there has also been an increase in the size of new homes being built. During the housing boom, homes were downsized but that has changed with upscale buyers purchasing larger and larger homes. Data released by the Census Bureau confirmed the trend and reported that the average size of a new home was a record 2,642 square feet in the second quarter of 2013 an increase from 2,561 square feet set in the first quarter of 2009 a 5.2 percent increase. And Naples, Fla., is one of the areas where the size of new homes has expanded the most. Here’s an interesting side note that
does tie into Florida’s new construction market. I was in Aruba earlier this month, which is dominated with American vacationers mostly from the Northeast, and was impressed with the amount of new construction on that little island. Mostly townhouse and condos catering to vacationers are being sold fully furnished with the ability to place them into a rental program. The complexes are large with first class amenities and prices starting around $300,000 and going well over a million. In my strictly unscientific personal opinion, I believe that a lot of the activity in the real estate market is still being driven by the baby boomers. Many boomers are just starting to retire after having worked longer then they originally planned. They have regained the lost equity in their homes, and their investments are surging. They’re the ones with the money, and the builders are just following the money. So write Florida off at your own peril, we just keep rolling on.
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Former chairman advises Center directors Tom Breiter said the board should consider term limits and cultivate new talent for the board. BY PAT COPELAND SUN STAFF WRITER | pcopeland@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Tom Breiter, chair of the South Florida Museum and Planetarium board of directors, met with Community Center board members recently to offer some advice on improving the board. Breiter, who also served on the Center’s board for 12 years and was its treasurer and chair during that time, first recommended term limits for board members, who are elected every three years. “They’re a good idea, because they force you to freshen up your board and keep looking for new talent,” he explained. “Identify the talent you need and go after the people in those areas.” He said the board should consider a having a succession plan for officers. He said the office of president should be a two-year term, and there should be a president elect or vice president to be groomed to step up. He said the past president could remain on the board to offer advice and knowledge to the president.
Breiter asked how many board members and committees there are, and Chair Scott Rudacille said there are nine out of a possible 17 board members and a governance committee, with ad hoc committees formed as needed. “With a small board I would encourage you to get volunteers for your committees,” Breiter said, “ and they can be prospective board members.”
have been entrusted make sure they are used for the mission of the organization,” Breiter concluded. “The job of this board is to raise money. It’s extremely important to cultivate donors. Identify our donors and bring them in to see the need.” “The board needs to be looking at a lot of these things,” Rudacille said.
Events raise awareness
• Board members discussed the planned renovation to the Center in which the administrative offices will be moved downstairs and the workout room moved upstairs. Blair Scholssberg said the plans are not ready for board members to see, and after some discussion, they agreed that when the plans are ready, they will be available for viewing in Stiles’ office. • Joan Pettigrew, of the Eyeland Needlers, gave board members their packets of raffle tickets to sell for the Tour of Homes Quilt. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and are available at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. • Stiles said a committee is working on plans for the annual Affaire to Remember, set for April 12, and is looking at possibilities for entertainment.
Breiter said the museum has reduced the number of events it produces and pointed out, “Events make friends, but are not effective fundraising. “They bring maybe 40 percent after the cost of the event and are a major effort for staff and volunteers. We would rather ask for money and get 100 percent.” However, he did note that events raise awareness and are effective for donor cultivation. Executive Director Dawn Stiles said the Center is trying to balance the number of events with cultivating more volunteers because staffers are getting burned out. “At its most basic level, the responsibility of a board member is to insure the financial stability of the organization and to steward the funds of which you
In other business
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Learn to dance like the stars The Island Community Center offers the following classes at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For further details or to register, call the Center at 778-1908. or visit the website at www.islandcommunitycenter.com. For a complete list of center programs and special events, visit the website
Ballroom Dancing Sampler
Learn the art of ballroom dancing. This funfilled class will offer a variety of dance instruction on a rotating basis. Dances include, swing, foxtrot, cha-cha, waltz, tango, samba and more. There must be eight students to begin class; pre-registration is required. Days: Tuesdays Time: 6 to 7 p.m. Fee: Members, $6 per class or $10 per couple; non-members, $12 per class or $20 per couple. Instructor: Robin Rhodes
Zumba
Zumba fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a oneof-a kind fitness program. Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Feb. 4 Time: 3 to 4 pm Fee: Members, $6; non-members, $12 Instructor: Grisel McCain
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JANUARY 29, 2014
Development request withdrawn for BeachHouse BY JOE ENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON BEACH – It’s back to the drawing board for Ed Chiles and the BeachHouse restaurant after Chiles withdrew a major development plan request that included plans for the addition of a second story, open-air dining pavilion. During the Thursday, Jan. 16 city commission meeting, Gayle Garneau, acting as an assistant to the clerk’s office, read into the record a letter, dated Wednesday, Jan. 15, sent from Chiles to Planning Official Alan Garrett. “Please accept this letter as my formal request to withdraw the major development application submitted Aug. 13, 2013, from the Jan. 16 commission meeting agenda.” That was the extent of Chiles’ letter. Seeking clarification on the matter,
beach beat Bradenton Beach
1/23, 4:05 p.m., discharging a firearm in public, using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, 300 block of Gulf Drive
obituaries Edward A. McIntyre Edward A. McIntyre, 82, Holmes Beach, Fla., went to be with the Lord on Jan. 23, 2014, under the loving care of his family at Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton. Mr. McIntyre was born on Aug. 2, 1931, in Butler, Penn. to his parents Edward and Helen McIntyre. He was a former general superintendent for Paver Construction, of Sarasota. He was of the Christian faith and a Knights Templar 32nd degree Mason with F&A.M. Lodge of Sarasota, Fla. Mr. McIntyre loved history and enjoyed working with his hands, especially wood working and cabinet making. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years: Irene Flinn, of Holmes Beach, Fla.; four sons– Curtis E. (Vicki) McIntyre, of Celebration, Fla, Milton G. (Delynn) Flinn, of Estero, Fla., Douglas J. (Penni) Flinn, of Louisville, Ky. and Michael C. (Shirley) Flinn, of Ruskin, Fla.; three daughters: Michele (Todd) McIntyre-Engle, of Lake Mary, Fla.,
Vice Mayor Janie Robertson said, “By withdrawing the major development request, does this mean that if he wants to resubmit it later, he starts from scratch?” “Yes, that’s what I was advised by our planner,” said Mayor Bill Shearon. “So the whole thing is off our plate at this time?” Robertson inquired. “Yes ma’am” the mayor replied. Although the request for the open-air pavilion is now on hold, the building and kitchen renovations already underway will continue, as allowed by a renovation permit. A temporary use permit allows for a temporary kitchen and temporary rest rooms while the renovations take place. The major development plan in question was supposed to have been addressed at a December commission meeting; that is when the BeachHouse ownership asked for a continuance. In recent months, residents have
expressed concerns about the proposed building height, the impact a second story pavilion might have in terms of live music performed upstairs and what, if any, impact the open air dining area would have on parking requirements. During the Jan. 16 meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry shared her view that an additional continuance should have been granted, had the applicant asked for one, which he did not. She explained that the latest delay was prompted by a planning and zoning board recommendation that required review by a state agency. The agency in question is the Florida Department of Transportation, which has yet to render an opinion on concerns raised about entrance and exit points along Gulf Drive, which is a state road and a staterecognized Scenic Highway. “You can’t make the state act any faster than they act,” Perry said.
The withdrawn request also led to a discussion on the need for the city to clarify its policies, procedures and standards regarding mid-stream changes to proposed development plans. Dating back to 2012, there is also an unsolved complaint filed with the circuit court by JoAnn Meilner, Tjet Martin and Shearon pertaining to the beachfront parking lot south of the restaurant. The claim argues that the agreement between the city and the BeachHouse allowing parking in the vacant beachfront lot south of the restaurant violates the city comprehensive plan and land use map designation for preservation use only. Shearon is no longer part of the complaint that is still awaiting a hearing. Chiles said he has a signed agreement, approved by a previous commission, granting him the right to use his property for parking.
North. The defendant, who had been drinking, fired a gun into the water by the bay after telling his girlfriend he wanted to harm himself. He was arrested
Somebody shot a hole in the roof of the business. Deputies found three spent shotgun shells in a nearby field.
traffic school. He stopped the defendant, who said she had no knowledge of the suspension. He gave her a citation. 1/6, 1:06 p.m., driving with suspended license, 4800 block of Gulf Drive. The officer ran the tag on a vehicle, and it said the owner had two license suspensions for failure to pay traffic tickets. She was cited, and he seized her driver’s license.
Cortez
1/22, 12:02 p.m., criminal mischief, 4528 119th St. W., Cortez Bait and Seafood
Sandra J. (Frank) Klim, of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kathleen (Mike) Klozar, of Holmes Beach, Fla.; a sister: Sandy Ellis, of Cleveland, Tenn.; nine grandchildren: one great grandchild and a niece and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna McIntyre, and a sister, Beverly McIntyre. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at CrossPointe Fellowship Church, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Tidewell Hospice at 3355 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Online condolences may be made to www.skywaymemorial.com
Ray S. ‘Mr. Mac’ McPherson, Ray S. “Mr. Mac” McPherson, longtime resident and teacher in Manatee County, died peacefully in his home on Jan. 19, 2014. Born on Jan. 18, 1924, Ray Suarez McPherson grew up in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia during the depression. He served in naval submarines during World War II, married Earline Carson, moved to Bradenton, Florida, and became a teacher. “Mr. Mac” taught mathematics and industrial arts at Walker Junior High until that school closed. He continued to teach mathematics at Bayshore Middle School and later
Holmes Beach
1/6, 8:49 a.m., driving with suspended license, 5300 Gulf Drive. The officer ran the tag on a vehicle and it said the owner’s license was suspended for not attending
Sugg Middle School until he retired in 1983. Ray was active as a parent in Boy Scout Troop #3, in Manatee Fish and Game Association, the local Sierra Club and WWII Submarine Veterans. He leaves a rich legacy in the people whose lives he touched. He taught his students and children to think for themselves, to be curious and to treat nature and mankind with respect and appreciation. He was predeceased by his wife, Earline Carson McPherson, and is survived by their three children, Sandra Lee Watts, Alan Ray McPherson, Gail Marie McPherson and a grandson, Kenneth Ray Watts, as well as by his siblings, George McPherson and Margie Jones. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m., at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Littoral Society. Anyone wishing to share memories or photos of Mr. Mac may do so by e-mailing memories@raymcpherson.com.
Wyan ‘Huey’ Milks Wyan “Huey” Milks, 77, of Newnan, Ga., formerly of Anna Maria Island, passed away on Jan. 2, 2014 at his home. Huey was born Nov. 9, 1936, in
Owosso, Mich. Our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather is survived by his four children: Douglas (Donna) Milks, Jaimee (Jeremy) Nosworthy, Brett Milks, and Brad (Sasha) Milks; six grandchildren, Jonathan, Kyle, Ashley, Kory, Jason, and Jaxon; and three great grandchildren. Huey was an airman third class in the United States Air Force for our country in 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1961. He moved to Anna Maria Island, Fla. in the early 1970s, where he later became the chief of the Bradenton Beach Fire Department. He then found an interest in masonry, where he became a skilled and expert in the trade. He became an active Moose Lodge member of Bradenton Beach in 1994 were he devoted all his extra time and effort within the lodge. He was an officer of the lodge for many years, and then in 2004 he became Moose of the Year. A unique soul, one of a kind man with a great personality, spent his last years of his life, living life to the fullest and spoiling his grandchildren rotten. He will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed by the many that had the privilege of knowing him. Memorial services will be held at a later date at the Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach, Fla.
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2014 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival music schedule Saturday, Feb. 15
10-10:20 a.m. Shanty Singers 10:45 a.m.-noon Passerine Noon-12:15 p.m. Awards and introductions 12:30-2 p.m. Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones 2:30-4 p.m. Eric von 4:30-6 p.m. Razing Cane
Sunday, Feb. 16 10:30-noon 12:30-2 p.m. 2:30-4 p.m. 4:30-6 p.m.
Soupy Davis and his Band Eric von Soul R Coaster Shotgun Justice
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Dean Martin Dinner Theater Ease on down the road with Coz Serrapere and his Dean Martin and Friends Show at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, on Saturday, Feb. 15. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show is from 7 to 9 p.m. Dinner will be catered by Lee Roy Selmon’s restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available with advance notice. Bring your own beer and wine; ice buckets and cups will be provided. Tickets are $30 per person or a table of eight for $240. There will be no refunds. Reserve to 941-7781908, ext. 0.
City Center group meets Members of the Holmes Beach City Center Committee discussed numerous topics last week including: • Establishing a bike way with a buffer from the traffic lanes using Second Avenue and Holmes Boulevard;
• Inviting Mainsail officials to participate in the discussions regarding a boardwalk along the marina once the settlement agreement is completed; • Inviting Anna Maria resident Jeff Connors and beautification board member Dennis Groh to be on the committee; • Approving the beautification board’s recommendation that the city plant 24 15-gallon plants in 50-gallon pots for the 7-foot wide buffer around Holmes Beach Auto Service at the corner of Gulf and Marina drives. Mayor Carmel Monti will bring types of pots and prices to the next meeting set for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
See ‘Jaws’ at movie night The popular classic “Jaws� will be shown at Holmes Beach city field on Friday, Jan. 31, at dusk, approximately 6 p.m. The movie is rated PG-13 and may not be advisable for small children. Free popcorn will be available for movie-lovers. Bring chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Mov-
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Board members needed Keep Manatee beautiful is seeking volunteers to serve on its board of directors and technical advisory committee. The board meets on the third Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the school district of Manatee County School Districts’ Professional Support Center, 2501 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Lunch is provided for $3 per person and includes pizza/salad or wraps/chips and beverage. The meeting agenda and directions are e-mailed the week prior to the meeting. Prospective board members are invited to the meeting on Thursday, March 20, to learn more about the organization, and the board. For further information, visit the website at www.manateebeautiful.com, call 795-8272 or e-mail keep@manateebeautiful.com.
JANUARY 29, 2014
JANUARY 29, 2014
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SPORTS
JANUARY 29, 2014
AMIS awards a hit
BY SCOTT DELL
Youth 8-10-Year-Old Flag Football Standings
SPECIAL TO THE SUN
On Saturday night, the Anna Maria Island Community Center hosted the second annual Anna Maria Island Sports Awards (AMIS), a night to celebrate the accomplishments of co-ed adult athletes during the 2013 sports seasons. The popularity of adult co-ed sports on the Island has exploded recently, and it only seemed fitting to have a night to honor the athletes. The Center now runs sports leagues for adults with the youngest age of 18 and the oldest of 72 in a variety of sports including basketball, flag football, kickball, softball, soccer and volleyball. At a time of the year when it seems like every weekend there is an awards show on TV, the AMIS is the Center’s version of ESPN’s ESPY Awards. The AMIS was a night filled with good friends, good food provided by Lee Roy Selmon’s, good drinks sponsored by Wash Family Construction and provided by Bridge Tender Inn, good fun and lots of awards. A volunteer committee of sports participants nominated athletes within many categories. Voting then took place during a period of time both online or in person by ballot to determine the winners. And the 2013 AMIS awards go to: Overall MVP Female Athlete: Erin Vogel Overall MVP Male Athlete: Ryan Moss Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Hayward Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Diego Felipe Female Basketball MVP: Erin Vogel Female Football MVP: Dina DeJesus Female Kickball MVP: Monica Simpson Female Soccer MVP: Molly Bellairs Female Volleyball MVP: Mackenzie Kosfeld Male Basketball MVP: Aaron Dudukes Male Football MVP: Ryan Moss Male Kickball MVP: Ryan Moss Male Soccer MVP: Aaron Parkin Male Volleyball MVP: Ryan Hogan Basketball Sportsmanship: Jonathan Moss Football Sportsmanship: Rob Alderson Kickball Sportsmanship: Amy Talucci Soccer Sportsmanship: Ed Moss Volleyball Sportsmanship: Vanessa Barahona Most Championships by a 2013 Athlete: Ryan Moss Lucky Charm: Erin Heckler Rookie of the Year: Chad Woods-Football Captain of the Year: Ed Moss Best Team: Island Pest Control, spring soccer Bonnie and Clyde (husband and wife combo): Troy and Meagan Shonk Mr. Hustle: Jessie Brisson Shutdown Defender: Chuck McCracken Mr. Touchdown: Chad Woods Batman & Robin (Dynamic Duo): Jonathan and Ryan Moss Golden Boot: Adam Bujarski Not In My House (soccer defender): Lyn Clarke Biggest Upset: #5 Waterfront Raiders upset #1 Fla. Discount Signs Seahawks Lunch Bucket: Chuck McCracken Basketball Sharpshooter: Brandon Kern Best Cheerleader: Erin Heckler Dirty Digs for Volleyball: Laura Alderson Volleyball Serve ACE: Mackenzie Kosfeld Most Team Sponsorships: Beach to Bay Construction
Beach Bistro Buccaneers Beach Bums Patriots Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings Manatee Diagnostic Ravens West Coast Air & Heating Dolphins DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys LPAC Cardinals
2-0 2-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 0-3 0-3
Youth 11-13-Year-Old Flag Football Standings LPAC Cardinals 3-0 Sandbar Colts 3-0 Beach to Bay Bucs 2-0 Eat Here Redskins 0-2 Bark & Company Realty Ravens 0-3 Will C. Photos Falcons 0-3
Youth 14-17-Year-Old Flag Football Standings scott dell | submitted
Ryan Moss Racks up the awards at the Second annual AMIS including Overall MVP Male Athlete of the year.
Youth 5-7 Year Old Flag Football Schedule
Jan. 31, Friday, 6 p.m. – Air & Energy Bucs vs. Miller Electric Broncos Feb. 3, Monday, 6 p.m. – Miller Electric Broncos vs. Beaches Real Estate Packers
Youth 8-10 Year Old Flag Football Schedule
Jan. 29, Wednesday, 6 p.m. – Beach Bistro Buccaneers vs. Manatee Diagnostic Ravens Jan. 31, Friday, 6 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys Jan. 31, Friday, 7 p.m. – Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings vs. West Coast Air & Heating Dolphins Feb. 1, Saturday, 9 a.m. – Manatee Diagnostic Ravens vs. West Coast Air & Heating Dolphins Feb. 1, Saturday, 10 a.m. – Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings vs. Beach Bums Patriots Feb. 1, Saturday, 11 a.m. – Beach Bistro Buccaneers vs. DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys Feb. 3, Monday, 6 p.m. – DoJo Martial Arts Cowboys vs. Beach Bums Patriots
Youth 11-13 Year Old Flag Football Schedule
Jan. 31, Friday, 8 p.m. – Beach to Bay Bucs vs. LPAC Cardinals Feb. 1, Saturday, 12 p.m. – Bark & Company Realty Ravens vs. Beach to Bay Bucs Feb. 1, Saturday, 1 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. Sandbar Colts Feb. 1, Saturday, 2 p.m. – Eat Here Redskins vs. Will C. Photos Falcons see sports, page 43
Galati Yacht Sales Bucs Integrity Sound Lions Mr. Bones Bengals The Feast Broncos Swordfish Grill Browns The Island Sun Bears West Coast Surf Shop Jaguars Waterfront restaurant Cowboys
3-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-2 1-2 1-2 0-3
Adult co-ed 18 & Over Flag Football Standings Slim’s Place Bears Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants Beach to Bay Dolphins Beach Bistro Raiders Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks Waterfront restaurant Panthers
3-0 2-1 2-1 1-2 1-2 0-3
Adult co-ed 30 & Over Flag Football Standings Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants Island Gourmet Bills Island Real Estate Raiders Jessie’s Island Store Bucs Ross Built Panthers Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings
3-0 3-0 1-2 1-2 1-2 0-3
Adult co-ed Volleyball Standings: Duncan Real Estate Florida Disc. Signs & Wraps Southern Greens
5-1 4-2 0-6
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SURF SHOP: Fifty years of waves FROM PAGE 1
Brady, however, could be found out in the water, surfing on a rescue board, courtesy of lifeguards Dave Miller and Phil Sims. His grandmother, Aida Brady, and his aunt, Carol Stevens, minded the store while he was out or if they weren’t available, he’d hang a sign on the door saying, “Gone surfing.” Sometimes, guys would track him down while he was in the water, asking him to sell them some wax. In 1979, he moved the shop to its present location just south of Manatee Public Beach, across the street from the former Duffy’s Tavern. Like Duffy’s, the surf shop is an Island icon, according to Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who worked there when she was a teenager and lived above the shop with her daughter, Janae. The Bradys were
in her wedding and clothed the bridal party from the surf shop, she said.
A FEW CHANGES
Since those days, surfboard sizes and shapes have multiplied and new materials like carbon and new types of fiberglass have made boards lighter; even 12-foot paddleboards are easily carried, he said, predicting that paddleboard surfing (in waves) will be picking up in coming years, now that recreational paddleboarding and flatwater racing are commonplace. The Bradys’ grandson, Giorgio Gomez, 18, is 21st in the world in men’s paddleboard surfing. Their granddaughter, Izzi Gomez, 14, is 3rd in the world in women’s paddleboard surfing. “It’s good to see our grandkids liking the sport and excelling in it; that makes it worthwhile,” Brady said. Their mom, Brandi Brady, runs a month-long surf camp each year on the
You've got to surf or work. I leave the surfing up to my grandkids." Jim Brady Surfer, shop owner
now. “You’ve got to surf or work,” he said. “I leave the surfing up to my grandkids.” Originally stocking boards, wax and T-shirts, the shop also carries swimsuits, flipflops, sunglasses and jewelry, long and short skateboards, skimboards, bodyboards, racks, and their newest item, surfboard covers that double as hammocks, useful on surfing safaris.
MOVING ON
beach behind the shop, beginning the week after July Fourth. The grandkids and their mom live on the east coast now, and Anna Maria Island is getting pretty well known among east coast surfers, judging by those who come in the shop. Brady said he doesn’t surf as much
The Bradys put the store up for sale three years ago; when it sells, the couple plans to travel more and watch the grandkids compete in places like Hawaii and Dubai, and maybe keep working there part time. Finding the right buyer takes patience, like waiting for the right wave. “We’re in no rush,” Brady said.
CELL TOWER: Lease approved in Anna Maria FROM PAGE 1
Both of those money sources dried up because the commissioners did not want the rest rooms or parking spaces. The commissioners were asked to transfer $56,000 from city budget reserves to pay for 19 live oak trees from Turner Tree Service, $26,425; a utility hookup to Manatee county Utilities, $4,285; labor and materials for the tree installation, $2,985.35; irrigation for the six lots to M&F Lawn Care Service, $1,262; the well pump to Young Well Drilling, $9,379; estimated lighting cost, according ot Public Works Director George McKay, $10,000; and unantici-
pated miscellaneous expenses, $1,663.65. The city will reimburse Rex Hagen $50,000 for improvements and $5,000 for the bathrooms. Copeland asked about the lighting expenses and Mayor SueLynn said it was to keep the electrical improvements because they were unsafe where they were. She said when someone holds a festival in the six lots, like Bayfest, they will make use of the electrical service. Webb, who helped the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce set up for Bayfests, agreed with the mayor. Woodland asked if they were taking money from reserves to pay for improvements to the lots, SueLynn said she would come to
the commission for permission if and when that happens. Finally, Building Official Bob Welch said the city is embarking on a difficult assignment, to write a flood prevention ordinance that is acceptable to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He said they are under a time limit and he wants to be done with it by the second meeting in February. He said he also spotted a snag. “FEMA requires each state to have an office of floodplain management,” he said. “The Florida Building Code is pretty minimal and the city cannot make its law more stringent.”
Stir It Up John and Nicole Coleman, owners of Stir It Up yogurt shop, reopened Monday at their new location at 5306 Holmes Blvd., Suite 800, in Holmes Beach. The shop has added a salad bar and new toppings to its menu. CHANTELLE LEWIN | SUN
sports: Scores and schedules FROM PAGE 42
Feb. 3, Monday, 7 p.m. – LPAC Cardinals vs. Eat Here Redskins Feb. 3, Monday, 8 p.m. – Beach to Bay Bucs vs. Sandbar Colts
Youth 14-17-Year-Old Flag Football Schedule Jan. 30, Thursday, 6 p.m. – West Coast Surf Shop Jaguars vs. Integrity Sound Lions Feb. 1, Saturday, 3 p.m. – Swordfish Grill Browns vs. Waterfront restaurant Cowboys Feb. 1, Saturday, 4 p.m. – Galati Yacht Sales Bucs vs. Mr. Bones Ben-
gals Feb. 1, Saturday, 5 p.m. – The Island Sun Bears vs. The Feast Broncos Feb. 4, Tuesday, 6 p.m. – Galati Yacht Sales Bucs vs. The Island Sun Bears Feb. 4, Tuesday, 7 p.m. – Mr. Bones Bengals vs. West Coast Surf Shop Jaguars Feb. 4, Tuesday, 8 p.m. – Swordfish Grill Browns vs. The Feast Broncos
Adult co-ed 18 & Over Flag Football Schedule
Jan. 29, Wednesday, 7 p.m. – Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks vs. Waterfront Res-
taurant Panthers Jan. 29, Wednesday, 8 p.m. – Beach Bistro Raiders vs. Agnelli Pool & Spas Giants Jan. 29, Wednesday, 9 p.m. – Slim’s Place Bears vs. Beach to Bay Dolphins
Adult co-ed 30 & Over Flag Football Schedule
Jan. 30, Thursday, 7 p.m. – Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings vs. Island Gourmet Bills Jan. 30, Thursday, 8 p.m. – Island Real Estate Raiders vs. Ross Built
Panthers Jan. 30, Thursday, 9 p.m. – Jessie’s Island Store Bucs vs. Agnelli Pool & Spas Giant
Adult co-ed Volleyball Schedule
Feb. 4, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. – Duncan Real Estate vs. Southern Greens Feb. 4, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. – Florida Discount Signs & Wraps vs. Duncan Real Estate Feb. 4, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. – Florida Discount Signs & Wraps vs. Southern Greens
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ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES I WILL HELP you get caught up on your business bookkeeping, so you can file your taxes on time. Call Gina Riley at 813-482-3660 or visit my website www.clear viewbookkeeping.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS CAPT GREG BURKE, Duncan Real Estate Need listings, all inventory sold or pending Call 941-5928373 email - gregburkesr@ hotmail.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at AMICC. Help your community by giving of yourself. Various positions available. Call Sandee 941-778-1908 ext 0
BOATS ARE SELLING EXTREMELY WELL. Let’s talk about selling yours. Keeping it simple, “Business On A Hand Shake.”. We buy boats too. www. Islandboatsales.net. Call 941-228-3489. TRAILER ESTATES BOAT SLIPS $ 6 per foot .Minutes from Sarasota Bay. Repair shop & fish cleaning station on site. Call T.J. 941-7567177
CARPET CLEANING QUALITY COUNTS. CARPET cleaning. Upholstery cleaning. Tile & grout cleaning. Island's favorite cleaner. Manatee Chamber Member. Great price/free estimates. Call 941-7561082
CLEANING SERVICE
THE BEST VOLUNTEER position on the island. The AMI Historical Museum needs docents and bread makers. Call Dusty at 941779-7688.
C & T HOUSEKEEPING. For all your cleaning needs. Free Estimates. Reasonable rates. Senior discount. References available. Call 941-9622512
ROSER FOOD BANK needs donations of cash and non-perishable food. Donations boxes are located at the Church, Moose Club, Walgreen's and The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper (corner of Gulf and Palm).
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & RESORT. "Have it done your way, we care about our work" Call 941-756-4570
COMMERCIAL SALES/ LEASES/RENTALS
OUR DAILY BREAD of Bradenton is looking for volunteer servers 9amnoon. Ask for Penny 941745-2992
ANNA MARIA CITY Gulf Drive Frontage Commercial 2 Lots 104x120 Real Estate only $1,200,000. Call Alan Galletto Island Real Estate 941-232-2216
AUCTIONS BANKRUPTCY AUCTION 5,700 +/- Acres North Port, Florida February 13 World Class Hunting Development Potential 800-5043010 National Auction Group, Inc. Thomas J. Bone, FL #AU3422
BABY SITTER BABY SITTER. Honor student with own transportation. Experienced, References available. Call or text Amanda at 941-713-3219
BOATS: PARTS & SERVICES & SALES BOAT SLIPS FOR RENT. Up to 60 feet. Two minutes to Intracoastal Waterway by Cortez, Parrot Cove Marina 941-795-0088
Call us today! 941-778-3986
RESTAURANT/OFFICE/ RETAIL 1113 sf Kitchen Equipment include Gulf Drive Bradenton Beach $495,000 Call Alan Galletto Island Real Estate 941-232-2216
COMPUTER SERVICES EMPIRE COMPUTER SERVICE Computer problems fixed in your home or office. The fastest friendliest service around. Serving the Island since 2004. Call 941-739-6424
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES MATH COACH- Retired College Professor now has openings for basic math through pre-calculus. Call Myra 941-313-0528
EMPLOYMENT PART-TIME SALES PERSON to work in ladies boutique. Must have retail experience. Days only. Approximately 25 hours a week. Call 941504-8007 PERSON NEEDED TO run children and youth Christian Education programs at a non-denominational church. Self-starter, organized, works independently and with others, minimum 2 years’ experience required. Sundays required, some Saturdays. Send resumes to: Roser Church Attention: BREd P.O. Box 247 Anna Maria, FL 34216 GRILL COOK, 30 hrs week, no evenings, start immediately, apply at Rudy's Subs & More 9906 Gulf Dr. Anna Maria ESTABLISHED STYLIST NEEDED for booth rental at Studio 104. Call 941-7785989 NOW HIRING! TRUCK Driving School Instructors Join CRST’s brand new training school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Relocation assistance provided. Call: 866-7563407; email: mknoot@crst. com AIRLINE CAREERS BEGIN here – Get FAA approved Aviation Maintenance Technician training. Housing and Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM 866-314-3769 LAUNCHING A NEW NETWORK marketing company, interviews for the Miami area will be held in January, Tampa in February, Orlando and Jacksonville in March. We have all heard the stories of how fortunes are made by those lucky enough to be at the beginning. Here’s your legitimate chance! Call 305335-5550 to set an interview with Mark Seyforth industry icon and founder of the company (this is an interview only and not an offer to join).
JANUARY 29, 2014
FOR SALE DISH TV RETAILER. Starting $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) Broadband Internet starting $14.95/month (where available.) Ask About same day Installation! Call Now! 800-9806193
GARAGE, MOVING, RUMMAGE & YARD SALES SALE NIKI’S 5351 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach. All Gold jewelry 60% off. Select Sterling jewelry 50% off. Select gifts, antiques, vintage & costume jewelry, art, beach items, books, dolls 40% to 80% off. Check the new drift wood arrangements! Open 7 days 9:30-5. ROSER THRIFT SHOP Now open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:30 - 2pm and Saturday, 10 - 1pm. Donations accepted on Wednesdays, 9 - 11am. 511 Pine Ave. Anna Maria 941-779-2733. COMMUNITY SALE SATURDAY February 1. 8am3pm Twin Shores Beach & Marina Club House. 3740 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key. Furniture, clothes, jewelry, house wares, beachy decor and so much more
HOME IMPROVEMENTS TILE! TILE! TILE! All variations of tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship. Prompt, reliable, many Island references. Free estimates. Neil 941-726-3077
SOUTHWEST HOME IMPROVEMENT Michigan General Contractor 30+ yrs. experience. Large or small projects. Budget minded knowledgeable tradesman will complete your project start to finish: On Time/On Budget. Call Mike 616-204-8822. PAINTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR. Clean professional service. Free Estimates. Call Wayne Lewin 941-726-8414 “HONEY DO" HOME Repairs & Handyman Services. 35 yrs experience. Painting, drywall, tile, woodwork. All tasks. Call 941-896-5256 or 941-807-5256 www.honey dohomerepairinc.com ASAP REPAIRS. Electrical, plumbing, carpentry, Air conditioning/Heating. Free estimates. No service charge. No job too small. Engineer turned Handyman. Call 941-448-7806 YOUR MAN FRIDAY Handyman Services. In business 20 years. Painting, remodeling. All aspects of home repair. Call Chris Friday 941565-7065
HOME SERVICES RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & RESORT. Pressure washing and windows. "We go the extra mile!" Call 941-756-4570 GENERAL BELLE PRESSURE Cleaning & Sealing. Inside/ outside. Tile, grout, pool cages, patios, driveways, etc. Commercial & Residential. Call 941-735-4014 or cell 352-223-1134
RENOVATION SPECALIST ALL carpentry repairs, Wash Family Construction, locally owned and operated CBC 1258250 Call 941-7250073.
DRAIN CLEANING James VanFossen A.K.A. “RIP” Call 941-301-6077
KERN CONSTRUCTION NEW Homes & Remodel. Design/Build. Since 1968. State License # CRC1327296. Call Jerry Kern 941-504-2222 www. kernconstructioninc.com
STRAIGHT SHOT LANDSCAPING. Save water, gas, maintenance fees and the environment! Shell your yard. $50/yd installed. Call Shark Mark 941-301-6067
GET’R DONE DRYWALL, INC Specializing in Remodels & Repairs. Island Resident for 18 years. Call Neil Cell 941-962-1194.
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
TOP NOTCH LAWN CARE For all your landscaping needs. Commercial and Residential Call 941-932-6600 ELI’S IRRIGATION New install/repair. Pumps, pools, irrigation, landscape lighting and pressure washing. Call 941-580-2054 SHELL DELIVERED AND spread $50/yd. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, top soil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, "shell phone" 941-720-0770
LOCKSMITH ISLAND LOCKSMITH, “Lock Around the Clock”. Licensed/bonded/insured. Call 941-778-1661 or 941713-4414
LOST & FOUND LOST BLACK FRAME GLASSES on the Crescent hump back bridge in City of Anna Maria. Call 941778-2487 LOST PANDORA BRACELET many charms. Great sentimental value. Call 518-365-2702 LOST WOMENS BIRTHSTONE ring with green stone near Sharkey’s on Gulf Drive. REWARD! Call 941-301-7529 MISSING 18 INCH GOLD chain with diamond drop, sterling silver seed bracelet , location Blue Water Beach Club between 9/12 & 9/13/2013 heartbroken was gift from husband 45 years ago REWARD please call 863-668-8566 no questions asked
MOVING & STORAGE MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-809-5777. TWO MEN and a TRUCK. Movers who care. Local and Long distance. www. twomen.com Call 941-3591904. We sell boxes!
JANUARY 29, 2014
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PAINTING & WALLCOVERING PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 16 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
POOL SERVICES FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE. Anna Maria Island & West Bradenton. Certified pool operator. Residential/ commercial. Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-737-5657
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
“WIZARD OF WALLS” Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Paperhanging/removal Faux finishes. Interior painting. Mary Bell 941794-0455
AMI VALET LLC Professional parking services. Restaurants, weddings, any & all special events. Insured & Licensed. Years of experience. Call 941-565-0137 AMIValet@gmail.com
WALY PRECISION PAINTING custom painting, pressure washing, commercial/residential, interior/exterior, drywall/stucco, 10% off. Licensed & insured. Call 941-448-1928 or 941-5804005 www.WalyPainting. com
AT YOUR SERVICE Personal & Professional assistant. Great rates. References available "Let me do what you are unwilling or unable to do." Call Cindy 941-812-2238 zicker8@aol.com
PERSONAL SERVICES CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT licensed and bonded providing compassionate care. Wide range of services. In-home or facility care. Sandra 941799-9229 PERSONAL CARE GIVER. Professional. compassionate, experienced. Disabilities, temporary needs, other personal care needs. Call 727871-9835. WE HELP HOMEOWNERS who rent their home. Guest services, repairs, cleaning and oversight. www.coastalhomeaway. com 941-584-4050 SMALL ODD JOBS, yard work, walk dog etc. Call George 941-773-5518 CHUCK'S MOBILE UPHOLSTERY Island resident. Call 941-565-1867 THE TINT GUY." Commercial, residential, automotive, marine. Free estimates. All work guaranteed. Over 25 years experience. Mobile service available. Call 941-2012649
PHOTOGRAPHY NEW AERIAL AMI PHOTOS. PhotosFromTheAir.com. email: photosfromtheair@ gmail.com or Call 941-7739834
Call us today! 941-778-3986
REAL ESTATE HOMES & CONDOS FOR SALE SPACIOUS 3BR/3BA Condominium rarely available in wonderful bay front complex with pool and tennis courts. Tastefully renovated to include newly tiled kitchen & family room with a peak of the bay and a split bedroom plan. Centrally located in Holmes Beach, with a short walk to shops. Ground-floor unit with covered parking and private storage. Family oriented and pet friendly. Offered at $450,000. Call Green Real Estate @ 941-7780455 MT VERNON ON SARASOTA BAY West Bradenton's Best Kept Secret 55+ Boating & Tennis Community Low 100s-200s. DonnaBucher.com 941713-0203 Wagner Realty
DIRECT Gulf front Condo. Bradenton Beach. Solid 10% Investment rental income. $295,000. By Owner. flipkey.com/124227. Call 941-962-8220
ACTIVE 55+ COMMUNITY with heated pool and boat docks. Beaches are 5 min. away. Beautifully Remodeled in 2013, 2BR/2BA, villa with open floor plan. New Designer kitchen includes Stainless appliances, granite tops and a large island cooktop. New bathrooms and walk in closets with additional storage. Enjoy the convenience of your own washer & dryer within the unit. $159,900. Call 303-884-9479 COZY GET-A-WAY 1 year old trailer on landscaped lot. Beautiful RV resort on canal. $158,000. 11900 Cortez Rd W site 66. Cortez, FL Call 863287-2403 DOUBLE WIDE 2BR/1BA turnkey. Large rooms, central air, washer/dryer, laminate flooring, attached carport, newly painted exterior. Boat dock available near Bridge Street. Bradenton Beach 55+. $105,000. Call 317-289-6529 FIXER UPPER ON DEEP water canal. Just seven houses from Intercoastal. Owner financing possible. $475,000. Call 941-7787980 or 941-778-7565
THE SUN
4BR/3BA HOUSE on 71.5 acres with 18 stall horse barn in Parrish, Florida. Call Steve Georgie 941-321-6253 at Keller Williams Realty
RENTALS: ANNUAL WEST BRADENTON:1BR/1.5BA condo basic cable, trash, water incl. 75th St. near Saints Peter & Paul $700/mo / $700.00 Sec Dep. Available March 1 Credit/Background required with everyone over 18 years old. DUNCAN REAL ESTATE 941-779-0304 www. teamduncan.com ANNUAL RENTAL- SPACIOUS 1BR/1BA with views of the beach, half block to beach. Elevated Unit with large deck. On site laundry. $975/ mo. Fran Maxon Real Estate 941-778-2307. ANNUAL HOLMES BEACH 1BR/1BA steps to beach, shops & trolley. No smoking/no pets. $950/mo. First, Last & Security. Call 860-922-3857 ROOM FOR RENT Holmes Beach. $400/mo includes cable TV and utilities. Call 941-565-0686
RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION TIFFANY PLACE Gulf Front Condo for Rent Incredible views from living room and master bedroom. 2BR/2BA Green Real Estate Call 941-778-0455 ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fl Condos. Pool beach access, fully equipped $650-$750/ wk Redekercondos.com 941-778-1915 VACATION RENTALS – BRADENTON, houses or condos. Weekly or monthly. Call 941-794-1515. WWW. Coastalpropertiesrealty. com Suzanne Wilson, PA, Broker WILLKOMMEN AUF AMI! Besuchen Sie Island Real Estate in einem unserer Inselbüros (6101 Marina Drive oder 419 Pine Ave) mit unserem deutschsprachigen Reservierungsservice und erhalten ein freies Island Real Estate Baseball Cap! Wir geben Ihnen gerne mehr Auskunft über unsere 250 ausgewählte Feriendomizile für Ihren nächsten Urlaub! THINKING OF TRYING a New Property Management Company? Call Tracy or Amberly at A Paradise Vacation Rentals today. Call 941-778-4800
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2BR ACROSS FROM BEACH. 75 steps to beach. Kitchen, laundry, Direct TV. Newly remodeled. Weekly available until February 1. February, March, April available for monthly only. Call 813-917-5270 or 813-917-0769
REAL ESTATE: OUT OF AREA 1.84 ACRES WITH 3 STATE Views! Prime, wooded, mountaintop acreage with majestic three state views. EZ access to US National Forest. Incredible 4 season recreation. Paved roads, underground power, fiber optic cable, municipal water. Perfect for primary/ vacation/ retirement home. Just $24,900! Only one, won’t last. Call now 866952-5303, x120
TRANSPORTATION AMI TAXI metered-on-callcards accepted. Airport services: Tampa $85, Sarasota $35, Clearwater $75, Fort Meyers $150, Orlando $150. Call 800-301-4816. amitaxi4u@gmail.com, www.amitaxi.com TOWN CAR SERVICES, All airports served. Local and Long distance services available. Call Glen 941225-0072
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sean murph y ’s
One of Florida’s “best new” restaurants 5313 gulf drive | holmes beach
941-778-0411
www.eathereannamaria.com
Zagat “Top Restaurants in America”