Museums
Shake Your Buoy
The Florida Maritime Museum (FMM), at 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, presents the Shake Your Buoy donor event and soft opening for the Burton Store on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Shake Your Buoy features light refreshments and live music from the Shanty Singers with traditional tunes from salty sailors. Short tours of the museum and the newly-renovated historic Burton Store will also be given throughout the evening along with some sneak peeks of the projects the museum has on the horizon. This event is open to the public and is a celebration of donors who have contributed to the renovations of the Burton Store coming to a completion and to the members of the community who have encouraged the progress over the years. The two-story historic Burton Store was the original general store for Cortez and was originally located on the Cortez waterfront where the present day Coast Guard Station is located. The downstairs of the store has been renovated to be used as classroom space for The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum and the upstairs to be used for collection storage and a research library. RSVP is appreciated by calling 941-708-6120.
Folklore program
The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W. Cortez, will be closed to the general public on Saturday, Feb. 24, to host a day-long program from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. where members of the community can immerse themselves in the region’s traditions and culture. The study of folklore is the study of the traditional beliefs, legends and customs of a people. This full-day program is a community-based educational event that highlights tradition-bearers, someone who “is an expert at a traditional art or skill and passes that knowledge on within a cultural group” according to Florida State Folklorist Amanda Hardeman. The event is presented by the Florida Department of State’s Florida Folklife Program and will be hosted at The Folk School at Florida Maritime Museum. The forum provides community members the opportunity to learn about southwest Florida’s traditional arts and culture while learning techniques on how to conduct their own oral history projects. Full day admission to the Southwest Florida Cultural Conference is $25 including lunch, which is being generously donated by SwordFish Grill & Tiki Bar. To register, visit FloridaFolkSchool.org.
Books
Local author Mary Maki will sell and sign copies of her new mystery, “Fatal Dose,” at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 1-3 p.m. Maki spoke previously of her first mystery, “An Unexpected Death.” The main character of both books is Caitlyn Jamison, a fictional character who gets drawn into solving the mysteries. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Lectures
Dream come true
Hear how a dream came true at the Island Branch Library’s Friends’ Travel and Lecture Series event on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Adam Ellis opened the Blue Marlin restaurant on Bridge Street in 2011 with a dream of combining fresh seafood with great recipes, and it became an award-winning dining establishment. He thanks his friends, family and locals for his recipe for success. The lecture is free, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Digital Future
Alex Beavers presents “Our Digital Future: Hopeful to Hopeless” at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. This free event is part of the Lifelong Learning Academy’s series of lectures. For more information, call the library at 941-778-6341.
Markets
Senior Adventures will hold its end of month book sale and potluck lunch at Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23. Join them for a relaxing time shopping for books and learn what they have planned for the senior’s future entertainment and education. For more information, call Kaye Bell at 941-538-0945.
Parks and nature
Join Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources for a naturalist-led wagon tour of Robinson Preserve, 1704 99th St. N.W., Bradenton, on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 to 10 a.m. These special tours provide access to portions of the preserve that normally take 30 to 45 minutes to reach by foot. The tour guide will interpret the land’s history, habitat, wildlife and plants. The tour is suitable for all ages. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour organizers recommend arriving 15 minutes in advance during this busy time of year; meet at the wooden ramp near the screened-in pavilion.
Health
Medical advice at JOY
JOY (Just Older Youth), of Roser Community Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, invites all to a talk by Kathleen Hnat, CPh, director of pharmacy, HealthSouth and Erin McKeown, BSN, RN, HealthSouth infection preventionist, on “Bugs and Drugs” at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Those interested are asked to make a reservation before Sunday, Feb. 25 by calling the church office at 941-778-0414 or visiting www.roserchurch.com/joy. Please notify of dietary restrictions.
Find your Zen
Sheryl Spikes will teach a healing meditation class on the fourth Saturday, of every other month; March 24, May 26, July 28, Sept. 22, and Nov .24 at the Anna Maria Island Art League, 5312 Holmes Boulevard, Holmes Beach. A full-time Island resident for more than 30 years, Spikes has been a licensed registered nurse for more than 50 years, practicing energy healing work and teaching meditation and is a Reiki Master for the past nine years. The cost is a donation and proceeds go to the AMI Art League. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call 941-778-2099 or visit The Anna Maria Island Art League between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.
